of the ancient chiefs, on purpose to appropriate the
gold which used to be buried along with them; by which
means he collected above an hundred thousand crowns,
and returned with this wealth to Mexico, leaving the
province in a worse state than before. From Mexico
he went to Vera Cruz, where he embarked for Spain;
but he and all his wealth went to the bottom, as the
vessel in which he sailed was lost in a storm.
The business of subjecting these Indians was finally
left for us, the veterans of Coatzacualco, who at
length reduced them to submission. They used to
submit during the summer, and to rebel when the torrents
rendered their country inaccessible. I was on
three expeditions against them; and at last the town
of St Alfonso was built to keep them under subjection.
When the governor heard how his friend Figuero had
been maltreated by Herrera, he sent the officers of
justice to apprehend him, but he made his escape to
the rocks and woods. They took a soldier named
Cortejo who used to accompany him, whom they brought
prisoner to Mexico, where the governor ordered his
right hand to be cut off, without hearing him in his
defence, although he was a gentleman. About this
time also, a servant belonging to Sandoval wounded
one of Estradas servants in a quarrel. The governor
had him arrested, and sentenced him to have his right
hand cut off, Cortes and Sandoval resided at this
time in Quernavaca, partly on prudential considerations;
and immediately posted off to Mexico, where he is said
to have used such severe expressions to the governor
as to put him in fear of his life. He called
his friends about him to form a guard for his person,
and immediately released Salazar and Chirinos from
prison, by whose advice he issued an order for the
expulsion of Cortes from Mexico. When this was
represented to Cortes, he declared his readiness to
obey; and since it was the will of God, that he who
had gained that city at the expence of his best blood,
should be banished from it by base and unworthy men,
he was resolved to go immediately to Spain and demand
justice from his majesty. He quitted the city
instantly, and went to one of his country residences
at Cojohuacan, from whence in a few days he proceeded
towards the coast. Estradas lady, a person worthy
of memory for her many virtues, seeing the dangerous
consequences which were likely to result from this
absurd and arbitrary conduct, remonstrated with her
husband on the subject, reminding him of the many
favours he had received from Cortes, the ingratitude
with which he now repaid him, and the many powerful
friends of the general. These representations
are said to have induced the treasurer to repent sincerely
of the violent steps he had taken. Just at this
time, Fra Julian Garrios, the first bishop of Tlascala
arrived in New Spain, who was much displeased on hearing
the proceedings of the governor; and two days after
his arrival in Mexico, where he was received with great
pomp, he undertook to mediate a reconciliation between
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