stones and pearls.[1] Then there was a mass of fabrics, and robes, plumes, and feather-work, liquId amber, vanilla, balsam, flint implements, and mirrors, weapons, paintings, and curiosities of every description, notably strange plants and animals, tigers, parrots, quetzals,and the like. Also a variety of natives, albinos, dwarfs, and monstrosities, together with acrobats, such as pole-turners, foot-balance performers, equilibrists, and ballplayers.[2] Of staple resources and provisions large quantities were contributed by the natives, sufficient to have supplied a fleet. Much came also from the estates of Cortés, the extent of which may be understood from their value of two hundred thousand pesos de oro, estimated at a time when the price of real estate was very low. The care of these possessions devolved during his absence on Licenciate Juan Altamirano, his relative, Diego de Ocampo, and Santa Cruz.[3]
Large retinues were among the most marked attributes of greatness at this period, and eager to impress the haughty courtiers of Castile, Cortés offered, chiefly with this view, free passage and maintenance to whosoever chose to accompany him to Spain. Quite a number availed themselves of the liberal proposal, though a few, like Fray Loaisa accompanied
- ↑ Gomara, Hist. Mex., 283. Oviedo iii. 528, writes 1,000 marcos of silver, partly wrought, and estimates the jewels at merely 2,000 to 3,000 pesos. Galvano, Discov., 176, increases the gold and silver to the more effective amount of 250,000 marcos, whereupon Cavo plucks up courage to value the pure gold alone at 200,000 pesos, Tres Siglos, i. 74; an amount which Prescott rashly trebles by calling it pesos de oro. Mex., iii. 312, He has evIdently confounded the total value of all the treasures, including the rare precious stones carried secretly on his own person by Cortés. A part of the gold and silver was registered at the port as belonging to other persons. This was declared to be a false declaration, 'to defraud creditors,' and half the silver and some gold were accordingly seized in Spain. Cortés appealed, but the judge nevertheless sentenced him to pay a fine of 100,000 maravedis, though the treasure was ordered to be restored. Real Executoria, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xii. 406. The restitution appears to have been neglected on the plea that Cortés owed the treasury certain sums. His process for its recovery is given in Id., xiv. 395-410.
- ↑ For description of feats and games, see Native Races, ii. 295 et seq.
- ↑ The latter from Búrgos. Bernal Diaz adds the secretary Alonso Valiente. From Altamirano descends the house of Marqués de Salinas, later incorporated with that of the Condes de Santiago. Alaman, Disert., i. 252.
