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 http://archive.org/details/historyofconques01sols 
 

 
THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 CONQUEST 
 
 MEXICO 
 
 B Y T H E 
 
 SPANIARDS. 
 
 In TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 Tranflated into ENGLISH from the 
 Original SPANISH of 
 
 Don ANTON 10 DE SO LIS, 
 
 Secretary and Historiographer 
 To His Catholick Majefty 7 
 
 By THOMAS TOIVNSENT> y Efq* 
 
 Late Lieut. Colonel in Brig. Gen. Neiutojis Regiment. 
 
 The whole Tranfhtion Revifed and Corrected 
 
 By NATHANAEL HOOKE, Efq; 
 
 Author of The Roman Hijlory in quarto, and Tranftator of The 
 
 Travels ofC yrus, and The Life of the Archbifiop of'C ambray. 
 
 vol. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for J o h n Osborn, at the Golden Ball in 
 Pater -?wfrer Roiv. 
 
 M.DCC, XXXVIII, 
 
To HIS GRACE 
 
 JAMES, 
 
 Duke of CHANDO& 
 
 My LORD, 
 
 BEG Leave to recom- 
 mend to Your Grace's 
 Protection the Hijiory of 
 Hernan Cortes, the 
 
 Fortunate Conqueror of the Mexican 
 
 Empire. 
 
 The Difcovery and Conqueft of that 
 new World have enriched England with 
 no fmall Share of the Wealth of it ; 
 which makes it a Point of Gratitude 
 in Behalf of my Country to publifh 
 the Actions of this Hero, and renders 
 him ftill more worthy of Your Grace's 
 Patronage, 
 
 A I 
 
 ft/*. 
 
Dedication. 
 
 My Lord, 
 I shall decline entring on the Sub* 
 jeft of thofe Virtues and difKnguifhing 
 Qualities which have fhewn themfelves 
 fo eminently in Your Grace, and en- 
 gaged the Love and Efteem of all good 
 Men. May You long live the Orna- 
 ment of Your Country ! And permit 
 -me the Honour of acknowledging pub- 
 lickly the many Obligations I have to 
 Your Grace, and alluring You that 
 1 am, with an inviolable Refped, 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Graces 
 
 Mofi Obedient, 
 
 And Moji Faithful 
 
 Humble Servant ', 
 
 Thomas Townfend, 
 
THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE Conquejl of Mexico is one of the 
 great eft Subjeffis in all Hijlory : It 
 leads us through Variety of important Tranf- 
 atlions to the Overthrow of a v aft Empire, at- 
 chieved by a Handful of Men under the Con- 
 duct ofH ernan Cortes, who added this 
 ineftimable Jewel to the Crown ^Spain in the 
 Time ofC harlesV. 
 
 Whoever will confider the ^Difficulties 
 he overcame, and the Battles -he fought and 
 won againft an incredible Superiority of Num- 
 ber s^ rnuft own him little inferior tothemoft 
 celebrated Heroes of Antiquity. 
 
 His Hiftory has been written by fever al Au- 
 thors, and particularly by Francifco Lopez de 
 Gomara, Antonio dcHerrera, ^^BernalDiaz 
 del Caftillo 5 who either took Things too 7nuch 
 ttpon Truft, or were prejudicd againft him : 
 But at length the Learned S o l i s, by ereEling 
 this Trophy to his Honour , difcharged the 
 
 A 3 Debt 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 T)eht due from the Spanifli Nation to the Me- 
 mory offo illujlrious a Conqueror. 
 
 The great Anions of C o r t e s, and the 
 elegant Ten of Sol, is, were the chief Motives 
 that induced me to make him Englifh : To which 
 may be added ', that Sir Paul Rycaut having 
 tranflatedthe Conqueji of 1? cm from Garcillaflb 
 de la Vega, Inca, my prefent Work compleats 
 the^Difcovery and Conqueji of the American 
 Continent. 
 
 And not r &ithflanding what has been writ- 
 ten by fome concerning the Simplicity and Na- 
 kednefs of the Indians, it is plain from the Hi- 
 fi or y of Sol is, and contributes not a little to 
 the Glory of Cortes, that he engaged nume- 
 rous Armies, which wanted neither Courage, 
 ConduEi, nor ojfenfive Weapons : And though 
 fome Things in the enfuingHiftory may appear 
 fabulous, it is neverthelefs certain, that 
 Cortes really performed more than Flat- 
 tery has invented of others. 
 
 The Translation was the Employment of 
 my leifure Hours in Country Quarters, in the 
 Kingdom of Ireland : How well I have fuC- 
 ceeded, is humbly fubmitted to the Judgment 
 of the Reader. 
 
 THE 
 
[i] 
 
 THE 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 QF THE 
 
 First Volume. 
 
 book I. 
 
 CHAP. I. Shewing the Neceffity of di- 
 viding the Hijtory of the Indies into 
 different Tarts, in order to a thorough 
 under '(landing it, Page i 
 
 Chap.IL The Reafons which engaged the 
 Author to write a feparate Htjlory of 
 North-America, 6 
 
 Chap. III. The Calamities which Spain la- 
 bour d under, when the Conquejl of Mexico 
 was undertaken, i a 
 
 Chap. IV. The Condition of the diflant 
 Kingdoms, and the IJIands of America, 
 which are now called the Weft-Indies, 1 6 
 Chap. V. The Calamities of the Monarchy 
 ceafe on the Arrival of Charles. At this 
 time began the Conquejl of New- Spain, 2 1 
 Chap. VI. ]\xmtei3t\)iL\y2L enters the River 
 (?f Tobafco, 26 
 
 A 4 Chap c 
 
ii The Contents. 
 
 Chap. VII. Juan de Gn)o\v2i profecutes his 
 Voyage, and enters the River of Flags, 
 where he has the firfl Account of the 
 Mexican King Motezuma, 3 z 
 
 Chap. VIII. Juan de Grijalva goes on with 
 his Difcovery, until he has coafied the 
 Province of Panuco. What happen d in 
 the River of "Canoes, and his Resolution to 
 return to the I fie of Cuba, 37 
 
 Chap. IX. The 'Difficulties which occurred 
 in the Choice of a Commander of the new 
 Fleet, and who Hernan Cortes was 5 who, 
 in the end, obtained that Toft, 42 
 
 Chap. X. The Rivals of Cortes endeavour 
 with all their Tower to fet Diego Velaf- 
 quez againfl him, but without EffeEl. He 
 fails with the Fleet out of the Tort ofSmt 
 
 J a g°> 47 
 
 Chap. XI. Cortes fails with the Fleet to La 
 
 Trinidad, where he gets a confiderable Re- 
 inforcement of Soldiers. His Enemies ob- 
 tain their Toint of making Velaiqucz jea- 
 lous, who ufes his utmoft Endeavours to 
 ft op him, 52 
 
 Chap. XII. Cortes fails from La Trinidad 
 to the Havana, where he gets the I aft Rein- 
 forcement for the Fleet, and fuffers a fe- 
 cond Terfecution from Vclafqucz, 56 
 
 Chap. XIII. Cortes refolves not to put him- 
 
 felf in the Tower of Velafqucz \ the juft 
 
 Motives of this Reflation-, with what 
 
 further paffed till the Time of the Fleet 's 
 
 failing from the Havana, 60 
 
 Chap. 
 
The Contents; hi 
 
 Chap. XIV. Cortes names the Officers of his 
 Fleet, parts from the Havana, and arrives 
 
 t /it the I fie of Cozumel, where he mufters 
 his Troops, and animates his Soldiers to the 
 Undertaking, 65: 
 
 Chap. XV. Cortes pacifies the Inhabitants 
 of Cozumel; he eftablifhes a Friendfhip 
 with the Cazique, overthrows their Idols y 
 begins to introduce the Gofpel, and endea- 
 vours in vain to recover fome Spaniards 
 who were Tr if oners at Yucatan, 73 
 
 Chap. XVI. Cortes purfues his Voyage, but 
 by an Accident finds himfelf obliged to re- 
 turn to the fame Ifland. Geronimo dc 
 Aguilar, who had been c Prifoner in Yuca- 
 tan, arrives, during his Stay there, and 
 gives an Account of his Captivity, 80 
 
 Chap. XVII. Cortes profecutes his Voyage, 
 and arrives at the River tf/'Grijalva, where 
 the Indians oppofe his Landing ; he engages 
 them, and dij 'embarks his Troops, 87 
 
 Chap. XVIII. The Spaniards gain the Town 
 of Tabafco 5 Cortes fends out Two hundred 
 Men to View the Country, who are driven 
 back by the Indians 5 but /hew great Valour 
 both in the Engagement and Retreat, 94 
 
 Chap. XIX. The Spaniards engage with a 
 powerful Army of the Indians of Tabafco, 
 and the Tarts adjacent 5 a c Defcriptioit of 
 their Manner of fighting, and of the Vic- 
 tory obtained by Cortes, 99 
 
 Chap. XX. The Spaniards make Teace with 
 the Cazique 0/" Tabafco, and celebrate the 
 
 Fefiir 
 
iv The Gontents; 
 
 Fefiival ^/"Palm-Sunday 3 after which they 
 reimbark, and continue their Voyage, 108 
 Chap. XXI. Cortes proceeds on his Voyage * 
 the Fleet arrives at St. Juan de Ulva ; the 
 Soldiers land s the General receives an Em- 
 baffy from MotczumaV Governors. An 
 Account who Donna Marina was, 115- 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 CHAP. I. Tcutilc, General of 'Motezuma^ 
 Troops, andVilpatoc, Governor of the 
 Province, come to vifit Cortes on the Part 
 of Motezuma : An Account of what faffed 
 between them, and of the Painters who 
 drew the Pictures of the Spanifh Forces, 
 
 111 
 
 Chap. II. Motezuma returns his Anfwer, 
 with a Prefent of great Value, but refufes 
 to grant the Leave they dejired to go to 
 Mexico, 129 
 
 Chap. III. Gives an Account how ill the 
 Pofitivenefs of Cortes was received at 
 Mexico > who Motezuma was ; the Great- 
 ?iefs of his Empire, and the Condition his 
 Monarchy was in at the Arrival of the 
 Spaniards, 135- 
 
 C^ap. IV. An Account of the fever al Pro- 
 digies and Signs that were feen in Mexico 
 before the Arrival of Cortes, from which 
 the Indians apprehended that the Ruin of 
 their Empire drew near, 142 
 
 Chap. 
 
The Contents, v 
 
 Chap. V. Francifco de Monte jo returns y 
 having difcovered the Town of Quiabiflan. 
 MotezumaV Ambajfadors arrive, and de- 
 fart diffatisfyd. The Soldiers incline to 
 mutiny, and Hernan Cortes makes ufe of 
 Artifice to appeafe them, i jq 
 
 Chap. VI. The Return to Cuba is given out. 
 
 The Soldiers, prepared by Cortes, exclaim 
 
 againfl it i the Cacique of Zempoala fees 
 
 for his Friendflnp > and 7 in fine, they make 
 
 a Settlement, i f y 
 
 Chap. VII. Hernan Cortes {in thefirft Coun- 
 cil which was held at Vera- Cruz) renounces 
 the Title of Captain-General, which he 
 held from Diego Velafqucz, and the Town 
 and 'People ele£i him a-new y 1 64. 
 
 Chap. VIII. The Spaniards march, and the 
 Fleet fails for Quiabiflan ; they enter Zem- 
 poala in their Way, where the Cazique makes 
 them welcome, and they receive frejb Ac- 
 counts of the Tyrannies tf/Motezuma, 171 
 
 C h a p. IX. The Spaniards purfue their March 
 from Zempoala to Quiabiflan ; an Account 
 of what paffed at their Entrance into 
 that Town, where they have frejh Ac- 
 counts of the Uneafinefs of thofe Provinces , 
 and they take fix of MotezumaV Officers, 178 
 
 Chap. X. The Cazique s of the Mountains 
 come to fubmit, and offer their Service to 
 Cortes. The Spaniards build the Town of 
 Vera-Cruz, and put it in a Pofture of 'De- 
 fence. New Ambajfadors arrive there 
 from Motczuma, 1 87 
 
 Chap. 
 
vl The Contents. 
 
 Ckap. XL The Zcmpoalans, by^eceit, en- 
 gage Hernan Cortes to take up Arms againfi 
 the ^People of Zimpazingo, their Enemies i 
 he makes them Friends ', and reduces that 
 Country, ipy 
 
 Chap. XII. The Spaniards return to Zenv ' 
 poala, where they overthrow the Idols, 
 with fome Rejiftance of the Indians ; and 
 the principal of their Temples is converted 
 into a Church of our Lady, 201 
 
 Chap. XIII. The Army returns to Vera- 
 Cruz ; Commi (fanes are dif patched to the 
 King, with an Account of what had been 
 done. Another Sedition is quelled, with 
 the c Punifkment of fome Mutineers ; and 
 Hernan Cortes executes his Refolution of 
 finking his Ships, 207 
 
 Chap. XIV. Cortes having made a c Difpo- 
 fitionfor the March, is informed that Ships 
 are feen upon the Coajl. He departs for 
 Vera- Cruz, and takes feven Soldiers be- 
 longing to the Fleet commanded by Fran- 
 cifco de Garay ; the Army begin their 
 March, and having 'With much "Difficulty 
 faffed the Mountains, enter the 'Province 
 of Zocothlan, 216 
 
 Chap. XL The Cacique of Zocothlan vifts 
 Cortes a fecond time, and highly extols the 
 Greatnefs ^Mctezuma. Cortes rejhlves to 
 march by the way of Tiaicaia, of which 
 Trovince.andtheNatureofitsGovernment, 
 fome Information is got at Xacazingo, 223 
 
 Chap. XVI. Cones s four Envoys fit out 
 for Tiaicaia. An Account of their Habit, 
 
 and 
 
The Contents. vii 
 
 and the Manner how EmbaJJies were de- 
 liver d in that Country 5 and of the "Debates 
 of that Republick about the Toi?tt of receiv- 
 ing the Spaniards in ape ace able Manner , 231 
 Chap. XVII. The Spaniards refolveto draw 
 near to Tlafcala, looking on the Detention of 
 their Meffengers as a bad Sign. They engage 
 with a Body of Five thou/and Indians that 
 lay in Ambufhfor them, and afterwards with 
 the whole Tower of the Republick, 241 
 Chap. XVIII. The Tlafcalans recruit their 
 Army j they give Battle a fecond time 
 with greater Force, and are overthrown 
 and broke by the Valour of the Spaniards, 
 and by another new Accident, which puts 
 them in Diforder y 2 fi 
 
 Chap. XIX. Hernan Cortes fills the new 
 Diflurbance among his Men / the People 
 of Tlafcala take the Spaniards for Enchan- 
 ters 5 they confult their Magicians, and by 
 their Advice attack them by Night in their 
 Quarters, 261 
 
 Chap. XX. The Senate commands the Ge- 
 neral to fufpend the War 5 he refufes to 
 obey, but, on the contrary, defigns to give 
 a frejh Ajfault upon the Spanifh Quarters. 
 His Spies are discovered and punijhed. A 
 Treaty ofTeace begins to befet on foot, 2 69 
 Chap. XXI. New Ambaffadors come from 
 Motezuma to the Spaniih Quarters, to ob- 
 JlruEi the Teace with Tlafcala ; the Senate 
 perfeveres in defiring it, and Xicotcncal 
 takes upon himfelf the Negotiation, 278 
 
 BOOK 
 
viii The Contents* 
 BOOK III. 
 
 CHAP. I. An Account of the Voyage of 
 thofe fent by Cortes into Spain, with 
 the Oppo/ition and Impediments that re- 
 tarded their Dijpatches, 286 
 Chap. II. Motczuma endeavours to break 
 the "Peace of Tlafcala 5 the People of that 
 Republick continue their Injlances? Her- 
 naa Cortes purfues his March, and makes 
 his Entry into that City, 295 
 Chap. III. The "Defcription of the City of 
 Tlafcala ; the Senators complain of the Spa- 
 niards going armed, being grieved at their 
 ^Diftruft > Cones fat isfies them, and endea- 
 vours to make them quit their Idolatry, 3 04, 
 Chap. IV. Hernan Cortes difpatches the 
 Ambaffadors o/'Motezuma. Diego de Ordaz 
 views the burning Mountain 0/Popocatcpec ; 
 it is refolved to march to Cholula, 314 
 Chap. V. They dif cover new Signs of 
 Treachery in Cholula 5 the Army marches 
 f for that City, being reinforced with fome 
 Companies of Tlafcalans, 323 
 Chap. VI. The Spaniards make their Entry 
 into Cholula, where the People endeavour 
 to deceive them by their outward good En- 
 tertainment j their Treafon is discovered, 
 and the Spaniards make a 'Difpofition to 
 chaftife them, 332 
 Chap. VII. Cortes chaflifes the Traitors of 
 Cholula, reduces and pacifies the City, and 
 efiablijbes a FriendJJrip betwixt the Cholu- 
 
 lans 
 
The Contents. i* 
 
 tans and Tlafcalans, 341 
 
 Chap. VIII. The Spaniards march from Cho 
 lula; they meet with new "Difficulties on the 
 Mountain 0/ChalcQ ; Motczuma endeavours 
 to flop them by means of his Magicians, 3 5-0 
 Chap. IX. Motczuma fends his Kef hew the 
 Lord of 'Tezeuco to vifit Cones in his Qtiar- 
 terSy he continues his March, and halts at 
 Quitlavaca, within the Lake of 'Mexico, 3 5-9 
 Chap. X. The Army marches to Iztacpa- 
 lapa ; they make a ( t)ifpofition for their En- 
 try into Mexico. A Tiefcription of the 
 'Pomp in which Motczuma went to receive 
 the Spaniards, 367 
 
 Chap. XL Motczuma comes the fame c Day 
 in the Evening to vifit Cortes at his Lodg- 
 ing, the Speech he made before he heard the 
 Embajfy, and the Anfwer of Cones, 3 7 f 
 Chap. XIL Cortes vifit s Motczuma in his 
 Palace s the Great?iefs and Furniture of 
 it are defer ibed: An Account of what 
 paffed in that Conference, and in others 
 which they had afterwards upon the Sub- 
 jeB of Religion, 3 84 
 
 Chap. XIII. AT>efcription of the City of Me- 
 xico, the Temperatenefs of its Climate, its Si- 
 tuation, the Market of Tlatelulco, and the 
 great Temple dedicated to the God of War, 
 
 Chap. XIV. Of the different Pleafure- 
 Houfes which Motezuma had for his Recre- 
 ation i his Armories, Gardens, and Country 
 Retirements, with other remarkable Build- 
 ings both within and without the City, 40 z 
 
 Chap. 
 
x The Contents; 
 
 Chap. XV. An Account of the Tomp, Ce- 
 remony, and Exacinefs voith which Mote- 
 zuma v:as ferved in his Talace 3 of the 
 Expences of his Table, of his Audience s y 
 and other Particulars relating to his O eco- 
 nomy and Diverfions, 411 
 
 Chap. XVI. An Account of MotezumaV 
 immenfe Riches ; the Manner of his ma- 
 naging the Royal Revenues, and of his ad- 
 mintftering Juftice s with other Particu- 
 lars of the Mexican Government, both Ci- 
 vil and Military, 42 2 
 
 Chap. XVII. An Account hozv the Mexicans 
 weafured and computed their Months and 
 Tears 3 their Feflivals, Marriages \ with 
 other Rites and Cuftoms worthy of Re- 
 mark, 432 
 
 Chap. XVIII. Motczuma continues his Ea- 
 ter taiyiments and Trefents to the Spaniards. 
 Letters brought from Vcra-Cruz with an 
 Account of the Battle therein J uan de Efcu- 
 lante loft his Life : upon Vuhich Cortes re- 
 folves to fee ure the 'Terfon of 'Motezuma, 443 
 
 Chap. XIX. The Imprifonm-ent of Motezuma : 
 An Account after -j^hat Manner it v; as effe- 
 cted, and how received among ft his Vaffals, 
 
 Chap. XX. MotezumaV Behaviour under his 
 Confinement , both to his ovun ^People and 
 t j Spaniards. Qualpopoca is brought \Pri- 
 foner, and condemned to "Death by Cortes ; 
 who caufes Motezuma to be put in Fetters, 
 during the Execution, of the Sentence, 468 
 
 THE 
 
/acaryr fape S. r - 
 
/ctcetnp -Pa&e< ?\ 
 
[I] 
 
 ^ , — ■ ■ ■ .1 I I ' - ,1, Hi 
 
 — " ■ '— ■ ■ ■ 1 * ■ ' ■'■■■ ' •" ' ■ w 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 Of the C O N QU E S T of 
 
 Mexico, or New Spain. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Shewing the Necessity^/ 'Dividing the 
 Hiftory of the Indies into different Tarts, 
 in order to a thorough under ft anding of it, 
 
 IT was my Intention, for fome Time, to 
 continue the General Hiftory of the 
 West Indies, left by Antonio de Her* 
 rera in the Year 1754. And while I perfiftcd 
 in this bold Defign, (the Difficulties of which 
 did not foon appear) I read, and carefully ob- 
 ferv'd, what both before and fince his "Decades 
 had been written by our own Countrymen, or 
 by Strangers, relating to thofe Difcoveries and 
 Conquefts. But as the Regions of that new 
 World are at ib great a Diftance from our He^ 
 Vol, I. B xnifphcrc, 
 
2 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 mifphcrc, I found that the foreign Writers had 
 been very daring, and no lets malicious, to in- 
 vent whatfocver they pleas'd to the Difadvan- 
 tage of the Spaniards ; lpending whole Vo- 
 lumes in blaming the Miftakes of fome parti- 
 cular Men, in order tp darken the Glory of 
 the worthy Actions perfqrm'd by All in com- 
 mon. I obfervd.likcwife, that there was but 
 little Uniformity and Agreement in the Ac- 
 counts given by our own Writers : A remark- 
 able Inftance of that ordinary Danger to which 
 Truth is cxpos'd, which fcldom fails to be dif- 
 figur'd when tranfinitted from afar 5 as indeed 
 every Thing, in proportion as it is carried from 
 its Source, lofes of its native Purity. 
 " The Obligation I was under to difprove 
 the former, and the Defirc I had of reconciling 
 the latter, detained me in the Search of Papers, 
 and Memoirs which might fcrve as a Foun- 
 dation to my Work : An inglorious Kind of 
 Labour ! our Time and our Application being 
 fpenrin Obfcurity, andunfecn by the World: 
 A Labour, however, from which no Hiftoriaft 
 can be exempted ; becaufe he is to draw the 
 Truth, pure and unmix'd, which is the very 
 Soul of Hiftory, out of that confus'd Medley 
 of differing Accounts ; the Care of an Author 
 in this refpect refembling that of an Architect, 
 who, before he begins to build, firft heaps to- 
 gether his Materials, and then from that form- 
 Jeis Mais takes every Thing ncccflary to the 
 Execution of hisDcfign, drawing out by little 
 and little from the Duft and Confufion of the 
 
 Storehouse 
 
Book I. Conquejt of Mexico. 3 
 
 Storehoufe the Beauties and Proportions of the 
 Building. 
 
 But when, furnifh'd with go6d Materials, 1 
 I came to put my Defign in Execution, I found 
 that a General Hiftory takes in fo great a Num- 
 ber of Fads independent upon each other, that 
 I thought it little lefs than impoffible to bring 
 them together without Confufion ; a Diffi- 
 culty, perhaps, afifing from my want of Capa- 
 city. The Hiftory of the Indies has for its 
 Ground- work three great A&ions, fuch as may 
 vie with the greatcft that former Ages have 
 fcen : The Exploits of Chriftopher Colombus, 
 in his admirable Navigation and firft Enter- 
 prizes upon the New World ; the Courage 
 and Coiiduft of Hernan Cortez In the Con- 
 queft of New Spain, the Bounds of whofe 
 vaft Regions are ftill unknown ; and the La- 
 bours of Francifco 'Pizarro, and of his Suc- 
 ceflbrs, who liibdued that moft extenfive Em- 
 pire of South America, a Theatre of various 
 Tragedies and furpriziilg Novelties. Thefe 
 are three Subjefts for great Hiftoties, which, 
 abounding with illuftrious Atchievements and 
 wonderful Accidents of both Kinds of Fortune, 
 furnifh Matter worthy of our Annals, an agree- 
 able Entertainment for the Memory, and ufe- 
 ful Examples to improve out Minds, and excite 
 our Courage. But as in the General Hiftory 
 of the Indies thefe three Subjects are blended 
 together, and each of them in particular, with 
 an infinite Number of lefs confiderable Enter- 
 prizes, it is no eafy Matter to reduce them to 
 
 B 2 the 
 
4 Tpe Hiftoiy of the Book T. 
 
 the Connexion of one fingle Narration, nor 
 to obferve the due Order of Time^ without 
 interrupting, and even frequently fending to 
 Pieces the principal Story, by a Detail of Cir- 
 cumftanccs. 
 
 The Matters of the Art, who have given 
 the Name of Tranfltion to that Step which 
 an Hiftorian makes from one Event to another, 
 require fo juft a Proportion to be obferv'd be- 
 tween the Parts and the Whole, that the Body 
 .of the Hiftoiy may neither appear monftrous 
 by a Superfluity of Members, nor yet fail to 
 have ail thofe which are neceffary to preferve 
 a beautiful Variety ; but according to their 
 Precepts, the joining of thefc Parts muft be 
 fo nicely wrought, that no Eye may difcern 
 the Texture ; nor muft the Things be fo diffe- 
 rent as to be unlike, or to make a Confufion. 
 And this delicate Skill of interweaving Events 
 in fuch a Manner, that they may not appear 
 t)igreffions one from another, is the greatcft 
 Difficulty to an Hiftorian : For if when we are 
 to tcfunic a Matter we had dropp'd, we reca- 
 pitulate many of its Circumftances, we inevi- 
 tably fall into the Inconvenience of Repetition 
 and Prolixity ; and if, on the other hand, wc 
 ncglcd to do it, our Style becomes unconnected 
 and obfeure : Vices which muft equally be 
 avoided, becaufc they ruin the beft Perfor- 
 mances of an Author. 
 
 This Danger, common to all General Hi* 
 {lories, is greater and almoft unavoidable in 
 curs : For the Weft Indies conftft of two Em- 
 pires 
 
Book I. Conquefi of Mexico. 5 
 
 pircs of very great Extent $ each of which con- 
 tains an Infinity of Provinces, and innumer- 
 able Iflands. Within thefc Limits rcign'd 
 divers petty Kings, or Caciques ; fomc of 
 them Dependent, and Tributaries to the two 
 Emperors of Mexico and Teru % the reft were 
 fecur'd in their Freedom by the Diftance of 
 their Situation/ All thefc Provinces, or little 
 Kingdoms, were fo many feveral Conquefts by 
 different Conquerors : Many Enterprizes were 
 fonrfd at one and the fame Time, all under 
 brave Captains, tho' little known. They con- 
 ducted fomc Troops of Soldiers, and thefe 
 Troops were ftiled Armies 5 not without fomc 
 Shew of Rcaibn, -if we confider the Greatnefs 
 of their Defigns, and their Succefs in the Exe- 
 cution, Many Battles were fought in thefc 
 Expeditions with fomc Princes, and in fome 
 Provinces and Places, the Names of which 
 were difficult not only to be remembcr'd, but 
 even to be pronounced : So that hence arofe 
 frequent and obfeure Tranfitions in the Hiftory 
 of thofe Exploits, and the Abundance of the 
 Matter, perplexed the Narration 5 the Hiftorian 
 being obliged frequently to leave and to rcfume 
 the lefs important Adventures, and the Reader 
 to turn back to thofe he had left m Sufpence, 
 or to keep his Memory upon a continual* 
 Stretch. 
 
 I do not deny, but that Anto?iio de Her- 
 vera, a very careful Writer, (whom I not only 
 fhall endeavour to follow, but would p-ladiy 
 imitate,) has laboured with great Succefs in the 
 
 B 3 difficult 
 
6 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 diffL id cho 
 
 : Ncvertl 
 
 hu *Decadi 
 
 i:m to be more deal ach a 1 
 
 ic of AjIyc:'.. tc, and 
 
 ::i to qu m as 
 
 tiic Order ;.;:„i So£cej 
 
 C H A P. IL 
 
 27v Rtmfom which r:~agd tl i to 
 
 .it ate Hij: North Amc- 
 
 . *r New Spain. 
 
 MY P ecow i ftopy of 
 
 Labyrinth and 
 cing 
 it. aswel^a! rhatthe 
 
 Mind of the Reader : 
 
 without being fhock'd, and inftru 
 \\cUfefuI, 
 efo 
 
 Exploits of C 
 
 : the 
 
 with an other ;Iy and 
 
 Decades 
 ■j de H err era. And as i : Hi- 
 
 .; G.-.rciIafo, an 
 ooth 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 7 
 
 and agreeable in his Style, (according to the 
 Elegance of his Time,) that I fhould blame 
 any Man as too ambitious, who mould attempt 
 to excel him, and give great Encomiums to 
 whofoever could imitate him in profecuting 
 that Hiftory. But New Spain cither is with- 
 out a Hiftory which deferves that Name, or 
 (lands in need of a Defence againft the Re- 
 proaches of Pofterity. 
 
 Francifco Lopez de Gomara is the firft 
 who has treated this Subject 5 but without any 
 Care or Exa&nefs. He relates what he has 
 been told, and affirms it with an exceflive 
 Credulity, depending as much upon what he 
 has heard, as if he had been an Eye-witnefs 
 of the Fads ; and finding no Difficulty in 
 Things improbable, nor Repugnance in Things' 
 impoffible. 
 
 This Author is followed by Antonio de 
 Herrera, both in Time, and in fome Part of 
 his Accounts \ and after him comes Bartho- 
 lome Leonardo de Argenfola, who has fallen 
 into the fame Faults with Herrera, and is left 
 excufable, having interwoven the firft Adven- 
 tures in this Conqueft into his Annals of Ar- 
 ragon y treating them in fuch a Manner, as to 
 appear there far fetch'd, and to fill only the 
 Place of an Epifode. He has related what he 
 found in Antonio de Herrera : And though 
 his Style be better, yet is it fo often interrupted 
 and perplex'd by the Mixture of other Ad- 
 ventures, that what is great and heroical in 
 that Enterprize, is either diminifh'd or entirely 
 
 B 4 loft 
 
8 lifeHiftor \e Book I. 
 
 loft by the I \ ta may be fcen in ma- 
 
 Parts c: 
 
 ^d a pa: 
 
 . ; Work 
 or i ".-•. Ir w^s bro: 
 
 i Monk of the Order of c 
 r: _!.- Merced, fa round the Manu- 
 
 iad iea: 
 where it had Iain ri'd tor 
 
 me Incon- 
 the Time of the prir.: 
 were either over-look d, or unknown. It 
 refent for an authentick Hiftory 
 md unpolifh'd Style helping it to look 
 . Truth, and to perfuade (bme Reader 
 the Sinceri: ;:hor. But though he has 
 
 the Advantage of having been an Eye-witneli 
 of thole Thiers he has rec :ie may 
 
 ;ver, from \ T ork, 
 
 :: Go free from PaiTion in his 
 
 rnment of 
 
 Pen : He « i his 
 
 :y, as ill content vith his Fortune ; 
 
 in r; 
 
 lernan I 
 
 Hero of :'?:- Hiitory. He endeavour 
 per.errc may throw a 
 Slur upon, and correct b often- 
 time _ _- c Rules for Con- 
 duel nc: General, and 
 ofitior: by him, I armurs 
 
Book I. Conquejt of Mexico- 9 
 
 and Mutterings of the Soldiers $ although in 
 this Profeffion there are as many ftupid igno- 
 rant Creatures as elfewhere $ and in all Pro- 
 feilions, it is equally dangerous to liiffer thofe 
 to difpute, who are born only to obey. 
 
 These are the Motives which have engaged 
 me to enter upon this Subject, endeavouring to 
 clear it from the Obfcurity in which it is in- 
 volved, and to do Jufiice to injur'd Truth. I 
 fhall take Help from thofe Authors I have cited, 
 upon all Occafions where I fhall have no rea- 
 fonablc Ground to differ from them 5 and I 
 fhall have Rccourfe to other Accounts, and 
 private Memoirs, which I have col im- 
 
 partially chufing thofe which are mod worthy 
 of Credit, for the forming of my Relation. 
 1 fhall endeavour to avoid Repetitions, and the 
 mentioning of fuch Things as ought to be fup- 
 pofedj wafting no Time in recounting minuter 
 Circumftances, which either fully the Paper 
 with what is indecent, or fill it with Things 
 unworthy to be remarked, and ferve more to 
 fwell the Volume, than to add any thing to 
 the Dignity of the Hiftory. 
 
 But before I enter upon the Execution of 
 what 1 have undertaken, it will be proper to 
 give an Account of the Pofture of Aifairs in 
 Spain, at the Time when the Conqueft of the 
 new World was begun, to the* End that we 
 may difcover its Origin, before we r its 
 
 Prosreis, and that this Knowledge 
 as a Foundation to the Building \ 
 to raife. 
 
io Jbe Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Calamities ^kich Spain labour d un- 
 
 di r <?/ Mexico vas 
 
 imdertak: 
 
 THE Year if 17 is no Ids memorable in 
 for the Troubles and 
 i which it was haraiVd, than for 
 Fctkitk ich then attended it. 
 
 red on all Sides by 
 T AmnltSj Difcr eds, and Faction 5, its Tranquillity 
 ig diflarb'd by fuch inteftine Evils as threat- 
 ened its utter Ruin, and the People remaining 
 in til ::thcr from a Seme of their 
 
 as being obedient to the Curb and 
 I Government. At the fame Time a 
 \ mug to ateft Profperity in 
 
 the Weft Indie, he Difcovcry oi another 
 
 which it not only extended its 
 : renev 1 doubled its Name. 
 
 : and Fortune {port ti: cs with 
 
 Things of this World ; and thus Good and 
 .er always mingled, orfucceede. 
 :jrpetual Revolution. 
 
 Og of the foregoing Year 
 'Fernando the Cathoiick, and the 
 .:Ties he had form'd for the Preiervation 
 . .rmentation of his Dominions bL 
 
 c Death of their Author, the 
 
 fe Kingdoms had fuftain'd, was 
 
 y the D:f:urbances and Dil- 
 
 vk Affairs which followed it ; 
 
 as 
 
Book L Co?iqueft of Mexico. 1 1 
 
 as the Value of Caufcs is ufually difcover'd by 
 the Importance of the Effects. 
 
 The whole Authority of the Government 
 remain d in the Hands of the Cardinal- Arch- 
 bifhop of Toledo, 'Don Francifco Ximenes de 
 Cifneros, a Man of a refolute Soul, fuperior 
 Capacity, and invincible Courage, and endow'd 
 in an equal Degree with Piety, Prudence, and 
 Fortitude : Thefc moral Virtues and heroick 
 Qualities, were ail united in him, without the 
 leaft Diicord arifins; from their Diverfitv. But 
 he was fo fond of doing every Thing the beft 
 Way, and fo active in the Support of his own 
 Opinion, that he frequently let flip an Oppor- 
 tunity of doing well, by endeavouring to do 
 better 5 and his Zeal was not fo proper for cor- 
 recting turbulent Spirits, as his Integrity was 
 likely to provoke them. 
 
 The Queen "Donna Jtiana, Daughter of 
 "Don Fernando and Ifabella, to whom the 
 Succeffion of the Kingdom rightfully belonged, 
 refided at Tordefillas, where no body was ad- 
 mitted to fee her, by reafon of the unhappy 
 Accident which had diforder'd her Under- 
 ftanding, and which, by the too ftrong Impref- 
 fions it had made upon her Imagination, had 
 either deprived her totally of the Ufe of Rea- 
 fon, or brought her to reafon incoherently 
 of thofe Things with which her Fancy was 
 poflefs'd. 
 
 Prince Charles (the Firft of that Name 
 among the Kings of Spain, and Fifth among 
 the Emperors,) whom the Accident of his 
 
 Mother 
 
1 2 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 Mother had brought to the Crown before the 
 Time, was holding his Court in Flanders. 
 And as he was yet but very young, (being on- 
 ly in his Seventeenth Year) as he had notbeen 
 educated in Spain, and as his firft Inclinations 
 were pre-ingag'd in favour of the Flemifh Mi- 
 niftcrs : All thefe were melancholy Circum- 
 ilanccs, which made his Coming be appre- 
 hended, even by thofe who judged it neceilary 
 for the Good of the State. 
 
 The Infanto 'Don Fernando his Brother, 
 though of fewer Years, yet wanting not a 
 Maturity of Understanding, was highly dif- 
 pleas'd, that his Grandfather c Don Fernanda 
 had not in his laft Will named him to be 
 Chief Governor of thefe Kingdoms, as he had 
 done in a former one, made at Burgos ; and 
 altho* he ftrove to keep himfelf within the 
 Bounds of his Duty, yet he often made this 
 Reflection, (and heard the fame from others, 
 who were near him) That had he never been 
 nam'd to that Employment, the Neglect might 
 have been imputed to his want of Years 5 but 
 to exclude him after he had been once nam'd, 
 was a Diltruft of another kind, which put a 
 direct Affront upon his Pcrfon and Dignity. 
 So that he could not forbear declaring how 
 little he was fatisficd with the new Govern- 
 ment. A Difcontent extremely dangerous at 
 that Time, becaufe the Minds of the People 
 being in a general Difquict, and ftrongly in- 
 clined to that Prince, as well upon Account of 
 Jfablc Behaviour, as becaufc he had been 
 
 born 
 
Book I. Cofiquejt of Mexico. 1 3 
 
 born arid bred in Cajlile ; they would un- 
 doubtedly have follow'd him, ( in cafe of a 
 Difturbancc, as was apprehended) taking Ad- 
 vantage of Co natural a Motion to act their 
 accuftom'd Violences. 
 
 These Perplexities were augmented by 
 
 another, which gave the Cardinal Ximenes no 
 
 lefs Uncafincfs. The Dean of Louvain, Adri- 
 
 ano Florencio, who was afterwards Pope, and 
 
 the Sixth of that Name, had been fent from 
 
 Flanders, to hold, in Appearance, the Rank 
 
 and Quality of Ambaffador at the Court of 
 
 King Ferdinand i but as foon as that King v/as 
 
 dead, he produced the Powers, which, till 
 
 then, he had concealed, to take Poffcffion of 
 
 his Kingdoms, in the Name of Prince Charles, 
 
 and to govern in his Abfence. This occa- 
 
 fion'd a Corned, which was manag'd on both 
 
 Sides with great Warmth. The Queftion was, 
 
 Whether thefe Powers, or thofe with which 
 
 the Cardinal was inverted, were of the greater 
 
 Virtue and Authority. The Politicians of that 
 
 Time manag'd their Arguments upon it with 
 
 too much Freedom, and little Refpcft 5 their 
 
 Reafonings having always fome Tinfture of 
 
 the Paffions, by which they were animated. 
 
 Thofe who were fond of Novelty, pretended 
 
 that the Cardinal was only a Governor, named 
 
 by another Governor ; becaufc King Ferdina?id 
 
 bore no other Title fmcc the Death of Queen 
 
 IfabeL The Arguments offer'd by the other 
 
 Side were not lefs infolcnt, feeing they tended 
 
 to an Exclufion of both the Miniftcrs. They 
 
 main- 
 
14 T^Hiftory of the Boole I. 
 
 maintain'd, that there was the fame Defect in 
 the Nomination of the Dean, becaufe, though 
 Prince Charles had the Advantage of being 
 lawful Heir to the Crown of Spain, he could 
 not, during the Life of his Mother, aflumc 
 any other Quality than that of Governor, in 
 the fame Manner as his Grandfather had done. 
 Thus they declared thofe two Princes incapable 
 of delegating to their Maojfrrates that Sovereign 
 Authority, which being infeparable from the 
 Perfon of the King, cannot be iodg'd in that 
 of a Governor. 
 
 The two Governors perceiving that both 
 the Royal Authority, and their own jurifdic- 
 tion were (truck at by the fomenting of theie 
 Difputes, concerted together to unite their 
 Powers. A wife Rcfolution, had they been 
 able in like manner, to form a Harmony of 
 Genius $ but the pofitive Humour of the Car- 
 dinal was continually clafhing with the mild 
 Temper of Adriano. The rlrft was indin'd to 
 fuffer no Companion in his Refolutions ; and 
 the other fupported his with little Activity, 
 and without any Knowledge of the Laws and 
 Cuftoms of the Nation. This divided Autho- 
 rity occafioncd a like Divifion in the Obe- 
 dience of the Subject, producing the fame 
 Inconvenience in the State, which would be 
 caufed by two Rudders in a Ship, whofe dif- 
 ferent Steerings would alone create a Tcmpcft 
 in the very Midft of a Calm. 
 
 The Effects of this bad Confutation were 
 prcfcntly known, the ill-corrcffcd Humours, 
 
 with 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 15 
 
 with which the Commonwealth abounded, 
 being intirely exafperated. The Cardinal or- 
 dered (and he needed but little Perfuafion to 
 bring over his Collegue to his Opinion) that 
 all the Cities and Towns of the Kingdom 
 fhould arm themfelves ; and that every one 
 fhould lift its Militia, training the People to 
 the Ufe of their Arms, and to the Pradice of 
 the Obedience due to their Commanders 5 to 
 which End he appointed Pay for the Officers, 
 and granted Privileges to the Soldiers. Some 
 fay, that he took thefe Meafures in view to 
 his own Security 5 and others, that it was in 
 order to have a Strength fufficicnt to curb the 
 Pride of the Grandees. But Experience foon 
 made appear, that it was a dangerous Step at 
 that Seaibn : For the Grandees, and thofe who 
 poffefs'd hereditary Lordftrips, (a difficult Body 
 to govern in fuch rebellious Times) took of- 
 fence at the arming of the People, believing 
 a Report which had been fpread, not to be 
 without fome Foundation, That the Gover* 
 nors intended, by the Help of this Force, to 
 examine into the Origin of their Seignories, 
 and their Pretenfions to thofe Duties they ex- 
 aded from their Vaflals. And even among 
 the People thefe Meafures had different E(- 
 feds: For fome Cities lifted Men, made their 
 Mufters, and trained their Soldiers to military 
 Exercifes; but in others they looked on thefe 
 Imitations of War, as affecting their Liberty, 
 and as dangerous to the publick Tranquillity : 
 The Inconvenience of the Novelty being equal 
 
 in 
 
i6 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 in the one and the other* beeaufe thofe Ci- 
 ties which continued in their Duty, were, 
 however, not infenfible of the Strength they 
 had to iupport their Diibbedience upon Occa- 
 fionj and thofe that were rebellious, found 
 themfelves in a Condition to force the reft 
 to follow them, and to put all Things into 
 Confufion. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The Coyidition of the diftant Kingdoms and 
 the Iflands of America, which are now 
 called the Weft Indies. 
 
 AT this Time the reft of the Dominions 
 of the Crown of Spain, fuffer'd no lefs 
 than Caftiky there was icarce a Stone that 
 did not move, nor a Part from whence they 
 had not Reafou to fear the Ruin of the whole 
 Fabrick. 
 
 Andalnz>ia groaned under the Opprcflion 
 of a Civil War, occafioncd by *Don Tedro 
 Giron, Son to the Conde de Urenna, that he 
 might get Pofleflion of the Eftates belonging 
 to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the Succcf- 
 fion of which he pretended to, by T>o?ina 
 Mencia de Guzman, his Wife $ putting the 
 Proof of his Right upon the Decifion of Arms, 
 and authorizing Violence with the Name of 
 Juftice, 
 
Book I. Conqiiejl of Mexico. 17 
 
 In Navarre, the two Factions of Beamont 
 ftnd Agramont, which became famous at the 
 Expence of their Country, began to break out 
 again with Violence. The Bearnontefe, who 
 were Partifans of the King of Caftile, called 
 the attacking of their Enemies the Defence of 
 Right : And the Agramontefe, who, after the 
 Death of Juan de la Brit and Queen Cata- 
 Una, declared for the Prince of Bearne, their 
 Son, prefum'd upon the Protection of France? 
 with whofe Power they threaten d their Ad- 
 verfarfes. Both the one and the other Party 
 were difficult to reduce 5 becaufe both covcr'd 
 their Hatred with the Appearances of Loyalty, 
 abufing the Name of the King, which only 
 ferv'd as a Pretence for Revenge and Sedition, 
 
 In Arragon there arofe dangerous Difputes 
 about the Government of that Kingdom 5 
 which, by the Will of King Fernando, was 
 Jeft to the Care of his Son 'Don Alphonfo? 
 Archbifhop of Zaragota, who was ftrenuoufly 
 oppofed by the chief Mag iftr ate, or Eljujiicia y 
 ^Don Juan de Lanuza, out of an Opinion, 
 (either real or affected) that it was inconfiftent 
 with the Quiet of that Kingdom, to have the 
 abfolute Power vefted in a Pcrfon of fuch am- 
 bitious Thoughts. And from this Beginning 
 fprung other Difputes among the Nobles, 
 which might be confider'd as too refin'd P^ea 
 fonings upon the Point of Loyalty 5 but as 
 thefe Difcuffions infefted by Degrees the un- 
 veafoning Minds of the People, they endangered 
 their Obedience and Subjection. 
 
 Vol, IV C Cata- 
 
1 8 The Hiftory of the Book L 
 
 Catalonia and Va lencia were laid 
 wafte by the cuftomary Cruelty of their Ban- 
 ditti, who, not contented with commanding 
 the Country, poffefs'd themfclves of the fmaller 
 Towns, and grew terrible to the Cities, with 
 fo much Infolence and Security, that the Order 
 of the Commonwealth being difturbed, the 
 Magiftrates abfeonded, and Cruelty prevailed 
 in all Places. Crimes were accounted noble 
 Actions, and the Pofterity of Delinquents be- 
 came illuftrious. 
 
 I n Naples the proclaiming of Queen 
 J nana, and Don Carlos, was received with 
 Applaufe 5 but even in the Midft of the pub- 
 lick }oy, a feditious Report was fprcad, the 
 Rife whereof was unknown, but the Wicked- 
 ncls obvious. 
 
 It was faid that King Fernando had named 
 the Duke of Calabria, then a Priibner in the 
 Caftle of Xati-va, for Heir of the Kingdom. 
 And this Report, which was deiervediy flight- 
 ed in the Beginning, defcended to the Com- 
 monalty, among whom it pafs'd in a Whifper 
 for lome Days, until at length fwelling with 
 Myftery, it broke out in popular Clamour, 
 and open Tumult 5 which gave great Unea- 
 fmefs to the Nobility, and to all thole who 
 had any Regard to Reafon and Truth. 
 
 In Sicily the People took up Arms againft 
 the Viceroy, Don Hugo de Moncada, with 
 fo much Fury, that he was fore d to leave the 
 Government in the Hands of the Populace y 
 and thefc Difturbanccs began to take deeper 
 
 Root 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 19 
 
 Root than thbfe at Naples, for they were 
 fomented by fome of the Nobility 5 who 
 made the publick Good (always the firft Signal 
 of Sedition) a Pretence, and the common 
 People an Inftrument to execute their Revenge, 
 and to pafs on to the more dangerous Defigns 
 of their Ambition. 
 
 Nor were the Indies, notwithftanding 
 their Diftance, free from this Infe&ion, which 
 extended to the moft remote Parts of the 
 Monarchy. At that Time all the Conquefts in 
 that new World confifted of .the four Iflands^ 
 of Santo "Domingo, Cuba, San Juan de ^Pu- 
 erto Rico, and Jamaica, and a (mall Part of 
 the Terra Firma, which had been peopled in 
 the Province of "Darien, at the Entrance of 
 the Gulph of Uraba. The Whole of what 
 was denominated the JVeft Indies, was 
 contained within thefc Pounds. The firft 
 Conquerors gave them this Name, becaufe 
 in Wealth and Diftance they refembled the 
 Eafi Indies, fo caird from the River Indus. 
 The reft of this Empire confifted not fo much 
 in any Thing real, as in the Hopes which had 
 been conceived from feveral Difcovefies and 
 Inroads made by fome of our Captains with 
 vaiious Succefs, and more Danger than Profit 5 
 but in that little Extent of Country poffefs'd 
 by the Spaniards, they had fo far forgotten 
 the Valour of the firft Conquerors, and Cove- 
 toufnefs was fo rooted in their Minds, that 
 they regarded nothing but enriching them- 
 fclvcs, in utter Defiance to Confcience and 
 G 2 Reputation* 
 
20 The Hiftory of the Boot I. 
 
 Reputation, without which two Curbs, a Man 
 is left to his own Nature, and is as favase and 
 cruel as the very Brutes, which make War 
 upon him. There came nothing from thofe 
 Parts now but Lamentations and Complaints. 
 Zeal for Religion and the publick Good gave 
 way entirely to the Intereft and Luft of private 
 Men, and they were continually deftroying the 
 poor Indians, who groaned under the heavy 
 Load, labouring for Gold to fatisfy the Avarice 
 of other Men, and were forced to feek with 
 the Sweat of their Brow, what they themfclves 
 defpiied 5 curfing the ungrateful Fertility of 
 their Country, as the Caufe of their Slavery. 
 
 These Diforders gave great Disturbance to 
 *Don Fernando, who was particularly defirous 
 to protefl: and convert the Indians (always 
 the firft Care of our Kings ;) to which End he 
 gave Orders, publifhcd Laws, and made ufe of 
 various Means, which loft their Force by the 
 Difadvantage of their Diftance, as an Arrow 
 falls fhort of the Mark, when placed at too 
 great a Diftance from the Arm that drew the 
 Bow. But the Death of the King happening 
 before he could enjoy the Fruit of his Labours, 
 the Cardinal enter'd in good Earned into the 
 Profecution of this Defign, defiring to put that 
 Government once upon a good Footing j to 
 which End he imploy'd four grave Regulars 
 of the Order of St. Jerom, fending them 
 with the Character of Infpeftors, and another 
 Minifter of his own Eleftion, to accompany 
 tjhem, with Commiffion of Refidentiary Judge; 
 
 to 
 
Book I. Conquefl of Mexico. xi 
 
 to the End, that thofe two Jurifdittions being 
 united, might extend over the Whole. But 
 they no fooner arrived at the Iflands, than they 
 found it impoffible to execute the Severity of 
 their Inftru&ions, and that the Difference is 
 great between Pra&ice and Speculation -, and 
 they did little more than experience the ill 
 State of that Government, making the Difeafe 
 worfe by the Weaknefs of the Remedy. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The Calamities of the Monarchy ceafe on 
 the Arrival of Charles. At this Time 
 began the Conqueft of New Spain. 
 
 IN this Condition were the Affairs of the 
 Monarchy, when Charles took Poffeflion, 
 and arrived in Spain, in the Month of Sep- 
 t ember this Year. The Storm began to abate 
 upon his Coming, and the Influence of his 
 Prefence, by little and little, introduced a Calm. 
 The firft Effe&s of this happy Change were 
 perceived in Caftile, whofe Tranquillity com- 
 municated itfelf to the reft of the Kingdoms 
 of Spain, and afterwards reach'd to the Do- 
 minions abroad 5 as in a human Body, the na- 
 tural Heat diftributes itfelf, palling from the 
 Heart to the Benefit of the moll diftant Mem- 
 bers. In fhort, the Influence of the new King 
 extended to America, his Name doing as 
 
 C 3 much 
 
22 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 much there, as his Prefence did in Spain. The 
 Minds of Men became difpofed to great Un- 
 dertakings ; the Courage of the Soldiers in- 
 creafed ; and they began the firft Operations 
 which preceded the Conqueft of New Spain, 
 the Empire of which had been deftined by 
 Heaven to fignalize the Beginning of the Reign 
 of this auguft Monarch. 
 
 The Ifland of Cuba was at that Time go- 
 verned by Captain 'Diego Velafquez, who 
 went thither as Lieutenant to the fecond Ad- 
 miral of the Indies, 'Don 'Diego Colon, with 
 fuch good Fortune, that the Conqueft of it 
 was owing to him, and the greatcft Part of 
 the Settlement. 
 
 A s that Ifland was the mod Weftcm of thofc 
 that had been difcover'd, and neareft to the 
 Continent of North America, they had there 
 large Accounts of other Lands, not far diftant, 
 tho' it was (till a Doubt whether they were 
 ItUnds, or not. They talk'd, however, of 
 the Riches of thofe Countries with as much 
 Certainty as if they had feen them \ whether 
 it be that this Confidence was grounded upon 
 what Experience had difcover'd in the Con- 
 qucfts already made, or that the Profperities, 
 with which we flatter ourfelvcs, have but a 
 fhort Step to make from the Fancy to abfolutc 
 Belief. 
 
 The great Idea conceived of thofe Parts 
 incrcafed at this Time by what thofe Soldiers 
 related, who had accompanied Francifco Fer- 
 nandez de Cordova in the Difcovery of Tuca- 
 
 tail. 
 
Boole L Conqueft of Mexico. %% 
 
 tan, a Peninfula fituate on the Confines of 
 Mew Spain. And altho' that Undertaking 
 was not profperous, and they could not then 
 make a Conqueft, becaufe the Captain and 
 the grcatcft Part of his Men died gallantly in 
 the Attempt, yet at lead they were fatisfied of 
 the Reality of thofe Countries 5 and the Sol- 
 diers, who arrived at this Time, altho' wounded 
 and overcome, were fo little daunted, that even 
 in magnifying what they had fufter'd, they 
 (hewed an Inclination to return to the Enter- 
 prize, and infufed the fame Defire into the reft 
 of the Spaniards of the Iiland ; not fo much 
 by their Words and Example, as by (hewing 
 fome little Toys of Gold, which they brought 
 from the new difcovcr'd Country, under the 
 Standard, and in fmail Quantity, but fo much 
 heighten d in Value by the Strength of Ima- 
 gination, that all began to promife themfelvcs 
 great Riches from this Conqueft, and to raife 
 mighty Structures in Fancy upon the Founda- 
 tion of what they had feen. 
 
 Some Writers do not allow that this firft 
 Gold, or Metal mix'd with it, came at that 
 Time from Tucatan, grounding their Opinion 
 on that Province's not producing any, and the 
 Eafinefs of contradicting what no body main- 
 tains. We follow thofe who relate what they 
 faw, without finding any great Difficulty in 
 fuppofing that Gold might be brought from 
 fome other Part to Tucatan, well knowing 
 that to produce it, and to have it, are different 
 Things. It appears by its not being found any 
 
 C 4 where 
 
24 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 ::c but in the Temples, that thole Lilians 
 m'd :z 25 fomething excellent, fmcc they. 
 :ed it folely to the Worlhip of their Gods. 
 Diego Velasquez feeing the Name of 
 r.tan in lb much Credit with every one, 
 n to entertain Thoughts of railing himfelf 
 to farther Greatnefs, as one who found him- 
 felf uneaiy in acknowledging Admiral 'Diego 
 de Colon his Superior in that Government ; a 
 Dependance now more nominal than real, but 
 yet fuch, as when he confider'd his Rank and 
 great Succe: ve him inward Trouble, and 
 
 deftroy'd the Reliih of his good Fortune. With 
 \v he refolvd to renew the Attempt of 
 a Difcov nd conceiving frefh Hopes from 
 
 the Ardour, with which the Soldiers offered 
 themf elves, he published his Defign. Men 
 ;c lifted, and three Veffels and a Brigantine 
 i out, and well ftor'd with Ammunition 
 and Pre He appointed Juan de Gri- 
 
 .-./, a Relation of his own, to be Com- 
 mander in Chief; and 'Pedro de Alvarado, 
 Francifco de Montexo, and Alonfo Ttavila? 
 to command under him, Men of eminent 
 \ but yet more diftinguifh'd in thole 
 Valour and Humanity, the 
 fecond and mcit valuable Kind of Nobility. 
 But notwithftandi: mbled about 
 
 two hundred and fifty Soldiers, including in 
 this Number Pilots and Mariners, and made 
 1 which Men, fo eager on their 
 Enterprise, could poflibly do, they did not put 
 to Sea until the Eighth of April, the Year fol- 
 lowing, 151 Thet 
 
Book I. Con quefl of Mexico. 25 
 
 They fct out with a Defign to follow the 
 fame Courfe as in the former Voyage 5 but 
 falling off fome Degrees, by the Strength of 
 the Currents, they came upon the Ifle of Co- 
 zumel, (the firft Difcovery in this Voyage,) 
 where they refrefhed themfelves, without any 
 Oppofition from the Natives 5 and returning 
 on board, they flood their Courfe, and in few 
 Days found themfelves in Sight of Tucatan ; 
 and having doubled the Point of Cotoche, the 
 mod Eaftern Part of that Province, they flood 
 Wefterly, with the Larboard to the Shore, 
 which they coaftcd, until they arrived at ¥0- 
 tonchan, or Cha?npoton y where Francifco 
 Fernandez de Cordova was routed and killed : 
 To revenge whofe Death, more than out of 
 any Neceflity, they landed 5 and having van- 
 quifh'd and terrified thofe Indians ', determined 
 to purfue their Difcovery. 
 
 They flood Wefterly by common Confent, 
 without keeping at a greater Diflance from the 
 Land than was neceflary for their Safety, and 
 difcover'd on a Part of the Coaft (which ex- 
 tended a great Way, and appeared very delight- 
 ful) feveral Towns, with Buildings of Stone, 
 which very much furprifed them, and in the 
 Ecftacy of Joy with which they made their 
 Obfervations, feenVd to be great Cities, with 
 Towers and Pinnacles 5 Obje&s at this Time, 
 contrary to the ordinary Rule, appearing great- 
 er, as they were more diflant. And becaufe 
 one of the Soldiers at that Time faid, that this 
 Country was like Sj>ain, the Comparifon fo 
 
 much 
 
z< The ffiftoiy of the Bookt 
 
 ? ri. :i :i: r-.ciri.r5.. m r.::: :i:i 11 
 
 : :r. :ni_; ! -1 .r.:.-. :.-_:: " : ~: : ~: 
 
 : : : ~ " : i -; : I : : . :. : : . ~ . i : : 11 : N : rr. : 
 ; : _ . - . . - ..".:::".:: ^ 
 
 2:1 : . .:: . .': : r.-;-. r_: .': .'::::-_. :.?:::■ 
 c:. 1-.:: .11: _: it. ':::::: :: I :_i :: ::- 
 c : ~ ~ : ~ : 11 en 11 : ~ 7. : :i::.:i":n:i..vt:::: 
 c - ■:.-. 11: : Iczim.i: :::■.:.". 
 
 c :-: a : ' 
 
 T . 11 : : I : . i_ ; .- ,:;"/: ] .i 7\.\-.- : -~ 7 ; : i_": 1. 
 
 o 
 
 — " - • - 
 
 
 
Book I, Conquefl of Mexico, 27 
 
 They beean, not without fome Difficultr, 
 to overcome the Strength of the Current ; 
 when they perceived at a little Diftance, a 
 confidcrablc Number of Canoes, filled with 
 firmed Indians, and on the Shore feveral fmall 
 Bodies of Men, who feemed prepared for an 
 Engagement ; and who both by their Vc 
 and Motions, which were now diitinguifhable, 
 endeavour d to perfuade the Spaniards, that 
 their Landing would be difficult ; their Gellures 
 being fiich as Men in Fear are wont to ufe, who 
 vould keep off Danger by Menaces. But our 
 People, aceuftom'd to greater Enterprizes, 
 proachfd in good Order until the two Parries 
 were within reach of one another's W e 
 The General commanded that no one fh: 
 fire, or make any Signal, but of Peace 5 
 the Admiration the Indians were in at 
 Make of the Ships, and Difference of the Men 
 2nd Habits, feemed to have impos'd upon them 
 the fame Orders 3 for they flood without Mo- 
 tion, as deprived of the Ufe of their Haic 
 by the Afkonifhment under which their Eyes 
 had brought them. Grijalva made ufe of 
 this feafonable and accidental Amufement, 
 wherein he found the Enemy, to leap on 
 Shore, followed by a Part of his Men, with 
 more Expedition than Danger. He drew them 
 up, and erected the Royal Standard : And after 
 thofe cuftomary Solemnities were performed, 
 which being little more than Ceremonies, were 
 yet called Acts of Poflellion, he endeavour *d 
 to make the Indians underftand, mat he came 
 
 in 
 

 28 Tie Hiftory of tie Book f. 
 
 :i to offend t7 
 This carried ..I: an B>: 
 
 i c nude Priibners in the firit I : ion 
 
 to Tucatan, and at their Baptiiin had the 1 
 
 :dian and Mclchor. They underftood the 
 Lan£ : Tobafco y as being ke that oi 
 
 their C ountr had learn d ours, 
 
 £o that they made then. :h 
 
 ibme Dimcuiry ; but in a 
 wer. . that indif- 
 
 ferent Inte ?n pafid for Eloquer. 
 
 7:-:i Rjefidf of this Embafi iuch, d 
 
 about ir I idians had the Boldneis to draw 
 nearer in four Canoe i Ibme Precaution. 
 
 C rf the Trunks 
 
 c:7 : k'd hollow after fuch net, 
 
 that iblc of holding 
 
 :h is the Laig thofe 
 
 and the Fertility of the Country that 
 luces them. They falut c 
 ly ; and iter h:: 
 
 removed cfa rrehen lePrc 
 
 made them a (ho: 
 underftand, by t : his Interpret 
 
 erful Monar: > pojfefs Dire 
 
 ere the ame 
 
 to offer them Teace and g *g**> 
 
 if they ^ould become 
 
 heard his Proportion 7; dii- 
 
 the natural Difcretion of one ffar- 
 
 6aria\:, : the reft, a 
 
 G 
 
Book' t Conqueft of Mexico; 29 
 
 Grijalva, with Firmnefsand Refolution, That 
 he did not efteem That to be a good Kind of 
 *Peace y the ^Preliminaries of which were 
 Subjection and Vaffalage 5 and that he could 
 not but wonder at it as a Thing very pre- 
 pofterous, that he Jhould talk to them of a 
 new Mafter, before he knew whether they 
 were difcontented with him they already had: 
 But that as to the 'Point of Teace or War, {the 
 only Queftion at prefent) they would [peak of 
 it to their Superiors \ and return with their 
 Anfwer, 
 
 They took leave with this Refolution, and 
 our People remained equally furprized and 
 concerned. The Satisfaction of having found 
 Indians of more Reafon and better Difcourfe 
 than ufual, being allay 'd by the Difficulties 
 they expefted to meet with in conquering 
 them ; for they rightly concluded, That thofe 
 who knew how to difcourfe fo well, would 
 alfo know how to fight, or that at leaft they 
 had Reafon to apprehend a different Kind of 
 Valour with their different Underftandings % 
 it beins; certain that in War the Head does 
 more than the Hands. But thefe Confidera- 
 tions of the Danger (on which both Captains 
 and Soldiers varioufly reafoned) pafs'd as pru- 
 dent Reflections, but made little or no Im- 
 preillon on their Hearts. They were unde- 
 ceived in a little Time $ for the fame Indians 
 returned with Signals of Peace, faying, That 
 their Caziques did accept it, not that they 
 feared War > or were fo eafly to be overcome 
 
 as 
 
go The Hiftory of the Book I 
 
 as the People of Yucatan fehofe 'Defeat the? 
 had team a ecaufe our Men having left 
 
 'Peace or JVar to their Election, they thought 
 obliged to chufe the beft ; and in 
 Token of the new Friendship they were going 
 to cilabiifh, they brought a plentiful Regale of 
 Provifions and Fruits. A little after came the 
 principal Cazique, with a {lender Attendance 
 of unarmed People, thereby giving to under- 
 ftand the Confidence he had in his Guefts, and 
 that he came lecurc in his owA Sincerity. 
 falva received him with Demonstrations 
 of 'Satisfaction and Courtefy, and the Indian 
 made a Return in Submiilions after his Man- 
 ner, accompanied with an Air of Gravity, 
 either real or affected. After the firft Com- 
 pliments, he ordered his Servants to come up 
 with another Prefent of divers Curiofities, of 
 more Workmanfhip than Value : Plumes of 
 various Colours ; Robes of fine Cotton, with 
 fome Figures of Animals to adorn them, made 
 of Gold, thin and light, or curiouffy wrought 
 in Wood, let in Gold, or overlaid with it 5 
 and without flaying for the Acknowledge- 
 ments of Grijafca, the Cazique gave him to 
 underftand, by the Help of his Interpreters, 
 That his Defgn ^as Teace y and that the 
 Intention of that Trefent ^as, to take a 
 friendly Leave of his Guefts, in order to 
 maintain it, Grijaha anfwered him, That 
 he very much efteenid his Liberality > and 
 that his Turpofe r j:as to pafs forwards, 
 without making any Stop, *r giving him any 
 
 U?nb*age : 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 31 
 
 Umbrage : A Refolution to which he inclined, 
 partly to make a generous Return to the good 
 Behaviour of thofe People, and the Confi- 
 dence they had placd in him 5 and partly for 
 the Conveniency of a Retreat, and of having 
 Friends at his Back, in cafe of any Accident 
 that might occur. And (b he took his leave, 
 and re-cmbark'd, having firft prefented the 
 Cazique and his Servants with fome Caftilian 
 Trifles, which altho' of very little Value, bore 
 a Price for their Novelty 5 which fhould be 
 lefs furprifing to the Spaniards now-a-days, 
 when they themfelves buy foreign Glafles at 
 fuch exceflive Rates. 
 
 Antonio de Herrera, and thofe who 
 follow him, or have writ fince, affirm, that 
 the Cazique prefented Grijalva with a Suit 
 of Armour of fine Gold, with all the Pieces 
 belonging to it 5 that he armed himfelf com- 
 pleatly with them ; and that they fitted him 
 as well as if they had been made for him : 
 Circumftances too remarkable to have been 
 omitted by more antient Authors. He took 
 it, perhaps, from Francifco Lopez, de Gomara, 
 whom he ufes to re j eft on other Occafions ; 
 but Bernal 'Diaz del Caftillo, who was there 
 prefent, and Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo 7 
 who wrote at that Time in the Ifland of Santo 
 c Dorningo y make no mention of thefe Arms, 
 altho' both give a minute Account of all the 
 Curiofities brought from Tobdfco. I leave it 
 to the Judgment of the Reader what Credit is 
 
 to 
 
32 The Hifiory of the Book L 
 
 to be given to thofc Authors, defiring only 
 the Liberty to relate the Story, without blame- 
 ing any one for doubting the Truth of it. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Juan de Grijalva profecutes his Voyage, and 
 enters the River of Flags, r jahere he has 
 the firft Account of the Mexicail King 
 Motezuma. 
 
 C"\ RIJ ALVA and his Companions 
 U purfucd their Voyage, (landing the fame 
 Courfe, (till difcovering new Lands and Towns, 
 without any memorable Accident, until they 
 tame to a River, which they call'd the River 
 of Flags ; becaufe on the Shore and neigh- 
 bouring Coafts, they few a great Number of 
 Indians ', with white Flags hanging at the Tops 
 of their Spears, and who, by their Manner of 
 waving them, together with their Signals, 
 Cries, and different Motions, made a Shew of 
 Peace, and feemed rather to invite Paflcngcrs 
 than forbid them. Grijalva ordcr'd Fran- 
 cifco de Montejo to advance with fomc of his 
 Men in two Boats, to try the Entrance of the 
 River, and difcover the Intentions of thofe 
 Indians. This Captain finding a good An- 
 choring Place, and little to apprehend from 
 the Behaviour of the People, gave Notice to 
 the reft to come up. They all landed, and 
 
 were 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico- 3 3 
 
 were received with great Admiration and Marks 
 of Joy by the Indians : From arhongft whom, 
 aftembled in great Numbers, three advanced, 
 I who, by the Ornaments of their Habits, feemed 
 the principal Mefi of the Country 5 and flop- 
 ping fo long as was neceffary to obferve who 
 ; was the chief Commander, by the Refpeft the 
 ! others paid him, they went direftly up to Gri- 
 \jalva y whom they accofted with great Reve- 
 rence, and who received them with equal 
 Courtefy. Our Interpreters did not under- 
 ftand the Language of this Country, fo that 
 'the Compliments were made by civil Signs, 
 with fome Words of more Sound than Signi- 
 fication. 
 
 After this they faw a Bariquet, which the 
 Indians had provided of different Sorts of 
 Food, plac'd, or rather thrown upon Mats of 
 Palm, under the Shade of the Trees 5 a ruftick 
 and diforderly Plenty, btit not the lefs grate- 
 ful to the Tafte of the hungry Soldiers. After 
 which Refrefhmeilt, the three Indians com- 
 manded their People to fhew fome Pieces of 
 Gold, which they had concealed till then; 
 and by their Manner of fhewing and holding 
 them, it was underftood that they did not de- 
 ilgil to make a Prcfent of them, but to pur- 
 chafe with them the Merchandize of the 
 Ships, the Fame of which had already reach'd 
 their Ears. Prcfently a Fair was open'd for 
 Strings of Beads, Combs, Knives, and other 
 Inftruments of Iron and Alchymy, which in 
 that. Country might be called Jewels of great 
 
 Vol. L D Price, 
 
34 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 Price, the Fondnefs of the Indians for thofc 
 Trifles giving them a real Value. They were 
 exchanged for Implements, and Trinkets of 
 Gold, not of the greatcft Finenefs, butinfuch 
 abundance, that in the fix Days the Spaniards 
 ftopp'd there, the Ranfomes amounted to fif- 
 teen thoufand Pefo's. 
 
 W e don't know with what Propriety they 
 gave the Name of Ranfomes to this Kind of 
 Trucking, nor why they called it Ranfomed 
 Qold, which in Truth was deliver'd over to 
 a greater Slavery, and had more Liberty where 
 it was lefs efteemed : But I fhall make ufe of 
 this Expreffion, becaufe I find it introduced 
 into our Hiftories, and before them into the 
 Hiftory of the Eaft Indies ; it being granted 
 that in the Manner of fpcaking, whereby 
 Things are explain'd, the Reafon is not fo 
 much to be fought after, as the Cuftom, which 
 according to the Opinion of Hot 'ace y is the 
 true Judge of Language, and either gives or 
 takes away, as it pleaics, that Harmony which 
 the Ear finds between Sounds and their Signi- 
 fication. 
 
 Juan de Grijalva finding that the Ran- 
 fomes were at an end, and the Ships in fomc 
 Danger, by being expoied to the North Wind, 
 took his leave of thofe People, who remained 
 highly pleafed, and rcfolv'd to purfue his Dif- 
 covery, having underftood by Signs that thefc 
 three Indian Chiefs were Subjects to a Mon- 
 arch called Motezimia, whofe Empire ex- 
 tended over numerous Countries abounding 
 
 with 
 
BookL Covqueft of Mexico. 35 
 
 With Gold, and other Riches; and that they 
 came by his Order to examine, after a peace- 
 able Manher, into the Intentions of our Peo- 
 ple, whofe Neighbourhood, in all Appearance, 
 gave him Difturbance. Some Writers run into 
 larger Accounts, but it doth not feem eafy to 
 conceive whence they could have gained their 
 Knowledge, nor was it a fmall Matter to learn 
 fo much as we have related, where People 
 were oblig'd to fpeak with their Hands, and 
 underftand by their Eyes. 
 
 THEtf failed on, without lofmg Sight of 
 Land, and paffing by two or three Klands of 
 fmall Note, landed in one they called thc N 
 1/Jand of Sacrifices, becaufc going in to view 
 a Houfe of Lime and Stone, which overlooked 
 the reft* they found feveral Idols of a horri- 
 ble Figure, and a more horrible Worfhip paid 
 to them ; for near the Steps where they were 
 placed, were the carcaffes of fix or feven Men, 
 newly facrificed, cut to Pieces, and their En- 
 trails laid open. This miferable Sight (truck 
 our People with Horror, and affe&ed them 
 with different Sentiments, their Hearts being 
 filled with Compaffion, at the fame Time that 
 they were enraged at the Abomination. 
 
 They (laid but a little while in this Ifland, 
 becaufc the Inhabitants being in a Confterna- 
 tion, the Ranfomes were not considerable. 
 They parted on to another, which was not far 
 from the main Land, and fo fituated, that be- 
 tween that and the Coaft there was fufficicne 
 Room and convenient Shelter for the Ships, 
 
 D 2 They 
 
36 The Hiftory of the Book 1. 
 
 They called it the Iflandof St. Juan, becaufc 
 they arrived there on the Day of the Baptift,, 
 and likewife in Refped to the Name of their 
 General, mixing Devotion with Flattery.; and 
 becaufe an Indian, who was pointing with 
 his Hand towards the Main Land, giving them 
 to underftand how it was called, repeated fe- 
 veral times, with a bad Pronunciation, the 
 Word Ciilua! Culua! this gave occafion to 
 the Surname, by which they diftinguifhed it 
 from St. Juan de Puerto Rico, calling it 
 St. Juan de Ulua : A little Ifland of more 
 Sand than Soil 5 and which lay fo low, that 
 fometimes it was cover'd by the Sea. But 
 from thefe humble Beginnings, it became the 
 moft frequented and moft celebrated Port of 
 New Spain, on that Side which is bounded 
 by the North Sea. 
 
 Here they (laid fome Days 5 for the In- 
 dians of the neighbouring Parts came with 
 their Pieces of Gold, believing they had the 
 Advantage of the Spaniards in changing them 
 for Glafs. And Juan de Grijalva finding 
 that his Inftru&ions limited him to difcover 
 and ranfome, without making a Settlement, 
 (which was exprefly forbidden him) refolvcd 
 to give an Account to "Diego Velafquesz, of 
 the large Countries he had diicovcr'd ; that in 
 cafe he fhould determine to plant a Colony 
 there, he might fend him new Orders with 
 a Supply of Forces, and the neccflary Stores 
 and Provifions. For this purpofe he dif- 
 patclVd Captain Tedro de Alvarado in one of 
 
 the 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico". 3 7 
 
 the four Ships, giving him all the Gold, and 
 whatever clfe they had acquired, to the end, 
 that the Shew of that Wealth might give his 
 Embaffy the more Weight, and facilitate his 
 Propofal of Settling, to which he was always 
 inclined 5 notwithftanding Francifco Lopez de 
 Gomara denies it, and blames him on this 
 account as a pufilanimous Pcrfon. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Juan de Grijalva goes on with hisT^ifcoverjy 
 until he has coafted the ^Province of Pa- 
 nuco. What happen d in the River of Ca- 
 noes, and his Refolution to return to the 
 Ifle of Cuba. 
 
 SCARCE had Tedro de Alvarado fleered 
 his Courfe for Cuba, when the reft of 
 the Ships parted from St. Juan de Ulna in 
 Purfuit of their Way, and following the Guid- 
 ance of the Coaft, turnd with it towards 
 the North, having in view the two Mountains 
 of Tufpa and Tujia, which ftretch a great way 
 between the Sea and the Province of Tlaf 
 cala. After which they came upon the Coaft 
 of *Panuco, the fartheft Province of New 
 Spain, on the Gulph of Mexico, and came to 
 an Anchor in the River of Canoes, which 
 took this Name at that Time, becaufe in the 
 little Space they ftopp'd to take a View of it, 
 they were affaulted by fixtecn Canoes, filled 
 
 D 3 with 
 
38 7%e Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 with armed Indians, who, by the Help of 
 the Current, attack'd the Ship, commanded by 
 Alonfo 'Davila, and after difcharging a fu- 
 rious Shower of Arrows, cut one of the Ca- 
 bles, and endcavour'd to board the Ship 5 a 
 Rcfolution becoming Barbarians, but fuch, 
 as had it been favour'd with Succcfs, might 
 have defer ved the Name of a gallant Action. 
 But the other two Ships coming immediately 
 up to her Relief, the Men in an inftant mann'd 
 their Boats, charging the Canoes with fo much 
 Vigour, that one could not diftinguilh betwixt 
 the Attack and the Viftory : Some of them 
 were overfet, many Indians killed, and thofe 
 who had more Prudence to know the Danger, 
 or ufed more Diligence to avoid it, put to 
 Flight. 
 
 It did not fcem proper to follow this Vic- 
 tory, by reafon of the fmall Advantage by 
 Traffick that could be hoped for from fright- 
 ened Fugitives -, wherefore they weighed An- 
 chor, and profecuted their Voyage till they 
 arrived at a Point of Land which ran far into 
 the Sea, which, fcemingly enragd with it, as 
 ufurping upon its Territories, maintained an 
 obflinatc War againft the Rocks. The Pilots 
 made ufc of all their Induftry and Skill to 
 double this Cape j but were fore'd to give 
 way to the Strength of the Current, and not 
 without Danger of ovcrfctting, or running a- 
 fhore. * This Accident occafion'd the Pilots 
 to protcft againft proceeding any farther 5 in 
 which they were (Seconded by the general 
 
 -Cla 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. 39 
 
 Clamours of the Men, grown weary now of 
 fo tedious a Navigation, and more apprehen- 
 sive of the Dangers that might attend it. 
 Upon which, Juan de Grijalva, a Man of 
 equal Prudence and Courage, aflembled the 
 Captains and Pilots, to confult what was to 
 be done in their prefent Circumflances. In 
 this Council they weighed the Difficulty of 
 palling forward, and the Uncertainty of re- 
 turning 5 that one of their Ships had fuffer'd, 
 and wanted to be refitted 5 that their Provifion 
 began to ipoil, and the Men to be diffatisfied 
 and fatigued. They confider'd withal, that to 
 make a Settlement, was contrary to the In* 
 flruclions of 'Diego Velafquezs and that they 
 were in an ill Condition to undertake it, 
 without a further Pvcinforcement -, (o that in 
 the end, they rcfolved with one Accord to 
 fleer their Courfe for Cuba, in order to fur- 
 nifh themfelves with what was neceflary for 
 undertaking a third time this great Affair, now 
 left unfinifh'd. This was prefently put in 
 Execution, and failing back the Way by which 
 they came, taking a View of other Parts of 
 the fame Coafls, without flopping long at any 
 Place, yet making fome Profit by Ranfomes, 
 they arrived at length at the Port of Sant 
 J ago, in Cuba, the 15th of November, 15-18. 
 
 Some few Days before, 'Pedro de Alva- 
 rado was arrived at the fame Port, and very 
 well received by the Governor 'Diego Velaf- 
 quez, who expreffed an incredible joy, at the 
 Account of the large Countries difcovcr'd, 
 
 D 4 and, 
 
40 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 and, above all, at the Sight of the fifteen 
 thoufand Pefo's of Gold, which fupportcd the 
 Relation without any Occafion for Exaggfc- 
 ems. 
 
 The Governor beheld this Wealth with 
 Admiration, and hardlv believing his Eves, 
 made Tedro de Al-varado repeat a fecond and 
 third time what he had before related, find- 
 ing fomcthing new in the very Thing he had 
 juft heard; as a Mufician is delighted with the 
 Repetition of his Tune. But this Satisfaction 
 was ibon allayed by his Impatience at the 
 Conduct of "Don Juan de Grijalua, becaufe 
 he had not made a Settlement in the Coun- 
 try where he had been lb well received : And 
 although Tetro de Alvarado endeavour'd to 
 excufe him, yet having been one of thofe who 
 had advis'd the making a Settlement in the 
 River of Flags, he ipokc but faintly, as a 
 Man ufually does when he endeavours to en- 
 force any thing againft his own Opinion. 
 T)iego Velafquez, accufed him ot Want of 
 Rcibiution, and, angry at his own Choice, 
 confeiVd he was to blame for having lent 
 him, propofmg to intruft this Undertaking to 
 fome more active Perfon, without confider- 
 ing how he dilbblig'd a Relation, to whom he 
 owed the very Happinefs which railed his 
 Hopes to fucb a Pitch. But the firft EfFecl that 
 good Fortune has on the Minds of the Ambi 
 tious, is to captivate their Reafon, and take 
 from them the Scnic of Gratitude. He thought 
 
 tyothing now but to obtain the Prize, and 
 
 at 
 
Book I. Con queji of Mexico, 41 
 
 at any Rate enjoy the Profperity which he 
 promifed himfelf from that great Difcovery % 
 raifiiig his Invaginations to mighty Things, 
 and hoping now to compafs that which be- 
 fore exceeded his very Dcfircs. 
 
 He refolv'd immediately to make Prepara- 
 tions for the Conqueft of this Country, to 
 which the Name of New Spain gave a great 
 Reputation. He communicated his Refolu- 
 tion to the Regulars of St. Jerom y whorcfided 
 in the Ifland of Santo 'Domingo, but in iuch 
 Terms, that he feemed rather to defire their 
 Approbation, than ask their Permiflion. And 
 he fent a Perfon to Court, with a large Ac- 
 count of the Difcovery, together with a Me- 
 morial, in which his own Services were not 
 forgotten ; in Reward of which, he rcquefted 
 fome Favours, and the Title of the Kings 
 Lieutenant of thofe Countries he fhould con- 
 quer. 
 
 H e had already bought fome Veffels, and 
 begun to fit out a new Fleet, when Juan de 
 Grijalva arrived, and found him as much in- 
 cenled, as he had Reafon to expecl him thank- 
 ful. Velafquez reprimanded him fharply and 
 publickly ■> the other modeftly declining to fay 
 ail he could have done in his own Defence. 
 However, he laid before Velafquez, his own 
 Inftru&ions, which expreilly forbad him to 
 fettle: But the Governor's ambitious Profpecls 
 had now fo tranfported him beyond the 
 Bounds of Reafon, that tho' he owned the Or- 
 der, yet he treated Obedience to it as a Crime. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
42 The Hiftory of the Book J. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The 'Difficulties which occurfdin the Choice 
 of a Commander of the new Fleet, and 
 who Hernan Cortes was, who, in the 
 end, obtained that Toft. 
 
 BUT 'Diego Velafquez, knowing how 
 much it imported to be quick in his 
 Resolutions, and that by lofing Time, he 
 might lofe a favourable Opportunity, gave im- 
 mediate Orders for refitting the four VeiTels 
 which ferved in the Voyage of Grijalvas 
 with which, and thofc he had bought, he 
 made up ten Vcifels, from eighty to an hun- 
 dred Tuns, ufing the fame Difpatch in arming 
 and furnifhing them with Stores and Provi- 
 sions ; but he was at a Lofs upon whom to fix 
 the Command. His Defian was to chute a 
 Man of Rcfolution, who would know how 
 to difengage himfclf from Difficulties, and 
 make ufe of Opportunities, but withal, fo ma- 
 nageable, as not to give him any Jealoufy, or 
 have any other Ambition than to advance the 
 Glory of his Principal ; which, in other Words, 
 was to leek for a Man of great Courage, and 
 a mean Spirit. But it not being eafy to find 
 thefc two Extreams in the fame Subject, it 
 delayed his Determination for fomc Days. 
 The Voice of the People was in favour of 
 Juan de Gr/jal-va, and they ufually do Ju- 
 iticc in their Elections. What ferved greatly 
 to recommend him, were his good Qualities, 
 
 the 
 
BookL Conqueft of Mexico. 43 
 
 the Trouble he had taken in this Difcovery, 
 together with his Knowledge of the Naviga- 
 tion, and of the Country. 
 
 The other Pretenders were Antonio and 
 Bernardino Velafquez, near Relations of the 
 Governor, Bali afar Bermtidez, Vafco Tor- 
 callo, and other Cavaliers of that Ifland, of 
 fufficicnt Merit to pretend to greater Employ- 
 ments ; and upon this Occafion every one dif- 
 cours'd, as if he was the only proper Choice; 
 and indeed, generally fpeaking, when the Dif 
 pofal of Imployments is delayed, it fcrves only 
 to increafe the Number of Pretenders, and 
 multiply the Complaints of the Unfortunate. 
 
 But 'Diego Velafquez, continued in his 
 Irrefolution, fearing the Ambition of thofe 
 whofe Capacity he approved, until advifing 
 with Amador de Lariz^ the King s Trcafurer, 
 and Andres de Ttuero, his Secretary, which 
 two he entirely confided in, and who knew 
 his Temper perfectly well, they propofed their 
 intimate Friend Hernan Cortes y being not 
 over-lavifh in his Praife, left their Advice 
 fhould be fufpe&ed 5 insinuating withal, that 
 they fpoke more out of Regard to the Succefs 
 of the Undertaking, than the Intereft of their 
 Friend. Their Propofition was well heard j 
 and they contented themfclves with feeing him 
 favourably inclined, giving him Time to con- 
 sider of it, with Hopes, of intirely perfwad- 
 ing him in a fecond Conversation. 
 
 But before we go farther, it will be pro- 
 per to fay who Hernan Cortes was, and thro* 
 
 what 
 
44 The Hiftory of the Boole I. 
 
 what Variety of Events his happy Deftiny led 
 him to atchieve, by his Valour and Conduct, 
 the Conqueft of New Spain. I call that, De- 
 ftiny, which, fpeaking as a Chriftian, is the 
 fovereign and unfearchable Difpofition, made 
 bv the firft Caufe, who leaving fecond Caufes 
 to ad in Subordination to his Providence, as 
 natural Means, produces all that happens by 
 his Permiflion or Appointment, in a manner 
 confident with that Liberty of Choice which 
 he has beftowed upon Mankind. 
 
 H e was born mMedillin? a Town of Eftre- 
 madura* Son of Martin Cortes, of Monroy, 
 and TDonna Catalina-Tizarro Altamarino, 
 Names that fufficiently declare the Nobility of 
 his Extraction. In his Youth, he for fome 
 time applied himfelf to Letters, and was two 
 Years at Salamanca? which were fufficient to 
 make him fenfible, that the fedentary Applica- 
 tion of a ftudious Life was contrary to his 
 Temper, and did not fuit the Vivacity of his 
 Spirit. He returned home refolved to follow 
 the Wars, and his Parents pointed out to him 
 that of Italy? which was then the mod con- 
 fidcrable, and made the greateft Noife with 
 the Name of the Great Captain Gonfalvo de 
 Cordoua. But when he was to embark, he 
 fell dangcroufly ill of a Diftemper, which 
 continued many Days 5 by which Accident he 
 found himfelf obliged to change his Inten- 
 tion, though not his Profefiion 5 and there- 
 fore he refolved to go to the Indies? where the 
 War at that Time was carried on with a View 
 
 to 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 45 
 
 to Glory, rather than to Wealth. He em- 
 barked, with the Approbation of bis Parents, 
 in the Year 1 504, and carried Letters of Re- 
 commandation to "Don Nicholas de Obando, 
 Great Commander of the Order of Alcan- 
 tara*, his Kinfman, and then Governor of the 
 Ifland of Sant 'Domingo. He was no fooner 
 arrived there, and known, than he gained the 
 general Good-will and Efteem s and was fo 
 kindly received by the Governor, as to be im- 
 mediately admitted by him into the Number 
 of his Friends, and offer 'd his Affiftance in a 
 particular Manner : But all thofe Favours were 
 not fufficient to divert his Inclination to Arms; 
 for he was fo uneafy with the State of Inac- 
 tion, wherein he found that Ifland, which the 
 Spaniards now poflefled without any Oppo- 
 fition from the Natives, that he dcfir'd Leave 
 to go and ferve in the Ifle of Cuba, where the 
 War was ftill carried on : And having gained 
 the Confent of his Kinfman^ he endeavour'd 
 to fignalize himfelf in that War both by Va- 
 lour and Obedience, which are the firft Rudi- 
 ments of the Military Profeffion. He very 
 foon acquired not only the Reputation of a 
 valiant Soldier, but alfo that of an able Com- 
 mander, diftinguifhing both his Courage in 
 Adion, and his Capacity in Council. 
 
 CORTES was well made, and of an 
 agreeable Countenance 5 and befidcs thofe com- 
 mon natural Endowments, he was of a Tem- 
 per which rendered him very amiable; for he 
 always (poke well oftheAbfent, and was plea- 
 
 fant 
 
45 The Hifioiy of the Book I. 
 
 fant and difcrcct in his Convcrfation. His Ge- 
 nerofity was fiich, that his Friends partook of 
 all he had, without being fuffcr'd by him to 
 publifh their Obligations. 
 
 H e married in that Ifland Donna Cathalind* 
 Suarez Tacheco, a noble and virtuous young 
 Lady. This Courtfhip brought him under many 
 Difficulties, by the interfering of Diego Ve- 
 lafquez, who made himPrifoncr till fuch Time 
 as all Differences were adjufted; and then Ve* 
 lafquez flood Father to the Bride, and gave 
 her to him in Marriage. After which they 
 were intimate Friends ; and the Governor in 
 a little Time gave him a Diftribution of In- 
 dians y and the Poft of Alcalde, or Chief Ma- 
 giftrate in the very Town of St. J ago j an 
 Imployment ufually conferr'd on thole who 
 had diftinguifh'd themfelves in the Conqueft 
 of thofe Countries. 
 
 In thefe Circumftances vszsHernan Cortes, 
 when Amador de Lariz and Andres deDuero 
 propofed him for the Conqueft of New Spain; 
 and they did it with fo much Addrefs, that 
 the next time they waited upon Diego Velaf- 
 quez, furnifh'd with frefh Reafons to enforce 
 their Recommendation, they found him re- 
 folv'd on Hernan Cortes, and fo poflefs'd with 
 the Advantages of entrufting the Undertaking 
 to his Care, trt^tuhey chang'd their premedi- 
 tated Arguments into Flattery, and only en- 
 deavoured to oblige him by applauding a Re- 
 folution fo agreeable to their own WTIheR 
 They agreed with the Governor that it was 
 
 conve-- 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. 47 
 
 convenient immediately to publifh the Choice, 
 in order to put a Stop at once to all further 
 Pretenfions 5 and Andres de *Duero was not 
 dilatory in the Difpatch of the Commiflion : 
 the Subftance of which was, That Diego Ve- 
 lafquez, as Governor of the Ijle of Cuba, 
 and Tromoter of the'Difcoveries 0/" Yucatan 
 and New Spain, did name Hernzn Cones for 
 Captain-General of the Fleet y and of the 
 Countries already difcover'd, or which fkould 
 be dij cover d > with the moft extenfive Powers, 
 and moft honourable Claufes, which the Friend- 
 fhip of the Secretary could add, under Pre- 
 tence of obferving the neceflary Forms. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 The Rivals of Cortes endeavour with all 
 their Tower tofet Diego Velafquez dgainfl 
 him y but without Ejfeff. He fails with 
 the Fleet out of the Tort of Sant J ago. 
 
 CORTES received the new Charge 
 from Velafqtiez, with great Exprefiions 
 of Refpedt and Acknowledgment, being as 
 fenfibiy affefted at that Time, with the Con- 
 fidence the Governor repofed in his Perfon, as 
 he was afterwards with his Diftruft. The Rc- 
 folution was made publick, and well received 
 among thofe who defir'd to fee that Affair 
 brought to a Conclufionj but occafuMi'd much 
 Difcontent among his Rivals for the Employ- 
 ment. 
 
48 T&eHi&oryoftBe Book I 
 
 ment. Thofe who declared themfelves with 
 the greateft Boldnefs, were the Relations of 
 "Diego Velafquez, who made very flrong Ef- 
 forts to raife in the Governor a Diftruft of 
 Hernan Cortes. They told him, That he 
 placed a great deal of Confidence in a Man 
 whom he had fo little obliged $ that if he 
 confider'd the Conduct of Cortes, he would 
 find that he was not much to be depended 
 on, for that his Words and Actions very 
 feldom agreed y that his Court efy and Libe* 
 rality had an Artifice in them, which ren- 
 dered him fufpeEled to thofe who are not led 
 away by the bare Appearances of Virtue $ 
 thai he was over ajjiduous to gain the Afi 
 fettions of the Teople -, and that fuch fort 
 of Friends , when they are in great Num- 
 bers, are eafily formd into a Tarty -, that 
 he would do well to remember the c DifguJl 
 his Imprifonment had given him -, and that 
 a Man rarely makes true Friends of thofe, 
 to whom he has given fuch Occafion of 
 Complaint , for the Wounds of the Mind, 
 as well as of the Body, leave Scars behind \ 
 which are wont to put a Man in mind of 
 the Offence, when he has the Tower to re- 
 venge it. To thefe they added other Rea- 
 fons more fpecious than iblid, without much 
 Regard to Truth, aiming to appear zealous in 
 the Governor's Intcrcft, the better to diffem- 
 blc their real Views. 
 
 'Tis reported that *D/ ego Velafquez, walk- 
 ing out one Day with Hernan Cortes, and 
 
 with 
 
Bopk I. Conquefi of Mexico- 49 
 
 with his Friends and Relations, a pleafant 
 crack-brain'd Fellow, with whofe Whimfies 
 he ufed to be diverted, faid to him, Thou 
 haft done well, Friend Diego $Jhortly there 
 will be Occafwn far another rleet to go. in 
 ^Purfuit of Cortes. There are fome that re- 
 late this as a Prophecy, cOitfidcring how 
 luckily Madmen fometimes hit upon Things, 
 and the Impreffion that it made on the Mind 
 of the Governor. Let us leave it to»Philo- 
 fophers to difpute whether the foretelling of 
 what is to come be one of the Extravagances 
 of a diftempcred Imagination, or if it be pof- 
 fible that a judgment fo diforder'd fhould be 
 capable of Divination. Let them employ 
 their Wit in fearching for Reafons to main- 
 tain fuch an Opinion 5 I, for my part, fhall 
 believe that this craz'd Pcrfon was put upon 
 faying what he did by the Enemies of Cortes 7 
 and that their Malice was but poorly fupported 
 by Reafon, when they were obliged to have 
 Recourfe to Madncfs. 
 
 But *Diego Velafquez, ftood firm to his 
 Rciblution, and Hernan Cortes wholly ap- 
 plied himfelf to haften the Preparations for 
 his Departure. The firft Step was, to ered 
 his Standard, with the Sign of the Crofs, 
 having this Infcription in Latin : Let us fol- 
 low*, the Crofs, for with this Sign we fhall 
 overcome. He appeared in the Habit of a 
 Soldier, which became his Perfon well, and 
 fuited his Inclinations better. He employed 
 his own Stock liberally, and what he could 
 
 Vol. L E borrow 
 
50 The Hiftory of the Bock I. 
 
 borrow from his Friends, in the buying of 
 Provifions, Arms, and Ammunition, in order 
 to haften the Departure of the Fleet, endea- 
 vouring, at the feme Time, to draw together 
 a Number of Soldiers for the Expedition, in 
 which he did not find much Difficulty ; for 
 the very Name of the Enterprize, and the 
 Fame of the Captain were fo great, that in a 
 few Days were lifted three hundred Soldiers, 
 among which were 'Diego de Ordaz, prin- 
 cipal Confident of the Governor, Francifco 
 de Morla, Bernal Diaz, del Cafiillo, (who 
 has written the Hiftory of this Conqucft) and 
 other Gentlemen, who (hall be named in their 
 proper Place. 
 
