that about the beginning of the thirteenth century, a tribe, more civilized than the rest, advanced from the borders of the Californian Gulf, and took possession of the Vale of Mexico.* Considering the uncertainty of the traditional chronology of the Mexicans, this æra remarkably coincides with the time of Kublai Khan's expedition; and seems to authorize the supposition that the more polished tribe here mentioned was a remnant of Mongolian and Tartar troops, that had saved themselves from the general wreck of the fleet. They were for some time governed by a council of chiefs; and from the most authentic accounts the monarchical government commenced only about A.D. 1324, or 197 years before the Spanish conquest.

Wars, rebellions, and massacres, constitute the chief features of the traditional history of Mexico; but the monarchy seems to have acquired its greatest extension and aggran dizement under the famous Montezuma. He had reduced under his sceptre all the different nations of that extensive country; and many of these bore with reluctance the yoke so recently imposed. Such was the state of Mexico when the Spaniards first arrived in that country.

The unexpected success of Columbus, the conquests of Hispaniola and Cuba, with the successive discovery of new countries, which appeared one after another, opened an immense field to ambition and avarice. The spirit of enterprise among the Spaniards had risen to an excess, of which it is difficult at this time to conceive an idea; and their adventu. rers in the new world were ready to form and to execute the most daring and desperate projects. The coasts of Mexico had already been discovered; and from the obscure and confused accounts which the Spaniards had received, that rich and extensive country seemed to promise an ample field for adventurous enterprise. In 1518, Don Velasques, governor of Cuba, projected an expedition against Mexico; and desirous to arrogate to himself the glory and advantages of the conquest, he conferred the command on Hernando Cortez, a bold adventurer, whose abilities were equal to any undertaking, and whose fortune and rank were not such as seemed calculated to inspire him with any higher ideas than of acting in

Robertson's Hist. of America, vol. 3. p. 156.

perfect subordination to his employer. The event, however, proved contrary to the expectation of Velasques. Before the expedition sailed from Cuba, he began to suspect the aspiring ambition of Cortez, and resolved to deprive him of the command. But Cortez being apprised of his design, and perfectly sure of the attachment of his followers, immediately set sail with eleven small vessels, of which the largest was only 100 tons burden: three were of 70 or 80 tons; and the others were only small open barks. His whole force consisted only of 617 soldiers and seamen, all volunteers, and men of the most daring resolution. With this small force he undertook the conquest of a vast empire. Having landed on the continent, he laid the foundation of the town of Vera Cruz, and built a fortress sufficiently strong to resist the attacks of an Indian army. At his first arrival, he received a message from Montezuma, requiring to know his intentions in visiting his country. Cortez announced himself as ambassador from the king of Spain, the most powerful monarch of the east, and declaring himself entrusted with such proposals as he could impart only to the emperor in person, requested to be imme. diately conducted to the capital. The Mexican officers hesitated at this request, which they knew would be extremely embarrasing to Montezuma, whose mind had become harassed with alarming apprehensions ever since he had heard of the landing of the Spaniards on his coasts. During this interview, some painters, in the train of the Mexican officers, were employed in sketching, in their rude manner, the figures of the ships, the horses, the artillery, the soldiers, and whatever attracted their attention. Cortez perceiving this, and being informed that the pictures were designed to be presented to Montezuma, in order to give him a just idea of those strange and wonderful objects, resolved to render the representation as striking as possible, by exhibiting such a spectacle as might give both them and their monarch an awful impression of the irresistible force of his arms. The trumpets, by his order, sounded an alarm: the troops in a moment formed in order of battle: both cavalry and infantry performed their martial exercises and evolutions; while the artillery

* Dr. Robertson's Hist. of America, vol. 2. 4to. p. 9.

