CIIA1TKU V.

SUBJUC1ATIOX OF JTEPEC, AND CAT;

STJ; OLD.

1527-1528.

.orAnnr.no TV CIIAKCK OP Ai -Ki.voi/r AT .

OF Tin: Si-AM.-ii CAUKISON Tin: PLA( OP

Tin: II n;ii I :

,. AI.VAKADO Ai tax CITY OP

\GO Fo IN THK ALMOLOXGA VALIJ.V 1 THE
\v SETTLEMENT.

OF the two lieutenant mini s appointed ly

Aharado on his departure from Olim
was tht: on.- in whom In- had i r li.i

Tin al ility which lie had displayed ldi r and

a
magistrate fully ju>tiiii-d
tliis confidence. A a<

Alvarado, he was second only to ilia

1

to
ill val id inilii skill: and the im i.
c.-iptain
in tin: !:!, were usually a him,
portant posts I

wliilf thu lact that he w; cted jidorofthefir

Jil!). and iillud that office by ippointmenl till
his jiromot uui io the r.-snk alcalde and li.-uteii;. <!

:ur, is * \ idenc -ity

I \--rnmcnt.
Jn character he was in 01
Sped too like his coin-
in beiB -nd ruthless in 1,

l
the n;i -. I I is hi-h hre.-diir^ \\as disjilayrd \>\

iinc deportment and court- mien. whil< i-

he could 1- r most charinin-- 01

]iaiiion
1
! inorial ns and Tlas. .in
.

.
iL iiin:
4
i le nos* /,

1 )
M .ii. 41.
(87)
88 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

disagreeable; his flashes of wit and humor were as

much enjoyed as the lash of his sarcasm was dreaded.
With the assistance of his colleague Hernan Carrillo,
he began vigorously to establish order throughout the
province. His first care was to carry out the instruc
tions of Alvarado relative to the suppression of a
revolt in the town of Zacatepec, news *of which had
arrived before the captain general s departure. Though
a portion of the natives of the Zacatepec province had
joined in the general insurrection, the garrison sta
tioned in the town itself had hitherto been able to
overawe the inhabitants but toward the end of August
:
^
1526, incited by named Panaguali,
their high priest,
one inspired by the presiding genius of the nation,
they suddenly rose- upon the Spaniards. Threats of
the displeasure of their god Camanelon outweighed
with them even the dread of their conquerors and the ;

chief priest, taking advantage of a violent earthquake

which occurred a short time before, so wrought upon
the fears of his countrymen that he prevailed on them
to attempt the extermination of the foreigners. The
garrison barely escaped a general massacre, being com
pelled to make their escape from the town by cutting
their way through a dense crowd of assailants, who
attacked them one evening about sunset. In the
struggle one of their number, together with three of
the Tlascaltecs, were captured and sacrificed. Next
day the fugitives were joined by one hundred friendly
Zacatepecs, and by rapid marches reached Olintepec
the 31st of August. 2
At daybreak on the following morning Puertocar-
rero marched against the insurgents. His force con
sisted of sixty horse, eighty arquebusiers, five hundred
and fifty Tlascaltecs and Mexicans, and one hundred
Zacatepecs. He had also two pieces of artillery.
2
Fuentes says they reached Santiago on this day. He also states that
Diego de Alvarado was captain of the garrison; but I think that some other
officer was then in command, as a Piego de Alvarado \vas regidor of Santiago
.this same year. See Arevalo, Adas, Ayunt. Guat., 16-18.
 f>. 89

( )?i arriving within lit of tin- town the arm\

Hey Wo from the
1

viili:
camped ill t I- ,

of I
cuhil,
3
to r< md reconnoit n>. Ihinando <!<

( haves being seni forward with Hi valry capfui

two natives, who information that IVuhil v,
;i!ly deposed and that in Xa-at.-jn ilion of ,- ;)
].<

tin- inhabitants had declared for the

Spaniards, and
having made their escape, ^
i

li- ain<

neirfiDoring corn land Puertocarrero now moved

to and 1hr-n-c sent UK
U<-nl>il, >f enc<>n

inrnl the rii-ndly nativ- 3, Mit liundrcd

h> wli- i <

<t

shortly afterward joined him. The Spanish army

now nm<tnvd lii teni hundred and ninety ni n. and
with this force the commander was (juite ready
meet the opposing eight thousand. Jle a<lvanced,
th- ard the town, and wlien about half a
distant sent messengers to oifer ion condi j

tion of sun-endc They were received witli disdain, i-.

