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Transcriber's Note:

     Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have
     been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

     In many cases, Bancroft uses both “u” and “v” to spell an
     author’s name. Examples include:

       Villagutierre and Villagvtierre
       Mondo Nuovo and Mondo Nvovo
       Villagutierre and Villagvtierre
       Aluarado and Alvarado
       Gvat. and Guat.
       Cogolludo and Cogollvdo
       Vetancurt and Vetancvrt.

     Other archaic letter substitutions include "b" for "v" and "i" for
     "y" and vice versa.  These have been left as printed.

     Possible printers errors include:

       Esquemelin and Exquemelin are both used, possibly for the same
       person.

       Castile and Castille are both used, possibly for the same
       place.

       Fray Zambano and Zambrano are both used, possibly for the
       same person.

       On page 16, Mama Ocollo should possibly be Mama Ocllo or Occlo.

       On page 237, "In 1519 he ordered the council of the Indies to
       draw" (date possibly incorrect).

       On page 424, mines of Chuluteca should possibly be mines of
       Choluteca.

       In footnote I-17, "vamrasen en tieren" is a possible printer's
       error.

       There is possibly text missing from the quote in footnote I-31.

       In footnote X-45, Ariat should possibly be Arias.

       In footnote X-45, Malapalte should possibly be Malaparte.

       In footnote XI-11, "Ia Gottierez" is a possible printer's error.

       In footnote XI-11, "ten zy binnen vier dagen" is a possible
       printer's error.

       The references in footnote XVII-12 and footnote XVII-20 to
       Volume ii. of this series should possibly refer to Volume i.

       In footnote XVII-35, "mirá que todo lo bueno que bacare" is a
       possible printer's error.

       The reference to "this volume" in footnote XVIII-31, is
       ambiguous.  A map of Guatemala can be found in the current
       volume.

       In footnote XXVI-24, "en gaossir" should possibly be
       "engrossir."

       In footnote XXVII-6, Casttell should possibly be Castell.

       In footnote XXVII-15, Governor Mercedo should possibly be
       Governor Mercado.

       The sentence "no hicesters enterar la suma que el cinsutacto,
       y corneríco de Lima so obligo a suplir por imaginaria, á lo
       epetwo del registro que salió de aquella ciudad" in footnote
       XXVII-22 was corrected to "no hicesteis enterar la suma que
       el Consulado, y comercio de Lima se obligo a suplir por
       ynmaxinaria, a lo efectibo del rexistro que salio de aquella
       ciudad."

       In footnote XXXVII-46, Moninbo should possibly be Monimbo (Nicaragua).

     Italics in the footnote citations were inconsistently applied
     by the typesetter.

     Accents and other diacritics are inconsistently used.

     Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

     This volume contains references to the previous six volumes
     of this work.

     They can be found at:

     Volume 1: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41070/41070-h/41070-h.htm
     Volume 2: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42808/42808-h/42808-h.htm
     Volume 3: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43123/43123-h/43123-h.htm
     Volume 4: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44104/44104-h/44104-h.htm
     Volume 5: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/45268/45268-h/45268-h.htm
     Volume 6: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/58658/58658-h/58658-h.htm




     THE WORKS
     OF
     HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.

     VOLUME VII.
     HISTORY OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

     VOL. II. 1530-1800.


     SAN FRANCISCO:
     A. L. BANCROFT & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.
     1883.




     Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1883, by
     HUBERT H. BANCROFT,
     In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


     _All Rights Reserved._




CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.


     CHAPTER I.

     PIZARRO AND PERU.
     1524-1544.

                                                                 PAGE.

