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named it Villa de St. Eftevan del Puerta. It is fituated about a league 

 from Chila. He allotted to it all the neighbouring diftri6ts which had 

 fubmitted, and gave the command to Pedro Valego. Cortes was in- 

 formed that three diftrids which had been concerned in the murder of 

 ^nany Spaniards, but which had been now received under allegiance, in- 

 tended to fall on this poft as foon as he quitted the country. He in 

 confequence marched againft them and deftroyed their towns, but they 

 foon eftabliflied them again. 



A veffel which Cortes had ordered to come to him with provifions 

 and neceffaries was at this time loft in fome ftrong gales from the north, 

 whereby the new fettlement was much diftrelTed. 



Cortes on his return to Mexico was informed of depredations com- 

 mitted on the peaceable diftridls, by fome of the inhabitants of the 

 neighbouring mountains, whom he determined to chaftife in his way, 

 but they anticipated him, by falling upon his rear and robbing the bag- 

 gage in a bad pafs ; our allies the Mexicans made them pay well for 

 this infult, and two of their chiefs were hanged. Cortes then ordered 

 hoftilities to ceafe, and the people, on being fummoned, came in and 

 fubmitted. In the place of the chief, who was executed, Cortes ap- 

 pointed his brother, after which he proceeded to Mexico. In all the 

 provinces of New Spain none was fo bad for favage and evil manners, 

 as that of Panuco. They made human facrifices, and were cruel to an 

 excefs, drunkards, filthy, and wicked, with thirty other turpitudes. 

 They were punifhed with fire and fword two or three times, and greater 

 misfortunes befell them when Nuno de Guzman came to be their go- 

 vernor, for he made them all Haves, and fold them in the iflands. 



Alonzo de Avila whom I have formerly mentioned, was now re- 

 turned with powers from the court of royal audience and the brothers of 

 the order of St. Jeronymo, whereby we were authorifed to purfue our 

 conquefts, to mark flaves, and to make fettlements according to the 

 pradtice in the Iflands of Hifpaniola and Cuba. They alfo lent a report 



U u " of 



