Velazquez
DIEGO DE, a Spanish explorer; born in Cuellar, Spain, about 1460; accompanied Columbus to Española in 1493, and there distinguished himself in the wars against the Indians and amassed a fortune. In 1511 Diego Columbus appointed him to conduct an expedition against Cuba, and in the latter part of the year he landed on the E. shore at the head of 300 troops. He quickly conquered Hatuey the cacique, and put Panifilo de Narvaez, his lieutenant, in active command. The unarmed natives were soon overcome, and subjected to slavery, in which they soon VELOCITY perished. Later Velazquez established Matanzas, Trinidad, Santiago, and other places. In 1517 he joined Cordova in an expedition after slaves and they discovered Yucatan. Soon after, on learning of the rich Aztec empire, he fitted out an expedition for its conquest and placed CORTEZ (q. v.) in command. When the latter had reached the site of Vera Cruz he took independent command.
Pafilo de Narvaez was sent to capture him in 1520, but was defeated. Velásquez died in Havana in 1522 or 1523.