thundering in repeated discharges, being pointed against a thick forest adjoining to the camp, made dreadful havoc amongst the trees. The Mexicans were struck with that amazement, which a spectacle so novel, so extraordinary, so terrible, and so much above their comprehension, might be expected to excite. Reports and representations of all these things were sent to Montezuma, who, as well as his subjects, conceived that the Spaniards were more than human beings, an opinion which Cortez took every opportunity of confirming and impressing on the minds of the Mexicans. Montezuma afterwards sent many ambassadors with rich presents to the Spanish camp, expressing the greatest friendship for Cortez, and the sovereign of Castile, but constantly requesting him to depart from his dominions. This was the purport of every message from the Mexican monarch. Cortez, however, continuing to advance, the request was changed into a command. Montezuma absolutely forbad him to approach the capital, and required his immediate departure from the country. Spanish general, however, determined to proceed to Mexico, and concluded an alliance with the Caziques of Zempoalla and Quiabislan, who, being weary of Montezuma's tyranny, took this opportunity of revolting against his government. Several other chiefs followed their example; and Cortez soon perceived, that although the Mexican empire was extensive, populous, and powerful, it was far from being firmly consolidated, a circumstance which inspired him with new hopes of effecting its subjugation.

The

Previous to the commencement of his march towards Mexico, Cortez, resolving to shake off his dependence on the governor of Cuba, organized the new colony of Vera Cruz on the model of the other Spanish governments established in the new world. Having appointed for magistrates such officers as were most firmly attached to his person, and the most ardently bent on pushing forward the expedition, he resigned into their hands the commission, which he held under Velasques, and requested them to appoint a general in the name of the king of Spain, whose person they represented, and whose authority alone they acknowledged, declaring at the same time his readiness to serve in the capacity of a common sol

dier equally as in that of commander. By this judicious proceeding he involved them in his rebellion against the governor of Cuba; and the whole affair concluded by his re-election to the chief command of the expedition, with a commission from the colony under the authority of the Spanish crown. His next measure was such as affords an evident proof of the ascendency which he had gained over his followers, and of their ardour for carrying on the enterprise. Having repre sented to them, in the most forcible terms, that it would be the highest degree of folly to think of returning to poverty. and disgrace, after having expended their whole fortunes in the equipment of the expedition, that they must absolutely resolve either to conquer or perish; that the ships were so much damaged, as to be unfit for service; and that their small force would derive a very considerable accession of strength from the junction of 100 men necessarily left with the fleet. By these arguments, he convinced them of the necessity of fixing their hopes on what lay before them, without ever looking back, or suffering the idea of a retreat to enter their minds. With the consent of the whole army the vessels were stripped of their sails, rigging, iron-work, and other articles, which might become useful, and afterwards broken in pieces. Thus, from an effort of magnanimity, to which," says Dr. Robertson, "there is nothing parallel in history, 500 men voluntarily consented to be shut up in a hostile country, filled with powerful and unknown nations; and having precluded every means of escape, left themselves without any resource but their own valour and perseverance."

Cortez landed in Mexico on the 2d of April, 1518; and on the 16th of August he began his march towards the metropolis, with 500 foot, 15 horse, and six field pieces. The rest of his men were left to garrison the fort of Vera Cruz. In his progress, he was interrupted by a war with the Ilascalans, a numerous and warlike people, whose impetuous valour, however, was obliged to yield to the superiority of European weapons and tactics. The Ilascalans, who were inveterate enemies to the Mexicans, having experienced the valour of the Spaniards, whom they regarded as invincible, concluded with

them a treaty of peace, and afterwards of alliance; and contributed in no small degree to the success of their enterprise.

Cortez, with his Spaniards, accompanied by 6000 of his new allies, immediately advanced towards Mexico. They were met in different parts of their journey by messengers from Montezuma, bearing rich presents, and sometimes inviting them to proceed, but at others requesting them to retire: what is most wonderful, 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 he had determined whether to receive them as friends or as enemies.

Mexico, seated on islands near the western side of the lake, was inaccessible, except by three causeways, extending over the shallow waters. The causeway of Tacuba, on the west, was a mile and a half in length: that of Tezcuco, on the north-west, extended three, and that of Cuoyacan on the south, not less than six miles. On the east side, the city could be approached only by canoes. The Spaniards being arrived onthe 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 shewy apparel; and in the midst of them was Montezuma, in a chair, or litter, richly ornamented with gold, and feathers of various colours, 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

Robertson, vol. 2. p. 54. But from D'Auteroche it appears that the lake has been partly drained, and the city now stands in a swamp. Voyage to California, ubi supra.