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BOOK V

HILE engaged in writing the preceding, I

learned that four vessels coming from the Indies had reached the coast of Spain. We do not yet know what riches they contain. The Royal Council of Hispaniola has sent a report to the Emperor on the subject of a recent painful and lamentable incident which it is feared may have hurtful consequences. I have already spoken at length concerning Francisco de Garay, governor of Jamaica, in letters I addressed to Pope Adrian, and which were carried to Rome by Giacomo Pierio.

Francisco de Garay had already twice essayed to found a colony on the Panuco River, which gives its name to the country, the cacique, and all the neighbouring regions bounding on the vassal states of Temistitan. Both times he had been repulsed by the inhabitants, although they are almost naked. The preceding year he renewed his attempt, with eleven ships manned by more than five hundred soldiers and many horsemen. He had been granted royal letters patent authorising him to found the colony he desired on the banks of that river. The Panuco is a broad river, navigable for large ships, and serves as a port-all the regions dependent upon Temistitan being without ports and affording vessels very imperfect protection

Garay and his companions succeeded in landing, but they had suffered from violent storms at sea, and evil

fortune drove them on the coast. He lost all his ships in landing, and found the banks of the river occupied by the soldiers of Cortes. A colony had already been founded there and magistrates named for the administration, with the consent of the cacique of Panuco. In fact, Cortes affirms that this country is under his government of Temistitan and that the Panuco River lies within the limits of New Spain; such being the name he has given to that region, and which the Emperor has confirmed. Garay went to meet his compatriots established at that point, and questioned them, showing them his royal letters patent assigning the banks of the Panuco River as the site of his colony.

He informed them that this was his only motive in coming there, saying: "I counsel you, therefore, to obey the King's orders and to submit; I beg you to recognise my authority and not that of Cortes, to accept the laws and regulations necessary to assure a good and tranquil administration, and to obey my orders."

All these words were useless, for hardly had the colonists heard these studied phrases than, without consultation and likewise without any hesitation, they replied: "Cortes is resolved to found a colony upon the territory belonging formerly to Temistitan and which lies within the limits of New Spain, as traced by the Emperor. We might very properly be accused of treason if we deserted him and listened to you." A second time Garay cited and exhibited the royal letters. He was told they were forgeries, that he had obtained them from the Emperor by abusing his ignorance, that they were granted owing to the partiality of the Bishop of Burgos, President of the Council for Indian Affairs, who was personally hostile to Cortes, owing to Diego Velasquez, viceroy of Cuba, being an old friend of his brother Fonseca, and an enemy of Cortes. I have already spoken sufficiently of their rivalries in the narrative dealing with these two

captains, and the story would fill a thick volume. The colonists proving obdurate, Garay accused them of treason, if they did not obey the King's orders. They answered that they placed the letters on their heads, as is the Spanish custom, and that they would accept them with the respect due to royal letters; but as to executing their provisions, they would consult either the King or the Council for Indian affairs. When the Emperor-King had heard both parties he would decide as best suited his interests. Nevertheless the colonists thought the King would have given very different orders had he suspected the extraordinary dangers this novelty might provoke; as a matter of fact, if the barbarians who had just been subjugated realised that any rivalry existed among the Christians, they would take advantage of it to shake off the yoke.

They finally decided amongst themselves to send envoys to Cortes. They were named and departed. They reported to Cortes what had happened. The latter commissioned two of his captains to go and see Garay and to persuade the latter to meet him at Temistitan, that great lake capital of a powerful empire, which lies about sixty leagues distant from Panuco. The captains found Garay, and succeeded in persuading him to come. He decided to set out, for he recognised his inferiority to Cortes. The latter accepted his son as his son-in-law, giving him one of his natural daughters to wife.' Meanwhile, whether at the instigation of Cortes or spontaneously is not known, the fact is that the natives took up arms, attacked and massacred the troops of Garay. The members of the council at Hispaniola who have written private letters to their friends express no opinion on this point. As a matter of fact, it is of little importance.

1

Supposed to have been Catalina, but her identity is not altogether clear. The two children were formally affianced, but the marriage never took place.

Garay's seven hundred men were none the less defeated, two hundred and fifty being killed. It is alleged that Garay himself was amongst the victims. It is not yet known whether he was with Cortes or elsewhere when he died; whether he succumbed to fever, or whether the kindness and considerate foresight of Cortes delivered him from the vexations of human preoccupations, leaving the latter to enjoy the sweets of tyranny alone. In fact, we have no reports concerning these events, either from Cortes or from the magistrates of that region.

We only know by letters sent by the council of Hispaniola to the Emperor and our own council, that a certain Cristobal de Olid had landed at the western extremity of Cuba, opposite the coast of Yucatan. This man Olid, who is a lieutenant of Cortes, had under his orders three hundred soldiers and one hundred and fifty horsemen. His fleet was imposing. He sought other recruits in Cuba, and announced his intention of exploring the country extending between Yucatan and the continent (for it is not yet known whether Yucatan is an island) and to found a colony there. The councilors were informed by a notary in Cuba of this event, and at the same time they heard different versions of the death of Garay. It is true that the councilors also believe these reports to be false and that they have been spread by Olid, who wished to attract wandering Spaniards necessary for his expedition, once they had lost hope of joining Garay.

In another passage of their letter, the councilors announce that Egidius Gonzales is at a port of Hispaniola preparing to sail in the same direction. I have described the expedition of Gonzales in the South Sea, and the ambassador, Tomaso Maino, took with him a copy of this narrative which the Archbishop of Cosenza presented to the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement. As everything is ready for the departure, it is necessary to take precautions so as to understand the intentions of those who desire to

explore with the consent and under the instructions of the Emperor. For this reason, on his return from the South Sea, where he discovered a large fresh-water sea dotted with islands, Egidius has decided to continue his researches in the north, hoping that chance may lead him to the discovery of the much-desired strait. He has, therefore, come to Hispaniola with his wealth, leaving his fleet in the South Sea, for he wishes to build a new one before sailing the northern ocean. He thinks that the mass of waters flows through a navigable river, which must be situated between Yucatan and the continent, just as the Ticino flows from Lake Maggiore, the Mincio from Lake of Garda, the Adda from the Lake of Como, and the Rhone from Lake Leman, carrying their waters to the sea.

We are not ignorant that Pedrarius, governor of the continent, having decided to occupy the same provinces, has assembled a considerable company of foot-soldiers and horsemen and is preparing to set out in the same direction. The council of Hispaniola opposed the departure of Egidius Gonzales, hoping to prevent a meeting and conflict between the three-Olid, Pedrarius, and Egidius. Couriers were expressly sent to Pedrarius, to Fernando Cortes, and to Olid, threatening them with punishment for treason should they resort to violence in case they encountered one another. Whoever acts contrary to this order will be ignominiously deprived of his office; our council has approved this decision of the council of Hispaniola. I will keep you informed of what happens.

The explorers are devoured by such a passion to discover this strait that they risk a thousand dangers; for it is certain that he who does discover it-if it ever is discovered-will obtain the imperial favour, not to mention great authority. If indeed a passage between the South and the North Sea is discovered, the route to the islands producing spices and precious stones will be

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