Dear Diary,
By the time I was 16 years old I had signed up with an expidition to the New World, led by Nicolas de Ovando, who was governor of Hispaniola. An accident had prevented me from sailing with the fleet that was headed towards the riches and the adventures to the New World. When I was growing up I have always dreamt of this day where I could be on my first expedition, but it never had happened. I want to be known for more than what my father was. He was just a minor member of the Spanish nobility and known in town for just a fair man. I want to be more famous than him, but now since my first expedition to the new world has been detained, I will just have to wait untill my next chance comes along. After the cancellation of the expedition I had gone off to the rooftops of Medellin to see my secret girlfriend. But on my way to see her I fell and broke my leg, and than I had developed a fever that kept me bed-ridden for weeks. So far nothing had gone the way I planned, but soon enough something exciting would happen to me, and then I will be famous like I said I would be.

Dear Diary,
In the year of 1511, Diego Velasquez was ordered to conquer the island of Cuba. Velasquez knew I was spoiling for a fight, and unfortunately he invited me along his expedition. He was influential, but unsuiteed in combat, so all the fighting was left to me. Surely, I ended up with a reputation for boldness, and we settled near the newly founded town of Santiago de Cuba. Since I did not keep my promise in marrying Catalina, I was put in jail by Velasquez who was now governor. Relations between Velasquez and I remained tense, but my affair with Catalina did nothing to ruin my reputation. I was made alcalde of Santiago, which is a very influential position. I always refuse to take orders, even when it is from governor Velasquez. This infuriated my commander so much that I was accused of trying to overthrow Velasquez and usurp authority for himself. Of course I was pardoned for anything I had done, which was nothing. Velasquez and I had remained bitter, and will remain this way forever because no one will tell me what to do.

Dear Diary,
In 1511, I agreed to marry Catalina, who is a sister of Juan Xuarez's friend. At the last minute I backed out. I realized that I am not a suitable husband. If I married this women she would be unsatisfied. I knew that the only way to not marry her is to back out right before I was suppose to marry her. Catalina Xuarez was a very attractive and desirable bride, but no way would I be the ideal husband for her. Although I thought it was a good idea not to marry her, Velasquez told me that i should keep to my word and marry her. I was put into town jail by the governor, who was now Velasquez. But having my sneaky ways, I picked the lock and sought sanctuary in Santiago de Cuba's church. After I had escaped, Velasquez had found me and imprisoned me on a ship on the harbor. This problem was solved because I eventually decided to agree to marry Catalina. That situation was awkward for me and her. This "relationship" will not hurt me in any way. I am going to keep on doing what I do best, and that is search for gold, gold, and more gold. I will not be happy unless I get gold.

Dear Diary,
It was the year 1518, expeditions were sent out to explore lands to the west of Cuba. Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba was determined that the land called Yucatan was abundant with gold. Velasquez decided that a third larger voyage was needed. The obviuos chioce for leader was me. No one else in the world can be a leader like me. I had perspicuous rules on what I was allowed to do. For example I am allowed to search for Juan de Grijalba, and for Cristobal de Olid, who had gone missing looking for Grijalba. I could also collaborate with other natives and trade with them for gold. In the summer of 1518, I took command of five vessels. Velasquez had the nerve to trade me in with someone who was less likely to take credit for himself. That was the most foolish thing he could do, and to me! I do not think Velasquez knew who he is dealing with. So i showed him, i set sail on November 18, 1518. Because i hastily set sail, i did not have all the supplies i needed, so i stopped a coupld times at small towns. Each time, i was told that orders had come from Santiago de Cuba that Grijalba had returned and he wanted me turn around and report back to Velasquez. I can not let Velasquez tell me what to do, i refused and kept sailing. We landed on the island of Cozumel, and me and my men went ashore and found a native village and inspected for gold, but all we found were cloth and trinkets. I returned the items we had taken and I told the natives i was there to convert them to Christianity. My men and I warned them that they must continue the practice of Christianity or they will face the consequences. If they natives stopped the practice I alone will have to make them suffer...

