Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/150

 camp for three or four days, and afterwards we came to the city of Cuyoacan where I have remained until now, providing for the good order and government and pacification of these parts. Having collected the gold and other things, we had them melted, with the approbation of Your Majesty's officials, and what was melted amounted to one hundred and thirty thousand castellanos, of which one fifth was given to the treasury of Your Majesty, besides one fifth of other duties belonging to Your Majesty, such as slaves and other things, as will be more extensively seen from the account of all belonging to Your Majesty, which will go signed with our names. The remaining gold was distributed amongst myself and the Spaniards, according to the conduct, service, and quality of each. Besides the said gold, there were certain made pieces, and jewels of gold, of which the best was given to the treasurer of Your Majesty.

Amongst the plunder which was obtained from the said city, many bucklers of gold were found; plumes, and feather work, and things so marvellous that they cannot be described in writing, nor can they be comprehended without being seen. And being such they are, it seemed to me they should not be divided but should all be placed at the disposition of Your Majesty, for which purpose I assembled all the Spaniards, and besought them to approve of all these things being sent to Your Majesty, and that the shares belonging to them and me should be placed at Your Majesty's disposition, which they rejoiced in doing with much good will. They and I send them for Your Majesty's acceptance by the procurators whom the council of this New Spain has deputed.

As the city of Temixtitan was so important, and so renowned throughout these parts, it seems it came to the knowledge of the lord of a very great province, seventy leagues distant from Temixtitan, called