the host vnto whom in general he spake as followeth The exhortation of Cortez to his Souldiers MY louyng brethren I gyue moste hartie thankes vnto Iesu Christ to sée you now whole of your woundes and frée from diseases likewise I muche reioyce to sée you in good order trimly armed yea and with suche desire to sette agayne vpon Mexico to reuenge the death of our fellowes and to winne that greate Citie the whiche I truste in God shal be brought to passe in shorte time hauing the friendship of Tlaxcallan and other prouinces who haue as great desire to sée the ouerthrowe of the Mexicans as we our selues for therein they gette both honour libertie safegarde of life Also it is to be considered that if the victory should not be ours they poore soules should be destroyed and remaine in perpetuall captiuitie Also the Culhuacans do abhorre them worse than vs for receyuing vs into their houses and countrey therefore sure I am that they will sticke vnto vs vnfaynedly I muste néedes confesse their vnfayned friendship for presente workes doe testifie the same They will not onely be a meane to bryng others their neyghbours to our seruice but also haue now in readinesse .100000 mē of warre to sende with vs besides a great nūber of Tamemez or carriers to carrie al our prouision Ye also are now the same which alwaies heretofore ye haue bene for I as witnesse beyng your captayne haue had the victory of many battayles fighting with a .100 yea 200000. enimies we got also by strength of arme many strōg cities yea brought in subiection many prouinces not beyng so many in number as we are nowe for when we came firste into this countrey we were not so many as now presently we are Agayne in Mexico they feare our cōming it should also be a blot vnto our honour that Quahutimoc should inherite the kingdome that cost our friēd Mutezuma his life Likewise I esteme al that we haue done is nothing if we winne not Mexico our victories shoulde also be sorowfull if we reuenge not the death of our déere fellowes The chiefe and principall cause of our cōming into this countrey was to set forth the faith of Iesu Christ therwithal doth folow honour profite which seldome times do dwell togither In those fewe dayes that we were in Mexico we put downe the idols we caused sacrifice and eatyng of mans fleshe to bée layde aside and also in those dayes wée beganne to conuerte some to the fayth It is not therefore nowe reason to leaue of so laudable an enterpryse so well begonne Lette vs now goe whither holy fayth doth call vs and where the sinnes of our enimies deserueth so great a punishment and if yée well remember the Citizens of that citie were not cōtent to murder such an infinite number of men women children before the idols in their filthy sacrifice for honour of their Diuelishe Goddes but also to eate their fleshe a thyng inhumayne and much abhorred of God and al good men doth procure and especially Christians to defende and punishe suche odious customes Besides all this they committe that horrible sinne for the whiche the fiue cities with Sodom were burned by fire from heauen Why then what greater occasion should any man wishe for in earth than to abolish such wickednesse and to plant among these bloudy tirants the fayth of Iesu Christ publishing his holy gospel Therfore now with ioyfull hartes lette vs procéede to serue God honour our nation to enlarge our Princes dominions and to enriche our selues with the goodly pray of Mexico to morrow God willyng we will beginne the same All his men answeared with chéerefull countenaunce that they were ready to departe when it pleased him promising their faithful seruice vnto him It should séeme the rather with the desire of that pleasure and greate treasure whiche they had eyght moneths enioyed before Cortes commaunded to proclayme throughout his army certaine ordinaunces of warre for the good gouernement of his hoste whiche he had written among others and were these that followeth That none should blaspheme the holy name of Iesus That no Souldier should fight with his fellowe That none shoulde play at any game his horse nor armour That none should force any woman That none should robbe or take any Indian captiue without his speciall licence and counsellers That none should wrōg or iniurie any Indian their friēds he also taxed yron worke and apparell for cause of the excessiue prices that they were there solde for The exhortation made by Cortez to the Indians of Tlaxcallan THe nexte daye following Cortes called before him all the Lordes Captaynes and principall persons of Tlaxcallan Huexocinco Chololla Chalco and of other townes who were there presente at that time saying as followeth My Lords and friendes you know the iourney which I haue nowe in hande to morrowe God willing I will departe to the warre and siege of Mexico and enter into the land of youre enimies and mine And the thing that now I do require and also pray is that you remayne faithfull and constant in your promise made as hithervnto you haue done and so I trust you will continue And bycause I can not bring so soone my purpose to passe according to youre desire and mine without the Vergantines which are now a making and to be placed in the lake of Mexico therefore I praye you to fauoure these workemen whiche I leaue héere with suche loue and friendship as héeretofore you haue done and to giue them all things necessary for their prouision and I do faithfully promise to take away the yoke of bondage which the inhabitantes of Culhua haue layde vpon you and also will obteyne of the Emperoure great libertie and priviledges for you All the Indians shewed countenance of obedience and the chiefest Gentlemen aunswered in few words saying we will not onely fulfyll youre request but also when your vessels are finished we will bring them to Mexico and we all in generall will goe with you and truly serue you in your warres Hovv Cortez tooke Tezcuco COrtez departed from Tlaxcallan wyth hys Souldyers in good order whyche was a goodly sight to beholde for at that time he had eyghtie thousand men in his host and the most of them armed after their manner which made a gallant shew but Cortes for diuers causes would not haue them all with him vntill the Vergantines were finished and Mexico beséeged searing wante of vittayle for so greate an armye yet notwithstanding hée tooke twentie thousand of them besides the Carriers and that night came to Tezmoluca which stādeth sixe leagues from Tlaxcallan and is a Village apperteyning to Huexocinco where he was by the principall of the Towne wel receyued The next day he iourneyed foure leagues into the territorie of Mexico and there was lodged on the 〈◊〉 of a hill where many had perished with colde had it not bin for the store of woodde which they found there In the
