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 wrög or iniurie any _Indian_ their friëds: 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 priuiledges 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, fearing 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
städeth 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 side of a hill, where many
had perished with colde, had it not bin for the store of woodde which
they found there. In the morning he ascended vpwards on this hill, and
sente hys scoute of foure footemen and foure horsemen to discouer, who
found the way stopped with great trées newly cutte downe, and placed
crossewise in the way: but they thynking that yet forwards it was not
so, procéeded forthe as well as they might, till at length the let
with great hugie trées was such, that they could passe no further, and
with this newes were forced to returne, certifying _Cortes_ that the
Horsemenne coulde not passe that way in any wyse. _Cortes_ demaunded
of them, whether they hadde séene anye people, they aunswered no,
wherevppon he procéeded forwarde with all the Horsemen, and a thousande
footemen, commaundyng all the residue of hys armye to followe hym wyth
as muche spéede as myghte bée, so that wyth that companye whyche
he carried with him, he made waye, takyng away the trées that were
cutte downe to disturbe his passage: and in this order, in short time
passed his host, without any hurt or daunger, but with great payne and
trauell, for certaynely if the enimies had bin there to defende that
passage, oure menne hadde not passed, for it was a verye euill way, and
the enimies also thoughte the same to be sure with the trées whiche
were crossed the way, wherevppon they were carelesse of that place,
and attended their comming in playne grounde: for from _Tlaxcallan_
to _Mexico_ are thrée wayes, of the whiche _Cortes_ chose the worst,
ymagining the thing that afterwards fell out, or else some hadde
aduised him howe that way was cléere from the enimies. And béeing past
this crooked passage, they espyed the lake of _Mexico_, and gaue vnto
God moste hartie thankes for the same, and there made a solemne vowe
and promise, not to returne, vntill they had wonne _Mexico_, or lost
their liues. They abode there and rested themselues, till all the
whole armye were come togither, to descende downe into the playne,
for nowe they myghte descrye the fires and beacons of theyr enimies
in sundrye places, and all those whyche hadde attended theyr commyng
by the other two wayes, were now gathered togyther, thynkyng to sette
vppon them betwixte certayne bridges, where a greate company aboade,
exspecting theyr commying: but _Cortes_ sente twenty Horsemen, who made
way among them, and then followed the whole armye, who slewe manye of
them, wythoute receyuyng anye hurte. And in thys order they came to
_Quahutipec_, whiche is of the iurisdiction of _Tezcuco_, where they
abode that nyghte, and in that place founde neyther manne nor Woman:
but not farre off was pytched the Campe of the _Indians_ of _Culhua_,
which myght be néere a hundred thousand men of warre, who were sent
by the Seniors of _Mexico_, and _Tezcuco_, to encounter oure armye, in
consideration whereof, _Cortes_ kept good watch with tenne Horsemen,
and all his Souldyers were warned to be in readynesse at a call, if
néede should happen.
The next day in the morning he departed from thence towarde _Tezcuco_,
whiche standeth thrée leagues distante, and procéeding on their
iourney, foure principal persons, inhabitantes of _Tezcuco_, mette
with them, bearing a rod of golde, with a little flagge, in token of
peace, saying, that _Coacuacoyozin_ their Lord had sent them to desire
him not to make any spoyle in his Countrey, and likewise, to offer his
friendship, praying also, that it might please him with his whole army
to take his lodging in the Towne of _Tezcuco_, where he shoulde be well
receyued. _Cortes_ reioyced with this message, although he suspected
that it was a fayned matter, but one of them he knewe verye well,
whome he saluted, saying: My comming is not to offend any, but rather
to do you good. I will also receyue and hold your Lord for a friende,
with condition, that hée doe make vnto me restitution of the treasure
whyche hée tooke from fiue and fortie Spanyards, and thrée hundred
_Tlaxcaltecas_, all the which were by his commaundements also slayne of
late dayes. They aunswered that _Mutezuma_ caused them to be murthered,
who had likewise taken the spoyle, and that the Citizens of _Tezcuco_
were not culpable in that fact, and with this aunswere they returned.
