The pleasant historie of the conquest of the VVeast India, now called new Spayne
TekstThe imprisonment of Cacama, King of Tezcuco
The weake courage and stomake of Mutezuma, caused his subiectes not onely to murmure, but also to seeke meanes of rebellion, especially his nephew Cacamazin, Lorde of Tezcuco, who was a stoute yong man and an honorable, and one yt receiued greate griefe of his Vncles imprisonment: and seeing that ye matter séemed long, he besought his Vncle to procure his libertie, and to shew himselfe a Lorde, and not a slaue: but séeing at length that he could not accepte and follow his councell, he began to stirre in the matter, threatning the death and destruction of the Spanyardes. Some said, that Cacama did begin that matter, to reuenge the iniurie and dishonor done vnto his Vncle. Others saide, that his meaning was to make himselfe Kyng of Mexico. Others held opinion, that his pretence was only to make an ende of ye Spanyards. But let it be for whatsoeuer purpose. Once he gathered a great army, which he coulde not want, although Mutezuma was prisoner, especially against ye Spanyards. He published that he would redéeme his Vncle out of Captiuitie, and expulse the Straungers, or else kill and eate them.
This was a terrible newes for the Christians, but yet for all those bragges Cortes dismayde not, rather hée determined forthwith to prepare himselfe for the warres, and to besiege him in his owne house and Towne, sauing that Mutezuma disturbed him, saying that Tezcuco was a place very strong, and scituated in water, and that Cacama was a man of bolde and stoute courage, and had at commaundemente of the Indians of Culhua, and was also Lorde of Culhuacan and Otumpa, whiche were fortes of great strength, thinking to bring the matter to a better passe another way: so that Cortez ruled himselfe by the counsell of Mutezuma, and sent vnto Cacama, praying him to haue in remembrance the friendshippe that hadde bin betwixt them two, from the time that he came and broughte hym into Mexico, and that alwayes peace was better than warre, and especially for a noble man of vassals, for the begynnyng of warres was pleasant to hym that knewe not what warres meante: and in so doyng, he shoulde do both pleasure and seruice to the Kyng of Spayne.
Cacama vvas vvise
Cacama aunswered, that he had no friendship with him that woulde take away hys honor and kingdome, and that the warres whych he pretended, was profitable for his vassals, and in defence of their Countrey and Religion, yea and before he determined peace, he meante to reuenge hys Vncles wrongs and his goddes.
Also (quoth he) what haue I to doe wyth the Kyng of Spayne, who is a man that I know not, no nor yet would gladly heare of hym.
Cortez turned agayne to admonishe and require hym diuers tymes to leaue off his determination, and wylled Mutezuma to commaunde hym to accepte hys offer.
Wherevpon Mutezuma sente vnto hym, desiryng him to come vnto Mexico, to take some order in those controuersies and discordes betwixte hym and the Spanyardes.
Cacama aunswered very sharply vnto his Vncles request, saying, if you had bloud in your eye, or the hearte of a Prince, you woulde not permit your selfe to bée prisoner, and captiue of foure poore straungers, who with their fayre speache and flatteryng talke haue bewitched you, and vsurped your kingdome, no nor yet, suffer the Goddes of Culhua to be throwen downe and spoyled, yea and the Mexican religion and holy places, violated and troden with théeues féete and deceyuers: likewise the honour, glory, and fame of your predecessors blotted and abased, through your faynt stomacke and cowardize. But notwithstanding, accordyng to your request, and to repayre our religiō, to restore the Goddes to their Temples, to preserue the kingdome, and to procure libertie for you and the Cittie, I will obay your commaundement: But how? not with my handes in my bosome, but lyke a warrier, to kill those Spaniardes who haue so affrented the nation of Culhua. Our men stoode in great perill, as well of the losing of Mexico as of their owne liues, if this warre and mutinie had not soone bene qualified: for why? Cacama was valiant, stoute, and a good souldier, yea and well furnished of men of warre: also the Citizens of Mexico, were desirous of the same, for to redéeme Mutezuma their prince, and to kill the Spaniardes, or else to expulse them out of the Cittie.
