Cortes’ March to Tlaxcala—Battle and Defeat of the
Tlaxcalans—Montezuma’s Messengers
The little army set out from Zempoala August 16, 1519. Nothing of
consequence marked the first day’s march. Their way led through the
territory of their ally, the cacique. They met with a friendly reception
and hospitable treatment. At last they came to the borders of the
mountainous country of Tlaxcala.[6] The natives of this region surpassed
all the other Americans in extraordinary courage and especially in their
love of freedom. They had bravely thrown off the Mexican yoke and for a
long time maintained a republic. The country sent its representatives to
Tlaxcala, the capital, and these representatives, or chiefs, in
assembly, constituted the tribal council and law-making power of the
whole nation. Their form of government was also an aristocratic one.
Pride and love of liberty, courage and a warlike disposition were the
chief characteristics of this small but formidable people. Montezuma had
vainly tried to subdue them and to induce bold and imperious spirits
among them to usurp authority. They stoutly maintained liberty, that
noblest blessing of humanity, against every assault, and remained
invincible. Cortes would have rejoiced to secure such a people for his
allies and decided therefore, as soon as he reached their borders, to
send a friendly embassy, after the Indian manner, accompanied with all
the customary ceremony.
Four of the leading Zempoalans were selected for this duty, and Marina
undertook to deliver a stately address to the Tlaxcalans, which she had
to learn by heart. They were arrayed in the following manner: They put
on long cloaks of a woollen material. Upon the left arm they carried a
great shell in place of a shield, and in the right hand an arrow with
white feathers, the tip of which was bent downward. This was a symbol of
friendliness. An arrow with red feathers would have meant war. Thus
equipped, they set out without fear, confident no harm would come to
them, but at the same time taking the precaution not to leave the
highroad, because there alone would their dress protect them.
As soon as the four messengers reached Tlaxcala they were conducted to a
building specially fitted up with everything necessary for an audience.
On the following day they were requested by the Council, which was in
session, to deliver their message. The assembled members, on account of
their age, sat upon low seats, made of some rare wood. With the utmost
reverence, manifested by covering their heads with their cloaks, the
messengers advanced, holding their arrows aloft, and the councillors
rose slightly from their seats. They then bowed in their peculiar manner
and with measured steps advanced to the centre of the apartment and sank
upon their knees, and with downcast eyes awaited permission to speak.
When this had been granted, they sat cross-legged and Marina began her
address:
“Noble republic! Brave and mighty people! Your friends and allies, the
caciques of Zempoala and the mountains, send you greeting and wish for
you rich harvests and the downfall of your enemies. Next they send you
word that an extraordinary people have come to our country from the
sunrise land. They seem more like gods than men. They have come across
the sea in great palaces and carry in their hands for weapons the
thunder and lightning of heaven. According to their statements they are
servants of a higher God than ours, who cannot endure tyranny or human
sacrifice. Their leader is the messenger of a very mighty monarch, who
is bound by the dictates of his religion to redress the grievances and
persecutions we have suffered from Montezuma. This leader has freed us
already. It is now necessary that he should make his way through your
country to Mexico, and he wishes to know in what manner this tyrant has
persecuted you so that he may defend your rights, as well as his own,
and settle other matters connected with his journey. He comes also with
friendly intentions and desires nothing more from you than a free
passage through your country. You may be sure he seeks only your own
advantage, that his weapons are the instruments of justice, and that
those who bear them are by nature peace-loving and will never use their
strength except against those who first offend or attack them.”
At the conclusion of the address the messengers rose to their knees,
made a low bow in that posture, reseated themselves cross-legged, and
awaited an answer. The councillors replied at first in an informal way
that they were grateful for the information brought to them. They would
consider Cortes’ request and give a definite answer later. Thereupon
they dismissed the messengers and began the consideration. Opinions were
divided. Some were for peace, others for war. The leader of the war
party was Xikotenkatl, a young, bold, impetuous man, who was only too
glad of an opportunity to draw his sword. His party was in the majority
and it was decided that the messengers should be detained upon various
pretences, while they were making the necessary war preparations. Eight
days thus passed, and at last Cortes as well as his allies began to have
misgivings as to the cause of the delay. It was finally decided to move
forward and ascertain what had become of the messengers and their
mission. The Spaniards had not gone far before they encountered a troop
of armed natives who offered a stubborn resistance. A battle ensued
which ended disastrously for the natives, while the Spaniards, protected
by their armor, received only a few trifling wounds, though the enemy
outnumbered them ten to one.
