rtes, and about to declare his independence of him; the steps
which Arias took upon this 289

CHAP. CLXXXVII. How Cortes, after setting sail, was twice obliged to
put back into the harbour of Truxillo; and what further happened 290

CHAP. CLXXXVIII. How Cortes despatches one of his servants, named
Martin de Orantes, to Mexico, with letters to Francisco de las Casas
and Pedro de Alvarado, in which he empowers them to take upon
themselves the chief government of New Spain; but in case they were
absent he conferred the same power on Estrada and Albornoz 292

CHAP. CLXXXIX. How the treasurer, with several other cavaliers,
requested the Franciscan monks to despatch father Diego de
Altamirano, a relation of Cortes, to Truxillo, to desire our general
to hasten his departure for Mexico 296

CHAP. CXC. Cortes sets sail from the Havannah, and has a favorable
passage to Vera Cruz, where he is received with the greatest
rejoicings 300

CHAP. CXCI. How the licentiate Luis Ponce de Leon, who was
commissioned to make inquiries into Cortes' government of New Spain,
arrives in the harbour of San Juan de Ulua 303

CHAP. CXCII. How the licentiate commences the investigation against
Cortes, and all those persons who had filled judicial offices; and
how he fell ill shortly after, and died 309

CHAP. CXCIII. How, after the death of Ponce de Leon, Marcos de
Aguilar assumes the government; the disputes which arose in
consequence, and of other matters 311

CHAP. CXCIV. Marcos de Aguilar dies, and in his will appoints the
treasurer Alonso de Estrada governor; and of other matters 318

CHAP. CXCV. How Cortes receives letters from the Cardinal de
Siguenza, then president of the council of the Indies, and from
several other cavaliers, advising him to repair to Spain without
delay; the death of his father Martin Cortes; and of other
matters 326

CHAP. CXCVI. How the royal court of audience arrive in Mexico during
Cortes' stay in Spain, and what their first occupations were 336

CHAP. CXCVII. How Nuno de Guzman, on the