     Origin and Character of the Conqueror—The Triumvirate
     Copartnership of Pizarro, Friar Luque, and
     Diego de Almagro for Continuing the Discovery of
     Andagoya—Departure—Attitude of Pedrarias—Slow Development
     of their Plans—Return and Reëmbarkation—Persistence of
     Pizarro—Sufferings on Gallo Island—Fate Defied—Discovery
     of Tumbez and the Coast Beyond—Return to Panamá—Pizarro
     Visits Spain—A New Expedition—Aboriginal History of
     Peru—The Rival Incas—Establishment of the Spaniards at
     San Miguel—Atahualpa at Caxamalca—The Spaniards Visit Him
     there—Seizure of the Inca—Pacification of Peru—Arrival
     of Almagro—Death of Father Luque—Judicial Murder of
     the Inca—A King's Ransom—Downfall of the Peruvian
     Monarchy—Disputes and Violent Deaths of the Almagros and
     Pizarros                                                        1


     CHAPTER II.

     CASTILLA DEL ORO.
     1527-1537.

     Administration of Pedro de los Rios—He is Superseded
     by the Licentiate Antonio de la Gama—Barrionuevo's
     Reign—A Province in Nueva Andalucía Granted to Pedro
     de Heredia—He Sails for Cartagena—Conflicts with the
     Natives—Treasure Unearthed—The Devil's Bohío—Prosperity
     of the Settlement—Alonso Heredia Sent to Rebuild San
     Sebastian—Is Opposed by Julian Gutierrez—Capture
     of Gutierrez—The Golden Temple of Dabaiba Once
     More—Expeditions in Search of the Glittering Phantom,
     Francisco César and Others—Audiencia Established
     at Panamá—Maleadministration—Complaints of the
     Colonists—Destitution in the Province—Bishops of Castilla
     del Oro—Miraculous Image of the Virgin—Bibliographical         44


     CHAPTER III.

     THIRD ATTEMPTED COLONIZATION OF VERAGUA.
     1535-1536.

     The Dukes of Veragua—María de Toledo Claims the Territory
     for her Son Luis Colon—Felipe Gutierrez Appointed to
     the Command—Landing on the Coast of Veragua—Sickness
     and Famine—The Cacique Dururua Enslaved—He Promises to
     Unearth his Buried Treasures—Messengers Sent in Search
     of It—They Return Empty-handed—But Warn the Chief's
     Followers—He Guides the Spaniards to the Spot—They are
     Surrounded by Indians—Rescue of the Cacique—Cannibalism
     among the Christians—Sufferings of the Few Survivors—The
     Colony Abandoned                                               63


     CHAPTER IV.

     THE CAKCHIQUELS AGAIN IN REVOLT.
     1525-1526.

     Alvarado Sets forth to Honduras to Join Cortés—Mutiny
     among his Men—Gonzalo de Alvarado Appointed
     Lieutenant-governor—His Meeting with Marin and his
     Party—The Second Revolt of the Cakchiquels—Gonzalo
     the Cause of the Insurrection—Massacre of the
     Spaniards—Alvarado Returns to Guatemala—He Captures the
     Peñol of Xalpatlahua—He Marches on Patinamit—His Return
     to Mexico—His Meeting with Cortés                              74


     CHAPTER V.

     SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC AND CAPTURE OF SINACAM'S
     STRONGHOLD.
     1527-1528.

     Puertocarrero in Charge of Affairs—Revolt at
     Zacatepec—Escape of the Spanish Garrison—The
     Place Recaptured—Execution of the High Priest
     Panaguali—Sinacam's Stronghold—Its Siege and
     Capture—Jorge de Alvarado Appointed Governor—The City of
     Santiago Founded in the Almolonga Valley—Prosperity of
     the new Settlement                                             87


     CHAPTER VI.

     INDIAN REVOLTS AND CIVIL FACTIONS IN GUATEMALA.
     1529-1530.

