loyalty had evidently revived to some extent, and it had furthermore been concluded for the present to try the efficacy of an audiencia in that country. In any case the result of the residencia must be awaited. The crown had long been impressed with the policy of not confiding the government of a new region to its conqueror, and this even before Columbus demonstrated the wisdom of the measure by his failures. The Great Captain had aspired to rule in Naples, but was recalled for a different reward. These and other answers were given to the applicants, but, aware probably that a delay would lessen their chances, they persisted till the emperor returned a sharp refusal. "Speak no more of it," he said to the duke of Nassau, who was among the supporters of the petitions; "he has now a marquisate with greater rental than all your duchy yields." Cortés' influence was evidently waning, and while the reason may readily be found in the severe reports of the residencia judges, additional ones have been alleged in the offence he is supposed to have given the empress by bestowing on another the choicest of the gems brought from Mexico, after receiving her intimation to inspect them, and by neglecting to court the favor of the president of the council and Secretary Cobos, on obtaining his marquisate.[1]
One more concession was made, however, both as an honor and to promote the interest and extension of the crown, by permitting him to make discovery expeditions in the South Sea of New Spain, and to conquer and settle any island or coast thereof, westward, not included in the grants to others, such as those to Narvaez and Guzman. Of all such discoveries and conquests he was made governor, magistrate, and
- ↑ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 225-6, points wholly to these additional reasons, particularly to the latter. Cortés relied too much on the support of Béjar, and of the sovereign prince of Nassau, by whose friendship he was deeply impressed, while Cobos and President Loaisa objected to this foreign interloper. 'Porg no piense ningun conquistador que se le deue,' is Gomara's chief reason for the refusal of the government. Hist. Mex., 284.
