CHAPTER XIII.

THE CO OF CHIAPAS.
1520 l. iU

ORIGIN OF THE CHUPAmm T< IT TO Tin: IARDS AFTER THK

Mi
TKIKI M.\ KIN \ rs Tin
His WITH !
| -Tin:
ART n <
.\rrri:K or THI: Sn LD OF <

Mr: r- I ll l. ll: J I^E OF THK

YRDS i<;irr J niK
CHAMI -M\n ro Si; .
OLTOF
TiiKCiiiA; --TimuSuBJUOATi
ION I KRKRO IN TIIK
Firi.u--Hi>. ] i- OF Vi,
\x TAKI:S THE ll \ OF MA/.A

FOR many centuries ln-tniv tin- !

-innin-j- of t

Christian era, and proliaUy for two OF three liuii 1

l.

! Jati-r. tli- where nov. 8 :il tli<- ruins oi

tque in (
liiapas was tin- cei
1
of on
i-l ul monarchies in tin- \\ rn wni-U. the -

Maya empire of t:i. ( lianes. T. Votai e cull

hero, who, acrc.nli; ,
.Mava traditio; .iinin;^ his
descenl from (
han, tin- scrjn-nt, first intr-Mlnct-rl rivil-
into Ann-rii-M, and
aa a god, d the found,
a
dyna.-ty altoiif three tliu>ainl \
^o.
1
( >

a, aa appears from several

i

passim. >

iiifaui;
*
Iso sweet w:i
i

Mazariegofl ! from
anecs furtilitJ ihemaclvesagaiii^t
!
_ .

1 v
i -
:
this
,

(213)
214 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

It is related in the oldest records obtained from

the archives of Mexican history, that the Tzendales,
a tribe dwelling in the neighborhood of Palenque,
shared with the Zoques the northern part of Chiapas,
while the southern and central portions were occupied
by the Zotziles and Quelenes and also by the Chia-
panecs, who, though at first confined to a narrow
3
strip of territory, finally overran the entire region.
Whether the Chiapanecs came originally from Nica
ragua, or were a detachment from the great Toltec
swarm that swept southward into Guatemala, or were
descended from the mythic Chan, is a question that
is yet involved in some mystery. know, however, We
that after their arrival they built a stronghold which
proved impregnable until the advent of the Spaniard
with his superior skill and weapons, and that here, for
centuries before the conquest, they maintained their
4
independence and extended their possessions.
It is probable that, as early as 1520, Spaniards pen
etrated into this region under the auspices of Monte-
zuma, while friendly relations were still maintained
between that monarch and Cortes. After the fall of
the Mexican capital, dismay at the achievements of
the great conqueror was so widely spread that many
independent tribes sent in their allegiance, and among
them the Chiapanecs. 5 These different territories
were soon portioned out in repartimientos, and Chiapas
was assigned with other districts to the Spanish set
tlers in Espiritu Santo. No sooner, however, was
the attempt made to render these repartimientos prof
itable by the exaction of tribute, than the natives rose
in arms. Many settlers were killed, some offered in
sacrifice, and all the efforts of the colonists to pacify
the revolted districts were unavailing. 6
3
Id., i. 681-2; v. 603-4.
4
For the aboriginal history of these people I would refer the reader to my
Native Races of the Pacific States, vol. v., passim.
5
MazarieyoSi Mem. C/iiapa, 5, 6; Cortes, Diario, xix. 390; Jtiarros, Guat.,
i.10; Id. (ed. London, 1823), 210; Larrainzar, Soconusco, 16; Ite-mesal, Hiat.
Chyapa, 264.
6
Mazariegos states that harsh treatment drove the Indians to revolt, citing
 Tn 1
ritn
of (
aptuiii J .

.(1 \vl. d ])
man ahutit thir
id "I
with i

3 mark ith t
iu
tmanship and c >nal
p<\\

di and without .
;n-

iprudent t> mar inst t

lender force at hi-; oinimand, Marin

>m Co:
an auxiliary hand of thi;
witli d in-
to prorcd to Cliia[>as with all tl,
l

uld inn ami rsfahlish tlu-r. a Spanish t \\ n.

v
\l
MrniiiL;- to Esplritu
.

>,
Marin lost i

lit his ordr After soi l.y

; a road through the in;

lie arriv ik of the rivi-r !