 The Time for their Departure being come, 
 Orders were given for the Soldiers to embark, 
 which they did in the Day-time, the People 
 all running to the Sight 5 and at Night, Cor- 
 tes, accompanied by his Friends, went to take 
 leave of the Governor, who embrae'd him in 
 a very friendly Manner, and the next Morn- 
 ing accompanied him to the Sea-Side, and faw 
 him embark. Small Circumftances, and of 
 little Importance in the Hiftory, and which 
 might have been omitted, if they were not 
 ncccilary to wipe off the Imputation of that 
 early Ingratitude, with which they have re- 
 proached Cortes, who fay, that he fore'd his 
 Way out of the Port with the Fleet ; fo Anto- 
 nio de Herrera reports, and thofe who copy 
 after him, affirming, without any Manner of 
 Reaiba, that he called the Soldiers together 
 
 from 
 
Book I. Conquefi of Mexico. 5 1 
 
 from their Houfes at Midnight, embarking 
 with them by Stealth $ and that "Diego Ve- 
 lafquez going out after him in the Morning, 
 Cortes came up to him in a Boat, well armed, 
 and gave him to underftand, in a difrefpe&ful 
 Manner, that he no longer had Regard to his 
 Orders. We follow Bernal Diaz, del Caf 
 ti/lo, who relates what he faw, and is more 
 probable : For it is not to be imagined that a 
 Man fo difcreet as Cortes (had he formed 
 fuch a Refolution within himfelf ) would fo 
 publickly break with Velafquez,, before he 
 had got out of the Reach of his Jurifdiclion ; 
 for he was obliged to touch with his Fleet in 
 other Places of the fame Ifland, to take in 
 Men and Provifions, which he wanted. And 
 tho* we fhould allow him guilty of this Indif- 
 cretion, it does not fecm likely, that in fo 
 fmall a Town as was St. J ago at that Time, 
 three hundred Men could be calPd from their 
 Houfes, and embark in the Night-time, Diego 
 de Ordaz y and other Creatures of the Gover- 
 nor being of the Number, and that there 
 fhould not be one among fo many to give him 
 an Account of fo extraordinary a Procedure $ 
 or that thofe who io narrowly obferved his 
 Actions, fhould not awake at the Noife occa- 
 sion d by fo great a Hurry. A ftrange fort of 
 Silence in the one, and a very extraordinary 
 Negligence in the other ! We will not deny 
 but that Cortes withdrew from his Obedience 
 to Velafquez, 5 but it was fome time afterwards., 
 and for the Rcafons that fhall be fhewn. 
 
 E 2 CHAP. 
 
5 z The Hifiory of the Book I* 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 Cortes fails with the Fleet to La Trinidad, 
 where he gets a confiderable Reinforcement 
 of Soldiers. His Enemies obtain their 
 Point of making Vclafqucz jealous ', who 
 ufes his utmofi Endeavours to flop him, 
 
 THE Fleet failed from the Port of Sant 
 J ago in Cuba, the Eighteenth Day of 
 November, in the Year of our Lord 15-18 ; 
 and having coaited alone; the North- Side of 
 the Ifland, fail'd towards the Eaft, and arrived 
 in a few Days at the Port of La Trinadad, 
 where Cortes had fome Friends, who gave him 
 a very kind Reception. He prcfently publifrui 
 his Dcfign, and Juan de Efcalante, Pedro 
 Sanchez, Far fan, Gonzalo Mexia, with other 
 confiderable Pcrlbns of that Settlement offer'd 
 to follow his Fortunes. He was join'dfoon after 
 by Pedro de Alvarado, and Alonfo 'Davila, 
 who had been Captains in the Expedition of 
 Juan de Grijalva, and by four Brothers of 
 Pedro de Alvarado, viz,. Gonzalo, Jorge y 
 Gomez, and Juan de Alvarado. The Ac- 
 count of this Affair reaching to the Town of 
 Sanffi Spiritus, which was but a little diftancc 
 from La Trinidad, there came from thence 
 with the lame Dcfign of following the Fortune 
 of Cortes, Alonfo Hernandez Portocarrero, 
 Gonzalo de Sandoval, Roderigo Range I y Ju- 
 an Velafquez d? Leon, (a Relation of the Go- 
 vernor^ 
 

 C.S *sfnto//t< 
 
 Ai£v45 
 
 V/V- 
 
 •Vi/v* 
 
c 
 
Book J. Conquejl of 'Mexico. 53 
 
 vernor's) and other Perfons of Diftin&ion, 
 whofc Names will be more properly rcmem- 
 brcd when we fhall relate their Exploits. With 
 this Reinforcement of Gentlemen, and a hun- 
 dred Soldiers, who came from the two Settle- 
 ments, the Strength of the Fleet was confi- 
 derably augmented ; and at the fame Time 
 Care was taken to buy up Provifions, Ammu- 
 nition, Arms, and fome Horfes, Cortes affix- 
 ing ail who wanted with his own Money : for 
 he knew how to gain their Affection by an 
 obliging Behaviour, by infpiring them with 
 Hopes, and by maintaining his Superiority in 
 luch a Manner as to let them fee he look'dupon 
 himfelf at the fame time as their Companion. 
 
 But fcarce had he turned his Back to the 
 Port of Sunt J ago, when his Enemies" began 
 to cry out againft him, talking already of his 
 Difobedience, after the Cuftom of Cowards, 
 who always attack the Abfent. "Diego Velaf- 
 quez, hearken d to their Difcourfe, and tho* 
 he feemed to be difpleafed, they difcover'd in 
 his Mind a Difpofition to Jealoufy, eafy to be 
 work'd up to an entire Diftruft 5 to which End 
 they made ufe of an old Man, called Juan 
 Millan, who, notwithftanding he was very 
 ignorant, pretended to the Knowledge of 
 Aftrology : A mad Man of another Kind, and 
 touched with a Madnefs of another Species. 
 This Man, fet on by others, having engaged 
 Velafquez, to Secrecy, acquainted him 111 
 myfterious Terms, that this Expedition would 
 have a fortunate and an unfortunate Event $ 
 
 E 3 S ivin S 
 
54 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 giving him to underftand, that he had learned 
 fo much from the Stars. And tho' Diego 
 Velafquez was a Man of fufficicnt Senfe to 
 know the Vanity of fucli Prognostications 5 
 neverthelefs, as his Foible was Jealoufy, this 
 had fuch an Effect, that notwithftandins he* 
 defpifed the AJirologer, he began to be affect- 
 ed by what he (aid, 
 
 From fuch flight Beginnings fprung the firft 
 Refolution, which "Diego Velafquez took to 
 break with Hernan Cortes, by depriving him 
 of the Command of the Fleet. He difpatebfd 
 immediately two Couriers to La Trinidad y 
 with Letters for all his Confidents, and exprefs 
 Orders to Francifco Verdugo, his Coufin, 
 (who at that Time was chief Alcalde of the 
 Town) to difpoflefs him of his Captain-Ge- 
 neral-Ship, in a judicial Way, as fuppofing his 
 Commiflion now revoked, and another Per- 
 fon named in his Room. 
 
 CORTES was quickly informed of this 
 unexpected Accident, and without being dii- 
 courag'd at the Difficulty of the Remedy, 
 fhcw'd himfclf to his Friends and Soldiers, 
 that he might know in what Manner they 
 refentedthe Injury done to their Captain, and 
 how far he might depend upon the Juftice 
 Of his Caufc, by the Judgment they pafs'd 
 upon it. He found them all not only in his 
 Intcrcft, but refolved to guard him from fuch 
 an Injury, tho' it fhould carry them to the laft 
 Extremity, of taking Arms in his Defence. 
 And tho' Diego de Ordaz, and Juan Velaf- 
 quez 
 
Book I Conqi/eft of Mexico. 55 
 
 quez de Leon were lcfs warm, as depending 
 more upon the Governor, they were eafily 
 brought over to approve of that which they 
 had not Power to hinder. Being thus fecure, 
 he went to vifit the chief Alcalde, who already 
 knew the Grounds he had to complain. He 
 laid before him the Danger to which he might 
 cxpofe himfclf in fupporting fuch a Piece of 
 Injufticc, by difgufting fo many Perfons of 
 Diftin&ion as followed him, and how much 
 the Fury of the Soldiers was to be feared, 
 whofe Affections he had gained, that he might 
 the better ferve 'Diego Velafquez, 5 and that 
 he already found it difficult to keep them with- 
 in the Bounds of Obedience to him 5 fpeak- 
 ing in fuch Terms, and with fuch a kind of 
 Rcfolution, as appeared both modeft and great. 
 Francifco Verdugo approved his Reafons, and 
 from a Principle of Generofity, being unwil- 
 ling to become the Inftrument of fuch Inju- 
 stice, offered not only to fufpend the Execution 
 of the Order, but to write to 'Diego Velafquez 
 to engage him to defift from a Rcfolution, 
 which was now impracticable, by rcafon of 
 the Difguft it gave the Soldiers, and could not 
 be executed without very great Inconveniencies. 
 'Diego de Ordaz, and the reft, who had any 
 Intereft in the Governor, offered to do the 
 fame, and wrote immediately. Cortes like- 
 wife wrote to him, complaining in a friendly 
 Manner of his Diftruft, without fhewing how 
 far he was difgufted, or omitting his ordinary 
 Rcfpe£t, as one who found himielf obliged to 
 
 E 4 complain, 
 
56 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 complain, but defir'd to have no Reafon to 
 confider himfelf as a Pcrfon injured. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Cortes fails from La Trinidad to the Havana 5 
 where he gets the I aft Reinforcement for 
 the Fleet, andfuffers a fecond Terfecution 
 from Velafquez. 
 
 HAVING taken thefe Meafures, which 
 at that Time feemed fufficient to quiet 
 the Mind of Velafquez, Cortes refolv'd to 
 profecute his Voyage ; and fending Tedro de 
 Alvarado by Land, with a Party of Soldiers 
 to take care of the Horfes, and raife more Men 
 in the Settlements upon the Road, he faird 
 with the Fleet for the Havana, the mod 
 Wefterly Part of the Ifland, where it begins 
 to incline towards the North. The Ships 
 parted from La Trinidad with a favourable 
 Wind 5 but at the coming on of the Night they 
 feparated from the Capitana, where Cortes 
 was on Board, without obferving, as they ought, 
 the Courfe he flood, or perceiving the Error 
 of their Pilots, until the Light of the Day dif 
 covercd it : But being now far advanced, they 
 continued their Voyage, and arrived at the 
 Htivana, where the Soldiers went on Shore. 
 They were kindly and liberally entertained by 
 'Pedro de Barba, at that Time Governor of 
 
 the 
 
Boole I. Conquefi of Mexico. 5 7 
 
 the Havana, under Velafquez. They were 
 all concerned that they had not waited for 
 ' their Captain, or turned back in fearch of him; 
 but their Difcourfes on that Occafion went 
 no farther than to furnifh themfelves with Ex- 
 cufes againft his Arrival. 
 
 But perceiving that he (laid longer than 
 they thought it was poflible he could, unlefs 
 fome Misfortune had befallen him, they began 
 to be uneafy, and divided into various Opinions. 
 Some were for fending two or three Veffels in 
 fearch of him amongft the neighbouring Iflands; 
 others propofed to name a Commander in Chief 
 in his Abfence ; but others thought fuch a Pro- 
 pofition unfcafonable. However, as no body 
 commanded, every one gave his Verdict, and 
 nothing was done. He who moft infifted upon 
 their naming a Commander, was 'Diego de 
 Ordaz, who, as Confident of Velafquez, ex- 
 pected to be preferred to the reft, and thought 
 that by the gaining of this Point, he fhould 
 (land fair to obtain that Poft from VeUfquez. 
 But at laft, after a Difpute of feven Days, Cor- 
 tes fafely arrived with the Capitana. 
 
 His Delays itSm occauon'd by the Fleet's 
 paffing over fome Flats which are between the 
 Harbour of La Trinidad and the Cape St. 
 Anthony, at a fmall Diftance from the IJle of 
 Tines, where the Capitana, as being the largeft 
 Ship, (truck, and was in Danger of being over- 
 fet : An Accident which gave Cortes no little 
 Trouble, but withal, ferved to raife his Repu- 
 tation 5 for animating his Men, on View of 
 
 the 
 
58 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 the Danger, he gave fuch Orders as were nccef- 
 fary with great Prcfence of Mind, and uicd 
 the utmoft Expedition, without Confufion. 
 His firft Care was to put out his Boat, and take 
 out the Ship's Lading, which was carried to a 
 little fandy Ifland hard by ; by which Means 
 he fo far lightened her, as to fet her afloat ; 
 after which, getting clear of the Shoal, he 
 took her Lading on Board again, and purfu'd 
 his Courfe, having thus fpent the feven Days 
 he was dctain'd, much to the Advantage of his 
 Reputation. 
 
 TET)RO de Barba lodged him in his own 
 Houfe, and he was received with great Accla- 
 mations by his Soldiers, whole Numbers im- 
 mediately increafed, feveral of the Inhabitants 
 and Gentlemen cntrins; into the Service : 
 Among whom were Francifco de Montejo, 
 who was afterwards the King's Lieutenant of 
 Tucatan, "Diego de Soto del Toro, Garci Ca- 
 ro y Juan Sedeno, and other Perfons of Di- 
 ftinction and Fortune, who very much added 
 to the Reputation of the Enterprise, and com- 
 pleated the Equipment of the Elect. Thcle 
 Preparations took up fome Days : But as Cortes 
 knew not how to be idle the Time he ftaid 
 there, he commanded the Artillery to be 
 brought on Shore to be cleaned and proved, 
 ordering the Cannonicrs to obferve exactly 
 how far each Gun would carry 5 and as there 
 was great Plenty of Cotton thereabouts, he 
 directed the making a fufficicnt Quantity of 
 defenfive Arms. Thele were a kind of Quilts, 
 
 in 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. 59 
 
 in the Form of great Coats, which were called 
 Efcauplles : Necefllty inventing what Expe- 
 rience afterwards approved > it being found 
 that a little Cotton, ditched between two 
 Cloths, was a better Defence than Iron againft 
 the Arrows and Darts of the Indians 5 for they 
 loft their -Force by the weak Refiftamce they 
 met with, and were likewifc hindered from 
 glancing from one Man to another. 
 
 At the fame Time he exercifed his Soldiers 
 in the Ufe of their Fire- Arms and Crofs -Bows, 
 and the Management of their Pikes : He taught 
 them how to form a Battalion, and file off in 
 order ; how to charge, and how to f :ize a 
 Poft j inftru&ing them both by Voice an.d Ex- 
 ample in the Rudiments of War 5 aftc r the 
 Manner of the great Captains of Antiquity, 
 who by feigned Battles and Affaults, taught 
 new Beginners the military Art. Which Prac- 
 tice, in Time of Peace, was in fo much E£ 
 teem among the Romans ', that from this kind 
 of Exercife they gave their Armies the Name 
 of Exercitus. 
 
 With the like Diligence and Ardor he 
 went on with the reft of his Preparations : But 
 when every one was rejoicing at the Approach 
 of the Day appointed for their Departure, Gaf- 
 fer de Gamica, a Servant of Velafquez, arri- 
 ved at the Havana^ with frefh Orders to 'Pe- 
 dro de Barba, exprefly enjoining him to dif- 
 poilcfs Cortes of the Command of the Fleet, 
 and to fend him Prifoner with a good Con- 
 voy 5 telling him how highly he had been dif- 
 
 pleas'd 
 
60 The Hifiory of the Book I. 
 
 plea'd with Francifco Verdugo for letting him 
 go from La Trinidad , and withal, giving 
 him to underftand how much he would rifque 
 in not complying with his Orders. He like^ 
 wife wrote to THego de Ordaz,„ and to Juan 
 Velafquez de Leon, to be aflifting to Tedro 
 de Barba in the Execution of his Commands. 
 But Cortes was advertis'd of what was doing 
 from i.everal Hands, and even by Garnica. 
 They warn d him to take care of himfelf, 
 fince he who firft entrufted this Enterprize to 
 his Conduct, was now soins to difcard him 
 in a manner highly injurious to his Honour, 
 and freed him from the Scandal of Ingratitude, 
 by forcing from him the Favour for which he 
 flood oblig'd. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Cortes refolves not to put himfelf in the 
 *Power #/* Velafquez : The jtifi Motives of 
 this Resolution : With what further pafs'd 
 t).ll the Time of the Fleet's failing from the 
 Havana. 
 
 ALTHOUGH Cortes was a Man of 
 great Spirit, he could not help being 
 fhock'd with this new Attempt, which touclVd 
 him the more fenfibly, by how much the lefs 
 it was expected ; for he thought Velafquez, 
 had been fatisfied with the Afluranccs that had 
 been given him by all in their Anfwer to his 
 
 firft 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 61 
 
 firft Orders, which came to La Trinidad: 
 But being convinced of his Obftinacy by thefe 
 new Orders, he began, with lefs Temper, to 
 think of taking care of himfelf. On the one 
 Side, he faw himfelf applauded and efteem'd 
 by all who followed him ; and on the other, 
 degraded, and condemned to Prifon like a Cri- 
 minal. He acknowledged that Velafquez had 
 expended fome Money in fitting out the Fleet; 
 but then the greateft Part of the Charge was 
 borne by himfelf and his Friends, and almoft all 
 the Soldiers were rais'd upon their Credit. He 
 revolv'd in his Mind all the Circumftanccs of 
 the Inj ury done him ; and confidering the Slights 
 he had hitherto fuffcred, he grew angry with 
 himfelf, and, not without Reafon, blam'd his 
 own Patience \ for this Virtue palling beyond 
 the Bounds affign'd to it by Reafon, degene- 
 rates into Meanncfs of Spirit and Infenfibility. 
 He was alfo concerned for the Enterprize, 
 which he forcfaw would entirely mifcarry, if 
 he quitted the Condud of it 5 but that which 
 molt fcnfibly affected him, was the Wound 
 given to his Honour, which (to thofe who un- 
 ftand its Value) is dearer than Life itfelf. 
 
 Upon thefe Reflections, and this Occaftoa 
 of Rcfentment, Cortes took his firft Refolu- 
 tion of breaking with Velafquez,. Whence it 
 appears how little Juftice Antonio de Herrera 
 has done him, by placing this Breach in the 
 City of St. Jago y at a Time when he had juft 
 received fuch finmilar Obligations. But we 
 fhall adhere to what is related by Bernal T)iaz 
 
 del 
 
6 1 The Hiftory of the Book 1 
 
 del Cafiillo, an Author not the mod favour- 
 able to Cortes ; for Gonzalo Fernandez, de 
 Oviedo affirms, That he acknowledged his De- 
 pendency on the Governor Velafquez, till up- 
 on his Arrival in New Spain he fet up for him- 
 felf, giving an Account to the Emperor of the 
 Advances made by him in that Conqueft. 
 
 The Pains I have beftowed in clearing the 
 Character of Cortes from thefe early Re- 
 proaches, muft not be thought a Digreffion 
 from the Subject: I am as far from flattering 
 thole whom I undertake to defend, as from 
 hating others whom I condemn : But when 
 Truth points out the Way to juftify the fixft 
 Steps in a Man s Conduct, who knew how to 
 make himfelf fo considerable by his Actions, 
 I ought to follow the Path, and to be pleafed 
 with difcovering thofe Accounts to be mod 
 authentic!; which fcrve belt to eftablifn his Re- 
 putation. 
 
 I am very fcnfible that an Hiftorian fhould 
 by no Means conceal what deferves Reproof; 
 for Examples are as ufeful to make Vice ab- 
 horred, as to allure us to the Imitation of Vir- 
 tue : But it argues a wronsr Turn in an Author 
 to put the worft Construction upon a Man's 
 Actions 5 and to relate as Truth their own ill- 
 natur'd Conjectures, is a Fault of which fome 
 Writers toe guilty, who have read Tacitus 
 with an Ambition to imitate that which in 
 Reality is inimitable, and fancy they enter into 
 the Spirit of that Author, when they put iiich 
 
 In- 
 
Book L Co?iquefi of Mexico. 63 
 
 Interpretations upon Things, as favour more 
 of Spleen than Art. 
 
 But to return to our Hiftory : Cortes 
 judging that it was now no longer a Time to 
 fmother his Refentment, or take too cautious 
 Meafures, which are generally Enemies to great 
 Refolutions, refolved to provide for himfelf, 
 and make ufe of the Force he was Mafter of 
 as Occafion fhould require. To this End, be- 
 fore Tedro de Barba had determined to pub- 
 lifh the Order he had againft him, he made 
 hafte to fend away from the Havana, 'Qiega 
 de Ordaz, whofe Fidelity he fufpected very 
 much, on Account of the Efforts he had made 
 to be chofen Commander in Chief in his Ab- 
 fence : He therefore ordered him to embark 
 immediately on Board one of the VefTcls, and 
 to make the beft of his Way to Guanicanico, 
 a Settlement fituate oh the other Side of die 
 Cape St. Antonio, to take in fome Provifions 
 which he had direded to be carried to that 
 Place, and there to wait his Arrival, with the 
 reft of the Fleet. Cortes affifted in putting 
 this Order in Execution with his ufual Dili- 
 gence and Calmnefs; and by this means got 
 quickly rid of a Perfon who might have given 
 fome Oppofition to his Defign. He went then 
 to vifit Juan Velafquez de Leon, whom he 
 eafily brought over to his Intercft, being him- 
 felf not a little difpleafed with the Proceedings 
 of his Relation, and withal more rraftable, and 
 of lefs Artifice thanZ)/>£0 deOrdaz. 
 
 Having 
 
6 At The Hifiory of the Book I. 
 
 H av i n g taken thefe Precautions, he fhewed 
 himfelf to the Soldiers, acquainting them with 
 the new Perfecution that threatned him. They 
 all offered him their Services, agreeing in the 
 Refolution of aflifting him, but differing in 
 the Manner of exprefling themfelves. The 
 Zeal of the Gentry appear 'd as the natural Ef- 
 fect of the Obligations they had to him; but 
 the reft declar'd in his Behalf with fo much 
 Heat, as to give Uneafinefs to the Perfon in 
 whofe Favour it was defign'd : And it appeared 
 by their Clamours and Threats on this Occa- 
 fion, how much a good Caufe may fuffer in 
 the Hands of the Multitude. 
 
 But Tedro de Barba apprehending the ill 
 Confequences of not appeafing this Tumult in 
 Time, went to Cortes, and appearing pub- 
 lickly with him, quieted all in a Moment, by 
 declaring aloud, That he did not defign to 
 execute the Order of Velafquez, or to have 
 any Share in fo great an Injufticc. This turned 
 all their Threats into Acclamations : And he 
 prefently fhewed the Sincerity of his Intenti- 
 ons, by publickly difpatching Gafper de Gar- 
 nica with a Letter to Velafqiiez, ; in which he 
 told him, That this was not a Time to flop 
 Cortes, who was too well attended to let 
 himfeif be ill treated, or to be reduc'd to Obe- 
 dience by Violence. He reprefented to him, 
 in the ftrongeft Terms, the Ferment his Order 
 had occafioned among the Soldiers, and the 
 Danger the Town had been in by the Com- 
 motion 5 and concluded his Letter with ad- 
 
 viftng 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. 65 
 
 vifing him to regain Cortes by A&s of Friend- 
 fhrp, adding new Favours to thofe he had al- 
 ready beftow'd, and relying on his Gratitude 
 for what could not be compafs'd either by Pet- 
 fuafion or Force. 
 
 This Affair being over, Cortes employed 
 all his Thoughts to haften his Departure ; which 
 he found neceffary, itl order to quiet the Minds 
 of the Soldiers, who where difturb'd afrefh by 
 the fttport that Velafquez, refolv'd to come 
 in Perfon, and put his Orders in Execution. 
 It is faid that he had form'd this Defign 5 in 
 which he would have run a very great Rifque, 
 Without fucceeding : For Authority is but a 
 freak Argument, when oppos'd both to Reafon 
 and Power. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Cortes names the Officers of his Fleet s parts 
 from the Havana 5 and arrives at the IJle 
 of Cozumel, where he mujlers his Troops > 
 and animates his Soldiers to the Under- 
 taking, 
 
 A 
 
 Brigaritine of moderate Burden having 
 joined the ten VefTels which com- 
 pofed his Fleet, Cortes diftributed his Men 
 into eleven Companies, putting one on Board 
 each Vcfiel 5 and named for Captains Juan Ve- 
 lafquez de Leon^ Alonfo Hernandez Porto- 
 Vol. I. F carrero 7 
 
66 The Hiftory of the Book L 
 
 carrero, Francifco de Montejo, Chriftoval de 
 Olid, Juan de Efcalante, Francifco de Morla, 
 Pedro de Aharado, Francifco Saucedo, and 
 'Diego de Ordaz, whom he had not fent out 
 of the Way with an Intention to forget him, 
 nor was he willing to difoblige him by not 
 giving him an Employment. He referred for 
 himfelf the Command of the Capitana, and 
 intruded the Care of the Brigantine to Gines 
 di Nortes. The Command of the Artillery 
 he beftow'd upon Francifco de Orozco, a Sol- 
 dier who had itgnaliz'd himfelf in the Wars of 
 Italy j and chofe for his chief Pilot Antonio 
 de AlaminoSy a Man of Experience in thofe 
 Seas, having ferved in the fame Quality in the 
 two Voyages of Francifco Fernandez de 
 Cordova and Juan de Grijalva. He drew up 
 Inftructions for his Officers 5 wherein, with 
 lingular Forefight, he provided againft Contin- 
 cies 5 and the Day of Embarkation being 
 come, they celebrated a Mafs of the Holy Ghoft 
 with great Solemnity, at which all the Soldiers 
 very devoutly affifted, recommending to God 
 Beginning of an Enterprize, the Succefs of 
 ich they expeded from his divine Affiftance ; 
 I Hernan Cortes, as the firft Ad of his 
 Command, gave the Word St. "Peter, thereby 
 acknowledging him the Patron of this Expe- 
 dition, as he had been of all his Adions from 
 his Childhood. After which he ordered Pe- 
 dro de Alvarado to fail for the North Coaft, 
 in fearch oi'Diego de Ordaz, in Guanicanico ; 
 and after they were joined, to wait for the Elect 
 
 at 
 
BookL Conqueji l of 'Mexico. 67 
 
 at Cape St. Antonio. The reft of the Veffcls 
 had Inftrudtions to follow the Capitana-, and 
 in cafe they fhould be feparated by contrary 
 Winds* or any other Accident, to ftand for 
 the Ifle of Coztimelj difcoverM by Jttan de 
 Grijalva, which was but little diftant from the 
 Land they were in fearch of, and where Cortes 
 proposed to confider and refolve on what fhould 
 be moft necefiary for the Profecution of their 
 Enterprize. 
 
 In fine, they parted from the Havana the 
 loth of February, i?i<). The Wind at firft 
 was favourable, but did not long continue (o 5 
 for at Sun-fet there arofe a furious Storm, 
 which put them in great Diforder; and when 
 the Night came, the Ships were obliged to 
 feparate, that they might not run foul on each 
 other, and to put right before the Wind, The 
 Ship that Francifco de Morla commanded fuf- 
 fer'd moft, a Break of the Sea carrying away 
 the Rudder, whereby he was in great Hazard 
 of being loft. He fired feveral Guns as a Sig- 
 nal of Diftreis, which gave extreme Concern 
 to the reft of the Captains $ who, notwith- 
 standing their own Danger, were alarm'd at 
 his, and did all that was poffible to keep near 
 him, fometimes bearing up againft Wind and 
 Sea, and then again giving way to their Vio- 
 lence. But the Storm ended with the Night; 
 and as foon as they had Light enough to diftin- 
 ,gui(h Objcds, Cortes was the firft who came 
 up with the Ship in Danger, the reft following 
 
 F 2 his 
 
68 The Hiftory of the Book h 
 
 his Example ; and the Damage fhe had fuffer'd 
 was foon repaired. 
 
 At this Time *Pedro de Alvarado, who was 
 gone in fearch of ^Diego de Ordaz, difcover'd 
 by Day-break that the fame Storm had forced 
 him into the Gulph a great Way farther than 
 he imagined : For in order to keep clear of the 
 Shore, he had been oblig d to put out into the 
 open Sea, as lead dangerous. The Pilot found 
 by his Compafs and Chart, that he was fallen 
 very far from the Courfe preferib'd to him, and 
 was at fuch a Diftance from the Cape St. An- 
 tonio, that his Return would have been very 
 difficult 5 wherefore he propofed it, as moft 
 advifeable, to fail dire&ly for the Ifle of Co- 
 zumel. Al-varado left it to his own Choice; 
 reprcfenting to him the Order of Cortes after 
 fuch a Manner, as look'd very like diipenfmg 
 with it. Hereupon they continued their Voy- 
 age, and arrived at the iQand two Days before 
 the Fleet. They landed with a Defign to lodge 
 themfelves in a fmall Town near the Coaft, 
 well known to the Captain, and fome of the 
 Soldiers, fince the Voyage of Grijalva 5 but 
 they found it deferted : For the Indians, up- 
 on the firft Notice that the Spaniards were 
 landed, abandoned their Houfcs, retiring farther 
 within the Country, with what poor Move- 
 ables they had, fuch light Baggage giving no 
 Obftruttion to their Flight. 
 
 P ET> RO de Alvarado was a young Man 
 of Spirit and VaJour, well qualified for any 
 
 Enter- 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico* 6g 
 
 Entcrprizc where he received Orders, but of 
 too little Experience to give them. He had a 
 miftakcn Notion, that, while the Fleet was 
 coming, any thing but Ina&ion would be Vir- 
 tue in a Soldiers and therefore ordered his Men 
 to march, and take a View of the inner Part 
 of the Ifland, and at little more than a League's 
 Diftance they found another Town forfaken in 
 the fame Manner, but not fo entirely unfur- 
 nifhcd as the former 5 for here were fome 
 Cloaths and Provifions, which the Soldiers 
 feized as Spoils of an Enemy 5 and in a Tem- 
 ple of one of their Idols they found divers 
 Jewels, which ferved to adorn it, and fome 
 Inftruments for facrificing, made of Gold, 
 mixed with Copper, which though of fmall 
 Value, they took away. This Expedition did by 
 no means promote the Service they were up- 
 on, but, on the contrary, frighted the Indians, 
 and crofs'd the Defign of gaining their Friend- 
 fliip. Tedro de Alvarado grew fenfible, (tho J 
 too late) that he had made a falfe Step, and 
 retired to his firft Poft, having taken three 
 Prifoners, two Men and a Woman, who not 
 being able to efcape, furrender'd without any 
 Opposition. 
 
 The next Day Cortes arrived with the 
 whole Fleet, having fent to 'Diegv de Ordaz> 
 at Cape St. Antonio, to join him, fufpeding > 
 as it provd, that the Storm would hinder Al- 
 varado from executing his Orders; and tho* 
 inwardly well pleafed to find him there in 
 Safety, he commanded the Pilot to be impri-. 
 
 F 3 foned, 
 
70 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 foned, and reprimanded the Captain very fharp- 
 ly, as well for not having obiervcd his Direc- 
 tions, as for his Prcfumption in marching up 
 into the liland, and permitting his Soldiers to 
 plunder. This Rebuke he gave in publick, 
 With Dcfign that it might ferve as a Warning 
 to the reft. He prefently called for the three 
 PrifonetS, &fi ' Melch'wr, (the only Inter- 
 preter he I in this Voyage, his Companion 
 being lead) informed them how much he was 
 concerned at what the Soldiers had done; and 
 ordering the Gold and Cloaths to be reftored, 
 he let them at Liberty, giving them ibme tri- 
 fling Prelencs for their Caziques, that thelc 
 Tokens of Amity might induce them to lay 
 afide the Fear they had conceived. 
 
 The Spaniards encamp'd on the Sea-fide, 
 where they reftcd three Days, without march- 
 ing any farther, that they might not occafion 
 ly Difturbance among the hidians. After 
 which Cortes muftered his Army, and found 
 that it confifted of five hundred and eight Sol- 
 diers, fixteen Horfe, and of Mechanicks, Pilots, 
 and Mariners, an hundred and nine more, 
 befides two Chaplains, the Licentiate Juan 
 'Diaz, and lather Bartkolome de Olmedo y a 
 Regular of the Order of our Lady de la Afer- 
 ced, who accompanied Cortes to the End of 
 his Expedition. 
 
 The Muftcr being over, he returned to his 
 Quarters, attended by his Captains and princi- 
 pal Soldiers; and taking his Seat in the Midft 
 of them, he fpokc in the following Manner: 
 
 " When 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. ? i 
 
 " Wh en I confider, my Friends and Com- 
 " panions, the good Fortune that has brought 
 ic us together in this Ifland, the Obftacles and 
 f* Perfecutions we have furmounted, and in 
 " what Manner all Difficulties have been re- 
 <c mov'd, I acknowledge the Hand of God in 
 " the Work we have undertaken, and pro- 
 cc mife myfelf Succefs, from Beginnings fo re- 
 cc markably favoured by his Divine Providence. 
 u It is his Caufe, and That of our King (which 
 lc is likewife his) which carries us to undcr- 
 <c take the Conqueft of unknown Regions ; 
 u and the Almighty, in fighting our Caufe, will 
 H fight his own. I have no Defign to leffen 
 H the Danger of the Undertaking : We are to 
 u exped bloody Engagements, incredible Fa- 
 '■$ tigues, and fuch Multitudes of Enemies, 
 £i that it will require all your Valour to fuftain 
 P their Attacks : Befides thefe, the Want of 
 ic Neceflaries,. Inclemencies of Weather, and 
 <c difficult Marches, will exercife your Patience, 
 <c which is accounted a fecond-rate Valour, 
 €c and fhews as much Greatnefs of Spirit as the 
 u firftj for very often in War, Patience brings 
 ic that to bear, which Force could not. By 
 cc this Hercules gained the Name of Invin- 
 u cible^ and his Exploits were called Labours. 
 u You have been accuftomed to fuffer and to 
 fight in thofe Iflands, which you have al- 
 u ready conquered : Our prefent Undertaking 
 " is of greater Importance 5 we muft purfue 
 u it with anfwerable Vigour, and proportion 
 '* our Refolutiori to the Difficulty of our En- 
 
 F 4 terprize. 
 
 (C 
 
jz The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 * • terprize. Antiquity has painted the Temple 
 
 ic of Fame upon the higheft Part of the Moun- 
 
 u tain, and her Image upon the higheft Part of 
 
 iC the Temple 5 thereby giving to underftand, 
 
 " that to find her, even after we have gained 
 
 " the Top of the Mountain, we muft look 
 
 " higher. We are but few in Number, but 
 
 : Union multiplies Armies, and in our Agree- 
 
 <c ment confifts our greateft Strength. We 
 
 " muft, my Friends, be all of one Mind to 
 
 cc refolve, and as one Hand to execute : Our 
 
 " Intercfts fhould be the fame, and the Glory 
 
 <c of Conqueft ought to be equally fhar'd 
 
 u among us : The Valour of every one in par- 
 
 " ticular, muft eftablifh the Security of all in 
 
 " general. I am your Commander, and will 
 
 ic be the firft to hazard my Life for the meaneft 
 
 ■ c of the Soldiers. Your Care (hall be to fol- 
 
 " low my Example rather than my Orders 5 
 
 u and I can allure you that I find in myfelf a 
 
 u Courage fufficient to undertake the Con- 
 
 cc queft of the whole World : My Heart even 
 
 cc flatters me with this Hope from I know not 
 
 <c what extraordinary Impulfe, the moft pro- 
 
 tc mifing of all Prefages. To conclude, let 
 
 " our Words be fucceeded by Aftions 5 and 
 
 cc let not this Confidence of mine be thought 
 
 Temerity, fince it is fo well fupported by 
 
 you, from whom I exped every Thing that 
 
 is wanting in myfelf. H 
 
 Thus did he perfuade and animate his 
 
 Mens when Notice came, that fome Indians 
 
 were fecn at a little Diftance. And altho' they 
 
 came 
 
 <c 
 
 CC 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 73 
 
 came in fcparatc. Parties, and without Arms, 
 Cortes commanded his Men to be rang'd in 
 Order, without Beat of Drum, and to ftand 
 cover'd behind their Lines, till they faw whe- 
 ther they drew near, and with whatDcfign. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Cortes pacifies the Inhabitants of Cozumoli 
 He eftablijhes a Friendjhip with the Ca- 
 zique ; overthrows their Idols 5 begins to 
 introduce the Gofpel 3 and endeavours in 
 vain to recover fome Spaniards, who were 
 Trifoners at Yucatan. 
 
 THE Indians who were in fmall Troops, 
 fcemed to be confulting among them- 
 felves, and watching the Motions of the Spa- 
 niards y whole Pofture carrying no Appear- 
 ance of Hoftility, encouraged the boldefl: amongft 
 them to draw near by little and little; and 
 thefe receiving no ill Treatment, were fol- 
 lowed by the more fearful, fo that fome of 
 them foon enter'd the Camp ; where they were 
 fo favourably received by Cortes y and by all, 
 that they called to the reft of their Compa- 
 nions. There came great Numbers that very 
 Day, and mingled among the Soldiers with 
 much Familiarity and Confidence, fcarce dif- 
 covering the leaft Surprize, which ftrongly 
 argued that they were a People accuftomed to 
 cpriverft with Strangers, There W4S an Idol 
 
 in 
 
74 The Hiftory of the Book I, 
 
 in this Illand extremely reverenced by the 
 Barbarians, who were continually flocking 
 to worfhip it from different Provinces of the 
 Continent -, fo that the Iflanders of Cozitmel 
 had a perpetual Commerce with People of 
 divers Nations, Habits, and Languages, which 
 made the Arrival of the Spaniards appear the 
 lefs ftrange, or at leaft enabled them to con- 
 ceal their Surprize. 
 
 At Night they all retired to their Houfes; 
 and the next Day the principal Cazique of 
 the Ifland came to vifit Cortes, with a nume- 
 rous, but ill-appointed Equipage, delivering 
 his Embafly and Prefcnt himfelf. The Ge- 
 neral received him with great Joy and Cour- 
 tefy ; and, by his Interpreter, returned Thanks 
 for the Vifit, with an Offer of his own Friend- 
 fhip, and that of his Followers. To which 
 the Cazique replied, That he accepted the 
 Friendfhip offer'd, and as a Man who knew 
 how to preferve it. One, among the In- 
 dians who accompanied him, was heard to 
 repeat after a bad Manner the Name of Ca- 
 fiillay and Cortes, whofe Attention nothing 
 could ever divert from his main Point, ob- 
 ferved the Word, and commanded the Inter- 
 preter to inquire into the Meaning of it. This 
 Remark, though it feem'd then accidental, was 
 of the utmoft Importance in facilitating the 
 Conqueft of New Spain, as we fhali fee here- 
 after. 
 
 The Indians faid, that our Men very much 
 xefcmblcd certain Prifoners who were in Tu- 
 
 catan* 
 
iBookL Conqueft of Mexico. 75 
 
 catan, Natives of a Country called Caftilla. 
 Which Cortes no fooner heard than he re- 
 folv d to fet them at Liberty, and engage them 
 in his Service. Upon informing himfelf more 
 particularly, he found that they were in the 
 Power of feme Indians of the higheft Rank, 
 refiding two Days Journey within the Province 
 oiTucatan. Cortes communicated his Intention 
 to the Cazique, and asked him whether thofe 
 were warlike Indians ', and what Force would 
 be neceflary to refcue the Chriftians from Sla- 
 very. The Cazique gave him a very ready 
 and reafonable Anfwer, telling him the fe- 
 cureft Way would be to ranfom them 5 for 
 that endeavouring to releafe them by Force of 
 Arms would expofe them to the Hazard of 
 being maflacred by their Mailers. Cortes em- 
 braced his Advice, with Admiration to find fo 
 much good Senfe and Policy in the Cazique, 
 whofe Rank among Princes, though inconfi- 
 derable, muft have taught him fome Principles 
 of what they call Reafon of State. 
 
 H e immediately gave Orders to "Diego de 
 Ordaz> to fail with his Veffel and Company 
 to the Coaft of Tucatan, by the fhorteft Cut 
 from the Ifle of Cozumel, (which might be 
 about four Leagues over) where he was to land 
 the Indians appointed by the Cazique for this 
 Purpofe. They carried a Letter from Cortes 
 to the Prifoners, together with fome Trifles 
 for their Ranfom, and Ordaz, was commanded 
 to ftay eight Days for them, in which Time 
 the Indians undertook to return with an 
 Anfwer. In 
 
y6 The Hiftory of the Book L 
 
 In the mean time Cortes marched with all 
 his Troops in a Body to take a View of the 
 Ifland 5 not that he faw any Neceflity for being 
 on his Guard, but to keep the Soldiers toge- 
 ther, and to fecure the Inhabitants from being 
 infulted. He told his Men, That they were 
 an indigent People, unable to defend them- 
 felvcsj that the Sincerity they fhew'd, entitled 
 them to good Treatment in Return, and that 
 their Poverty was fuch as gave no Temptation 
 ro Avarice : That they were not to expect from 
 that imall Spot of Ground any other Wealth 
 than a good Reputation: " And do not think 
 " (added he) that the good Character you (hall 
 " acquire here will be confined within the 
 " narrow Limits of this miferable Ifland 5 for 
 " the Concourfe of Pilgrims, who, as you 
 " have been informed, are accuftomed to re- 
 " fort hither from all Parts, will carry your 
 €t Name to diftant Countries, where the Cha- 
 cc rafter of Humanity and juftice will be of 
 tw ' ngnal Uie to facilitate our Defigns ; and by 
 w£ this means we fhall meet with lefs Oppo- 
 iC fition in Countries where more is to be 
 <c gamed/' By fuch Difcourfes as thefc, he kept 
 the Soldiers within Bounds. He was always 
 accompanied by the Cazique, and great Num- 
 bers of Indians, who fupplied him with Pro- 
 Mi ions, and exchang'd Gold for Glafs Beads, 
 believing that they over-rcach'd the Spaniards, 
 and could never purchafc thoie Toys at too 
 dear a Rate. 
 
 At 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. yy 
 
 At a little Diftance from the Coaft flood 
 the Temple of the Idol, fo much revered by 
 the Indians. It was a fquare Building of 
 Stone, and of no contemptible Architecture- 
 The Idol bore the Figure of a Man, but of 
 fuch an horrible Afpeft as plainly difcover'd 
 the Original it was defign'd to reprefent. This 
 Circumftance of Deformity was obfervable in 
 all the Idols worfhipp'd by thefe miferable Peo- 
 ple, however they otherwife differ'd in Make 
 or Signification 5 whether it were that their 
 Imaginations hit luckily in this relpecl, or that 
 the Devil really appeared to them in fomc 
 fuch Shape 5 fo that he who ftruck out the 
 mod hideous Figure, was accounted the beft 
 Workman. 
 
 Tis faid this Idol was called Cozumel, and 
 gave to the Ifland the Name which it retains 
 to this Day $ but very improperly, if it be the 
 fame which the Devil took to himfelf 5 and it 
 muft, through Inadvertency, have been made 
 ufe of in our Maps, being contrary to all 
 Reafon. The Spaniards found a very great 
 Concourfe of Indians at the Temple, and in 
 the midft of them a Pried, diftinguiftied from 
 the reft by a certain Ornament, or Part of a 
 Covering, which fcarcely hid his Nakednefs. 
 He feemed to preach, and to perfuadc them 
 to fomething, by a Tone and Aftions ex- 
 tremely ridiculous; for he gave himfelf the 
 Airs of a Preacher, with all the Gravity and 
 Authority, of which a Man dreffed after fuch 
 a Manner was capable. Cortes interrupted 
 
 him 5 
 
78 The Hiftory of the Book t. 
 
 him; and turning towards the Cazique, faid 
 to him, " That in order to maintain the 
 kc Friendfhip between them, it was abfolutely 
 €C necefiary for him to renounce the Worfhip 
 " of his Idols, and to influence his Subjects to 
 " do the fame by his Example/' After which 
 he took him afide with his Interpreter, and 
 fhew'd him the Error of his own, and the 
 Truth of the Chriflian Religion, by fuch Ar- 
 guments as were accommodated to his Capa- 
 city, but fo convincing, that the Indian was 
 confounded, and would not venture to return 
 any Anfwer, as having fufficicrtt Underftand- 
 ing to be confeious of his own Ignorance. He 
 recovered himfelf, and defired Leave to com- 
 municate the Affair to the Priefts, with whom 
 he left the Authority to decide abfolutely in 
 Matters of Religion. The Refult of this Con- 
 ference was the bringing before Cortes that 
 venerable Preacher, with others of his Profef- 
 fion, who all made loud Outcries, which, as 
 explaind by the Interpreter, were Protefta- 
 tions on the Part of Heaven, againft thofe who 
 fhould be fo audacious as to difturb the Wor- 
 fhip of their Gods, denouncing immediate Pu~ 
 nifhment upon the Attempt. Cortes was in- 
 ,'d at their Menaces 5 and the Soldiers gucf- 
 fing his Intention from his Looks, immediately 
 attacked their Idol, overturning the Altar, and 
 breaking it in Pieces, with fevcral other Idols 
 of a fmaller Size, placed in different Niches. 
 The Indians were aftonifhed at the Sight of this 
 Deftrudtion ; but as the Heavens were ferenc, 
 
 and 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 79 
 
 and the expected Vengeance delayed to come 
 down, their Adoration was chang'd into Con- 
 tempt, and they began to defpife fuch fuffering 
 Gods. A nd this Paffion was the firft Effort that 
 Truth made in their Hearts. The reft of their 
 Temples fuffer'd the fame Fate ; but in the Chief 
 of them (when cleans'd from the impure 
 Fragments) the Spaniards built art Altar, 
 whereon they placed the Image of the Virgin 
 Mary, ere&ing at the Entrance a large Crofs, 
 made by the Carpenters of the Fleet, with 
 equal Zeal and Diligence. The Day following, 
 Mafs was faid at that Altar, where the Ca- 
 zique, accompanied by his Indians, affifled 
 with a Silence that looked like Devotion; and 
 perhaps it naturally flow'd from that Refpeti 
 which is imprinted on the Mind by our Holy 
 Ceremonies, or was a fupernatural Effect of 
 the ineffable Myftery contain'd in that Sacri- 
 fice. 
 
 Thus did Cortes employ his Time and his 
 Soldiers, during the Term of eight Days, 
 which he had allowed "Diego de Ordaz to 
 ftay for the Spaniards, who were Prifoners 
 in Tucatan? but he returned to the Ifland 
 without bringing any Account cither of 
 them, or the Indians who werefent in queft 
 of them. Cortes was highly difpleafedj but 
 believing the Barbarians had deceived him by 
 falfc Intelligence, in order to gain the Prefcnts 
 he had fent for their Ranfom, of which they 
 fecmed fo extremely fond, he did not care 
 any longer to delay his Voyage, or to impart 
 
 his 
 
80 The Hiftory of tie Book I 
 
 his Sufpicions to the Caziquc. On the con- 
 trary, he took his Leave of him with great 
 Civility, and Tokens of an entire Satisfaction, 
 earneftly recommending to him the Crois and 
 the Holy Image, which he left in his Power, 
 in confidence that out of Friendfhip to him, 
 he would pay them a Refpecl, till being more 
 inftructed in the Truth, he fhould be engaged 
 to do it from better Motives. 
 
 CHAP. XVL 
 
 Cortes pur fues his Voyage ; but by an Acci- 
 dent finds himfelf obliged to return to the 
 fame Ifland. Geronimo de Aguilar, who 
 had been Trifoner in Yucatan, arrives, 
 during his Stay there, and gives an Ac^ 
 count of his Captivity. 
 
 CORTES put to Sea with a Deflgn to 
 follow the fame Courfe which Juan de 
 Grijalva had done before, and to difcover the 
 Countries from which he had retired, by too 
 fcrupulous an Obedience to the Orders he had 
 recciv'd. The Fleet had the Wind a-ftern, 
 and all were overjoy 'd at the profperous Be- 
 ^iftning of their Voyage, when an unexpected 
 Accident save them ereat Uneafinefs. Juan 
 de Efculante fired a Gun, and the reft of the 
 C on^inanicrs, calling their Eyes toward him, 
 oi>fcrv'd that he followed with Difficulty, 
 
 and 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 81 
 
 and foon after tacked about, and flood for 
 the Ifland. Cortes very well underftood the 
 Meaning of what he faw, and without (lay- 
 ing to deliberate, immediately ordered all the 
 Fleet to follow him. Juan de Efcalante 
 flood in need of all his Diligence to fave his 
 Veflel; for fhe had fprung a Leak, and took 
 in fo much Water, that fhe was upon the 
 Point of finking when fhe reached the Shore, 
 notwithftanding all poffiblc Expedition had 
 been ufed in coming to his Relief. The Soldiers 
 landed; and the Caziquc prefently came down 
 with his IndianSy and feemed to be furprized 
 at the Hidden Return : But when they un- 
 derftood the Rcaibn, they very chearfully 
 helped to unload the Veflel ; and afterwards 
 affifted in repairing and careening it, managing 
 their Canoes with great Dexterity, and per- 
 forming fingular Service upon thisOccafion. 
 
 While this was doing, Cortes, accom- 
 panied by the Cazique, and fome of his Sol- 
 diers, went to vifit the Temple, and found 
 the Crofs and Image of the Virgin Mary in 
 the fame Place where he had left them 5 ob- 
 ferving withal, to his great Satisfa&ion, fome 
 Signs of the Veneration paid them by thefe 
 Barbarians, in the Cleannefs of the Temple, 
 end the Perfumes they had burned, befides 
 Flowers arid Boughs with which they had ad- 
 orned the Altar. Cortes thanked the Cazique 
 for the Care he had taken in his Abfcncc* 
 The Indian was pleas'd, and received the 
 Compliments of the Spaniards 7 as if it had 
 
 Vol. I. G beca 
 
82 The Hifiory of the Book L 
 
 been an Inftancc of his extraordinary Conduft, 
 that the Image and Altar had flood undemo- 
 lifh'd for no longer a Time, at the moft, than 
 two or three Hours. 
 
 The Accident that thus retarded the Voy- 
 age of Cortes deferves a particular Remark, 
 being an Event that may be rank'd with Things 
 depending on Fortune, and yet carrying the 
 Appearance of fomething more than of Ha- 
 zard, or Chance. They who faw the Courfe 
 of their Voyage ftopp'd, and a Ship ready to 
 founder, could confidcr it no otherwifc than 
 as a Misfortune which very ordinarily hap- 
 pens : But whoever will reflect that the fame 
 Time that was ncccfiary for the refitting the 
 Ship, was no lefs nccefiary for the Arrival of 
 a Chriftian Captive at that Ifland, who had 
 been Prifoncr in Tucatan y fufficicntly inftrutt- 
 ed in the different Languages of thole People, 
 to fupply the Want of an Interpreter, and that 
 he was afterwards one of the principal Inftru- 
 ments of this Conqucft, cannot attribute all 
 this to Fortune, but mud own the Hand of 
 Providence in a very extraordinary Manner. 
 
 They were four Davs refitting the Veflcl ; ' 
 and on the laft, as they were going to em- 
 bark, they difcovercd, at a Diftancc, a Ca- 
 noe, which was crofting the Gulph of Tuca- 
 tan, and flood dircftly for the Ifland. They 
 quickly perceived that fhc was filled with armed 
 Indians, and were furprized at the Diligence 
 they ufed to come up, without fhewing any 
 Tear of the Fleet. Cortes being informed of 
 1 this, 
 
Book I. Conqneft of Mexico. 8 3 
 
 this, gave Orders to Andres de Tapia to place 
 himfclf in Ambufcade near the Place at which 
 the Canoe was to land the Indians, and to 
 difcover their Defigns. Andres de Tapia took 
 his Poft accordingly, where he could not be 
 fecn : But finding they came on Shore with 
 their Bows and Arrows, he fuffcr'd them to 
 pafs by him a little way from the Coaft, and 
 then cut off their Retreat. As foon as the 
 Indians difcovcred him, they fled 5 but one 
 amongft them ftopp'd the reft, and advancing 
 three or four Paces, pronounced with a loud 
 'Voice, in the Caftilian Tongue, that he was 
 a Chriftian. Andres de Tapia received him 
 with open Arms 5 and full of Joy for his good 
 Fortune, condu&ed him to the General, fol- 
 lowed by the Indians, who appeared to be 
 the Mcflengers left by "Diego de Ordaz> upon 
 the Coaft of Tucatan. The Chriftian had no- 
 thing to cover him, except juft enough to hide 
 his Nakcdnefs. On one of his Shoulders he 
 bore his Bow and Quiver 5 and over the other 
 was thrown a Mantle like a Cloak, in one 
 Corner whereof was tied our Lady's Office, 
 which he immediately fhcw'd the Spaniards, 
 afcribing to his Devotion the good Fortune of 
 feeing himfelf again amongft Chriftians. He 
 made his Compliments very awkardly, not 
 being able to forbear his new Manner, or to 
 deliver what he had to fay, without intermix- 
 ing with his Spanifi fome Terms that were 
 not underftood. Cortes carefs'd him extreme- 
 ly ; and covering him with the Coat he had 
 
 G 2 on, 
 
84 The HHtory of the Book I. 
 
 on, informed himfelf in general who he was ; 
 and afterwards gave Orders to have him cloath- 
 ed, and regaled. He publifhed it among his 
 Soldiers, as a lingular Felicity both to himfelf 
 and the Undertaking, that he had redeemed a 
 Chriflian from Slavery, having no other Mo- 
 tive in View at that Time than pure Charity. 
 
 This Man was called Jerom de Aguilar, 
 a Native of Ecija, where he had received Dea- 
 con's Orders; and, according to the Account 
 he afterwards gave of his Adventures, had been 
 near eight Years in that mifcrablc Slavery. 
 He was fhipwreck'd in a Caravel upon the Flats 
 of the Alacranes, as he was parting from ^Da- 
 rien to the Ifland of St. ^Domingo, and efcape- 
 ing in the Boat with twenty more in Com- 
 pany, was driven upon the Shore of Tticatan, 
 where they were taken, and carried to a Coun- 
 try of Carihee Indians, whole Cazique imme- 
 diately cull'd out the beft-fed amongft them, 
 to offer them to his Idols, and afterwards to 
 feaft on the wretched Remains of the Sacri- 
 fice. One of thole who were referved for 
 another Occafion, by Reafon of their Lean- 
 nefs, was this Jerom de Aguilar : They ufed 
 him very rigoroufly, but at the fame Time in- 
 humanly feafted him, that he might be in bet- 
 ter Plight to furnifh a fecond Banquet : Amaze- 
 ins Brutality ! dctcftablc to Nature, and not to 
 be related without Horror! Aguilar made a 
 Shift to efcape out of a wooden Cage, in 
 which he was confin'd 5 not fo much to lave 
 his Life, as to leek another kind of Death : 
 
 And 
 
Book I. CcJiqiteft of Mexico. 85 
 
 And wandering fcvcral Days at a Diftancc from 
 all Settlements, without any other Nourifh- 
 ment than what the Herbs of the Field afford- 
 ed, he fell into the Hands of certain Indians, 
 who prefented him to their Cazique, an Enemy 
 to him from whom Aguilar had made his 
 Efcape. This Mafter ufed him with more Hu- 
 manity, either in Contradiction to the other, 
 or perhaps becaufe he had a real Averfion to 
 his Cruelties. Aguilar ferved him fome Years, 
 running through different Fortunes in this new 
 Slavery : For at firft he oblig'd him to work 
 beyond his Strength ; but afterwards treated 
 him better, being feemingly pleased with his 
 Obedience, and efpecially with his Modcfty 
 (of which the Spaniard gave fome Proofs, 
 more admirable, than the Tryals of it are de- 
 cent to be related) 5 for there is no Temper io 
 barbarous as to be wholly void of the Regard 
 due to Virtue. Accordingly the Cazique gave 
 him an Employment near his Perfon, and 
 Aguilar in a little Time acquired his Efteeni 
 and Confidence. 
 
 This Cazique dying, recommended him to 
 his Son, under whom he held the fame Em* 
 ploymcnt, and found a favourable Occafion of 
 increafing his Credit ; for the neighbouring 
 Caziques making War upon him, he gained 
 feveral Vi&ories over them by the Valour and 
 Conduft of Aguilar ', who thereupon became 
 fo great a Favourite both of Prince and People, 
 and was in fo much Authority when he re- 
 ceived the Letter from Cortes, that he could, 
 G 3 without 
 
86 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 without Difficulty, treat for his Liberty, as the 
 Recompencc of his Services 3 and offer, as his 
 own Gift, the Prefents which were fent as his 
 Ranfom. 
 
 Thus did Aguilar relate his Adventures ; 
 adding withal, that of the reft of the Spaniard 
 Prifoners, there remained alive only one Sailor, 
 born at *Palos de Moguer, called Gonzalo 
 Guerrero 5 that he had communicated to him 
 the Letter of Corte s> and endeavour 'd to bring 
 him with him, but without Effcd, he having 
 married a rich Indian, by whom he had three 
 or four Children, and excufing his Stay by his 
 Love for them, pretending natural AfFc&ion 
 as a Reafon why he would not abandon thole 
 deplorable Conveniencies, which with him 
 weighed more than Honour or Religion. We 
 do not find that any other Spaniard, in the 
 whole Courfe of thefe Conqucfts, committed 
 the like Crime ; nor was the Name of this 
 Wretch worthy to be remembered in this 
 Hiftory : But being found in the Writings of 
 others, it could not be concealed ; and his Ex- 
 ample ferves to (hew us the Weakncii of Na- 
 ture, and into what an Abyfs of Mifery a Man 
 may fall, when God has abandon a him. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 87 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Cortes profecutes his Voyage, and arrives at 
 the River of Grijalva, -where the Indians 
 oppofe his Landing : He engages them-, 
 and difembarks his Troops. 
 
 THE Spaniards left this Ifland, the fe~ 
 cond Time, on the 4th of March, 
 15-19; and, without any Adventure worthy of 
 Remark, they doubled the Point of Catoche, 
 which, as we have already faid, is the moft 
 eafterly Part of Tucatan ; and following the 
 Coaft, they came to the Road of Champaton ; 
 where the Queftion was put, in a Council held 
 on that Subject, Whether they mould land, 
 or not ? Cortes inclined to the Affirmative, 
 that he might chaftife the Indians for the Op- 
 pofition given to Juan de Grijalva, and be- 
 fore that, to Francifco Hernandez, de Cor- 
 dova 5 and fome Soldiers who had been pre- 
 fent on both thofe Occafions, pufhed by a Spi- 
 rit of Revenge, fupported his Opinion with 
 extreme Warmth : But the chief Pilot, and 
 the reft of his Profeffion, oppofed it with 
 unanswerable Reafons 5 for the Wind that 
 favoured the Continuance of their Voyage, 
 dire&ly oppos'd their landing in that Place : 
 Whereupon they purfued their Courfe, and 
 arrived at the River of Grijalva. There was 
 110 Occafion to deliberate here : for the good 
 Treatment which the Spaniards had formerly 
 
 G 4 receiv'd 
 
88 The HMoTy of the Book I. 
 
 rcceiv'd from the Indians of Tabafco, and the 
 Gold at that Time brought from thence, were 
 two powerful Attra&ives to carry them afhore 5 
 and Cortes the more readily complied with 
 the Inclinations of his Soldiers, for the Sake 
 of maintaining Friendfhip with the Inhabi- 
 tants, although he had no Defign to ftay there 
 many Days 5 for his Thoughts were continually 
 bent on the Dominions of Motezuma, of 
 which Juan de Grijalva had the firft Ac- 
 count in this Province ; it being his Opinion, 
 that in this Sort of Expeditions, it was advife- 
 able to begin with attacking the Head rather than 
 the Members, and fo encounter the greatcft 
 Difficulty with his Forces entire. 
 
 As he had fome Knowledge of this Place 
 by the Experience of thofe who had been 
 there before, he made a Difpofition for en- 
 tering the River 5 and leaving the larger Vef- 
 fels at an Anchor, he embarked all his Soldiers, 
 well arnvd, in thofe of a fmailer Size, and in 
 the Boats 5 and was beginning to make the beft 
 of his Way againft the Current, in the fame 
 Order as had been before obferved by Juan 
 de Grijalva^ when he perceiv'd aconfiderable 
 Number of Canoes with armed Indians^ 
 which covered both Sides of the River, fup- 
 ported by feveral other Bodies on the Shore. 
 Cortes drew near in clofe Order, and com- 
 manded that none fhould fire, or fhew the 
 leaft Sign of Hoftility. He follow'd in this 
 likewife the Conduct of Grijalva 5 for he 
 was more folicitous to ufc the proper Means 
 
 of 
 
Book I. Conqnejl of Mexico. 89 
 
 of fuccceding in his Enterprize, than to avoid 
 the Imputation of copying after another, well 
 knowing what Rifques they run, who value 
 themfelves upon finding out new Ways, with 
 no other Dcfign than to be diftinguiuYd from 
 thofc who went before them. The Indians 
 thought to put a Stop to the Spaniards by 
 their horrible Outcries : And as foon as they 
 tyere fo near, that what they fald could be 
 diftinguimed, J cram de Aguilar found that 
 he underftood their Language, which was the 
 fame, or littic different from that of Tucatan ; 
 and Cortes look'd upon it as the Work of 
 Providence, that he was furniftfd with fogood 
 an Interpreter. Aguilar informed him, that 
 the Words he underftood were Menaces, and 
 that the Indians were inclined to War. Upon 
 which Cortes ftopp'd, and commanded him 
 to advance in one of the Boats with Offers of 
 Peace. Aguilar executed his Orders 5 and 
 returned in a very fhort Time with an Account, 
 that the Indians were in great Numbers pre- 
 pared to defend the Entrance of the River, 
 and fo obftinate in their Refolution, that they 
 had very infolently refufed fo much as to hear 
 him. Cortes had no Defign to begin a War 
 in that Country, or delay his Voyage; but 
 finding that he was now engaged, he thought 
 it would be difhonourable to retreat, and of 
 dangerous Confequencc to fuffer this Infolence 
 of the Barbarians to go unpunifhed. 
 
 The Night overtaking them in a Country 
 unknown, Cortes thought it moft advifeable 
 
 to 
 
90 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 to lie by till Day ; and difpofing every Thing 
 after the bed Manner he could for the Engage- 
 ment during this Sufpenfton, he commanded 
 all the Artillery out of the great Veffels, and 
 his Soldiers had Orders to arm thcmfelvcs with 
 their Cotton Coats, for the better refilling of 
 the Arrows 5 to which he added fuch other 
 Directions as he judged neceffary, without re- 
 presenting the Danger greater or lefs than it 
 really was. He us'd all pofliblc Precaution to 
 lecure the Succefs of this firft Action of his 
 Troops, well knowing of what Importance it 
 is in all Enterprizes to begin well, but efpe- 
 cially in War, where a happy Beginning not 
 only gives Reputation to an Army, but raifes 
 the Courage of the Soldiers 5 it being peculiar 
 to the firft Action to have a fecrct, but power- 
 ful, Influence on the Succefs of thofc that fol- 
 low. 
 
 As foon as the Day appeared, the Veffels 
 were drawn up in a Half-Moon, whole Figure 
 leffend by Degrees, till it ended in the Boats, 
 the River being large enough to allow Sufficient 
 Room for that Dilpofition. Their Advance 
 was very flow, and iecmed to invite to Peace : 
 But our Men foon difcovcr'd the Canoes of 
 the Indians, who waited their Coming in the 
 lame Order, and ufing the fame Threats as the 
 Night before. The General commanded his 
 Men not to ftir till they were attack'd 5 telling 
 them all, That they ought to ufe their Shields 
 before they employ d their Swords, the Jnftice 
 of this War depending on the 'Provocation to 
 
 it* 
 
BookL Conqueft of Mexico. 91 
 
 it. And being defirous to have Reafon dill 
 more on his Side, he fent Aguihr a fecond 
 Time to them with Offers of Peace; and tp 
 allure them, That this was a Fleet of their 
 Friends, who defign'd their Advantage, and 
 came on the Foot of that Alliance which had 
 been formerly made with Juan de Grijaha > 
 that to refufe them Entrance would be a Breach 
 of it, and would oblige the Spaniards to open 
 their Way by Force of Arms ; and that what- 
 foever Damage they (hould fuftain, muft be im- 
 puted to themfelves. 
 
 The Anfwer to this fecond Propofal, was 
 the giving the Signal for the Attack. They 
 advanc d by the Favour of the Current near 
 enough to ufe their Arrows, of which they 
 difcharged fo great a Number, both from the 
 Canoes and the Banks of the River, that the 
 Spaniards were very much embarafs'd in their 
 Endeavours to cover themfelves ; but having 
 received the firft Charge according to Order, 
 they returned it with fo much Vigour, that 
 the Canoes quickly left the Paffage free, and 
 many of the Indians, intimidated by the 
 Deaths of their Companions, flung themfelves 
 into the River. Our Veflels purfucd their 
 Way up the River, without further Opposi- 
 tion, and approaching the Shore on the Left 
 Side, the Troops began to land 5 but in a Place 
 fo marfhy, and covered with Brambles, that 
 they found themfelves engaged in a fecond 
 Conflid 5 for the Indians, who lay there in 
 Ambufh, and thofe who efcaped from the En- 
 gagement 
 
92 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 gagement on the River, united in one Body, 
 and renewed the Attack with extraordinary 
 Fury 5 the great Quantity of Arrows, Darts, 
 and Stones, which they difcharged, increafing 
 the Difficulty of the Morafs : But Hernan 
 Cortes, without ceafing to fight, drew up his 
 Men ; and thofe Ranks which were formed, 
 making Head againft the Enemy, covered the 
 reft of the Troops who were landing. 
 
 Having formed his Battalion in Sight of 
 the Enemy, whofe Numbers continually in- 
 crease, he gave Orders to Captain Alonfo ^Da- 
 <vila to advance with an hundred Soldiers 
 thro' the Wood, and poflefs himfclf of the 
 Town of Tabafco, the Capital of that Pro- 
 vince, not far diftant from the Place of A&ion, 
 according to the Accounts of thofe who had 
 been upon the former Expedition. After 
 which he immediately engaged that vaft Mul- 
 titude, forcing them back with equal Courage 
 and Difficulty ; for he was obliged very often 
 to march up to the Knees in Mud : And 'tis 
 faid, that in the Heat of the Engagement the 
 General loft one of his Shoes, and fought a 
 great while without miffing it $ fo thoroughly 
 was his Attention employed upon the Bufincis 
 of the Day. 
 
 After the Spaniards had paffed the Marfh, 
 the Indians gave Way, and difappearcd in an 
 Inftant among the Bufhes. Their Flight was 
 owing in part to their lofing the Advantage of 
 Ground, and in part to their Concern for the 
 Town of Tabafco, upon their difcovcring the 
 
 March 
 
Book I. Conqiwjl of Mexico. 93 
 
 Match of 'Davila, as it prcfently appeared by 
 the great Multitudes that immediately repaired 
 to the Defence of that Place. 
 
 The Town was fortified with a kind of 
 Wall generally ufed in the Indies, made of 
 large Trunks of Trees, fixed in the Ground 
 after the Manner of Talifades, and fo plac'd 
 together, that there was Room between to 
 discharge their Arrows. The Compafs was 
 round, without any Traverfes, or other De- 
 fences ; and at the clofing of the Circle, the 
 Extremity of one Line covered the other, and 
 formed a narrow winding Street, in which 
 were two or three little Caftles of Wood, 
 which filled up the Pafiage, and wherein they 
 were ufed to pod their Centinels : A fuffi- 
 cient Fortrefs againft the Arms of this new 
 World, where they were happily ignorant of 
 the Arts of War, and of thofe Methods to 
 attack and defend, in which Mankind have 
 been inftrutted, either by Malice or Necef- 
 fity. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
94 Tie Hiflory of the Book I, 
 
 CHAP. XVIIL 
 
 The Spaniards gain the Tawri of Tabafco. 
 
 Cortes fends out two hundred Men to view 
 
 the Country ; who are driven back by the 
 
 "Indians, but fhew great Valour both in the 
 
 Engagement and Retreat. 
 
 nORTES arrived at the Town a little 
 ^ while before Alonfo 'Davila, who had 
 been hindered by fome Marfhes and Lakes in 
 his Way; and having join'd his Troops to the 
 Battalion, and diftributcd among them proper 
 Inftrumcnts for breaking down the Palifadcs, 
 (without giving time either to the Indians to 
 recover themfelvcs, or to his own Soldiers to 
 rcflcft on the Difficulty) gave the Signal to be- 
 gin the Attack, only (lopping to fay, " My 
 " Friends, here we muft lodge this Night : 
 " This is the Retreat of thofc whom you 
 " have already conquered in the Picld. This 
 " weak Wall, that covers them, fervestomake 
 cc them a little more bold, but does not add 
 <c to their Security : Let us follow the Viftory 
 " we have begun, before thefe Barbarians for- 
 " get their Cuftom of flying before us, or our 
 iC longer Delay give them Time to recover 
 <c their Courage/' As he ended thefe few 
 words, he drew his Sword ; and fpcaking the 
 reft: by his Example, advane'd before them all, 
 and infpir'd every one with a Defirc of diftin- 
 guiiliing himfelf. 
 
 Thf. 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 95 
 
 The Soldiers went on together with equal 
 Rcfolution, and turning afide a Shower of Ar- 
 rows with their Shields, and even with their 
 Swords, gained the Foot of the Palifade s the 
 Intervals of which were of Service at that 
 Time for the Difcharge of the Fire- Arms and 
 Crofs-Bows, which quickly drove the Enemy 
 from their Poft, and gave an Opportunity to 
 thofe who were not engaged to beat down a 
 Part of the Palifades. The Spaniards enter'd 
 without Difficulty, becaufe the Indians re- 
 tired to the inner part of the Town 3 but it 
 was foon perceived that they had flopped up 
 the Streets with other Palifadcs, where they 
 again made Head, but with fmall Effect ; for 
 they were embarafs'd by their own Numbers; 
 and while fome were retiring from one Work 
 to another, they put the reft, who would have 
 fought, into Diforder. 
 
 In the Centre of the Town there was a 
 large Space, where the Indians made their 
 utmoft Efforts 5 but after a fnort Rcfiftance, 
 turn'd their Backs, and fled into the Woods. 
 Cortes would not follow the Chace, that he 
 might give his Soldiers Time to refrcfh, and 
 the Fugitives an Opportunity to fue for Peace ? 
 taking Counfel from their Defeat. 
 
 Thus did the Spaniards gain Tabafco, a 
 large Town, and well provided for Defence 5 
 for the Indians had fent away all their Families 
 and Effects, and ftorCd the Place with Pro- 
 visions : So that tho J there was nothing found 
 ■to gratify Avarice, there was nothing wanting 
 
 which 
 
96 Toe Hiffory of the Boole I. 
 
 which Neceflity required. Fourteen or fifteen 
 of our Men were wounded, and amoneft them, 
 our Hiilorian, Bernal T>/az del Caftillio y 
 whom I follow in what he relates of himielf; 
 fincc it cannot be denied but that he was a 
 valiant Soldier, and the Style of his Hiflory 
 fhews, that he underftood a Sword better than 
 a Pen. In this Engagement died a confider- 
 able Number of Indians. Of the Wounded 
 there was no Account, becaule they took Care 
 to carry them off, it being a Point of Honour 
 amongft them to conceal their Lofs from the 
 Enemy. 
 
 That Night the Troops lodged in three 
 Temples, firuatcd in that Part of the Town 
 where they laft engaged. Cortes went his 
 Rounds, and polled his Centinels with as much 
 Care and Exaclneis, as if he had had a Veteran 
 Armv of Enemies in view, well knowing that 
 a Man can never be too circumfpett m War, 
 where nothing is more dangerous than too 
 much Security, and Caution is as neceffary as 
 Valour in a Commander. 
 
 The next Day the Country appeared quite 
 deferted, and io far as the* Eye could reach, 
 there was not the leaft Sign of an Enemy, nor 
 was there any Noifc to be heard : The neigh- 
 bouring Woods were fearch'd, and found to 
 be equally folitary. However, Cortes did not 
 think it proper to march out of his Quarters. 
 This great Stilncfs made him fufpicious ; and 
 his Apprchcnfions were increas'd, when he un- 
 derftood that his Interpreter Melchtor y who 
 
 came 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico, 97 
 
 came from Cuba, had deferted that very Night, 
 leaving his Chriftian Habit hanging on a Tree 5 
 whofe Informations mkht be of ill Confe- 
 quencc to him among thofe Barbarians, as it 
 afterwards appeared : For it was he that in- 
 duced them to renew the War, acquainting 
 them with the fmall Number of our Soldiers, 
 that they were not immortal, nor their Fire- 
 Arms Thunder and Lightning, as they ima- 
 gin'd 5 the Dread of which had made them 
 defirous of Peace. But his Crime did not go 
 long unpunifhed 5 for the fame Barbarians, 
 whom he had perfuaded to take up Arms, be- 
 ing vanquifhed a fecond Time, rcveng'd them- 
 felves on the Advifcr of the War, by making 
 him a mifcrable Sacrifice to their Idols. 
 
 In this Uncertainty, Cortex rcfolved to 
 fend out Tedro de Alvarado, and Francifco 
 de LugOy each with an hundred Men, by dif- 
 ferent Ways to view the Country, with Or- 
 ders, if they found an Army in the Field, to 
 retire to their Quarters, without engaging with 
 unequal Numbers. This Refolution was im- 
 mediately executed : And Francifco de Lugo, 
 after little more than an Hour's March, fell in- 
 to an Ambufcade of numberlefs Indians, who 
 attacked him on all Sides ; and that with fo 
 much Fury, that he was obliged to draw up 
 his little Battalion into a Square, facing every 
 Way. The Number of the Enemies increafed, 
 and the Spaniards began to be tired, when it 
 plcafedGod, that Alvarado, who had taken a 
 different Road from his Companion, met with 
 
 Vol. I. H a Marfh, 
 
98 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 a Marfh, which obliged him to turn afide, and 
 brought him where the Report of the Fire- 
 Arms gave him Notice of the Engagement. 
 Alvarado marched ftrait to the Noife, and 
 difcovered the Enemies Squadrons, at a Time 
 when our Men were in the utmoft Diftrcfs. 
 He advanced with all the Hafte poilible, under 
 Cover of a Wood, and fending an Indian of 
 Cuba to Cortes, to adviie him of the Acci- 
 dent, drew up his Men, and fell upon the 
 Enemy with lb much Refolution, that the In- 
 dians, furprized at the fudden Afiault, left theni 
 the Paflage free, and without giving the Spa- 
 niards Time to break them, difpers'd of them- 
 felves. 
 
 This Succour gave Francifco de Lugo's Sol- 
 diers Time to breathe 5 and as foon as the two 
 Captains had joined their Troops, and doubled 
 their Ranks, they charged another Battalion of 
 the Enemy, who flopped up the Way to their 
 Quarters, that they might execute the Orders 
 they had received to retreat. 
 
 Here again they found Refiftance; but, in 
 fine, they made Way through them with their 
 Swords, marching forward, tho' continually 
 attack'd, and fometimes almoft borne down j 
 fome fought while others took Breath; and 
 whenfoever they mended their pace to gain 
 Ground, they were charged by the whole Body 
 of the Enemy, who immediately, upon their 
 facing about, got out of their Reach, retiring 
 with the fame Swiftncfs that they attacked 5 the 
 Motions of this great Multitude of Barbarians 
 
 re- 
 
Book I. Conquejl of Mexico. 99 
 
 rcfembling the Rolling of the Sea, when the 
 Waves are driven back by the Wind. 
 
 The Spaniards had marched about three 
 Quarters of a League, continually plying their 
 Weapons, when Hernan Cortes appeared at a 
 Diftance, who, upon the Notice given him by 
 Alvarado, was coming to their Relief, with 
 all the reft of the Troops. As foon as the In- 
 dians fpy'd him, they made a Halt, giving 
 thofe they purfu'd Time to march off, and con- 
 tinued a while looking on, either by way of 
 Threatning, or to fignify that they were not 
 afraid ; yet afterwards they difperfed in fevcral 
 fmall Bodies, and left the Field to their Ene- 
 mies. Cortes returned to his Quarters, with- 
 out engaging farther, becaufe it was requifite 
 to take care of the Wounded, being eleven in 
 both Companies, of which Number two died, 
 arid this was reckoned, at that Time, a very 
 great Lofs. 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 The Spaniards engage with a powerful Army 
 of the Indians ^Tabafco, and the Tarts 
 adjacent. A 'Defer ipt ion of their Manner 
 of fighting, and of the Vitkory obtain d by 
 Cortes. 
 
 SOME Prifoners were taken upon this Oc- 
 cafion ; and Cortes ondcfdjerom de Aguir 
 tar to examine them feparatcly, to know wlvt 
 
 Hi if 
 
loo The Hiitory of the Book L 
 
 it was that thofc Indians founded their Obfti- 
 nacy on, and what Forces they had to iiipport 
 it. Their Anfwers differed in fome Circum- 
 ftances ; but they agreed in declaring^ That all 
 the Caziques of the neighbouring Countries 
 were fummoiVd to the Afliftancc of thofe of 
 Tabafco ; and that the next Day a very power- 
 ful Army was to be drawn together to make 
 an End of the- Spaniards at once; of which 
 Number the Body that had attacked the two 
 Companies under Francifco de Lugo, and c Pe- 
 dro de Alvarado, was but a fmall Detachment. 
 This Intelligence gave Cortes fome Uneafi- 
 nefs ; whereupon he rcfolved to call his Cap- 
 tains together, and advife with them what was 
 proper to be done. He laid before them the 
 ^Difficulties in which they were engaged, their 
 fmall Numbers, and the great ^Preparations 
 the Indians had made to defiroy them, with- 
 out concealing the leaft Circumftance of what 
 the Priibners had declared. He then proceeded 
 to confider how far their Glory was concern d, 
 reprefenting to them their own Valour, the 
 Nakednefs and Weaknefs of .their Enemies, 
 mid how eafily they had defeated them at Ta- 
 bafco, at their Landing! but above all he 
 urged the ill Confequences of turning their 
 Backs upon the Threats of thofe Barbarians, 
 the Report of whofe Boafis might f pre ad as 
 far as the Country they were going to, which 
 would be a "Difgrace of fo much Confequcnce, 
 that, in his Opinion, they muft either hitire- 
 ly lay afide the Enterprise of New Spain, or 
 
 proceea 
 
Book I. Ccnqueft of Mexico. 101 
 
 proceed no farther till they had either efla- 
 bliJbedTeace, or fubdud that ^Province -, but 
 that he only prop o fed this as his O pinion y be- 
 ing refolved to aft as jhould be judged the mojl 
 convenient. 
 
 They very Veil knew, that this Deference 
 of their General was no Affe&ation 5 for he 
 always valu'd himfelf upon being fond of Ad- 
 vice, and fubmitting to that Opinion whicia 
 was beft, this being one of his mod peculiar 
 Qualities, and a fufficient Proof of his Pru- 
 dence : For a fuperior Underftanding is lefs 
 difcover'd by forming a good Argument, than 
 by owning the Force of another's. In this 
 Confidence every one gave his Opinion ; and 
 they all agreed, that it was not then practica- 
 ble to depart that Country, till they had either 
 reduced or chaftifed the Inhabitants. Where- 
 upon Cortes proceeded to make the neceflary 
 Difpofitions for that Enterprize. He ordered 
 the wounded Men to be carried on Board, the 
 Horfes to be landed, the Artillery to be in a 
 Readinefs, and every Thing in Order by the 
 next Morning, which was the Feaft of the 
 Annunciation of our Lady, memorable to this 
 Day in that Country, on Account of the Suc- 
 cefs of that Battle. 
 
 As foon as it was Day, he contrived that 
 ill the Men fhould hear Mafs 5 and giving the 
 Command of the Foot to "Diego de Orda& 7 
 le and the other Commanders mounted on 
 rlorfeback, and kept pace with the Artillery, 
 which moved with much Difficulty, becauie 
 
 H 3 the 
 
102 The Hifiory of the Book I. 
 
 the Ground was boggy and uneven. They 
 drew near to the Place, where, according to 
 the Information of the Prifoners, the Enemy's 
 Forces were to rendezvous, but found no one 
 of whom they could get the leaft Account, till 
 coming to a Place called Cinthla, little lefs 
 than a League from their Quarters, they dif- 
 cover'd at a great Diftance the Indian Army, 
 fo numerous, and extending fo far, that the 
 Eye could not reach to fee the End of them. 
 
 We will now dcfcribe the Indian Manner 
 of Marching, and Engaging, which may fcrve 
 upon all Occafions in this Conqueft, the Art 
 of War being almoft the fame among all the 
 Nations in New Spain. Moft of their Wea- 
 pons were Bows and Arrows : The Bow-Strings 
 were made of the Sinews of Beafts, or of 
 Thongs of Deer-Skin twifted, and their Ar- 
 rows, for Want of Iron, were headed with 
 Bones ground fharp, or Fifh-Bones. They ufed 
 alfo a kind of Darts, which fometimes they 
 threw, and at others they managed like a Pike, 
 as Occafion required. They had likcwife long 
 Swords, which they ufed with both Hands, 
 as we do our Scimitars or Faulchions, made of 
 Wood, in which they fixed fharp Flints. The 
 ftrongeft of them had Clubs, pointed with 
 Flints. And there were Slingers, who threw 
 Stones with great Force and Skill. The dc- 
 fenftve Arms, which were only ufed by Com- 
 manders and Perfons of Diftinftion, were Coats 
 of quilted Cotton, ill-fitted Breaft-Plates, and 
 Shields of Wood or Tortoifc- Shell, adorned 
 
 with 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 103 
 
 with Plates of flich Metal as they could get ; 
 and fome made ufe of Gold as we do of Iron. 
 The reft were naked 5 and all of them de- 
 formed with various Dies and Colours with 
 which they painted their Faces and Bodies ; a 
 Martial Sort of Ornament, which they made 
 ufe of to ftrike a Terror into their Enemies, 
 believing that Uglincls made them appear 
 dreadful 5 as Tacitus relates of the Arii y a 
 People in Germany ', and remarks that an Im- 
 preflion on the Eye is the firft Step to Vi&ory. 
 Their Heads were covered with divers Plumes 
 of Feathers, like Crowns, raifed high to make 
 them appear taller. They had alfo warlike 
 Inftruments, and Mufick, with which they 
 animated their Soldiers, and gave Signals 5 as 
 Flutes made of great Canes 5 Sea-Shells 5 and 
 a Sort of Drums, made of the Trunk of a 
 Tree, fo hollowed, and made thin, that they 
 anfwered to the Stroke of the Stick a very dif- 
 pleafing Sound, but fcemed well fuited to the 
 Ears of thofe People. 
 
 They- formed their Battalions of great Num- 
 bers, without any Order 5 but had Troops of 
 Referve to relieve where there was Occafion. 
 They made their Attacks with great Fury, and 
 terrible Outcries, with which they thought to 
 intimidate their Enemies 5 a Cuftom which 
 fome have accounted among the Brutalities of 
 thofe Indians, without obferving that it has 
 been ufed by many antient Nations, and not 
 defpifed even by the Romans : For Cafar in 
 }>is Commentaries commends the Cries of his 
 
 H 4 C\Y11 
 
i©4 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 own Soldiers, and blames the Silence of thofe 
 of Tompey 5 and Cato the Elder was wont to 
 fay, that he had obtained more Victories by 
 the Cries of the Soldiers, than by their Swords 5 
 both of them being of Opinion, that the Cries 
 of the Soldiers proceeded from the Courage 
 that was in the Heart. We do not argue whe- 
 ther this is a commendable Cuftom, or not ; 
 only fay, it was not fo barbarous in the 
 Indians, as to be without Example in other 
 Nations. Their Armies were composed of 
 Natives, and feveral Troops of Auxiliaries from 
 the neighbouring Provinces, who came to the 
 Affiftancc of their Confederates, being led by 
 their Caziques, or fome Prime Indian of their 
 Family. They were divided into Companies, 
 whofe Captains led, but could fcarce govern 
 their Men 5 for, when they came to engage, 
 they were directed either by Fear or Rage, as 
 is ufual among fuch Multitudes, being equally 
 eager to attack, and to run away. 
 
 Such was the Soldiery of the Indians j and 
 after this Manner that Army, or rather Inun- 
 dation of Men, which fecmedto cover all the 
 Country, advanced towards the Spaniards. 
 Cortes was fenfible of the Danger he was in, 
 yet did not defpair of the Succcfs, but en- 
 couraged his Soldiers with a chearful Counte- 
 nances and porting them under the Shelter of 
 a rifing Ground, which covered their Rear, 
 and placing the Artillery where it could do 
 moft Execution, he ftruck into a Wood with 
 his fifteen Horfe, advancing far into it, in order 
 
 to 
 
Book I. Conquefi of Mexico, 105 
 
 to fally out, and flank them, as Occafion fhould 
 require. As foon as the Indian Army came up 
 within a proper Diftance, they firftfhot their Ar- 
 rows, and then fell upon the Spaniards with 
 fo much Fury and Precipitation, that the Fire- 
 Arms and Crofs-Bows not being able to flop 
 them 7 they were obliged to make ufe of theij? 
 Swords. Great was the Slaughter made among 
 them 5 and as they prefs'd on in Throngs, the 
 Artillery deftroy'd whole Companies ; but they 
 were fo obftinate, that as foon as the Ball was 
 pafs'd they clofed again, and cover'd the Lofs 
 they had fuftain d, making loud Cries, and 
 throwing Handfuls of Duft into the Air, that 
 the Spaniards might not fee thofe who fell, 
 or hear their Lamentations. 
 
 Diego de Ordaz repaired to all Parts, 
 acquitting himfelf both as a good Captain and 
 a valiant Soldier : But the Enemies being fo 
 very numerous, the Spaniards had enough to 
 do to (land their Ground ; and the Inequality 
 of their Strength began to appear, whcnCortes, 
 who could not come fooner to the Afliftance 
 of his Men, by reafon of fome Brooks he had 
 to pafs, faUy'd forth from the Wood, and fell 
 upon all that Army, breaking through the 
 thickeft of their Battalions, and doing fuch 
 Execution with his Horfe, that the Indians y 
 wounded, and tfodden under Foot, thought 
 of nothing but getting from them, throwing 
 away their Arms, as an Obftacle to the Swift- 
 
 nefc of their Flight. 
 
 Diego 
 
iod The Hiftory of the Boole I, 
 
 Diego de Ordaz was fenfible that the 
 Relief he had cxpc&ed was come, by the weak 
 Rcftftance of the Enemies Van-Guard, which 
 began to face about by Reafon of the Con- 
 fufton in the Rear ; whereupon, without Lofs 
 of Time, he advanced with his Foot, charge- 
 ing thofe who opprefs'd him with fo much 
 Refolution, that he obliged them to give way, 
 gaining the Ground as they loft it, till he 
 came to the Place which Cortes and his Cap- 
 tains had clear 'd of the Enemy. They all 
 joined to make the laft Effort, and were forced 
 to mend their Pace 5 for the Indians were re- 
 tiring in an hafty Manner, yet ftill making 
 Head, and employing their miflive Weapons > 
 and this Manner of making off and withdraw-, 
 ing from the Fight in good Order they con- 
 tinued till the Spaniards came up to them, 
 when finding themfclves again attacked, they 
 turnd their Backs, and inllead of retreating, 
 fled outright. 
 
 Cortes commanded his Men to halt, to 
 avoid the fhedding of more Blood, ordering 
 only fome Prifoncrs to be taken, whom he 
 might make ufe of to fet on foot a Treaty of 
 Peace, which he chiefly had in View, look- 
 ing on this War as no more than a Circum- 
 ftancc of his principal Defign. Above eight 
 hundred Indians remained dead upon the Spot, 
 and the Number of the Wounded was very 
 great. Of the Spaniards, two Soldiers were 
 killed, and Thrccfcore and ten wounded. 
 
 Thb 
 
BookL CoJiqueft of Mexico. 107 
 
 The Enemies Army, according to the Ac- 
 counts we have, confided of forty thoufand 
 Men $ who, altho' they were naked Barbarians, 
 (as fome foreign Writers have obferved) yet 
 had Hands to do Mifchief : And fhould we 
 grant that they wanted Courage, which is 
 proper to Men, yet they could not be defti- 
 tute of Fiercenefs, of which brute Beads are 
 .capable. 
 
 The Adion of Tabafco, in fpite of Envy, 
 was truly worthy of the Honour afterwards 
 done it, by building a Church in Comme- 
 moration of the Day on which the Battle was 
 fought, dedicated to our Lady of Vidory, and 
 by giving the fame Name to the fird Town 
 which the Spaniards built in that Province. 
 The greatelt Share of the happy Succefs mud 
 be afcrib'd to the Valour of the Soldiers, who 
 by their Courage and Refolution, fupply'd their 
 want of Numbers, tho' they had the Advan- 
 tage of engaging in good Order, againd an 
 Army without any Manner of Difcipline. 
 Cortes opened the Way to the Vidory, by 
 breaking through the main Body of the In- 
 dians with his Horfe : An Adion, in which 
 he fhewed no lefs Condud than Valour. Nor 
 can it be denied but that the Horfcs had their 
 Part in this Adion, the Strangenefs of them 
 terrifying the Indians? for they had never 
 feen any before, and imagined them to be 
 fierce Monders, half Man and half Bead, as 
 the antlent Heathens, who were lefs excufable 
 in that Particular, fancy 'd of the Centaurs. 
 
 Some 
 
1 08 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 Some Authors relate, that St. James the Apo~ 
 file fought for the Spaniards in this Battle up- 
 on a white Horfe 3 and add, that Cortes, out 
 of his particular Devotion, attributed this Rer 
 lief to St. Teter. But Bernal 'Diaz, del Ca- 
 ftilloy who was prefent, utterly denies the Mi^ 
 xacle 5 and declares, that neither he, nor any 
 of his Companions either faw or heard of any 
 fuch Thing. It is an Excefs of pious Zeal to 
 afcribe thofe Things to Heaven which fucceed 
 contrary to all Appearances, or Hope. I con- 
 fefs myfelf little inclined to this 5 but, in cafe 
 of any extraordinary Accident, am willing to 
 leave the immediate Operation to natural" Cau- 
 ses : But it is certain, that thofe who read the 
 Hiftory of the Weft Indies, will meet with 
 many Truths that look like Hyperboles, and 
 many Events, which it was neceffary to make 
 miraculous, that they might appear credible. 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 The Spaniards make 'Peace with the Caziqne 
 of Tabafco, and celebrate the Feftival of 
 Palm-Sunday. After which they reimbark, 
 and continue their Voyage. 
 
 THE next Day Cortes caufed the Pri- 
 lbncrsto be brought before him, among 
 whom were two or three Officers. They dis- 
 covered in their Countenances very great Fear, 
 expecting to be treated after the fame cruel 
 
 Manner 
 
Book I. Conqneft of Mexico* 109 
 
 Manner they ufed to treat the Vanquifh'd. But 
 Cortes receiv'd them with great Courtefy > 
 and encouraging them with a chcarful Coun- 
 tenance, and with Embraces, fet them at Li- 
 berty, giving them fome trifling Prefents ; and 
 telling them at the fame time, That he knew 
 both how to Conquer, and Forgive. This 
 Piece of Humanity had fo good an Effed, that 
 within a few Hours fevcral Indians came to 
 the Quarters loaden with Indian Wheat, Fowl, 
 and other Provifions, defigning by that Prc- 
 fent to facilitate the Peace which they were to 
 propofe from the principal Cazique oiTabafco. 
 The People who came on this Embafly, were 
 of the mcancft Sort, and made no Figure ; 
 which Jerom de Aguilar took Notice of, 
 becaufe it was the Cuftom of this Country, up- 
 on all fuch Occafions, to fend Pcrfons of the 
 firfl: Rank, adorned with all their Finery. And 
 altho' Cortes was very defirous of Peace, he 
 refufed to admit their Propofals, as not coming 
 in due Form > and fent back the Indians, 
 without fo much as feeing them ; bidding 
 them, by his Interpreter, acquaint their Ca- 
 zique, That if he defired his Friend/hip, he 
 muft fend Terfons of greater Account, and 
 after a more decent Manner, to folicit it. 
 Cortes was of Opinion, that thefe Formalities, 
 wliich fupport Authority, were not to be dif- 
 penfed with, nor any Failings of Rcfped fuf- 
 fer'd in thofe who came as Suppliants 5 for in 
 fuch fort of Affairs, the Manner of Ading is 
 almoft of as much Importance as the Thing 
 itfelf. The 
 
no The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 The Cazique acknowledge his Fault ; and 
 to make amends, the next Day fent thirty In- 
 dians of better Quality, with their Ornaments 
 of Plumes and jewels, wherein all their Pride 
 coniifted. They were followed by a Train of 
 Indians, loaded with another Preient of the 
 fame Kind as before, but in greater Abundance. 
 Cortes gave them Audience, attended by all 
 his Captains, affecting a grave and levere Coun- 
 tenance, becaufe he thought it proper upon 
 this Occaiton to lay afidc his natural Affability. 
 They approached with very great Submillion ; 
 and having perfum'd him with their Fire-Pans, 
 in which they burnt Gum-Anime, Gum-Co- 
 pal, and other fweet Scents, (an ufual Ceremony 
 when they would expreis the greateft Vene- 
 ration) they delivered their Embaffy ; which 
 began with fome frivolous Excufes for their 
 paft War, and concluded in carncft Intreatics 
 for Peace. The General represented to them, 
 after a very ferious Manner, the juft Cauics 
 he had to be difpleas'd with them 5 to the end 
 that on a View of their Faults, the Pardon 
 might appear with greater Lultre, and the 
 Peace which he granted them prove the more 
 welcome. The Ambailadors received it with 
 great Applaufe, returning extremely iatisfied, 
 and cafily enriched with thole flight Baubles 
 they {o highly valu'd. 
 
 Afterwards the Cazique himfelf came* to 
 Vifit Cortes, accompany'd by all his Officers 
 and Relations, bringing with him a Preient 
 of Cotton Cloths, Plumes of various Colours, 
 
Book I. Conqueft of Mexico. 1 1 1 
 
 and fomc Pieces of low Gold, more valuable 
 for the VVorkmanfhip than for the Metal. He 
 firft made his Prcfent, in order to be better 
 received. Cortes carefs'd him very much; 
 and all the Vifit pafs'd in Compliments, and 
 Protcftations of a reciprocal and finccrc Friend- 
 fhip, all tranfattcd by the Interpreter. The 
 Spanifh Captains treated the other Prime 
 Indians, who accompany J d the Cazique, after 
 the fame Manner; and nothing appeared but 
 Signs of Joy and Peace, which they explained 
 by their Countenances and Embraces, to fup- 
 ply the Want of Language. The Cazique 
 took his Leave, appointing another Day for 
 an Interview; and to fhew his Sincerity, and 
 how much he confided in the General, he 
 immediately ordered his Subjc&s to return 
 with their Families to Tabafco, and aiTift the 
 Spaniards in whatfocver they fhould want. 
 
 The next Day he came again to the Quar- 
 ters, with the iamc Attendance, and twenty 
 IndianWomcn, well drefs'd, after the Manner 
 of the Country ; telling Cortes he brought 
 them as a Prefcnt, to ferve him and his Com- 
 panions, as being very skilful in d re fling all 
 Sorts of Meat, and in making Bread of Indian 
 Wheat, which amongft them was always the 
 Work of Women. 
 
 They ground the Grain between two Stones, 
 like thofe we ufe for Chocolate; and when 
 reduced to Flour, they made it into Palle, 
 without having any Occaiion for Leaven. Then 
 they fprcad and moulded it upon a fort of 
 
 earthen 
 
i 1 2 The Hifiory of the Book !. 
 
 earthen Plates, which they put over the Fire, 
 and baked it; this being the Bread with which 
 God has abundantly fupplied that new World, 
 to make Amends for the Want of Wheat, 
 and is very agreeable to the Tafte, and not 
 offenfive to the Stomach. Among thefe Wo- 
 men came one principal Indian, well made, 
 and of more than ordinary Beauty, who was 
 afterwards baptized, and received the Name 
 of Marina, and proved very ncceffary in the 
 Conqueft, as will appear in its proper Place. 
 
 Cortes went allde with the Cazique, 
 and the Chief of thofe that followed him $ 
 and by means of his Interpreter informed 
 them, That he was the Subjeff and Officer 
 of a very powerful Monarch - y and that his 
 Intention was to make them happy, by bring- 
 ing them under the Obedience of hisTrince; 
 to convert them to the true Religion, and 
 deflroy the Errors of their Idolatry. He 
 enforced thefe Propofals with his natural Elo- 
 quence, and fo much Authority, that the In- 
 dians were perfuaded, or at lead inclined to 
 Rcafon. The Anfwcr they gave was, That 
 they Jhould think themfelves very happy in 
 obeying a Monarch, whofe Tower and Great - 
 nefs appear d with fuch Advantage in the 
 Valour of his Subjects. But as to the Point 
 of Religion, they were more referved. 
 
