lasquez, who first came to the New World in 1493 with Columbus' second expedition, participated in the conquest of Hispaniola. He was subsequently sent by Columbus' son, Diego, to conquer Cuba and become its first Spanish governor. With him, came Hernan Cortes. In 1518, Cortes persuaded Velasquez to give him command of an expedition to take command of Mexico, which had been discovered the year before.
Cortes set sail on February 19, 1519, despite the revocation of his commission; Velasquez had become (rightly) fearful of Cortes' ambition. Cortes led his men forward under a pair of banners emblazoned with the words, "Comrades, let us follow the
...