After this first victory Cortes continued advancing inland, and on the
following day had the satisfaction of seeing two of his messengers
approaching in the company of some Tlaxcalans. The latter placed the
responsibility for the attack of the day before upon their allies, the
Otomis, who had begun hostilities upon their own account and had been
punished by the loss of their bravest leader. After this brief apology
they took themselves off without making any definite statement of their
intentions. In the meantime their mysterious conduct was soon explained,
for, on the next day, as the Spaniards advanced nearer Tlaxcala, the
other two messengers met them in a mournful plight. They fell at Cortes’
feet weeping, embraced his knees, and with piteous gestures affirmed
that the treacherous Tlaxcalans had violated the sacred right of nations
and had bound them with chains to be sacrificed to their deities. In the
meantime they had succeeded in freeing themselves in the night, but they
were confident that the Tlaxcalans were planning to sacrifice the entire
Spanish army. Cortes now knew what to expect and resolved to face the
danger, however great it might be. He advanced at once and before long
saw a countless multitude of armed Tlaxcalans and their auxiliaries with
the fierce Xikotenkatl at their head. The battle which ensued was a
savage one, and a slight disaster nearly involved the destruction of
Cortes’ whole force. A Spanish cavalryman dashed so far into the dense
ranks of the enemy that he was surrounded on all sides. He received
several wounds, and his horse was pierced so often that it fell dead.
The Indians cut off the animal’s head, stuck it upon a spear, and
carried it about triumphantly so that all might see the monster was not
invulnerable, as they had believed, but was really dead.
This event inspired the Indians with indescribable courage, and they now
fought with a fury which the Spaniards could no longer withstand. At the
instant when their utter destruction seemed inevitable, to their great
astonishment the fierce battle cries of the natives suddenly ceased, and
hostilities came to an end. They heard the horns sounding for retreat
and beheld the whole great army of the enemy quietly withdrawing for
some mysterious reason. This was done, the prisoners afterward stated,
because their foremost people had fallen, and their places could not be
filled at once. Meanwhile they regarded the horse’s head as their
greatest trophy. Xikotenkatl carried it off himself and sent it to the
Council.
Cortes thereupon intrenched himself in a convenient place and attempted
once more to induce the Tlaxcalans to come to a peaceful agreement. He
despatched some of the prisoners to make offers of peace as well as to
warn them of the dreadful consequences they might expect in case they
continued hostilities. Xikotenkatl was so furious at his offers that he
mutilated the messengers shamefully and drove them back to the Spanish
camp to notify the general that he would appear the next morning with a
countless force, capture his entire army, and sacrifice it to his
deities. The news was not very consoling, but it was accompanied by
something that considerably sweetened its bitterness. Xikotenkatl at the
same time sent three hundred Indian fowls and a great quantity of other
provisions so as to get the enemy in good condition before he
slaughtered them. The Spaniards laughed at his bombastic folly and
relished the gifts which gave them fresh strength for the morrow’s
struggle. Xikotenkatl was as good as his word. He appeared at daybreak
with a multitude of warriors, and the battle began anew with
extraordinary fury on both sides. The issue for a long time seemed in
doubt, but at last European skill prevailed in spite of the hordes of
the enemy and their desperate courage. The Tlaxcalans gave way, and the
Spaniards held the field.
But even this third defeat failed completely to daunt these warlike
people. They were now more than ever convinced that the Europeans, all
and every one of them, were wizards who could not be vanquished in the
usual way and that the magic of their enemies must be thwarted by the
arts of their own magicians. They had some priestly impostors who told
them that with their spells they could see into the future and perform
divers feats surpassing human power. They were called into Council and
offered the following advice: The Spaniards are the Children of the Sun.
By day their mother strengthens them with her rays and they are
invincible. But at night, when the sun loses her maternal influence,
their superhuman power disappears and they are no stronger than ordinary
beings.
The superstitious Tlaxcalans did not doubt the truth of this for an
instant and hastened to avail themselves of the discovery by making a
night attack. But Cortes was too watchful and far-sighted to be
surprised by such an enemy. He stationed his outposts carefully so that
he might have instant intelligence of their moves and be prepared to
meet them. When the Tlaxcalans made their attack they found the
Spaniards already under arms and although they fought desperately they
were at last driven back with great loss. These poor people were now in
a state of utter perplexity. They were convinced the Spaniards were
super-human, else, how was it that in all the battles they lost
thousands and the Spaniards not a single man?
But the problem which troubled them most was the goodness or badness of
their own divinities. The first thing which impressed itself upon them
was the necessity of getting rid of their deceitful sorcerers and doing
away with human sacrifice. Their next step was to send an imposing
delegation to pray for peace. It was composed of their most
distinguished people, who went to the Spanish camp in their ceremonial
dresses, adorned with white feathers, the symbol of peace, and at a
distance made signs of their extreme reverence. From time to time they
stopped and touched first the earth and then their lips. This ceremony
was repeated several times until they reached the intrenchments, before
which they burned incense and repeated the signs of reverence already
described. Cortes received them with a haughty dignity, in order to
impress them with dread, and ordered them to speak. They obeyed, and
their first remarkable utterance was this:
“Be you cruel and vengeful divinities, we deliver to you these five
slaves that you may drink their blood and eat of their flesh. Be you
gentle gods, we give you an offering of incense and white feathers. Be
you men, we offer you meat and bread and fruits for your nourishment.”
They further declared that they had come to ask forgiveness for the past
hostility of their people and at the same time to supplicate for peace.
