History of the Conquest of Mexico Terminates with the Surrender of the Capital

— UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA BOOK CARD Please keep this card In book pocket o» 3 «i 3 ' .••• s 1 i " ~ - [ u «9» K •' '" or. , [ i S a I 1 «» S : h cz St i cz: on K ' "* 1 c [ : 1 J* i ~ i [ i * [ '5 1 '. ( 1 i i 43 42 ,.••',! 41 i II c THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL ENDOWED BY THE DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES F1230 .P9692 1873 v. 3 This book is due at the LOUIS R. WILSON LIBRARY on the last date stamped under "Date Due." If not on hold it may be renewed by bringing it to the library. DATE DATE DIE RET. DUE RET. : - v ' • M !''-; HB ? 1 1 *Wl-. r- a . : 513 Presrott. EDITION DE LUXE OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT, Edited by JOHN FOSTER KIRK. WITH THIRTY ILLUSTRATIONS ON STEEL. IN FIFTEEN VOLUMES. Volume VI. ftow ipun&reti onb /tftij €op\cs f)rmte&. Wo.JjSA. HISTORY CONQUEST OF MEXICO. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://archive.org/details/historyofconques3pres HISTORY f\7 : OF THE |^T - v - 3 CONQUEST OF MEXICO By WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT " Victrices aquilas alium laturus in orbem." Lucan, Pharsalia, lib. v., v. 23 EDITED BY JOHN FOSTER KIRK VOLUME III. PHILADELPHIA J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. Copyright, 1843, By WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT. Copyright, 1871, By WILLIAM G. PRESCOTT. Copyright, 1873, By J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. Mexico—Vol. III. Lifipincot? s Press, Philadelphia. CONTENTS OF VOL. III. BOOK VI. SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO. CHAPTER I. PAGE Arrangements at Tezcuco.—Sack of Iztapalapan.— Advantages of the Spaniards.—Wise Policy of — Cortes. Transportation of the Brigantines . 3 Headquarters at Tezcuco 3 Cortes distrusts the Natives 4 Negotiates with the Aztecs 5 City of Iztapalapan ......... 6 Spaniards march upon it 7 Sack the Town 8 Natives break down the Dikes ...... 9 Spaniards struggle in the Flood ...... 10 Regain their Quarters in Tezcuco 10 Indian Cities tender Allegiance 11 Some ask for Protection ....... 11 Cortes detaches Sandoval to their Aid 12 Difficult Situation of Cortes 13 His sagacious Policy . .15 Makes Overtures to Guatemozin ...... 17 Spirit of the Indian Emperor 17 The Brigantines are completed 19 Sandoval detached to transport them . .19 Signs of the Massacre at Zoltepec 20 Reaches Tlascala . .21 Transportation of the Brigantines 22 Joy at their Arrival 22 Reflections 23 A* v CONTENTS. CHAPTER II. PAGE cortes reconnoitres the capital.—occupies tacuba. —Skirmishes with the Enemy. — Expedition of Sandoval.—Arrival of Reinforcements . 25 Cortes reconnoitres the Capital 25 Action at Xaltocan 26 Spaniards ford the Lake 27 Towns deserted as they advance 28 Beautiful Environs of Mexico 28 Cortes occupies Tacuba ........ 29 The Allies fire the Town 30 Ambuscade of the Aztecs 31 Parley with the Enemy 33 Single Combats 34 Position of the Parties 34 Spaniards return to Tezcuco 35 Embassy from Chalco 36 Sandoval is detached to defend it 37 Takes Huaxtepec 38 Storms Jacapichtla ......... 39 Puts the Garrison to the Sword 40 Countermarch on Chalco ....... 41 Cortes' Coolness with Sandoval 42 His Reconciliation 42 Arrival of Reinforcements 43 The Dominican Friar 44 CHAPTER III. Second reconnoitring Expedition.