Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/451

Rh build two forts at his own expense, wherever in the territory he might deem best. He was allowed to select as his own property ten square leagues of land. He was to be entitled to four per cent of any royal income that might be derived from his discoveries and conquests, the amount to be payable to himself and heirs after deducting the expenses of administration. Lands allotted to settlers were to be deeded to them after they had been occupied and improved for four years. One half of the royal fines was to be devoted, during the first five years, to public works and to the building of hospitals. The enslavement of Indian rebels and their purchase and sale were to be permitted only where peaceful measures had proved ineffectual. Montejo was specially enjoined to prohibit the excesses which had attended previous discoveries and conquests, and especially to forbid cruelty toward the natives, all cases regarding their treatment to be referred to the ecclesiastics, a number of whom were to accompany the expedition; but this latter clause of his contract the adelantado failed to observe.

A sufficient force was levied, and early in 1527 Montejo's armament left the shores of Spain, the contador Alonso de Avila being second in command. Touching at Española for supplies, the expedition was reënforced by many recruits, and a number of horses were taken on board the vessels. On reaching Cozumel, the Spaniards whose forces mustered about four hundred, apart from the sailors, who manned their flotilla of four ships, were received with all outward show of friendship. Arriving at the mainland they