conciliate the mighty strangers with voluntary submission and rich presents.[1]
The ready submission of Tehuantepec was not a little aggravating to Tututepec, a rich province which extended beyond it, northward for some sixty leagues along the Pacific.[2] The two had frequently been at variance, and the least pretext sufficed to kindle anew the strife. The lord of Tututepec had no desire to surrender his wealth to rapacious invaders, and since spoliation was the order, he resolved to seek at least a share of his neighbor's choice belongings before Spaniards came to seize them all. The adjoining mountaineers of the Oajaca ranges were readily induced to join in so tempting an adventure, and together they pounced upon their neighbor, who slowly fell back to protect his capital until an appeal to Cortés should bring him aid. The appeal came most opportunely, and early in 1522[3] Alvarado hastened to the coast with two hundred infantry, two score cavalry, and a large force of auxiliaries.[4]
The intermediate districts were quickly overawed, and within a few weeks he stood before Tututepec,[5] after having subdued some towns on his way. This prompt and irresistible progress disconcerted every plan of the pugnacious lord, and with great humility he led his nobles forth to welcome the Spaniards, conducting them amid protestations of friendship to
- ↑ 'Casi al fin deste mismo año.' Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 2, meaning 1522, which should read 1521. Cortés, Cartas, 262; Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 159, 167. One version assumes that the king's father, who ruled Zapotecapan, advised the submission. Cociyopu afterwards accepted baptism as Juan Cortés de Montezuma and proved a generous patron.
- ↑ Búrgoa, Geog. Descrip., ii. pt. i. 181. On Munich Atlas, vi., 3552-40, Tutalipeg; Ogilby, 1671, Tututepec; Laet, 1633, Tututepeque; Jefferys, Tutepec; Kiepert, Tututepec, near R. Atoyac.
- ↑ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 219, followed by Galvano and others, says 1523; but he is confused. Cortés states that he left Mexico in January.
- ↑ From Mexico he took 120 foot and 30 horse, which were reënforced by a part of the Oajaca expedition. Cortés, Cartas, 267. Bernal Diaz places the force at 200, including 35 horse; Gomara increases it to 200 foot and 40 horse, with 2 guns.
- ↑ It has been said that the ruler of Tehuantepec was on this occasion baptized, but this seems to rest on the mere statement of Bernal Diaz., Hist. Verdad., 167, that Olmedo accompanied the expedition. Both circumstances belong to the later movement against Guatemala.
