( "6 ) 



CHAPTER VII. 



The Spanijh Arm^ proceeds on its march to Mexico, 



After a repofe of feventeen days in Tlafcala, it was determined to 

 profecute our march to Mexico. Upon this fubjedl much difference of 

 opinion exifted, the rich fettlers of Cuba being very adverfe to it. The 

 refolution which we had taken grieved our friends of Tlafcala, who 

 carneftly advifed us by no means to truft Montezuma or his people, 

 nor their fmooth and courteous words and manners j for that they were 

 treacherous in the extreme, and would either retain us to breed men for 

 Montezuma's fervice, or in a favorable hour, would fall upon, and 

 deftroy us. But, in cafe of our having hoftilities with them, they ad- 

 vifed us to kill all, neither fparing the rifing youth, nor the aged coun- 

 fellor. Cortes thanked, and propofed to them, an amicable treaty with 

 their neighbours the Mexicans; but they would not hear of this, 

 faying, they could not truft thofe, who would only under the veil of 

 peace, better execute their treacherous defigns. In regard to our road, 

 the Mexican ambaffadors earneftly recommended that by Cholula ; but 

 our friends of Tlafcala as ftrongly advifed us by no means to go that 

 way, but by Guaxocingo. Neverthelefs we determined to go by Cho- 

 lula, intending to remain there, until we could by negociation obtain a 

 peaceable entry into Mexico. Cortes therefore fent meffengers to that 

 place, to inform the chiefs of his intention, and expreffmg his diffatis- 

 fadiion that they had not come to wait upon him. 



At this time arrived four of the principal nobility of Mexico, with 

 a rich prefent. It confifted of gold to the value of ten thoufand crowns, 

 and ten bales of the fineft mantles of feathers. Having faluted Cortes 

 with the profoundeft refpe(^l:, the ambaffadors delivered the meffage of 



their 



