Read Ebook: History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 2/4 by Prescott William Hickling

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 827 lines and 127180 words, and 17 pages

OF VOL. II

BOOK II

ACCOUNT OF MONTEZUMA--STATE OF HIS EMPIRE--STRANGE PROGNOSTICS--EMBASSY AND PRESENTS--SPANISH ENCAMPMENT

PAGE Montezuma then upon the Throne 3 Inaugural Address 4 The Wars of Montezuma 5 His civil Policy 6 Oppression of his Subjects 7 Foes of his Empire 8 Superstition of Montezuma 9 Mysterious Prophecy 10 Portentous Omens 11 Dismay of the Emperor 12 Embassy and presents to the Spaniards 14 Life in the Spanish Camp 15 Rich Present from Montezuma 16 Large gold Wheels 17 Message from Montezuma 18 Effects of the Treasure on the Spaniards 20 Return of the Aztec Envoys 21 Prohibition of Montezuma 22 Preaching of Father Olmedo 23 Desertion of the Natives 23

TROUBLES IN THE CAMP--PLAN OF A COLONY--MANAGEMENT OF CORT?S--MARCH TO CEMPOALLA--PROCEEDINGS WITH THE NATIVES--FOUNDATION OF VERA CRUZ

Discontent of the Soldiery 24 Envoys from the Totonacs 25 Dissensions in the Aztec Empire 26 Proceedings in the Camp 26 Cort?s prepares to return to Cuba 27 Army remonstrate 28 Cort?s yields 29 Foundation of Villa Rica 30 Resignation and Reappointment of Cort?s 31 Divisions in the Camp 32 General Reconciliation 33 March to Cempoalla 34 Picturesque Scenery 35 Remains of Victims 35 Terrestrial Paradise 36 Love of Flowers by the Natives 37 Their splendid Edifices 38 Hospitable Entertainment at Cempoalla 39 Conference with the Cacique 40 Proposals of Alliance 41 Advance of the Spaniards 43 Arrival of Aztec Nobles 44 Artful Policy of Cort?s 45 Allegiance of the Natives 46 City of Villa Rica built 47 Infatuation of the Indians 48

ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY--DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS--DESPATCHES SENT TO SPAIN--CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP--THE FLEET SUNK

Embassy from Montezuma 49 Its Results 50 Severe Discipline in the Army 51 Gratitude of the Cempoallan Cacique 52 Attempt at Conversion 53 Sensation among the Natives 54 The Idols burned 55 Consecration of the Sanctuary 56 News from Cuba 57 Presents for Charles the Fifth 58 First Letter of Cort?s 59 Despatches to Spain 61 Agents for the Mission 62 Departure of the Ship 63 It touches at Cuba 64 Rage of Velasquez 64 Ship arrives in Spain 65 Conspiracy in the Camp 66 Destruction of the Fleet 67 Oration of Cort?s 69 Enthusiasm of the Army 70 Notice of Las Casas 72 His Life and Character 73 Criticism on his Works 79

PROCEEDINGS AT CEMPOALLA--THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE TABLELAND--PICTURESQUE SCENERY--TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES--EMBASSY TO TLASCALA

Squadron off the Coast 83 Stratagem of Cort?s 85 Arrangement at Villa Rica 86 Spaniards begin their March 87 Climb the Cordilleras 88 Wild Mountain Scenery 89 Immense Heaps of human Skulls 93 Transactions with the Natives 94 Accounts of Montezuma's Power 95 Moderation of Father Olmedo 97 Indian Dwellings 99 Cort?s determines his Route 100 Embassy to Tlascala 101 Remarkable Fortification 102 Arrival in Tlascala 103

REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA--ITS INSTITUTIONS--EARLY HISTORY--DISCUSSIONS IN THE SENATE--DESPERATE BATTLES

The Tlascalans 104 Their Migrations 105 Their Government 106 Public Games 107 Order of Knighthood 108 Internal Resources 108 Their Civilization 109 Struggles with the Aztecs 110 Means of Defence 111 Sufferings of the Tlascalans 112 Their hardy Character 113 Debates in the Senate 114 Spaniards advance 115 Desperate Onslaught 116 Retreat of the Indians 117 Bivouac of the Spaniards 118 The Army resumes its March 119 Immense Host of Barbarians 120 Bloody Conflict in the Pass 121 Enemy give Ground 122 Spaniards clear the Pass 123 Cessation of Hostilities 124 Results of the Conflict 125 Troops encamp for the Night 126

