CORTES AND MONTEZUMA
We have now seen the Spanish conquerors with a large contingent of 6,000
natives surmounting the mountains to the east of the Mexican Valley and
looking down upon the Lake of Tezcuco on which were built the sister
capitals. Montezuma, the Aztec monarch, was already in a state of
dismay, and sent still another embassy to propitiate the terrible
Cortes, with a great present of gold and robes of the most precious
fabrics and workmanship; and a promise that, if the foreign general
would turn back toward Vera Cruz, the Mexicans would pay down four loads
of gold for himself and one to each of his captains, besides a yearly
tribute to their king in Europe.
These promises did not reach Cortes till he was descending from the
sierra. He replied that details were best arranged by a personal
interview, and that the Spaniards came with peaceful motives.
Montezuma was now plunged in deep despair. At last he summoned a council
to consult his nobles and especially his nephew, the young King of
Tezcuco, and his warlike brother. The latter advised him to "muster as
large an army as possible, and drive back the invaders from his capital
or die in its defense." "Ah!" replied the monarch, "the gods have
declared themselves against us!" Still another embassy was prepared,
with his nephew, lord of Tezcuco, at its head, to offer a welcome to the
unwelcome visitors.
Cortes approached through fertile fields, plantations, and
maguey-vineyards till they reached Lake Chalco. There they found a large
town built in the water on piles, with canals instead of streets, full
of movement and animation. "The Spaniards were particularly struck with
the style and commodious structure of the houses, chiefly of stone, and
with the general aspect of wealth and even elegance which prevailed."
Next morning the King of Tezcuco came to visit Cortes, in a palanquin
richly decorated with plates of gold and precious stones, under a canopy
of green plumes. He was accompanied by a numerous suite. Advancing with
the Mexican salutation, he said he had been commanded by Montezuma to
welcome him to the capital, at the same time offering three splendid
pearls as a present. Cortes "in return threw over the young king's neck
a chain of cut glass, which, where glass was as rare as diamonds, might
be admitted to have a value as real as the latter."
The army of Cortes next marched along the southern side of Lake Chalco,
"through noble woods and by orchards glowing with autumnal fruits, of
unknown names, but rich and tempting hues." They also passed "through
cultivated fields waving with the yellow harvest, and irrigated by
canals introduced from the neighboring lake, the whole showing a careful
and economical husbandry, essential to the maintenance of a crowded
population." A remarkable public work next engaged the attention of the
Spaniards, viz., a solid causeway of stone and lime running directly
through the lake, in some places so wide that eight horsemen could ride
on it abreast. Its length is some four or five miles. Marching along
this causeway, they saw other wonders; numbers of the natives darting in
all directions in their skiffs, curious to watch the strangers marching,
and some of them bearing the products of the country to the neighboring
cities. They were amazed also by the sight of the floating gardens,
teeming with flowers and vegetables, and moving like rafts over the
waters. All round the margin, and occasionally far in the lake, they
beheld little towns and villages, which, half concealed by the foliage,
and gathered in white clusters round the shore, "looked in the distance
like companies of white swans riding quietly on the waves." About the
middle of this lake was a town, to which the Spaniards gave the name of
Venezuela[22] (i. e., "Little Venice"). From its situation and the style
of the buildings, Cortes called it the most beautiful town that he had
yet seen in New Spain.
[Footnote 22: Not to be confounded with the Indian village on the shore
of Lake Maracaibo, to which (with similar motive) Vespucci had given
that name--now capital of a large republic.]
After crossing the isthmus which separates that lake from Lake Tezcuco
they were now at Iztapalapan, a royal residence in charge of the
Emperor's brother. Here a ceremonious reception was given to Cortes and
his staff, "a collation being served in one of the great halls of the
palace. The excellence of the architecture here excited the admiration
of the general. The buildings were of stone, and the spacious apartments
had roofs of odorous cedar-wood, while the walls were tapestried with
fine cotton stained with brilliant colors.
"But the pride of Iztapalapan was its celebrated gardens, covering an
immense tract of land and laid out in regular squares. The gardens were
stocked with fruit-trees and with the gaudy family of flowers which
belonged to the Mexican flora, scientifically arranged, and growing
luxuriant in the equable temperature of the table-land. In one quarter
was an aviary filled with numerous kinds of birds remarkable in this
region both for brilliancy of plumage and for song. But the most
elaborate piece of work was a huge reservoir of stone, filled to a
considerable height with water, well supplied with different sorts of
fish. This basin was 1,600 paces in circumference, and surrounded by a
walk."
Readers must remember that at that age no beautiful gardens on a large
scale were known in any part of Europe. The first "garden of plants" (to
use the name afterward applied by the French) is said to have been an
Italian one, at Padua, in 1545, a whole generation after the time of the
arrival of Cortes in Mexico. It was only under Louis "Le Magnifique"
that France created the Versailles Gardens, and not till the time of
George III and his tutor Bute could we boast of the gardens at Kew, now
admired by all the world. The ancient Mexicans, therefore, under their
extinct civilization, had developed this taste for the beautiful many
ages before the most cultivated races in Europe.
