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Show LEADING 168 FACTS MEXICAN OF NEW HISTORY discovered region by virtue of any grants, licenses, or achievements whatsoever. The rivalries and jealousies which existed upon the return of Friar Marcos can be readily appreciated and understood. The stories which he told or was supposed to have told in his report awakened the liveliest interest throughout New Spain. A writer, in his narrative of conditions existing at that time and commenting upon the statements of the friar, says: ‘‘that the country was so stirred up by the news which the friar had brought from the Seven Cities that nothing else was thought about. For he said that the city of Cibola was big enough to contain two Sevilles and over, and the other places were not much smaller; and that the houses were very fine edifices, four stories high; that everybody was for going there and leaving Mexico depopulated; that the news from the Seven Cities inspired so eager a desire in every one that not only did the viceroy and the marquis (Cortés) make ready to start for there, but the whole country wanted to follow them so much that they traded for the licenses which permitted them to go as soldiers, and people sold these as a favor, and whoever obtained one of these thought it was as good as a title of nobility at the least.’’ *** Even if only a hundredth part of what the friar is supposed to have said in relation to his journey was really stated by him, and from all accounts he was not backward in proclaiming what he had heard must and seen, one can readily have stirred the hearts comprehend of such men the feelings as Hernando which Cortés. During the first years of Mendoza’s administration viceroy were not overly friendly. As soon as it could be done, Cortés and the Mendoza had asked the king for permission to make explorations.** The marquis evidently fully understood that his power and prestige with his royal master at home were on the wane, and it was but natural that he should look upon the viceroy with distrust and regard him as an interloper. oo eens. ee . This feeling was greatly enhanced ose by the Audiencia, undertook to execute 11¢h instructed him ” Investigate as to the lands nd the number of Indians in his service. These *81 Zaragoza, Justo, N oticias Historicas de la Nueva Espaiia, Madrid, 1878. ae In the earli est letters of the viceroy thi ted in his letter of D ecember, 1537. Se Zequest: appears and 18 5amme | =: OD w 99 ot ory @ ‘© oh ao = Se a =o |
