a fear which to the disgusted adherents of Cortés became a hope.
So fierce was the raid against the late party that a revulsion set in among them, strongly in sympathy with their liberal chiefs. Indeed, a conspiracy was formed to restore them to power. With this object the ruling men were to be killed, including Ortega, who as alcalde mayor had shown a pronounced zeal for the interests of Cortés, and the caged leaders released so that they might assist in carrying the movement to a successful issue. Since the cages could not well be broken, keys were needed, and application was made to a locksmith named Guzman,[1] a supposed adherent of Salazar, but above all devoted to his own interests. With expressions of sympathy he secured their confidence, and on the easter eve set for the attack revealed the plot. A. number of the conspirators were arrested, largely composed of deserters from Guatemala, and seven of the ringleaders suffered death, the rest being lashed and exiled, with loss of property.[2]
- ↑ Son of a Seville Jew, who took this name from his godfather. He was an adept in making cross-bows and locks. Oviedo, iii. 525.
- ↑ In Ortega, Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxix. 6-45, three hidalgos are named as the leaders, who were beheaded; three others were hanged, and one was dragged to death. More would have been executed but for the arrival of Cortés. Testimony in Cortés, Residencia, i. 244. Bernal Diaz states that Albornoz knew of the revolt, and had an interest in it, according to the confession of prisoners. Estrada therefore arrested the culprits without informing him. Hist. Verdad., 214. But this may be but rumor. In addition to the authorities already quoted in this chapter, I may mention Cortés, Hist. N. Esp., 387-8; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xii. 318-403, 486; xiii. 32-49, 70-1, 109-1], 368-9, 394-400; xxix. 95-6; Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., 1. 20-1, 470-537; Puga, Cedulario, 16, 20; Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 105, 224-6; Archivo Mex. Doc., 1. 75-82, 147, 177-8, 215-18, 244, et seq.; ii. 16, 208, et seq.; Col. Doc. Inéd., i. 101-2; ii. 378-9; iv. 227; Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 13, 164; Oviedo, i. 542; iii. 468, 510-25, 549; Recop., de Indias, i. 35; Ixtlilxochitl, Relaciones, in Kingsborough's Mex. Anitiq., ix. 435-46; Cavo, Tres Siglos, i. 31-56, 70-1; Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 7-19, 47-50; Chimalpain, Hist. Cong., i. 115-25, 147-54, 181; Torquemada, i. 524-6, 569, 588-96; Ramirez, Doc., MS., 275-89; Alaman, Disert., i, 172, 194-5, 222-45, app. 24-6, 162-214; 1. 51, 312, app. 3-14; Solis, Hist. Mex. (Madrid ed. 1843), 471-8; Prescott's Mex., iii. 300-6; also notes in Mex. eds.; Helps' Cortés, ii. 330-41; Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 706-22; Salazar y Olarte, Cong. Mex., 318-23, 393-7, 416-26; Montemayor, Svmarios, 11, 12; Pizarro y Orellana, Varones Ilvstres, 118-19; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, i. 45; ''Id., Gob. Mex., i. 19-22; Zamora, Bib. Leg. Ult.,