7
;ii and >]o\vly
marched up th
Id of the Chia] n to t

rds i name of Chia

V tlie ])

fortl i lie coi eld ;

3. -\cmrdi: .1] .1 )iax, v

ition, they co; of I i

jiiehiisicrs, GO fo I with
-7 hi ahout 80 Mt . and th<

-liiil,
[rinci;
in ha<l al-o a field ;
in rh;
oni IK,-
.sup;

ra and un aa slaves at t

fi
i>eso8

.cse st;.
\ra

"

-
tlic
regard to
:
i

! -.

ll|>
tli

a thai
216 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

The escribano Diego de Godoy was his second in

command.
The Spaniards now continued their march with
much caution. As
they approached the populated
one of whom was Bernal Diaz,
district, four soldiers,
were sent to reconnoitre about half a league in advance
of the main body, but were soon discovered by native
hunters, who immediately spread the alarm by smoke
signals. The army soon afterward reached cultivated
lands with wide and well constructed roads. When
within four leagues of Chiapas they entered the
town of Iztapa, whence the natives had fled, leaving
an abundant supply of provisions. While resting
here the videttes reported the approach of a large
9
body of warriors, but the invaders being on the alert
placed themselves in position before the enemy came
up. The battle which ensued w^as indecisive. The
Chiapanecs, deploying with much skill, almost sur
rounded the small Spanish force, and at their first
discharge killed two soldiers and four horses, and
wounded Luis Marin and sixteen other Spaniards,
besides many of the allies. The contest was main
tained with great fury till nightfall, when the natives
o numbers of their men on the field so
retired, leaving
7

severely injured as to be unable to follow their com

rades.
10
Two of -the captives, who appeared to be
chieftains, gave information that the confederated
states that there were five other horsemen, who, however, could not be
counted as lighting men. The artilleryman he describes as muy cobare,
and informs iis that the natives of Cachula, Iba teblando de miedo, y por
halagos los llevamos q nos aytidassen a abrir Camino, y llevar el fardaje.
He also asserts that the levy was held in lent, 1524, adding Esto de los ailos
no me acuerdo bien. His memory w as correct, however, as is proved by
r

Godoy s despatch to Cortes, which will be frequently quoted later.

9
The Indians of Chiapas and its district were tlie terror of surrounding
towns, and were incessantly at war with those of Cinacantlanandof the towns
about Lake Quilenaj^as, robbing, killing, reducing to slavery, and sacrificing
captives. They even waylaid merchant trains on the roads between Tehuan-
tepec and other provinces. Bernal Diaz states that without exception they
were the greatest warriors of all New Spain, superior even to the Tlascaltecs
and Mexicans,
10
The number of natives killed as related by Bernal Diaz is so dispropor
tionately small that some error must have ci^ept into his text. He says, Ha-
Lamos quinze dellos muertos y otros muchos heridos q no sepudiero ir. Hist.
1

Vcrdad, 178.
 id- of all ti.

new tin- attack mi t he follwiii"-

3
,1,

All night \ watch .nt <

Th-
arms: and the IK ddled a

died, v. within r
<!

There \\-as not one "f the Spani. did

] ni^lit attack and divad j Xund if tli

ivly wounded ; t heir 1- ad fnm 1

of Mood: and the unllincliin;^ firmness of

pa i
had dulled their self-confidence; lut no call
arms aroused them from theirfitful sluml><Ts, and
sunrise they wearily l>uekled ..n th rmor and [<

d to renetv th it.

During the engagement of i!n jnwious

lior>einen, di-re- ai-ili ii _;- the in-. F Ma
,iis, had -ut!
\i>in-- their lances too early in tlu; i

: \\iv-ted Iroin their and . t

tin Ord iK\

charge in s<jua:U of ii\ their
out of i-each, and not to them until ti
ny
(airly 1 iddeii and their lrr
<lo\vn :i ]>i eken.
Tin-
field-piece
was loaded, and I

ing now completed, the Spania -nl

Chia]
I, leforc the invad 1 in ,t of
uphold, the enemy appra! iii C

order, and advancing to

They \ armed with javelins,
\vlii

they hurled fr.>in

impl m -i.

