Volume 1

The conquest of Mexico / [W.H. Prescott.] edited by J.F. Kirk.

  • William Hickling Prescott
Date:
1916
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The conquest of Mexico / [W.H. Prescott.] edited by J.F. Kirk. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    forms a singular contrast to the relative proportions of the two metals since the occupation of the country by the Europeans.1 The whole amount of the treasure, reduced to our own currency, and making allowance for the change in the value of gold since the beginning of the sixteenth century, was about six million three hundred thousand dollars, or one million four hundred and seventeen thousand pounds sterling ; a sum large enough to show the incorrectness of the popular notion that little or no wealth was found in Mexico.2 It was, indeed, small in comparison with that obtained by the conquerors in Peru. But few European monarchs of that day could boast a larger treasure in their coffers.3 The division of the spoil was a work of some difficulty. A perfectly equal division of it among the Conquerors would have given them more than three thousand pounds sterling a-piece; a magnificent booty ! But one-fifth was to be deducted for the crown. An equal portion was reserved for the general, pursuant to the tenor of his commission. A large sum was then allowed to indemnify him and the governor of Cuba for the charges of the expedition and the loss of the fleet. The garrison of Vera Cruz was also to be provided for. Ample compensation was made to the principal cavaliers. The cavalry, arquebusiers, and crossbowmen, each received double pay. So that when the turn of the common soldiers came, there remained not more than a hundred pesos de oro for each ; a sum so insignificant, in comparison with their expecta¬ tions, that several refused to accept it.4 Loud murmurs now rose among the men. “ Was it for this,” they said, that we left our homes and families, perilled our lives, submitted to fatigue and famine, and all for so contemptible a pittance ! Better to have stayed in Cuba, and contented ourselves with the gains of a safe and easy traffic. When we gave up our share of the gold at Vera Cruz it was on the assurance that we should be amply requited in Mexico. We have, indeed, found the riches we expected ; but no sooner seen, than they are snatched from us by the very men who pledged us their faith ! ” The malcontents even went so far as to accuse their leaders of appropriating to themselves several of the richest ornaments, before the partition had been made ; an accusation that receives some countenance from a dispute which arose between Mexia, the treasurer for the crown, and Velasquez de Leon, a relation of the governor, and a favourite of Cortes. The
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