proach of Montezuma. Soon after appeared two 1519. hundred persons, in a uniform dress, marching two and two, in deep silence, barefooted, with their eyes fixed on the ground. Next followed a company of higher rank, in showy apparel, in the midst of whom was Montezuma, in a most magnificent litter, borne by his principal nobility. When Cortes was told, that the great Montezuma approached, he dismounted, and respectfully advanced toward him. Montezuma at the same time alighted, and, supported by some of his chief princes, approached with a slow and stately pace, in a superb dress, his attendants covering the streets with cotton cloths, that he might not touch the ground. After mutual salutations, Montezuma conducted Nov. 8, Cortes to the quarters, which he had prepared in Mexico, the city for his reception, and immediately took leave of him, with the most courtly expressions of hospitality and respect. Cortes took instant precaution for security. He planted the artillery so, as to command the different avenues, that led to the place; appointed a large division of his troops to be always on guard; and posted sentinels at proper stations, with injunctions to observe the same vigilant discipline, as if they were in sight of an enemy's camp. ' Enters seize Morr Cortes, knowing that his safety depended on the Cortes rewill of a monarch, in whom he had no right to solves to confide, determined, with unexampled temerity, to tezuma. seize Montezuma in his own palace, and bring him, as a prisoner, to the Spanish quarters. Having properly posted his troops, he took five of his prime officers and as many soldiers, thirty chosen men 1 A palace, built by king Axajacatl, the father of Montezuma; which was so large, as to accommodate both the Spaniards and their allies, who together with their attendant women and servants exceeded 7000. Clavigero, ii. 65. 2 Robertson, ii. book v. B. Diaz, i. chap. viii. De Solis, i. 209—310. Clavigero, ii. 63-66. 1519. following at a distance, as if without any other object but curiosity, and, at the usual hour of visiting Montezuma, went directly to the palace, where they An assault, were admitted without suspicion.' lately made on the garrison at Vera Cruz, and a treacherous attempt against the Spaniards at Cholula on their march toward Mexico, were made the pretext for a charge against Montezuma. Satisfaction was demanded of the astonished sovereign, wha endeavoured to explain and exculpate. Nothing satisfied. It was expected, that he would go to the Spanish quarters, as an evidence of his confidence and attachment. On his resenting this indignity, an altercation of three hours succeeded, when an impetuous young Spaniard proposing instantly to seize him, or stab him to the heart, the intimidated monarch abandoned himself to his destiny, Consenting to accompany the Spaniards, he called his officers and communicated to them his resolution. Though astonished and afflicted, they preMontezu sumed not to dispute his will, but carried him " in silent all bathed in tears," to the Spanish pomp, quarters. The principal persons, concerned in the quarters assault at Vera Cruz, who had been sent for by Montezuma himself, having been tried by a Span, ish court martial, were burnt alive. Cortes, convinced that they would not have ventured to make the attack without orders from their master, put Montezuma in fetters during their execution; a monitory sign, that the measure of his humiliation and of his woes was nearly full. During six months, in which the Spaniards remained in Mexico, he continued in their quarters, attended by his officers, with the external appearance and the ancient forms of government, but in personal subjection to a foreign and intrusive power. By the ma taken to the Spanish 1 This was eight days after the arrival of the Spaniards at Mexica B. Diaz. self a vassal persuasion of Cortes, Montezuma acknowledged owns him himself a vassal of the king of Castile, to hold his of Castile crown of him, as superior, and to subject his dominions to the payment of an annual tribute.' He now firmly expressed his desires and expectations, that Cortes, having finished his embassy, would take his departure. * 1520. marches At this juncture a fleet and army, sent against Cortes Cortes by Velasquez, under the command of Pam- against philo de Narvaez, made a fruitless attempt to re- Narvaez. duce the Spaniards of Vera Cruz. Cortes, having made overtures of peace, that were rejected by Narvaez, departed from Mexico, leaving a part of his forces in that city under Alvarado, and marched Conquers to Zempoalla, where he attacked Narvaez in him. his quarters, obtained the victory, and obliged his troops to serve under his banner. Receiv- Returns to ing intelligence, that the Mexicans had taken up Mexico in arms against the Spaniards, whom he left with June. Montezuma, he now marched back, strongly reinforced, to Mexico. 3 Alvarado, it appears, in the apprehension of danger from the Mexicans, who were enraged at the detention of their sovereign, had fallen on them while they were dancing at a festival in honour of their gods, and mutual hostilities had succeeded. r Robertson, ii. book v. Montezuma accompanied this profession of fealty and homage with a magnificent present to his new sovereign; and his subjects followed the example. The Spaniards now collected all the treasure, which they had acquired by gift or violence; and having melted the gold and silver, the value of these, without including jewels and various ornaments, of curious workmanship, amounted to 600,000 pesos. Robertson, ii. book v. B. Diaz [i. 248.] says, upwards of 600,000 crowns. 