HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



79 



hundred ounces (j) ; not only becaufe the Mexicans 

 threw the greater part into the lake (/), but alfo be- 

 caufe individuals both Spaniards and allies, endeavoured 

 in plundering, to recompenfe themfelves fecretly for 

 their hardfliips and toils. 



The taking of that capital happened on the thirteenth 

 of Auguft, 1 52 1, one hundred and ninety-fix years 

 after the foundation of it by the Aztecas, one hundred 

 and fixty-nine years after it was ere&ed into a monarchy, 

 which was governed by eleven kings. The fiege of 

 Mexico, fomething refembling in the difafters and flaugh- 

 ters with which it was attended that of Jerufalem, laft- 

 cd feventy-five days ; during which time, of two hun- 

 dred thoufand and more allies, fome thoufands perifhed ; 

 and of nine hundred Spaniards, more than one hundred 

 were killed and facrificed. The number of the Mexicans 

 killed is not known ; but according to the account of 

 Cortes and Bernal Diaz, and what other hiftorians fay- 

 on that fubjecT:, it appears that the flain exceeded one 

 hundred thoufand in number. With refpecl: to thofe 

 who died by famine, or ficknefs occafioned by the brack- 

 ifti water which they drank and the infection of the air, 

 Cortes himfelf affirms they were more than fifty thou- 

 fand. The city appeared one complete ruin. The king 



of 



(j) Cortes fays, that the gold which was melted down weighed one hun- 

 dred and thirty thoufand cajlellanos, equal to nineteen thoufand two hundred 

 ounces. There were among the fpoils fent to Charles V. pearls of an enor- 

 mous fize, moft valuable gems, and fome curious works of gold. The fliip in 

 which they were carried was taken by I. Florin, a famous French pirate, and 

 the treafure was fent to the court of France ; which authorifed fuch depreda- 

 tions, under the not lefs famed than frivolous pretence, that the Moll ChrilHan 

 king was a fon of Adam as well as the Catholic king. 



(t) Bernal Diaz fays, that he faw fome things of gold got up out of the lake, 

 and amongft others, a fun fimilar to that which Montezuma fent to Cortes 

 when he was on the coaft of Chalchiuhcuecan. 



