History of the Conquest of Mexico ... New and revised edition ... Edited by John Foster Kirk

Front matter

HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO VOL. I W. H. PRESCOTT'S WORKS. Jfibrarg Sbitiort. HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 2 VOLS. HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF PERU. 2 V0L8. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. 2 vols. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF PHILIP THE SECOND. 3 VOLS. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF CHARLES THE FIFTH. 2 VOLB. CRITICAL AND HISTORICAL ESSAYS. 1 VOL. -^ 1 IKIKAIBO . s v HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO, WITH A PRELIMINARY VIEW OF THE ANCIENT MEXICAN CIVILIZATION, AND THE LIFE OF THE CONQUEEOE, HERNANDO CORTES. By WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT, AUTHOR OP ]\~ *'TBB HISTOBT OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA," " TH.B CONQUEST OF TEBU,* ETO. "* Victrices aquilas aliura laturus in orbem." LtrCAN, Pharsalia, lib. v. 239. $Jefa anil gUbistu Coition., WITS TEE AUTHOR'S LATEST CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. EDITED BY JOHN FOSTER KIRK.

IN TWO VOLUMES— VOLUME L LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL GLASGOW, MANCHESTER, AND NEW YORK LONDON: BRADBURY. 4GNEW. & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRlARS,

Preface

. As the conquest of Mexico has occupied the pens of Solis and of Robertson, two of the ablest historians of their respective nations, it might seem that little could remain at the present day to be gleaned by the historical inquirer. But Robertson's narrative is necessarily brief, forming only part of a more extended work ; and neither the British nor the Castilian author was provided with the important materials for relating this event, which have been since assembled by the industry of Spanish scholars. The scholar who led the way in these researches was Don Juan Baptista Munoz, the celebrated his toriographer of the Indies, who, by a royal edict, was allowed free access to the national archives, and to all libraries, public, private, and monastic, in the kingdom and its colonies. The result of his long labours was a vast body of materials, of which unhappily he did not live to reap the benefit himself.

His manuscripts were deposited, after his death, in the archives of the Royal Academy of History at Madrid ; and that collection was subsequently augmented by the manuscripts of Don Vargas Ponye, President of the Academy, obtained, like vol. I. b

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. VI those of Muiioz, from different quarters, but espe cially from the Archives of the Indies at Seville. On my application to the Academy, in 1838, for permission to copy that part of this inestimable collec tion relating to Mexico and Peru, it was freely acceded to, and an eminent German scholar, one of their own number, was appointed to superintend the collation and transcription of the manuscripts ; and this, it may be added, before I had any claim on the courtesy of that respectable body, as one of its associates. This conduct shows the advance of a liberal spirit in the Peninsula since the time of Dr. Robertson, who complains that he was denied admission to the most important public repositories. The favour with which my own application was regarded, how ever, must chiefly be attributed to the kind offices of the venerable President of the Academy, Don Martin Fernandez de Navarrete, a scholar whose personal character has secured to him the same high consideration at home, which his literary labours have obtained abroad.

To this eminent person I am under still further obligations, for the free use which he has allowed me to make of his own manuscripts, — the fruits of a life of accumu lation, and the basis of those valuable publications with which he has at different times illustrated Spanish colonial history. From these three magnificent collections, the result of half a century's careful researches, I have obtained a mass of unpublished documents, relating to the Conquest and Settlement of Mexico and

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. VII Peru, comprising altogether about eight thousand folio pages. They consist of instructions of the Court, military and private journals, correspondence of the great actors in the scenes, legal instruments, contemporary chronicles, and the like, drawn from all the principal places in the extensive colonial empire of Spain, as well as from the public archives in the Peninsula. I have still further fortified the collection, by gleaning such materials from Mexico itself as had been overlooked by my illustrious predecessors in these researches. For these I am indebted to the courtesy of Count Cortina, and, yet more, to that of Don Lucas Alaman, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mexico ; but, above all, to my excellent friend Don Angel Calderon de la Barca, late Minister Ple nipotentiary to that country from the Court of Madrid, — a gentleman whose high and estimable qualities, even more than his station, secured him the public confidence, and gained him free access to every place of interest and importance in Mexico.