for a bowe two arrowes and a nette and afterwarde the father in lawe speaketh not one worde to his sonne in law for the space of a whole yeare And when the husbande hapneth to haue any child he lyeth not any more with his wife in two yeares after for feare least she might be with childe againe before the former childe were out of daunger although some doe sucke vntyll twelue yeares of age and for this consideration they haue many wiues Likewise there is an order among them that no woman may touch or dresse any thing being with theyr menstruall ordinarie Diuoremcent was not permitted without a iust cause and authoritie of Iustice among those who were openly married but the other sort might be as easily forsaken as taken In Mechuacan was not permitted any diuorcemente excepte the partie made a solemne othe that they loked not the one on the other stedfastly and directly at the time of their marriage But in Mexico they must proue how the wife is barraine foule of a naughty cōdition but if they put away their wiues without order and commaundemente of the Iudge then the heare of the offenders head is burned in the market place as a shame or punishment of a man without reason or witte The payne of adultery was death as well for the mā as the woman but if the adulterer were a Gentleman his head was decked with feathers after that he was hāged and his body burned and for this offence was no pardon eyther for man or woman but for the auoyding of adultery they do permitte other common women but no ordinary stewes Of the Iudges and order of Iustice IN Mexico were twelue Iudges who were all noble men graue and well learned in the Mexican lawes These men liued only by the rentes that properly apperteyne to the maintenance of Iustice and in anye cause iudged by thē it was lawfull for the parties to appeale vnto other twelue Iudges who were of the princes bloud and alwayes abode in the Court and were mainteyned at the Kings owne cost and charge The inferior Iudges came ordinarily once euery moneth to cōsult with the higher And in euery fourescore dayes came the Iudges of euery prouince within the Mexican Empire to consult with the Iudges of Mexico but all doubtfull causes were reserued to the King onely to passe by his order and determination The Painters serued for notaries to paint al the cases which were to be resolued but no sute passed aboue fourescore dayes without finall ende and determination There were in that citie twelue Sergeants whose office was to arrest and to cal parties before the Iudges Their garments were painted mantels wherby they were knowen a farre off The prisons were vnder ground moyst and darke the cause whereof was to put the people in feare to offend If anye witnesse were called to take an oth the order was that he shoulde touche the grounde with one of his fingers and then to touch his tong with the same whiche signifyed that hée had sworne and promised to speake the troth wyth hys tōg taking witnes therof of the earth which did mainteine him But some do interprete the oth that if the partie sware not true that then he mighte come to such extremitie as to eate earthe Sometime they name and call vppon the God of the crime whose cause the matter touched The Iudge that taketh bribes or giftes is forthwith put out of his office whiche was accounted a most vyle and shamefull reproch The Indians did affirme that Necaualpincintli did hang a Iudge in Tezcuco for giuing an vniust sentence he himselfe knowing the contrary The murther is executed without exception The woman with child that wilfully casteth hir creature suffereth deathe for the same bycause many women did voluntary vse that fact knowing their children could not inherite The punishment of adultery was death The Théefe for the firste offence was made a slaue and hanged for the second The traytor to the King and cōmon weale was put to death with extreame tormēts The woman taken in mans apparel dyed for the same and likewise the man taken in womans attire Euerye one that challēged another to fight except in the warres was cōdemned to die In Tezcuco the sinne of Zodomy was punished with death that law was instituted by Necaualpincintli Necaualcoio who were Iudges which abhorred the filthy sinne therfore they deserued great praise for in other prouinces the abhominable sin was not punished although they haue in those places cōmon stewes as in Panuco The order of cruell Sacrifice vsed among the Indians AT the ende of euery twenty dayes is celebrated a festiuall feast called Tonalli which falleth continually the last daye of euerye moneth but the chiefest feast in the yeare when most men are sacrificed eaten is at the ende of euerye fiftye two yeares But the Tlaxcaltecas and other common weales do celebrate this feast euery fourth yeare The last day of the first moneth is called Tlacaxipeualiztli on the which day were slaine a hundred slaues which were taken in the warres and after the sacrifise their flesh was eaten in this order Al the Citizens gathered themselues togither in the high Temple and thē the Ministers or Priestes came and vsed certaine ceremonies the which being ended they toke those whyche were to be sacrifised by one and one and layd them vpon their backes vpon a large stone and then the slaue being on liue they opened him in the breast with a knife made of flinte stone and toke out his hart whiche they threw immediately at the foote of the Aulter as an offering and anoynted with the fresh bloude the face of the God Vitzilopuchtli or any other Idol This done they pluckt of the skinnes of a certaine number of them the which skinnes so many auntient persons put incontinēt vppon their naked bodies al fresh bloudy as they wer sleane from the deade carcasses And being open in the backe part and shoulders they vsed to lace them in such sorte that they came fitte vppon the bodies of those that ware them and being in this order attired they came to daunce among many others In Mexico the king him selfe did put on one of these skinnes being of a principall captiue and daunced among the other disguised persons to exalte and honor the feast and an infinite number followed him to behold his terrible gesture although some hold opinion that they followed him to cōtemplate his greate deuotion After the sacrifise ended the owner of the slaues did carry their bodies home to their houses to make of their fleshe a solemne feaste to all their friendes leauing their heades and hartes to the Priests as their dutie and offering And the skinnes were filled with cotten wool or strawe to be hong in the temple and kings pallayce for a memorie The slaues when they went to their sacrifice were apparelled in the habite or deuise of the Idol vnto whom ech of them did commende