:
and aiTOWS, and \veaj)ons
witli lo\\-s siniil

toothed swords; with slii. and 1.

than th t the Spaniard^:

api oi: ton r- .ichinLT from head :

Mild P ll

under ; MM in <ini< jut 1. in ai

11
] ..
>as coull in tnith l>o call-.l a ,

s
strongly built, . :- than

.!. Braascur
218 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

and ordered the artilleryman to open fire. But the

gunner, who had entertained his comrades during a
long inarch with stories of his brave deeds in Italy,
blanched before the coming onset. His legs trembled,
and grasping his piece to support himself, he was
unable either to train or fire it. At length the loud
execrations and angry shouts of his comrades, heard
above the clamor of the foe, roused him from his help
lessness, and with shaking hand he discharged his
cannon. But his clumsy \vork was worse than his
inaction, for the only result was the wounding of three
13
of his companions.
At this mishap Martin at once ordered his cavalry
to charge, while the infantry were rapidly formed in
column. After a long and obstinate contest the
Chiapanecs were finally routed; but on account of the
nature of the ground pursuit was impossible. Ad
vancing toward the town the Spaniards unexpectedly
discovered after ascending some hills on their line
of march, a still larger host of the enemy awaiting
them. The Indians had provided themselves with long
ropes and deer-nets with which to entrammel and
capture the horses. In the ensuing battle the invad
ers sustained unusual casualties. Several of the horse
men lost their lances; five horses and two cavaliers
were slain; and so continuous and well directed were
the discharges of javelins, arrows, and stones that ere
long nearly all of Marin s command were wounded.
At this juncture a hideous object appeared in the cen
tre of the Chiapanec ranks. An Indian woman, nude,
wrinkled, and obese, her body painted all over with
ghastly designs rendered more effective by tufts of
cotton, had arrived upon the battle-field. No Empusa
could be more frightful. The creature so ran the

de Bourbourg suggests that these aprons were made of india-rubber. Hist.

Nat. Civ., iv. 574; but Bernal Diaz, 178, says, Co buenas annas de algodo,
and Gomara, vnospaneses rodados de algodon hilado.
13
Bernal Diaz contempt of this man is expressed by an epithet particu
larly offensive to a Spaniard, nuestro negro Artillero que llevavavanios (sic)
(c[
bien negro se podra llamar). Hist. Verdad., 179.
 >COMI OF THE EVIL 21f)

t --was re l>y
tli ir di-
her presel;
;<l

11
insure thriii victory. I Jut the nat:

recognized tl
ignificanee of h< rival, and \vn

ii; ly ilieir 1- -s in a compact hody, dai::

their way Up to lid ,
"and h,
9
I

goddess/ as I ><
rnal I )iaz aliin

Though disconcerted the natives do IK.; yield, rely

O on their numbers and th -ir con O
ing
hard-pressed Spaniards, supported ly t nd "

lion of their priest, iHit wit!i r 1

Tiie cavalry ngain and a- ain ride thr-

criisliin^ ilirin and trampling <lo\vn t un<!

broken and e
until their ranks are d. A :th
the Chipanecs seek safety, some on the neig!
iiid others
swimming the and l>y (!<[
ra;
31 a/a ;>an.

Vftcr devoutly thanking God tlie f->r \ id

singing the salve iv-ina, the Spani Ivancr t-> a

small villa^-t? la;- from the
city n<t <-h

tlirircamp lor the night, greal p

to p .t
snrp: W con A n<

uncxp.-cf.-d ([uarter. Ahoiit midnight tea India:

the rivrr in canoes, and allow them
llrou^M hd or.- 3
j

quietly captured.
that they are natives Xaltepcc, and <! I.

jUered
I and ,-uslavcd ly the (

^ bcfoi They to aid tl

Mipplvin-j; them with canoes to d ;

he i

pointing OUl a ford, and. mo inform Kfarin

many of tli<- forces of the Cliiapain-.-s, haviu
d into t anxious to tlirow nil
yoke, and that, they will - o o\ >

him in I

eli _ :K lit.

M;;rin at once accepts the oil :id it 18 .

that twenty ;ill J) hrou-ht earlj can<

in t

morning. The reinaimh r of th

;i-

14 <

\
14
V ili.v m -i I / /.
220 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

out further interruption, though the enemy is heard

mustering on the other side of the river with noise
of drums and concha. At daylight the canoes arrive,
and the army proceed to the ford. The crossing is
effected with great difficulty, the water being breast-
high and the stream rapid. As they approach the
opposite bank, the enemy rains down upon them such
showers of missiles that again hardly a man escapes
unhurt. 16 For some time they are unable to effect a
landing, and Marin s position is critical, when fortu
nately their new allies cause a diversion by assailing
the- Chiapanecs in the rear. The cavalry are thus
enabled to gain a footing on the bank, and the in
fantry soon follow; the natives are put to flight in all
directions. This is their final struggle. The summons
to surrender is immediately complied with, and the
17
Spaniards enter the city without further opposition.
All the neighboring towns were now ordered to send
in their allegiance, and such an effect had the subjec
tion of the hitherto invincible Chiapanecs upon the
different tribes that resistance was not even thought
15
of, Cinacantlan, Gopanaustla, Pinula, Huehueiztlan,
Chamula, and other towns tendering their submis
sion. The conquest of the country was now consid
ered complete, and Marin had already apportioned
out certain repartimientos when harmony was inter
rupted by the conduct of one of the soldiers.
While at Cinacantlan, whither the army had pro
ceeded, Francisco de Medina left camp without per
mission, and taking with him eight Mexicans went to

