Note 799 — Chapter XXV · DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. June, 1520.

Cortés’ chronology, as indicated in the Cartas, shows clearly that he left Mexico during the night of June 30th, as will be demonstrated. He also implies what Bernal Diaz and Herrera distinctly assert, that considerable fighting took place on the Tlacopan road between the time the corpse was surrendered to the Aztecs and the Spaniards returned to their quarters preparatory to evacuation. Hence the death must have occurred early on that day. Herrera confirms Cortés’ testimony that he could not have died before the 30th, by saying, ‘en quatro dias se murio.’ dec. ii. lib. x. cap. x. It is also generally admitted that he was not wounded before the third day of the siege.