_Cortes_ went forward on his way, and came to _Quahutichan_ and
_Huaxuta_, which are suburbes of _Tezcuco_, where he and all his host
were plenteously prouided of al things necessary, and threw downe the
Idolles. This done, hée entred into the Citie, where his lodging was
prepared in a great house, sufficient for him and all the Spanyardes,
with many other the _Indian_ friends. And bycause that at his first
entry, he sawe neyther women nor children, hee suspected some treason,
and forthwith proclaymed, vpon payne of death, that none of his men
should go out. The Spaniards began to triumph in their lodgings and
chäbers, placing euery thing in good order. In the euening they
went vp into the _Zoties_ and galleries, to beholde the Citie, which
is as bigge as _Mexico_, and there they sawe the greate number of
Citizens that fledde from thence with their stuffe, some towardes
the mountaines, and others to the water side to take boate, a thing
straunge, to sée the great hast and stirre to prouide for themselues,
at the least ther were twentie thousand litle boates (called _Conoas_)
occupyed, in carying houshold stuffe and passengers. _Cortes_ would
fayne haue remedied it, but that night was so nygh at hand, that he
coulde not. He would gladly also haue apprehended the Lord, but he
was one of the first that fledde vnto _Mexico_. _Cortes_ caused many
of the Citizens, to be called before him, and hauing in hys company
a yong gentleman of a noble house in that coütrey, who was also last
christened, & had to name _Hernädo_, _Cortes_ being his godfather,
who loued him well, sayde vnto the citizens, that this new Christian
lord, _Don Hernädo_, was sonne vnto _Nezaualpincintli_ their louing
Lord, wherfore he required them to make him their king, considering
that _Coacnacoyocin_, was fled vnto the enimies, laying also before
them his wicked fact in killing of _Cacuza_ his own brother, only to
put him from his inheritance & kingdome, through the enticemente of
_Quahutimoccin_, a mortal enimie to the Spaniards. In this sort was
_Don Hernando_ elected king, and the fame therof being blowen abroade,
manye citizens repayred home againe to visite their newe Prince, so
that in short space the citie was as wel replenished with people, as
it was before, and being also well vsed at the Spaniardes handes,
they serued them dilygentlye in all thyngs that they were commaunded.
And _Don Hernando_ aboade euer after a faithfull friende vnto the
Spaniardes, and in short tyme learned the Spanishe tongue: and soone
after came the inhabitants of _Quahutichan_, _Huaxuta_ and _Auntenco_,
to submytte them selues, crauing pardon, if in any thyng they had
offended. _Cortez_ pardoned them, and gaue them licence to departe home
vnto their houses.
_Quahutimoc_, _Coacnacoijo_ and other magistrates of _Culhua_ sente to
rayle vppon those townes, for yéeldyng themselues to the Christians,
but they layde hold vpon the messengers, and brought them vnto
_Cortes_, of whome he enformed himselfe of the state of _Mexico_,
and sent them backe againe, requiring their Lords of peace and
friendshippe: but it preuayled not, for they were fully armed for the
warre.
[Sidenote: A good correction.]
At this instante certaine friendes of _Iames Velasquez_ went vp and
downe the Campe, procuring secretly a mutenie among the souldiers,
to haue them to returne to _Cuba_, and vtterly to destroy _Cortes_
his procéedings. This thing was not so secretly wrought, but that
_Cortes_ had knowledge, wherevppon he apprehended the doers thereof,
and by their confessions the matter did plainely appeare, whervpon he
condemned to death one _Antonio de Villafania_, who was natural of
_Samora_, and forthwith executed the sentence, wherwith the punishment
and Mutinie was ended, and ceassed.
The Spaniardes vvhich vvere
_sacrificed in Tezcuco_.