also if he could finde any thing in that countrey to his contentment to present to the Emperour of Christians he would willingly prouide it And as touching the desire that Cortez had to come to visite to haue coÌ„munication with him he thought it vnpossible bycause that he was sickly and could not come vnto the sea coast and likewise for Cortez to come where he did abide it was harde troublesome and difficill as well for the many and cragged mountaynes as also the countrey wilde desert without habitation and shoulde be constrayned to suffer hunger thirst and other necessitie and moreouer the enhabitaunts of much part of the way that he should passe were his enimies both cruell cursed people and knowing theÌ„ to be his friendes they should not escape with life All these excuses did Mutezuma by the mouth of Teudilli declare vnto Cortez thinkyng to driue him froÌ„ his purpose preteÌ„ded iourney alleaging the foresayd difficulties and perils the Indians did also hope that with some coÌ„trary weather they should be forced to leaue that coast couÌ„trey NotwithstaÌ„ding this coÌ„tradiction so much the more desire had Cortez to visite Mutezuma who was so great a prince in that parties throughly to discouer the treasure which he imagined to be there And hauing receiued the present also the answer he gaue vnto Teudilli a garmeÌ„t of his owne wearyng and many other trifles of his Haberdash to be sente vnto Mutezuma saying that if it were for no other purpose but onely to sée so mightie and vertuous a Prince it should be requisite and iuste to trauayle vnto his Court how much the more he was of duetie coÌ„strayned to doe the Embassage which the Emperour of Christians had willed and commaunded him to doe for otherwyse he shoulde incurre the displeasure of the King his mayster wherefore he besought Teudilli yet once agayne to aduertise Mutezuma of his constant determination bycause hée shoulde vnderstande that he would not leaue off hys pretended purpose for any inconuenience that was obiected vnto him Alleagyng moreouer that he who had coÌ„men 2000. leagues by sea mought well goe 70. leagues by lande and consideryng that he had many at his charge with small prouision and likewise his shippes in daunger he required that with all expedition the messengers should be dispatched Teudilli desired him to recreate himself not to take any grief for as much as he himself did dayly aduertise Mutezuma of his procéedings euen so with all expedition the full resolution should come from Mexico although it were somewhat farre off And as for his victuals he shoulde take no care for abundantly he should be prouided And also desired him for so much as he was not well placed among those sandy bankes that it might please him to goe with him to certayne townes aboute sire or seuen leagues froÌ„ thence Cortez refused that offer wherevpon Teudilli departed and he abode there ten dayes looking for answere from Mutezuma Hovv Cortez knevv of discorde and dissention to be in the Countrey IN this meane season certayne Indians were espâ—ed that went lurkyng a farre of among the sandy hilles And those came not neare the Indians that serued the Spainarde Cortez demaunded what people they were for what cause they went lurkyng so farre off and came no néerer vnto them The twoo Captaynes answered that they were husbandmen that went aboute theyr husbandry Certez lyked not theyr answere but suspected that they had tolde hym a lye for it séemed vnto hym that those people desired to come among the Christians and that they durste not with feare the Indians of Teudilli and so it was in very déede For all that coaste and mayne lande within as farre as Mexico was full of the newes and straunge things that our men had done in Potonchan Wherefore they all desired to sée them and to talke with them but they durste not for feare of the Indians of Culhua who are subiectes vnto Mutezuma wherevpon Cortez sente fiue Spaniardes to call them with signes and tokens of peace This company of Indians were in number twentie and were gladde to beholde those fiue men commyng towardes them and were desirous to sée suche straunge people and shippes wherefore they came willingly altogither vnto Cortez his Tente These Indians dyd differ muche from all the other Indians yet séene for they were hygher of person and had the grystels of theyr noses flitte hangyng ouer their mouths and rings of Gette and Amber hanging thereat They had also theyr neither lippes bored and in the holes rings of golde and turky stones whiche wayde so muche that their lippes hanged downe ouer theyr chinnes and their téeth remayned bare The whiche custome although they vsed for a brauery it séemed a foule and vgly sighte in the Spanyardes eyes and very lothsome The other Indians of Mutezuma had theyr lippes and eares bored with rounde stones hangyng at the iagges thereof yet they had not suche foule flittes in their noses but they had suche bored holes that a manne myght put any singer of his hande through them with rings of golde and stone hanging thereat the euill fauoured sighte of theyr faces made our men to muse Cortez communed with them by hys interpreter Marina to knowe from whence they were they answered that they were dwellers in Zempoallan a Cittie distant from thence one dayes iourney situated vpon a riuer side and bordered vpon the Countrey of Mutezumazin and that their Cazique or Lorde had sente them to sée what Goddes were comen in those Teucallis that is to say Temple saying also that they durste not come sooner not knowyng what people they were Cortez made muche of them and shewed a chéerefull countenaunce vnto them for they séemed very bestiall he declared vnto them that he was gladde of theyr commyng and to knowe the good will that theyr Lorde bare vnto him and gaue them Haberdashe toyes and shewed them the Horses and Armour a straunge sighte for them And so they wente through the army lookyng and gasing here and there as menne amazed And in all the tyme they abode there they vsed no conuersation with the other Indians Cortez enquired of Maryna the cause thereof and shée sayde that those menne did not onely speake an other languague but also did appertayne to another Lorde who was not vassall to Mutezuma but by force and extortion Cortez was very gladde of that newes for hée conâ—ectured by the talke of Teudilli that Mutezuma had warres and enimies wherevppon hée tooke aside three of those Indians whiche séemed moste wysest and demaunded of them by Maryna what Lordes there were in that Countrey they answered that Mutezuma was Lorde ouer all although in euery Cittie and Prouince was a Lorde yet neuerthelesse all in generall dyd paye tribute and serue him as vassals nay rather lyke slaues But yet many of them of late dayes did reknowledge hym by force of armes and payde vnto him suche tolle and tribute that