and when others Were despatched on a similar :id,

they were on the point of being sei/.ed mid sacrificed,

and only made their escape by trusting to th
of their I

The Spaniards now took up their i<>n on

ing ground a quarter of a lea^ur from iec. Za<

Iliere they were almost immediately iled b\

body of two thousand natives who, inning r:m a l

.hoi-ing wood, attaekrd them In-iskly,

but ;ii r t

were fonvd to
bri<
arly u- - lr 1 n.

laoi-nin^ three thousand warrior-, advancing tr -m the

direction of t! \\n. came down upon them, taking
*

aim with poisoned arrows, while tl,

<>d
the t

anjueb T some time rendered almost harm-

,

58 by which drove the smoke ,

i

their r their weapons were with u< <l

more eiled, and the Indians U^an to retire with

1
3 . wh< i
Spaniai ds incautiously advanced,
suff. r when the
thereby riugdefeai Spani>h
I

3
Quo hoy no sc cncuentra cl nicm ;io dc Cl. Jnarros, Gu<it.,
ii. 207.
90 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

were in the center of the plain, the detachment from

the town, suddenly wheeling round, attacked them
in front, while those who remained under cover of
the woods assailed their rear. Puertocarrero was
compelled to withdraw from the field with all possible
haste; but this could only be done by traversing the
greater portion of the plain, and was attended with
great loss, the troops becoming entangled during the
hottest part of the engagement, in canebrakes and
creepers. At length the retreating army reached a
secure position between two converging eminences,
and here the conflict ceased for the night.
On the following day the Spanish commander,,
drawing up his infantry in a hollow square with the
artillery in front and the cavalry on the wings, gave
the enemy battle on the plain. His lines were too
strong to be broken by the Zacatepec warriors who
rushed in a dense mass to the attack, but were driven
back by a well directed fire of artillery and small
arms. Forming into two columns, they next assailed
both wings simultaneously, but with no better success.
Again massing themselves in a single phalanx, they
made a furious attack on the right of the Spanish
army. The struggle was long but not doubtful.
Volley after volleymowed down their ranks in front,
while the horsemen charged repeatedly on either
flank. At length they took to flight and were pur
sued to the entrance of the town, where Panagfuali
O
and two other priests with eight of the principal
caciques were made prisoners.
The campaign was now at an end. Puertocarrero,
aware that the loss of their priests and their chief
tains would assure the submission of the rebels,
retired to Ucubil, whence one of the
captives was sent
to the town with a final summons to
allegiance, and
with strict injunctions to return as soon as possible.
A submissive reply was returned, and on the fourth
day after the battle the Spaniards entered the town
with all necessary precautions
against attack. Having
 x OF :.i. 91

1 ill ird-hoi. ad piil

! tin-
caciques and
aj>!
f thu
:
f
. T I in 1 !:<

plaj
and 1
-

plar. d n trial ill

promot :
the
inn. All that the poor wretch could ur
hat IK- had
:

of his but Cain,

<jrocl;
.11 had im\v no j

>

T^k
^\f ^^r <c^

i.\.

As a matter <>!
<

be lii^-li ]

and i. iniui. 1 in full

\ i-\v .en nati\ .
bu1 n<\v I

ntly lin|n-d tu cap 16 Sj rds I

MS., 4-12; J narrow . ii.

