the neglect or difficulty of punishing the culprits. The delegates no doubt felt greatly sustained by the report that the audiencia of Santo Domingo had objected to the decree.[1]
Tapia lodged a formal protest against the decision, which made them liable to the heavy penalty named in his commission.[2] The delegates replied by repeating their objections, which they would submit to the sovereign, together with a petition. His reasons were invalid, and they did not recognize his power to impose any penalty.[3] They further declared his presence dangerous to the tranquillity of the country, and ordered him peremptorily to depart. The latter message was delivered by Sandoval, with the blunt intimation that if he did not, he would be mounted on an ass and made to leave. He still lingered, however, breathing defiance, and giving rise to no little anxiety among the friends of Cortés, who feared that a delay might enable a faction to take up his cause and create trouble. Some, indeed, counselled that a bribe be given him, but this would have been a needless expenditure of treasure; still, it was thought expedient to offer a liberal price for the horses, negroes, and some other effects,[4] so that no reasons should exist for further delay. This succeeded, and with a sigh of relief his vessel was seen to disappear, burdened, however, with a growing array of complaints to be used in retaliation.[5]
- ↑ 'Que las prouisiones eran fauorables y falsas: y el incapaz e indigno de tan grande gouernacion,' says Gomara curtly. Hist. Mex., 221.
- ↑ He mentioned among other reasons that the royal seal confirmed its validity. The omission of the secretary's signature was an accident.
- ↑ The records of these proceedings, which lasted till January 6, 1522, are given in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxvi. 30-58.
- ↑ Bernal Diaz declares that a gold bribe was acturily given, and one of the vessels bought, Hist. Verdad., 160, but this statement rests no doubt on the purchase alone, which in a sense was bribery. 'Se boluio por donde fue con grande afrenta, no se sicon moneda,' says Gomara, Hist. Mex., 22). Narvaez ig said to have advised him to convert available effects into money and hasten to Spain, where the very insult offered the supreme authorities in his person would raise a strong movement in his favor. Cavo has a confused story that Tapia was induced to settle at Medellin, where a fortune could speedily be made. Internal troubles arising, he sought to avail himself thereof to advance his pretensions; whereupon Cortés caused him to embark. Tres Siglos, i. 20.
- ↑ Most authorities intimate a voluntary embarkation, but testimony in
