Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/282

262 withdrew, though a motion of his finger would have sufficed to overthrow his opponents. "For thy king and thy law must thou die," was an oft-used saying of his which he evidently resolved to uphold. Estrada's wife, among others, censured the governor for this treatment of a man who had so greatly favored him with appointments and grants, and warned him of the consequences. At this time arrived Fray Julian Garcés, bishop of Tlascala, and attention was diverted somewhat by the demonstrations attending the reception of the first prelate in the country. His first task was to reconcile Estrada and his injured opponents. The former had already repented of his haste, and the bishop followed Cortés to Coyuhuacan to prevail upon him.

The first impulse of resentment passed, Cortés admitted that unjust as the governor might have been, the expulsion was brought about chiefly by his own hasty utterance. Not that this recognition alone would have induced him to relent, but potent agencies were the fear of [sic]imperilling his cherished prestige among the natives, and the need of Estrada's favor for certain projects. The good prelate therefore succeeded in his mission, and Cortes relented so far as to stand godfather to the governor's infant son. Estrada was not so base and selfish as his advisers, and repentance for his ingratitude had moved him to some extent, as well as a politic regard for the great conqueror's influence over the natives whom it would be difficult to control in case they were roused. Still another motive may have influenced him: the