( 424 ) 



this officer was unable to exert himfelf properly, being an invalid. 

 As to the city of Mexico, there was danger every hour of an infur- 

 re(5l:ion. 



The letters alfo informed us that the fadlor conftantly remitted gold 

 to his Majefty's treafurer, Don Francifco de los Cobos, to make an 

 intereft for himfelf at court, reporting that we were all dead at Xica- 

 longa, the belief of which was corroborated by Diego de Ordas who, 

 to get out of the fadtions and troubles of Mexico had failed with 

 two velTels to fearch for us, and arriving at the place called Xicalonga, 

 where the captains Simon de Cuenca and Francifco de Medina had been 

 killed, hearing the account of their misfortunes, and not knowing the 

 particulars, had taken it for granted that it could be no others than 

 Cortes and his party who were thus deftroyed, and reported fo in his 

 letters to Mexico which he fent by certain paffengers, and then, with- 

 out landing, hoifted fail for Cuba. The fadtor fhewed his letter to our 

 relations, and put on mourning; and a monument was erected, and fu- 

 neral fervice performed for the honour of Cortes, in the great church 

 of Mexico. The fadlor then proclaimed himfelf governor, and captain 

 general of New Spain, with the found of kettle drums and trumpets, 

 and iffued out an order, that all women who had any regard for their 

 fouls, and whofe hufbands had gone with Cortes, fliould confider them 

 dead in law, and marry again forthwith. And becaufe a woman nam- 

 ed Juana dc Manfilla did not chufe to take his advice, but infifted on 

 waiting the return of her hufband Alonzo Valiente, faying that we 

 were not people who would let ourfelves be fo eafily beaten as the veedor 

 Chirinos and his party, the fador ordered her to be publicly whipped 

 through the ftreets of Mexico. for a witch. 



As there are in all places flattering traitors, one of this defcription, 

 whom we once expedted better from, and whofe name I will not men- 

 tion, folemnly afTured the fatlor, before many witnefTes, that going 

 one night by the church of St. Jago, which is built on the fcite of the 

 great temple of the Mexicans, and looking into the church yard, he 