Cortes, still retaining his haughty demeanor, bitterly reproached them
for their contemptuous rejection of his friendly advances, but added
that he was ready to forget the past if they, from that time forward,
would remain quiet and make compensation for the offences they had
committed. With these words he dismissed them. As soon as his answer was
taken to Tlaxcala, the Council issued a general order to all the people
thereabout that they should supply the camp of these wonderful strangers
with subsistence and refrain from taking pay for it. The order was
obeyed with a willingness and promptness which surprised the Spaniards.
Two days later a great and imposing procession was seen approaching the
camp from Tlaxcala. The attire of the natives showed it was peaceful of
intention and Cortes ordered it to be received without the slightest
hint of distrust.
At the head of this delegation was the brave Xikotenkatl, his attendants
being fifty of the foremost of the people in splendid attire. He wore a
long, white, military cloak which was richly adorned with feathers and
precious stones. He was tall and slender, active and nervous, and his
personal appearance indicated dignity and courage. After making
obeisance to the Spanish commander in the fashion of the country, he
seated himself in the most informal manner, without even asking
permission, and declared in a manly way that he was alone responsible
for the hostilities which had occurred, because he had supposed that the
Spaniards were supporting Montezuma, his enemy. He surrendered himself
willingly, therefore, into the hands of his conqueror, and would take
upon himself all the responsibility for his acts, and asked forgiveness,
and would agree to maintain peace in the name of the Council, the
nobility, and the people. The city of Tlaxcala stood ready to receive
Cortes and his whole army and entertain them hospitably. Cortes was
delighted with the frank, bold, open-hearted manner of the young warrior
and could not help expressing his esteem for him. But he did not refrain
from reproaching him for the bitter opposition he had made, ending with
the assurance that in a few days he would accept the invitation to go to
Tlaxcala.
In the meantime messengers from Montezuma arrived with new gifts and
with fresh protests against Cortes’ determination to go to Mexico. Their
principal object, however, was to prevent Cortes from making an alliance
with the Tlaxcalans. To this end they told dreadful stories of the
faithlessness of that people. Cortes, however, did not heed their
warnings, being confident he had just as little reason to fear their
secret plans as open hostility in the field. The Tlaxcalans were much
disturbed because Cortes did not come to them immediately, and concluded
that Montezuma’s messengers had prejudiced him against them. To remove
all grounds for suspicion the entire Council decided to go to the camp
and offer themselves as hostages. The procession moved with great
stateliness. All were arrayed in white garments of peace, and each one
of the officials was borne in a kind of litter. The most conspicuous
person in this dignified company was Xikotenkatl’s father, a venerable
old man, who was blind but still intellectually vigorous. He seated
himself next to Cortes, embraced him with a noble kind of frankness, and
touched his face and body to get some idea of his appearance. The speech
which he made is so impressive and beautiful that it merits preservation
as a sample of manly eloquence. He spoke as follows:
“Magnanimous General! Whether you are of the race of the immortals or
not, you have the high Council of Tlaxcala in your power, and it gives
you herewith the great symbols of its obedience. We have no desire to
excuse the faults of our nation, but only express the hope that our
sincerity will mitigate your anger. We have not only abandoned our
purpose of making war upon you, but we have also decided to pray for
peace. We know that Montezuma is seeking to secure you as an ally. But
if you listen to him you must remember he is our enemy. We do not ask
you to assist us against him. We are strong enough to defend ourselves,
but it will grieve us if you believe his promises, for we know his
deceitfulness and, although I am blind, I see a sure light revealing to
me the disaster which will overtake you. You will have peace with us if
Montezuma does not prevent it. Why should he restrain you? Why should
you not grant our prayer? Why will you not honor our city with your
presence? We are fully resolved either to win your friendship and
confidence or to leave our freedom in your hands. Choose now which you
prefer, for no middle course is of any avail to us. We must either be
your good friends or your bondmen.”
Who could resist such an appeal from such an old man? Cortes could not.
He replied that he would grant their every wish. He asked only that they
should furnish him people to carry the baggage and heavy ammunition. On
the following morning six hundred burden bearers appeared who contested
for the honor of carrying the heaviest loads. The entrance of the
Spaniards into Tlaxcala resembled a triumph. The streets were filled
with great multitudes. There was such shouting and jubilation that one
could not hear himself speak. Young maidens covered the strangers with
flowers. The priests appeared in their ceremonial robes and burned
incense. The entire Council and the leaders of the people met them and
welcomed them. Everywhere confidence, peace, and harmony prevailed. A
fitting residence was ready for their sacred guest, whom they called
Teules, or divinity. Cortes, as soon as he occupied it, stationed
sentinels at all the approaches. This troubled the Tlaxcalans, who
regarded it as a sign of distrust, but when they were informed that this
was the custom of European soldiers, even in times of peace, they were
no longer alarmed, and Xikotenkatl himself introduced the practice in
his own army. Cortes recognized more and more the great advantage the
friendship of this martial nation would be to him. He therefore ordered
his men to treat them in a just and friendly manner, and he himself
adopted every means in his power to strengthen the confidence and
respect he had already gained.