Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican, Vol. 1 of 2: A Historical, Geographical, Political, Statistical and Social Account of That Country From the Period of the Invasion by the Spaniards to the Present Time.Mayer, Brantz
History
Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican, Vol. 1 of 2: A Historical, Geographical, Political, Statistical and Social Account of That Country From the Period of the Invasion by the Spaniards to the Present Time.
It was not until about the year 1542, that we perceive in the
viceroyal history, any attempts upon the part of the Indians to make
formidable assaults against the Spaniards, whose oppressive and
grinding system of _repartimientos_ was undoubtedly beginning to be
felt. At this period the Indians of Jalisco rose in arms, and symptoms
of discontent were observed to prevail, also, among the Tarascos and
Tlascalans, who even manifested an intention of uniting with the
rebellious natives of the north. Mendoza was not an idle spectator of
these movements, but resolved to go forth, in person, at the head of
his troops to put down the insurgents. Accordingly he called on the
Tlascalans, Cholulans, Huexotzinques, Tezcocans, and other bands or
tribes for support, and permitted the caciques to use horses and the
same arms that were borne by the Spaniards. This concession seems to
have greatly pleased the natives of the country, though it was
unsatisfactory to some of their foreign masters.
In the meanwhile, the coasts of America on the west, and the shores of
California especially, were examined by the Portuguese Juan Rodriguez
Cabrillo, as far north as near the 41st° of latitude; whilst another
expedition was despatched to the Spice islands, under the charge of
Ruy Lopez de Villalobos.
The viceroy was moreover busy with the preparation of his army
designed to march upon Jalisco, and, on the 8th of October, 1542,
departed from Mexico with a force of fifty thousand Indians, three
hundred cavalry, and one hundred and fifty Spanish infantry. Passing
through Michoacan, where he was detained for some time, he, at length,
reached the scene of the insurrection in Jalisco; but before he
attacked the rebels he proclaimed through the ecclesiastics who
accompanied him, his earnest wish to accommodate difficulties, and,
even, to pardon, graciously, all who would lay down their arms and
return to their allegiance. He ordered that no prisoners should be
made except of such as were needed to transport the baggage and
equipments of his troops; and, in every possible way, he manifested a
humane desire to soften the asperities and disasters of the unequal
warfare. But the rebellious Indians were unwilling to listen to
terms:--"We are lords of all these lands," said they, heroically, in
reply, "and we wish to die in their defence!"
Various actions ensued between the Spaniards, their allies, and the
insurgents, until at length, Mendoza obtained such decided advantages
over his opponents that they gave up the contest, threw down their
arms, and enabled the viceroy to return to his capital with the
assurance that the revolted territory was entirely and permanently
pacified. His conduct to the Indians after his successes was
characterized by all the suavity of a noble soul. He took no revenge
for this assault upon the Spanish authority, and seems, to have
continually endeavored to win the natives to their allegiance by
kindness rather than compulsion.
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