The Tlascalans with us are hated by the Mexicans, and either between them and the natives, or maybe between some of my own soldiers and the citizens, a brawl might arise which would be used as a pretext for an attack upon us.
"As I feel that I can rely upon your discretion, I will tell you of some news that I received at Cholula, but which I have kept to myself.

The natives on the coast have shown themselves hostile to the garrison of a hundred and fifty men, whom I left there under Juan de Escalante.

A chief near there sent in to tender his allegiance, and asked that four white men should be sent to escort him to the town.

As soon as they got to him two of them were murdered, but the other two managed to escape and made their way back.

Don Juan marched, with fifty of his men and several thousand Indian allies, to attack the treacherous chief.