A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1539. 



the other side, the lord Don Antonio alledged that 

 it belonged to him to make that discovery, as being 

 viceroy of Nueva Espanna. So that they fell at great 

 variance, and Cortez returned into Spaine to complaine 

 unto the Emperour. Don Antonio in the meane 

 season having obteined knowledge of the voiage, which 

 Andrew Dorantez (who was one of the company of 

 Pamphilo Narvaez that escaped, as you may reade in 

 the relation of Alvaro Nunnez, called Cabega de Vaca) 

 made ; sent Frier Marco de Ni^a with a Negro of 

 the said Dorantez to discover that country. Which 

 Frier Marco de Niga being returned, & having in- 

 formed his lordship of all his discovery, he sent captain 

 Francis Vasquez de Coronado with many Spaniards on 

 horsebacke and Indians on foot : likewise he sent a fleete 

 by sea, whereof Ferdinando Alorchon was captaine, as 

 may be scene in the relations following. 



An extract of a letter of captaine Francis Vasques 

 de Coronado, v^ritten to a Secretary of the right 

 noble Don Antonio de Mendo9a, viceroy of 

 Nueva Espanna. Dated in Culiacan, the 8. 

 of March 1539. 



E saith that Frier Marcus de Ni^a arrived in the 

 Province of Topira, where he found all the Indians 

 fled unto the mountaines for feare of the Christians, 

 and that for his sake they came all downe to see 

 him, with great joy & boldnesse. They are men of 

 good making, and whiter then others, and their women 

 are more beautifull then others of the neighbour- 

 provinces. There are no great cities there, yet are the 

 houses built of stone, and are very good, and in them 

 Store ofgolde, they have great store of gold, which is as it were 

 silver, and |Qg|.^ because they know not what use to put it to. 

 ^inTopirT^^ ^^^ people weare Emeralds and other precious jewels 

 [III. 363.] upon their bodies : they are valiant, having very strong 

 armour made of silver, fashioned after divers shapes 



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