I have also to acknowledge the very kind offices rendered to me by the Count Camaldoli at Naples j by the Duke of Serradifalca in Sicily, a nobleman whose seience gives additional lustre to his rank; and by the Duke of Monteleone, the present representative of Cortes, who has courteously opened the archives of his family to my inspection. To these names must also be added that of Sir Thomas Phillips, Bart., whose precious collection of manuscripts probably surpasses in extent that of any b

PREFACE.

. private gentleman in Great Britain, if not in Europe; that of Mon. Ternaux-Compans, the proprietor of the valuable literary collection of Don Antonio Uguina, including the papers of Mufioz, the fruits of which he is giving to the world in his excellent translations; and, lastly, that of my friend and countryman, Arthur Middleton, Esq., late Charge d' Affaires from the United States at the Court of Madrid, for the efficient aid he has afforded me in prosecuting my inquiries in that capital. In addition to this stock of original documents obtained through these various sources, I have dili gently provided myself with such printed works as have reference to the subject, including the magnificent publications which have appeared both in France and England on the Antiquities of Mexico, which, from their cost and colossal dimensions, would seem better suited to a public than to a private library.

Having thus stated the nature of my materials, and the sources whence they are derived, it remains for me to add a few observations on the general plan and composition of the work. — Among the remarkable achievements of the Spaniards in the sixteenth century, there is no one more striking to the imagination than the Conquest of Mexico. The subversion of a great empire by a handful of ad venturers, taken with all its strange and picturesque accompaniments, has the air of romance rather than of sober history ; and it is not easy to treat such a theme according to the severe rules pre-

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. IX scribed by historical criticism. But, notwithstanding the seductions of the subject, I have conscientiously endeavoured to distinguish fact from fiction, and to establish the narrative on as broad a basis as possible of contemporary evidence ; and I have taken occasion to corroborate the text by ample citations from authorities, usually in the original, since few of them can be very accessible to the reader. In these extracts I have scrupulously con formed to the ancient orthography, however obso lete and even barbarous, rather than impair in any degree the integrity of the original document. Although the subject of the work is, properly, only the Conquest of Mexico, I have prepared the way for it by such a view of the civilization of the ancient Mexicans, as might acquaint the reader with the character of this extraordinary race, and enable him to understand the difficulties which the Spaniards had to encounter in their subjugation.

This introductory part of the work, with the essay in the Appendix, which properly belongs to the Introduc tion, although both together making only half a yolume, has cost me as much labour, and nearly as much time, as the remainder of the history. If I shall have succeeded in giving the reader a just idea of the true nature and extent of the civilization to which the Mexicans had attained, it will not be labour lost. The story of the Conquest terminates with the fall of the capital. Yet I have preferred to continue the narrative to the death of Cortes, relying on the

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. X interest which the development of his character in his military career may have excited in the reader. I am not insensible to the hazard I incur by such a course. The mind previously occupied with one great idea, that of the subversion of the capital, may feel the prolongation of the story beyond that point superfluous, if not tedious ; and may find it difficult, after the excitement caused by witnessing a great national catastrophe, to take an interest in the adventures of a private individual. Solis took the more politic course, of concluding his narrative with the fall of Mexico, and thus leaves his readers with the full impression of that memorable event undisturbed on their minds. To prolong the narrative is to expose the historian to the error so much censured by the French critics in some of their most celebrated dramas, where the author by a premature denouement has impaired the interest of his piece.

It is the defect that necessarily attaches, though in a greater degree, to the history of Columbus, in which petty adventures among a group of islands make up the sequel of a life that opened with the magnificent discovery of a World ; a defect, in short, which it has required all the genius of Irving, and the magical charm of his style, perfectly to overcome. Notwithstanding these objections, I have been induced to continue the narrative, partly from de ference to the opinion of several Spanish scholars, who considered that the biography of Cortes had not been fully exhibited, and partly from the cir

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. XI cumstance of my having such a body of original materials for this biography at my command. And I cannot regret that I have adopted this course; since, whatever lustre the Conquest may reflect on Cortes as a military achievement, it gives but an imperfect idea of his enlightened spirit, and of his comprehensive and versatile genius. To the eye of the critic there may seem some incongruity in a plan which combines objects so dissimilar as those embraced by the present history; where the Introduction, occupied with the antiqui ties and origin of a nation, has somewhat the cha racter of a philosophic theme, while the conclusion is strictly biographical, and the two may be sup posed to match indifferently with the main body, or historical portion of the work. But I may hope that such objections will be found to have less weight in practice than in theory ; and, if properly managed, that the general views of the Introduction will pre pare the reader for the particulars of the Conquest, and that the great public events narrated in this will, without violence, open the way to the remaining personal history of the hero who is the soul of it.

