142 REBELLION IN JALISCO VICEROY SUPPRESSES IT 



people, who either collected large quantities and melted them into 

 bars, or cast them contemptuously into the water as they had before 

 done with the despised copper. 



It was not until about the year 1542, that we perceive in the 

 viceroyal history, any attempts upon the part of the Indians to 

 make formidable assaults against the Spaniards, whose oppressive 

 and grinding system of repartimientos was undoubtedly beginning 

 to be felt. At this period the Indians of Jalisco rose in arms, and 

 symptoms of discontent were observed to prevail, also, among the 

 Tarascos and Tlascalans, who even manifested an intention of 

 uniting with the rebellious natives of the north. Mendoza was 

 not an idle spectator of these movements, but resolved to go forth, 

 in person, at the head of his troops to put down the insurgents. 

 Accordingly he called on the Tlascalans, Cholulans, Huexotzinques, 

 Tezcocans, and other bands or tribes for support, and permitted 

 the caciques to use horses and the same arms that were borne by 

 the Spaniards. This concession seems to have greatly pleased the 

 natives of the country, though it was unsatisfactory to some of 

 their foreign masters. 



In the meanwhile, the coasts of America on the west, and the 

 shores of California especially, were examined by the Portuguese 

 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, as far north as near the 41st° of latitude; 

 whilst another expedition was despatched to the Spice islands, 

 under the charge of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos. 



The viceroy was moreover busy with the preparation of his army 

 designed to march upon Jalisco, and, on the 8th of October, 1542, 

 departed from Mexico with a force of fifty thousand Indians, three 

 hundred cavalry, and one hundred and fifty Spanish infantry. 

 Passing through Michoacan, where he was detained for some time, 

 he, at length, reached the scene of the insurrection in Jalisco ; but 

 before he attacked the rebels he proclaimed through the ecclesi- 

 astics who accompanied him, his earnest wish to accommodate 

 difficulties, and, even, to pardon, graciously, all who would lay 

 down their arms and return to their allegiance. He ordered that 

 no prisoners should be made except of such as were needed to 

 transport the baggage and equipments of his troops ; and, in every 

 possible way, he manifested a humane desire to soften the asperities 

 and disasters of the unequal warfare. But the rebellious Indians 

 were unwilling to listen to terms : — u We are lords of all these 

 lands," said they, heroically, in reply, " and we wish to die in 

 their defence ! " 



Various actions ensued between the Spaniards, their allies, and 



