272 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



he headed a part of the Spanifh army, and at the fiege 

 of the capital, he had more than thirty thoufand men 

 under his command, continually enjoying from his good 

 conduct the favour of the general, the refpecl: of the fol- 

 diers, and even the love of his enemies. He founded 

 the colony of Medellin, on the coaft of Chalchiuhcuecan, 

 and that of Spirito Santo, on the river Coatzacualco. 

 He was commander of the garrifon of Vera Cruz, and 

 fome time governor of Mexico ; and in all his employ- 

 ments his equity was confpicuous. He was conftant and 

 affiduous in labour, obedient and faithful to his general, 

 kind to the foldiers, humane (c) to his enemies, and en- 

 tirely free from the prevailing contagion of avarice. In 

 fhort, in all the feries of conquerors, we do not find a 

 more accomplifhed or praife-worthy character, as there 



was 



(c) Dr. Robertfon accufes Sandoval of that horrid example of feverity made of 

 the Panuchcfe, where the Spaniards burned fixty lords and four hundred nobles, 

 under the eyes of their children and kindred, and cites the teftimony of Cortes 

 and Gomara; but Cortes neither affirms that Sandoval executed that punifhment, 

 nor even names it. Bernal Diaz, whofe authority in this point is more to be 

 depended on than Gomara, fays, that Sandoval after he had conquered the 

 Panuchefe, and taken twenty lords, and fome other perfons of note prifcners, 

 wrote to Cortes to know his determination with refpecl: to them ; and Cortes, 

 in order to make their condemnation more juftifiable, fubmitted the procefs to 

 Diego de Ocampo, judge of that province, who, after having heard their con- 

 feflion, fentenced them to be burned, which judgment was executed. Bernal 

 Diaz does not exprefs the number of thofe who were condemned ; Cortes fays, 

 that including lords and other principal perfons, four hundred were burned. 

 Such a fentence was no doubt cruel and fevere ; but Robertfon, who cafts ma- 

 ny reproaches on the Spaniards, ought to have evinced his impartiality by de- 

 claring the motives which they had to act fo violently againft the Panuchefe. 

 The latter having fubjected themfelves to the crown of Spain, renounced their 

 obedience, and, running to arms, difturbed that whole province ; they killed 

 four hundred Spaniards, forty of whom they burned alive and eat the others. 

 Such atrocious doings are not fufficient to excufe the Spaniards, but they cer- 

 tainly extenuate the feventy of their conduct.. Robertfon read equally in 

 Gomara of the rebellious deeds of the Panuchefe, and the rigour of the Spani- 

 ards, but he conceals the former and exaggerates the latter- 



