The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

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1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an… of Quauquecholla, Itztucan, Tepeaca, Xalatzinco, and Castilblanco, had spread terror through the country, and it was firmly believed that theunited forces of Huexotzinco and Tlascalla had joined us in this campaign. The spot where we had encamped for the night may have been about eight miles from Tezcuco, which we left at break of day, and observedevery military precaution as we passed along. We had scarcely proceededa couple of miles when our scouts came in with the glad tidings to Cortes that about ten Indians were approaching, all unarmed, and bearing a species of golden banner: neither had they, on passing byany dwellings or plantations, been assailed by such terrible yells as onthe day before; but everything wore the aspect of peace. Cortes andthe whole of us were delighted with these good omens, and we haltedfor some time to rest a little. Seven distinguished Tezcucans nowcame up, carrying a golden banner at the point of a long lance, which they lowered, in token of peace, as they approached nearer to us.When they had arrived in the presence of Cortes, who had Doña Marinaand Aguilar standing at his side, they addressed him as follows:"Malinche, our lord and master Coanacotzin, [2] the king of Tezcuco,has sent us to you to beg of you to take him into your friendship. Heawaits you in his city of Tezcuco; and, in token of peace, he sendsyou this golden banner: at the same time he requests you will command your brothers and the Tlascallans not to commit any depredationsin his country, and wishes you to take up your quarters in hiscity, where he will provide you with everything you may require." These persons likewise assured us that the troops which lay in waitfor us in the defiles and mountain passes were not of Tezcuco, but the whole of them were Mexicans sent out against us by Quauhtemoctzin.Cortes and the whole of us were overjoyed at the message which theking of Tezcuco had sent us. He embraced the ambassadors and threeof them most affectionately, for they were relatives of Motecusuma,and well known to most of us as having been officers of that monarch.Our general then ordered the Tlascallan chiefs into his presence, andstrictly enjoined them not to allow their men to commit any depredationsin this country, nor injure any one, as we were at peace withthe inhabitants. These orders they obeyed, though they were not sovery particular as to the manner in which they procured themselves provisions, as every house had a plentiful supply of maise, beans, dogs, and fowls. [Pg 4] Cortes, however, suspected the Tezcucans were not in earnest in sueing for peace, and deliberated with our officers on the subject, whowere all of the same opinion, and observed that if the Tezcucans hadbeen honestly inclined they would not have come in so great a hurry,and would have brought provisions with them. Cortes, nevertheless,accepted of the golden banner, which may have been worth about eighty pesos; he thanked the ambassadors, and assured them that itwas not our custom to ill-use any of our emperor's subjects; on thecontrary, they always experienced the kindest treatment from us.This they themselves would find to be true, if they abided faithfullyby the peace they now sought of us; he had also commanded theTlascallans not to injure any of the inhabitants; but as the Tezcucanson our retreat from Mexico had murdered upwards of forty Spaniardsand 200 Tlascallans, and plundered them of all they possessed, he must demand of their king Coanacotzin, and of the caziques of Tezcuco,restitution of the stolen property, and if they delivered up this to himhe would pardon the murder of the Spaniards, whom they could not restore to us again. The ambassadors replied, that they would faithfully communicate all this to their monarch, but assured us that the teules he spoke of were, by order of Cuitlahuatzin, all sent to Mexico with everything they had possessed, and were there sacrificed toHuitzilopochtli. Cortes, not wishing to intimidate them, made no further reply, butdesired one of them to remain with us and dismissed the others in peace. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm 10/282
1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an… The next place we came to was one of the suburban villages of Tezcuco, but I have forgotten its name. Here we were furnished with excellent provisions and every other necessary. On our road we destroyedsome idols which we found in a large building where westopped. The next morning we entered Tezcuco itself, and it immediatelystruck us as singular that we should neither meet with womennor children, but only with grown up men, who all appeared very shy of us, as if they were about to commence hostilities. Notwithstanding this we took up our quarters here, but Cortes gave strict commandsthat none of the officers or men should stir out of the large courtyardsadjoining our quarters, and to be altogether upon their guard, as the inhabitants did not appear very peaceably inclined, and it wasnecessary we should first see how matters stood. Alvarado and Oli with several soldiers, among which number I wasmyself, were ordered to take possession of the great cu, which was veryhigh, and to take with us twenty musketeers as a guard. From whichplace we were narrowly to watch the town and lake, of which we had anexcellent view from this height. We had no sooner arrived at the topof the temple than we espied the inhabitants of this and the surroundingtownships running off with all they possessed; some fleeing to themountains, others again concealing themselves in those parts ofthe lake which were thickly grown with reeds; the lake itself beingcrowded with large and small canoes. [Pg 5] Information of this was immediately forwarded to Cortes, who thendetermined to seize the king of Tezcuco, who had sent him the golden banner, but was informed by the papas, whom he had despatched tocall their monarch, that he had fled with several distinguished personagesto Mexico. In this way the first night passed away, during which time we kept a vigilant look out, posted our sentinels in all directions, and made frequent patrols. The next morning, very early, Cortes sent for thechief authorities of the town, of whom many were opposed to the runawaymonarch, as they were at issue with him on various points respectingthe privileges he exercised in governing the town. Whenthese made their appearance, he desired them to detail every circumstance to him, and inquired of them how long Coanacotzin had been king. They replied, that Coanacotzin, in order to raise himself to thethrone, had murdered his elder brother, the former regent; and that this was done in secret understanding with Cuitlahuatzin, who had attacked and driven us out of Mexico after the death of Motecusuma;but that there were other persons in the town who had a nearer claimto the crown of Tezcuco, particularly one young man, who was indeed the rightful heir. This young man shortly after became a convert to Christianity, and was baptized with great solemnity by father Olmedo,and named after his godfather, Don Hernando Cortes. [3] He was thelawful son of the former prince of Tezcuco, Nezahal Pintzintli. [4] Hewas, therefore, without any further delay raised to the throne, and installedwith all due solemnity, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants,who obeyed the new king with the best of good will. That, however, he might be thoroughly confirmed in our holy religion, learn the art of governing, and the Spanish language, Cortes gave him forstewards the bachelor Escobar, and Antonio de Villareal, who wasmarried to the beautiful Isabella de Ojeda. The brave Pedro SanchezFarsan, whose wife was the courageous and excellent Maria de Estrada,was appointed commandant of the town, and he was particularly cautionednot to allow the king to have any communication with theMexicans. This prince subsequently rendered us the greatest services;and he was greatly esteemed and beloved by his subjects. The firstthing Cortes required of him at present was a sufficient number ofhands to assist us in launching the brigantines when they should be completed, and to lengthen and deepen the canals where they were tobe launched; he then informed the king and chief personages ofTezcuco for what he intended these vessels, and of his determinationto inclose Mexico on all sides. They not only declared their willingnessto cooperate with us, but even sent messengers to the neighbouringtownships, inviting them to seek our friendship, subject themselvesto our emperor, and declare war against Mexico. [Pg 6] https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm 11/282
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The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

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