XXXii ACCOUNT OF THE WRITERS OF THE 



" tical zeal of the monks, we have totally lofl: every in- 

 telligence of the moft remote events contained in thefe 

 " rude monuments, and there does not remain a ftngle 

 trace of the policy and ancient revolutions of the em- 

 " pire, excepting thofe which are derived from tradition, 

 or from fome fragments of their hiftorical pictures which 

 efcaped the barbarous fearch of Zumaraga. It appears 

 " evident from the experience of all nations, that the 

 *' memory of pafl: events cannot be long preferved, nor 

 tranfmitted with fidelity by tradition. The Mexican 

 pictures, which are fuppofed to have ferved as annals 

 of their empire, are few in number, and of ambiguous 

 " meaning. Thus from the uncertainty of the one, and 

 " the obfcurity of the others, we are obliged to avail our- 

 felves of fuch intelligence as can be gleaned from the 

 " imperfect materials which are found fcattered in the 

 Spanifli writers." But in thefe alTertions this author 

 is grievoufly deceived; for, i. The materials which we 

 find in Spanifh hiflorians are not fo imperfe^i-, but we 

 may form from them a probable, though not altogether 

 an authentic hiftory of the Mexicans ; which will appear 

 evident to any one who impartially confults them ; all 

 that is neceffary is to make a feleftion. 2. Nor in the 

 writing fuch a hiHory is it neceffary to ufe the materials 

 of the Spanilh writers, while there are fo many hiflories 

 and memoirs written by the Indians themfelves, of which 

 Robertfon had no knowledge. 3. Nor are the hiftorical 

 pidlures fo few in number, which efcaped the fearch of 

 the firft miffionaries, unlefs we compare thofe which re- 

 main with the incredible quantity that formerly exifled ; 

 as may eafiiy be underdood from this hiftory, Torque- 

 mada, and other writers. 4. Neither are fuch piftures 

 of ambiguous meaning, except to Robertfon and thofe 



who 



