( '3 ) 



CHAPTER II. 



Expedition of Juan de Grijalva. A, D. 151 8. 



T*HE governor Diego Velafquez, encouraged by the accounts of 

 thofe who returned from the laft expedition, now fitted out a fecond 

 armament confifting of four (hips, two of which were employed in the 

 former voyage, and the other two were purchafed by himfelf. Thefe 

 velTels were to be commanded by his relation Juan de Grijalva, (in 

 chief,) Pedro de Alvarado, Francifco de Montejo, and Alonz-o de Avila, 

 all perfons of valour, and poffeffcd of cflates in the iflands. The charge 

 of the equipment was divided thus; each captain found provifions and 

 failors, the arms and fome trifling necelTaries were provided by the go- 

 vernor. The accounts of the richnefs of the country, efpecially thofe 

 given b)» the native Melchorejo, created an univerfal difpolition in thofe 

 who were unprovided in the iflands to engage in the expedition. Ac- 

 cordingly, two hundred and forty companions immediately entered them- 

 felves, amongft whom I determined to try my fortune a fecond time. 



Each of us depofited a certain fum to provide various neceflaiy 

 articles, both for the veffels and for ourfelves in the field. The orders 

 and inflrudions given by the governor to our chief were, to procure 

 and bring back all the gold and filver that he could, and he gave him 

 difcretionary power to a6t as he thought beft, in regard to colonization 

 or eftablifhments. The veedor appointed by us was named Penalofa, 

 and our chaplain was named Juan Diaz. We had the fame pilots who 

 had gone the former voyage, and a fourth whofe name I do not recolle<5t. 

 Our rendezvous was at the port of Matanzas, which was convenient for 

 vidualling, as the colonifls had their plantations and ftores of hogs ia 

 that neighbourhood,, 



. The 



