Hernando Cortes

by Joachim Heinrich Campe

In a few days the Emperor’s reply was received. As was expected, the interview was declined, but to mitigate the disagreeableness of the refusal, Montezuma accompanied it with gifts which were truly regal. Pilpatoe and Teutile had the unpleasant duty of presenting both. They wisely produced the gifts first, to prepare Cortes, if possible, for a favorable reception of the reply.

The gifts were brought in by a hundred Indians and spread out on mats at Cortes’ feet. The Spaniards greedily gazed at these proofs of the richness of the empire. There were samples of cotton which resembled silk in its gloss and fineness, pictures of animals, trees, and other natural products skilfully wrought out in vari-colored feathers, and gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other ornaments of gold. But as the sun eclipses all the other luminaries in the heavens, so were these objects eclipsed by two large circular disks, one of which was of solid gold, the other, of silver. The one represented the sun, the other the moon. As if for the purpose of still further exciting the cupidity of the Spaniards, several caskets filled with precious stones, pearls, and grains of gold from the streams and mines were presented.

Cortes accepted these splendid gifts with expressions of the utmost respect for the giver, and thereupon the ambassadors proceeded to the disagreeable part of their commission. They declared on behalf of their sovereign that he could not permit foreign soldiers to approach the capital or remain longer within the limits of the Mexican Empire. They were requested to retire immediately. Fair and reasonable as the request was, Cortes assumed the mien of one who had been insulted, and asserted even more haughtily than before that he utterly refused to accept the reply, for his own honor and that of his sovereign would be offended should he return without having had the interview. The eyes of the Mexicans, who were accustomed to abject submission to their ruler, were fixed in astonishment upon a man who dared to resist anything which their absolute lord had ordered. Such audacity was so terrible to them that it was some time before they could recover from the shock. At last they regained composure and begged of this bold European a second delay in order to report his unexpected persistency at the capital. Cortes again consented, but upon the condition that he should not have to wait too long for a reply. Firm and decided as he appeared to be in these negotiations, he was not altogether sure that he was on secure ground. Everything convinced him that he had to deal with a powerful and well managed government. It seemed the most hazardous thing in the world to oppose such a power with a handful of Spanish adventurers.

Nevertheless he held to the bold purpose of venturing the undertaking, cost what it might. Two motives actuated him. Religious zeal was the first. He was convinced he would be doing Heaven a great service if he could convert these heathen to Christianity. The second was based on his own doubtful circumstances, for, after what had occurred between himself and Velasquez, the governor, upon leaving Cuba, he could not hope to escape unpunished when he returned. As his life was in danger in any event, he might better risk it in the accomplishment of an unheard of adventure than expose himself to the danger of losing it at the hands of the hangman upon his return. Unfortunately there were several in his army who were growing very anxious, and these were men who were more closely attached to Velasquez than to him. They had used their utmost efforts to disaffect the others and to excite a general uprising so as to force their leader to return to Cuba. But the prospect of securing vast and exhaustless treasures was so strong that nothing else could make a deep impression upon them. Besides, they believed there was good reason now to expect a favorable answer from Mexico.

The reply came at last, but it was not what they had anticipated. Far from being alarmed by the stubbornness of the Spanish general, Montezuma had come to the manly conclusion to abide by his decision that the Europeans must retire. Teutile brought the disagreeable message, as well as more handsome gifts. Cortes thought best this time to assume a less insolent attitude and mildly replied that the Christians esteemed it their duty to instruct their ignorant neighbors in the doctrines of that religion which pointed all men to the only road to happiness! It was for this reason his greater monarch had sent him to show Montezuma and his subjects the error of their ways, which they could no longer look upon without pity. Therefore he could not leave without insisting that this interview should take place. Teutile had hardly the patience to wait for the close of Cortes’ statement. He rose from his seat angrily at last and indignantly declared that as the Emperor’s gracious offers were of no avail, the instructions of his master would be carried out in a more forcible manner. With these words he hastily rushed out, followed by his entire retinue and all the Mexicans who were in the vicinity. In a short time the whole region was abandoned by the natives.

