The Emperour beyng in a readinesse to passe into Italy, to be there crowned with the Emperiall crowne, Cortes went in his maiesties company vnto the Citie of Saragoza, whereas his Maiestie calling to remembrance his worthy seruice, & valour of his person, made him Marques del valle de Huaxacac, accordyng to his desire, on the .vi. of July, An. 1528, and Captayne generall of the newe Spayne, with all the prouinces and coast of the south sea, chiefe discouerer and inhabiter of the same coaste and Ilandes, with the twelfth parte of all that after that tyme should be discouered, for a sure inheritaunce to him and his discendentes: he offered vnto him also the habite of the order of Knighthoode of Saint Iames, the whiche offer Cortes refused, bycause there was no rent gyuen with the habite, but he besought his Maiestie to graunt vnto him the gouernmēt of Mexico, the whiche request the Emperour denied, bycause that no Conquerour shoulde thinke that the office of gouernment and iustice is due vnto hym, for the like demaunde was desired of the king Don Fernando, by Cristoual Colon who firste discouered the India, and also the great Captaine Gonsalo Hernandoz de Cordoua, who conquered Naples. Cortes deserued muche, and also the Emperour gaue him much, to honour him as a most bountifull and gratefull King, who neuer taketh away that whiche once he giueth. He likewise gaue vnto Cortez all the kyngdome of Michuacan, but hée had rather haue had diuers other townes whiche he demaunded, many other great fauours and rewardes he receyued at the Emperours handes, but the principall are those before declared.
The Mariage of Cortez.
When it was knowen in Spayne, that the lady Catherin Xuares, wife vnto Cortes, was deceassed in India, by intercessours he was assured vnto the Duke of Beiar, his brothers daughter, who was named the Lady Iane of Zuniga: hyr fathers name was Don Carolus de Arrellano, Earle of Aguilar. This Lady was a bewtifull Dame, and hyr brethrene noble personages, who were highly in fauour with the Emperour. And Cortes to matche with so honorable an house and lynage he iudged himselfe fortunate and well maried.
The riche Emeraldes.
Among many Iewelles whiche Cortes broughte with him, were fiue moste riche and fine Emeraldes, whiche were valued at a hundreth thousande Duckets: the one was wrought lyke vnto a Rose, an other like a Cornet, an other lyke a fishe with the eyes of golde, whiche was a maruellous péece of worke, beyng wrought among Indians: an other péece was wrought lyke vnto a bell, with a great and a riche pearle for the clapper, garnished with golde, ingrauen about with letters, whiche sayde, Blessed is he that created thée. The fifth was made lyke a cuppe with the foote of gold, and had foure little chaynes of gold, that were ioyned all at the top togither, in a great pearle, and the brimme of this cuppe was of gold, with this verse ingrauen rounde aboute, Inter nates mulierum non furrexit maior. For this onely péece the Merchantes of Geneua did offer fourtie thousand Ducates, for to sel the same again to the great Turke. But at that tyme Cortes woulde not giue it for any money, although afterwarde he lost them all in the warres of Argel, beyng there with the Emperour. It was told Cortes that the Empresse desired to haue those péeces, meaning to demaunde them of him, and that the Emperour shoulde pay for the same, for whiche cause he sent them to the Lady his newe wife, with many other Iewelles before he came at the Courte, and there, when he was enquired for them, he answered, and excused himselfe, for then certaynely he gaue suche Iewels vnto his Espouse, that the lyke neuer Lady had in Spayne. And after he was maried to the Lady Iane of Zuniga, he departed with hyr to the newe Spayne, with title of Marques.
Hovv the Chancery vvas first placed in Mexico, and certayne Diuelishe pretences wrought against Cortes.
