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1/25/22, 8:50 PM <strong>The</strong> Project Gutenberg eBook <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Memoirs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Conquistador</strong> <strong>Bernal</strong> <strong>Diaz</strong> <strong>del</strong> <strong>Castillo</strong> written by himself, containing a true an…<br />
When Cortes arrived at <strong>the</strong> imperial court, his majesty ordered apartmentsto be given him<br />
in <strong>the</strong> palace. When he had approached near to <strong>the</strong> town, <strong>the</strong> duke <strong>of</strong> Bejar, <strong>the</strong> earl <strong>of</strong><br />
Aguilar, and several o<strong>the</strong>rgentlemen <strong>of</strong> distinction went out to meet him, and gave him a<br />
most honorable reception. On <strong>the</strong> following day, he was allowed to throw himself at his<br />
majesty's feet; and to show him every possible distinction on <strong>the</strong> occasion, he was<br />
accompanied by <strong>the</strong> admiral <strong>of</strong> Castile, <strong>the</strong> duke <strong>of</strong> Bejar, and <strong>the</strong> comendador-mayor <strong>of</strong><br />
Leon. After Cortes hadobtained leave from his majesty to speak, he knelt down, but his<br />
majesty immediately desired him to rise; upon which Cortes addressed <strong>the</strong> emperor, and<br />
enumerated <strong>the</strong> many important services he had rendered<strong>the</strong> crown, <strong>the</strong> various conquests<br />
he had made down to <strong>the</strong> perilous expedition to <strong>the</strong> Honduras, and <strong>the</strong>n recounted <strong>the</strong><br />
disturbances andconspiracies which <strong>the</strong> veedor and factor had caused in Mexico duringhis<br />
absence. Though this address was <strong>of</strong> considerable length, yet hespoke everything with great<br />
fluency and ease, concluding with <strong>the</strong>se words: "In order, however, not to tire your<br />
majesty's patience anylonger by listening to me, and as it ill becomes a subject like myself<br />
toaddress <strong>the</strong> first monarch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world to any greater length, as I amunaccustomed to<br />
speak with your majesty, and as <strong>the</strong> mental pain whichI suffer from <strong>the</strong> many injustices<br />
which have been done me might forceunbecoming expressions from my lips, I have drawn<br />
up in this memoriala statement <strong>of</strong> everything I wished to say, from which yourmajesty may<br />
learn <strong>the</strong> full particulars <strong>of</strong> every circumstance that hastranspired." With <strong>the</strong>se words Cortes<br />
knelt down, and handed overto his majesty <strong>the</strong> memorial, and was going to kiss his feet for<br />
havinggranted him so leng<strong>the</strong>ned an audience, but <strong>the</strong> emperor again desiredhim to rise;<br />
upon which <strong>the</strong> admiral <strong>of</strong> Castile and <strong>the</strong> duke <strong>of</strong> Bejaraddressed his majesty in praise <strong>of</strong><br />
Cortes, and said how richly he hadmerited reward.<br />
<strong>The</strong> emperor <strong>the</strong>n upon <strong>the</strong> spot created him marquis <strong>del</strong> ValleOaxaca, bestowed a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> townships upon him, and presented him with <strong>the</strong> cross <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> Santiago. <strong>The</strong><br />
income that he wasto have was not mentioned at <strong>the</strong> time, and I am unable to say how it<br />
came to be overlooked. <strong>The</strong> emperor also appointed him captain-general<strong>of</strong> New Spain and<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> South Sea; after which Cortes hada second audience <strong>of</strong> his majesty to thank him for<br />
<strong>the</strong> many favourshe had bestowed upon him, and his majesty, as on <strong>the</strong> previous occasion,<br />
received him with every mark <strong>of</strong> distinction.<br />
Cortes had been but a few days at Toledo when he fell so dangerouslyill that every person<br />
despaired <strong>of</strong> his life. <strong>The</strong> duke <strong>of</strong> Bejarand <strong>the</strong> comendador <strong>of</strong> Leon fearing his end was<br />
drawing nigh, requestedhis majesty to visit <strong>the</strong> sick man at his bedside before hisdeath, as<br />
a mark <strong>of</strong> distinction to him for <strong>the</strong> many services he had rendered to <strong>the</strong> crown. His<br />
majesty was pleased to comply with this request, and he repaired to Cortes' lodgings,<br />
accompanied by several dukes, marquisses, and o<strong>the</strong>r distinguished personages. This, at<br />
court,was considered <strong>the</strong> highest honour and mark <strong>of</strong> respect that could bepaid to a subject.<br />
When Cortes, <strong>the</strong>refore, was restored to goodhealth, envy strove to do its worst to poison<br />
<strong>the</strong> favour in which hestood with his majesty, under <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earl <strong>of</strong> Nassau,<strong>the</strong><br />
duke <strong>of</strong> Bejar, and <strong>the</strong> admiral <strong>of</strong> Castile.<br />
It happened one Sunday that Cortes came ra<strong>the</strong>r late to mass in <strong>the</strong>ca<strong>the</strong>dral church. His<br />
majesty had already taken his seat, and <strong>the</strong> noblemen <strong>of</strong> his suite, each according to his<br />
respective rank and station.Cortes, clo<strong>the</strong>d in his deep mourning cloak, passed by all <strong>the</strong>se<br />
illustriousnoblemen, and seated himself next to <strong>the</strong> earl <strong>of</strong> Nassau, whosat very near to his<br />
majesty. This self-assumed precedence <strong>of</strong> so manyillustrious personages, as it was termed,<br />
appeared so presumptuous, andshowed so great a want <strong>of</strong> propriety, that those persons who<br />
considered <strong>the</strong>mselves slighted <strong>the</strong>reby, immediately began to murmur forth <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
disapprobation <strong>of</strong> such conduct. However, <strong>the</strong> duke <strong>of</strong> Bejar,<strong>the</strong> admiral <strong>of</strong> Castile, and <strong>the</strong><br />
earl <strong>of</strong> Aguilar, who were present, tookCortes' side, and observed that no reproach could be<br />
made to <strong>the</strong> latteron this score, as his majesty, to do him honour, had ordered that heshould<br />
take his seat next to <strong>the</strong> earl <strong>of</strong> Nassau. It should also be taken into consideration, <strong>the</strong>se<br />
noblemen fur<strong>the</strong>r said, what vast territories Cortes had added to <strong>the</strong> crown, how greatly<br />
[Pg 332]<br />
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm 219/282
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