Cacama prysoner
But poore Mutezuma remedied the matter, knowyng or foreseing, that warres would not preuayle, yea and beleued, that at the ende all shoulde fall vpon his backe. He dealt with certayne Captaynes & Gentlemen that dwelt in Tezcuco with Cacama, to apprehend him, and bryng him prysoner, cōsidering that he was their king and yet aliue. But whether it were, that those Captaynes had serued Mutezuma in the warres, or whether it were for giftes & rewardes, they apprehended Cacama being in counsell among them, treatyng of his warres pretended, and embarked him in a boate armed for the purpose, and so brought him to Mexico without any further slander or stryfe, and when he was comen to Mexico, they put him on a riche seate, as the Kings of Tezcuco were wonte to sitte vpon, beyng the greatest Prince in all that lande next vnto Mutezuma: and in this sorte brought him before his vncle, who would not looke vpon him, but commaunded him to be deliuered vnto Cortes, who incontinent clapped a payre of giues on his legges, and a payre of manacles on his handes, and put hym into sure Guarde and custodie.
After that Cacama was in this order prysoner, with the consent of Mutezuma was elected Lorde and Prince of Tezcuco and Culhuacan, Cucuzca, Cacama his yonger brother, who was abidyng in Mexico with his vncle, and fled from his brother: Mutezuma did entitle him with the ceremonies accustomed vnto Princes newly elected and chosen. So that forthwith he was obeyed in Tezcuco by Mutezuma his commaundement, for he was there better beloued than Cacama, who was somewhat of a croked nature. In this sorte was remedied all the former perill, but if there had bene many Cacamas, it would haue fallen out otherwise.
Here Cortes made kings, and cōmaunded with as great auctoritie as though he had obtayned already the whole Empire of Mexico: and certainely sithens his first entry into that countrey, he had an assured hope to win Mexico, and to be Lorde ouer the whole state of Mutezuma.
The Oration that Mutezuma made vnto his Noble men, yeelding himselfe to the King of Castile
After the imprisonment of Cacama, Mutezuma proclaymed a Parliament, vnto the which came all the Seniors Comarcans, and beyng all together, he made the Oration followying vnto them.
A fonde beliefe
My kinsmen, friendes and seruants, yée do well know that eightene yeares I haue bene your kyng, as my fathers and Grandfathers were, and alwaies I haue bene vnto you a louing Prince, and yée vnto me good and obedient subiectes, and so I hope you will remayne all the dayes of my life. Ye ought to haue in remembrance, that eyther ye haue heard of your fathers, or else our adeuines haue instructed you, that we are not naturalles of this countrey, nor yet our kingdome is durable, bycause our forefathers came from a farre countrey, and theyr king and captayne who brought them hither, returned againe to his naturall countrey, saying that he woulde sende suche as shoulde rule and gouerne vs, if by chaunce hée himselfe returned not. Beleeue ye assuredly, that the king whiche wée haue looked for so many yeares, is he that hath nowe sente these Spaniardes, whiche yée here sée. Who dothe certifie, that wée are their kinsmen, and that they haue had notice of vs a long tyme: lette vs therefore gyue thankes vnto the Goddes, that nowe they are comen in our dayes, beyng a thing that we so muche desired.
