HISTORY OF MEXICO. 28D 



thanks to the Chempoallefe chief for his courtefy, and a 

 promife to vifit him without delay. 



He immediately publifhed his departure for Chem- 

 poalla ; but before that, it was neceflary to overcome 

 fome obftacles to it, which his own foldiers threw in the 

 way. Some adherents to the governor of Cuba, tired 

 out with the hardfhips which they fuffered, intimidated 

 by the dangers which now prefented themfelves, and be- 

 come defirous of repofe, and longing for the convenien- 

 ces and comforts of their homes, raoft earneftly conjur- 

 ed the general to return to Cuba, exaggerating the fear- 

 city of their provifions, and the rafhnefs of fo great an 

 undertaking, as to oppofe, with fo fmall a number of fol- 

 diers, the vaft power of the king of Mexico ; efpecially, 

 after they had loft on thofe fands thirty-five men, part 

 of thofe by the wounds received in the battle of Tabaf- 

 co, part from the unwholefomenefs of the air of that 

 fliore. Cortes, by means of prefents and promifes, and 

 alfo by means of a little feverity opportunely exerted, 

 and other arts fuggefted to him by his fertility of genius 3 

 fo well managed his corps, that he not only pacified the 

 difcontented, and induced them to remain willingly in 

 that country ; but, proceeding farther in his negocia- 

 tions, brought it about that the army, in the name of 

 the king, and without any dependance on the governor 

 of Cuba, fliould confirm him in the fupreme civil and 

 military command ; and that on account of the expenfes 

 already, and hereafter to be laid out by him upon the 

 armament, a fifth part of the gold which might be ac- 

 quired mould be afiigned to him ; after the (hare belong- 

 ing to their king was deduced. He alfo created ma- 

 gistrates, and appointed all other officers proper for a 

 colony, which he intended to plant on that coaft. 



Vol. II. O o Hav- 