16
Nos hiriero cesique d todos los mas, ya algunos d dos, y atresheridas.
Id., ISO.
17
Three prisons of latticed timbers were discovered in the city. These
were filled with captives who had been seized on the roads. Among them
some were from Tehuantepec, others were Zapotecs and Socontiscans. Many
Indians also were found sacrificed, and in the temples were hideous idols, y
hallamos muchas cosas malas de sodomias que vsavan. Id. 180. ,

18
Called by Bernal Diaz Gueyhuiztlan, also Guequiztlan, Gueguistitlan,
and Guegustitlan, which are probably misprints. Hist. Verdad., 180-1.
Godoy spells it Huegueyztean. Mel., in JJarcia, i. 168. The first author writes
for Cinacantlan, Cinacatan; Godoy, Cenacantean; and Herrera, Canacantean.
dec. iii. lib. v. cap. ix.
 :<>[.[,.

. v, 1, nnnded --,,],! ,,f the I

the name of Mann. v. A I triii n hi

Lut not satisfied with these I, i/,-d th<

the ex; ;tion ol

tfting a n. T; (
hanni-
lans, how man, and M.-dina v,

t Lack to Cinacantlan, wh-iv In- \\ ,

u
X<>

\planation>
on tin- part OJ riii

illed to parity the indignant people (

Ihamula, <>f

liad, moreover, indurudt! ,.( -hitri/tlan JIu<

thnu in tin- revolt. Jlis in \ of

d with driiaiir On tin- J .Mh <! Maivh ( ,

Ava nt into tlir dis.-tiii-i-tfd district with ;i BID

Lut found the attitude of th-
.

jr tliat he drrnird it Lrst to avoid liostilil nd

urned to report, ^[arin w,. bthisti
in a beautiful valr surrounded Ly pinr ;j no
eat distance iVoni Cinacantla Hr nw <-Mn>id-

d it ay to reduce ( hanmla Ly force of an

i
.

and demanded of the Chiapaiiers a conth] .\o

hundred warriors, which \\ as at onre supplied.

were ,-dso sent to thr friendly ;tiu of
(

liritiiiLi an eijiial iiinnLer.

On Hie :JUth of March, ahoiit ten o clork in :

19
lojoy in his d
( i to C<- itos th; was released
that on their ivtuin -"ii.-.l i

.t him. 1

him ^nanl ( a por I

IS.M-H a M. i
fpio
(

.sftcur .

.i. lil). ;ti"ii <if tii-

/informs \\uaa8oldierofhi .ilinu .

tiio >^ his h

i it lat< T. which lu- doca on jwge I

:
d; he \\-as kill-.l 1

.lars of Mhirh event set-

:unn him x-s \vh

:uluras expedition, i<

who. s-
them, mailc him walk ; ie groii

is ae los Espaftoles, was foun^

:i
Cliii4 >ut three leagues frv
//., I
222 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

morning, the troops arrived at the foot of the eminence

on which Chamula22 was situated. The ascent, at the
only point where attack was possible, was impracti
cable for horsemen. Marin therefore ordered the cav
alry to take up a position on the level ground below,
and to protect his rear while the assault was being
made. 23 The infantry and allies then scaled the height
and were soon in front of the fortifications, which they
found to be of a formidable character. A
palisade of
strong cross-timbers let deep into the ground and
firmly bound together was the first obstacle to their
entrance, and behind it was a bulwark of stone and
mud nearly twelve feet high and four feet in thick
ness, into which were inserted strong beams. This
again was surmounted, along its whole length, by a
wall of heavy boards six feet high, supported by
strong crossbars on both sides, all firmly lashed
together, while at intervals loop-holed turrets had
been erected commanding the approach. At the
strongest part of this bulwark was the single entrance,
which was approached by a narrow flight of steps
leading to the top.
Though astonished at the strength of these ram
parts, the Spaniards did not hesitate to assault them;
but during the whole of the day all they could effect
was the destruction of the outer stockade. Repeated
attempts were made to mount the steps, but at each
effort the assailants were driven back by the long

heavy spears of the defenders. Incessant volleys of

missiles were directed against them; their ranks
suffered severely; and it soon became evident that
some other plan of attack must be adopted. 24 The
22
Called Chamolla by Herrera, and also by Gomara. Conq. Hex. 233;
,

Chamolan by Ixtliloxchitl. Horribles Crueldades, 71.