J!7-. !i i>.
;ilios ;,

in tl:

HUH:
(, astillos.
o, ano:
92 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

The suppressionof the Zacatepec rebellion being

5
completed Alvarado s lieutenant next turned his
attention to the stronghold of Sinacam. This fortress,
built of stone and lime, was situated in an almost in
6
accessible position in the Comalapa mountains. In
the fastnesses of this range, seamed with gloomy
canons, numbers of the Cakchiquels had taken refuge.
Far down in the sierra is a precipitous ravine through
which flows the Rio Nimaya. 7 The stream when it
reaches the valley below is of great depth, abounds
in fish, and is fringed in places with beautiful glades
and stretches of fertile land, which can be approached
8
only by difficult and dangerous paths. Here Sina-
cam s followers planted and gathered their maize in
safety, while river and forest supplied them with ad
ditional food. No better place for a stronghold could
have been selected than that to which the chief of the
Cakchiquels had withdrawn the remnant of his once
9
powerful nation.
At the head of a numerous and well appointed
who later took a prominent part in the conquest of Copan, is represented in
the female line by the family of the Villacreces Cueba y Guzman. From
Sancho de Baraona, who filled the offices of procurator, syndic, and ordinary
alcalde, are descended the Baraona de Loaisa. The cavalry officer Hernando
de Chaves was ever placed in command when dangerous enterprises were to
be undertaken. His daughter Doiia Catarina de Chaves y Vargas married
Rodrigo de Fuentes y Guzman, and a second one was wedded to Pedro de
Aguilar. Juarros, Guat., i. 349-51.
5
Vazquez commits a twofold error in stating that Alvarado not only
conducted the campaign about to be narrated, but on his arrival at Olin-
tepcc united his forces with those stationed there, and marched against
Patinamit, which he took after a series of engagements, and then went in pur
suit of the caciques who had escaped. Chronica de Gvat., 72-3. This is utterly
at variance with the account given by Bernal Diaz, who took part in the cam
paign. Nor did Alvarado after his arrival at Olintepec undertake any further
operations before his departure for Mexico, according to this latter authority,
who says: y estuvimos descansando ciertos dias (that is at Olintepec), y
l

luego fuimos a Soconusco. Hist, Verdad., 220.

6
Called by Vazquez the Nimanche, a word meaning great tree, and
derived from the enormous cedars which grew in -the ravines. The range is
situated about eight leagues from Comalapa and ten to the east of Tecpan
Guatemala, near the site of Huyaalxot. Chronica de Gvat., 70-71.
7
Passa el rio grande, q se dize Nimaya, por sus muchas aguas. Id.
8
For an account of a priest s descent into this ravine see Vazquez. Id.
9
Brasseur de Bourbourg states that this fortification had been previously
built, dans la provision d une guerre avec les Quiche s, and adds that accord
ing to public rumor subterranean psssages connected it with Patinamit. Hist.
Nat. Civ. iv. G93-4. Vazquez, on the contrary, says that the Quiche s aided
,
 SI I TOLD. 93

10
oc Puerto- ro look up ,-i
suitabl ion be
fore it.
11
and for 1 \YO months pi d t!. in
In. During this linn- he
of :

answered only \\-\\ h oonl

while artinj r th< t th
who felt secure; in his position and h;id no
hunger, were r< I <-\

trunks of hurled <

; on them fr>m i

overt y \vliile the harassed

hy repeated BO iVoin the natives, who, \v!

they perceived any want of vigilance in th-

the Spapiards, s\ down from the mouni with
inconceivable rapidii; upon the weakest I
j
of
tlieirlii; 3
quickly] :ned the shelter of th
13
ix.ld.
.Hut mused the Spaniards to
iailure only i

termined Tin ainon;.;- them many w] effort.

part in the storming of Mexico, and had i

fought under Alvarado at Patinamit. The m

oftli lantado a veterans had been t ny
a doubtful I,
and they were no\v ahoutto
evidence of their valor. It may be that a itor rc-
]
iled to the he.-ie- erS SOlllC SCCTCt _p-a OT t 1 1 ,

rtiide but the stormii the oitr i i

in its crcctirin in order to prov * in case <

Its mil. .

i. 2

10
1 -to V\: cron-

nrti :.< .<

i- 1 ;i.- ; -o clc I

th;it t i to 200
;_ .

