And being in this sort elected general, the counsel said vnto him. Sir you do wel vnderstäd, that vntil such time as we shal bee better planted in this countrey, we haue not wherwith to maintaine our selues but only w^t suche things as are abord our shippes. Therfore it may please you to commaund it to be brought ashore, and that you take therof what shal seme good vnto you, for your houshold and familie, and the residue may be taxed at a reasonable price, and so to be deuided among them: & for payment they wold al binde thëselues, or else y^t presently it should be deducted out of the stocke, after that the kings fift parte were subtracted. Likewise they desired him to value his ships and artillery, bycause they would make like payment for the same, and that frö thence forwards the ships should serue in common, for to passe to the Iläds for bread, wine, clothes, weapons, horses, and other things which should be néedeful for the new towne and army, for therby they mought be better cheape prouided than if merchants should prouide them, consideryng alway they seke for excessiue gaine, saying that if it would please hym to accepte thys offer and request, they would thankfully requite the same. _Cortez_ aunswered, that at y^e time he made his preperation and furniture in _Cuba_, he ment not to sel his prouision as others vsed to do, but he would and did frankely giue it vnto them, although hee had spent his goods and indetted himselfe therin. And incontinent he commaunded the maisters of the ships and pursers, to bring a läd al their victual to the town house, requiring the Aldermen to deuide it equally, to euerye man his part, without making any difference of him or of any other, for (quoth he) in time of neede of victuals y^e yongest hath as muche allowaunce as the eldest. And although I am indetted and do owe more than seauen M. Duckets, I giue this victuall al franckly vnto you. And as cöcerning the ships, I wil do y^t which shal be most cöueniët for you al. And (quoth he) I wil determin nothing to be done with thë, but wil first giue you aduertisemët of the same. Al this did _Cortez_ for to get their loue and fauour, bycause there were many that loued hym not, althoughe in very trouth he was of his own nature liberal and large in experiences with al his souldiers in the warres. The receiuing of Cortez into _Zempoallan_.