Cortes took up his quarters at this residence of Iztapalapan for the
night, expecting to meet Montezuma on the morrow. Mexico was now
distinctly full in view, looking "like a thing of fairy creation," a
city of enchantment.
There Aztlan stood upon the farther shore;
Amid the shade of trees its dwellings rose,
Their level roofs with turrets set around
And battlements all burnished white, which shone
Like silver in the sunshine. I beheld
The imperial city, her far-circling walls,
Her garden groves and stately palaces,
Her temples mountain size, her thousand roofs.
And when I saw her might and majesty
My mind misgave me then.
_Madoc_, i, 6.
That following day, November 8, 1519, should be noted in every calendar,
when the great capital of the Western World admitted the conquering
general from the Eastern World. The invaders were now upon a larger
causeway, which stretched across the salt waters of Lake Tezcuco; and
"had occasion more than ever to admire the mechanical science of the
Aztecs." It was wide enough throughout its whole extent for ten horsemen
to ride abreast.
The Spaniards saw everywhere "evidence of a crowded and thriving
population, exceeding all they had yet seen." The water was darkened by
swarms of canoes filled with Indians; and here also were those fairy
islands of flowers. Half a league from the capital they encountered a
solid work of stone, which traversed the road. It was twelve feet high,
strengthened by towers at the extremities, and in the center was a
battlemented gateway, which opened a passage to the troops.
Here they were met by several hundred Aztec chiefs, who came out to
announce the approach of Montezuma, and to welcome the Spaniards to his
capital. They were dressed in the fanciful gala costume of the country,
with the cotton sash around their loins, and a broad mantle of the same
material, or of the brilliant feather embroidery, flowing gracefully
down their shoulders. On their necks and arms they displayed collars and
bracelets of turquoise mosaic, with which delicate plumage was curiously
mingled, while their ears, under lips, and occasionally their noses were
garnished with pendants formed of precious stones, or crescents of fine
gold.
After all the caziques had performed the same formal salutation
separately, there was no further delay till they reached a bridge near
the gates of the capital. Soon after "they beheld the glittering retinue
of the Emperor emerging from the great street leading through the heart
of the city. Amid a crowd of Indian nobles preceded by three officers of
state bearing golden wands, they saw the royal palanquin blazing with
burnished gold. It was borne on the shoulders of nobles, and over it a
canopy of gaudy feather-work, covered with jewels and fringed with
silver, was supported by four attendants of the same rank."
At a certain distance from the Spaniards "the train halted, and
Montezuma, descending from the litter, came forward, leaning on the
arms of the lords of Tezcuco and Iztapalapan"--the Emperor's nephew and
brother, already mentioned. "As the monarch advanced, his subjects, who
lined the sides of the causeway, bent forward, with their eyes fastened
on the ground, as he passed."
Montezuma wore the ample square cloak common to the Mexicans, but of the
finest cotton sprinkled with pearls and precious stones; his sandals
were similarly sprinkled, and had soles of solid gold. His only head
ornament was a bunch of feathers of the royal green color. A man about
forty; tall and rather thin; black hair, cut rather short for a person
of rank; dignified in his movements; his features wearing an expression
of benignity not to be expected from his character.
After dismounting from horseback, Cortes advanced to meet Montezuma, who
received him with princely courtesy, while Cortes responded by profound
expressions of respect, with thanks for his experience of the Emperor's
munificence. He then hung round Montezuma's neck a sparkling chain of
colored crystal, accompanying this with a movement as if to embrace him,
when he was restrained by the two Aztec lords, shocked at the menaced
profanation of the sacred person of their monarch and master.
Montezuma appointed his brother to conduct the Spaniards to their
residence in the capital, and was again carried through the adoring
crowds in his litter. "The Spaniards quickly followed, and with colors
flying and music playing soon made their entrance into the southern
quarter."
On entering "they found fresh cause for admiration in the grandeur of
the city and the superior style of its architecture. The great avenue
through which they were now marching was lined with the houses of the
nobles, who were encouraged by the Emperor to make the capital their
residence. The flat roofs were protected by stone parapets, so that
every house was a fortress. Sometimes these roofs seemed parterres of
flowers ... broad terraced gardens laid out between the buildings.
Occasionally a great square intervened surrounded by its porticoes of
stone and stucco; or a pyramidal temple reared its colossal bulk crowned
with its tapering sanctuaries, and altars blazing with unextinguishable
fires. But what most impressed the Spaniards was the throngs of people
who swarmed through the streets and on the canals."
Probably, however, the spectacle of the European army with their horses,
their guns, bright swords and helmets of steel, a metal to them unknown;
their weird and mysterious music--the whole formed to the Aztec populace
an inexplicable wonder, combined with those foreigners who had arrived
from the distant East, "revealing their celestial origin in their fair
complexions." Many of the Aztec citizens betrayed keen hatred of the
Tlascalans who marched with the Spaniards in friendly alliance.