Dayly increased _Cortes_ in strength and reputation, and many townes
as wel of the partes of _Culhua_ as others came vnto his friendship
and obedience. Within two days that _Don Hernando_ was made king, came
certayne gentlemen of _Huaxuta_ and _Quahutichan_, to certify vnto
him, how al the power of the _Mexicans_ was comming towardes them, and
to knowe if it were his pleasure, that they should carry their wiues,
children, and other goods into the Mountaines, or els to bring them
where he was, theyr feare was so great. _Cortes_ made vnto thë this
answere, saying: be ye of good courage, and feare ye not. Also I pray
you to cömaunde your wiues & families to make no alteratiö, but rather
quietly to abide in your houses. And cöcerning the enimies, I am glad
of their comming, for ye shal sée how I will deale with them. But
the enimies wente not to _Huaxuta_, as it was thought: neuerthelesse
_Cortes_ hauing intelligence where they were, wente out to encounter
them, with two pieces of Ordinaunce, twelue horsemen and two hundred
Spaniardes, with many _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallä_. He fought with the
enemie, and slew but few, for they fledde to the water. He burnt
certaine townes where the _Mexicans_ were wonte to succour themselues.
The next day came the chiefest men of thrée townes to craue pardon,
and to beséech him not to destroy thë, promising neuer to harbour nor
succour, any of _Culhua_.
The _Mexicans_ hearing what these townes men pretended, with greate yre
made a foule correction among them, as dyd appeare by many of them,
which came vnto _Cortes_ with broken heads, desiring reuengement.
The inhabitaunts of _Chalco_ sent also vnto him for succour, declaring
that the _Mexicans_ made greate spoyle among them. But _Cortes_ being
ready to send for his Vergantines, could not relieue them all, and
especially wyth Spaniardes: wherefore he remitted them to the helpe
of the _Tlaxcaltecas_, and vnto thë of _Huexocinco_, _Chololla_,
_Huacacholla_ and other friends, promising that shortly he would come
himselfe. But this answere pleased him not, yet for the present néede
they required his letters to be written vnto those townes. And being in
this communication, there came messengers from _Tlaxcallan_, with news,
that the Vergantines were ready, and to knowe if he stoode in néede of
any succour, for of late, (quoth they) we haue séene many beacons, and
fiers, which are greater tokens of warre, than heretofore hath bene
séene.
There came at that time, a Spaniard also from _Vera Crux_, with
certaine newes, that there had arriued a ship, whiche had brought
thirtie Souldiers besides the mariners of the shippe, with eight
horses, great store of pouder, shotte, crossebowes, and Harquebushes.
The plesent newes reioyced much our men, wherevpon _Cortes_ sente
forthwith to _Tlaxcallan_ for the Vergantines, _Gonzalo de Sandoual_,
with two hundered Spaniards, and fiftéene horsemen, and commaunded that
in their way they shold burne and destroy the towne where the fourty
fiue Spaniardes, and thrée hundered _Tlaxcaltecas_ were slayn, with
fiue horses moe, when _Mexico_ was last besieged: and y^t village is
in y^e iurisdiction of _Tezcuco_, and bordereth vpon the territorie of
_Tlaxcallan_, yea, and for that purpose hée would gladly haue corrected
and punished the dwellers of _Tezcuco_, but time then permitted not
y^e same, although they had deserued more punishment than the others.
For why? in their town they were sacrifised and eaten, yea & the walles
painted with their bloud, shewing moreouer perfit tokens, how it was
spaniards bloud. They pluckt off also the horses skinnes & tanned thë
in the heare, and afterwards hung them vppe, with the horseshoes in
their great temple, & next vnto them, the spaniards garmëtes, for a
perpetual memory.
_Sandoual_ went vnto that place with determinate entët to follow his
cömission, & also before he came to y^e place, he found writtë in
a house w^t a cole, these words: here in this house was a prisoner
y^e vnfortunate _Iohn Iust_, who was a gentleman, and one of the
fiue horsemen that wer taken. But the people of that towne, being
many, fledde when they saw the Spaniardes approch neare vnto thë.
