such miserable creatures. The principall folke who were whole and
sounde, they stoode in their zoties or house toppes, without weapon,
and clothed in mätels. It was thought that they kepte a certaine holy
day, peace was againe offered, but they answered with dissimulation.
The next day followyng _Cortes_ required _Aluarado_ on his side to
combat a streat of .1000. houses that was not yet won, and that he
would doe the like on the otherside: for a little space the Citizens
defended thëselues, but their defence endured not, but were driuen to
flie, being not able to resiste the force of theyr contraries. So that
the Spanishe army wan also that streate, and slewe 12000. Cittizens,
the murder was so great bicause the _Indian_ friends would shewe no
mercie or compassion vpon them, although they were required to the
cötrary. So that now the _Mexicans_ hauing lost this streate also, the
houses that were not beatë downe could scarcely hold the people y^t
were aliue, the streates also being so full of dead carcasses and sicke
bodies, that our men coulde not passe but must néedes treade vpon them.
_Cortes_ desirous to sée what remayned of the cittie to win, went vp
into a high tower, and hauyng well vewed the Cittie, he iudged that
of eight parts one remained yet to win. And y^e next day following he
assaulted the same, with speciall cömaundement giuen to his army, not
to kil any but only such as should resist.
[Sidenote: A sorovvfull tale.]
The sorrowful Citizens bewayling their vnfortunate fate & destinie,
besought the Spaniards to make an ende, and to kill them all out of
hande. Then certayne of the horsemen called _Cortes_ in great hast,
who went vnto them incontinent, hopyng of some agrement of peace: and
standing at the brymme of the water neare vnto a drawe bridge, the
_Mexicans_ sayde, oh captayne _Cortes_, consideryng that thou art the
childe of the Sunne, why doest thou not entreate the Sunne thy father,
to make an ende of vs: oh thou Sunne that canst goe rounde about the
worlde in a day and a night, we pray thée make an end of vs, and take
vs out of this miserable lyfe, for we desire death to go and rest with
our God _Quetcauatlh_ who tarieth for vs. After these speaches they
made a lamentable crie, callyng vpon their Goddes with loude voyces.
_Cortes_ answered what he thought good, but yet could not perswade them
to yéelde, truely it was a pitefull sight to beholde.
The imprisonment of Quahutemoc.
[Sidenote: An euill revvarde.]
_Cortes_ seing the great extremitie that these poore wretched people
were in, thinkyng nowe that they woulde yéelde vnto him, therevppon
hée spake to an vncle of _Don Hernando de Tezcuco_, who was taken
prisoner thrée dayes before, whom he desired to go to the king & treate
of peace: this Gentleman refused the message, knowyng the determinate
will of _Quahutimoc_, but through muche entreatie he graunted to his
request. So the next day followyng _Cortes_ entred into the Cittie,
& sent that Gentleman & certaine Spaniardes before him. The _Indian_
guarde of that streate receyued him with the honour which vnto such
a noble man did appertayne. He procéeded forward toward the king, &
being come where he was, he declared vnto him his embassage. When
_Quahutimoc_ had hearde his tale, he was so moued with yre & choller,
that forthwith he commaüded him to be sacrificed, and gaue the
Spaniardes for theyr answere blowes with stones, staues and arrowes,
saying also that they desired death and no peace, and fought so stoutly
that day, that they slewe many of our menne, and one horse. Lykewise on
their side many were slayne.
