[Cortés, Hernán] His Son Exploits the Indians. Two-page folio document dated June 3, 1559, in Spanish, detailing the huge tributes received by don Martín Cortés (son of the conquistador Hernán Cortés who vanquished Mexico and its king Montezuma, and successor to his land and holdings), from various cities, and the corresponding tithes Cortés owed to the Cathedral in Mexico City. The Spanish sent back large amount of gold from the Americas, but that was not the only way they enriched themselves from their conquests, as this document attests. The clothing trade was an extremely lucrative one in Europe, but Spain had no raw materials, especially cotton.The Spaniards raised cotton in Mexico, using the Indians as a slave labor force, and cotton blankets were shipped to Spain and other parts of America for sale. The Cortes family required tributes--in cotton, as well as corn, wheat, and chickens--that were valuated in gold, of which Cortés paid 10% to the Cathedral in Mexico City. As long as it received its 10%, the Church gave its blessing and legitimized the treatment of the Indians. This document was prepared so the Church could determine its share for the calendar year 1558.
In part: "Charge drawn to His Excellency don Martín Cortés, Marquis of the Valley, regarding the tithes that he is required to pay to this Holy Church of the City of Mexico on the tributes of the blankets that, Guastepeque, Yautepeque and Acapixtla are required to pay him….it seems that the town of Cuernavaca has been stipulated to give to the aforementioned Marquis 10,992 gold pesos in common gold every year, in the way of 550 loads of blankets at a rate of twenty pesos each load. the aforesaid loads of blankets weigh a half ton each, adding up, therefore, to 549 tons of cotton…." The document goes on to name the amounts due from other towns, concluding that the total amount due as tithes from Cortés was 765 pesos and four reales of gold, and is signed by Don Rafael de Cernanes, treasurer; Bartolomeo Sánchez and Julio de Oliva, canons and accountants for the church; and Juan Bautista de Marín, assistant to don Martín Cortés, commissioned by the Governor don Pedro de Ahumada.
An early and important document, evidence of the subjugation of the Indians by the Spanish. With full translation and transcription. Hernán Cortés was in Mexico from 1818 to 1528; he returned to Mexico in 1530 and remained for ten years. Martín was born and died in Mexico.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills.
Colonial Americana