At length Cortes with his mixed army halted near the center of the city
in a great open space, "where rose the huge pyramidal pile dedicated to
the patron war-god of the Aztecs, second only to the temple of Cholula
in size as well as sanctity." The present famous cathedral of modern
Mexico is built on part of the same site.
A palace built opposite the west side of the great temple was assigned
to Cortes. It was extensive enough to accommodate the whole of the army
of Cortes. Montezuma paid him a visit there, having a long conversation
through the indispensable assistance of Marina, the slave interpreter.
"That evening the Spaniards celebrated their arrival in the Mexican
capital by a general discharge of artillery. The thunders of the
ordnance reverberating among the buildings and shaking them to their
foundations, the stench of the sulfureous vapor reminding the
inhabitants of the explosions of the great volcano (Popocatepetl) filled
the hearts of the superstitious Aztecs with dismay."
Next day Cortes had gracious permission to return the visit of the
Emperor, and therefore proceeded to wait upon him at the royal palace,
dressed in his richest suit of clothes. The Spanish general felt the
importance of the occasion and resolved to exercise all his eloquence
and power of argument in attempting the "conversion" of Montezuma to the
Christian faith.
For this purpose, with the assistance of the faithful Marina, Cortes
engaged the Emperor in a theological discussion; explaining the creation
of the world as taught in the Jewish Scriptures; the fall of man from
his first happy and holy condition by the temptation of Satan; the
mysterious redemption of the human race by the incarnation and atonement
of the Son of God Himself. "He assured Montezuma that the idols
worshiped in Mexico were Satan under different forms. A sufficient proof
of this was the bloody sacrifices they imposed, which he contrasted with
the pure and simple rite of the mass. It was to snatch the Emperor's
soul and the souls of his people from the flames of eternal fire that
the Christians had come to this land."
Montezuma replied that the God of the Spaniards must be a good being,
and "my gods also are good to me; there was no need to further discourse
on the matter." If he had "resisted their visit to his capital, it was
because he had heard such accounts of their cruelties--that they sent
the lightning to consume his people, or crushed them to pieces under the
hard feet of the ferocious animals on which they rode. He was now
convinced that these were idle tales; that the Spaniards were kind and
generous in their nature." He concluded by admitting the superiority of
the sovereign of Cortes beyond the seas. "Your sovereign is the rightful
lord of all: I rule in his name."
The rough Spanish cavaliers were touched by the kindness and affability
of Montezuma. As they passed him, says Diaz, in his History, they made
him the most profound obeisance, hat in hand; and on the way home could
discourse of nothing but the gentle breeding and courtesy of the Indian
monarch.
MONTEZUMA'S CAPITAL
Cortes and his army being now fairly domesticated in Mexico, and the
Emperor having apparently become reconciled to the presence of his
formidable guests, we may pause to consider the surroundings.
The present capital occupies the site of Tenochtitlan, but many changes
have occurred in the intervening four centuries. First of all, the salt
waters of the great lake have entirely shrunk away, leaving modern
Mexico high and dry, a league away from the waters that Cortes saw
flowing in ample canals through all the streets. Formerly the houses
stood on elevated piles and were independent of the floods which rose in
Lake Tezcuco by the overflowing of other lakes on a higher level. But
when the foundations were on solid ground it became necessary to provide
against the accumulated volume of water by excavating a tunnel to drain
off the flood. This was constructed about one hundred years after the
invasion of the Spaniards, and has been described by Humboldt as "one of
the most stupendous hydraulic works in existence."
The appearance of the lake and suburbs of the capital have long lost
much of the attractive appearance they had at the time of the Spanish
visit; but the town itself is still the most brilliant city in Spanish
America, surmounted by a cathedral, which forms "the most sumptuous
house of worship in the New World."
The great causeway already described as leading north from the royal
city of Iztapalapan, had another to the north of the capital, which
might be called its continuation. The third causeway, leading west to
the town Tacuba from the island city, will be noticed presently as the
scene of the Spaniards' retreat.
There were excellent police regulations for health and cleanliness.
Water supplied by earthen pipes was from a hill about two miles distant.
Besides the palaces and temples there were several important buildings:
an armory filled with weapons and military dresses; a granary; various
warehouses; an immense aviary, with "birds of splendid plumage assembled
from all parts of the empire--the scarlet cardinal, the golden pheasant,
the endless parrot tribe, and that miniature miracle of nature, the
humming-bird, which delights to revel among the honeysuckle bowers of
Mexico." The birds of prey had a separate building. The menagerie
adjoining the aviary showed wild animals from the mountain forests, as
well as creatures from the remote swamps of the hot lands by the
seashore. The serpents "were confined in long cages lined with down or
feathers, or in troughs of mud and water."
