granting absolution to conquerors for excesses, indulgencies for churches and hospitals, and special favors for Cortés and Rada, for the former notably the perpetual patronage of hospitals founded in his name, and the legitimation of his natural children.[1] The favors for Rada consisted chiefly of recommendations for his advancement, and these not being carried out, the disappointed soldier went to Peru, where in the capacity of an Almagrist captain he led the onslaught wherein fell the mighty Pizarro.[2]
After the departure of the emperor from Spain, Cortés found no reason to prolong his stay. He felt on the contrary that he must hasten back to Mexico to protect his interests before it was too late. The decision of the crown to appoint a new government for New Spain gave cause for delay, however, as it would be preferable that he should not enter into Mexico before the change had taken place. The representations from there sought, indeed, to prevent his return at any time. The India Council appear to have advised him to wait yet a while; but, finding that the delay would prove long, he disregarded the hint, and early in the spring of 1530[3] he left Seville, attended by a brilliant retinue of companions and servants, nearly four hundred, well armed and equipped, and befitting his position as a leading noble of the kingdom, and the central figure in the empire he had won. He was accompanied by his wife and
- ↑ These are named as Martin Cortés, Luis de Altamirano, and Catarina Pizarro. The only hospital so far founded by Cortés was de la Purisima Concepcion, now Jesus Nazareno. The bulls are given in Alaman, Disert., 11. app. ii. 26-48, By request of the sovereign to whom belonged the patronage of churches, Cortés surrendered the bull granting to him such privileges. Puga, Cedulario, 75; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 237-41.
- ↑ He was an hidalgo from the mountains of Castile. Almagro the elder at first placed him in charge of his son Diego, who later made him maestro de campo. 'Su Santidad le hizo merced . . . de le hazer Conde Palatino,' is Bernal Diaz' addition to favors granted him by the pope. Hist. Verdad., 227.
- ↑ A royal decree forbidding his entrance into Mexico is dated March 22, 1530, Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xii. 403-5, hence he must have left before that date. In a letter to the emperor, Cortés explains that he waited for some time at Seville, and subsequently at San Lúcar, hoping to join the new oidores. Escritos Sueltos, 177-8. Alaman assumes without good reason that he was bidden to wait for the oidores. Disert., ii. 32.