11
;-
tc to 1 t that
liii;. of \:i /.<\
the e
;at of t!ie M (

1 (!) t!lr Spot. \

that tip
JOllos coi :i liast..

al t

;
eur d(. s of this c;
94 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

was none the less a desperate undertaking. Its fate

w#s sealed however. Puertocarrero divided his forces
into four bodies and stationed them at the most favor
able points ; but before ordering the assault sent in his
last summons to surrender. The messengers who bore
the letter to Sinacam narrowly escaped death. On
receiviDg it the chieftain tore the paper to shreds, and
throwing the pieces on the ground with many expres
sions of scorn and contempt ordered the envoys to be
put to death. At this moment, however, the attack
was made. Puertocarrero who had observed all that
was transpiring suddenly advanced his men. The
ramparts were scaled, and a foothold won within the
fortifications. No hope now for the garrison; the
struggle
OO which followed was severe but brief. The
discolored ground was soon heaped with the dead and
dying, on whose prostrate forms the triumphant Span
iards trampled as they pressed on in pursuit of the
panic-stricken natives. Sinacam and Sequechul, to
gether with a larger number of their followers, were
captured, and few of those who survived the massacre
made good their escape to the mountains. 15
15
Brasseur de Bcmrbourg states that Sinacam escaped by one of the subter
ranean passages before mentioned, and after living a wretched life for several
years, wandering about the mountains, surrendered to Alvarado in 1530.
Hist. Nat. Civ., 095-702. Vazquez has copied an act of the cabildo dated
May 19, 1540, in which Alvarado is requested either to take Sinacam and
Sequechul with him on his proposed voyage to the Spice Islands on account
of their rebellious proclivities, or to execute them. Alvarado replied that
he would do what was most convenient. As a matter of fact Sinacam died
in Jalisco before the sailing of the fleet. Vazquez is of opinion that as. they
were not put to death in the heat of the moment, Alvarado would not be
likely to execute them at the instigation of the cabildo. Chronica de Overt.,
30-2. The author of the Isagoge states that they lingered in prison for 14
years, that they were put on board the fleet, and probably perished during
the voyage, as nothing more is known of them. Pdaez, Mem. Ouat., i, 77.
Brasseur de Bourbourg s account of the fate of -these princes is that Siuacam
died in 1533, while Sequechul was put on board the fleet and perished miser
ably off the coast of Jalisco. IJist. Nat. Civ., iv. 790, 800-1. Fuentes gives
so different an account to that of Vazquez relative to the capture of the strong
hold, that, as Juarros remarks, every one would suppose it to be the narra
tion of an entirely distinct event. Guat., ii. 302-5. The capture of Sinacam
was yearly celebrated by the festival of the volcano, at which a mimic
representation of the event was performed. In the great plaza of Guatemala
an artificial mound was thrown up and covered with branches of trees and
rocks in imitation of a mountain, and on the top a miniature castle was built.
Here the governor of Jocotenango stationed himself with the principal men
 JORGE DE ALVAIIADO.

The st<
nisinir
;

!iijin-l
hold oc-
curred on Saint (Vcili !

ay, the L -jd of N r

\
526, .-Hid :
rward th nt v.
rly eel
-

:i
imp- -II. On annivt-r-
f ihu eve pr
tli .hit find on
aiidard-h:
displayed the colors in tlio r<>yal

]
} the pr. :it, the royal audiencia,
<>f t :

municipality, and noUes, while the .Mexicans and

Tlax-altecs, contributed to tin- nowho liad vi<-t<>ryin

small degree, joined in the procession, in d< 1

bright colors and armed vvitli the weapons of their

ancesix

In the month of March 1527, anew governor arrived

in Guatemala in the person of Jorge
1. rot her of the
great conqueror, and a witli ,-

gift<-d

ahilii f no common order. He had ah \voii

repute in the conquest of ^Ie: and had n a

prominent part in the political dissni>ioi! hich

curred in the capital during the -ice of Cort ;