Poore Mutezuma
Yée shall nowe doe me seruice and pleasure, that yée yéelde your selues vnto this Captayne for vassals of the Emperoure King of Spayne our soueraygne, I my self haue already yéelded me for his seruitour and friend, praying you that from hence forwardes ye obey him as ye haue obeyed mée. And that yée yéelde and pay vnto him the tributes, customes and seruice that ye were wont to pay vnto me, and in so doyng, ye can doe me no greater pleasure. Hys harte then woulde not suffer hym to speake any more, with the sobbes, sighes, and teares, that fell from hys eyes. All his subiectes there presente fell into a crie, wéepyng and mournyng, that for a good space they had no power to speake: they gaue thankes, and sighings, vtteryng with their mouthes many dolefull, and sorrowfull speaches, yea that it pitied our owne men at the hartes. But in conclusion, they answered that they would obey his commaundement. Then Mutezuma and the Burgesses of Parliament in order yelded themselues for vassals of the king of Castile, promising loyaltie. This acte was set downe by the Notarie, and with witnesses auctorized. Then the Indians departed home to their houses with sorowfull hartes, God knoweth, as you may imagine. It was a straunge thing to sée Mutezuma wéepe with so many Noble men and Gentlemen, yea and with what griefe they became subiects to an vnknowē Prince, but they coulde not otherwise doe, seyng that Mutezuma did commaunde the same.
A true prophecie
Also they had a certaine Prognostication and forwarning by their Priestes of the comming from the east parties a straunge people, white of colour and bearded men, who should winne and rule that countrey. Likewise there was a secrete talke amōg them, that in Mutezuma should ende and finishe, not alone the lynage of Culhua, but also the Empyre and kingdome: therefore some were of opinion, not to name him Mutezuma whiche signifieth, agrieued with misfortune. They say also that Mutezuma himself had many times answere of the Oracle of the Gods, that in him shoulde finishe the Mexican Emperours, and that no childe of his shoulde succéede in his kingdome, and that he should lose his seate in the eyght yeare of his raigne: & for these causes he woulde neuer procure warre to withstande the Spaniardes, beleuyng that they should be his successours. Yet on the other side he thought his opinion would take no place, for that he had raygned seuentene yeares: But this should séeme to come from the prouidence of God, whiche giueth kingdomes and taketh them away.
Cortes gaue vnto Mutezuma moste hartie thankes on the behalfe of the Emperour, and for himself, and comforted him, who was very sad, promysing also that alwayes he should be king and Lorde, & commaunde as heretofore he had done, and better, yea and also he should be chief ruler of all the other landes and countreys, that he shoulde gette and bryng to the seruice of the Emperour.
The Golde and Ievvels that Mutezuma gaue vnto Cortes for tribute
After certaine dayes that Mutezuma and his counsell had yéelden their obedience, Cortes sayde vnto him, how that the Emperour was at great costes & charges in his warres, wherfore it should be necessary that his newe vassals shoulde begin to serue in some thing, and to pay their tribute, willyng him to sende throughout his dominion to sée what coulde be gathered of Gold, and that he himselfe should beginne firste to pay tribute to the example of others. Mutezuma answered that he was contented so to doe, willyng that some of his men shoulde goe vnto the house of foule for the same. There went many, and there sawe golde in planches like brickebattes, Iewels, and péeces wrought in a hall, and two chambers which were opened vnto thē. The Spaniardes wōdering at the sight, would not touch any thing, without giuing firste aduertisement to Cortes, who incontinent went thither, and caused it all to be carried to his lodgyng: besides this treasure Mutezuma gaue vnto him rich clothes of cotten and feathers maruelously wouen in figures & colours, it séemed without cōparison, for the Spaniardes had neuer séene the like: he gaue vnto him more, twelue shooting tronkes, wherewith he himself was wont to passetime: some of them were paynted with birdes, beasts, floures & trées very perfite, a worke surely much to be commended: and some of them were engrauē very curiously, with their mouldes and pellets of golde.
He sente also his seruants by twoo and twoo, and fiue and fiue, ech company with one Spaniarde, to the Lords of other prouinces, fourescore, and a hundred leagues frō Mexico, to gather in golde for the accustomed tributes, and newe seruice to the Emperour. Euery Lorde and Seignior payde the quantitie appointed & taxed by Mutezuma, in golde, plate, iewels, stones and pearles.
