Mortified at the triumph of his enemies, the spirit of Cortes was still unbroken. His old veterans now rallied around him, and proposed that he should declare himself independent of the King, swearing that they would maintain his cause at all hazards. This he was unwilling to do; yet his proud spirit revolted at the thought of being subjected to a trial in that country which he had conquered and ruled. He determined to present himself boldly before the King, and explain his whole conduct. Attended by his brave officers and the principal chiefs of the Mexicans, and carrying a large part of his riches to give splendor to his appearance, Cortes repaired to Spain. He had scarcely reached that country, when he met with a heavy sorrow. The gallant Sandoval, one of his attendants, died in Andalusia, on his way to the Spanish capital, and Cortes mourned for him as his noblest soldier and most devoted friend. At this moment, when friends were needed, his sorrow was felt most keenly. Arrived at the Spanish court, the King received him with every mark of friendship. Cortes was now in his native land, where his power was limited, and the jealousy of the monarch was for a little time forgotten. Attentions were liberally bestowed upon the conqueror. His exploits were loudly talked of; he was admitted to an intimacy with the King as great as that of the first grandees of the land, and received from him the Order of Santiago, and the title of Marquess of the Valle de Oaxaca. Yet for all this he could not obtain from him his former position as Captain-General of New Spain. Empty titles he could give him, but this embraced too much power, and the King held to his determination not to bestow it. For two years Cortes continued at the court, while the superior merit of the conqueror, and the strong attachment of his men, only fastened the King in his first conclusion. In the New World he might have the military command, with the privilege of making new discoveries and conquests; the government of that country was given to a board of officers, to be known as the _Audience of New Spain_.[21] Wearied and disgusted, at length, in 1530, he left the kingdom and returned to Mexico.