     Alvarado Returns to Spain—He is Arraigned before
     the Council of the Indies—His Acquittal—His
     Marriage—He Returns to Mexico—His Trial before the
     Audiencia—Francisco de Orduña Arrives at Santiago—And
     Takes the Residencia of Jorge de Alvarado—The
     Confederated Nations in Revolt—Juan Perez Dardon's
     Expedition to the Valley of Xumay—The Spaniards Attack
     the Stronghold of Uspantan—Their Repulse and Retreat—The
     Place Afterward Captured by Francisco de Castellanos—The
     Circus of Copan Besieged by Hernando de Chaves—Gallant
     Conduct of a Cavalry Soldier—Alvarado's Return to
     Santiago—Demoralized Condition of the Province                100


     CHAPTER VII.

     ALVARADO'S EXPEDITION TO PERU.
     1531-1536.

     Ship-building in Guatemala—Alvarado Prepares an
     Expedition to the Spice Islands—But Turns his
     Attention toward Peru—Opposition of the Treasury
     Officials—The Pilot Fernandez Brings News of Atahualpa's
     Ransom—Strength of Alvarado's Armament—He Lands at
     Puerto Viejo—Failure of his Expedition—His Return to
     Guatemala—Native Revolts during his Absence—The Visitador
     Maldonado Arrives at Santiago—He Finds No Fault in
     the Adelantado—But is Afterwards Ordered to Take his
     Residencia—Alvarado in Honduras                               122


     CHAPTER VIII.

     THE ECCLESIASTICS IN GUATEMALA.
     1529-1541.

     Francisco Marroquin Arrives at Santiago—He is Appointed
     Bishop—Godlessness of the Colonists—The Prelate Invites
     Las Casas to Join Him—Marroquin's Consecration in
     Mexico—The Church at Santiago Elevated to Cathedral
     Rank—Difficulty in Collecting the Church Tithes—The
     Merced Order in Guatemala—Miraculous Image of Our Lady
     of Merced—Bibliographical                                     133


     CHAPTER IX.

     AFFAIRS IN HONDURAS.
     1527-1536.

     Diego Mendez de Hinostrosa Appointed
     Lieutenant-governor—Salcedo Returns to Trujillo—His
     Office Usurped by Vasco de Herrera—Death of Salcedo—Three
     Rival Claimants for the Governorship—Expeditions to
     the Naco and Jutigalpa Valleys—Diego Mendez Conspires
     against Herrera—Assassination of the Latter—A Reign of
     Terror—Arrest and Execution of the Conspirator—Arrival of
     Governor Albitez at Trujillo—His Death—Andrés de Cereceda
     at the Head of Affairs—Distress of the Spaniards—Exodus
     of Settlers from Trujillo—They Establish a Colony in the
     Province of Zula—Cereceda Appeals for Aid to Pedro de
     Alvarado—He is Roughly Used by his own Followers—Alvarado
     Arrives in Honduras—He Founds New Settlements—His
     Departure for Spain                                           144


     CHAPTER X.

     ADMINISTRATION OF AFFAIRS IN NICARAGUA.
     1531-1550.

     Malefeasance of Castañeda—Diego Álvarez Osorio the First
     Bishop of Nicaragua—A Convent Founded at Leon—Las Casas
     Arrives—Castañeda's Flight—Arrival of Contreras—Proposed
     Expedition to El Desaguadero—Opposition of Las
     Casas—Departure with All the Dominicans—The Volcano
     of El Infierno de Masaya—Fray Blas Believes the Lava
     to be Molten Treasure—His Descent into the Burning
     Pit—Exploration of the Desaguadero—Doctor Robles
     Attempts to Seize the New Territory—Contreras Leaves
     for Spain—His Arrest, Trial, and Return—His Son-in-law
     Meanwhile Usurps the Government—Antonio de Valdivieso
     Appointed Bishop—Feud between the Ecclesiastics and the
     Governor—Alonso Lopez de Cerrato Takes the Residencia of
     Contreras—Missionary Labors in Nicaragua                      166


     CHAPTER XI.

     EXPEDITION OF DIEGO GUTIERREZ TO COSTA RICA.
     1540-1545.

