and preparations made for a sudden rising in the city. According to Oviedo more than two hundred Spaniards were soon found to be missing, and the alarm became general. The oidores in the emergency recognized that the only man capable of dealing with the excited Indians was the captain-general, and him they now called upon to come to their assistance. With a large force he marched into the capital, and by his decisive measures quiet was restored. Great numbers were made prisoners and the horrors of fire and bloodhounds implanted a wholesome fear upon the natives, who were once more taught that their patriotic struggles only tightened the conqueror's grasp.[1]
The revolt seems to have extended far southward, for during the early part of 1531 the Zapotecs in Oajaca and Impilcingo were in rebellion, and a number of Spaniards who had entered the district in search of gold had been slaughtered.[2]
The ayuntamiento of Antequera despatched all available force against the insurgents, but as this left the town without defenders it was necessary to send assistance from Mexico. But even under these circumstances, in which the experience and military ability of Cortés ought to have been respected, his views met with opposition, and the conqueror of New Spain deemed it prudent to yield in all points to the opinions of the oidores on the ground that his would be the blame in case of mishap. The revolt was suppressed, but the expeditions sent out by the captain-general encountered unnecessary difficulties, owing to the interference of the audiencia.[3]
- ↑ Oviedo, iii. 521. A false alarm was raised one night in the capital which caused general consternation. The originator of it was not discovered, but it afforded an additional motive for suppressing the conspiracy. Torquemada, i. 605; Cavo, Tres Siglos, i. 99-100. Consult also Herrera, dec. iv. lib. ix. cap. iv.
- ↑ One Alonso Tabera and several companions were killed, and shortly afterward six other Spaniards with a large number of slaves were put to death. Carta del Ayunt., in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 182-3.
- ↑ Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 191-8, 218-19. Even the punishment of insubordination in his ranks was not allowed him by the audiencia. Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 156; and when on one occasion an officer exceeded
