San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-02-22
HERNANDO C0RTEz.


In the year of 1904, at the small
country town of Medellin, in Spain,
there lived an idle, dissolute youth of
seventeen, who was the torment of his
parents, and the leader of all mischief
going on in the neighborhood. His pa
rents were of the highest responsibility,
though reduced in circumstances, and
they had given their son tile best edu-
cation within their means. During his
infancy and childhood, he had been so
sickly that no one expected he would
live to mature age; but as he grew Older
he grew stronger, and at seventeen he
was a man of stature, and sufficiently
robust. He was then at home, having
left the college of Salamanca without
permission,. and was passing his time in
dissipation, regardless of the romon-
strances of his father and the entreaties
of his mother. When, therefore, he
declared his intention Of sailing to
America, the good people of Medellln
were not sorry to hear it. His father
had intended him for the legal profes'
sion, which the youth disdaincd. No
career attracted him except one of adj
venture in the New World, which had
been discovered ten years before.
He was only nineteen when he took
passage in merchant vessel, and, after
most tempestuous passage, reached
the island OF Hispanola, then the seat
of Spanish power in America. He was
at the time n very handsome young
man, graceful, self-confident, a superior
swow,slnan and horseman, and highly
accomplished in oil warlike exercises
On leaving the ship, he went ut once to
the house of the governor, a friend OF
his family. The governor being absent
on an expedition, his secretary received
Cortez with politeness, and by way OF
encouraging u new conner, assured him
that the governor, upon his return,
would doubtless allot to him liberal
tract of land.
Land" said Cortez, / come to
find gold, not to plough the ground hike
peasant"
Nevertheless, when the governor Of
fered him portion of land and num-
her of Indians rs slaves, there being
nothing better to take at the time, Cor
tez accepted them, and became n plan
ter. The governor also named him no.
tary of the town, an office of some lit
tie emolument. Without entirely ne
glecting his business, he now resumed
his dissolute habits. After seven years
of life like this, he joined the force
destined to the conquest of Cuba under
Velasuuez, and displayed in that affair
so much dash, activity, courage and
ElltlN. llslN ne btNdllt a. ih'tAA'N ''
Velasquez. who named him secretary.
This friendship was soon changed IN
to fierce hostility. Cortez had given a
promise of marriage to young lady,
which he was not inclined to keep.
Governor Nelasquez insisted ON bis full
filling his promise. Cortez, angry at
this interference of his pleasures, joined
himself TO the enemies oi Nclasquez.
and prepared to 90 To Spain 70 intrigue
for his recall. The governor. discover
Ing the plot. arrested Cortez. and would
have hanged him. it is said. but for the
iutcrcession Of friends. He put HIM IN
prison. and caused him to I've chained.
Twice Cortez escaped. and at length
was glad enough to acceP; his liberty on
condition Of marrying the SRI The
governor endowed the Young couple
with an extensive tract Of land in Cuba
and a large number Of Indians. Being