Godoy states that the horsemen were divided into three troops, which
23

were stationed so as to form a cordon round the hill; Bernal Diaz that the
cavalry attempted the steep, but were found to be useless, and that Marin
therefore ordered them to retire, as he feared an attack from the towns of
Quialmitlan (Huehueiztlan ?).
24
Yno les podiamos hazer dano ninguno con los grandes mainparos que
tcnian, y ellos a nosotros si, que siempre herian muchos de los nuestros.
tiernal Jbiaz, Hist. Verdad., 181. Godoy on the contrary says that the
 IIAKI n-.IITIXG.

only] ieahl which

ii the wall with j)icks and s mi
ls. Nativ
im plum- >

the valley \vl

had hern under the

I of t I.
]

cavalry; and the 1. s now rue; <

era! strong ieli

capable of holdin
fram<

men. 25 Ti juished up t: t<

of them the Spaniards

<-o\vr tol I
L

it. The Indians poiuvd on them Idirnin-- pit

inLC water, fir and hot ;d lii eml>

died (hem with heavy rod .akin^ it I

\vithdi\-iw
repail
them mocker] i<>r Then in
"

they threw golden ornament at th >

in;^ Spaniai ds, and with taunting word-

m.
"IS it
gold you want? -bundai. We
why come ye not in and take it?"

But their sutv.-s \\.-is short duration. The i <>{

soon s; Aliened, and In the pick ; W-

lar v. plied against th .11, Imost n<
]

Al oiit the liour of vespers 2 two -

de, and the assailants, ru.-diini; thr in

1

a hand to hand encounter \vilh ll. lamr.

horc themsrh ith such unyieldi; .

the eross-howmen placed their i

of the foe ami disc-

! d them \\ithoin .

aim. The conte.-t wa

sustained luavy loss from the cannon and cross-bows. 1.

, i. It);
;
no montinn of the Iniildin^ of these sli.

s also t

doy K: ban
I

account of tl

3 las almcnas
as, 6 (

vn ]
o.

k in tin- afternoon. 1

.
224 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

of rain, and so murky became the sky that the com

batants could barely distinguish one another. Marin
withdrew his men under shelter, and, the storm abating
in an hour, again advanced on the stronghold. No
missiles were aimed at them as they approached the
barricade, but a serried line of spears confronted them,
and no orders were given to storm the position. At
length Bernal Diaz with a single comrade crept up
to one of the openings, and peering in found the place
unprotected. Then mounting the ramparts he beheld
the Indians in full retreat by a precipitous path leading
to the valley below. The Chamulans had fled, but
not all. The two Spaniards were soon attacked by a
body of two hundred warriors still left within the
enclosure, arid but for the timely arrival of the Cina-
cantlan allies Bernal Diaz had never lived to write
the True History of the Conquest of Mexico. The 2

retreating host was at once pursued, and a number of

captives were made, principally women and children.
No gold or other valuables fell to the lot of the
Spaniards, but they found in the town what was of
more benefit to them a store of provisions- -for, as
Godoy relates, the men had not tasted food for two
30
days.
On the following day, the 1st of April, Marin re
turned to his camp, whence he sent six of his prisoners
to the Chamulans summoning them to allegiance,
bidding them to return to their stronghold, and prom
ising that all the captives should be released if they
submitted. These inducements had their effect, and
the deserted town was soon again repeopled. 31
29
Bernal Diaz was slightly wounded by a spear- thrust in the contest which
occurred before the rain-storm, and was only saved by the thickness of his
cotton corslet. He claims to have discovered the ruse of the Chamulans in
planting their spears in position, but on this point his narrative is doubtful.
Godoy says, I hallamonos burlaclos . i subiendo el Albarrada, no Jiavia
. .

Horabre dentro. Rel., in Barcia. i. 168.

