Colorado—The Bright Romance of American HistoryGrable, F. C.
History
Colorado—The Bright Romance of American History
Grable, F. C.
Colorado -- History
You were great Empire builders, oh Spain! But your wanton cruelty to
mankind will forever cloud your glory as the eclipse darkens the sun!
You permitted the Inquisition! You pitted strength against
helplessness, burned thousands alive, and confiscated their property!
You permitted the slaughter of twelve hundred thousand human beings in
the West Indies, and never heard their pitiful cry, until the lack of
earnings ceased to swell the income of the Crown, and then you carried
captives from the mainland to take the place of the dead! You
permitted the institution of the American slave trade, which only
ended at Appomattox, with the destruction of hundreds of thousands of
American soldiers, and millions of money!
The power and fame of Cortez had grown beyond the limit set by the
Crown of Spain. Every forceful and successful man in the Dominion of
Spain was a marked man; not marked for preferment and encouragement,
but marked for humiliation and disgrace. The battles that Cortez had
won for the King were forgotten; the treasure he had sent home counted
for naught; and for the territory he had subjugated, there was no
appreciation. His authority was ended. An officer and soldiers came
from Spain to take him back, not with honor, but in ignominy. He
arrested the officer, and induced the soldiers to join his army. He
was so powerful that he thought he could be King of the New World.
Finally, threats and promises secured his peaceable return to Spain,
where all promises were broken, and his life was tempest-tossed until
he died.
[Sidenote: 1528]
Then Nuno de Guzman was named Governor General of New Spain. He
started out to duplicate the successes of Cortez, whose ability he
lacked, as well as the opportunity. He hunted in vain for another
Mexico City to conquer and despoil. He pushed Northward hunting for
riches, slaughtering the natives, burning their villages, and laying
waste their country. He conquered a great territory on the western
coast of Upper Mexico, along the Gulf of California, which he called
"New Gallicia." His rule was so ruthless, cruel and desolating, that
even Spain, hardened as she was to suffering, was shocked with his
barbarous persecution of the natives, and after seven years, a warrant
was sent out from Spain for his arrest and trial, on charges of
inhuman cruelty. He was deprived of his office, taken to Mexico City,
held there a prisoner for several years, and was then returned to
Spain.
[Sidenote: 1535]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account