CHAPTER V.
AFFAIRS OF CORTÉS IN SPAIN.
1522.
Cortés Finds Favor with the Audiencia — His Third Letter — Treasures for the Emperor — An Ominous Loss — Chased by Corsairs — What King Francis Said — The Curse of Montezuma — Cardinal Adrian Interferes — Cortés' Case before the Sovereign — His Achievements Reviewed — Refutation of Charges — Velazquez Crushed and Fonseca Humbled — Cortés Appointed Governor and Captain-general.
Any fears which Cortés may have entertained with regard to his treatment of Tapia were quieted by the arrival, during the spring, of Alonso de Ávila, the commissioner whom he had sent to Santo Domingo more than a year before, to obtain concessions from the audiencia, and war material for the army.[1] The audiencia gave him authority to conquer the whole of New Spain, to brand slaves in accordance with prescribed rules, and to distribute encomiendas. Although this was provisional, subject to the royal decision, it nevertheless gave authority to the acts of Cortés, and he received further encouragement in the fact that the audiencia had recommended him to the emperor in a manner that promised to be more effective than any representation so far made. One great advantage the audiencia had, namely, means to hide their despatches from the bishop of Búrgos, with whom they were not wholly in accord, and have them presented direct to the royal person, nor could their intimations against the bishop's policy fail to have weight.
- ↑ Bernal Diaz places the return after the Pánuco campaign, which is doubtful. Hist. Verdad., 163.
