This is the first translation of the fifth letter of Cortés into English.

From 1524 to 1526 Cortés headed an expedition to Honduras where he defeated Cristóbal de Olid, who had claimed Honduras as his own under the influence of the Governor of Cuba Diego Velázquez. Fearing that the former Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc might head an insurrection in Mexico, Cortés brought him with on the journey to Honduras. Part way through the expedition, Cortés executed Cuauhtémoc on trumped up charges of conspiracy to murder.

Cortés's fifth letter to King Charles attempts to justify his conduct and concludes with a bitter attack on "various and powerful rivals and enemies" who have "obscured the eyes of your Majesty". Charles, who was also Holy Roman Emperor, had little time for distant colonies and Cortés's squabbles.

First English edition, Hakluyt Society First series, vol. XL; 8vo (22.5 x 15 cm); ex libris Inner Temple Library with bookplates and stamps, withdrawn stamp to title, otherwise clean internally; original publisher's gilt blue cloth, old dampstaining to corners of boards, spine darkened with head slightly chipped, lower inner hinge cracked but firm, a good copy; 2, [4], 156pp.