in Honduras. During the military opera in

Guatemala, more especially in the tir.-t cainpa in

Salvador, he had proved himself possessed tm "t

soldierly qualiti- Th<-

]reit-rment was 1>

him ly i nor of Mexi -id that he should

have been \- -rmitted to sir -de Puertocarrero u

]rol>iiMy
due to his and t!) the iVi 1>; i\<r

ship of ort (Nevertheless he was a man eminently

fitted io rule. 1!
ppointment was at
nized 1)V tlie cal)ildo,and he w. led innnedh.
f olli

of hi lie r M-l in M> rm wr

t iu 1

.;itin_( ,
l !!t

f Tlas-

dels
I

// ; iio

,
L ui.
JJoc., ;
96 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

Soon after his arrival the cabildo met to discuss a

matter of general interest, which had long engaged
the attention of the colonists. This was the selection
of a permanent site for their hitherto unstable city.
The choice lay between the valleys of Almolonga and
17
Tianguecillo, and after a long and wordy discussion
the question was decided in favor of the former locality.
A spot was chosen which had the advantages of a
cool and healthful climate, a plentiful supply of wood,
water, and pasture, and where the slope of the ground
would allow the streets to be cleansed by the periodi
cal rains. The governor then presented to the muni
cipality a document, signed by his own hand, conveying
his instructions as to the laying-out of the future
city. The streets were to intersect at right angles,
their direction corresponding with the cardinal points
of the compass; space was to be reserved for a plaza;
and ground adjoining the public square was set apart
for the erection of a church to be dedicated to Santiago,
who was chosen as the patron saint of the city which,
was henceforth to bear his name,, and whose heart wT as
to be gladdened in after years, when the day of his
anniversary recurred, by religious ceremonies and
.festivities, by tilting, and by bull-fights whenever a
18
supply of bulls could be procured. Locations were

17
The session was held in the valley of Almolonga, and it is significant
that this is the first meeting mentioned in the books of the cabildo as being
held there. Of the instability of this so-called city there is sufficient proof.
Sancho de Barahona, in arguing against the payment of tithes, says: Lo otro
digo, que para se pagar los dichos diezmos. .habia de haber pueblo fundado,
.

donde los cspailoles tuviesen poblacion sentada. Arevalo, Actas Ayunt. Guat.,
27. The valley of Tianguecillo or Tianguez was the same as the present Chi-
maltenango. Juarros, Guat., ii. 304.
13
Rcmesal states that in July 1530 the cabildo ordered one bull to be
bought for 25 pesos de oro, a price which indicates the scarcity of cattle at
that date. In 1543 six were purchased. Hist. Chyapa, 27. This author is of
opinion that Santiago was chosen as the patron saint only because of the
devotion of the Spaniards to that apostle. Id., 4. Fuentes gives as the reason
that the Spanish army entered the Cakchiquel capital on his anniversary day,
and states that he personally took their city under his protection, by appear
ing on horseback with sword in hand at the head of the army, while march
ing along the valley of Panchoy. Juarros, Guat., ii. 273. For further
opinions and information on this subject consult Vazquez, Chronica de Gvat.,
74-5; llemexal, Hist. Chyapa, 20-1; Juarros, Guat., ii. 275-7; Escamitta>
Notldas Curiosas. de Guat., 12; and Pelaez, Mem. Guat. ii. 223-7.
 [AGO FO 07

jned ior a ho-pital, a rhapcl and shrine,* a

a fori approprial adjoinin;. pla;-.
to :

marked out for the municipal and civic huildi;

and fora prison; and the ivniaindcr of UP
then to he divided among prex-nt or futm
according to the piv\ ailing in Xew Spain. <-u>tms

Ai tcr this document had puhhdy nad and

lr<-n

entered 1 >

y the notary in tin- books of the cahildo, all

malitie completed -king j

-ion of the future city as though it

already
<

According to the usual formality a p<M

\ -d.

and the r, ]laciii^ his hand upon it. j

with great solemnity, take and hold p sion, "1 in

tin name of his ilajesty, of the city and provii
1
,n<l

of all other adjacent territory."

