Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/444

424 reunited at Chiametla without molestation, and Cortés, after inspecting the Concepcion which he found in an unserviceable condition, proceeded to make an attempt to found a colony on the eastern shore of the Californian peninsula.

The failure of the scheme, unless additional vessels and supplies were provided for the colony, soon became apparent to Cortés, and he returned with the Santa Agueda and Santo Tomás to Acapulco with the intention of fitting out a new fleet for that purpose. Moreover news of the arrival of Mendoza as viceroy had been brought to him by a vessel under the command of Francisco de Ulloa, and this, together with an earnest request from his wife, was an additional motive for his return. Though little is known of his operations during the following two or three years he did not give up the hope of attaining some brilliant success, and with his customary activity made preparations for another expedition. In September 1538 he informed the India Council that he had nine good ships already built, but not yet launched, owing to the want of navigators, and in 1539 his enthusiasm was raised by the marvellous reports brought by Marcos de Niza of the cities of Cíbola.

Whatever had been the captain-general's hopes of assistance on the arrival of a viceroy in New Spain, the change in the form of government only brought into the field a new and powerful competitor. Mendoza himself would like to be a great explorer, and in 1537 he asked of the king permission to participate in enterprises of discovery.