Wishing to visit the great Mexican temple, Cortes, with his cavalry and
most of his infantry, followed the caziques whom Montezuma had politely
sent as guides.
On their way to the central square the Spaniards "were struck with the
appearance of the inhabitants, and their great superiority in the style
and quality of their dress over the people of the lower countries. The
women, as in other parts of the country, seemed to go about as freely as
the men. They wore several skirts or petticoats of different lengths,
with highly ornamented borders, and sometimes over them loose-flowing
robes, which reached to the ankles. No veils were worn here as in some
other parts of Anahuac. The Aztec women had their faces exposed; and
their dark raven tresses floated luxuriantly over their shoulders,
revealing features which, although of a dusky or rather cinnamon hue,
were not unfrequently pleasing, while touched with the serious, even
sad expression characteristic of the national physiognomy."
When near the great market "the Spaniards were astonished at the throng
of people pressing toward it, and on entering the place their surprise
was still further heightened by the sight of the multitudes assembled
there, and the dimensions of the enclosure, twice as large, says one
Spanish observer, as the celebrated square of Salamanca. Here were
traders from all parts; the goldsmiths from Azcapozalco, the potters and
jewelers of Cholula, the painters of Tezcuco, the stone-cutters,
hunters, fishermen, fruiterers, mat and chair makers, florists, etc. The
pottery department was a large one; so were the armories for implements
of war; razors and mirrors--booths for apothecaries with drugs, roots,
and medical preparations. In other places again, blank-books or maps for
the hieroglyphics or pictographs were to be seen folded together like
fans. Animals both wild and tame were offered for sale, and near them,
perhaps, a gang of slaves with collars round their necks. One of the
most attractive features of the market was the display of provisions:
meats of all kinds, domestic poultry, game from the neighboring
mountains, fish from the lakes and streams, fruits in all the delicious
abundance of these temperate regions, green vegetables, and the
unfailing maize."
This market, like hundreds of smaller ones, was of course held every
fifth day--the week of the ancient Mexicans being one-fourth of the
twenty days which constituted the Aztec month. This great market was
comparable to "the periodical fairs in Europe, not as they now exist,
but as they existed in the middle ages," when from the difficulties of
intercommunication they served as the great central marts for commercial
intercourse, exercising a most important and salutary influence on the
community.
One of the Spaniards in the party accompanying Cortes was the historian
Diaz, and his testimony is remarkable:
There were among us soldiers who had been in many parts of the
world, Constantinople and Rome, and through all Italy, and who said
that a market-place so large, so well ordered and regulated, and so
filled with people, they had never seen.
Proceeding next to the great _teocalli_ or Aztec temple, covering the
site of the modern cathedral with part of the market-place and some
adjoining streets, they found it in the midst of a great open space,
surrounded by a high stone wall, ornamented on the outside by figures of
serpents raised in relief, and pierced by huge battlemented gateways
opening on the four principal streets of the capital. The _teocalli_
itself was a solid pyramidal structure of earth and pebbles, coated on
the outside with hewn stones, the sides facing the cardinal points. It
was divided into five stories, each of smaller dimensions than that
immediately below. The ascent was by a flight of steps on the outside,
which reached to the narrow terrace at the bottom of the second story,
passing quite round the building, when a second stairway conducted to a
similar landing at the base of the third. Thus the visitor was obliged
to pass round the whole edifice four times in order to reach the top.
This had a most imposing effect in the religious ceremonials, when the
pompous procession of priests with their wild minstrelsy came sweeping
round the huge sides of the pyramid, as they rose higher and higher
toward the summit in full view of the populace assembled in their
thousands.
Cortes marched up the steps at the head of his men, and found at the
summit "a vast area paved with broad flat stones. The first object that
met their view was a large block of jasper, the peculiar shape of which
showed it was the stone on which the bodies of the unhappy victims were
stretched for sacrifice. Its convex surface, by raising the breast,
enabled the priest to perform more easily his diabolical task of
removing the heart. At the other end of the area were two towers or
sanctuaries, consisting of three stories, the lower one of stone, the
two upper of wood elaborately carved. In the lower division stood the
images of their gods; the apartments above were filled with utensils for
their religious services, and with the ashes of some of their Aztec
princes who had fancied this airy sepulcher. Before each sanctuary stood
an altar, with that undying fire upon it, the extinction of which boded
as much evil to the empire as that of the Vestal flame would have done
in ancient Rome. Here also was the huge cylindrical drum made of
serpents' skins, and struck only on extraordinary occasions, when it
sent forth a melancholy, weird sound, that might be heard for miles"
over the country, indicating fierce anger of deity against the enemies
of Mexico.
As Cortes reached the summit he was met by the Emperor himself attended
by the high priest. Taking the general by the hand, Montezuma pointed
out the chief localities in the wide prospect which their position
commanded, including not only the capital, "bathed on all sides by the
salt floods of the Tezcuco, and in the distance the clear fresh waters
of Lake Chalco," but the whole of the Valley of Mexico to the base of
the circular range of mountains, and the wreaths of vapor rolling up
from the hoary head of Popocatepetl.