 The Defeat of their Army by fuch a Handfai 
 of Spaniards, made them doubt whether they 
 v/cre not ailifted by fome Deity fuperior to 
 their own. But though they could not rcfolve 
 
 to 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 1 1 3 
 
 to confcfs it, their admitting the Doubt was 
 no fmall Step towards the Truth. 
 
 The Pilots prefs'd the Departure of the Fleet, 
 which, according to their Obfervations, might 
 be endangcr'd by any longer Stay in that Place. 
 And though Cortes was concerned to leave 
 thole People, before he had better inftrucicd 
 them on the Subject of Religion, he found 
 himfelf obliged to think of his Voyage 5 and 
 C P aim-Sunday drawing near, he appointed that 
 Day for embarking, lb ordering it, that the 
 Fcftivai might be kept firft, according to the 
 Rites of the Church, Religion being always 
 his firft Care. To which End he railed an 
 Altar in the Fields, which he covered with 
 Boughs, in Form of a Chapel : A ruftick, but 
 decent Structure, and which was the fecond 
 Church of New Spain. At the fame Time 
 they embarked their Provifions, and made all 
 other ncccflary Preparations for their Voyage. 
 The Indians ailifted in all Things with an 
 officious Diligence ; and the Cazique, with 
 his Captains, attended Cortes with the grcateft 
 Refpecl: and Veneration. Father Bartolome de 
 Olmedo, and the Licentiate Juan 'Diax, made 
 ufe of this Opportunity to endeavour to bring 
 them into the Way of Truth, purfuing what 
 Cortes had fo well begun, and taking AdvajK 
 rage of the good Inclinations they (hewed in 
 their Anfwcrs: But they only comply'd as 
 Men that were fubdu'd, being more inciin'd 
 to receive another God, than to part with any 
 of their own. They hearken'd with Picafore, 
 
 Vol. I. 1 and 
 
1 14 The Hiftory of the Book 1. 
 
 and feem'd dcfirous to comprehend what they 
 heard: But Reafon wasnofooner admitted by 
 the Will, than it was rcje&ed by the Under- 
 ftanding. The mod that the two Pricfts could 
 effed at that Time, was to leave them in a 
 good Difpofition, and to perceive that it re- 
 quired more Time to prepare their rude and 
 uncultivated Minds, to become fenfible of 
 their Blindnefs. 
 
 On Sunday Morning there came an infinite 
 Number of Indians^ from the neighbouring 
 Parts, to fee this Fcftival of the Chriftians f. 
 and the Boughs, being blcfl with the ufual So- 
 lemnity, were diftributed among the Soldicrs y 
 who all marched in Proceffioii with equal 
 Modcfty and Devotion: A Sight worthy of 
 better Spectators ; and which appeared with 
 the more Luftre among thofe Infidels, as Light 
 from the Oppofltion of Darkncfs. However, 
 it had fome little Effect upon thofe Heathens; 
 for, as Aguilar afterwards declar'd, they cry'd 
 out, This maft needs be a great God, to whom 
 fitch valiant Men Jhew fo much Refyeft. 
 They hit upon the Truth, butmiitook in their 
 Way of Rcafoning. 
 
 When Mais was done, Cortes took Leave 
 of the Cazique, and the principal Indians? 
 and having confirmed the Peace with further 
 Demonftrations of Friendship, he embarked, 
 leaving thofe People rather obedient, than fub- 
 jeetto the King - y and as to Religion, fo far in 
 'the Way to Salvation, as to defire, or, at leaft> 
 not to oppofc the Means of obtaining it. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Book I. Coiiquejl of Mexico. 115 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 Cortes proceeds on his Voyage. The Fleet 
 arrives at St. Juan de Ulua. The Soldiers 
 land. The General receives an Embajfy 
 from MotezumaV Governors. An Ac- 
 count who Donna Marina was. 
 
 THE Monday after T aim- Sunday the 
 Spaniards fet Sail, and following the 
 Coaft to the Weftward, came within Sight of 
 the Province of Guazacoalco j and, without 
 putting in at Rio de Banderas y or the River 
 of Banners, had a View of the IJIand of 
 Sacrifices y and other Places, which had be- 
 fore been difcovered and forfaken by Juan 
 de Grijalva-, the Soldiers who had ierved 
 under him, telling their Comrades what Ad- 
 ventures they had met with in that Expedi- 
 tion 5 and Cortes learning from the ill Sue- 
 cefs of that Enterprize, how to manage his 
 own better. At length they arriv'd at St. 
 Juan de Ulua on Maundy -Thurf day at Noon 5 
 and the Ships had no fooner anchored between 
 the Ifland and the main Land, to flicker them- 
 felves from the North Winds, than they faw 
 two large Canoes, which in that Country are 
 called Piraguas, coming from the neighbour- 
 ing Coaft, with fome Indians in them 5 who 
 drew near, without (hewing the leaft Concern 
 at the Fleet, difcovering by this Security, and 
 
 1 2 fome 
 
n6 The Hiftory of the Book L 
 
 fome Signs they made, that they came in a 
 peaceable Manner, and defircd to be heard. 
 
 When they were within a fmall Diftance 
 of the Admiral, they began to fpeak in £ 
 ftrange Language, that Aguilar did not un- 
 derftand 5 which much troubled Cortes \ bemg 
 concern'd to want an Interpreter when he had 
 mod Occafion for him, looking upon it as a 
 great Obftacle to his Undertaking : But Pro- 
 vidence, that brings about its Dcfigns, by 
 Way$that to Merr appear cafual, foon relieved 
 him m this Diftrefs. The Indian Woman, 
 whom we (hall now call 'Donna Marina, was 
 not far from Cortes and Aguilar, and guefling 
 by their Looks what they were diicourfrng, 
 Slid what they wanted, (he told Aguilar in the 
 Tucatan Tongue, that thofe Indians fpokc the 
 Mexican Language, and defircd Audience of 
 the General on the Part of the Governor of 
 that Province. Cortes ordcr'd them to come 
 aboard 5 and laying afide the Uneafinels he 
 had been under, gave Thanks to God, ac- 
 knowledging it was owing to his infinite Good- 
 nefs, that, contrary to all his Hopes, he had 
 found an Inurnment whereby to make himfelf 
 underftood in a Country which he had lb ear- 
 ned! y defired to fee. 
 
 Donna Marina, according to the Report 
 of Bernal Diaz del Cajiillo, was Daughter 
 to the Cazique of Guazacoalco, one of the 
 Provinces fubjedt to the Emperor of Mexico, 
 bordering upon that of Tabafco, and had, 
 through lbmc Accidents of Life, which arc 
 
 varioufly 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 117 
 
 varioufly reported, been carry 'd away in her 
 Youth to Xisalango y a ftrong Pkcc upon the 
 Confines of Tiwatan y which was kept by a 
 Mexican Garifon. There fhe was bred in a 
 poor Manner, no way agreeable to her Birth, 
 till by a frefh Misfortune, either by Salc ? or 
 being taken in War, fhe became a Slave to the 
 Cazique of Tabafco, who made a Prcfent of 
 her to Cortes, In Guazacoalco y and in Xu 
 calango, they fpoke the general Mexican Lan- 
 guage, and in Takafco that of Tucatan y which 
 Aguilar underftood : So that "Donna Marina 
 underftood both thofc Languages, and ex- 
 plained to the Indians in the Mexican, what 
 Aguilar told her in that of Tucatan j Cortes 
 making ufe of this round-about Way of Speak- 
 ing by two Interpreters, till fuch time as 
 fDonna Marina had learn 'd Spanijh, which 
 was not long; for fhe had a very ready Wit, 
 and feveral natural Endowments, which well 
 agreed with the Nobility of her Birth. An- 
 tonio de Herrera fays fhe was a Native of Xa- 
 li/co, and that fhe was brought to Tabafco 
 from a very diftant Country ; for Xalifco is 
 on the other Sea, in the very furtheft Part of 
 New Galicia. Perhaps he took this Notion 
 from Francifco Lopez de Gomara ; but we 
 cannot apprehend, why in this, and other 
 more important Matters, he does not follow 
 -the Account of Bernal "Diaz del Cajiillo^ 
 whofe Manufcript he had at hand 5 for he fol- 
 lows and quotes him in many Parts of his 
 Hillary. ^Donna Marina was ever a mod 
 
 I 3 faithful 
 
1 1 8 The Hiftory of the Book I. 
 
 faithful Interpreter to Cortes-, and he con- 
 firmed her in his Intereft by Ways not alto- 
 gether fo decent 5 for he had a Son by her, 
 called 'Don Martin Cortes, who was made a 
 Knight of St. J ago, in Confederation of the 
 Nobility of his Mother's Birth. This was no 
 juflifiable Method to iecure her Fidelity ; but 
 fome will have it to have been good Policy :, 
 However, we are more apt to believe it was 
 the ill Effect of an ungovcrned Pailion, not- 
 withstanding the World is accuftomed to give 
 the fpecious Title of Reafon of State, to that 
 which is in Reality no other than human 
 Weaknefs. 
 
 The Indians being admitted to the Pre- 
 fence of the General, acquainted him, That 
 ^Pilpatoe and Teutile, the one Governor, and 
 the other Captain- General of that Province, 
 for the great Emperor Motezuma, had lent 
 them to know of the Commander of that 
 Pieet, with what Intention he was come up- 
 on their Coaft; and to offer him what Suc- 
 cour and Affiftance he fhould ftand in need 
 of, in order to continue his Voyage. Cortes 
 carefs'd them, gave them a few Baubles, and 
 treated them with fome Sfanifb Diet and 
 Wine 5 and having thus obliged them, an- 
 fwer'd, " '. . came as a Friend to treat 
 
 " concerning Matters of great Importance to 
 " their Prince, il his Empire; for which 
 
 " Purpofe he would meet the two Governors, 
 " and hoped to receive the fame good Treat- 
 cl mefcr from them, as ethers of his Nation 
 
 « had 
 
Book I. Conqueji of Mexico. 779 
 
 ¥ had done the Year before/' And having 
 receiv'd fome Information concerning the 
 Greatnefs oiMotezttma, his Riches, and Form 
 of Government, he lent them away very well 
 .contented. 
 
 The next Day in the Morning, being Good- 
 Friday, the Spaniards all landed on the Shore 
 xieareft the Fleet : And Cortes gave Orders 
 for landing the Horfes and Artillery ; and that 
 the Soldiers, in Companies, mould go and cut 
 Fafcines to entrench themfelves, not forget- 
 ting to poft the neceffary Guards at the Ave- 
 nues, and to build a fufficient Number of Bar- 
 racks to flicker them from the Heat of the 
 Sun, which at that Time was very great, The 
 Artillery was planted fo as to command the 
 Country, and in a little Time they were all 
 under Cover; for Tent He fent a great Num- 
 ber of Indians with Proviftons, and Orders 
 to affift the Spaniards in that Work : To 
 whom they were of great Ufe, becaufe they 
 brought their Tools edg'd with fharp Flints, 
 with which they cut Stakes, and fixing them 
 in the Ground, interwove with them the 
 Boughs and Leaves of Palm-Trees, forming 
 the Walls and Roofs of a Lodging with much 
 Eafe and Diligence, being great Matters in 
 this Kind of Architecture, as having in many 
 Places no other Houfes, and being lefs bar- 
 barous in proportioning their Stru&ures to 
 what Nature requires, than thofe who build 
 vaft Palaces, where (till they cannot find fuffi- 
 cient Room for their Vanity. They alf6 
 
 I 4 brought; 
 
1 20 The Hiftory of the Book L 
 
 brought fome Cotton Cloths, with which they 
 covered the Officers Barracks, the better to 
 defend them from the Heat of the Sun. In 
 the beft of them Cortes ordered an Altar to 
 be (ct up, on which, when adorn'd, he placed 
 the Image of the Virgin Mary, and at the En- 
 trance a great Crofs, in order to celebrate 
 Eafler : For Religion was always his principal 
 Care, and in that he was equally zealous with 
 the Pricfts. Bernal Ttiaz, del Caftillo affurcs 
 us, that Mafs was faid on that Altar the fame 
 Day they landed -, but we do not believe that 
 Father Bartolome de Olrnedo, and the Licen- 
 tiate Juan TDia&y could be fo ill inftrucled, 
 and fo ignorant of the Offices of the Church, 
 as not to know that Mafs could not be faid on 
 Good-Friday. He very often depends too 
 much upon his Memory: But what is mod to 
 be wondered at, is, that Antonio de Herrera 
 fhould follow him, and almoft copy him in 
 this Miftake, into which I fuppofc both to 
 have fallen through Inadvertency ; and I do 
 not take Notice of it fo much with a Defign 
 to cenfurc them, as to make it a Leflbn to 
 myfelf to avoid the like Negligences. 
 
 Cortfs undcrflood by thefe Indians, that 
 General Teutile was attended by a confider- 
 able Body of Troops, and that he was efta- 
 blidiinG; the Dominion of Motezuma in fome 
 Places newly conquered of this Province, the 
 Civil Government of which was vefted in 
 Ttlpatoe. And the great Care they took to 
 fend Provifions, and help the Spaniards in 
 
 building 
 
Book I. Conquefl of Mexico. 1 1 1 
 
 building: of their Barracks, was not without 
 Artifice, fo far as could be gathered; for they 
 were very much terrified with the Account of 
 the Succefs at Tabafco, which had now fpread 
 over all the Country; and confidering that the 
 forces with which they were provided were 
 inferior in Strength to thofe that had been 
 vanquiuYd, they had Recburfc to Prefents and 
 Civilities, in order to oblige where they could 
 pot rcfift : A Contrivance of Fear, which often 
 makes thofe generous" who dare not declare 
 themfelves Enemies. 
 
 The End of the First Book, 
 
 THE 
 
[ 122 ] 
 
 __. -■ ■ ■ — . ... .^ 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 Of the C O N QJJ E S T of 
 
 Mexico, or New Spain, 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Tcutilc General of MotczumaV Troops, and 
 Pilpatoe Governor of the ^Province, come 
 to vifit Cortes on the Tart of Motezuma. 
 An Account of what faffed 'between them, 
 and of the Taint ers who drew the Titlure$ 
 of the Spanifh Forces. 
 
 THE Spaniards palled this Night, and 
 the following Day, in great Tranquil- 
 lity, but not the lefs upon their Guard ; and 
 the Indians were continually coming to their 
 Quarters, ibme to work, and others with Pro- 
 vifions, which they trucked for Baubles. No- 
 thing extraordinary happened till Ea/ler-Dzy 
 in the Morning, when Tent He and Tilpatoe 
 
 came 
 
Book 1 1. Conqnefi of Mexico. 123 
 
 came with a very great Attendance to vifit 
 Cortes. He received them in equal State, fur- 
 rounded by his Officers and Soldiers 5 for he 
 thought it proper to make a Shew of Autho- 
 rity, when he was to treat with the Miniftcrs. 
 of a great Prince. The firft Compliments 
 being over, in which the Mexicans exceeded, 
 and Cortes endeavour 'd to temper his Gravity 
 with Courtcfy-, he carried them with him to 
 the great Barrack, which ferved for a Ghapel; 
 it being the Hour of divine Service 5 ordering 
 bdguilar and c Qonna Marina to tell them, 
 that before he acquainted them with the: In- 
 tention of his Journey, he was to comply 
 v. ith the Duties of his Religion, and recom- 
 
 nd to the God of ail other Gods the good 
 •Suecefs of his Propofition. 
 
 Immediately Mafs was celebrated with all 
 pofllblc Solemnity. Father Bartolome de 01- 
 medo officiated, allifted by the Licentiate Juan 
 'Diaz,, Jexom de Agiiilar, and fomc Sgldiers, 
 who undcrftood how to fing the Service of the 
 Church 5 the Indians looking on all the while 
 wh a kind of AftoniPnment, which tho' the 
 Effect of Novelty, had the Air of Devotion. 
 After Service was over, they returned to the 
 General's Barrack, who entertained the two 
 Governors at Dinner, and treated them with 
 great Plenty and ©dentation. 
 
 The Banquet being over, Hernan Cortes 
 called his Interpreters, and, with a determined 
 Air, faid, That his coming thither was to 
 treat with the Etnperor Motezuma on the 
 
 Tart 
 
124 Tf je Hiffory of the Book If. 
 
 "Part of Don Carlos of Auftria, Monarch of 
 the Eaft, touching Affairs of great Import- 
 ance, not only to his own Per fan and Eft ate y 
 but likewife to the Welfare of all his Sub- 
 jecfs 5 for performing whereof it was necef 
 fary for him to appear before his Royal 'P re- 
 fence > and hoped he fiould be admitted with 
 all the Ci-viltty and Refpeci that was due to 
 the Greatnefs of the King who fent him. 
 
 Both the Governors chang'd Countenance 
 at this Propofal, and feem'd to hear it with 
 great Difiatisfaclion : But before they returned 
 an Anfwer, Teutile ordered a Prcfent he had 
 provided to be brought into the Barrack ; and 
 about twenty or thirty Indians came in loaded 
 with Provifions, fine Cloths, Feathers of feve* 
 ial Colours, and a great Box, in which were 
 divers Pieces of Gold, cunoufly wrought. 
 Having made his Prcfent wirh a good Grace 
 and Civility, and finding it was well received 
 and p railed, he turned to Cortes , and by the 
 Help of the fame Interpreters, prayed him to 
 accept that fmall Pre fent from two Slaves 
 ff MotezumaV, who had Orders to entertain 
 fich Strangers as (kould come upon his Coajls ; 
 but adding, that he mufi immediately think 
 of profecuting his Voyage^ it being no eafy 
 flatter to Jpeak with their Prince > and 
 that they thought they did him no fmall 
 Service in thus undeceiving him, before Ex- 
 perience made him fenftble of the "'Difficulty 
 of his Pretenfion. 
 
 Cortes 
 
Book IL Conquefl of Mexico* 125 
 
 Cortes replied, with fome Heat, That 
 Kings never rkfufed to hear the Embaffies 
 of other ^Princes ; neither could their Mini- 
 jiers, without very pofitive Orders^ take upon 
 themfelves Jo bold a Refolution as to oppofe 
 it : That what belonged to them to do in this 
 Cafe, was to acquaint Motezuma with his Ar- 
 rival, for which he would allow fome Time $ 
 but that they fhould likewife let their Emperor 
 know, that he came fully refolved to fee him, 
 and pofitive ly determined not to leave his 
 Country, with c Diflwnour to the King whofe 
 Representative he was. This bold Reiblutiou 
 of Cortes gave the Indians lb much Uhcafi- 
 ncfs, that they durft: not reply 5 on the con- 
 trary 5 they earneftly entreated him not to move 
 from thofc Quarters till the Return of Mote- 
 xur/ta's Anfwcr, offering to fupply him with 
 all Things that were ncccflary for the Support 
 of his Soldiers* 
 
 At this Time fome Mexican Painters, who 
 came in the Train of the two Governors, were 
 very bufy about drawing upon Cotton Cloths, 
 ( which they brought ready prini'd for that 
 Purpofe) the Ships, Soldiers, Arms, Artillery, 
 Horfes, and every Thing die that appeared to 
 them remarkable 5 of which Variety ok Objefts 
 they formed different Landskips, no way con- 
 temptible, either for the Drawing or the Co- 
 lours. 
 
 Our Bernal "Diaz enlarges too much up- 
 on the Skill of thefe Painters 5 for he faith 
 they drew all the Captains, and that die Pieces 
 
 very 
 
j 26 The Hiftory of the Book If. \ 
 
 very much rcfembled them : But let that pafs 
 as an Hyperbole lefs rcfcmbling the Truth; 
 for fuppofing them to have underllood the 
 Art of Painting, they had too little Leifure to 
 obferve the Nicety and Tcdioufncfs that Imi- 
 tation requires. 
 
 These Pictures were drawn by the Order 
 of Teutile, the better to inform Mdtezuma 
 of that extraordinary Novelty y and to make 
 their Dcfcrptions more intelligible, they placed 
 ibme Characters here and there, with which 
 they fecmed to explain, and give the Signifi- 
 cation of the Picture. This was their Manner 
 of Writing 5 for they had not attained the 
 Ufe of Letters, nor were they acquainted 
 with thofe Signs or Elements, invented by 
 other Nations, to reprcfent Syllables, and 
 make Words vHiblc 5 but they explained them- 
 felves by their Pencils, marking down mate- 
 rial Things with their own proper Images, 
 and the reft with Numbers and fignificant 
 Signs, difpoled after fuch a Manner, that the 
 Number, Sign, and Figure formed the Idea, 
 and fully explained the Meaning ; an excel- 
 lent Invention, (which fhewed their Capaci- 
 ty) like the Hieroglyphicks of the Egyptians, 
 who boaftcd of their Wit in that which was 
 common among the Indians, and which the 
 Mexicans pra&ifed with fuch Dexterity, that 
 they had whole Books of this Kind of Cha- 
 racters, and legible Pictures, in which they 
 preferved the Remembrance of their Anti- 
 quities, 
 
5ook II. Conquejl of Mexico. 127 
 
 pities, and left to Pofterity the Annals of 
 their Kings. 
 
 Cortes had Notice of what thefe Pain- 
 ters were doing, and went out to fee theni, 
 not without admiring their Skill 5 and being 
 informed that they were painting upoa thofe 
 Cloths the Information which Teutzle was to 
 give Motezuma of what ke had propos'd/~and 
 the Forces he had with him to make it good, 
 he, with his ufual fprightly Wit/ presently 
 obferved that thofe dumb Images wanted Acti- 
 on and Motion to exprefs the Valour of his 
 Soldiers, and therefore refolved to exereffe 
 his Men before them, to give the greater 
 Life and Vigour to the Fi&ure. To this End 
 he ordered them to their Arms ; drew up all 
 his Men in a Body; caufed the Artillery to be 
 made ready 5 and telling Teutile and Tilftatoe 
 that he would entertain them after the Man- 
 ner of his Country, he mounted his Horfc, 
 with his Captains, They firft ran two and 
 two after the Manner in Spain, and then the 
 whole Troop being divided into two Bodies, 
 they skirmifrf d in a martial Manner ; at which 
 ftrange Sight the Indians ftood arnaz'd, and 
 like Men befide themfelves : For obferving 
 the obedient Fiercenefs of thofe Beafts, the/ 
 began to think there was fomething more than 
 natural in thofe Men that managed them. 
 Immediately, at a Signal made by Cortes the 
 Fire-Arms difcharged, and foon after the Ar- 
 tillery; The Confufion and Aftonifhment of 
 thofe People increafmg (as the Noife was re-. 
 
 peated 
 
1 28 The Hifiory of the Book H. 
 
 peatcd and augmented) with fiich various Ef- 
 fects, that fome fell down upon the Ground, 
 others began to fly, and thofe who had mod 
 Prefence of Mind affeded Admiration, to dif- 
 icmble their Fear. 
 
 HernanCortes encouraged them, give* 
 ing them to imderftand, that among the Spa- 
 niards thefe were military Diverfions, as one 
 who defignd to make his Arms appear the 
 more formidable, by the Terror of fuch 
 friendly Entertainments. It was prefently per- 
 ceived, that the Painters were inventing new 
 Figures and Characters, to fupply what was 
 wanting on their Cloths. Some painted the 
 Spaniards armed, and drawn up in Form ; 
 others the Horfes in their Exercifc and xMo- 
 tion. They defcrib'd the Artillery with Fire 
 and Smoke, and reprcfented the very Noife 
 with the Similitude of Lightning, without 
 omitting anv one of thofe frightful Circum- 
 fiances, that moft dire&ly regarded what their 
 King w T as folicitous to know. 
 
 In the mean time Cortes returned to his 
 Barrack, with the two Governors 5 and after 
 having prefented them with fome fmall Spa- 
 nip Jewels, he prepared a Prefent of fundry 
 Sorts of Curiofirics to be fent from him to 
 Motezuma--) to which purpofe he made Choice 
 of feveral neat Pieces of the moft folid and 
 brightcft Glals 5 to which he added a Holland 
 Shirt, a Cap of Crimfon Velvet, adorned with 
 a Gold Medal reprefenting St. George, and a 
 Tapeftry Chair, which the Indians feem'd io 
 
 much 
 

 Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 129 
 
 much to admire, that it was thought a fit Pre- 
 fent for the Emperor. With this fmall Shew 
 of Liberality, which, amoug thofe People, 
 look'd like Magnificence, did Hernan Cortes 
 foften the Difagreeablenefs of his Refolution, 
 and took Leave of the two Governors, who 
 remained as much obliged by his Civilities, as 
 embarafs'd by his Defigns. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Motezuma returns his Anfiuer, with a Pre- 
 fent of great Value > but refufes to grant 
 the Leave dejired, to go to Mexico. 
 
 TH E Indians halted at a fmall Diftance 
 from the Spanijli Quarters, to confult 
 (as it was afterwards judg'd) what Meafures 
 they fhould take : For the Refult of this Stop 
 was, That Pilpatoe remained there to obferve 
 the Actions of the Spaniards '5 for which Pur- 
 pofc, a convenient Spot of Ground being fix'd 
 upon, a great Number of Barracks were rais'd, 
 and in a few Hours there appeared a confidera- 
 ble Village built upon the Plain. Pilpatoe 
 immediately provided againft the Sufpicion 
 this Novelty might produce, fending Word 
 to Cortes, that he ftay'd in that Place to take 
 Care of his Entertainment, and the better to 
 fupply his Troops with Provisions. And tho' the 
 Artifice of the Meffage was known, and that 
 his Intentions were to keep within View of 
 the Army, and watch their Motions., yet Cortes 
 Vol. I. K connived 
 
1 30 The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 connived at the Diilimulation, becaufc he 
 drew Advantage from it : for the Indians fup- 
 plied him with all Neceflaries; and the Fear 
 of having their Dcftgn fufpc&cd, made them 
 more punftual and careful. 
 
 Teutile proceeded to his own Quarters, 
 and difpatched an Account to Motezuma of 
 all that had happened upon the Coaft, fending 
 the Pictures which were drawn by his Or- 
 ders, and Cortes's Prefent, with the utmoft Di- 
 ligence. For this Purpofc, the Kings of Mex- 
 ico had a great Number of Couriers diftribu- 
 ted along all the principal Roads of the King- 
 dom, chofen out of the fwifteft Indians, and 
 bred up to it carefully from little Children. 
 Rewards were allotted out of the publickTrca- 
 fury to thofe who arrived firft at the appointed 
 Place : And Father Jofeph de Acojla (a faith- 
 ful Obfervcr of the Cuitoms of that Nation) 
 fays, That the chief Sehool where thefe In- 
 dian Runners were bred, was the principal 
 Temple of Mexico, where the Idol flood on 
 the Top of an hundred and twenty Stone Steps, 
 and thofe who firft arrived at its Feet, gained 
 the Reward: A notable Exercife to be tanght 
 in a Temple, and perhaps the lcaft Indecency 
 itfed in that mifcrable Place of Worfhip. Thefc 
 Couriers were relieved at every Town, like 
 our Poft-Horfes 5 and made the greater Speed, 
 becaufc they fucceeded one another, before 
 they were tired ; fo that the firft Force of the 
 Career never ecafed. 
 
 13 
 
Book II. Conquefi of Mexico* 1 31 
 
 In the General Hiftory, we find it reported, 
 that Teutile himfelf carry 'd his Difpatches and 
 Pi&urcs, and that he returned in feven Days 
 with the Anfwcr; wonderful Expedition for 
 a General ! This does not feem probable, the 
 Diftance being Sixty Leagues, the fhorteft way, 
 from Mexico to St. Juan de Ulna : Nor can 
 it eafily be believed, that the Mexican Am* 
 baflador, whom our Bernal c Diaz calls Qiiin- 
 talbor, came upon this Affair, or the hun- 
 dred noble Indians, whom the Re&orof Vil- 
 lahermofa gives him for his Attendants : But 
 this is of no great Importance. The Anfwer 
 came in Ccvcn Days (a Number which all 
 agree in ) 5 and Teutile brought it to the Spa- 
 nijh Quarters. He brought with him a Pre- 
 fant from Motezuma, which loaded the 
 Shoulders of an hundred Indians ; and before 
 he delivered his Embafiy, he caufed them to 
 lay Mats made of Palm-Tree Leaves, ( which 
 they call Petates) upon the Ground, and 
 place in Order upon them, as it were on a 
 Buffet, the fevcral Things of which the Pre- 
 fent was compofed. 
 
 There were various Sorts of Cotton Robes, 
 well wove, and fo fine, that they could not 
 be known from Silk, but by feeling 5 a Quan- 
 tity of Plumes, and other Curiofities made of 
 Feathers, whofe beautiful and natural Variety 
 of Colours (found on rare Birds, which that 
 Country produces) the Indian Artifts knew 
 to mix and difpofe with fo much Skill, that 
 without making ufe of artificial Colours, 
 
 K 2 or 
 
i li The Hiftory of the Book If, 
 
 or of the Pencil, they could draw Pictures, 
 and would undertake to imitate Nature. They 
 next produe'd a great Number of Arms, Bows, 
 Arrows, and Targets, made of extraordinary 
 Woods : Two very large Plates, of a circular 
 Form, the one of Gold, which by its embofling, 
 reprefented the Sun;' and the other of Silver, 
 reprcfenting the Moon : And laftly, a confi- 
 derable Quantity of Jewels, Pieces of Gold, 
 lome precious Stones, Collars of Gold Rings, 
 Pendants, after their Fafhion, and othef Orna- 
 ments of greater Weight, in the Shape of 
 Birds and Beafts, fo curioufly wrought, that 
 notwithstanding the great Value of the Metal, 
 the Workmanfhip fcem'd to exceed it. 
 
 As foon as Teutile had laid all his Wealth 
 before the Spaniards, he turned to Cortes, 
 and making a Sign to the Interpreters, told 
 him, That the great Emperor Motezumay^/" 
 him thofe Things in Return for his Trefent, 
 and to Jbew how much he <valud his Kings 
 Friendjhip ; but that he did not think it con- 
 venient, nor was it pojfible at that Time, 
 accordingto theprefent Tojiureofhis Affairs, 
 to grant the 7 er miff on he asked of paffng 
 forward to his Court : The which Refufal 
 " Teutile endeavoured to foftcn, by urging the 
 Badnefs of the Roads, favage Indians, who 
 would take up Arms, and obftruft his March, 
 and other Difficulties, which plainly difcovcred, 
 that there was fome Myftery in the Matter, 
 and fome particular Rcafon, why Motezuma 
 would not fufFer himfelf to be feen by the 
 Spaniards. Cortes 
 
Book II Ccnqueji cf Mexico. 133 
 
 Cortes returned Thanks for the Prefent, 
 "with Words of much Refpeft ; and anfwered 
 Teutile, That it was not his Intention to be 
 wanting in his Obedience to Motezuma \ but 
 that it was not in his Tower to go back 
 with c DiJhonour to his King y Or to forbear 
 perfifting in his 'Demand , with all the Ear- 
 neftnefs to which he was obliged, by the Re~ 
 ' pit at ion of a Crown that was honoured and 
 refpeEied among the great eft ^Princes of the' 
 World: Enlarging upon this Point with fo 
 much Warmth and Refolution, that the In- 
 dians durft not reply, but, oft the contrary, 
 offered to importune Motezuma a fecond' 
 Time. He difmilVd them with another Pre- 
 fent like the former, letting them know, that 
 he would expeft the King's Anfwcr without 
 moving from that Place; but that he fhould.. 
 be very much concerned, if by its Delay in 
 coming, he fnould be obliged to go nearer to 
 folicit it. 
 
 All the Spaniards admired Moiez,umd$ 
 Prefent $ but their Rcafonings upon it were 
 very different, 'and in their Difputcs, each 
 maintain'd his own Opinion with Obflinacy. 
 Some plcas'd themfelves with the Hopes of 
 bettering their Fortune, promifing themfelves 
 mighty Advantages from fuch a favourable Be- 
 ginning; others by the Grcatncfs of the Prefent, 
 made a Judgment of Motez-umds Power, and 
 of the Difficulty of the Undertaking. Many 
 declared absolutely, that theDcfign of attempt- 
 ing fo <z;rcat an Affair with fo few Men, was 
 
1 34 !#* Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 a Piece of Rafhncfs ; but the greater Part jufti- 
 fied the Valour and Conftancy of their Captain, 
 looking on the Conqueft as good as made : 
 And in fine, every one judgd of the Succcfs^ 
 according to the Paflions by which he was 
 animated. Such are the Difputes and Reafon- 
 ings of Soldiers, among whom we haveftronger 
 Proofs than elfewhere, of that Influence which 
 the Heart has upon the Understanding. Cortes 
 gave them Leave to talk on, concealing his 
 own Sentiments till a proper Time ; and to 
 keep his People out of Idlcnefs, which was 
 the bed Way to make them difputc lets, he 
 ordered two VeiTcls out, to view the Coaft, 
 and fcarch out fome Pott, or Bay, where the 
 Fleet might be more under Shelter, (for in 
 that Place they had but little Security againft 
 the North-Winds) and fome more fertile 
 Piece of Ground, where they might be accom- 
 modated in Quarters, until the Return of Mote- 
 z,umas Anfwer $ making a Pretence of the Suf- 
 fering of his People in that fandy Soil, where 
 the Heat of the Sun was doubled by Reflec- 
 tion, and the Perfccution of the Molquitocs, 
 or Gnats, made even the Hours of Rclt uneafy. 
 He appointed Captain Francifco de Montejo, 
 to command in this Cruize; and pick'd out 
 the Soldiers that were to bear him Company, 
 bcinc; thofe that feem'd moft averfc to his own 
 Opinion. He ordered him to run along as 
 far as he could, fleering the fame Courfc he 
 had done the Year before with Grijalva 5 and 
 that he fhould take notice of what Towns ap- 
 peared 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico, 1 35 
 
 pcarcd along the Coaft, without landing to 
 view them, allotting ten Days for their Return. 
 By which Means he executed what was proper 
 to be done, employed thofe that were trou- 
 blcfome, and entertained the reft with Hopes 
 of Relief 5 being himfelf full of Care, and 
 uneafy, confidering the Greatncfs of his Dc- 
 fign, and the Smallnefs of the Means 5 but 
 refolving not to defift till he could fee the 
 very utmoft of the Difficulty, and fo much 
 Matter of himfelf, that he difguifed his inward 
 Concern with an eafy and chearful Counte- 
 nance. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Gives an Account how ill the Tofitivenefs of 
 Cortes was received at Mexico. Who 
 Motezuma was. The Greatnefs of his 
 Erhpire, and the Condition his Monarchy 
 was in at the Arrival of the Spaniards. 
 
 THE repeated Inftanccs of Cortes caufed 
 great Ditturbance at the Court of 
 Mexico. Motezuma grew angry \ and in the 
 firft Tranfports of his Fury, propofed to make 
 an End at once of thofe Strangers, who prc- 
 fumed to difputc his Will. But afterwards, con- 
 fidering more calmly, his Courage failed him > 
 and Anger gave Way to Sorrow and Confu- 
 fion. He fummoncd his Minifters and Relations, 
 with whom he held fevcral fecret Councils. 
 
 K 4 Publick 
 
1 36 The Hiftory of tie Book II. 
 
 Publick Sacrifices were made in the Temples 5 
 and the People began to be uncafy, feeing their 
 King to much difturb'd, and thofe who ma- 
 naged the Government in fuch a Fright. So 
 that they began to talk, with very little Re- 
 ferve, of the approaching Ruin of that Empire, 
 and of the Signs and Ercfages, which (ac- 
 cording to their Traditions) threatened it. Eur 
 it feems nccefiarv now, that we (hould fhew 
 who Motez>uma was, and the State of his 
 Monarchy at this Time ; and why both he and 
 his Subjects were in fuch a Confirmation at 
 the coming of the Spaniards. 
 
 The Empire of Mexico was then at its 
 greateft Height of Glory, having under its 
 Dominion alnloft all the Provinces and Coun- 
 tries which had been difcovercd in North 
 America, which were governed by Moiezuma 
 himfclf, or by petty Kings, or Caziques, his 
 Tributaries. The Length -of it extended, from 
 Eaft to Weft, above five hundred Leagues $ 
 and the Breadth, from North to South, in 
 fomc Places, was two hundred ; a Country 
 populous, rich, and plentiful. On the Eaft 
 it was bounded by the Atlantick Sea, (now 
 caird the North Sea ) and extended along all 
 that great Space of Land between Tanuco and 
 Tucatan: On the Weft, it reached the other 
 Sea, being wafh'd by the Ajiatick Ocean, (or 
 Gulph of Anian) from Cape Mendocino, to 
 the fart heft Part of New Galicia. On the 
 South, it (Irctched out farther, running along 
 the South- Sea, from Acapulco to Guatimala, 
 
 approaching 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 137 
 
 approaching by the Way of Nicaragua, to 
 that Ifthmus, or narrow Neck of Land, which 
 divides, and at the fame time unites the two 
 Americas. On the North, it extended as far 
 TanucOy including that Province 5 but was 
 ftrcightcn'd confiderably by the Mountains, or 
 hilly Countries poflefled by the Chichimecas 
 and OttornieSy a barbarous People, without 
 Government or Policy, living in the Caves of 
 the Earth, or in the Holes of Rocks, feeding 
 upon the Game they kill'd in Hunting, and 
 the Fruits of fuch Trees as grew wild 5 but fo 
 dexterous in the Ufe of their Arrows, and in 
 making their Advantage of the Craggs and 
 Pafles of the Mountains, that they had often 
 withftood the whole Power of Mexico ; being 
 Enemies to Subjection, fatisfied with not being 
 conquered, and only defiring to prcfervc their 
 Liberty, amongft the wild Beads. 
 
 This Empire grew from a fmall Beginning 
 to this vaft Greatncfs, in little more than an 
 hundred and thirty Years 5 for the Mexicans, 
 naturally a warlike Nation, were always making 
 way with their Arms among the reft of the 
 Nations which inhabited that Part of the 
 World. They were at firfl: governed by a 
 valiant Captain, who made them Soldiers, 
 and fenfible of Military Honour. Afterwards 
 they chofe a King, giving the fupreme Domi- 
 nion to the Perfon that had the greateft Re- 
 putation for Valour, being acquainted with 
 no other Virtue but Fortitude; or if they 
 were acquainted with other Virtues, they look'd 
 
 upon 
 
1 38 The Hiftory of the Book IL 
 
 upon them as much inferior. They always 
 obferved this Cuftom of chufmg the greatcft 
 Captain for their King, without Regard to 
 hereditary Succeflion; yet, where Merit was 
 equal, they preferred the Royal Blood ; and 
 the fame Wars by which their Kings acquir'd 
 their Titles to the Crown, by little and little 
 enlarged the Monarchy. At firft, Juftice fup- 
 ported their Amis, for the Oppreflion of their 
 Neighbours forced them to an unblamcable 
 Defence 5 and Heaven favoured their Caufe 
 with Succefs: But their Power afterwards in- 
 creasing, Juftice was laid afide, and Tyranny 
 took Place. 
 
 We fhall fee the Proo;rcfs of this Nation, 
 and the great Conquefts they made, when we 
 come to give an Account of the Succeflion 
 of their Kings. Motezuma was the Eleventh 
 King, (according to their painted Annals) and 
 the Second of that Name, a Angular Perfon, 
 and much refpected among the Mexicans, be- 
 fore he began to reign. 
 
 He. was of the Royal Blood; and in his 
 Youth followed the Wars, where he raifed his 
 Character by feveral heroick Aftions, and 
 gained the Reputation of a valiant Captain. 
 He returned to the Court, fomewhat puffed 
 up with theie Flatteries of Fame ; and finding 
 himfelf applauded and refpe&cd as the firft 
 Man of his Nation, he entertained Hopes of 
 grafping the Sceptre at the next Election, and 
 look'd upon himfelf, as going to be crown d, 
 from the Moment he conceived that Ambition. 
 
 He 
 
Book II. Conquejt of Mexico. 139 
 
 He then plac'd all his Happinefs in gaining 
 Friends $ to which End he made ufe of fome 
 Politick Arts, a Science which fometimes does 
 not diidain to be found amongft Barbarians, 
 but is rather apt to make People fo, when 
 that which is called Reafon of State, gets the 
 better of natural Reafon. He afrcfted great 
 Obedience and Veneration towards his King, 
 and extraordinary Modefty and Compofure in 
 his Words and Actions, carefully preferving 
 fuch an auftere Gravity in his Countenance, 
 that the Indians were wont to fay, the Name 
 of Motezuma became him well, which, in 
 their Language, Signifies a furly Prince, though 
 he endeavoured to temper his Severity, making 
 himfeif agreeable by his Liberality. 
 
 He alfo gained the Character of being very 
 zealous for his Religion 5 a powerful Means 
 to captivate thofe who arc taken with outward 
 Shew : And to this End, he built an Apart- 
 ment in the moft frequented Temple, after 
 the Manner of a Tribune 5 to which he retir'd 
 in the Sight of all the People, and (laid there 
 many Hours to receive the Devotion of po- 
 pular Applaufe, or placing the Idol of his Am- 
 bition anions; his other Gods. 
 
 He gained fo much Veneration by thefe 
 outward Appearances, that when the King his 
 Predeceffor died, the Ele&ors gave him their 
 Votes unanimoufly, and the People received 
 him with great Acclamations. He made a 
 Shew of refufing, fuffering himfeif to be courted 
 to comply with his own Defires, and feemed 
 
 to 
 
up The Hiftoiy of the Book II. 
 
 to accept the Imperial Crown with Relu&ancy : 
 But no fooner was he poffcfs'd of it, than all 
 that Artifice which he had forced upon his na- 
 tural Temper ceafed, and he difcovered thofe 
 Vices that had been hitherto covered with the 
 Shew of Virtues. 
 
 The firft Aftion by which he manifefted his 
 Pride, was the difcarding of all thofe that be- 
 longed to the Royal Family, which, till his 
 Time, was compofed of midliiig People and 
 Plebeians ; and under Colour of greater De- 
 cency, he made his Nobles fcrve him, even 
 in the meaneft Employments of his Houfc. 
 He fhewed himfelf but feldom to his Subjects, 
 and only when it was neceflary to his Minifters 
 and Domefticks, looking upon : Retirement 
 and Melancholy as a Part of Majefty 5 and 
 for thofe who obtain'd Leave to come into 
 hisPrefcnce, he invented new Obeyfances and 
 Ceremonies, inlarging Rcfpcft aimoft to Ado- 
 ration. He pcrfuaded himiclf, that he had the 
 entire Command of the Lives and Liberties 
 of his Subjects, and exercifed great Cruelties, 
 that he might put it out of Doubt with others. 
 
 He impofed new Taxes, without any pub- 
 lick Neceflity, at a certain Rate on each Head 
 of that vaft Number of Subjects; and exacted 
 it with fo much Rigour, that even poor Beg- 
 gars were not exempted from the miferablc 
 Oppreffion, bringing to his Treafury fomc 
 mean Things, which were received, and then 
 thrown away before their Faces* 
 
 These 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 141 
 
 These violent Practices made his People 
 fear him : But as it is ufual for Fear and Hatred 
 to go together, fome Provinces rebelled ; to 
 reduce which, he went himfelf in Perfonj 
 being too jealous of his Authority, to fuffer 
 any other to command his Armies. But tho* 
 this was his Motive, it cannot be denied, that 
 he had a martial Inclination and Spirit. None 
 were able to refill his Power, and maintain 
 their Rebellion, except the Provinces of Me- 
 choacan, Tlafcala, and Tebeaca. And he was 
 wont to fay, " He did not fubdue them, be- 
 " caufe he wanted thofe Enemies to fupply 
 " him with Captives for the Sacrifices of his 
 " Gods." A Tyrant, even in Toleration, and 
 in forbearing Punifhment. 
 
 He had reigned fourteen Years when Cortes 
 arrived on his Coafts; and the laft of them 
 was full of Prefages, horrible, and wonderful 
 Portents, which God either ordain'd, or per- 
 mitted, to deptefs the Spirits of thofe fierce 
 People, and render left impoffible to the 
 Spaniards, that great Work which his Pro- 
 vidence was about to accomplifh, by Means 
 fo difproportion'd to it. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
142 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 An Account of the fever al ^Prodigies and 
 Signs, that were feen in Mexico before 
 the Arrival of Cortes ; from which the 
 Indians apprehended, that the Ruin of their 
 Empire drew near. 
 
 AFTER knowing who Motezuma was, 
 and the Condition and Grcatnefs of 
 his Empire, it remains that we enquire into 
 the Motives which caus'd that Prince and his 
 Miniftcrs fo obftinately to oppofe the preffing 
 Inftance made by Hernan Cortjs : The firft 
 Effort of the Devil, and the firifDifficulty in 
 the Undertaking. 
 
 Upon the firft Account which came to 
 Mexico of the Spaniards, when Juan de Gri- 
 jalva arrived upon the Coaft the Year before, 
 feveral Prodigies began to appear in this Coun- 
 try, and very aftonifhing Signs, which did in 
 a Manner affure Motezuma, that the Ruin of 
 his Empire drew near; and greatly terrified 
 and difcouraged both him and his Subje&s. 
 
 A frightful Comet appeared many Nights, 
 in Shape like a Pyramid, which beginning at 
 Midnight, advane'd flowly to the higheft Part 
 of the Heavens, where it vanilh'd at the Pre- 
 sence of the Sun. 
 
 Afterwards, at Mid-day, another Comet, 
 or Exhalation, was feen to rife in the Weft, 
 like a fiery Serpent with thurcc Heads, which 
 
 ran 
 
Book II. Ccnquejl of Mexico. 143 
 
 ran fwiftly till it vaniftied in the Eaft, fcatter- 
 ing an infinite Number of Sparks that dy'd in 
 the Air. 
 
 The great Lake of Mexico overflowed its 
 Banks, and with an extraordinary Impetuofky 
 drowned the Country, carrying away feveral 
 Houfes, with a fort of Waves that look'd as 
 if it had bpil'd up > tho J there were no Floods 
 or ftormy Weather, to which they could attri- 
 bute the Motion of the Waters. 
 
 One of their Temples took Fire of itfelf* 
 without their being able to find out the Caufe 
 of its burning, or Means to extinguish the 
 Flame. The very Stones were feen to burn, 
 and the whole Pile was reduced to little more 
 than Afhes. Lamentable Voices were heard 
 in the Air from different Parts, which foretold 
 the End of that Monarchy 5 and the fame Pro- 
 gnoftications were repeated in the Anfwers of 
 their Idols ; the Devil pronouncing by them 
 what he could conjetture of thofe Natural 
 Caufes which were in Motion, or as much as 
 the God of Nature permitted him to know, 
 who fometimes torments him by making him 
 the Inftrument of Truth. 
 
 Several Monftcrs of horrible Deformity, 
 and never feen before, were brought to the 
 King; which, in his Opinion, had a Meaning, 
 and denoted great Misfortunes. And if Mon- 
 fters were fo called by the Ancients, becaufc 
 they bclicv'd them to demonftrate fomethin^, 
 it was not ftrange that they ihould be held for 
 Prefages among thofe barbarous People, where 
 
 Ignorance 
 
144 T/je Hiftory of the Boole II. 
 
 Ignorance and Superftition went hand-in- 
 hand. 
 
 Histories make mention of two very re- 
 markable Accidents, which extremely troubled 
 the Mind of Motezuma 5 nor are they fit to 
 be omitted, fince they found Credit with Fa- 
 ther Jofeph de Acofia, Juan Botero, and 
 other Writers of Judgment and Authority. 
 
 Certain Fifhermen near the Lake of 
 Mexico took a monftrous Fowl, of extraor- 
 dinary Make and Bignefs ; and accounting it 
 valuable for its Novelty, prefented the fame 
 to the King. Its Deformity was horrible; 
 and on the Head of it was a Ihining Plate like 
 a Look ing-Glafs, from which the Sun rdkfted 
 a fort of dim and melancholy Light.* Mo- 
 tezuma obferved it, and drawing nearer to 
 take a better View, faw within it a Repre- 
 fentation of the Night, amidft whofe Obfcu- 
 rity were feen ibme Parts of the Heaven co- 
 vered with Stars, and to diftin&ly reprelented, 
 that he turned his Eyes to the Sun, as one 
 doubtful of the Day: And upon fixing his 
 Eyes the fecond Time on that teeming Glafs, 
 he fpy'd, inftead of Night, what gave him 
 greater Aftonifhment; for there appeared to 
 his Sight an Army of Men, that came from the 
 Eaft, making a terrible Slaughter of his Sub- 
 jects. He afTembled the Magicians and Priefts 
 to confult about this Prodigy, and the Bird 
 flood immoveable, till many of them had tried 
 the fame Experiment ; but then it got away, 
 
 and 
 
Book IL Conquefi of Mexico. 145 
 
 and vanifh'd in their Prefence, leaving them 
 another Prefagc in its aftonifhing Flight. 
 
 Some few Days after a Country-man came 
 to .the Palace, one that was reputed a plain 
 downright Man, who earneftly, and with 
 myfterious Inftanccs, pfefs'd to have Audience 
 of the King. He was introduced to his Pre- 
 fence after various Consultations, and having 
 made his Obeyfance, without any Manner of 
 Disturbance or Fear, he fpoke to him in his 
 ruftick Idiom, but with a kind of Freedom 
 and Eloquence, which denoted a more than 
 natural Tranfport, or that the Words were not 
 his own, but were infpired, faying, " Ycfter- 
 " day in the Evening, Sir, being upon my 
 r Farm, employed in the Improvement of 
 f my Land, I faw an Eagle of an extraordi- 
 " nary Magnitude, which ftoop'd down fu- 
 u rioufly upon me, and, catching me between 
 " his Claws, carried me a great Way through 
 " the Air, till he fet me down near a fpacious 
 " Cave, in which was a Man in Royal Robes, 
 " deeping amongft Diverfity of Flowers and 
 " Perfumes, with a fcented Compofttion burn- 
 " ing in his Hand. I drew fomewhat Hearer, 
 " and faw your Likenefs, or, perhaps, it was 
 " yourfelfj fori cannot affirm, though, in my 
 " own Opinion, I had my Senfes free. I was 
 " going to withdraw, being afraid, and full of 
 " Awes but an imperious Voice ftopp'd and 
 " frighted me a-new, commanding me to take 
 " the burning Perfume out of your Hand, and 
 " apply it to a Part of your Thigh that was uiv 
 
 Vol. I. L " covered 
 
146 The m&orf of the Book II. 
 
 " covered, I rcfufed as long as 1 could, to com- 
 " mit fuch a Piece of Wickednefs: But the 
 " fame Voice, in a terrible Tone, forced me to 
 " obey. Upon which, Sir, without being able 
 " to refill:, and being made bold by Fear, I ap- 
 cc pi icd the burning Compofition to your Thigh, 
 " and you endured the burning, without 
 " waking, or making any Motion. I fhould 
 " have thought you dead, but that your quiet 
 " Breathing (hewed you to be alive. Then 
 " that fame Voice (which feemed to be formed 
 "in the Air) faid to me; Thus flecps thy 
 u King, given up to his Delights and Vanities, 
 cc when he has the Anger of his Gods upon 
 cc him, and fo many Enemies, who come from 
 a the other Part of the World to deftroy his 
 cc Monarchy and Religion. Bid him awake, 
 " and prevent, if he can, the Miieries and 
 " Calamities that threaten him. Scarce had 
 cc he pronounced thefc Words, which I bear 
 cc deeply imprinted in my Memory, when the 
 <c Eagle took me up in his Talons, and let 
 me down on my Land, without the leaft 
 Hurt. And thus do 1 perform what the Gods 
 have enjoin d me. Awake, Sir; for your 
 Pride and Cruelty have provok'd them : 
 I fay again, Awake, or take Care how you 
 deep, imcc the burning Sting of your Con- 
 (cience does not route you; nor can you be 
 now ignorant, that the Cries of your People 
 have reached Heaven before they came to 
 your Ears." 
 
 These, 
 
 c< 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
fioot I £ Conquejt of Mexico. 1 47 
 
 These, or fuch like Words, did the Peafant 
 deliver, or the Spirit, that fpoke in him $ and 
 turning his Back, went off with Co much Pve- 
 folution, that no Man durft flop him. Mo- 
 tezuma (in the firft Heat of his Paffion) was 
 going to order him to be killed ; but was pre- 
 vented by a new Pain he felt in his Thigh, 
 where he, and all prefent, beheld the Mark 
 of a frefh Burning : Which ftrange Sight afto- 
 hifh'd and made him thoughtful ; but he fti'll 
 rcfolved to ptinifh the Peafant, by making him 
 a Sacrifice to appcafe his Gods. Thefe Admo- 
 nitions proceeded from the De\dl, and fhew'd 
 the Wickednefs of their Original, as ferving, 
 father to provoke a Man to Anger and Ob- 
 ftinacy, than to bring hint to the Knowledge 
 6f his Fault. 
 
 Both thefe Accidents might fee improved! 
 by the Credulity of thofe barbarous People, 
 from whofe Relation the Spaniards had them 
 in this Manner : But we do not think it un- 
 likely, that the Devil fhould make ufe of fucli- 
 
 e Artifices to fet MoteztMa againft the 
 
 aniardsy and put what Stops he could to 
 the introduction of the Gofpel. For it is cer- 
 tain, that he might (fuppofing the Divine Pcr- 
 miflion in the Ufe of his Knowledge)' feign 
 Or form thofe Phantoms and monftrous Ap- 
 paritions, or even make vifible Bodies, by con- 
 denfmg the Air with a Mixture of the other 
 Elements; or, as often happens, he might 
 inipofc upon the Scnfes, and delude the Ima- 
 gination; Of which we have fome Examples 
 
 L i m 
 
 
1 48 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 in the holy Scriptures, which make what wc 
 find of the fame Nature in prophane Hiftory 
 the more credible. 
 
 These and other portentous Signs, which 
 were fecn at Mexico, and in feveral Parts of 
 the Empire, had fo broke the Spirit of Mote- 
 znma, and fo difmayed the wife Men of his 
 Council, that when the fecond Embafiy from 
 Cortes arrived, they concluded, that all the 
 Ruin and Calamity with which they were 
 threatned, was come upon them. 
 
 The Confutations were long, and the Opi- 
 nions various. Some thought, that thofe armed 
 Strangers, coming at a Time of fo many Pro- 
 digies, ousht to be treated as Enemies ; for 
 that either to admit, or truft them, would be 
 oppofing the Will of their Gods, who had 
 given them fo many Warnings before the 
 Blow, in order to avoid it. Others, either 
 out of Moderation or Fear, endeavoured to 
 obilrud the Breach, by extolling the Valour of. 
 the Strangers, the Force of their Arms, and 
 the Fiercenefs of their Horfes, and by calling 
 to Mind the,Deftruction and Slaughter they 
 made at Tabafco (of which War they had 
 immediate Notice) ; and tho' they did not be- 
 lieve they were immortal, as the Fear of the 
 Vanquifhed had given out, yet did they not 
 think them Creatures of their own Species, 
 but found in them fome Refemblance of their 
 Gods, by their Management of Lightning, 
 with which (in their Opinion) they fought, 
 and by the Command they had over thofc 
 
 Brutes, 
 
Book If. Conqueft of Mexico. 149 
 
 Brutes, who underftood their Orders, and 
 fought for them. 
 
 Motezuma heard them; and taking a 
 Medium between both Opinions, refolved ab- 
 solutely to deny Cortes the Liberty he asked 
 of coming to his Court; to command him 
 immediately to leave thofc Coafts ; and at the 
 fame Time, to fend him another Prefcnt like 
 the former, which might engage him to obey. 
 But in cafe this ihould not be fufficient, he re- 
 folved to ufe Force, and raife a powerful 
 Army of fuch Men, that there fhould be no 
 Caufe to fear the like ill Succefs as at Tabafco. 
 For he was fenfible he ought not to defpife the 
 ifmall Number of thole Strangers, in whofe 
 prodigious Arms, and extraordinary Valour, 
 there appeared fomany Advantages ; efpecially, 
 iconftdcring that they arrived upon his Coafts 
 :at fo calamitous a Time, and when lb many 
 [frightful Prodigies had appeared, as feemed to 
 magnify their Forces, fmce they merited the 
 ;Care and Warning of his Gods. 
 
 
 I/5 CHAP. 
 
 ! 
 
150 The Hiftory of the Bock If. 
 
 1 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Francifco dc Montcjo returns, having dis- 
 covered the Town of Quiabiflan. Mote- 
 zumaV Ambaffadors arrive, and depart 
 diffatisffd. The Soldiers incline to Mu- 
 tiny > and Hern an Cones makes life of Ar- 
 tifice to appeafe them. 
 
 WHILST Motezumds Court was taken 
 up with thefe melancholy Refledtionsj 
 Hernan Cortes endeavoured to get fomc Ac- 
 count of the Country 5 to gain the good Will 
 of the Indians who repaired to his Quarters; 
 and to encourage his Men, by infpiring them 
 with the fame great Hopes of which his own 
 Heart allured him. At that Time Francifco 
 de Montejo returned from his Voyage, having 
 coafted fome Leagues up to the Northward, 
 and difcovered a Town called Qiiiabiftan, 
 fituate in a fertile Soil, and well cultivated, 
 near an anchoring Place, or Bay, capacious 
 enough, where, in the Opinion of the Pilots, 
 the Ships might ride and be fecurc under the 
 Shelter of fome great Rocks, which broke 
 the Force of the Winds. This Place was 
 diftant from St. Juan de Ulna, about twelve 
 Leagues: And Hernan Cortes began to con- 
 fider it as a commodious Situation whither to 
 remove his Quarters : But before he came to 
 a Refolution, Motezumds Anfwer arrived. 
 
 Teutile, with the principal Captains of 
 his Troops, came with their little Perfuming 
 
 Pans, 
 
Book If. Conqueft' of Mexico. 151 
 
 Pans, burning Gum-Copal. After the fmoak- 
 ing Courteiies and Ceremonies were over, 
 Teutile ordered Motezumas Prcfent to be 
 produced 5 which was fomewhat lefs, but of 
 the fame Sort of Goods, and Pieces of Gold, 
 as came with the firft Embaffy : All that they 
 brought particular, was four green Stones, like 
 Emeralds, called Chalcuites ; and Teutile told 
 Cortes, with a grqat deal of Gravity, That 
 Motezuma had fent thofe Stones to the King 
 of Spain, as Jewels of an ineftimable Value : 
 An Enhancement to which little Regard was 
 to be had, where Glafs was held in fuch great 
 Eftccm. 
 
 The Embaffy was deliver'd in Terms re- 
 folute and difagreeable 5 and the Conclufion 
 of it was, to difmifs the Guefts without giving 
 them Leave to reply. Night drew on ; and 
 when Cortes was beginning his Anfwer, the 
 Ave-Maria Bell rung in that Barrack that 
 ferved for a Chapel : He kneel'd down to fay 
 that Prayer 5 as did all the reft, after his Exam- 
 ple. Their Silence and Devotion {truck the 
 Indians with Admiration $ and Teutile asked 
 *Donna, Marina the Meaning of that Cere- 
 mony. Cortes underftood their Queftion, and 
 thought it proper to make ufe of this Oppor- 
 tunity, while he fatisfy'd their Curiofity, to 
 talk to them upon the SubjecT: of Religion. 
 Father Bartolome de Olmedo took it in hand, 
 and endeavoured to fuit his Difcourfe to their 
 Blindnefs, giving them fome fmall Light into 
 the- Myfteries of our Faith. He labour'd, with 
 
 L 4 all 
 
152, The Htftory of the Book II. 
 
 all his Eloquence, to make them undcrftand 
 that there was but One God, the Beginning 
 and End of all Things: That in their Idols 
 they adored the Devil, the mortal Enemy of 
 Mankind; enforcing what he laid with Rca- 
 ions eafy to be comprehended : Which the 
 Indians Jiftcned to with fome fort of Atten- 
 tion, as if they were ienhblc of the Force of 
 Truth. 
 
 Her nan Cortes made ufe of this Be- 
 ginning to return to his Anfwcr; telling Teu- 
 tile, That one of the 'Points of his Embajfv, 
 and the principal Motive which his King 
 had to offer his Friendjhipto Motezuma, was, 
 the Obligation Chriflian 'Princes lay under to 
 oppofe the Errors of Idolatry, and the Tiefire 
 he had to inftruSi him in the Knowledge of 
 the Truth j and to help him to get free from 
 the Slavery of the 'Devil, the invifible Ty- 
 rant of his Kingdoms, who, in Reality, held 
 him a Slave and Vaffal, tho in outward Ap- 
 pearance, he was Jo powerful a Monarch. 
 And that coming from fucb remote Countries , 
 upon Affairs of fitch a Nature, and in the 
 Name of another more powerful King, he 
 could not omit making new Efforts, and 
 per fevering in his Injtances, till he ftould 
 prevail to be heard, Jince he came on a peace- 
 able Account, as appeared by the J mall 
 Number of his Men, from which no Sufptcion 
 could be had of greater c Dejig7is. 
 
 No iboner had Teutile heard the Rcfolurion 
 of Cortes, than he ftarted up haftily, and with 
 
 fome 
 
Book II. Conqneft of Mexico- 153 
 
 fomc fort of Impatience, between Anger and 
 Confufion, told him, That hitherto the Great 
 Motczuma had treated him court eon fly, and 
 as a Gueft', but that if he continued obftinate, 
 it would be his own Faulty if he found himfelf 
 treated as an Enemy > and without flaying for 
 an Anfwcr, or fo much as taking Leave, he 
 turned his Back, and went haftily out of his 
 Prefencc, followed by ^Pilpatoe, and the reft 
 of his Attendants. Hernan Cortes was a 
 little ftartled at Teutiles Proceeding 5 but fo 
 much Mafter of himfelf, that turning to his 
 People, with a Smile in his Countenance, 
 " \Vc fhall fee, fays he, where this Challenge 
 " will end : We know already how their 
 " Armies fight. And, for the mod part, 
 " Threats are the Efte&s of Fear." And 
 whilft they were gathering up the Prcfcnt, he 
 went on, " Thefc Barbarians fhall not {o 
 " cafily prevail with a Spanijh Army to retire; 
 " for thole Riches are to be looked upon as 
 " Gifts out of Seafon, which (hew more 
 " Weaknefs than Gcneroiity." Thus did he 
 lay hold of all Opportunities, to encourage 
 his People. And that very Night (tho' it was 
 not likely that the Mexicans fhould have pre- 
 pared an Army to aflault the Quarters) the 
 Guards were doubled, and Cortes provided 
 againft what was pollible, as againft a Thing 
 certain : For Commanders can never be too 
 careful; and many times, that which fcems 
 Superfluous, is found to have been neceflary. 
 
 As 
 
154 The Hiftory of the Boot IF. 
 
 As foon as the Day appeared, the Spaniards 
 found a confiderable Alteration, which gave 
 them fbrne Difturbancc 5 for thofe Indians 
 which inhabited Tilpatoe's Cabbins, were re- 
 tired within the Land, and not a Man appeared 
 in all the Country: Thofe alfo kept away, 
 who ufed to bring them Provifions from die 
 neighbouring Towns. Thefe Beginnings of 
 Want (rather feared, than fuffered) were fuf- 
 ficient to make fome Soldiers begin to be 
 uneafy, looking upon it as very unadvifed to 
 think of fettling in that Country 5 which Mur- 
 muring fome Friends of 'Diego Velafquez, took 
 Advantage of, and began to exclaim, faying, 
 without any Referve, in common Difcourfe, 
 That Hernan Cortes had a Mind to dejiroy 
 them, and ambit ion fly purfued a Defign, 
 without a Force any Way proportioned to the 
 Undertaking : That the Intention of maintain- 
 ing them /elves with fuch a Handful of Teople 
 in the Dominions of fo powerful a Trmce, 
 would be judged rafh by all Men : And that 
 it was now necejfary, that they fhould all de- 
 mand to return to the Ifland of Cuba, in order 
 to refit the Fleet, and reinforce the Army, 
 and fo proceed upon that Undertaking with 
 better Foundation. 
 
 Hernan Cortes was informed of this, 
 and making life of his Friends and Confidents 
 to enquire into the Opinions of the reft of 
 his Men, he found that he had on his Side the 
 moft in Number, and thofe of greatcft Con- 
 fequence. Upon which Security he fuffered 
 
 himfelf 
 
Book If. Conquejl of Mexico. 1 5 5 
 
 himfclf to be feen by the Malccontents. Diego 
 de Ordaz was the Perfon who fpoke in the 
 Name of all, and, with fome Heat and Dif- 
 refpect, told him, " That the Soldiers were 
 " very much difiatisfy'd, and upon the Point 
 " of laying aftde all Obedience, having been 
 H informed that he defigned to profecute his 
 cc Undertaking 3 and that no body could blame 
 " them, for neither the Number of Men, 
 cc Condition of the Ships, nor their Referve 
 " of Provifions or Ammunitions of War, had 
 " any Proportion with the Intent of con- 
 
 * quering lb large and powerful an Empire: 
 " That no Man had lb little Value for him- 
 " felf, as to fubmit to be caft away to pleale 
 " another's Humour 5 and that therefore it was 
 " now Time to confidcr of returning to the 
 f Ifland of Cuba, to the end that 'Diego 
 " Velafquez might reinforce his Fleet, and 
 " take this difficult Enterprize in hand upon 
 " better Advice, and with a greater Force/' 
 
 Hernan Cortes heard him, without- 
 feeming offended, as he had Reafon to be/ 
 both with the Propofal, and the Manner of 
 delivering it; on the contrary, he anfwercd 
 him, (with a compofed Voice and Counte- 
 nance) " That he was obliged to him for the 
 " Advice, not having known before, that the 
 
 * Soldiers were diffatisfied 5 but on the con- 
 u trary, believing that they were well con- 
 " tented, and defirous to go on 5 becaufe in 
 <f that Enterprize, none could complain of 
 H Fortune ', but thofethat were weary of being 
 
 " happy; 
 
1 56 The Hiff ory of the Book IJL 
 
 u happy: That a Voyage, without any ill Ac- 
 
 u cidcnts, favoured by the Winds and Seas ; 
 
 (C Succefles, fuch as their Hearts could wifh > 
 
 cc the remarkable Favours of Heaven at Co- 
 
 " zumel\ a Vidory at Tabafco 1 and in that 
 
 ec Country where they were, fo much good 
 
 " Treatment and Profperity ; were not Prefages 
 
 " that could any Ways difcouragc them. 
 
 " That neither was it very much for their 
 
 " Honour to defift from their Undertaking, 
 
 €t before they had fecn the Face of Danger, 
 
 " efpecially, confidcring that Difficulties are 
 
 fC wont to appear greateft at a Diftance, and 
 
 fC the Phantoms of Danger, formed by the 
 
 <c Imagination, to vanifh upon the Experiment : 
 
 " But that if the Soldiers were already fo dc- 
 
 Cc jc&ed and fearful, (as he faid) it would be 
 
 cc a Folly to depend upon them in fo difficult 
 
 tc an Entcrprizc 5 and therefore he would im- 
 
 €C mediately confider of returning to the 
 
 " Ifland of Cuba, as had been propofed ; 
 
 " confeffing, that the Knowledge of the pri- 
 
 " vate Soldiers being poffeffed with that Opi- 
 
 " nion, did not make fuch an Imprcffion upon 
 
 u him, as it did to find it fupported by the 
 
 " Advice of his Friends." With thefe and 
 
 other fuch like Words, he at that Time 
 
 fruft rated the Intention of thofe prejudiced 
 
 Mutineers, without leaving them any thing to 
 
 defire, till the Time fhould come to undeceive 
 
 them 5 and with this artful Diflimulation (fome- 
 
 times allow'd to Prudence) he made believe, 
 
 that he receded from his Refolution, that he 
 
 might be the better able to purfue it. 
 
 CHAR 
 
Book IL Conqueft of Mexico. 1 5 j 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 *the Return to Cuba is given out. The Sol- 
 diers, prepafd by Cortes, exclaim againji 
 it. The Cazique of Zempoala fues for his 
 Friendship, ana, in fine, they make a Settle- 
 ment. 
 
 SOON after *Diego de Ordaz and thofe 
 of his Party had left Hernan Cortes, he 
 gave Directions for publifhing the Return to 
 the Ifland of Cuba, and ordered the Captains 
 fhould embark with their refpeftive Compa- 
 nies on Board the Veflels under their Com- 
 mand, and be ready to fail the next Day early 
 in the Morning : But no fooner was this Re- 
 iblution publifhed among the Soldiers, than 
 thofe who were underhand gained to the Ge- 
 neral's Intcreft began to ftir in the Affair, cry- 
 ing out, " That Hernan Cortes had deceived 
 <c them, making them believe they were go- 
 " ing to fettle in that Country ; that they 
 " would not leave it, or return to the Ifland 
 " of Cuba 5 adding, that if he had a Mind to 
 " retire, he might do it with all fuch as were 
 " willing to follow him, for they could not 
 " want fome Gentleman that would take upon 
 " him to command them. " 
 
 This Clamour increafed fo much, and was 
 fo well managed, that it brought over many 
 of thofe that had been forced or perfuaded 
 into the contrary Fa&ion ; and Cortes's Friends, 
 
 who 
 
i 5 8 TbeHi&oryoftte Book K. 
 
 who had ftirred up one Part, were obliged to 
 appeafc the other. They commended their 
 Refolution, and offered to fpeak to Cortes to 
 fufpend the Execution of his Order. And be* 
 fore this Ardour cooled, they went to him, 
 attended by many of the Soldiers, in whofe 
 Prefcnce they acquainted him loudly, " That 
 " the Troops were upon the Point to mutiny 
 <c on account of his Order : They complained, 
 ci (or pretended that others did) that he had 
 " taken fuch a Refolution, without the Ad- 
 " vice of his Captains. They laid it before 
 <c him as a Difhonour, unbecoming Spaniards, 
 11 to quit their Undertaking on the firft Ru- 
 ic mours of Difficulty, and to turn their Backs 
 u before they had drawn their Swords. They 
 <c put him in Mind of what had happened to 
 " Juan de Grijaha -, that all the Difpleafure 
 " of 'Diego de Velafquez was occafioned by 
 " his not making a Settlement in the Couri- 
 cc try he had difcovcr'd, and maintaining hini- 
 €C felf there > for which he was treated as a ; 
 " pufilanimous Pcrfon, and the Command- 
 u of the Fleet taken from him." In fine, 
 they told him what he himfelf had diclatcd, 
 to which he hearkened as to fomcthing new :- 
 And fuffering himfelf to be entreated and pc-r- 
 fuaded to do what he defired, gave them to 
 undcrftand that he was convinced $ faying, 
 " That he had been mifinformed ; that fome 
 tc of thofe who were principally concerned in 
 €i the Succefs of the Undertaking, (whom he 
 cc did not name, to make the greater Myftcry 
 
 " of 
 
Book II. Conquefl of Mexico, 159 
 
 " of the Matter) had affured him that all the 
 " Men cried out to leave that Country, and 
 " return to the liland of Cuba $ and that as he 
 " had taken that Refolution (contrary to his 
 " own Opinion) to pleafe his Soldiers, he 
 " would ftay with much more Satisfaction, 
 " fince he found them better difpofed for the 
 " Service of the King, and to difcharge the 
 " Duty of good Spaniards ; but that they muft 
 " know he would not have Soldiers againft 
 " their Inclinations 5 nor was War an Em- 
 " ployment for thofe that were forced to it ; 
 " that whofoever thought fit to return to the 
 " Ifland of Cuba, might freely do it, and that 
 " he would immediately give Orders to pro- 
 " vide Veffels and Provifions for the Voyage 
 " of all fuch as were not willing to follow 
 " his Fortune." This Refolution met with 
 great Applaufe : Their Acclamations rung with 
 the Name of Cortes : The Air was filled witt* 
 Noife and Hats, after the Manner Soldiers are 
 wont to exprefs their Satisfa&ion : Some made 
 Rejoicings, becaufe they were truly glad, and 
 others, that they might not be diftinguifhed 
 from thofe who were io. No one was lb bold 
 at that Time as to contradid the making of a 
 Settlement ; nor did thofe very Men, who had 
 been the Malccontents, know what to fay for 
 thcmfelves; but Hernan Cortes admitted of 
 fuch Excufes as they could offer, without en- 
 quiring further into the Affair, laying that up 
 for a better Opportunity, 
 
 It 
 
160 The Hiftory of the Book II, 
 
 It happened at this Time, that whilft Ber* 
 nal "Diaz del Caftillo, with another Soldier, 
 flood Centinels at one of the Avenues, they 
 fpy'd five Indians coming along the Way next 
 the Sea-fide, towards the Quarters, and think- 
 ing them too fmall a Number to alarm the 
 Army, they fuffer'd them to draw near. They 
 ftopp'd at a little Diftance, and gave to under- 
 ftand by Signs, that they came in a peaceable 
 Manner with a Mcffage to their General- 
 Bemal "Diaz went with them, leaving his 
 Comrade in the fame Poft to obferve if any 
 more followed. Hernan Cortes received them 
 very civilly, ordering them to be well treated 
 before he heard them, and obferved they 
 fecnf d to be of another Nation, as differing 
 from the Mexicans in their Habit, though 
 like them they had Rings in their Ears and 
 Lips, with Jewels hanging to them ; which, 
 tho' they were of Gold, were a Deformity, 
 inftead of an Ornament. Their Language alio 
 had a different Sound 5 and when Aguilar and 
 *Donna Marina came, it appear'd that they 
 lpokc in a different Idiom ; and it was good 
 Luck that one of them underftood, and with 
 lbme Difficulty pronounced the Mexican Lan- 
 guage 5 by which Means, and not without 
 ibme Trouble, it was known, that they were 
 lent by the Lord of Zempoala (a Province at 
 a fmall Diftance) to vifir the Captain of thoic 
 valiant People, whole great Actions in the 
 Province of Tabafco had reached his Ears; 
 and who being a warlike Prince, and a Friend 
 
 to 
 
Book II. Coitquefi of Mexico. \6i 
 
 to brave Men, defired his Friendfhip. They 
 dwelt much upon the Value their Maftcr had 
 for good Soldiers, as doubting left the Spani- 
 ards fhould attribute that to his Fear, which 
 founded better as the EfFed of his Inclination. 
 
 Hernan Cortes very courteoufly ac- 
 cepted of the good Cortcfpondence and Friend- 
 fhip propofed to him on the Part of their Ca- 
 zique, looking on it as a particular Favour of 
 Heaven, that this EmbafTy fhould arrive at a 
 Time when the Mexicans had left him, of 
 whom he Was now grown jealous; and he 
 put the more Value upon it, when he under- 
 stood that the Province of Zempoala was in 
 the Road ro that Place, which Francifco de 
 Montejo discovered from the Coaft, whither 
 he was then thinking to remove his Quarters* 
 He asked the Indians fome Qucftions, to in- 
 form himfelf of the Inclination and Forces of 
 the Caziquc. One of them was, How it came 
 to pafs, that they (being fo near) had fo long 
 delayed coming with this Propofal ) To which 
 they anfwered, that the Zempoalans had no- 
 thing to do where the Mexicans appeared, 
 whofe Cruelties were ill brooked by thofe of 
 their Nation. 
 
 This Intelligence was not difagreeable to 
 Hernan Cortes j and diving farther into it 
 with fome Curiofity, he underftood that Mo- 
 tezuma was a cruel Prince, abhorred for his 
 Pride and Tyranny 5 that many of his People 
 were fubjett out of Fear 5 and that fome Pro- 
 vinces thereabouts were defirous to free them- 
 
 Vol. I. M fclves 
 
1 62 The Hiftory of the Book II, 
 
 fclvcs from his Yoke. This made his Power 
 appear the lefs formidable ; and feveral Sorts 
 of Stratagems came into his Head, and Means 
 of increafing his Army, which gave him fome 
 fort of confufed Encouragement.- The firft 
 that occurred, was to take Part with thofe af- 
 fliftcd People 5 believing that it would not be 
 difficult or unreafonable to form a Party againft 
 a Tyrant among his own Rebels. So he rea- 
 foned then 5 and it fell out afterwards accord- 
 ingly, it being verified (by a frefh Example) in 
 the Ruin of that fo powerful an Empire, that 
 the greateft Strength of a King confifts in the 
 Love of his Subje&s. He immediately dif- 
 mifs'd thofe Indians with fome Gifts, in Token 
 of Friendfhip ; and told them he would foon 
 go and pay their M after a Viftt, in order to 
 eftablifh a Friendfhip with him, and give him 
 the Afliftance he fhould ftand in need of. 
 
 His Intent was to pafs through that Province, 
 and take a View of QuiabiJIan, where he had 
 Thoughts of fixing his iirft Settlement, by Rea- 
 fon of the good Account he had received of 
 its Fertility. But it bchov'd him for other 
 Ends, which he was thcji contriving how to 
 compafs, to haftcn the forming of his fmall 
 Corporation ill his prcfent Quarters, altho' he 
 was to remove the Troops to a Place more 
 commodious. He communicated hisRefolu- 
 tion with thofe Captains that were his Confi- 
 dents ; and having, by this Means, imoothed 
 the Way for what he had to propofe, he af 
 fcmblcd the Men, in order to name the Offi- 
 cers 
 
 
 
Book II. Conqaeji of Mexico. i.63 
 
 ccrs of the new Government. At which fhort 
 
 , Conference, thofe who were acquainted with 
 
 , the Mind of Cortes prevailed jj and Alonfo 
 
 Hernandez Portocarrero, and Francifco de 
 
 Monte jo, were appointed Alcaldes; Alonfo 
 
 'Davfla, Pedro and Alonfo de Alvarada, and 
 
 Gonzalo de Sandoval*, were Regidorcs: The 
 
 chief Alguazil and Procurator-General were 
 
 Juan de Efcalante and Francifco Alvarez, 
 
 Chico. They alio appointed the Clerk of the 
 
 ( Council, with other inferior Officers 5 and 
 
 ■ having taken the accuftomed Oath, toobferve 
 
 ■ Pveafoii and Juftice, according to their Duty > 
 . for the greater Service of God and the Kins;, 
 
 they took Poffeffion, and began to exercifc 
 I their Employments with the ufual Solemnity, 
 calling their new Settlement by the Name of 
 j Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, which Title it 
 preferved in the Place where it was afterwards 
 fixed, being called Villa Rica, in Remem- 
 i brance of the Gold they had feen in that Coun- 
 try, and de la Vera Cruz, in Acknowledge 
 I ment of their landing there on the Friday of 
 i the Crofs, or Good-Friday. 
 
 Hern Art Cortes was pfefent at thefe 
 
 Fun&ions, as a private Perfon among the other 
 
 Members of the Colony : And tho' he could 
 
 i not cafily lay afide that Kind of Superiority 
 
 . which is wont to confift in theBsCfpcd which 
 
 . others pay, he endeavoured to fupport the Au-- 
 
 1 thority of thefe new Minifters, and byiiisRc- 
 
 I fpect, to induce the reft to obey them. And 
 
 this Deference was founded upon Policy 3 for 
 
 M z the 
 
164 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 the Authority of that Council, and the Sub- 
 million of the reft to them, was of much Con- 
 lequence to him, to the End that the Sword 
 of Juftice, and the Voice of the People, might 
 fupply the Defect of the Military ]urifdiction, 
 which refided in him by Delegation from 
 'Diego Velafquez, and which being, in Truth, 
 revoked, flood then upon too weak a Foun- 
 dation to enter upon fo difficult an Entcrprize : 
 A Defect which gave him great Uneafinefsi 
 for he was obliged to dillemble it with thofc 
 that obeyed him, and was cmbarafs'd in his 
 Refolutions by the Difficulty of making hun- 
 felf be obeyed. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Hcrnan Cortes (in the firft Council which 
 was held at Vera Cruz) renounces the Title 
 of Captain-General, which he held from 
 Diego Velafquez; and the Town and Peo- 
 ple eleEi him anew. 
 
 THE next Day in the Morning the Coun- 
 cil met, under Colour of conlulting 
 about fome Points relating to the Preferva- 
 tion and Augmentation of their new Settle- 
 ment ; and foon after Hernan Cortes defired 
 Admittance to propofe an Affair which con- 
 cern^ the publick Good. The Council rofc 
 up to receive him 3 and he paying his' Rcfpetfs 
 
 to 
 
 
Book II Conquefi of Mexico. \6 j 
 
 to the Magiftraey of the Town, went and took 
 his Seat immediately next to the firft Rcgidor, 
 and fpoke to this EfFeft : 
 
 " Gentlemen, Since, by the Mercy of 
 " God, we have in this Council the Pcrfon of 
 " the King reprefented, before whom we 
 " ought to difcover our Hearts, and fpeak 
 " without Artifice, which is the Vaflalage, 
 " whereby Men of Worth pay him the 
 " grcateft Acknowledgment 5 I come into 
 <c your Prefence, as if I appeared before his, 
 cc without any other Defign than that of his 
 cc Service, in which fort of Zeal you will 
 tc allow me the Ambition of not being your 
 cc inferior. You arc confidering of the Means 
 u of eftablifhing this new Corporation, happy 
 " already in depending upon your Direftion. 
 < £ It will not be foreign to the Purpofe to in- 
 " form you of my Thoughts and Refolutions, 
 " that you may not aft upon any ill-founded 
 " Suppositions, which may oblige you to rca- 
 " fon afrefh, and take new Meafures. This 
 " Town, which to Day begins to rife under 
 <c the Protection of your Government, is 
 <£ founded in a Country unknown, and full 
 " of People, where we have already fcen 
 " fome Signs of Refiftancp, fufficient to make 
 <c us believe that we are engaged in a difficult 
 " Enterprize, where we fhall ftand in equal 
 I <c Need of Heads and Hands, and where very 
 " often Force muft profecute what Prudence 
 " has begun. This is not a Time to depend 
 fc on politick Maxims, or unarmed Counfels,' 
 M 5 " Your 
 

 166 Tie Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 cc Your firft: Care muft be to prcfervc this 
 cc Army, which fcrves you as a Rampart ; and 
 * 'tis my firft Duty to inform you, that it is 
 <c not at this Time in fuch a Condition as is 
 cc rcquifitc toentruft it with our Security, and 
 cc our Hopes. You very weii know, that I 
 cc command this Army without any other 
 cc Commifiion than the Nomination of ^Dirga 
 ?? Velafquez, which was recall'd foon after 
 cc it had been given me. I lay afidc the In- 
 " jury he did me by his Miftruft, as being an- 
 u other Affair : But I cannot deny, that the 
 <c Military Power, which we ib much Hand 
 <c in need of, is lodged at prefent in me, con- 
 cc trary to the Inclination of him who gave it, 
 <c and is founded on a Title of Force, which 
 cc cannot conceal the Weakncls of its Origi- 
 cc nal. The Soldiers are not ignorant of this 
 cc Defect 5 nor am I fo mean-fpirited, as to 
 C£ defirc to command them with fuch Autho- 
 <c rity as may be queftioncd : Nor is the En- 
 cc tcrprize we have in hand of fuch a Nature, 
 cc as to enter upon it with an Army thatrathev 
 cc obeys out of mere Cuftom, than for that it 
 cC is under a rcafonablc Obligation of Obcdi- 
 <c ence. It belongs to you, Gentlemen, to 
 cc apply the Remedy to this Inconvcnicncy ; 
 cc and the Council which at prefent rcprefents 
 cc our King, may, in his Royal Name, pro- 
 <c vide for the Government of his Troops, by 
 <c chufing a Fcrfon free from fuch Excepti- 
 cc ons. There arc fcvcral Perfons in this Army 
 < c capable of that Employment ; and it will 
 
 cc be 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 167 
 
 f be much better fill'd by any one that may 
 f* have another Sort of Authority, or that may 
 " receive it at your Hands. I, from this Mo- 
 " ment, quit all Right which could accrue to 
 " me by PofTeffion, and deliver back into your 
 " Hands the Title by which I have held it, 
 " that you may confider with all poflible Free- 
 16 dom upon your Election : And I can allure 
 cC you, that all my Ambition folely tends to 
 If promote the good Succefs of our Under- 
 a taking ; and that I can, without offering the 
 cc lead Violence to myfelf, take up a Pike 
 cc with that Hand which lays down the Staff 
 f of a General 5 for if in War Men learn to 
 ff command by obeying, there are alfo Cafes, 
 p in which the having commanded, teaches 
 < c them how to obey. " 
 
 This faid, he threw upon the Table the 
 Commiflion given him by ^iDiego Velafquez, 
 kifs'd the Truncheon, and delivering it into 
 the Hands of the Alcaldes, retired to his Bar- 
 jack. It is likely he was under no Uneafmefs 
 about the Events for he had fo difpofed Mat- 
 ters, that he adventured but little in the Re- 
 folution. But it muft be confefs'd, that his 
 Manner of A&ing was handfome and noble, 
 and no lefs commendable the Art he ufed to 
 fupply the Defe&s in his Authority, which 
 had neither Force nor Decency. The Coun- 
 cil foon refolv'd upon the Ele&ion 5 for fome 
 had confidered what they were to propofe, and 
 others had nothing to reply. They all voted 
 %q admit the Resignation of Cortes 5 but that 
 
 M4 he 
 
168 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 he ought to be obliged to take upon him the 
 Command of the Army again ; the Town 
 giving him his Commiffion in the Name of 
 the King, during the Time, and in the Inte- 
 rim, until His Majefty fhould otherwifc order. 
 And they refolved to communicate the new 
 Election to the People, cither to fee how they 
 would receive it, or that indeed they were fa- 
 tisficd of their Approbation. 
 
 The People were called together by the 
 Voice of a Crier 5 and the Renunciation of 
 Cortes being publifhed, with the Reiblution 
 of the Council, they received iuch Applaufe 
 as was cither hoped or concerted. Great were 
 the Acclamations and Rejoicings of the Peo- 
 ple. Some congratulated the Council on their 
 good Election : Others demanded Cortes, as 
 if he had been denied them : And if any were 
 of a contrary Opinion, they either difiemblcd. 
 their Discontent by Acclamations, or took 
 care not to be remarkable by their Silence. 
 This Work being over, the Alcaldes and Rc- 
 gidores went with the grcatcft Part of thole 
 Soldiers (who now reprefented the Towns 
 People) to the Quarter* of Hernan Cortes \ 
 and acquainted him, That the Town of Villa 
 Rica de la Vera Cruz, had, in the Name of 
 the King 'Don Carlos, with the Confent and 
 Approbation of the Inhabitants, in full Coun- 
 cil, chofen and appointed him General of the 
 Army of New Spams and, in cafe it were 
 tieceflary, did require and command him to 
 take ppon him that Pod, it bemg convenient 
 
 for 
 
Book II. Conqueji of Mexico. 1 6g 
 
 for the publick Good of the Town, and his 
 Majcfty's greater Service. 
 
 Hernan Cortes accepted the new Com- 
 mand (for fo he called it, to diftinguifh it 
 even by Name from that which he had re- 
 nounced) with great Civility and Refpeft; 
 and now began to govern the Troops with 
 another kind of inward Security, which had 
 its Effcd in the Obedience of the Soldiers. 
 
 The Dependents upon 'Diego- Velafquez 
 rcfented this Alteration in a very indifcreet 
 Manner 5 for they could not difguife their 
 Vexation, nor would they give way to the 
 Current which they were not able to ftem. 
 They endeavoured to invalidate the Autho- 
 rity of the Council, and caft Reflexions on 
 Cortes, blaming his Ambition, and talking 
 with Contempt of thofe that were deceived, 
 and did not know it. And as Scandal has its 
 hidden Poifon, and an unknown Power over 
 thofe that hear it, it fprcad in their Conver- 
 sions, where there wanted not fome who 
 hearkened to, and endeavoured to foment it. 
 Hernan Cortes did all that lay in his Power 
 to remedy this Inconvenience in the Begin- 
 ning, apprehending it might draw away thofe 
 who were already difquieted, or put thofe in- 
 to a Commotion who were eafily ftirred up. 
 He had already found by Experience how 
 little his Patience availed, ajid that gentle 
 Means produe'd contrary EfFefts, rendring the 
 Evil worfe; and therefore refolvd to make 
 ufe of Severity, which generally has the bed 
 
 Effeft 
 
l jo The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 Effeft upon the Infolent. He ordered "Diego 
 de Ordaz, Tedro Efcudero, and Juan Ve- 
 lafquez, de Leon, to be feized, publiekly car- 
 ried on board the Fleet, and put in Irons, 
 This Action ftruck a great Terror into the 
 Troops j and it was his Defign to improve it, 
 declaring in a very pofitive and refolutc Man- 
 ner, that he feized them as feditious Perfons, 
 and Difturbers of the pubiick Peace ; and that 
 he would proceed againft them, and make 
 them pay for their Obftinacy with the Lofs of 
 their Heads. In which Severity, whether real 
 or affe&ed, he continu d fome Days, without 
 proceeding to the Rigor of Juftice: For he 
 rather defircd to reform, than to punifh them. 
 At firft he fuffer'd none to go near them ; but 
 afterwards, by way of Toleration, permitted 
 it, artfully making ufe of this Permiflion, for 
 fome of his Confidents to endeavour to re- 
 duce, and bring them to Reafon ; which in 
 Time they compaffed, he fuffering himfelf to 
 be pacified fo effc&ually, that he made them 
 his Friends 5 and they flood by him in all the 
 Accidents which afterwards betel him. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Book If. Cohqueftctf Mexico. |£i 
 
 CHAP. VUL 
 
 ST^f Spaniards march ; and the Fleet fails 
 
 for Quiabiflan. They enter Zempoala in 
 
 . their Way ; where the Cazique makes 
 
 them welcome $ and they receive frep Ac- 
 
 cpunts of the Tyrannies of Motezuma. 
 
 AS fooii as the aforefaid Perfons were 
 imprifon'd, Tedro de Alvarado march- 
 ed out with a hundred Men, to view the 
 Country, and bring in fome Provisions 5 for 
 now they began to be fcnfible of the Want 
 .of thofe Indians who ufed to provide the 
 Army. He was ordered to commit no Hofti- 
 lity, nor make ufe of Arms but in cafe of 
 Neccflity, being obliged to it by Provocation, 
 or for Defence ; and he had the good Luck 
 to perform his Commiffion in that Manner, 
 with little Trouble. At a fmall Diftance he 
 came into fome Villages or Hamlets, the In- 
 habitants whereof had fled into the Woods, 
 but had left the Houfes well provided with 
 Hens, Indian Corn, and other Provifions 5 and 
 without doing any Damage, either to the 
 Houfes or their Furniture, the Soldiers took 
 what they had Occafion for, as acquired by 
 the Right of Neceflity, and returned to thek 
 Quarters, loaded and well pleafed. 
 
 Hernan Cortes immediately difpofed 
 his March, as he had refolved, and the Ships 
 fct fail for the Bay of Qitiabiflanz he fol- 
 lowed 
 
172 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 lowed by Land, taking the Road of Zem- 
 foala, keeping the Coaft on his Right Hand, 
 and lending out a Party before to difcover 
 the Country, providing very confiderately 
 againft all Accidents which might happen in 
 a Country, where Security might be blamed 
 as a Neglect. 
 
 In few Hours they reached the River of 
 Zempoala (near which they afterwards found- 
 ed the City of Vera Cruz) -, and by reafon it 
 run deep, they were obliged to get fome Ca- 
 noes, and other Veffels of Fifhcrmcn, which 
 they found upon the Shore, in which the Sol- 
 diers patted over, making their Horfes fwim. 
 Having overcome this Difficulty, they arrived 
 it fome Houfes in the Diftnct of Zempoala 
 (as they afterwards found) 5 and they took it 
 for no good Sign to find them, not only for- 
 iaken by the Indians^ but alio without cither 
 furniture or Provisions, betokening a preme- 
 ditated and concerted Flight; only they left 
 in their Temples feveral Idols, with various 
 Instruments, or Knives made of Flint, and 
 fome mifcrablc Remains of human Victims, 
 fcartercd upon the Ground, which at the fame 
 Time mov'd Compaffion and Horror. 
 
 Here they lirft law (and not without Ad- 
 miration) the Mexican Books, of which we 
 have already made mention. There were 
 three or four of them in the Temples, which, 
 'twas thought, contained the Rites of their 
 Pvciigion, made of a long Skin, or varnifhed 
 Cloth, which they folded in equal Doublings 
 
 fo 
 
Book II. Conqucjt of Mexico. 173 
 
 fo that every Fold made a Leaf, and all to- 
 gether made up the Volume, like ours to the 
 outward Appearance ; and for the Letters, they 
 were written or painted with that kind of 
 Imagery or Cyphers ufed by the Painters of 
 Teutile. 
 
 The Army was prefently quartered in the 
 beft Houfes, and pafled the Night fomewhat 
 incommodioufly, their Arms in Readinels, 
 with Ccntinels at a convenient Diftancc, by 
 whofe Watching the reft might take fome 
 Repofe. 
 
 The next Day they continu'd their March 
 in the fame Order, along the mod beaten 
 Road, which turned off to the Weft ward, 
 leading further from the Shore ; and during 
 the whole Morning they faw no Pcrlbn, of 
 whom to gain Intelligence, nor aught but a 
 fufpicious Solitude, whofe very Silence made 
 a Noife in their Imagination, and gave them 
 Uneafineis ; till entring into fome very de- 
 lightful Meadows, they difcovered twelve In- 
 dians., who were coming in fearch of Her- 
 nan Cortes , with a Prefent of Hens, and Bread 
 made of Indian Corn, fent him by the Ca- 
 zique of Zernpoala, very carncftly intreating 
 him not to fail of coming to his Town, where 
 he had provided Quarters for his Men, and 
 where he fhould be more plentifully enter- 
 tained. By thefe Indians he underftood that 
 the Cazique's Refidence was at a Town one 
 Suns Diflancc from that Place, which, in their 
 Language, fignified the fame as one Day's 
 
 March $ 
 
1 74 The Hiftory of the Book if. 
 
 March 5 for they underftood not the Divifiorf 
 Of Leagues, but mcafurcd Diftance by Suns,- 
 counting the Time, and not the Paces. Cor- 
 ies difmifs'd fix of the Indians with many 
 Thanks for the Prefent and Offers, keeping 
 the other fix to fhew him the Way, and ask 
 them fome Queftions 5 for he was not entirely 
 fatisfied of the Sincerity of this kind Treat- 
 ment, which being io much unlookcd for, 
 leemed the lefs to be depended on. 
 
 That Night they halted in a fmall Village 
 thin of Inhabitants, who leemed Very dcfirouS 
 to entertain the Spaniards well : And by the 
 Behaviour of thcie People, the Spaniards 
 judged that their Nation was inclined to Peace 5 
 nor were they deceived in their Conjectures,- 
 tho' Hope is wont to be cafily flatter'd. In the 
 Morning the Army moved towards Zempoald y 
 following the Guides with all necellary Cau- 
 tion i and at the Declining of the Day (being 
 now near the Town) there came twenty In- 
 dians forth to receive Cortes, well dreffed 
 after their Fafhion ; who, after having pay'd 
 their Refpects, faid, " That their Caziquc did 
 u not come out with them, by rcalbn of 
 iC fome Impediment, but had fent them to 
 " pay that Rcfped on his Part, being very 
 " defirous to be acquainted with fuch valiant 
 * Gucfts, and to receive into his Fricndfhip 
 u thofc whom he already held in his Eftccm.** 
 
 The Town was lanre, and of a beautiful 
 Profpcd, fitaatcd between two Rivers, which 
 fgrtiiized the Country, tieicendmg from fome 
 
 Moun- 
 
Book II; Conqueji of Mexico. 1 75 
 
 Mountains at a fmall Diftance, which were 
 covered with Trees, and of an cafy Afcent. 
 The Buildings were of Stone, cover'd or 
 adorn'd with a fort of Lime, very white and 
 fhining, and made a pleafing and noble View 
 at a Diftance, infomuch that one of the 
 Scouts, who was fent before, retuf n'd in Hafte, 
 crying aloud, That the Walls were of Silver 5 
 which Miftake made much Sport in the Army^ 
 and, perhaps, fome did then believe it, who 
 afterwards made a Jeft of his Credulity. 
 
