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CHAPTER VI, 



TranfaSlions and occurrences in Old and New Spain. 

 Expedition againjl the Zapotecans. 



It appeared to us, the moft ancient, wife, and experienced conque- 

 rors of Mexico, that Cortes ought now to confider duly who were his 

 friends, and flood by him through the whole of his difficulties and 

 dangers, from the firft, and to fettle his accounts with Pedro, with 

 Sancho, and with Martin, according to their defertsj which was to be 

 done by recalling to him thofe who were low, and poor, and unfortu- 

 nate, and by placing them in good fituations, according to their deferts, 

 and his Majefty's orders. All this Cortes was bound in duty to do, as 

 alfo to procure for us and our children all the good offices, and emolu- 

 ments, that were to be had in this country of New Spain. But, " that 

 ** which does not grow from the fkin, hangs loofely to it;" and fo it 

 appeared, for inftead of doing this he procured fuch for no one but 

 himfelf, as in the firft place the government, and afterwards when he 

 went to Caftille, and got his title. But to advert to other matters. In 

 regard to the divifioYi of the country, it was decided by many of the 

 moft experienced, brave, and fage conquerors thereof, that the proper 

 method would be, to divide it into five parts, one whereof fhould go to 

 his Majefty, another to be for the eftabliftiment and revenues of our ho- 

 ly church, and the other three to be given to Cortes, and the reft of us, 

 the true original conquerors of the country ; that each fhould have a 

 fhare in perpetuity, and in proportion to his rank and deferts, and that 

 we, for our parts, who had ferved his Majefty here, without putting 

 him to the leaft coft, and as one may fay without his knowledge, he be- 

 ing in Flanders, would be well fatisfied therewith, and contented, and 



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