They hampered the treasurer and contador in their duties, and transferred crown lands and diverted revenues into different channels whereby they and their friends might profit, going even so far as to appropriate them partly as presents to influential friends at court.[1] In this process of enrichment the defenceless natives were subjected to every extortion. Salazar's agents scoured the provinces, and entering the houses of all who appeared rich, carried off every object of value, maltreating those who failed to satisfy their expectations. Many caciques out of fear or self-interest assisted to extort property from their wealthy subjects. Itzcuincuani, the lieutenant at Tezcuco, aided to sack the palaces of his royal master Ixtlilxochitl, absent on the Honduras expedition, and to persecute his family, distributing, besides, his lands and revenues, in the belief that he must be dead.[2] All this greatly excited the natives, and in a number of districts the feeling led to serious demonstrations. Yet a general revolt was prevented through the numerous matrimonial alliances established with the conquerors and colonists, and through rivalry between tribes, classes, and caciques, for the hostile feeling of provincial peoples against those of the lake valleys was still bitter, the former clinging to the white leaders who had guided them to the long-desired victory, or vying for the favors which flowed through them alone. The frairs also had acquired great influence, and knew how to apply their warnings and counsel, informed as they were by the children, of the projects of their elders.[3]
- ↑ Some treasures discovered in a certain building, and properly claimed for the king, were appropriated by Salazar on the ground that the house adjoined his own. Id. Estrada presents a doleful complaint against the criminal mismanagement and treasonable conduct of these rulers. They are prepared to do anything against the king. Memora, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., 1. 522-3. Ocaña defends their management, as may be expected. Id., 526.
- ↑ Ixtlilxochitl, Rel., 446.
- ↑ The lingering doubt about the death of Cortés had also an effect. 'Mas esperauan que Quahutimoc se lo embiasse a dizir,' says Gomara, Hist. Mex., 250, in allusion to the proposed revolt of this prince during the march to Honduras.