Whatever incongruity may exist in other respects, I may hope that the unity of interest, the only unity held of much importance by modern critics, will be found still to be preserved. The distance of the present age from the period of the narrative might be presumed to secure the historian from undue prejudice or partiality. Yet to the American and the English reader, acknowledging

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. so different a moral standard from that of the sixteenth century, I may possibly be thought too in dulgent to the errors of the Conquerors ; while to a Spaniard, accustomed to the undiluted panegyric of Solis, I may be deemed to have dealt too hardly with them. To such I can only say, that, while, on the one hand, I have not hesitated to expose in their strongest colours the excesses of the Con querors ; on the other, I have given them the benefit of such mitigating reflections as might be suggested by the circumstances and the period in which they lived. I have endeavoured not only to present a picture true in itself, but to place it in its proper light, and to put the spectator in a proper point of view for seeing it to the best advantage. I have endeavoured, at the expense of some repetition, to surround him with the spirit of the times, and, in a word, to make him, if I may so express myself, a contemporary of the sixteenth century.

Whether, and how far, I have succeeded in this he must determine. For one thing, before I conclude, I may reason ably ask the reader's indulgence. Owing to the state of my eyes, I have been obliged to use a writing-case made for the blind, which does not permit the writer to see his own manuscript. Nor have I ever corrected, or even read, n»y own original draft. As the chirography, under these disad vantages, has been too often careless and obscure, occasional errors, even with the utmost care of my secretary, must have necessarily occurred in the

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. XIII transcription, somewhat increased by the barbarous phraseology imported from my Mexican authorities. I cannot expect that these errors have always been detected even by the vigilant eye of the perspi cacious critic to whom the proof-sheets have been subjected. In the Preface to " The History of Ferdinand and Isabella," I lamented, that, while occupied with that subject, two of its most attractive parts had en gaged the attention of the most popular of American authors, Washington Irving. By a singular chance, something like the reverse of this has taken place in the composition of the present history, and I have found myself unconsciously taking up ground which he was preparing to occupy. It was not till I had become master of my rich collection of materials, that I was acquainted with this circumstance ; and had he persevered in his design, I should unhesitatingly have abandoned my own, if not from courtesy, at least from policy ; for, though armed with the weapons of Achilles, this could give me no hope of success in a competition with Achilles himself.

But no sooner was that distinguished writer informed of the preparations I had made, than, with the gentlemanly spirit which will surprise no one who has the pleasure of his ac quaintance, he instantly announced to me his intention of leaving the subject open to me. While I do but justice to Mr. Irving by this statement, I feel the prejudice it does to myself in the unavailing regret I am exciting in the bosom of the reader.

PREFACE.

. XIV I must not conclude this Preface, too long pro tracted as it is already, without a word of acknowledgment to my friend George Ticknor, Esq., — the friend of many years, — for his patient revision of my manuscript ; a labour of love, the worth of which those only can estimate who are acquainted with his extraordinary erudition and his nice critical taste. If I have reserved his name for the last in the list of those to whose good offices I am indebted, it is most assuredly not because I value his services least. WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT. Boston, October 1, 1843. Note.— The author's emendations of this history include many additional notes, which, being often contradictory to the text, have been printed between brackets. They were chiefly derived from the copious annotations of Don Jose F. Ramirez and Don Lucas Alaman to the two Spanish translations published in Mexico.

There could be no stronger guarantee of the value and general accuracy of the work than the minute labour bestowed upon it by these distinguished scholars. — Ed. CONTENTS OF THE PIEST VOLUME.

Introduction

.

— VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION.