2 Robertson, ii. book v. De Solis, i. book iii. 3 Robertson, ii. book v. Clavigero says, that 140 soldiers, with all their allies, had been left in Mexico; that Cortes now returned to that city with an army of 1300 Spanish infantry, 96 horses, and 2000 Tlascalans; and that his combined forces amounted to gooo men. Hist. Mex. ii. 96, 101, 102. They marched into Mexico 24 June. Ibid. ment at the temple. 1520. Cortes, on his arrival at Mexico, assumed a haugh ty air and indignant tone, both toward the captive king and his people. Irritated afresh, the Mexicans fell furiously on a party of Spaniards in the streets, and attacked their quarters at the same moment. Early the next morning the Spaniards, sallying out with their whole force, were met by the whole force of the Mexicans; and after an action, fought with mutual desperation, were compelled to retreat to their quarters. Having spent one day in making preparations, a hundred Spaniards at day break sallied out again, and, amidst showers of arrows, Engage made their way to the great temple, in the upper area of which five hundred nobles had fortified themselves, and were doing essential injury with stones and arrows.1 After making three attempts to ascend the temple, and as often receiving a vi gorous repulse, Cortes, though suffering from a severe wound in his left hand, joined the assailants in person, and, tying his shield to his arm, began to ascend the stairs with a great part of his men. Their passage was obstinately disputed; but they at last gained the upper area, where a terrible en gageinent, of three hours, ensued. "Every man of us," says Bernal Diaz, "was covered with blood;" and forty six Spaniards were left dead on the spot. Cortes, ordering the temple to be set on fire, returned in good order to his quarters. I Their station was "so very high and neighbouring," that it entirely commanded the Spanish quarters. Clavigero, ii. 107, 108. Robertson represents this action, at the temple, as after the death of Montezuma ; but I follow Clavigero, who followed Cortes. 2 B. Diaz, i. 310. Not one of the poor Mexicans, engaged in the action survived it. Inflamed by the exhortations of their priests, and fighting in defence of their temples and families, under the eye of their gods, and in view of their wives and children, they contemned death. Part of them died by the point of the sword, and part threw themselves down to the lower floors of the temple, where they continued to fight until they were all killed. Robertson, ii. book v. Clavigero, ii. 108. B. Diaz (i.311] says, while the Spaniards were setting fire to the temple, above 3000 noble Mexicans with their priests attacked them with great violence, which caused them to retreat. of peace cans. The violence of hostilities still continuing, and 1520. the situation of the Spaniards soon becoming abso- Proposals lutely desperate, Cortes applied to Montezuma by rejected by a message, to address his subjects from a terrace, the Mexi and request them to desist from their attacks, with an offer from the Spaniards to evacuate Mexico. The captive monarch, standing at the railing of the terraced roof, attended by many of the Spanish soldiers, affectionately addressed the people below him, to that purpose. The chiefs and nobility, when they saw their sovereign coming forward, called to their troops to stop, and be silent. Four of them, approaching still nearer to him, addressed him with great sympathy and respect; but told him, that they had promised their gods, never to desist, but with the total destruction of the Spaniards. A shower of arrows and stones now fell about the spot where Montezuma stood; but he was protect ed by the Spaniards, who interposed their shields. At the instant of removing their shields, that Montezuma might resume his address, three stones and an arrow struck him to the ground. He was carried to his apartment; where he died, in a few Death of days, "less of his wound, which was but inconsiderable, than of sorrow and indignation.* V. I 1 B. Diaz, i. 257-314. Clavigero, ii. 103-112. Robertson, ii.book De Solis ii. book iv. chap. xiii-xv. 2 Europ. Settlements, i. chap. xi. Clavigero [ii. 110.] thinks it proba ble, that he died on the 30th of June. He was in the 54th year of his age. His body was honourably borne out, and delivered to the Mexicans, who received it with strong expressions of sorrow. B. Diaz, i. 315. Clavigero, ii. Iro. Of its treatment the accounts are various. P. Martyr [366] stops here. "Corpus humandum civibus tradiderunt nostri. Quid ultra nesciunt." Montezuma was a prince of majestic and graceful presence; of vigorous understanding; of martial genius, and distinguished bravery. He was just, magnificent, and liberal; but his justise often degenerated into cruelty, and his magnificence and liberality were supported by heavy burdens on his subjects. In every thing, pertaining to religion, he was exact and punctual, and was jealous of the worship of his gods and the observance of rites. Though often zealously urged by Cortes to renounce his false gods, and embrace the Christian faith, he had always rejected the proposal with horror; and to this rejection he inflexibly adher ed in the prospect of death. See Clavigero and Robertson. Why did he I Montezu ma |