The nexte day _Cortes_ entred the cittie agayne, but he fought
not, hoping then that they woulde submitte themselues, but yet the
Citizens had no such thought. He came néere vnto a certayne bulwarke
on horsebacke, and spake vnto certaine Gentlemen with whome he was
acquaynted, saying that now within a shorte space he could make an ende
of their finall destruction, but yet of meare compassion he wished
it not, for the loue whiche he bare vnto them, so that they would in
time rëder themselues: wherfore (quoth he) entreate yée the king to
doe the same, and in so doyng ye shalbe well vsed, and haue victuals
sufficient. The Gëtlemen hearing these wordes, fell on weping, and
answered, that now they knew well their errour, and felte their losse
and destruction, notwithstäding they were bounde to obey their king
and Goddes. But yet (quoth they) abide a while, and we will certifie
_Quahutimoc_ what you haue sayde, and in shorte space they went and
returned againe, saying that the next day without fayle their Lord
woulde come and talke with him in the markette place. With this
answere _Cortes_ returned to his campe, and thought at their méeting
to conclude an honorable peace. So against the next day he caused
a Canapie and chayre of estate to be sette in the markette place,
accordyng to the _Mexican_ vse, and also a dinner to be prepared. The
day followyng came _Cortes_ at the houre appoynted, with many of his
men armed, but the king came not: neuerthelesse he sente fiue noble
men to treate of the matter, excusing the kyng, saying he was not well
at ease. _Cortes_ welcomed those Gentlemen, and was gladde of their
cöming, hoping thereby to conclude and make some good ende. And when
they had dined and well refresshed their hungry bodies, _Cortes_ gaue
them victuals, and desired them to returne agayne to the King, and to
declare vnto him that without his presence the conclusion coulde not
be certayne. They wente and returned againe within twoo houres, and
brought vnto _Cortes_ certaine mantels made of cotton woll, very good
& well wrought, with answere that the king would not come in any wise,
both for shame and feare. And the next day these messengers came agayn,
saying that the king would come to the place appointed. But yet he came
not, although _Cortes_ attended his commyng more than foure houres: who
seing the mockerie, he forthwith sente _Sandoual_ with his Vergantines
one way, and he himself went an other, combatting the houses & fortes
that yet remayned, where he founde small resistaunce, so that he might
doe what he pleased. There was that day slayne and taken prysoners
aboue .40000. persons, & then he retired to his campe. The lamentable
crie and mourning of the women and children woulde haue made a stony
hart relent, the stench also of the dead bodies was wöderfull noysome.
That night _Cortes_ purposed to make an end the next day of the warres,
and _Quahutimoc_ pretended to flie, and for that purpose had enbarked
hymselfe in a _Canoa_ of twëtie ores. When the day appeared _Cortes_,
with his men, and foure péeces of ordinance, came to the corner where
those that yet remayned were shut vp, as cattell in a pounde. He gaue
order to _Sandoual_ and _Aluarado_ what they shold do, which was, to
be ready with their Vergätines, and to watche the comyng out of the
_Canoas_ whiche were hidden betwixte certayne houses, and especially to
haue regard vnto the kings person, and not to hurte him, but to take
him aliue. He commaunded the residue of hys men to force the _Mexican_
boates to goe out, and he himselfe wente vp into a tower, inquiryng for
the King, and there founde _Xihuacoa_, gouernour and Captayne generall
of the Cittie, who woulde in no wise yéelde himselfe. Then came out of
the Cittie a greate multitude of olde folkes, men, women and childrë to
take boate. The throng was so great with hast to enter the _Canoas_,
that many by that means were drowned in the lake. _Cortes_ required his
më not to kil those miserable creatures: But yet he could not stay the
_Indians_ his friends, who slewe and sacrificed aboue fiftene thousand.
After this, there was a great rumour among the cömon people, that the
king would flie, making a piteous mone and saying that they sorowfull
creatures knew not whither to goe: But yet procuryng to goe into the
_Conoas_, whiche were so full that there was no roume for thë, by
reason thereof many were drowned.
The men of warre stoode in the house toppes and zoties beholding
their perdition. All the nobilitie of _Mexico_ were enbarked with the
kyng. Then _Cortes_ gaue signe with the shotte of a handgunne, that
his captaines should be in a readinesse, so that in shorte space they
wanne fully and wholy the great Cittie of _Mexico_. The Vergantines
likewise brake in among the fléete of boates, without any resistaunce,
and euery one sought where he might beste succour himselfe, the Royall
Standarte was beaten downe. _Garcia Holguin_, who was captayne of a
Vergantine, had espied a great _Canoa_ of .xx. ores déepe laden with
men. And one of his prysoners sayde vnto him, that the king wente in
that greate _Canoa_. _Holguin_ beyng gladde of the newes, gaue chase to
that _Canoa_ and ouertooke him. In his foreship he had thrée crossebowe
men. And when _Quahutimoc_ who stoode on the puppe of the _Canoa_ ready
to fighte, sawe those bowes ready bente, and many drawen swordes, he
yéelded himselfe, declaryng that he was the king. _Garcia Holguin_
being a gladde man of his prysoner, tooke and carried him vnto _Cortes_
who receiued him reuerently. When _Quahutimoc_ came neare vnto him,
he layde his hande vpon _Cortes_ his dagger, saying, I haue done all
my possibility to defende me and mine, accordyng to my duetie, hoping
not to haue come to this estate and place where now I stande: And
considering that you may doe with me what you please, I beséeche you
to kill me, and that is my only request. _Cortes_ comforted him with
faire words, giuyng him hope of life and seniory, and tooke him vp into
a zotie, requiring him to commaund his subiectes to yéelde and render
themselues: he obeyed his request. At that time there was about thrée
score and tenne thousande persons, who in seing their Prince, threwe
downe their weapons and submitted themselues.
The taking of Mexico.
