Hernán Cortés and the Spanish Colonization of Mexico

Over time, relations between Cortés and Governor Velázquez became strained, partly due to Cortés becoming romantically involved with Catalina Xuárez (or Juárez), the sister-in-law of Governor Velázquez. Cortés eventually married Catalina, reluctantly, under pressure from the governor.

After almost 15 years in the Indies, Cortés began to look beyond his substantial status in Cuba and saw an opportunity to lead an expedition to Mexico, where news had reached Velázquez of a bonanza of silver and gold. Cortés was appointed Captain-General of the new expedition in October 1518, but Velázquez's jealousy exploded, and he attempted to put the expedition in other hands. Despite this, Cortés was able to gather six ships and 300 men within a month and set sail to Mexico.

Numerous historical sources have depicted Hernán Cortés as being unjustly treated by the Spanish Crown, and that he received little gratitude for his significant role in founding New Spain. While this may be partially true, there may be more to the story. Cortés's sense of accomplishment, entitlement, and vanity may have played a part in his declining relationship with the king.

Cortés received significant personal rewards for his accomplishments, yet he quickly complained that he and his comrades were not compensated enough. He disobeyed many of the Crown's orders and admitted to doing so in a letter to the emperor, dated October 15, 1524. He deliberately acknowledged his disobedience in a manner that could not help but create a poor impression.

King Charles appointed Cortés as governor, captain general, and chief justice of the newly conquered territory, but also appointed four royal officials to assist him in his governing. This effectively placed him under close observation and administration, which greatly dismayed Cortés. Cortés oversaw the construction of Mexico City, destroying Aztec temples and buildings and rebuilding on the ruins, creating the most significant European city in the Americas.

Cortés also founded new cities and appointed men to extend Spanish rule throughout New Spain, imposing the encomienda system in 1524. He reserved many encomiendas for himself and his retinue, which they believed were just rewards for their accomplishments in conquering central Mexico. However, later arrivals and those opposed to Cortés complained about the favoritism that excluded them.

In 1523, the Crown sent a military force under the command of Francisco de Garay to conquer and settle the northern part of Mexico, the region of Pánuco. This was another setback for Cortés, who mentioned it in his fourth letter to the king, in which he described himself as the victim of a conspiracy by his archenemies Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, Diego Columbus, Bishop Fonseca, and Francisco Garay. The influence of Garay was effectively stopped by an appeal to the king, who sent out a decree forbidding Garay from interfering in the politics of New Spain, causing him to give up without a fight.