—Engagements on the Sierra. — Capture of Cuernavaca. — Battles at Xochimilco.—Narrow Escape of Cortes.—He enters Tacuba 45 Second reconnoitring Expedition 45 Preparations for the March . .46 Spaniards enter the Sierra 46 Engagements in the Passes 47 CONTENTS. Vll PAGB Rocks rolled down by the Aztecs 47 Enemy routed ..... 48 Spaniards bivouac in the Mulberry Grove 49 Storm the Cliffs 49 March through the Mountains 51 Arrive at Cuernavaca . 51 Scenery in its Environs . 52 Bold Passage of the Ravine 54 Capture of the City . 55 Cortes recrosses the Sierra . 55 Exquisite View of the Valley 56 Marches against Xochimilco 57 Narrow Escape of Cortes 58 Chivalric Spirit of the Age . 60 Cortes surveys the Country 61 Vigilance in his Quarters 62 Battles at Xochimilco 62 Spaniards Masters of the Town 63 Conflagration of Xochimilco 65 Army arrives at Cojohuacan Ambuscade of the Indians Spaniards enter Tacuba 69 View from its Teocalli 69 Strong Emotion of Cortes . 70 Return to Tezcuco . 72 CHAPTER IV. Conspiracy in the Army. — Brigantines launched.— Muster of Forces.—Execution of Xicotencatl. — March of the Army.—Beginning of the Siege 73 Affairs in Spain ......... 73 Conspiracy in the Camp 75 Its Design 76 Disclosed to Cortes yy The Ringleader executed 78 Policy of Cortes ......... 79 The General's Body-guard 80 Brigantines launched ........ 81 Viii CONTENTS. PAGB Impression on the Spectators 82 Muster of Forces 83 Instructions to the Allies 84 Cortes distributes his Troops 85 His Spirited Harangue 86 Regulations read to the Army ...... 87 Desertion of Xicotencatl 88 His Execution 89 His Character ......... 90 March of the Army • . 91 Quarrel of Olid and Alvarado 91 Spaniards destroy the Aqueduct 92 Commencement of the Siege ...... 94 CHAPTER V. Indian Flotilla defeated.—Occupation of the Cause- ways.—Desperate Assaults.— Firing of the Pal- aces.—Spirit of the Besieged.—Barracks for the Troops 95 Sandoval marches on Iztapalapan ...... 95 Cortes takes Command of the Fleet ..... 95 Indian Flotilla defeated ........ 97 Cortes occupies Xoloc ....... 98 Sandoval advances to Cojohuacan ...... 99 Skirmishes on the Causeway ...... 100 Blockade completed ........ 101 Simultaneous Assaults on Mexico 101 Kara parts raised by the Aztecs 102 Brigantines enfilade the Causeway ..... 102 Spaniards enter the City ........ 103 Allies demolish the Buildings 104 Fierce Battles in the City 105 Spaniards reach the Square ...... 106 Storm the Pyramid 107 Hurl the Priests headlong 107 The Aztecs rally . 108 Spaniards give Way 108 Cavalry to the Rescue 108 CONTENTS. i x PAGE Retreat to their Quarters log Ixtlilxochitl in the Camp in A second Assault in Spaniards penetrate the City 112 Fire the Palace of Axayacatl 113 Royal Aviary in Flames 114 Rage of the Mexicans 114 Their Desperation 115 Sufferings of the Spaniards 117 Operations of Guatemozin 118 His Vigilance 119 Ambuscade among the Reeds 120 Resources of the Indian Emperor 121 Accession of Allies to the Spaniards 122 Barracks for the Troops 122 Hard Fare of the Besiegers 1 . 123 Spirit of the Aztecs 125 CHAPTER VI. General Assault on the City.—Defeat of the Span- iards.—Their disastrous Condition.—Sacrifice of the Captives. — Defection of the Allies. — Con- stancy of the Troops 126 Views of the Spaniards 126 Council of War 127 General Assault on the City 128 Cortes rebukes Alvarado 129 The Enemy give Way 130 Their cunning Stratagem 131 Horn of Guatemozin sounds 132 Aztecs turn upon their Foe 132 Terrible Rout of the Spaniards 133 Imminent Danger of Cortes 134 Self-devotion of his Followers ..»,.. 