attired is a Lady of Vassals and my brothers daughter I doe presente hyr vnto you meaning that Cortes shoulde marrie with hyr and the others you may bestow vpon the Gentelmen in your company in a token of perpetuall loue and friendship Cortes receyued the presente with thankes bycause he woulde not offende the giuer thereof And so departed with their women ridyng behinde them with many Indian women to wayte vpon them and many Indian men to beare them company and to puruey all things necessarie Things that happened to Cortez in Chiauiztlan THe same day that they departed frō Zempoallan they came to Chiauiztlan and yet the shippes were not arriued Cortes marueyled at their long tarying in so shorte a iourney there was a village within shotte of a hargabushe from the rocke called Chiauiztlan standyng vpon a litle hill Cortes hauing little to do went thither with his men and the Indians of Zempoallan who certified Cortes that the village was appertayning to a Lorde oppressed by Mutezuma They came to the foote of the hill without sighte of any man of the towne excepte twoo that Marina vnderstoode not and going vp the hill the horsemen to fauour their horses would alight bicause the ascending was cragged and euill way Cortes commaunded that they shoulde not alight bycause the Indians shoulde thinke that there was no place highe nor lowe but that these horses shoulde and coulde come vnto it So by litle and litle they came into the towne and finding no creature there they feared some deceyte yet approchyng further they mette with twelue auncient men whiche brought with them an interpreter who vnderstoode the languague of Culhua and the speache of that place whiche is the language of the Totonaquez or inhabitauntes of the Mountaynes These auncient menne declared that the cause of theyr goyng out of the towne was bycause that they had neuer séene anye such men as the Spaniardes were nor yet heard that any such had passed that way wherefore with feare they had fledde from thence But quoth they when the Lord of Zempoallan aduertised vs how you did hurt no bodye but rather being a people good and peaceable then wee were well assured who ye were when we saw you come toward vs And wee are nowe comen vnto you on the behalfe of the Lorde to bring you to your lodging Cortez gaue them thankes and went with them to a certaine place where the Lord was abydyng their comming wel accompanyed he shewed vnto the Christians great good wil and maruelled to see those straungers with their long beardes The Lord toke a little chafyngdishe in his hande and cast into it a certaine gumme whych sauoured in swéet smel much like vnto frankinscence Ind with a sencer he smoked Cortez with this ceremony they vse their salutations to theyr gods and nobilitie This done they set them down and Cortez enformed him of the cause of their comming into that countrey as he had done in all other places where he had bin The Casike certifyed Cortez euen as the Lord of Zempoallan had done but he stood in great feare least Mutezuma should be offended for receyuing and lodging him within that towne without his commaundement and being in thys communication sodenly appeared twentye men entring where they sate with certain wāds like cudgels in their hāds which did signify that they were rent gatherers in ech other hand a fly flap of feathers the Cacike hys company were soare afrayde Cortez demaunded wherefore he so altered himself he answered bicause those twēty Indians were collecters of Mutezuma and that he feared that they would complayne of him hauing founde those Christians there he feared likewise cruell punishment for the same Cortes comforted him saying that Mutezuma was his friende and that he would so vse the matter that he shoulde receyue no blame at all but rather that Mutezuma shoulde giue him thankes for that whiche he had done And if Mutezuma did not or would not so accept it that then he would defend both him and his subiects for quoth he euery one of my mē is sufficient for a thousand Mexicans as Mutezuma himselfe was well enformed by the late warres at Potonchan Yet for and notwithstanding all this talke the Lorde and all his folke were in great feare and meante to arise and to lodge the receyuers Cortes woulde not suffer him and bycause quoth he thou shalte sée what and my men can doe commaund thy seruaunts to apprehend and take prysoners these receyuers of Mexico and I wil abide here with thée in such sorte that Mutezuma with all his power shall not offende thée With the courage that he receyued at these wordes he commaunded to lay hande vpon the Mexicans and bycause they defended themselues they were sore beaten and layde euery one in a seuerall prison and bounde them to a great poste whereat they were tied by the throate féete and handes and beyng in this sorte imprysoned they asked of Cortes whether they should kill them Cortes requested that they should not be slaine but that they might remayne as they were with good watch that they might not escape Then they were brought into a hall in the Spaniardes lodging and were placed rounde aboute a good fire but yet bounde hande and foote with garde of watchmen Cortes also appoynted certaine of his men to watch the hall dore and then went to his lodging to supper where he and his company was well prouided at the Caziks furniture The messages sent by Cortez vnto Mutezuma THe nighte beyng farre spent and the Indians that kepte the watch being asleepe Cortes sente vnto the Spanyardes that watched at the hall dore where the prysoners were and commaunded them to let goe twoo of the prysoners as secretly as they might and to bring them vnto him The Spaniardes handled the matter so well that they fulfilled his desire and brought twoo of them to Cortes his chamber who looked vppon them as though he had not knowen them and willed Aguillar and Maryna to demaunde who they were and what they would haue and why they had bene in pryson They answered that they were vassals of Mutezuma and that they had the charge to receyue certayne tributes that those of that towne prouince payde vnto their Lorde And also quoth they we know not for what cause we are nowe imprysoned and so euelly vsed We rather wōder to sée this new custome and madnesse for in time past these men were wont to méete vs and receiue vs with great honour curtesie shewing all seruice and pleasure Therefore we thinke that the cause of this alteration is through the fauour of you and your cōpany who beare the name of immortalitie We also feare least our felowes which are in prison shal be slaine before Mutezuma haue knowlege therof Also said they these barbarous people dwelling in the Mountaynes would be glad to rebel if they foūd any succour or ayde only to put their Prince to
