HISTORY OF THE Conquest of Mexico
Reading edition
BY WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT EDITED BY WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO PROFESSOR OF EUROPEAN HISTORY IN BROWN UNIVERSITY AND COMPRISING THE NOTES OF THE EDITION BY JOHN FOSTER KIRK
“Victrices aquilas alium laturus in orbem” Lucan, Pharsalia, lib. v., v. 238
VOL. II PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
Copyright, 1843, by William H. Prescott Copyright, 1871, by William G. Prescott Copyright, 1873, by J. B. Lippincott & Co. Copyright, 1904, by J. B. Lippincott Company Electrotyped and Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia U. S. A.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II
BOOK II DISCOVERY OF MEXICO (CONTINUED)
CHAPTER VI
Account of Montezuma—State of his Empire—Strange Prognostics—Embassy and Presents—Spanish Encampment
PAGE
Montezuma then upon the Throne3
Inaugural Address4
The Wars of Montezuma5
His civil Policy6
Oppression of his Subjects7
Foes of his Empire8
Superstition of Montezuma9
Mysterious Prophecy10
Portentous Omens11
Dismay of the Emperor12
Embassy and presents to the Spaniards14
Life in the Spanish Camp15
Rich Present from Montezuma16
Large gold Wheels17
Message from Montezuma18
Effects of the Treasure on the Spaniards20
Return of the Aztec Envoys21
Prohibition of Montezuma22
Preaching of Father Olmedo23
Desertion of the Natives23
CHAPTER VII
Troubles in the Camp—Plan of a Colony—Management of Cortés—March to Cempoalla—Proceedings with the Natives—Foundation of Vera Cruz
Discontent of the Soldiery24
Envoys from the Totonacs25
Dissensions in the Aztec Empire26
Proceedings in the Camp26
Cortés prepares to return to Cuba27
Army remonstrate28
Cortés yields29
Foundation of Villa Rica30
Resignation and Reappointment of Cortés31
Divisions in the Camp32
General Reconciliation33
March to Cempoalla34
Picturesque Scenery35
Remains of Victims35
Terrestrial Paradise36
Love of Flowers by the Natives37
Their splendid Edifices38
Hospitable Entertainment at Cempoalla39
Conference with the Cacique40
Proposals of Alliance41
Advance of the Spaniards43
Arrival of Aztec Nobles44
Artful Policy of Cortés45
Allegiance of the Natives46
City of Villa Rica built47
Infatuation of the Indians48
CHAPTER VIII
Another Aztec Embassy—Destruction of the Idols—Despatches sent to Spain—Conspiracy in the Camp—The Fleet Sunk
Embassy from Montezuma49
Its Results50
Severe Discipline in the Army51
Gratitude of the Cempoallan Cacique52
Attempt at Conversion53
Sensation among the Natives54
The Idols burned55
Consecration of the Sanctuary56
News from Cuba57
Presents for Charles the Fifth58
First Letter of Cortés59
Despatches to Spain61
Agents for the Mission62
Departure of the Ship63
It touches at Cuba64
Rage of Velasquez64
Ship arrives in Spain65
Conspiracy in the Camp66
Destruction of the Fleet67
Oration of Cortés69
Enthusiasm of the Army70
Notice of Las Casas72
His Life and Character73
Criticism on his Works79
BOOK III MARCH TO MEXICO
CHAPTER I
Proceedings at Cempoalla—The Spaniards climb the Tableland—Picturesque Scenery—Transactions with the Natives—Embassy to Tlascala
Squadron off the Coast83
Stratagem of Cortés85
Arrangement at Villa Rica86
Spaniards begin their March87
Climb the Cordilleras88
Wild Mountain Scenery89
Immense Heaps of human Skulls93
Transactions with the Natives94
Accounts of Montezuma’s Power95
Moderation of Father Olmedo97
Indian Dwellings99
Cortés determines his Route100
Embassy to Tlascala101
Remarkable Fortification102
Arrival in Tlascala103
CHAPTER II
Republic of Tlascala—Its Institutions—Early History—Discussions in the Senate—Desperate Battles
The Tlascalans104
Their Migrations105
Their Government106
Public Games107
Order of Knighthood108
Internal Resources108
