In return for his success, Ávila received a valuable encomienda, together with presents and promises, all of which bound him ever closer to his patron.[1] So pleased indeed was Cortés with his ability and loyalty as commissioner, that he caused him to be appointed procurador to the court of Spain, jointly with Antonio de Quiñones, his captain of guards.[2] They were to support the other agents in obtaining a confirmation of his grant of lands, natives, and offices, and other acts, together with his own tenure of office, as partly advocated in letters intrusted to them, notably the third of his Relaciones. This is dated at Coyuhuacan, May 15, 1522, and narrates the operations since October 1520, beginning with the Tepeaca campaign, continuing with the siege and fall of Mexico, and ending with the expeditions to formally occupy surrounding provinces. The latter he describes in a manner intended to impress the value of his achievements, and the wealth and extent of the additions thus made to the royal domains. He does not fail to allude to the prospects opening before the maritime exploration for which he is preparing a fleet on the South Sea. One of the main objects of the letter, which had probably hastened its conclusion, was the Tapia affair. While explaining that the course taken had been to save the country and the royal interests, as proved by the attempted revolt of the natives, he points out the injustice and danger of such interference, particularly on the part of selfish and unscrupulous persons like Velazquez, wholly oblivious of their duty to the sovereign.[3] In an accompanying note he commends the
- ↑ He had formerly been an adherent of Velazquez, and this sufficed to rouse Bernal Diaz against him, as a suspected person, who might have been dangerous had he been present when Tapia arrived. The encomienda embraced Quauhtitlan, with a large rental. Id.
- ↑ Who had assisted to save the life of Cortés during the siege.
- ↑ In a later letter he goes so far as to propose to arrest the Cuban governor. 'Pienso enviar por el dicho Diego Velazquez y prenderle, y preso, enviarle á V. M . . . cortando la raíz de todos males.' Cartas, 318. Bernal Diaz wrongly attributes this proposal to the present occasion. It may certainly be called capping the climax of the injuries heaped upon the unfortunate governor, though he deserves little sympathy.