 The Squares and Streets were filled with an 
 innumerable Company of People, who came 
 to fee the Entry, without any Arms that could 
 give the leaft Sufpicion, or any other Noifc 
 than that which ufually proceeds from a Mul- 
 titude. The Cazique came out to the Gate 
 of his Palace; and his Impediment was £ 
 monftrous Fatnefs, which opprefTcd and di£ 
 figured him. He drew near with fome Dif- 
 ficulty, fupported by the Arms of fome noble 
 Indians, to whom he feem'd to owe all his 
 Motion. His Habit was a Mantle of fine Cot- 
 ton thrown over his naked Body, enriched 
 with various Jewels and Pendants, which alio 
 he wore in his Ears and Lips : A Prince of a 
 very extraordinary Make, in whom Weight 
 and Gravity agreed notably well. It w r as ne- 
 ceifary for Cortes to put a Stop to the Laugh- 
 ing of the Soldiers, and as he had Occafion 
 to put a Reftraint upon himfelf, he gave the 
 Order with a forced Severity. But as foon as 
 the Cazique began his Difcourfe, receiving 
 
 Corfe$ 
 
i ?6 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 Cortes with his Arms, and welcoming the 
 reft of the Captains, he fhewed his good Senfe, 
 and by the Ears gained the Refped: of the 
 Eyes. He fpoke to the Purpofe, and fhortned 
 his Compliments with Refpect and Difcre- 
 tion, bidding Cortes retire to Reft after his 
 Journey, and quarter his Men 5 after which 
 he would vifit him in his Quarters, and talk 
 more at Leifure about their common ltd 
 tcrefts. 
 
 He had provided Quarters in fqiiare Courts, 
 which had many great Chambers, where they 
 wefe all accommodated with fufficient Room, 
 and plentifully furnlfh'd with all they had Oc- 
 cafion for. After which the Cazique made 
 way for his Viftt, by lending a Prefent of 
 Jewels of Gold, and other Curiofitics, to the 
 Value of about two thoufand Pefo's, and loon 
 after came himfelf, with a fplcndid Atten- 
 dance, in a Chair carried on the Shoulders of 
 the Chief of his Family; and at that Time, it 
 is likely, the ftrongeft had that Honour. 
 Cortes went forth to receive him, attended 
 by his Captains 5 and giving him the Prece- 
 dence, and the Right Hand, retired with him 
 and his Interpreters ; for he thought it con- 
 venient to talk to him without WitncfTes. 
 After having made him the ufual Speech, about 
 the Intent of his Coming, the Grandeur of 
 his King, and the Errors of Idolatry, he pro- 
 ceeded to tell him, " That one of the De- 
 <c figns of thofe valiant Troops was to redrefs 
 cc Wrongs, punifh Violence, and to take Part 
 
 " with 
 
fioolc II. Conqueft of Mexico. 177 
 
 " with juftice and Reafon." He touch'd upon 
 that Point on purpofe to draw him in, by De- 
 grees, to complain of Motezuma, and to dis- 
 cover what Advantages might be expe&ed from 
 his Refentments and Indignation, of which he 
 j had been before informed. It prefently ap- 
 pealed, by the Change of his Countenance, 
 that Cortes had touched the Sore 5 and before 
 he refolved on an Anfwer, he began to figh, 
 as one who found a Difficulty in making his 
 Complaints 5 but at length, his Refentment 
 prevailing, he broke out into Lamentations of 
 his Unhappinefs, and told him, u That all the 
 u Caziqucs of the neighbouring Countries, 
 " were under a miferableandfhameful Slavery, 
 u groaning under the Opprcllions and Ty- 
 u rannics of Motezuma, without fiifficient 
 [| <c Force to free thcmfelvcs, or Courage to 
 i <c think on a Remedy 5 that he caufed himfelf 
 " to be ferved and adored by his Subje&slike 
 u one of his Gods 5 and would have his Vio- 
 
 I u lencies and Injuries reverenced like theDc- 
 " crees of Heaven : But that it was not his De- 
 " fign to engage him in adventuring to fupport 
 " them,becaufe Motezuma was too powerful 
 " andftrongforhim torefolve (on fo flight an 
 I" Obligation) to declare himfelf his Enemy; 
 " nor would it be agreeable to the Laws of 
 :c Civility, to pretend to his Friendfhip, by 
 u felling at fo great a Price the fmall Service 
 " he had done him/' 
 
 Hernan Cortes- endeavoured to com- 
 fort him, letting him know, " That he (hould 
 Vol. L • N " little 
 
173 The Hifkory of the Book It | 
 
 little regard Motezumas Power, having ?< 
 Heaven on his fide, and a natural Predo- 
 minancy over Tyrants j but that he was 
 obliged to pafs on to Quiabiflan-, where 
 the Opprefled and Needy Ihould find him, 
 and all who, having Reafon on their fide, 
 flood in need of his Arms 5 which he might 
 communicate to his Friends and Confede- 
 rates; afluring them all, that Motezuma 
 wou'd ccafe to opprefs them, or Ihould not 
 be able to do it, while he undertook their 
 Defence." With this they both took Leave, 
 and Hernan Cortes prepared for his March, 
 having gained the good Will of that Cazique, 
 and being extremely well pleafed within him- 
 felf at the better Profped of his Defigns, 
 which from being only diftant Views of the 
 Imagination, began now to appear poffible. 
 
 CHAP. DC 
 
 The Spaniards piirfae their March from Zcm* 
 poala to Quiabiilan. An Account of what 
 faffed at their Entrance into that Town ; 
 where they have frefi Accounts of the, 
 Uneafinefs of thofe Provinces ; and they 
 take fix of Motezuma'j Officers. 
 
 WHEN the Army was ready to march, 
 they found four hundred Indians of 
 Burden provided to carry their Cloak-Bags 
 and Provifions, and to help to conduit the 
 
 Artillery; 
 
Book If. Conqueft of Mexico, 1 79 
 
 Artiltery* which was a very great Eafe to the 
 ^Soldiers, arid was look'd upon as an extraor- 
 dinary Refped of the Cazique, till they un- 
 dcrftood from 'Donna Marina, that among 
 thofe Lords of Vaflals, it was a common 
 Pra&icc to aflift the Armies of their Allies 
 with that fort of human Baggage- Carriers, 
 which in their Language they called Tamenes, 
 who Were wont to travel five or fix Leagues 
 ninth two or three Arobas, that is, with half 
 or three Quarters of an hundred Weight. 
 The Country they were entering upon, was 
 fejeafant and delightful, Part of it covered with 
 great Trees, and the reft cultivated with Grain i 
 at which Sight, the Spaniards went on chcar- 
 fill and diverted, rejoicing at their good For- 
 tune in marching over fo plentiful a Country, 
 At the Setting of the Sun, they found them- 
 [elves near a little Village, unpeopled, where 
 :hey (laid to avoid the Inconveiiiency of en- 
 . [tiring Ghiiahiflan by Night, at which they ar- 
 rived the next Day by Ten in the Morning. 
 
 The Buildings appeared at a large Diftance 
 on an Eminence of Rocks, which feemed to 
 lerve inftead of a Wall > a Situation naturally 
 Irong, the Avenues narrow, and deep, which 
 :hey found without Defence, yet they entered 
 vvith Difficulty. The Cazique had retired 
 : with the Inhabitants, to diicover at a Diftance 
 :he Intentions of our People; and the Troops 
 :00k Poileflion of the flown, without finding 
 my Perfon from whom they could get the 
 eaft Information, till coming to a Square, 
 
 N 2 where 
 
i8o The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 where the Indians had their Temples, there 
 came out fourteen or fifteen Indians to meet 
 them, handfomely dreffcd after their Manner, 
 with Abundance of Cringes and Perfumes, 
 continuing their Civilities for fome Time,- 
 with an affected Security and Civility, endea- 
 vouring to cover their Fear with Refpcct 5 
 Affections of the Mind, which are pretty much 
 alike in Appearance, and hard to be diftinguifned. 
 Hernan Cortes encouraged them by his Ca- 
 reffes, and gave them fom<; Beads of blue and 
 green Glafs; a fort of Coin, which, for the 
 Effects it had, besan to be valued even anions* 
 thofe who were acquainted with it. With 
 which good Treatment, they recovered from 
 the Fright which they had diffembled, and gave 
 him to underftand, u That their Cazique had 
 " withdrawn himfelf to avoid beginning a 
 " War, by putting himfcif on his Defence, 
 cc or adventuring his Perfon, by trufting to 
 " armed Troops which he did not know 5 and 
 " with fuch an Example, it was impoffiblc 
 cc to hinder the Flight of the Inhabitants, who 
 " were under lefs Obligations to run them- 
 " feives into Danger; an Aftion to which 
 cc they had offered thcmfelves, as being People 
 " of better Fafhion and greater Boldnefs: But 
 " that as foon as the reft fhould be lenfible of 
 u the Goodneis of fuch honourable Guefts, : 
 " they would immediately return to their 
 " Houfes, and account it a very great Hap- 
 " pinefs to ferve and obey them." Hernan 
 Cortes gave them frefh Aflurancesj and whilft 
 
 thev 
 
 
Book II. Conquefi of Mexico. 1 8 1 
 
 they were gone with this News, he gave drift 
 Orders to the Soldiers to treat the Indians 
 well 5 who very foon (hewed the Confidence 
 they had in the Spaniards ; for that very Night 
 feme Families returned, and in a little Time 
 the Town was filled with its Inhabitants. 
 
 Some Time after, the Caziquc returned, 
 
 bringing with him the Caziquc of Zempoala 
 
 to befriend him, They both came In Litters 
 
 on the Shoulders of Men. Kc of Zempoala> 
 
 ' made a handfomc Excufe for his Neighbour 5 
 
 •'and after fome fhort Difcourfe, they themfelves 
 
 ■introduced their Complaints of JSlotezuma, 
 
 recounting, with great Warmth, and ibmetimes 
 
 with Tears, his Tyrannies and Cruelties, the 
 
 ■ JMifery of their People, and Defpair of their 
 
 /Nobles; to which the Caziquc of Zempoala 
 
 added, as the utmoft Aggravation? " This 
 
 " Monfter is fo proud and fierce, that befides 
 
 " his impoverifhing us by his Tributes, and 
 
 " raifing his Wealth out of our Calamities, 
 
 " he likewife invades the Houfes of his Sub- 
 
 " jefts, taking forcibly from us both our Wives 
 
 " and Daughters, flaining with their Blood the 
 
 % Altars of his Gods, after having facrificed 
 
 % them firft to other Ufes more cruel and 
 
 * lefs honed."* 
 
 Hernan Cortes endeavoured to com- 
 fort and difpofe them for entring into a Con- 
 federacy with him 5 but at the Time that he 
 ;\vas enquiring into their Strength, and the 
 Number of People that would take Arms in 
 Defence of their Liberty, two or three In- 
 
 N 3 dians 
 
182 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 dians came in, who fecmed in a very great 
 Fright 5 and whifpering the Caziques in the 
 Ears, put them into fuch Confufion, that they 
 rofe up, lofing both Courage and Colour, and 
 went haftily away, without fo much as taking 
 Leave, or making an end of their Difcourfe. 
 The Caufe of their Difordcr was presently 
 known ; for fix Officers, or Royal Commifiaries, 
 fuch as went about the Kingdom to gather 
 Motezuma's Tributes, were fcen palling before 
 the Spaniards Quarters. They were adorned 
 with Abundance of Feathers, and Pendants of 
 Gold on fine clean Cotton Cloths, with a 
 fufficient Number of Servants and inferior 
 Officers, who moving great Fans, made of 
 Feathers, fann d their Matters to cool them, 
 or officioufly fhaded them from the Sun, as 
 Occafion required. Cortes went out to the 
 Gate with his Captains to fee them ; and they 
 patted on, without paying him any Refped, 
 and with Countenances that fhewed Indigna- 
 tion and Contempt 5 which Pride provoked 
 fome of the Soldiers fo much, that they would 
 have chaftifed them, had they not- been with- 
 held by Cortes, who retted fatisfied at that 
 Time with fending 'Donna Marina, with a 
 fufficient Guard, to inform %rfclf of what 
 they were doing. 
 
 By this Means it was underftood, that after 
 having feated themfelves in the Town-Houfe, 
 they fummoncd the Caziques to appear before 
 them, and reprimanded them publickly, and 
 very fharpiy, for their Boldnefs in admitting 
 
 Strangers 
 
 1 
 
Book H. Conquefl of Mexico- 183 
 
 Strangers into their Town, who were Enemies 
 to their Kings and therefore, befides the or- 
 dinary Service, to which they were obliged, 
 they demanded twenty Indians to facrifice to 
 their Gods, as a Satisfaction and Atonement 
 for fuch a Crime. 
 
 Hernan Cortes fent for the two Ca- 
 ziques by fome Soldiers, who had Orders, 
 without any Noife, to bring them to his Pre- 
 fence 5 when letting them know that he faw 
 into their mod hidden Dcfigns, (the better to 
 authorize his Propofal by this Myftery) he 
 told them, " That he was well acquainted 
 " with the Violence of thofe Commiflaries, 
 u who, without any other Crime than their 
 I having admitted his Troops, endeavoured 
 J to impofe on them new Tributes of human 
 K Blood; that it was no Time then for fuch 
 I Abominations, nor would he fufFer them 
 P to obey fuch horrid Commands in his Pre- 
 iC fence; but, on the contrary, he ordered 
 t c them, without fail, to call their People 
 < c about them, and feize the Commiflaries, 
 u and leave him to maintain what they had 
 " done by his Advice." 
 
 The Caziques were at a ftand, refufing to 
 execute fuch a bold Command, as being grown 
 meaivfpirited by conftant Ufe of enduring the 
 Smart, and even honouring the Rod : But 
 Hernan Cortes repeated his Order with fo 
 much Refolution, that they immediately went 
 to execute it; and with great Applaufe of the 
 Indians, they feized the Minifters of Mote- 
 
 N 4 zuma. 
 

 184 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 z>ttma, whom they put in a kind of Pillories* 
 lifed in their Prifons, and very incommodious, 
 for they held the Delinquents by the Neck, 
 obliging them continually to do their utmofi 
 with their Shoulders to cafe the Weight, for 
 the Freedom of breathing. It was very plea--, 
 fant to fee how proud and elevated the Ca- 
 ziqucs returned to give an Account of their 
 noble Action; for they thought to execute 
 them the fame Day, and make them iuffer 
 the Punifhments afilgned by their Laws to 
 Traytors ; and feeing that would not be per- 
 mitted, they defircd at lcaft to facrifice them 
 to their Gods, as if it were a kind of Grace. 
 
 The Prifoncrs being fecured with a fuffi- 
 cient Number of Spanifi Soldiers, Hernan 
 Cortes retired to his Quarters, and began to- 
 confidcr within himfelf, what was to be done 
 in order to difentanglc himfelf from the Dif- 
 ficulty he was in, by having promifed to pro--' 
 tect and defend the Caziques from the Danger 
 that threatned them for having obeyed him ; 
 for he was not willing abfolutely to break with 
 Motezumdfy but ftill to keep him in Sufpcncc. 
 He did not altogether approve the taking up 
 Arms in Defence of Subjects complaining 
 againft their King, nor the laying afide his De- 
 signs of Peace, without new Provocation, or 
 a better Pretence. On the other hand, he 
 confldcrcdit as a very nccefTary Point, to main- 
 tain that Party which was beginning to form, 
 that he might have their Afliftance in cafe he 
 {hould happen to want them. In fine, he held 
 
 it 
 
Book II. Conqueji of Mexico.. 185 
 
 it rnoft convenient to manage with Mote- 
 zuma, by making a Merit of fufpending the 
 Effecb of that Difrefpeft, and fhewing, that 
 at leaft he would fo far difchargc himfelf, as 
 not to foment the Sedition, or draw any Ad- 
 vantage from it to himfelf, until the laft Ne- 
 ceflity. 
 
 The Refult of thefc Reflections (which kept 
 him fome Hours awake) was, to fend at Mid- 
 night for two of the Prifoners with all po£ 
 fible Privacy : And after receiving them cour- 
 tcoufty, he told them, (as one defirous they 
 fliould not attribute to him what they had 
 fuffcred) " That he had fent for them in order 
 f* to fet them at Liberty ; and that as they rc- 
 " ccived it folcly from his Hands, they might 
 I allure their Prince, he would endeavour very 
 <c fhortly to fend the reft of their Companions 
 " who remained in the Power of the Caziques, 
 W whom he would endeavour to make fenfible 
 " of their Fault, and perform all that fhould be 
 " moft for his Service; for that he was de- 
 " firous of Peace, and to deferve, by his Re- 
 *i fpecl: and Actions, all the Marks of Civility 
 " that were due to the Ambaflador and Mi- 
 f nifter of fo great a Prince/' The Indians 
 durft not fet out on their Journey, for fear 
 of being killed, or taken by the Way ; and 
 he was forced to give them a Guard of Spa- 
 nijh Soldiers, who conveyed them to the next 
 Bay, where the Ships lay, and one of the Boats 
 was ordered to land them beyond the Diftrid 
 of Zemfioala. 
 
 The 
 

 i86 The Ri&ory of tbe Book ir. 
 
 The Caziqucs came in the Morning much 
 frightned and troubled for the Efcape of the 
 two Prifoners 5 and Hernan Cortes received 
 the News with Signs of Surprife and Concern, 
 blaming their Want of Vigilances and upon 
 this Pretence he ordered in their Prefence, that 
 the reft fhould be carried on board the Fleet, 
 as defiring to take upon himfelf the Care of 
 their Imprifonment 5 but he privately ordered 
 the Sea-Officers to treat them well, and to 
 keep them fatisfied and fafe ; by which he 
 gained the Confidence of the Caziques, with- 
 out difobliging Motezuma, whofe Power, fo 
 much cried up and dreaded among thofe In- 
 dians, made him careful how he a&ed. After 
 this Manner he endeavoured to provide for 
 every thing, keeping up the difcontented Party, 
 without engaging himfelf too far in it, yet 
 dill preferving in View all Accidents which 
 might oblige him to clofc with it. A great 
 Mailer in adjufting his Mcafurcs to his Sufpi- 
 cions. And he is a prudent General, who 
 knows how to provide beforehand againft Ac- 
 cidents, and, by Forefight, to leflen the Force 
 or Surprife of thofe Difficulties he meets with. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book If. Con que fi of Mexico. 187 
 
 CHAR x; 
 
 The Caziques of the Mountains come tojkb- 
 mit, and offer their Service to Cortes. 
 The Spaniards build the Town of Vera 
 Cruz, and put it in a 'Tofture of 'Defence. 
 New Ambajfadors arrive therefrom Mote- 
 zuma, 
 
 TH E Benignity and good Behaviour of 
 the Spaniards towards their Allies, was 
 quiekly divulged thro' all the Diftricts there- 
 abouts; and the two Caziques of Zempoala and 
 Qtiiabiftan gave Notice to all their Friends and 
 Confederates of the Happinefs they enjoyed, 
 being freed from Impofitions, and their Li- 
 berty fecured by the Protection of a People 
 invincible, who knew the very Thoughts of 
 Men, and feemed of a fuperior Nature. The 
 Report fpread, and (as is ufual) was improv'd 
 by Fame, which always adds to the Truth, 
 or confounds it with Exaggerations. It was 
 faid publickly among thole People, that their 
 Gods were come down to Quiabiflan, darting 
 Lightning againft Motezuma; the which Cre- 
 dulity lafted fome Time among the Indians, 
 and caufed a Veneration, tho' ill founded, 
 which very much facilitated the Beginnings of 
 this Conqucft. Nor were they altogether wide 
 of the Truth, in efteeming thofe lent from 
 Heaven, who by its Decree and Appointment, 
 came to be the Inftruments of their Salvation : 
 
 A 
 
r88 The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 A Notion proceeding from their Ignorance, hi 
 which there might be fome Mixture of a fu- 
 perior Light, difpenfed in Favour of their 
 Sincerity. 
 
 This Opinion of the Spaniards did fo in- 
 creafe, and the Name of Liberty founded fo 
 well in the Ears of the Qppreffed, that in a 
 few Days there came to Quiabijlan above 
 thirty Caziques, Lords of the Mountain that 
 was in fight, which had numerous Settlements 
 of 'Indians ', called Totonaques, a ruftick People, 
 of different Lan2;ua2;cs and Cuftoms, butftron^, 
 and valuing themfelves upon their Courage*. 
 They all paid their Obedience, offered their 
 Troops, and, in the Form propofed to them, 
 fwore Fidelity and Vaflalage to the King of 
 Spain, of which a folemn Act was made be- 
 fore the Secretary of the Council. Antonio 
 de Herrera fays, that the Troops offered by 
 thofc Caziques, exceeded the Number of a 
 hundred thoufand Men. Bernal ^Diaz del 
 'Cafrillo, doth not reckon them ; nor were 
 they ever lifted. The Number, it is likely, 
 was very great, the Settlements being many, 
 and the People cafily ftirrcd up againft Mote- 
 z,uma> efpccially, for that the Mountainous 
 Country confifted of Warlike Indians, lately 
 lubdu'd, or not quite conquered. 
 
 This kind of Confederacy being made, the 
 Caziques returned to their Houfes, ready to 
 do as they fnould be commanded 5 and Hernan 
 Cortes refolved to fettle the Town of Villa 
 Rica de la Vera Cruz, which, till then moved 
 
 with 
 
Book II- Co72queft of Mexico. 189 
 
 with the Army, tho' obfcrving its proper Di- 
 ftinftions as a Republick. They pitched upon, 
 the Plain between Sea the and Quiabijlan, half a 
 League from that Town 5 a Land which invited 
 them with its Fertility, abounding in Water, 
 and having great Plenty of Trees, which lay- 
 commodious for the Cutting of Timber for 
 the Buildings. They laid the Foundations, 
 beginning with the Church. The handicraft 
 Men were diftributed, Carpenters and Mafons, 
 who came with Soldiers Pay 5 and the Indians 
 of Zempoala and Quiabijlan afllfting with 
 equal Skill and Activity, the Houfes began to 
 rife 5 mean as to Archite&urc, rather for a" 
 Covering, than any Commodioufnefs. They 
 prefently drew the Compafs of the Wall with' 
 Traverfes of ftrotig Mud- Work, a fufficient 
 Defence againft the Weapons of the Indians ^ 
 and in that Country it might be properly called 
 a Fortrefs. The principal Officers of the 
 Army help d to carry on the Work, applying 
 both their Hands and Shoulders to it 5 and 
 Her nan Cortes work'd as the reft, feeming to 
 fethimfelfa Task, not fat isfied with thefcanty 
 Diligence which is fufficient in a Superior to* 
 fet a good Example. 
 
 In the mean time they received at Mexico? 
 the firft Advice of the Spaniards being received 
 in Zempoala by that Cazique, a Man, in their 
 Opinion, of fufpefted Fidelity, and the neigh- 
 bouring Places little to be depended on : Which 
 Account fo provoked Motezitma,- that he pro- 
 pofed to draw together his Forces, and march 
 
 out 
 
1 90 The Hiflory 0/ the Book II; I 
 
 out in Perfon- to chaflifc this Offence of the 
 Zempoalans, and put the reft of the Mountain* 
 Nations under his Yoke > taking the Spaniards 
 alive, whom he had already in his Imagination 
 deftincd for a folemii Sacrifice to his Gods. 
 
 But at the fame Time that he began to make 
 great Preparations for this Enterprize, the two 
 Indians, whom Cortes had difpatched from 
 Qtiiabijlan, arrived at Mexico, and gave an? 
 Account of their Imprifonment ; and that they 
 owed their Liberty to the Captain of the 
 Strangers, who had Cent them to reprcfent how 
 much he defired Peace, and how far it was 
 from his Intentions to do him any Differvicei 
 extolling his Courtefy and Mildnefs fo much, 
 that it might be perceived by the Praifes they 
 gave Cortes, how much they had feared the 
 Caziques. 
 
 Upon this the Face of Affairs was changed ; 
 The Anger of Moteziima was mitigated \ 
 Preparations for War ceafed, and he deter- 
 mined again to try the Way of Negociation, 
 endeavouring to divert Cortes from his De- 
 figns with a new Embally and Prefent, to which 
 Mcaiures he eafiiy inclined $ for in the midft 
 of his Anger and Pride, he could not forget 
 the Signals of Heaven, and the Anfvvers of 
 his Idols, which he looked on as evil Omens 
 of his Undertaking, or at leaft, they obliged 
 him to delay the Breach j endeavouring ro qua- 
 lify his Fear after fuch a Manner, that it (houlj 
 be taken for Prudence, by Men, and for Rc- 
 ipccl, by hi^ Gods. 
 
 This 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 191 
 
 This Embaffy arrived when they had al* 
 moft perfe&ed the new Settlement and For- 
 trdsofVera Cruz. With the Embafly came 
 two Youths, Nephews to Motezuma, attended 
 by four ancient Caziques who aflifted them 
 as Counfellors, and added to their Authority 
 by the Refpefl: they paid them. The Atten- 
 dance was fplendid ; and they brought a Pre- 
 sent of Gold, Feathers, and Cotton, worth 
 about two thoufand Pieces of Eight. The 
 iMcfiage the Ambafiadors delivered, was, " That 
 A the great Emperor Motezuma, having been 
 4 informed of the Difobedience of thofe Ca- 
 c ziqucs, and their Infolence in taking and 
 c mifufing his Officers, had provided a powcr- 
 \ ful Army to come in Perfon to chaftife 
 c them $ but had fufpended the Execution of 
 4 his Purpofe, that he might not be obliged to 
 c break with the Spaniards, whofe Friendfhip 
 * he defired, and whofe Captain he was obliged 
 to eftccm, and acknowledge the Refpcd he 
 had fhewn in fending him his two Servants, 
 whom he had releafed from fo cruel an Im- 
 prifonment. But that tho' he durft entirely 
 rely upon him for rcftoring likewife their 
 Companions to Liberty, yet he could not 
 but complain in a friendly Manner, that fo 
 valiant and wife a Man ihould think fit to 
 live among his Rebels, making them more 
 infolent under the Shelter of his Arms : 
 And as the making of Traytors bold, was 
 little lefs than approving the Treaibii, he 
 did requcft him, upon that Conftderation, 
 
 " immediately 
 
192 The Hifiory of the Book it 
 
 a immediately to leave that Country, that he 
 " might punifh them without Breach of his 
 iC Friendship. And with the fame Sincerity 
 6C of Heart, he admonifhed him not to think 
 " of pafling on to his Court 5 for that the Im- 
 a pediments and Dangers of that Journey were 
 u very great/' On which laft Article they 
 enlarged with a myfterious Tedioufnefs, this 
 being the principal Point of their Inftructions. 
 Hern an Cortes received thcEmbafiy 
 and Prefent with great Refped; and before he 
 returned his Anfwer, he ordered the four im- 
 prifoned Officers to come in, whom he had 
 purpofely fent for from on board the Fleet i 
 and, gaining the good Will of the Ambafla- 
 dors, by delivering them up, well treated and 
 thankful, he told them, " That the Error. 
 <c committed by the Caziqucs of Zemjpoala, 
 cc and Qtaabiflan, was amended by the Refti- 
 u tution of thofe Officers 5 and that he was 
 a highly plcafed with the Opportunity offhew- 
 " ing his Refpect by that Aftion, and giving 
 a MateznmathdX. firft Proof of his Obedience I 
 " That he could not but own the Infolence of 
 cc that Imprifonment, tho' it might in fome 
 u meafure be excufed by the Extravagancy of 
 " the Officers thcmfelves, who, not content 
 ic with theordinary Tributcsdueto the Crown, 
 had of their own Authority demanded twenty 
 Indians for their Sacrifices; a cruel Propo- 
 fition, and an Abufe which the Spaniards 
 could not fuffer, being bred in another Re- 
 ligion of greater Piety and Regard to human 
 
 " Nature : 
 
 cc 
 
Book it Conqueft of Mexico. 193 
 
 " Nature : That he found himfelf obliged to 
 . " thofe Caziques for admitting and entertaln- 
 " ing him in their Territories, wheri his Go- 
 iC vernors Tent He and T^ilpatoe difcoufteoufly 
 " abandoned him, failing in Point of Hofpi- 
 " tality, and the Law of Nations 5 an A&ion 
 " done without Moiezumas Orders, and 
 " which Would be difpleafing to hiiii, or at 
 " leaft, he was willing fo to think 5 becaufe 
 cc having nothing but Peace in view, he did 
 " not defire to aggravate Matters by his Com- 
 i c plaints : That neither that Country, nor the 
 * Totonaque Mountainieirs, would move to 
 €C his Diflervice, neither Would he permit it 5 
 " for the Caziques were at his Devotion, and 
 " would not tranfgrefs his Orders 5 for which 
 " Reafon he was obliged to intercede for 
 11 them, that he would pardon their Difobc- 
 " dience to his Officers, in haviiig admitted 
 " and lodged his Troops : That for the reft he 
 <c could only fay, that when he fhould be Co 
 " happy as to appear in his Prefence, he would 
 <c make knowii the Importance of his Em- 
 " baffy, and that in the mean time he had no 
 iC Regard to the Impediments and Dangers 
 iC which threatened him 5 for that the Spa- 
 c niards were unacquainted with Fear, and 
 c Obftacles only indue d them to go on, be- 
 rs ing a People enhred to Dangers* and nfed 
 " to feek for Glory amidft the grcateft Diffi- 
 1 culties. " 
 
 With this fhort and rcfolute Speech (in 
 frhich the Conftancy of Hernan Cortes is to 
 
 Vol. L O he 
 
194 The Hiftory of the Book II 
 
 be obferved, and the Art with which he en 
 deavoured to raife their Idea of his DeJigns] 
 he anfwer'd the Ambafladors, who departec 
 much carefs'd, and rich in Caflilian Trifles 
 carrying for their King, as a Prefent, anotha 
 Treafure of the fame kind. 
 
 It was obferved, that the Ambafladors weni 
 away diflatisfied for not having obtain'd the 
 Retreat of the Spaniards ', which was the Poin 
 all their Endeavours tended to. The Spani- 
 ards gain d much Reputation among thofe Na- 
 tions by this Embafly ; for the Indians wen 
 now confirm'd in their Opinion, that Herna* 
 Cortes muft be fome Deity, and none of the 
 lead powerful, ftnee Motezuma (whofe Pride 
 difdain d to bend his Knee in the Prefence o- 
 his Gods) fought him with fo much Submif 
 fion, and folicited his Eriendfhip with Gifts, 
 which, in their Opinion, were little lefs thai 
 Sacrifices ; the Effeft of which Extravagancj 
 was, that they loft great Part of the Fear whict 
 they had for their King, giving themfelves uj 
 with greater Subjection to the Obedience o! 
 the Spaniards : And no lefs than fuch Dotage 
 was neceflary, that a Work fo wonderful, anc 
 undertaken with fo fmall a Porce, might b( 
 made pra&icable, the Moft High permittinc 
 thefe Things, that it might not appear wholl) 
 a Miracle, or lie under the Imputation of Te« 
 nierity. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book II. Conquejt 0/ Mexico. 195 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 The Zempoalans, by deceit, engage Hernan 
 Cortes to take up Arms againft the People 
 0/Zimpazingo, their Enemies. He makes 
 them Friends, and reduces that Country. 
 
 SOON after, the Cazique of Zempoala 
 came to Vera Cruz, with fomc princi- 
 pal Indians, whom he brought as Witncflcs 
 of what he intended to propofe. He told 
 Hernan Cortes, " That now the Time was 
 " come to prated and defend his Country 5 
 " for that fome Troops of the Mexicans 
 <c were arrived in Zimpazingo, (a Place of 
 " Strength, diftant from thence about two 
 " Suns) and went out to over- run the Coun- 
 " try, deftroying the Corn-Fields, and com- 
 " mining fomc Hoftilities in his Diftrid, with 
 " which, it feemed, they were beginning their 
 " Revenge." Hernan Cortes found himfelf 
 ! engaged to fupport xhcZempoalans, to main- 
 itain the Credit of his Offers 5 and befides, he 
 thought it would not be right to fuffer that 
 Infolence of the Mexicans, as it were, in his 
 Sight; and that in cafe they were fome ad- 
 vanced Troops of Motezumas Army, it would 
 be neceffary to ftrike a Terror into them, to 
 difcourage the reft of his People. For which 
 Purpofe he determined to march in Perfon 
 upon this Undertaking: engaging in it fome- 
 
 O 2 what 
 
 
196 The Hiftory of the Book IT. 
 
 what too haftily 5 for he was yet unacquainted 
 with the Deceits and Lyes of thofe People (a 
 capital Vice among the Indians) and fuffcr'd 
 himfelf to be carried away by Probability, 
 'Without examining into the Truth. He of- 
 fered them to march out immediately with 
 his Troops, to chart iie thofe Enemies, whe 
 difturb'd the Peace of his Allies s and order- 
 ing them to provide Indians of Burden foi 
 the Baggage and Artillery, he made a Difpo- 
 fition immediately for his March, and took 
 the Road of Zimi>az,wgo, with four hundred 
 Men, leaving the reft in the Fortrcfs of Vera 
 Cruz. 
 
 As he paffed by Zempoala, he found twe 
 thoufand armed Indians, whom the Caziquj 
 had provided to fcrve under him in that Ex- 
 pedition, divided into four Bodies, or Com- 
 mands, with their Captains, Colours, am 
 Arms, according to the Cuftom of their Mi 
 litia. Hernan Cortes thanked him very mud 
 for the Care he took to provide that Succour 
 and tho' he let him underftand, that he had n( 
 Occafion for his Men upon an Expedition o. 
 fo fmall Importance, yet he fuffered them t( 
 go, to provide againft all Events, but as if h< 
 had done it only to let them fhare in the Glor; 
 of the Succefs. 
 
 That Night they lodged in fome Houfe 
 three Leagues from Zimpazingo -, and th« 
 next Day a little before Three in the After 
 noon, they difcovcred the Town on the To] 
 of a fmall Hill, a Branch of the Mountain 
 
 amom 
 

 Book II Ccnqueft of Mexico. 197 
 
 among great Rocks, which hid Part of the 
 Buildings, and threatened at a Diftance, with 
 the Difficulty of the Way. The Spaniards 
 began to overcome the Craggcdnefs of the 
 Mountain, but not without considerable Trou- 
 ble; for being jealous of an Ambufh, they 
 went Doubling, and filing off as the Ground 
 would permit; but the Zempoalans, either 
 more dextrous, or lefs embarafs'd by the Nar^ 
 rownefs of the Paths, advanced with a fort of 
 •Fury which appeared like Valour, but was in- 
 deed Revenge, and a thievifh Temper. Her- 
 nan Cortes was obliged to give Orders to halt, 
 at a Time when feme Troops of the Vanguard 
 were already in the Town. 
 
 He held on his March, without meeting 
 any Refiftance ; and juft as he was preparing 
 to attack the Town in feveral Parts, there 
 came out of it eight antient Priefts, who asked 
 for the Captain of that Army, before whofe 
 Prefencc they came with great Submifllons, 
 'pronouncing lbme Words in an humble and 
 pitiful Manner, fuch as fufficiently fhewed 
 Submiflion, without the Help of an Interpre- 
 ter. Their Drefs was a black Mantle, whofe 
 End reached the Ground, and the upper Part 
 ! was gathered and plaited about the Neck, 
 with a Piece hanging loofc, in Form of a 
 Hood, with which they kept their Heads 
 Warm. Their Hair reached to their Shoulders, 
 iafhed and clodded with the human Blood of 
 :heir Sacrifices, Marks of which they fuper- 
 ftitioufly preferv'd on their Faces and Hands ; 
 
 O 3 for 
 
198 T^Hifiory of the Book II. 
 
 for it was not lawful for them to wafh them- 
 felves; fit Minifters of fuch unclean Gods, 
 whofe Filth fhewed itfelf in this and other De- 
 formities. 
 
 They began their Speech by asking Cortes, 
 
 <c By what Refiftance or Offence the poor In- 
 
 cc habitants had merited the Indignation or 
 
 cc Chaftifement of a People, already fo much 
 
 <c famed in the Countries thereabouts for 
 
 cc Clemency and GoodnefsV He anfwered, 
 
 a That he did not defign to offend the Inha- 
 
 cc bitants of the Town, but only chaftife the 
 
 iC Mexicans, who were quartered in it, and 
 
 <c Tallied from thence to infeft the Territories 
 
 <c of his Friends. " To which they replied, 
 
 <c That the Mexican Troops, which had been 
 
 " garifoned in Zirnpazingo, were retired, fly- 
 
 cc ing further up the Country, as foon as they 
 
 " heard that Motezumas Officers were im- 
 
 (C prifoned at QiiiabiJIan j and that if hisDe- 
 
 cc fign was againft them, through the Infm- 
 
 Ci ence or Suggeftion of thofe Indians that 
 
 accompanied him, he was to underftand, 
 
 that the Zempoalans were their Enemies, 
 
 " and had deceived him, feigning thofe In- 
 
 cc roads of the Mexicans to deftroy them, 
 
 " and make him the Inftrument of their Re- 
 
 ^ c venge." 
 
 By the Confufion and frivolous Excufes of 
 the Zempoalan Captains themfelvcs, it ap- 
 peared that thofe Priefts fpoke Truth; and 
 Hernan Cortes was concerned at the Deceit, 
 as a Reflection upon his Arms, being vexed at 
 
 the 
 
 cc 
 
I Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 199 
 
 the fame Time at the Malice of the Indians, 
 and his own Simplicity ; but confidering what 
 ; was moft proper to be done upon this Occa- 
 sion, he prefently ordered the Captains Chri- 
 ftoval de Olid and "Pedro de Aharado to go 
 with their Companies, and gather the In- 
 \dians together, who had advanced before to 
 get into the Town, and were now bufy in 
 | the Pillage, and had taken a confiderable Quan- 
 tity of Cloaths and Furniture, and already 
 . bound fome Prifoncrs. They were brought 
 , to the Army, fhamefully loaded with what 
 they had robbed, and themiferablc plundered 
 People following them, crying out for their 
 Goods : For whofe Satisfaction and Comfort 
 ffernan Cortes commanded to unbind «the 
 Prifoners, and deliver up the Goods to the 
 ; Priefts, that they might reftore them to the 
 proper Owners 5 and calling for the Zern- 
 foalan Captains, reprov'd them publickly for 
 their Prefumption, in very angry Terms, tell- 
 ing them, they had incurred the Penalty of 
 Death for their Offence, in obliging him to 
 . march his Troops only to compafs their Re- 
 venge ; and caufing himfelf to be entreated 
 , by the Sfanijh Captains, whom he had in- 
 ftru&ed before to pacify him, he pardoned 
 them for that Time, enlarging upon that A&i- 
 on of his Clemency 5 tho', in Truth, he did 
 not then dare to chaftife them with the Rigour 
 they deferved, knowing well, that to preferve 
 new-acquired Friends, Clemency was itiore 
 proper than Juftice. 
 
 O 4 Having 
 
2Co The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 Having done this, which gave him a Re- 
 putation with both the Nations, he com- 
 manded the Zempoalans to lodge without the 
 Town, and he marched in with the Spaniards*, 
 where he was received with the Applaufe of a 
 Deliverer. Immediately the Cazique of Zim- 
 pazingo vifitcd him in his Lodging, with 
 others of the Neighbourhood, who came either 
 out of Friendfhip or Obedience, acknow- 
 ledging the King of Spain for their Prince; 
 whofe Name was already beloved and re- 
 verenced in that Country, where the People 
 defired to be his Subje&s out of Hatred to Mo- 
 tezuma. 
 
 He afterwards took in hand the adj lifting of 
 the* Differences between thole Indians and the 
 Zempoalans 5 which began about the Divi- 
 sion of their Diftri&s, firft between the Ca- 
 ziqucs, and had now occafion'd fuch a Ran- 
 cour among the People, that they lived in con- 
 tinual Hoftility. To which End, he drew up 
 a Scheme for compounding their Differences 5 
 and taking upon himfelf to content the Lord 
 of Zempoala y made them Friends, and re* 
 turned to Vera Cruz, leaving his Intereft ad- 
 vanced by the Obedience of new Caziques, 
 md a Friendfhip eftablifhcd among thole of 
 his Party, whofe Difagreement might have 
 been a Hindrance to his receiving any Service 
 m them : ib that he made his Advantage, 
 and found his Conveniency even in that ill- 
 concerted Enterprize $ fuch happy Fruits of 
 £rror ferving to undeceive human Pru- 
 dence, 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 201 
 
 dence, whofe Defigns, for the moft part, prove 
 abortive, and end" in their very firft Concep- 
 
 , tions. 
 
 C H A P. XII. 
 
 The Spaniards return to Zempoala; where 
 
 they overthrow the Idols, with fome Re- 
 
 fiflance of the Indians : And the principal 
 
 of their Temples is converted into a 
 
 Church of our Lady. 
 
 THE Cazique of Zempoala waited for 
 Cortes at fome Houles a little diftant 
 from the Town, with great Store of Provi- 
 fions, to refrefh his Men ; but much afhamed 
 and troubled, that his Deceit was difcovered. 
 He was going to excufe himfelf 5 but Cortes 
 did not permit it, telling him, " He had laid 
 <( afide his Difpleafure, and defired an Amend- 
 " ment for the future, which was the only 
 " Satisfa&ion of pardoned Crimes/' They 
 paffed on direftly to the Town, where he had 
 provided a fecond Prefent of Eight Virgins 
 finely adorn d : One of them was his Niece 5 
 and he brought her on Purpofe that Hernan 
 Cortes might do him the Honour to take her 
 for his Wife, the reft to be distributed among 
 his Captains, as he fhould think fit ; making 
 this Offer as one defirous to Strengthen the 
 Eriendfhip between them by the Bonds of 
 Blood. Cortes anfwefd, c [ That he very 
 
 " much 
 
202 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 u much efteern d that Teftimony of his Good- 
 cc Will and Sincerity ; but that it was not 
 " lawful for the Spaniards to take Wives of 
 " a different Religion ; for which Reafon, he 
 " fufpended the receiving them until fuch 
 u Time as they became Chriftians." Upon 
 this Occafion he prefied him again to quit his 
 Idolatry, for that he could not be his true 
 friend, who differed fo much from him in the 
 moft effential Point 5 and as he believed him a 
 Man of Reafon, he undertook, with fome 
 Hopes, to convince and reduce him. But the 
 Cazique was fo far from opening his Eyes, or 
 being fenfible of the Force of Truth, that pre- 
 fuming on the Opinion he had of his own 
 Understanding, he undertook to argue in De- 
 fence of his Gods 5 and Hernan Cortes, fuffer- 
 ing himfelf to be carry'd away by his Zeal for 
 Religion, grew offended, and turned his Back 
 upon him with fome fort of Paffion. 
 
 At this Time happen d one of the moft fo- 
 lemn Feftivals of their Idols 5 and the Zem- 
 foalans aflembled (not without fome Circum- 
 ipedion on account of the Spaniards) in the 
 principal of their Temples, where they cele- 
 brated a Sacrifice of Human Blood, which hor- 
 rible Function was performed by the Hands of 
 the Priefts, with the Ceremonies, which will 
 be related in their proper Place. Afterwards 
 thofe unhappy Vittims were fold cut out in 
 Pieces, which were fought after, and bought 
 as facred Food : An abominable Brutality in 
 the Tafte, and a much worfe in their Devo- 
 tion* 
 
BookH. CoJiqueft of Mexico. 203 
 
 tion. Some Spaniards happen'd to fee Part 
 of this Slaughter ; who came and told Cortes 
 how much they were fcandalized ; and he was 
 fo highly provok'd at it, that the pious Diftur- 
 bance of his Mind immediately appeared on 
 his Countenance. The Motives which obliged 
 him to keep Mcafures with thofe Confede- 
 rates, gave way to a greater Caufe 5 and as An- 
 ger has its firft Fury, even when fupported by 
 Reafon, he broke out into Threats, command- 
 ing his Soldiers to take Arms, and call the Ca- 
 zique and the principal Indians which ufed to 
 attend him. As foon as they came into his 
 Prefence, he went with them to the Temple, 
 caufing his Troops to march in Order with 
 him. 
 
 The Priefts, who were jealous of the Event, 
 came out to the Gate, and with loud Cries, 
 began to call the People to the Defence of 
 their Gods ; at which Time fome Troops of 
 armed Indians appear 'd; which, as it was 
 afterwards known, thofe very Priefts had pro- 
 vided : For they feared fome Violence, be- 
 lieving their Sacrifice, fo much abhorred by 
 the Spaniards ', had been difcovered. The 
 Number of the Indians who had poffeffed 
 themfelves of the x\venues, was considerable ; 
 but Hernan Cortes (always prefent to himfelf 
 on fuch Occafions) ordered "Donna Marina 
 to tell them aloud, " That upon the firft Ar- 
 " row they fhould let fly, he would caufe the 
 " Throats of the Cazique, and all the Zem- 
 
 poalans in his Power, to be immediately 
 
 9 
 
 <c 
 
 " cut, 
 
204 Tie Hiftory of the Book II.; 
 
 cc cut, and afterwards permit his Soldiers t< 
 " chaftife their Infolencc with Fire andSword/ ? j 
 The Indians trembled at the Terror of fuclv 
 a Threat; and the Cazique quaking like the 
 reft, commanded them to lay down their Arms 
 and retire 5 which Command they immediate- 
 ly obeyed, fhewing in the Readinefs with 
 which they difappeared, how much they de- 
 itred their Fear fhould pafs for Obedience. 
 
 HernanCortes remained with the Ca- 
 zique, and thofe who attended him ; and call- 
 ing for the Priefts, declaimed againft Idolatry 
 with more than Military Eloquence. He en- 
 couraged them, that they might not hearken 
 to him with Fear: He endeavoured to make 
 ufe of foft ExprefTions, that there might be 
 no Appearance of Violence, where Reafon 
 was to (peak : He lamented the Error in which 
 they lived ; and complained, that being his 
 Friends, they fhould not give Credit to him in 
 that which did moft concern them : He told 
 them how much he defircd their Good 5 and 
 from loving Expreflions, which move the 
 Heart, he proceeded to the Motives that affed 
 the Underltandins; : He demonstrated to them 
 their Errors 5 he let the Truth before their 
 Eyes, as it were, in a vifiblc Form : And laftly, 
 told them, that he came fully refolv'd to de- 
 ftroy thofe Rcprefentations of the Devil 5 and 
 that the Work would be moft acceptable to 
 him, if they themfelves would execute it by 
 their own Hands. To which End, he per 
 fuaded and encouraged them to go up the 
 
 Steps 
 
Book II. Conqneft of Mexico. 265 
 
 Steps of the Temple, and overthrow their 
 Idols : But they were fo much conccrn'd at 
 this Propofal, that they only anfvver'd with 
 Sighs and Lamentations 5 till proftrating them- 
 felves on the Ground, they declar'd aloud, 
 That they would fooner fuffer themfelves to 
 be cut in Pieces, than lay Hands upon their 
 Gods. Hernan Cortes would not infift too 
 much on a Circumftance to which he found 
 them fo averfe, and therefore order'd his Sol- 
 diers to put it in Execution : By whofe Dili- 
 gence the principal Idol, together with thofe 
 on each fide, were flung down from the Top 
 of the Steps, and came to the Pavement all 
 broke to Pieces, followed by their own Altars, 
 and the dctcftable Instruments of their Adora- 
 tion. Great was the Commotion and Afto- 
 nifhment of the Indians -, they beheld each 
 other, as cxpc&ing the Puniftiment of Heaven; 
 and the fame foon happend as at Coz>umel% 
 for feeing their Gods thus debated, without 
 Power to revenge themfelves, they laid afide 
 all Fear, and became fenfible of their Weak- 
 nefs > in the fame Manner as the World, by 
 the Ruin of Great Men, fees the Folly of that 
 Worfhip it has paid them. 
 
 The Zempoalans by this Experiment be- 
 came more eafy to be perfuaded, and more 
 fubmiffive to the Orders of the Spaniards: 
 For if before they confider'd them as Men of a 
 fuperior Nature, they now found themfelves 
 obliged to confefs, that they were more power- 
 ful than their Gods. Hernan Cortes finding 
 
 how 
 
2C<5 The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 how much his Authority was increafed among 
 them, commanded them to cleafe the Tern- 
 pie 5 which Order was executed with fo much 
 Fervour and Chearfulnefs, that affecting to be 
 undeceived, they flung into the Fire the Frag- 
 ments of their Idols. The Cazique immedi- 
 ately order'd his Mafons to fcrape the Walls, 
 wiping out the Stains of human Blood, which 
 they preferv'd as an Ornament. After which 
 they whiten'd them, laying on a Covering of 
 that fhining Mortar which they ufed m their 
 Building 5 and they erected an Altar, on which 
 was placed an Image of our Lady, with fome 
 ornamental Flowers and Lights 5 and the Day 
 following, the holy Sacrifice of the Mafs was 
 celebrated with all poflible Solemnity, in Sight 
 of abundance of Indians, who aflilkd at the 
 Novelty, rather admiring than attentive; tho' 
 fome bent their Knees, and endeavoured to 
 imitate the Devotion of the Spaniards. 
 
 There was no Opportunity then to in- 
 draft them in the fundamental Principles of 
 Religion, for their Barbarity required more 
 Time ; and the Intention of Hernan Cortes 
 was to begin their Spiritual Conqucft from the 
 Court of Moteziima. But they remained in- 
 clin'd to defpife their Idols, and well difpofed 
 to venerate the Image of the holy Virgin, of- 
 fering to take her for their Advocate, that the 
 God of the Chriftians might favour them, 
 whofc Power they were already fcnfible of by 
 the Effefts, and by fome Glimmerings of na- 
 tural Light, always fufficient to diftinguifh that 
 
 which 
 
Book II. Conquejt of Mexico. 207 
 
 which is beft, and perceive the Force of thofe 
 Helps with which God aflifts all reafonable 
 Creatures. 
 
 And here we muft not omit the pious Re- 
 folution of an old Soldier, who ftaid alone 
 among thefe People, as yet but imperfe&ly 
 reduced, to take Care of that Image, crown- 
 ing his old Age with this holy Service : His 
 Name was Juan de Torres ', a Native of the 
 City of Cordova. An Aftion truly worthy 
 of a Soldier, and which at once records both 
 his Valour and Piety. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 The Army returns to Vera Cruz. Commif- 
 faries are difpatch'd to the King, with an 
 Account of what had been done. Another 
 Sedition is quell' d with the Tunifiment of 
 forne Mutineers. And Hernan Cortes exe- 
 cutes his Refolution of finking his Ships. 
 
 THE Spaniards departed immediately 
 from Zempoala (which Place was after- 
 wards called New Sevil), and when they 
 came to Vera Cruz, there was juft arrived at 
 the Place where the Fleet lay at Anchor, a 
 fmall VefTel, which came from the Ifle of 
 Cuba, commanded by Captain Francifco de 
 Saucedo, Native of Medino de Rio Seco, and 
 in Company with him Captain Luis Marin, 
 who was afterwards in the fame Station in 
 
 the 
 
268 Themftory of the Book W. 
 
 the Conqueft of Mexico. They brought with 
 them ten Soldiers, one Horfe, and one Mare 5 
 which was reckoned at that Time a conside- 
 rable Supply. 
 
 The Sfianifi Writers have not acquainted 
 us with the Intention of their Voyage ; but it 
 is moft likely, that they left Cuba with a foe- 
 fign to feek out Cortes, and follow his For- 
 tune 5 and of this the Readi'nefs with which 
 they joined his Troops, feems a ftrong Argu- 
 ment. By this Means k was known, that the 
 Governor *Diego Velafquez, continued td 
 threaten Hernan Cortes 5 for by the Nego- 
 tiation of one of his Chaplains, whom he had 
 difpatched to the Court, for this and other 
 Pretenfions, he had obtained the Title of the 
 King's Lieutenant of that Ifland, with a Power 
 to make new Difcoveries and Settlements; 
 which Grace of the King's had made him in- 
 exorable, believing that this Addition to his 
 Authority was a frefh Ground for his Com- 
 plaints. 
 
 But Hernan Cortes, whofe Thoughts were 
 now employed in greater Affairs, received this 
 News as a Matter of no Concern, the/ it 
 fomewhat haftened his Refolution of giving 
 the Kins an Account of his Proceedings : For 
 which End, he difpofed Matters fo, that the 
 Town of Vera Cruz fhould write a Letter,. 
 laying at his Majefty'sFect this new Settlement, 
 and giving a fhort Relation of the Succefs of 
 his Expedition, the Provinces that were al- 
 ready reduced to his Obedience, with the 
 
 Riches, 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 209 
 
 Riches, Fertility, and great Plenty of this new 
 World 5 the Progrefs he had made in favour 
 of Religion ; and the Difpolitions that were 
 : making, in order to come at a true Knowledge 
 of the Empire of Motezilma. He very car- 
 neftly entreated the Members of the Council 
 of Vera Cruz, That not omitting to take 
 Notice of the Violences intended agalnft him 
 by Diego Velafquez, and the little Reafon he 
 had 5 they would lay before his Majcfty at 
 large, the great Valour and Conftancy of the 
 Spaniards with him ; leaving them to fpeak 
 of his own Pcrfon, as every one fhould think 
 proper. It was not Modefty, but a Confidence 
 in his own Merit, more than in any Words 
 he could ufe, and a Defire that they fhould 
 enlarge in his Praile 5 for no Man is difplcas'd 
 to hear his own Actions extoird, efpecially in 
 this martial Profcilion, in which certain bare- 
 ifac'd Virtues arc much in ufe, whole very 
 Name is look'd upon as their Reward. 
 
 The Letter was writ in the proper Form ; 
 the Conclufton whereof was to beieech his 
 Ma^efty that he would grant Her nan Cortes 
 a Commiffion of Captain-General, confirming 
 That which he held from the Town and Troops, 
 without any Dependence on "Diego Velafquez* 
 Cortes wrote to the fame Purpofe, fpeaking 
 with more Affurance of the Hopes he bad to 
 bring that Empire to the Obedience of his Ma- 
 iefty, and of thcDifpofitions he was making to 
 contend with the Power of Motexuma, by the 
 Help of his own revolted Sub j efts. 
 
 Vol. I. P The 
 
 1! 
 
re i 
 
 2 1 o The Hiftory of the Book I 
 
 The Difpatches being finifhed, they were 
 committed to the Care of the Captains Alonfo 
 Hernandez, Tortocarrero, and Francifco de 
 Montejo 5 and it was agreed that they fhould 
 carry the King all the Gold, valuable Jewels, 
 and Curiofitics they had acquired as well by the 
 Prefents of Motezuma, as by Ranfoms, and the 
 Gifts of other Caziqucs 5 both Officers and Sol- 
 diers giving up their Shares, that the Prefent 
 might be the greater. They alfo carried fomc 
 Indians, (who voluntarily offered themfelves 
 for the Voyage) as the firft Fruits of thofe new 
 Subjects they were gaining to his Majefty 5 and 
 Hernan Cortes fent a Prefent in particular to 
 his Father Martin Cortes, a worthy Thought 
 amidft the many Cares that lay heavy upon him. 
 The beft Ship in the Fleet was immediately 
 fitted, and the Charge of the Sailing committed 
 to the Care of the chief Pilot Antonio de Ala- 
 minos : And when the Day appointed for the 
 Embarkation came, their happy Voyage was 
 recommended to the divine Favour by a folemn 
 Mafs of the Holy Ghoft. With this happy 
 Aufpice they fet Sail the 16th of July, if 19, 
 with pofitive Orders to fteer their Coaft di- 
 redly for Spain, endeavouring to pafsthe Chan- 
 nel of Bahama, without touching at the Iiland 
 of Cuba, where they ought to apprehend, as 
 an evident Danger, the Snares of T)iego Ve- 
 lafquez. 
 
 Whilst they were making Preparations for 
 this Voyage, fome Soldiers and Sailors (People 
 of little Honour) raifed new Difturbanccs, by 
 
 endca- 
 
Book If. Conqueft of Mexico. 211 
 
 endeavouring to make their Efcape, and give 
 notice to 'Diego Velafquez of the Difpatchcs 
 and Riches fent to the King in the Name of 
 Cortes 5 and their Intention was to go before 
 with this Advice, that he might fcize the Paflcs, 
 and make Prize of the Ship : To which End, 
 they had gained the Sailors of another Vcflcl, 
 and had laid in. Provifions of all Things ne- 
 cellary for their Voyage. Bat on the very 
 Night defigrfd for their Flight, one of the 
 Confpirators, called Bernardino de Coria, re- 
 pented. He was going among the reft to em- 
 bark 5 but taking a nearer View of the Foul- 
 ; nefs of his Crime, he privately ftep'd afide 
 from his Companions, and went to inform 
 idle General. Cortes confulted prefently how 
 to remedy this Evil; and made his Difpo- 
 ■fitions with fo much Secrecy and Diligence, 
 that the Accomplices were all feized on board 
 the fame Veffel, without being able to deny 
 their Crime 5 which he thought to deferve an 
 ^exemplary Punifhmcnt, finding no longer any 
 Security in his Clemency. They were foon 
 brought to their Tryal, and two of the Sol- 
 diers, who had been the chief Promoters of the 
 (Contrivance, were adjudg'd to die 5 two others, 
 this being the fecond Fault, to be whipped. 
 The reft were pardoned, as drawn in, and de- 
 ceived 5 a Pretence Cortes made ufe of, that 
 lie might not lofe all who were guilty $ tho* 
 lie ordered that the principal Mariner of the 
 Ship deftined for their Flight, fhould have 
 one of his Feet cut off: An extraordinary Sen- 
 (i P 2 tence^ 
 

 212 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 tence, and upon this Occafion very neccfiary 5 
 that the Crime which had deferred fo fevere 
 a Chaftifement, might not be forgot in Time. 
 In fuch Cafes the Memory (lands in need ot 
 the Eyes ; for it with Difficulty retains the Idea 
 of that which is grievous to the Imagination 
 
 Bernal Diaz del Castillo, and 
 after him Antonio de Herrera, fay, That tht 
 Liccentiate Juan ^Diaz, was guilty of thi< 
 Crime -■> and that out of Refpect to the Pricft- 
 hood, he was not proceeded againft as he .^T 
 ferved. That fame Refpect might have avaifd 
 him againft their Pens 5 efpecially, fince it i« 
 certain that in a Letter Hernan Cortes writ 
 to the Emperor on the 30th oiOciober, if 20 
 (for the which we arc beholden to Juan Bap 
 tifta Rcimnfi, in his Voyages,) he makes nc 
 mention of this Prieft, tho' he names all th< 
 Accomplices of this Sedition; fo that eithei 
 the Crime imputed to him is not true, or \v< 
 have the fame Reafon not to believe it, a; 
 Cortes had to conceal it. 
 
 The Day on which this Sentence was exc 
 cuted, Cortes went with fome of his Friend: 
 to Zempoala, where he was difturb'd with va 
 rious Thoughts. The Boldncfs of thofe Sol 
 diers gave him much Uneafinefs: He lookec 
 upon it as a Coniequence of the paft Diftur 
 bances, and a Spark of a lire not quite pu 
 out : He was now to march forward with hi: 
 Troops, and very probably he mould be oblige 
 to try his Strength with Motezumai a verj 
 unequal Difpute 5 and more efpecially witl 
 
 Met 
 

 Book II. Con queji of 'Mexico, 215 
 
 Men djifunited and fufpc&ed. He thought of 
 flaying fome Days among thofc Caziqucs his 
 : friends ; of employing his Troops in fomc 
 -lefTer Enterprizes, and of making new Settle- 
 ments for the ftrcngthning of Vera Cruz, : 
 But in every thing he found Inconveniences > 
 and from this Agitation of his Mind refulted 
 >an Aftion, which very much fhewed the Grcat- 
 nefs of his Soul ; for he rcfolved to deftroy his 
 Fleet, and break up all the Veflels, that he 
 ; might be fecure of the Soldiers, and cither 
 conquer with them, or die 5 in which Deter- 
 mination he alfo found the Advantage of re- 
 inforcing his Army with above a hundred Men, 
 who were employed as Pilots and Mariners. 
 jHc communicated this Refolution to his Con- 
 ifidents, and by their Means (with fome Gifts, 
 -and proper Secrecy) fo difpofed Matters, that 
 the very Sailors themfeives declared with one 
 Voice, That the Ships would certainly founder 
 by rcafon of the Damage they had fuftain'd in 
 that Road, and by the bad Quality of the Port. 
 Upon which Information, the Orders which 
 \Cortes gave, feem'd no more than a neceflary 
 Care, That they fhould bring afhore their Sails, 
 Tackling, and Iron, with fuch Planks as might 
 1 be of Service, and fink all the great Veflels, 
 referving only Boats for Fifhing : A Refolution 
 defervedly applauded, as one of the greateft of 
 this Conqueft; and we know not whether 
 :a greater of the Kind can be found in all 
 :Hiftory. 
 
 P 3 Justin 
 
£f 4 The Hillcry of the Book II. J 
 
 Justin relates of Agat hocks that having 
 landed his Army on the Coafts of Africk, he 
 burnt his Veficl.s, to deprive his Soldiers of all 
 Means of Flight. 
 
 Pol i en us eelebratcs the Memory of Tjf-f] 
 
 •chus, General of the Etolians, for hi 
 
 equal Boldncfs ; and Quint us Fabius Maximum 
 
 has left us, among his Military Stratagems, 
 
 fuch another Inftance, if we can give mor< 
 
 Credit to the Report of Front inns, than t< 
 
 the Silence -of *Plutarch. But none of thefe 
 
 Actions are leflen d by the Example of others. 
 
 And if we confider Hernan Cortes, with fewei 
 
 *n than any of them, in a more diftant 
 
 Country, and lefs known, without any Hop< 
 
 of human Succour, among barbarous People, 
 
 io favage in their Cuftoms, with a Tyrant t< 
 
 oppoie, fo proud and powerful, we fhall find 
 
 that the Undertaking of Cortes was the grcatci 
 
 and his Rclblution more heroick : Or, grant 
 
 irig to thofe great Captains the Glory of having 
 
 firft led the Way, let us allow Cortes that of 
 
 having gone beyond them, in the fame Path. 
 
 It is not to be endured that Bernal 'Diaz 
 
 Cajfillo, with his ufual, we know not 
 
 whether, Malice or Sincerity, fhould introduce 
 
 ifclf as a Counielior, upon io great an Oc- 
 
 .cafson, ufurping from Cortes the Glory of 
 
 ing been the firft Projector. " We (fay's 
 
 u he) that were his Friends, advifed him not 
 
 u to leave a Ship in the Port, but to fink them 
 
 " all." But he knew not how to fupport his 
 
 0:1; for a little after, he adds 5 " And 
 
 « this 
 
Book If. Conqueft of Mexico. 215 
 
 " this Defign of finking the Ships, he had 
 " already concerted, but defired it fhould come 
 " from us." So that we are only behoiden 
 to him for the Advice which came after the 
 Refolution. And the Remark of Antonio de 
 Herrera on the fame A&ion, is lefs tolerable 5 
 for he affirms, " That the Fleet was deftroyed 
 " at the Inftance of the Soldiers; and that 
 " they were perfuaded and follicited thereto 
 " by the Craft of Cortes, (that is his Expref- 
 " fion) that he alone might not be obliged to 
 " make good the Payment of the Ships, but 
 " the Troops/' It doth not appear that Her- 
 nan Cortes was at that Time either in a Place, 
 or a Condition, to fear any Civil Difputcs with 
 ^Diego Velafquez j iror does this Manner of 
 Rcafoning any way agree with the high Defigns 
 which he was then forming. If he took this 
 Account from the fame Bernal T^iaz, (who 
 thus prefumed, as fearing fome Part of the 
 Payment of thofe Veflels might come to his 
 Share) he fhould have difregarded it as the 
 Grumbling of an intereftcd Perfon : And if it 
 was his own Conje&ure, as he gives us to un- 
 derftand, and that he, as an Hiftorian, had the 
 Dexterity to penetrate into the Secret of the 
 Aftions he relates, he leffens the Credit of this 
 Aftion by the Meannefs of the Motive, and is 
 wanting in a juft Proportion, by attributing 
 great Effc&s to ordinary Caufes. 
 
 P 4* CHAP. 
 
2i6 The Hiftory of the Book \\M 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Cortes having made a c Difpofition for thm 
 March, is informed that Ships are feen 
 upon the Coafts. He departs for Vera 
 Cruz, and takes f even Soldiers belonging to 
 the Fleet commanded by Francifco de Ga- 
 ray. The Army begin their March j and 
 having with much 'Difficulty paffed the 
 Mountains, enter the 'Province of Zocoth- 
 lan. 
 
 SO M E of the Soldiers were much grieved 
 at this Deftruction of the Fleet -, but were 
 caiiiy brought to Reafon by the Remem- 
 brance of the paft Punifhmcnt, and the Exam- 
 ple of thofe of better Understanding. Mea- 
 sures were immediately concerted for purfu- 
 ing the Expedition ; and Heman Cortes af- 
 fembled his Troops in Zempoala, which con- 
 fided of Five hundred Foot, fifteen Horfc, and 
 fix Pieces of Artillery, leaving an Hundred 
 and fifty Men and two Horfes in Garrifon at 
 Vera Cruz, and appointing Captain Juan de 
 Efcalante Governor, a Soldier of Valour, very 
 diligent, and one in whom he intirely con- 
 fided. He ftriclly charged the neighbouring 
 Caziqucs, that during his Abfencc they Ihould 
 obey and rcfpccl him as a Pcrfon in whom he 
 had veiled his whole Authority 5 that they 
 fhould take Care to fupply him with Provi- 
 fions, and People to help to build die Church, 
 
Book II. Cojiquefi of Mexico. 217 
 
 and the Fortifications of the Town, which he 
 took Care of, not fo much out of Fear of any 
 Difturban.ee that might happen from the In- 
 dians of that Neighbourhood, as out of a 
 jealoufy of fome Invafion or Surprize from 
 "Diego Velafquez. 
 
 Thjs Cazique of Zempoala had provided 
 two hundred Tamenes, or Indians of Burden, 
 for the Baggage, and fome armed Troops to 
 augment the Army; out of which Hernan 
 Cortes picked about four hundred Men, in- 
 cluding in this Number forty or fifty noble In- 
 dians, of the greateft Account in that Coun- 
 try. And tho' he immediately treated them 
 as his own Soldiers, his real Intention was to 
 carry them as Hoftages, for the Security of the 
 Church he left in Zempoala, and of the Spa- 
 niards who remained at Vera Cruz, together 
 .with a young Page of his, whom he left in 
 Charge with the Cazique, to learn the Mexi- 
 can Language, in cafe he fhould lofe his In- 
 terpreters. In which he fhewed his great Care, 
 and how far he look'd before him, to be pro- 
 vided upon all Events. 
 
 When all Things were in a Readinefs for 
 the March, an Exprefs arrived from Juan de 
 Efcalante, with Advice, that fome Ships were 
 on the Coaft of Vera Cruz j without caring 
 to come to, tho J they had made them Signals 
 of Peace, and endeavoured it feveral Ways. 
 This was not an Accident to be difregarded, 
 therefore Hernan Cortes went immediately 
 #way with fome of his Friejids for Vera Cruz, 
 
 leaving 
 
2 1 8 The Hiftory of the Book It 
 
 ing the Command of the Troops to TV- 
 dro de Aharado and Gonzalo de Sandoval. 
 At his Arrival, one of the Veflels feem a to 
 be at Anchor at a confiderable Diftance from 
 the Land 5 and foon after, he difcovered four 
 Spaniards on the Shore, who drew near 
 without any Fear, giving to underftand they 
 ;t him. 
 One of them was an Efcrivano, or Notary, 
 and the others came as Witneiles of a Noti- 
 r! cation they intended to make to Cortes in the 
 Name of their Captain. They brought it in 
 Writing, and it contained, " That Franc ifco 
 sc de Garay, Governor of the Iiland of Jm 
 cc Ttialca, had, by Virtue of an Order from 
 " the King, to make Discoveries and plant 
 " Colonies, embark'd on board three Ships, 
 * two hundred and ieventy Spaniards, under 
 cc the Command of Captain Alonfo de Tine- 
 cc da y and taken Poflcllion of that Land, on 
 
 ;e fide of the River of Tanuco ,* and be- 
 iC caufe he intended to eftabiifh a Colony near 
 u Xt-otllan, twelve or fourteen Leagues to 
 ard, intimated to him, and re- 
 ci quired, that he fnould not make any Settle- 
 a merits th;.: \::.y. J1 
 
 Hern an Cortes anfwer'd the Notary, 
 u That he did not undcritand what he meant 
 
 -' his Notification, or thofe Forms of Law. 
 " But dcfired that the Captain and he might 
 " meet, and all Things Should be adjufted after 
 " the mod convenient Manner 5 for they were 
 u ail Subjects of the lame Kins, and lay un- 
 
 " dcr 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. ii§ 
 
 c< - der an equal Obligation of affifting each 
 " ether for his Service." He bid them go 
 back with this Mefiage : But they not going, 
 and the Notary infifting, in a difrefpecTful Man- 
 ner, that he fhould return a direct Anfwer to 
 his Notification, he ordered them to be feized ; 
 and hid himfelf with his Men among fome 
 little Sand Hills, whereof there are many on 
 that Shore > where he ftay'd all that Night, 
 and part of the next Day, the Ship never of- 
 fering to ftir, or difcovering any other Defign 
 they had, than that of flaying for their Mc£ 
 fengers ; which put him upon trying whether 
 he could by any Stratagem draw any of their 
 Men on Shore. The firft Thing he thought 
 on, was to order the Prifoners to be ftripp'd, 
 ihd four of his own Men to go to the Shore 
 in their Cloaths, making Signals to the Ship 
 with their Cloaks and other Things. The 
 Confequence of this Contrivance was, that 
 twelve or fourteen Men, armed with Fire- 
 Arms and Crofs-Bows, came in a Boat : But 
 the four Men, who were difguis'd, retiring, 
 that they might not be known, and hiding 
 their Faces, while they anfwer'd their Call, 
 they durft not land : So that only three were 
 taken, who had leap'd on Shore, being more 
 courageous, or lefs confederate; the reft re- 
 turn d on board the Veflel, which, being thus 
 undeceived, weighed Anchor, and followed 
 her Courfe. Hernan Cortes at firft doubted 
 that thefe VefTels might belong to 'Diego Ve- 
 lafquez, and feared they might have obliged 
 
 him 
 
slio The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 him to put a Stop to his March : But the De- 
 figns of Franafco de Garay gave him very 
 little Uneafmefs, as an Affair which in Time 
 might be much eafter adjufted; fo that he re- 
 turn d to Zempoala eafed of his Cares, and 
 not without fome Advantage $ for he brought 
 with him an Addition of feven Soldiers, 
 which, in a Place where a Spaniard was of 
 ib much Value, was efteem'd a Happincfs, and 
 look'd upon as a good Recruit. 
 
 Cortes foon after refum'd the Thoughts 
 of marching ; and upon leaving the Place, 
 drew up the Army in Order, forming a Body 
 of Spaniards for the Vanguard, and another 
 of Indians for the Rear, commanded by Ma- 
 megi y Theuche> and Tamelli, Caziques of the 
 Mountains: The ftrongeft of the Tamenes 
 were commanded to take Charge of the Ar- 
 tillery, the reft were referved for the Baggage. 
 In this Order, with a Party before to look 
 out, they began their March on the fixteenth 
 Day of Atigiijl. The Army was well recciv'd 
 in their firlt Marches, at Jalapa, Socochima y 
 and Texucla, Towns in the fame Confede- 
 racy. As they went along they fcattercd 
 among thofe friendly Indians the Seeds of 
 Religion, not fo much to inform them of the 
 Truth, as to leave them fuipicious of their 
 own Errors. Hernan Cortes feeing them fo 
 docil and well difpofed, was of Opinion, that 
 a Crofs fhould be creeled in every Town the 
 Army paffed thro 1 , that at leaft a Veneration 
 for That might be introduced 5 but Father 
 
 Bar* 
 
 

 Book It Conquejl of Mexico. lit 
 
 Bartolome de Olrnedo, and the Licentiate 
 Juan T)iaz> oppofed this Opinion, perfwad- 
 ing him, " that it might be a Ralhnefs to 
 " truft the Holy Crofs to Barbarians ill inftruft- 
 r ed, who might offer fome Indecency to it,, 
 " or at lead treat it after the fame Manner as 
 " they did their Idols, by fuperftitioufly wor- 
 " fhipping the fame, without being fenfible 
 " of the Myftery which the Crofs repre- 
 " fented. " His Piety firft moved him to make 
 the Propofttion 5 but his good Judgment made 
 him fenfible of the Force of the others Rea~ 
 fon. 
 
 They next cnter'd upon the rough Part of 
 the Mountain, the firft Difficulty they met 
 with in their Road to Mexico, where they 
 fuffer'd very much ; for they were obliged to 
 march for three Days over uninhabitable 
 Rocks, whofe Paths were Precipices. They 
 carried the Artillery by Strength of Arms, and 
 fome Contrivances 5 and the Badnefs of the 
 Weather diftrefs'd them extremely. The Cold 
 was excelTive, and the Showers of Rain very 
 hard and frequent, and the poor Soldiers have- 
 ing no Conveniency to make Barracks at 
 Night, and no other Shelter but their Arms, 
 they marched to keep themfclves warm, and 
 were obliged to feek for Eafe in Fatigue. 
 Their Provifions alfo failed them, the laft Ca- 
 lamity upon thefe Occafions ; and their Ref> 
 lution began now tp contend with their 
 Strength, when they gained the Top of the 
 Mountain : There they found a Temple and a 
 
 great 
 
 
222 T/je Hi&ory of tfie Book II. 
 
 great Quantity of Wood ; but they made no 
 Stay, becaufc on the other Side they difco- 
 vered fome neighbouring Villages, to which 
 they marched haftily to refrcfh themfelvcs, 
 and there found Accommodation fufficient to 
 make them forget all that they had fuffer'd. 
 
 At this Place began the Country of Zo- 
 cothlan y in thofe Days a large and populous 
 Province, whofe Cazique refided in a City of 
 the fame Name, fituatc in the Valley at the 
 Foot of the Mountain. Hernan Cortes gave 
 him Notice of his Arrival and Defigns, fend- 
 ing two Zempoalan Indians with the Mef- 
 fage, who quickly return'd with a favourable 
 Anfwer 5 and in a fhort Time after he difco- 
 vcr'd the City, a large Place, which in a ftatc- 
 ly manner filled great Part of the Plain. The 
 Towers and other Buildings at a Diftance ap- 
 peared white, and becaufe a Tortttgueze Sol- 
 dier compared it to Caftilblanco in 'Portugal, 
 for fome Time it prefcrv'd that Name. The 
 Cazique came forth to receive Cortes with 
 great Attendance 5 but with a kind of forced 
 Civility, which (hewed more of Artifice than 
 Good- Will. The Entertainment he gave the 
 Troops was not very pleafant, their Lodging 
 incommodious, and the Provifions fcanty, and 
 in every Thing it appeared, how little he was 
 plcafed with his Guefts: But Hernan Cortes 
 ftifled his Rcfentment, and rcprefs'd the Anger 
 of his Soldiers, that he mkht not give the In- 
 dians any Miftruft of the Peace which he had 
 propofed, when he intended only to march 
 
 thro' 
 
 
Boole II. Conqueft of Mexico. 223 
 
 thro' their Country; prefacing the Reputa- 
 tion of his Arms, without (topping to improve 
 it by inconfiderable Enterprises. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 The Cazique of Zocothlan vijits Cortes aft- 
 cond Time, and highly extols the Great- 
 nefs of Motezuma. Cortes refolves t& 
 march by the Way of Tlafcala, of <v;hich 
 ^Province, and the Nature of its Govern- 
 ment, fome Information is got at Xaca- 
 
 zingo. 
 
 THE next Day the Cazique repeated his 
 Vifit, and came with a greater Train 
 of Relations and Servants : His Name was 
 Olinteth 5 he was a Man of Capacity, and 
 Lord of many Towns, and refpecled as the 
 mod confiderable Perfon among ail his Neigh- 
 bours. Cortes adornd himfelf to receive him 
 with all the ufual outward Shew. And this 
 Meeting was very remarkable 5 for after have- 
 ing received him with great Civility, and paid 
 him the ufual Compliments with a becoming 
 Gravity, Cortes (believing he fliould find the 
 fame Complaint from him which he had 
 heard from others) asked whether he was a 
 Subjeft of the King of Mexico? To which 
 he Cazique readily anfwer'd, " Is there any 
 Man upon the Earth who is not a Vaffal 
 " and Slave to Motezuma-?" Cortes might 
 
 very 
 
If. 
 
 224 The Hiftory of the Book 
 
 very eafily have been difcompos'd at the Ca- 
 zique's blunt Manner of anfwcring him with 
 another Qucftion 5 but he was fo much Mafter 
 of himfelf, that, with fome Scorn, he told him, 
 " He knew very little of the World 5 for that, 
 " he himfelf and thofe who accompanied him,. 
 " were Subj efts of another King, fo powerful, 
 €t that he had many Sub j efts greater Princes 
 " than Motezuma." The Cazique was not 
 mov'd at thefe Words, but, on the contrary, 
 without entring into any Difpute or Compa- 
 nion, went on, recounting the Grandeur of his 
 King, as one who would not flay to be asked 5 
 faying with great Gravity, " That Motezuma 
 " was the greateft Prince then known in the 
 cc World; that the Provinces of his Dominion! 
 " were not to be reckond ; that he kept his 
 cc Court in a City impregnable, founded in the 
 te Water in great Lakes ; that the Entrance to 
 cc it was by Dikes, or Caufeways, with Draw- 
 " bridges over feveral Openings, by which 
 cc there was a Communication of the Waters. 
 <c He enlarged much on the Immenfity of his 
 " Riches, and the Strength of his Armies; 
 cc and above all on the Unhappinefs of thofc 
 " who did not obey him 5 for with them he 
 " made up the Number of his Sacrifices, and 
 C( that every Year above twenty thoufand Men 
 " (Enemies, or Rebels) died upon the Altars 
 " of his Gods. " What he laid was true, but 
 he fpoke it like one exaggerating, and it was 
 eafily perceived that he was influenced by 
 
 Mote- 
 
book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 225 
 
 Moteznma, and recounted his Greatnefs rather 
 
 caufe Fear than Admiration. 
 
 Hernan Cortes perceiv'd the Defign 
 )f his Difcourfe, and thinking it nccefiary to 
 )ut on a certain Vivacity, in order to difap- 
 )oint thofc boafting Expreflions, anfwer'd, 
 c That he was already fufficiently informed of 
 c the Empire and Greatnefs of Motezuma 5 
 c and that were he a lefs Prince, he fhould 
 c not have come from fuch diftant Countries 
 c to make him an Offer of Friendfliip from 
 c another Prince much greater than He : That 
 c his Embafiy was peaceable, and that the 
 
 1 Men who attended him in Arms, fervd 
 1 more for a Shew of Authority than Force j 
 
 but that both he, and all the Caziques of 
 the Empire mult know that he defired 
 Peace without being afraid of War ; for 
 that the moft inconliderable of his Soldiers 
 was able to cope with an Army of his 
 King; that he would never draw the Sword 
 without juft Provocation : But once drawn, 
 I will (faid he) put every Thing before me 
 to Fire and Sword, and Nature will affift 
 me with her Prodigies, and Heaven with its 
 Lightnings 5 for it is the Caufe of Heaven 
 I come to defend, by banifhing your Vices, 
 and the Errors of your Religion, and thefe 
 very Sacrifices of human Blood, which you 
 recount as a Part of the Grandeur of your 
 King." And (breaking up the Vifit) he 
 irn'd to his Soldiers, and faid, <c This, my 
 Friends, is what we feek> great Difficulties, 
 Vol. L q/ " and 
 
226 The Hiftory of the Book II; 
 
 " and gfcat Riches : By the one we gain 
 " lame, and by the other Eftatcs. " With 
 this fhort Speech he abated the Pride of the 
 Indians, and added frefh Courage to the Spa- 
 niards 5 telling his Thoughts to all without 
 Artifice 5 for from the very Beginning of this 
 Undertaking, God had fo ffrengthen'd his 
 Heart, that altho J he fufficicntly confider'd, 
 and knew the Dangers, he entcr'd upon them, 
 as if he had been lure of Succefs. 
 
 The Spaniards ftay'd five Days in Zocoth- 
 Ian* and Cortes quickly found in the Ca-' 
 zique another fort of Reipect ; for the Ac- 
 commodation of the Troops was bettered i 
 and he was more punctual in the Entertain- 
 ment of his Guefts. Cortes s Anfwer gave 
 him much Uneafinefs, and he difcover'd an 
 anxious Peniivenefs, occafion'd by his own' 
 Obfervations, as he himfelf afterwards corf 
 fefs'd to Father Bartolome de Olmedo. H 
 concluded in the firft Place, that they could 11 
 be Men who were fo bold as to oppofe Mi 
 tez-uma : And again, that they muft be fome 
 thing more, who talked with fo much Con 
 tempt of his Gods. With this Conceit h< 
 obferv'd the Difference of their Countenances, 
 the Novelty of their Arms, and the Strang*? 
 nefs of their Habit, together with the Obedi- 
 ence of their Horfes : And it fcem'd to him, 
 that the Spaniards were endued with fuperior 
 Reaibn, when they argued agalnft the Inhu- 
 manity of their Sacrifices, the Injuftice or their 
 I aws, and the Permiillons of Senfuality (fo 
 
 un- 
 
took II. Conqueft of Mexico. 227 
 
 -.nboimdcd amongft thofe Barbarians, that the 
 ;reateft Outrages committed againft Nature 
 /ere accounted lawful). And from all thefe 
 Principles, his high Efteem of them drew Con- 
 bquences, to make him believe, that fome 
 divinity dwelt in them. For there is no Un- 
 lerftanding fo deprav'd, as not to be fenfible 
 t|>f the Deformity of Vice, notwithstanding it 
 »c embrae'd by the Inclination, and difguis'd 
 w Cuftom. But the Fear of Motezuma fo 
 ntirely poflcfs'd him, that he could not pre- 
 ail with himfelf to acknowledge the Influ- 
 nce thofe Confidcrations had on his Mind* 
 le rcfted fatisfy'd with giving what was ne- 
 cflary for the Support of the Troops : And 
 Lot daring to fhew his Riches, was fparing of 
 \\% Prefents, the greateft of his Liberality be- 
 pig four Female Slaves, which he gave Cortes 
 3 make his Bread, and twenty noble In- 
 'tans, which he offered as Guides for the 
 irmy. 
 
 1 There arofe a Queftion about the Road 
 /hich they fhould chufe for their March ; and 
 lie Cazique propofed that of the Province of 
 ^holula 7 as being a fertile Country, and well 
 icoplcd, whofe Inhabitants being more in- 
 lin d to Merchandize than War, would give 
 fecure and commodious PaiTage to his 
 roops : And he advifed them with great Ear- 
 cftnefs not to march by the Road of Tlaf- 
 la> as being a Country always in War, and 
 e Inhabitants of fo bloody a Difpofition, 
 at they placed their Happinefs in making 
 
 Q^ 2 and 
 
228 The Hiftory of the Book II, 
 
 and keeping Men their Enemies. But th< 
 principal Indians who commanded the Zem 
 poalans, told Cortes privately, that he mu( 
 not confide in that Advice, for that CholnU 
 was a very populous City, and the People no 
 to be depended on. That in Cholula, ant 
 the Towns of that Diftrift, Motezuma com 
 monly quarter'd his Troops : And that it wa 
 very poffible the Cazique might lead then 
 into the Danger with an evil Defign : For thi 
 Province of Tlafcala (tho' it were large, an< 
 the People warlike) were Confederates am 
 Friends to the Totonaques and Zempoalam 
 which were in his Army, and made contj 
 nual Wars with Motezuma : For which t% 
 Considerations, it would be more fecure t 
 march thro' their Country : And being 
 Company with their Allies, the Spaniard 
 would not be looked upon as Stranger 
 Cortes lik'd what they faid, and finding i 
 more reafonable to truft to his hidian Friend* 
 than to a Cazique fo much afFeded to th 
 Intereft of Motezuma, he commanded th 
 Troops to march to the Province of Tlafcah< 
 whofe Bounds they in a little Time difee 
 ver'd 5 for they border'd upon thofe of Zl 
 cothlan s and during the firfl: Marches nc 
 thins; confiderableoffer'd: But afterwards the 
 heard fome Rumours of War, and were in 
 fornVd, that the Country was in Arms, an 
 their Defign kept fecret ; for which Reafo; 
 Cortes refolv'd to halt in a Town but indif 
 
 ferentl 
 
Book H Conqueft of Mexico. 229 
 
 r ercntly peopled, call'd Xacazingo, until he 
 pnfcht be better informed. 
 
 Tlascala was at that Time a Province 
 abounding with Inhabitants, and above fifty 
 Leagues in Circumference : The Land was 
 mountainous and uneven, full of Hills, which 
 ■feem'd to be Children of the Mountain 
 which is now call'd the Great Cordillera. 
 Their Towns, whofe Structure was rather 
 durable than handfome, were built upon Emi- 
 nences, partly to make ufe of the Advantages 
 ;3f the Ground in their Defence, and partly 
 leave the Plains to cultivate. At firit they 
 iad Kings, which Government laftcd fome 
 if ears, until Civil Wars arifing, they no longer 
 bred to obey, and threw off the Yoke. But 
 p the People cannot fubfift of themfelves, 
 'being always Enemies to Subjedion, till they 
 ire fenfiblc of the fatal Confequences of Li- 
 berty) they fornVd themfelves into a Com- 
 ponwealth, making many Princes, to get rid 
 3f one. They divided their Towns into dif- 
 ferent Diftri&s, and each named one of their 
 Chiefs to refide in the Court of Tlafcala, 
 ivhere they form'd a Senate, whofe Refolu- 
 ions all obey'd. A notable Kind of Arifto- 
 :racy, which being found amongft the Barba- 
 rity of thofe People, diminifbes pretty much 
 :he Credit of our Politicks. Under this Form 
 )f Government they maintained themfelves 
 ong againft the Kings of Mexico, and at this 
 rime were in their greateft Strength 5 for the 
 ^ppreffions of Motezuma had augmented the 
 
 0. 3 Nunv 
 
230 TZ>£ Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 Number of their Confederates 5 and they had 
 now brought over to their Party the Otomzes, 
 a Nation barbarous even among Barbarians, 
 but always defirous of War, in which they 
 knew not how to diftinguiih Valour from 
 Cruelty. 
 
 Cortes having receiv'd this Account, and 
 not thinking it rcafonable to defpife it, re- 
 folv'd to fend Meflengers to the Republick, 
 to facilitate the P adage of his Troops 5 and this 
 Commifllon he intruded to four of the chicf- 
 ed Zempoalans, indructing them by Means of 
 'Donna Marina and Aguilar, in the Speech 
 they were to make to the Senate, till they 
 had in a Manner got it by Heart : And he 
 chofe them out of thofo who propofed in 
 Zocothlan the Road of Tlafcala, that thej 
 might have their own Advice in View, anc 
 be the more intereded in the good Succefs 0) 
 the Negotiation. 
 
 CHAP 
 

 Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 231 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 CortesV four Envoys fet out for Tlafcala, 
 An Account of their Habit, and the Manner 
 ho r jv Embaffies were deliver d in that Coun- 
 try ; and of the "Debates of that Repub- 
 lick about the *Point of receiving the Spa- 
 niards in a peaceable Manner. 
 
 TH E four Zempoalans immediately 
 adorn'd themfelves after the Manner 
 of Ambaffadors : For which Employment, 
 they put upon their Shoulder a Mantle, or 
 Tippet of Cotton, wrcath'd, and knotted at 
 the Ends: In the Right Hand they bore a 
 large Arrow, with the Feathers up, and on the 
 left Arm a Target made of a Shell. The In- 
 tent of the Embafly was known by the Fea- 
 thers of the Arrow ; for the Red denoted War, 
 and the White denoted Peace ; after the fame 
 Manner as the Romans diftinguifh'd by different 
 Symbols the Feciales and Caduceatores. By 
 thefe Signs they were known and refpe&ed 
 in their Marches : But they could not go out 
 of the high Roads of the Province where they 
 were travelling ; for if they were found without 
 them, they loft thofe Privileges and Immu- 
 nities which were held facred by thefe People, 
 obferving religiouQy this kind of publick Faith, 
 which Neceffity invented, and placed among 
 their Laws, as the Right of Nations. 
 
 CL 4 With 
 
1 
 
 2 32 The Hiftory of the Boole II.| 
 
 • With thefe Marks of their Employment, 
 the four Envoys of Cortes entrcd into Tlafcala; 
 and being known as fuch, they were lodged | 
 in the Calpifca (for fo they called the Houfe 
 fct apart for the Reception of Ambaffadors) $ 
 and the Day following the Senate met to give 
 them Audience in a great Hall, where they held 
 their Councils. The Senators were feared ac- 
 cording to their Seniority, upon low Chairs 
 of an extraordinary Wood made of one Piece, 
 which they called Topales. As foon as the: 
 Ambafiadors appeared, they raifed themfclves 
 a little from their Scats, and welcomed them 
 with moderate Courtefy. They came in with 
 their Arrows railed on high, and their Tippets 
 upon their Heads $ which, among their Cere- 
 monies, was accounted the mod: fubmiiTive. 
 Having paid their Refpects to the Senate, they 
 walked leifurely up to the middle of the Hall, 
 where they kneel'd down, and without lifting 
 up their Eyes, waited for Leave to be given 
 them to fpeak. The eldeft Senator ordered i 
 them to declare their Bufmefs, and they feating i 
 themfelves on their Legs, one of them who ij 
 was pitch'd upon as the propercft Perfon to make | 
 the Speech, delivered himfclf after this Man- 
 ner : 
 
 ci Noble Republick, Valiant and Tot enl 
 j< Tlafcallans ; The Lord of Zempoala, and 
 " the Mountain Caziques, your Friends and 
 C£ Confederates, fend you Health; and wifhing 
 f c you abundant Crops, and the Death of your 
 \ c JEnemies, they give you to underftand, that 
 
 " certain 
 
 
Book II. Covqneft of Mexico. 233 
 
 % certain invincible Men are arrived among 
 f them from the Eaft, who feem to be Deities > 
 | for they fail upon great Palaces, and make 
 I ufe of Thunder and Lightning, the peculiar 
 I Arms of Heaven : They are Servants of 
 U another God, fuperior to ours, who is of- 
 lc fended with Tyrannies, and Sacrifices of hu- 
 u man Blood. Their Captain is Ambaflador 
 <c from a very powerful Prince, who by the 
 Cc Impulfe of his Religion, defires to reform 
 Cl the Abufes of our Country, and redrefs the 
 ic Violences of J^otezuma-, and having al- 
 | ready refcucd our Provinces from the Op- 
 i preffion under which they lived, finds him- 
 £ felf obliged to pafs thro' your Republick, in 
 § his Way to Mexico ; and defires to know 
 I wherein that Tyrant has offended you, that 
 - c he may take your Caufe in hand, and add it 
 R to the reft, which juftify his Undertaking. 
 " With this Notice then of their Defigns, and 
 " with Experience of their Benignity, we come 
 " before you, to requeft and admonifh you, on 
 " the Part of our Caziques, and all their Confe- 
 <c derates, that you would admit thefe Strangers, 
 " as the Benefa&ors and Friends of your Allies. 
 " And on the Part of their Captain, we allure 
 " you, that he comes in a peaceable Manner, 
 " and only demands a free Paflage thro' your 
 " Country, after you fhall be perfuaded that 
 " he defires your Good, and that his Arms are 
 " the Inftruments of Juftice andReafon, which 
 " defend the Caufe of Heaven, in their own 
 
 *< Nature 
 
2 34 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 Cc Nature good and mild, and only hurtful to 
 t€ the Wicked, and where they are provok'd." 
 
 Having thus concluded, the Four railed 
 themfelves upon their Knees, and making a 
 profound Reverence to the Senate, they featcd 
 thcmfelves as before, expecting their Anfwer. 
 
 The Senators conferred a little among thcm- 
 felves 5 and then one, in the Name of all the 
 reft, told them, " That they admitted the Pro- 
 " pofition of the Zempoalans and Totonaques 
 <e their Confederates, with all imaginable Gra- 
 <c titude 5 but that the Anfwer they were to 
 " give to the Captain of the Strangers, re- 
 " quired further Deliberation/' Having re^ 
 ceived this Anfwer, the Ambaffadors retired 
 to their Lodging $ and the Senate fhut them- 
 iclvcs in, to difcufs the Difficulties and Con- 
 vcnicncics of the Demand made by Cortes. 
 They firft weighed the Importance of the 
 Affair, thinking it worthy of mature Delibe- 
 ration ; but they were foon divided in Opi- 
 nion, and this Divifion occafioiVd very warm 
 and obflinatc Difputcs. Some were for grant- 
 ing the Strangers the Liberty of palling on, 
 as they defiredj others were for making War 
 upon them, and endeavouring to deftroy them 
 at once $ others were for denying them Parage, 
 but permitting them to continue their March, 
 provided it were without their Confines : 
 Which Difference of Opinion occafiond much 
 Noifc, without coming to any Refolution, till 
 Magifcatztriy one of the eldcft of the Sena- 
 tors, and of grcateft Authority in the Rcpub- 
 
 licfc 
 
Book II. Co?iqueft of Mexico. 235 
 
 lick, took the Matter in hand ; who caufing 
 Silence to be made, is faid to have fpoke after 
 this Manner: 
 
 " You well know, Noble and Valiant Tlaf- 
 ¥ callans^ that in the firft Ages of Antiquity, 
 p it was revealed to our Priefts, and is to 
 iC this Day believed amongft us as a Point of 
 r Religion, that an invincible Race of Men 
 w are to come from the Oriental Regions to 
 ¥ this World, which we inhabit, with fuch 
 F Dominion over the Elements, that they fhall. 
 r found moveable Cities upon the Seas, making 
 f life of Fire and Air to fubdue the Earth : 
 ■" And tho f among the Judicious, it is not be- 
 f lieved that they fhall be Gods, (as the Vulgar 
 r apprehends it) yet the fame Tradition in- 
 f forms us, that they fhall be a celeftial Race 
 IC of Men, fo valiant, that one fhall be able to 
 r vanquifh a thoufand ; and fo good, that they 
 fC (hall only endeavour to make us live accord- 
 r ing to Reafon and Juftice. I cannot deny, 
 " but that the great Conformity there is be- 
 " tween thefe Strangers, and thofe Signs, has 
 " given me a very great Concern. Thefe come 
 " from the Eaft; their Arms are Fire, and 
 " Houfes on the Waters are their Veffels. As 
 r to their Valour, you have already heard by 
 " Fame of their Anions iwTabr.fco; and their 
 !P Goodnefs you now fee acknowledged by 
 " your own very Confederates $ and if we 
 " turn our Eyes to thofe Comets and Signals 
 ^ from Heaven, which fo often terrify us, 
 g methinks they fpeak to us, and come as 
 
 £ Meflengers 
 
2 36 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 MefTengcrs of this great Novelty. Who 
 then will be fo bold and rafh (if thefe be 
 the People of our Prophecies) to try his 
 Strength with Heaven, and treat as Enemies 
 thofc who come armed with its Decrees \ 
 I, at leaft, for my own Part, fhall fear the 
 Indignation of the Gods, who rigoroufly 
 punifh thofe that rebel a^ainft them 5 and with 
 their own very Lightning, it feems as if they 
 were pointing out to us to obey 5 for the 3 
 Threats of Thunder are to all, and it only j 
 deftroys where it meets Refiftance. But j 
 will fuppofe that thefe Signals are to be dis- 
 regarded as cafual, and that the Strangers 
 are Men, like us : What Harm have they 
 done us, that we fhould coniult about Re- 
 vengc ? Upon what Injury done to us fhall we 
 found this Violence ? Shall T/afcala, which 
 maintains its Liberty by its Victories, and 
 its Victories by the "Juftice of its Arms, enter 
 voluntarily into a War, which cafts a Ble- 
 mifli upon its Government and Valour * 
 Thefe People come in a peaceable Manner: 
 Their Rcqueft is to pafs through our Re- 
 publick, which they do not endeavour with- 
 out our Permiffion : Where then is their 
 Crime? Where our Provocation? They ar- 
 rive at our Gates, confiding in the Pro- 
 tection of our Friends ; and fhall we lofe 
 our Friends by falling upon thofe who defire 
 our Friendfhip ? What will the reft of our 
 Confederates judge of this Action ? And 
 what will Fame report of us, if five hundred 
 
 « Men 
 
Book II. Conqiwft of 'Mexico- 2,37 
 
 j Men oblige us to take Arms? Shall we gain 
 <c as much by overcoming them, as we fhall 
 <c lofe by having feared them? My Opinion 
 f is, that we admit them with Courtefy, and 
 # grant them the Paflage they dcfire $ if they 
 " are Men, becaufe their Requeft is reafonable ; 
 " and if they are any Thing more, becaufe 
 " the Will of the Gods is a fufficient Motive/' 
 The Opinion of Magifcatzin met with 
 great Applaufe, and all were inclined to follow 
 him with Acclamations ; when one of the 
 Senators, called Xicotental, defircd Leave to 
 fpeak : A young Man of great Spirit, who, on 
 Account of Capacity and noble A&ions, po£ 
 felled the Poft of General of their Army, 
 |i Leave being obtained, and Silence being made, 
 I " Grey Hairs, faid he, are not always infallible 
 " in their Decifions, as being more inclined 
 r to cautious Refle&ions, than to hardy En- 
 " terprizes; and more proper to perfuade to 
 r Patience, than to valiant Actions. I pay 
 " all Refpeft, as yoii do, to the Authority and 
 r Opinion oi Magi feat z>in: But you will not 
 *< think it ftrange, confidering my Age and 
 " Profellion, if I have different Notions, of a 
 " lefs refind Policy, but perhaps more jnfi. 
 f When we are talking of making War, we 
 f are often deceived by that which we call 
 * c Prudence 5 for whatsoever looks like Feat 
 " is not Virtue, but a Paffion, It is true, 
 r there is an Expectation among us of thefe 
 " Oriental Reformers, which is kept up by 2 
 " Prophecy, that is flow in its Completion. 
 