Chapter I. Ancient Mexico

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS. PRIMITIVE RACES. AZTEC EMPIRE, p. 3. PAGB Extent of the Aztec Territory. 4 The Hot Region 5 Volcanic Scenery 6 Cordillera of the Andes . . 7 Table-land in the Days of the Aztecs 8 Valley of Mexico 8 The Toltecs 10 Theirmysterious Disappearance 13 PAGH Races from the North-west . 14 Their Hostilities 15 Foundation of Mexico ... 17 Domestic Feuds 18 League of the kindred Tribes . 19 Bapid Rise of Mexico ... 20 Prosperity of the Empire . . 20 Criticism on Veytia's History. 21 CHAPTEE II. SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN. AZTEC NOBILITY. — JUDICIAL SYSTEM. —LATS AND EEYENUES. — MILITARY INSTITUTIONS, p. 23. Election of the Sovereign . . 23 His Coronation 24 Aztec Nobles 24 Their barbaric Pomp ... 24 Tenure of their Estates ... 25 Legislative Power .... 27 Judicial System 28 Independent Judges .... 29 Their Mode of Procedure . . 30 Showy Tribunal 31 Hieroglyphical Paintings . . 31 Marriage Rites 33 Slavery in Mexico .... 33 Royal Revenues 34 Burdensome Imposts ... 35 Public Couriers 37 Military Enthusiasm ... 38 Aztec Ambassadors .... 38 Orders of Knighthood ... 39 Gorgeous Armour .... 39 National Standards .... 40 Military Code 41 Hospitals for the Wounded . 41 Influence of Conquest on a Nation 43 Criticism on Torquemada's History 45 Abbe Clavigero CONTENTS XVI

Chapter III. Mexican Mythology

— THE SACERDOTAL ORDER.- — THE TEMPLES. — HUMAN SACRIFICES, p. 47. HOI PAGE Systems of Mythology ... 47 Revenue of the Priests ... 62 Mythology of the Aztecs . . 47 Ideas of a God 49 Mexican Temples .... 63 Religious Festivals .... 65 Sanguinary War-God ... 50 Human Sacrifices .... 65 God of the Air 51 The Captive's Doom ... 66 Mystic Legends 53 Ceremonies of Sacrifice ... 67 Torturing of the Victim . . 67 Division of Time 53 Sacrifice of Infants .... 68 Future State 55 Cannibal Banquets .... 69 Funeral Ceremonies .... 56 Baptismal Rites 57 Number of Victims .... 69 Houses of Skulls 70 Monastic Orders 59 Fasts and Flagellation . . .60 Cannibalism of the Aztecs . . 74 Aztec Confessional .... 60 Criticism on Sahagun's History 75 Education of the Youth. . . 61

Chapter IV. Mexican Hieroglyphics

— MANUSCRIPTS. — ARITHMETIC. — CHRONOLOGY. — ASTRONOMY, p. 78. Dawning of Science .... 78 System of Notation .... 93 Picture-writing 79 Their Chronology .... 97 Aztec Hieroglyphics .... 80 The Aztec Era 97 Manuscripts of the Mexicans . 81 Emblematic Symbols ... 82 Calendar of the Priests ... 99 Science of Astrology . . . 102 Phonetic Signs 83 Astrology of the Aztecs . . 103 Materials of the Aztec Manuscripts 85 Aztec Astronomy 104 Wonderful Attainments in this Science 105 Form of their Volumes ... 86 Destruction of most of them . 87 Remarkable Festival . . .106 Remaining Manuscripts . . 88 Difficulty of deciphering them 91 Minstrelsy of the Aztecs . . 92 Theatrical Entertainments . 93 Carnival of the Aztecs . . . 107 Lord Kingsborongh's Work . 108 Criticism on Gama .... 109

