Discovery of the Pacific.--Cortez's elation.--Cortez's dispatch.--He sends to take possession of the coast.--The exploring parties.-- Release of the captives.--Rebuilding the city.--Power of Cortez. --Progress of affairs in Spain.--Warrant against Cortez.--The commissioner.--His reception.--Tapia's weak points.--His return.-- Cortez's dispatch.--Cortez's account of the arrival of Tapia.--Cortez unable to visit Tapia.--Father Urrea dispatched to Vera Cruz.--Cortez prepares to go to Vera Cruz, but is dissuaded.--Embassadors to Tapia. --Delay asked.--Departure of Tapia.--Advice respecting Tapia.--Reasons for not sending letters by him.--Insurrection.--Punishment.--Severe chastisement.--Nuno de Guzman.--Influence at court.--Charges against Cortez.--Cortez's defense to the charges against him.--Defense triumphant.--Cortez appointed governor.--His powers.--Letter from the emperor.--Depression of his enemies.--Unfair dealings.--Escape from remonstrants.--Expedition to Zapoteca.--Great peril.--They abandon the scheme.--Progress of the new city.--Cortez's palace.--Religious zeal.--Catholic priests.--Approach to the metropolis.--Reception by Cortez.--Success of the missionaries.--Colonies.--Arrival of Donna Catalina.--Death of Catalina.--Suspicions of murder. With zeal and energy which never slept, Cortez fitted out several expeditions to explore the country, to study its geography, and to ascertain its resources. One party, ascending the heights of the Cordilleras, gazed with delight upon the placid expanse of the Pacific Ocean, and, descending the western declivity, planted the cross upon the sandy shores of that hitherto unknown sea. Cortez was exceedingly elated with this discovery, for he considered it another bribe with which to purchase the favor of his sovereign. He immediately made arrangements for establishing a colony on the Pacific shores, and ordered four vessels to be built to prosecute farther discoveries. He lost no time in transmitting to the emperor the tidings of this great achievement.