CHAPTER XIV.
THE FIRST AUDIENCIA AND ITS MISRULE.
1528-1529.
Oidores Appointed — Stringent Measures Proposed against Cortés — Guzman Made President — Power and Jurisdiction of the Audiencia — Its Instructions — Laws of Alfonso the Wise — Reception of the New Rulers — Their Avarice Excited — Intrigue against Cortés — Robbery and Extortion — Abuse of Friars and Clergy — Residencia of Cortés — The Bishop's Anathema — Shameless Conduct of Oidores — Guzman's Palliative Schemes of Conquest — Smuggling Despatches.
The friends of Velazquez and of Narvaez, together with those gratuitous enemies whom the deeds of the conqueror brought into being among the needy and envious, continued to vex the ears of the emperor and his advisers with complaints of Cortés. An important accession to their ranks was Albornoz, who just at this time arrived at Seville with treasure for the crown,[1] and whose ill-will toward Cortés readily induced him to lend aid to their projects. Since Salazar and Peralmindez were his creatures, favorable reports concerning them imposed upon the good-nature of Cobos, and lent a tinge of color, unconsciously to the secretary, to the representations made by him to the emperor, who, while little apt to take unquestioned the statements of any man, well knew the tried worth of this faithful servant. Doubts of the fealty of a powerful vassal beyond the seas were certainly not out of place, as precedents to justify them were not wanting; while the disturbed condition of New
- ↑ He brought 20,000 pesos.
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