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the Count de Nafao, who was ncareft to the Emperor. This gave 

 great offence to many though others faid it was by the Emperor's defire. 

 Indeed Cortes began to feel his elevation fo much, that it made him 

 not hold fome of his former patrons in the eftimation he ought, 

 all his attention being beflowed on the Duke of Bejar, the Count de 

 Nafao, and the admiral. Thinking that now the ball was at his foot 

 with the fuppcrt of fuch great men, he applied to the Emperor for the 

 government of New Spain; this requeft, though fupported by his 

 patrons, did not fucceed, his Majefty thinking he had done fuffi- 

 ciently and that fome of his attention was due to thofe conquerors, by 

 whofe affiftance he had gained that country. From this time Cortes 

 did not feem fo much in favour as before. 



His Majefty was then proceeding on his journey to Flanders. After 

 his departure, the marriage took place between the Marquis del Valle, 

 and Donna Juana de Zuniga, on which occafion he prefented his lady 

 with the mofl: magnificent jewels that ever had been in Caftille. Her 

 Majefty Queen Ifabella, from the account given by the lapidaries, ex- 

 prefTed a wifh to have fome, which Cortes accordingly prefented her 

 with, but it is faid that they were not fo fine or fo valuable as thofe 

 which he gave to his lady. 



I will now relate fome other circumftances, fuch as I have heard 

 concerning him while he refided in Caftille. One was, that Queen 

 Ifabella was not his friend on account of the appearances of ingratitude 

 in his condudt to his patrons, and alfo in confequence of the inferiority 

 of the prefents which he made her. However Hie ordered in the Em- 

 peror's abfence, that he fhould have every fupport from the council of 

 the Indies. Cortes at this time obtained permifTion to fit out two fhips 

 on a voyage of difcovery to the fouth feas, with a condition that he 

 fhould enjoy certain rights and revenues from whatever lands were acqui- 

 red to the crown of Spain. Don Pedro de la Cueva was at this time at 

 court ; this was the officer who was to have gone to Mexico to try, and 



N n n if 



