CHAPTER VII.
THE PÁNUCO AFFAIR AND ITS SEQUEL.
1523-1524.
Alvarado Appears upon the Scene — Naval Strategy — Double Dealings — How Cortés Settled the Affair — Garay's Sudden Death — General Uprising in Pánuco — Massacres — Desperate Efforts of THE Settlers — Sandoval to the Rescue — His Ruse at the Pass — Terrible Retaliation — Burning of the Patriots — Garayan Conspiracy — An Estimable Judge — His Shipwreck and Island Life — Alvarado and Olid Depart for Southern Conquests — Marin's Campaign in Chiapas and Rangel's Entry into Zapotecapan.
The first step of Cortés on learning of Garay's arrival had been to despatch Alvarado in advance with all the forces ready for the Guatemalan campaign. He himself prepared to follow with additional troops, and had already sent his equipage to the first camp beyond Mexico, when, on September 2d, a messenger[1] arrived with despatches from Spain, including a royal cédula forbidding Garay to interfere in any district conquered or held by Cortés.[2] This document made his presence in Pánuco unnecessary, and he gladly availed himself of his good fortune to escape from the hardships of a march which might prove fatal
- ↑ Gomara supposes the messengers to be Paz and Casas, but he is evidently wrong. Herrera differs in several points from Cortés, partly through misinterpretation; and Cavo blunders repeatedly. Tres Siglos, i. 25 et seq.
- ↑ It was dated April 24, 1523, and based on the representations of Cortés concerning the danger of outside interference in provinces already subdued by him, as instanced by the revolts which followed the meddling of Narvaez and Tapia, The sovereign desired Cortés to be unembarrassed in the government till the crown should have been informed of the condition and extent of the country, so as better to define the limits for other governments. The document was exhibited at Mexico on Sept. 3d.
