[188] ‘Los q̄ para esto estauã auisados, sin dar lugar a que nadie tomasse la mano. A vozes respõdierõ Cortes, Cortes.’ _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. v. cap. vii. Bernal Diaz merely intimates that a ‘packed’ meeting was held, by stating that the men of Velazquez were furious on finding Cortés and the municipality elected, declaring, ‘q̄ no era bien hecho sin ser sabidores dello todos los Capitanes, y soldados.’ _Hist. Verdad._, 29. This indicates also that many of the opponents must have been sent away from camp for the occasion, perhaps on board the vessels. Montejo had besides a number with him. [189] ‘El qual como si nada supiera del caso, preguntò que era lo que mandauã.’ Having signified his acceptance, ‘Quisierõ besarle las manos por ello, como cosa al bien de todos.’ _Herrera_, ubi sup. [190] Gomara says frankly, ‘Cortés acepto el cargo de capitan general y justicia mayor, a pocos ruegos, porq̄ no desseaua otra cosa mas por entonces.’ _Hist. Mex._, 48. ‘Y no tuvo vergüenza Gomara,’ is Las Casas’ comment on the admission. _Hist. Ind._, iv. 496. Bernal Diaz states that Cortés had made it a condition, when the army pleaded to remain in the country, that he should receive these offices: ‘Y lo peor de todo que le otorgamos que le dariamos el quinto del oro.’ _Hist. Verdad._, 29. The letter of the ayuntamiento to the emperor sets forth that they had represented to Cortés the injustice of trading gold for the sole benefit of Velazquez and himself, and the necessity of securing the country and its wealth for the king by founding a colony, which would also benefit them all in the distribution of grants. They had accordingly urged him to stop barter as hitherto carried on, and to found a town. It is then related how he yielded his own interest in favor of king and community, and appointed them alcaldes and regidores. His authority having in consequence become null, they appointed him in the king’s name justicia, alcalde mayor, and captain, as the ablest and most loyal man, and in consideration of his expenses and services so far. _Carta 10 Jul., 1519_, in _Cortés_, _Cartas_, 19-21. Both Puertocarrero and Montejo confirm, in their testimony before the authorities in Spain, that Cortés yielded to the general desire in doing what he did. _Col. Doc. Inéd._, i. 489, 493-4. According to Gomara, Cortés makes a trip into the neighboring country, and, finding how rich it is, he proposes to settle, and to send the vessels to Cuba for more men wherewith to undertake the conquest. This was approved: Cortés accordingly appointed the municipality, and resigning the authority conferred by the Jeronimite Fathers and by Velazquez, as now useless, these officers in turn elected him as their captain-general and justicia mayor.