an other hil and vpon the toppe therof to their iudgement they founde a thousande carte loade of wood ready cut neare to a little tower of idolles they named that place the porte of wood hauing passed twoo leagues from the porte of wood they founde the countrey barren and poore but soone after the army came to a place whiche they named white Castell bicause the Lordes house was of stone very white and newe and the beste that they had séene in all that countrey and so curiously wrought that they meruayled thereat that towne in their language is called Zaclotan and the valley neare vnto it is named Zacatami and the Lordes name is Olintlec who receyued Cortes honorably and prouided for him and his company abundantly being so commaunded by Mutezuma as hée reported afterwarde And in token that he had receyued that coÌ„mission from his Lorde he commaunded fiftie men to be sacrificed for ioy whose bloud they sawe newe and freshe The townes men of that towne caried the Spanyardes on their shoulders on suche beares as we carry dead men to Churche Cortes enformed them by his enterpreters of the cause of his comming into that countrey as he had vsed in other places demaunded whether he the Lorde of this towne were tributary to Mutezuma This Cazike being amazed at his question answered saying What is he that is not eyther slaue or vassall to the great Mutezuma Then Cortes certified him who and what the Emperour king of Spayne was willing him to be his friend and seruitour further enquired if he had any golde to sende him some This Cazike answered that he would do nothing without the commaundement of his Lorde nor yet sende his king any golde although he had inough Cortes dissimuled the matter and helde his peace yet by and by he desired to knowe the Maiestie and mightie power of Mutezuma the Cazike answered that Mutezuma was Lorde of the whole worlde and that he had thirtie Vassals who were able to make a. 100000. men of warre eche one of them he also certified that he sacrificed 20000. men yerely to his Goddes And also his dwellyng was in the most beautyfullest and strongest cittie of al that euer was enhabited likewise quoth he his house and courte is moste greate noble and replenished with Gentlemen his riches incredible and his charges excessiue And truely therein he sayde the very troth excepte in the sacrifice wherein he something enlarged although the slaughter of men for sacrifice in euery temple was very great yea and some hold opinion that some yéeres were sacrificed aboue 50000. men Being in this conuersation came two Gentlemen of that valley to sée the Spanyardes and eche of them presented vnto Cortes foure women slaues certayne collers of golde of small price Olintlec although he was vassall to Mutezuma was a greate Lorde and had 20000. vassals and thirtie wiues altogither in his house beside a bundreth other women that attended vpon them And had for his garde and houshold 2000. persons his towne was great had 13. temples in it eche temple many idolles of stone of diuers fashioÌ„s before whom they sacrificed men doues quayles other things with persumes great veneratioÌ„ In this place and territorie Mutezuma had 5000. souldiers in garrison and ordinarie postes from thence to Mexico Vntill this tune Cortez had not so amply vnderstoode the mighte and power of Mutezuma yea and though many inconuemences difficulties feare and such like did represent it selfe vnto him in his â—ourney to Mexico whiche perhaps would haue amazed some valiaÌ„t persons yet he shewed not one iote of cowaroise hauâ—ng hearde suche a reporte of that mightie Prince but rather his desire was so much the more to sée hym Considering now that he shoulde passe through Taxcallan to goe to Mexico Taxcallan being a greate sirong Citie and warlike people he dispatched four Zeampoalianezes to the Lordes and Captaynes of that Citie on the behalfe of Zempoallan and his owne offering vnto them his friendship and fauour giuing them to vnderstande that those few Christians woulde come vnto their Citie to serue theÌ„ desiring theÌ„ to accept the same thinking assuredly that those of Taxcallan would haue done with him as the Zempoallanezes had done which were both good and faithful who had always vsed trouth with him cueÌ„ so he thought that now he moughte credite them for they had enformed him that the Tlaxcaltecas were their friendes and so would be his considering that they were vtter enimies to Mutezuma and willingly would goe with him to the siege of Mexico with desire of libertie and to reuenge olde iniuries and griefes whiche they had susteyned many yeares before of the people of Culhua Cortez refreshed himselfe in Zaclotan fiue dayes where is a fresh riuer and quiet folke pulling downe the Idolles and placed a remembrance of Christ crucifyed as he hadde done in all the Townes that he had passed He toke his leaue of Olintlec leauing him wel pleased went to a town two leagues froÌ„ theÌ„ce along the riuer side whereof was Lorde Iztaemixtlitan one of the Gentlemen who had giuen him the slaues and collers of golde This towne standeth in a playne grounde of two leagues compasse which is replenished with so many houses as doth séeme to touche one another in that way that our army passed and the towne it selfe doth contayne fiue thousande householdes standing on a hill and on the one side thereof is the Lordes house with a strong forte being the beste yet séene in those parties walled with good stone with barbucan and déepe ditche There Cortes rested himselfe thrée dayes abiding the foure messengers whiche he sent from Zacloton to knowe the answere that should be brought The first encounter that Cortez had with the men of Tlaxcallan COrtes seyng the long tarying of the messengers he departed from Zaclotan without any intelligence from Tlaxcallan Our caÌ„p had not marched much after their departure from that place but they came to a great circuite of stone made without lyme or morter being of a sadom and a half high and twentie foote brode with loupe holes to shoote at that wall crossed ouer all the valley from one mountayne to another and but one onely entraunce or gate in the whiche the one wall doubled against the other and the way there was fourtie paces brode in such sort that it was an euill and perilous passage if any had bene there to defend it Cortes demaunded the cause of that circuite and who had buylte it Iztacmixtlitan that wente to beare him company tolde him that it was but a deuision from their countrey and Tlaxcallan and that their antecessors had made the same to disturbe the entrance of the Tlaxcaltecas in time of warre who came to robbe and murther them bycause of the friendship betwixte them and Mutezuma whose vassals they were That strange and costly wall séemed a thing of greate maiestie to our Spanyardes and more superfluous than
