Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/433

Rh, and the oidor Salmeron had already counselled the king to centralize the authority of the marquis by confining his possessions to one portion of the country. The fact is his power over the natives was such as to cause the oidores heartily to wish him back in Spain.

Nor was the assignment of these grants the only cause of dispute. The erection of his palace, the sale of his houses in the city of Mexico to the audiencia, and his claims to lands within the limits of the city were alike productive of grievances and annoyance.

But the treatment of Cortés by the audiencia in his public capacity as captain-general engendered yet stronger feelings of indignation and wounded pride. He could not shut his eyes to the fact that his high office was one more in name than in reality, and his quick perception soon revealed to him that although the crown had recognized his services it did not intend to allow him much control in the guidance of affairs.