DECISIVE VICTORY--INDIAN COUNCIL--NIGHT ATTACK--NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY--TLASCALAN HERO

Envoys to Tlascala 127 Foraging Party 128 Bold Defiance by the Tlascalans 129 Preparations for Battle 130 Appearance of the Tlascalans 131 Showy Costume of the Warriors 132 Their Weapons 134 Desperate Engagement 136 The Combat thickens 137 Divisions among the Enemy 138 Decisive Victory 139 Triumph of Science over Numbers 140 Dread of the Cavalry 140 Indian Council 142 Night Attack 143 Spaniards victorious 144 Embassy to Tlascala 145 Peace with the Enemy 145 Patriotic Spirit of their Chief 146

DISCONTENT IN THE ARMY--TLASCALAN SPIES--PEACE WITH THE REPUBLIC--EMBASSY FROM MONTEZUMA

Spaniards scour the Country 147 Success of the Foray 148 Discontent in the Camp 149 Representations of the Malecontents 150 Reply of Cort?s 151 Difficulties of the Enterprise 153 Mutilation of the Spies 154 Interview with the Tlascalan Chief 156 Peace with the Republic 158 Embassy from Montezuma 159 Declines to receive the Spaniards 160 They advance towards the City 161

SPANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--ATTEMPTED CONVERSION--AZTEC EMBASSY--INVITED TO CHOLULA

Spaniards enter Tlascala 164 Rejoicings on their Arrival 165 Description of Tlascala 166 Its Houses and Streets 166 Its Fairs and Police 167 Divisions of the City 167 Wild Scenery round Tlascala 168 Character of the Tlascalans 169 Vigilance of Cort?s 169 Attempted Conversion 170 Resistance of the Natives 170 Zeal of Cort?s 171 Prudence of the Friar 171 Character of Olmedo 172 Mass celebrated in Tlascala 173 The Indian Maidens 174 Aztec Embassy 175 Power of Montezuma 176 Embassy from Ixtlilxochitl 177 Deputies from Cholula 178 Invitation to Cholula 178 Prepare to leave Tlascala 179

CITY OF CHOLULA--GREAT TEMPLE--MARCH TO CHOLULA--RECEPTION OF THE SPANIARDS--CONSPIRACY DETECTED

City of Cholula 180 Its History 181 Religious Traditions 182 Its ancient Pyramid 183 Temple of Quetzalcoatl 184 Holy City 185 Magnificent Scenery 187 Spaniards leave Tlascala 188 Indian Volunteers 189 Army enters Cholula 190 Brilliant Reception 191 Envoys from Montezuma 192 Suspicions of Conspiracy 193 Fidelity of Marina 194 Alarming Situation of Cort?s 195 Intrigues with the Priests 196 Interview with the Caciques 197 Night-watch of the Spaniards 198

TERRIBLE MASSACRE--TRANQUILLITY RESTORED--REFLECTIONS ON THE MASSACRE--FURTHER PROCEEDINGS--ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA

Preparations for a secret Assault 200 Natives collect in the Square 200 The Signal given 201 Terrible Massacre 202 Onset of the Tlascalans 203 Defence of the Pyramid 204 Division of the Spoil 205 Restoration of Order 206 Reflections on the Massacre 207 Right of Conquest 208 Missionary Spirit 209 Policy of Cort?s 211 His perilous Situation 212 Cruelty to be charged on him 212 Terror of "the White Gods" 215 The Cross raised in Cholula 217 Victims liberated from the Cages 217 Christian Temple reared on the Pyramid 217 Embassy from Montezuma 218 Departure of the Cempoallans 219

Spaniards leave Cholula 221 Signs of Treachery 222 The Army reaches the Mountains 223 Wild Traditions 223 The great Volcano 224 Spaniards ascend its Sides 225 Perils of the Enterprise 226 Subsequent Ascent 227 Descent into the Crater 228 The Troops suffer from the Tempest 229 First View of the Valley 230 Its Magnificence and Beauty 230 Impression on the Spaniards 232 Disaffection of the Natives to Montezuma 233 Embassy from the Emperor 234 His gloomy Apprehensions 234 Silence of the Oracles 235 Spaniards advance 236 Death of the Spies 237 Arrival of the Tezcucan Lord 238 Floating Gardens 240 Crowds assembled on the Roads 241 Army reaches Iztapalapan 242 Its celebrated Gardens 243 Striking View of Mexico 245

