134 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



imitated by all the kings and nobles of that country, 

 who ftrove to furpafs each other in oftentatious gran- 

 deur. An emulation not lefs pernicious to ftates than 

 to princes themfelves. 



The commencement of his government was very tran- 

 quil ; but the ftates of Meztitlan and Tototepec, which 

 are fituated in the mountains lying to the north of that 

 capital, foon rofe in rebellion. The moment the king 

 received the advice, he marched with a great army, and 

 fent to tell the heads of the rebellion, that if their cou- 

 rage was equal to their perfidy, they fhould defcend 

 within two days to the plain of Tlaximalco, where their 

 fate would be decided by battle ; if not, he was refolv- 

 ed to put flames to their city, without pardon to women 

 or children. The rebels, as they were already well pre- 

 pared, came down before the time appointed to the plain, 

 to ftiew their courage. The fignal for battle being giv- 

 en, the attack became furious and obftinate on both fides 

 until night feparated the armies, leaving the vi6lory un- 

 decided. They continued for forty days frequently en- 

 gaging, the rebels being no way difcouraged by the ad- 

 vantages which the royal troop-s daily gained ; but per- 

 ceiving at length, by the (laughter and diminution of 

 their forces, that their ruin was inevitable, they furren- 

 dered to their fovercign, who, after rigorous puniftiment 

 of the ringleaders of the rebellion, pardoned the crime 

 of the people. The fame condudl was obferved with 

 Tepepolco, which had alfo rebelled. 



This fpirit of rebellion fpread like contagion over all 

 the kingdom ; and Tepepolco was fcarcely fubdued when 

 Huchuitoca, Mizquic, Totolapa, and four other cities, 

 declared a revolt. The king chofe to go in perfon with 

 a ftrong body of troops againft Totolapa, and fent againft 



the 



