viting them to proceed, but at others requesting them to retire. No measures were taken to oppose his progress; and such was the embarrassment of the Mexican monarch, that the Spaniards were already at the gates of his capital before it was determined whether to receive them as friends or ene mies.

7. Mexico, seated on islands near the western side of the lake, was inaccessible except by three causeways, extending over the shallow waters. The Spaniards being arrived on the borders of the lake, advanced along the causeway with great circumspection; and on their near approach to the city, they were met by about 1000 persons clothed in mantles of fine cotton, and adorned with plumes. These announced the approach of Montezuma, and were followed by about 200 others in an uniform dress, adorned also with plumes, and marching in solemn silence. Next appeared a company of a higher rank, in showy apparel; and in the midst of them was Montezuma, in a chair or litter, richly ornamented with gold, and feathers of various colors, and carried on the shoulders of four of his principal officers, while others supported a canopy over his head. Thus the Mexican monarch, surrounded with barbaric pomp, introduced into his capital the subverter of his throne. He conducted the Spaniards into the city, assigned them quarters in a large building encompassed with a stone wall, with towers at proper distances, and containing courts and apartments sufficiently spacious for their accommodation, and that of their allies. Here Cortez planted the artillery, posted sentinels, and ordered his troops to preserve the same strictness of discipline as if they had been encamped in the face of an enemy.

8. During some time the greatest harmony subsisted between the Spaniards and Mexicans; and Montezuma made presents of such value, not only to Cortez and his officers, but also to his private men, as demonstrated the opulence of his kingdom. The Spaniards, however, soon began to reflect on their situation, shut up in Mexico, and surrounded by the waters of its lake. And the Ilascalans had earnestly dissuaded Cortez from venturing to enter a city of so peculiar a situation as Mexico, where he might be shut up as in

How is Mexico situated?

a snare, out of which it would be impossible to escape. These allies had also assured him that the Mexican priests had, in the name of the gods, counselled their sovereign to admit the Spaniards into his capital, where he might with perfect security cut them off at one blow. The mind of Cortez, however, was equal to his trying situation, and he formed a plan no less extraordinary than daring. He resolved to seize Montezuma in his palace, and to carry him prisoner to the Spanish quarters. From the veneration of the Mexicans for the person of their monarch, and from their implicit obedience to his will, he hoped, by having Montezuma in his power, to have the supreme direction of affairs; or at least, by having so sacred a pledge in his hands, he made no doubt of being secure from aggression.

9. Before Cortez entered Mexico, an engagement had taken place near Vera Cruz between the Mexicans and a detachment of the Spanish garrison of that place; and although the Spaniards were victorious, one of them happened to be taken prisoner. This unfortunate captive was immediately beheaded, and his head, after being carried in triumph to different cities, in order to convince the people that their invaders were not immortal, was at last sent to Mexico. Although Cortez had received intelligence of this affair in his route, it had not deterred him from entering the city; but, reflecting on his precarious situation, he resolved to make it a pretext for seizing the emperor. At his usual hour of visiting Montezuma, he went to the palace, accompanied by five of his principal officers, and as many trusty soldiers. Thirty chosen men followed after, not im order, but sauntering at intervals, as if they had no other object than curiosity. Small parties were posted at proper intervals between the Spanish quarters and the court, and the rest of the troops were under arms ready to sally out on the first alarm.

10. Cortez, with his attendants, being admitted as usual, he reproached the monarch with being the author of the violent assault made on the Spaniards near Vera Cruz, by one of his officers. Montezuma, confounded at this unexpected reproach, asserted his innocence; and as a proof, gave orders to bring the officer and his accomplices prisoners to Mexico. Cortez professed himself convinced of Montezuma's innosence, but told him, that to produce the same conviction on the minds of his followers, it was necessary that he should

exhibit a proof of his confidence and attachment, by removing from his palace, and taking up his residence in the Spanish quarters, where he should be honored as became a great monarch. Montezuma remonstrated against the strange proposal. His remonstrances, however, were vainhe saw that Cortez was determined, and he found himself under the necessity of compliance. He was therefore carried in silent and sorrowful pomp to the Spanish quarters; but when it was known that the strangers were carrying away the emperor, the people broke out in the wildest transports of rage, and threatened the Spaniards with immediate destruction. But as soon as Montezuma waved his hand, and declared that it was an act of his own choice, the multitude, accustomed to revere every intimation of the sovereign's pleasure, quietly dispersed.