wherevpon they all abode in greate feare He made the knot of friendship betwéene them and the Tlaxcaltecas which in time past had bin betwixt them for Mutezuma and his auncetors made them enimies with fayre promises words and also feare The Citizens hauing their generall flayne chose an other with licence of Cortes The Sanctuary or holy place among the Indians was Chololla CHololla is a city as Tlaxcallan and hathe but one person who is gouernour and general Captayne chosen by the consente of all the Citizens It is a Citie of twentie thousande householdes within the walles and in the suburbes as muche more It sheweth outwardes verye beautifull and full of towers for there are as manye temples as dayes in the yeare euery temple hath his tower Our men counted foure hundred towers The men and womeÌ„ are of good disposition well fauoured and very wittie The women are Goldsmithes and also Caruers the men are warriers and light fellowes and good maisters for any purpose they goe better apparelled than anye other IndiaÌ„s yet séene They weare for their vtter garmeÌ„t clokes like vnto Moriscos but after an other sort Al the Countrey rounde aboute them is fruitefull and eareable grounde well watered and so full of people that there is no wast grounde in respect whereof there are some poore whiche begge from dore to dore The Spanyardes hadde not séene any beggers in that CouÌ„trey before they came thither Chololla is a Citie of most deuotion and Religion in all India it is called the Sanctuary or holy place among the Indians and thither they trauelled from many places farre distante on pilgrimage and for this cause there were so many temples Their Cathedrall Temple was the best and hyghest of all the new Spayne with a hundred and twenty steppes vppe vnto it The greatest Idoll of all their Gods was called Quezalcouately God of the ayre who was say they the founder of their Citie being a Virgin of holy lyfe and great penance He instituted fasting and drawing of bloud out of their eares and tongs and lefte a precepte that they shoulde sacrifice but onely Quayles Doues and other foule He neuer ware but one garmente of Cotten whyche was white narrow and long and vpon that a mantle besette with certayneredde crosses They haue certayne gréene stones whiche were hys and those they kéepe for relikes One of them is lyke an Apes head Héere they abode twentye dayes and in thys meane whyle there came so manye to buy and sell that it was a wonder to sée And one of the things that was to bée séene in those fayres was the earthen vessell which was excéeding curious and fine The hill called Popocatepec THere is a hill eyght leagues from Chololla called Popocatepec whiche is to say a hill of smoke for manye tymes it â—asteth oute smoke and fier Cortez 〈◊〉 thither tenne Spanyardes with manye Indians to carrie their victuall and to guâ—â—e them in the way The ascending vp was very troublesome and full of craggie rockes They approched so nigh the toppe that they heard such a terrible noyse which procéeded froÌ„ thence that they durst not goe vnto it for the ground dyd tremble and shake and great quantitie of Ashes whyche disturbed the way but yet two of them who séemed to be most hardie and desirous to sée straunge things went vp to the toppe bicause they would not returne with a sleuelesse aunswere and that they myghte not be accompted cowardes leauing their fellowes behinde them procéeded forwards The Indians sayd what meane these men for as yet neuer mortall man tooke suche a iourney in hande These two valiaÌ„t fellowes passed through the desert of Ashes and at length came vnder a greate smoke verye thicke and standing there a while the darkenesse vanished partly away and then appeared she vulâ—an and concauetie which was about halfe a league in compasse out of the whiche the ayre came rebâ—unding with a greate noyse very shrill and whistling in sort that the whole hil did tremble It was to be compared vnto an ouen where glasse is made The smoke and heate was so greate that they coulde not abide it and of force were constreyned to returne by the way that they had ascended but they 〈◊〉 not gone farre wheÌ„ the vulcan began to lash out flames of fier ashes and imbers yea and at the last stones of burning fire and if they had not chanced to finde a rocke where vnder they shadowed themselues vndoubtedlye they had there bin burned When with good tokens they were returned where they left their fellowes the other Indians kissed their garments as an honor due vnto Gods. They presented vnto them such things as they had and wondred much at their facte Those simple Indians thoughte that that place was an infernall place where all suche as gouerned not well or vsed tyrannie in their offices were punished when they dyed and also beléeued that after their purgation they passed into glory This vulcan is like vnto the vulcan of Cicilia it is high and round and neuer wanteth Snowe about it and is séene a farre off in the nighte it lasheth out flames of fire There is néere aboute this hyl many Cities and Huexozinco is one of the nighest In tenne yeares space this straunge hill of workyng dyd expell no vapoure or smoke but in the yeare 1540. it beganne agayne to burne and with the horrible noyse thereof the neyghbours that dwelte foure leagues from thence were terrifyed for the especiall straunge smokes that then were séene the like to their predecessors hadde not bin séene The ashes that procéeded from thence came to Huexozinco Quelaxcopan Tepiacac Quauhquecholla Chololla and Tlaxcallan whiche standeth tenne leagues from thence yea some say it extended fiftéene leagues distant and burned their hearbes in their gardens their fieldes of corne trées and clothes that lay a drying The consultation that Mutezuma had concerning the comming of Cortez into Mexico COrtez pretended not to fall out with Mutezuma before his comming to Mexico and yet he vnderstoode all Mutezuma hys pretence wherevppon he complayneth to the Ambassadors saying that he muche maruelled that suche a mightie Prince who by so manye Gentlemen had assured his friendship vnto him shoulde nowe procure his totall destruction in not kéeping hys promise and fidelitie In consideration whereof where he meant to visit him as a friend that now he would goe to his Courte as an enimie The Ambassadors excused their maisters cause besieching him to withdrawe hys furie and to giue licence to one of them to goe to Mexico who woulde bryng aunswere from thence with all spéede Cortes graunted vnto the request the one of them went and returned agayne within sixe dayes in company of another messenger that hadde gone thither before who broughte tenne platters of golde and a thousande fiue hundred mantels of cotten with much victuall and Cacao whiche is a kinde of fruite that serueth for currant money among them Likewise they brought a certaine kind
