The indirect bestowal of a bribe to hasten the fleet of Tapia was by no means misplaced, as it happened. Not long after he had left Villa Rica the good people at Medellin were startled by the appearance of a sail at San Juan.[1] Surely the commissioner was not returning to stir anew the quarrel in this locality. The anxiety was not lessened by a summons for the authorities to meet Juan Bono de Quejo, the bearer of important despatches for Governor Tapia, with greetings from Adelantado Velazquez. The mere presence of Quejo boded no good, for he was a hard-headed Biscayan,[2] who, after sharing the first mishaps of Narvaez on this coast, as one of his officers, had left to plead his cause. Several cédulas having arrived from the king himself, after Tapia's departure, containing not only additional instructions but confirmation of his powers, it was deemed necessary that they should reach him as soon as possible, for even the authorities in Spain could not fail to recognize that objections might be raised to their signatures among the cavilling officials in the Indies. When the despatches reached the Islands, Velazquez placed a small vessel at Quejo's disposal.
These confirmatory documents, signed by the king, were not a little perplexing, and the coast officials could only refer him to Cortés. The latter expressed regrets at the departure of Tapia, which made it impossible to obey the mandates, and by a combination of suave language and glittering jewels he completely won the heart of the messenger, who quietly placed in
- ↑ At Medellin, says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 167, whither he summoned the authorities from Goazacoalco. The municipality of Medellin had probably not yet taken up their abode there. San Juan de Chalchiuhcuecan, or de Ulua, served as port for Medellin. This summons may account for Cortés' statement that he arrived at Espíritu Santo. Cartas, 279.
- ↑ Master of one of his vessels. Cortés, Cartas, 279.
Cortés, Residencia, ii. 14, 15, 144, states that he was 'conducted' on hoard, by the orders of Alcalde Alvarez. Corral is said to have taken the leading part in the previous altercation. According to Cortés and others, Tapia received a severe reprimand in Española for his attempt to create troubles in New Spain. If he failed to enjoy the office, he certainly received his salary as governor. Herrera, dec. iii. lib. iv. cap. iii.
