88 HIS RECEPTION, HONORS AND TITLES HE MARRIES. 



conquests and acquisitions were so extensive. Sandoval and 

 Tapia, too, departed with their beloved companion in arms, the 

 former of whom, only, lived to land once more on his native land. 



As he journeyed from the sea-port towards Toledo, the curious 

 crowds poured out on the way side to behold and welcome the 

 hero of the New World ; and from the gates of the city a gallant 

 crowd of cavaliers poured forth, with the Duke de Bejar and the 

 Count de Aguilar, to attend him to his dwelling. 



The Emperor received him with marked respect on the following 

 day, and from the bountiful gifts and splendid titles which were 

 showered upon Cortez before the close of 1529, it seems that his 

 sovereign was soon personally satisfied in his frequent and frank 

 interviews with the conqueror, that the tales he had heard from 

 across the sea were mere calumnies unworthy his notice. The title 

 of " Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca " was bestowed on him. 

 Lands in the rich province of Oaxaca, and estates in the city of 

 Mexico and other places, were also ceded to him. " The princely 

 domain thus granted him," says Prescott, " comprehended more 

 than twenty towns and villages and twenty-three thousand vas- 

 sals." The court and sovereign vied with each other in honoring 

 and appreciating his services, and every privilege was no sooner 

 demanded than granted, save that of again assuming the govern- 

 ment of New Spain ! 



It was the policy of the Spanish court not to entrust the rule of 

 conquered countries to the men who had subdued them. There 

 was fancied, and perhaps real danger in confiding such dearly ac- 

 quired jewels to ambitious and daring adventurers who might ripen 

 into disloyal usurpers. 



Cortez bowed submissively to the will of the Emperor. He was 

 grateful for what had been graciously conceded to his merits and 

 services ; nor was he unwilling to enjoy the luxury of careless 

 repose after so many years of toil. His first wife, — wedded as 

 we have related in the Islands, — died a short time after she 

 joined him in the capital after the conquest. Cortez was yet 

 young, nor was he ill favored or indisposed to slight the charms of 

 the sex. A fair relative of the Aguilars and Bejars, Dona Juana 

 Zuniga, at this moment attracted his attention and was soon won. 

 Her dower of jewels, wrested from the Aztecs, and carved by their 

 most skilful workmen, was indescribably magnificent, and, after 

 her splendid nuptials, she embarked, in 1530, with the conqueror 