     Diego Gutierrez Appointed Governor—Desertion of
     his Soldiers—He Proceeds to Nicaragua—The Advice
     of Contreras—The Expedition Sails for the Rio San
     Juan—Friendly Reception by the Natives—His Men Desert a
     Second Time—Reënforcements from Nicaragua and Nombre de
     Dios—The Historian Benzoni Joins the Party—Gutierrez as
     an Evangelist—He Inveigles Camachire and Cocori into his
     Camp—He Demands Gold under Pain of Death—Noble Conduct
     of the Cacique Cocori—The Spaniards March into the
     Interior—Their Sufferings from Hunger—They are Attacked
     and Massacred—Benzoni and Five Other Survivors Rescued
     by Alonso de Pisa                                             187


     CHAPTER XII.

     ALVARADO'S LAST EXPEDITION.
     1537-1541.

     The Adelantado's Match-making Venture—Its
     Failure—Alvarado's Commission from the Crown—He Lands
     at Puerto de Caballos—And Thence Proceeds to Iztapa—His
     Armament—He Sails for Mexico—His Defeat at Nochistlan—His
     Penitence, Death, and Last Will—Character of the
     Conqueror—Comparison of Traits with Those of Cortés—While
     above Pizarro He was far beneath Sandoval—His Delight
     in Bloodshed for its own Sake—The Resting-place and
     Epitaph—Alvarado's Progeny                                    201


     CHAPTER XIII.

     THE CONQUEST OF CHIAPAS.
     1520-1529.

     Origin of the Chiapanecs—They Submit to the Spaniards
     after the Mexican Conquest—But Rise in Arms when
     Required to Pay Tribute—Captain Luis Marin Undertakes
     the Conquest of the Province—His Battles with the
     Natives—The Panic-stricken Artillerymen—Capture of the
     Stronghold of Chiapas—The Chamulans Rise in Revolt—Their
     Fortress Besieged—Repulse of the Spaniards—Bernal Diaz in
     Peril—Flight and Surrender of the Chamulans—Marin Returns
     to Espíritu Santo—Second Revolt of the Chiapanecs—Their
     Subjugation by Diego de Mazariegos—Third Rebellion—Their
     Self-destruction—Pedro Puertocarrero in the Field—His
     Discomfiture—Founding of Villa Real—Juan Enriquez
     de Guzman Takes the Residencia of Mazariegos—His
     Maleadministration                                            213


     CHAPTER XIV.

     THREATENED DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIES.
     1526-1543.

     Decrease of Indian Population at the Isthmus—And in
     Honduras—Treatment of Spanish Allies in Guatemala—Torture
     and Butchery of Hostile Natives—Terror Inspired by
     Alvarado—Early Legislation—Its Non-observance—The New
     Laws—The Audiencia of Panamá Abolished—The Audiencia of
     Los Reyes and Los Confines Established—Disgust Caused by
     the New Code—The First Viceroy of Peru Arrives at the
     Isthmus—He Takes Charge of Treasure Acquired by Slave
     Labor—And Liberates a Number of Indians                       232


     CHAPTER XV.

     PANAMÁ AND PERU.
     1538-1550.

     Administration of Doctor Robles—Interoceanic
     Communication—Proposed Change of the Site of
     Panamá—Nombre de Dios and its Trade—The Isthmus the
     Highway of Commerce between the Hemispheres—Vasco
     Nuñez Vela Lands in Peru—Gonzalo Pizarro at the Head
     of a Rebellion—Dissolution of the Audiencia of Los
     Reyes and Arrest of the Viceroy—His Release—His Defeat
     and Death at Añaquito—Gonzalo's Dreams of Conquest—He
     Despatches Bachicao to Panamá—Hinojosa's Expedition—His
     Bloodless Conquest of the Province—Melchor Verdugo's
     Invasion—Pedro de la Gasca—His Negotiations with the
     Revolutionists—Gas