The history of the conquest of Mexico

483 Pages·1.259 MB·English

by  William Hickling Prescott

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1843
THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO
William Hickling Prescott
Prescott, William Hickling (1796-1859) - An American historian.
Blinded in one eye by a hard crust of bread thrown by a Harvard
classmate, he would later lose sight in his other eye, and go on, with the
aid of a noctograph, to devote his life to the scholarly study of Spanish
history. History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843) - Prescott’s best-known
work is a dramatic narrative description of how the war with Mexico
arose over boundary disputes when Texas was annexed by the United
States.
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Table Of Contents
BOOK I
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
View of the Aztec Civilisation
Chapter I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ANCIENT MEXICO- ITS CLIMATE AND ITS PRODUCTS
Chapter II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN- AZTEC NOBILITY-
JUDICIAL SYSTEM-LAWS AND REVENUES-
MILITARY INSTITUTIONS
Chapter III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY- THE SACERDOTAL ORDER-
THE TEMPLES
Chapter IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
AZTEC HIEROGLYPHICS- MANUSCRIPTS- ARITHMETIC
Chapter V . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
AGRICULTURE- THE MECHANICAL ARTS- MERCHANTS
Chapter VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
THE TEZCUCANS- THEIR GOLDEN AGE- ACCOMPLISHED
PRINCES
BOOK II . . . . . . . . . . 68
Discovery of Mexico
Chapter I [1516-1518] . . . . . . . . . . 69
SPAIN UNDER CHARLES V- PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY
COLONIAL POLICY
Chapter II [1518] . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
HERNANDO CORTES- HIS EARLY LIFE- VISITS THE
NEW WORLD
Chapter III [1518-1519] . . . . . . . . . 85
JEALOUSY OF VELASQUEZ- CORTES EMBARKS-
EQUIPMENT OF HIS FLEET
Chapter IV [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 91
VOYAGE TO COZUMEL- CONVERSION OF
THE NATIVES- JERONIMO DE AGUILAR- ARMY
ARRIVES AT TABASCO
Chapter V [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST- DONA MARINA
Chapter VI [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 108
ACCOUNT OF MONTEZUMA- STATE OF HIS
EMPIRESTRANGE PROGNOSTICS
Chapter VII [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 117
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TROUBLES IN THE CAMP- PLAN FOR A COLONY-
MANAGEMENT OF CORTES- MARCH TO
CEMPOALLA- PROCEEDINGS WITH THE NATIVES
Chapter VIII [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 128
ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY- DESTRUCTION OF IDOLS
BOOK III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
March to Mexico
Chapter I [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
PROCEEDINGS AT CEMPOALLA- THE SPANIARDS
CLIMB THE TABLELAND
Chapter II [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA- ITS INSTITUTIONS- ITS
EARLY HISTORY
Chapter III [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
DECISIVE VICTORY- INDIAN COUNCIL- NIGHT ATTACK
Chapter IV [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 166
DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY- TLASCALAN SPIES
Chapter V [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
PANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA- A DESCRIPTION OF
THE CAPITAL
Chapter VI [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 180
CITY OF CHOLULA- GREAT TEMPLE- MARCH TO
CHOLULA
Chapter VII [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 188
TERRIBLE MASSACRE- TRANQUILLITY RESTORED-
REFLECTIONS ON THE MASSACRE- FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
Chapter VIII [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 195
MARCH RESUMED- VALLEY OF MEXICO-
IMPRESSION ON THE SPANIARDS
Chapter IX [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 204
ENVIRONS OF MEXICO- INTERVIEW WITH
MONTEZUMA- ENTRANCE INTO THE CAPITAL-
HOSPITABLE RECEPTION
BOOK IV . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Residence in Mexico
Chapter I [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
TEZCUCAN LAKE- DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL-
PALACES AND MUSEUMS
Chapter II [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
MARKET OF MEXICO- GREAT TEMPLE- INTERIOR
SANCTUARIES
Chapter III [1519] . . . . . . . . . . . 236
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ANXIETY OF CORTES- SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMAHIS
TREATMENT BY THE SPANIARDS- EXECUTION OF
HIS OFFICERS
