54 



CORTEZ PROPOSES THE RE-CONQUEST. 



sitions of Cortez were made to secure the success of his darling 

 project. Nor can we fail to recognize the power of a single 

 indomitable will over masses of Christians and Indians, in the 

 wonderful as well as successful control which the conqueror ob- 

 tained in his dealings with his countrymen as well as the natives 

 at this period of extreme danger. When Mexico was lost after 

 the noche triste, the military resources of Cortez were really 

 nothing, for his slender band was deprived of its most effective 

 weapons, was broken in moral courage and placed on an equality, 

 as to arms, with the Indians. The successes he obtained at 

 Otumba, Tlascala, Tepeaca, and elsewhere, not only re-established 

 the prestige of his genius among his countrymen, but affected even 

 the Indians. The native cities and towns in the adjacent country 

 appealed to him to decide in their difficulties, and his discretion 

 and justice, as an arbitrator, assured him an ascendancy which it 

 is surprising that a stranger who was ignorant of their language 

 could acquire among men who were in the semi-civilized and 

 naturally jealous state in which he found the Aztec and Tlascalan 

 tribes. Thus it is that, under the influence of his will and genius, 

 " a new empire grew up, in the very heart of the land, forming 

 a counterpoise to the colossal power which had so long over- 

 shadowed it." 



In the judgment of Cortez, the moment had now arrived when 

 he was strong enough, and when it was proper, that he should 

 attempt the re-conquest of the capital. His alliance with the 

 Tlascalans reposed upon a firm basis, and consequently he could 

 rely upon adequate support from the Indians who would form the 

 majority of his army. Nor were his losses of military equipments 

 and stores unrepaired. Fortune favored him by the arrival of 

 several vessels at Vera Cruz, from which he obtained munitions 

 of war and additional troops. One hundred and fifty well provided- 

 men and twenty horses were joined to his forces by these arrivals. 



Before his departure, however, he despatched the few discon- 

 tented men from his camp and gave them a vessel with which they 

 might regain their homes. He wrote an account of his adventures, 

 moreover, to his government in Spain, and besought his sovereign 

 to confirm his authority in the lands and over the people he might 

 add to the Spanish crown. He addressed, also, the Royal Audi- 

 encia at St. Domingo to interest its members in his cause, and 

 when he despatched four vessels from Vera Cruz for additional 