Dear Diary,
Today, March 1519, I set sail again. This time I wanted to aim for more impressive lands than Cozumel could offer. I was hoping to add legitimacy to my excursion, so I read a proclamation. The proclamation was taking official possession of the land for the Spanish Crown. Obviously the Tabascans were unimpressed by it, but that couldn't stop me and my army. They answered my fabulous reading with a flurry of stones and arrows. However,we furiously answered with gunfire and a cavalry charge. When we had done this, the Tabascans were shocked, and suddenly the city of Tabasco was taken by us. On March 25, 1519, the two sides clashed again, causing the battle known as Battle of Cintla. My aggressive cavalry and my mounted soldiers horrified the Tabascans so they scattered. Many of my soldiers were either killed or injured, but it turns out that the we, the Spanish, defeated the Tabascans. The Tabascans pledged their obedience to me and my Spanish army. They had promised to be faithful and loyal citizens to King charles of Spain. I always had to mention Charles' name everytime I dealt with Native Americans. The triumphant spaniards were rewarded with the best food Tabasco can provide, and 20 women. From those 20, I selected a young noblewoman named Malinaltzin. I am very proud of our victorious battle, and this day will always be remembered in my honor.

Dear Diary,

After our grand victory at the battle of Cintla, to my delight, the bested Tabascans pledged their obedience to my Spanish army and I. They also promised to be faithful citizens to the King Charles of Spain. We were also rewarded with golden trinkets, and some of the best foods the Tabasco people could provide, and 20 of their native women. I quickly picked to be my mistress, a woman named Malinaltzin. I also had her baptized and I renamed her Dona Marina or "lady Marina", but her people continued to call her Malinaltzin. I hope that she can be much help to us, for she can speak not only the the Nahuatl language, but the Chontal Maya language as well. She should be a great addition to our expedition, and she should be much help to us all in our conquest.

Dear Diary,

We have just landed on this new land. We first met with the first ambassador from the court of the Aztec empire Montezuma. The Aztec people seem to rule the capital city of Tenochtitlan, which was situated between several lakes. From the information we have gathered, I have come o the conclusion that the Aztecs are not the most popular rulers here. I have been to a couple of the other subject cities, and they seem very eager to support the Spanish people in order to get out from under Aztec rule. This pleases me very much, for with their support, my dreams of ruling this land may come true. Hopefully they will follow through on their word, and i can be successful in this new land, and I may be able to gather large sums of Gold.

Dear diary,

Today is Easter Sunday in 1519, and I have just met with a group of ambassadors here in the new world, who brought me such presents as Gold, Clothing and food. I came to this new world for gold an for riches, and that is what I intend to receive. I explained to the Aztec people that I was not a pagan god of any sort, from a pagan heaven. But that I was an agent of Charles, the greatest king on earth, who ruled over the vast majority of Europe. the Aztec people said that they had no idea who Charles was ( As i thought they wouldn't), but they understood that I was no god. I asked if i could consult with Montezuma, but they declined my request to my surprise. They also seemed insulted when I asked to trade my glass beads for Gold. I guess that they really do understand the value of Gold....

Dear Diary,

Today is November 1, 1519, and we are continuing our march towards Tenochtitlan. on our journey, many of the voyagers continued to say that my insolence and lack of respect for Velasquez's orders verged on treason. Although they complained, they could do nothing but follow my orders. Many of the Aztec officials insisted that we turn back, but I would never have done so. Although, we were rewarded with many lavish gifts, making our small fortune grow continuously. At last we found Tenochtitlan!. It was a glorious city, filled with temples and markets (more than I had ever seen in Europe). About halfway across a bridge we were crossing, we were stopped by an enormous precession carrying a carriage. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, quickly emerged from the carriage, and I embraced him. I was stopped abruptly by his handlers, who feared me so. I then bowed in a formal matter, and I gave him a necklace made of genuine diamonds. This token of my gratitude was hopefully taken in a positive way.

Dear Diary,

Panfilo de narvaez, my former commander during my fighting days in Cuba, has just corrupted everything I have been working for. I understand that he is still upset about my leaving Cuba against his orders, but he didn't have to attempt to arrest me! According to a few of the atzec messengers, one of Panfilo's henchmen came to arrest me for "overstepping his authority in Mexico". Knowing that I needed to move fast, I devised a plan. I left Montezuma and the capital of Tenochtilan all under the control of Pedro de Alvarado. I have the untomost trust in Pedro, for he was a loyal soldier of mine, and became a great lieutenant. Although I was only leaving 80 of my men with Pedro, I had much faith in him. I then marched back to Vera Cruz, close to where Narvaez' expedition landed. I am to meet with a few of Narvaez' men, but I have a plan. Im going to bring together all of the men who arent satisfied with Narvaez, and use them against the remaining people. THe loyalist who dont follow me will be attacked, but i will give them a cahnce to change their minds. I have a large sum of Aztec gold that I can distribute to the soldiers, to make sure they stay loyal. If all goes well, I can further my attempts to conquer Mexico, which is really my main goal.