were his many adherents willing to leave to the friends of Velazquez the distribution of rewards, now swelling to vast proportions under inflowing tributes, and rumors of rich developments in different quarters. Indeed, they would probably be deprived even of what they had acquired, as abettors of a usurper. Cortés took occasion to increase this feeling, and to dispel the fears and doubts of less determined persons, by letting it be known that the commissions of Tapia were not signed by the king, but by Fonseca, the patron of Velazquez, and consequently issued without due authority. This revelation made his plan the more simple. At first he thought it better to meet the commissioner himself, but finally he concluded that it was not advisable to let him display his imposing credentials at Mexico, where so many malcontents would muster in his favor under the leadership of Treasurer Alderete. He would direct operations against the claimant at a distance, where his own hand would be less apparent. Who could question his loyalty if he left the disposal of Tapia to a council of delegates representing apparently the whole country!
The first step was to announce his intention to go and receive Tapia, and to cause a number of delegates to formally protest against his departure. The unconsolidated government would be imperilled by his absence and encouragement given to the scarcely subdued natives to create trouble.[1] Deceived by the manœuvre, Alderete joined in the protest and the recommendation that deputies be selected to confer with the new governor. Cortés yielded, and appointed Diego de Soto and Diego de Valdenebro to act for him in unison with a council of delegates from the
- ↑ This requerimiento, made in the name of Pedro de Alvarado, alcalde of Tenochtitlan, Bernardo Vazquez de Tapia, regidor of Villa Rica, and soon after the enemy of Cortés, and Cristóbal Corral, regidor of Segura, was dated December 12, 1521, before the notary at Coyuhuacan. Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxvi. 30-5. Cortés magnifies the danger of a native revolt in explaining the motive to the emperor. Cartas, 265. Herrera does not perceive the trick of Cortés, but assumes that he really wished to treat personally with Tapia, rather than trust the affair to others.