In the order before declared, wanne _Hernando Cortes_ the famous cittie
of _Mexico_, on tuesday being the .xiij. of August, _An._ 1521. in
remembraunce wherof, and of the great victory, euery yéere on that day
they make a sumptuous feast & solemne procession, wherin is carried the
standart royall, with the whiche the cittie was won. The siege endured
thrée moneths, & had therein .200000. _Indians_ .900. Spaniardes .80.
horses .17. péeces of ordinaunce, 13. Vergantines, & 6000. _Canoas_.
In this siege were slayne fiftie Spaniardes & sixe horses, & no great
number of the _Indians_ their friends. There was slaine on the cötrary
side a hundred thousand, and some affirme many moe: but I speake not of
them that died with hunger and pestilence.
At the defence of the citie were al the nobilitie, by reason wherof
many were slayne. The multitude of people was great, who eate litle,
dranke salte water, and slepte among the dead bodies, where was a
horrible stenche: for these causes the disease of pestilence fell
among them, and thereof died an infinite number. Wherevpon is to be
considered, their stedfaste determination, for although they were
afflicted with such hunger, that they were dryuen to eate boughes,
ryndes of trées, and to drinke salte water, yet woulde they not yéelde
themselues. But at the laste they would haue submitted them, and then
their kyng _Quahutimoc_ woulde not, bycause at the begynnyng they
refused his will and counsell, and also with their generall deaths,
should appeare no cowardise, for they kept the dead bodies in theyr
houses to kéepe that secrete from theyr enimies. Here also is to bée
noted, that although the _Mexicans_ eate mans fleshe, yet they eate
none of their owne Cittie or friendes, as some doe thynke: for if they
had, there woulde not so many haue died with hunger. The _Mexican_
women were highly commended, not onely bycause they aboade with their
husbandes and Fathers, but also for the greate paynes they tooke with
the sicke and wounded persons, yea and also they laboured in makyng
slings, cuttyng stones fitte for the same, and throwyng stones from the
soties, for therein they dyd as muche hurte as their men. The Cittie
was yéelded to the spoyle, and the Spanyardes tooke the Golde, Plate
and Feathers, the _Indian_ friends had all the rest of cloth and other
stuffe.
_Cortes_ commaunded greate bonfiers to be made in token of victory,
and also to mortifie the horrible stenche of the dead bodies, whome he
lykewise commaunded to be buried, and some of the prysoners menne and
women he caused to be marked in the face, for the Kings slaues, and
pardoned all the residue. He commaunded the Vergantines to bée brought
ashore, and appoynted one _Villa fuerte_, with .80. men to guarde thë,
fearyng least the _Mexicans_ shold set fire or otherwise destroy them.
In this businesse he occupied himself foure dayes, & then remoued
his campe to _Culhuacan_, where he rendred hartie thanks to all the
Gentlemen his friendes, promysing to gratifie their good and faythfull
seruice, desiryng them to departe home to theyr houses, cösidering y^e
warre was at an end, wherevpon they departed almost all in generall,
both rich and iocond with the spoyle of _Mexico_, and also to remayne
in the fauour and grace of _Cortes_.
Maruellous signes and tokens of the
_destruction of Mexico_.
Not long before _Hernando Cortes_ came vnto the newe _Spayne_, did many
nightes after the midnighte appeare in the aire, and in the same port
and place where _Cortes_ entred into that land, great lightning of
fire, whiche amounted vpward, and suddaynely vaded away. The _Mexicans_
at that time saw flames of fire toward the orient, where now _Vera
Crux_ standeth, with a great and thicke smoke, that séemed to touche
the heauen and earthe: thys sight was fearfull vnto them.
They also saw the figures of armed men fighte in the aire one with
another, a new and strange sight for them, and a thing that filled
their heads with ymaginations: for when there was a prophecie spoken
of among them, how that white men with beardes should come and rule
their kingdome in the time of _Mutezuma_. The Lordes of _Tezcuco_ and
_Tlacopan_ were much amazed, saying, that the sword whiche _Mutezuma_
hadde, was the armes of those folke, whose figures they had séene in
the ayre, with their apparell and attire. _Mutezuma_ had muche adoe
to pacifie them, fayning that the weapon and apparell was of hys
forefathers, and bycause they should sée the troth thereof, he gaue
them the sworde, and willed them to breake it if they coulde, and they
prouing to breake the same and could not, they maruelled thereat, and
also were resolued of their opinions.
