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 vi

siting Montezuma, he went to the palace, accompanied by five of his principal officers, and as many trusty soldiers. Thirty chosen men followed after, not in 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 vio lent 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 innocence, 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 Montezuma remonstrated against the a great monarch. 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 de and struction. But as soon as Montezuma waved his hand, 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 underThe unfortunate monarch, however, went no alteration. 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 expedi tion were deducted, the share of a private man amounted toa 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 inva ders 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 ancestors 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 Montezu ma, 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. 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

As

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 impossi ble 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 wounded, 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 Spa niards that he conquered?-How many Spaniards had Cortez under his banner, on the accession of the army of Narvaez?

extermination of their enemies. They took their arms, and attacked the Spanish quarters in such formidable numbers, and with such undaunted courage, that although the artillery pointed against their tumultuous crowds swept down multitudes at every discharge, the impetuosity of the attack did not abate. Fresh bodies of men incessantly rushed forward to occupy the places of the slain, and all the valor of the Spaniards was barely sufficient to prevent them from forcing their way into the fortifications.

3. Cortez was astonished at the desperate ferocity of a people, who seemed at first to submit so patiently to a foreign yoke. He made from the quarters two desperate sallies; but although numbers of the Mexicans fell, and part of the city was burned, he gained no permanent advantage; and besides being wounded himself, lost twelve of his soldiers, a serious affair at that time, when, in his circumstances, the life of a Spaniard was so valuable. No resource was now left but to make use of the influence of the captive emperor, in order to quell the insurrection. Montezuma was brought, in regal pomp, to the battlement, and was compelled to address the people. But their fury rose above all restraint. Volleys of arrows and stones poured in upon the ramparts, and the unfortunate prince being wounded in the head by a stone, fell to the ground. The Mexicans, as soon as they saw their emperor fall, were struck with sudden remorse, and fled in precipitation and horror, as if they supposed themselves pursued by the vengeance of heaven for their crime. Montezuma was carried by the Spaniards to his apartments; but being now become weary of life, he tore the bandages from his wounds; and obstinately refusing to take any nourishment, expired in a few days.

4. The death of Montezuma loosed the Mexicans from the restraints which their veneration for his person and dignity had imposed on their actions. A war of extermination was the immediate consequence; and after various attacks, in which the Mexicans showed the most daring resolution, and had even at one time seized Cortez, and were near carrying him off, the Spaniards found it necessary to retreat from a situation, in which they must be finally overwhelmed

What was the end of Montezuma ?