Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/338

318 of Izcalpan, five leagues from the port, as one of the towns granted him by the crown.

Both alarmed and angered at these independent proceedings, the oidores sent orders for all Spaniards to return to their towns under severe penalties, so as to enable them to keep back Cortés, and perhaps to drive him from the country. The natives were forbidden to hold intercourse with him, or to supply him food. As for the authorities at Vera Cruz who had countenanced the captain-general, they were punished, and Alcalde Mejía received orders to dispossess him, and cast down the gibbet erected on his grant in sign of authority. The oidores had heard of the coming of new members from Spain, but seem to have at first regarded them as intended to replace their defunct associates, and they felt therefore as confident as ever. Others understood the case rightly, however, and many had suffered too much already from the audiencia to fear additional persecution, so that they preferred to remain with their old leader.

While at Vera Cruz, Cortés received a decree from the queen forbidding him to approach within ten leagues of Mexico, until the new audiencia arrived, lest his presence should give rise to troubles. He resolved nevertheless to leave the unhealthy coast and establish his headquarters at Tezcuco, although this lay within the prescribed limit, for here alone could he have ready access to supplies for his numerous retinue. In their alarm the oidores sent an appeal to Guzman for aid, and took steps to defend the capital. Cortés being both unwilling and afraid to create disturbance, commissioned Bishop Garcés and some of