Note 772 — Chapter XXIV · FIGHT UPON THE TEMPLE SUMMIT. June, 1520.

‘Fue acordado de demandalles pazes para salir de Mexico, ... acordò Cortes, que el gran Monteçuma les hablasse.’ Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 104. ‘Muteczuma ... dijo que le sacasen ... y que él hablaria á los capitanes.’ Cortés, Cartas, 129-30. The latter statement may be Herrera’s authority for saying that Montezuma was the first to propose speaking to the Mexicans. dec. ii. lib. x. cap. x. Observing Cuitlahuatzin’s regal authority over the besieging forces, Montezuma was seized with a fit of jealous alarm for throne and life. ‘Chiamò Cortès, ... pregandolo instantemente di non differir più la sua partenza.’ Clavigero, Storia Mess., iii. 124. This implies that the emperor was not aware of the vain efforts made to open communication with the mainland, or even to approach it. Cortés had to urge him in any case to speak to his subjects, an unwelcome task in view of his declining influence and of the merely partial success of the former appeal.