Chapter IV [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 244
MONTEZUMA’S DEPORTMENT- HIS LIFE IN
THE SPANISH QUARTERS- MEDITATED INSURRECTION-
LORD OF TEZCUCO SEIZED
Chapter V [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO
SPAIN- ROYAL TREASURES- THEIR DIVISION-
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI
Chapter VI [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 259
FATE OF CORTES’ EMISSARIES- PROCEEDINGS IN
THE CASTILIAN COURT- PREPARATIONS OF
VELASQUEZ- NARVAEZ LANDS IN MEXICO
Chapter VII [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 270
CORTES DESCENDS FROM THE TABLELAND-
NEGOTIATES WITH NARVAEZ- PREPARES TO
ASSAULT HIM- QUARTERS OF NARVAEZ
Chapter VIII [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 280
DISCONTENT OF THE TROOPS- INSURRECTION IN
THE CAPITAL- RETURN OF CORTES- GENERAL
SIGNS OF HOSTILITY
BOOK V . . . . . . . . . . 290
EXPULSION FROM MEXICO
Chapter I [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS-
FURY OF THE MEXICANS
Chapter II [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE- SPIRIT OF
THE AZTECS DISTRESSES OF THE GARRISON-
SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY
Chapter III [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 310
COUNCIL OF WAR- SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE
CITY NOCHE TRISTE, OR “THE MELANCHOLY
NIGHT”TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER
Chapter IV [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 320
THE SPANIARDS RETREAT- DISTRESSES OF THE ARMY
Chapter V [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
ARRIVAL IN TLASCALA- FRIENDLY RECEPTION-
DISCONTENTS OF THE ARMY
Chapter VI [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 335
WAR WITH THE SURROUNDING TRIBES-
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SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS
Chapter VII [1520] . . . . . . . . . . . 345
GUATEMOZIN, NEW EMPEROR OF THE AZTECS-
PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARCH
BOOK VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Siege and Surrender of Mexico
Chapter I [1521] . . . . . . . 356
ARRANGEMENTS AT TEZCUCO- SACK OF
IZTAPALAPAN- ADVANTAGES OF THE SPANIARDS-
WISE POLICY OF CORTES
Chapter II [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
CORTES RECONNOITRES THE CAPITAL- OCCUPIES
TACUBA- SKIRMISHES WITH THE ENEMY-
EXPEDITION OF SANDOVAL
Chapter III [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . 375
SECOND RECONNOITRING EXPEDITION-
THE CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA
Chapter IV [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . 386
CONSPIRACY IN THE ARMY- BRIGANTINES
LAUNCHED- MUSTER OF FORCES
Chapter V [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
INDIAN FLOTILLA DEFEATED- THE CAUSEWAYS
OCCUPIED- DESPERATE ASSAULTS- FIRING OF
THE PALACES- SPIRIT OF THE BESIEGED
Chapter VI [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . 408
GENERAL ASSAULT ON THE CITY- DEFEAT OF
THE SPANIARDS- THEIR DISASTROUS CONDITION-
SACRIFICE OF THE CAPTIVES
Chapter VII [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . 417
SUCCESS OF THE SPANIARDS- FRUITLESS
OFFERS TO GUATEMOZIN- BUILDINGS RAZED
TO THE GROUND- TERRIBLE FAMINE
Chapter VIII [1521] . . . . . . . . . . . 426
DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE BESIEGED-
SPIRIT OF GUATEMOZIN- MURDEROUS ASSAULT-
CAPTURE OF GUATEMOZIN
BOOK VII
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Subsequent Career of Cortes
Chapter I [1521-1522] . . . . . . . . . . 439
TORTURE OF GUATEMOZIN- SUBMISSION OF
THE COUNTRY- REBUILDING OF THE
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CAPITALMISSION TO CASTILE
Chapter II [1522-1524] . . . . . . . . . . 447
MODERN MEXICO- SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY-
CONDITION OF THE NATIVES- CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES
Chapter III [1524-1526] . . . . . . . . . 452
DEFECTION OF OLID- DREADFUL MARCH TO HONDURAS
Chapter IV [1526-1530] . . . . . 460
DISTURBANCES IN MEXICO- RETURN OF CORTES-
DISTRUST OF THE COURT- HIS RETURN TO SPAIN-
DEATH OF SANDOVAL
Chapter V [1530-1547] . . . . . . . . . . 470
CORTES REVISITS MEXICO- RETIRES TO HIS
ESTATES- HIS VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY-
FINAL RETURN TO CASTILE
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BOOK I
INTRODUCTION
View of the Aztec Civilisation
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Chapter I
ANCIENT MEXICO- ITS CLIMATE AND ITS PRODUCTS
ITS PRIMITIVE RACES- AZTEC EMPIRE THE country of the ancient
Mexicans, or Aztecs as they were called, formed but a very small part of
the extensive territories comprehended in the modern republic of Mexico.