Chapter V. Aztec Agriculture

— MECHANICAL ARTS. — MERCHANTS. DOMESTIC MANNERS, p. 111. Mechanical Genius . . . .111 Agriculture 112 Mexican Husbandry. . . . 113 Vegetable Products . . . .114 Mineral Treasures . . . .116 Skill of the Aztec Jewellers . 118 Sculpture 119 Huge Calendar-stone . . .119 Aztec Dyes 120 Beautiful Featherwork. . .121 Fairs of Mexico 122 National Currency . . . .122 Trades 123 Aztec Merchants 123 Militant Traders 124 Domestic Life 125 Kindness to Children . . .126 Polygamy 126 Condition of the Sex . . .127 Social Entertainments . . .127 Use of Tobacco 128 Culinary Art 129 Agreeable Drinks . . . .129 Dancing 130 Intoxication 130 Criticism on Boturini's Work. CONTENTS. XVII

Chapter VI. Tezcucans

— THEIR GOLDEN AGE. — ACCOMPLISHED PRINCES. — DECLINE OF THEIR MONARCHY, p. 135. PAGS Existing Remains of it . . .153 Royal Amours 154 Marriage of the King . . .156 Forest Laws 157 Strolling Adventures . . .157 Munificence of the Monarch . 158 His Religion 159 Temple to the Unknown God . 160 Philosophic Retirement. . . 16' His plaintive Verses .... 161 Last Hours of Nezahualcoyotl. 163 His Character 164 Succeeded by Nezahualpilli . 165 The Lady of Tula 16ft Executes his Son 166 Effeminacy of the King. . .167 His consequent Misfortunes . 167 Death of Nezahualpilli . . . 168 Tezcucan Civilization . . . 169 Criticism on IxtlilxochitPs Writings 170 The Acolhuans or Tezcucans . 135 Prince Nezahualcoyotl . . .136 His Persecution 136 His hair-breadth Escapes . . 137 His wandering Life . . . .138 Fidelity of his Subjects . . . 139 Triumphs over his Enemies . 140 Remarkable League .... 140 General Amnesty 141 The Tezcucan Code .... 141 Departments of Government . 142 Council of Music 142 Its Censorial Office .... 142 Literary Taste 143 Tezcucan Bards 144 Resources of Nezahualcoyotl . 147 His Magnificent Palace . . .148 His Gardens and Villas. . . 148 Address of the Priest . . .150 His Baths 152 Luxurious Residence. . . . 153

Chapter I. Spain Under Charles

V.— PROGRES3 OF DISCOVERY.— COLONIAL. POLICY. — CONQUEST OF CUBA. — EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN, p. 175. Condition of Spain . . . .175 Its Conquest by Velasquez. . 182 Increase of Empire . . . .175 Cordova's Expedition to Yucatan , . 184 Cardinal Ximenes . . . .176 Arrival of Charles the Fifth . 176 His Reception by the Natives 184 Swarm of Flemings . . . .177 Grijalva 's Expedition . . .186 Opposition of the Cortes . . 177 Colonial Administration . .178 Civilization in Yucatan . . .186 Traffic with the Indians. . .187 Spirit of Chivalry 179 His Return to Cuba . . . .187 Progress of Discovery . . .180 His cool Reception .... 187 Advancement of Colonization. 180 Ambitious Schemes of the Governor 188 System of Pepartimientos . .180 Colonial Policy 182 Preparations for an Expedition 189 Discovery of Cuba . . . .182 CONTENTS. XVIII

Chapter II. Hernando Cortes

— HIS EARLY LIFE. — VISITS THE NEW •WORLD. — HIS RESIDENCE IN CUBA.— DIFFICULTIES 'WITH VELASQUEZ. — ARMADA INTRUSTED TO CORTES, p. 191. PACE FAGB Hernando Cortes 191 Flies into a Sanctuary . . .198 Again put in irons .... 199 His Education 192 Choice of a Profession . . . 192 His perilous Escape .... 199 Departure for America . . . 193 His Marriage 199 IIIO lIHHll.l_r ...... I-". Reconciled with the Governor. 200 Arrival at Hispaniola . . . 194 His mode of Life 195 Retires to his Plantation . . 201 Enlists under Velasquez . . 195 Habits of Gallantry . . . .196 Armada intrusted to Cortes . 202 Preparations for the Voyage . 203 Instructions to Cortes . . . 205 Disaffected towards Velasquez 197 Cortes in Confinement . . . 197

