The honour vvhiche the Emperour shewed vnto Hernando Cortes, with rewarde.

TOC

The Emperour receyued Cortes magnifically, and to giue him the greater honour, he went & visited him at hys owne lodging.

The Emperour beyng in a readinesse to passe into Italy, to be there crowned with the Emperiall crowne, Cortes went in his maiesties company vnto the Citie of Saragoza, whereas his Maiestie calling to remembrance his worthy seruice, & valour of his person, made him Marques del valle de Huaxacac, accordyng to his desire, on the .vi. of July, An. 1528, and Captayne generall of the newe Spayne, with all the prouinces and coast of the south sea, chiefe discouerer and inhabiter of the same coaste and Ilandes, with the twelfth parte of all that after that tyme should be discouered, for a sure inheritaunce to him and his discendentes: he offered vnto him also the habite of the order of Knighthoode of Saint Iames, the whiche offer Cortes refused, bycause there was no rent gyuen with the habite, but he besought his Maiestie to graunt vnto him the gouernmēt of Mexico, the whiche request the Emperour denied, bycause that no Conquerour shoulde thinke that the office of gouernment and iustice is due vnto hym, for the like demaunde was desired of the king Don Fernando, by Cristoual Colon who firste discouered the India, and also the great Captaine Gonsalo Hernandoz de Cordoua, who conquered Naples. Cortes deserued muche, and also the Emperour gaue him much, to honour him as a most bountifull and gratefull King, who neuer taketh away that whiche once he giueth. He likewise gaue vnto Cortez all the kyngdome of Michuacan, but hée had rather haue had diuers other townes whiche he demaunded, many other great fauours and rewardes he receyued at the Emperours handes, but the principall are those before declared.