lives expended. The harbor, which had formed one of its chief attractions, proved of no value to New Spain, though a viceroy once did land there, and cause the road to Mexico to be restored for a time. The settlement dwindled, and even the name of San Estévan disappeared.[1]
It has been mentioned that when Garay touched at Cuba, on the way to Pánuco, his fear of Cortés induced him to seek a meditator in the person of Licentiate Alonso de Zuazo, a prominent and respected lawyer who had been appointed juez de residencia in connection with the audiencia of Santo Domingo, and who as judge of Velazquez had lately held the government of Cuba.[2] The mediation had probably been suggested by the audiencia, which certainly favored it, assured that the mere presence of so influential a personage might prevent much trouble. His mission in Cuba concluded the licentiate accordingly, in the beginning of 1524, set out for new Spain in a small vessel, accompanied by two friars of the order of Mercy, intent on promoting the labors of Father Olmedo.[3]
When about half-way, their vessel was driven by a gale upon the reefs near one of the Triángulos group.[4] Fortunately they were able to reach in safety the adjoining isle, and to save a few effects, though in fishing them from the sea one of the sailors was snapped up by a shark. The island being small, and
- ↑ One cause was that the bar grew shallower, says Lorenzana. Cortés, Hist. N. Esp., 340. A new villa was founded in later times about half-way between the river and the lagoon, the Tamheagua, and in modern times the present Tampico has been established on the opposite bank of the river forming the southern boundary of 'Tamaulipas state. The old towns, now knownas Tampico el Alto and Pueblo el Viejo, are included in the state of Vera Cruz.
- ↑ Suspended by Colon through false reports of mismanagement, says Oviedo, 1. 541, who adds that he was a personal friend of both Cortés and Garay.
- ↑ Their names were Gonzalo de Pontevedray and Juan Varillas.
- ↑ Oviedo, iv. 484, 499, 507. Bernal Diaz supposes the Víboras, near the Alacranes Islands, and states that through an error of the pilot, or by currents, she drifted ashore. Hist. Verdad., 173. This is less likely, since the islands lie on the route.