But _Sandoual_ followed them, and slewe many of them: he toke also
prisoners, manye women and children, who yelded themselues vnto his
mercie, and their bodies for slaues. He séeing so little resistance,
and beholding the pitiful mone of the wiues for their husbandes, and
the children for their fathers, had compassiö on them, and wold not
destroye their towne, but rather caused the dwellers to come again,
and pardoned them, with othe, that hereafter they shoulde serue them
truely, and be vnto them loyal friends. In this sorte was the death
of the Christians reuenged, yet _Sandoual_ asked them howe they slewe
so manye Christians without resistaunce, marye (quoth they) we made
an ambush in an euil and narrow way, ascending vp a hill, and there
as they went vppe by one and one we spoyled them, for there, neyther
horses nor other weapon could defend or help thë, so y^t we tooke them
prisoners and sente them to _Tezcuco_, where, as is before declared,
they were sacrificed in the reuengement of the imprisonment of
_Calama_.
Hovv the Vergantines vvere brought frö
_Tlaxcall to Tezcuco_.
Nowe when the enemies which murdered the Spaniardes, were reduced and
chastened, _Sandoual_ procéeded forwarde towarde _Tlaxcallan_, and at
the border of that prouince, he mette with the Vergätines whiche were
broughte in pieces, as tables, planches, and nayles, with all other
furniture, the whyche eight thousand men caryed vpon their backes.
There came also for their safeconduicte twentie thousande men of warre,
and a thousande _Tamemez_, who were the carriers of victuals, and
seruantes. Thë the Spanishe Carpenters sayde vnto _Sandoual_, that for
as muche as they were nowe come into the countrey of enimies, it might
please him to haue regarde thervnto, for daungers that myght happen: he
allowed wel theyr iudgement.
Nowe _Chichimecatetl_, being a principal man and a valiant also, was
captaine of a thousande men & desired to haue the vantguard with the
Tymber, and hauing had the same charge hithervnto, it should be an
affrent for him, to be put from it, and gaue manye reasons in hys
behalfe. But notwithstanding his request, he was entreated to take the
reregarde. And that _Tutipil_ and _Teutecatl_ captaines, very principal
gentlemen, should haue the vantgard, with ten thousand men. In the
myddest were placed the _Tamemez_, and those that carryed the foyst,
with all the apparell of the Vergantines. Before those two captaynes,
went a hundered Spaniardes, and eight horsemen, and behind and last
came _Sandoual_ with all the residue, and seuen horsemen. But now
although _Chichimecatetl_ was offended, touching his firste charge, now
much more bycause the Spaniardes were not in his company, saying (quoth
he) ye take me not for valiant, or else not faithful. That matter being
pacified, and euery thing in good order, they toke their way towarde
_Tezcuco_, with a marueylous noyse, crying, Christians, Christians,
_Tlaxcallan_, _Tlaxcallan_, and Spayne.
On the fourth day they entred into _Tezcuco_, in verye good order, with
the sounde of drummes, snayle-shelles, and other like instrumentes
of Musicke, and againste their entry into the Citie, they put on al
their brauerye of clothes, and bushes of feathers, whiche truely was a
gallant sight: they were sixe houres, in entryng into the towne, keping
their array.
_Cortez_ came forth to receyue them, and gaue greate thankes vnto the
gentlemen, and all the company, and prouided them of good lodgings and
entertaynement.
Of the Docke or trench vvhich
_was made to launch, the Vergantines_.
Manye prouinces of _India_, came to submitte and offer their seruice
vnto _Cortes_, some for feare of destruction, and others for the
hatred whyche they bare to the _Mexicans_: so that nowe _Cortes_
was strong both with Spaniardes and _Indians_. Also the Spanishe
Captaine of _Segura_, sent a letter to _Cortez_, the which letter he
had receyued of another spaniard, the effect therof was as foloweth.