 " It 
 
C(. 
 
 cc 
 
 238 TbeB'i^ory of t/je Book IT. 
 
 <c It is not my Intention to make a little of a 
 Report, that has been made venerable by the 
 Confent of Ages 5 but tell me, I defire you, 
 what Security have we, that thefe are our 
 promifed Strangers? Is it the fame Thing 
 " to come by the Way of the Eaft, as to come 
 " from the Celeftial Regions, which we con- 
 " fider as the Birth-Place of the Sun? The 
 cc Fire- Arms, and great Embarkations, which 
 <c you call Sea Palaces, may they not be the 
 " Effect of human Induftry, which are admired 
 " for their Novelty ? And perhaps they may 
 * be the Illufions of fome Inchantmcnt, like 
 " the deceiving of the Sight, which we call 
 " Cunning in our Diviners. What they did 
 " in TabafcOy was it any Thing more than 
 " breaking an Army fuperior to them in Num- 
 (C bcr : Shall this be thought in Tlafcala fbper- 
 u natural, where every Day greater Deeds are 
 <c done, with the ordinary Force? And this 
 " great Benignity they have ufed towards the 
 " Zempoalans 5 may it not be an Artifice, the 
 " more eafily to gain the People ? At leaft I 
 <c fha.i take it for a fufpicious Sweetnefs, that 
 u pleafesthe Palate, to cover the Poifon; for it 
 <c is not of a Piece with the reft, that we know 
 cc of their Covetoufneis, Pride, and Ambition. 
 " Thefe Men (if they are not fome Monfters, 
 <c flung up by the Sea upon our Coafts) rob 
 <c our People ; live at Difcretion by the Law 
 iC of their own Will, thirfting after Gold and 
 " Silver, and given up to the Delights of the 
 cc Land. They contemn our Laws, and en- 
 
 " deavour 
 
 1 
 
Book II. Conqueji of Mexico. 239 
 
 \ ik dcavour dangerous Novelties, bothinjufticc 
 r and Religion: They deftroy our Temples, 
 u pull in Pieces our Altars, and blafpheme our 
 u Gods 5 and is this the Race you call celeftial* 
 r And can any one make it a Doubt, whether 
 " we fhould refift> And do we liften without 
 " Scandal to the Name of Peace? If thcZem- 
 ic poalans and Totonaques have admitted them 
 u into their Friendship, it was without con- 
 u fulting our Republick : They advance under 
 u no better Protection than the Want of 
 " Thought, which deferves to be punifh'd m 
 " thole that fupport them. Thefe ImpreffioRS 
 P of the Air, and frightful Signals, fo magnified 
 H by Magi/catzin 7 do rather pcrfuade us to 
 ■ M treat them like Enemies, as being conftanc 
 p Forerunners of Calamities and Miferies : 
 p Heaven with its Prodigies does not give us 
 notice of what we wifh, but what we are 
 I to fear 5 for thofe Felicities never come ac- 
 companied by Terrors $ nor docs Heaven 
 u light Comets to lull us afleep, and to make 
 us negligent and carelefs. My Opinion 
 " therefore is, that we affemble our Forces, 
 f and make an End of them at once; for they 
 " come into our Power, mark'd out by Signals 
 in the Heavens, purpofely that we may look 
 " on them as Oppreflbrs of our Country, and 
 " of our Gods j and that cftablifhing the Re- 
 " putation of our Arms upon their Punifh- 
 " ment, the World may perceive, that it is 
 " not the fame Thing to be immortal in Ta 
 " bafcoy and invincible in Tlafcala" 
 
 These 
 
24° The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 These Reafons made greater Impreffion 
 on the Senate than thofe of Magifcatzin, 
 as more agreeable to the Inclination of the 
 People, bred up in Arms, and breathing 
 nothing but War ; but upon difcuffing the 
 Matter again, they refolved, (as a Medium 
 between both Opinions) that Xicotencal 
 fhould afiemble his Troops, and try his 
 Strength with the Spaniards: fuppofing, if 
 he overcame them, they preferved the Repu- 
 tation of their Nation, and if he fhould be 
 beaten, room might be left for the Repub^ 
 lick to treat of Peace, by laying the Blame 
 of the Engagement upon the Otomies, and 
 declaring it was a Diforder occafioned by 
 their unfeafonablc Fiercenefs. For which 
 End they fo difpofed Matters, that the Zem- 
 foalan Ambaffadors were detained in a fort 
 of difguifed Imprifonment, having in view 
 the preferving of their Confederates; fof 
 they very well knew the Danger of this Wan 
 tho' they undertook it with little Appre^ 
 henfion, being fo brave, that they depended 
 on their own Valour for Succefs, but at the 
 fame Time fo cautious, that they kept in view 
 the Accidents of a contrary Fortune, 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book II.' Conqueft of Mexico. 24 1 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 The Spaniards refblve to draw near to 
 * Tlafcala, looking on the 'Detention of 
 their Mejfengers as a bad Sign. They 
 engage with a Body of five thoufand 
 Indians that lay in Ambufh for them, 
 and afterwards with the whole 'Power of 
 the Republick. 
 
 EIGHT Days the Spaniards ftay'd at 
 Xacazingo, expetting the Return of 
 .heir Meffengcrs, whofe Delay was looked on 
 is fomething extraordinary; and Hern an 
 Cortes, with the Approbation of his Captains, 
 ind the Chiefs of the Zempoalans, (for he 
 ifed to fhew them fo much Favour and Con- 
 fidence, as to hear their Opinions) refolved 
 continue his March, and draw nearer to 
 Tlafcala, in order to difcover the Intentions 
 )f thofe Indians $ confidering, that if they 
 vere refolved on War, (as appear'd by the 
 irft Tokens, now confirmed by the Detcn- 
 ion of their Ambaffadors) it would be 
 >ctter to fhorten the Time of their Prepara- 
 ions, and feek them in their own City, be- 
 ore they fhould have the Advantage of join- 
 tig their Troops, and of engaging, drawn up 
 a Order in the Field. The Army immedi- 
 tely marched in good Order, without omit- 
 ing any of the Precautions which are wont 
 obeobferved by thofe who fet their Foot 
 Vol. I. R, into 
 

 242 The Hiftory of the Book II, 
 
 into an Enemy's Country; and taking a Road 
 between two Mountains, whofe Skirts formed 
 a very delightful Valley, a little more than 
 the Diftance of two Leagues, they came to a \ 
 great Wall, which ran from the one Moun* i 
 tain to the other, entirely (topping up thci 
 Way : A fumptuous and ftrong Piece of Build- 
 ing, which fhe wed the Power and Greatnefs 
 of the Owner. The Outfide was of hewn 
 Stone, cemented with Mortar of extraordi- 
 nary Strength. It was twenty Foot thick, 
 and a Fathom and a half high ; and on the 
 Top was a Parapet, after the Manner of our 
 Fortifications. The Entrance was narrow 
 and winding, the Wall in that Part dividing,! 
 and making two Walls, which circularly 
 crofted each other, for the Space of ten 
 Paces. They were informed by the Indian* . 
 of Zocothlan, that the faid Fortification was I 
 the Boundary of the Province of Tlafcala : , 
 built by the antient Inhabitants to defend " 
 them againft the Invafions of their Enemies i 
 and it was very happy that the Tla/calans 
 had not pofiefied themfelves of it againft the 
 Spaniards $ whether they wanted Time to ; 
 march, out and receive them at that Fortifica- 
 tion, or that they refolved to expeft them in 
 the open Field, in order to attack them with 
 their whole Force, and fo deprive the Inferioi 
 in Number of the Advantage of engaging in 
 a narrow Pafs. 
 
 The Spaniards patted to the other Side 
 without any Diibrder or Difficulty 5 and 
 
 having 
 
Book IF. Conquefi of Mexico* 24^ 
 
 having again formed thcmfelves, continued 
 their March flowly, till coming out into a 
 more open Country, the Scouts difcovered 
 at a confiderable Diftance twenty or thirty 
 Indians, whofe Plumes (an Ornament only 
 ufed by Soldiers) denoted that there were 
 Troops in the Field. They came with this 
 Account to Cortes ■> who ordered them to 
 return with Speed, and endeavour to call 
 them with Signs of Peace, without giving 
 :hemfelves much Trouble in following them 5 
 [pr the Place where they were was uneven, and 
 rhere feemed to be feveral Hollows and high 
 oanks capable of hiding an Ambufcade. He 
 immediately followed them with eight Horfe, 
 ordering his Captains to advance lcifurely 
 yith the Infantry 5 for it is never right to 
 narch Soldiers out of Breath, and enter into 
 W Engagement with Troops that arc fa* 
 ■igued. 
 
 The Indians ftayed in the fame Place till 
 
 he fix Horfe that had been detach'd before 
 
 ilrew near; and without minding their 
 
 Calling, and Behaviour with which they eiv 
 
 leavoured to perfuade them to Peace, they 
 
 ;urned their Backs, running till they incor- 
 
 orated with a Party a little before them, 
 
 inhere they fae'd about, and put themfelves 
 
 pon their Defence. At the fame Time the 
 
 ourteen Horfe joined, and charged that 
 
 ^roop, rather to difcover the Country, than 
 
 or any Account they made of their fmali 
 
 dumber. The Indians ftood the Charge, 
 
 R 2 lofina 
 
 
244 Th e Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 lofing but little Ground, making ufc of their 
 Arms fo valiantly, that without minding 
 what Damage they received, they wounded 
 two Soldiers, and five Horfcs. Upon that 
 the Ambufcade which they had prepared, 
 march'd out to the Afliftance of their 
 Priends, and appeared to be a Body of about 
 five thoufand Men at the Time when our 
 Infantry came up, and the Troops formed 
 themfelves in a Battalion, to fuftain the Fury 
 with which the Enemy advanced to charge. 
 But at the firft Volley of the Fire-Arms, 
 which made a great Slaughter of their Men, 
 they turned their Backs, and retired very ha- 
 stily ; which firft Confufion the Spaniards 
 took Advantage of to clofe with them 5 and 
 did "it with fuch good Order, and fo much 
 Refolution, that in a fmall Time they quitted 
 the Field, leaving fixty Men dead upon th 
 Spot, and fome Prifoners. Hernan Cortes 
 did not care to follow the Chace, becauft 
 the Day was declining, and he was defirou 
 rather to terrify than deftroy them. The 
 Spaniards immediately pofTciTed thcmfelve: 
 of fome little Houfes which were in Sight 
 where they found Provifions, and pafled the 
 Night chearfully, but not carelefly, fom< 
 taking their Reft, whilft others watch'd. 
 
 The next Day they continued their March 
 in the fame Order, and difcovered the Eneni) 
 a fecond Time in a larger Body than before 
 coming with much more Hafte than gooc 
 Order. They marched up their Troop 
 
 wit! 
 
Book If. Covqueft of Mexico. 245 
 
 with great Noife and Arrogance: But di£ 
 'charging at too great a Diftance, their Arrows 
 did no Execution; and at the fame Time 
 they began to retreat, continuing to difcharge 
 at a great Diftance, and particularly the 
 Slingers, who being the fartheft off, feemed 
 the moft refolute. Hernan Cortes foon per- 
 ceived, that their Retreat had more of Stra- 
 tagem than Fear 5 andguefling that a rougher 
 Engagement would enfue, he followed the 
 'Enemy with his Forces in clofe Order, till 
 having gained an Eminence which interpofed 
 in the Road, he difcovered in the Plain, on 
 vthe other fide, an Army which, as it was 
 tfaid, confifted of above forty thoufand Men. 
 It was compofed of various Nations, diftin- 
 ^guifhed by the Colours of their Enftgns and 
 Tlumes. In it were the Nobles of Tlafcala, 
 and all their Confederates. Xicotencal com- 
 'manded in Chief, who, as has been faid, was 
 General of the Army of the Republick 5 and 
 'under him the Auxiliary Troops were com- 
 manded by their own Caziques, or moft con- 
 siderable Soldiers. 
 
 The Spaniards might very well have been 
 'difheartened at the Sight of fuch an unequal 
 Force; but upon this Occafion, the Experience 
 they had gained in Tabafco ftood them in 
 great Stead, and Hernan Cortes ftopp'd but 
 a very little while to perfuade them to the 
 Battle; for he faw by their Countenances, and 
 'other Demonftrations, the Defire they had to 
 engage. They began prefently to march 
 
 R 3 dowa 
 
246 The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 down the Hill with a chearful Security : And 
 becaufe it was broken uneven Land, in which 
 they could not manage their Horfes, neither 
 had the Fire-Arms their Effect, difcharged 
 from the upper Ground, they took much 
 Pains to beat off the Enemy, who endea- 
 voured to difpute the Pafs: But as foon as 
 the Horfe got into better Ground, and part 
 of the Foot had march'd into the Plain, they 
 difpofed themfelves fo as to make Way for 
 the Artillery to come down, and the Rear- 
 Guard to form themfelves. The main Body 
 of the Enemy was at little more Diftancc 
 than Musket- Shot, engaging only by Shouts 
 and Threats; but fcarce did our Troops begin 
 to move, after the Signal given, when the 
 Indians began to retire again, as if they had 
 fled; being indeed a Second Stratagem 
 Xicote?ical's y to gain by the advancing of th 
 SpaniardSy his Dcfign of furrounding and at- 
 tacking them on all Sides 5 as appeared foon 
 after 5 for as foon as ever he had them at a 
 Diftance from the Hill, which might have fe 
 cured their Rear, the greateft Part of hi 
 Army opened to the Right and Left, and 
 running furioufly, poflefied themfelves of the 
 Ground on both Sides; and then clofing the 
 Circle, obtained their Purpoie of furrounding 
 their Enemies ar a Diftance. They prefently 
 began, with incredible Diligence, to draw 
 into aie(s Compais; and were fo united and 
 refolute, that the Spaniards found it necef- 
 fary to draw up in a Square, facing every 
 
 W4 
 
 
 
I Book II. Conqueji of Mexico. 247 
 
 Way, and take Care of defending thcmfelvcs 
 rather then of offending the Enemy, making 
 Amends by Union, and a good Difpofition, 
 for the Inequality of Numbers. 
 
 The Air was filled with Arrows, and rent 
 by Shouts and Noife: It rained Darts and 
 Stones upon the Spaniards i and the Indians 
 being fenfible what little Effeft their miffive 
 Weapons had on their Enemies, came quickly 
 to the Pikes and Swords. Great was the 
 Slaughter of the Indians ', and greater was 
 their Obftinacy. Hernan Cortes charged with 
 his Horfe where he found the greateft Occafion, 
 breaking in and trampling under Foot all that 
 jwere near him. The Fire- Arms did great Da- 
 mage, and at the fame Time occafioned much 
 Terror ; the Artillery did not make a Shot in 
 wain, cafting Aftonifhment among thofe whom 
 the Balls fpared. As it was one of their Poli- 
 cies of War to conceal their Wounded, and 
 carry off their Dead, a great many were em- 
 ployed that Way, and their Troops began to 
 diminifh; fo that they fell back to a greater 
 Diftance, and began to fight more cautioufly, 
 but Hernan Cortes y before they could put 
 ,themfelves in Order to clofe afrefh, refolved 
 1 to attack the weakeft Part of their Army, 
 jand open a Paffage to feize fome Poft, where- 
 ; by he might extend his whole Front againft 
 the Enemy. He communicated his Intentions 
 to his Captains; and having placed his Horfe 
 on the Wings, followed by the Foot at a 
 large Pace, he clofed with the Indians, calling 
 
 R 4 aloud 
 
248 The Hiftory of the Book II; 
 
 aloud upon St. 'Peter. At firft they made 
 fome Refiftance, plying their Weapons vali- 
 antly 3 but the Fiercenefs of the Horfes (fuper- 
 natural or monftrous in their Imagination) 
 put them into Fear and Diforder, fo that fly- ;i 
 mg on all Sides, they wounded and trod one i 
 another under Foot, doing the fame Damage i 
 to themfelves which they feared from the \ 
 Spaniards. 
 
 Pedro de Moron, who was mounted I 
 on a lufty fwift Mare, had engaged himfelf too \ 
 far 5 when fome principal Tlafcalans, ( who 
 were got together for this Purpofe) feeing 
 him alone, attacked him, and having feized 
 his Lance and Bridle- Arm, gave the Marc lb 
 many Wounds, that fhe fell down dead, and 
 in an Inftant they cut off her Head, fome lay, 
 it was at one Stroke ; but that hyperbolical 
 Way of Speaking does nothing alter the Sub- 
 ftance of the Fad. Pedro de Moron received 
 fome flight Wounds, and was taken Prifoner; 
 but he was foon after relieved by other Horfe, 
 who, with the Death of fome Indians ', freed 
 him, and brought him back to the Army. 
 - This Accident was no way favourable to the 
 Defign of Cortes > for it gave the Enemy 
 Tirhe to return and clofe, and form them- 
 felves again on that Side 5 fo that the Spani- 
 ards now tired with the Engagement, ( for it 
 laftcd an Hour) began to doubt of the Suc- 
 ccftj but making a Virtue of Ncceility, they 
 were preparing to renew their Attack, when 
 at once the Cries of the Enemy ccafed, and 
 £hcre being a fudderji Silence among that 
 
 Multitude, 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 249 
 
 Multitude, they heard only their little Kettle- 
 Drums and Horns founding a Retreat, after 
 their Manner, as prefently appeared ; for at 
 the fame Time their Troops began to move 
 off; and marching ilowly for the Road of 
 TIafcala, they removed to the Top of a 
 Hill, and left the Field to their Enemies. 
 
 The Spaniards had Time to breathe upon 
 this extraordinary Accident, which appeared to 
 them miraculous, becaufe they did not per- 
 ceive any natural Caufe, to which it might be 
 attributed ; but they uaderftood afterwards, (by 
 gleans of fome Prifoners) that Xkotencalhzd 
 ordered the Retreat, becaufe the greateft Part: 
 of his Commanders being killed in the Battle, 
 he durft not undertake to manage fo many 
 Men, without Officers to command them. 
 Many of their Nobles likewife fell, which 
 jnade the A&ion coft them dear, and very 
 great was the Number of their Wounded 5 
 but notwithstanding fo great a Lofs, and that 
 they had quitted the Field to our Troops, 
 who were entire, they entred their Lodgment 
 triumphant, accounting it for a Viftory, that 
 they were not overcome 5 and the Head of 
 1 the Mare being all they had to (hew for 
 their Triumph, Xicotencal carried it before 
 him upon the Point of a Spear, and immedi- 
 ately lent it to TIafcala, making a Prefent to 
 the Senate of that formidable Spoil of War 5 
 which was greatly admired, and afterwards 
 Sacrificed in one of their Temples with extra- 
 prcjiriary Solemnity: A proper Vidin^ for 
 
 thofe 
 
250 The Hiftory of the Book IF. 
 
 thofe Altars, and lefs unclean than the very 
 Gods which were honoured by it. 
 
 On our Side about nine or ten Soldiers 
 were wounded, and fome Zempoalans, whofe 
 Affiftance was of a great Service upon this 
 Occafton 5 for the Example of the Spaniards 
 made them valiant, together with the Anger 
 of feeing their Alliance defpifed and broken. 
 At a little Diftance was difcovered a fmall 
 Place, feated on an Eminence which com- 
 manded the Country 5 and Hernan Cortes, 
 confidcring the Fatigue of his People, and 
 how much Occafion they had to be refrefhed, 
 refolv'd to poffefs himfelf of that Poft for 
 their Lodgment; which was done without 
 Difficulty; for the Inhabitants abandoned it 
 upon the Retreat of their Army, leaving in 
 it Abundance of Vi&uals, which helped to 
 preferve our own Provisions, and refrefh our 
 Men. There was not fufficient Accommoda- 
 tion for all to be under Cover; but the 
 Zempoalans took Care of themfclves, build- 
 ing Huts in a very fhort Time; and the Situ- 
 ation, which was naturally ftrong, was fecured 
 as well as poiliblc with fome Works of 
 Earth and Fafcines, which they rais'd all the 
 reft of the Day, with as much Heart and 
 Chearfulnefs as if their very Work were Reft 5 
 not that they were infenfible of the Danger in 
 which they were, or thought the War fininYd, 
 but becaufe they expefted from Providence, 
 what they could not fo much as hope for 
 from their own Strength $ and finding now, that 
 
 Heaven 
 
 1 
 
Book If. Con que fi of Mexico. 2.5 1 
 
 Heaven had declared in their Favour, they 
 looked on thole Things as poflible, which a 
 little before feem'd to require a Miracle to 
 accomplifh. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 The Tlafcalans recruit their Army. They 
 give Battle a fecond Time with greater 
 Force*, and are overthrown by the Valour 
 of the Spaniards, and by another new 
 Accident \ which puts them in T)iforder. 
 
 VARIOUS were the Reafonings 111 
 Tlafcala y upon the News of this ill 
 Succefs. They lamented the Death of their 
 Captains and Caziques in a publick Manner; 
 and from this Concern fprung different Opi- 
 nions. Some cried out for Peace, dignifying 
 the Spaniards with the Name of immortal ; 
 whilft others broke out into Reproaches and 
 Threats againft them, comforting themfelves 
 with the Death of the Mare, the only Trophy 
 of the War. Magifcatzin boafted, that he 
 had forefeen the Succefs, repeating to his 
 Friends what he had reprefented in the Senate, 
 and fpeaking upon the Subjed as one who 
 finds a Vanity even in the rejecting of his 
 Advice. Xicotencal from his Camp defired 
 that they would reinforce his Army with 
 frefh Supplies; leflening his Lofs, and yet 
 piaking ufe of that to move them to Re- 
 venge. 
 
> 
 
 2 5 2 The Hifi.ory of the Book II. I 
 
 venge. At this Time one of the confederate 
 Caziques arrived at Tlafcala with ten thou- 
 land Men, which Succour they looked on as a 
 Providence of the Gods; and their Courage 
 increafing with their Forces, the Senate re- 
 vived to lift frefh Troops, and profecute the 
 War at all Hazard. 
 
 Hernan Cortes (the Day after the 
 Battle) endeavoured only to put his Fortifi- 
 cations in better Order, adding new Works 
 to help the natural Strength of the Place. 
 He had a Mind to renew the Offers of Peace, 
 and could find no Way to introduce his Ne- 
 gotiation; for the four Zempoalan Envoys 
 (who were returned to the Army by different 
 Ways) came terrify 'd, and infecled the reft. 
 They had happily broke from a ftr.eight Con- 
 finement, (where they were put the DayX/Vtf- 
 tencal took the Field) being deftind with 
 their Blood to appeafc the God of War ; and 
 upon the Report they made of this Inhuma- 
 nity, it did not fcem convenient, nor indeed 
 would it have been cafy, to make others ex- 
 pofe themfelvcs to the fame Danger. 
 
 The very Stiilnefs of the Enemy gave him 
 Concern ; for there was not any Rumour of 
 War in ail the Country round about; and 
 the Retreat of Xicotencal had all the Signs of 
 a Difpute not yet ended. He ought in right 
 Reaibn to have maintained this Poft for his 
 Retreat, in cafe of Neceffity; but he found 
 Inconveniencics in that Refolution; for the 
 Indians would have interpreted the fhutting 
 
 himfelf 
 
fiook I L Conqueft of Mexico. & 5 $ 
 
 himfclf up in his Quarters, as Want o£*Va- 
 loui'j a Confideration of great Importance, 
 in a War fupportcd more by Opinion than 
 Force. 
 
 But taking Care of every Thing; like 3 
 diligent Commander, he refolved to fally* 
 out the next Day in the Morning to gain In- 
 telligence, view the Country, and difturb the 
 Enemy ^ which he executed in Perfon, with 
 all his Horfe, and two hundred Foot, the one 
 Half Spaniards, and the other Zempoalans. 
 
 We muft own this Undertaking was dan- 
 gerous, considering the Force of the Enemy, 
 and in a Country fo conveniently difpofed 
 for Ambufhes. Hernan Cortes mould have 
 ventured his Perfon lefs, the whole Affair 
 depending upon him; and in our Opinion, 
 this Excels of Bravery is by no means worthy 
 of Imitation by thofe who command Armies, 
 whofe Safety ought to be confider d as pub- 
 lick, and whofe Valour is to infpire others. 
 We might excufe him by the Examples of 
 feveral great Men, who have been the firft in 
 expofing themfelves to the Dangers of Battles, 
 performing a Part with their Swords, in the 
 Execution of their own Commands; but as 
 we are more obliged to give a juft Relation 
 of his Aftions, than to clear them from all 
 Blame, we (hall leave him open to this honour- 
 able Objection", which is indeed the bed 
 Fault of a Commander. 
 
 They went fo far as to difcover fome 
 Villages in the Road to Tlafcala> where they 
 
 found 
 
254 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 found great Quantities of Provifions, and took 
 feveral Prifoners; from whom they under- 
 flood, that Xicotencal was incamped two 
 Leagues from thence, not far from the City ; 
 and that he was raifing more Forces againft 
 the Spaniards \ with which Account they re- 
 turned to their Quarters, having done fbme 
 Damage in the neighbouring Places : for the 
 Zempoalans, who were now anger'd upon 
 their own Account, put every Thing to Fire 
 and Sword they met in their Way; an Excefs 
 which Cortes reprimanded faintly ; for he 
 was not forry, that the Tlafcalans fhould be 
 made fenfible how far he was from being 
 afraid of the War, fince he provoked them to 
 it with fuch Hoftilitics. 
 
 He prefently fet at Liberty all the Prifoners 
 he had made in that Sally 5 and gave them 
 fuch Entertainment as appeared neceffarjr to 
 make them lofe their Fear of the Spaniards, 
 and receive an Impreflion of their Benignity. 
 He gave Orders to fearch out (among the 
 other Prifoners that were taken on the Day of 
 the Battle) thofe who appeared the moft inge- 
 nious j and out of thofe he chofe two or three 
 to carry a Meflage to Xicotencal. The Sub- 
 ftance of which was, That he was very 
 much concerned for the Lofs his ^People had 
 Juftained in the Battle -, for which they were 
 to blame who gave the Occa/ion, by receiving 
 thofe with Arms who came to propofe Peace > 
 that he did again require it of him y laying 
 afide entirely all the Reafons he had to be 
 
 difpleafed > 
 
Boole II. Conquefl of Mexico, 255 
 
 ; difpleafed; but that if they would not pre- 
 fently difarm, and accept of it, they would 
 \ oblige him utterly to deftroy them at once,, 
 making the Name of their Nation a Terror 
 to their Neighbours. The Indians departed 
 with this Meilage, well inftruded and pleafedj, 
 promifing to return with the Anfwer; and 
 but a few Hours paiTed before they made 
 good their Word : But they returned bloody, 
 and ill-treated 5 for Xicotencal order'd them 
 to be punifhM for their Boldnefs in. bringing 
 him fuch a Propofal ; and did not order them 
 to be kill'd, that they might return wounded 
 to the Sight of Cortes 5 and that carrying 
 with them that farther Proof of his Refolution^ 
 they might let him know, That at the fir ft 
 \s Rifing of the Sun he Jhould fee him in the 
 ; Field s that his Intention was to carry him 
 and all his 'People alive to the Altars of 
 his Gods , and appeafe them with their Hearts 
 Blood i and that he did immediately give 
 him Notice of his Refolution, that he might 
 have Time to prepare himfelf, giving him 
 further to underftand y that he was not ac- 
 cujlomed to leffen the Glory of his ViEiories 
 by the Carelefnefs of his Enemies. The In- 
 folence of this Barbarian occafion'd more 
 Anger than Concern in the Mind of Cortes: 
 But he did not difregard his Advice , nor 
 defpife his Counfel; on the contrary, at the 
 firft Break of Day, he drew out his Troops 
 into the Field, leaving in his Quarters fuch a 
 Force as he thought neceffary for their Defence 5- 
 
 and 
 
25 6 The Hift ory of the Book II. 
 
 and advancing little lels than half a League, 
 chofe a convenient Poft, where he might re- 
 ceive the Enemy with Advantage 5 there he 
 form'd his Ranks as the Ground would permit, 
 and agreeable to the Experience he already had 
 of this War. His Flanks he fecured with the 
 Artillery, ordering when and at what Diftance 
 to difcharge. He Tent his Vanguard before,- 
 and putting himfelf at the Head of his Horfe, 
 to take care of luccouring where it was need- 
 full, he attended the Succefs, fhewing in his 
 Countenance the Eafinefs of his Mind, with- 
 out having much Occafion to make ufc of 
 his Eloquence to inftruct and animate his Sol- 
 diers 5 for they all came chcarful and coura- 
 geous, their Cuftom of overcoming making 
 them defirous to engage. 
 
 It was not long before the Scouts returnc* 
 with an Account that the Enemy was upon', 
 the March with a very powerful Army 5 and j 
 very foon after, their Vanguard appeared. The 
 Plain began to fill with armed Indians-, the 
 Eye could not reach the End of their Troops, 
 which covered the whole Horizon. Their-. 
 Army confided of above fifty thoufand Men, 
 (as they themfelves confefs'd) the whole Force 
 of the Republick, and all their Allies, that 
 they might take the Spaniards alive, and carry 
 them bound, rirft offering their Blood to 
 the Gods, and then giving their Flcfh for a 
 Banquet. They brought forth into the Field 
 a great Eagle of Gold, raifed on high, the 
 Enfign of Tlajcala, which they only made 
 
 ule 
 
Book II. Conqueft of Mexico. 257 
 
 life of in their grcateft Undertakings. They 
 drew near with incredible Diligence; and 
 when they came within Reach of the Cannon, 
 t|ie Artillery began to put a Stop to their 
 Speed, ftriking fuch a Terror into them, that 
 they flood ftill fome Time, divided between 
 Fear and Anger : But Anger prevailing, they 
 came forward in a Throng, till they were fo 
 near as to make ufe of their Slings and Ar- 
 rows, where they were flopped a fecond Time 
 by the Terror of the Fire- Arms and Crofs- 
 Bows. 
 
 The Engagement continued a long Time 
 very bloody on the Part of the Indians, and 
 but with fmall Damage to the Spaniards, by 
 rcafon of the Advantage of their Arms, and 
 the Order and good Difpofition with which 
 i they gave and received the Charge 5 but the 
 \ Indians perceiving the Blood they loft, and 
 that their own Dilatorinefs was deftru&ive to 
 : them, they moved all at once 5 and the Hind- 
 : mod pufhing on the Foremoft, the whole 
 , Multitude fell upon the Spaniards and Zem- 
 : foalans with fo much Fury and Defpair, that 
 , they broke their Ranks, and entirely deftroy'd 
 that good Difpofition in which they were 
 formed. There was then Occafion for all 
 the Valour of the Soldiers, all the Bravery 
 and Diligence of the Officers, all the Strength 
 of the Horfe, and all the Want of military 
 Skill in the Indians, to enable them to form 
 again; which they did by main Force, and 
 Vojl. I. S with 
 
258 The Hifiory of the Book II. 
 
 with the Death of all that did not immediately 
 give Way before them. 
 
 Ar this Juncture thefe happened an Acci- 
 dent, as before, by which it appeared a fecond 
 Time, that the fpecial Providence of God de- 
 fended his own Caufe. A very great Difturb- 
 ance was perceived in the Enemy's Army $ 
 Troops were moving to different Parts, dividing 
 and turning their Arms againit each other : In 
 the End, they all retired in a tumultuous Man- 
 ner 5 and thofe who were engaged in the 
 Front, turned their Backs, and fled. The Spa- 
 niards purfued them with lmall Execution ; 
 for Cortes did not care to expofe himfelf to 
 their charging him again at too great a Diftancc 
 from his Quarters. 
 
 It was known afterwards that the Caufe of 
 that Difturbance, and the Rcafon of this fe- 
 cond Retreat was, that Xicotencal, who was 
 a paflionate, proud Man, and founded his Au- 
 thority upon the Patience of thofe under his 
 Command, did, with too much Liberty, re- 
 primand one of the principal Caziques, who 
 Served under him with ten thoufand Men, calling 
 him a Coward, and Mean-fpirited, for not ad-( 
 vancing when the reft were engaged 5 which: 
 the other returned with lb much Boldnefs, 
 that it came to a Breach, and a perfonal Chal- 
 lenge between them 5 and in a fhort Time it 
 became the Caufe of the whole Body of Troops^ 
 under the Cazique's Command, who efpoufedj 
 the Quarrel of thcrr Chief, and prepared for 
 his Defence; with which Example other Ca- 
 ziques 
 
Book II. Cd7?queftofMzxko. 259 
 
 ziqtics who were his Friends, mutinied; and 
 taking a Refolution of withdrawing their Troops 
 from an Army, where their Valour was fo 
 little regarded, they put it in Execution with 
 fo much Celerity and Difpleafure, that they 
 put all the reft into Difbrder; and Xicotencal 
 being fenfible of his Weaknefs, endeavoured 
 only to fecure himfelf, leaving the Field and 
 the Victory to his Enemies. 
 
 It is not our Intention to relate this fo fa- 
 vourable Succefs, and fo opportune to the Spa- 
 niards, as a Miracle 5 on the contrary, we 
 confefs, that the Difagreement of thofc Ca- 
 ziqucs was cafual , and might eafily happen 
 when a General commanded offo little Temper, 
 and with fo little Superiority over the Confe- 
 derates of his Republick; but whoever will 
 confider this powerful Army of Barbarians, 
 overthrown and broken to Pieces a firft and fe- 
 cond Time, (a Work fuperior to any human 
 Force) muft acknowledge in thofe very Ca- 
 fualtics the Hand of God, whole ineffable 
 ■ Wifdonris wont to bring about his high De- 
 signs by what Men call Contingencies, making 
 life very often of that which he permits, to 
 accomplifh that which he has ordain'd* 
 } Great was the Number of the Indians 
 killed upon this Occafion, and much greater 
 that of the wounded, (as they themfeives did 
 afterwards relate). On our Side only one Sol- 
 i dicr was killed, and twenty wounded, but fo 
 (lightly* that they were able to mount Guard 
 that Night, But notwithftanding this Vi&ory 
 
 S 2 was 
 
260 The Hiftcry of the Book 11. 
 
 was fo great, and fo much more wonderful 
 than the laft, (for they engaged with a greater 
 Army, and the Enemy retired overthrown) 
 yet the Novelty of having been broke and put 
 into Diforder in the Battle, made fuch an Im- 
 preflion upon fomeof the Spanijh Soldiers, that 
 they returned to their Quarters melancholy and 
 difhearten d, like Men who had been vanquifh'd. 
 There were very many who plainly declar'd, 
 That they would not wilfully throw themfelves 
 away for Cortes 's Humour 5 that he ought to 
 think of returning to Vera Cruz, for that it 
 was impoflible to advance any farther; or, 
 that otherwife they would do it themfelves, 
 leaving him alone to his Ambition and Te- 
 merity. HernanCortes was informed of this, 
 and retired to his Tent, without endeavouring 
 to reduce them, till they were recovered from 
 that Fright, and had Time to be fenfible how 
 much they were miftaken in what they pro- 
 pofed : For in Diltempers of this Kind, hafty 
 Remedies rather irritate than correft > Fear in 
 Men being a violent Paflion, which Reafoa 
 st the firft cannot govern. 
 
 [AH 
 
Book IL Conqueft of Mexico. 261 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 Hernan Cortes ftills the new Tlifturbantc 
 among his Men. The People of Tlafcala 
 take the Spaniards for Enchanters. They 
 confult their Magicians ; and by their Ad- 
 'vice attack the?n by Night in their Quar- 
 ters. 
 
 THE Difturbance among the Malccontents 
 increafed s and the Diligence of the 
 Captains, together with the contrary Opinion 
 of the better Sort, not being fufficient to re- 
 duce them, Hernan Cortes found it neceffary 
 to fhew himfelf, and endeavour to bring them 
 to Rcafon. To which End, he order'd all 
 the Spaniards to affemble in the Place of Arms, 
 upon Pretence of coming to a Rcfolution upon 
 the prefent State of Affairs 5 and placing near 
 himfelf the moft Mutinous, (a fort of Favour 
 neceffary for their better hearing) " It allows, 
 
 * fays he, of no great Difpute, what our Army 
 " is to do, having gained in a fhort Time two 
 " Battles, in which your Valour, and the 
 " Weaknefs of your Enemies, have equally 
 
 * appeared. It is true, the overcoming an 
 " Enemy is not the finishing Stroke of a War 5 
 
 * for the improving a Victory has alfo its Dif- 
 " Acuities : And we muft always be aware of 
 " thofe Dangers that oftentimes attend good 
 " Succefs, as a kind of Tax upon human Fe- 
 " licity. But this, my Friends, is not what 
 
 S 3 " gives 
 
262 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 u gives mc Trouble : I (land in Need of your 
 
 Advice upon a greater Doubt. They tell 
 
 cc me, that fome of our Soldiers are again de- 
 
 ic firous, ana ftir up one another to propoie, 
 
 " : that we fliQuld retreat. I am willing to be- 
 
 u lieve they ground this Opinion upon fome 
 
 Cc rood Reafon ; but it is not right, that a 
 
 u Point of lb much Importance ihould be 
 
 u treated in a murmuring Manner. Tell all 
 
 11 your Opinions freely ; do not difcredit what 
 
 tl you carncltly dehrc, by propofing it in a cri- 
 
 u minal Way. And, that we may all reafon 
 
 " upon that which is molt convenient for us 
 
 El, let us firft confider the Condition in 
 
 c< which we are, and reiblvc at once upon 
 
 cc fomething which cannot be contradicted. 
 
 c -' This Enterprise was begun with your Ap- 
 
 u probation, I may fay, with your Applaufe. 
 
 u Our Refolution was to pais on to the Court 
 
 u of Motezuma. We all devoted ourfelves 
 
 " to this Undertaking for our Religion, and 
 
 ci our King, as alio for our Honour, and our 
 
 " Hopes. Thcfe Indians of T/afcala, who 
 
 cc endeavoured to oppofe our Dcfign with all 
 
 " the Power of the Republic^, and its Con- 
 
 -' federates, are now overthrown and conqucr'd. 
 
 " It is not poffible, (according to the natural 
 
 iC Courfc of Things) that they (hpuld delay 
 
 " long to requeft Peace, or grant us PaiPage. 
 
 '• If this happens, how greatly will it add to 
 
 " our Reputation? What will thcfe Barba- 
 
 t€ rians conceive of us, who ; rank us 
 
 V with their Gods; Motezuma, who expected 
 
 * u w% 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 263 
 
 " us with Concern, (as has appeared by the 
 " Repetition and Artifice of his EmbafTies) 
 " will behold us with greater Terror, after 
 " having vanquifhed the Tlafcalans, who are 
 " the mod valiant Men of the Country, and 
 I have by Force of Arms maintain d their Li- 
 | berty againft him. It is very poflible, that 
 f he will make us advantageous Offers, fearing 
 " left we fhould join with his Rebels ; and very 
 iC poflible, that this fame Difficulty, we now 
 <c meet with, may be the Means v/hich God 
 r makes ufc of to facilitate our Undertakings, 
 " by making Tryal of our Conftancy ; for he 
 f will not work Miracles for us, without making 
 r ufc both of our Hearts and Hands. But if 
 ¥ we fhould turn our Backs, (and be the firft 
 " that have been difcouraged by Victories) all 
 I our Labour is loft at once : What can we 
 r hope for ? Or what is it that we ought not to 
 " fear \ Thefe very vanquifh'd People, that are 
 c now terrify 'd, and fugitive, will be animated 
 r at our being difheartcn'd, and knowing all 
 iC the fhort Cuts and difficult PafTages of the 
 " Country, they will purfue, and break us in 
 u our March. Our Indian Friends (whoftand 
 u by us contented and courageous) will quit us, 
 " and efcape to their own Country, publifh- 
 iC ing our Difgrace. The Zempoalans and To- 
 iC tonaqties, our Confederates, (who are our 
 " only Refuge in the Retreat) will confpirc 
 u againft us, lofing the great Opinion they had 
 " of our Power. I repeat it again, let even 
 ic Thing be maturely confidcr'd; and conl- 
 
 S 4 " paring 
 
264 The Hiltory of the Beck II. 
 
 a paring the Hopes which we abandon, with 
 a the Dangers to which we expofe ourfclves, 
 " propofc and deliberate what will be mod 
 €t convenient ; for I leave you to your full Li- 
 " berty of Difcourfe, and have laid before you 
 " thefe Inconvenicncies, rather to free my Opi- . 
 cc nion from Blame, than defend it." 
 
 Scarcely had Her nan Cortes fini^h'd his 
 Difcourfe, when one of the diffatisfy'd Sol- 
 diers, convinced by hisReafons, raifed his Voice, 
 telling the reft, " Friends, our Captain asks 
 " what we arc to do, but inftructs us while 
 " he is asking : It is not poffiblc for us to 
 " retire now, without being loft." 
 
 The reft were convinced, confcfling their 
 Error, and the other Part rejoiced at their be- 
 ing undeceiv'd ; and it was refolv'd, by Accla- 
 mations, to profecute the Enterprife 5 the Dif- 
 quicts of thofe Soldiers who were defirous of 
 finding Reft in the Iflc of Cuba being at that 
 Time entirely pacify'd, whole Unrcafonable- 
 ncfi was one of the Difficulties which did mod 
 trouble the Mind, and excrcifc the Conftancy 
 of Cortes in this Enterprife. 
 
 This fecond Rout of their Army caufed an 
 unufual Trouble in Tlajcala : They all admir'd," 
 and were confounded. The common People 
 cried out for Peace ; and the Nobles were un- 
 able to carry on the War. Some propofed to 
 retire to the Mountains with their Families 5 
 others faid the Spaniards were Deities, inclining 
 to pay them Obedience with Circumftances of 
 Adoration, The Senate aflcmblcd to confult 
 
 ho\y 
 
 
Book IL Conquejl of Mexico* 26 5 
 
 how to reftore their Affairs : And beginning to 
 argue from their own Fear, they all confcfled, 
 that the Force of thofe Strangers appeared to 
 be more than natural : But they were not fully 
 pcrfuaded they were Gods, efteeming it too 
 great a Lightncfs to conform their Opinions 
 to the Credulity of the Vulgar ; but were ra- 
 ther inclin'd to believe, that they performed 
 fuch wonderful A&ions by magical Art. And 
 , coming to a Refolution, that they ought to have 
 1 Rccourfc to the fame Science, in order to over- 
 i come them, and fo take off the Force of one En- 
 i chantment with another, they fummoned their 
 Magicians and Diviners for this Purpofe, whofe 
 jDclufions were much introduced by the Devil 
 in that Country, and no lefs reverenced. The 
 
 Opinion of the Senate was communicated to 
 jthem, which they approv'd of with myftcrious 
 Ifconfideration 5 giving them to underftand, 
 \ r That they knew what Doubt they had to 
 
 " propofe, and had beforehand ftudicd the 
 ; r Cafe ; telling them, That by the Obfervation 
 
 t c of their Circles, and by their Divinations, 
 
 " they had fully difcover'd the Secret of this 
 I " Novelty $ and that the Whole confided, in 
 
 " that the Spaniards were the Offspring of 
 : " the Sun, produced by his own a&ive Quality 
 
 " in the Mother-Earth of the Oriental Regions, 
 ■ " their greatcft Enchantment being the Pre- 
 i ? c fence of their Father, whofe warm Influence 
 : " did communicate unto them a kind of Force 
 : < " fuperior to human Nature, and made them 
 ( immortal 5 but that upon his difappearing in 
 
 " the 
 
 

 cc 
 
 266 The Hiftory of the Book II. \ 
 
 H the Weft, the Influence ecafed, and they - 
 <c remained difhearten'd and wither'd, like the 
 cc Herbs of the Field, reduced to the Terms of 
 cc Mortality, like other Men 5 for which Con- 5 
 
 fideration it was neceffary to attack them by 
 
 Night, and deftroy them before the riiing 
 cc Sun made them invincible." 
 
 Those Senators very much applauded the 
 <zrcat Knowledge of the Magicians, bc'uvz fa- 
 tisfy'd that they had found out the difficult 
 Point, and difcover'd the Way to obtain Victory. 
 It was contrary to the Cuftomofthis Country 
 ro engage by Night; but as in extraordinary 
 Cafes little Refpeft is had to Cuftom, this im- 
 portant News was lent to Xicotencal, with 
 Orders to attack the Spaniards in their Quar- 
 ters on the Setting of the Sun, endeavouring 
 to deftroy and make an End of them before 
 he mould return to the Eaft. Accordingly 
 he began to difpofe every Thing for the Action, j 
 believing (with fome Excufc) the Impofture of 
 the Magicians, as corning to him authorizc4 
 by the Opinion of the Senate. 
 
 During this Interim of Time, the Spa- 
 niards had fevcral Rencounters of little Con- 
 icqucncc. Some Troops of the Enemy mewed 
 themfelvcs on the Eminences near the Quarters* 
 who either fled before the Spaniards could 
 engage them, or were beat off with Lofs. 
 They made fome Sallies to raife Contributions 
 from the neighbouring Villages, where they 
 ulcd the Inhabitants well, and gained both their 
 good Wills and Provifions. Cortes took fpecial 
 
 Care 
 
BookIL CoJiqueft of Mexico. 267 
 
 Care to prefcrve Difciplinc, and keep his People 
 vigilant, during this Time of Reft in their 
 Quarters. He always had his Centinels polled 
 at a Diftance, his Guards mounted with the 
 utmoft military Strictnefs; the Horfes ftood 
 faddled all Night, with their Bridles upon the 
 Pummels ; the Soldiers either watch'd, or, if 
 they reded, lay upon their Arms. An Exaft- 
 nefs which fecms fupcrfluous to the Negligent, 
 but then proved very neceffary 5 for at the 
 coming on of the Night deftin'd for the Attack 
 refolv'd on by the Tlafcalans, the Centinels 
 difcover'd a Body of the Enemy marching to- 
 wards their Quarters with unaccuftom'd Slow- 
 nefs and Silence. Notice was given of it 
 without any Noife 5 and as the Soldiers were 
 always prcpar'd for fuch Accidents, they im- 
 mediately mann'd the Works, and with great 
 Readincfs difpos'd every Thing that appeared 
 neceffary for their Defence. 
 
 Xicotencal upon the Credit of his Ma- 
 gicians came on infenilble of Danger, thinking 
 to find his Enemies without Spirit or Strength, 
 and to end the War before the Sun mould 
 know any thing of it ; but he brought with 
 him ten thoufand Men, left they mould happen 
 not to be difpiritcd by the Abfence of their 
 Father. The Spaniards let him draw near, 
 without making any Motion 5 and he gave 
 Orders to attack the Quarters on three Sides 5 
 which the Indians executed with Speed and 
 Refolution ; but they met with fuch a powerful 
 and unlook'd-for Rcfiftancc, that many died in 
 
 the 
 

 s68 TleW&ory of tie Boolt II. 
 
 the Attack, and the reft were (truck with the 
 more Fear, by how much the greater had been 
 the Security with which they came. Xico- 
 iencal was fenfiblc (tho' late) of the Dclufioii 
 of his Sorcerers, and of the Difficulty of his 
 Undertaking 5 but his Anger and Courage 
 would not let him confider, and therefore he 
 gave Orders for another Attack to be made j 
 on ail Sides, and he rcturn'd to the Aflault, 
 pouring the whole Body of his Troops upon 
 our Defences. We cannot but acknowledge 
 the Valour with which the Indians try'd this 
 Way of Fight in the Night, and againft a For- 
 tification, a Thing altogether new in their Way 
 of making War. They helped one another 
 with their Shoulders and Arms to gain the Wall, 
 and received Wounds, which they made larger 
 by their own preffing forward; andtheforemoft 
 falling, did not in the lcaft terrify thofe who 
 came behind. The Combat laftcd a long 
 Time, their own Diforder endamaging them 
 no lefs than our Arms 5 till Xicotencal being 
 convinced that it was not poflible for him to 
 compais what he intended, ordered the Signal 
 to be given for drawing off, and thought of 
 retreating. But Hernan Cortes ( who had a 
 watchful Eye over all,) as foon as he found 
 them llackcning, and law that they returned 
 in Heaps from the Wall, fent out Part of his 
 Foot, and all hisHorfc, which were ready pre- 
 pared, with Bteaft-plates full of Bells, that by 
 the Novelty of the Noife they might ftrike the 
 greater Terror : Which fudden Affault put the 
 
 Indians 
 
 \ 
 
 ;1; 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico, 269 
 
 Indians into fuch a Fright, that they endea- 
 voured only to efcape, without making any 
 Refiftance. They left a considerable Number 
 of Dead in the Field, with fome Wounded, 
 which they could not carry off$ and of the 
 Spaniards only two or three were wounded, 
 and one Zempoalan kill'd : An Event that 
 feem'd miraculous, confiderins: the innumc- 
 rable Multitude of Arrows, Darts, and Stones, 
 which they found within their Intrcnchmcnts; 
 and a Victory, which for the Eafinefs and fmall 
 Expencc wherewith it was gained, was cele- 
 brated among the Soldiers with particular De- 
 nionftrations of Joy $ though at that Time 
 they were not fenfible how much it imported 
 them to have been valiant in the Night, nor 
 of the Obligations they lay under to the Magi- 
 cians of Tlafcala, whofe Folly was of Ufe in 
 this Work $ for it raifed the Reputation of the 
 Spaniards to the higheft Pitch, and facilitated 
 a Peace, which is the beft Advantage of War. 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 The Senate commands the General tofufpend 
 the War : He refufes to obey 5 but on the 
 contrary r , dejigns to give a frejb Affaitft 
 upon the Spanifh Qiiarters. His Spies are 
 difcoveredandpumjh'd. A Treaty of 'Peace 
 begins to be fet on Foot. 
 
 HE great Hopes which the City had 
 
 conceived, without any other Reafon, 
 
 tan that of trufting the Succefs of their Arms 
 
 to 
 
I 
 
 
 2 70 The Hiftory of the Book It. 
 
 to the Favour of the Night, being vanifh'cf, 
 the Common People again called out for Peace; 
 the Nobles were diffatisfy'd, and came now into 
 the fame Sentiments with the Populace, though 
 they made lcfs Noife : The Senators were dif- 
 hcartcn'd and filent; and the firft Thing they 
 did, was to punifh their Magicians for their 
 own [Folly, not fo much becaufe Deceit in 
 them was a new Thing, but becaufe they were 
 afhamed they had believed them. Two ot 
 three of the chiefeft of them were facrificcd 
 in one of their Temples 5 the reft were repri- 
 manded, and found themfclves obliged to lye 
 with lefs Liberty in that Affembly. 
 
 After that, the Senate met to confult 
 about the principal Affair, and all, without 
 Exception, inclined to Peace; granting that 
 the Judgment of Magifcatzin had forefcen 
 what had befallen them, and the moft Incre- ft 
 dulous confeffing, that thofc Strangers wcre^ 
 without Doubt, the Celeftial Men mentioned 1 
 in their Prophecies. The firft Rcfolution was 1 
 to difpatch an Exprefs immediately to Xico- if; 
 tencaly with Orders to fufpend the War, and • 
 only keep himfelf upon his Guard ; acquainting j 
 him, that they were treating for a Peace, which ! : 
 was already refolved on the Part of the Senate, ,. 
 and that they would immediately name Am- 
 baiTadors to propofe it, and to make the beft 
 Terms they could in Favour of theRepublick. 
 
 However, Xicotencal was fo obftinatctyi ; 
 bent againft the Spaniards^ and fo far blinded 
 by his Martial Employment, that he utterly 
 
 denied 
 
 
Book II. Conqueji of Mexico. 27 i 
 
 denied Obedience to this Order, and anfwered, 
 
 with Arrogance and Difrefpeft, That he and 
 
 his Soldiers were the true Senate, and would 
 
 take Care of the Credit of their Nation y 
 
 <ince the Fathers of the Country abandoned 
 
 it. He had difpofed Matters fo as to aflaute 
 
 'the Spaniards a fecond Time by Night, and 
 
 within their Quarters; not that he made any 
 
 Account of the paft Divinations, but becaufe 
 
 ic thought it better to keep them fhut up, 
 
 that they might come alive into his Hands! 
 
 But he intended to go upon this Undertaking 
 
 with a greater Force, and better Intelligence 3 
 
 md knowing that fome Peafants of the ad- 
 
 accnt Villages repaired to the Quarters with 
 
 |l?roviftons, to exchange them for Spanifh Baubles, 
 
 Ibe made ufe of this Means to facilitate his 
 
 Enterprize; and chofe forty Soldiers in whom 
 
 I le confided, who, cloathed after the Manner 
 
 H Peafants, loaded with Fruit, Hens, and Bread 
 
 nade of Indian Corn, were to enter the Place. 
 
 md obferve the Nature and Strength of the 
 
 Fortification, and where it might be afiaulted 
 
 •with lead Difficulty. 
 
 Some fay, that thefe Indians were fent as 
 \mbafiadors from Xtcotencal himfelf, with 
 feigned Propofals of Peace (in which Cafe 
 'he Inadvertency of our People would be more 
 :ulpable). But whether the Pretence w T asthis, 
 )rthe other, they entered within their Quarters 
 md were among the Spaniards great Part of 
 he Morning, without any Notice being taken 
 
 I- ! >f their Stay, till a Zempoalan Soldier obicrv'd, 
 that 
 
272 The Hiftory of the Book If. 
 
 that they went filly about, observing the Walls, 
 and looking over them in a curious Manner 5 
 of which he prefently gave Notice to Cortes. 
 And as in this Kind of Sufpicions, there is no 
 Sign which is trivial, or Shadow that has not 
 a Body, he order'd them to be feized immc- 1 
 diately 5 which was eaftly executed. Being 
 examined feparately, they confeffed the Truth 
 
 without much Refinance, fome prcficd by Tor- 
 ture, and others by the Fear of it 5 all agree- 
 ing that a fecond Affault was to have been 
 made on the Quarters that fame Night 5 for 
 which Undertaking their General was now 
 upon the March with twenty thoufand Men, 
 and was to wait for them at a League's Diftance, 
 in order to dilpoie his Attacks, according to j 
 the Accouiit they fhould bring him of the 
 Weakncfles they had obferved in the Works. 
 
 Hernan Cortes was much concerned 
 at this Accident, for he was then indifpos'dj 
 and it coft him more Trouble to conceal his 
 Sicknefs, than to bear it : But he never kept 
 his Bed, or took Care of himfelf, but when 
 he had nothing elfe to take Care of. h is re- : - 
 ported of him, (we will not pafs it by in Si- 
 lence). That juft before one of the Engage- 
 ments with the Tlafcalans, he had taken Phy- 
 fick 5 and that he mounted his Horfe, made a 
 Difpofition of the Battle, and engaged with- 
 out finding the lead Diforder, or thinking on 
 the Purge, the which, by that Diverfion of his 
 Mind, was deprived of its active Quality, and 
 had not the Effeft until the next Dav, Father* 
 
 "Dm 
 
Boole II. Conquefi of Mexico. 273 
 
 *Don 'Prudencio de Sandoval, in his Hiftory 
 of the Emperor Charles V. looks upon it as 
 a Miracle which God wrought on him : A 
 Notion which Philofophers will difpute, to 
 whofe Profeflion it belongs to (hew how, in 
 this Cafe, the natural Faculty may be fo far 
 influenced by the Imagination, bufted in greater 
 Matters, as to ceafe performing its Fun&ion ; 
 . or how the Spirits, gathering about the Heart 
 and the Head, draw after them that natural 
 i Heat which fhould put the Medicine in Mo- 
 tion. Such an Accident, however, ought not 
 to be omitted by an Hiftorian, as ferving to 
 (hew how much this Commander gave him- 
 .felf up to the vigilant Care of what he was 
 to dired and order in the Battle : An Employ- 
 ment which, in Truth, requires the whole 
 Man, as great as he can be; and thefe Con- 
 siderations are fometimes permitted in Hiftory, 
 as propofmg Examples, which animate to an 
 ' Imitation. 
 
 The Defigns of Xicotencal being now dif- 
 cover'd by the Confeilion of his Spies, Her- 
 nan Cortes gave the neceffary Orders for the 
 Defence of his Quarters ; and immediately 
 confider'd on the Punifhment thofe Delin- 
 quents deferv'd, being already condemned to 
 Death by the Laws of War. But he thought, 
 .that to kill them without the Knowledge of 
 the Enemy, would be Juftice without Terror: 
 And as he did not fo much want to fatisfy 
 pimfelf, as to terrify them, he gave Orders, 
 chat the mod obftinate of them (which were 
 
 Vol. I. T fourteen 
 
274 Tbe Hiftoiy of the Book II. 
 
 fourteen or fifteen) fhould have fome their 
 Hands, and the reft their Thumbs cut off 5 and 
 in this Manner difmifled them, bidding them 
 tell Xicotencal from him, that he was now 
 waiting for him ; and that he fent them alive, 
 that he might not lofc the Informations they 
 carry'd of his Fortifications. 
 
 The Indian Army (that was now march- 
 ing to the Enterprizc) was (truck with Hor- 
 ror at this bloody Spectacle : They flood afto- 
 niftYd, as well at the Novelty, as at the Ri- 
 gour of the Punifhmcnt 5 and Xicotencal 
 more than all the rett at the Difcovery of his 
 Defens 5 this beino; the firft Stroke which 
 touch'd his Mind, and began to ftagger his 
 Refolution; for he was pcrfuaded that thofe 
 Men could not have difcover'd his Spies, and 
 penetrated his Thoughts, witnout the Help of 
 fome Divinity : On which Reflection he be- 
 gan to be troubled, and doubtful which Way 
 he fhould manage > but when he was now 
 inclined to refolve on a Retreat, he found it 
 neceflary, by another Accident; and that which 
 his Obftinacy refufed, was now done with- 
 out his Confent : For at this Time feveral 
 Miniflers arriv'd from the Senate, who, by 
 their Authority, inform'd him, that he muft 
 deliver up his Staff of General 5 for that by 
 reafon of hisDifobedience, and the Infolence 
 of his Anfwers, they had revoked the Power, 
 by Virtue of which he commanded the Arms 
 of the Republick. They alio ordcr'd the 
 Captains njt to obey him, upon Pain of be- 
 ing 
 
 
 
Book IF. Coitquejl of Mexico. 275 
 
 \ ing dcclar'd Traytors to their Country. Now 
 • as this News came immediately on the Back 
 of that Confufion which the difmembring of 
 the Spies had caufed in all, and in Xicoten- 
 cal the Penetration of his Secret, no Man was 
 fo bold as to reply 5 but, on the contrary, all 
 4 fubmitted themfelves to the Commands of 
 the Republick 5 and the Forces, prepared 
 for carrying on the War, difpers'd with ex- 
 traordinary Readinefs; the Caziques marched 
 to their own Lands $ the Tlafcalans took the 
 Road to the City, without expecting farther 
 Orders 5 and Xicotencal, who was now le is 
 rcfolute, thought himfelf happy, that they had 
 taken the Command out of his Hands, and 
 returned to the City 'attended only by his 
 Friends and Relations 5 where he appeared be- 
 fore the Senate, ill covering his Vexation with 
 this Shew of his Obedience. 
 
 The Spaniards were that Night upon the 
 Watch, and rcfted the next Day without be- 
 ing negligent ; for they were not well allured 
 of the Intention of the Enemy, tho' the In- 
 dians that were brought under Contribution 
 affirmed, that the Army was broke up, and a 
 Treaty of Peace rcfolv'd on. They continued 
 thus in Sufpenfe till the next Day in the Morn- 
 ing, when the Ccntinels difcover'd a Troop 
 ;of Indians, who fcem'd to them to come 
 with Burdens on their Backs along the Road 
 of Tlafcala. Hernan Cortes order'd the 
 Centinels to retire to the Place, and let them 
 draw near. At the Head of this Troop came 
 
 T 2 four 
 

 276 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 four Pcrfons . of Rank Well adorn'd, whofe 
 Habit and white Feathers denoted Peace : Be- 
 hind them came their Servants ; and after them 
 twenty or thirty Indian Tamenes loaded with 
 Provisions. From time to time they ftopp'd, 
 as fearful to approach, and made Signs of Re- 
 flect and Humility towards the Quarters : 
 They bowed their Bodies till they touch'd the 
 Earth with their Hands, and then rais'd them- 
 felves, putting them to their Lips ; a Refpeft 
 they only fhew'd to their Princes 5 and being 
 come nearer, they paid their laft Homages 
 with the Smoak of their Cenfers. Then 
 ^onna Marina appeared upon the Wall, and 
 asked them in their Language, From whom, 
 and for what Purpofe they came ? They an- 
 fwer'd, From the Senate andRepublick ofTlaf 
 cala, and to treat of Peace, Upon which 
 they were permitted to enter. 
 
 Hernan Cortes received them wittj 
 proper State and Gravity, and they repeating 
 their Bows and Perfumes, deliver'd their Em- 
 bally, which confided of feveral Excufes foi 
 what had paffed, frivolous, but fufficient ir 
 the main to fhew their Repentance. The) 
 faid, " That the Otomies and Chontales, bar 
 " barous Nations of their Confederacy, hac 
 affembled their Troops, and made War 
 contrary to the Opinion of the Senate 
 whofe Authority had not been able to re 
 u prefs the firft Sallies of their Fiercenefs 
 " but that they were now difarm'd, and tht 
 " Republick very defirous of Peace : Tha 
 
 " the 
 
 i< 
 
 cc 
 
 
Book If. Conqitejt 0/Mexico, 277 
 
 •" they did not only bring with them the 
 u Voice of the Senate, but of the Nobles and 
 li Common People, to requeft that they would 
 iC march prefently with all their Soldiers to 
 " the City, where they might ftay as long as 
 " they pleafed with Security, and where they 
 <c fhould be ferved and refpefted as Children 
 11 of the Sun, and Brothers of their Gods. * 
 And thus they concluded their Difcourfe, 
 without being able handfomely to cover their 
 Artifice in what related to the paft War, but 
 with fome Shew of Sincerity in their Propo- 
 fition of Peace. 
 
 Her nan Cortes a fecond Time af- 
 fefted Severity ; and reftraining his inward 
 Complacency from appearing on his Counte- 
 nance, only anfwer'd, " That they fhould un- 
 f derftand, and tell the Senate from him, that 
 f it was no fmall Demonftration of his Good- 
 ff nefs to admit and hear them, when they 
 P might juftly fear his Indignation as Delin- 
 " quents, and ought to receive Laws, as van- 
 iC quifh'd : That the Peace they propofed was 
 " agreeable to his Inclination 5 but that they 
 ¥ fought it after too unjuft and obftinate a 
 " War to obtain it eafily, or fuddenly : That 
 " he would fee how they perfevered in de- 
 " firing it, and what they did to deferve it : 
 " And in the mean Time, he would endea- 
 ■ c vour to appeafe the Anger of his Captains, 
 <c and footh the Juftice of his Arms 5 fufpend- 
 fC ing the Punifhment with an up-lifted Arm, 
 {C that they might, with their Amendment, 
 T 3 u make 
 
278 The Hiftory of the Bock II. 
 
 " make ufc of what Time there was between 
 cc the Threat and the Blow." 
 
 Cortes anlwcr'd them in this Manner, to 
 gain fome Time to recover of his Indifpofi- 
 tion, and to inquire better into the Sincerity 
 of their Propofal : For which End he thought 
 it nccefiary, that thofe Meflfcngers fhould re- 
 turn doubtful of the Succefs of their Negoti- 
 ation, left the Senate fhould grow proud and 
 backward, by finding him very eafy, or dc- 
 fcous of the Peace; for in this fort of Affairs, 
 that which feems the far theft Way about, is 
 often the fhorteft Cut; and Difficulties well 
 managed, are better than Expedition. 
 
 CHAP. XXL 
 
 Ne<w Ambaffadors co?ne from Motezuma to 
 the Spanifh Quarters, to obfiruci the Teace 
 v:ith Tlafcala. Tkp Senate perfeveres in 
 de firing it ; *#f/Xicotencal takes upon him- 
 felf the Negotiation. . 
 
 THE Fame of the Spaniards increased 
 with thefe Victories ; and Motezuma, 
 who had frequent Accounts of what pafled in 
 Tlafcala, by the Observation of his Miniftcrs, 
 and the Diligence of his Couriers, began to 
 be more apprehenfive of his Danger, when he 
 faw that warlike Nation, which had fo often 
 ^lifted his Armies., fubdu'd and vanquifh'd by 
 
 fo 
 
Book II. Conqueft of 'Mexico. 279 
 
 fo fmall a Number of Men. He greatly ad- 
 mired the A&ions which were reported of 
 thofe Strangers 5 and feared, that when once 
 the Tlafcalans were reduced to their Obedi- 
 ence, they might make ufe of their Rebel- 
 lion, and of their Arms, and aim at greater 
 Matters, to the Damage of his Empire. But 
 it is very remarkable, that in the Midft of fo 
 many Perplexities and Sufpicions, he did not 
 bethink himfclf of his Power, or of forming 
 an Army for his Defence and Security 5 on 
 the contrary, without attempting to afiemble 
 his People, or daring to declare War, (as if 
 with-held by fome fuperior Genius, that over- 
 awed his Spirit) he made ufe of political Arts, 
 and was fluctuating among gentle Means. At 
 this Time he had in view to prevent the Union 
 of the Spaniards and Tlafcalans : and he did 
 not think amifsj for where there wants Refo- 
 lution, Prudence is wont to be very watchful 
 and diligent. To this end, he rcfolv'd to fend 
 a new Embaffy and Prcfent to Cortes. The 
 Pretence was to congratulate him upon the 
 good Succcfs of his Arms, and his aflifting 
 him to chaftife the Infolencc of his Enemies 
 the Tlafcalans 5 but the principal End was, to 
 defire, with new Inftanccs, that he would not 
 think of coming to his Court, laying before 
 him greater Difficulties, which obliged him 
 not to grant Permiflion. The AmbafFadors 
 had fecret Inftruftions to look into the State 
 of the Tlafcalan War, and endeavour (in cafe 
 there was a Talk of Peace, and the Spaniards 
 T 4 feem'd 
 
I 
 
 280 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 fcem'd inclinable to it) to divert and obftruflt 
 the Conclufion, without discovering their 
 Prince's Concern, or quitting their Negotia- 
 tion, till they had given him an Account, and 
 waited his Orders. 
 
 Five Mexicans of the greateft Rank among 
 the Nobility came with this Embafly 5 and tra- 
 velling with feme Circumfpection on the Bor- 
 ders of Tlafcala, arriv'd at the Quarters a lit- 
 tle after the Minifters of the Republick were 
 departed. Hernan Cortes receiv'd them with 
 great Kindncfs and Courtefy 5 for Mote ztirndi 
 Silence had given him fome Uncafmefs. He 
 heard the Embafly gracioufly, and receiv'd the 
 Prefent with Thanks (being worth about a 
 thoufand Pieces of Eight, in feveral Pieces of 
 light Gold, befides other Curiofitics of Fea- 
 thers and Cotton) 5 but did not give them his 
 Anfwcr at that Time, becaufe he was defirous 
 they fhould, before their Departure, fee the 
 Tlafcalans reduced, and defiring Peace 5 nei- 
 ther did they folicit to be difpatch'd, becaufe 
 they alfo defircd to ftay there. But it was 
 not long ere they difcover'd the whole Se- 
 cret of their Inftruftions ; for they told what 
 they fliould have conceal'd, by asking Quefti- 
 ons with little Difcretion 5 and in a fliort Time 
 all Motezuma's Fear was known, as alfo of 
 what Importance the Peace of Tlafcala was, 
 in order to bring him to Reafon. 
 
 The Republick, in the mean time, defiring 
 to convince the Spaniards of their Sincerity, 
 fent Orders to the neighbouring Villages to 
 
 furnifh 
 
Book II. Conquejl of Mexico. 28 c 
 
 Uirnifh the Quarters with Provifions, com- 
 manding them not to receive any Price for 
 them; which was punctually executed, and 
 the Army had Plenty of all Things, the Pea- 
 fants not darins to receive the lcaft Return. 
 Two Days alter they difcover'd on the Road 
 that led to the City a confiderable Troop of 
 Indians, who drew near with the Enfigns of 
 Peace, of which Cortes being advifed, gave 
 Orders to admit them; and in order to re- 
 ceive them, mingled among his own Attcn- 
 dants, the Mexican Ambafiadors, making a 
 Matter ot Confidence of That, which in Rea- 
 lity he was very unwilling they mould be ig- 
 norant of. The Chief oi thefe Tlafcalans 
 was Xicotencal himfelf, who undertook the 
 Charge of treating and concluding this great 
 Affair 5 whether to fatisfy the Senate, by 
 atoning with this Ail ion for his pail Rebellion, 
 or that he was perfuaded Peace was neccilarv, 
 and being ambitious of Glory, did not care 
 that the Good of the Republick Qiouid be 
 owing to another. He was attended by fifty 
 Gentlemen of his Party and Parentage, well 
 drellcd after their Manner. He was of more 
 than a middle Stature, well-made, rather luily 
 than corpulent : His Habit was a white Man- 
 tle, put on after a handfome Manner, with 
 feme jewels in their proper Places: His Face 
 was of no agreeable Proportion, but yet fuch 
 as infufed Helped, and more obftrvabk for its 
 Boldnefs than Deformity. He came before 
 Cortes with the free Air of a Soldier; and 
 
 having 
 
282 The Hiftory of the Book IF- f 00 ' 
 
 having paid his Rcfpefts, took his Seat, told 
 who he was, and began his Speech : " Con- 
 u felling that he was wholly to blame for the 
 <c pad War, believing that the Spaniards were 
 " Favourers of Motezama, whofc Name he 
 <c abhorr'd ; but that now, as the firft Witnefs 
 * of their gallant Actions, he came with the 
 " Merit of a Perfon fubmitting, to put him- 
 " felf into the Hands of his Conqueror ; hope- 
 cc ing by this Submiflion and Acknowledge 
 <c meat, to obtain Pardon for his Rcpublick, 
 <c whofc Name, Power, and Authority he had, 
 <c not to propofc, but with all Submiflion, to 
 ec requcft Peace, and to accept it upon his own 
 cc Terms : That he asked it once, and twice, 
 cc and thrice, in the Name of the Senate, No- 
 u blcs, and Commons of Tlafcala, entreating 
 " him with ail Earncftncfs to honour the City 
 %c immediately with his Prefcncc, where he 
 iC fhould find Quarters provided for all his Men, 
 ce and all the Refpcct and Service he could ex- 
 <c peel: from thofe who, being brave, fub- 
 " mitred to entreat and obey : But he would 
 iC only pray him, (and that not as a Condition 
 <c of the Peace, but as an Aft of his own Good- 
 rc nefs) that the Inhabitants might be well ufed, 
 u and their Gods and Wives protected from 
 IC military Liberty." 
 
 Cortes was fo pleafed with the Difcourfe 
 and Freedom. of Xicotencal, that he could not 
 forbear (hewing it in his Countenance to thofe 
 who flood by; fuffcring himfelf to be carried 
 away by the Rcfpcd due to valiant Men 5 but 
 
 he 
 
Book II. Conquefl of Mexico. 283 
 
 he order'd T>onna Marina to tell him fo, that 
 he might not think it was the Propofal with 
 which he was fo much pleafed 5 and then, re- 
 fuming his Gravity, laid before him, not with- 
 out fome Vehemence, " how little Reafon his 
 " Rcpublick had to make fuch an unjuft War, 
 " or he to fupport fuch a Piece of Injuftice 
 " with fo much Obftinacy." Upon which he 
 enlarged as far as was neceffary, without being 
 tedious, and after having exaggerated the 
 Crime, to enhance the Value of the Pardon, 
 he concluded, " granting the Peace they de- 
 " fired, and promifing that no Violence or 
 u Extortion fhould be committed by the Army 
 " in their March." To which he added, 
 that when he went to their City, he would 
 give them Notice of it in Time, that they 
 might make the neceffary Difpofttions for his 
 Entry and Quarters. 
 
 Xicotencal was much concernd at this 
 Delay, looking on it as a Pretence for the bet- 
 ter examining into the Sincerity of the Treaty : 
 And turning his Eyes upon the Audience, 
 " You have Reafon, (faid he) Great Teules, (fo 
 
 they call'd their Gods) to chaftife our Sin- 
 " ccrity with your Diftruft: But if it be not 
 " fufficient to gain your Belief, when the 
 " whole Republick of Tlafcala fpeaks to you 
 " by me, I, who am the Captain- General of 
 " their Armies, and thefe Gentlemen of my 
 " Retinue, who are the principal Nobles, and 
 " greatcft Captains of my Nation, will remain 
 i: as Hoftages for your Security, and continue 
 
 " in 
 
284 The Hiftory of the Book II. 
 
 u in your Power, or be imprifon d during the 
 " whole Time you fhall ftay in our City." 
 Hernan Cortes was much fatisfy'd with this 
 Offer : But as he always defired to appear m- 
 perior, he anfwer'd, u That there was no Oc- 
 cc cafion for fuch an Argument to convince 
 H him, that they defired that which was fo 
 " much for their Intereft 5 nor did his Men 
 " ftand in need of Hoftages to enter their City 
 cc in Security, and maintain themfelves there 
 " without Fear, as they had already maintained 
 " themfelves in the midft of their Armies ; 
 iC but that the Peace remained firm, and fecur'd 
 cc in his Word 5 and he would march as foon 
 " as he could difpofe Matters for it." With 
 this he broke up the Conference, and waited 
 upon them as far as the Gate of his Quarters, 
 where he again embraced Xicotencal -, and 
 giving him his Hand, told him at parting, 
 " That he would no longer delay the return- 
 " ing of his Vifit, than only the fhort Time 
 " that was neceffary to difpatch the Ambaffa- 
 cc dors of Motezuma. " Which Words gave 
 fufficient Life to the Negotiation, tho* they 
 feem'd to drop by chance. 
 
 He then ftay'd with the Mexicans ; and 
 they made a J eft of the Peace, and of thofc 
 who propos'd it, proceeding fo far as to blame 
 (and not without a difpleafmg Liberty) the 
 Eafinefs with which the Spaniards fuffer'd 
 themfelves to be perfuaded; and turning to 
 Cortes y they told him, as by way of Inftructi- 
 011, " That they much wonderU fo wife a 
 
 " Man 
 
Book II- Conquefl of Mexico. 285 
 
 f Man fhould not have found out the Tlaf 
 
 <c calans y a barbarous People, who fupported 
 
 f themfelves more by their Deceits than their 
 
 " Forces : That he fhould look well to what 
 
 " he was doing; for that they only endea- 
 
 ¥ vour'd to bring him into a carelefs Security, 
 
 \ l that by the Help of that Advantage, they 
 
 f might deftroy both him and his Men ; " but 
 
 when they faw that he flood fixed to his Word, 
 
 declaring that he could not refufe Peace to 
 
 them that defir£d it, nor forget the chief Aim 
 
 and Intention of his Arms, they flood for 
 
 fome Time thoughtful 5 the Refult of which 
 
 was to dcfire him, (their Perfuafton being now 
 
 turned to a Pvequeft) that he would delay his 
 
 March to Tlafcala for fix Days, in which Time 
 
 the two Chiefeft of their Number fhould go 
 
 and inform their Prince of what had paffed, 
 
 and the reft would flay there to expeft his Re- 
 
 folution. To this Hernan Cortes confented \ 
 
 for he did not think it proper to break through 
 
 the Refped due to Motezuma, but rather to 
 
 wait the Succefs of this Expedition, which 
 
 might poflibly remove thofe Difficulties he 
 
 made of fuffering himfelf to be feen. And 
 
 thus he made his Advantage of the Inclinations 
 
 he found in the Tlafcalans and Mexicans, and 
 
 heighten d the Importance of the Peace, caufe- 
 
 ing it to be defir'd by fome, and fear'd by others; 
 
 The End of the Second Book. 
 
 THE 
 
[286] 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 Of the CONQUEST of 
 
 Mexico, or New Spain. 
 
 book III. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 An Account of the Voyage of thofe fent by 
 Cortes into Spain ; with the Oppofition 
 and Impediments that retarded their T>if 
 patches. 
 
 4 
 
 IT is now rcafonablc that we return to the 
 Captains Alonfo Hernandez 'Porto Car- 
 rero and Francifco de Montejo, who fail'd 
 from Vera Cruz with the Prefent, and Letters 
 for the King ; the firft Account, and the firCt 
 Tribute of New Spain, They hadaprofperous 
 Voyage, tho' they might have run a Rifque by 
 not complying literally with their Orders ,- the 
 Interpretation of which very often ruins Affairsj 
 
 and 
 
Boole III. The Hiftory of, &c. 287 
 
 and rarely hits with the Intention of the Su- 
 perior. Francifco de Montejo had a certain 
 Farm allotted for his Share in the Ifland of 
 Cuba, near the Havana ; and when they came 
 in Sight of Cape St. Anton, he propofed to 
 his Companion, and the Pilot Juan de Ala- 
 minos, to put in there, and furnitti thcmfclvcs 
 with fomc Provifions, to help them out in their 
 Voyage : For this Dwelling being fo far from 
 the City of St. J ago, where "Diego Velafquez 
 reftded, they fhould deviate but little from the 
 Subftancc of the Order Cortes had given them, 
 to keep at a Diftancc from Diego Velafquezs 
 Government. He obtained his Defire, and en- 
 joy 'd the Satisfaction of feeing his Home ; but 
 ran the Rifquc of lofing not only the Vcflcl, 
 but alio the Prefent, and the whole Bufincfc 
 with which he was intruded : For Diego Ve- 
 lafquez, whom his Jealoufy of Cortes kept 
 
 , continually watchful, had diftributed Spies 
 among all the Habitations on the Coaft,to give 
 him an Account of whatfoever happen'd, fu- 
 fpe&ing that Cortes would fend fomc of his 
 Ships to the Ifland of St. Domingo, to give an 
 Account of his Difcovery, and ask Succour 
 Df the Religious Governors ; which Applica- 
 ion he was defirous to prevent and obftrud, 
 3y this Means he was prefently acquainted with 
 vvhat paffed in the Dwelling of Montejo , and 
 n a very few Hours difpatched away two light 
 Jailers, well mann'd and furnifh'd with Artil- 
 lery, with Orders to take that Ship of Cortes 
 
 mx all Rifques. This was put in Execution 
 
 with 
 
 I 
 
288 Tbe Bifkory of tbe Book III, 
 
 with fo much Diligence, that the Pilot Ala 
 minos had Occafion for all his Skill, and good 
 Fortune, to avoid the Danger which hazarded 
 all the Advances made in New Spain. 
 
 Bernal Diaz del Castillo reflects 
 with very little Reafon on the Reputation of 
 Francifco de Montejo (worthy of better Treat- 
 ment, both on Account of his Quality and 
 Courage). He charges him with betraying thd 
 Truft which Cortes had repofed in him 5 and 
 fays, he went afhore to his Houfe, with a De- 
 sign to fet afide the Voyage, by giving "Diego 
 Velafquez an Opportunity of feizing the Ship j 
 that he writ him a Letter of Advice, and fent 
 it by a Sailor, who fwam afhore $ and other 
 Circumftances without Foundation; in which 
 he afterwards contradicts himfelf, by mention 
 ing particularly with what Refolution and 
 A&ivenefs Francifco de Montejo opposed the 
 Agents and Favourers of Diego Velafquez, at 
 the Court ; but writes alfo, that the Envoys of 
 Cortef did not find the Emperor in Spain ; 
 and affirms feveral other Matters, by which 
 'tis eafily perceived with what Facility he gavef 
 Ear to every Thing : And 'tis neceflary to read 
 his Works with Caution, where he has not 
 been informed by his own Eyes. In fine, they ; 
 continued their Courfe by the Channel of Ba- 
 hama; Anton de Alaminos being the firft Pi- 
 lot who threw himfelf into the Danger 
 thofc Currents 5 and at that Time there was 
 Occafion for all the Violence with which the 
 Waters precipitate themfclvcs between the 
 
 Lucaian \ 
 
 Pl- 
 ot 
 ,-as 
 
 he 
 
 
Book III Ccnqneftof Mexico. 289 
 
 Lucaian Iflands and Florida, to pafs quickly 
 into the open Sea, and fruftrate the Defigns of 
 Velafquez,. 
 
 Thf; Weather favoured them 5 and they ar- 
 riv'd at Sevil in OEioher, in an unlucky Con- 
 juncture ; for there they found the Chaplain 
 Benito Martin, who came to the Court (as 
 we have faid) to folicit the Intcreft of 'Diego 
 'VelafqueZj to whom he had feat his Commil- 
 fion of the King's Lieutenant, and was wait- 
 ing for a VefTel to return to Cuba. This Ac- 
 cident very much furpriz'd him, and being al- 
 ready introdae'd and known, he made ufe of 
 this Advantage, complaining of Hernan Cor* 
 tes, and thole who came in his Name, before 
 the Miniftcrs of the Contratation (as they now 
 ball it) of the Indies, that is, the Dircdors of 
 pe Trade, declaring, " That the Ship belong'd 
 Hf to his M after 'Diego Velafquez,, together 
 p with all that was in her, as coming from 
 r thofe Countries which he was commiflion'd 
 :< to conquer: That the landing on the Pro- 
 evinces upon the Continent was done by 
 r Stealth, and without Authority 5 Cortes and 
 K thofe with him, having made ufe of that 
 | : Fleet which Diego Velafquez, had equipped 
 -for the fame Enterprize : That the Captains 
 ! Torto Carrero and Montejo ought to be fe- 
 f verely punifhed, or at lealt the Veflel, with 
 her Cargo, ought to be feiz d, till fuch Time 
 as they prov'd their Right, and the Autho- 
 rity of their Commiflion." 'Diego Velaf- 
 uez had many Friends in Sevil s for he was 
 Vol. I. U liberal 
 
29° Tbe Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 liberal in his Prcfcnts; and this is the fame 
 thing as to have Juflice on one's Side, at leaft 
 in doubtful Cafes, where the Judgment com- 
 monly follows the Inclination. The Chap- 
 lain's Charge was admitted, and the Vefiel 
 feiz'd, the Envoys of Cortes being permitted 
 {as a confiderable Grace) to refortto the King. 
 
 With this Permiflion the two Captains, 
 and the Pilot Alaminos, departed for Barce- 
 lona, believing they fhould find the Court in 
 that City; but they came juft as the King was I 
 gone to Corunna, whither he had fummon'd i 
 the Eftates of Caftile, and where he had pre- i 
 par'd his Navy to pafs over into Flanders y have- 
 tag now been fome Time prefs'd by the Ger- 
 mans to accept of the Imperial Crown. They 
 did not think fit to follow the Court, to avoid \ 
 being obliged to difcourfe in hafte on a Mati 
 ter of fuch Importance, which in the Hurrjn 
 of the Journey, would make little Impreflionj 
 by irs furprizing Novelty, and not be duly! 
 confider'd. Upon which Rcfle&ion they toofci 
 the Road of Medellin, with a Defign to vifit 
 Mart in Cortes, and try if they could perfuadev 
 him to go with them to the Prefence of thclf; 
 King, and authorize by his grey Hairs the In-j 
 (lances of his Son. They were received by 
 that venerable old Man with all the Tender- 
 nefs they could exped from a troubled and dif- 
 confolate Father, who had already bewail'dthe 
 Death of a Son, in whom now he found, to- 
 gether with the News of his Life, as much tc 
 
 admire 
 
Bock III. Conquefi of Mexico. 29 r 
 
 admire in his Aftions, as to celebrate in his 
 
 Fortune. 
 He determined to go prefently with them 5 
 
 and being informed that the Emperor (for fo 
 
 we fhall call him now) would make fome Stay 
 I 'in Tordefillas to take Leave of his Mother, the 
 
 Queen T>onna Juana, and difpatch fome Af- 
 , fairs relating to his Journey, they there at- 
 f tended his Coming, and had their firft Audi- 
 1 fence, being favoured by an opportune Aeci? 
 Ijdent j for the Minifters at Sevil not daring to 
 ; detain, by way of Embargo, what came on 
 • account of the Emperor, it happened that Cor- 
 \tess . Prcfent, and the Indians of the new 
 IfConqueft, arriv'd at the fame Time. This oc^ 
 -Itcafion'd the furprizing things which they re- 
 lltated to be the better heard ; for thofe Curiofi- 
 !«ties of Gold, valuable for the Art, as well as 
 
 I Matter, the curious fine Works of leathers 
 
 . I fond Cotton, and thofe rational Creatures of 
 llfuch extraordinary Phyftognomy, that they 
 : ( ilooked like Men of another Species, were fo 
 vfinany other Teftimonies to make their won- 
 derful Account bcliev d. 
 
 I I The Emperor heard them very gracioufly ; 
 :.£ and the firft Motion of his Royal Mind waste 
 :. -turn to God, and give him humble Thanks, 
 
 that new Kingdoms were difcover'd in his 
 
 Time, where he might introduce his holy 
 
 :: Name, and fpread the Gofpel. He had feve- 
 
 ral Conferences with them, and informed him- 
 
 ■•; x felf very carefully of the Affairs of that new 
 
 &jj World, of the Dominions and Forces of Mo- 
 
 U 2 tez;uma y 
 
292 The Hi ft of y of the Boot III. 
 
 tezuma, and of the Quality and Capacity of 
 Cortes. He asked the Pilot Alaminos fome 
 Queftions concerning the Navigation, and or- 
 der'd the Indians fhould be carried to Sevil, 
 that they might preferve their Healths better 
 in a more temperate Climate 5 and by what 
 could be gathered at that Time of his good 
 Difpofitioil to encourage that Undertaking, his 
 Refolvcs would have been ihort and favourable, 
 if he had not been taken up with other Af- 
 fairs of the utmoft Importance. 
 
 There came Letters every Day from the Ci- 
 ties, with Propofitions little refpectful. Ca- 
 ftile complained that her Cortes were oblig'd 
 to aflemble in Galicia 5 the Kingdom was jea- 
 lous of the King's Regard for the Empire, 
 their Profeflions of Obedience were mixed 
 with Proteftations --, and, in fhort, by little and 
 little, the Seed of Rebellion began to take 4 
 Root among the People. They all loved the 
 King, and all loft their Refpeft : They were 
 troubled at his Abfence, and lamented the 
 Want of him ; and this natural Love, con- 
 verted into Paffion, or not well govern'd, in a 
 fhort Time threatened the Lofs of his Domi- 
 nion. The Emperor refolv'd to haften his 
 Journey, that he might be at a Diftance from 
 their Complaints; and he put it in Execution 
 accordingly, believing he fhould return in a 
 fhort Time, and then, without much Difficulty, 
 corred thofe ill Humours he left in Motion. 
 The Succefs was anfwcrable to his Expe&a- 
 
 
 tions : but tho* we confider the high Motives 
 
 which 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 Hi 
 
 s 
 
 It 
 
 
Book IIF. Conqueft of Mexico- 293 
 
 which oblig'd him to take that Voyage, we 
 cannot but acknowledge, he ran a very great 
 Rifque. And, in Truth, he confiders but lit- 
 tle his Health, who runs into Exccffcs, upon a 
 Supposition that he ftiall find Remedies in Time 
 of Nccellity. 
 
 Upon Account of thefe Difturbanccs, the 
 Demand of Cortes was referred to Cardinal 
 Adrian and the Affembly of Prelates andMi- 
 nifters, who were of his Council in the Go- 
 vernment, during the Abfence of the Em- 
 peror, with Orders, that after a Hearing be- 
 fore the Council of the Indies, they fnould 
 :ake a Medium with Regard to the Pretentions 
 if 'Diego Velafquez, and encourage the Dif- 
 'isovcry and fpiritual Conqueft of that Country, 
 which now was known by the Name of New 
 Spain. 
 
 I The Prefident of this Council (which was 
 lornVd ibme few Days before) was Juan Ro- 
 driguez de Fonfeca Bifhop of Burgos, affifted 
 m Hernando de Vega Lord of Grajal, "Don 
 prancifco Zapata, Don Antonio de Tadilla 
 of the Royal Council, and Tedro de Martir 
 )f Angler ia, Protonotary ofAragon. The Pre- 
 sident was very well skill'd in the Affairs of 
 die Indies, of which he had had the Manage- 
 ment a long while, and all gave Way to his 
 Authority and Experience. He openly fa- 
 /our'd Diego Velafquez, either for that the 
 Chaplain s Reafons weighed with him, or elfe 
 or the good Opinion he had of the Governor. 
 Bernal Diaz del Caftillo relates the Caufe of 
 
 U 3 this 
 

 294 Tb e Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 this Partiality with a tedious Indecency. But 
 as. he only fays what he heard, 'tis likely there 
 is little or nothing in it. That which cannot 
 be denied is, that the Caufe of Cortes fuffer'd 
 much by what he urged againft him, giving 
 an ill Name to his Conqueft, and treating it 
 as a Crime of evil Confequcnce : He repre- 
 sented, that "Diego Velafquez, by Virtue of 
 the Title given him by the Emperor, was Chief 
 of the Undertaking, and in jufticc, of the 
 Means by which it was profecuted : Kc urg'd 
 the little Reliance there was on a Man in Re- 
 bellion againft his own Superior, and how 
 much fuch Principles of Sedition ought to be 
 fear 'd in Provinces fo remote : He protcfted 
 the Damages which might enfue : And, in 
 fine, preSs'd his Remonftrances with fo much 
 Vigour, that he put both the Cardinal, and 
 thofe of the Affembly to a Stand. They were 
 very icnfible, that he appear 'd over zealous in 
 the Caufe of Velafqtiez, j yet they would not 
 prefume to determine fo important a Point 
 againft fo able a Minifter .; nor did they hold 
 it convenient to give Cortes Occafion of Dis- 
 content, when he was fo employed, and when 
 they were in Truth obligd to him for thii 
 greateft Difcovery that had been made. Thefe 
 Doubts and Oppofitions fo retarded their Re- 
 solution, that the Emperor returned from his 
 journey, and other Agents arrived from Cor 
 ~tes, before they came to any Determination 
 upon his Pretenfions. All that Martin Cortes 
 I his Friends could obtain, was, an Allow- 
 
 ance 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 295 
 
 ance of fome Part of the Treafure for their 
 Expences, out of thofe EfFefts which were 
 fciz'd at Sevil , with which moderate Supply 
 they were two Years in the Court, following 
 the Councils, like unregarded Pretenders 5 the 
 Intereft of the Monarchy at that Time being 
 made a private Affair, contrary to the many 
 Inftances, where private Intereft is made that 
 of the Publick. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Motezuma endeavours to break the Teace of 
 
 Tlafcala. The ^People of that Repiblick 
 
 continue their Inftances. Hernan Cortes 
 
 pirfites his March, and makes his Entry 
 
 into that City, 
 
 DURING the fix Days that Hernan Cor- 
 tes continued in his Quarters to comply 
 with the Mexicans, it was known by frcfh 
 Experience, with what Earneftnefs the People 
 of Tlafcala defir'd Peace; and how jealous 
 they were of the diligent Negotiations of Mo- 
 tezuma. The Ambafiadors, which were ex- 
 pected, came within the prefixed Time, and 
 were receivd with the ufual Civility. There 
 came fix Gentlemen of the Royal Family, with 
 a very fplendid Attendance, and another Pre- 
 fent like the former, but fomething greater in 
 Value. One of them fpoke, and (not with- 
 
 U 4, out 
 
296 The Hiftoiy of the Book III. 
 
 out premedatcd Words, and Exaggerations) laid 
 before hirn, " How much the fupreme Emperor 
 *? (and at the mentioning of his Name, they 
 6< all humbled themfeives very low) dcfired to 
 cc be a Friend and Confederate of the Great 
 u Prince, whom the Spaniards obcy'd ; whofc 
 " Majcfty appear'd with fo great a Luftre in 
 cc the Valour of his Subjects, that he found 
 iC himfelf inclined to pay a yearly Tribute, di- 
 " viding with him thofe Riches with which ; 
 " he abounded 5 for that he held him in great 
 IC Veneration, confidcring him as the Off- 
 u fpring of the Sun, or, at; lcaft, Lord of all 
 " thofe mod happy Regions, where Light is 
 " firft produced. Cut that two Conditions ; 
 " were ncccfiarily previous to this Agreement: 
 " Firft, that Her nan Cortes and his People 
 " fhould make no League with thofe of Tlaf- 
 " cala ; for that it would by no Means be 
 cc right, after being fo much obliged by the 
 cc Gifts of Motezuma, to take part with his 
 cc Enemies ; and, fecondly, that they fhould < 
 < c lay afide all Thoughts of marching to 
 " Mexico, a Dcfign which was neither pof- 1 
 " fible nor reafonable ; for that by the Laws 
 cc of the Empire, the King could not fuf- i 
 €i fer himfelf to be fecn by Strangers, nor 
 u would his Subjects permit it: That they 
 iC fhould fcriouflv confider the Dangers 
 <c of both thofe rafrt Undertakings ; for 
 " that the Tlafcalans were fo inclined to 
 iC Treachery and Robbery, that they would 
 *< only endeavour to bring them into a 
 
 '< frlfc . 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico, tgj 
 
 " falfc Security, in order to be revenged, 
 r and to fcize that Gold, wherewith the Em- 
 
 S lc pcror had enriched them; And that the 
 " Mexicans were fo zealous for their Laws, 
 cc and fo ftubborn a People, that his Authority 
 lc would not be fufficient to reftrain them > 
 u nor could the Spaniards have juft Reafon 
 " to complain of what they fhould fufter, 
 " after they had been fo often admonifhed 
 cc of the Danger." Thus did the Mexican 
 deliver himfelf 5 and all the Embaffies and 
 Cares of Motezuma tended to hinder the 
 Spaniards from coming nearer. After the 
 I Prcfagcs which had happened, he looked upon 
 them with Horror ; and feigning Obcdiefice 
 It to his Gods, made that a Point of Religion 
 : which was only his Faintheartednefs. Cortes 
 at that Time fufpended his Anfwer,- and only 
 r laid, " Twas but reafonable they fhould reft 
 I " after their Journey, and that he would dif- 
 " patch them very foon/' He defired they 
 fhould be Witneffcs of the Peace oiTlafcala > 
 and likewife thought it of Importance to de- 
 tain them, left Motezuma fhould be imaged 
 I; at the Account of his Refolution, and begin 
 to put himfelf upon his Guard; for he knew 
 how unprovided he was at that Time, and 
 with what Facility he could form his Armies. 
 
