ment, the troops were consulted, and they unanimously confirmed the choice, and the air resounded with Cortes' name, and all swore to shed the last drop of their blood in support of his authority. Some of the adherents of Valasquez, exclaimed against these illegal proceedings, but Cortes, by a prompt exercise of authority, and by arresting and putting in chains several of the leaders of the malecontents, suppressed a faction, which, had it not been timely checked, might have endangered all his hopes. Cortes was now placed in a situation which he had long desired, by rendering himself entirely independent of the Governor of Cuba. Having employed some of his officers to survey the coast, the Spanish adventurer resolved to remove about forty miles to the northward, where there was a more commodious harbour, the soil more fertile, and in other respects a more eligible spot for a settlement. He immediately marked out the ground for a town, and as avarice and religious fanaticism were the two principles which governed the conduct of all the Spanish adventurers in America, he named the town Villarica, de la Vera Cruz-the rich town of the true cross. Huts were ordered to be erected, which might afford a shelter; these were to be surrounded by fortifications and works of sufficient strength to afford security from the attack of the natives; and by the united exertions of officers and men, Cortes himself setting an example of industry and perseverance, and with the assistance of the natives, the works were forwarded with astonishing rapidity. In proceeding to this place, the Spaniards had passed through the country of Zempoalla, and had an interview with several of the caziques of that settlement, and learnt, with much satisfaction, that they were unfriendly to Montazuma, and anxious to throw off his yoke; he also learnt many particulars concerning that monarch; that he was a great tyrant, and oppressed his subjects, that he had conquered some provinces and ruined others by excessive exactions.

Whilst employed in erecting the town, the caziques of Zempoalla and of Quiabislan, frequently visited them, which gave Cortes an opportunity to raise their conceptions of the character and power of the Spaniards to the highest pitch, and at the same time to encourage their opposition to the government of Montazuma, by assuring them of his protection. He so far succeeded in this, that when some of Montazuma's officers came among them, to

collect the usual tribute, they seized them, and treated them as prisoners, and, agreeably to their barbarous superstition, were preparing to sacrifice them to their gods, when Cortes interfered, and delivered them from their impending fate. This act of open rebellion served to attach these caziques firmly to the Spaniards, as their protection alone could save them from the dreadful consequences of Montazuma's displeasure; and Cortes soon succeeded in persuading them to acknowledge themselves, in a formal manner, to be the vassals of the Spanish monarch. Their example was followed by several other tribes At this period, Cortes despatched a vessel to Spain, with a highcoloured description of the country he had discovered, which was confirmed by many of the specimens of wealth they had received from the natives, with an account of the progress he had made in establishing the Spanish authority over it; he attempted to justify his throwing off the authority of Valasquez and setting up for himself, and requested a confirmation of his authority from the crown.

Disaffection again appeared among the men, of a more alarming character than what had existed before, which, though promptly suppressed, filled his mind with disquietude and concern, and lead him to adopt one of the boldest measures of which history affords any account. He was satisfied, that from the appalling dangers, and magnitude of the undertaking, and from the spirit of disaffection which although suppressed, still lurked among his troops, it would be impossible to maintain his authority over them, except by cutting off the means of return. After reflecting on the subject with deep solicitude, he resolved on destroying the fleet, which would place the Spaniards in a situation, that they must conquor or perish; and by the most plausible and artful representations, he succeeded in persuading his men to acquiesce in this desperate measure. With universal consent the ships were drawn on shore, and after being stripped of their sails, rigging, and every thing of value, they were broken to pieces. His influence must have been unbounded, to be able to persuade his men to an act, which is unparalleled in the annals of man : five hundred men voluntarily cut off their means of returning, and shut themselves up in a hostile country, filled with warlike and ferocious inhabitants whose savage mode of warfare, spared their prisoners only for the torture, or to be offered in sacrifice to their angry deities.

Cortes now felt prepared to enter upon a career of victory and conquest, in some measure suited to his ambition and rapacity. Having advanced to Zempoalla, his zeal for religion lead him to overturn the idols in the temples, and to place a crucifix and an image of the Virgin Mary, in their stead; which rash step came near blasting al! his hopes in the bud. The natives were filled with horror, and were excited to arms by their priests; but Cortes had such an ascendency over them that he finally pacified them, and restored harmony.

