( 37' ) 



year one thoufand five hundred and feventeen, when one hundred and 

 ten of us procured veflels at our own expence and fet out for the difco- 

 vcry of New Spain, the Bilhop of Burgos informed his Majefty that it 

 was Diego de Velafquez who had done fo, contrary to the truth. rr 



Thirdly that Velafquez had fent twenty thoufand crowns in gold, 

 which his nephew Juan dc Grijalva had obtained, to the bifliop, and 

 no part to his Majefty; and that when Cortes fent a prefent of gold the 

 bifliop feized it, fuppreffing our letters, and fubftituting others, afcrib- 

 ing the faid prefent to Velafquez. Alfo that the bifliop retained one 

 half of the treafure, and when Puertocarrero applied to him for per- 

 miffion to wait upon his Majefty, he caufed him to be feized and thrown 

 into prifon, where he died. Alfo, that he fent orders to the officers of 

 the Cafa de Contradtacion of Seville, that they fliould not give any af- 

 fiftance to Cortes. Farther, that he appointed as officers to the military 

 fervice in New Spain, fuch as were not fit for it, as was the cafe in re- 

 gard to one Tapia, to whom, in order to bring about a marriage between 

 his niece and the faid Tapia, he promifed the government of New Spain. 

 Alfo, that he approved for good, the falfe relations tranfmitted by the 

 agents of Velafquez, which he forwarded to his Majefty, fuppreffing 

 thofe of Cortes which were the true ones. There were befides many 

 other charges, all very well fubftantiated, and which he could not 

 deny. 



Thefe things beilig all brought to light, his holinefs was pleafed 

 to order, that the Bifliop of Burgos ftiould have no farther authority in 

 New Spain, that Cortes fliould be declared governor thereof, and that 

 Velafquez fliould receive compenfation for the expences he had been 

 at, and could duly prove. His holinefs fent alfo to New Spain a num- 

 ber of indulgences for the hofpitals and churches, and was pleafed r to 

 dired: Cortes and us the conquerors to pay luiremitting attention to the 

 converfion of the Indians, adding how much it was the duty of himfelf 

 and all Chriftendom to pray for thofe who had done fo much for the 

 advancement of our holy faith. He alfo was pleafed to fend to us his 

 , . .. Bbb 3 holy 