Cortes was allowed "to behold the shrines of the gods. They found
themselves in a spacious apartment, with sculptures on the walls,
representing the Mexican calendar, or the priestly ritual. Before the
altar in this sanctuary stood the colossal image of Huitzilopochtli, the
tutelary deity and war-god of the Aztecs. His countenance was distorted
into hideous lineaments of symbolical import. The huge folds of a
serpent, consisting of pearls and precious stones, were coiled round his
waist, and the same rich materials were profusely sprinkled over his
person. On his left foot were the delicate feathers of the humming-bird,
which gave its name to the dread deity. The most conspicuous ornament
was a chain of gold and silver hearts alternate, suspended round his
neck, emblematical of the sacrifice in which he most delighted. A more
unequivocal evidence of this was afforded by three human hearts that now
lay smoking on the altar before him.
"The adjoining sanctuary was dedicated to a milder deity. This was
Tezcatlipoca, who created the world, next in honor to that invisible
being the Supreme God, who was represented by no image, and confined by
no temple. He was represented as a young man, and his image of polished
black stone was richly garnished with gold plates and ornaments. But the
homage to this god was not always of a more refined or merciful
character than that paid to his carnivorous brother."
According to Diaz, whom we have already quoted, the stench of human gore
in both those chapels was more intolerable than that of all the
slaughter-houses in Castile. Glad to escape into the open air, Cortes
expressed wonder that a great and wise prince like Montezuma could have
faith "in such evil spirits as these idols, the representatives of the
devil! Permit us to erect here the true cross, and place the images of
the Blessed Virgin and her Son in these sanctuaries; you will soon see
how your false gods will shrink before them!"
This extraordinary speech of the general shocked Montezuma, who, in
reproof, said: "Had I thought you would have offered this outrage to the
gods of the Aztecs, I would not have admitted you into their presence."
Cortes, as a general, had some of the great qualities of Napoleon, but
he also resembled him occasionally in a singular lack of delicacy and
good taste. We do not, however, find that he ever showed such mean
malignity as the French general did when persecuting Madame de Stael,
because in her Germany she had omitted to mention his campaigns and
administration.
Within the same enclosure, Cortes and his companions visited a temple
dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, a god referred to already. Other buildings
served as seminaries for the instruction of youth of both sexes; and
according to the Spanish accounts of the teaching and management of
these institutions there was "the greatest care for morals and the most
blameless deportment."
SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA
After being guest of the Mexican Emperor for a week, Cortes resolved to
carry out a most daring and unprecedented scheme--a purely "Napoleonic
movement," such as could scarcely have entered the brain of any general
ancient or modern. He argued with himself that a quarrel might at any
moment break out between his men and the citizens; the Spaniards again
could not remain long quiet unless actively employed; and, thirdly,
there was still greater danger with the Tlascalans, "a fierce race now
in daily contact with a nation that regards them with loathing and
detestation." Lastly, the Governor of Cuba, already grossly offended
with Cortes, might at any moment send after him a sufficient army to
wrest from him the glory of conquest. Cortes therefore formed the daring
resolve to seize Montezuma in his palace and carry him as a prisoner to
the Spanish quarters. He hoped thus to have in his own hands the supreme
management of affairs, and at the same time secure his own safety with
such a "sacred pledge" in keeping.
It was necessary to find a pretext for seizing the hospitable Montezuma.
News had already come to Cortes, when at Cholula, that Escalante, whom
he had left in charge of Vera Cruz, had been defeated by the Aztecs in a
pitched battle, and that the head of a Spaniard, then slain, had been
sent to the Emperor, after being shown in triumph throughout some of the
chief cities.
Cortes asked an audience from Montezuma, and that being readily granted,
he prepared for his plot by having a large body of armed men posted in
the courtyard. Choosing five companions of tried courage, Cortes then
entered the palace, and after being graciously received, told Montezuma
that he knew of the treachery that had taken place near the coast, and
that the Emperor was said to be the cause.
The Emperor said that such a charge could only have been concocted by
his enemies. He agreed with the proposal of Cortes to summon the Aztec
chief who was accused of treachery to the garrison at Vera Cruz; and was
then persuaded to transfer his residence to the palace occupied by the
Spaniards. He was there received and treated with ostentatious respect;
but his people observed that in front of the palace there was constantly
posted a patrol of sixty soldiers, with another equally large in the
rear.
When the Aztec chief arrived from the coast, he and his sixteen Aztec
companions were condemned to be burned alive before the palace.
The next daring act of the Spanish general was to order iron fetters to
be fastened on Montezuma's ankles. The great Emperor seemed struck with
stupor and spoke never a word. Meanwhile the Aztec chiefs were executed
in the courtyard without interruption, the populace imagining the
sentence had been passed upon them by Montezuma, and the victims
submitting to their fate without a murmur.