He marched from Zempoalla on the sixteenth of August, with five hundred men, fifteen horse, and six field pieces, with the intention of penetrating into the heart of a great and powerful nation. The residue of his men, most of whom were unfit for service, were left as a garrison at Vera Cruz. The cazique of Zempoalla, supplied him with provisions, and with two hundred Indians, called Tamemes, whose office it was to carry burdens, and do other menial services; together with four hundred soldiers, most of whom were persons of note, who might be hostages for the fidelity of their chief. He advanced near the territories of the Tlascalans, and having learned that they were implacable enemies of the Mexicans, he was in hopes to pass through their country unmolested. He dispatched four of the Zempoallans to request this privilege, and explain his friendly intentions. The Tlascalans, instead of granting this request, seized the ambassadors, and were preparing to sacrifice them to their gods. Cortes was obliged to march into their territories, and being a fierce and warlike people, they attacked him with great fury, and with vast numbers; and although defeated and dispersed in every attack, they rallied and returned to the conflict, with valor and perseverance far surpassing any thing which had been witnessed in America. Although the Tlascalans brought into the field immense armies, and fought with courage and perseverance, they were unable to stop the progress of the Spaniards-so great is the advantage of discipline and science over barbarian force. They suf fered severely in the successive conflicts, and only killed two horses aud wounded several men, of the Spaniards, Believing the Spaniards to be invincible, as the last resort they consulted their priests concerning these strange invaders, and how they could be repelled; and were informed that they were the offspring of the Sun, produced by

his creative energy, in regions of the East, and that they were invincible during the day, but at night, when deprived of the sustaining influence of the Sun, they dwindled into mere mortals, and could be as easily overcome as other men. This response appeared very plausible, and immediately the Tlascalans prepared to surprise and attack the Spaniards in the night. But Cortes was too vigilant to be surprised by an Indian stratagem; his outposts observed the movements of the Indians, and gave the alarm; the troops were immediately formed, sallied out of the camp, and dispersed the enemy with great slaughter. The last effort, the advice of their priests, having completely failed, they became desirous of ending hostilities with a race that they regarded as more than mortal, but were at loss whether they were good or evil beings. If," said they, "you are divinities of a cruel and savage nature, we present you five slaves, that you may eat their flesh and drink their blood; if you are mild deities, accept an offering of incense and variegated plumes; if you are mere mortals, here are meat and bread and fruit, to nourish you." Peace was concluded, and the Tlascalans acknowledged themselves tributary to the Spanish monarch, and agreed to assist Cortes in his operations against the Mexicans, and he engaged to protect them and their country. The Tlascalans, in every adversity of fortune, remained faithful to the Spaniards, and it was to this alliance that they were indebted for success in the conquest of the Mexican empire.

Cortes reposed twenty days at Tlascala, to recruit his troops, who were exhausted with hard service, and enfee bled by the distempers of the climate During this interval he obtained extensive information concerning the Mexican empire and the character and political condition of its sovereign. His troops being recruited, the Spanish general commenced his march towards Mexico, with six thousand Tlascalan warriors added to his force. He directed his route to Cholula, a considerable town, five leagues distant, celebrated for its vast pyramid, or temple, and as being regarded as the seat of their gods. Here, although they had entered the town without opposition, and with much apparent respect, the Spaniards soon discovered a deep plot laid for their destruction, and having obtained satisfactory proof, Cortes determined to make such an example as would inspire his enemies with terror. He drew his forces up in the centre of the town, and sent for most of

the magistrates and chief citizens, under various pretences, who, at a given signal, were seized, and then the troops and the Tlascalans fell on the people, who, being deprived of their leaders, and filled with astonishment, dropped their arms, and remained motionless, without making the least effort to defend themselves. The slaughter was dreadful; the streets were filled with the dead and covered with blood; the priests and some of the chief families took refuge in the temples these were set on fire and all consumed together. This scene of carnage continued for two days, during which, six thousand of the natives perished, without the loss of a single individual of their destroyers.

From Cholula it was but twenty leagues to Mexico, and Cortes marched directly towards the capital; through every place he passed, he was received as a deliverer, and heard the grievances of the inhabitants, all of which he promised to redress. He was highly gratified on perceiving that the seeds of discontent were scattered through the the empire, and not confined to the remote provinces. As the Spaniards approached the capital, the unhappy monarch was distracted with hopes and fears, and knew not what to do; one day he sent orders inviting them to advance; the next, commanding them to retire and leave the country. As the Spaniards drew near to the city, one thousand persons, of distinction, came out to meet them, clad in mantles of fine cotton and adorned with plumes, each, in his order, passed by and saluted Cortes in the manner deemed most respectful in their country. At length they announced the approach of the Emperor himself; his retinue consisted of two hundred persons, dressed in uniform, with plumes and feathers, who marched two and two, bare-footed, with their eyes fixed on the ground; to these succeeded a higher rank, with more showy apparel. Montazuma followed in a litter, or chair, richly ornamented with gold and feathers, borne on the shoulders of four of his favourites; a canopy, of curious workmanship, was supported over his head; three officers walked before him, with gold rods, which, at given intervals, they raised up, as a signal for the people to bow their heads and hide their faces, as unworthy to behold so august a sovereign. As he approached Cortes, the latter dismounted and advanced in the most respectful manner; Montazuma at the same time alighted, and leaning on two of his attendants, approached, with a slow and stately pace, cotton cloth being strewed on the ground, that he might