 These Embailies, to which the Tlafcalans 
 attributed the Delay of Cortes, gave them fo 
 much Uncafmefs, that the Government came 
 to a Refolution (as the laft Proof of their 
 Affc&ion) to go to his Quarters in the Form 
 
 of 
 
298 TbeUiRoryoftbs' Book III. 
 
 of a Senate, in order to conduct him to their 
 City, determining not to return till they had 
 convinced him of the Sincerity of their Treaty, 
 and. broke off the Negotiations of the Mexi- 
 cans. The Appearance was folemn and nume- 
 rous, with Ornaments and Feathers of a Colour 
 denoting Peace. The Senators were brought 
 m Chairs upon the Shoulders of inferior Offi- 
 cers $ and in the mod honourable Rank Ala- 
 gifcatziriy (who always favoured the Spani- 
 ards) and the Father of Xicotencal, a vene- 
 rable old Man, who had loft his Sight with 
 Age, but without any Detriment to his Un- 
 derstanding; for he (till preferred the Cha- 
 racter of a wife Man among the Counfellors, 
 A little before they came to the Houfe where 
 Cortes expected them, they alighted; and the 
 blind Man advancing foremoft, deftred thofe 
 who led him to bring him near the Captaift 
 of the Eaftcrn People. He embraced him with 
 extraordinary Satisfaction 5 then touched ieve- 
 ral Parts of him, as if he were dcfirous to 
 know him, and fupply with his Hands the 
 Defect of his Sight. They all fcatcd them- 
 iclvcs, and at the Requeft of Magi feat zin> the 
 blind Man fpoke after this Manner: 
 
 " Now, valiant Captain, (whether you be 
 cc of mortal Race, or not) you hold in your 
 <c Power the Senate of Tlafcala, the utmoft 
 cc Proof of our Submiilion. We come not 
 <c to excufe the Errors of our Nation, but to 
 lc take them upon ourfeives, depending upon 
 " our own Sincerity for your Forgivenefs. 
 
 « Wc 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 299 
 
 f We were the Men who refolved upon the 
 I War; but we are likewifc the Men who 
 " have determined Peace: The firft was hafty, 
 " and the fecond flow; but Refolutions well 
 8 confidercd are not ufually the worft : On 
 I the Contrary, it requires Pains to efface 
 " that which hath been imprefled with Diffi- 
 I cultyj and I can affure you, that the very 
 I Delay hath given us a greater Knowledge 
 fc of your Valour, and laid a deeper Founda- 
 cc tion of our Conftancy. We are not igno- 
 I rant, that Motezuma endeavours to dif- 
 ¥ fuade you from our Confederacy : Hearken 
 <c to him as you would to our Enemy, if you 
 p will not confider him as a Tyrant, as 
 f furely he fhould appear, fince he perfuades 
 lc you to ad unjuftly. We do not defire 
 tc your Affiftance againft him, for provided 
 <c you are not on his Side, our own Forces 
 K are fufficient ; and we fhall only be forry 
 I that you truft your Security to his Offers, 
 p becaufe we are acquainted with his Artifices 
 I and Subtikies. Here in my Blindnefs fome 
 r Lights offer themfelves, which difcover to 
 f me your Danger at a Diftance. Perhaps 
 " Tlafcala fhall be famous in the World for 
 " the Defence of your Caufe; but let us leave 
 p your being undeceived to Time, it needs 
 " no Prophecy to explain what may be fo ea- 
 ;. " fily gathered from his Tyranny, and our 
 " Fidelity. You have already offered us Peace ; 
 * c if Motezuma does not hinder you, what 
 f € is it that does? Why do you deny our ear- 
 
 " ncft 
 

 3 oo The Hiftory of the Boole III. 
 
 4< neft Requeffs? Why do you forbear to' 
 iC honour our City with your Prefence? We 
 ci are come refolved at once to gain your 
 ** good Will and Confidence, or put our 
 " Liberty into your Hands; therefore chufe 
 <c which of the two is the moft grateful. Asr 
 * c to ourlclves there is no Medium between 
 " the two Fortunes, of being cither your 
 tc Friends, or your Prifoners." 
 
 Thus did the venerable old Man conclude 
 his Speech, that there might not be wanting 
 an Appius Claudius in this Council, like to 
 the Other, who made an Oration in the Se- 
 nate againft the Epirotes--, and it muft be con- 
 fefled, that the Tlafcalans were Men of more 
 than ordinary Reafon, as has appeared in 
 their Government, Actions, and Difcourfcs. 
 Some Writers, ill affected to the Spantflo Na- 
 tion, treat the Indians as Brutes incapable of 
 Reafon, thereby to leflen the Glory of the 
 Conqucft. It is true, they admired with 
 Simplicity at the Sight of Men of another 
 Kind, Colour, and Habit 5 they beheld a 
 Beard as a Thing monftrous, (Nature having 
 denied it them); they gave Gold for Glafs 5 and 
 belicv'd Fire- Arms to be Lightning, and Horfes 
 to be wild Beafts : But all was the Effect of 
 Novelty, which does not leflen the Under- 
 standing; for tho' Admiration fuppoles Igno- 
 rance, it does not fuppofe Incapacity $ nor can 
 that properly be called Ignorance which pro- 
 ceeds from a Want of due Information. God 
 made them ratioi;al; and notwithstanding he" \ 
 ... . permitted 
 
 
Book III. Conijiiejl of Mexico, jot 
 
 permitted their Blindnefs, he did not the lefs 
 endow them with all the Capacity and Gifts 
 of Nature, that were neceflary for the Pre- 
 fervation of their Species, and the Perfection 
 of his own Work. But let us return to our 
 Narration, left we fhould do Honour to the 
 Calumny, by being too long upon the Defence, 
 Cortes could not refift this Demonftra- 
 tion of the Senate's good Will 5 nor did he 
 now hope for any Thing more, the Time 
 offered to the Mexicans being pafs'd: He 
 therefore anfwered the Senators with muck 
 Rcipcd, and made them fome Prefents, de- 
 ftring by thofe to confirm to them the Satii- 
 fadion he received, and the Confidence he 
 put in them. It was neceflary to ufe fome 
 Refolution and Authority to perfuade them 
 to return; which at length he effected, after 
 'having given his Word to remove his Quar- 
 ters to the City immediately, without any 
 more Delay than was neceflary to aflemble 
 fome People of the neighbouring Villages* 
 to conduct his Artillery and Baggage. They 
 took his Word, making him repeat it to them, 
 more out of Affedion than Sufpicion, and fo 
 rcturn'd well fatisfy'd, taking upon thcmfelves 
 the Care of fending Cortes a fufficient Num- 
 ber of Indians of Burden 5 and fcarce had 
 the Sun begun to fhine the next Morning, 
 when the Spaniards found five hundred Ta- 
 tnenes at their Quarters, fo officious to ferve, 
 that they difputed about their Burdens, and 
 made Pretentions to their own Labour. 
 
 Prepa- 
 
302 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Preparations were immediately made 
 for the March $ and the Men being drawn up 
 in a Body, with the Artillery and Baggage 
 in their proper Places, they took the Road of 
 Tlafcala, with all the good Order, Caution, 
 and Care ufually obferved in this little Army ; 
 to which exadt Difcipline they owed good 
 Part of their Succefs. The Fields on both 
 Sides were filled with innumerable Indians^ 
 who came forth from their Habitations at the 
 Novelty of this Sight ^ and the Outcries and 
 Behaviour of them were fuch, as might have 
 palled for the Clamours and Threatnings of 
 War, if 'Donna Marina had not acquainted 
 the Spaniards ', that they were accultomed in 
 that Manner to exprefs their Joy upon their 
 Fefdvals; and that celebrating, after their 
 Fafhion, the Happinefs they had obtained, they 
 blclt and praifed their new-acquired Friends; 
 with which Information the Noife was the 
 better borne : Patience being neceffary at that 
 Time to fuffer Applaufe. 
 
 The Senators came a confiderable Way 
 out of the City to receive the Spaniards ', 
 with all the Oftentation and Pomp cuftomary 
 upon publick Solemnities, attended by the 
 Nobles, who thought it an Honour, on thole 
 Occasions, to affift, the Miniliers of the Re- 
 publick. When they came up, they made 
 their Reverences, and without farther Hopping, 
 turn'd about and march'd before; fignifying 
 by this hafty Reiped, how much they defired 
 
 to 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 303 
 
 to forward the March, without detaining thofi; 
 they accompanied. 
 
 At their Entrance into the City, it re- 
 founded with Shouts and Acclamations, a 
 much greater Noife than before, becaufe mixed 
 • with the difagrceable Mufick of their Flutes, 
 Drums, and Horns. So great was the Con- 
 ■courfe of People, that the Officers of the Se- 
 nate had much Trouble to manage the Mul- 
 titude, that the Paffage of the Street might be 
 left free. The Women threw various Sort^> 
 of Flowers on the Spaniards -■> thofe who 
 were bolder, and lefs referved, drew n^ar, 
 ;;and put the Flowers into their Hands. The 
 Priefts, dragging after them their long Gaiv 
 waients in which they facrificed, came out 
 1 with their Copper Cenfers, and without know- 
 ing whether they did Right or Wrong, ex- 
 sprefs'd their Applaufe by the Smoke. They 
 all (hewed in their Countenances the Since- 
 1 rity of their Hearts, but varioufly affe&cd, 
 for Admiration and Satisfaction were mix'd 
 i together, and Joy was tempered with Vene- 
 ration. The Quarters provided, which con- 
 j rained all Things neceffar y for their Conveni- 
 ency, and good Entertainment, was the beft 
 Houfe in the City, which had three qr four 
 fpacious fquare Courts, with fo many, and 
 fuch large Chambers, that Cortes, without 
 : any Difficulty, kept all his People together 
 there in one Body. He carried with him the 
 Ambaffadors of Motezuma> though they, were 
 unwilling, and lodged theni near himfclf j 
 
 becauie 
 
304 The Hiftory of the Boole III. 
 
 becaufe their Perfons were fecure under his 
 Protection, and they feemed afraid of fomc 
 Violence. 
 
 The Entry into, ahd lad Reduction of 
 Tlafcala, was on the Twenty-third of Sep- 
 tember of the fame Year ifip; a Day on 
 which the Spaniards gained a Peace, with the 
 Cir omittances of a Triumph, fo durable, and 
 of fo great Confequence for the Conqueft of 
 New Spain, that to this Day they enjoy fevc- 
 ral Privileges and Exemptions in that Province, 
 as a Reward of that firft Friendfhip ; an ho- 
 nourable Monument of their anticnt Fidelity. 
 
 CHAP. IIL 
 
 The T>efcription of the City 0/TlafcaIa. The 
 Senators complain of the Spaniards going 
 armed, being grie-ved at their c Dijtruft. 
 Cortes jatisfies them 3 and endeavours to 
 make them quit their Idolatry. 
 
 r ~PL ASC A L A was in thofe Days a very 
 -* populous City, founded upon four Emi- 
 nences of different Largencfs , little diftant 
 from each other : they ran in Length from Eaft 
 to Weft, and fecure in the natural Strength 
 of their Rocks, contained within them all the 
 Buildings 5 forming four Commands, or di- 
 ftind Wards, which were united, and had a 
 Communication by feveral Streets with very 
 thick Walls, which ferved as a Defence to 
 
 the 
 
Book III. Coftquefi 0/Mexico, 305 
 
 the Town. Thefe Wards were governed by 
 four Caziques, who held them as Fiefs, (being 
 defcended from the firft Founders) but de- 
 pended on the Senate ; in which they com- 
 monly affiftcd, yet under an entire Subjection 
 to its Orders in all State-Affairs, and Appeals 
 made to it by their VafTals. The Houfes 
 were raifed moderately high, for they had no 
 fecorid Story : The Building was of Stone, of 
 Brick $ and inftead of cooping Roofs of 
 Tiles, they were flat at the Top with Galleries* 
 The Streets were narrow and crooked, as the 
 Steepncfs and Ruggedn.cfs of the Mountain 
 would allow : A very extraordinary Situation 
 ,md Architecture, more for Defence than 
 Commodioufnefs. 
 
 The whole Province was about fifty Leagues 
 
 in Circumferences the Length, ten from Eaft 
 
 o Weft 5 the Breadth, four from North to 
 
 >outh. A broken mountainous Country, but 
 
 >ery fertile, and well cultivated in all Parts, 
 
 vhere the Plenty of Streams enabled them to 
 
 mprove the Land. It was furrounded on all 
 
 '-ides with Provinces depending onMotezumai 
 
 'illy oil the North, the gfeat Cordillera, or 
 
 vidge of Mountains, rather clos'd them in, 
 
 aan divided their Limits; by whole inac- 
 
 effible Craggs they had Communication with 
 
 le OtomieSy Tdtonab[ues y and other barbarous 
 
 lations of their Confederacy. The Towns 
 
 v cre many, and near to each other: The 
 
 eople from their Childhood inclined to Super- 
 
 , ition, and the Ufe of Arms ; in the Manage- 
 
 ; Vol. L X meat 
 
 1 
 
; 06 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 ment of which they exercifed thcmfelvcs with 
 great Emulation, whether it was the Climate 
 or Neceffity that made them valiant. They 
 abounded in Maiz, or Indian Wheat; and 
 this Grain fo well anfwered the Labour of 
 the Husbandman, that it gave the whole Pro- 
 vince the Name of Tlafcala, a Word which, 
 in their Language, fignifics the Land of Bread. 
 They had great Variety of Fruit, and very 
 delicious; Game of all Sorts; and one of 
 their plentiful Produ&ions, was the Cochi* 
 nilla, the Ule of which they underftood not 
 till they were taught it by the Spaniards. It 
 is likely it was fo call'd from the Coccinean y 
 or Scarlet Grain, whence our Grana or Scar- 
 let-Dye likewife took its Name; but in 
 thefe Parts it is a kind of Infect, like a 
 fmallWorm, which is bred and continues 
 the laft upon the Leaves of a wild thorny 
 Tree, which they called then the wild Tuna, 
 or the JVood-Thiflle. Now they take great 
 Care of it, as of a Fruit-Tree, as owing the 
 greateft Commerce and Profit to the precious 
 Dve of thofe Worms, nothing inferior to the 
 Purple difcovcred by the Antients in the 
 Blood of the Murex, fo much celebrated for 
 being us'd in the Robes of their Kings. 
 
 But the natural Felicity of this Country 
 was not without an Allay; for the Neighbour- 
 hood of the Mountains made it fubject to 
 great Tempers, horrible Hurricanes, and fre- 
 quent Inundations of the River Zahual> which 
 not contented fome Years with the Deftru&ion 
 
 of 
 
 
Book lit tonquefi of Mexico. 307 
 
 of their Harveft, and taking away Trees by 
 the Roots, was wont to endanger Hou fes on 
 the Tops of Eminencies. , Tis faid, that Za~ 
 hualy in their Language, fignifies the River of 
 the Itch\ for that thofe who drank the Wa- 
 ters, or bath'd in them, were cover'd with 
 that Diftemper; a fecond Malignity of the 
 River. Nor was the want of Salt the leaft 
 Misfortune that Tlafcala fufFer'd, which made 
 them difrelifh all their Abundance 5 and tho' 
 they might have brought it eafily from the 
 'Lands of Motezuma, in Exchange for their ■ 
 \ Wheat, they held it lefs inconvenient to eat 
 their Vi&uals without feafoning, than to have 
 an open Commerce with their Enemies. 
 
 Thes£, and other Obfervations of their 
 Government, (which indeed were remarkable » 
 in that unpolifh'd People) caufed Admiration 
 in the Spaniards ', and made them ad with 
 Caution. Cortes diflemblcd his Apprehen- 
 sions, but continued the Guards in his Quar- 
 ters; and when he went out into the City 
 with the Indians, he took Part of his Men 
 with him, not forgetting their Eire-Arms. 
 The Soldiers alfo went together in Com- 
 ' panics, and with the fame Precaution; all en- 
 deavouring to exprefs a Confidence in their 
 new Allies, yet after fuch a Manner as to have 
 no Appearance of Careleflhefs.' But the In- 
 Hans, who defired the Friendship of the Spa- 
 niards without any Artifice or Affettation, 
 were grieved upon a Point of Honour, that 
 
 I "hey did not lay afide their Arms, and give 
 X 2 entire 
 
3<o8 The Hiftoiy of the Book lit 
 
 entire Credit to their Fidelity ; a Point 
 which was debated in the Senate 5 by whole 
 Order, Magifcatztn came to fignify their 
 Opinion to Cortes '; and layed before him, 
 u How unfuitable thofe warlike Precautions 
 " were in a Place, where all were fubjecl, 
 " obedient, and defirous to pleafe; that the 
 " great Vigilance with which the Spaniards 
 <c lived in their Quarters, fhewcd how little 
 a they thought themfelves fecure; and that 
 <c the Soldiers, who palled thro* the City with 
 <c Lightning always upon their Shoulders, 
 €i tho' they did no Hurt, offended more by 
 " that Diftruft, than if they really committed 
 " Violences." He added, " That Arms fhould 
 €t be looked upon as an ufelefs Load, where 1 
 cc they were not necefiary $ and appeared ill 
 " among thofe who were fincerely Friends,. 
 u and difafmed:" And concluded, intreating. 
 Cortes 3 after a moft friendly Manner, in the I 
 Name of the Senate, and all the City, " That 
 " he would command thofe Precautions, 
 " and difagreeable Appearances to ceafe^ 
 "' which feemed to preferve Signs of an un- 
 " fininYd War, or were, at lcaft,, Indications 
 " of a fcrupulous Friendfhip." 
 
 Cortes anfwered him, " That he was 
 u well fatisfied of the Good-will of the People 
 €t of T/afcala, and without the lcaft Sufpicion, 
 " that any Thing could happen in Breach of 
 " that Peace, which they had fo much defired, 
 " that the Guards kept, and the Vigilancy ob- 
 " fcrved in his Quarters, were conformable 
 
 to 
 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico* 309 
 
 " to the Cuftom of his Country, where the 
 " Soldiers lived always after a military Man- 
 u ner, and enured themfelves in Times of 
 " P.eace to the Fatigues of War, by which 
 " Means they learned Obedience, and were 
 " accuftomed to Vigilance : That their Arms 
 " were an Ornament, and Part of their Ha- 
 " bit, which they wore as a Piece of Finery 
 " belonging to their Profeffionj for which 
 " Reafon he defired them to remain aflured 
 -" of his Fricndfhip, and that they would not 
 ■" think ftrange of thofe Things which were 
 " proper to the Soldiery, and confident with 
 f the P.eace he had made with their Nation/ 5 
 He found the Way to fatisfy his Friends, 
 without abating any Part of his Caution y 
 $nd Magifcatziriy a Man of a warlike Spirit, 
 who had in his Youth commanded the Arms 
 of the Republick, was fo well pleafed with 
 this laudable Cuftom, that he not only re- 
 turned without Complaint, but was defirous 
 to introduce into their own Armies this Kind 
 of Vigilance and Difcipline, which diftin- 
 guifhed and made good Soldiers. 
 
 With this Account the People were 
 quieted, and all affifted the Spaniards with a 
 diligent Obfequioufnefs, and even Servitude. 
 Every Day difcovered more of their good 
 Will. Their Prcfents were many, all Sorts 
 of wild Fowl, and extraordinary Fruits, with 
 fome Cloaths, and Curiofities of little Value. 
 However, it was the beft the Penury of thole- 
 Mountains could afford, which debarred them 
 
 X 3 the 
 
3 io The Hiftory of th$ Book III. 
 
 the Commerce of thofe Regions which pro- 
 duced Gold and Silver. 
 
 The belt Hall of the Quarters was referved 
 for a Chapel i in which, upon certain Steps, 
 was raifed an Altar, and fome Images placed 
 with all poffible Decency. The holy Sacri- 
 fice of the Mafs was celebrated every Day in 
 the Prefence of the principal Indians, who 
 were filent either out of Refpect, or Admira- 
 tion; and tho' they were not devout them- 
 felves, they took Care not to dilturb the De- 
 votion of others. They remarked all that 
 palled ; every Thing was new and furprifing 
 to them, and caufed greater Eltecm of the 
 Spaniards ; whofe Virtues they were fen- 
 fible of and reverenced, rather for that they 
 make themfelves be loved, than that the hi- 
 dians either knew the Names, or exerciied 
 any of them. 
 
 One Day Magifcatzin asked Cortes , 
 " Whether he was mortal \ For {f aid he ) your 
 " Actions, and thofe of your People, fecm 
 " more than natural, and to have that Sort 
 u of Goodnefs and Greatnefs in them, which 
 " we attribute to our Gods: But I do not un- 
 ec derftand thofe Ceremonies, with which you 
 u appear to acknowledge a Superior Deity 5 
 '■ for you make Preparations for a Sacrifice, 
 cc yet I do not perceive any Viftim or Offer- 
 u ing with which to appeale the Gods; nor 
 <c do I underltand how there can be a Sacrifice, 
 iC unlefs fome one dies for the fake of the 
 iC reft." Cortes took hold of this Opportu- 
 nity: 
 
Book HI. Conqueft of Mexico. 3 1 1 
 
 nity 5 and fatisfying his Queftions, ingenuoufly 
 confeffcd," That his Condition, and that of 
 " his People, was mortal 5" for he durft not 
 temporize with the miftaken Notions of thofe 
 People, when the infallible Truth of his Re- 
 ligion was in Queftion. But he added, " That 
 " as they were born in a better Climate, 
 " they had more Underftanding, and were of 
 "greater Strength than the reft of Men -" 
 and without admitting the Attribute of Im- 
 mortal, he remained with the Reputation of 
 Invincible. Cortes told him likewife, " That 
 f they not only acknowledged a Superior in 
 I* Heaven, where they adored the only Lord 
 " of the Univerfe 5 but were likewife Subjects 
 I and Vaflals to the greateft Monarch upon 
 f Earth, under whofe Dominion, they alfo 
 I of Tlafcala then were; fince being Bro- 
 I thers to the Spaniards, they could do no 
 1 other than obey the fame Prince/' He im- 
 mediately from that went on to difcourfe of 
 the Point moft eflential; and tho* he fpoke 
 mod fervently againft Idolatry, finding in his 
 own good Senfe, fufficient Foundation to op- 
 pofc and deftroy the Multiplicity of their 
 Gods, and the abominable Horror of their Sa- 
 crifices; yet when he came to touch upon the 
 Myfteries of Faith, he thought they deierved a 
 better Expofitor; and as he knew when to 
 be filent, he then gave an Opportunity to 
 Father Bartolome de Olmedo to fpeak. That 
 Religious Perfon endeavoured to bring them 
 by Degrees to the Knowledge of the Truth, 
 explaining like a learned and prudent Man 
 
 X 4 the 
 
312 The Hiftory of the Book 111. 
 
 the principal Points of the Chriftian Religion, 
 after fuch a Manner, that he might gain the 
 Will, without overcharging the Underftand- 
 ing ; for 'tis by no Means convenient to ftrike 
 With a Blaze of Light upon the Eyes of thofe 
 who are juft come out of Darknefs. Magif- 
 catzm, and the reft who attended him, gave 
 at that Time but very fmall Hopes of their 
 being reducd; faying, " That the God whom 
 " the Spaniards adored, was very great, and 
 cc perhaps greater than theirs ; but that each 
 <; of them was powerful in his own Domi- 
 " nion 5 That, with them, there was need of 
 *f one God againft Lightning and Tempefts; 
 " of another, for Water and Harvefts 5 of an- 
 " other for War 5 and fo on for all other 
 f f human Neceffities: For that it was im- 
 u : poffible for any one to take Care of the 
 ff Whole." They admitted the Propofition 
 of their Temporal Lord with more Eafe ; for 
 they immediately confented to be his Subjects, 
 and asked whether he would defend them 
 from Motezuma, placing in that the Founda- 
 tion of their Obedience 5 but at the fame 
 Time defired him, with Humility and Earneft- 
 nefs, " That there might be no Mention of 
 " changing their Religion : For fhould it come 
 " to the Knowledge of their Gods, they 
 <( wpuld call down their Tempefts, and let 
 " looip their Floods to deftroy them/' In 
 fuch manner did Error pofiefs them, and the 
 Devil keep them in Fear. All that could be 
 obtained pf tjicm at that Time, was, to lay 
 
 afide 
 
Book I IF. Conqueft of Mexico. 3 1 3 
 
 afide Sacrifices of human Blood; for they were 
 convinced they afted againft the Law of Na- 
 ture : And immediately they fet at Liberty 
 thofc miferable Captives which were to die 
 on their Feftivals, and broke up feveral 
 Prifons and Cages where they were kept, 
 and well fed, to prepare them; not fo much 
 that they fhould come decent to the Sacrifice 
 as that they fhould not come in bad Order to 
 the Table. 
 
 Hernan Cortes was not fatisfied with 
 this Complaifance 5 but on the contrary pro- 
 pofed to his Men, that they fhould deftroy all 
 the Idols ; forming a Confequence from the 
 A&ion and good Succefs at Zempoala, as if 
 it had been the fame Thing to undertake fuch 
 an Affair in a Town that was fo much better 
 peopled. His Zeal deceived him, and his 
 Courage did not difabufe him. But Father 
 Bartolome de Olmedo foon brought him to 
 Reafon, telling him, with a Resolution be- 
 coming his Character, " That he was not 
 f without fome Scruples concerning the Vio- 
 f lence offered to the People of Zempala > 
 " that Perfecution and the Gofpel did ill 
 " agree; and, that in Effed, it would only 
 N overturn their Altars, and leave the Idols 
 <c in their Hearts : " To which he added, "That 
 'ff the Defign of reducing thofe Infidels re- 
 * quired more Time, and gentle Ufage; 
 <c that it was no good Method of bringing 
 " them to the Knowledge of their Errors, to 
 jK vex them after that Manner, which would 
 
 " only 
 
314 The Hiftory of the Book IK, 
 
 c£ only ferve to make them diflike the Truth; 
 " and that before the Worfhip of God could 
 " be introduced, the Devil muft be banifh'dj 
 " a War of another Kind, and which re- 
 u quired a different Sort of Arms." To 
 whole Perfuafton and Authority Cortes fub- 
 niitted his Opinion, and moderated his Zeal 5 
 and from that Time forwards they only en- 
 deavoured to gain and difpofe the Minds of 
 the India?is y by making Religion appear ami- 
 able in her Works, that upon the View of 
 them, they might be fenftble of the Difference, 
 and Abomination of their own Cuftoms, and 
 in thefe fee the Deformity and Filthincfs of 
 their Gods. 
 
 CHAP. IV, 
 
 Hernan Cortes difpatches the Ambaffadors of 
 Motezuma. Diego de Ordaz views the 
 Burning Mountain of Popocatepec ; it is 
 refolved to march to Cholula. 
 
 THREE or four Days being pafled in 
 thefe firft Affairs of Tlafcala, Cortes 
 began to think of difpatching Motezuma s 
 Ambaffadors. He had detained them pur- 
 pofely, that they might fee thofe People en- 
 tirely reduced, whom they accounted untamc- 
 able, and the Anfwer he gave them was 
 fhort and artful : " That they fhould inform 
 
 £ Motezuma 
 
Book IIF. Conquejl of Mexico. 315 
 
 iC Motezuma of what had paffed in their Pre- 
 cc fence ; the Earneflnefs and Methods by 
 a which the People of Tlajcala had folicited 
 cc Peace, and defcrved it 5 together with the 
 cc Affection and good Correfpondence with 
 ec which they maintained it : That now they 
 iC were fo much at his Difpofal, and he had 
 il fuch an entire Command over them, that 
 u he hoped he fhould reduce them to the 
 f Obedience of Motezuma : This being one 
 a of the good Confequences which would at- 
 iC tend his Embafly, among others of greater 
 41 Importance, which obliged him to continue 
 " his Journey, and to folicite his Goodneft 
 
 »" then, that he might afterwards deferve his 
 " Acknowledgments/' With this Difpatch, 
 and the neceflary Guard, the Ambaffadors im- 
 mediately departed, more convinced of the 
 Truth than fatisfied with the Anfwer. 
 
 Hernan Cortes found himfelf en* 
 gaged to ftay fome Days in Tlafcala, to re- 
 ceive the Homage of the principal Towns of 
 the Republick, and their Confederates 5 which 
 Aft was made valid by a publick Inftrument, 
 and authorized with the Name of the King 
 lion Carlos, already known and reverenced 
 among the Indians, who fhewed the Sincerity 
 of their Subje&ion to him by the Refped they 
 paid his VafTals. 
 
 At this Time there happened an Accident 
 
 which furprifed the Spaniards, and ftruck a 
 
 Terror among the Indians. From the higheft 
 
 , pf the Eminences, whereon the City of Tlaf- 
 
 : ' cala 
 
3 1 6 The Hiflory of the Book III, 
 
 cola then flood, is to be feen the Volcano of 
 'Pcpocatepec, on the Top of a Mountain, which, 
 at the Diftance of eight Leagues, rifes confide- 
 rably above all the reft of the Hills. This 
 Volcano began to darken the Day, with great 
 and frightful Flights of Smoke, fo rapid and 
 violent, that it went up a great Way into the 
 Air direct, without giving Way to the Force 
 of the Wind, until having fpent its Fury at a 
 certain Height, it fcattcr'd and difpers'd itfelf 
 all round, forming a Cloud, more or lefs ob- 
 fcure, according to the Quantity of Afhes it 
 carried along with it. From time to time, 
 mixed with the Smoke, came forth Flames, 
 or Globes cf Fire, which feemed to divide 
 themfelves into Sparks, and probably were 
 the burnt Stones which the Mountain threw 
 out, or fome Pieces of combuftible Matter, 
 which lafted as long as the Fire was fed. 
 
 The Indians were not frighted at the 
 Sight of the Smoke, becaufe 'twas frequent, 
 and an ordinary Thing in that Place: But 
 the Fire (which rarely appeared) made them 
 ibrrowful, arid put them in Fear, as a Prefage 
 of future Ills 5 for they apprehended, that thoic 
 Sparks which were fcatterd through the Air, 
 and did not fall down again into the Burning 
 Mouth, were the Souls of Tyrants that came 
 abroad to chaftife the Earth; and that their 
 Gods, when they were angry, made ufc of 
 them as Inftruments, in Proportion, to the 
 Punifhments they defigned. 
 
 Magi 5- 
 
Book HI. Conqueji of 'Mexico- 317 
 
 Magiscatzin, and fome of the chief 
 
 Men, who generally attended him, were en-. 
 
 tertaining Hernan Cortes with thefe wild 
 
 Fancies; and he (obferving the rude Notion 
 
 they had of the Immortality, Rewards, and 
 
 .Punishments of the Soul) was endeavouring to 
 
 make them fenfible of the Errors with which 
 
 they disfigured the Truth, when "Diego de 
 
 Ordaz came to ask his Leave to go take a 
 
 nearer View of the Volcano, offering to go 
 
 up to the Top of the Mountain, and examine 
 
 into that great Secret of Nature, The In- 
 
 dians were amaz'd to hear fuch a Propofal, 
 
 and endeavoured to diffuade him from his 
 
 Intention, by informing him of the Danger, 
 
 faying, " That the moft valiant of their Na- 
 
 " tion had only the Boldnefs once to vifit 
 
 j" fome Hermitages of their Gods about the 
 
 v{ Middle of the Eminence; but that above 
 
 r that he would not find the Mark of a hu~ 
 
 " man Foot; nor were the Tremblings to be 
 
 Y*. endur'd, or the Roarings, which forbad alt 
 
 u Approach to the Top of the Mountain/* 
 
 The Account of thefe Difficulties did but 
 
 make "Diego de Ordaz the more eager ; and 
 
 tho* Hernan Cortes thought it a Piece of 
 
 Raftinefs, yet he gave him Leave to try, that 
 
 the Indians might fee that what they thought 
 
 impoffible, was not fo to the Courage of the 
 
 Spaniards. So zealous was he at all times for 
 
 his own Reputation, and that of his People. 
 
 Diego de Ordaz upon this Occafion 
 Was accompanied by two Soldiers of his Com- 
 pany, 
 
3 i8 The Hiftory of the Boole III. 
 
 pany, and fome of the principal Indians, who 
 offered to go with him as far as the Hermi- 
 tages, very much lamenting that they were go- 
 ing to be Witncfles of his Death. The Be- 
 ginning of the Mountain is very delightful, 
 being beautified on all Sides with Trees full 
 of Leaves, which, for a confiderablc Way, 
 cover the Side of the Hill, and make the 
 Afcent appear the lefs tedious, fecming, in a 
 deceitful Manner, to entice, by Pleafure, into 
 Danger. When that is patted, the Earth 
 grows barren by Degrees, partly by Reafon 
 of the Snow, which lies all the Year in thofc 
 Places, where either the Sun or the Fire does 
 not come, and partly by reafon of the Afhes, 
 which alio look white at a Diftance, from the, 
 Oppofition of the Blacknefs of the Smoke. 
 The Indians ftoppd at the Hermitages; and 
 'Diego deOrdaz, with his two Soldiers, went 
 on, climbing courageoufly up the Rocks, very 
 often making ufc of Hands as well as Feet. 
 But when they came within a fmall Diftance 
 of the Top, they felt the Earth move under 
 them with Violence, and repeated Rockings, 
 and heard the horrible Roaring of the Burn- 
 ing Mouth, which in a fhort Time difcharged, 
 with a much greater Noife, a vaft Quantity 
 of Fire, wrapped up in Smoke and Afhes ; and 
 tho' it went dircftly upwards, without heat- 
 ing the Air about it, it afterwards fpread when 
 it was at its Height, and came down upon 
 the three Spaniards in fuch Showers of Afhes, 
 fo thick and hot, that they were obliged to' 
 
 feek 
 
Book 1IL Conquejl of Mexico. 319 
 
 feek for Shelter in the Hollow of a Rock, 
 where they were almoft ftifled, and defired to 
 return. But "Diego de Ordaz perceiving the 
 Earthquake was over, that the Noife leffened, 
 and the Smoke came out lefs thick, encou- 
 raged his Companions by his Example; for 
 going on before them, he patted with Intrepi- 
 dity to the very Mouth of the Mountain, at 
 the Bottom whereof he obferved a great Mats 
 of Fire, which feemed to boil like fomcthing 
 liquid, and fhining. He alfo took Notice of 
 the Largenefs of the Mouth, which took up 
 all the Top of the Mountain, and might 
 be about a Quarter of a League in Circum- 
 ference. They returned with this Account ; 
 and received a Welcome back from their bold 
 Undertaking, which greatly aftonifhed the 
 Indians,* and increafed theii Efteem for the 
 Spaniards. 
 
 This Gallantry of "Diego de Ordaz was 
 look'd upon then as only a rafli Curiofity ; 
 but Time made it of Importance, and every 
 Thing ferved to advance this Undertaking; for 
 the Army being in Want of Powder, (the fe- 
 condTime they enter'd Mexico? which was by 
 Force of Arms) Cortes remembered the Boil- 
 ings of liquid Fire which were difcovered in 
 this Mountain, and in it found a fufficient 
 Quantity of very line Sulphur, for the making 
 ol Gun-Powder. On which Account this 
 Rafhnefs of Diego de Ordaz recommended 
 itfelf, and became ferviceable; and his Difco- 
 :Very was fo ufeful in the Conqueft, that the 
 
 Emperor 
 
3 2© The Hiff ory of the Book HI. 
 
 Emperor afterwards rewarded him with fomc 
 Favours, and ennobled the Aftion by giving 
 him the Burning Mountain for his Arms. 
 
 Twenty Days the Spaniards continud in 
 Tlafcala, partly on Account of Vifrts paid them 
 by the Neighbouring Nations, and partly to 
 fatisfy the Inhabitants themfelves; who agreed I 
 fo well with the Spaniards, that they endea- 
 voured to put off the Time appointed for re- 
 moving, with various Feftivals and publick 
 Entertainments, Dances after their Manner; 
 and Acts of Agility. 
 
 The Day being fixed for the March, there 
 arofe aDifpute about the Choice of the Road: 
 Cortes inclined for Cholula, a City (as wc 
 have laid) very large, in whofe Diftrifts the 
 Veteran Troops of Motezuma ufed to 
 quarter. 
 
 The Tlafcalans oppofed this Refolution, 
 advifing them to take their March by Giiajo- 
 zingo, a Country plentiful and fecure; foif 
 the People of Cholula y befides their natural 
 Cunning and Treachery, obeyed Motezuma 
 with a fervile Fear, being the Vafials in whom 
 he moll: confided for their known Fidelity. 
 To which they added, " That that City had 
 <c the Reputation in all the Diftritts therea- 
 u bouts, of being a Place facrcd and religious, 
 <c containing above four hundred Temples, 
 <c with fuch ill-conditioned Gods, that they 
 « aftonifhed and terrified the World with 
 <c their Prodigies ; for which Reafon it was by 
 " no Means fecurc to enter their Territories, 
 
 " without 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 321 
 
 < without having fome Affurances of their 
 } good Difpofition." The Zempoalans, left 
 uperftitidus now by their Accquaintance with 
 he Spaniards ', defpiied thofe Prodigies 5 but 
 vere of the fame Opinion, remembring and 
 cpeating the Rcafons they had given at Zo- 
 % othlan> for the Army's avoiding that City. 
 
 But before they came to any Resolution 
 )ii this Point, new Ambaffadors arrived from 
 Motezuma, with another Prefent, and Advice 
 hat their Emperor would now fuffer himfclf 
 , be vifitcd by the Spaniards, and vbuchfafe 
 receive their Embaffy after a favourable 
 Manner; and among other Things they dif- 
 ourfed, of relating to the March, they ac- 
 [uainted him that they had provided Quarters 
 It Cholula. So that now it was become ne- 
 i|:ffary to march by that City ; not that Cortes 
 [lae'd any Confidence in this unlooked-for 
 id fudden Change of Motezttma, or that 
 i ich Facility, after fo much Refiftancc, did 
 Dt appear unfeafonable and fufpicious: But he 
 >ok great Care, that thefe Mexicans fhould 
 )t perceive him concerned ; becaufe in their 
 :ar he placed his greateft Security. As fooa 
 I the Chiefs of the Tlafcalans underftood the 
 ropofal of Motezarna, they took it for 
 I anted, that Treachery was defigned at Cho- 
 ila, and renewed their Inftances, being fin- 
 < rely concerned at the Danger of their Friends. 
 nd Magifcatzin, who had the greateft Re- 
 prd for the Spaniards, and a paffionate Incli- 
 ition in particular for Cortes, prefs'd him 
 Vol. I. Y very 
 
322 The Hifiory of the Book IH. 
 
 very much not to march to that City. Cortes, 
 
 who was dcfirous to give him all the Satif- 
 
 fa&ion he could, as being much obliged for 
 
 the Care he took of him, and efleeming very 
 
 much his Advice, immediately affembled his 
 
 Captains, and in his Prefencc propofcd the 
 
 Queftion, weighing the Reafons that offered 
 
 both on the one Side, and on the other; and 
 
 the Refolution was, " That now they could 
 
 €< not poffibly avoid marching to thofc Qua* 
 
 " ters propofed by the Mexicans, without 
 
 cc difcovering that they were already fufpi- 
 
 " cious i nor, fhould their Sufpicions be evei 
 
 " fo well founded, was it proper to enter upoi 
 
 ft more dangerous Enterprifes, and leave Ti 
 
 " tors at their Back ; that therefore it ti 
 
 <c ncceflary for them to go to Cholula, to dif| 
 
 " cover the Intentions of Motezuma, ai 
 
 " give a new Reputation to their Arms 
 
 " the Chaftifement of his Perfidy." Magij 
 
 catzin acquiefced in this Refolution, fubmit 
 
 ing with great Docility to the fuperiorjudg 
 
 ment of the Spaniards. But (till retaininj 
 
 hisjealoufy, which obliged him to think dii 
 
 fcrently, he defired Leave to affemble th 
 
 Troops of his Republick, and affift his Friend 
 
 in fuch evident Danger $ for that it was nc 
 
 reafonablc, tho' the Spaniards were invincible 
 
 to deprive the Tlafcalans of the Honour c 
 
 performing their Duty. Hernan Cortes (1101 
 
 withftanding he was feniible of the Dangci 
 
 and well pleafed with the Offer) was back 
 
 ward to admit them 5 for it was difagreeabl 
 
5ookIIL Covqueft of Mexico. 325 
 
 o him to begin fo foon to receive Succour 
 rom a Nation fo lately reduced ; and there- 
 ore he anfwer'd him, by making! great Ac- 
 cnowledgments for his Care $ and laftly told 
 ran, " That at the prefent that Precaution 
 < was not neceffaryj" but this he faid faintly, 
 ike one who is defirous to have a Thing done, 
 md is unwilling at the fame time to be thought 
 b : a kind of Refufal, which is little lefs than 
 taking. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 They difcover new Signs of Treachery in 
 Cholula. The Army marches for that 
 City> being reinforced with forne Compa- 
 nies of Tlafcalans. 
 
 [T was mod certain, that Motezuma, with- 
 out coming to a Rcfolution of taking up 
 Lrms againft the Spaniards, contrived to de- 
 iroy them j making ufe of Wiles and Strata- 
 ;ems rather than Force. The Anfwers of his 
 )racles had frighted him anew 5 and the De- 
 il (who was much difturb'd by the Neigh- 
 •ourhood of the Chriftians) prefs'd him with 
 torrible Threats to keep them at a Diftance 
 rom him. Sometimes he put the Priefts and 
 Magicians into furious Agitations, that they 
 night incenfe the King, and make him furi- 
 >us 5 at other Times he appeared to him, af- 
 
 Y 2 fuminj 
 
324 The Hiftory of the Boole III 
 
 faming the Figure of his Idol, and fpoke to 
 him in Perfon, the more effe&ually to infpire 
 him with the Spirit of Anger : But he always 
 left him inclined to Treafon and Deceit, with- 
 out ever propofing to him to make ufe of his 
 mighty Power and Force. Whether he had 
 no Permillion to ufe Violence, or that it is in- 
 confiftent with his Character to give good 
 Counfel, he took him off from Ways that 
 were generous, and difcouraged him by the 
 fame Means with which he thought to ani- 
 mate him. On the one Side, he had not 
 Courage to fhew himfelf to thofe prodigious 
 People 5 and on the other, he thought their 
 Army too contemptible, and too fmall in Num- 
 ber, to employ openly the Forces of his Em- 
 pire againft them 5 and judging it more for his 
 Honour to make ufe of Artifice and Treachery 
 he directed all his Application to draw them 
 from Tlafcala, where he could not lay his 
 Plots, and bring them to Cholula, where they 
 were already contrived, and ready to be exe- 
 cuted. 
 
 Hernan Cortes took notice, thatnonfc 
 came from the Governors of Cholula to vifit 
 him 5 and he communicated his Obfervation 
 to the Mexican Ambafladors, very much won- 
 dering at the Difrefped of thofe Caziques who 
 had the Charge of providing his Quarters 5 
 who could not be ignorant, that he had been 
 Vifited by all the Towns of the Country round, 
 that were under lefs Obligations. The Am- 
 bafladors endeavoured to excufe the Popple of 
 
 Cbolula > 
 
 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 32? 
 
 Cholula, but confeffed their Inadvertency, and 
 feemingly endeavour 'd to have the Fault mend- 
 ed, by giving Notice of it 5 for it was not long 
 before there came from that City four Indians 
 ill-cloathed, People of very fmall Confidcra- 
 tion for Ambaffadors, considering the Cuftoni 
 of thofe Nations : A Difrcfpeft which the 
 Tlafcalans urg'd, as a new Sign of their evil 
 Intentions 5 upon which Hernan Cortes refu- 
 fed to admit them, ordering them immedi; 
 ately back ; faying, (in the Prefence of the 
 Mexicans) " That the Caziques of Cholula 
 c un4erftood Civility very little $ for inftead 
 " of making Amends for a Negled, they 
 " added one Difcourtefy to another. " 
 
 The Day for the March cam v e$ and tho* 
 the Spaniards took the Morning to draw up 
 their own Men, and thofe of Zempoala, they 
 found already in the Field an Army of Tlafca- 
 tans, provided by the Senate, at the Inftance 
 of Magifcatzin, whofe Captains acquainted 
 Cortes, u That they had received Orders from 
 c the Republick, to ferve under his Com- 
 c mand, and follow his Banner in the Jour- 
 1 ncy, not only to Cholula, but as far as 
 1 Mexico, where they fuppofed was the great- 
 c eft Danger of his Undertaking. " They 
 ^erc all drawn up in Order -, and liotwitlv 
 landing they were very clofe, (according to 
 heir Difcipline) they took up a great Space of 
 jround ; for they had aflembled all the Na- 
 ions which were confederate with them, and 
 ;ot together an extraordinary Force for the 
 
 Y 3 Defence 
 
; i6 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Defence of their Friends, believing that t! 
 Pnould be oblig'd to face the Armies of Mote- 
 z>nma. Their feveral Commands were diftih- 
 guifh'd by the Colour of their Feathers, and the 
 Difference of their Enfigns, Eagles, Lions, 
 and other fierce Animals, raifed on high, 
 which, as Hieroglyphicks and Devices, had a' 
 Signification, and put the Soldiers in Mind of 
 the military Honour of their Nation. Some: 
 of our Writers enlarge fo far, as to fay, that 
 the whole Grofs of their Army conftftcd of an 
 hundred thoufand armed Men; others arc 
 more refcrv'd in the Account; but, with a leifl 
 Number, the Action was great in the Tlafca- 
 Ians> and is truly worthy of Confideration, 
 both for the Thing itfelf, and the Manner of 
 doing it.. Cortes thanked them, and acknow- 
 ledged this Proof of their Affections with very: 
 endearing Expreffions, and was forced to take 
 ibmc Pains to convince them it was inconve- 
 nient he fhould carry fo great a Number, wher 
 he went in Peace; but at laft he gaind hL< 
 Point, leaving them fatis'ficd, by permitting 
 fome Companies, with their* Captains, to fol 
 low him,, refcrving the main Body to mard 
 to his Succour when Neceiiity requir'd. 
 
 Our Bernal Diaz, writes, that he too 
 wuh hirri two thoufand Tlafcalans -, Antoni 
 de Herrera fays, three thoufand : BntHemai 
 Cortes hi. _ , in his own Relation 
 
 that he took fix thoufand- ; and he was not f 
 lavifh of his own Honour, as to make th 
 dumber greater than it was, which of Courf 
 
 woul< 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 3 27 
 
 would have made his Refolution the lefs ad- 
 mired. 
 
 But we muft not pafs over in Silence an 
 Accident which deferves Confideration, and 
 belongs properly to -this Place. There re- 
 mained in Tlafcala, when the Spaniards left 
 that City, a Crofs of Wood which they had 
 fixed, the Day of their Entrance, on a Place 
 both high and open to the View ; and Her- 
 nan Cortes was unwilling they fhould deftroy 
 it 5 on the contrary, he left the Veneration of 
 it in Charge with the Caziqucs : But it was 
 ncceflary, there fhould be a more powerful Re- 
 commendation, to make it remain with Secu- 
 rity among the Infidels : For fcarce were the 
 Chriftians out of the City, when (in fight of 
 all the Indians) a prodigious Cloud defcended 
 from Heaven to take Care of its Defence. It 
 was of a plcafing and exquifite Whitenefs, and 
 defcended through the Region of the Air, till 
 being dilated in Form of a Pillar, it fettled 
 perpendicularly upon the fame Crofs, where 
 it continued more or lefs diftinft (a marvelous 
 Providence) for three or four Years, that by 
 various Accidents, the Conversion of this Pro- 
 vince to Chriftianity was retarded. There 
 proceeded from the Cloud a moderate Splen- 
 dor, which infufed Veneration, and never 
 mixed with the Darknefs of the Night. The 
 Indians at firft were much afraid, being fenfiblc 
 of the Prodigy, without conceiving the My- 
 ftery : But after they had better confider'd the 
 Novelty, they laid afide their Fear, without 
 
 Y 4, leffening 
 
1 28 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 leflening their Admiration. They faid pub- 
 lickly, " That that holy Sign contained within 
 et it fome Deity, and that it was not in vain 
 cc that their Friends the Spaniards fo much 
 ic rcvct '£ j t " They endeavour'd to imitate 
 them, bending the Knee before it, and repair- 
 ing thither in their Necellities, without think- 
 ing on their Idols, and frequenting their Tem- 
 ples much lefs than they were wont. Which 
 Devotion (if we may call that fo, which was 
 indeed the Influence of an unknown Caufc) 
 increafed with (o much Fervour, both among 
 Nobles and Plebeians, that the Pricfts and Ma- 
 gicians began to be jealous of their Religion, 
 and endeavour'd feveral Times to pluck up the 
 Crofs, and break it in Pieces : But they always 
 rcturn'd frighted, without daring to tell what 
 had happen'd to them, left they fhould lofe 
 their Reputation with the People. Thus do 
 Authors of Credit report the Matter 5 and after 
 this Manner did Heaven take Care t9 difpofe 
 the Minds of thofe People, that they might 
 afterwards, with lefs Refiftance, receive the 
 Goipcl ; as the Husbandman, before he lows 
 his Seed, prepares the Earth to facilitate the 
 production. 
 
 Nothing extraordinary happened the firft 
 Day's March 5 for now that innumerable Con- 
 courfe of Indians that appeared on the Roads, 
 and thofe Shouts which pafTed for Acclama- 
 tions, were no Novelty. They marched four 
 Leagues of the five Cholu/a was then diftant 
 from old Tlajcala j and it was thought fit to 
 
 halt 
 
Book III- Conqueft of Mexico. 329 
 
 halt near the Bank of a pleafant River, to 
 avoid entring by Night into fo populous a 
 Town. Soon after they had fixed their En- 
 campment, and the neceflary Orders were 
 diftributed for their Defence and Security, 
 there arrived fecond AmbafTadors from the 
 City, People of greater Rank, and better dreffed. 
 They brought a Prefent of feveral Sorts of 
 Provifions, and delivered their Embaffy with 
 much Ceremony and Refpeft. The Subftance 
 was, " to excufe the Backwardnefs of their 
 " Caziques, pretending that they could not 
 " wait on the General ztTlafcala, thofe People 
 K being their Enemies ; to offer the Quarters 
 " provided by their City, and withal, to ex- 
 " prefs how much the Citizens rejoiced at 
 " their good Fortune, in deferving to enter- 
 r tainfuchGuefls, fo much applauded for their 
 f noble A&ions, and fo amiable for their 
 " Goodnefs." Thefe Words were delivered 
 with a feeming Sincerity, fuch as very well 
 covered the Artifice. Hernan Cortes graci- 
 oufly admitted of the Excufe, and the Prefent, 
 taking Care, at the fame Time, to appear with- 
 out the leaft Diftruftj and the next Day (by 
 the Rifing of the Sun) he continued his March 
 with the fame Order, but not without fome 
 Apprehenfions, which obliged him to greater 
 Vigilance ; for the City was flow in coming 
 out to receive him, and this Remark was con- 
 fiderable, anions other Indications. But as 
 the Army drew near the City, with their Arms 
 in Rcadincfs for a Combat, the Caziques and 
 
 Prielts 
 
3 3° T&e Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Pricfls appeared, with a numerous Attendance 
 of unarmed People. Cortes gave Orders to 
 Rait, to receive them, and they performed their 
 Parrs with fo much feeming Reverence and 
 joy, that they left no room for Jealoufy, at 
 that Prefent, to the watchful Eye with which 
 all their Actions and Motions were obferved : 
 But as fooii as they perceived the Body of 
 Tlafcalans that marched in the Rear, they 
 changed their Countenances $ and among the 
 Principal of them, the*c arofc a difagrceable 
 Murmur, which did again awaken the Jealoufy 
 of the Spaniards. ^Donna Marina was orr 
 dered to inquire into the Caufe of that No- 
 velty y and the AnlVer they gave by her was, 
 " That the Tlafcalans could not enter into 
 " their City with their Arms, being Enemies 
 " to their Nation, and Rebels to their King 5" 
 and they were very carneft with Cortes that 
 they fhould halt, and immediately return to 
 their Country, as Impediments to the Peace 
 which was going to be publifhed ; and repre- 
 sented the Inconveniences, without receding, 
 cr being ciicompos'd 5 : being pofitivc that it 
 not to be allowed 5 yet confining their 
 Resolution within the Limits of aRcqucft. 
 
 Cortes was fomewhat uneafy at this De- 
 mand, which feem'd reafonable, but was not 
 confident with his Security : He endeavoured 
 to quiet them, by the Hopes of finding fome 
 Way to compofe their Differences 5 and com- 
 municating the Matter briefly to his Captains, 
 it was judged adviicable to propofe to the 
 
 Tlafcalans 
 
BookllL CoJiqueft of Mexico. 331 
 
 Tlafcalans to take their Quarters without the 
 City, till fuch Time as he could penetrate into 
 the Defigns of the Caziqucs, or fhould proceed 
 on his March. ThisPropofition (which feem'd 
 to have fomething of Hardfhip in it) was car- 
 ried by the Captains Tedro de Alvarado and 
 Chrijloval de Olid, who made ufe both of Per- 
 fuafion- and Authority, as delivering an Order, 
 yet engaging Obedience to it, by (hewing its 
 Reafonablenefs. But they were fo very com- 
 plying, that they cut him fhort, faying, " They 
 P did not come to difpute, but obey 5 and that 
 " they would prefcntly make their Barracks 
 iC without the Town, in a Place whence they 
 " might quickly come to the Defence of their 
 cc Friends, feeing they refolved to adventure 
 cc contrary to all Reafon, confiding in Tray tors." 
 The People of Cholula were immediately ac- 
 quainted with this, which they readily agreed 
 rto, both Nations remaining not only fatisfied, 
 but with fome Vanity arifing from their very 
 Oppofition $ the one, becaufe they perfuaded 
 themfelves they had got the better, by leaving 
 their Enemies difcontented, and ill accom- 
 modated 5 the other, becaufe they looked up- 
 on the Refufal to admit them within the City 
 as a manifcft Acknowledgment that they 
 ftood in fear of them. Thus does the Imagi- 
 nation of Men vary the Nature and Appear- 
 ance of Things, which are generally valued as 
 they are taken, and are taken as we would 
 have them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
3 3 2 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 The Spaniards make their Entry into Cho- 
 liila j where the People endeavour to de- 
 ceive them by their outward good Enter- 
 tainment. Their Treafon is di [cover d -, 
 and the Spaniards make a "Difpojition to 
 chajlije them. 
 
 TH E Entry of the Spaniards into Cho- 
 lula was like to that of Tlafcala : A 
 Concourfe of innumerable People, which they 
 pafs'd through with Difficulty ; tumultuous Ac- 
 clamations 5 Women that flung and prcfentcd 
 Nofegays of Flowers ; Caziques and Pricfts, 
 with repeated Reverences and Perfumings; 
 Variety of Inftrumcnts, which made more 
 Noifc than Mufick, difpers'd about the Streets; 
 and an univerfal Joy fo well counterfeited, that 
 the Spaniards, who came thither fuil of Jca- 
 ioufy, began to think it fincere. 
 
 The City was fo beautiful to behold, that 
 it was compard to our Valladolid j fituate in 
 a Plain, on all Sides open, and very delight- 
 ful. They fay it contain'd within the Walls 
 twenty thoufand Inhabitants, and that the 
 Number was greater of thofe who liv'd in the 
 Suburbs. 'Twas generally frequented by many 
 Strangers ; partly as a Sanctuary of their Gods, 
 and partly as the great Emporium of Mer- 
 chandize. The Streets were wide, and well 
 laid out 5 the Buildings greater, and of better 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 333 
 
 Archite&ure than thofe of Tlafcala j appear- 
 ing very fumptuous, with the Towers, which 
 fhew'd the Multitude of their Temples. The 
 Inhabitants were more cunning than warlike, 
 Merchants and Mechanicks, abundance of Peo- 
 ple, and but few of Diftin&ion. 
 
 The Quarters provided were three or four 
 large Houfes contiguous to each other, which 
 contain'd the Spaniards and Zempoalans ; 
 where they could both fortify themfelves, as 
 the Occafion requir'd 5 and as they were ac- 
 cuftom'd to do. The Tlafcalans chofe a Place 
 for their Quarters a little diftant from the 
 Town, fecuring it with fome Works; they 
 form'd their Guards, and plac'd their Centi- 
 nels, being now improved in military Affairs 
 by the Imitation of their Friends. The ftrft 
 three or four Days were all quiet, and good 
 Ufage. The Caziques were punctual in pay- 
 ing their Refpecls to Cortes, and endeavour 'd 
 to be acquainted with his Captains. Provi- 
 fions were given liberally, and in abundance ; 
 all outward Appearances were favourable, 111- 
 fomuch that the Spaniards began to think that 
 what they had heard was falfe, and that they 
 had upon too flight Foundations believ d the 
 former Rumours; fo readily difpos'd is the 
 Mind always to make itfelf eafy. But it was 
 not long before the Truth appear 'd ; nor could 
 thofe People continue in their Artifice till they 
 had compaffed what they intended : Deceitful 
 both by Nature and Cuftom, but not fp watch- 
 ful 
 
g 34 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 ful and cunning as their Difiimulation and Ma- 
 lice required. 
 
 Provisions, by little and little, grew fcarce, 
 the Entertainments and Attendance of the Ca- 
 ziques ceas'd at once. Motezumds Ambaffa- 
 dors held private Conferences with the Priefts, 
 and the People difcover'd a kind of Scorn and 
 Falfenefs in their Countenances. All Things 
 gave Signs of fome Novelty, and awaken'd 
 the ill-lull'd Jealoufy of the Spaniards. Cor- 
 tes was contriving ibme Means to be informed 
 of the Intentions of thofe People ; and at the 
 fame Time the Truth difcover'd itfelfj the 
 Providence of God, fo often known by Ex- 
 perience in this Conqueft, anticipating all the 
 Contrivances of Men. 
 
 An antient Indian Woman of Note, who 
 had great Relations in Cholula, had contracted 
 a Friendfhip with 'Donna Marina: She often 
 vifited her with Familiarity 5 and "Donna Ma- 
 rina very well deferv d it from her, for her 
 natural Courtcfy and Difcretion. She came 
 that Day earlier than ufual, and feem'd to be 
 full of Thought and Trouble. She drew her 
 afide privately from the Spaniards, and charge- 
 ing her with Secrecy, even by the manner of 
 her Delivery, began to bemoan " her Capti- 
 " vity, and to perfuade her to forfake thofe 
 " abominable Strangers, and come to her 
 €C Houic, where ilie offer 'd her Entertainment 
 u and Protection from the Spaniards. " Don- 
 na Marina^ who was ingenious enough, com- 
 par'd this Offer with the other Signs., and pre- 
 tending 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 355 
 
 tending that fhe was under Oppreflion, and 
 came againft her Will with thofe People, gave 
 readily into the Efcape, and accepted of the 
 Entertainment offered with fo many grateful 
 Acknowledgments, that the Indian, believe- 
 ing her fincere, difcover'd her whole Heart.; 
 telling her, " It was abfolutely neceffary flic 
 p fhould go immediately, for that the Time 
 " appointed among their People for the De~ 
 Ki ftru&ion of the Spaniards drew near ; and 
 * c that 'twas unreafonable fo valuable a Wo- 
 <c man fhould perifli with them : That Mote* 
 W zuma had provided twenty thoufand Men. 
 " at a fmallDiftance, to make fureof theDc- 
 " figii: That fix thoufand chofen Men of that 
 " Number had already entered the City ia 
 " fmall Parcels : That Abundance of Arms 
 ft had been diftributcd among the People, 
 " Quantities of Stones carried up to the Tops 
 " of the Houfcs, and deep Trenches cut a- 
 " crofs the Streets, with (harp Stakes fix'd in 
 " the Bottom, being cover'd at Top with 
 " Earth on flight Supporters, that the Horfes 
 " might fall in, and be wounded : That Mo- 
 " teztima defign'd to make an End of all the 
 " Spaniards - y but had commanded fonie of 
 <c them to be brought alive, to fatisfy his Curi- 
 " ofity, and his Regard for his Gods: And 
 " that he had prefented the City with a Drum 
 " made of Gold, curioufiy hollov/d, to excite 
 " their Minds with this military Favour/' In 
 fhort, 'Donna Marina (exprefling how much 
 ihe rejoiced at the good Difpofition of their 
 
 Under- 
 
3 $6 The Hiftory of the Book III; 
 
 Undertakings and asking fome Queftions, as 
 one that was pleafed with what fhc enquired 
 after) found herfelf fully informed of the whole 
 Confpiracy. She pretended fhe would imme- 
 diately go with her ; and under Colour of get- 
 ting together her Jewels, with fome other va- 
 luable Things, fhe found the Means of leaving 
 her without Sufpicion, arid immediately gave 
 an Account to Cortes. He order'd the In- 
 dian to be feiz'd ; who, after a few Threats; 
 between Confufion and Conviction, difcovcr'd 
 the whole. 
 
 Soon after came fome Tlafcalan Soldiers, 
 drefs'd like Peafants, and told Cortes from 
 their Commanders, " That he fhould take 
 " care of himfelf, for that from their Quar- 
 cc ters they had fcen the People of Cholula 
 <c carry their Women and Goods to the neigh- 
 " bouring Villages : " A fure Sign they were 
 hatching fome Treafon. He underftood like- 
 wife that they had celebrated that Morning, 
 in the great Temple of their City, a Sacrifice 
 of ten Children of both Sexes ; a Ceremony 
 they ufed when they defign'd to undertake any 
 military A&ion. At the fame time arriv'd 
 two or three Zempoalans, who going about 
 the City, by Accident had difcover'd the De- 
 ceit of their Trenches, and had fecn in the 
 Streets, on the Sides, fome Works and Pali- 
 fades, which they had made to guide the Horfes 
 to the Precipices. 
 
 There was no occafion for any greater Con- 
 firmation of the Intentions of thefe People : 
 
 But 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico, 3 3 7 
 
 But Hernan Cortes was defirous to make the 
 Matter yet clearer, and to juftify his Proceed- 
 ings beyond Objection, by the Teftimony of 
 fomc unexceptionable Witneffesof their own 
 Nation, who fhould confefs the Crime. To 
 which End he ordered the Chief Prieft to be 
 called, on whom the reft depended, and two 
 or three more of the fame Profeflion 5 Meii 
 who were of great Authority with the Caziqucsj 
 and greater with the People. He examined 
 them fcparatdy, not as one who doubted their 
 Intention, but complaining of their TYcafon * 
 and acquainting them with all the Circum- 
 fiances he knew, concealed the Manner how 
 he came by his Information, in order to make 
 them admire, and to puzzle their Conceptions 
 with the Myfterioufnefs of his Knowledge, 
 -They believed they were talking to a Deity, 
 that penetrated the Secrets of Mens Hearts, 
 and durft not carry on the Deceit, but imme- 
 diately confefled theTreafon with all the Cir- 
 cumftances ; blaming Motezama y by whofe 
 Order every Thing was difpofed and provided. 
 Cortes ordered them to be fecrctly imprifon d, 
 to avoid raifing any Difturbartce in the City, 
 He likewife order'd Care to be taken of Mo- 
 tezttmds Ambafladors, without futfering them 
 to go out, or have any Communication with 
 the People of the Country ; and calling his 
 Captains together, he acquainted them with 
 the whole Affair, and how much it concern'd 
 them not to let this Treachery go unpunifh'd ; 
 making the Undertaking appear cafy, and 
 Vol. I. Z weighing 
 
3 3$ The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 weighing the Confequcnces with fo much 
 Energy and Refolution, that they all refolv'd 
 to obey, leaving the Direction and Succefs to 
 his Prudence. 
 
 This being done, he fent for the Caziqucs 
 who govern d the City, and publifli'd his March 
 for the next Day ; not that he defign'd it, or 
 that it was poilible 5 but only toftreightcn them 
 in Time for what they were about to do. He 
 demanded Provifions for the March, Indians 
 of Burden for his Baggage, and two thoufand 
 Men armed to accompany him, as the Zem- 
 poalans and Tlafcalans had done. They offer'd 
 the Provifions and Ta?nenes faintly, but the 
 armed Men which he demanded, with greater 
 Readinefs j in which their Dcfigns and that of 
 Cortes ran counter, for Cortes defied them, 
 in order to difunite their Forces, and to have 
 in his Power a Part of the Traitors who were 
 to be chaftiz'd; and the Caziqucs offered them, 
 that they might introduce among the Troops 
 of Cortes thofe conceal'd Enemies, and make 
 ufe of them when Occafion offer'd. Both 
 thefe Stratagems were founded upon Martial 
 Reafon, it thofe Kinds of Deceit may be call'd 
 Realbn, which War has made lawful, and Ex- 
 ample has dignify 'd. 
 
 Notice was given to the Tlafcalans of all 
 that happen'd, with Orders to be in a Readi- 
 nefs 5 and that at the firft Dawning of the Day 
 they fhould draw near the City, as if they 
 were moving to follow the March 5 and that 
 at the firft Difcharge of the Pire-Arms, they 
 
 fliould 
 
Boot III Conquefi of Mexico. 3 39 
 
 fliould advance with all Speed into the City to 
 join the Army, bringing with them all the 
 People they found armed. Care was alfo taken, 
 that the Spaniards and Zempoalans mould 
 rtiave their Arms in Readinefs, and be acquainted 
 with the Bufinefs they were to be employ 'd in. 
 As foon as it was Night, (the Quarters being 
 fecured by Guards, and fuch Centinels as the 
 prefent Occafion requir'd) Cortes fent for Mo- 
 ntezuma's Ambaffadors, and with Shew of great 
 Intimacy, as one that imparted to them what 
 they did not know, told them, " That he had 
 :c difcover'd, and had Proofs of a very great 
 ■■ c Confpiracy, form'd againft him by the Ca- 
 ■; c ziques and Citizens of Cholula: He ac- 
 x quaintedthem with what Meafures they had 
 c taken againft his Perfon and Army : He laid 
 r before them how much they had been 
 , c wanting to the Laws of Hofpitality, the Efta- 
 * blifhment of the Peace, and the Word of 
 :' their Prince." And added, " That he had 
 :< not only come to the Knowledge of this, 
 < by his own Penetration and Vigilance ; but 
 c that the principal Confpirators had likewife 
 4 confeffed it, and excufed their Treachery 
 I by a greater Crime ; for they had the Bold- 
 c nefs to fay they had receiv'd Orders and 
 ' Affiftance from Moteztima, to deftroy his 
 £ Army after fo infamous a Manner 5 which 
 
 ^was not likely, nor could he entertain fo 
 mean a Thought of fo great a Prince 5 for 
 ' which Reafon he had refolv'd to take Sa- 
 :c tisfattion for the Offence with the utmoft 
 
 Z 2 " Rigour 
 
34° Tbe Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 ic Rigour of his Arms: That he communicated 
 <c this to them, that they might be appriz'd of 
 " his Reafons, and underftand that he was not 
 u fo much provoked by the Crime itfelf, com- 
 " mitted by thofe feditious People, as by the 
 " Circumftance of authorizing their Treafon 
 u with the Name of the King/' 
 
 The Ambafladors pretended, as well as they 
 could, that they knew nothing of the Con- 
 fpiracy, and endeavoured to fave the Credit of 
 their Prince, following the Path which Cortes 
 had purpofely chalk'd them out to leffcn thd 
 Force of his Complaint. It was not convenient 
 at that Time to feem to .diftruft Motezuma, 
 and make a powerful Prince, who was rcfolv'd 
 to dilTemble, an open Enemy : Upon which 
 Conftderation he refolv'd to overthrow his 
 Defigns, without giving him Reafon to bclicv 
 that he knew them ; contenting himfelf with 1 
 punifhing his Actions in the Perfons of thofc 
 he employed, and with avoiding the Blow, 
 without any regard to the Arm that guide 
 it. Cortes thought it a Matter of fmall Dif- 
 ficulty to break that Body of Men provided 
 to iupport the Seditious, as one accuftom'd to 
 greater Deeds with a finaller Force; and he 
 was lb far from doubting the Succefs, that h 
 efteem'd it a Happinefs (or, at leaft, he faid fo 
 among his own People) to find this Oppor 
 tunity of raifing the Reputation of his Arms 
 among the Mexicans; and, in Truth, he wa 
 not difplcafed to find Motezuma fo much at 
 a I.ofs in Stratagems; believing that he wouldi 
 
 icarcc 
 
Book HI. Conqueft of Mexico. 341 
 
 fearce raife his Thoughts to very great Matters, 
 who durft not attack him openly, and dif- 
 cover'd in his very Deceits the Weaknefs of 
 his Refolution. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Cortes chaftifes the Traytors of Cholula 5 
 reduces and pacifies the City 5 and ejta- 
 blifhes a Friendjhip betwixt the Cholulans 
 and Tlafcalans. 
 
 AS foon as it was Day, came the Indians 
 of Burden that had been demanded, and 
 ionic Provisions ; but the former fewer in Num- 
 ber, and the other lefs in Quantity, than was 
 expected. Afterwards came the armed In- 
 dians, in broken Troops, who, under Pretence 
 of accompanying the Spaniards in the March, 
 had their Counter-Orders to fall upon the 
 Rear, when Occafion requir'd ; of whole Num- 
 bers the Caziques had been no Niggards, but 
 gave another Signal of their evil Intention, by 
 fending more than were defired. Her nan 
 Cortes diftributcd them into the fcveral Courts 
 of the Quarters, where he very artfully fecured 
 \ them 5 telling them that he was obliged to fc- 
 : parate them, in order to form his Squadrons 
 : as he was accuftomed. He prefently put his 
 ;Men in Order, well inftru&ed in what they 
 l were to do $ and mounting his Horfe, with 
 
 Z 3 thofc 
 
34^ The Hiftoiy of the Bock III. 
 
 thofe that were to follow him in the Action,; , 
 caufed the Caziques to be called, to juftify to ! 
 them his Refolutions; of whom fome came, ; 
 and others excufed themfelves. He told them 
 with a loud Voice, (and 'Doyina Marina ex- 
 plained it with the fame Violence) " That 
 " now their Confpiracy was difcover'd, and 
 cc their Punifhment refciv'd on 5 by the Rigour ; 
 " of which, they fhould know how much it 
 " had imported them to maintain that Peacejj 
 " which they intended fo treacheroufly to 
 " break/' Scarce had he begun this Menace, 
 when they rctir'd to join their own Forces, 
 flying with more than ordinary Diligence, and I 
 beginning the War with fome Injuries and 
 Threats, which were heard at a good Diftance 
 Then Hernan Cortes commanded his Infantry 
 to fall upon thofe Indians he kept divided i 
 the Squares $ and tho' they were all providec 
 With Arms to execute their Treachery, ant 
 endeavoured to join, in order to defend thcrfl 
 ves, they were all deftroy J d with fmall Dif 
 Acuity, none cfcaping with Life, but fuch a 
 coir . or Sing themfelves from the Walls 
 
 making ufe of their Agility and Lances to 
 to the other Side. t 
 
 Having fecur'd all at his Back with tin 
 Slaughter of thefc concealed Enemies, he gav< 
 
 [he Signal for the Tlafcalans to move ; and the 
 .rmy advanced leiiureiy to the principal Street 
 
 leaving in the Quarters fuch a Guard as \va 
 LecciT:iry. He detached fome Zempoalans be 
 j to dilcover the Trenches, that the Horf 
 
 jmigh 
 

 Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 343 
 
 ■might not "be endangered. The Chohdans at 
 the fame Time were notidle; for finding them- 
 felves now engaged in open War, they call'd 
 in the reft of the Mexicans, and joining in a 
 great Square, where they had three or four 
 Temples, they placed a Part of their People 
 on the Top of their Towers, and in the 
 Porches ; the reft they divided into feveral 
 Bodies, to engage the Spaniards. But at the 
 fame Time that Cortes's Troops entered the 
 ' Square, and the Charge was given on both 
 Sides, the Body of Tlafcalans clos'd with the 
 Enemies Rear; which unexpe&ed Accident 
 ! put them in fo much Dread and Difordcr, that 
 they could not fly, and knew not how to de- 
 fend themfelves; fo that the Spaniards were 
 rather encumber'd than opposed by their Ene- 
 mies, who ran from one Danger to another 
 with little or no Choice; People void of 
 Counfel, who only, advane'd in Hopes to efcape, 
 2nd very often prefented their Breafts to the 
 Points of their Enemies Weapons, without 
 femembring to make the lead Ufe of their 
 Hands. Many were killed in this fort of En- 
 gagement ; but the greateft Part efcaped to the 
 Temples, on whofe Steps and Terraces the 
 Spaniards difcover d a Multitude of armed 
 Men, but fuch as rather filled than defended 
 the Eminences of thofe great Buildings. The 
 Mexicans took upon them the Defence of 
 thofe Places, but found themfelves fo encum- 
 bered and opprefs'd by the Crowd of the In- 
 habitants, that they could hardly turn them- 
 
 Z 4 feives, 
 
344 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 feives, and had fcarce Room to fhoot their 
 Arrows. Cortes approached the grcateft of the 
 Temples with his Troops, and commanded his 
 Interpreters, with a loud Voice, to offer free 
 Paflage to all fuch as would voluntarily come 
 down and furrender ; which was done the fe- 
 cond and third Time 5 and then perceiving 
 that no one moved, he ordcr'd the Towers of 
 the Temple to be fired, >vhieh, 'tis agreed, was 
 executed, and that a great many perifh'd in the 
 Fire and Ruins. It does not appear an eafy 
 Matter to have fired thofe high Buildings, with- 
 out firft opening the Paflage of the Stairs, un- 
 lefs Cortes made ufe of the flaming Arrows, 
 with which the Indians at a great Diftance 
 threw their artificial Fires 5 but nothing was 
 fufficient to diflodge the Enemy, till the At- 
 tack was fhortcn'd bv making way with the 
 Artillery 5 and it was worthy of Remark, that 
 only one, out of fo many as were deftroy'd 
 in this Temple, furrender'd voluntarily to the 
 Mercy of the Spaniards : A notable Proof of 
 their Obftinaey. 
 
 The fame Method was ufed at the other 
 Temples, and afterwards they rang'd thro' the 
 whole City, which was left entirely dispeopled, 
 and War ceafed for want of Enemies. The 
 Tlafcalans were diforderly to Excefs in the 
 Pillage, and it coft fome Difficulty to make 
 them retire, They made a great many Pri- 
 foncrs, loaded thcmfelves with Clqaths, and 
 Merchandizes of Value; and particularly they 
 fell upon the Magazines of Salt, of which they 
 
 immediately 
 
 
BookUL Co7iqtteJt of Mexico- 345 
 
 immediately fcnt fome Loads to their City, 
 confidering the NccelHties of their Country 
 in the very midft of their Plunder. Above 
 fix thoufand Men, Natives and Mexicans, were 
 left dead in the Streets, Temples, and ftrong 
 Houfcs. An Adion well-difpos'd, and per- 
 formed without any Lofs on our Side 5 and, hi 
 Truth, it was rather a Cfaaftifcment than a 
 Vidory. 
 
 Herman Cortes retired immediately to 
 his Quarters with the Spaniards and Zempoa- 
 lans -, and, affigning Quarters for the TUfi 
 calans within the City, order'd the Prifoners 
 of both Nations to be fct at Liberty 5 which 
 Were indeed the principal People, whom the 
 Tlaf calans had prefcrved as their moft valuable 
 Prize. Cortes firft order'd them to be brought 
 into his Prefence, and then commanding that 
 the Pricfts fhould come forth from their Con- 
 finements, with the Indian Woman who dif- 
 cover'd their Defigns, and the Ambaffadors of 
 Motezuma 5 he made them a fhort Difcourfe, 
 complaining, " That the People of that City 
 " had obliged him to fo fevere a Punifhmcnt 5" 
 and after reprefenting to them the Crime, and 
 alluring all, that he had laid afide his Difpleafure, 
 and fatisfy'd his juft Revenge, he commanded 
 a general Pardon to be publifh'd, without any 
 Exception j and made it his Requcft to the 
 Caziques, That they would endeavour to re- 
 pcople the City, by calling back the Fugitives, 
 and encouraging thofc to come forth who were 
 conceal'd. 
 
 The 
 
346 The Hiftory of the Book IIF. 
 
 The Indians could fcarce believe they were 
 at Liberty, knowing with what* Rigour they 
 ufed to treat their own Prifoners ; but killing 
 the Earth in Token of their great Acknow- 
 ledgment, they offend, with the moil humble 
 Submiffion, to execute the Orders given them. 
 The Ambaffadors endcavour'd to conceal their 
 Confufion, applauding the Succefs of that Day 5 
 and Her nan Cortes congratulated them on the 
 fame, {offering Diffimulation to take Place for 
 the prefent, that he might keep them free 
 from Sufpicion, and oblige Moteztima, by his 
 outward Shew, to intereft himfelf in the Chal- 
 tifement of his own Artifice. 
 
 The City was in a little Time repeopled ; 
 for this Demonftration of fetting at Liberty 
 the Caziques and Pricfts fo foon, and the great 
 Praifes they gave to the Clemency of the Spa- 
 niards after fo juft a Provocation, was fuffi- 
 cient Afliirance to the People who were fcat- 
 tcr'd among the neighbouring Villages. The 
 Citizens returned immediately to their Houfes 
 with their Families, opciVd their Shops, mewed 
 their Wares, and the Tumult was at once con- 
 verted into Obedience and Security : An Action 
 which did not lb much fhew the natural Fa- 
 cility with which thofe Indians ran from one 
 Extreme to another, as the great Opinion they 
 had of the Spaniards 5 for they found in the 
 very Juftification of their Punifhmcnt fufficient 
 Reafon to be fecure, on their Amendment. 
 
 The Day after the Action, XicotencalzuWA 
 with an Army of twenty thouiand Men, which, 
 
 upon 
 
Book IH. Conquefl of Mexico. 347 
 
 upon the firft Notice from their People, the 
 Republick fent to the Succour of the Spa- 
 niards. They had kept their Forces on Foot, 
 doubting the Succefs ; and upon all Occafions 
 the Spaniards experienced the ready Afliftance 
 of that Nation. They halted without the City, 
 where Her nan Cortes vifited and entertained 
 them, with the greateft Acknowledgments for 
 their Care and Zeal to ferve him 5 but at the 
 fame Time prevail'd on them to return, telling 
 Xicotencal, and his Captains, " That now their 
 " Afliftance was not neceflary for the Reduction 
 " of the City $ and that having refolv'd fhortly 
 Y to march for Mexico, it was not convenient 
 iff to awaken the Power of Motezuma, . and 
 p. provoke him to War, by bringing into his 
 " Dominions fo numerous a Body of Tlaf- 
 " calans, declared Enemies of the Mexicans. 3 * 
 They made no Objeftions to thefe Reafonss 
 on the contrary, they ingenuoufly confefled 
 and acknowledged that they were juft, offering 
 to have Troops in Readinefs, and to come to 
 his Afliftance whenfoever Occafion required. 
 
 Cortes endeavour'd, before they returned, 
 to reconcile the two Nations of Tlafcala and 
 Cholula. He fet on foot a Treaty, removed 
 the Difficulties, and, as his Authority was now 
 well confirm' d with both Parties, he effected 
 it in a few Days 5 and the Ad of Confederacy 
 and Alliance between the two Cities and their 
 Diftricts, was celebrated with the Afliftance of 
 their Magiftrates, and the accuftomed Solem- 
 nities and Ceremonies. This was a wife Me- 
 diation 5 
 
348 Tie Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 diation 5 to which he was obliged, for the Sake 
 of the Conveniency of opening a Way for 
 the Tlafcalans, to fupply him the more eaftly 
 with fuch Succours as he fhould have Occafion 
 for, and likewife not to leave this Impediment 
 to his Retreat, in cafe the Succcfs fhould not 
 be anfwerable to his Hopes. 
 
 Thus happened the Chaftifement c&Cholula, 
 fomuch talked of in the Books of Strangers, 
 and in one of our own Authors, who by this 
 Means obtained the miferablc Applaule of fee- 
 ing himfelf quoted againft his Countrv. They 
 place this Action among the barbarous Cruelties 
 related of the Spaniards in the Indies, and 
 enlarge very much upon it, to diicredit and 
 reflect on the Conqucft. They would attri- 
 bute all the Glory of our Arms to a covetous 
 Impulie and Thirft of Gold, without remem- 
 bring that we open'd the Way to Religion, 
 with the concurrent fpecial Ailiftance of the. 
 Arm of God throughout the whole Under- 
 taking. They very much lament the Indians, 
 treating them as a dcfenccleis and fimplc People, 
 that their Sufferings might appear the greater, 
 and by a wicked Compaffion (hew their Hatred 
 and Envy. The Cafe of Cholula needs no 
 other Defence than the bare Narration : which 
 Efficiently {hews the Malice of thofe Barba- 
 rians, how well they knew to make ufe both 
 of Force and Fraud, and with how much 
 Juftice their Treachery was puniftfd. And from 
 hence may be gathcr'd, with how muchPaffion 
 and Partiality other Cafes are related, with the 
 
 famQ 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico* 349 
 
 fame Charge of horrible Inhumanity. Wc 
 are not ignorant, that in fome Parts of the Indies \ 
 Adions have been feen worthy Reprehcnfion, 
 indeed contrary both to Piety and Reafon ; 
 but in what juft and holy Undertaking, has it 
 not been neceffary to pafs by fome Inconve- 
 niencies? From what well-difciplin'd Army 
 could thofe Abufes and Diforders, which the 
 World calls military Liberty, be intirely ba- 
 niflfd? And what Proportion do thefe lefler 
 Inconvcniencics bear with the principal Point 
 of the Conqucft? Thofe who are envious of 
 the Spanijh Glory, muft confefs, that from 
 tliis Beginning rcfultcd, and with thefe Inftru- 
 ments was perfeded, the Converfion of this 
 Body of Gentiles ', and fo great a Part of the 
 World, as at this Day, reftorcd to their Creator, 
 But to think that this Conqueft of the Indies 
 ihould not be agreeable to God, and his mod 
 high Decree, for this or that Crime of the Con- 
 querors, is to confound the Subftance with Ac- 
 cidents j fmce even in the ineffable Work of 
 our Redemption, there is prefuppofed (as ne- 
 ceffary for univetfal Salvation) the Malice of 
 thofe permitted Sinners, who were the Instru- 
 ments of working the greateft Remedy with 
 the greateft Iniquity. The Ends of God may 
 be known in fome of his Difpofitions, which 
 carry along with them the Signals of his Pro- 
 vidence 5 but the Proportion and Suitablcncfs 
 of the Means by which they are purfucd, is a 
 Point referv'd to his eternal Wifdom, and fo 
 conceal'd from human Knowledge, that thefe 
 
 partial 
 
35$ The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 partial Judges ought to be heard with Con- 
 tempt, whofc too refined Reafonings wou'd 
 pais on the World for Strength of Undcrftand- 
 tng, when, in Truths they are no more than a 
 
 k D7 
 
 daring Ignorance 
 
 CHAP, VIII. 
 
 The Spaniards march from Cholula 5 they ??teet 
 with new 'Difficulties on the Mountain 
 of Chaico : Motezuma endeavours to flop 
 the?n by Means of his Magicians. 
 
 THE Day prefixed for the March was now 
 drawing near, when ibme Zempoalans 
 who ferv'd in the Army (whether they fcar'd 
 tlie Danger of marching to the Court of Mo- 
 tezuma, or that the Love of their Country 
 weighed more with them than Reputation) de- 
 fired Leave to return Home ; which Cortes 
 granted without Difficulty; thanking them for 
 the good Services they had done him: And by 
 this Opportunity he fent fome Prcfents to the 
 Cazique of Zempoalas recommending again 
 to his Care, thofe Spaniards he had left in 
 his Diftrict, upon the Confidence reposed in 
 his Friendfhip and Alliance. He wrote at the 
 fame time to Juan de Efcalante with particular 
 Earncfinefs, to fend him fome Meal, and Wine 
 for the Mais, which began to grow fcarce, and 
 the Want of which would be a very great Dif- 
 
 comfort 
 
Book HI. Conqueft of 'Mexico. 551 
 
 comfort both to him, and to all his Troops- 
 He save him a (hort Account of his Pro- 
 grefs, that he might thereby encourage him to 
 ftrengthen the Fortrefs of Vera Cruz, by ad- 
 ditional Fortifications ; not fo much on account 
 of the Indians, as of what might be fufpeft^d 
 from T>iego Velafquez, whofe reftlefs Spirit 
 added to the General's Anxiety. 
 
 At this Time arrived new EmbafTadors from 
 Motezurna y who having been informed of 
 what had pafs'd at Cholula, was defirous to 
 take away all Sufpicion from the Spaniards 
 of his being concerned in that Affair: Accor- 
 dingly, thefe EmbafTadors returned Thanks to 
 Cartes for chaftizing that Sedition 5 vainly en- 
 i larging upon the Indignation of their King, 
 and branding thofe with the Name of Trai- 
 tors, who had merited it no other wife than 
 by Obedience to his Commands. This Me£ 
 fage was accompanied with a Prefent of equal 
 : Vafuc and Pomp 5 and by what happened af- 
 terwards, it appeared, that the Defign of it was 
 to make Cortes think himfelf fecure, that he 
 might be 'the lefs circumfpeft in his March, 
 and fall into another Ambufli, prepared for 
 him. 
 
 In fine, after fourteen Days Stay, during 
 which Time they were employ 'd in the Man- 
 ner we have related, they began their March; 
 and the firft Night the Army quartered in a 
 Village in the Jurifdi&ion of Guajozingo, to 
 which the Chiefs of that Government, and of 
 other neighbouring Towns, immediately re- 
 paired 
 
352 Tie Hifiory of the Book III. 
 
 paired with a fufficient Quantity of Provisions, 
 and fome Prefents of fmall Value, but enough 
 to fhew the Aflfe&ion with which they ex- 
 pected the Spaniards. Among thefe People 
 Cortes found the fame Complaints of Mote- 
 z>uma as in Provinces more remote 5 nor was he 
 forry to fee thofe Humours extend fo near the 
 Heart, perfuading himfelf, that a Prince could 
 nor be very powerful with fo many Marks of 
 a Tyrant, who by lofing the Love of his 
 Vafials, is deftitute of the fureft Defence of a 
 King. 
 
 The next day they profecuted their March 
 over a very craggy Mountain, which joined 
 to the Volcano. Cortes marched with Caution,- 
 having been advifed by one of the Caziquesof 
 Guajozingo at parting, not to confide in the 
 Mexicans, who had placed a great Ambufcade 
 on the other Side of the Mountain, and flopped 
 up the Royal Road, which goes down from 
 the Top to the Province of Chalco, with great 
 Stones and Trees 5 and had open d and fmooth'd 
 at the Beginning another more impra&ible Paf- 
 fage, having farther on in the Delcent aug- 
 mented the natural Precipices, with fome they 
 had made, that the Army by degrees might be 
 entangled in Difficulties, and be charged on 
 a fudden, when their Horfes could not turn 
 themfclves, nor the Foot (land firm. They 
 had rcaclvd the Top of the Mountain, ( not 
 without Fatigue, for it ihowed and blew hard ). 
 when in the very higheft Part, at a little Di- 
 ftancc from each other, they found the two 
 
 Roads 
 
 ; 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 353 
 
 Roads with the Marks that had been related, 
 
 one ftopt up, and covered 5 the other inviting 
 
 to the View, and newly made. 
 
 Although Hernan Cortes was highly in- 
 cenfed to find the Intelligence of this Piece of 
 Treachery prove true, he was fo much Matter 
 of himfelf,that without (hewing Refentment, 
 : or making any Difturbance, he asked Mote- 
 zumds Ambafladors, who marched near his 
 Perfcn, what thofe two Roads meant? They 
 anfwcred, That the be ft was levelled for him 
 to march : The other ftopt up, as more craggy 
 .and difficult . Cortes replied, without change- 
 in^ either Voice or Countenance, Ton are 
 but little acquainted, faid he, with thofe of 
 my Nation y they will march in this Road 
 [that you have ftopt up, for no other Reafon^ 
 \than its c Difftadty : For the Spaniards, when* 
 foever they have it in their Choice > incline 
 fo that which is the leaft eafy. Then, with- 
 out making any Stop, he commanded his In- 
 dian Friends to march foremoft, and clear 
 :he Way, by removing to each Side thofe Ob- 
 lacles to his Paffage, the Artifice whereof they 
 lad difcover'd to him : This was prefently put 
 ,n Execution, to the great Surprize pf the 
 Ambafladors; who not fuipe&ing the Strata- 
 gem of their Prince to be difcovered, believed 
 t a Piece of Divination, and found Matter 
 )oth of Admiration and Fear in the Gallantry 
 )f his Refolution. Cortes made this artful 
 ' J(e of the Notice he had received., to avoid 
 he Danger, without lofmg his Reputation : 
 
 Vol. I. A a Nor 
 
354 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Nor did he care to have them think that he 
 diftruftcd Motezuma-, but dextroufly difap- 
 pointecl his Stratagem, without feeming to 
 know it. 
 
 So foon as the Indians in Ambufcade per- 
 ceived the Spaniards to march wide, and fol- 
 low the Royal Road, they took it for granted 
 that they were difcovered, and began to retire 
 in as much Confternation and Diforder, as if 
 they had been overcome in Battle: So that 
 our Army defcended into the Plain, without 
 Opposition : They quartered that Night in 
 fome Houfes on the Skirts of the Moun- I 
 tain, built for the Entertainment of Mexican 
 Merchants, who frequented the Pairs of Cho- 
 lula\ there they iecured themfelves with 
 doubled Guards, and fuch other Precautions 
 as were neceflary in a Country where they 
 marched in lb little Security. 
 
 Motezuma, in the mean Time, difpi- 
 rited by the Difappointments he had met with, 
 loft his Reiblution, and durft not make ufe df 
 Force. This want of Courage made him de- 
 vout : he was more converfant with his Gods, 
 frequented their Temples, and redoubled his 
 Sacrifices, till he had ftain d all their Altars 
 with human Blood: His Cruelty increafed 
 with his Afflictions; and the contradictory 
 Anfwers of his Idols added to his Confufion, 
 and made him entirely difconfolate : for 
 thole unclean Spirits that fpoke in them dif- 
 agrecd in their Advice. Some bad him open 
 the Gates of the Cijy to the Spaniards, that 
 
 he 
 
 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. 355 
 
 he might fecure them all for Sacrifice, with- 
 out their being able either to defend themfelves 
 or to efcapc : Others advifed, that he fhould 
 keep them at a Diftancc, and without fuffering 
 himfclf to be feen, endeavour to deftroy thenii 
 and to this Ophiion he moft inclined: For 
 he was extremely offended at their Prefumption 
 in defiring to enter his Court againft his Will : 
 He regarded this Obftinacy of theirs, in Con- 
 trad id ion to his Orders, as an Invafion of his 
 Power, difguifing his Pride under a pretended 
 Concern for the Preservation of his Authority. 
 But when he underftood, that the Spaniards 
 were already arrived in the Province of Calco, 
 and that his laft Ambufli in the Mountain had 
 no manner of EffetV, he grew uneafie, and 
 impatient to the laft Degree, not knowing 
 
 ij what Meafures to take : And his Counfellors 
 left him in the fame Uncertainty as his Oracles. 
 At laft he fummoned all his Magicians and 
 
 I Sorcerers, whofe Profeffion was much efteemM 
 
 1 in that Country, and of whom many had 
 Communication with the Devil j the want of 
 
 I Knowledge of the true God giving a Reputa- 
 tion of Wife to thofe Men who were the 
 moft deceived. He acquainted them what 
 
 j Occafion he had for all their Skill, to check 
 
 I the Progrefs of thefe Strangers, of whofe De- 
 
 figns he was fo juftly jealous. He commanded 
 
 I them to take the Field, and put the Spaniards 
 
 to flight, or ftupify them by the Force of their 
 
 Enchantments, and work fonie extraordinary 
 
 : Effect, as they had been accultomed to do on 
 
 A a 2 Occafions 
 
356 The Hiftory of the Book III, 
 
 Occafions Icfs important: If they accompliflul 
 this, he pr'om'ifcd them great Rewards ; and 
 threatend them with Death, if they returned 
 into his Prefcnce without Succcfs. 
 
 This Order was put in Execution with fo 
 much Zeal, that feveral numerous Companies 
 of Necromancers were affcmbled and fet out 
 againft the Spaniards, confiding in the Force 
 of their Conjurations, and the Power which 
 they believed they had over all Nature. Father 
 Jofeph de Acofia, and other creditable Au- 
 thors report, That when they came to the 
 Road of Chalco, by which the Army was 
 marching, and there began their Invocations, 
 and drew Circles, the Devil appear'd to them, 
 in the Form of one of their Idols, called Tel- 
 catlepuca, a God malignant and terrible, from 
 whom they fuppofed Plagues, Sterility, and 
 other Chaftifements of Heaven to proceed. 
 He came like one defpighted and enraged; and 
 with his lowring angry Look, outdid the very , 
 Fiercenefs exprefs'd in the Countenance of the 
 Idol. His Garments were girt with a Rope 
 of Wicker, which bound his Breaft in different 
 Rounds, either for the better Expreffion of 
 his Anguifh, or to fhow, that he was dragg'd 
 by an invifible Hand. They proftrated them- 
 felves to adore him; and he, without fhewing 
 the lead Regard to their Humiliations, imitated 
 the Voice as well as he had done the Figure 
 of the Idol 5 and fpoke to them after this 
 Manner : Unhappy Mexicans, the Time is come 
 wherein your Conjurations have lojl their 
 
 Force, 
 
Book III. Conqneft of 'Mexico. 357 
 
 Force, and our League is entirely dijfolved. 
 Tell Motezuma, that for his Tyranny and 
 Cruelty *, Heaven hath decreed his Ruin : And 
 that y on may after a more lively Manner re- 
 prefent to him the c Defolation of his Empire \ 
 turn your Eyes upon that miferable City, al- 
 ready for faken by your Gods. Having faid this, 
 he disappeared $ and they beheld the whole 
 City in a dreadful Flame, which leflening by 
 : Degrees, at length vaniflVd, and left the Build- 
 ings untouched. The Magicians returned to 
 Motezuma with this Accounr, which they 
 hoped would be fufficient to acquit them, 
 ! notwithftanding their Apprehenfions of his 
 !' Cruelty. But he was fo aftonifhed with the 
 \ Menaces of this malignant and calamitous God, 
 that he remained fpeechlefs for a while, like a 
 Man in deep Thought ; and fummoning all his 
 Spirits to his Support, and from that Inftant 
 laying afide his native Ficrcenefs, he caft his 
 Eyes 011 the Magicians, and the reft who were 
 prefent : What can we do, faid he, if our 
 Xiod? for fake us? Let the Strangers come y 
 and the Heavens fall Upon us: To abfcond y 
 or turn our Backs upon Misfortune, would be 
 dijhonourable. (And a little after he added) 
 / only lament the old Men, Women, and 
 Children y who cannot defend themfelves. 
 And in making this Reflexion it was with 
 Difficulty that he with-held his Tears. It 
 cannot be denied, but that there was fome- 
 thing very noble in his Refolution to meet 
 Jhat Calamity which he now regarded as in- 
 Aa? evitable > 
 
3 58 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 evitable ; nor was it a Tcndcrnefs unbecom- 
 ing a Royal Zviind, which he exprefs'd in re- 
 flecting on the Oppreffion of his Vaflals: 
 Such Sentiments are worthy of a King, among 
 whole Virtues Humanity and Compaflion arc 
 no lefs heroical than Fortitude. 
 