30
Hallamos harto de comer, que bien lo haviamos menester, a causa que
los dos Dias no haviamos comido, ni teniamos que ni aun los Caballos. Id,
Ixchitlochitl, contrary to Bernal Diaz, Godoy, Gomara, and Herrera, states
that they obtained much booty but few provisions. Horribles Crueldades, 71.
31
Godoy states that 200 Indians had been killed on the first day of the
siege; while on the second so many fell that they were not counted. The
 or THI:

<ls now advanc<

\vhei inhahitant <, <\\ JCOU1

( hanmla, n. l.ut .-i
feeble r A tli

it. 8 .d of tin; towns in th>

rarrender, hut no answer

iinnioned
turned, not venturing to ni.Mivh
>
.MIX! Mann, i

tli- ith liis Blender force, returned to Li

rinacanflan. Im- nn discii->i.n W.MS held I I

the oi ( or truct
ing carrying-out
found a town. Opinion was divided; hut the final
ion, supported Marin, v, hat it l>y
\v>

rotis to do so o\vii. the

iiiiiii and the want of ncc<

Ma riu no\, liis fare homeward. Man-li; \

jdon^ the hank of the .Ma/ajian h- tin ]

1

number of towns, in all of which he nn-t with a fri -mlly

and was d with ;l)iiii->ini. "; <>.

irsing
a portion
1 of h- eno Taha>e<> i

hands ivfi -y
nati hut reached K-piritu
<>f

into in safety at the beginni f

April l.V_M.

I ) n this date and the close >f !

known of the events which occurred in Cliiaj ml

much eoni usion exists in the ments of
chronicle; .Durin tin- \\\\ is litt

1
l>y
\A\\< Marin t<>
! is a ^c^ .ret
ht yc;,
i
ula waatranst
lad, 181.
this opinion was \in:uiim<>us. In tl:

nal I>:

hiivin-, \vi.-!i.-,l t .in. (

turl.ul-
1IUI!

(
lii.-.ji
^ H On t

:.ich v. a tlu- L

h.irscs tli.

follout .1, in wliirh <

nt jar him ami (Jrailn in ir.ns a:

M llt

wa >leaed ly th-

liapaa, aiv
alii
i. 1.

HIST. CE>T. AM., V.-L. II. 15

 22G THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

reason to doubt that the natives again rose in revolt,

but we have no particulars as to this outbreak, except
that Diego cle Mazariegos was sent against them from
Mexico with a well appointed force, and quickly re
duced them to submission. 83
For a time the Chiapanees yielded to their fate, but
the exactions and cruelties of Juan Enriquez de Guz
man, who had been appointed captain of the province
by Marcos de Aguilar, drove them to desperation,
84

and during the latter part of 1526 they once more

broke out in rebellion. Again Mazariegos marched
against them from Mexico, at the head of a powerful
35
corps, supplied with five pieces of artillery. Retiring
to the stronghold of Chiapas the Indians made good
their defence for several days; but at last the Span
iards battered down their fortifications and advanced
. to the assault. Still the Chiapanees flinched not, and
30
fought until they could no longer wield their weapons.
Then followed a tragedy as strange and appalling as
3i>!

Both Herrera and Hemesal state that

this first expedition of Mazariegos
was undertaken in this statement only, and in the number of
in 1524, and
the forces, do they agree. Herrera s account of the campaign of 1524 is copied
almost word for word by Hemesal in his narration of the one in 152G; and
the former author as lightly mentions Mazariegos second expedition as Re-
mesal does his first. The latter may, however, in this instance, be relied upon,
as he quotes from the archives of Mexico. The entrance of Pedro Puertocar-
rero into Chiapas from Guatemala is mentioned by both authors, as an inci
dent of the campaign which each describes, but it is impossible to believe that
Alvarado could have spared that officer with a body of troops during the
eventful year 1524, when fully occupied with the conqiiest of Guatemala. I
have, therefore, adopted Remesal s chronology. It is strange that he does not
seem to have had any knowledge of Mariii s expedition, as related by Herrera.
This somewhat perplexes Juarros, who remarks that Bernal Diaz narration
is circumstantially so different from the relation of Remesal as to induce a
belief that the latter had been misled by false information. Ouat. (ed. Lon
don, 1823), 210-11.
^Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 221-2. Guzman was a near relative of the
Duke of Medina Sidonia. Id.
35
Mazariegos was cousin to Alonso de Estrado, then governor of Mexico.
Eemesal gives the names of more than 80 officers and soldiers who accompanied
the expedition. Noticeable among them is that of Juan Enriquez de Guzman,
who appears to have returned to Mexico after the outbreak. In the -same
list appear the names of two priests, Pedro de Castellanos and Pedro Gonza
lez. Hist. Chyapa, 2G5. From Bernal Diaz we learn that Mazariegos was
instructed to take Guzman s residencia. Hint. Verdad., 222. It was the
performance of this duty, perhaps, which, at a later date, made Guzman so
bitter an enemy of Mazariegos.
30
Pelearon, hasta que pudieron leuantar los braos. Herrera, dec. iii. lib.
v. cap. xiv.
 CII1VA! 3 BEL]

