ge and Bereavement of Velasquez--Other Settlements Founded in
Cuba--Santiago Made the First Capital--System of
Government--Apportionment of the Natives to the Settlers--Appropriation
of the Land--Evils of the Repartimiento System--The Statesmanship of
Velasquez--Enslavement of the Natives--Famous Men in Cuba's Early
History--Gold Mines and Fertile Plantations--Beginning of the Mission of
Las Casas--Death of King Ferdinand and Accession of Charles I--Cardinal
Ximenes--The Order of St. Jerome--The Fate of the Natives.

CHAPTER VII 81

Gold Mining in Cuba--Political Organization of the Island--Relations
with the Spanish Crown--Development of the Slave Trade--Expeditions to
Yucatan--Exploration of the Mexican Coast--Failure of Grijalva's
Expedition--The Expedition of Christopher de Olid--Unmerited Fate of
Grijalva, the Discoverer and First Explorer of Mexico.

CHAPTER VIII 90

Hernando Cortez Commissioned by Velasquez to Explore Mexico--Some
Romantic Adventures--Why Cortez went to Cuba--His Relations with
Velasquez--A Crisis in Spain's American Affairs--Appointment of
Velasquez as Adelantado--Departure of Cortez--His Refusal to Return when
Summoned by Velasquez--Arrival in Mexico--Appointment of Cortez as Royal
Governor of New Spain--Preparations by Velasquez to Subdue
Cortez--Disastrous Fate of Narvaez's Expedition--Conspiracy to
Assassinate Cortez--Velasquez Removed from the Governorship of
Cuba--Zuazo, the Second Governor--Vindication of Velasquez and
Repudiation of Zuazo--Character and Work of First Cuban Governor.

CHAPTER IX 105

Administration of Manuel de Rojas--The Rise of Cuba's Proper
Interests--Development of Resources--Appointment of Altamarino--Post
Mortem Investigation of Velasquez--Violent Opposition to
Altamarino--Removal of a Discredited Governor--Accession of
Guzman--Controversies over Local Government--Injudicious Course of
Guzman--Protest Against the Tyranny of the Councils--"Cuba for the
Cubans."

CHAPTER X 115

Controversies Over the Treasurership--Appointment of Hurtado, the Honest
but Cantankerous--Fortunes of the Guzman Family--A Marriage for Money
and its Consequences--Services of Vadillo--Investigations and
Reforms--Heavy Sentences Against Guzman--An Appeal to