This was more than Cortes had expected. He was surprised and his danger now was greatly increased. With great anxiety he contemplated the results which must follow from this occurrence. The most direful evil threatening them was the utter lack of subsistence, which the hospitable natives had so generously furnished them hitherto. The discontented ones in the army renewed their efforts to force Cortes to return to Cuba. They ventured now openly to inveigh against him, to accuse him of foolhardiness, and to urge their comrades not to suffer him to lead them farther in the way to destruction. Cortes, who was as courageous as he was far-sighted, with the aid of his confidants secretly investigated the sentiments of his army, and when he was informed that the insurgents were not making any deep impression, he summoned the foremost of the instigators, among whom a certain Ordaz was conspicuous, met them in a friendly manner, and inquired the meaning of their conduct. They did not conceal their purpose, but urged even vehemently that they should embark and sail back to Cuba.

Cortes quietly listened to them. Then he replied that so far as he was concerned, in view of the danger to which they were exposed, he did not see how, as their leader, he could oppose their wishes. Therefore he would give his consent. He thereupon caused it to be proclaimed through the camp that all must be ready to embark for the return voyage to Cuba. He clearly foresaw what an uproar this would cause and his anticipations were promptly realized. The Spaniards, who, since their landing, had dreamed of nothing but exhaustless treasures, stood as if thunderstruck when they learned that they had based their assurance upon such slender hopes, and that, without having earned the slightest reward for their previous hardships, they were to return home poorer than when they started away. These reflections were intolerable, and an angry murmur of discontent at the fickleness of their leader spread through the camp.

Cortes was rejoiced at this, for he clearly saw it would aid him in his plans. He contrived with the aid of his confidants to increase the indignation of the soldiers still more. They complained all the more loudly that absolute cowardice was keeping them from the road to glory and wealth. The result was increased excitement and a general demand that their leader should appear before them. That was just what Cortes desired. He came at once with a look of extreme surprise on his face. They unanimously accused him of lack of courage in doubting the successful outcome of an undertaking for the spread of the true religion and for the great glory and advantage of the fatherland. They declared furthermore that for their part they were firmly determined to pursue the glorious course upon which they had entered, and to choose another leader if he faint-heartedly deserted them. Their defiant words were music to his ears, and it was some time before he recovered from his surprise. At last he began to express his astonishment at what he had heard. He assured them that he had never dreamed of giving up hopes which were as great as they were well founded. But, as it had been stated to him that his entire army had become discouraged and wished to go back, he had unwillingly decided to comply with its wishes. At this point his excited soldiers with united voices declared he had been deceived. A few cowards had charged the whole army with cowardice. They were ready to risk their blood and life to carry out his great purpose. He might lead them where he pleased. They were ready to follow him even to the death.

All was as Cortes wished. With an expression of joy and satisfaction he extolled the glorious steadfastness of his soldiers and promised to carry out the desires which they had so unanimously expressed. He would therefore, he added, end his stay in the region where they were and march into the heart of the country with the larger part of the army. A universal and enthusiastic cheer greeted his decision. Now came the last act of the comedy. He was and still remained their leader, but his entire authority depended solely upon their good-will. The absolute authority of the soldiers that had made him their commander, under changed circumstances could take the command away from him. He sought to remove this possibility in the following crafty way. He named a court of justice for the new colony whose membership he knew was favorable to him. Hardly was this done, and hardly had the magistrates assembled, before Cortes appeared in their midst, his staff of commander in hand. After permission had been granted he thus addressed them:

“I regard you, gentlemen, from this time forward as the representatives of our great sovereign. Your decisions will always have the sanctity of law. You unquestionably recognize the necessity that our army must have a leader whose authority does not depend upon the caprice of the soldiers. Now I find myself in this position. Since the governor has revoked my appointment, both my authority and my position, indeed, are doubtful. I consider myself bound, therefore, to resign my command, which rests upon such a doubtful basis, into your hands and to request you, after due consideration, to designate some one in the name of the King who seems to you most worthy of being the commander. For my part, I am ready as a common soldier, pike in hand, to furnish an example to my comrades of obedience to the one selected as leader.”