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be unknown to them, how, above forty of the Spaniards and two hun- 

 dred of our alhes were put to death within their territories, when we 

 retreated from Mexico. For the lofs of Hves Cortes faid no reftitution 

 could be made, but the gold and other property they might return. 

 They in reply threw the blame upon the prince wh o had fucceededMon- 

 tezuma, and who they faid received the fpoil, and facrificed the prifo- 

 ners. Cortes therefore found that little was to be got from them, and 

 we proceeded to a village in the outlkirts of Tezcuco, named Guatinchan, 

 or Huaxutlan, where we halted for the night. On the enfuing morn- 

 ing we arrived at Tezcuco, and immediately remarked that neither wo- 

 men or children were to be feen, and the men appeared as if they were 

 meditating fome mifchief againft us. We took up our quarters in fomc 

 buildings which confifted of large halls and enclofed courts, and receiv- 

 ed orders not to quit them, and to be very alert. Alvarado, De Oli^ 

 and fome foldiers whereof I was one, then afcended to the top of the 

 great temple, which was very lofty, in order to notice what was going 

 on in the neighbourhood. We obferved that all the people were in 

 movement, carrying off their children and efFed:s to the woods, the reedy 

 borders of the lake, and to a number of canoes colledted for the pur- 

 pofe. Cortes now wiflied to feize the chief who had fent him the em- 

 baffy, but found that he had fled to Mexico, with many other perfons 

 of rank. We pofted ftrong guards for the night, and as in fo large a 

 city there are many different parties and fadlions, and thofe perfons who 

 were adverfe to the prefent chief having remained, Cortes on the next 

 morning fent for them, and enquired into the ftate of their government. 

 They alfured him that their prefent chief, Cocoivatzin, was an ufurper, 

 having murdered his elder brother Cufcuxca, and was fupported only by 

 the prince then on the throne of Mexico, and whofe name was Guati- 

 motzin. They pointed out the youth who was the right heir, and who 

 was immediately conducted into the prefence of Cortes, by whofe order 

 he was baptized with much folemnity, being called after his godfather, 

 Don Hernando Cortes ; after which he was appointed lord of Tezcuco. 

 Cortes in order to retain him in our holy faith and in the interefts of 

 Spain, and alfo to inftrud him in our language, ordered three perfons to 



attejid 



