140 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



The Mazahuas were once a part of the nation of the 

 OtomieSj as the languages of both nations are but differ- 

 ent dialeds of the fame tongue ; but this diverfity between 

 two nations fo jealous of prcferving their idioms uncor- 

 rupted, is a clear argument of the great antiquity of 

 their feparation. The principal places which they in- 

 habited were on the v^eflern mountains of the vale of 

 Mexico, and formed the province of Mazahuacan, be- 

 longing to the crown of Tacuba. 



The Matlatzincas made a confiderable ftate in the fer- 

 tile vale of Toluca ; and, however great, anciently, their 

 reputation was for bravery, they were, notwithilanding, 

 fubjCvfted to the crown of Mexico, by king Axayacatl. 



The Miztecas and Zapotecas peopled the vaU: coun- 

 tries of their name, to the fouth-eafl of Tezcuco. The 

 numerous fcates into which thefe two countries were di- 

 vided, continued a long time under fcveral lords or rul- 

 ers of the fame nations, until they were fubdued by the 

 Mexicans. Thofe nations were civilized and induflrious ; 

 they had their laws, exercifed the arts of the Mexicans, 

 and made ufe of the fame method to compute time, and 

 the fame paintings to perpetuate the memory of events, 

 in which they reprefented the creation of the world, the 

 univerfkl deluge, the confufion of tongues ; although the 

 whole was intermixed with various fables (z). Since 

 the conqueft, the Miztecas and Zapotecas have been the 

 moil induflrious people of New Spain. While the com- 

 merce of filk lafted, they were the feeders of the worms; 

 and to their labours is owing all the cochineal, which 



for 



fome city of Spain? The refurredion of the princefs is a fahle founded on the 

 memorable occurrence, refpeding the filler of Montezuma, of which we lhall 

 fpeak hereafter. 



(2:) See the work of Fra. Gregorio Garzia Dominicano, entitled, the Origin 

 f)J the Indians t in book V. chap. 4. concerning the mythology of the Miztecas. 



