A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 4 | Page 8

message to Tlascala,
commanding the chiefs of the republic to attend him at this place to
establish a peace, as we were still ignorant of what had taken place in
consequence of our former message. The Indians of the country began
to entertain a favourable opinion of us, and orders were given by the
Tlascalan senate that the people in our neighbourhood should supply us
plentifully with provisions.
At this time some of the soldiers resumed their mutinous complaints,
particularly those who had good houses and plantations in Cuba, who
murmured at the hardships they had undergone and the manifold
dangers with which we were surrounded. Seven of their ringleaders
now waited on Cortes, having a spokesman at their head, who
addressed the general in a studied oration, representing, "That above
fifty-five of our companions had already perished during the expedition,
and we were now ignorant of the situation of those we had left at Villa
Rica. That we were so surrounded by enemies, it was hardly possible to

escape from being sacrificed to the idols of the barbarians, if we
persisted in our present hopeless enterprize. Our situation, they said,
was worse than beasts of burden, who had food and rest when forced to
labour, while we were oppressed with fatigue, and could neither
procure sleep or provisions. As therefore the country now seemed
peaceable and the enemy had withdrawn, the present opportunity ought
to be taken for returning immediately to Villa Rica, on purpose to
construct a vessel to send for reinforcements from Cuba; adding, that
they lamented the destruction of our shipping, a rash and imprudent
step, which could not be paralleled in history," Cortes answered them
with great mildness; "That he was satisfied no soldiers ever exhibited
more valour than we, and that by perseverance alone could we hope to
preserve our lives amidst those great perils which God hitherto
delivered us from, and that he hoped for a continuance of the same
mercy. He appealed to them to say if he had ever shrunk from sharing
in all their dangers; which indeed he might well do, as he never spared
himself on any occasion. As to the destruction of the ships, it was done
advisably, and for most substantial reasons; and as the most illustrious
of our countrymen had never ventured on so bold a measure, it was
better to look forward with trust in God, than to repine at what could
not now be remedied. That although the natives we had left behind
were at present friendly, all would assuredly rise against us the moment
we began to retreat; and if our situation were now bad, it would then be
desperate. We were now in a plentiful country; and as for our losses by
death and fatigue, such was the fortune of war, and we had not come to
this country to enjoy sports and pastimes. I desire therefore of you, who
are all gentlemen, that you no longer think of retreat, but that you
henceforwards shew an example to the rest, by doing your duty like
brave soldiers, which I have always found you hitherto." They still
continued to urge the danger of persisting in the march to Mexico; but
Cortes cut them short, saying, That it was better to die at once than live
dishonoured: And being supported by all his friends, the malcontents
were obliged to stifle their dissatisfaction, as we all exclaimed that
nothing more should be said on the subject.
Our deputation from Zumpacingo to Tlascala was at length successful;
as after four repeated messages from the chiefs of the republic, their
general Xicotencatl was obliged to cease hostilities. Accordingly forty

Indians were sent by him to our quarters with a present of fowls, bread,
and fruit. They also brought four old women in tattered clothes, some
incense, and a quantity of parrots feathers. After offering incense to
Cortes, one of the messengers addressed him as follows: "Our general
sends these things to you. If ye are teules, as is reported, and desire
human victims, take the hearts and blood of these women as food: We
have not sacrificed them to you, as you have not hitherto made known
your pleasure. If ye are men, we offer you fowls, bread, and fruit; if
benignant teules, who do not desire human sacrifices, here are incense
and parrots feathers." Cortes replied, That we were men like themselves,
and never put any one to death except in our own defence: That he had
repeatedly required them to make peace with us, which offer he now
renewed, advising them no longer to continue their mad resistance,
which must end in their own ruin and the destruction of their country:
That our only object in coming among them, was to manifest the truths
of our holy