Cortes returning then to the room where Montezuma was imprisoned,
unclasped the fetters and said he was now at liberty to return to his
own palace. The Emperor, however, declined the offer.
The instinctive sense of human sympathy must have frequently been not
only repressed but extinguished by all the great conquering generals who
have crushed nations under foot. Besides those of prehistoric times in
Asia and Europe, we have examples in Alexander the Greek, Julius Caesar
the Roman, Cortes and Pizarro the Spaniards, Frederick the Prussian, and
Napoleon the Corsican.
The great French general consciously aimed at dramatic effect in his
exploits, but how paltry his seizing the Duc d'Enghien at dead of night
by a troop of soldiers, or his coercing the King of Spain to resign his
sovereignty after inducing him to cross the border into France. In the
unparalleled case of Cortes, a powerful emperor is seized by a few
strangers at noonday and carried off a prisoner without opposition or
bloodshed. So extraordinary a transaction, says Robertson, would appear
"extravagant beyond the bounds of probability" were it not that all the
circumstances are "authenticated by the most unquestionable evidence."
The nephew of Montezuma, Cakama, the lord of Tezcuco, had been closely
watching all the motions of the Spaniards. He "beheld with indignation
and contempt the abject condition of his uncle; and now set about
forming a league with several of the neighboring caziques to break the
detested yoke of the Spaniards." News of this league reached the ears
of Cortes, and arresting him with the permission of Montezuma, he
deposed him, and appointed a younger brother in his place. The other
caziques were seized, each in his own city, and brought to Mexico, where
Cortes placed them in strict confinement along with Cakama.
The next step taken by Cortes was to demand from Montezuma an
acknowledgment of the supremacy of the Spanish Emperor. The Aztec
monarch and chief caziques easily granted this; and even agreed that a
gratuity should be sent by each of them as proof of loyalty. Collectors
were sent out, and "in a few weeks most of them returned, bringing back
large quantities of gold and silver plate, rich stuffs, etc." To this
Montezuma added a huge hoard, the treasures of his father. When brought
into the quarters, the gold alone was sufficient to make three great
heaps. It consisted partly of native grains, and partly of bars; but the
greatest portion was in utensils, and various kinds of ornaments and
curious toys, together with imitations of birds, insects, or flowers,
executed with uncommon truth and delicacy. There were also quantities of
collars, bracelets, wands, fans, and other trinkets, in which the gold
and feather-work were richly powdered with pearls and precious stones.
Montezuma expressed regret that the treasure was no larger; he had
"diminished it," he said, "by his former gifts to the white men."
The Spaniards gazed on this display of riches, far exceeding all
hitherto seen in the New World--though small compared with the quantity
of treasure found in Peru. The whole amount of this Mexican gift was
about L1,417,000, according to Prescott, Dr. Robertson making it
smaller.
It was no easy task to divide the spoil. A fifth had to be deducted for
the Crown, and an equal share went to the general, besides a "large sum
to indemnify him and the Governor of Cuba for the charges of the
expedition and the loss of the fleet. The garrison of Vera Cruz was also
to be provided for. The cavalry, musketeers, and crossbowmen each
received double pay." Thus for each of the common soldiers there was
only 100 gold _pesos_--i. e., L2-5/8 X 100 = L262 10s. To many this
share seemed paltry, compared with their expectations; and it required
all the tact and authority of Cortes to quell the grumbling.
There still remained one important object of the Spanish invasion, an
object which Cortes as a good Catholic dared not overlook--the
conversion of the Aztec nation from heathenism. The bloody ritual of the
_teocallis_ was still observed in every city. Cortes waited on
Montezuma, urging a request that the great temple be assigned for public
worship according to the Christian rites.
Montezuma was evidently much alarmed, declaring that his people would
never allow such a profanation, but at last, after consulting the
priest, agreed that one of the sanctuaries on the summit of the temple
should be granted to the Christians as a place of worship.
An altar was raised, surmounted by a crucifix and the image of the
Virgin. The whole army ascended the steps in solemn procession and
listened with silent reverence to the service of the mass. In
conclusion, "as the beautiful Te Deum rose toward heaven, Cortes and his
soldiers kneeling on the ground, with tears streaming from their eyes,
poured forth their gratitude to the Almighty for this glorious triumph
of the cross." Such a union of heathenism and Christianity was too
unnatural to continue.
A few days later the Emperor sent for Cortes and earnestly advised him
to leave the country at once. Cortes replied that ships were necessary.
Montezuma agreed to supply timber and workmen, and in a short time the
construction of several ships was begun at Vera Cruz on the seacoast,
while in the capital the garrison kept itself ready by day and by night
for a hostile attack. Only six months had elapsed since the arrival of
the Spaniards in the capital, 1519, and now the army was in more
uncomfortable circumstances than ever.
