( 266 ) 



was from Tordefillas, as was alfo Orduna the elder, who, after the con- 

 queft, brought over five daughters whom he married very honorably. 

 A brother of the order of St. Francis alfo came; he was named Fra Pe- 

 dro Malgarejo de Urrea. He brought with him a number of bulls of 

 our lord St. Peter, in order to compofe our confciences if we had any 

 thing to lay to our charge on account of the wars. The reverend father 

 made a fortune in a few months, and returned to Caftille. Anthonio 

 Carajaval who now lives in Mexico, though very old, Geronymo Ru- 

 iz de la Mora, one Briones, who was about four years afterwards hang- 

 ed in Guatimala for fedition, Alonzo Diaz de la Reguera now living in 

 Valladolid, and many others came by this veffel. We now learned that 

 the Bifhop of Burgos had no longer any power, his Majefty having 

 been difpleafed with his condud: ever fince he knew of our eminent fer- 

 viccs. Another meffage arrived at this moment from Chalco for a/Tif- 

 tance againft the Mexicans, upon which Cortes gave his promife that 

 he would immediately march thither, although the brigantines were 

 now ready to launch, and the foldiers were anxious to begin the fiege 

 of Mexico. 



Cortes, leaving the town of Tezcuco to the care of Sandoval, fet 

 out after mafs, upon his expedition, to clear the diftrid of Chalco, and 

 reconnoitre the country adjacent to the lake, on friday the fifth of April, 

 one thoufand five hundred and twenty one, at the head of three hundred 

 infantry, twenty crofsbow-men and fifteen mufqueteers included, and thir- 

 ty cavalry, with a large body of the auxiliaries of Tezcuco and Tlafcala. 

 The general was accompanied by the treafurer Alderete, Fray Pedro 

 Melgarejo, the captains Alvarado, De Oli, and Tapia, and in this ex- 

 pedition I alfo went. The firft night we halted at Talmanalco, and on 

 the next day reached Chalco, whither Cortes fummoned all the chiefs, 

 and informed them of his intention immediately to attack Mexico, re- 

 quiring their affiftance, which they moft readily promifed. On the 

 next day, Cortes continuing his march, arrived at the town of Chimal- 

 acoan, in the fame province, where above twenty thoufand warriors 

 had affembled to meet us. From the time of my firft arrival in this 



country. 