Their Civilization109
Struggles with the Aztecs110
Means of Defence111
Sufferings of the Tlascalans112
Their hardy Character113
Debates in the Senate114
Spaniards advance115
Desperate Onslaught116
Retreat of the Indians117
Bivouac of the Spaniards118
The Army resumes its March119
Immense Host of Barbarians120
Bloody Conflict in the Pass121
Enemy give Ground122
Spaniards clear the Pass123
Cessation of Hostilities124
Results of the Conflict125
Troops encamp for the Night126
CHAPTER III
Decisive Victory—Indian Council—Night Attack—Negotiations with the Enemy—Tlascalan Hero
Envoys to Tlascala127
Foraging Party128
Bold Defiance by the Tlascalans129
Preparations for Battle130
Appearance of the Tlascalans131
Showy Costume of the Warriors132
Their Weapons134
Desperate Engagement136
The Combat thickens137
Divisions among the Enemy138
Decisive Victory139
Triumph of Science over Numbers140
Dread of the Cavalry140
Indian Council142
Night Attack143
Spaniards victorious144
Embassy to Tlascala145
Peace with the Enemy145
Patriotic Spirit of their Chief146
CHAPTER IV
Discontent in the Army—Tlascalan Spies—Peace with the Republic—Embassy from Montezuma
Spaniards scour the Country147
Success of the Foray148
Discontent in the Camp149
Representations of the Malecontents150
Reply of Cortés151
Difficulties of the Enterprise153
Mutilation of the Spies154
Interview with the Tlascalan Chief156
Peace with the Republic158
Embassy from Montezuma159
Declines to receive the Spaniards160
They advance towards the City161
CHAPTER V
Spaniards enter Tlascala—Description of the Capital—Attempted Conversion—Aztec Embassy—Invited to Cholula
Spaniards enter Tlascala164
Rejoicings on their Arrival165
Description of Tlascala166
Its Houses and Streets166
Its Fairs and Police167
Divisions of the City167
Wild Scenery round Tlascala168
Character of the Tlascalans169
Vigilance of Cortés169
Attempted Conversion170
Resistance of the Natives170
Zeal of Cortés171
Prudence of the Friar171
Character of Olmedo172
Mass celebrated in Tlascala173
The Indian Maidens174
Aztec Embassy175
Power of Montezuma176
Embassy from Ixtlilxochitl177
Deputies from Cholula178
Invitation to Cholula178
Prepare to leave Tlascala179
CHAPTER VI
City of Cholula—Great Temple—March to Cholula—Reception of the Spaniards—Conspiracy Detected
City of Cholula180
Its History181
Religious Traditions182
Its ancient Pyramid183
Temple of Quetzalcoatl184
Holy City185
Magnificent Scenery187
Spaniards leave Tlascala188
Indian Volunteers189
Army enters Cholula190
Brilliant Reception191
Envoys from Montezuma192
Suspicions of Conspiracy193
Fidelity of Marina194
Alarming Situation of Cortés195
Intrigues with the Priests196
Interview with the Caciques197
Night-watch of the Spaniards198
CHAPTER VII
Terrible Massacre—Tranquillity Restored—Reflections on the Massacre—Further Proceedings—Envoys from Montezuma
Preparations for a secret Assault200
Natives collect in the Square200
The Signal given201
Terrible Massacre202
Onset of the Tlascalans203
Defence of the Pyramid204
Division of the Spoil205
Restoration of Order206
Reflections on the Massacre207
Right of Conquest208
Missionary Spirit209
Policy of Cortés211
His perilous Situation212
Cruelty to be charged on him212
Terror of “the White Gods”215
The Cross raised in Cholula217
Victims liberated from the Cages217
Christian Temple reared on the Pyramid217
Embassy from Montezuma218
Departure of the Cempoallans219
CHAPTER VIII
March resumed—Ascent of the Great Volcano—Valley of Mexico—Impression on the Spaniards—Conduct of Montezuma—They descend into the Valley
Spaniards leave Cholula221
Signs of Treachery222
The Army reaches the Mountains223
Wild Traditions223
The great Volcano224
Spaniards ascend its Sides225
Perils of the Enterprise226
Subsequent Ascent227
