In Cuba
Hello,
In 1510, I accompanied Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, an aide of the governor of Hispaniola, in his expedition to conquer Cuba. When I was 26, I was made clerk to the treasurer with the responsibility of insuring that the Crown received the quinto(one-fifth of the profits from the expedition).
The governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez, was so impressed with me that he secured a high political position for me in the colony. I continued to make a reputation for my self as a brave, dareing bold leader. I became secretary for Governor Velázquez. I was appointed mayor of Santiago. In Cuba, I became a man of substance with a repartimiento of Indians, mines and cattle. In 1514, I led a group that wanted more natives for the settlers.
As time went on, relations between governor Velázquez and I became strained. The governor twice jailed me although each time I managed to escape with my clever mind.
-Hernán Cortés-
Niltze!
This is Namacuix. I hope I didn’t seem rude last time I talked to you. I know sometimes people do what they need to do, even thought some things are very wrong. You do what you have to do.
Who is Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar? I know you said he was an aide of the governor of Hispanolia, but what exactly does he do? Why is he so important? Did he take part in the conquest of Cuba?
What is an expedition? Is it like a trip? I know that here in Tenochtitlan, there are people called pochteca that run around the city trading goods. They trade many things like food and clothing. Is that like an expedition?
Well, congratulations on becoming secretary for Gorvernor Velázquez. That must have been an honour. Was it hard? I’m sorry that you had to go to jail, though. Why did you go to jail in the first place? What exactly did you do? If you went to jail here, chances are you would be a prisoner and you would probably be sacrificed to our Gods. Trust me, you couldn’t escape from that.
That’s all I have to say. Nice talking to you again.
Hi,
Ya, you did seem a little rude the last time you talked to me, but thats ok. Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar did not take part in the conquest of Cuba. What he does is make sure the enviroment is all ok and that the people in the area are ok.
An expedition is just like a trip. It is when people go somewhere to do something.
Thanks for the congrats. It was an honer and yes it was very hard. That sounds pretty scary, being sacraficed by the gods. I don’t think that I would want that.
OK thanks, bye -Hernán Cortés-