 They began from this Moment to think 
 of the Entertainment which was to be given 
 the Spaniards y and of the Solemnity and Prepa- 
 rations for their Reception : And from thence 
 took Occafion to difcourfc on the great Acti- 
 ons they had done, and the Prodigies with 
 which Heaven had prepared their Way, the 
 Marks they bore of thole Oriental Men, pro- 
 mifed to their Anccftors, and the Defpondency 
 of their own Gods, who fcemed to confefs 
 themfelves vanquifh'd, and to abandon the 
 Dominion of thefe Countries, as Divinities of 1 
 an inferior. Hierarchy. And there was fuffi- 
 cient need of all this Prepoiiefllon, to make 
 it poflible for fuch a Handful of Men to pene- 
 trate (againft fuch obftinate Refinance) to the 
 very Court of a Prince fo potent and abfolute ; 
 whofe Vaflals were bfed up in a Dread of 
 him, and reverenced him even to Adoration. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. 359 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Motczuma fends his Nephew the Lord of 
 Tezeuco to vifit Cortes in his Quarters: 
 He continues his March, and halts at 
 Quitlavaca, within the Lake of Mexico. 
 
 FROM the Houfes where the Army quar- 
 tered on the other Side of the Moun- 
 tain, theypafled the Day following to a fmall 
 Village in the Jurifdiftion of Chalco, fituate 
 on the Royal Road, fomewhat more than 
 two Leagues from their former Encampment > 
 where the principal Cazique of the Province, 
 and others of the Neighbourhood, immediate- 
 ly arrived : They brought Prefents, with fome 
 Provifions : Cortes entertained them with great 
 Humanity, and made them Prefents in Return 
 for theirs : But he quickly difcover'd by their 
 Converfation, that they were very circum- 
 fped, and cautious of fpeaking before the 
 Mexican Ambaffadors : For they flopped out 
 of Seafon, and feemed cmbarafted 5 and even 
 in what they faid, explained what they would 
 conceal. Hernan Cortes took them afide, 
 and, by the Help of his Interpreters, difco- 
 ver'd all the Venom of their Hearts. They 
 complain d immoderately of the Cruelties and 
 Tyrannies of Motezuma: They reprefented 
 the intolerable Load of his Imports, which ex- 
 tended even to their Perfons 5 for he obliged 
 
 A a 4 them 
 
l6o The Hi#ory of the Book III. 
 
 them to labour without Wages, in his Gar- 
 dens, and other Works of Vanity : They add- 
 ed with Tears, That they were forced to give 
 up their Women as a Tribute to his Lujl> 
 and that of his Minifters, who chofe and 
 rejected them at ¥ lea fur e ; nor were the 
 Mother s Arms a Security to her daughter, 
 or the Bed of a Husband any Protection to 
 his Wife. They rcprefented this to Cortes, 
 as to the Perfon who was to apply a Remedy > 
 beholding him as a Deity defcended from Hea- 
 ven, to excrcifc jurifdiction over Tyrants. He 
 hearkened to them with Companion, and en- 
 deavour'd to fupport them with the Hopes of 
 Relief 5 permitting the Opinion they had en- 
 tertain d of him to pafs at that Time without 
 undeceiving their Ignorance. He did not wil- 
 lingly fuffer his Politics to carry him beyond 
 the Bounds of Modefty 5 and as little did he 
 care to leflen the advantageous Notion thefe 
 People had of him, which he confidcr'd as a 
 Point of the utmoft Importance. 
 
 He purfucd his March the next Day for four 
 Leagues, thro' a more temperate and plcafant 
 Country, whofe beautiful Groves and Gardens 
 fpoke the Bounty of Nature, and the Induftry 
 of Art. He made a Halt in Amemeca, where 
 he quartered his Army in a Village tolerably 
 well inhabited, built on a Creek of the great 
 Lake, one Half in the Water, and the other 
 on firm Land, at the Foot of a little Moun- 
 tain, rugged and barren : To this Place refort- 
 ed a great many Mexicans, with their Arms, 
 
 an4 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 361 
 
 and military Ornaments : And tho' it was be- 
 lieved at firft, that Curiofity only brought them 
 thither, their Numbers increased to fuch a De- 
 1 grec, as to give Umbrage 5 nor wanted there 
 fome Reafons to create a Jealoufy of their 
 jDcfigns. Cortes had recourfe to fuchlmpref- 
 fions on their Senfes as he thought proper to 
 (lop and affright them 5 making a Difcharge of 
 jfome Fire-Arms, and Pieces of Artillery, in the 
 Air, and provoking the Fury of the Horfcs ; 
 and the Interpreters reprefented thofe ftrange 
 Sounds, as the Forerunners of fome finifter 
 ?lEvent : By which Means he obliged them to 
 retire to a greater Diftance from his Quarters 
 tibefore Nieht came on. We cannot affirm, 
 [jrhat they came with any hpftile Intentions 5 
 (lirior doth it feem likely, that they fhould un- 
 pertake any new Conspiracy, when Motezu- 
 ma was reduced to let himfelf be fccn$ tho* 
 njiiterwards the Centincls kill'd fome Indians 
 ■for advancing too near, with an Appearance 
 Ibf reconnoitring the Quarters : And it is pot 
 Kble, that fome Chief of the Mexicans might 
 cad his Troops thither, with a D^fign to fur- 
 )rize the Spaniards 5 as believing it might 
 ■lot be difagreeable to their King, who, they 
 hought, was making a Peace repugnant to 
 ■lis Temper and Intereft : But this is no more 
 than Conjecture ; for in the Morning they 
 imly difcover'd fome Troops of People with- 
 out Arms, who had placed themfelves in the 
 load to fee the Strangers pafs. 
 
 I 
 
 Order§ 
 
362 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Orders were now giving for the Army 
 to march, when four Mexican Cavaliers ar- 
 i\ v d at the Quarters, with Notice, that Prince 
 Cactimatzin, Nephew to Motezuma, and 
 Lord of Tezeuco y was coming to vifit Cor- 
 tes on the Part of his Uncle; nor was it 
 long before fee arriv'd, accompany J d by a great 
 many Nobles, richly adorn'd, and bearing the 
 Enfigns of Peace. He was carried on the 
 Shoulders of fome Indians of his Family, id 
 a Chair covered with various Feathers, whofe 
 Colours were divcrfify'd with Defign and Pro- 
 portion. He was a young Alan of about 2j 
 Years of Age, of an agreeable Prefence. So 
 foon as he alighted, fome of his Servants went 
 before to fweep the Ground where he was to 
 tread, putting back the People on each Side 
 with much Ceremony, which, howfoevcr ri- 
 diculous, carried a Shew of Authority. Cor- 
 tes went to receive him as far as the Door o; 
 his Apartment, having adorn'd himfelf as ufual 
 on fuchOccafions > and, at his Approach, made 
 a profound Reverence: Which the Prince re- 
 turn'd, touching the Earth, and afterwards his 
 Lips with his Right Hand : He took his Plao 
 with a free caly Air, and fpokc with the Com 
 pofure of a Man, who knew how to look o: 
 Novelties without Surprize. The Subftan 
 of his Difcourfe was, in proper Expreffions 
 to welcome Cortes, and all the Captains 
 his Army -, to inform hi?n of the amicable 
 c Difpofition with which the great Motezuma 
 exfieEied them, and how much he defired to 
 
 tflablijl 
 
 fi 
 
 
BookllL Conquefi of Mexico. 363 
 
 ejlabliflb a firm Correfpondence and Friend- 
 flip with the Puiffant Eaftcrn Prince who 
 fent him; whofe Power he was obliged to 
 acknowledge, for fome Reafons, which they 
 jhould underft and from his own Mouth : And 
 then, by Way of private Difcourfe, entertain'd 
 him (as the other Embaffadors ted done be- 
 fore) with the "Difficulties that oppos'd his 
 coming to Mexico, pretending that the Peo- 
 ple were much diftrefsd by that Tears Bar- 
 rennefs all over the Country ; and telling him 
 (as a Point that gave the King much Concern) 
 how ill the Spaniards mufl be accommodated y 
 where the Inhabitants themfelves wanted 
 I necejfary Subfiftance. To this Cortes reply 'd, 
 ' (in that myfterious Manner, by which he con- 
 iflantly maintained theRefped and Awe he had 
 ; imprinted on the People) That the King his 
 Majler, being a Monarch without Equal in 
 the other World where the Sun rifes, had 
 likewife fome Reafons of high Import for 
 offering his Friendpip ^Motezuma, and for 
 communicating to him fever al Affairs which 
 effentially regarded his Perfon and "Dignity ', 
 ■ and fuch as would not be undeferving of his 
 Acknowledgment : And that for his own 
 • Part, he did with a mofi particular RefpeEi 
 accept the Liberty he gave him, to deliver 
 his Embaffy, without being the leaf in Pain 
 \ for the prefent Scarcity of the Country : 
 That the Spaniards requifd but little Nou- 
 rifhment to fupport their Vigour, and were 
 inured to fuffer ? and even dejpife thofe In- 
 
 coyve- 
 
364 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 conveniences and Fatigues, which dijlrefsd 
 Men of an inferior Species. Cacnmatzin 
 laid no more to divert his Refolution 5 but re- 
 ceived fome fmail Jewels of an extraordinary 
 Glafs, which Cortes prefented him, with abun- 
 dance of Joy and Acknowledgment 5 accom- 
 panying the Army as far as Tezeuco, the Ca- 
 pital of his Dominion 5 from whence he pro- 
 ceeded to Mexico, with the Anlwer to his 
 -Embaffy. 
 
 Tezeuco was in thofe Days one of the great- 
 eft Cities of that Empire : Some fay 'twas as 
 big as Sevil, and others, that it vied with 
 Mexico itfelf for Grandeur, and pretended 
 mot without Reafon) to be fuperior to it in 
 Point of Antiquity. The principal Front of 
 the Buildings was extended on the Border of 
 a fpacious Lake, in a delightful Situation, 
 where the Caufey of Mexico began : And by 
 that Cortes purfu'd his March, without ftop-1 
 ing at Tezeuco-, for his' Intention was to ad- 
 vance to Iztacpalapa, three Leagues forward 5 
 from whence he could with Eafe the next Day 
 enter Mexico in good Time. In this Part the 
 Caufey was about twenty Foot broad, made o 
 Stone and Lirfie, with fome Works on the 
 Surface : In the Middle of the Way upon the 
 lame Caufey, there was another Town of about 
 two thoufand Houfes, called Quitlavacai and 
 becaufe it was founded in the Waters, they 
 called it Venuzuela, or little Venice. The 
 Caziquc went out with a great Retinue to re 
 ecive Cortes , aid defircd he would honour his 
 
 City 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. ^65 
 
 I City that Night with hisPrefence; this he did 
 \ fo carneftly, and with fuch an Appearance of 
 I Affection, that Cortes judged it neceflary to 
 i yield to his Entreaties, for fear of difobliging 
 him : Befides that he found his Stay would be 
 \ of Advantage in order to the making his Ob- 
 [ fervations 5 for as he had now a nearer View 
 I of the Danger, he was jealous of their break- 
 I ing the Caufey, or taking away the Bridges, 
 [ to obftruft his March. 
 
 From this Place might be fcen the greateft 
 I Part of the Lake, beautified with various 
 I Towns and-Caufeys; Towers and Pinnacles 
 I which fcem'd to fwini upon the Waters, Trees 
 land Gardens out of their proper Element ; be- 
 J'iidcs a Multitude of Indians, who were ap~ 
 tproaching in their Canoes to behold the Spa- 
 Yniards, and a much greater Number on the 
 I Battlements of the Houfes $ a Sight extremely 
 [beautiful, and a Novelty furprizing beyond 
 I Imagination. 
 
 The Army was fufficiently accommodated 
 in thefe Quarters ; for here the People enter- 
 tained their Gucfts with Civility, and a chear- 
 ful Afpeft 5 and their Politenefs was a Proof, 
 :hat they liv'd in the Neighbourhood of Mo~ 
 tezumas Court : But the Cazique was not able 
 o refrain from manifefting the little Affeftion 
 le bore that Emperor, and that he had the 
 ame Defire with the reft, to free himfelf 
 rom the entolerable Yoke of his Government : 
 7 or he encouraged the Soldiers to the Entcr- 
 >rize, which he reprefented as very eafy 5 and 
 
 told 
 
%66 The Hiftory of Bfr Book III. 
 
 told the Interpreters, (as defiring that'll fhould 
 know it) That the Caufey from thence to 
 Mexico, was more capacious, and better, 
 than what they had faffed; that they had 
 nothing to apprehend on the Way, nor from 
 the Towns on the Borders of it 5 that the 
 City of Iztacpalapa {thro' which they were 
 to pafs) was peaceably inclind, and had Or- 
 ders to receive, and entertain the Spaniards 
 as Friends : And notwithftanding the Lord 
 of that City was a Relation 0/MotezumaV, 
 they had no Reafon to fear on that Score 4 > 
 for the Trodigies from Heaven, the An- 
 fwers of his Oracles, and the Accounts he 
 had receivd of the Spanifh Armfs Exploits, 
 had render 'd him humble and difpiritedj 
 for which Reafon they would find him de- 
 fir ous of Teace, and rather dijpofed to fufi 
 fer, than provoke. The Cazique fpoke Truth, 
 but with fome Mixture of Paffion, and Flat- 
 tery : Notwithftanding which, Cortes divulg'c 
 and exaggerated the Account he had given 
 among his Soldiers 5 and it muft be confeflec 
 it came in Scafon, that thofe who were no 
 over- forward in the Purfuit of this Enterprize 
 might not be difcouraged at the great Variet] 
 of wonderful Objefts, which they had it 
 View, from whence they might form Appre 
 henfions of the Grandeur of the Mexica) 
 Court, and the formidable Power of the King 
 But the Cazique's Intelligence, with the Re 
 flections they made on Motezumds Perplex 
 ity, and his want of Spirit, had iuch an Effed 
 
 I* 
 
 ! 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. 367 
 
 at this Juncture, that all the Soldiers were 
 tranfported with Joy, where they found Caufc 
 of Aftonifhment 5 and their Hopes of Succefc 
 were rais'd in Proportion to their Admiration 
 of what they faw. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 The Army marches to Iztacpalapa ; they make 
 a ^Difpofition for their Entry into Mexico, 
 A \Defcription of the Tomp in which Mo- 
 tezuma wenf to receive the Spaniards. 
 
 THE next Morning, a little after Break 
 of Day, they form'd themfelves upon 
 the fame Caufey, as well as it would allow, 
 being in that Part wide enough for Eight 
 Horfcs to march in Front. The Army con- 
 fided then of about Four Hundred and Fifty 
 Spaniards, and Six Thoufand Indians, Tlaf- 
 1 calans, Zempoalans, and other Confederates. 
 They continued their March (without any re- 
 markable Adventure) to the City of Iztacpa- 
 lapa, where they intended to halt 5 a Place 
 far exceeding the reft, in the Height of its 
 Towers, and Manner of Building : The City 
 confided of near Ten Thoufand Houfes, of 
 two and three Stories high, Part of which were 
 built upon the Lake, but the much greater Part 
 upon the Shore, in a delightful and commo- 
 dious Situation, The Lord of this Place went 
 
 out 
 
368 The Hiftory of the Book III, 
 
 out with a numerous Train to receive the Army ; 
 and was aflifted on this Occafion by the Princes 
 of Magifcatzingo and Cuyoacan, which were 
 Towns bordering upon the Lake : They brought 
 three feparate Prefents of various Fruits, Fowls, 
 and other Provifions, with fome Pieces of Gold, 
 worth near Two Thoufand Pefo's : They pre- 
 fented themfelves together, and made them- 
 felves known, by telling each his Name and 
 Dignity, relying on their Prefents to fupply 
 what was wanting; in their Words. 
 
 The Entry of the Spaniards into this City 
 was welcomed with loud Acclamations of the 
 People, whofe unruly Joy, on that Occafion, 
 aflur'd the moft jealous Spirits of their Since- 
 rity : The Lodging of the Spaniards was pre- 
 pared in the Prince's own Palace, where they 
 were all under Cover ; the reft ift the Courts 
 and Porches were fufficiently accommodated 
 for one Night, which they had Reafon to pafs 
 without any Apprehenfion of Danger. The 
 Palace was large, and well built, with diftinft 
 Apartments both above and below; among 
 which were many Chambers, whofe Roofs were 
 flat, and of Cedar, and not without Furniture > 
 for fome had Cotton Hangings, of various 
 coloured Painting, well proportion^. There 
 were in Iztacpalapa many Fountains of fwcet 
 and wholefome Water, convey 'd by feveral 
 Aqueducts from the neighbouring Mountains-, 
 and a great Number of Gardens, large and well 
 cultivated: Among which there was one far 
 more lpacious and beautiful than the reft, which 
 
 the 
 
 
 i 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 369 
 
 the Cazique had for his own Diverfion: To 
 this he carried Cortes that Evening, with fome 
 of his Captains and Soldiers 5 as defirous to 
 omit nothing that might entertain his Guefts, 
 and at the fame Time gratify his own Pride 
 and Vanity. There he had Fruit-Trees difpofed 
 into very large Walks, leaving Room for fmaller 
 Plants, and a Parterre with Divifions made of 
 Canes interwoven, and covered with odori- 
 ferous Herbs 5 befides feveral Squares cultivated 
 with great Induftry, and adorned with Variety 
 'of Flowers : In the Middle of the Garden was 
 a Pond of frefh Water of quadrangular Form, 
 encompafs'd with a Wall made of Stone and 
 Lime, with Stairs on all Sides to the Bottom : 
 It was Co large, that each Side contained Four 
 Hundred Paces $ and here Fifh of the mod de- 
 licate Kind were bred, and feveral Sorts of 
 Water-Fowl reforted hither, fome known in 
 Europe, and others of beautiful Figure, and 
 extraordinary Feathers : A Work well worthy 
 of a Prince, and which belonging to a Vaflal 
 of Motezuma% afforded an Idea of the greater 
 Magnificence of his Sovereign. The Night 
 palled very quietly, and the People returned 
 with Pleafure, and a frank open Behaviour, to 
 the Entertainment of the Spaniards - y but it 
 was obferved, they fpoke here after another 
 Manner concerning the Affairs oiMotezuma. 
 than the reft of his Subjects : For they allprailed 
 his Government, and extolled his Grandeur 5 
 whether the Honour the Cazique had of be- 
 longing to him, had imprinted that Idea en 
 Vol. I. " B b their. 
 
3 70 Tie Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 their Minds, or that they were intimidated by 
 the Neighbourhood of the Tyrant. 
 
 They had two Leagues of Caufey from 
 hence to Mexico, and took the Morning be- 
 fore them : For Cortes was defirous to make 
 his Entry, and pay his Compliments to Mote- 
 z,uma in good Time, fo as to have fome Part 
 of the Day left to reconnoitre and fortify his 
 Quarters. He continued his March in the ac- 
 cuftomed Order, and leaving on the one Side 
 the City otMagifcatzingo, fituate on the Water, 
 and on the other, that ot Cuyocan y upon the- 
 Caufey, befides a great many Towns, which 
 were izz^i at a Diftance upon the Lake, they 
 difcovered, as they drew fomewhat nearer, (and 
 not without Admiration) the great City of 
 Mexico, elevated to a vaft Degree above all the 
 reft, and carrying an Air of Dominion in the 
 Pride of her Buildings. They had marched 
 little lefs than half Way, when they were met 
 by more then Four Thoufand Nobles and Offi- 
 cers of the City, who came to receive them 5 
 and whofc Compliments delayed their March 
 a confiderable Time, tho' they only paid their 
 Obey fance, and then advanced before the Troops 
 towards Mexico. In the March, a little before 
 the City, was a Bulwark of Stone, with two 
 fmall Caftles on the Sides, which took up all 
 the Breadth of the Caufey 5 the Gates opened 
 on another Part of the Cauf ey> terminated by a 
 Draw-Bridge, which defended the Entrance of , } 
 the City with a fecond Fortification. As loon 
 as the Nobles who accompanied them had 
 
 pafled 
 
 Of 
 
 itii 
 foi 
 
 k 
 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 3 7 i 
 
 pafled to the other Side of theBridge, they made 
 a Lane for the Army to march, falling back 
 on each Side 5 and then there appeared a very 
 large and fpacious Street, with great Houfes 
 uniformly built 5 the Windows and Battlements 
 were full of Spc&ators, but the Street intirely 
 empty. And they inform'd Cortes y that it was 
 fo ordered, becaufe Motezitma refoiv'd to come 
 in Perfon to receive him, in order to diftinguifh 
 .him by a particular Mark of Favour. 
 
 A little after this, appeared thc'firfl: Troop 
 ' of the Royal Retinue, which confifted of about 
 1 Two Hundred Noblemen of Motezuma's Fa- 
 mily, cloathed in one Livery, with great Plumes 
 I of Feathers, alike in Fafhion and Colour. They 
 ['came in two Files, with remarkable Silence 
 1 and Compofure, bare-footed, without lifting 
 I their Eyes from the Ground, in Manner of a 
 iProceffion. So foon as they approached the 
 I Spaniards, they fell back on each Side, in the 
 I fame Order with the reft 5 and then there ap- 
 peared afar off, a larger Company, better 
 ;| ircfled, and of greater Dignity 5 in the midft 
 1 )f which was Motezwna, carried upon the 
 I Shoulders of his Favourites, in a Chair of bur- 
 jiiflVd Gold, which glittcr'd thro' the various 
 ,| 'Works of Feathers, placed in handfome Pro- 
 I Portion about it 5 the niceDiftribution of which, 
 11 fome meafure, feemed to outvie the Coft 
 )f the Metal. Four Perfons of great Diftin&ion 
 llowed his Chair, holding over him a Ca- 
 opy, made of interwoven green Feathers, fo 
 >ut together, that they fornVd a Kind of Web, 
 B b 2 with 
 
372 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 with fome Ornaments of Silver : A little be- 
 fore him went three Officers, with golden 
 Rods in their Hands, which they lifted up on 
 high from time to time, as a Signal of the 
 King's Approach 5 that all might proftrate them- 
 felvcs before him, and not prefume to look 
 up, which was an Irreverence punifhed as Sa- 
 crilege. Cortes difmounted before he came 
 up with him, and Motezuma at the lame Time 
 alighted from his Chair : Some Indians went 
 before fpreading. Carpets, that his Feet might 
 not touch the Ground, which, in their Opinion, 
 was unworthy of the Honour. 
 
 He came forward to the Ceremony with a 
 flow folemn Pace; leaning with his Hands on 
 the Arms of the Princes of Iztacpalapa and 
 Tezeuco, his Coufins, and advanced ionic Steps 
 to receive Cortes. He was of a good Prcfence, 
 about Forty Years of. Age, of a middle Stature,- 
 and a Conftitutidjfr rather delicate than ftrongf 
 his Nofe wes aquiline, and he had a fairer 
 Complexion than the generality of the Indians* 
 his Hair came juft below his Ears, his Eyes 
 were lively, his Look majeftick and thoughtful. | 
 For his Apparel, he wore a Mantle of the 
 iineft Cotton, tied carelefsly on his Shoulders, 
 covering the greateft Part of his Body, with 
 the End trailing on the Ground, adorned with 
 different Jewels of Gold, Pearls, and precious ■-, 
 Stones, in fiich Number that they feem'd ra- 
 ther a Weight than an Ornament. His Crowflfc 
 was a Mitre, of light Gold, ending in a Point • 
 before > the hinder Part was made rounder: 
 
 On 
 
 ■, 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico, 373 
 
 On his Feet he wore Shoes' of hammered Gold, 
 whofe Straps, ftudded with the fame, bound 
 them to his Feet, and came round Part of his 
 Leg, like the Roman military Sandals. 
 
 Cortes advanced with all becoming Hafte, 
 and made a profound Reverence ; which Mote- 
 zurna anfwcred, by laying his Hand upon the 
 Ground, and railing it afterwards to his Lips : A 
 new and unheard-of Condefcenfion among thofe 
 Princes, but much more fo in Motezuma, who 
 would fcarccly bend his Neck to his Gods, and 
 affe&ed an Excefs of Pride, which, it may be, 
 he knew not how to diftinguifh from Majefty. 
 Theie Demonftrationsof Rcfpcct, and his going 
 out in Pcrfon to receive G?r^\r,occafton J d great 
 Admiration among the Indians, and added to 
 their Efteem of the Spaniards ; for they could 
 hot be perfuaded, but that the King had well 
 confidered what he did, fubmitting their own 
 Reafon to his with an implicit Rcfignation. 
 Cortes had put upon his Coat of Mail} a Chain 
 of Glafs, curioufly fct together, in imitation of 
 Diamonds and Emeralds, which he had re- 
 fer ved as a Prefent for the firflr Audience ; and 
 being clofe to Motez>urna y he threw it about 
 his Neck. The two Princes who fupported 
 him, would have flopped Cortes, with feme 
 Emotion letting him underftand, that it was 
 not lawful to approach fo near the Perfon of 
 the King: But he reprimanded them, and was 
 fo well pleafed with the Prefent, that he placed 
 it among his Jewels, as a Thing of ineftimable 
 Value $ and to return his Acknowledgment in. 
 B b 2 a 
 
 ! 
 
"574 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 a Manner remarkably generous, while the 
 reft of the Officers came up to be prcicntcd, 
 he ordered a Collar to be brought, the richeft 
 Piece he had among his jewels. It was of 
 Crinifon Shells, extremely valued inthatCoun- 
 trv, fet together with fuch Art, that at every 
 one of them hung four Crabs of Gold, very 
 much to the Life ; and he himfclf put it on 
 Cortess Neck 5 a Favour which occafioncd a 
 fecond Wonder among the Mexicans. The 
 Speech of Cortes was fhort, and fitted to the 
 Occafion : Motezumas Anfwer was likewiie 
 in few Words, difcreet and decent : He imme- 
 diately commanded one of the two Princes 
 who went by his Side, to conduct and accom- 
 pany Hernan Cortes to his Lodging ; and lean- 
 ing on the other, went to his Chair, and re- 
 turned to his Palace with the fame Pomp and 
 Gravity. 
 
 The Entry of the Spaniards into Mexico 
 was on the Eighth of Nov. in the Year ifip. 
 the Day of the four crowned Martyrs. The 
 Lodging provided for them was one of the 
 Royal Houfes, built by Axayaca, the Father 
 of Motezuma : In Largcnefs it vied with the 
 cipal Palace of the Mexican Emperors, and 
 had the Appearance of a Fortreis, thick Stone 
 Walls, and fome Towers upon the Flanks, 
 which made the Defence of it eafy : it con- 
 tained all the Army, and the firft Care of 
 Cortes was to view every Part of it for the 
 better Diftribution of his Guards, and Lodgment 
 pf his Artillery, and to fecure his Quarters : 
 
 Some 
 
Book III. Conquejlof Mexico. 375 
 
 Some Chambers dengned for the fuperior Offi- 
 cers were fhrnifh'd with Cotton Hangings of 
 various Colours, which was the chief Part of 
 their Manufacture, more or lefs fine : The Chairs 
 were of Wood, all of one Piece : The Bed- 
 (leads had Curtains like Pavilions; but the 
 Bottoms of the Beds were of Palm-Mats, and 
 theBolftcrsof the fame rolled up. The greateft 
 Princes there had no better Beds, neither did 
 the People much confult their Eafe 5 for living 
 according to the Rules of Nature, they were 
 content with what was ncccflary : And we 
 know not whether this Ignorance of Super- 
 fluity in thofc Barbarians might not be call'd 
 a Happinefs. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 Motezuma comes the fame 'Day in the Even- 
 ing to vifit Cortes at his Lodging 5 the 
 Speech he made before he heard the Em- 
 huffy : And the Anfwer of Cortes. 
 
 Iir was but little paft Mid-day when the 
 Spaniards cnter'd the Houfe appointed for 
 their Lodging, where they found a fplendid 
 Banquet prepared for Cortes ', and the Captains 
 of his Army ; and great Abundance of Pro- 
 vifions lefs delicate for the Soldiers, with many 
 Indian Servants, who fervd them with Meat 
 and Drink, in profound Silence, and exaft Or- 
 B b 4, der. 
 
376 The Hiftory of the Book III.. 
 
 der. In the Evening came Motezuma, with 
 the fame Pomp and Attendance as before, to 
 vifit Cortes $ of which being advertised, he 
 went out to receive him in the principal Square 
 of the Houfe, with all the Rcfpeft due for 
 Rich a Favour. He accompanied him as far as 
 the Door of his Apartment, where he made 
 him a profound Reverence : Motezuma pafs'd 
 by him, and took his Seat with an Air of Neg- 
 ligence and Majefty : He prcfently commanded 
 a Chair to be brought for Cortes 5 and made 
 a Signal to the Cavaliers who attended him, 
 to retire to the Wall. Cortes did the lame to 
 his Officers : The Interpreters came, and when 
 Cortes was preparing to begin his Speech, 
 Motezuma ftopp'd him, and fignificd, that he 
 had fomewhat to fay before he gave him Au- 
 dience 5 and Authors report, that he fpoke in 
 the following Manner : 
 
 " Before you deliver the Embafly of the 
 " Great Prince who lent you, illuftrious Cap- 
 " tain, and valiant Stranger, both you and I. 
 " mult pals by, and bury in Oblivion, what 
 " Fame hath publiftVd of our Perfons and 
 " Conduct, abuilng our Ears with idle Ru- 
 " mours, which prepoflefs us againft Truth, 
 " and render her obfeure, either by Flattery, 
 " or Reproach. In fome Places you have been 
 " told, That I am one of the immortal Gods; 
 €t my Power and my Pcrfon have been cx- 
 cc alted to the Heavens : In others, that the 
 <£ Buiincfs of Fortune is to enrich me ; that 
 < c the Walls arid Coverings of my Palace are 
 
 << all 
 
Book III- Gonqueft of Mexico. 377 
 
 " all Gold, and that the Earth groans beneath 
 " the Weight of my Trcafure : In others, that 
 u I am a Tyrant, cruel, and proud, abhorring 
 r Juftice, and a Stranger to Mercy. But both 
 " the one and the other have equally impos'd 
 p5 upon you by their Exaggerations : And that 
 " you may not imagine me a God, but be 
 " fcnfiblc of the Folly of thofe who fuppofe 
 " me to be fo, this Part of my Body (faid he, 
 ft uncovering his Arm) will undeceive you; 
 u and prove that you talk to a Mortal, of the 
 iC lame Species with the reft of Men 5 but 
 4i more noble, and more powerful. My 
 5* Riches, I deny not, are great 5 but the Ac- 
 " count of my Vaflals makes them much 
 <c greater than they are. This Houfe, where- 
 " in you lodge, is one of my Palaces: Be- 
 " hold the Walls made of Stone and Lime, 
 " ordinary Materials, which owe their Value 
 a to Art: And now, from both thefe In- 
 " fiances, judge how likely it is, that my Ty- 
 " rannies have ' been magnified in the fame 
 cc Manner. Sufpend your Judgment at lead, 
 u till you enter into my Rcafons ; and lay no 
 " Strefs on the Accufations brought againft me 
 " by my rebellious Subje&s, till you have firft 
 €i informed yourfelf, whether that which they 
 " call Oppreflion be not Chaftifement 5 and 
 cc whether they can complain of my Severity 
 iC without having deferv'd it. 
 
 H After the fame Manner have we receiv'd 
 " various Informations of your Nature and 
 l c Aft ions: Some have faid, that you are Gods ; 
 
 cc that 
 
378 The Hiftory of the Book lit ]i 
 
 li that the wild Beads obey you; that you grafp 
 cc the Thunder in your Hands, and command 
 cc the Elements : Others have reported that 
 cc you are wicked, revengeful, proud, Slaves 
 * c to your Vices, and traniported with an in- 
 cc fatiable Third of the Gold which our Coun- 
 €C try produces. But now I fee you are of the 
 *■' fame Compofition and Form with the reft 
 tt of Men ; tho' you are didinguinYd from us 
 cc by fome Accidents, which the Difference of 
 tc Countries occafions among Mortals. Thefe 
 tc Beads which obey you, I find are large Deer, 
 u which you have tamed, and bred up in fuch 
 u imperfect Knowledge, as may be attain d to 
 * by the Inftinft of Animals. Your Arms, 
 cc which refemble Lightning, I conceive to 
 cc be Barrels of unknown Metal $ whofe Effect 
 " like that of our Sarbacans, proceeds from 
 Air comprefs'd, which drives for a Vcnt y 
 and forces its Way thro' all Impediments : 
 " The Fire, which your Barrels difchargc with 
 (C greater Noife, is fome Secret more than na- 
 " tural of that Science, which our Magicians 
 " underdand. For the red, which has been 
 u related of your Proceedings, I find likewife, 
 " according to the Obfervation of my Em- 
 " bafladors and Servants, that you arc cour- 
 " teous, and religious ; that your Refcnt- 
 " ments are founded on Reafon : Hardfhips 
 " you bear chearfully 5 and, among your other 
 cc Virtues, difcover Liberality, which rarely 
 " accompanies a covetous Mind. So that we 
 " muft on both Sides forget all pad Informa- 
 
 * c tions, 
 
 1W 
 
Book in. Conqueji of Mexico. 379 
 
 ' tions, and be thankful to our , Eyes for un- 
 c deceiving our Imaginations : Which taking 
 1 for granted, I would have you underftand, 
 c before you begin your Difcourfe, that we 
 c are not ignorant, or ftand in need of your 
 c Perfuafions, to believe, that the Great Prince 
 c you obey, is defcended from our ancient 
 c Qtiezalcoal, Lord of the Seven Caves of 
 c the Navatlaques y and lawful King of thofc 
 c Seven Nations, which gave Beginning to 
 1 the Mexican Empire. By one of his Pro- 
 c phecies, which we reverence as an infallible 
 c Truth, and by a Tradition of many Ages, 
 c preferv'd in our Annals, we know, that he 
 c departed from thefe Countries to conquer 
 c new Regions in the Eaflh leaving a Pro- 
 c mife, that in Procefs of Time, his Defcen- 
 c dants fhould return to model our Laws, and 
 1 amend our Government. And, becaufe the 
 c Marks you carry agree with this Prophecy, 
 c and the Prince of the Eaft, who fends you, 
 c manifefts in your very Aftions, the Great- 
 c nefs of fo illuftrious a Progenitor, we have 
 already determin d, that all Things fliall be 
 done for his Honour, to the utmoft of our 
 Ability 5 of which I have thought fit to ad- 
 vertife you, that without any Conftraint you 
 may declare what you have to propofe, and 
 attribute to fo noble a Caufe, this Excefs of 
 my Goodnefs. '■ Motezuma in this manner 
 ended the Difcourfe, which he had calculated 
 to prepofTefs the Spaniards with an Opinion of 
 his Integrity, and which he deliver'd in a Style 
 
 of 
 
380 The Hiftory of the Book IIL 
 
 of Majefty : The Subitance of it gave fuffici- 
 cut Ground to Cortes (without difputing the 
 Iliufions which he found fo univerfally efta- 
 blifh'd m the Minds of the Indians) to anfwer 
 in thefe or the like Terms : 
 
 cc Sir, After rendering Thanks for the ex- 
 treme Goodnefs with which you conde- 
 fccnd to hearken to our Embaffy, and the 
 iuperior Knowledge which you employ in 
 our Favour, by contemning (to our great Ad- 
 vantage) the Mifreprefcntations of common 
 Fame, I muft likewite acquaint you, that 
 your Embaffadors have been recciv'd by us 
 with that Rclpect and Veneration which is 
 agreeable to vour Greatnefs. Much we have 
 heard concerning you in thefe Countries, 
 under your own Dominion $ fome vilifying 
 your Actions, others placing you among the 
 Gods : But this Way of exaggerating is pre- 
 judicial to the Truth ; for as the Voice of 
 Man is the Trumpet of Fame, fo is it influ- 
 ene'd by his PalTions ; and thefe either do 
 not undcrftand Things as they arc, or do not 
 relate them as they are underftood. The 
 Spaniards, Sir, have that penetrating View, 
 which difcovers the different Colours of Dif- 
 courfe, and in them the Deceit of the Heart. 
 We have given no Credit either to your Re- 
 bels, or Flatterers : Wc are come into your • 
 Prefencc, with certain AfTurance of your be- 
 ing a great Prince, and a Friend to Reafon, 
 without any Ncccfiity of being convinced by 
 pur Senfes that you are mortal. We Spa- 
 
 £ niardf 
 
<c 
 
 Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. $i 
 
 f maris alfo are mortal, but more valiant, 
 K and of greater Underftanding than your Vat' 
 p fals, born in a Climate of more powerful 
 ft Influences than yours : The Beads which 
 <c obey us, are not like your Deer, but of a 
 " Kind more fierce and generous 3 Brutes in- 
 " clin'd to War, and which know how to 
 " afpire with a fort of Ambition, to the Glory 
 " of their Mailers. Our Fire-Arms are the 
 EfFeft of human Induftry, without owing 
 any Part of their Production to the Skill of 
 " Magicians; a Science abominable among us, 
 cc and more contemned than Ignorance itlclf. 
 " I thought it my Duty to eftablifh thefe Prin- 
 cc ciples, that I might the better comply with. 
 " the Commands you have laid upon me. I 
 tc am now to acquaint you, with all due Re- 
 €c verence to your Majcfty, that I come as Eni- 
 u baflador from the moft powerful Monarch 
 u the Sun (bines on from his firft Rifing : He 
 <c defires to be your Friend and Confederate, 
 $' not by Virtue of thofe ancient Rights, which 
 ?' you have declar'd, nor for any other Reafcn, 
 * than to open a Communication between the 
 u two Monarchies, that by this Means he may 
 <l have the Pleafure to free you from your Er~ 
 u rors. And tho' he might (according to the 
 *? Tradition of your own Hiftories) pretend to 
 u be more abfolute in thefe Dominions, he 
 u only defires to make ufe of his Authority, 
 C( to gain your Credit in Things entirely for 
 u your own Advantage ; and to inform you, 
 u Sir, and you, Mexicans, who hear me, that 
 
 you 
 
tt 
 
 r 
 
 382 TheBj&oiy of the Book III. lo 
 
 " you live in Error, with regard to the Reli- 
 " gion you profefs ; adoring inienfiblc Pieces 
 " of Wood, the Work of your own Hands ' ' 
 " and Fancies : Forafmuch as there is but one 
 " true God, the eternal Caufe of all Things, 
 a without Beginning or Ending; whole infi- 
 <c nite Power created out of Nothing the won- ( ' • 
 " derful Fabrick of the Heavens, the Sun 
 " which enlightens us, the Earth which fuftains 
 " us, and the firft Man from whom we all 
 " proceed, under equal Obligation to acknow- 
 " ledge and adore our Firft Caufe. This very 
 " Obligation is imprinted in your Souls, of 
 " whole Immortality you are not ignorant 
 " but which neverthelefs you debafe and de- 
 " fhroy, by paying Adoration to Devils, un- 
 " clean Spirits, Creatures of the fame God, 
 €i who for Ingratitude and Rebellion are caft 
 cc into fubterranean Fires, of which you have 
 " fome imperfect Image in your Volcanos. 
 " Thefe, who thro' their Envy and Wicked- 
 " nefs, are mortal Enemies to Mankind, en- 
 <c deavour your Perdition, by caufing them- 
 <c felves to be ador'd in your abominable Idols : 
 " Theirs is the Voice you fometimes hear in 
 <c the Anfwers of your Oracles 3 theirs the II- 
 " lufions which impofe on your Rcafon the 
 " Errors of Imagination. I am fenfible, Sir, 
 that fuch high Myfterics are not to be ex- 
 plained at this prefent Juncture : But the 
 King, whofe ancient Superiority you ac- 
 knowledge, exhorts you to hear me on this 
 Subject with an unprejudiced Mind, that '■■'■ 
 
 « you 
 
 c: 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 383 
 
 < you may tafte of that Repofe which your 
 ' c Spirit will find in Truth, and be fenftble 
 " how often you have refifted natural Reafon, 
 I which has afforded you Light fufficient to 
 f difcover your Errors. This is the firft Thing 
 I which the King my Matter defires of your 
 u Majefty, and the chief Propofal I have to 
 u make to you, as the moft effc&ual Means to 
 u eftablifh with a lafting Amity the Confede- 
 :c racy of the two Crowns on the folid Foun- 
 dation of Religion, which uniting us in. 
 c Principles, may introduce and fix a volun- 
 tary Friendfhip in our Minds. " Thus did 
 Hernan Cortes endeavour to maintain, in 
 Motezumas Belief, the Reputation of his 
 JForces, without departing from the Truth; 
 •making a dexterous Ufe of the Original they 
 lad beftow'd on his King ; and not contradict- 
 ing what they imagin d, that he might give the 
 greater Authority to his Embafly. But Mote- 
 zurna heard the Point of Religion without 
 my Mark of Convi&ion 5 continuing fuperfti- 
 rioufly obftinate in his Pagan Errors : And rifing 
 iomhis Seat, " I do accept (faidhe) with all 
 Acknowledgment, the Confederacy and 
 Friendfhip you propofe from the great De- 
 fendant of Quezalcoal\ but all Gods arc 
 good, and yours may be what you fay, with- 
 out Offence to mine. Repofe yourfelves 
 c now 5 you are in your own Houfe, where 
 c you (hall be ferv d with all the Regard that 
 is due to your Valour, and to the great Prince 
 who fends you. " He then immediately gave 
 ~ Orders 
 
384 The Hiffory of the Book III. 
 
 Orders for fome Indians attending without 
 to enter, and before he went away, pfefented 
 Hernan Cortes with feveral Pieces of Gold, 
 a Quantity of Cotton Robes, and feveral Cu- 
 riofities of Feathers; a confidcrable Gift both 
 for the Value and Manner. He diftributed at 
 the fame Time fome Jewels and Things of 
 the like Kind among the Spaniards who 
 were prefent, without feeming to think he 
 laid them under any Obligation, and doing all 
 with a chearful Generofity : He beheld Cortes 
 and his Soldiers with a fort of Satisfa&ion, 
 in which one might perceive, the Difquiet he 
 had lain under before 5 in the fame manner 
 as a Man fhews how far his Fears have prevailed 
 over him, by the joy he difcovers in being 
 delivered from them. 
 
 CHAP. XII. ? : 
 
 Cortes vijtts Motezuma in his Talacei the 
 Greatnefs and Furniture of it are defer 1 bed: 
 An Account of what paffed in that Confe- 
 rence, and in others which they had af- 
 terwards upon the Subject of Religion. 
 
 THE following Day Hernan Cortes de- 
 fired an Audience, which was granted 
 with fuch Readinefs, that the fame Perfon* 
 who were to accompany him, returned with 
 the Anfwer : Thefe were particularly appointed 
 
 to 
 
Book HL Conqueft of Mexico. 385 
 
 to attend Embafladors, as Matters of the Cere- 
 monies of that Country. The General put on 
 a gay Habit, without quitting his Arms (for 
 he had a mind to be introduced in his mili- 
 tary Dir'efs) 5 and carried with him the Captains 
 'Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Sandoval> 
 Juan Velafquez, de Leon y and 'Diego de Or- 
 daz y with fix or feven favourite Soldiers; 
 among whom was Bernal c Diaz> del C aft Mo , 
 who had already begun to make Obiervations, 
 in order to compile a Hiftory 
 
 The Streets were all filled with an innume- 
 rable Concourfe of People, who crowded to 
 behold the Spaniards ', but yet without hinder- 
 ing their Paflage ; and among their Compli- 
 ments and Acclamations, the Word Tenle 
 was often diftinguifhed, which in their Lan- 
 guage fignifies a God : A word, the Importance 
 whereof was underftood 5 and which had no 
 ill Sound in the Ears of thofe who founded 
 part of their Courage on the Refpeft that was 
 paid them. 
 
 At a confiderable Diftance appeared the 
 IPalace ofMotezuma, which fufficiently (hewed 
 the great Magnificence of their Kings: The 
 Pile was fo very large, that it opened with 
 Thirty Gates, to as many different Streets: 
 The principal Front took up one whole Side 
 of a very fpacious Parade, and was of Jafpcr, 
 black, red, and white, well poliihed and skill- 
 fully placed : Over the Gate in a large Shield, 
 were feen the Arms of Motezuma, & Griffin, 
 half Eagle, and half Lion, with the Wings e,x- 
 Vol. I. C c tended 
 
91 
 
 386 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 tended for Flight, and a Tygcr in his Talons, 
 Some maintain, that this Griffin was an Eagle, 
 becaufe there were no Griffins in that Country, 
 as if there were Reafon to believe, that other 
 Parts of the World producd them 5 whereas 
 Naturalifts place them in the Number of fa- 
 bulous Birds > and we fnall rather chufe to 
 fuppofe thefe fort of Monfters the Production 
 of Fancy, by a Liberty allowed to Poets and 
 Painters. 
 
 As they approached the principal Gate, the 
 Officers of Motezuma, who accompanied 
 Cortes, walked up to one Side of it 5 and then 
 retiring with a fhew of fome Myftery in their I 
 Ivlotions, formed a Semi-circle, that they 
 might enter the Gate by two and two : A cu- 
 ftomary Ceremony 5 for they thought it an 
 Irreverence to enter the Royal Palace in a 
 Crowd j and by their ftepping back, they 
 (hewed how much they feared to tread fo facred 
 a Place. After having paffed three Squares, 
 built and adorned in the lame manner as the 
 Front of the Palace, they came to Motezumas 
 Apartment, where they equally admired the 
 Largenefs of the Rooms, and the Furniture: 
 The Floors were covered with Mats of difFe 
 rent Work ; the Walls with Hangings of Cot- 
 ton, andFurrs of Rabbits interwoven; and the 
 innermoft Room with Hangings of Feathers,! 
 both the one and the other beautified withf 
 lively Colours, and various Figures. The Roofst 
 were of Cyprefs, Cedar, and other odoriferous* 
 Woods, with different Foliages and Relievos; 
 
 and 
 
 
 c 
 
 
 
Book III. Coiiquejl of Mexico. 387 
 
 and in this Building it was remarkable, that 
 without having found the Ufe of Nails, they 
 formed large Ceilings, fixing the Timber- 
 Work and Planks in fuch manner, as to make 
 them fuftain one another. 
 
 In each of thefe fpacious Rooms, there was 
 a great Number of Officers of different Rank, 
 who kept the Entrance according to their 
 Quality and Office: And at the Door of the 
 Anti-Chamber waited the Nobility and Ma- 
 giftrates, who received Cortes with much Ci- 
 vility; but made him flop till they had taken 
 •off their Shoes, and the coftly Cloaths with 
 which they were adorned, and put on others of 
 Jefs Finery : For it was thought a great Inde- 
 cency among thefe People, to appear in their 
 jichcft Habits before the King. The Spaniards 
 obferved every thing; every thing was new 
 to them; and every thing imprinted aRefped:; 
 the Greatnefs of the Palace, the Ceremonies, 
 the Attendants, and even the profound Silence 
 of fo numerous a Train of Domefticks. 
 
 Motezuma was (landing with all his 
 Enfigns of Royalty about him, and advanced 
 Come Steps to receive Cortes ; who approach- 
 ing with a low Bow, he laid his Arms upon 
 tiis Shoulders, and then faluted the reft of the 
 Spaniards who waited on him by an oblige- 
 ng Look: Then feating himfelf, he com* 
 nanded Cortes to fit, and all thofc who came 
 with him, without fuffering any Excufe. The 
 Vifit was long, and the Converfation familiar* 
 C c 2 TJie 
 
 I 
 
5 88 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 The Emperor asked Cortes fevcral Queftions 
 concerning the Nature and Politicks of 
 the Eaftern Countries: Approving what he 
 thought right 5 and letting him fee, that where 
 he doubted, he knew how to fupport his Ob- 
 jections by proper Arguments. Then he touch'd 
 upon the Dependency and Obligations of the 
 Mexicans to the Dcfcendant of their firft 
 King : And cxprefted his particular Satisfaction, 
 that the Prophecy concerning the Strangers, 
 who had been promifed to his Anccftors io 
 many Ages paft, was compleated in his Time: 
 And if he fpoke not with Sincerity, he un- 
 derftood very well how to hide his Thoughts. 
 And tho' this was a Notion, vain and defpt- 
 cable in its Original and Circumftances, yet 
 it was of great Importance to the Spaniards . 
 upon this Occafion ; for by the Help of it -they ' 
 found the Way open for their Entrance. Thus 
 many Times from Things trivial in their Be- C 
 ginning, proceed Confequenccs of the greateft^ :: 
 Importance. HemanCortes dextroufly led himp 
 to the Topic of Religion; enlarging (among [c ~ 
 other Things he told him of hLs Country) upon* ' 
 the Rites and Cuftoms of the Chriftians, tee- 
 the end that the Vices and Abominations o ,,J: 
 his Idolatry might appear the more dcteftablc l - 
 by fuch a Contraft. He made ufe of this Op- 1:: 
 portunity, to exclaim againft Sacrifices of hu i:: 
 man Blood, and to fhew how horrible and"- 
 contrary to Nature it was, to eat the Men the) 
 iacrificcd: A brutifh Cuftom prevailing in thi: 
 
 Court - 
 
 :. 
 
Book HI. Conquejl of Mexico. 389 
 
 Court, proporionably to the vaft Number of 
 Sacrifices which aggravated the Crime of 
 Gluttony. 
 
 This Conference was not altogether ufelefs 5 
 for Mote&uma yielding in fome degree to 
 the Force ofReafon, banifhed from his Table 
 all Difhcs of human Flefh 5 but did not dare 
 all at once to forbid his Subjects the Ufe of it. 
 Nor was he convinced as to the Point of Sa- 
 crifices : Saying, It was no Cruelty to offer to 
 his Gods, Trifoners of War, already con- 
 demn d to die s nor did he think it reafonable 
 to extend the 'Denomination of Neighbour to 
 Enemies. 
 
 He gave but fmall Hopes of his Conversion ; 
 tho* Hernan Cortes, and Father Bartholome 
 de Olmedo, endeavoured feveral times to lead 
 him into the Way of Truth. He had Capacity 
 enough to comprehend fome Advantages of the 
 Catholick Religion, and not entirely to over- 
 look the Abufes of his own 5 but he prefentJy 
 returned to his old Theme, That his Gods 
 were good in that Country, as the Chriftian 
 God was in theirs : And he was obliged to 
 uit a Force on himfclf to conceal his Anger, 
 k vhen the Argument was prefs'd too hard againft 
 -lim. He was much difturbed within himfclf 
 it thefe Conferences 5 for on the one hand he 
 endeavoured to oblige the Spaniards, by a 
 Complaifance which hardly became his Dig- 
 lity 5 and on the other was prefs'd by a ne- 
 :e(lary Affeftation of Religion, which had ac- 
 quired, and, as he believed, preferved his 
 C c 3 Crown : 
 
 ■ 
 
390 The Hiftory of the Book HI. 
 
 Crown : This made him apprehend the Con- 
 tempt of his Vaffals, in cafe they fhould find 
 him lefs zealous than formerly for the VVor- 
 fhip of his Gods : A miferable Policy, and pro- 
 per to Tyrants; to command with Pride, and 
 refied with a (lavifhFear! 
 
 He made fuch an Oftentation of his Obfti- 
 nacy, that in a very few Days, taking Hernan 
 Cortes, and Father Bartholofne, with fome Cap- 
 tains and particular Soldiers along with him, 
 to fee the Grandeur of his Court, he refolv'd, 
 upon a Principle of Vanity, to fhew them the 
 greater Magnificence of his Temples. He com- 
 manded them to ftop a little at the Entrance, 
 and went forward himfelf to confult the Priefts, 
 Whether it were lawful for him to bring into 
 the Prefence of his Gods, thofe who refused to 
 adore them? It was concluded, that they might 
 enter; but that he fhould firft admonilh them 
 to behave themfelves with Refpcch And two 
 or three of the moft antient Priefts went out 
 with the PermifTion and the Requeft. Imme- 
 diately all the Gates of this fpacious Edifice 
 were opened; and Motezuma took upon him- 
 felf to explain all the fecret Places ofWorfhip, 
 the Ufc of the Veffels, and other Inftruments 
 and Images of the Temple, with fo much Ce- 
 remony and Reverence, that the Spaniards an 
 could not refrain from Laughter, which he did 
 not icem to take Notice of; but turned and 
 looked upon them, as defiring to keep them 
 within Bounds. Here Hernan Cortes futfering 
 himfelf to be tranfported with the Zeal which 
 
 burnt 
 
Book IIL Conquefi of Mexico. 391 
 
 burnt within his Breaft, addreffed himfelf to 
 Motezuma, and faid, Termit me, Sir, to fix 
 the Crofs ofChrift before thefe Images of the 
 'Devil, aad you pall fee whether they dejerve 
 Adoration or Contempt. At the hearing of 
 this Propofition, rhe Priefts grew enraged, and 
 Motezuma found himfelf in the greateft Con- 
 fufion and Perplexity ; wanting Patience to bear 
 it, and Refolution to fhew his Difpieafiire : But 
 recolle&ing himfelf, and endeavouring to hide 
 his Refentments 5 Tou might at leaf (faid he 
 to the Spaniards) have pewed this Tlace the 
 RefpeEt you owe to my Terfon. On which he 
 immediately went out of the Temple, that they 
 might do the fame; but flopped on the Threfhold, 
 and added, with fomewhat more of Calmnefs, 
 Tou may return to your Houfe, my Friends i 
 for I pall remain here to ask ^Pardon of my 
 Gods, for having fuffered you to proceed thus 
 far. In this Manner he difengag'd himfelf from 
 the Perplexity he was in, with few Words, but 
 worthy of Regard 5 as informing them of his 
 Refolution, and how hard a Task he found it 
 to command his Temper. 
 
 From this, and other Experiments Of the 
 fame Kind, Cortes took a Refolution (with 
 the Advice of Father Bartholome de Olmedo, 
 ,and the Licentiate Juan Diaz) not to talk 
 any more then on the Subject of Religion, 
 which only feemed to provoke and harden the 
 Heart of Motezuma 5 but at the fame Time, 
 they obtained his Leave, to worfhip God in 
 Publick $ and he himfelf fent his Mafter- 
 C c 4, Builder 
 
392 The Hiftory of tie Book III, 
 
 Builders to ereft a Chapel at his own Expencc, 
 according to the Dire&ion of Cortes. So much 
 did he defire to be left in the quiet Poffeflion 
 of his Errors ! The Spaniards prefently cleared 
 one of the principal Rooms of the Palace : they 
 white- warned it, and railed an Altar > and in 
 the Front, upon Steps richly adorned, they 
 placed the Image of our Lady, and fixing a 
 large Crofs near the Gate, formed a very de- 
 cent Chapel, where they celebrated Mafs every 
 Day, and recited their Rofary, with other Ads 
 of Piety and Devotion: Motezuma with his 
 Princes and Minifters were often prefent; and 
 praifed the Humanity of the Chriftian Sacrifice, 
 without difcovering the Barbarity and Abomi- 
 nation of their own. A People blind, and fuper- 
 ftitious, who tho J fcnfible of their Errors, yet 
 fuffered Cuftom to get the better of their 
 Reafon ! 
 
 But before we relate what happened to the 
 Spaniards in this Court; 'tis proper to give a 
 Description of Mexico, the Magnificence of its 
 Buildings, its Porm of Government and Policy, 
 and make fome other Obfervations requifite for 
 the right conceiving and underftanding the 
 Events themfelves. lor tho' fuch Defcriptions 
 interrupt the Narration, they are ncccflary to 
 the Hiftory, as not being foreign to the Argu- 
 ment, nor having any of thofe Blemilhes which 
 make a Digreflion vicious. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
3 
 
 I A. TSja^.B .T/ie <?reat Guioey V . QuUUvAo*. 
 
m 
 
 ^hap, 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 393 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 A 'Defcription of the City of Mexico; the 
 Temper at enefs of its Climate ; its Situa- 
 tion s the Market of Tlatelulco, and the 
 great Temple dedicated to the God of War. 
 
 THE great City of Mexico, which was 
 anciently known by the Name of Te- 
 nuchtitlan, or fome other of a like Sound (a 
 Queftion canvas'd by Authors to very little 
 Ptirpofe) at this Time contained Sixty thoufand 
 Families, and was divided into two Parts; of 
 which one was called Tlatelulco, the Habita- 
 tion of the meaner Sort of People 5 the 
 other Mexico, the Refidence of the Court and 
 Nobility, and which therefore gave its Name 
 to the whole. 
 
 It was fituated in a fpacious Plain, fur- 
 rounded with very high Rocks and Mountains ; 
 by whofe Streams and Rivulets, rolling into 
 the Valley, were formed feveral Lakes, and 
 two of a larger Size in the deepeft Part, where 
 tlie Mexicans had above fifty Towns. This 
 little Sea was about thirty Leagues in Circum- 
 ference : And the two Lakes which composed 
 it, had a Communication thro' a Wall of Stone, 
 which divided them; fome Openings being 
 left, with Wooden Bridges over them, and 
 Sluices on each Side to fupply the lower Lake, 
 ^yhen there was Occafion to make good the 
 
 want 
 
394 Tf J . e Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 want of Water in one with the Redundance 
 of the other. The uppermoft was clear fweet 
 Water, ^ere they had fome forts of Fifh, of 
 very agreeable Tafte : The lower Lake was fait 
 like the Sea; not that the Rivulets that fed it 
 were of different Quality, but it proceeded 
 from the natural Quality of the Soil which re- 
 ceived them, and which in this Part is fat and 
 nitrous, but very ufeful for the making of 
 Salt, all along the Borders of the Lake, where 
 the Sun purified and refined the Scum that 
 was left by the beating of the Waves. 
 • In the middle almoft of this fait Water 
 Lake flood the City of Mexico, in 19 Deg. 
 and 13 Min. North Lat. within the Torrid 
 Zone, by the ancient Philofophers imagined 
 uninhabitable, which may inftrud us by Expe- 
 rience, how little we can rely on human 
 Wifdom, when the Reafonings of the Under- 
 itanding are not fupported by the Evidence of 
 the Senies. The Climate was mild and healthy, 
 with feafonablc Viciffitudes of Heat and Cold : 
 And the Moifture, which might have proved 
 imwholfome by the natural Situation of the 
 Place, was corrected by the Favour of the 
 Winds, and qualified by the Benefit of the 
 Sun. 
 
 This great City had moft beautiful Profpe&s 
 in the midft of the Waters, and was joined 
 to the Land by its Dikes, or principal Caufe- 
 ways 5 a fumptuous Work, of no lefs Ornament 
 than Ufc : One was to the South two Leagues 
 long, (by which the Spaniards made their En- 
 trance) 
 
 1 
 
that tho' this Square was (according to Antonio 
 f$ Herrera) one of the largeft m the World, 
 
 it 
 
c 
 
 
 uWiruip o «i j i irt? 1 ^- 
 
Book III. Conquejt of Mexico. 395 
 
 trance) another one League long looking to the 
 North, and the Third fomewhat lefs, to the 
 Weft. The Streets were all large and ftraight, 
 as if they were drawn by a Line : Some were 
 of Water, with Bridges, for the Communica- 
 tion of the Inhabitants: Others were of Earth 
 alone, raifed by Art; and others again were 
 composed of Earth and Water, the Earth on 
 each Side for the People to pafs on Foot, and 
 Canals in the Middle for the Canoes and 
 Barks of different Bulk, which ferved for 
 Commerce and other Conveniencies about 
 the City, and the Number whereof was almoft 
 incredible : Some fay, above Fifty Thoufand, 
 without counting little Veffels, which were 
 called Ac ales , made of the Trunk of a Tree, 
 and capable of holding bufc one Man. 
 
 The publick Buildings and Houfes of the 
 Nobility, which made up the greateft Part of 
 the City, were of Stone, and well built : The 
 Houfes of the common Sort, low, and une- 
 qual, but both the one and the other fo laid 
 out, that they formed feveral Parades, where 
 they expofed their Merchandize. 
 
 Among the reft, that of Tlatelulco was of 
 prodigious Extent and Refort on the account 
 of its Fairs, held there feme certain Days of 
 the Year, and frequented by all the Merchants 
 and Traders of the whole Kingdom, with their 
 moft valuable Fruits and Manufa&ures: And 
 they flock'd hither in fuch mighty Numbers, 
 that tho' this Square was (according to Antonio 
 $e Her r era) one of the largeft in the World, 
 
 it 
 
395 The Hiftory of the Book IIL 
 
 It was neverthelefs filled with Tents, placed in 
 Ranks, and fo near together, that there was 
 fcarce Room left for the Buyers to pafs. All 
 knew their Pofts, and fecured their Shops with 
 portable Frames, covered with coarfe Cotton 
 Cloth, which were Proof both againft the Sun 
 and Rain. The Spanijlo Writers make no End 
 of reflecting on the Order, Variety, and Riches 
 of thofe Fairs : There were Rows of Silver* 
 imiths, who fold Jewels, and Chains of ex- 
 traordinary Fafhion; feveral Figures of Beafts, 
 in Gold and Silver, wrought with fo much 
 Art, as rais'd the Wonder of our Artificers : 
 And particularly, fome Skillets with moving 
 Handles, that were fo caft, and other Pieces of 
 the fame Kind, with Moldings and Relievos, 
 without any Signs* of a Hammer or Graver. 
 There were alio Rows of Painters, with fine 
 Figures and Landskips made of Feathers, fo 
 curioufly placed, as to give both Colour and 
 Life to the Piece - y and in this Kind there were 
 extraordinary Proofs, both of the Patience and 
 Skill of the Workman. They brought to 
 this Fair all the different Sorts of Cloths made 
 throughout this vaft Empire, of Cotton and 
 Rabbit Fur, which the Women of this Coun- 
 try (Enemies to Idlenefs) fpun extremely fine, 
 being very dextrous in this Manufacture. They 
 had Drinking-cups exquifitely made of the 
 fineft Earth, different in Colour, and even in 
 Smell: And of this Kind they had all Sorts of 
 Veflels neceifary, either for the Service or 
 Ornament of a Houfe : For they uled no Veflels 
 
 cither 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 397 
 
 either of Silver or Gold, which were only feen 
 at the Royal Table, and that on extraordinary 
 Days. This Fair likewife afforded, in the fame 
 Order and Plenty, all Sorts of Fruit, Flefh, and 
 Fifh > and in a Word, every Thing which could 
 contribute to the Pleafures, or fupply the Ne- 
 ceflities of Life. 
 
 The Way of Buying and Selling was by- 
 bartering one Thing for another : And every 
 one parted with what he had too much of, 
 for what he wanted ; and Maiz or Coco 
 ferved as Money for Things of fmall Value. 
 They did not know what belonged to Weight; 
 but they had different Meafures, with which 
 they diftinguifhed Quantity : And they had 
 their Numbers and Chara&ers, by which they 
 adjufted the Prices of Goods, according to the 
 Taxes laid upon them. 
 
 They had a Houfe appointed for the Judges 
 of Commerce, before whofe Tribunal were 
 decided all Differences between the Merchants : 
 There were other inferior Officers, who went 
 about the Fair, to prevent Frauds in Contrails j 
 and made their Report to the principal Tri- 
 bunal, of all Irregularities of that Sort, which 
 deferved any kind of Punifhment. The Spa- 
 niards were amazed (and with Reafon) upon 
 the firft Sight of this Fair, at its Abundance, 
 and Variety, with the good Order and Peace 
 that was preferved in fo vaft a Multitude. A 
 Spectacle worthy of Admiration 5 as it difco- 
 vcred at one View, the Grandeur and good Go- 
 vernment of this Empire. 
 
 The 
 
398 TbeHi&oryofthe Book III. 
 
 The Temples (if it be lawful to give them 
 that Name) raifed their '{lately Heads above 
 the reft of their Buildings : And the largeft, 
 where the chief of thofe unclean Priefts re- 
 fided, was dedicated to the Idol Viztzlipuztli, 
 which fignified the God of War, and was held 
 to be the fupreme of all their Deities : By the 
 Supremacy of this God, it may be judged, how 
 much they cfteem'd the Military Art. The 
 Spanifh Soldiers called this Idol, Huchilobos 
 by a corrupt Pronunciation : And fo Bernal 
 ^Diaz del Caftillo writes it $ making the lame 
 Slip with his Pen, as they did with their 
 Tongues. Our Authors very much vary in the 
 Defcription of this magnificent Edifice. An- 
 tonio de Herrera follows too clofely Fran- 
 cifco Lopez de Gornara: Thofe who faw it 
 at this Time had other Things to mind 5 and 
 the reft drew the Plan of it according to their 
 Fancies. We fhall follow Father Jofeph de 
 Acofta, and other Authors, who were more 
 exafl:, and better informed. 
 
 The firft Part of the Building was a great 
 Square, with a Wall of hewn Stone, wrought 
 on the Outfide with various Knots of Serpents 
 inter-twifted, which gave a Horror to the Por- 
 tico, and were not improperly placed there. 
 At a little Diftance from the principal Gate was 
 a Place of Worfhip, not lefs terrible : It was 
 built of Stone with thirty Steps of the fame, 
 which went up to the Top, where was a kind 
 of long flat Roof, and a great many Trunks of 
 well grown Trees, fixed in it, in a Row, with 
 
 Ho.les 
 
Book III, Conquefl of Mexico. 399 
 
 Holes bored in them at equal Diftances 5 and 
 thro' which, from one Tree to another, pafled 
 feveral Bars run thro' the Heads of Men who 
 had been facrificed; ofwhofe Number (which 
 cannot be repeated without Horror) the Priefts 
 of the Temple took exaft Account, placing 
 others in the Room of thofe which had been 
 wafted by Time. A lamentable Trophy, in 
 which the Enemy of Mankind difplayed his 
 Rancour 5 and which thefe Barbarians always 
 ihad in View, without the leaft Remorfc ! For 
 Inhumanity put on the Mask of Devotion, and 
 Cuftom had render'cl Death in all its Terrors 
 familiar to their Eyes. 
 
 The four Sides of the Square had as many 
 Gates opening to the four Winds. Over each 
 of thefe Gates were four Statues of Stone, 
 which feemed to point the Way, as if they 
 were defirous to fend back fuch as approached 
 with an ill Difpofition of Mind. Thefe were 
 prefunVd to be Threfloold-Gods> becaufe they 
 had fome Reverences paid them at the Entrance. 
 Clofe to the Infide of the Wall, were the Ha- 
 bitations of the Priefts, and of thofc who, under 
 them, attended the Service of the Temple, 
 with fome Offices, which altogether took up 
 the whole Circumference, withoutretrenching 
 fo much from that vaft Square, but that Eight 
 or Ten Thoufand Perfons had fufficient Room 
 to dance in it upon their folemn Feftivals. 
 
 In the Centre of this Square ftood a Pile of 
 Stone, which in the open Air exalted its lofty 
 Head, overlooking all the Towers of the City, 
 
 gradually 
 
400 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 gradually diminifhing till it form'd a half Py- 
 ramid ; Three of its Sides were fmooth, the 
 Fourth had Stairs wrought in the Stone ; a 
 fumptuous Building, and extremely well pro- 
 portioned : It was fo high that the Stair- Cafe 
 contain d a Hundred and Twenty Steps, and 
 of fo large a Compafs, that on the Top it ter- 
 minated in a Flat, Forty Foot fquarc: The 
 Pavement was beautifully laid with Jafper Stones 
 of all Colours : The Rails, which went round 
 in Nature of a Baluftrade, were of a Serpentine 
 Form, and both Sides cover'd with Stones rc- 
 femblingjet, plac'd in good Order, and join'd 
 with white and red Cement, which was a very 
 great Ornament to the Building. 
 
 On the Opening of the Rails, where the 
 Stairs ended, were two Marble Statues, which 
 fupported, in a Manner that admirably well 
 exprefs'd the Straining of the Arms, two huge 
 Candlefticks of an extraordinary Make. A 
 litttle farther was a green Stone, five Spans high 
 from the Ground, which terminated in an Angle, 
 and whereon they extended on his Back, the 
 miferable Vi&im they were about to facrifice, 
 and opeiVd his Bread to take out his Heart. 
 Beyond this Stone, fronting the Stair-Cafe, flood 
 a Chapel of excellent Workmanfhip and Ma- 
 terials, cover'd with a Roof of precious Timber. 
 Here the Idol was placed on a high Altar, 
 behind Curtains : It was of human Figure, fit- 
 ting in a Chair which had fome Refemblance 
 of a. Throne, fuftain'd by a blue Globe, which 
 they caird Heaven, from the Sides whereof 
 
 came 
 
Book III. Conqueft a/Mexico. 40 1 
 
 came four Rods, with their Ends refembling 
 the Heads of Serpents, which the Pricfts plac'd 
 upon their Shoulders, when they expofed their 
 Idol to publick View. It had on its Head a 
 Helm compofed of Plumes of various Colours, 
 in Form of a Bird, with a Bill and Creft of 
 burniftfd Gold : Its Countenance was fevcre 
 and horrible, and (till more deform'd with two 
 blue Bands, which bound its Forehead and its 
 Nofe. In the right Hand it held a curling 
 Serpent, which fcrv'd for a Staff, and in the 
 Left four Arrows, which they venerated as a 
 Prefent from Heaven > and a Shield with five 
 White Plumes placed in the Form of a Crofs : 
 And concerning thcfe Ornaments, thefe En- 
 figns and Colours, they related many remark • 
 able Extravagances, with a Scrioulhefs deferring 
 to be pitied. 
 
 On the left Hand of this Chapel was another 
 of the fame Make and Bignefs, with an Idol 
 called Tlaloch, in every Refped refembling 
 his Companion. They were eftcem'd Brothers, 
 and Friends tofuch a Degree, that they divided 
 between them the Patronage of War, equal 
 in Power, and unanimous in Inclination : For 
 which Reafon the Mexicans addrefTed them 
 both with the fame Prayers, the fame Sacrifices, 
 and the fame Thankfgivings. 
 
 The Ornaments of both Chapels were of 
 ineftimable Value 5 the Walls were hung, and 
 the Altars cover 'd with Jewels, and precious 
 Stones, placed on Feathers of various Colours : 
 And they had eight Temples in the City of 
 
 Vol. I. D d almoft 
 
402 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 almoft the fame Architecture, and of equal 
 Wealth ; Thofe of a fmaller Size amounted to 
 two Thoufand, and were dedicated to as many 
 Idols, of different Names, Forms, and Attri- 
 butes. There was fcarce a Street without its 
 Tutelar Deity 5 nor was there any Calamity 
 incident to Nature without its Altar, to which 
 they might have Recourfc for a Remedy. In 
 a Word, their Gods were derived from their 
 Fears; nor did they reflect how they leflen'd 
 the Power of fome, by what they attributed to 
 others. Thus did the Devil continually en- 
 large his Dominion, and exercife a moll de- 
 plorable Tyranny over Rational Creatures, in 
 the Poffeffion of which he remaind for lb 
 many Ages, by the incomprehenfible Permiffion 
 of the moil: High. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Of the different Tleafure-Houfes which Mo- 
 tezuma had for his Recreation : His Ar- 
 mories, Gardens, and Country Retirements ; 
 with other remarkable Buildings , both 
 within and without the City. 
 
 BESIDES the principal Palace, before 
 deiirib'd, where Motezuma kept his 
 Court, and that where the Spaniards were 
 lodg'd, this Emperor had feveral Houfes of 
 Pleafure which adorn d the City, and difplay'd 
 his Grandeur. In one of them, a magnificent 
 
 Structure, 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. 40 5 
 
 Stru&ure, with great Galleries, fupported by 
 Pillars of Jafper, he had all Sorts of Birds which 
 New Spain produe'd of any Value, either for 
 their Feathers, or Singing; in which Divcrfity 
 there were fome very extraordinary, and till 
 then unknown to Europeans. The Sea-Fowl 
 were preferved in Salt Water Pools, and thofe 
 which were bred in Rivers and Lakes, in others 
 of Frefh Water. It is faid they had Birds of 
 five or fix Colours, which they ftripp'd of their 
 Feathers in the proper Seaibn, letting them 
 live, that their Owners might again reap the 
 Advantage of the new ones when grown. Thefe 
 were a Merchandize of <n*eat Value anions; the 
 Mexicans y for they w.ork'd them in their 
 Cloaths, in Fixtures, and in all their Orna- 
 ments. Thefe Birds were in fuch Numbers, 
 and the Care of prcferving them was fo great, 
 that it gave Employment to above three hun 
 dred Men, skilful in the Knowledge of their 
 Difeafes, and obliged to fupply them with fuch 
 Food as they us'd to eat when they were at 
 Liberty. 
 
 At a little Diftance from this Houfe, Mote- 
 zinnia had another of greater Extent and Va- 
 riety, with Apartments capable of receiving 
 himfelf, and his whole Court. There his Huntf- 
 men refided, and there the Birds of Prey were 
 kept 5 fome in Cages neat and well made 5 and 
 thefe were only to pleafe the Eye: He had 
 others on Perches, that were obedient to the 
 "Jeffes, and tam'd for the Diverfion of Hawking, 
 for which Sport they have Birds of an excellent 
 D d 2 Kind 
 
404 The Hiftory of the Book Ill- 
 Kind in that Country, like our Hawks, aftd 
 no way inferior to them for their Docility in 
 returning to their Lure, or for the Vigour with 
 which they foufe upon their Prey. Among 
 their Birds in Cages, were fome fo extremely 
 fierce and large, that they appeared to be Mon- 
 fters, and particularly the Royal Eagles, of an 
 extraordinary Size, and prodigious Voracity. 
 An Author reports, that one of thefe Eagles 
 would devour a Sheep at a Meal : He is obliged 
 to me, that I do not vouch him by Name, 
 for a Story, which, in my Opinion, he fwallo w'd 
 with too little Difficulty. 
 
 In the fecond Square of the fame Houfe 
 were the Wild Beafts, which were either Pre- 
 fents to Motezuma y or taken by his Hunters, 
 in very ftrong Cages of Timber, rang'd in good 
 Order,- and under Cover : Lions, Tygers, Bears, 
 and all others of the favage Kind, which New 
 Spain produc d 5 among which, the greateft 
 Rarity was the Mexican Bull, a wonderful 
 Compofition of divers Animals; It has a Bunch 
 on its Back like a Camel 5 its Flanks dry, its 
 Tail large, and its Neck cover'd with Hair like 
 a Lion : It is cloven-footed, its Head armed 
 like that of a Bull, which it refembles in Fierce- 
 nefs, with no lefs Strength and Agility. This 
 Amphitheatre feem'd to the Spaniards worthy 
 of a great Prince 5 it being a Cuftom eftablifh'd 
 from all Antiquity, by the Number of Wild 
 Beafts any Prince has in his Pofleflion, to make 
 an Eftimate of the Grandeur of the Pofieflor. 
 
 In 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 405 
 
 In another Part of this Palace, fay fome of 
 our Spanifh Writers, they daily fed a horrible 
 Multitude of venomous Animals, prcferv'd in 
 different VefTels and Caverns, as Vipers, Rattle- 
 Snakes, Scorpions, and even Crocodiles: But 
 they add, that the Spaniards were not Eye- 
 Witnefles of this poifonous Article of Magni- 
 ficence, but only faw the Places where thefe 
 Creatures were reported to be bred ; which is 
 fufficient Reafon for me to regard this Part of 
 the Story as improbable 5 believing rather, that 
 it had no other Foundation than the Opinion 
 of the Indians ', and that this was a Sort of a 
 Bugbear, invented by the Vulgar, to reprefent 
 the favage Difpofition of a Tyrant 5 particularly, 
 when he is obey'd by Conftraint, and cannot 
 be mention'd without Fear. 
 
 Over the Place where the Beads were kept, 
 was a very large Apartment for the Refidencc 
 of Buffoons, and other Vermin of the Court, 
 who ferved for the Diverfion of the King : 
 Even Monfters had a Place in this Set of Men; 
 fuch as Dwarfs, Crooked, or Hump-back'd, 
 and other Errors of Nature : Every Kind had 
 their feparate Habitations, and Matters apart to 
 inftruft them ; and Perfons employ'd to pro- 
 vide their Meals, and to attend them : And they 
 were fo punctually ferv'd, that fome Fathers, 
 among the poorer Sort, would disfigure their 
 Children for the Sake of that Convenicncy, 
 their Deformity being a fufficient Recommen- 
 dation to introduce them. 
 
 D d 3 Nor 
 
406 The Hiftory of the Book HI. 
 
 Nor was the Grandeur of Motezuma lefs 
 confpicuous in two Houfes for his Arms ; one 
 where they were made, and the other where 
 they were laid up in Store. In the firft, the 
 jfevcral Matters liv'd and work'd, diftributcd 
 into different Shops, according to their Em- 
 ployments : In one Part they made the Sticks 
 for the Arrows; In another they work'd Flint 
 Stones for the Points: And ail Sorts of Arms, 
 oftenfive and defenfive, had Workmen, and 
 diftinct Shops, with Overfeers, who kept Ac- 
 count, according to their Manner, of the Quan- 
 tity and Price of the Arms. The other Houfe, 
 which made a better Appearance, ferved for 
 a Magazine to hold the Arms that were finifh'd, 
 every Kind apart : And from thence they were 
 given out to the Armies, and Frontier Towns, 
 as Occafion required. In the higheft Part they 
 placed the Arms belonging to the King, which 
 were hung round the Walls in excellent Order : 
 On one Side the Bows, Arrows, and Quivers. 
 with various Embofs'd-work of Gold and pre- 
 cious Stones: On another Two-handed Swords, 
 and others of extraordinary Wood, with flint 
 Edges, and mod curious and coftly Handles. 
 In another Place the Darts, and miflive Wea- 
 pons were to well rang'd, and fo neatly kept, 
 not excepting even the Slings, that the Exachieis 
 of their Diipcfition was admirable. There 
 yt ere Head-Pieces and Bread-Pieces, plated over 
 with curious Leaf- Work of Gold ; great Num- 
 ber of Quilted J ackets which were Arrow-proof j 
 beautiful Inventions of Shields or Bucklers 
 
 IT: 
 
Book III. Conquejiof Mexico- 407 
 
 made of impenetrable Skins, which covered 
 the whole Body, and which they carried roll'd 
 up upon their Left Shoulders, till they were 
 ready to engage. The Spaniards greatly won- 
 dcr'd to behold fuch a prodigious Quantity of 
 Arms, which appeared to be the Furniture not 
 only of a Prince, but of a Martial Prince; and 
 made an honourable Difcovery as well of his 
 Opulency as of his Genius. 
 
 To all thefe Houfes he had fpacious Gardens, 
 moft nicely cultivated. He was no Admirer 
 of Fruit-Trees nor Kitchen Plants in his Gardens 
 of Pleafure : For he ufed to fay, That fuch kind 
 of Gardens were for the inferior Rank of Peo- 
 ple 5 it being his Opinion, That; Princes fhould 
 have Regard to their Pleafure without any 
 Mixture of Profit. There was nothing to be 
 feca but Flowers of delightful Variety and Fra- 
 grancy, with Medicinal Herbs, fet in Squares, 
 and Summer-Houfes where he ufed to fup. 
 He took a particular Care to tranfplant into 
 his Gardens all the choice Simples that benign 
 Climate produced, where the only Study of 
 the Phyficians was to attain to the Knowledge 
 of their Names and Properties. They had 
 Herbs for all Kinds of Pains and Infirmities 5 
 and in the Juices and Application of thefe Herbs 
 confided all their Remedies, and with thefe 
 they effe&ed furprizing Cures, having by long 
 Experience found out their Virtues, and with- 
 out diftinguifhing the Caufe of the Diftemper, 
 applying them to the Patient's great Benefit and 
 Recovery, 
 
 D d 4 Ths 
 
408 Tie H.\&ory of the. Book HI. 
 
 The King freely diftributed to all who had 
 Occafion for them fuch of his Simples as were 
 prefcrib'd by the Phy ficians,or defir'd by the Sick ; 
 and was wont to inquire if the Patient had re- 
 ceived any Benefit therefrom, either gratifying 
 a fort of Vanity he had in the fuccefsful Ope- 
 ration of his Medicines, or believing that he 
 fulfiird the Obligation of a Sovereign, in taking 
 fuch Care of the Health of his Vaffals. 
 
 In all theft Gardens, and Pleafure-Houfes, he 
 had many Fountains of fweet and wholefome 
 Water, convey 'd from the neighbouring Moun- 
 tains by different Canals as far as the Caufeys, 
 whence in covered Pipes it was introduced into 
 the City, for the Ufe whereof there were fome 
 publick Fountains; and he permitted fome of 
 the meaner Sort of People, tho J not without 
 paying a confiderable Tribute, to fell about the 
 Streets what Water they brought from other 
 Springs. The Conveniency of Fountains was 
 very much increas'd in the Time otMotezuma j 
 for the great Conduit, which conveys a Cur- 
 rent of frefh Water to Mexico from the Moun- 
 tain of Chapultepec, about a League diftant 
 from the City, was a Work of his; and by 
 his Order and Contrivance a vaft Ciftern of 
 Stone was made for a Refervatory ; railing the 
 fame to fuch a Height, as the Declivity for the 
 Current requir'd : After this he gave Orders 
 for a very thick Wall, with two open Canals 
 made of Stone and Lime, of which one was 
 always in Ufe, whenever the other required 
 cleaning : A Building extremely ufeful ; and 
 
 Motezuma 
 
Boole III- Conqueft of Mexico. 409 
 
 Motezuma valued himfelf fo much upon the 
 Invention, that he ordered his own Effigies, 
 and that of his Father, which bore a pretty 
 near Refemblance to his, to be engrav'd on 
 two Stones, with an Ambition to perpetuate 
 his Memory by fo fignal a Benefaction done to 
 the City. 
 
 Amongst all the Works of Motezuma, 
 what furpriz'd the Spaniards moft, was that 
 caird the Houfe of Sorrow, to which he was 
 wont to retire on the Death of his Relations, 
 or in cafe of any Calamity, or ill Succefs, 
 which required publick Demonstration of Grief. 
 The Building infpir'd a kind of Horror; the 
 Walls, Roofs, and Ornaments were all black, 
 and had certain Slits in the Wall, or little Win- 
 dows, which fcarce gave any Light, or at leaft 
 no more than was fufficient to difcover the OJ> 
 fcurity. In this difmal Habitation he ufed to 
 continue till the Time of Mourning was over, 
 and often here the Devil appeared to him ; 
 whether it be that the Prince of Darknefs took 
 Delight in this Abode of Horror, or for the 
 Sympathy there is between that malignant 
 Spirit and a melancholy Humour. 
 
 Without the City he had divers Country 
 Retirements, andHoufes of Pleafure, with many 
 and large Fountains, which fupplied the Bagnios 
 and Fifh-ponds with Water, and near them 
 feveral Woods for different Kinds of Game : 
 ADiverfion he frequently us'd, andunderftood 
 well, being very dexterous at his Bow and Ar* 
 row 5 and indeed Hunting was what principally 
 
 delighted 
 
4io The Hiftory of the Book lit 
 
 delighted him; for he was accuftom'd to go 
 with his Nobles to a very fpacious and pleafant 
 Park, fenced round with a Canal of Water, 
 where they brought and inclos'd the Game of 
 the neighbouring Mountains 5 among which 
 generally came fomc Lions and Tygers. He 
 had a great Number of Men in Mexico, and the 
 Villages round about, whofc Bufinefs it was to 
 go before, and by forming a great Ring, and 
 contracting it by Degrees, to drive the Game 
 into the appointed Place, not much unlike the 
 Manner of our Huntfmen. Thcfe Mexican 
 Indians were extremely bold and active in pur- 
 suing and overcoming the fierccft Animals, and 
 Motez>nma took great Delight in beholding 
 the Combats of his Huntfmen with thofc Crea- 
 tures, and fometimeshe would let fly an Arrow, 
 which was always applauded as a very great 
 Action. But he never quitted his Chair, unlefs 
 he was upon fome commodious Eminence, 
 with good Store of Darts and Arrows by him 
 for the Security of his Perfon; not that he 
 wanted perfonal Courage, or was any Thing 
 inferior in Strength or Dexterity to the beft of 
 his Subjects; but becaufc he look'd uponthofe 
 voluntary Hazards as unbecoming his Majefty, 
 believing, and not without a true Senfe of his 
 own Dignity, that no Dangers, but thofe of 
 War, were worthy of a King. 
 
 CHAP, 
 

 Book III. Conquefiof Mexico. 411 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 An Account of the Tomp, Ceremony, and 
 Exaffnefs with which Motezuma was 
 fervd in his ^Palace : Of the Expences of 
 his Table, of his Audiences-, and other 
 T articular s relating to his Oeconomy and 
 c Diverf!ons. 
 
 AGREEABLE to the Statelinefs, Pride 
 and Magnificence of the Buildings, was 
 the Oeconomy of his Houfe, and the Apparel, 
 wherewith he us'd to adorn his Perfon, for the 
 better maintaining the Reverence and Dread 
 of his Vaflals; to which End he'invented new 
 and exceffive Ceremonies 5 laying afide, as a 
 Fault, the great Humanity and Indulgence with 
 which the Mexican Kings were wont to treat 
 their Subjects. He augmented, as we have 
 faid, in the Beginning of his Reign, the Num- 
 ber, Quality and Splendor of the Royal Fa- 
 mily 5 compofing it wholly of the Nobility, 
 of greater or letter Diftin&ion, according to 
 their feveral Employments : A Point which 
 was at firft much oppofed by his Council, who 
 reprefented to him, That it was by no means 
 proper to diflatisfy the Common People by in- 
 tirely excluding them from his Service ; not- 
 withftanding which, he executed what his Va- 
 nity fuggefted : And it was one of his Maxims, 
 That Princes ought to favour at a Diftance 
 thofe who either had no Senfe of a Benefit, or 
 
 wanted 
 
41 2 The Hifiory of the Book III. 
 
 wanted the Power to return it ; and that Ple- 
 beian Minds were not fit to enter into the Con- 
 fidence of a Sovereign. 
 
 H& had Two Sorts of Guards, the One of 
 Soldiers, fo numerous that they fiird the Courts 
 of the Palace, and were pofted in Bodies at the 
 principal Gates : The other of Noblemen, in- 
 troduce alfo in his Time, confiding of Two 
 Hundred Men, of diftinguifh'd Quality, who 
 were obliged to be every Day at the Palace, 
 both to guard his Royal Perfon, and to make 
 up the Number of his Courtiers. This At- 
 tendance of the Nobility was divided into 
 Tours, and every Divifion had their fet Days 
 for entering upon Duty 5 and the Difpofition 
 was fuch, that it comprehended not only the 
 Nobility of the City, but of the whole King- 
 dom : And when it was their Turns, they 
 came to Court to difcharge this Obligation 
 from the moft remote Parts of the Realm. 
 Their Attendance was in the Anti- chambers, 
 and they eat w 7 hat was left at the King's Table. 
 He us'd to permit fome of them to enter into 
 his Chamber, commanding them to be call'd, 
 not Co much for any particular Mark of his Fa- 
 vour to them, as to be fatisfy'd if they attend- 
 ed, and to keep them all on their Duty. He 
 valud himfelf upon having introducd that kind 
 of Guard, and feem'd to have done it with 
 Views of no ordinary Policy : For he us'd to 
 tell his Minifters, that it ferv'd to exercife the 
 Obedience of the Nobility, and to keep them 
 ::: 3 greater Dependency 5 befides, it gave him 
 
Boole I II. Conquefl of Mexico. 413 
 
 an Opportunity of knowing his Subje&s, and 
 employing them according to their feveral Ca- 
 pacities. 
 
 The Mexican Emperors marry'd with 
 Daughters of other Kings their Tributaries: 
 And Motezuma had Two Wives of this Qua- 
 lity, who bore the Title of Queens, lodg'd in 
 feparate Apartments with equal Splendor and 
 Magnificence. The Number of his Concu- 
 bines was exorbitant and fcandalous ; for wc 
 find it written, that there were more thaa 
 Three Thoufand Women in the Palace, in- 
 cluding the Servants 3 and every Female of 
 more than ordinary Beauty, that was to be 
 met with throughout his whole Dominions, 
 was brought thither, in order to gratify his 
 luftful Appetite ; for his Mlnifters and Tax- 
 gatherers forced them from their Friends by 
 Way of Tribute and Vaffalage, treating the 
 Debauchery of their Prince as a Point of Im- 
 portance to the State. 
 
 These Women he, without any Difficulty, 
 got rid of, and provided for them in fucli 
 Manner, that others might fupply his Place, 
 They found Husbands among thofe of the beft 
 Quality 5 for they left the Court very rich, and, 
 in the common Opinion, highly honour'd : So 
 far were Chaftity and Decency from being 
 counted Virtues in a Religion which did not 
 only permit, but even command the utmoft 
 Violence to natural Reafon. He afFe&ed very 
 much to have his Concubines lead a retir'd 
 life, and keep a ftrid Decorum in his Houfe ; 
 
 and 
 
414 The Hiftory^ of the Book III. 
 
 and for that Purpofe he had ancient Matrons, 
 who narrowly obferv'd the Behaviour of his 
 MiftrefTes, without permitting the leaft Inde- 
 cency to be afted amongft them 5 not that he 
 fet any Value upon Modcfty, but becaufe Jea- 
 loufy was his predominant Paffion. And this 
 Care with which he endeavoured to maintain a 
 ftrift Decorum in his Family (in itfelf fo rea- 
 fonable and praife- worthy) was in him a Weak* 
 nefs without any Mixture of true Honour or 
 Generofity, but purely the Effect of his other 
 Paffion. 
 
 His Audiences were neither eafily obtained, 
 nor very frequent, but they lafted long 5 and 
 upon theie Occafions he appear'd with great 
 Splendor and Solemnity. The Great Men 
 who had Admiffion into the Royal Apartment, 
 affifted at them, with Six or Seven Counfel- 
 lors of State to advife him in Cafe any Point 
 of Difficulty was ftarted. And there were fc- 
 veral Secretaries, who marked in Characters, 
 which ferv'd them inftcad of Letters, the Re- 
 folutions and Decrees, every one according to 
 his refpe&ive Employment. The Perfon who 
 obtained Audience enter'd barefoot, and made 
 three Reverences, without lifting his Eyes from 
 the Ground : Saying at the firft, Lord ! at the 
 fecond, My Lord ! and at the third, Great Lord ! 
 He fpoke in the moft humble and fubmiffive 
 Terms, and retired in the fame Manner he ad- 
 vanced 5 repeating his Reverences, never turn- 
 ing his Back, and keeping his Eyes fix'd on the 
 Ground 5 for there were certain Officers b\v,1cd 
 
 who 
 
Book HI. Conqueft of Mexico. 415 
 
 who feverely punifh'd the leaft Omiflion, and 
 Motezuma was extremely rigorous in exacting 
 thofe Ceremonies : A Care by no means 
 blameable in Princes, for therein confifts one 
 of thofe Prerogatives which diftinguifh them 
 from other Men s and the Delicacies of Royalty 
 infufe into the Subjed an awful Dread, very 
 cffential in its Effe&s. He liften'd with Atten- 
 tion, and anfwer'd with Seventy, feeniing to 
 proportion his Voice to his Look. If any one 
 was at a Lofs in his Delivery, he endeavour*! 
 to recover him, or order'd one of his Mini- 
 fters to affift him, that he might (peak with 
 more Afiurance. And to fach a Man he 
 would give a more favourable Difpatch, U 
 finding in that refpectful Fear, a Sort of an 
 agreeable Difcretion which flattered his Vanity, 
 He valued himfeif much for the Gentlenefs 
 and Humanity with which he fuffer'd the Im- 
 pertinencies of Petitioners, and the unaccount- 
 able Difference of their feveral Pretentions: 
 The Truth is, upon thefe Occafions, he endea- 
 vour'd to corred the Impetuoiity of his Tem- 
 per 5 but it was not always that he could gain 
 that Point : For the Violence he us'd would 
 often give Way to his natural Bent, and in- 
 deed Pride under a Reftraint but ill refembles 
 Goodnefs. 
 
 He eat alone, and very often in publick; 
 but always with equal State and Solemnity. 
 His Table was ordinarily cover'd with above 
 Two Hundred Difties, of different Meats adapt- 
 ed to his Palate, and forne of thofe fo favomy 
 
 and 
 
4 1 6 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 and exquifitely well feafon'd, that they not only 
 pleas'd the Spaniards then, but have fince been 
 imitated in Spain -, for there is no Nation fo 
 barbarous, but that it can boaft of fome Inge- 
 nuity, and has fome Invention or other to gra- 
 tify an inordinate Appetite. 
 
 Before he fat down to Meat, he look'd 
 over all the Difhes, to examine the different 
 Dainties they contained $ and having fatisfy'd 
 the Gluttony of his Eyes, he made Choice of 
 thofe which pleas'd him mod, and ordered the 
 reft to be divided amongft the Nobles of his 
 Guard. And this daily Profufion was but a 
 fmall Part of the ordinary Expence of his Kitch- 
 en, for he kept Tables for all who liv'd in his 
 Palace, and for as many others as were obliged 
 to refort thither by Virtue of their Employ- 
 ments. His Table was large, but low, and he 
 fat on a little Stool proportionable to the Ta- 
 ble. The Cloths were of fine white Cotton, 
 and the Napkins of the fame, nothing near io 
 broad as long. The Room where he eat was 
 divided in the Middle by a Rail, which, with- 
 out obftructing the Sight, kept the Crowd and 
 his Domefticks at Diftance. 
 
 Within the Rails, and near the Table wait- 
 ed Three or Four ancient Servants, of thofe he 
 mod: favour'd : And near the Rails, one of his 
 principal Officers rccciv'd the Difhes, which 
 were brought by about Twenty Women mag- 
 nificiently apparel'd, who ferv'd his Meat and 
 gave him the Cup, with the fame Reverence 
 us'd to their Idols in the Temples. The 
 
 Diiries 
 
Book III Conqueft of Mexico. 417 
 
 Difhes were of exceeding fine Earthen Ware, 
 and were only us'd once, as were likewife the 
 Table- Cloths, and Napkins, which were im- 
 mediately divided amongft the Servants. He 
 had Cups of Gold, and Salvers of the fame 5 
 and fomctimes he drank out of Cocoas, and 
 natural Shells, very richly fet with jewels. 
 
