_How the great Motecusuma despatched four ambassadors to us, all men
in high authority, with presents in gold and cotton stuffs, and what
they said to our captains._
When Cortes admitted the four ambassadors into his presence they paid
him and we other warriors, who stood around his person, the most
profound respect, and placed before him the presents, consisting of
valuable gold trinkets of various workmanship, worth about 10,000 pesos;
and in ten packages of cotton stuffs, most beautifully interwoven with
feathers: all of which our general received with a friendly smile. They
then said that their monarch could not help feeling astonished that we
had made such a long stay among a poor and uncivilized people, who were
even not fit for slaves, but at the same time so viciously disposed, so
treacherous and thievish, that some day or night when we least expected
it they would murder us merely for the sake of plunder. Motecusuma
begged of us rather to visit his town, where, at least, we might enjoy
the good things it offered, though even these should be below our
deserts, and not equal to what he could wish. We should be regularly
supplied with the necessary provisions, though these had all to be
brought into their city from other parts.
These expressions of friendship were merely sent by Motecusuma in order
to entice us from Tlascalla, being aware that we stood in close
friendship with its inhabitants, and that the caziques to strengthen the
union had given their daughters to Malinche and his officers. For he
would easily conjecture that nothing good could ensue to the Mexicans
from our alliance with them, and this was the reason why he baited us
with gold and other presents that we might enter into his territory, or
that we should, at least, quit the country of the Tlascallans.
The Tlascallans were personally acquainted with these ambassadors, and
they told our captain that all of them were great personages and landed
proprietors, who had subjects of their own. These ambassadors Motecusuma
employed on the most important matters only. Cortes returned them many
thanks, in the most flattering manner, for their civilities and the
expressions of friendship they made in the name of their monarch, and he
desired them to say that in a short time he would pay his respects to
him. He then invited them to pass some time amongst us.
About this time Cortes also sent two of our chief officers in advance to
communicate with Motecusuma and view the great city of Mexico, and
inspect its strong fortifications and other works of defence. These
officers were Alvarado and Vazquez de Tapia. They set out on their
march, and the four ambassadors who had brought the last present
remained with us as hostages. Our two officers were accompanied by the
other messengers who had previously arrived. At that time I was
suffering from a severe wound, accompanied by fever, and could procure
no medicine to relieve my sufferings, so that I cannot now recall to my
memory how far these two officers proceeded on their journey: this,
however, I have not forgotten, that as soon as it was known that Cortes
had sent these cavaliers at a venture to Mexico, it met with universal
disapprobation, and we desired that they might be recalled from their
journey, as nothing could ensue from this but a mere view of that city;
and a despatch was accordingly sent after them, with orders for their
immediate return to our camp. They were not long returning, as Tapia had
been attacked by fever on the road. When the ambassadors who accompanied
them related this to Motecusuma, he was very curious to know something
about the features and the height of these two teules, who had been on
their way to Mexico, and whether they were officers. These ambassadors,
it appears, informed him, that Alvarado was a man whose countenance was
particularly graceful and noble, shone like the sun, and that he was an
officer. They had indeed taken a faithful likeness of him, and gave him
the name of _Tonatio_,[31] which he retained ever after among them, and
signifies the _Sun, son of the Sun_. Of Tapia, that he was a man of a
very stately deportment, powerful, and likewise a chief officer.
Motecusuma was sorely grieved to hear of their return; his ambassadors,
however, had correctly delineated their physiognomies and stature: for
Alvarado was in every sense beautifully proportioned in body, noble in
his gait, had very pleasing features, and an amiable manner of
expressing himself, so that there always appeared a smile on his
countenance; in the same way Tapia, notwithstanding a certain expression
of bodily strength which he had about him, had great nobleness in his
carriage.
For the rest, we were not a little delighted when they reappeared in our
quarters; nor did we make a secret of our opinion, that their mission
had not exactly been the most prudent of Cortes' resolves. But I will
say nothing further of this matter, as it has little to do with my
history.
[31] The name which the Mexicans gave to Alvarado was Tonatiuh, the sun.
It may naturally be supposed that when the Spaniards first arrived in
New Spain, they did not catch the true sound of names. Torquemada, who
spent nearly the whole of his life in New Spain, is considered the most
correct in this respect. (p. 191.)