The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an…
factor, who, in acknowledgment for this,hinted to him that he ought to banish Cortes from
Mexico, for hewould never be able to govern in peace, and the demon of party-spiritwould
always be sowing discord as long as this man was allowed to remain in the city. This
counsel was followed by the governor, whosigned the banishment of Cortes, and ordered it
to be notified to him.Cortes said he gladly obeyed these commands, and thanked God from
the bottom of his heart that things had now come to such a pass, thatpersons of worthless
character, unworthy of the offices they filled,should banish him from a country and a city,
in the conquest of which he and his companions in arms had endured every species of
hardship, fought numerous severe engagements, and so many bravesoldiers had lost their
lives. He was now himself determined to repairto Spain, there to acquaint his majesty with
what was going on inMexico, and to demand justice against people who repaid all the past
favours he had bestowed upon them with base ingratitude.
Cortes quitted Mexico without delay, and repaired to the townshipof Cojohuacan, which
was his own property, where, however, he onlystayed for a short time, but travelled from
thence to Tezcuco, and a fewdays after to Tlascalla. The governor Estrada, in the meantime,
began to repent of what he had done; for when his wife, Doña Marina Gutierrez de la
Caballeria, a most excellent and virtuous woman, learntthat her husband had liberated the
veedor and factor, and had thenbanished Cortes from Mexico, she was seized with sudden
grief, andsaid to her husband, she hoped the Almighty would forgive him hisingratitude
towards a man who had befriended him in every way, and bestowed upon him so many
lucrative commendaries. She advised himto do all in his power to regain his friendship, and
to persuade him toreturn to Mexico; for otherwise his own life would be in constantdanger.
These circumstances are said to have made a deep impression on the governor, and he
regretted exceedingly that he had banished Cortes, and liberated the factor and veedor;
though they, as sworn enemies of the former, were ready to serve him in every possible
manner.
About this time, also, father Don Julian Garces arrived from Spain,in order to enter upon
the new bishopric of Tlascalla, of which he was appointed bishop. He was a native of
Arragon, and a very eloquentpreacher, and, in honour of the emperor, he took the name of
Carolense.This prelate highly disapproved of Cortes' banishment, and as soon ashe heard
of it he determined to bring about peace and friendship between the former and the
governor. With this good object in view, herepaired to Tezcuco, where he embarked in a
couple of canoes, with twopriests and a monk, who had accompanied him, for Mexico. As
intelligenceof his approach had reached this town, the whole of the clergyin grand pomp,
the chief authorities, the Conquistadores, and all theofficers and soldiers then in Mexico
went out to meet him. Nor hadhe scarcely been a couple of days here before the governor
begged ofhim to become mediator between himself and Cortes, and to persuadethe latter to
return to Mexico; for which purpose he then withdrew theorder of banishment. The bishop,
indeed, tried his utmost in this matter; but Cortes would listen to no adjustment of
differences, and continually moved about from place to place, always accompanied by a
considerable number of cavaliers and other persons. Cortes' principalobject at the present
moment was to collect as much gold as possiblefor his journey to Spain; for which purpose
he not only mortgagedhis own property, but even that of his friends who were resolved to
stand by him. His example was followed by Sandoval and Tapia, whowere determined to
accompany him on his journey. Cortes, duringhis stay in Tlascalla, was likewise visited by
several of the inhabitantsof Mexico and of other towns, as also by all those soldiers who
had not received any commendaries; even the caziques of Mexico waited upon him, and
offered him their services: and as at all times there are personsfond of change and rebellion,
who are most pleased when everything isin uproar and confusion, many likewise advised
him to set himself upfor king of New Spain, for which, they said, he could not choose a
more favorable opportunity than the present, and they would lend him every support.
Cortes, however, showed so little inclination to listen to proposals of this nature, that he
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