Chapter III. Jealousy Of Yelasquez

— CORTES EMBARKS. — EQUIPMENT OF HIS FLEET. — HIS PERSON AND CHARACTER. — RENDEZVOUS AT HAVANA. — STRENGTH OF HIS ARMAMENT, p. 208. Jealousy of Velasquez . . . 208 He raises the Standard at Havana 213 Intrigues against Cortes. . . 209 His clandestine Embarkation. 210 Person of Cortes 214 Arrives at Macaca .... 210 His Character 214 Accession of Volunteers. . .211 Stores and Ammunition . . 212 Strength of the Armament. . 216 Stirring Address to his Troops 217 Orders from Velasquez to arrest Cortes 212 Fleet weighs Anchor. . . . 218 Re-marks on Estrella's Manuscript 218

Chapter IV. Voyage To Cozumel

— CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES. — JEHO NIMO DE AGUILAR. — ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO. — GREAT BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. — CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED, •> p. 220. Disastrous Voyage to Cozumel 220 Humane Policy of Cortes . . 221 Cross found in the Island . . 222 Religious Zeal of the Spaniards 223 Attempts at Conversion. . . 224 Overthrow of the Idols . . . 224 Jerdnimo de Aguilar. . . . 226 His Adventures 226 Employed as Interpreter . . 227 Fleet arrives at Tabasco. . . 228 Hostile Reception 228 Fierce Defiance of the Natives 228 Desperate Conflict .... 228 Effect of the Fire-arms . . . 230 Cortes takes Tabasco. . . . 231 Ambush of the Indians . . . 232 The Country in Arms . . . 232 Preparations for Battle . . . 233 March on the Enemy . , . 234 Joins Battle with the Indians. 235 Doubtful Struggle .... 235 Terror at the War-horse . . 236 Victory of the Spaniards . . 236 Number of Slain 237 Treaty with the Natives. . . 238 Conversion of the Heathen. . 238 Catholic Communion. . . . 239 Spaniards embark for Mexico. CONTENTS. XIX

Chapter V. Voyagf

ALONG THE COAST. —DONA MARINA. — SPANIARDS LAND IN MEXICO. — INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS, p. 242. PAGE Voyage along the Coast . . 242 Natives come on Board . . 243 PAGB Spaniards land in Mexico . . 246 First Interview with the Aztecs 248 Doiia Marina 244 Her History 244 Her Beauty and Character. . 245 First Tidings of Montezuma . 246 Their Magnificent Presents . 249 Cupidity of the Spaniards . . 250 Cortes displays his Cavalry . 250 Aztec Paintings ..... 251

Chapter VI. Account Of Montezuma

— STATE OF HIS EMTIRE. — STRANGE PROGNOSTICS. — EMBASSY AND PRESENTS. — SPANISH ENCAMP- MENT, p. 253. Montezuma then upon the Throne 253 Embassy and Presents lo the Spaniards 261 Life in the Spanish Camp . . 262 Inaugural Address .... 254 The Wars of Montezuina . . 255 Rich Present from Montezuma 263 His civil Policy 255 Large gold Wheels .... 264 Oppression of his Subjects. . 256 Foes of his Empire .... 257 Message from Montezuma . . 265 Effects of the Treasure on the Spaniards 266 Superstition of Montezuma . 258 Mysterious Prophecy . . . 258 Return of the Aztec Envoys . 267 Portentous Omens .... 259 Prohibition of Montezuma. . 267 Dismay of the Emperor . . 259 Preaching of Father Olmedo . 268 Desertion of the Natives . . 269

Chapter VII. Troubles In The Camp

— PLAN OF A COLONY. — MANAGEMENT OF CORTES. — MARCH TO CEMPOALLA. — PROCEEDINGS WITH THE NATIVES. — FOUNDATION OF VERA CRUZ, p. 270. Discontent of the Soldiery . . 270 Envoys from the Totonacs . . 271 Dissensions in theAztec Empire 271 Proceedings in the Camp . . 272 Cortes prepares to return to Cuba 273 Remains of Victims .... 279 Terrestrial Paradise .... 280 Love of Flowers by the Natives 281 Their Splendid Edifices. . . 281 Hospitable Entertainment at Cempoalla 282 Conference with the Cacique . 283 Army remonstrate .... 274 Cortes yields 274 Proposals of Alliance . . . 284 Advance of the Spaniards . . 285 Foundation of Villa Rica . . 275 Resignation and Reappointment of Cortes 275 Arrival of Aztec Nobles . . 286 Artful Policy of Cortes . . .287 Divisions in the Camp . . . 276 Allegiance of the Natives . . 28 City of Villa Rica built. . . 288 General Reconciliation . . . 276 March to Cempoalla .... 278 Infatuation of the Indians . . 290 Picturesque Scenery. . . . CONTENTS. XX

