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failed in their duty. Thefe intrigues caufed much trouble afterwards 

 in Mexico as I will relate at the proper time. The reverend father bla- 

 med Cortes for what he had done, and forefaw the confequences that 

 followed. The veedor and fador now took their leaves, with fuch ten- 

 dernefs and affedion, the latter pretending to fob and cry with forrow 

 at parting, that it was ridiculous to fee it. The fellow had by the tricks 

 of his friend Valiente the fecretary, got at that time in his pocket the 

 documents he wanted for the furtherance of his views in Mexico, of 

 which as I before obferved I will fay no more for the prefent, but con- 

 tinue the narrative of our painful journey, for I left this place with the 

 general, and attended him throughout. 



Cortes now fent orders to one of his major domos, Simon de Cu- 

 cnca, at Villa Rica, to freight two light veffels with bifcuit of maiz, 

 (for at that time there was no wheat in New Spain,) fix pipes of wine, 

 oil, vinegar, pork, iron, and other neceffary articles, and to proceed 

 with them along the coafl, northward, until he fhould receive further 

 directions . The general then ordered all the fettlers of Guacacualco 

 who were fit for fervice to join his expedition. I have already mention- 

 ed how this colony was formed out of the mofl refpedable hidalgos, 

 and ancient conquerors of the country j and now that we had reafon to 

 exped: to be left in quiet pofTefTion of our hard earned properties, our 

 houfes and farms, we were obliged to undertake an hoflile expedition 

 to the diflance of five hundred leagues, and which took up the time of 

 above two years and a half. But we dared not fay no, neither would 

 it avail us. We therefore armed ourfelves, and mounting our horfes, 

 joined the expedition, making in the whole above two hundred and 

 fifty veterans, of whom one hundred and thirty were cavalry, befides 

 many Spaniards newly arrived from Europe. 



I was immediately ordered to march at the head of thirty Spaniards 

 and three thoufand Mexicans, to a diflrid: named Cimatan, which was 

 in rebellion, with directions to quarter my troops on the natives, and 

 jf I found them fubmi/Tive, to do no farther injury, but if refractory, 



they 



