SHIP-BUILDING IN GUATEMALA—ALVARADO PREPARES AN EXPEDITION TO THE SPICE ISLANDS—BUT TURNS HIS ATTENTION TOWARD PERU—OPPOSITION OF THE TREASURY OFFICIALS—THE PILOT FERNANDEZ BRINGS NEWS OF ATAHUALPA'S RANSOM—STRENGTH OF ALVARADO'S ARMAMENT—HE LANDS AT PUERTO VIEJO—FAILURE OF HIS EXPEDITION—HIS RETURN TO GUATEMALA—NATIVE REVOLTS DURING HIS ABSENCE—THE VISITADOR MALDONADO ARRIVES AT SANTIAGO—HE FINDS NO FAULT IN THE ADELANTADO—BUT IS AFTERWARDS ORDERED TO TAKE HIS RESIDENCIA—ALVARADO IN HONDURAS.
One of the first matters which engaged Alvarado's attention on his return to Santiago was the discovery of a site adapted to ship-building, for he was now resolved to carry out his intended voyage in search of the Spice Islands. In accordance with the emperor's instructions, he sent parties to explore the seaboard for that purpose. At a distance of fifteen leagues from the city, near the modern port of Istapa, a suitable spot was found, in the vicinity of which was an abundant supply of excellent timber, and the work was at once begun.
According to the terms of his commission from the crown, his discoveries and conquests were limited to the islands and mainland of that portion of the south sea bordering on New Spain, and thence in a westerly direction, and he was forbidden to form any settlement on a territory already assigned to others.[VII‑1] He was appointed governor and alguacil mayor for life, and until otherwise ordered was to be intrusted with full civil, military, and judicial powers over all new lands which he might find. During the royal pleasure he was also to receive a twelfth of all profits which might in the future result from his explorations. Whether the expedition was to be fitted out entirely or only in part at the adelantado's expense is a matter not easily determined;[VII‑2] but in a letter to Charles V. sent in 1532, wherein he states his intention to build and equip a fleet of twelve vessels and raise a force of four hundred men, he declares that the cost of his armament will exceed forty thousand castellanos, and that this outlay will exhaust his private means. He claims of course that he is thus expending all his resources solely with his usual desire of serving the emperor, and avers that he has information of rich islands near the coast from the discovery of which his Majesty must derive great benefit.