Descent into the Crater228
The Troops suffer from the Tempest229
First View of the Valley230
Its Magnificence and Beauty230
Impression on the Spaniards232
Disaffection of the Natives to Montezuma233
Embassy from the Emperor234
His gloomy Apprehensions234
Silence of the Oracles235
Spaniards advance236
Death of the Spies237
Arrival of the Tezcucan Lord238
Floating Gardens240
Crowds assembled on the Roads241
Army reaches Iztapalapan242
Its celebrated Gardens243
Striking View of Mexico245
CHAPTER IX
Environs of Mexico—Interview with Montezuma—Entrance into the Capital—Hospitable Reception—Visit to the Emperor
Preparations to enter the Capital246
Army enters on the great Causeway247
Beautiful Environs248
Brilliant Procession of Chiefs249
Splendid Retinue of Montezuma250
Dress of the Emperor252
His Person252
His Reception of Cortés253
Spaniards enter the Capital254
Feelings of the Aztecs256
Hospitable Reception258
The Spanish Quarters259
Precaution of the General259
Visited by the Emperor260
His rich Presents261
Superstitious Terrors262
Royal Palace263
Description of its Interior264
Cortés visits Montezuma265
Attempts to convert the Monarch265
Entire Failure266
His religious Views267
Montezuma’s Eloquence268
His courteous Bearing269
Reflections of Cortés270
Notice of Herrera272
Criticism on his History274
Life of Toribio274
Peter Martyr277
His Works278
BOOK IV RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
CHAPTER I
Tezcucan Lake—Description of the Capital—Palaces and Museums—Royal Household—Montezuma’s Way of Life
Lake of Tezcuco281
Its Diminution282
Floating Islands283
The ancient Dikes284
Houses of ancient Mexico285
Its Streets286
Its Population288
Its Aqueducts and Fountains292
The imperial Palace293
Adjoining Edifices294
Magnificent Aviary294
Extensive Menagerie295
Collection of Dwarfs296
Gardens297
Royal Hill of Chapoltepec298
Wives of Montezuma299
His Meals300
Luxurious Dessert303
Custom of Smoking304
Ceremonies at Court305
Economy of the Palace306
Oriental Civilization308
Reserve of Montezuma309
Symptoms of Decline of Power309
CHAPTER II
Market of Mexico—Great Temple—Interior Sanctuaries—Spanish Quarters
Mexican Costume311
Great Market of Mexico312
Quarter of the Goldsmiths313
Booths of the Armorers314
Provisions for the Capital315
Throngs in the Market317
Aztec Money318
The great Temple319
Its Structure320
Dimensions321
Instruments of Worship322
Grand View from the Temple323
Shrines of the Idols325
Imprudence of Cortés327
Interior Sanctuaries328
Mound of Skulls329
Aztec Seminaries330
Impression on the Spaniards332
Hidden Treasures333
Mass performed in Mexico334
CHAPTER III
Anxiety of Cortés—Seizure of Montezuma—His Treatment by the Spaniards—Execution of his Officers—Montezuma in Irons—Reflections
Anxiety of Cortés335
Council of War336
Opinions of the Officers337
Bold Project of Cortés337
Plausible Pretext338
Interview with Montezuma341
Accusation of Montezuma342
His Seizure345
He is carried to the Spanish Quarters346
Tumult among the Aztecs346
Montezuma’s Treatment347
Vigilant Patrol348
Trial of the Aztec Chiefs350
Montezuma in Irons351
Chiefs burnt at the Stake351
Emperor allowed to return352
Declines this Permission353
Reflections on these Proceedings354
Views of the Conquerors356
CHAPTER IV
Montezuma’s Deportment—His Life in the Spanish Quarters—Meditated Insurrection—Lord of Tezcuco seized—Further Measures of Cortes
Troubles at Vera Cruz358
Vessels built on the Lake359
Montezuma’s Life in the Spanish Quarters360
His Munificence361
Sensitive to Insult362
The Emperor’s Favorites363
Spaniards attempt his Conversion364
Brigantines on the Lake365
The Royal Chase365
Lord of Tezcuco366
Meditated Insurrection368
Policy of Cortés369
Tezcucan Lord in Chains370
Further Measures of Cortés371
Surveys the Coast372