Conquest of Mexico
a large pearl as a button. The edge of the cup was of gold, on which was engraven this Latin sentence, "Of those born of women, no greater exists."—Gomara, Crónica, cap. 184.
Page 360 (1).—Carta de Cortés al Emperador, MS., Tezcuco, 10 de Oct., 1530.
Page 362 (1).—Doña Catalina's death happened so opportunely for the rising fortunes of Cortés that this charge of murder by her husband has found more credit with the vulgar than the other accusations brought against him. Cortés, from whatever reason, perhaps from the conviction that the charge was too monstrous to obtain credit, never condescended to vindicate his innocence. But, in addition to the arguments mentioned in the text for discrediting the accusation generally, we should consider that this particular charge attracted so little attention in Castile, where he had abundance of enemies, that he found no difficulty, on his return there, seven years afterwards, in forming an alliance with one of the noblest houses in the kingdom; that no writer of that day (except Bernal Diaz, who treats it as a base calumny), not even Las Casas, the stern accuser of the Conquerors, intimates a suspicion of his guilt; and that, lastly, no allusion whatever is made to it in the suit, instituted, some years after her death, by the relatives of Doña Catalina, for the recovery of property from Cortés, pretended to have been derived through her marriage with him,— a suit conducted with acrimony, and protracted for several years. I have not seen the documents connected with the suit, which are still preserved in the archives of the house of Cortés, but the fact has been communicated to me by a distinguished Mexican, who has carefully examined them; and I cannot but regard it as of itself conclusive, that the family, at least, of Doña Catalina, did not attach credit to the accusation. Yet so much credit has been given to this in Mexico, where the memory of the old Spaniards is not held in especial favour, at the present day, that it has formed the subject of an elaborate discussion in the public periodicals of that city.
Page 361 (2).—This remarkable paper, forming part of the valuable collection of Don Vargas Ponce, is without date. It was doubtless prepared in 1529, during the visit of Cortés to Castile. The following Title is prefixed to it:
Secret Enquiry.
"Relation of the charges resulting from the secret enquiry against Don Hernando Cortés, of which no copy nor details were given to the said Don Hernando, on account of the nature of the charges, and on account of the absence of Don Hernando. I, Gregorio de Saldana, Secretary of His Majesty and Secretary of the said Proceedings, derived these charges from the said Secret Enquiry, by order of the members, President and Judges of the Audience and Royal Chancellery, which resides in New Spain by command of His Majesty. These details are sent by the Members, President and Judges to His Majesty so that they may be examined and such action taken as may be convenient."—MS.
Page 362 (1).—MS., Tordelaguna, 22 de Marzo, 1530.
Page 362 (2).—The principal grievance alleged was, that slaves, many of them held temporarily by their masters, according to the old Aztec usage, were comprehended in the census. The complaint forms part of a catalogue of grievances embodied by Cortés in a memorial to the emperor. It is a clear and business-like paper.—Carta de Cortés á Nuñez, MS.
Page 362 (3).—Carta de Cortés á Nuñez, MS.
Page 363 (1).—The palace has crumbled into ruins, and the spot is now only remarkable for its natural beauty and its historic associations. "It was the capital," says Madame de Calderon, "of the Tlahuica nation, and, after the Conquest, Cortés built here a splendid palace, a church, and a convent for Franciscans, believing that he had laid the foundation of a great city. . . . It is, however, a place of little importance, though so favoured by nature; and the Conqueror's palace is a half-ruined barrack, though a most picturesque object, standing on a hill, behind which starts up the great white volcan. There are some good houses, and the remains of the church which Cortés built, celebrated for its bold arch."—Life in Mexico, vol. ii. let. 31.452