Chapter VIII. Another Aztec Embassy

— DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS. — DE- SPATCHES SENT TO SPAIN. — CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP.— THE FLEET SUNK, p. 291. PAGE PAGE Agents for the Mission . . . 301 Embassy from Montezuma . 291 Its Results 292 Departure of the Ship . . . 302 Severe Discipline in the Army 293 Gratitude of the Cempoallan Cacique 293 Attempt at Conversion . . . 294 Sensation among the Natives 295 The Idols burned .... 296 It touches at Cuba .... 302 Rage of Velasquez .... 302 Ship arrives in Spain . . . 303 Conspiracy in the Camp . . 303 Destruction of the Fleet . . 305 Oration of Cortes .... 306 Consecration of the Sanctuary 296 News from Cuba 297 Enthusiasm of the Army . . 307 Notice of Las Casas .... 308 Presents for Charles the Fifth 298 His Life and Character . . . 309 Criticism on his Works. . . 310 First letter of Cortes . . .299 Despatches to Spain .... 299

Chapter I. Proceedings At Cempoalla

— THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE TABLE-LAND. — PICTURESQUE SCENERY. — TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES. — EMBASSY TO TLASCALA, p. 319. Squadron off the Coast . . . 319 Transactions with the Natives 329 Stratagem of Cortes .... 320 Arrangement at Villa Rica . 321 Spaniards begin their March . 322 Climb the Cordilleras . . .323 Moderation of Father Olmedo 330 Indian Dwellings 331 Cortds determines his Route . 332 Immense Heaps of human Skulls 327 Embassy to Tlascala .... 332 Remarkable Fortification . . 334 Accounts of Montezuma's Power 328 Arrival in Tlascala .... 335

Chapter II. Republic Of Tlascala

— ITS INSTITUTIONS. — EARLY HISTORY. — DISCUSSIONS IN THE SENATE. — DESPERATE BATTLES, p. 336. The Tlascalans 336 Struggles with the Aztecs . . 341 Means of Defence .... 342 Sufferings of the Tlascalans . 342 Their hardy Character . . . 343 Debates in the Senate . . . 344 Spaniards advance .... 345 Desperate Onslaught . . . 345 Their Migrations 337 Their Government .... 337 Public Games 338 Order of Knighthood . . . 339 Internal Resources .... 339 Their Civilization .... CONTENTS. XXI PAGE PAG* Retreat of the Indians . . . 346 Enemy give Ground . . . . 35( > Bivouac of the Spaniards . . 347 The Army resumes its March . 347 Immense Host of Barbarians . 348 Bloody Conflict in the Pass . 350 Spaniards clear the Pass . .351 Cessation of Hostilities . . . 352 Results of the Conflict . . .352 Troops encamp for the Night . 354

Chapter III. Decisive Victory

— INDIAN COUNCIL. — NIGHT ATTACK. — NEGO- TIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY. TLASCALAN HERO, p. 355. Envoys to Tlascala .... 355 Decisive Victory 364 Triumph of Science over Num- Foraging Party 355 Bold Defiance by the Tlascalans 356 Preparations for Battle . . . 357 bers 365 Dread of the Cavalry . . . 366 Appearance of the Tlascalans . 358 Showy Costume of the Warriors 358 Their Weapons 360 Indian Council 366 Night Attack 367 Spaniards Victorious. . . . 368 Desperate Engagement . . . 361 Embassy to Tlascala .... 368 The Combat thickens . . . 362 Peace with the Enemy . . . 369 Divisions among the Enemy . 364 Patriotic Spirit of their Chief. 371