394 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



the proofs which we have adduced to demonftrate the 

 population of Mexico, are of no weight, for they are 

 obtained from foldiers who were rude and illiterate, or 

 from ignorant and fuperftitious ecclefiaftics ; but if this 

 was the character of all the writers we have quoted, their 

 teftimony would be ftill of great force becaufe of their 

 uniformity. Who can believe that Cortes, and the other 

 officers who fubferibed his letters, ftiould deceive their 

 king, where they could have been fo eafily detected by 

 hundreds of witnelfes, and not a few enemies ; is it poffi- 

 ble that fo many Spanifh and Indian writers fliould all 

 agree to exaggerate the population of thofe countries, 

 and not one amongfl: them fhew fome refpeel for pofleri- 

 ty ? Of the veracity of the firft miffionaries there can be 

 no doubt. They were men of exemplary life, and much 

 learning:, fele&ed from amongfl: many to promulgate the 

 gofpel in the new world. Some of them had been pro- 

 feffors in the mod celebrated univerfities of Europe ; had 

 obtained the firfl: rank in their orders, and merited the 

 favour and confidence of the emperor Charles V. Thofe 

 honours which they refigned in Europe, and thofe which 

 they never received in America, clearly demonftrated 

 their difinterefled zeal ; their voluntary and rigid pover- 

 ty, their continual treaty with the great Being of nature, 

 their incredible fatigues in fo many long and difficult 

 journeys on foot, without provifions, in laborious fer- 

 vice, and ftill more their exceflive charity, mildnefs, and 

 compaffion, towards thofe afflicted nations, will make 

 their memory ever venerated in that kingdom. In the 

 writings of thofe immortal men, fo many characters of 

 fincerity are difcovered, that we are not permitted to 

 entertain the leafl doubt of their accounts. It is true, 

 they committed a heavy fin, in the judgment of M. de 



Paw, 



