54 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



nando Cortez, then alcalde of Santiago de Cuba, a 

 man comparatively unknown, but destined to be dis- 

 tinguished among the daring soldiers of that day as 

 the Great Captain, and to build up a name almost 

 overshadow^ing that of the discoverer of America. 



The full particulars of all these expeditions form 

 part and parcel of the history of Yucatan ; but to 

 present them in detail w^ould occupy too large a por- 

 tion of this work ; and, besides, they form part of the 

 great chain of events which led to the conquest of 

 Mexico, the history of which, by the gifted author 

 of Ferdinand and Isabella, it is hoped, will soon 

 adorn the annals of literature. 



Among the principal captains in the expeditions 

 both of Grijalva and Cortez was Don Francisco 

 Montejo, a gentleman of Seville. After the arrival 

 of Cortez in Mexico, and while he was prosecuting 

 his conquests in the interior, twice it was consider- 

 ed necessary to send commissioners to Spain, and 

 on both occasions Don Francisco Montejo was nom- 

 inated, the first time with one other, and the last time 

 alone. On his second visit, besides receiving a con- 

 firmation of former grants and privileges, and a new 

 coat of arms, as an acknowledgment of his distin- 

 guished services rendeied to the crown in the expe- 

 ditions of Grijalva and Cortez, he obtained from the 

 king a grant for the pacification and conquest of the 

 islands (as it is expressed) of Yucatan and Cozu- 

 mel, which countries, amid the stirring scenes and 



