majority could unite without the reproach or jealousy which might have tended to division and consequent failure if any of the refugees had been chosen. The objections centred probably in Albornoz, and the feeling was not diminished when he was met shortly after, coming from the house of Salazar, whom he had hastened to warn of what was brewing, promising to take no active part against him. Not possessing sufficient confidence in the strength of the new party, even to voluntarily accept the position then offered of joint governor, he insisted that they should take him prisoner, so as to give an appearance of compulsion to his election.[1]
The meeting before the convent having declared in favor of Estrador and Albornoz, and having promised to assist in overthrowing the usurpers, Tapia, Alvarado, and Alvaro de Saavedra Ceron, a cousin of Cortés, were chosen captains to plan the operation and lead the party. While a portion scoured the city to obtain fresh arms and supporters, Tapia proceeded with the rest to the house of Regidor Luis de la Torre, to which the council members had been already summoned. Having nothing more to gain from Salazar, the majority of these were readily induced to listen to a deputation so numerous and well armed, appearing, besides, under the auspices of the mighty Cortés. The two candidates were accordingly sworn in as lieutenants of the real governor and captain-general,[2] and they in turn strengthened their position
- ↑ 'Para que si la parte contraria vençiesse, pudiesse deçir que yba forçado.' Loaisa, in Oviedo, iii. 524.
- ↑ The members who elected them were: Alcalde Juan de la Torre, and regidores García Holguin, the captor of Emperor Quauhtemotzin, Comendador Leon de Cervantes, Hernan Lopez de Ávila, Luis de la Torre, and Francisco Verdugo. The new governors appointed Cervantes alcalde in place of the hostile Diego de Valdenebro, Rodrigo Rangel receiving his vacated office of regidor, and Andrés de Barrios that of an obstreperous regidor named Carbajal. Arriaga and Tirado, the procurador and mayordomo of the city, were removed in favor of Miguel Diaz and Hernando de Villanueva, and the irascible notary Ocaña was dispossessed in favor of Hernan Perez, while his garden was given to Orantes. Libro de Cabildo, MS., Jan. 29, Feb. 3, 9, 1526, The plea for the election of the governors was that they had held the office before, by the appointment of Cortés, and that the choice would obviate disorders.
