alguacil mayor for life, with power to appoint officials and deputies. Further, one twelfth of all such land was granted to him till a full report concerning its nature and resources should enable the sovereign better to decide. This grant was in consideration of the expense he would incur as discoverer and conqueror. He must be governed by the regulations lately issued for discovery expeditions, wherein it is forbidden to take anything from the natives without payment or permission, including their labor, or to carry them away from their country, or to enslave them, save for refusing the faith or to submit to the sovereign. Two friars or clergymen must accompany the expedition to convert and instruct the natives, to prepare a report upon them and the country, and to give permission for enslavement when this was deemed indispensable. Enrolment of men for the expedition must not be made from among actual settlers.[1] This commission was issued in October 1529 by the queen, the emperor having gone to Italy to be crowned.
In the distribution of favors the friends and companions of Cortés also received a share in the form of coats of arms, offices, and lands, together with a confirmation of the encomiendas already granted them. All who took part in the actual conquest were permitted to carry weapons even in Spain.[2] The young native nobles who came with Cortés were given in charge of Friar Antonio de Ciudad Rodrigo to receive dresses and religious images, and to be taken
- ↑ These essential features for the government of discoverers, part of a cédula issued November 7, 1527, are incorporated in the commission to Cortés dated October 27, 1529. On the 5th of November following, a confirmatory cédula was issued, detailing certain powers to be exercised by the governor, such as exiling and punishing objectionable persons. The text of both is given in Puga, Cedulario, 36-7; Col. Doc. Inéd., i. 108-22, ii. 401-5; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xii. 490-6, xxii. 285-95; Alaman, Disert., ii. app. ii. 21-5; Soc. Mex. Geog., Boletin, v. 325-6. By decrees of May 9 and June 9, 1530, Juan Galbarro and Juan de Samano of Tenochtitlan were appointed treasurer and comptroller, respectively, of the lands Cortés might discover and occupy in the South Sea. Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiv. 77-83.
- ↑ 'En estos Reynos, como en la Nueva España, pudiessen traer armas ofensiuas, y defensiuas.' Herrera, dec. iv. lib. vi. cap. iv.