Idoll called Mexitli who was in as greate veneration as Vitzilopuchtli God of the warre Mexico is enuironed with swéete water and hathe thrée wayes to come vnto it by calsey the one is from the West and that calsey is a mile and a halfe long Another from the North and conteyneth thrée myles in length Eastwarde the Citie hathe no entrye But Southwarde the Calsey is syxe myles long whyche was the waye that Cortez entred into the Citie The lake that Mexico is planted in although it séemeth one yet it is two for the one is of water saltishe bitter and pestiferous and no kinde of fyshe lyueth in it And the other water is wholesome good and swéete and bringeth forth small fishe The salte water ebbeth and floweth accordyng to the winde that bloweth The swéete water standeth higher so that the good water falleth into the euill and reuerteth not backward as some hold opinion The salt lake conteyneth fiftéene miles in breadth and fifteene in length and more than fiue and fortie in circuite and the lake of sweete water conteyneth euen as muche in such sort that the whole lake conteyneth more than thirtie leagues and hath about fiftie townes scituated round about it many of whyche Townes doe conteyne fiue thousand housholdes and some tenne thousande yea and one Towne called Tezcuco is as bigge as Mexico Al this lake of water springeth out of a Mountayne that standeth within sight of Mexico The cause that the one part of the lake is brackishe or saltish is that the bottome or ground is all salte and of that water greate quantitie of salt is dayly made In this greate lake are aboue two hundred thousande little boates which the Indians call Acalles and the Spanyardes call them Canoas according to the spéeche of Cuba and Santo Domingo wrought like a kneding trough some are bigger than other some according to the greatenesse of the body of the trée whereof they are made And where I number two hūdred thousand of these boates I speake of the least for Mexico alone hathe aboue fiftie thousande ordinarily to carrie and bring vnto the Citie victuall prouision and passengers so that on the market day all the stréetes of water are full of them The Market place of Mexico THe Market is called in the Indian tong Tlanquiztli euery parish hath his Market place to buy and sel in but Mexico and Tlatelulco only which are that chiefest cities haue great fayres and places fitte for the same and especiallye Mexico hath one place where most dayes in the yeare is buying and selling but euery fourth day is the greate Market ordinaryly and the like custome is vsed throughout the dominions of Mutezuma This place is wide and large compassed round about with dores and is so great that a hundered thousand persons come thither to choppe and change as a Cittie most principall in all that region Wherefore the resort is frō farre parties vnto that place Euery occupatiō and kinde of Marchādise hath his proper place appointed which no other may by any means occupy or disturbe Likewise pesterous wares haue their place accordinglye that is to say stone timber lyme bricke and all kinde of stuffe vnwrought being necessarie to buylde withall Also mattes both fine and course of sundry workemanship also coles woodde and all sorts of Earthen vessell glazed and painted very curiously Deare skinnes both rawe and tanned in haire and without haire of many colours for shoomakers for bucklers Targets Ierkins and lyning of woodden Corselets also skinnes of other beastes and foule in feathers ready dressed of all sortes the colours and straungnesse thereof was a thing to behold The richest Marchandise was salte and mantels of Cotten wolle of diuers colours both great and small some for beddes others for garments and clothing other for Tapissarie to hang houses other cotten clothe for linnen breaches shirtes table clothes towels napkins and suche like things There were also Mantels made of the leaues of the trée called Metl and of Palme trée Connie heare which are wel estéemed being very warm but the couerlets made of feathers are the best they sell thréede made of Connie heare péeces of linnen clothe made of cotten wolle also skaynes of thréede of all colours also it is straunge to sée the great store of poultrie that is brought to that market and although they eate the fleshe of the foule yet the feathers serue for clothing mixyng one sorte with another There are of these foule so many sortes and seuerall colours that I can not number them some wilde some tame some water foule and other some of rapine All the brauery of the market is the place where golde and feathers ioyntly wrought is solde for any thyng that is in request is there liuely wrought in golde and feathers and gallant colours The Indians are so expert and perfite in this science that they will worke or make a Butter flie any wilde beaste trées roses floures hearbes rootes or any other thyng so liuely that it is a thyng maruelous to behold It hapneth many tymes that one of these workemen in a whole day will eate nothyng onely to place one feather in his dew perfection turnyng and tossing the feather to the lighte of the Sunne into the shade or darke place to sée where is his moste naturall perfection and till his worke be finished he will neyther eate nor drinke There are few nations of so muche fleame or sufferance The Arte or Science of Goldsmiths among them is the moste curious and very good workemanship engrauen with toles made of flinte or in moulde They will caste a platter in moulde with eight corners and euery corner of seuerall mettall that is to say the one of golde and the other of siluer without any kinde of sowder they will also founde or cast a litle caudren with lose handles hangyng thereat as we vse to caste a Bell they will also caste in mould a fish of mettal with one scale of siluer on his back and another of gold they will make a Parret or Popingay of mettall that his tongue shall shake and his head moue his wings flutter they wil caste an Ape in mold that both hands féete shall stirre holde a spindle in his hande séeming to spinne yea and an apple in his hande as though he would eate it Our Spaniardes were not a litle amazed at the sight of these things for our Goldsmithes are not to be compared vnto them They haue skil also of Amell worke and to sette any pretious stone But now as touchyng the markette there is to sell Golde Siluer Copper Leadde Latton and Tinne although there is but little of the thrée laste mettals mentioned There are Pearles Pretious stones diuers and sundry sortes of Shelles and Bones Sponges and other pedlers ware whiche certainely are many and straunge sortes yea and a thing to laughe at their Haberdashe toyes and trifles There are also many kinde of hearbes rootes and séedes as