The messengers returned, although they had taried somewhat long on their iourney, of whom Cortes receyued all that they brought, and caused it to be molten, out of the whiche was had in fine golde .1600000. Castlins, of the value of seuen shillings and sixe pence the péece, and rather more, and also fiue hundred markes of plate, after sixe Ducates the marke.
This treasure was deuided among the Souldiers, but not all: euery man was payde accordyng to his office. The horsemen had twise as muche as the footemen. Also Cortes was payde out of the stocke the money promised him in Vera Crux.
There came to the kings parte .32000. Castlins and a hundred markes of plate, the whiche was wrought there in platters, saucers, cuppes, ewers and other péeces, according to the Indian fashion, to be sent to the Emperour. Besides this, the present that Cortes layde aside, and takē out of the stocke to send to ye Emperour, was worth .100000. Ducates, in pearles, precious stones, golde, and feathers, feathers and siluer, and many other iewels, as the gallant tronkes, whiche beside their value were straunge to behold, wrought with the brauery aforesayde. This present appoynted, was not sent, for that and al the rest was afterwarde loste at the troubles in Mexico, as hereafter shall more playnly appeare.
Hovv Mutezuma required Cortez to departe from Mexico
Cortes seyng himselfe riche and mightie, he occupied hymselfe in thrée things, the one was to sende vnto Santo Domingo and other Ilands, newes of his procéedings and prosperitie, and also money to prouide menne, horses and armour, for his owne company were to fewe for so greate a countrey. The other was, to take fully and wholly the state of Mutezuma, hauing him prisoner, and also at his commaundement Tlaxcallan, Coatelicamath, and Tuchintlec, knowyng also that the Indians of Panuco, Tecoantepec, and Mechuacan, were mortall enimies to the Mexicans, who woulde ayde and assist him hauing néede of their helpe, his thirde pretence was, to procure all the Indians to be Christened, the which purpose he tooke first in hand, as a thing most nedefull. On the other side, Mutezuma repented himselfe, hauyng newes that Pamfilo de Naruaiz was arriued, who came as enimy to Cortes, yea and after all this he was at length driuen out of Mexico. These notable things shalbe rehersed in their order. But now Mutezuma came, and desired Cortes to departe out of his countrey, aduising hym that otherwise bothe he and his menne were in perill of killyng, saying also, that thrée especiall causes moued him to this requeste: the one was, the dayly sute of the subiectes, who enportuned him to come out of captiuitie, and to murder the Spanyardes, saying, that it was a great shame for them to suffer theyr Prince to bée in pryson in the power of so fewe straungers, whom they might vse as a footebal: hauing dishonored thē and robbed them of their goodes, gatheryng and heaping vp their gold for themselues, & for their king, who as séemed by their doings, was but a poore fellowe, and if hée would not accept their offer and sute, that then of theyr owne auctoritie they would take the thyng in hande, for so much as he refusing to be theyr king they woulde also refuse to be his vassals, giuyng warnyng and aduice that he should looke for no better rewarde at the Spaniardes handes, than Qualpopoca and Cacama his Neuewe had receiued, although they shoulde flatter him neuer so muche.