Its boundaries cannot be defined with certainty. They were much
enlarged in the latter days of the empire, when they may be considered as
reaching from about the eighteenth degree north to the twenty-first on the
Atlantic; and from the fourteenth to the nineteenth, including a very
narrow strip, on the Pacific. In its greatest breadth, it could not exceed
five degrees and a half, dwindling, as it approached its south-eastern
limits, to less than two. It covered, probably, less than sixteen thousand
square leagues. Yet, such is the remarkable formation of this country, that
though not more than twice as large as New England, it presented every
variety of climate, and was capable of yielding nearly every fruit found
between the equator and. the Arctic circle.
All along the Atlantic the country is bordered by a broad tract, called the
tierra caliente, or hot region, which has the usual high temperature of
equinoctial lands. Parched and sandy plains are intermingled with others
of exuberant fertility, almost impervious from thickets of aromatic shrubs
and wild flowers, in the midst of which tower up trees of that magnificent
growth which is found only within the tropics. In this wilderness of
sweets lurks the fatal malaria, engendered, probably, by the
decomposition of rank vegetable substances in a hot and humid soil. The
season of the bilious fever,- vomito, as it is called,- which scourges these
coasts, continues from the spring to the autumnal equinox, when it is
checked by the cold winds that descend from Hudson’s Bay. These winds
in the winter season frequently freshen into tempests, and, sweeping
down the Atlantic coast and the winding Gulf of Mexico, burst with the
fury of a hurricane on its unprotected shores, and on the neighbouring
West India islands. Such are the mighty spells with which Nature has
surrounded this land of enchantment, as if to guard the golden treasures
locked up within its bosom. The genius and enterprise of man have
proved more potent than her spells.
After passing some twenty leagues across this burning region, the
traveller finds himself rising into a purer atmosphere. His limbs recover
their elasticity. He breathes more freely, for his senses are not now
oppressed by the sultry heats and intoxicating perfumes of the valley. The
aspect of nature, too, has changed, and his eye no longer revels among the
gay variety of colours with which the landscape was painted there. The
vanilla, the indigo, and the flowering cocoa-groves disappear as he
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advances. The sugar-cane and the glossy-leaved banana still accompany
him; and, when he has ascended about four thousand feet, he sees in the
unchanging verdure, and the rich foliage of the liquid-amber tree, that he
has reached the height where clouds and mists settle, in their passage
from the Mexican Gulf. This is the region of perpetual humidity; but he
welcomes it with pleasure, as announcing his escape from the influence of
the deadly vomito. He has entered the tierra templada, or temperate
region, whose character resembles that of the temperate zone of the globe.
The features of the scenery become grand, and even terrible. His road
sweeps along the base of mighty mountains, once gleaming with volcanic
fires, and still resplendent in their mantles of snow, which serve as
beacons to the mariner, for many a league at sea. All around he beholds
traces of their ancient combustion, as his road passes along vast tracts of
lava, bristling in the innumerable fantastic forms into which the fiery
torrent has been thrown by the obstacles in its career. Perhaps, at the same
moment, as he casts his eye down some steep slope, or almost
unfathomable ravine, on the margin of the road, he sees their depths
glowing with the rich blooms and enamelled vegetation of the tropics.
Such are the singular contrasts presented, at the same time, to the senses,
in this picturesque region!
Still pressing upwards, the traveller mounts into other climates
favourable to other kinds of cultivation. The yellow maize, or Indian corn,
as we usually call it, has continued to follow him up from the lowest
level; but he now first sees fields of wheat, and the other European grains,
brought into the country by the conquerors. Mingled with them he views
the plantations of the aloe or maguey (agave Americana), applied to such
various and important uses by the Aztecs. The oaks now acquire a
sturdier growth, and the dark forests of pine announce that he has
entered the tierra fria, or cold region, the third and last of the great
natural terraces into which the country is divided. When he has climbed
to the height of between seven and eight thousand feet, the weary
traveller sets his foot on the summit of the Cordillera of the Andes,- the
colossal range that, after traversing South America and the Isthmus of
Darien, spreads out, as it enters Mexico, into that vast sheet of tableland
which maintains an elevation of more than six thousand feet, for the
distance of nearly two hundred leagues, until it gradually declines in the
higher latitudes of the north.
Across this mountain rampart a chain of volcanic hills stretches, in a
westerly direction, of still more stupendous dimensions, forming, indeed,
some of the highest land on the globe. Their peaks, entering the limits of
perpetual snow, diffuse a grateful coolness over the elevated plateaus
below; for these last, though termed “cold,” enjoy a climate, the mean
temperature of which is not lower than that of the central parts of Italy.
The air is exceedingly dry; the soil, though naturally good, is rarely