OCR Text |
Show FRANCISCO VASQUEZ CORONADO 169 two were the leading men in New Spain, and the friction existing between them was known to all.*** It is certain that the feeling between them was very bitter, and when Cortés finally realized that he could do nothing to prevent the expedition which Mendoza was organizing, he left Mexico and sailed for Spain, believing that his claims would be recognized by his royal master if presented in person.*** What had been the plans of Cortés, prior to his departure, and just how much he had done to carry his plans into execution, cannot be ascertained with give up all hope of doubtless convinced when he ascertained He was naturally unwilling to any certainty. benefit from his previous efforts, and he was that his expectations would never be realized that the viceroy had sent the friar and Estevan to the north in search of the Seven Cities, and to verify the reports which had been brought to New Spain by Alvar We have only Cortés Vaca, and his companions. as to many of his claims, and there is no means of he had learned of the actual discovery of Cibola Ulloa to take three vessels and sail up the coast Gulf of California. of the In the statement Nufiez Cabeza de ’s own statement knowing whether when he ordered toward the head of his grievances, he declared that Mendoza not only threw every possible obstacle in his way, seizing six or seven vessels which failed to get away with Ulloa, but that even after Ulloa had gone, the viceroy sent a strong force up the coast to prevent the ships from entering any of the ports.785 Immediately he Mendoza was a very active and a very able man. the expedition of n organizatio the for plans of formation began the which, in his judgment, meant so much for the glory of the church, the crown, and himself. | at such a In a very short period of time, public excitement being three than more of high pitch, he was able to organize a company hundred were also Spaniards, upwards a large number of eight hundred of whom Indian were mounted. There He equipped allies. the expedition with some light artillery which, as is stated by the Yndtas y su 183 Suarez de Peralta, Joan, Tratado del Descubrimiento de las Conquista. 184 Winship, George Parker, Coronado Expedition, 14th B. A. E., p. 369. 185 Winship, George Parker, ibid. |