Noble gentlemen, diuerse times I haue written vnto you, but as yet
I neuer receiued answere, nor yet now doe I. I thynke otherwise,
notwithstanding yee shall vnderstande, that the _Culhuacans_ haue
done much hurte in thys countrey, but we remayne with victorie. This
prouince desireth to see and knowe Captaine _Cortez_, for to render
themselues vnto him, and nowe they stande in neede of our nation,
wherfore it may please you to sende vnto vs thirtie Spaniardes.
_Cortez_ aunswered the letter in suche sort, that he then presently
coulde not sende the thing desired, for that he was readye to the siege
of _Mexico_: notwythstanding hée gaue them great thankes, with hope
shortlye to sée thë. He that writte the former letter, was one of the
Spaniardes that _Cortez_ hadde sente to the prouince of _Chinanta_, a
yeare paste, to enquire of the secretes of that place, and to séeke for
golde and other commodities. And if it so happened, that the Lorde of
that place made that Spaniarde a Captayne, agaynste the _Culhuacans_
theyr enemyes, for _Mutezuma_ made them warre béeyng farre from
_Mexico_, bycause they had entertayned the Spaniardes. But through the
industrie of that Christian, the Lorde aboade alwayes with victorye,
and hauing vnderstanding that some of hys nation were in _Tepeacac_, he
wrote so often as the letter declareth, but none of them came to their
handes, but only this last letter: our men reioyced muche to heare
that the Spaniardes were aliue, and also the Lorde of _Chinanta_ to be
their friende: likewise they marueyled much howe they had escaped, for
at the time that they fledde from _Mexico_, all other Spaniardes that
were abidyng in the Mynes and other Lordshippes, were slaine by the
_Indians_.
_Cortes_ made his preparation for the séege of _Mexico_ with all hast,
and furnished hym with scalling ladders, and other necessaryes, fitte
for such a purpose. His _Vergantines_ being nayled, and throughly
ended, he made a sluise or trench of halfe a league of length, twelue
foote broad & more, and two fadome in depth. This worke was fiftie
dayes a doyng, although there were foure hundred thousand më dayly
working, truly a famous worke and worthy of memory.
[Sidenote: A strange tallovve.]
The _Vergantines_ were calked with Towe and cotten woll, and for want
of tallow and oyle, they were (as some reporte,) driuen to take mans
grease, not that they slewe men for that effect, but of those which
were slayne in the warres. The _Indians_ who were cruell and bloudy
butchers, vsing sacrifice, would in this sort open the dead bodye, and
take out the grease. The _Vergantines_ being lanched, _Cortes_ mustered
his men, and founde nine hundred Spanyardes, of the which were 86.
Horsemen, and a hüdred and eyghtéene with Crossebowes and Hargabushes,
and all the residue had sundry weapons, as swords, daggars, Targets,
Launces, and Halbertes. Also they had for armour, corselets, coates of
mayle, and Iackes. They had moreouer thrée great péeces of cast yron,
fiftéene small péeces of brasse, and tenne hundred waighte of powder,
with store of shotte. All that ye haue hearde, was the prouision that
_Cortes_ had for the séege of _Mexico_, the strongest and greatest
Citie in all _India_ and newe world. In eache _Vergantine_ he placed
a péece of brasse. He proclaymed agayne all the institutions and
ordinances of the warre, praying and commaunding that they might be
well and faithfully obserued, and said, Brethrë and my fellowes, now
do you sée our vessels readye, yea and also you do remember howe
troublesome a thyng it hathe bin to bring them hither with the coste
and sweate of our friendes, and one of the chiefest hopes that I haue
shortly to winne _Mexico_, are these vessels, for with them we will
burne all their _Canoas_, or else we will so locke them vp, that they
shall not help them, whereby we wyll annoy our enimie as muche that
way, as our army shall do by land. I haue also a hundred thousand men
of warre my friends to beséege this Citie, who are (as you know) y^e
valiantest men in all these parties. You haue also your vittailes
prouided abundantly, and that which now importeth, is, that you play
the menne, as héeretofore you haue done, and most humbly to pray vnto
God for victorie, for that this warre is his.
The order of the host and army of
_Cortes for to beseege Mexico_.