Preparations to enter the Capital 246 Army enters on the great Causeway 247 Beautiful Environs 248 Brilliant Procession of Chiefs 249 Splendid Retinue of Montezuma 250 Dress of the Emperor 252 His Person 252 His Reception of Cort?s 253 Spaniards enter the Capital 254 Feelings of the Aztecs 256 Hospitable Reception 258 The Spanish Quarters 259 Precaution of the General 259 Visited by the Emperor 260 His rich Presents 261 Superstitious Terrors 262 Royal Palace 263 Description of its Interior 264 Cort?s visits Montezuma 265 Attempts to convert the Monarch 265 Entire Failure 266 His religious Views 267 Montezuma's Eloquence 268 His courteous Bearing 269 Reflections of Cort?s 270 Notice of Herrera 272 Criticism on his History 274 Life of Toribio 274 Peter Martyr 277 His Works 278

BOOK IV

TEZCUCAN LAKE--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--PALACES AND MUSEUMS--ROYAL HOUSEHOLD--MONTEZUMA'S WAY OF LIFE

Lake of Tezcuco 281 Its Diminution 282 Floating Islands 283 The ancient Dikes 284 Houses of ancient Mexico 285 Its Streets 286 Its Population 288 Its Aqueducts and Fountains 292 The imperial Palace 293 Adjoining Edifices 294 Magnificent Aviary 294 Extensive Menagerie 295 Collection of Dwarfs 296 Gardens 297 Royal Hill of Chapoltepec 298 Wives of Montezuma 299 His Meals 300 Luxurious Dessert 303 Custom of Smoking 304 Ceremonies at Court 305 Economy of the Palace 306 Oriental Civilization 308 Reserve of Montezuma 309 Symptoms of Decline of Power 309

Mexican Costume 311 Great Market of Mexico 312 Quarter of the Goldsmiths 313 Booths of the Armorers 314 Provisions for the Capital 315 Throngs in the Market 317 Aztec Money 318 The great Temple 319 Its Structure 320 Dimensions 321 Instruments of Worship 322 Grand View from the Temple 323 Shrines of the Idols 325 Imprudence of Cort?s 327 Interior Sanctuaries 328 Mound of Skulls 329 Aztec Seminaries 330 Impression on the Spaniards 332 Hidden Treasures 333 Mass performed in Mexico 334

MONTEZUMA'S DEPORTMENT--HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTERS--MEDITATED INSURRECTION--LORD OF TEZCUCO SEIZED--FURTHER MEASURES OF CORTES

Troubles at Vera Cruz 358 Vessels built on the Lake 359 Montezuma's Life in the Spanish Quarters 360 His Munificence 361 Sensitive to Insult 362 The Emperor's Favorites 363 Spaniards attempt his Conversion 364 Brigantines on the Lake 365 The Royal Chase 365 Lord of Tezcuco 366 Meditated Insurrection 368 Policy of Cort?s 369 Tezcucan Lord in Chains 370 Further Measures of Cort?s 371 Surveys the Coast 372

PAGE

From a painting especially made for this edition by L. Kowalsky.

CORT?S RECEIVING THE EMBASSY OF MONTEZUMA 14

After the painting in the National Museum at Mexico.

CORT?S SINKING HIS SHIPS 70

After the painting by F. Sans.

AUDIENCE OF CORT?S WITH MONTEZUMA 260

After the painting in the National Museum at Mexico.

MONTEZUMA 304

BOOK II

ACCOUNT OF MONTEZUMA--STATE OF HIS EMPIRE--STRANGE PROGNOSTICS--EMBASSY AND PRESENTS--SPANISH ENCAMPMENT

When his election was announced to him, he was found sweeping down the stairs in the great temple of the national war-god. He received the messengers with a becoming humility, professing his unfitness for so responsible a station. The address delivered as usual on the occasion was made by his relative Nezahualpilli, the wise king of Tezcuco. It has, fortunately, been preserved, and presents a favorable specimen of Indian eloquence. Towards the conclusion, the orator exclaims, "Who can doubt that the Aztec empire has reached the zenith of its greatness, since the Almighty has placed over it one whose very presence fills every beholder with reverence? Rejoice, happy people, that you have now a sovereign who will be to you a steady column of support; a father in distress, a more than brother in tenderness and sympathy; one whose aspiring soul will disdain all the profligate pleasures of the senses and the wasting indulgence of sloth. And thou, illustrious youth, doubt not that the Creator, who has laid on thee so weighty a charge, will also give strength to sustain it; that He, who has been so liberal in times past, will shower yet more abundant blessings on thy head, and keep thee firm in thy royal seat through many long and glorious years." These golden prognostics, which melted the royal auditor into tears, were not destined to be realized.

