suit of an object already accomplished. Estrada and Albornoz were the first to receive the information, and with a view to obtain news of Cortés, and to take counsel with Casas about the policy to be pursued, they proposed to meet them. As they could not leave the city without permission, they obtained this on the plea of conveying a quantity of gold to Medellin for shipment to Spain. No sooner had they gone than Chirinos also learned of Casas' approach, and hurrying after them with a squad of men he brought them back to their houses, seizing their arms and horses.[1]
A week later Casas and Gonzalez arrived in the city, and proceeded to Estrada's residence. Rumors of their intention were rife, and formal charges against them were made before the notary, concocted probably by the lieutenant-governors, who resolved not to afford time for conspiracies.[2] That very night they appeared before their house and demanded the surrender of certain armed men harbored by Estrada contrary to orders. Whatever may have been the projects of the treasurer and his guests, they were not prepared to resist this prompt summons, supported by a strong force with artillery, nor did Casas feel it proper to oppose Paz, the relative and representative of Cortés, and so the gate was opened.[3] All the arms were now seized, even those of Casas' party, and five armed adherents of Estrada were carried off to be lashed and exiled, regardless of their rank as hidalgos. Salazar did not fail to wreak his
- ↑ The hostile object of their journey was confirmed by the absence of the royal treasure which they pretended to convoy. Ocaña, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 524-5. This is stated also by other witnesses. Lstrada declares the Casas meeting to be an invented charge, and states that they did convoy gold, yet with the object also of sending private despatches to Spain. Memoria, in Id., 516. Herrera says the friars interfered to prevent bloodshed when Chirino overtook them.
- ↑ Estrada proposed to seize them, including Paz, and assume the government, with Casas for alcade mayor. Testimonio, in Cortés, Residencia, i. 217. Ocaña, ubi sup., was the notary who recorded the charges.
- ↑ This was done at the instance of Casas,' says Herrera, yet other testimony intimates that he would have been ready to aid Estrada in resisting. Cortés, Residencia, i. 77, 402.
