the expedition, but as the province pertained to Cortés, a large force of armed strangers could not be permitted to remain, as this would prejudice both settlers and natives and create trouble. They must leave. Almost sick with chagrin at this succession of mishaps, Garay met the alcalde mayor at Chiachacata, near San Estévan, in the beginning of October, there to arrange terms. He recognized the rights conferred on Cortés by the royal cédula, and agreed to leave the province for Rio de las Palmas or adjoining regions.[1] In order to do so, however, his ships and men must be restored, with their outfit and belongings, and supplies were also required. This seemed reasonable, and Ocampo hastened to issue a proclamation enjoining all members of Garay's expedition, under heavy penalties of lash and fine, to assemble at Tacalula, and there place themselves at the disposal of the commander; all captured men and effects were to be restored, and the natives instructed to bring in supplies.[2]
All this was a farce, for the men of Cortés did not intend to lose for their chief so valuable an acquisition of men and vessels, or to surrender the arms, horses, and other effects obtained. The poor prospects of receiving pay for the required supplies was another objection, but the strongest lay with the members themselves, who, instigated by the settlers, and allured by the tales and specimens of wealth in Mexico, by the fame of Cortés as a great and generous leader, and by the projected expeditions to the gilded regions of Honduras and Guatemala, were almost
- ↑ Rio del Espíritu Santo was among the points suggested. On an old map relative to Garay's expedition this river is placed near the Espíritu Santo Bay in Texas. Collection of Mex. Maps, No. 10.
- ↑ The necessary sustenance to be given free of charge, under penalty of 2,000 pesos de oro for any opposition on the part of the settlers. The latter must also restore any arms and horses bought from the expedition, on 'receiving back' the money paid. The penalty for members who refused to join their commander was confiscation of effects, or 200 pesos de oro fine for noblemen, and 100 lashes for common persons. See Provision, in Pacheco, and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxvi. 78, 92, et seq.
