From the first the new administration avoided consultation with him,[1] and when in military matters he offered suggestions, his views were not accepted, and even his actions were interfered with, while at the same time no means was omitted of impressing upon the natives the fact that the great conqueror was subservient to the higher authority of the audiencia.
The very first attempt made by Cortés to exercise his functions as captain-general caused a rupture between him and the audiencia. The inefficient condition of the available forces in New Spain was such as to excite a fear of an uprising of the natives. With the approval of the audiencia, Cortés therefore proclaimed a general muster in all Spanish towns, attaching certain penalties to those who failed to appear with their arms and horses. The muster in the capital was a failure, and when Cortés sought to enforce the fines upon the delinquents the oidores took umbrage, considering that his action was an encroachment upon their authority.[2]
The weakness displayed by this failure to muster in force and the well known dissension that prevailed among the Spaniards offered a strong temptation to the Indians. They believed that an opportunity for throwing off the Spanish yoke had at last arrived, and they entered into a conspiracy to destroy their oppressors. Straggling Spaniards in the country were murdered,
- ↑ The audiencia informed the king that their policy was to avoid seeking the advice of Cortés in matters affecting the government, Salmeron, Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 191. Cortés also complained to the king that he was not allowed to consult with the audiencia, but was simply required to obey orders. Id., 12. In his Relacion de Servicios he states that the audiencia construed the king's instructions relative to himself to suit themselves, and that without voice or vote in their councils he was compelled simply to execute their orders. Failures could thus be charged to his account, while the credit of his successes could be appropriated by the president and oidores. Escritos Sueltos, 217-18.
- ↑ This question of prerogative was still unsettled in April 1532. Cortés writing to the king on the 20th remarks: 'y asi se ha quedado hasta hoy gue ninguna érden ni concierto hay.' Id., 191. A similar failure occurred at Vera Cruz. Id., 220. The audiencia attributed this failure to the action of the enemies of Cortés who 'aimeraient mieux perdre tout ce qu'ils possèdent que le reconnaítre pour leur supérieur.' Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série 11. tom. v. 155-6.