-led oil the p V.

ion of tin- Tanehi Vm 1

thi l.lanched
Spaniard-, who>e business was hutcher\ .

wh wen inethin>_r nn
than lay within tin of ai :i !<
:

here w, dune ly alM.ri-inal A

which in tin- way of chivalry, of lofty E

-mined deliverance iVom ai at, ha> f.

parallels.
And what is moei significanl aboul it, 1.

they known all, it was the tin lid l.e>t 1.

oselves, to from .
(

any cos This is whal they did:

Scorning to yield them>el\
population of the town to the \, ru>he<l

which overhung t; a/.ap:m, and th !

and wives. pareD :nl children, I 1 in cL 111-

hrace, hurled lhem-el\ headlong, thousands of -e> t

In-in,

upon the n>cks In-low or into tin-

swift-running ri\

Tl: aniards a ipted to inter! lut of a 1

! t

multitude only two thousand could

:
d."

P6 removed to a plain a I down tin- ri\ nd

;n tl. nn-nt un--
ttl. :n-
>[>i
t to\l n i

Indies, which hecanie in tii.

popul..

While ^Fa/ar: [Died

a
4

liold of the Chiapanees. ] ,

c.nij)
liad ap] I on tin- tield. i
<

invaded the province from tin

87 con-
Q in:i< .1 dclloa en *los ve/t-s cj-

_ !, \\1. U* t

ami JiM-.-t

; t,, 1 us in all America, coir

:

is aware that
\\a.s in Spaiu at t:
228 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

and Mazariegos regarding him as an encroacher, now

marched against him. He found the interloper sta
tioned at Comitlan, and his lamb-like followers would
probably, by way of variety, have indulged in a con
flict with their countrymen, had Puertocarrero been

strong enough to meet them. But his forces were too

few to hold out any prospect that it would terminate
pleasantly to himself. Besides, Mazariegos was hu
mane and prudent. He spoke the intruders smoothly
and in a Christian spirit, represented to them how
glad he would be to receive them as brothers, and
generously offered them repartimientos in Chiapas.
So no blood was shed. But many of Puertocarrero s
men deserted him, and he retraced his steps in angry
mood, having engaged in an expedition worse than
profitless.

The control over the province was a matter of dis

pute on more than one occasion. That it was in
cluded in the governorship of Guatemala is evident
from the provision extended by the king to Alvarado
in 1527, but the fact that he took no part in its con
quest would seem to invalidate his claim. That nev
ertheless he acquired a certain amount of control
appears from a cedula issued April 14, 1531, and
quoted by Kemesal, in which he grants permission
to the settlers to deal with escaped slaves as if they
were branded. Again in 1532 we find that the cabildo
furnished him with two cannon for his South Sea ex
pedition, though the members confessed that they did
40
so onlythrough fear of his causing them fresh trouble.
The country, being now subjugated and free from out
side interference, lay ready to be portioned out to the
conquerors in repartimientos. This process occupied
some time, and the rest of the year was passed in re-
40
Hist. Chyapa, 279. The colonists of Espiritu Santo also laid claim to
the territories of Chiapas and Cachula, as is seen in a royal ce"dula of 1538, in
Puga, Cedulario, 115. Juarros says that Puertocarrero being informed of the
disturbances in Chiapas considered it his duty to repair thither and endeavor
to restore tranquillity. Guat. (ed. London, 1823), 214.
 A

aizing the province am! if- col >ni

It
ii. lienl to found \

and the Maivh

<>n ! I

of Ind! constructed ;i nuinl><.

di>tant ;il)()Ul ;i le;i- i, .if tl

town of Chiapas. A meeting was tin n h<-l<! .hieh

the lieutenant-governor explained th;it tl.

had .1 was not i.

ily int 1 t<>
!><

main-lit . ;ni(l that if a limn

,
the cnlnny should 1

time, in the nainr <>t his }. :,-

municipal nilivrs. and a 1 ward

incut nf citizens took }1
lii-in nnlrd. The town was named Villa 1

]\Iazaii native city, Ciudad Eleal of La !ia.

