( ^9 ) 



to go to that expence, and at this time a vefTel arriving with a cargo of 

 provifions, the owner immediately waited on Cortes to kifs his hands^ 

 and enrolling himfelf with us, Cortes bought both (hip and lading 

 from him upon credit. His name was Sedeno. 



From the time that we quitted the port of St. Jago, the relations 

 of Velafquez had not ceafed to work upon his mind, in order to induce 

 him to fupercede Cortes in the command. In this they were much aided 

 by one Juan Millan, an aftrologer, and confidered to be mad. This old 

 man, to whom the governor gave an ear, was conftantly telling him 

 how Cortes would be revenged for fome former injuries, upon an occa- 

 fion when Velafquez had thrown him into prifon. Every ad:ion of 

 Cortes was alfo .explained in the moft unfavorable manner, his fudden 

 failing was dwelt on, and the fecret treaty with the Secretary and Con- 

 tador furmifed. Velafquez in confequencc of thefe reprefentations, fent 

 two confidential perfons, with pofitive orders to his brother-in-law the 

 Alcalde Major of the town of Trinidad, who was named Francifco Ver- 

 dugo, to take the fleet and troops from uuder the command of Cortes, 

 he having been fuperceded, and Vafco Porcallo appointed in his place. 

 Diego de Ordas, Francifco de Morla, and all t-he friends and relations 

 of Velafquez alfo received orders to the fame efFedl, 



Cortes who was well aware of thefe proceedings, exerted himfelf 

 to fuch eflFed:, that by promifes and other ways, he contrived to bring 

 over all thofe upon whom Velafquez relied, and efpecially Diego de 

 Ordas, to his own intereft, which the latter fupported moft effediually 

 with the Alcalde Verdugo by his perfuafions and arguments, reprefent- 

 ing to him the danger that would refult from any violent meafures. 

 Such was the talent of Cortes in making friends, that the very meffen- 

 gers fent by Velafquez with the orders, came over to him, one of them 

 Pedro LafTo enrolling himfelf under his command. By the other 

 Cortes wrote to the governor, exprefting his attachment to him in the 

 ftrongeft terms, his furprife at the ftep that he had been induced to take, 

 and his requeft to him, not to let himfelf be deceived by the mifrepre- 



fentations 