11. Cortez having the emperor in his power, now governed the empire in his name; and Montezuma was only the organ of his will, although he was attended as usual by his ministers, and the external aspect of the government underwent no alteration. The unfortunate monarch, however, was obliged to acknowledge himself a vassal to the king of Spain, and to accompany his professions of fealty and homage by a magnificent present to his new sovereign. His subjects, imitating his example, brought in liberal contributions. All the gold and silver, however, which the Spaniards had acquired since their entrance into Mexico, being now collected and melted down, amounted to no more than 600,000 pesos, exclusive of jewels and other ornaments, which were preserved on account of their curious workmanship. On being divided, a fifth part was set aside as a tax due to the king; another fifth was allotted to Cortez as commander-in-chief; the other officers received their shares in proportion to their rank; and when the expenses of the expedition were deducted, the share of a private man amounted to a hundred pesos, a sum much below their expectation.

12. In the mean time, Qualpopoca, the Mexican general, who commanded in the engagement mentioned in section 9th, together with his son, and five of the principal officers that had served under him, were brought prisoners to the capital,

How did Cortez get possession of the person of Montezuma ?--What was the amount of the presents received by the Spaniards ?~ Who was Qualpopoca?

by the order of Montezuma, and given up to Cortez; who after undergoing the form of trial by a Spanish court martial, and though they acted as brave and loyal subjects in obeying the orders of their sovereign, in opposing the invaders of their country, they were condemned to be burnt alive. The unhappy victims were instantly led forth. The pile on which they were laid was composed of the weapons collected in the royal magazine for the public defence. An innumerable multitude of Mexicans beheld, in silent astonishment, this fresh insult offered to the majesty of their empire-an officer of distinction committed to the flames, by the authority of strangers, for having done what he owed in duty to his sovereign; and the arms provided by their ances tors for avenging such wrongs, consumed before their eyes.

13. Cortez believing, notwithstanding his profession to the contrary already mentioned, that Qualpopoca would not have ventured to act without orders from his master, was not satisfied with the punishment of the instrument while the author escaped with impunity. Just before Qualpopoca was led out to suffer, Cortez entered the apartment of Montezuma, followed by some of his officers, and a soldier carrying a pair of fetters; and approaching the monarch with a stern countenance, told him that the persons who were now going to suffer, had charged him as the cause of the outrage that was committed; and that it was necessary that he likewise should make atonement for that guilt; without waiting for a reply, he commanded his soldiers to put the fetters on his legs the orders were instantly obeyed. The monarch, who had been accustomed to have his person acknowledged as sacred and inviolable, considering this profanation of it as a prelude to his death, broke out into loud lamentations and complaints. His attendants fell at his feet, and bathed them with their tears, bearing up the fetters in their hands with officious tenderness, to lighten their pressure. When Cortez returned from the execution, he appeared with a cheerful countenance; and ordered the fetters to be taken off. As Montezuma's spirits had sunk with unmanly dejection, they now rose to indecent exultation; and he passed at once from the anguish of despair to transports of joy and fondness to

What was done with Qualpopoca ?-What indignity was offered to Montezuma at the same time?

wards his deliverers. The spirits of Montezuma were now subdued; and Cortez availed himself to the utmost of the power he had acquired over him.

CONQUEST OF MEXICO.

1. CORTEZ, although master of the Mexican capital, and of the person of the monarch, was now threatened with new danger. Velasques hearing of his success, and enraged at seeing his own authority rejected, fitted out from Cuba an armament of 18 vessels, having 80 cavalry, 800 infantry, and 12 pieces of cannon, under the command of Pamphilo de Narvaez, who had orders to seize Cortez and his principal officers, to send them to him in irons, and to complete the conquest. Cortez now saw himself in a more difficult situation than ever, being under the necessity of taking the field, not against unskilful Indians, but against an army, in courage and discipline equal to his own, in numbers far superior, and commanded by an officer of distinguished bravery. Cortez, aware of the dangers which presented themselves on all sides, endeavored to accommodate matters with Narvaez; who treated his overtures with contempt, holding it impossible that Cortez should be able to resist his power.-Presumption always leads to mischievous consequences; in the present instance, it gave Cortez a complete victory over his enemies. Narvaez was vrounded, made prisoner, and thrown into fetters; his army capitulated, and quietly submitted to their conquerors.

2. Cortez treated the vanquished in the most generous manner, giving them their choice, either of entering into his service, or of returning to Cuba. Most of them chose the former; and Cortez, when he least expected such fortune, saw no less than 1000 Spaniards arranged under his banner. With this reinforcement he marched back to Mexico, where his presence was extremely necessary. After so much indecision, the Mexicans now appeared to have resolved on the

With what new dangers was Cortez threatened, after once being in possession of Montezuma and Mexico?-How did he treat the Spaníards that he conquered?-How many Spaniards had Cortez under his banner, on the accession of the army of Narvaez?