Indians, with a view to remedy their grievances. He was instructed to make a tour of all settlements in New Spain, with full power to release the wrongfully enslaved, to enforce good treatment for others, and to arraign civilly or criminally all offenders against the laws for protection of natives. In order to bind him more closely to his new sphere of duty he received for wife the beautiful Tecuichpo, widow of Quauhtemotzin, enriched on the same occasion with a dowry of several large encomiendas.[1]
In measures like these, not entered upon for effect only, but with earnest intent, we may find qualities elevating the hero to the plane of true greatness. They were the crowning deeds of his life; atonements they might be called, as he was the primary instrument in the grievances calling for redress. No wonder that the name of Malinche, if at first fear-inspiring, gradually became hallowed among the natives with grateful remembrances, exalted by simple contrast with others. Yet during the republican frenzy of a later century all seemed to be forgotten, save the abhorrent fact that he had led the first of the hordes which descended upon the country like birds of prey.
Cortés was less prompt and determined in regard to his own interests. Salazar and Chirinos, who had tarnished his memory, persecuted his friends, despoiled his estates, and well nigh overthrown his life's work by endangering possession of the country — these men were left unharmed, regardless of the importunate cries of the supporters of Paz, and his own desire. So sure did he feel of their condemnation before a tribunal, that he preferred not to figure as judge in his own case, especially against royal officials. Nor
- ↑ Granted her as the daughter of Montezuma. See Hist. Mex., i. 459, this series. Grado's instructions are given in the Libro de Cabildo, MS., June 28, 1526. In Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 95-102, is the fragment of a regulation for treatment of Indians, issued soon after, probably. Ocaña, who picks out only the faults in the new measures, mentions the assumption of the señoria title, the sale of the office of notary at a low price to a friend, and so forth. Carta, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 528-30. This very Ocaña and the troublosome Ocampo were arrested by Cortés. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 216.
