( 376 ) 



were truly fumptuous, and that the cypreffes and ftones were brought 

 from a great diftance, but that the faid buildings were for the ufe and 

 honor of his Majefty and his fuccelTors : that the materials were brought 

 the principal part of the way by water, and that the work was carried 

 on by the general labour of the Indians, under the order of Guatimotzin, 

 as is always the cafe in building the houfes of the great in that country. 

 As to the complaint of Alonzo de Avila forcibly taking the commilTion 

 from Narvaez, it appeared upon infpedlion that there was no commif- 

 iion whatever in thofe papers, the whole of which were receipts for th? 

 purchafe of horfes, and other things fimilar^ but that Cortes never faw 

 them, nor was it done by his order. In regard to the complaints of the 

 pilots againft Cortes, the feet of Umbria were cut off by the hand of 

 juftice, as a punifhment for running away with his fhip, and Car- 

 denas had refufed to take his (hare in the divifion of the gold, confent- 

 ing that the whole fhould be fent to his Majefty, but that Cortes ha4 

 given him out of his own purfe three hundred crowns, which was as 

 much as he deferved, being a perfon of little conlideration, and no fol- 

 dier. In regard to the charge relative to Tapia, it was alledged that had 

 he come to Mexico and produced his Majefly*s orders, they fhould have 

 been received by Cortes, proftrate on the ground, with all refped:, and 

 humility; but his incapacity was fo notorious, that it was the univerfal 

 defire, and advice, of the Spaniards then in New Spain, that Cortes 

 fhould remain in the command. Thefe charges and exculpations hav- 

 ing been duly weighed by the court for five days, it was determined to 

 lay the whole of the proceedings before his Majefty, together with their 

 decifion, which was accordingly done. The lentence which they gave 

 was entirely in favour of Cortes : the merit and valour of him and the old 

 conquerors of Mexico were highly praifed, and filence was impofed on 

 Velafquez as to his complaints, he being told that if he looked for a re- 

 muneration of his expences he muft feek it from Cortes by courfe of 

 law. Cortes was alfo declared governor general of New Spain, accord- 

 ing to the orders of his holinefs the Pope. The court alfo approved of 

 the arrangements made by him in that country, and authorized him tp 

 make the divifions of the diftricSs in fuch a manner as he thought fit. 



Narvaez 