Meanwhile, while Cortes had been reducing Mexico and humbling the
unfortunate Montezuma, the Governor of Cuba had complained to the court
of Spain, but without success. Charles V, since his election to the
imperial crown of Germany, had neglected the affairs of Spain; and when
the envoys from Vera Cruz waited upon him, little came of the conference
except the astonishment of the court at the quantity of gold, and the
beautiful workmanship of the ornaments and the rich colors of the
Mexican feather-work. The opposition of the Bishop of Burgos thwarted
the conqueror of Mexico, as he had already successfully opposed the
schemes of the "Great Admiral" and his son Diego Columbus. We shall
presently see how this influential ecclesiastic was able to thwart
Balboa when governor of Darien.
Velasquez was now determined to wreak his revenge upon Cortes without
waiting longer for assistance from Spain. He prepared an expedition of
eighteen ships with eighty horsemen, 800 infantry, 120 crossbowmen, and
twelve pieces of artillery. To command these Velasquez chose a hidalgo
named Narvaez, who had assisted formerly in subduing Cuba and
Hispaniola. The personal appearance of Narvaez, as given by Diaz, is
worth quoting:
He was tall, stout-limbed, with a large head and red beard, an
agreeable presence, a voice deep and sonorous, as if it rose from a
cavern. He was a good horseman and valiant.
Meanwhile Cortes persuaded Montezuma that some friends from Spain had
arrived at Vera Cruz, and therefore got permission to leave him and the
capital in charge of Alvarado and a small garrison. Montezuma, in his
royal litter, borne on the shoulders of his Aztec nobles, accompanied
the Spanish general to the southern causeway.
When Cortes was within fifteen leagues' distance of Zempoalla, where
Narvaez was encamped, the latter sent a message that if his authority
were acknowledged he would supply ships to Cortes and his army so that
all who wished might freely leave the country with all their property.
Cortes, however, with his usual astuteness, replied: "If Narvaez bears a
royal commission I will readily submit to him. But he has produced none.
He is a deputy of my rival, Velasquez. For myself, I am a servant of the
King; I have conquered the country for him; and for him I and my brave
followers will defend it to the last drop of our blood. If we fall it
will be glory enough to have perished in the discharge of our duty."
Narvaez and his army were meantime spending their time frivolously; and
when the actual attack was begun in the dead of night, under a pouring
rain-storm, it appeared that only two sentinels were on guard. Narvaez,
badly wounded, was taken prisoner on the top of a _teocalli_; and in a
very short time his army was glad to capitulate. The horse-soldiers whom
Narvaez had sent to waylay one of the roads to Zempoalla, rode in soon
after to tender their submission. The victorious general, seated in a
chair of state, with a richly embroidered Mexican mantle on his
shoulders, received his congratulations from the officers and soldiers
of both armies. Narvaez and several others were led in chains.
Cortes not only defeated Narvaez, but, after the battle, enlisted under
his standard the Spanish soldiers who had been sent to attack
him--reminding one of the "magnetism" of Hannibal or Napoleon, and the
consequent enthusiasm caused by mere presence, looks, and words.
Before the rejoicings were finished, however, tidings were brought to
Cortes from the Mexican capital that the whole city was in a state of
revolt against Alvarado. On his march back to the great plateau Cortes
found the inhabitants of Tlascala still friendly and willing to assist
as allies in the struggle against their ancient foes, the Mexicans. On
reaching the camp of the Spaniards in Mexico, Cortes found that Alvarado
had provoked the insurrection by a massacre of the Aztec populace.
Having entered the precincts with his army, Cortes at once made anxious
preparations for the siege which was threatened by the Aztecs, now
assembling in thousands.
As the assailants approached "they set up a hideous yell, or rather that
shrill whistle used in fight by the nations of Anahuac," accompanied by
the sound of shell and atabal and their other rude instruments of wild
music. This was followed by a tempest of missiles, stones, darts, and
arrows. The Spaniards waited until the foremost column had arrived
within distance, when a general discharge of artillery and muskets swept
the ranks of the assailants. Never till now had the Mexicans witnessed
the murderous power of these formidable engines. At first they stood
aghast, but soon rallying, they rushed forward over the prostrate bodies
of their comrades.
Pressing on, some of them tried to scale the parapet, while others tried
to force a breach in it. When the parapet proved too strong they shot
burning arrows upon the wooden outworks.
Next day there were continually fresh supplies of warriors added to the
forces of the assailants, so that the danger of the situation was
greatly increased. Diaz, an onlooker, thus wrote:
The Mexicans fought with such ferocity that if we had been assisted
by 10,000 Hectors and as many Orlandos, we should have made no
impression on them. There were several of our troops who had served
in the Italian wars, but neither there nor in the battles with the
Turks had they ever seen anything like the desperation shown by
these Indians.
Cortes at last drew off his men and sounded a retreat, taking refuge in
the fortress. The Mexicans encamped round it, and during the night
insulted the besieged, shouting, "The gods have at last delivered you
into our hands: the stone of sacrifice is ready: the knives are
sharpened."