Four days after the completion of this ceremony
twenty-four persons enrolled themselves aa citbs
and so prosperous, at first, were the affairs of the new
tlement that within six months one hundred and
fifty additional householders joined the community.*
] hiring the remainder of the
year 1.VJ7 and for many
months ai terward the Spaniards were occupied with
municipal atfairs, or busied th- with th- ej

former i -1 the name of the hospital de mi n<l

1 and shrine were to be d<

-
loe
1

:1 l. .LN Saiiti:i _ " v. a.s made ; 1 "f the ]

.-I iu l. i. l J v i anii^vi: 1 1<

ribcd 1 K A
Gules, the
en 1
!, and l-niinli.-hiug a 6^
(
>i\
Bfld, A] erest a
other <i

live ol
and a v/nod-eut of it, f-uine\\ hat dillen-nt, is to l>e s.-i-u in
a }.j>.
l;!S and l. i

21
1 that the names of the same persons of;

nj] ;ir iu rnora 1

itlmut j>rrjui.

in l."J7, sin icrjui .cha

( il)d i i. Ada -
. ! . And .-iL-ain in
<|ue
|

Mueho.s estau <

-
dos vc/.es, porqu-
ad.juiri. :nduil,cstaral. la pi ii:

IJiBT. -j. VOL. II. 7

98 SUBJUGATION OF ZACATEPEC.

tion of dwellings and with dividing and putting under

cultivation the rich lands of the adjoining valley.
In March 1528 Jorge de Alvarado, in virtue of the
authority granted to him by the governor of Mexico,
claimed the right to appoint new members of the
municipality. As no valid objection could be offered
cabildo, the nominations w ere immediately
r
by the
made, and eight regidores were elected in place of
four. The most important measure adopted by the
new corporation during the year was the redivision of
lands and the adjustment of questions that would
necessarily arise from such a change. The grants
were so unfairly distributed that, while many citizens
had far more than their share, others had none at all.
The discontent of the latter made it imperative for
the municipality to take action. On the 18th of
April all previous regulations were revoked and all
divisions of land cancelled. An
order was then issued
for the redivision of the valley into caballerias and
22
peoriias, and a committee appointed to redistribute
the grants.
Ameasure of this kind could not fail to meet with
much opposition, and as will be seen later the division
of lands and the system of repartimientos caused much
dissension among the colonists; yet in the present
instance the cabildo acted with all possible discretion
and fairness in the matter. Those grants of land
which were less fertile, were of greater extent than
the more barren portions; men distinguished for
their services received larger shares to correspond
with the degree of their merit; growing crops were
the property of those in possession at the time of
the redistribution; and if any occupant had made
The caballeria was the amount of land granted to a cavalryman, and the
2-

peonia that bestowed on a foot-soldier, who was termed peon.

5
The former
received COO by 1,400 pasos, or about 174 acres, and the latter half that
quantity. Arevalo, Actas Ayunt. Gnat., 48. Remesal states that the caba
lleria was GOO by 300 feet, and otherwise gives an account that is not in accord
ance with the book of the cabildo. Hist. Chyapa, 39. Even the more accurate
Juarros is in error in stating that the grant to a cavalryman was 1,000 by
600 pasos. Guat., ii. 341.
 ALMOLONGA PALLET, M
improvements and was rem< t, Iiis

JSOr u; (iiired to inal-. no

on the new land ned to him. Compl
deeds T promised by the cabildo in the i;;i::i.- of
the citi. ordered to end-
;

<j

and kerp in good condition the portion of the sir

corresponding with their allot n. i-bitant
f artisans were
regulated; and such was the
thrift of the inhabitants that within little more than
a year after its foundation the town \\ irround. d
with eorniields and orchards, and the vail f Al-

molonga soon became one of the most flourishing col

onies throughout the breadth of Central Ameri<

23
As these grants were considered as rewards for services to tho ; >-d

kin _
r
;i
ix-riml of liv-
f<>r .mlinnrd at u later date upon
<

the bolder proving that ho had served fur that length of time.