The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-09-11
Donna Marina.

In the middle of plain plaza, writes
Fannie Ward from Puebla, Mexico, is
a singular monuments bronze wo-
man sitting quietly on rampant horse,
which appears to be in state of wild
excitement, while its rider is as un-
ruffled as a Summer morning, SO
long ago was this alleged work of art
erected that the "oldest inhabitant"
fails to remember whom it was intend
ed TO honor. Doubtless it was to
Donna Marina, Cortez's guide and in.
terpreter, for here she is regarded al
most as a saint--the Indian Egeria,
the first Christian woman of the Mex
ican empire. Tue, hers was sort of
Christianity which would not stand the
test of nineteenth century ideas, but
was not unusual in her day, and prob
ably she would now be quite saint if
she had not fallen from her high estate
in the conqueror's favor, though
through no fault of her own, and be-
come afterward commonplace wife
and mother. History tells us that she
went Reluctantly and with many tears
to the husband whom Cortez chose
when he wished to get rid of her, be-
cause his own wife and children were
coming from Cuba. Poor Donna Ma
rina Certainly her lot was not hap
py one. She was born at Painala,
village of the province Of Cuatzacnalco.
Her father was lord of many cities,
and she fell into condition of slavery
through the treachery of her own
mother, who remarked after the death
of Marina's father. Bestowing all her
affections upon the sun of her second
marriage. the unnatural mother deter.
mined; in concert of the boys father,
that all their wealth should pass TO
him 1t CHANGED that the daughter of
one of their slaves died, upon which
they gave out that the corpse was
that of their own daughter, and pre-
tended to mourn for her, meanwhile
selling her, la Joseph, to some mer-
chants of Gicalanco. These traders
disposed of her to their neighbors, the
Tabascans, who gave her to Cortez
soon after his arrival in Mexico.
She is said to have been beautiful,
of great talent and versed in many dia.
lects. Through her devotion TO Cortez
she proved faithful friend to the
Spaniards, serving as their interpreter
in all negotiations with the various In
dian tribes. She accompanied Cortez
in his expeditions. He followed her
advice implicitly, and more than once,
when acting as guide or spy, she saved
the little band from annihilation. In
deed, in the whole history of the con-
quest, donna Marina played most
important part, and to her more than
to any other one person is due the sub
jugation of the Mexican empire. Ber-
nal Diaz, Cortez' friend and insepara.
BILE companion, writes that the number
of "wives" which the conquercr and
his officers acquired in the new world
was so great that they were obliged to
brand them with heated irons, like cat
tie, in order to distinguish each man
his own property. But after the brand
ing these numerous spouses were all
duly baptized. Cortez died a disap-
pointed man. His son by Donna Mari.
ni-Martin Cortez, who was a knight
Of the order of Sanliago-who was tor.
tured to death in the time of Philip II,
on charge Of rebellion, and the buc
cancers that ravaged these coasts for
two hundred years inflicted penalties
upon all his descendants. 1t is related
that when Cortez went to Honduras
his fair interpreter met there her gull
ty relatives, who wept at her feet, fear
ing she would have revenge for their
cruel treatment. But, instead of har-
boring vengeance, she expressed thank
fulness for the treachery which had re-
suited in her elevation, and rewarded
them with many gifts. Tho Spaniard
to whom Cortez married her after the
conquest was Captain Don Juan de
Jaramillo, and her strange career end
ed in domestic quietude. So far FROM
judging her harshly, the day aud the
country in which she lived must be
taken into account. She was faithful
to her love even when the interests OF
her own race hung in the balance.