 They had continually ready at Hand diffe- 
 rent Sorts of Liquors, which he call'd for as 
 he fancy 'd ; fome were finely pcrfum'd with 
 the richeft Odours, others mix'd with the 
 juices of falutiferous Herbs, nor did he ever 
 want Cdnfe&ions of a lefs honeft Quality, I 
 mean Provocatives to Venery. He made mo- 
 derate Ufe of Wine (or, more properly fpeak- 
 ing, Beer,) a Liquor which the Indians make 
 by infufmg Maiz, in boiling Water, and which 
 difturbs the Brain as much as the ftrongeft- 
 bodied Wines : When he had done eating, he 
 ufually took a Kind of Chocolate, made after 
 the Manner of the Country, that is, the Sub- 
 ftance of the Nut beat up with the Mill till the 
 Cup was fiird more with Froth than with Li- 
 quor 5 after which he us'd to fmoak Tobacco 
 pcfum'd with liquid Amber. And this vicious 
 Habit pafs'd for a Medicine with the Indians, 
 which withal had fome what in it of Superfti- 
 tion $ for the Juice of this Herb was one of the 
 Ingredients with which the Priefts were work'd 
 up into Madnefs and Fury, as often as they 
 were obliged to prepare themfelves, by loftng 
 their L^nderftandina, to receive the Devil's 
 Oracles. 
 
 Vol. I. E c He 
 
4 1 8 The Hift ory of the Book III. 
 
 He had generally attending at his Table, 
 Three or lour feied Buffoons, who, among 
 that Sort of Vermin, were moft remarkable 
 for their Pranks 5 and theie endeavour'd to di- 
 vert him in a Manner agreeable to Perfons of 
 their Character, who centre their whole Feli- 
 city in having the faculty to make others 
 laugh 5 but too often cover their Want of Re- 
 fped to their Company under Pretence of en- 
 tertaining them. Moteziima us'd to fay, That 
 he fuffer'd them near his Perfon only becaufe 
 they fometimes told him Truth : But he who 
 feeks Truth among them difcovers but little 
 Relifh of it, except he confounds it with Flat- 
 tery. However, this was a Sentence taken 
 Notice of among the reft of his good Sayings : 
 And it is fo far remarkable, that even a bar- 
 barous Prince was fenfible of his Fault in ad- 
 mitting them, fince he endeavoured at a Rea- 
 fon to juftify his fo doing. 
 
 After fome little Repofe his Muficians 
 were wont to come in to divert him \ and with 
 a Sort of Flutes and Sea-Shells, notwithftand- 
 ing the Difference of their Sounds, they form'd 
 a Kind of Concert. They fung feveral Com- 
 pofitions, in various Sorts of Metre, which, 
 tho' unequal in their Meafures, had fomewhat 
 like Cadence, varying the Tones, not without 
 fome Method, into a Mufick adapted to their 
 Ear. The ordinary Themes of the Songs were 
 the Exploits of their Anceftors, and the me- 
 morable Actions of their Kings 5 and thefe 
 were fung in their Temples, and the Children 
 
 learn'd 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 4F9 
 
 learn'd them by Heart, to preferve the At- 
 chievements of the Nation from Oblivion, 
 thefe Songs ferving as a Hiftory to thofe who 
 did not underftand the Pi&ures and Hierogly- 
 phicks of their Annals. They had likewife 
 their merry Songs us'd in Dances, and accom- 
 panied with a ftrange confus'd Sort of Mufick. 
 They w^re fo much addifted to this Kind of 
 Diverfion, and other Spe&acles and Entertain- 
 ments in which they fucceeded very well, that 
 they had almoft every Night publick Feftivals 
 in fome Quarter or other of the City, as well 
 of the Nobility, as of the Common People $ 
 and now they were more frequent, and cele- 
 brated with greater Solemnity, to compliment 
 the Spaniards 5 Motezuma himfelf not only 
 encouraging, but even ailiftfng at them in Per- 
 fon, contrary to his accuftom'd Aufterity ; as 
 being ambitious, that thefe idle Diverfions 
 fhould, among the reft of his Oftentation, con- 
 tribute to difplay his Grandeur, and the Mag- 
 nificence of his Court. 
 
 The mod remarkable of their Sports was a 
 Dance they caird Mitotes, composed of a pro- 
 digious Multitude of People, fome of whom 
 were mod gorgeoufly attir'd, and others dif- 
 guis'd under very extraordinary Figures* In 
 this Dance the Nobles .enter'd without any 
 Diftindion, mingling with the meaner Sort, to 
 honour that Feftivai $ nor were Examples want- 
 ing of their Kings having done the like. Their 
 Mufick confifted of Two little Drums, made 
 of a hollow Piece of Wood, different in Big- 
 
 E?2 tfefi 
 
420 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 nefs and Sound ; Bafe and Treble, and not 
 without fome Kind of Harmony. They en- 
 tered Two and Two, and after certain Move- 
 ments and Figures, they form'd a Ring, all 
 beating the Earth at once with their Feet, and 
 keeping Time with their Hands, without ever 
 being out ; and when one Chorus was tir'd, 
 another fucceedcd, with different Steps and 
 Motions, like the Tripidia and Chorus cele- 
 brated by Antiquity 5 and in Conclufion they 
 mingled all together with confus'd Shouts of 
 Joy, until by drinking to each others Healths, 
 they were intoxicated with their heady Liquor, 
 in which they indulg'd themfelves 5 for they 
 thought it an Honour to drink plentifully upon 
 that Occafion, and then the Feaft either was 
 at an End, or converted to fome other more 
 extravagant Folly. 
 
 At other Times the People aflembled in the 
 principal Squares, or in the Porches of their 
 -Temples, for the Diverfton of feveral Shews 
 and Games. There were Challenges to moot 
 at a Mark, or to give other Proofs of furprizing 
 Dexterity in managing the Bow and Arrow. 
 They us'd to run Races, and wreftle for Wa- 
 gers, and publick Rewards were given to the 
 Conqueror. Some of them were extremely 
 a&ive, and would dance on the Rope without 
 a Pole ; and others again would dance after a 
 moft amazing Manner, with another of thefe 
 Rope-dancers upon their Shoulders. They 
 .play'd likewife at Ball, divided into equal 
 Numbers againft each other, with a Kind of 
 
 Bandy, 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 421 
 
 Bandy, which rais'd very high the Ball, which 
 now and then was a long while in the Air to 
 and fro, till fome one of the Parties (truck it 
 to the Mark, and thereby carry'd the Prize. 
 The Vidory was difputed with fo much So- 
 lemnity, that the Priefts, with a ridiculous Su- 
 perstition, producd the God of the Ball, and 
 placing him in Sight, conjur'd the Puppet, 
 with certain Ceremonies, to corred the Hazards 
 of the Play according to their fond Imagina- 
 tion, and to render Fortune impartial to both 
 Sides. There were very few Days in which 
 they had not fome Sort or other of thefe Di- 
 verfions in the City, zn&Motezuma was pleas'd 
 with amufing the People in this Manner 5 not 
 that he was fo very fond of thefe Paftimes him- 
 felf, or that he was ignorant of the Inconveni- 
 encies, which muft be forgiven or overlooked 
 in a diforderly Multitude; but he judg'd it ne- 
 cefTary to divert thofe turbulent unquiet Spirits 
 whofe Fidelity he fufpe&ed. A miferable Ca- 
 pitulation of a Tyrant with his Subje&s, to in- 
 dulge them in thofe Incitements to Vice that 
 they may not refled on their Mifery 5 and a 
 more wretched Slavery of Tyranny, to be 
 obliged to permit fuch Irregularities, in order 
 to introduce Slavery under the Mask of Li- 
 berty. 
 
 Ee3 CHAP, 
 
422 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 An Account 0/* Motezuma\r immenfe Riches % 
 the Manner of his managing the Royal 
 Revenues \ and of his adminijtring Juftice > 
 with other Particulars of the Mexican Go- 
 njernmenty both Civil and Military. 
 
 SO great was the Wealth of Motezuma, 
 that he was not only able to fupport the 
 ordinary Expences and Diverfions of his Court, 
 but to maintain conltantly Two or Three Ar- 
 mies in the Field, either to fubduc his rebel- 
 lious Subjects, or cover his Frontiers 5 and 
 after all, there ftill remain'd a confiderable Re- 
 ferve in his Treafury. ■ Exceeding great Profit 
 did the Crown receive from the Mines of 
 Gold and Silver, the Salt- Works, and other 
 Rights eftabliuYd from Time immemorial : But 
 the largeft Fund of the Royal Revenue, was 
 from the Contributions of the Subjeft, which 
 were mod exorbitantly increased in the Reign 
 of Motezuma. All the Husbandmen of this 
 vaft and populous Empire gave to the King one 
 Third of the Produce of their Land and Stocks > 
 the Tradefmen one Third of their Manufac- 
 tures 5 and the poor People were oblig'd to 
 work for the Court without Wages, or to ac- 
 knowledge their VafTalage by fome other per- 
 gonal Service. 
 
 Several Officers took their Circuits round 
 the Kingdom, who, being affifted by the ordi- 
 nary 
 
Book III. Conquefi o/Mexico. 423 
 
 nary Magistrates, receiv'd and remitted the Tri- 
 butes. Thefe Officers depended on the Tri- 
 bunal of the Royal Revenue refiding in the 
 Court, and were oblig'd to give an exact Ac- 
 count of the minuteft Matter which their Di- 
 ftricts produc'd 5 and the lead Fraud or Neg- 
 led was punifh'd with lofs of Life 5 from 
 whence enfued abundance of Rigour in exact- 
 ing the Dues of the Crown 5 for Favour or 
 Compaffion in a Collector was deem'd a Crime 
 of as heinous a Nature as Theft itfelf. 
 
 Great were the Clamours of the People, 
 nor was Motezuma ignorant of their Difcon- 
 tent; but the Oppreflion of his Vaflals was one 
 of the chief Maxims of his Government. And 
 Jie would frequently fay, That he was no 
 Stranger to their evil Difpofition, and was 
 obliged to load them for his own Quiet ; and 
 that he fhould not be able to govern them, 
 if he fufFered them to grow rich; being ftill 
 very ready at inventing Pretences and Colours 
 which carried a Shew of Reafon. All the 
 Towns near the City furnifhed Men for the 
 King's Works, provided Fuel for the Royal 
 Palace, or contributed other ways attheExpence 
 pf their Communities. 
 
 The Tribute of the Nobility was to guard 
 the Emperor's Perfon, or ferve in his Armies 
 with a certain Number of their Vaflals 5 befides 
 which, they were continually making him 
 Prefents, which, tho' he received them as 
 Gifts, it was ftill without quitting his Pretences 
 to them as Dues. He had different Treafurers, 
 
 E e 4 accord- 
 
424 The Hiftory of the Book III, 
 
 according to the feveral Kinds of Contributi- 
 ons: and the Tribunal of the Crown Revenue, 
 iffued out all that was neceflary for the Expcnce 
 of the Royal Houfes, and Provifions of War, 
 and took Care to make the beft Advantage 
 of the Overplus, by reducing it into fome- 
 thing that would not decay, in order to pre- 
 ferve it in the principal Treafury, and particu- 
 larly into Ingots of Gold, whole Value they 
 well underftood and efteem'c}, without fuffer- 
 ing the Plenty of it to make it lefs valuable : 
 On the contrary, the Great Men fought after 
 it, and hoarded it, either for the Excellency 
 and Beauty of the Metal, or becaufe it was de- 
 fign'd by Deftiny rather to fatisfy the covetous 
 Deftres, than relieve the Neccilitics of Man- 
 kind. 
 
 The Mexican Government difcovered a 
 remarkable Harmony between the Parts that 
 composed it. Befides the Council of the Re- 
 venue, which took Care, as we have faid, of 
 the Royal Patrimony, they had a Council of 
 fufticc which received Appeals from inferior 
 Tribunals 3 a Council of War for the forming 
 of Armies and Military Provifions 5 and a 
 Council of State, which was generally held 
 in the Prefence of the King, and treated Mat- 
 ters of the greateft Importance. They like- 
 wife had a fufficient Number of Judges of Com- 
 merce, and other different Officers 5 as Provofts 
 of the King's Court, who went their Rounds 
 about the City to take up Delinquents. Thefc 
 Officers ; as did like wife th€j4/guaziles,or Lieu- 
 
 tcnants^ 
 
Rook III. Conquejl of Mexico. 425 
 
 tenants, carry 'd a Staff in their Hands as a 
 Mark of Diflin&ion, that their Office might be 
 known. They held their Tribunal in a cer- 
 tain Part of the Town, where they heard the 
 Parties, and immediately determined the Caufe. 
 Their Judgments were fummary and verbal ; 
 both Sides appeared with their Claims and 
 Witnefles, and the Caufe was prefently de- 
 cided, except it happened to be a Cafe of Ap- 
 peal to a fuperior Tribunal. They had no 
 written Laws, but were governed according 
 to the Inftitutions of their Anceftors; Cuftom 
 upon all Occafions fupplying the want of Laws, 
 where the Pleafure of the Prince did not in- 
 terpofe to make Innovations. All thefe Coun- 
 cils were compofed of Men experienced both 
 in War and Peace 5 and the Council of State, 
 which was fuperior to all the reft, was fonrul 
 of the Eleftors of the Empire, which was a 
 Dignity conferred upon the antient Princes of 
 the Royal Blood : And when Matters of great 
 Confequence were to be difcufs'd, they fum- 
 moiVd to the Council the Kings of Tezcuco 
 and Tacuba who were principal Eledors, and 
 had this Prerogative by Succeffion. The Four 
 chief Counfellors always refided in the Palace, 
 and attended near the King's Perfon, to declare 
 their Opinions upon whatever offered, and to 
 give his Decrees the greater Authority among 
 the People. 
 
 Rewards and punifhments were difpenfed 
 with equal Care. Murther, Theft, Adultery, 
 pr any light Difrefpeft towards the King, or 
 
 their 
 
426 Tbefti&ory of the Book IIF. 
 
 their Religion, were Capital Crimes. All 
 other Mifdemeanours were eafily pardoned 3 for 
 their very Religion itfelf difarm'd Juftice by 
 tolerating Vice. Corruption in the Minifters 
 was alfo punifh'd with Lofs of Life, and no 
 Crime was look'd upon as Venial in thofe 
 who ferved in publick Employments: This 
 Cuftom Motezuma obferved with the utmoft 
 Rigour, having People of fpecial Truft to exa- 
 mine into their Conduct, and even to offer 
 them Bribes 5 and he who was found deficient 
 m any Part of his Duty was infallibly punifh'd 
 with Death : A Severity worthy of a lefs bar- 
 barous Prince, and a more civiliz'd Common- 
 wealth. However, it cannot be deny'd, but 
 that the Mexicans had fome Moral Virtues, 
 and particularly, that they adminifter'd, with 
 great Integrity, that Kind of Juftice with which 
 they were acquainted, and which was fuffici- 
 ent to redrefs Injuries, and maintain Society 
 among Fellow Citizens : For, notwithftanding 
 their Abufes and Beaftialities, they preferved 
 fome Knowledge of that primitive Equity which 
 Nature beftow a on Men, when as yet they 
 had no Laws, becaufc they were ignorant of 
 Crimes. 
 
 One of the mod laudable Articles of their 
 Policy was the Education of Children, and 
 the great Application with which they examined 
 and form'd their Inclinations. They had pub- 
 lick Schools for the Inftruction of the 'Plebei- 
 ans ', and Colleges, and other considerable Se- 
 minaries, well endow'd, where the Sons of the 
 
 Nobility 
 
Book III. Conquejl of Mexico. 427 
 
 Nobility were educated from their very In^ 
 fancy, and where they continued till they were 
 in a Capacity to make their Fortunes, or fol- 
 low their Inclinations. They had their refpe- 
 dive Matters for Infants, Children, and Youths, 
 who had the Authority of the King's Minifters, 
 and were reputed as fuch; and not without 
 Reafon, as they took Care of thofe Rudiments 
 and Exercifes which afterward fitted Men for 
 the Service of the Common-wealth. They 
 taught them to decypher thofe Characters and 
 Figures of which they composed their Writings ; 
 and they made them learn by Heart their hifto- 
 rical Songs which contained the Aftions of 
 their Anceftors, and the Praifes of their Gods. 
 From hence they went to another Oafs, where 
 they were taught Modefty, Civility, and even 
 a gentile Behaviour, according to fome Authors. 
 Thefe fecond Matters, or Tutors, were of 
 greater Reputation and Abilities than thefirft; 
 for it lay upon them to contend with the In- 
 clinations of Youth, which loves not to be 
 corrected, nor to have its Paffions broke. 
 
 Being arrived to fome Degree of Knowledge, 
 and brought up in this Sort of Subjection, they 
 pafs'd on to the Third Clafs, where they em- 
 ployed themfelves in more robuft Exercifes: 
 They try'd their Strength in carrying Weights, 
 and in Wreftling: They vied with each other 
 in Leaping and Running : They were taught 
 how to manage their Arms, ufe the two-handed 
 Sword, throw the Dart, and, with Force and 
 Exaitnefs, to fhoot the Arrow* Then they 
 
 were 
 
428 The Uittory of t&e Book III. 
 
 were made to fuffer Hunger and Thirft, and 
 rcfift the Inclemencies of the Weather, till 
 •they returned to their Father's Houfes well in- 
 structed and inur'd to Hard-Chips, to be engag'd, 
 according to the Information the Mafters gave 
 of their Inclinations and Capacities, either in 
 the Employments of Peace, War, or Religion 5 
 Three Paths where Noblemen had to chufe, 
 almoft equal in Pvepute, tho* that of War had 
 the Precedence, as carrying them to a higher 
 Degree of Honour. 
 
 They had alio other Colleges of Matrons 
 dedicated to the Worfhip of their Gods, for 
 the Educating of young Women of Quality ; 
 who were there placed from their Childhood 
 under the Direction of thefe Women, and 
 confined very ftrictly, till they went out to be 
 fettled in the World, with the Approbation 
 of their Parents, and Licence of the Emperor; 
 having arrived at a Perfection in every Occu- 
 pation fuitable to their Sex. 
 
 The Sons of Nobles, (at parting from thofe 
 Seminaries) who were inclined to War, pafs'd 
 another Trial worthy of Confidcrationj for 
 their Fathers fent them to the Armies that 
 they might become acquainted with the Hard- 
 fhips of a Campaign, and know what it was 
 that they undertook before they enrolled them- 
 felves in the Service : And they ufed to place 
 them among the common Baggage-Men, with 
 a Load of Provifion on their Shoulders, to 
 mortify their Vanity, and to inure them to 
 fatigue. 
 
 None 
 
Bock III. Conqueft of Mexico. 429 
 
 None were admitted to this Profeflion who 
 changed Countenance, at the Sight of an Ene- 
 my, or who did not give fome Proofs of his 
 Valour; fo that theie Novices did great Service 
 in the Time of their Probation : For every one 
 was defirous to fignalize himfelf by fome par- 
 ticular A&ion, throwing himfelf headlong into 
 the greateft Dangers ; being perfuaded, that in 
 order to their being rank'd with valiant Men, 
 fome Temerity was neceffary for laying the 
 Foundation of Fame. 
 
 In nothing did the Mexicans place their 
 Felicity fo much, as in Military Exploits; for 
 their Kings regarded the Profelllon of War as 
 .the principal Foundation of their Power, and 
 the Subje&s, as a Virtue peculiar to their Na- 
 tion. It was by this, that 'Plebeians rofe to 
 the Degree of Nobles, and Noblesto the greateit 
 Employments of the Empire ; which animated 
 all to the Service : Or at leaft, all thofe afpir'd 
 to Military Virtue, who were born with Am- 
 bition, or had Spirit enough to rife above their 
 Sphere. Every Town had a regulated Militia^ 
 with certain Privileges and Immunities which 
 diftinguifhed the Soldiers from the reft of the 
 Inhabitants. Their Armies were formed with 
 Eafe ; for the Princes of the Empire, and Ca- 
 ziques y or Governors of Provinces were obliged 
 to repair to the Place of Arms appointed them 
 with their Quota of Men : And it is cfteemed a 
 mighty Inftance of the Grandeur of the Mex- 
 ican Empire, that MotezumahzA Thirty Val- 
 vals fo powerful, that each could bring into 
 
 the 
 
430 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 the Field a Hundred Thbufand armed Men, 
 Thefe commanded their refpe&ive Armies in 
 Perfon, under the Authority of a Captain- 
 General, whofe Orders they obey'd, as repre- 
 fenting the Perfon of the Emperor, when he 
 was not himfelf in the Field 5 which rarely 
 happened : for thofe Princes efteemed it as 
 a leffening of their Authority to be abfent from 
 their Armies, and thought it very impolitick 
 to truft their Force in the Hands of another. 
 
 Their Manner of engaging was the fame 
 which we have defcribed in the Battle of Ta- 
 bafco--, but their Troops were better difciplin'd, 
 and the Soldiers more obedient: They had 
 more Nobles to head them, and greater Hopes 
 of Reward. They quickly difcharged their 
 miflive Arms to make Ufe of their Sw r ords, 
 and very often of their Hands 5 for it was rec- 
 koned a greater Action to make a Captive, 
 than to kill an Enemy 5 and he was accounted 
 the braved Man who brought moft Prifoners 
 to the Sacrifice. The Military Employments 
 were much efteemed, and well fupported; for 
 Motezuma rewarded with great Liberality thofe 
 who diftinguifhed themfelves in Battle, and 
 had himfelf fo martial a Genius, and was fo 
 zealous for the Reputation of his Arms, that 
 he invented honourable Rewards for the Nobles 
 who ferved in the Wars $ inftituting certain 
 Military Orders, with their peculiar Habits and 
 Marks, which gave both Honour and Diftinft- 
 ion. Some were called Knights of the Eagle \ 
 others of the Tyger } and a third of the Lyon y 
 
 and 
 
o 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 431 
 
 and they bore the Device of their Order either 
 painted on their Robe, or hanging to it. He 
 founded alfo another Order of Knighthood 
 fuperior to thefe, to which only Princes were 
 admitted, or Nobles defcended from a Royal 
 Line : And to add thereto the greater Honour, 
 he took the Habit himfelf. Thefe Knights 
 had Part < f their Hair bound with a Red Rib- 
 band, and amone the Plumes which adorned 
 the Head, Taffels of the fame Colour, which 
 hung down upon the Shoulders, more or lefs, 
 according to the A&ions of the Cavaliers, which 
 were known by the Number of Taffels, which 
 were augmented with great Solemnity, as they 
 fignaliz'd themfelves by new Exploits ; fo that 
 there was always Room to increafe this Dignity 
 by fome frefh Atchievement in War. 
 
 We cannot but commend in the Mexicans 
 the generous Ardour with which they afpired 
 to thefe honourable Rewards, and in Motezuma 
 the Merit of inventing them : For as this is 
 Money the moft eafily coin'd, fo it holds the 
 firft Rank among the Treafures of a Prince, 
 
 CHAP, 
 
432 The Hiftoiy of the Book III 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 An Account how the Mexicans meafur'd 
 and computed their Months and Tears. 
 Their Fejiivals, Marriages, with other 
 Rites and Cuftoms worthy of Remark. 
 
 THE Mexicans had difpos'd and regulated 
 their Kalendar after a very notable Me- 
 thod. They adjuftcd it by the Motion of the 
 Sun, making his Altitude and Declination the 
 Meafurc of Times and Seafons. They allow'd 
 their Year Three Hundred Sixty Five Days, as 
 we do, but they divided them into Eighteen 
 Months, ailigning to each Month Twenty 
 Days, which made Three Hundred and Sixty ; 
 the other Five, which were a Kind of Inter- 
 calary Days, they added at the End of the Year, 
 to make it anfwer the Courfe of the Sun. 
 During thefc Five Days (which they bclkv'd 
 were left purpofely by their Anceftors as Days 
 of Vacation) they gave themfelvcs up wholly 
 to Idlenefs, and only ftudy'd how to lofe that 
 Overplus of Time. Tradefmen left off Work, 
 and (hut up their Shops 5 the Bufmeis of the 
 Tribunals ceas'd, and the very Sacrifices in their 
 Temples : They vifited each other, and all Peo- 
 ple endeavoured to entertain themfelvcs with 
 Variety of Diverfions, fignifying that by this 
 Intcrmiffion they were preparing themfelvcs 
 anew for the Works and Labours of the en- 
 
 fuins 
 
Book III. Conquefi 0/Mexico. 433 
 
 filing Year, whofe Beginning they plac'd on 
 the Firft Day of the Spring, differing from the 
 Solar Year, according to the Computation of 
 Aftrologdrs, only Three Days, which they took 
 from our Month of February. 
 
 They had alfd their Weeks, of Thirteen 
 Days, with different Names, which they rnark'd 
 in their Kalendar by Images. Their Ages con- 
 fided of Four Weeks of Years $ the Method 
 and Diftribution of which were very artful and 
 notable, and carefully preferv'd for a Memo- 
 rial of all that happen'd. They made a great 
 Circle, which they divided into Fifty-two De- 
 grees, allowing a Year for every Degree. In 
 the Centre they painted the Effigies of the Sun, 
 from whole Rays proceeded Four Lines of dif- 
 ferent Colours, which equally divided the Cir- 
 cumference, leaving Thirteen Degrees to each 
 Semidiameter ; and thefe Divifions fcrv'd as 
 Signs of their Zodiack^ upon which their Ages 
 had their Revolutions, and the Sun his Afpefts, 
 profperous or adverfe, according to the Colour 
 of the Line. In a larger Circle, inclofing the 
 other, they mark'd, with their Figures and 
 Characters, the Accidents of the Age, and all 
 Occurrences which had happen'd worthy of 
 Memory. And thefe fecular Maps were as 
 publick Inftruments, which ferv'd for a Proof 
 of their Hiftory. It may be reckoned among 
 the wifeft Inftitutions of their Government, 
 that they had Hiftoriographers capable of hand- 
 ing down to Pofterity, the Exploits of their 
 Nation. 
 
 Vol. I, F f The* 
 
434 Tie Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 They had a Mixture of Superflition in the 
 Computation of their Ages 5 for they were 
 taught, that the World was in Danger of De- 
 ftrudion, when the Sun had finifh'd the Revolu- 
 tion of thofe Four greater Weeks 5 and when 
 the lad Day of the Fifty-two Years was come, 
 all the People prepar'd themfelves for that 
 dreadful and ultimate Calamity, They took 
 Leave of the Light with Tears, and expected 
 Death without any previous Sicknefs : They 
 broke their Houfhold Veflels, as unneceflary 
 Lumber; they extinguifh'd their Fires, walking 
 about all the Night like diftracted People, with- 
 out daring to take any Reft, till they knew 
 whether they were to be for ever confign'd 
 to the Regions of Darknefs. But upon the 
 Dawning of the Day, they began to recover 
 their Spirits, with their Eyes fix'd towards the 
 Eaft; and at the firft Appearance of the Sun, 
 they faluted him with all their Mufical Inftru- 
 ments, with Hymns, and Songs which ex- 
 prefs'd their confus'd Joy: Then they congra- 
 tulated each other upon their being fecure of 
 the World's Duration for another Age, imme- 
 diately crowded to their Temples to render 
 Thanks to their Gods, and to receive from the 
 Priefts new Fire, which they kept burning with 
 the greatcft Violence before the Altars, being 
 conftantly fed with dry Wood. Next they 
 made anew all Provifion for their necefiary 
 Subfiftence, and this Day was celebrated with, 
 publick Rejoicings, and the Dancing and other 
 Diveriions were dedicated thro' the whole City 
 
 to 
 
Book IN. Conqueft of Mexico. 435 
 
 to the Renewal of Time, much after the fame 
 Manner wherewith Rome celebrated her Se- 
 cular Games. 
 
 Their Emperors receiv'd the Crown upon 
 Conditions very particular : For the Election 
 being made after the Manner already obferv'd, 
 the new King was oblig'd to take the Field 
 with the Forces of the Empire, and obtain fome 
 Vidory over his Enemies, or fubdue fome Re- 
 bels, or fome neighbouring Province, before 
 he was crown'd, or permitted to afcend the 
 Royal Throne. A Cuftom worthy of Obfer- 
 vation, and the chief Means by which this 
 Monarchy rofe to fuch a Height in fo few Years. 
 So foon as the victorious Prince was found to 
 be qualify 'd for the Regal Dignity by the Sue- 
 ccfsof his Enterprize, he return'd triumphant- 
 ly to the City, and made his publick Entry 
 with great State and Solemnity : All the Nobi- 
 lity, Minifters, and Priefts, accompany 'd him 
 to the Temple of the God of War, where he 
 alighted from his Chair, and after having of- 
 fer'd the cuftomary Sacrifices, the Electoral 
 Princes cloath'd him in Royal Robes, arming 
 his Right-Hand with a Sword of Gold, edg'd 
 with Flint, the Enfign of Juftice ; and his Left 
 with a Bow and Arrows, fignifying his Power 
 and Command in War : Then the King of 
 Tezcuco plac d the Crown upon his Head, by 
 a Privilege belonging to him as Firft Elector. 
 
 After this, one of the moft eloquent Ma- 
 
 giftrates made a long Harangue, wifhing him 
 
 Joy of the Dignity, in the Name pf the whole 
 
 F f 2 Empire 5 
 
4]6 The Hiftory of tie Book III. 
 
 Empire j and added ibme Documents, rcpre- 
 fenting the Troubles and Cares that attend a 
 Crown, with the Obligations he lay under to 
 regard the Publick Good of his Kingdoms ; 
 recommending to him the Imitation of his An- 
 ceftors. This Speech being ended, the Chief 
 of the Priefts approached him with great P^cve- 
 rence, and from his Hand the King took an 
 "Oath, with Circumftances very obfervable. 
 Firft, he fwore to maintain the Religion of 
 his Anceftors: That he would obfcrve the 
 Laws and Cuftoms of the Empire : That he 
 would treat his Vaflals with Lenity : That 
 during his Reign they fhould have feafonable 
 Rains : That no Inundations of Rivers, Steri- 
 lity of Soil, or malignant Influences of the 
 Sun fhould happen. A notable Compact be- 
 tween a King and his Vaflals, and ridicul'd by 
 Jujlus Lipfius ! But we may venture to fay, 
 that by this Oath, they endeavour M to oblige 
 him to rei&n with liich Moderation, that he 
 might not by any A&ioii of his own, draw 
 down the Indignation of Heaven 5 as not be- 
 ing ignorant that thefe Kinds of Chaftifemcnts, 
 and publick Calamities, fall fometimes on the 
 Subjefts for the Sins and Exorbitances of the 
 Prince. 
 
 For the reft of the Rites and Cuftoms of 
 this Nation, we fhall onlv touch on thofe which 
 deferve a Place in Hiftory, omitting their Su- 
 perftitions, Indecencies, and Obfcenities, which 
 would defile the Narration, tho' told without 
 Offence to Truth. 
 
 MIDST 
 
Baok III. Conqueft of Mexico. 437 
 
 Amidst fuch a Multitude of Gods, as we 
 have before obferv'd, and fuch Obfcurity and 
 Blindnefs in their Idolatry, they ftill acknow- 
 ledged a Superior Deity, to whom they attri- 
 buted the Creation of the Heavens, and the 
 Earth : And this Original of all Things was, 
 amongft xhc^Mexicans, a God without a Name, 
 there being no Word in their Language where- 
 by to exprefs him. They only fignify'd that 
 they knew him, by looking up towards Hea- 
 ven with Veneration, and giving him, after 
 their Way, the Attribute of Ineffable, with 
 the fame religious Uncertainty with which the 
 Athenians worfhip'd the Unknown God. But 
 this Knowledge of the firft Caufe which, ia 
 Appearance, Ihould have facilitated their be- 
 ing undeceived, was of little Ufe upon that 
 Occafion 5 for it was impoffible to make them 
 believe that this fame Deity could govern the 
 whole Univerfe without the Affiftance of 
 other Gods, tho' in their Apprchenfion he had 
 the Power to create it > and they were per- 
 fuaded, that there were not any Gods in the 
 other Parts of Heaven, till Men began to be- 
 come miferable in Proportion as they multi- 
 plied ; looking on the Gods as favourable 
 Genii, who were produe'd when there was 
 Occafion for them ; without being in the leaft 
 fhock'd at the Abfurdity of fuppofing them to 
 owe their Being and Divinity to the Miferies of 
 human Nature. 
 
 They believ'd the Immortality of the Soul, 
 With eternal Rewards and Punifhments in a 
 
 F f 3 future 
 
458 The Hiftcry of the Bock III. 
 
 future State ; little underftanding at the fame 
 time the Nature of Virtue and Vice : And this 
 Truth was obfcur'd with other Errors ; for they 
 buried great Quantities of Gold and Silver with 
 their Dead, to bear the Expences of their Jour- 
 ney, which they believ'd to be both long and 
 troublefome. They put to Death fome of 
 their Servants to accompany them ; and it was 
 a common thing for Wives to celebrate the 
 Exequies of their Husbands with their own 
 Death. Princes were oblig'd to have Monu- 
 ments of a vaft Extent 5 for the greateftPart of 
 their Riches and Family were intcrr'd with 
 them ; both the one and the other in Propor- 
 tion to their Dignity and Grandeur. The 
 whole Number of Houfhold Officers were 
 oblig'd to accompany the Prince into the other 
 World, together with fome Flatterers among 
 them, who at that Time fufFer'd for the De- 
 ceit of their Profeffion. The Bodies were 
 carry'd with great Pomp and Solemnity to the 
 Temples, from whence their Priefts came forth 
 to receive them, with their Copper Cenfers, 
 {tnging to the Sound of hoarfe and ill-tun'd 
 Flutes, Hymns and Funeral Elegies, in a dif- 
 mal melancholy Tone. They often rais'd up 
 on high the Bier, during the voluntary Sacri- 
 fice of thofe miferable Wretches, who had de- 
 voted both Bodies and Souls to Slavery. A 
 Ceremony of remarkable Variety, compos'd 
 of ridiculous Abufes, and deplorable Barba- 
 rities ! 
 
 The ik 
 
Book IfL Conqueft of Mexico. 439 
 
 Their Marriages bore the Form of Con- 
 
 tra&s, with fome religious Ceremonies. The 
 preliminary Articles being all agreed upon, 
 the Couple appcar'd in the Temple, and one 
 of the Priefts examined their Inclinations by 
 certain ceremonial Queftions, appointed by 
 Law for that Purpofe : After that he took the 
 Tip of the Woman's Veil with one Hand, and 
 one Corner of the Husband's Garment in the 
 other, tying the fame together at the Ends, to 
 fignify the interior Tye of their Affe&ions, 
 Under this Sort of Nuptial Yoke, they return d 
 to their Habitation, accompany 'd by the fame 
 Prieft, where imitating the Superftition of the 
 Romans with regard to their 2)// Lares , or 
 Houfhold Gods, they paid a Vifit to the Dome- 
 flick Fire, which they believ'd to be concern'd 
 in the Union between the married Pair : They 
 went round it Seven times, following the 
 Prieft j after which they fat down to receive 
 their equal Share of the Heat, and then the 
 Marriage was thought to be accomplifli'd. 
 They regifter'd in a publick Inftrument, the 
 Portion brought by the Bride, every Part where- 
 of the Husband was obliged to reftore, in cafe 
 they parted, which very frequently happen'd ; 
 for mutual Confent was judg'd a fufficient 
 Caufe for a Divorce : A Cafe in which the 
 Law never interfered, but left it to the Parties 
 concern'd, who beft knew each other, to be 
 their own Judges. The Girls remain'd with 
 the Mother, and the Boys went with the Fa- 
 ther h but when once the Marriage was thus 
 F f 4 diffolv'd, 
 
44° The Hiftory of the Book HE 
 
 diflblv'd, it was inevitable Death for them to 
 come together again : So that notwithftand- 
 ing the natural Inconftancy of that fickle Na- 
 tion, the Danger of attempting to have any 
 Cohabitation after a Divorce was no fmall 
 Check upon them, and prevented many a 
 Couple from parting. They were very care- 
 ful of the Virtue and Conduct of their Wives, 
 as a Point in which their Honour was nearly 
 concern/d 5 and amidft that boundlefs Licenti- 
 oufnefs and Liberty with which they indulged 
 their feniual Appetites, they abhorr'd and pu- 
 nifh'd Adultery with the utmoft Rigour ; not 
 fo much upon Account of the Atrocity of the 
 Vice, as for the Inconveniencies which attend- 
 ed it. 
 
 T&EiR new-born Infants were carry M to the 
 Temples with Solemnity, and the Pricfts re- 
 ceived them with certain Admonitions, con- 
 cerning the Troubles to which they were born. 
 If they were the Sons of Nobles, they put a 
 Sword into the Child's Right-Hand, and upon 
 his Left Arm a Shield, kept in the Temple for 
 that Purpofe. If of Plebeian Extraction, they 
 put into their Hands mechanical Inllrumcnts ; 
 and the Females of both Degrees had only the 
 Diftaffand Spindle, fignifying to each the Kind 
 of Employment which Dcftiny had prepar'd 
 for them, This Firft Ceremony being over, 
 they were brought up to the Altar, and there 
 with a Thorn of Maguey, or a Lancet of Flint, 
 they drew lome Drops of Blood from the 
 Privy-Parts 5 after winch they either fprinklcd 
 
 the ^ 
 
BookUL Conquejl of Mexico. 441 
 
 them with Water, or dipp'd them into it, ufing 
 at the fame Time certain Invocations. In 
 which Ceremony it fhould fcem that the Devil, 
 the Inventer of thefe Rites, was ambitious to 
 imitate Baptifm and Circumcifion, with the 
 fame Pride with which he endeavoured to coun- 
 terfeit the other Ceremonies, and even the Sa- 
 craments of the Catholick Church $ fince he 
 introduc'd among thefe Barbarians the Con- 
 feftton of Sins, giving them to underftand, 
 that thereby they obtained the Favour of their 
 Gods. He inftituted likewife a ridiculous Sort 
 of Communion, which the Priefts adminiftred 
 upon certain Days in the Year, dividing into 
 final} Bits an Idol made of Flour, mix'd up into 
 Paft with Honey, which they callM The God 
 of Tenitence. They had likewife Jubilees, 
 Proceffions, Offerings of Incenfe, and other 
 Forms of Divine Worfhip : Nay, they even 
 gave their Chief Priefts the Title of ^Popes in 
 their Language; by which we find, that this 
 Imitation coft Satan a very particular Study and 
 Application, whether with a Defign to abufc 
 and prophane the Sacred Myfteries and Cere- 
 monies, by mingling them with his Abomi- 
 nations, or that he cannot yet repent of his 
 Ambition, but is ftill afpiring and affe&ing to 
 imitate the Moft High. 
 
 The reft of the Rites and Ceremonies of 
 thefe miferable Heathens were fhocking and 
 horrible, both to Reafon and Nature : Befti- 
 alities, and incongruous, ftupid Abfurdities, 
 which ftem'd altogether incompatible with the 
 
 Regularity 
 
44 i The Hiftory of the Book IIF. 
 
 Regularity and admirable Oeconomy which 
 was obferved in the other Parts of that Govern- 
 ment; and would fcarce be believ'd, were not 
 Hiftorics full of Examples of the like Weak- 
 ncffes and Errors of Human Capacities in other 
 Nations, who are no lefs blind, tho' in Parts 
 of the World where they have the Means of 
 being more enlighten'd. Sacrifices of Human 
 Blood began much about the fame Time with 
 Idolatry; and many Ages ago the Devil in- 
 troduced them amongft thofe Nations, from 
 whom the Ifraelites learn *d to facrifice their 
 Sons to the Idols of Canaan. The horrible 
 and detcftable Cuftom of Mens eating each 
 other, has been ^ci\ praclifed many Ages fince 
 amongft other barbarous People of our Hemi- 
 iphere, as Galatia confefTes in her Antiquities, 
 and Scythia in her Anthropophagi. Logs of 
 Wood worfhip'd for Deities, fuperftitious Au- 
 guries, the furious Agitations of Priefts, their 
 Communication with the Devil by his Oracles, 
 and other Abfurditics equally abominable, have 
 been admitted, and reverenced by other Gen- 
 tiles, who were otherwifc endowed with great 
 Senfe, and were perfectly well skill'd in Mo- 
 rality and Politicks. Greece and Rome wanted 
 the Knowledge of the true Religion, tho J in 
 every Thing elfe they gave Laws to the whole 
 World, and left edifying Examples to Pofterity. 
 Erom all this we are obliged to confefs the Defi- 
 ciency and the iinall Extent of human Wifdom, 
 which reaches but a very little farther than the 
 fuperficial Knowledge it receives from thcSenfes 
 
 an4 
 
Book III. Co?tqueft of Mexico. 44 3 
 
 and Experience, whenever that reveal'd Light, 
 by which we difcovcr the very Eflence of Truth 
 itfelf, is wanting. The Mexican Religion was 
 therefore no other than a deteftable Compound 
 of all the Errors and Abominations, which had 
 been received among the Gentiles in the dif- 
 ferent Parts of the World. 
 
 We fhall not enter into the Detail of their 
 particular Feftivals and Sacrifices, their Ceremo- 
 nies, Sorceries, and Superftitions 5 not only be- 
 caufe we meet them at every Step, with tedious 
 Repetitions, in all the Hiftories of the Indies, 
 but becaufe it is our Opinion we cannot be 
 too cautious how we give our Pen too large a 
 Scope upon a Subjed of this Nature; and at 
 the beft, we look upon it as an unneceflary 
 Leflbn, as affording the Reader little Pleafure, 
 and much lefs Profit. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Morezuma continues his Entertainments and 
 Trefents to the Spaniards. Letters brought 
 from Vera- Cruz with an Account of the 
 Battle wherein Juan de Efcalante loft his 
 Life: Upon which Cortes refofoestofecure 
 the Terfon of Motezuma, 
 
 THE Spaniards obferved all thefe No- 
 velties not without great Admiration, 
 tho' they endeavour'd to conceal and diflemble 
 their Surprize $ and it coft them fome Pains 
 
 to 
 
444 The Hiflory of the Book III. 
 
 to compofc their Countenances upon theft 
 Occafions, that they might maintain the Su- 
 periority they affected over thofe People. The 
 firfiDays were taken up in various Paftimes and 
 Diverfions. The Mexicans gave fplendid and 
 oftcntatious Proofs of their Abilities, with a 
 Defire of entertaining their Guefts, and not 
 without an Ambition of displaying their Dex- 
 terity in the Management of their Arms, and 
 their Activity in all their other Exercifcs. M(h 
 tezuma encouraged thofe Shews and Enter- 
 tainments, laying afide allMajefty, contrary to 
 his accuftom'd Pride and Refervednefs. Upon 
 all Occafions he took Cortes, attended by his 
 Captains, along with him, and treated him 
 with a Deference and Refpect full of Huma- 
 nity, which appeared prodigious in one of his 
 Character, and occafioned thofe who knew 
 him to have the greater Efteem for the Spa- 
 ntards. Their Vifits were frequent and punctual ; 
 Cortes went to the Palace, and Motezuma to 
 the Spamflo Quarters. The Emperor was con- 
 tinually admiring every Thing that came from 
 Spain, believing it to be a Part of Heaven ; 
 and ib high an Idea he had of the King, that 
 it exceeded the Conceptions he entertained of 
 his Gods. He was ever endeavouring to gain 
 the Affection of the Spaniards, by diftributing 
 Curiofitics and Jewels amongft the Captains 
 and Soldiers, not without Difcernment and 
 Diftin&iori of Merit; for he carefs'd moft of 
 the Officers of D [function, and knew how to 
 proportion the Gift to the Importance of the 
 
 Perfoti 
 
Book III. Con queft of Mexico. 445 
 
 Perfon whom he defign'd to oblige. The No- 
 bility, in Imitation of their King, were ambi- 
 tious to render themfelves agreeable to all the 
 Strangers, by treating them with a Refpe£fc 
 that favour'd of Submiffion : As for the Po- 
 pulace, they bent their Knees to the meaneft 
 of the Spanijh Soldiers. In this Manner they 
 enjoy'd an agreeable Repofe, with fomething 
 continually new to divert, and nothing to difturb 
 them. But they were not long without Oc- 
 cafion of Difquiet 5 for about this Time there 
 came two Tlafcalan Soldiers to the City 
 through By-ways, difguifed in the Habits of 
 Mexicans, who going privately to Cortes, 
 gave him a Letter from Vera-Cruz, which 
 changed the Face of Affairs, and fore'd him 
 upon Refolutions lefs pacifick. 
 
 Juan de E scal ante, who, as we have 
 faid before, had the Government of the New 
 fcolony, was employ'd in continuing his For- 
 tifications, and preferring his Correfpondencc 
 with thofe Indian Friends whom Cortes had 
 left him 5 and remained in this State of Tran- 
 quility without any Accident, till he received 
 Advice, that one of Motezumas Generals was 
 marching up and down in that Province with 
 a confiderable Army, committing Hoftilities 
 upon fome Towns with which he had fettled 
 an Alliance, which depending upon the Pro- 
 tection of the Spaniards, refufed to pay their 
 accuftom'd Tribute. This General's Name was 
 Qualjpopoca, and commanded all the Forces 
 that were cantoned upon the Frontiers of Zem- 
 poala-, and having aflembled them to fupport 
 
 the 
 
446 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 the Commiffarics appointed to gather the Tax, 
 he committed great Diforders, Extortions, and 
 Violences upon thofe People, accompanying 
 the Rigour of the Officers with the Licentiouf- 
 neis of the Soldiery ; both the one and the 
 other, a Sort of People infatiably greedy, who 
 commonly call pillaging the Subject, ferving 
 the Prince. 
 
 The TotonaqneSy who inhabited the hilly 
 Country, and whofe Dwellings thofe Troops 
 were then deftroying, were the firft who com- 
 plained. They befeeched Juan de Efcalante 
 to take up Arms in Defence of his Confede- 
 rates, and offered to aflift in the Undertaking 
 with their whole remaining Strength. He 
 comforted them with the Afiurance that he re- 
 fented their Injuries as done to himfclf : But 
 before he would proceed to Extremities, he 
 refolved to fend Meffengers to the Mexican 
 General, defiring him, in a friendly Manner, 
 " That he would fufpend his Hoftility, until 
 " fuch Time as he mould receive frefh Orders 
 " from the Emperor, fince it was not poflible 
 " for him to have authoriz'd a Proceeding of 
 " that Kind, when he had admitted to his 
 " Court Ambaffadors from the Eaftcrn Mon- 
 " arch, to fct on Foot a Treaty of Peace and 
 " Confederacy between the two Crowns." 
 This Meffage was carried by two Zempoalans, 
 Men of good Addrefs, refiding in Vera-Cruz,-, 
 and the Anfwer of the Mexican was infolent 
 and injurious : " That he was very well able 
 " to comprehend and execute the Orders of 
 
 his 
 
Book III. Cofiqueft of Mexico. 447 
 
 cc his Prince ; and if any one (hould pretend 
 <c to divert him from the Chaftifement of thoufe 
 " Rebels, he likewife knew how to maintain 
 <c in the Field what he had undertaken." 
 
 Juan de Escalante could not dif- 
 femble his Refcntment > nor was it fit for him 
 to refufe the Challenge in the View of thole 
 Indians, who were interefted in the Succeis 
 of the Totonaques, who ran the fame Bifquc, 
 and had put themfelves under the fame Pro- 
 tection : Wherefore having informed himfelf 
 that the Grofs of the Enemies Body did nor 
 exceed four thoufand Men, he immediately 
 aiTembled two thoufand Indians, the greateft 
 Part of whom were Totonaques of the hilly 
 Country ; who being either fuch as had fled 
 before Qualpopoca, or, irritated by his Vio- 
 lences, came to fhelter themfelves under Ef- 
 calantes Protedion ; at the Head of which 
 Number, well appointed after their Manner, 
 and forty Spaniards y two of them arm'd with 
 Arquibufes, and three with Crofs-Bows, and 
 with two Pieces of Artillery, he began his 
 March towards thofe Towns which wanted his 
 Afliftance, leaving Vera-Cruz but weakly gar- 
 rifon'd. 
 
 Qu alpopoca had Notice of his Motions, 
 and advane'd to receive him, with all his Troops 
 in exceeding good Order, near a fmall Village, 
 fmce caird Almeria. A little after Day-break 
 both Armies eame in Sight of each other, and 
 engag'd with equal Refolution 5 but in a little 
 while the Mexicans gave Way, and began to 
 
 retire 
 

 448 The Hiffory of the Book III. 
 
 retire in great Diforder. It happen d at the 
 fame Time, that the Totonaques of our Party y 
 either not being inur'd to War, or, from the 
 accuftom'd Dread they had of the Mexicans ', 
 were difpirited, and lagg'd behind, till at laft 
 they betook themfelves to Flight, and could 
 not be prevailed to rally, either by Perfuafion, 
 CompulfiomorExample: A rareAccident, which 
 muft be rcckond amon^ the unaccountable 
 Events which happen in War, when the Con- 
 querors fly from the Conquered ! The Enemy 
 fled with Precipitation and Dread, and were 
 fo careful of their own Safety, that they did 
 not obferve how much our Troops were di- 
 minifh'd, but only did what they could, in a 
 difordcrly Manner, to retire to the next Town, 
 whither Juan de E/ialante purtiicd them, with 
 little more than his forty Spaniards ; and im- 
 mediately commanding the Place to be fired 
 in different Parts, attacked them at the lame 
 Time with fo much Refolution, that, without 
 giving them Leifure to difcover the "Smallncfs 
 of his Numbers, he broke, and intirely dif- 
 lodg'd them, obliging them to turn their Backs 
 and difperfe themfelves in the Wqods. The 
 Indians, after the Adion was over, aflirm'd 
 that they faw in the Air a Woman, refembling 
 her whom the Strangers worfhip'd for the Mo- 
 ther of their God, who dazzled and aftonifh'd 
 them in fuch a Manner, that fhe depriv'd them 
 of Strength or Power to ftand their Ground. 
 This Miracle did not manifeft itfelf to the 
 Spaniards, but the Succefs they met with made 
 
 it 
 
 
Book IIL Conquejl of 'Mexico. 449 
 
 it credible; and the Soldiers were now all ac- 
 cuftom'd to fhare with Heaven the Glory of 
 their Exploits. 
 
 This was a very fignal Vi&ory, but it coft 
 the Spaniards dear ; for Juan de Efcalante 
 was mortally wounded, with fcven other Sol- 
 diers, of which Number the Indians carry J d 
 off Juan de Arguillo, a Native of Leon, a 
 Man of an extraordinary Stature, and very great 
 Strength, who fell, valiantly fighting, at a 
 Time when he could not be fuccour'd : The 
 reft all died of their Wounds at Vera-Cruz,, 
 within three Days. 
 
 Of this Lofs, with all its Circumftances, the 
 Council o£Vera-Cruz fent Cortes an Account, 
 that he might name a Succeffor to Juan de 
 Efcalante ', and be appriz'd of the Pofture of 
 his Affairs in thofe Parts. Cortes read the 
 Letter, with the Concern that fuch a Piece of 
 ill News requir'd. He communicated the fame 
 to his Captains, and without entering at that 
 Time into all its Confequences, or difcovering 
 the Whole of his Chagrin, he defir'd them to 
 rcfiecT: upon this Accident, and to give him 
 Time for the forming fuch a Refolution as it 
 fhould pleafc God to infpire, recommending 
 veiy particularly to Father Bartolome de 01- 
 medo to contribute to it by his Prayers, and 
 to all in general to keep the News fecret, that 
 a Difafter of fuch Importance might not come 
 to the Ears of the Soldiers, and be made a 
 Subjeft of common Difcourfe. 
 
 Vol, I. G g He 
 
450 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 He afterwards rctir'd to his own Apartment, 
 and began to reflect on all the Inconvcniencies 
 which might refult from this Misfortune. He 
 thought on feveral Expedients, and rejected 
 them again : The Force of his Fancy even tir'd 
 him with Variety, at once reprefenting to him 
 the Remedies and Difficulties attending them. 
 Authors report, that he walk'd about a great 
 Part of the Night, and by mere Accident dif- 
 cover'd at that Time a Place newly plaifter'd 
 up, in which Motezuma conceal'd the Trea- 
 fures of his Father ; and that after he had view'd 
 them, he ordered the Place to be ftopp'd up 
 again, without fuffering any thing to be taken 
 away. I fhall not dwell upon the Diverfion 
 which this Difcovery might give to his Uneafi- 
 nefs, fince it appears that it lafted not long, 
 but foon gave Way to that Application of 
 Thought, which ended in a Heady ReCblution 
 to take thofc Meafures which I am going to 
 relate. 
 
 He fent privately for the moft fenfible and 
 beft affected Indians of his Army, of whom 
 he demanded, " If they had obferved any Al- 
 t' tcration in the Minds of the Mexicans, and 
 " in what Efteem the Spaniards were at the 
 " prefent among them ? " They anfwer'd, 
 " That the common People were taken up 
 " with their Feftivals made for the Diverfion 
 " of the Spaniards, whom they reverenced, 
 " becaufe they faw them honoured by their 
 " Emperor: But that the Nobility fcem'd pen- 
 
 " five 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 45 1 
 
 " five and myftcrious; that they had feeret 
 <c Conferences, the Refult of which they kept 
 %t very private/' They faid, they had obferv'd 
 fome Expreffions which admitted a finifter In- 
 terpretation ; one of which was, That it would 
 be no difficult Matter to break down the 
 Bridges of the Caufey, with others of the fame 
 Kind, which all together gave fufficient Caufc 
 of Sufpicion. Two or three of thofe Indians 
 heard it whifper'd, that fome few Days before, 
 a Spaniard's Head was brought as a Prefcnt 
 to Motezuma j and that he commanded it to 
 be taken away and concealed, after he had 
 view'd it with fome Aftonifhnlent, it being of 
 a very large Size, and the Face of a fierce 
 Afpcct, Marks which agreed very well with 
 that of Juan de Arguillo. This redoubled 
 the Uneafinefs of Cortes j forhencc it appeared, 
 that Motezuma was privy to the Proceedings 
 of his General. 
 
 Upon thefe Advices, and the Reflexions he 
 afterwards made thereupon, hefhut himfelfup 
 the next Morning with his Captains, and fome 
 principal Soldiers, who, upon Account of their 
 Merit or Experience, were wont to affift at the 
 Juntas, where he laid the Cafe, with all its 
 Circumftances, before them, and acquainted 
 them what Information he had recciv'd the 
 Night before from his trufty Indians ', weighing 
 with great Sedatenefs of Temper, the Danger 
 with which they were threaten d : He touch'd 
 with great Addrefs upon the Difficulties which 
 
 g 2 might 
 
452 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 might occur 5 and then, without (hewing which 
 Way his own Sentiment inclin d, he wasfilent, 
 and gave them free Liberty to difcufs the 
 Affair. 
 
 They were of different Opinions: Some 
 were for defiring Motezumas Paffport, and 
 marching immediately to the Relief of Vera- 
 Cruz, : Others found great Difficulties in the 
 Retreat, and were for going off privately, 
 without forgetting the Riches they had acquired. 
 But the greateft Part were of Opinion, that 
 they fhould continue in Mexico, without feem- 
 ing to have any Knowledge of what had pafs'd 
 at Vera-Cruz, till they could find fome Means 
 to retreat with Safety. But Cortes, recapitu- 
 lating the feveral Propofals had been made, 
 and highly commending the Zeal with which 
 they had aU endeavoufd to hit the Point, de- 
 livered himfelf thus : 
 
 I can by no means agree to that Tropo- 
 jition of defiring a ^Paffport from Motezuma ; 
 for after having operid the Way to his Court 
 with our Arms, in Spite of all Oppofition, we 
 muft unavoidably fink very low in the Opinion 
 of the Mexicans, when once it pall be known, 
 that we ft and in Need of their Favour ta 
 retire. If Motezuma has ill Tlefigns againft 
 us, he may grant the Taffport, with no other 
 View than to deftroy us in our Retreat 5 and 
 if he fiould de?iy it, then we jhall be obliged 
 to march out by Force, and expofe ourfelves 
 
 to 
 
I 
 
 Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 453 
 
 to a certain 'Danger, after having declared 
 our Weahnefs. Much lefts am I of Opinion, 
 that we Jhould offer to retreat by Stealth, for 
 by fo doing, we pall at once brand ourfehes 
 with the infamous Epithet of Fugitives, and 
 Motczuma can, with the greatefi Eafe ima- 
 ginable, poffefshimfelf of the 'Paffes, by fending 
 Scouts before to give Notice of our March. 
 And in port, in my Opinion, it is by no Means 
 convenient at this Juncture, even to think 
 of retiring j for after what Manner foever 
 we attempt it, it will infallibly be at the Ex- 
 pence of our Reputation $ and having once 
 loft our Friends and Confederates, whom that 
 and nothing elfe engages on our Side, we pall 
 affuredly find ourfelves without one Foot of 
 Ground to tread upon with any Security. For 
 thefe Confiderations, I conclude , that they 
 come neareft to the 'Point who vote for our 
 continuing here, without taking Notice of any 
 thing till we can go off with Honour, and for 
 trying in the mean while what may happen 
 agreeable to that Hope. Both Refolutions, it 
 is true, are equally hazardous, but not equally 
 honourable-, and it woidd be a Misfortune, 
 unworthy of Spaniards, to chufe to die a dif- 
 honourable 'Death, when they have it in their 
 Option, to do the contrary. I make no Queftion 
 but that it is neceffary for us to ft and our 
 Ground where we are ■> the Manner how we 
 palleffe£l it is what moft employs my Thoughts. 
 JVe are acquainted with the Rumours which 
 G g 3 begin 
 
454 TI> e Hiftory of the Book HI. 
 
 begin to fpread among the Mexicans. The 
 1)i [grace which has befallen us at Vera-Cruz 
 defer ves your 'fir if us Reflections j and Ar- 
 guilloV Head prefented to Motezuma, is a 
 plain Indication, that he was no Stranger to 
 the Expedition of his General i nay, his very 
 Silence upon that Article, is a fufjicient Re a fan 
 for us to fujpeUt his Intentions. Therefore 
 upon confidering the Whole, lam of Opinion, 
 thai in order to maintain ourfelves in this 
 City with leaft Hazard, it will be expedient 
 to refolve upon fome great Action, that may 
 give the Indians frefb Caufe of Aftonijhment, 
 and regain what Reputation we have lofl in 
 their Eft e em by thefe unfortunate Accidents, 
 To which End, ( after having weigh 'd other 
 'Projects, which would ?nake more Noife than 
 they would produce Effect) I hold it abfo : 
 lately neceffary to feize the Terfon of Mote- 
 zuma, and bring him Prifoner to our Quarters* 
 A Refolution which I cannot help thinking 
 will ftrike Terror into them, and muft needs 
 keep them within Bounds, and at the fame 
 Time will give us an Opportunity of capitu- 
 lating after fuch a Manner both with the 
 King and his VaJJ'als, as may be moft for the 
 Honour of our Sovereign, and the common Se- 
 curity. The Pretence of his Imprifonment, 
 according to my Judgment, muft be the TDeath 
 pf Arguillpj, to which he was privy, and the 
 Breach of the 'Peace by one of his Generals -, 
 with which two Offences we muft give him 
 
 % 
 
Bock III. Co?iquefi of Mexico. 455- 
 
 to under ft and we have been ac 'quaint ed, and : 
 for which we demand Satisfaction: For 
 it would be to our Difadvantage to feem 
 ignorant of any Thing which they them- 
 felves under ft and - y when they believe us fu- 
 perior to them in every refpeii, and ignorant 
 of nothing, Thefe and fuch other Errors of 
 their Imaginations we muft encourage, or at 
 leaft bear with, as extremely favourable to 
 our bold Undertaking. I am very fenfible of 
 the 'Difficulties and Accidents which attend 
 fo daring an Enterprise ; but great Atlions 
 have their Birth from great Dangers - y and 
 God will certainly fupport us, for many are 
 the Wonders {I may venture to fay, the evi- 
 dent Miracles) which he hath wrought for 
 us in this Expedition > and why Jloouldwenot 
 now believe, that this Terfeveranceof ours is 
 the Effeft of his divine Inspiration ? His Ser- 
 vice is the principal Motive of our Enterprise 5 
 and I cannot be perfuaded, that he has con : 
 dueled us thus, jar by his extraordinary Pro- 
 vidence, to plunge us into unfurmountable 
 Difficulties^ and in our great eft NeceJ/ity to 
 abandon us to our own Weaknefs. 
 
 He cnlarg'd with fo much Energy upon this 
 pious Conftdcration, that he communicated to 
 the whole Council the Vigour of his own 
 Spirit, and brought them over to his Opinion ; 
 firft the Captains, Juan Velafquez de Leon, 
 Diego de Ordaz y with Gonzalo de Sandoval, 
 
 G g 4 and 
 
45<5 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 and then all the reft applauded the judicious 
 Arguments of their General, and judgd the 
 Goodnefs of the Remedy, by the heroick Gal- 
 lantry of the Refolution. Upon this Foot the 
 Junta broke up, having refolv'd upon the Im- 
 prifonment of Motezama, and leaving the 
 Management of the Whole to the Difcretion of 
 Cortes, 
 
 Bernal Diaz del Castillo, who 
 lofes no Opportunity of introducing himfelf 
 as the Author of all great Refolutions, affirms, 
 that he, and fome other Soldiers, advis'd the 
 Imprifonment of Motezuma, fome Days before 
 they had received any Intelligence of what had 
 happened at Vera-Cruz: But other Relations 
 do not agree with his, nor was there Occafion, 
 at that Juncture, to enter upon a Projeft of fo 
 violent a Nature. He fhould have kept him- 
 felf within Bounds a little longer, and then 
 his Advice would not have appeared fo impro- 
 bable, and fo much out of Seafon. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Book 111- Conqueft of Mexico- 457 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 The Imprifonment of Motczumz: An Account 
 after what Manner it was effected, and 
 how receivd among ft his Vajfals. 
 
 IT muft be acknowledged, that this Refo 
 lution of a few Spaniards, to feize fo 
 powerful a Prince in his own Court, amidft 
 all his Guards, was a Boldnefs without Example. 
 The Recital of this Aftion, tho' true, feems 
 wholly incompatible with the Sincerity of 
 Hiftory, and even in a Romance would furpafs 
 the Exaggerations and the Licence of Fable 
 itfelf. It might have been call'd Temerity, 
 had it been undertaken fpontaneoufly, and with 
 a greater Liberty of Choice : But a Man is not 
 properly term' d rafh, who fhuts his Eyes to a 
 Danger which he cannot avoid. Cortes favy 
 himfelf equally loft if he made a Retreat, which 
 would ruin his Reputation, or flood his Ground 
 without retrieving his fading Honour by fome 
 extraordinary Exploit. The Mind, when it 
 finds itfelf furrounded on all Sides with Diffi- 
 culties, violently flies to that which lead prefles 
 it 5 but the Method taken by Cortes, was in 
 Truth the moft difficult 5 whether he was re- 
 folv'd to end this Affair, one Way or other, 
 at a Blow,. or becaufe he could not accom- 
 modate himfelf to Meafures of a middle Nature* 
 
 We 
 
4*8 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 We may fay, that it was great Magnanimity in 
 him to elevate his Views fo high, or that Mi- 
 litary Prudence is not fuch an Enemy to Ex- 
 tremes as Civil : But better it is, that this Re- 
 foliation of his fhould pafs without a Name, 
 or that, only regarding the Succefs, we 
 place it among thofe imperceptible Means 
 which God made Ufe of in this Conqucft; 
 excluding, in Appearance, all natural Caufes 
 or Impulfcs. 
 
 The Hour when the Spaniards were ac- 
 cuftoirfd to wait upon Motez,uma was chofen 
 for the Execution of their Deftgn, that no 
 Alarm might be given by their making him 
 an uafeafonable Viiit. Cortes gave Orders to 
 his Men to arm thcmfelves in their Quarters, 
 to faddle their Horfcs, and to hold thcmfelves 
 in a Readincfs, without making any Noife or 
 Movement till they received frefh Inftructions. 
 He poflefs'd himfelf of all the Avenues of the 
 Streets leading to Motez,umas Palace, with 
 imall fcatter'd Detachments of "Soldiers, and 
 went to the Palace, accompany 'd by the Cap- 
 tains Tedro de Alvarado.Gonzalo de Sandoval, 
 ni Velafquez, de Leon, Franc ifco de Lugo, 
 <md Alonfo c Davila y having order d Thirty pri- 
 vate Men of his own chufmg to follow at a 
 Diftance. 
 
 It was no furprizing Sight to fee them enter 
 with their Arms, which they ufually carry'd 
 as a Military Ornament. Motezuma, as cuitQ- 
 mary, came out of his Apartment to receive 
 
 the 
 
Book III. Conqueji of Mexico. 459 
 
 £hc Vifit, and they all took their Seats. His 
 Servants, as by his Order they were always 
 accuftom'd to do, retir'd to another Part of 
 the Palace ; and when "Donna Marina and Ge- 
 ronimo Aguilar were come up, Cortes began 
 his Complaint with a becoming Refentment. 
 Firft he laid before Motezuma the Action of 
 his General, who had the Infolence to form 
 an Army, and attack his Confederates, in Vio- 
 lation of the Peace, and Royal Safeguard, under 
 which they thought themfelves fecure. Then 
 he urg'd as a Crime, for which he ought to 
 make Satisfaction to God and Man, the fpilling 
 the Blood of a Spaniard by the Mexicans, 
 after they had made him Prifoner, to revenge 
 upon him, in cold Blood, the Ignominy of their 
 own fhameful Defeat. And laftly, he exposed 
 in proper Colours, as a Point of ftill greater 
 Consideration, the Excufe made by Qualpopoca, 
 and his Captains, who declared they had under- 
 taken that unjuftifiable War by the Emperor's 
 exprefs Order : Concluding, That he thought 
 he ow'd fo much to his Majefty, as not to give 
 Credit to an Aftion fo unworthy of his Great- 
 nefs, as that of favouring the Spaniards in one 
 Place, while he was endeavouring to deftroy 
 them in another. 
 
 Motezuma changed Colour at the hear- 
 ing of this Charge ; and with all the Marks of 
 Conviftion interrupted Cortes, denying, as 
 well as he could, that he had ever given any 
 fuch Orders : But Cortes reiiev'd his Confu- 
 
 fion 
 
460 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 fion by faying, tc That he did believe it to be 
 cc undoubtedly true, and was fully convinced, 
 m that he had no Hand in fo bale an Aftion 5 
 " but that the Spaniards would not be fo fy- 
 cc tisfied, nor even his own Vaffals be unde- 
 €C ceiv'd after fuch a Declaration of his Ge- 
 " ncral, unlefs they faw him give fome extra- 
 M ordinary Proof of what he affirm'd, that 
 " might intirely efface the Imprefiion of fuch 
 u a Calumny ; and that therefore he was come 
 " to intreat him, that, without making any 
 cc Difturbance, but as if it was his own fpon- 
 cc taneous Choice, he would immediately go 
 " with him to the Spanijh Quarters, with a Rc- 
 u folution not to ftir from thence till it fhould 
 <c be made apparent to all, that he had not 
 u been concern'd in fo perfidious an A&ion. " 
 To which Purpofe he reprefented to him, 
 " That by this generous Confidence, fo well 
 €< becoming a Princely Mind, he would not 
 " only appeafe the juft Refentment of the great 
 " Monarch whofe Servant he was, and the 
 cc Jealoufy of his Companions and Followers ; 
 cc but that it would redound to his own Ho- 
 Cl nour, which at prefent fuffer'd a great Eclipfe ; 
 <c giving his Word, both as a Gentleman, and 
 " a Minifter to the mod powerful Monarch in 
 " the Univcrfe, that he fhould be treated 
 " amongft the Spaniards with all the Refpeft 
 " due to his Royal Character ; fince they only 
 cc defir'd to be fecure of his good Will, that 
 tc they might have it in their Power to ferve 
 
 « and 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico, 46 1 
 
 " and obey him with the greater Veneration/* 
 Here Cortes left off fpeaking, and Motezuvm 
 likewife remained filent for fome Moments, as 
 amaz'd at the Boldnefs of the Propofal. But 
 Cortes, dcfirous to reduce him by Gentlenefs, 
 before he would determine on other Ways, 
 added, " That the Quarters he had been pleas'd 
 " to affign them, were in one of his Majefty s 
 €t own Royal Palaces, where fometimes he was 
 " wont to pafs a few Days : That it could not 
 <c fecm ftrange to his Subje&s, that he fhould 
 " change his Refidence to clear himfelf of a 
 " Fault, which, being plac'd to his Account^ 
 cc would be the Complaint of one King againft 
 cc another ; whereas if it remain d on his Gc- 
 a ncral, it might be redrefs'd by a proper 
 " Corre&ion, without pufhing things to thofc 
 " Extremities and Violences, which generally 
 (C attend the Decifton of Quarrels which hap- 
 u pen between Sovereigns. " 
 
 Motezuma could no longer fufFer Cortes 
 to enlarge upon Motives to perfuade him to a 
 Thing which he judg'dimpra&icable; and let- 
 ting him know, he understood what it was he 
 aim'd at by fuch a Propofition, reply'd with 
 fome Impatience, " That Princes of his Rank 
 " were not accuftom'd to deliver thcmfelves 
 u up to a Prifon, nor would his Subjefts per- 
 " mit it, tho' he fhould forget his own Dig- 
 " nity fo far, and ftoop to fo bafe a Compli- 
 " ance. M To which Cortes anfwcr'd ; u That 
 " provided he went willingly, without oblige- 
 
 mg 
 
4<5z The Hiftory of the Book IIL 
 
 " ing the Spaniards to forget the Refpeft they 
 €C had for him, he valu'd not the Oppofition 
 €C of his Sub j eels, againft whom he could em- 
 u ploy a fufficient Force, without any Breach 
 " of their mutual Amity." ThcDifputelafted 
 long, Moteznma ftill refilling to leave his Pa- 
 lace, and Cortes endeavouring to perfuade and 
 fecure him without proceeding to Extremities. 
 Moteznma made fevcrai Offers, being fenfiblc 
 of the Hazard to which he was exposed : He pro- 
 posed to fend immediately for Qualpopoca, and 
 all his Officers, and give them up to Cortes 
 to be chaftiz'd as he mould think proper : He 
 offered Two of his Sons as Hoftages, to be font 
 Prifoncrs to the Spanifh Quarters, till fuch 
 Time as he fhould perform his Promife ; and 
 repeated, with fome Signs of Weaknefs, " That 
 c: he was not a Perfon who could hide him- 
 u fclf, or flee to the Mountains. M Cortes ap- 
 prov'd none of thefe Expedients ; and Mote- 
 znma refused to furrender himfelf : But the 
 Captains, who were prefent at this Difputc, 
 fufpecling the Danger that might enfue by this 
 Delay, began to loic Patience, intimating, that 
 they mult decide the Queftion by Aftion ; and 
 Juan Velafquez de Leon faid aloud, Let us 
 leave off talking, and either feize or kill 
 him. Motezuma took Notice of thofe Words, 
 which were uttcr'd with great Pafiion, and de- 
 manded of 'Donna Marina, What it was that 
 Spanifl Captain fpoke with fo much Vehe- 
 mence > And fhe, with a Difcretion which 
 
 never 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 463 
 
 never fail'd her upon Occafion, reply M in fuch 
 a Manner as if ihc apprehended being over-heard 
 by the Spaniards j My Lord, Ton run a great 
 Hazard by not giving Way to the Injiances of 
 thefe ^People : Ton already know their Refb- 
 luiion, and the fupernatural Tower that 
 affifts them. I am your own Loyal Sub- 
 ject ; my Thoughts have no other Employ- 
 *ment than to do you Service, and I am like- 
 wife one of their Confidents, well acquainted 
 with the Secret of their Intentions. If yon 
 go with them, you will be treated with all 
 the Refpecl that is due to your Perfon and 
 ^Dignity j and by refifting longer, yon endan- 
 ger your Life. 
 
 This fhort Speech, delivered with Addrefs, 
 and well-tim'd, prcvaii'd on Motezuma ; who, 
 without entring into any frefh Cornells, role 
 from his Seat, and faid to the Spaniards, " I 
 " truft myfelf into your Hands : Let us go to 
 cc your Quarters, for fo the Gods will have it, 
 " fince you have carried your Point, and I am 
 €t determined. " He prcfently call'd for his 
 Servants, and commanded them to get ready 
 his Chair and Equipage 3 and told his Mini- 
 fters, " That for certain Reafons of State, 
 u which he had concerted with his Gods, he 
 (C had refolv'd to pals fome Days in the Spa- 
 " nijh Quarters : That they fhould underftand, 
 f c and publifh to all his Subjects, that he w r ent 
 " of his own Accord, and for his own Ad- 
 " vantage. " He then gave Orders to one of 
 
 the 
 
464 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 the Captains of his Guards, to bring Qualpo- 
 jpoca Prifoncr, with the other Officers con- 
 cerned in the Invafion of Zempoala > to which 
 Purpofe he gave him the Royal Signet, which 
 he always carry 'd ty'd to his Right Arm, and 
 bad him take Troops along with him, that he 
 might make fure of apprehending the Crimi- 
 nals. All thefe Orders were given publickly, 
 and Ttonna Marina explained them to Cortes ', 
 and the reft of the Spanijh Captains, that they 
 might not take Umbrage upon hearing him 
 talk to his Servants, or commit any unfeafon- 
 ableAcl of Violence. 
 
 He left his Palace without any more Delay, 
 taking with him all his ufual Attendants : The 
 Spaniards marched on Foot clofe by his Chair, 
 furroundins; it under Pretence of waiting on 
 him. A Report was prefently fpread about 
 the City, that the Strangers had carry 'd off the 
 Emperor 5 and the Streets were crowded in 
 an Inftant, with an Appearance of a general 
 Infurre&ion ; for they made great Outcries, 
 throwing themfelvcs upon the Ground like 
 Men in Defpair ; and fome difcover'd the Ten- 
 dernefs of their Concern by their Tears : But 
 Motezuma y with an Air of Gaiety and Com- 
 pofure, appeas'd the Tumult, and fatisfy'd them 
 in fome mealure. He commanded them to 
 ceafe their Cries ; and at the firft Motion of his 
 Hand a profound Silence enfu'd. He then told 
 them, " That he was not going to a Prifon, 
 " but, for his own Divcrfton, to pafs a few 
 
 " Days 
 

>leniiii , 
 
Book III. Conquefi of Mexico. 465 
 
 " Days with his Friends the Strangers > " and 
 this anfwering a Queftion before it was ask'd, 
 confiim'd what he endeavoured to difown. 
 When he arriv'd at the Quarters, which, as we 
 have obferv'd, were in a Palace built by his Fa- 
 ther, he gave Orders for his Guards to difperfe 
 the Populace, and to his Miiiifters to publifh, 
 that it fhould be Death for any one to occa- 
 fion the leaft Tumult or Difturbance. He cour- 
 teoully carefs'd the Spantjh Soldiers, who went 
 out to receive him with refpeftfitl Joy. The 
 Palace being fufficiently large and convenient 
 to receive him, and all his Retinue, he pitch'd 
 Upon an Apartment, feparate from the Spani- 
 ards, to refide in, which was inftantly furnifh'd 
 by his own Servants with the beft Moveables 
 of his Wardrobe ; and Cortes plac'd a fuffici- 
 cnt Guard of Spantjh Soldiers at the Avenues, 
 and doubled thofe of the Quarters, polling 
 Centineis in the neareft Streets, arid omitting 
 no Precaution which an Adion of that Con- 
 fequencc required. Orders were given to the 
 Soldiers to permit the Entrance of thofe of the 
 Emperor's Retinue, (who were now all known) 
 as likewife of the Nobility and Miiiifters who 
 came to make their Court, with Refcrve to 
 admit but a certain Number in the Room of 
 others who went out, under Pretext of keep- 
 ing his Majefty from being crowded. Cortes 
 went to vifit him the fame Evening, firft asking 
 Leave, and obferving the fame Formalities and 
 Ceremonies as when he waited on him in his 
 Vol. I, H h Imperial 
 
j66 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 Imperial Palace. The like Refpeft was fhew'd 
 him by the Officers and Soldiers of Diftin&ion : 
 They all gave him humble Thanks for the Ho- 
 nour he did that Houfe, as if he came thither 
 by his own Choice ; and he was as chearful 
 and pleafant to all, as if none were prefent 
 who had been Witneffes of the Refiftance he 
 would have made. He diftributed amongft 
 them feveral Jewels with his own Hand, which 
 he brought on purpofe to fhew his good Hu- 
 mour 5 and for all that could be obferv'd, either 
 in his Behaviour or Exprcflions, he never once 
 difcover'd the leaft Weaknefs under his Con- 
 finement, nor ceas'd to maintain the Grandeur 
 of an Emperor in the Conftancy with which 
 hcendeavour'd to unite thole two incompati- 
 ble Extremes, Majefty and Dependency. To 
 none of his Servants or Minifters, whofe At- 
 tendance at all Hours was permitted, did he 
 difcover the Secret of his Confinement ; either 
 for that he was afham'd to own it, or that he 
 fear'd the Lofs of his Life, if they fhould make 
 the leaft Difturbance. At that Time this Re- 
 tirement was regarded by all as his own volun- 
 tary Refolution; for which Reafon, the Pre- 
 iumption of the Spaniards was not fo much 
 as talk'd of, being indeed fo great, that it was 
 concealed by the very Excefs of it, as a Thing 
 impoffible, and exceeding the Bounds of Ima- 
 gination itfelf, 
 
 Thus 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 46? 
 
 Thus was Motezumas Imprifonmeftt con- 
 triv'd and executed, and in a few Days he be*- 
 came fo eafy, that he had fcarce any Inclination 
 to change his Condition. Neverthelefs, his 
 Subjects difcover'd at length, that the Spani- 
 ards had him under Confinement, notwith- 
 ftanding they carefully difguis'd the Violence 
 they were guilty of, under the fpecious Mask 
 of a profound Refpeft. The Guards which 
 were conftantly pofted at the Avenues of the 
 Emperor's Apartment, and the Spaniards be- 
 ing continually under Arms in the Quarters, 
 left them no Room for Doubt 5 but no one 
 made the lead Offer to treat concerning his 
 Liberty : Nor is it to be imagined what Rea- 
 fons they had 5 he to continue under that Op- 
 preffion without any Relu&ance, and they to 
 live in the fame Infcnfibility, without {hewing 
 any Concern at the Difhonour done to the Per- 
 fon of their Emperor. The Boldnefs of the 
 Spaniards was very furprizing; nor lefs re- 
 markable was this Meannefs of Spirit in Mo ■ 
 tezuma, a Prince fo puhTant, and naturally of 
 fo haughty a Difpofition, together with the 
 Want of Refolution which then appeared in 
 the Mexicans, a warlike Nation, and excef- 
 fively zealous in fupporting the Dignity of their 
 Sovereigns. We may therefore fafely venture 
 to fay, that the Hand of God was upon their 
 Hearts ; nor will this appear to be a fuperftitious 
 Credulity, or arly great Novelty in his Divine 
 Providence^ fmce the World has long ago 
 H h i feert 
 
468 The Hiftory of the Book Itf. 
 
 fecn an Example of His forwarding the Un- 
 dertakings of His own People, by fubduing 
 the Spirit of their Enemies.* 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 MotezumaV Behaviour under his Confinement, 
 both to his own People and the Spaniards- 
 Quaipopoca is brought c Prifoner, and con- 
 
 : demned to T)eath by Cortes, r jjho catifes 
 Motezuma to be put in Fetters, during the 
 Execution of the Sentence. 
 
 THE Spaniards, in few Days, faw their 
 Quarters converted into a Palace, with- 
 out omitting to guard it, as the Prifon of Mo- 
 tezuma. The Surprize of this daring Aftion 
 abated, infenfibly amongft the Mexicans, with 
 the Novelty of it. Some, difapproving the War 
 made by Quaipopoca upon Vera-Cruz, com- 
 mended the Procedure of Motezuma, and im- 
 puted it to the Greatnefs of his Soul that he 
 parted with his Liberty as a Pledge of his In- 
 nocence. Others believed, that the Gods, with 
 whom they fuppofed him to have frequent 
 Communication, had advifed him to that which 
 
 * Joflian, Chap. V. Verfe i« 
 
 was 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 469 
 
 was moft convenient, and would nioft redound 
 to his Advantage. And others (who did bet- 
 ter) acquiefc d intirely in his Refolution, with- 
 out being fo prefumptuous as to examine into 
 it, well knowing that the Determinations of 
 Sovereign Princes concern the Duty, and not 
 the Undcrftanding of their Vaflals. He dif- 
 charged the Functions of a Sovereign at the 
 ufual Hours; gave Audiences; heard the Ad- 
 vice and Reprefentations of his Minifters ; and 
 apply'd himfelf to the Civil and Military Go- 
 vernment of his Kingdoms, taking particular 
 Care to conceal his involuntary Confinement. 
 His Table was fcrved from his Palace with a 
 numerous Attendance of Servants, and greater 
 Abundance than ufual : The Overplus was di- 
 stributed among the Spanijlo Soldiers; and he 
 conftantly fent Difhes of the greateft Delicacy 
 to Cortes and his Captains, ail whom he could 
 call by their refpective Names, and he had 
 ftudy'd even their fevcral Humours and Difpo- 
 fitions, and knew how to make a proper Ufe 
 of his Obfervations in converfing with them, 
 and would at Times fcafon his Difcourfe with 
 Pleafantry, in fuch a Manner as was no Way 
 inconfiftent either with Majefty or Decorum. 
 All the Time that he was difengag d from Bufi- 
 nefs, he pad among the Spaniards '; and was 
 wont to fay, That he was not himfelf with- 
 out then}. Every one endeavoured to pleafc 
 him, and the Refped with which they treated 
 him, gave him great Satisfa&ion. Freedoms 
 
 Hh 3 and 
 
47° The Hiftory of the Book IIL 
 
 and ill Manners cxtreemly difgufted him; and 
 if any one happened to be faulty that Way, he 
 made the Offender underftand that it fhock'd 
 him, and that he was fenfible of his being ill 
 us'd: So jealous was he of his Dignity, that he 
 refented, with an extreme Indignation, fome- 
 what done in his Prefence by a Spaniard, with 
 Defign, as he thought, to affront him, and de- 
 fir'd the Captain of the Guard to employ that 
 Soldier at a greater Diftance from his Perfon, 
 or order him to be puaifh'd, if he again offer'd 
 to appear before him. 
 
 Some Evenings he us'd to play with Cortes 
 at Tofoloque, which is a Game with little Balls 
 of Gold with which they endeavour 'd to ftrike 
 down certain fmall Pins of the fame Metal, at 
 a proportionable Diftance: They play'd for 
 Jewels, or other Curiofities, which were loft 
 or won upon Five Marks. Motezama diftri- 
 buted his Winnings amongft the Spaniards, 
 and Cortes gave his to the Emperor's inferior 
 Officers. He would fometimes rally *Pedra 
 de Alvarado, who counted for them, for his 
 marking in Favour of Cortes, and reproach'd 
 him after a pleafant Manner, for being a bad 
 Reckoner -> neverthelefs he defired him at other 
 times to mark, and take Care to keep a fair 
 Account. He preferved the Sentiments of a 
 Prince, even at Play 5 regarding the Lofs as an 
 Effect of Hazard ; and the Gain as a Reward of 
 Victory. 
 
 The? 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 471 
 
 They did not omit in thofe private Con- 
 ventions to introduce the Subject of Religion* 
 Cortes difcourfed him fcveral times, endea- 
 vouring with Gentlenefs to make him fenfible 
 of his Error. Fryar Bartolemeo de Olmeda 
 feconded his Arguments with the like Piety, 
 but with far greater Energy. "Donna Marina 
 very carefully interpreted thefe Difcourfes, ad- 
 ding her own private Reafons, as a Perfoa 
 newly undeceived, who had dill frefh in her 
 Memory the Motives which converted her: 
 But the Devil had got fuch an Afcendant over 
 his Mind, that he fuffered his own natural Rea- 
 fon to be fo enflav'd, that no Arguments were 
 of Force enough to touch his obdurate Heart. 
 It was not known whether he had a Commu- 
 nication with the Devil, or whether he con- 
 tinued to appear to him as ufual, after the 
 Spaniards arrived at Mexico \ on the contrary, 
 it was believed as certain, that from the firft 
 Appearance of the Crofs oiChrift in that City, 
 all thofe infernal Invocations loft their Force, 
 and the Oracles became filent. But that deluded 
 Prince was fo blind and abandon d to his Er- 
 rors, that he had no manner of Inclination to 
 relinquifh them, or to advantage himfelf by 
 the Light which was fet before him : This Hard- 
 nefs of Heart was perhaps the miferable Effect 
 of his other Vices and Enormities, with which 
 he had difpleafed God; or a Chaftitement for 
 that very Negligence with which he lent an 
 Ear, without fubmitting to the Truth. 
 
 H h 4 After 
 
472 The Hiftory of the Book III. 
 
 After Twenty Days, or fomewhat more, 
 the Captain of the Guard, who had been fent 
 to the Frontier of Vera-Cri/x,' returned, bring- 
 ing Qiialpopoca, and other Captains of the Army 
 Prifohers, who upon Sight of the Royal Signet, 
 had furrender'd thcmielves without Rcfiftance. 
 The Priibners were conducted into the Apart* 
 mentof Motezuma, who, by the Permiflioa 
 of Cortes, fpoke to them, but with Referve \ 
 for he was defirous they fhould conceal the 
 Order he had given them, and luffer themfelvcs 
 to be deceived by this exterior Shew of Con- 
 fidence which he feemed to repofe in them. 
 The Captain himfelf went afterwards with 
 them to the Apartment of Cortes , to whom 
 he delivered them, faying on the Part of his 
 Matter, " That he had lent them to him, that 
 cc he might find out the Truth, and, at his own 
 cc Difcretion, inflict upon them what Punifh- 
 " ment he thought they deicrved." Cortes 
 fhut himfelf up with them, and they prefently 
 pleaded Guilty to all their Charges, acknow- 
 ledging, That they had vitiated the Teace 
 of their own Authority $ had provoked the 
 Spaniards of Vera- Cruz with their Hcftilit'ies, 
 and had pro cur 'd ' the'Death 0/ Arguillo, killd 
 by their Order in cold Blood, tho a 'Trifoner 
 of War. All this they confciTed without once 
 mentioning that they had any Commiflion for 
 fo doing from Mote^uma, till perceiving that 
 the Pumfhmcnt they had been threatened with 
 was going to be inflicted, they endeavoured to 
 
 bring 
 
Book HI. Conquejl of Mexico- 47 3 
 
 bring him in for an Accomplice, in order to 
 fave their Lives : But Cortes utterly refus'd to 
 give Ear to that Evafion, treating it as a mere 
 Chimera and Invention of theirs, merely to 
 excufe themfelves. They were judged by a 
 Court Martial, and received Sentence of Death, 
 with the Circumftance of having their Bodies 
 publickly burned before the Royal Palace, as 
 Criminals who had incurred the Penalty of 
 High Treafon. Meafures were immediately 
 taken for the Execution, it being thought ne- 
 ccflary not to delay it: But Cortes fearing Mo- 
 tezumas Refentment, and that he might en- 
 deavour to defend thofe who were to die for 
 having executed his Orders, rcfolved to ter- 
 rify him, by fome daring Aftion, which fhould 
 have threatening Appearances, and remind him 
 of the Subje&ion in which he was. To this 
 Purpofe he bethought himfelf of another bold 
 Stroke, to which he was certainly induced by 
 the great Facility with which he deprived him 
 of his Liberty, and the unexpected Patience 
 with which he bore his Confinement. He or- 
 dered fome of thofe Fetters to be brought which 
 they us'd to carry with them for Criminals, 
 and with thofe, carry'd openly in the Hands 
 of a Soldier, Cortes came into the Prefence 
 of Motezuma, and with him came 'Donna 
 Marina, and Three or Four qf his Captains. 
 He did not omit the Refpe&s with which he 
 $ra§ wont to accoft him 5 but raifing his Voice, 
 
 and 
 
iC 
 
 a 
 
 474 The Hiftory of the Book in. 
 
 and with more Earneftnefs in his Countenance 
 than ordinary he told him, " That Qualpo- 
 " paca, and the other Delinquents, nowcon- 
 " demned to fufFer Death, had confefs'd their 
 " Crime, and had been found deferving of 
 the Sentence ; but added, that they had ac- 
 cufed him, affirming they had a&ed wholly 
 by his Orders 5 and that therefore it was 
 " neceffary he fhould expiate for thofe ftrong 
 lc Prefumptions by fomcperfonal Mortification: 
 " And that Kings, tho' they were not liable to 
 " ordinary Punifhments, were yetfubject to a 
 <c fuperior Law, which commands Crowns, 
 *'* and ought, in fome Refpe&s, to imitate the 
 " Guilty, when they found themfelves cul- 
 " pable, and were defirous to fatisfy Divine 
 " ]uftice/' Having faid this, he commanded, 
 with an Air of Authority and Refolution, that 
 they fhould put Motezuma in Fetters, without 
 iuffcring any Reply 5 and leaving him in that 
 Condition, turned his Back, and retired to his 
 Apartment, giving frefh Orders to his Guards, 
 that for the prefent they fhould not fufFer him 
 to have any Manner of Communication with 
 his Minifters. 
 
 So great was the Aftoniflhment of Mote- 
 z,uma, to fee himfelf treated with fo much 
 Ignominy, that at firft he wanted Force to re- 
 lift, and afterwards Speech to complain. He 
 remained a good while like one infenfible; 
 and his Servants who attended him, accom- 
 
 pany'd 
 
Book IIF. Conqueji of Mexico. 475 
 
 pany'd his Grief with Lamentation, without 
 presuming to fpeak? throwing themfelvcs at 
 his Feet, to bear the Weight of his Fetters. 
 He recovered from his firft Confufion and 
 Amazement, and began to break out into Im- 
 patience, but loon put a Curb upon himfelf; 
 and attributing the unhappy Circumflances to 
 which he was reduced, to the Will of his 
 Gods, waited the Event, not without Appre- 
 henfions that his Life was in Danger : But foon 
 recalling to mind who he was, he intrepidly 
 expected his Fate. 
 
 Cortes loft no Time in the Execution 
 of what he had refolved upon. The Crimi- 
 nals were brought forth to receive their Pu- 
 nifhmentj all neceflary Precautions having 
 firft been taken, to prevent any Oppofition 
 that might be made. The Execution was per- 
 formed in Sight of an innumerable Concourfe 
 of People, not fo much as one diforderly 
 Voice being heard, nor was there the leaft 
 Ground for Jealoufy. The People were feized 
 with a Terror, which was mixed with Admi- 
 ration and Refpeft. They greatly wondered 
 at the Authority thofe Strangers affum'd, who, 
 at the moft, ought to have bchav'd themfelves 
 only as Ambaffadors from another Prince : 
 But they did not prefume to call their Power 
 in queftion, feeing it was eftablifrui with their 
 own Sovereign's Approbation, which was the 
 Reafon that they flock'd in Crowds to behold 
 
 that 
 
476 The Hiflory of the Book III. 
 
 £ Spectacle, with a Kind of mortify '& Se- 
 datenefs, which, without knowing in what 
 it confided, gave way to Fear. It was of great 
 Help, on this Occafion, that the Invafion of 
 Qnalpopoca was ill received among the Mexi- 
 cans, and that he had aggravated his Crime, 
 and render'd it far more horrible, by having 
 had the Preiumption to charge his Sovereign 
 as an Accomplice, which pafs'd as a Thing 
 incredible, and even had the Accufation been 
 true, would have been look'd upon as infolent 
 and feditious. This Execution mud be regarded 
 as the Third bold Action of Cortes, which was 
 effected, as has been oblerved, upon very irregu- 
 lar Principles. He determined upon it, becaufe 
 he thought it convenient, and not impoffiblc. 
 He knew the Genius of the People he had to 
 deal with, and was no Stranger to the Value 
 of the great Pledge he had in his Power, what- 
 iocver might happen. Let us fuffcr ourfclves 
 to be blinded by the Plaufibicncfs of his Rea- 
 fons,or at leait not bring them into Judgment in 
 the Hiftory, contenting ourfclves with relating 
 the Fact as it paiVd, which, after being executed, 
 proved of great Confequencc for the Security 
 of the Spaniards at Vera Cruz, and (titled at 
 that Time, thofc Rumours which began to 
 difturb the Mexican Nobility. 
 
 Cortes immediately returned to the Em- 
 peror's Apartment, and, with a chearful Coun- 
 tenance, courteouily addrefs'd him, faying, 
 
 « The 
 
Book III- Conquejl of Mexico. 477 
 
 The Traytors, My Lord, who have been 
 fo bold as to blemifh your Chara&er, have 
 received condign Punifhmentj and you your- 
 fclf have fufficiently comply'd with your 
 Obligation, by fubmitting to the Juftice of 
 God, with this little Intermiffion of your 
 Liberty." Then immediately he ordered the 
 fetters to be taken off, or (as fome Authors 
 report) he put himfelf on his Knees, and took 
 them of with his own Hands : And it is pro- 
 bable, from his ufual Prefence of Mind, that 
 he might endeavour, with fuch a Piece of 
 Courtcfy, to give a greater Recommendation 
 to the Rcdrefs of his ill Treatment. Mote- 
 zuma received this Part of his Liberty with a 
 tumultuous Joy. He embraced Cortes two 
 or three times, and feemed as if he would 
 never have done with his thankful Acknow- 
 ledgments. 
 
 Thev both fat down, and entered into 
 amicable Converfation, and Cortes us'd ano- 
 ther Piece of Policy with him, being what he 
 was continually meditating upon ; for he or- 
 dered all the Guards to retire, and gave him 
 to underftand, that whenever he pleafed, he 
 might return to his Palace, the Caufe of his 
 Detention being now remov'd. This Offer 
 he made him, as being very fure he would 
 not accept it; for he had frequently heard him, 
 firmly and refolutely declare, That it was by 
 no means convenient for him to think of re- 
 turning 
 
478 The Hiftory of the Book IIL 
 
 turning to his Palace, or of leaving the Spa- 
 niards, till fuch Time as they fhould retire 
 from his Court 5 for that he fhould greatly 
 iuffer in his Reputation, when it fhould be 
 known amongft his Vafials, that he had re- 
 ceived his Liberty from the Hand of another. 
 A Thought which has been fince fathered up- 
 on Motezuma as his own, but was indeed 
 infpired into him by Ttcnna Marina, and fome 
 Captains, at the Inftance of Cortes, who made 
 Ufe of his own Reafon of State, to hold him 
 more fecure in Prifon. But at this Time, Mote- 
 zuma knowing what Cortes meant by that 
 Offer, quitted the firft Motive as foreign to 
 his prefent Purpofe, and made Ufe of another 
 more artful; for he anfwered, " That he was 
 c< very much obliged to him for the Intention 
 cc he had to reftore him to his Palace 5 but 
 <c that he had taken a Refolution to continue 
 <c where he was, out of Regard to the Spa- 
 « tc niardsy for he knew very well, that aflbon 
 " as he fhould be in his Palace, his Nobility and 
 <c Minifters would preis him to take up Arms 
 " againft them, for a Satisfaction of the Wrong 
 <c he had rcceiv'd/' By thefe Means he defied 
 they fhould underftand, that he was contented 
 to remain in Prifon for their Security, and to 
 protect them with his Authority. Cprtes prais'd 
 his Defign, and made Acknowledgments for 
 the Care he had of them, as if he intirely be- 
 lieved all he faid. They both remained fati(- 
 fy'd with their dexterous Management, be- 
 lieving 
 
Book III. Conqueft of Mexico. 479 
 
 licving they underftood each other perfe&ly 
 well; and, for their mutual Conveniency, 
 fuffer'd themfflves to be deceived with that 
 Sort of Cunning, or Diffimulation, which 
 Politicians place among the Myfteries of Pru- 
 dence, beftowing the Name of Virtue upon, 
 that which indeed is nothing but Artifice and 
 Policy. 
 
 The End of the First Volume, 
 
Si 
 
 THE OETTY CENTER 
 
 I IRR1PV