Cortes was fond of play, both at cards and dice, at which he was always good-humoured and affable, often using the cant terms customary on these occasions.  During our expedition to Higueras, I observed that he had acquired a habit of taking a short sleep or siesta after eating; and if he could not get this he was apt to become sick.  On this account, let the rain be ever so heavy, or the sun ever so hot, he always reposed a short while on a cloak or carpet under a tree; and after a short sleep, mounted his horse and proceeded on his march.  When engaged in the conquest of New Spain, he was very thin and slender; but after his return from Higueras, he became fat and corpulent.  His beard began at that time to grow grey, after which he trimmed it in the short fashion.  In his early life, he was very liberal, but grew close afterwards, insomuch that some of his servants complained that he did not pay them properly.  I have already observed that he never succeeded in his latter undertakings:  Perhaps such was the will of Heaven, which reserved his reward for a better world; for he was a good gentleman and very devout.  God pardon him his sins, and me mine, and give me a good end, which is better than all conquests or victories over Indians!  Amen.

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Descendants of Hernando Cortes[15].

The legitimate children of Cortes were, Don Martin, who succeeded him as marquis; Donna Maria, who married the Conde de Luna of Leon; Donna Juanna, who married Don Hernando Enriquez, heir to the Marquis of Tarriffa; Donna Catalina, who died in Seville; and Donna Leonora, who married, in Mexico, Juanez de Tolosa, a rich Biscayan, which alliance gave great offence to the young marquis.  He left also two natural sons:  Don Martin by Donna Marina; and Don Luis by a lady named De Hermosilla; both of whom were commanders of the order of St Jago.  Besides these, he had three natural daughters; one by an Indian woman of Cuba, and two others by a Mexican woman:  He left great fortunes to all these ladies.

Don Hernando Cortes, conqueror, governor, and captain-general of New Spain, admiral of the South Seas, first Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, had in second marriage, Donna Jeroma Ramirez de Arellano y Zuniga, daughter of Don Carlos Ramirez de Arellano, second Conde de Aguilar, and of Donna Jeroma de Zuniga, daughter of the first Duke of Bejar.  Their son was,

I. Don Martinez Cortes de Ramirez y Arellano, second Marquis of the Valley, married his cousin, Donna Anna Ramirez de Arellano.  Their issue was,

II.  Don Hernando Cortes de Ramirez ye Arellano, third Marquis of the Valley; married Donna Murcia Hernandez de Cabrera y Mendoza, daughter of Don Pedro Hernandez de Cabrera y Bovadilla, second Conde de Chinchon, and Donna Maria de Mendoza y Cerda, sister to the Prince of Melito.  Don Hernando had but one son, who died in childhood, and was therefore succeeded by his brother,