the friars to represent his peaceful intents. If their military preparations had for an object the pacification of some district, he as captain-general would take charge of any such undertaking, otherwise he implored and even commanded them to pursue a peaceful course. This representation had a certain effect, but the resentment of the oidores was not relaxed. They laid hands on the remaining property of their opponent, cutting off all supplies from that source, and then sought by strict orders and severe punishment to lessen his intercourse with the natives, and by diminishing the contributions on which he subsisted to drive him away.[1]
Galled by the deference shown to him, they sought to rouse a hostile feeling among the Spaniards by declaring that the laws restricting encomiendas and other privileges were due to his efforts. Under these restrictions Cortés' party was brought to such a stress, according to his own statement, that more than a hundred died from want of food, including his aged mother. This, however, was exaggeration, and the deaths must be attributed chiefly to the usual fever which so frequently attacked new-comers. Though resolved not to be driven to overt acts, he felt it necessary to intimate that unless the persecution relaxed he would be obliged to seize the towns granted him by the emperor, so as to save the rest of his party from starvation. Greater harmony was also necessary to check the growing insubordination among the natives, who felt encouraged by the dissension to attack isolated Spaniards.[2] Reasoning and meditation had their effect, and Cortés remained at his camp to await the new rulers.
- ↑ Algaciles were constantly busy arresting chiefs and purveyors ald leading them to punishment with halters round the neck. Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 228.
- ↑ The lord of Tezcuco killed several chiefs and took refuge in sanctuary to escape arrest, Zumárraga, Lettre, in Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 181. 'Y no en muchos dias faltuan mas de dozientos,' writes Gomara somewhat hastily. Hist. Mex., 287.