Montezuma displayed all the energy and enterprise in the commencement of his reign which had been anticipated from him. His first expedition against a rebel province in the neighborhood was crowned with success, and he led back in triumph a throng of captives for the bloody sacrifice that was to grace his coronation. This was celebrated with uncommon pomp. Games and religious ceremonies continued for several days, and among the spectators who flocked from distant quarters were some noble Tlascalans, the hereditary enemies of Mexico. They were in disguise, hoping thus to elude detection. They were recognized, however, and reported to the monarch. But he only availed himself of the information to provide them with honorable entertainment and a good place for witnessing the games. This was a magnanimous act, considering the long-cherished hostility between the nations.

In his first years, Montezuma was constantly engaged in war, and frequently led his armies in person. The Aztec banners were seen in the farthest provinces on the Gulf of Mexico, and the distant regions of Nicaragua and Honduras. The expeditions were generally successful; and the limits of the empire were more widely extended than at any preceding period.

Meanwhile the monarch was not inattentive to the interior concerns of the kingdom. He made some important changes in the courts of justice, and carefully watched over the execution of the laws, which he enforced with stern severity. He was in the habit of patrolling the streets of his capital in disguise, to make himself personally acquainted with the abuses in it. And with more questionable policy, it is said, he would sometimes try the integrity of his judges by tempting them with large bribes to swerve from their duty, and then call the delinquent to strict account for yielding to the temptation.

He liberally recompensed all who served him. He showed a similar munificent spirit in his public works, constructing and embellishing the temples, bringing water into the capital by a new channel, and establishing a hospital, or retreat for invalid soldiers, in the city of Colhuacan.

These acts, so worthy of a great prince, were counterbalanced by others of an opposite complexion. The humility, displayed so ostentatiously before his elevation, gave way to an intolerable arrogance. In his pleasure-houses, domestic establishment, and way of living, he assumed a pomp unknown to his predecessors. He secluded himself from public observation, or, when he went abroad, exacted the most slavish homage; while in the palace he would be served only, even in the most menial offices, by persons of rank. He, further, dismissed several plebeians, chiefly poor soldiers of merit, from the places they had occupied near the person of his predecessor, considering their attendance a dishonor to royalty. It was in vain that his oldest and sagest counsellors remonstrated on a conduct so impolitic.

While he thus disgusted his subjects by his haughty deportment, he alienated their affections by the imposition of grievous taxes. These were demanded by the lavish expenditure of his court. They fell with peculiar heaviness on the conquered cities. This oppression led to frequent insurrection and resistance; and the latter years of his reign present a scene of unintermitting hostility, in which the forces of one half of the empire were employed in suppressing the commotions of the other. Unfortunately, there was no principle of amalgamation by which the new acquisitions could be incorporated into the ancient monarchy as parts of one whole. Their interests, as well as sympathies, were different. Thus the more widely the Aztec empire was extended, the weaker it became; resembling some vast and ill-proportioned edifice, whose disjointed materials, having no principle of cohesion, and tottering under their own weight, seem ready to fall before the first blast of the tempest.

In 1516 died the Tezcucan king, Nezahualpilli; in whom Montezuma lost his most sagacious counsellor. The succession was contested by his two sons, Cacama and Ixtlilxochitl. The former was supported by Montezuma. The latter, the younger of the princes, a bold, aspiring youth, appealing to the patriotic sentiment of his nation, would have persuaded them that his brother was too much in the Mexican interests to be true to his own country. A civil war ensued, and ended by a compromise, by which one half of the kingdom, with the capital, remained to Cacama, and the northern portion to his ambitious rival. Ixtlilxochitl became from that time the mortal foe of Montezuma.

A more formidable enemy still was the little republic of Tlascala, lying midway between the Mexican Valley and the coast. It had maintained its independence for more than two centuries against the allied forces of the empire. Its resources were unimpaired, its civilization scarcely below that of its great rival states, and for courage and military prowess it had established a name inferior to none other of the nations of Anahuac.

Such was the condition of the Aztec monarchy on the arrival of Cort?s;--the people disgusted with the arrogance of the sovereign; the provinces and distant cities outraged by fiscal exactions; while potent enemies in the neighborhood lay watching the hour when they might assail their formidable rival with advantage. Still the kingdom was strong in its internal resources, in the will of its monarch, in the long habitual deference to his authority,--in short, in the terror of his name, and in the valor and discipline of his armies, grown gray in active service, and well drilled in all the tactics of Indian warfare. The time had now come when these imperfect tactics and rude weapons of the barbarian were to be brought into collision with the science and enginery of the most civilized nations of the globe.

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet