ALVARA'DO, PEDRO DE, a famous companion of Cortes, was b. at Badajoz in Spanish Estremadura, towards the close of the 15th century. In 1517 or 1518, he sailed for the new world, and in the same year was dispatched from Cuba, by Velasquez, the governor of that island, to explore, under the command of Grijalva, the shores of the American continent. The expedition touched at Acozaniil (the isle of Swallows), and at various places in Yucatan. Ascending also the rivers Tobasco and Banderos, Grijalva was so enchanted with the beauty of the country, its fine cultivation, and the numerous traces of advanced civilization, that he named it New $pain. Now, for the first time, the Spaniards heard of the riches of Montezuma, and of his vast empire. A. was ordered to return to Cuba, and inform Valasquez of the result of the expedition. The sight of the gold which A. brought with him, stimulated the covetousness and ambition of Velas quez, who became greatly incensed against Grijalva, because the latter had not pene trated further into the new region, and on his return to Cuba deprived him of his com mand. In Feb. 1519, Cortes sailed from Havana, solely for the purpose of con quest, with eleven ships, containing 508 soldiers and 109 seamen. A. commanded one of these ships: but a storm separating the fleet, he arrived at the rendezvous, isle of Swallows, three days earlier than the others. Here the conquest of Mexico was planned by these intrepid adventurers. A. figured in every conspicuous incident; he was, indeed, hardly less distinguished than the sagacious Cortes himself, who knew his worth, and whom he served with unfaltering zeal and fidelity. While he held the city of Mexico, during the absence of his chief, he massacred, in the midst of a fete, a great number of Aztec nobles, which act is said to have excited the indignation of Cortes; but, on the other hand, it is asserted that the Mexicans had plotted the destruction of the Spaniards, and that A. had become cognizant of the scheme. In the famous night retreat of 1st July, 1520, A. commanded the rear-guard. After the conquest of Mexico, he was sent, in 1523, at the head of 300 foot, 160 horse, with 4 pieces of cannon, and a troop of Mexican auxiliaries, to subdue the tribes on the coast of the Pacific in the direction of Guatemala. Ile was completely successful, receiving everywhere the submission of
the native chiefs, while the people brought him presents, in token of the sincerity of their friendship. He now returned to Spain, where the emperor, Charles V., gave him a splendid reception, and appointed Win governor of Guatemala. On departing again for the new world, he was accompanied by numerous friends and cavaliers desirous of making their fortune. His adventurous spirit soon launched him into new enterprises. Pizarro and Almagro were prosecuting a brilliant career of conquest in South America. A. resolved not to intrude upon their territories. He considered the province of Quito to be without the limits of these, and so, embarking with a force of 500 soldiers, 227 of whom were cavaliers, he landed at Bahia de los Caraques, near cape San Francisco, whence he penetrated into the heart of the country, crossing the Andes by as bold and hazardous a march as it is possible to conceive. In the plain of Rio Bamba, he was met by soine of the troops of Pizarro, headed by Almagro; but instead of disputing by force of arms his right to the possession of the country in which he found himself, lie agreed to retire, on receiving an indemnity for his arduous undertaking. He therefore retired to Honduras, and aided the colonists in establishing new settlements, amongst others Gracias-a-Dios and San Juan de Puerto de Caballos. Meanwhile, Pizarro, loaded with wealth, went back to Spain in 1534, and misrepresented the conduct of A. to the emperor; but the latter following, vindicated himself so successfully, that he received the government of Honduras in addition to Guatemala. Again he embarked for the new world, and pursued his course of discovery and conquest; but in an affray with the Indians upon the coast of Michoacan, in 1541, he was accidentally killed by his horse fall ing upon him and crushing him. In the same year, an inundation, accompanied by a frightful tempest, overthrew the walls of the town of San Jago, when his wife and chil dren all perished.