A suttle Foxe
An other cause was that the Diuell had appeared vnto him, and willed him to kill those Christians, or dryue them out of the lande, threatnyng him that if he did not so, that then he woulde goe from him and neuer talke any more with him, for (quoth he) with their gospels, baptisme and deuotion, they doe muche displease me. Mutezuma answered him, that there was no reason to kill thē being his friendes and honest men, but he would entreate them to departe, (vnto this) the Diuell answered that hée should do so, and therein he would receyue great pleasure, for eyther he woulde goe his way and leaue him, or else that Christian fellowes should departe, for they sow here (quoth he) a Christian fayth ye which is much against our Religiō, and can not dwell both togither. Another cause was, that Mutezuma was not well pleased with the imprysonment of Cacama, whō once he loued excedyng wel: so in fine, secretely hee repented him of all that was past in the Spanyardes fauour, and chiefly by the persuasion of the Diuell, who sayde that he coulde not doe vnto him a more acceptable seruice, and of greater pleasure to the Goddes, than to expell the Spaniardes and abolishe the name of Christians, and in so doyng, the seate of Kings should not finish in the linage of Culhua, but rather be enlarged, & his childrē should raigne after him, wishing him not to beléeue in prophesies, sithence the eight yeare was past, and was nowe in the eyghtenth yeare of his raigne. For these causes, or possible for other whiche we knowe not off, Mutezuma prepared an army of a hundred thousand men so secretely, that Cortes knew not thereof, to the effecte, that if the Spanyardes woulde not departe, being once more required, that then he meant not to leaue one of them aliue. With this determination, he came forthe one day into the yard or courte, and had long conference and consultation with his Gentlemen aboute this matter. This done, he sente for Cortes, who liked not this newes, saying to him selfe, I pray God this message be to good purpose, and taking twelue of his men whych were readyest at hand, went to know wherefore hée had sente for him. Mutezuma arose from the place where hée sate, and tooke Cortez by the hande, commaunding a stoole to be brought for him, and so sate them downe both togither, and beganne his talke as followeth. Sir, I beséeche you to departe from this Citie and Countrey, for my Gods are sore offended with me, bycause I doe, and haue permitted you héere so long: demaunde of me what you please, and it shall be giuen you, bycause I loue you well: and thinke you not, that I giue you this warning in iest, but rather in good earnest, therefore it is conuenient, that you depart. It séemed strange vnto Cortez this talke. Also he saw by the countenance of Mutezuma, that some thing was a working, and before the interpreter of Mutezuma had made an end of his talke, Cortes willed one of his mē to goe forthwith, and to aduise all his fellowes, saying, yt the waight of their liues was in questiō. Then our mē called to remembrance what was tolde them in Tlaxcallon, considering that it was néedeful of courage and help from God to bring them out of that daunger. Whē Mutezuma had ended his tale, I haue (quoth Cortes) vnderstood your meaning, and doe thanke you for the same: also I would know when it is your pleasure that we should depart, and it shal be done. Euen when it please you (quoth Mutezuma) take the time that you thinke méete, and againste that time will I prepare a hundred waighte of gold for you, and fiftie pound waight to each of your mē.
Cortes sayde, you knowe, that when I came into thys Countrey, I commaunded all my Shippes to be sonke, so that nowe I haue néede of time conueniente to builde vessels to carrie vs into oure Countrey: wherefore my request is, that you commaund some of your Carpēters to be called, to cutte downe timber for the purpose, for I haue men that can make the vessels. And this done, wée will departe, so that you giue vs the golde whiche you haue promised, and certifie you the same to youre Gods and vassals.
Mutezuma receyued great pleasure at this aunswere, and sayd, your request shall be fulfilled: and incontinente he sent for many Carpenters. Likewise Cortes prepared certayne of his Marriners for Shipwrightes. All the which workemen went vnto great woddes of Pinetrées, and there cut downe the timber necessarye for the purpose. Mutezuma being a simple man, gaue credite to all Cortez his talke: Cortes likewise aduertised his men of his procéedings, and sayd vnto them, Mutezuma would haue vs departe out of his Countrey, bycause his vassals and the Diuell hathe entised him therevnto: wherefore it is néedefull that we build shipping, and therefore I praye you goe with these Indians, and procure to cut downe the best timber fit for oure purpose, and in the meane season God will prouide for vs, whose affayres we haue nowe in hand, of remedie and succour in suche sort that we lose not this frutefull countrey. It is also necessary, that whē you come vnto the wodde, that you make all the delay possible, giuing a shew that you are busie occupyed, and with great desire to make an ende, that those Indians may suspect nothing of oure pretence. Departe in Gods name, and aduise me alwayes what doth passe in your affaires.