Spaniards Make Conversion Attempt In Mesoamerica: May 1519

An important if not always central part of the story of the Cortes expedition in Mesoamerica, that is always referred to in these prominent primary manuscripts as being central, was Christian proseletizing. This of course, included, not just preaching at the locals, and praying they make up their mind, but the projection of their own values onto that of others. Local values which the Christians did not attempt to understand. Projecting one's value system onto the local's long-lasting ways of doing things, anywhere, will always cause trouble. Some may say, that this 'local way' included human sacrifice. I can't help but think here, that it's the same everywhere, we just call it different things. Collateral damage is one. Austerity measures, has much recent cachè. So does 'security concerns'. 'Terrorist Watchlist'. National Interests. And the arguments fly. An early example of this kind of enforced demagoguery, that was left out of place in this chrono, a couple weeks ago, deserves a better mention.

It was when the Spaniards were still at San Juan de Ulúa. There on the beach, some time after the first of May, and the messengers from Moctezuma, Teudilli and Cuitlalpitoc or as Diaz calls him, Pitalpitoque, were there as well. After the giving and receiving of rich gifts and hearing the news that Moctezuma would not meet them, still, and that they shouldn't try to come inland, to visit. Toward the end of chp xl of Bernal Diaz:

"... it was the hour of the Ave Maria; in the camp we rang a bell, and all of us knelt down before a cross we had put in a sand dune and prayed the Ave Maria. When Tendile and Pitalpitoque, who were very curious about things, saw us on our knees, they asked why we humiliated ourselves before that stick put together like that, and when Cortes heard it and the Mercedarian friar was present, he said to the friar, "This is a good time and a good subject, Father, to explain to them through our interpreters matters touching on our faith." He then gave them such a good explanation that some theologian could not do better. " [p. 65]

This sort of 'special pleading' is referred to again and again in the famous Letters of Cortes. It was both method and means and, Cortes hoped, a shared bond between him and the king of Spain.

"Having explained that we are Christians and all the appropriate things about our holy faith, Cortes and the Mercedarian friar then told them that their idols are evil and they are not good and that they flee from where that sign of the cross is, for on another cross of this shape, the Lord of heaven, earth and all creation suffered his passion and death, and it is him we believe in and worship. He is our true god, his name is Jesus Christ, and he wanted to suffer and go through that death to save all humankind; he rose on the third day and is in the heavens, and we will be judged by him. He told them  many othere things, very perfectly spoken, and they understood them well and replied that they would tell these things to their lord Montezuma."

This would be through the translators Aguilar and Doña Marina. It's hard to believe how well the audience here would be able to understand or then, relay these ideas to Moctezuma when they returned. What comes next would be easier to understand if not readily acceptable. One wishes there were better transcripts.

"He [Cortes] also stated that our great emperor sent us to to these parts to stop them from sacrificing Indians or making any other type of evil sacrifice, nor should they rob each other nor adore those accursed figures. He implored them to put up in their city, in those houses of worship where they kept the idols they consider gods, a cross like that one and an image of Our Lady with her precious son in her arms, which he gave them there, and he told them they should see how well everything would go for them and what our God would do for them." [pp. 65-6]

How well, indeed. But Diaz does not do as well in these topics. It is easy to see him as one in the congregation, who grows hungry sitting in his pew, waiting for the sermon to end.

"Because many other thoughts were uttered and I do not know how to describe them, I will leave this, and I will go back to discussing how many Indians came this last time with Tendile to trade pieces of gold, which were not worth much. All of us soldiers traded for gold, and we gave it to the seamen we had along in exchange for the fish they went to catch so we would have something to eat, for otherwise we would have suffered great hunger." [p. 66]

Soon after, all the locals left and did not return. As the Spaniards began to move inland, they could not help notice that all the villages and settlements had been evacuated, with food left in the storage places, and incense left burning on their altars. The people in so many places, were just gone.

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All quotes from Bernal Díaz de Castillo: The True History of the Conquest of New Spain translated with an introduction and notes by Janet Burke and Ted Humphrey, Indianapolis, Hackett Publishing Co, Inc. 2012