135 Sharp Struggle on the Causeway ...... 136 His Division retreats 137 Sandoval and Alvarado 137 Their Troops driven from the City 138 I* CONTENTS. PAGE Sandoval visits the General ....... 139 His Interview with him 141 Great Drum beat in the Temple 142 Sacrifice of the Captives 143 Sensations of the Spaniards 144 Rejoicings of the Aztecs 145 Prophecy of the Priests 145 Defection of the Allies 146 Gloomy Condition of the Spaniards ..... 147 Their Constancy 148 Heroism of their Women 148 CHAPTER VII. Successes of the Spaniards. — Fruitless Offers to Guatemozin.—Buildings razed to the Ground.— Terrible Famine.—The Troops gain the Market- place.—Battering Engine 150 Allies return to the Camp 150 Accession of Confederates 152 Plan of the Campaign 153 The Breaches filled 155 Famine in the City 156 Fruitless Offers to Guatemozin 157 Council of the Aztecs 157 Result of their Deliberations 159 Buildings razed to the Ground ...... 159 Single Combats 161 Guatemozin's Palace in Flames 161 Sufferings of the Besieged 162 Neglect of their Dead 163 Their unconquerable Spirit 165 Conflagration of the Teocalli 166 Success of Alvarado ..... 166 Spaniards in the Market-place ... 169 Cortes surveys the City 170 Its Desolation 170 Battering Engine 172 Its Failure 173 CONTENTS. xi CHAPTER VIII. PAGE Dreadful Sufferings of the Besieged.— Spirit of Guatemozin. — Murderous Assaults. — Capture of Guatemozin.—Evacuation of the City.—Termina- — . tion of the Siege. Reflections . .174 Dreadful Famine in the City 174 Cannibalism 175 The Corpses fill the Streets ...... 176 Pestilence sweeps off Multitudes 176 Alarming Prodigies 177 Spirit of Guatemozin 178 Cortes requests an Interview with him .... 179 Guatemozin consents ........ 179 He avoids a Parley 180 Murderous Assault . 182 Appalling Scene of Carnage 182 Preparations for the final Attack 184 Cortes urges an Interview ....... 185 The Signal given 187 Aztecs attempt to escape 187 Capture of Guatemozin ........ 188 Cessation of Hostilities 189 Person of Guatemozin 191 Brought before Cortes . 191 His Wife, Montezuma's Daughter ...... 192 Furious Thunder-storm ....... 194 Mexicans abandon their City ....... 195 Number of those who perished 196 Amount of the Spoil . .197 Cortes dismisses his Allies 198 Rejoicings of the Spaniards 198 Solemn Thanksgiving ........ 199 Reflections .......... 200 Aztec Institutions 201 Their moral Influence 202 Cruelty ascribed to the Spaniards 203 The Conquest as a military Achievement , 206 xii CONTENTS. PAGB Notice of the Historian Solis 208 His Life and Writings 209 Sahagun's Twelfth Book , 214 BOOK VII. CONCLUSION.—SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTES. CHAPTER I. Torture of Guatemozin.—Submission of the Country. —Rebuilding of the Capital.—Mission to Castile. —Complaints against Cortes.—He is confirmed in his Authority 217 Small Amount of Treasure 218 Disappointment of the Soldiers 218 Torture of Guatemozin 218 His Fortitude unshaken 219 Submission of the Country 220 The Southern Ocean reached 221 Rebuilding of the Capital ....... 223 Aztec Prophecy accomplished 223 Mission to Castile , . 224 Envoys captured by the French ...... 226 Charges against Cortes ....... 227 Tapia sent to New Spain 228 Insurrection of the Natives ....... 229 Quelled by Sandoval .......

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