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to Cortes, from his having been our captain, than he was to our inter- 

 efts, although he had his Majefty's orders to attend to them. Of this 

 a proof now occurred, for the prefident and oydors intrigued for an ap- 

 plication to be made to his Majefty, in manner of a petition, againft 

 the appointment or return of Cortes to New Spain, at any future time. 

 The grounds upon which they moved it were, the dangers that would 

 occur from public difturbances and facflions, which might end in the 

 lofs of the country. This we oppofed with all our might, and Alva- 

 \ ' rado, being at this time arrived in Mexico with the office of governor 

 and adelantado af Guatimala, and a commandeiy of St. Jago, it was 

 agreed between him and the friends of Cortes, to lay before his Majefty 

 a ftatement of the whole affair, with the views of the members of the 

 council; and it hereby appearing to the fupreme court of the Indies,, 

 that all thele meafures were guided by paffion and intereft, it confirmed 

 the original determination to fupercede Guzman and the oydors. The, 

 prefence of Cortes in Spain alfo at this period was highly favourable 

 to his interefts, and he now was rapidly proceeding to the pinnacle of 

 his fortune. 



When Nuno de Guzman had received certain intelligence from 

 Old Spain of his being fuperceded,. he determined to go upon an expe- 

 dition to the province of Xalifco, now called New Gallicia. For this 

 purpofe he colledted the greateft force that he was able in Mexico, partly 

 of volunteers, and partly of fuch as he compelled to join him by the 

 weight of power of which he was not yet deprived. Thofe who did 

 not ferve perfonally he compelled to find, or pay for fubftitutes, and 

 thofe who had horfes were obliged to give them for half their value. 

 He brought with him a number of Mexicans as foldiers, or to convey 

 his baggage, and cruelly oppreffed the provinces through which he 

 pafTed. In Mechoacan he obtained a great quantity of gold, which 

 the inhabitants had colled:ed and amalTed for ages pafl; it was much 

 lowered in value by a mixture of fiiver. The unfortunate chief of the 

 province, not being able to gratify his avarice to its full extent, he firft 



commanded 