It shoulde séeme, that a little before these things happened, some of
_Mutezuma_ his subiectes founde a chest of apparell and a sworde in
it on the sea coast, which came floting out of some shippe that had
wracked there about, and broughte it to their prince. Others affirme,
that the cause of alteration among the noble men, was, when they saw
the sword and apparell that _Cortes_ had sent vnto _Mutezuma_ by
_Teudilli_, séeing it a thing so like the attire of the figures whiche
they had séene in the ayre, but howsoeuer it was, they beléeued with
these new tokens, that their Kingdome shoulde haue an ende, when they
saw those straungers come into their Countrey.
The same yeare that _Cortes_ came into _Mexico_, appeared a vision vnto
a certaine _Malli_, which is to say, a slaue taken in the warres to be
sacrificed, who at the time of his deathe and Sacrifice, bewayled his
sorrowfull ende; calling vppon the God of Heauen, who at that instante
sawe in spirite a vision, and heard a voyce, bidding hym not to feare
that death, for the God whome be had called vpon, would haue mercy vpon
hym, willing hym also to say vnto the pristes and ministers of the
Idols, that their wicked sacrifice and bloudsheding was néere at an
ende, and that there was a people at hand, that should take away all
that wicked and abhominable religion.
This _Malli_ was sacrificed in the middest of the market place of
_Tlatelulco_, where at this daye is the place of execution.
They remembred, and noted well the wordes of the _Malli_, and the
vision whiche they called a breath from heauen.
The earth also brake open, out of the whiche issued a maruellous greate
streame of water, with many greate fishes, which they iudged and held
for a strange pronostication.
The _Mexicans_ did reporte, that when on a time _Mutezuma_ came
triumphantly with victory of _Xochnuxco_, said vnto the Lorde of
_Culhuacan_: Now (quoth he) _Mexico_ is strong and inuincible, for I
haue in subiection _Xochnuxco_, and other prouinces, so that now I am
without feare of any enemie. The Lord of _Culhuacan_ aunswered, saying,
trust not good King too muche, for one force forceth another, with
the whiche aunswere, _Mutezuma_ was not a little offended. But when
_Cortes_ hadde taken them both prisoners, then he called to remembrance
the former talke, and held that saying for a prophesie.
The building vp agayne of
_Mexico_.
_Cortes_ pretended to recdifie againe the Citie of _Mexico_, not onely
for the scituation and maiestie, but also for the name & great fame
thereof, and also to builde vp that which he hadde beaten downe, by
reason whereof he trauelled to make this Citie greater, better, and
to be more replenished with people. He named and appoynted Iudges,
Aldermen, Attourneys, Towneclearke, Notaries, Skauengers, and Seriants,
with all other officers, necessarie for the common weale of a Citie.
He deuided the Citie among the Conquerors, hauing first taken out
places for Churches, market places, townehouse, and other necessarie
plottes to builde houses, profitable for the common weale. He also
separated the dwellings of the _Spanyards_ from the _Indiäs_, so that
the water passeth and maketh deuision betwixt them. Hée procured many
_Indians_ to come to the building of the Citie, for auoiding charges,
although therein he had somewhat to do, by reason that many kinsmen of
_Quahutimoc_ were not as yet come vnder obedience.
[Sidenote: Seauen thousand Ceder beames.]
He made Lorde of _Tezcuco_, _Don Carolus Iztlixuchitl_, by the
consent of the Citie, in place of _Don Hernando_ his brother, who
was deceassed, and commaunded many of hys vassals to labour in the
workes, bycause they were Carpenters, masons, and builders of houses.
He promised also to them that were naturals of the Citie of _Mexico_,
plottes to build vpon, inheritance, fréedome, and other liberties, and
the like vnto all those that woulde come and inhabite there, whiche was
a meane to allure many thither. He sette also at libertie _Xihuaco_
the generall Captayne, and made him chiefe ouer the _Indians_ in the
Citie, vnto whome he gaue a whole stréete. He gaue likewyse another
stréete to _Don Pedro Mutezuma_, who was sonne to _Mutezuma_ the King.
All this was done, to winne the fauoure of the people. He made other
Gentlemen Seniors of little Ilands and stréetes to builde vpon, and to
inhabite, and in this order the whole scituation was reparted, and the
worke began with great ioy and diligence: but when the fame was blowen
abroade, that _Mexico_ should be built againe, it was a wonder to sée
the people that resorted thither, hearing of libertie & fréedome, the
number was so greate, that in a whole league compasse was nothing but
people both men and women. They laboured sore, and eate little, by
reason whereof, many sickned, and pestilence followed, whereof dyed an
infinite number. Their paines was great, for they bare on theyr backes,
and drew after them stones, earth, timber, lyme, bricke, and all other
things necessary in this sort, and by little and little, _Mexico_ was
built againe with a hundred thousande houses, more stronger and better
than the olde building was. The Spanyardes also built their houses
after the Spanish fashion. _Cortes_ built his house vpon the plotte
where _Mutezuma_ his house stoode, whiche renteth now yéerely foure
thousand duckates a yeare. _Pamfilo de_ _Naruaez_ accused him for the
same, saying, that he hadde spoyled the woddes and mountaynes, and
spente seauen thousand beames of Ceder trées in the worke of his own
house. The number séemeth more héere than there, for where all the
Mountaynes are replenished with Ceder trées, it is a small matter.
