they were dismissed to their homes after the fall of Mexico. The first instalment thereof was exemption from the tribute exacted in all other provinces, and from being given in encomiendas;[1] then came certain titles which sounded so well, but were worth little more than their cost to the crown. Thus their capital was made the seat of the first diocese, honored by the name of Carolense, and their alcalde mayor, elected from among themselves, was permitted to call himself governor.[2] Huexotzinco shared slightly in these privileges, and the cacique received a coat of arms for assisting the fugitive Spaniards in 1520.[3] And this was about all. The fault lay greatly with Cortés, who for the sake of his own credit never admitted the real extent of his obligation to these faithful allies.[4] Their very devotion and prowess were to assist in destroying them, since nearly every expedition in early times for opening new regions, or suppressing revolts, took away a number, of whom many
- ↑ Even to the crown. This exemption was confirmed through Cortés when in Spain, so that grasping officials might not prevent it. By decree of 1535 the province was as a special mark of favor declared an inalienable part of the crown of Castile. Órdenes de la Corona, ii. 4. 'Porque parezca que tienen alguna mas libertad,' is Cortés' significant allusion to the flimsiness of the favors. Cartas, 332.
- ↑ Diego Maxixcatzin was governor in 1534. Motolinia describes fully the elaborate festivities in 1538, when the new arms of the city were first displayed. Hist. Ind., 81. The laws in Recop. de Indias, ii. 199-200, confirm to them certain customs, exempt them from the obligation to serve beyond their province, and from monopolies in wines and meats, which must be let at public auction as in Spain. The viceroy is enjoined to honor them and their towns in every way, and they are further given the touching privilege of freely making representations and complaints — the royal waste-basket was capacious enough.
- ↑ The cédula, dated 1534, calls him Aquiahuateuliti, baptized as Francisco de Sandoval y Moreno. Panes, in Monumentos Domin. Esp., MS., 73-5. They were for a time given in encomienda to Cortésians. Ternaux-Compans, Voy., serie ii, tom. v. 187. Father Juarez obtained their incorporation under the crown. Herrera, dec. ti. lib. x. cap. vii.
- ↑ This is intimated in the opening cédula concerning them, Id., 199, wherein their prompt submission to church and king is dicated as their chief merit. In another cédula, however, they are commended for 'services rendered during the pacification of the country.'
ing words fed their hopes without committing himself. The only substantial promise recorded, aside from the share in booty, appears to have been the conservation to them of lands and local government. Several modern writers harp on the contract made with them, but their only authority is Camargo, who is doubtful. See Hist. Mex., i. 525, this series.
