A good protestatiō.
The other letter was firmed by the generalitye and chiefest of the army, the contentes whereof was in substance, that they would holde and kepe that towne and countrey wonne, in his royall name, or ende theyr lyues in the quarrel, if his maiestie did not otherwise determyne.
They also moste humblye besought him, that the gouernement thereof, and of al that hereafter shoulde bee conquered, might be giuen to Hernādo Cortez their guide, generall captaine, and chiefe Iustice by them electe and chosen, saying, that wel he had deserued the same, for that he alone spent more than the whole army vpon that iourney. And that it might please his maiesty to confirm that, which they generally of fréewill had done for theyr owne safegard and securitye, in the name of his royall maiestie.
And if by chaunce his maiestie had already giuen the sayde office of gouernement to any other person, that it might please him to reuoke it.
For so should it be expedient for his seruice, and quietnesse of the countrey. And thereby might be excused, rumours, slanders, perils, and slaughters, that myght ensue, if any other should gouerne and rule as captaine general.
And moreouer they besoughte hys maiestie to graunte them aunswere with breuity, and good dispatch of theyr attourneys, who departed from the porte of Aguiahuistlan in a reasonable shippe the twenty sixe day of July, Anno .1519.
They touched by the way at Marien a port of Cuba, declaring that they went to Hauana: they passed through the chanell of Bahama without disturbaunce, and sayled with a prosperous winde, till they arriued in Spayne.
The cause why the generaltye had written these letters was, suspecting Iames Velasques, who had frends and great fauour in the Court and counsel of Indias, and also some secrete friendes in Cortez his campe. For Francisco Salzeda brought newes that Iames Velasques had already obteyned a graunt of the Emperor for the gouernment of that land by the meanes of one Benito Martinez going into Spayne. And although they knew not the certainty thereof, yet it was most true, as shal appeare in another place.