Cortes now felt that he had not fully understood the character of the
Mexicans. The patience and submission formerly shown in deference to the
injured Montezuma was now replaced by concentrated arrogance and
ferocity. The Spanish general even stooped to request the interposition
of the Aztec Emperor; and, at last, when assured that the foreigners
would leave his country if a way were opened through the Mexican army he
agreed to use his influence. For this purpose
he put on his imperial robes; his mantle of white and blue flowed
over his shoulders, held together by its rich clasp of the green
_chalchivitl_. The same precious gem, with emeralds of uncommon
size, set in gold, profusely ornamented other parts of his dress.
His feet were shod with the golden sandals, and his brows covered
with the Mexican diadem, resembling in form the pontifical tiara.
Thus attired and surrounded by a guard of Spaniards, and several
Aztec nobles, and preceded by the golden wand, the symbol of
sovereignty, the Indian monarch ascended the central turret of the
palace.
At the sight of Montezuma all the Mexican army became silent, partly, no
doubt, from curiosity. He assured them that he was no prisoner; that the
strangers were his friends, and would leave Mexico of their own accord
as soon as a way was opened.
To call himself a friend of the hateful Spaniards was a fatal argument.
Instead of respecting their monarch, though in his official robes, the
populace howled angry curses at him as a degenerate Aztec, a coward, no
longer a warrior or even a man!
A cloud of missiles was hurled at Montezuma, and he was struck to the
ground by the blow of a stone on his head. The unfortunate monarch only
survived his wounds for a few days, disdaining to take any nourishment,
or to receive advice from the Spanish priests.
Meanwhile, Cortes and his army met with an unexpected danger. A large
body of the Indian warriors had taken possession of the great temple, at
a short distance from the Spanish quarters. From this commanding
position they kept shooting a deadly flight of arrows on the Spaniards.
Cortes sent his chamberlain, Escobar, with a body of men to storm the
temple, but, after three efforts, the party had to relinquish the
attempt. Cortes himself then led a storming party, and after some
determined fighting reached the platform at the top of the temple where
the two sanctuaries of the Aztec deities stood. This large area was now
the scene of a desperate battle, fought in sight of the whole capital as
well as of the Spanish troops still remaining in the courtyard.
This struggle between such deadly enemies caused dreadful carnage on
both sides:
The edge of the area was unprotected by parapet or battlement; and
the combatants, as they struggled in mortal agony, were sometimes
seen to roll over the sheer sides of the precipice together.
Cortes himself had a narrow escape from this dreadful fate.... The
number of the enemy was double that of the Christians; but the
invulnerable armor of the Spaniard, his sword of matchless temper,
and his skill in the use of it, gave him advantages which far
outweighed the odds of physical strength and numbers.
This unparalleled scene of bloodshed lasted for three hours. Of the
Mexicans "two or three priests only survived to be led away in triumph";
yet the loss of the Spaniards was serious enough, amounting to
forty-five of their best men. Nearly all the others were wounded, some
seriously.
After dragging the uncouth monster, Huitzilopochtli, from his sanctuary,
the assailants hurled the repulsive image down the steps of the temple,
and then set fire to the building. The same evening they burned a large
part of the town.
Cortes now resolved upon a night retreat from the capital; but when
marching along one of the causeways they were attacked by the Mexicans
in such numbers that, when morning dawned, the shattered battalion was
reduced to less than half its number. In after years that disastrous
retreat was known to the Spanish chroniclers as _Noche Triste_, the
"Night of Sorrows."
After a hurried six days' march before the pursuers, Cortes gained a
victory so signal that an alliance was speedily formed with Tlascala
against Mexico. Cortes built twelve brigantines at Vera Cruz in order to
secure the command of Lake Tescuco and thus attempt the reduction of the
Mexican capital. On his return to the great lake he found that the
throne was now occupied by Guatimozin, a nephew of Montezuma. Using
their brigantines the Spanish soldiers now began the siege of
Mexico--"the most memorable event in the conquest of America." It lasted
seventy-five days, during which the whole of the capital was reduced to
ruins. Guatimozin, the last of the Aztec emperors, was condemned by the
Spanish general to be hanged on the charge of treason.
Cortes was now master of all Mexico. The Spanish court and people were
full of admiration for his victories and the extent of his conquests;
and Charles V appointed him "Captain-General and Governor of New Spain."
On revisiting Europe, the Emperor honored him with the order of St. Jago
and the title of marquis. Latterly, however, after some failures in his
exploring expeditions, Cortes, on his return to Spain, found himself
treated with neglect. It was then, according to Voltaire's story, that
when Charles asked the courtiers, "Who is that man?" referring to
Cortes, the latter said aloud: "It is one, sire, that has added more
provinces to your dominions than any other governor has added towns!"
Cortes died in his sixty-second year, December 2, 1547.