The newly appointed cabildo then \\cnt im

and the appointmeBts f J.uis d- \,\\\\
general, and de ( ( i
iin<> ,

41
I and acc L
But it \Vii 11 (liseo\
unfavorable. It was Imt, un
the nei ;hhnriii _r swamps, and i; with u.

and ha Tl.
4-
|)laili of Jlllev %/ Zaeatlan, t \\cl\e 1 .t.

1 Iei-e were rieh, arable, and

\vii iverand ninm-mus >t ; .hun-
dant >U}iji]y
nf water. ^\ lown was I

illy
laid
lot

jiartinh. nte<|, and the territory ]

iii

nd peoni; It

hildo held on the 17th of AT

. that all who desired htain land Iron,
-lintild do BO 1 V J>lirel:

:d-d to them l>y

i-.

-Hi lie
approprial ion of their prodi,
\ i

! ].\ .// rros, II

230 THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.

tion by animals. Any Spaniard who sent his servant

to gather maize from their fields was to forfeit ten
pesos de oro for the first offence, and for the second to
lose his servant, who was to be publicly flogged. Reg
ulations passed during the early part of the following
year required that all encomenderos should assemble
the sons of the caciques at their residences to be
instructed in the doctrines of the church. Christian
ized natives were to receive Christian burial, and
others were to be decently interred outside the city.
The administration of Mazariegos appears to have
been based on humane principles and to have had in
view the welfare of the settlers. But this condition
of affairs was of brief duration. In 1529 Juan Enri-
quez de Guzman was ordered by the audiencia of
Mexico to take his residencia, and appointed captain
general and alcalde mayor of Chiapas. His investi
gation was conducted in a spirit of vindictiveness
which can be accounted for only by the fact that the
latter had previously been his juez de residencia. He
stripped him and his friends of their repartimientos,
and gave them to his own creatures; he appropriated
his dwelling and town allotments, and when the man
whom he thus despoiled soon afterward set forth for
Mexico, gave further proof of his enmity by changing
the name of the town to Villa Viciosa. By a royal
cedula of July 7, 1536, its name was again changed
to Ciudad Eeal. 43
;

Guzman now exercised his power without restraint,

and laid the foundation of permanent evils. All offi
cial positions were filled by favorites of his own to the
exclusion of those entitled to them; the encomiendas
A coat of arms was granted to the town in 1535. It was as follows:
43

A shield with two mountain ranges with a river flowing between them; above
on the right a castle, Or with a lion rampant against it; on the left a palm
Vert in fruit, and another lion rampant, all on a field, Gules. A decree of
the state congress of July 27, 1829, again changed the name of the place to
Ciudad de San Cristobal. Pineda, in Soc. Mcx. Geog., iii. 371-2. Consult
also Gonzalez Ddvila, Teatro Edes., i. 188-9, where will be found a wood-cut
design of the arms; Itemesal, Hist. Chyapa, 271, 272-3; Mazariegos, Mem.
Chiapa, 18-19; Juarros, Guat., i. 12; Pineda, Dencrip. Geog., 48. For mean
ing of viciosa see Hist. Max., i. 145.
 LK 01 N .

,ken from those to wh<>!

iicd, ;ui<l distrihut. un<!

and in ;i ii-w months t IK- wl

in li Af ;i later d
of tin- two alcaldes, the 1 the
procurad<
44
city majordomo hrcamu salahlr.
divided info DUmerOUS ivparlin. and in

principal town a lieutenant In- alcalde <! t ];

ned.
"

for
<

X<l. . t

bion of justice, but ratli-r to .-upcrinlcnd ]T

and scandalous repartimi and -
t ilcct
di r Tlii- rnmeni !;
was o[)p;-cssi\- ,- ( n<l cxli ;
to the c>

it the i-iiin <f tlir towns of (lii. : tril-

Tlf |>roviiic sul>j-ct

to til ral ;

tli- ic-ncia of ;
hut their coiitn l

cised with little att -nt!

ini]
nieiit of i

in. This st 1 until 1 !

ludioncia of the Co: >

wa
C.
hiapa \ included in its ju
of ;il"uaril
innyor Cgos; tho>

.ch; tJ;

!i:ilf a |K-S
I ;

and lat r i r 1,110 \n

----- . /

pas ! -omit of ! I >ia/. has !

: t the .

i.s also
.ition, worthy .lit. I

Mit of the proceedings, th< !i was

t!an, has not yt t ;i;

witl
f July l")-:5. In IT
1 it in Madrid, in his o>l!.

ility of their sta

in mind t!

wrote fix-

penrs t

iii. lib. v
II.

imoud.