There are Gardines in _Tezcuco_, that haue a thousand Ceder trées for
walles and circuite, yea and there are Ceder trées of a hundred & twëty
foote long, and twelue foote in compasse from ende to end. They built
faire dockes couered ouer with arches for y^e Vergantines, whereas
(for a perpetuall memorie) all the thirtéene Vergantines do remayne
vntil this day. They dammed vp the stréetes of water, where now faire
houses stand, so that _Mexico_ is not as it was wont to be, yea and
since the yeare of 1524. the lake decreaseth, and sometime casteth
out a vapour of stench, but otherwise it is a wholesome and temperate
dwelling, by reason of the Mountaynes that standeth round about it, and
well prouided through the fertilitie of the Countrey, and commoditie
of the lake, so that now is _Mexico_ one of the greatest Cities in the
world, and the most noble in all _India_, as well in armes as policie.
There are at the least two thousande Citizens, that haue each of them
his horse in his stable, with riche furniture for them. There is also
great contractation, and all sortes of occupations. Also a money house,
where money is dayly coyned: a fayre schole, whiche the Vizeroy _Don
Antonio de Mendosa_ caused to be made. There is a greate difference
betwixte an inhabitant of _Mexico_, and a Conqueror, for a Conqueror
is a name of honor, and hathe landes and rentes, and the inhabitante
or onely dweller payeth rente for hys house. When this Citie was a
building, & not throughlye furnished, _Cortes_ came from _Culhuacan_
to dwell there. The fame of _Cortes_, and maiestie of _Mexico_, was
blowen abroade into farre prouinces, by meanes whereof, it is now so
replenished, as I haue before declared, yea & hath so many _Spanyards_,
who haue conquered aboue 400. leagues of land, being all gouerned by
the princely seate of _Mexico_.
Hovv the Emperour sent to take accompt
_of Cortes of his gouernement in the newe Spayne_.
[Sidenote: The revvard of a knaue.]
In these dayes _Cortes_ was the man of the greatest name of all the
Spanish nation, although many had defamed him, and especially _Pamfilo
de Naruaez_, who was in the Court of Spaine accusing him. And where,
of long time the Counsell of _India_ had receyued no letters from
him, they suspected, yea and beléeued, whatsoeuer euil was spoken of
him. Wherevppon they prouided the Admirall _Don Diego Colon_, for
Gouernour of _Mexico_, who at that time went to lawe wyth the king,
pretending the said office and many others, with condition to carrie
at his owne coast a thousand men to apprehend _Cortes_. They prouided
also for Gouernour of _Panuco_, one _Nonio de Gusman_, and _Simon de
Alcazaua_ portingall, for gouernour of _Honduras_. To kindle more thys
mischiefe, and to set this businesse forward, one _Iohn de Ribera_, the
Attourney of _Cortes_, was a fitte and an earnest instrument againste
his maister, and the cause was, for falling out with _Martin Cortes_,
father vnto _Hernando Cortes_, about foure thousand Duckates which
_Cortes_ had sent by him to his father, which money the said _Ribera_
his Attourney kept to his owne vse, and therefore raised many slaunders
against his maister, yea and credite was giuen to his tales, but on a
night he had a morsell of bacon gyuen him vppon a skaffolde, wherewith
he was choked in the chiefe time of his businesse. These newe
officers, and their prouisions, were not so secretely obteyned, but the
matter was as secretely talked in the Courte, whiche at that time was
abiding in the Citie of _Toledo_, and the procedings séeme not iust
vnto the friends of _Cortes_. The Commendador _Pedro de Pina_ opened
the matter to the Licenciat _Nouez_, and vnto father _Melgareio_,
wherevppon they reclaymed of the Counsels determination, beséeching
them to stay for a season, to sée what newes should come from _Mexico_.
Also the Duke of _Beiar_ tendred the cause of _Hernando Cortez_, for
that _Cortez_ by promise of faith and troth, was assured in marriage to
his brothers daughter, named the Lady _Iane de Zuniga_, who aplaked the
Emperoure his anger, and the saide Duke became suretie to aunswere in
all causes for him.