CONTENTS.
vii
page | |
CHAPTER VIII. | |
ORDINANCES AND STATESMANSHIP OF CORTÉS. | |
1523-1524. | |
Cortés as Governor — His Ordinances — Armament of Settlers — Promoting Agriculture — Pallas and Demeter — Antillean Jealousy — Social Reforms — Sumptuary Laws — Taking Wives — Cortés Shoulders his Cross — Suspicious Death of Catalina — Local Government — Efforts to Exclude Lawyers — Removal of Vera Cruz — Markets and Trade Regulations — Royal Officials Arrive — Traits and Intrigues — Colonial Policy — Enslavement of Native Americans — Suppression of Repartimientos Opposed — Encomienda Regulations — Work and Pay of Serfs — Entrapping Slaves — Representations of the Council — Extorting Tribute | 130 |
CHAPTER IX. | |
APOSTOLIC LABORS. | |
1522-1526. | |
Religious Feeling among the Conquerors — The First Ministers — Juan Diaz and Friar Olmedo — Papal Interest Displayed — Francisco de Los Angeles' Proposed Mission — Brother Gante and his Companions — Father Valencia — Franciscan Rules and Privileges — The Twelve Apostles — Indian Astonishment — Cortés at the Feet of the Friars — Politic Self-abasement — First Synod — Monastic Discipline — Convents and Hospitals — Methods of Conversion — Choirs and Orchestras — Tricks of Trade — Friars and Disciples — Stubbornness of Proselytes — Baptism en Masse and Bestowal of Names — Legality of the Rite — The Marriage Question — Native Catechists and Missionaries — Iconoclasts and Martyrs — Progress of Conversion and its Causes — Christian-like Rites among the Natives — Attractive Features of the Roman Church — Festivals — Character of the Friars | 156 |
CHAPTER X. | |
INTRIGUES AGAINST CORTÉS. | |
1524. | |
Intrigues of Disappointed Officials — Insinuations against Cortés — His Fourth Letter — The Silver Cannon — Convoy System — Deferred Contract with the Sovereign — Cortés under a Cloud — Prepares for the March to Honduras — Acting Governors Appointed — Machinations of Salazar — The Hypocrite and the Tool — Attempt to Oust the Treasurer — Subtle Duplicity — Zuazo Made Prisoner- — Casas and Gonzalez Appear on the Scene | 193 |