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…
Vazquez de Tapia, in the latter's interest, and Antonio de Carvajal, who commanded a
brigantine during the siege of Mexico, was chosen to representthe interest of the auditors;
however, both these gentlemenwere more inclined to favour the cause of Nuño de Guzman
than that ofCortes: nor could we indeed blame them for this, the royal auditorshaving been
more bountiful towards us than Cortes. They had, at least,in some measure acted up to his
majesty's commands, by bestowing commendaries upon us; whereas Cortes, at the time
when he had fullpower to reward us according to our deserts, totally neglected us. Butas
Spaniards are ever loyal, and we could not forget that he had beenour captain, we still felt a
great affection for him, more indeed than hehad shown us when it was in his power to have
remembered us, accordingto his majesty's express desire.
After we had thus selected our two procuradores, a lengthened discussiontook place as to
the particular points that were to be impressedon his majesty's mind. The president and his
colleagues, on their part, maintained that it was imperative on all the procuradores to
declarethat it would be both injurious to the cause of religion and the trueinterests of the
crown if Cortes returned to New Spain, for his presence would only create factions and
disturbances among the inhabitants, anda good government would be totally impracticable;
that moreover it was not unlikely he would seize the first opportunity of taking forcible
possession of the country, and declare his independence of the Spanish crown. These
assertions most of us Conquistadores positively denied,and we maintained that his majesty
had not a more devoted and faithfulservant than Cortes.
[Pg 343]
About this time also Alvarado returned from Spain, as governor and chief justice of
Guatimala, and comendador of Santiago. He was accompaniedby his newly-married wife,
Doña Francisca de la Cueva,who, however, died soon after her arrival at Vera Cruz, so that
Alvaradoand his suite arrived in Mexico clad in the deepest mourning. As soonas he learnt
the nature of the petition which the auditors were going to despatch to his majesty, he
managed that we should draw up a jointaddress to the emperor, in which we fully explained
to his majesty thereal object the president and his colleagues had in view. When therefore
the two above-mentioned procuradores laid their papers before thecouncil of the Indies, the
members of this body readily perceived thatthey contained nothing but a rancorous feeling
against Cortes. Not theslightest notice therefore was taken of these representations, and the
imperial decree for the cashiering of the auditors was confirmed. Corteswas at that time
still in Spain, and it may naturally be supposed thatall these attempts to injure him turned
out to his advantage, and addedto his honour.
Nuño de Guzman in the meantime sent out an expedition to Xaliscofor the colonization of
this province, in which, it will be seen, he was more fortunate than Cortes, who had
previously made a similar attempt.
CHAPTER CXCVII.
How Nuño de Guzman, on the intelligence that the emperor hadcashiered the
royal court of audience, determines to subdue the province of Xalisco, at
present called New Galicia.
Nuño de Guzman, finding that his power in New Spain was drawingto an end, assembled a
large body of troops, consisting of cavaliers, crossbow-men, and musketeers, for an
expedition to the province ofXalisco. Those who were not willing to accompany him he
compelled,or made them give a certain sum of money to hire a substitute. Heseized every
horse he could lay his hands on, and at most only paid halftheir value. The more wealthy
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