it should be said that Cortes and his company fledde being in securitie and without perill or daunger I beséech God not to permitte any suche thing The warres doe muche consist in fame why then what better thyng would you desire than to be héere in Tlaxcallan in despite of all youre enimies yea proclayming open warres againste them and they not dare to annoy vs Therefore you may well consider that héere you are more sure than if you were from hence so that héere in Tlaxcallan you are honored with securitie and strength and besides this you haue al things necessary of phisicke and medicine to cure youre woundes and obteyne your health yea and I am bolde to saye that if you were in youre owne naturall Countrey you shoulde not haue the like nor yet so much made off I do nowe meane to send for our men that are in Coazacoalco and Almeria and so we shall haue a reasonable army yea and although they come not wée are sufficient for we were fewer in number when first we entred into thys Countrey hauyng no friendes and likewise you knowe well it is not the number that doth fighte but the couragious hearte and minde I haue séene one of you discomfyte a whole army as Ionatas did yea and manye among you haue had victory against a thousand yea ten thousand Indians as King Dauid had againste the Philistines I looke dayly for Horses from the Ilandes and other armoure and artillerie we shall haue from Vera Crux And as for vittayles take you no care for I wyll prouide you abundantly for they are thinges that alwayes followe the Conqueroures and as for these Citizens of Tlaxcallan I binde my selfe that you shall finde them trustie loyall and perpetuall friendes for so they haue promised me vppon their solemne othes yea and if they had meante otherwise what better oportunitie of time could they haue wished thā these latter dayes where as we lay sicke in their owne beddes and houses yea some of vs lame wounded and in manner rotten and they like louing friendes haue not only holpen you but also serued you with diligence of seruantes for they woulde rather choose to be your slaues than subiectes to the Mexicans theyr hatred is suche to them and their loue so great to you And bycause you shall sée the troth I will now proue them and you againste these of Tepeacac who slewe of late dayes twelue Spanyardes And if this iourney happen euill then will I followe youre request and if it please God that it happen well then wyll I entreate and pray you to follow my counsell The Souldyers hearing this comfortable spéeche began to lay aside their desire to goe from thence to Vera Crux They aunswered generally that they woulde obey his commaundemente it shoulde séeme with the promise made touching the successe of the victory in Tepeacac and lightly seldome it happeneth that a Spanyard saith no when he is required to goe on warfare for it is holden for a dishonor and shame The vvarres of Tepeacac COrtez found himselfe at hearts ease with this answere for it was a thing that had much troubled him vndoubtedly if he had followed his fellowes demand he shoulde neuer haue recouered Mexico agayne they likewise had bin slayne in the way towards Vera Crux for they hadde manye perillous places to passe Eache one of them waxed whole of his wounds sauing some which dyed for wāt of loking to in time leauing their wounds filthy vnbound as Surgiōs doe affirme with also their great trauell weakenesse And likewise other some remayned lame and halt which was no small griefe and losse but the most parte recouered healthe as I haue declared After twenty dayes fully past whiche they had abode in Tlaxcallan Cortes determined to make warre with the Indians of Tepeacac which is a great Towne and not farre from thence for they hadde slayne twelue Spanyards whiche came from Vera Crux towardes Mexico Likewise they were of the league of Culhua and therfore were holpen by the Mexicans and did many times great hurt to the inhabitantes of Tlaxcallan as Xicotencatl did testifye Cortes desired hys louing friende Maxixca and diuers other Gentlemen to goe with him who forthwith entred into counsell wyth the states and comunaltie of the Citie and there determined with generall consente to gyue vnto him fortie thousand fighting men besides many Tamemoz who are foote carriers to beare the baggage victuall and other things With this number of Tlaxcaltecas his owne men and horses he wente to Tepeacac requiring them in satisfaction of the death of the twelue Christiās that they shuld now yéelde themselues to the obedience of the Emperor and that héereafter neuer more to receiue any Mexican into theyr towne or houses neyther yet any of the prouince of Culhua The Tepeacacs answered that they had slaine the Spaniardes for good and iuste cause whiche was that being tyme of warre they presumed to passe through their countrey by force without their will and licence And also that the Mexicans and Culhuacans were their friendes and Lordes whom alwayes they would friendly entertayne within their towne and houses refusing vtterly their offer and request protesting to giue no obedience to whom they knew not wishyng them therefore to returne incontinent to Tlaxcallan excepte they had desire to ende their werie dayes Cortes innuited them diuers times with peace and seing it preuailed not he begā his warres in earnest Their enimies lykewise with the fauour of the Culhuacans were braue and lustie and began to stoppe and defend their pretended entraunce And they beyng many in number with diuers valiant men among them began to skirmishe sundry times but at the end they were ouerthrowen and many slayne without killing any Spaniarde although many Tlaxcaltecas were killed that day The Lordes and principall persons of Tepeacac seyng theyr ouerthrow and that their strength coulde not preuayle yéelded themselues vnto Cortes for vassalles of the Emperour with condition to banish for euer their allied friendes of Culhua And that he should punishe and correct at his will and pleasure all those whiche were occasion of the death of the twelue Spaniardes For which causes and obstinacie at the firste Cortes iudged by his sentence that all the townes whiche had bene priuie to the murder should for euer remaine captiues and slaues others affirme that he ouercame them without any condition and corrected them for their disobedience being Sodomites idolaters and caters of mans flesh and chiefly for exāple of all others And in conclusion they were condemned for slaues and within twentie dayes that this warres lasted he pacified all that prouince which is very great he draue from thēce the Culhuacans he threw downe the idols and the chiefest persons obeyed him And for more assuraunce he builte there a towne naming it Segura de la Frontera he appoynted all officers for the purpose being a towne situated in the high way from Vera Crux to