( 356 ) 



Mexico, the companions of Cortes and his Majefty's veteran fervants, 

 who had retired to their houfes and repofe, were commanded to take 

 lip arms again on this occafion and it was of no ufe to tell Cortes that 

 any one had ferved long enough, or fuffered hardfhips, for when Cor- 

 tes ordered no remonftrances availed. There was alfo one Briones, a 

 feafaring man, of a feditious difpofition, and a bitter enemy to Cortes, 

 and many of the foldiers who embarked thought they had been ill ufed 

 in the diilribution of lands and property. 



The inftrudlions given to De Oli were, to fail to the Havannah, to 

 receive provifions and neeeflaries, and purfue his voyage to Higueras, 

 where he was to make enquiry whether any harbour, ftraight, or paf- 

 fage lay to the fouthward j alfo to fearch for mines of gold, and filver, 

 and in fome commodious fituation to build a town, not negled:ing the 

 interefts of tlie church, for the extenfion whereof, two reverend friars, 

 one of whom fpoke the Mexican language, were to attend the expedi- 

 tion. 



Dc OK embarked from Villa Rica, and arrived at the Havannah, 

 ivhere he took on board his provifions and horfes and alfo five perfons 

 of thofe who had come out with Garay, and who had been expelled 

 from the fettlement of Panuco for feditious condudt. Thefe perfons at- 

 tached' themfelves to De Oli, and began to inftil their poifonous coun- 

 fels in his mind, advifing him to renounce his obedience to Cortes. 

 Briones alfo laboured' in this, and having concerted matters with Velaf- 

 quez the mortal enemy of Cortes, it was fettled amongft them, that De 

 Oli fhould'put himfelf undfer Velafquez, who would fupport him in 

 his expedition, and alfo make fuch reprefentations at court, that the 

 new fettlement fhould be taken out of the hands of Cortes, and the go- 

 vernment thereof given to De Oli. This man was of great perfonal va- 

 lour ^ a very g£>od foidier, but unfit to be a commander; he was at 

 this time about thirty fix years of age, and was a native of Baeza or 

 Linares; he had a good' perfon and countenance, a cleft in his under 

 Jip-, and his voice was rough- and fierce^ he was endued with many 



good 



