( ) 



was in many others when he fent me under different captains to conquer 

 provinces, as is found written in my hiilory, how, when, and where. 



Alfo when Cortes returned to Europe the firft time, to kifs his 

 Majefty's feet, he informed him that he had many vahant captains and 

 companions in the Mexican wars, and who he beheved did not yield to 

 the moft famous in ancient hiftory. Of this praife a proportionate fliare 

 falls to me. Further, at Algiers, he faid much in praife of his com- 

 panions the conquerors. Of this I come in for my portion, as I was 

 one of them. 



As to what the licentiates faid, that I praife myfelf fo much, and 

 that I ought to leave it to be done by others, 1 fay, in common life it is 

 the cuftom of neighbours to fpeak of each other as each deferves j but 

 he who never w^as in the wars w^ith us, nor faw them, nor heard of 

 them, how can he fpeak of us } were the birds which flew over our 

 heads while in battle to give accounts of us ? or the clouds ? who then 

 was to fpeak our praifes but we ourfelves ? Indeed gentlemen licentiates 

 faid I had you found that I detraded from the honour due to one of our 

 valiant captains or foldiers, and afcribed it to myfelf, then you might 

 juftly blame me. But the fad: is that I do not praife myfelf fo much 

 as I ought. 



I will now make a comparifon, although on one fide the fubjed: 

 of it is very high, and on the other a poor foldier like myfelf. Hifto- 

 rians fay that the great emperor and warrior Julius Caefar was in fifty 

 three pitched battles. I fay that I was in many more battles than Julius 

 Caefar, as may be feen in this my hiftory. Hifi:orians alfo fay that Ju- 

 lius Caefar was brave and adive in battle, and that when he had time, 

 he at night committed to writing with his own hand, his heroic adions, 

 although he had many hiftorians, not chufing to entrufi: the office to 

 them. Truly this happened many years ago, and may or may not be 

 ihe cafe; whereas what I relate occurred yefterday as it may be faid. 



It 



