Since that time a deep mystery has hung over the final resting-place of the conqueror's remains. Though it is generally believed that they were secretly shipped to the family, and are now deposited at Palermo in Italy, there is a possibility that they never left Mexico, but occupy some hidden spot known to few.[1] Perhaps it was befitting that the great chieftain who had known no rest in life, should not find it in death.
The day after his death the will of Cortés was opened.[2] It is a voluminous document and throws some additional light upon the character of its author, but most of the details are not now of interest to the reader. As guardians of the legitimate children, administrators of the estate, and executors of the will, in Spain, were appointed Juan Alonso de Guzman, duke of Medina Sidonia; Pedro Álvarez Osorio, marquis of Astorga, and Pedro Arellano, count of Aguilar; and for New Spain, the marchioness, wife of Cortés; Bishop Zumárraga; Friar Domingo de Betanzos, and Licenciate Juan de Altamirano. The principal heir, succeeding to the estate and title, was his legitimate son, Martin, who after his twentieth year
- ↑ Icazbalceta, in a letter to Henry Harrisse on the subject, says: 'The place of the present sepulture of Cortés is wrapped in mystery. Don Lúcas Alaman has told the history of the remains of this great man. Without positively saying so, he lets it be understood that they were taken to Italy. . . It is generally believed that the bones of Cortés are at Palermo. But some persons insist that they are still in Mexico, hidden in some place absolutely unknown. Notwithstanding the friendship with which Mr Alaman has honored me, I never could obtain from him a definite explanation in the matter; he would always find some pretext to change the conversation.' Harrisse, 217-20. There was certainly something strange in the reticence of Alaman.
- ↑ It was executed October 11, 1547, before the notary Melchor de Portes. The text is printed in Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 348-92; Cortés, Testamento, in Col. Doc. Inéd., iv. 239-77; Alaman, Disert., ii. app. 98-138; Mora, Mej. Rev., iii. 379-453, and others. The will was admitted to probate August 16, 1548.
ment of the populace continued, and it was found expedient to remove the bust and arms from the monument, and to ship them to the duke of Terranova at Palermo. The marble obelisk and sepulchre disappeared after the hospital and church property was sequestered by the government in 1833. Mora, Mej. Rev., iii. 188, says in connection herewith: 'And they would have profaned even the ashes of the hero but for the precautions taken by some unprejudiced persons who, wishing to save their country the dishonor of such reprehensible and rash procedure, managed at first to conceal, and then to ship them to his family in Italy.'
