HISTORY OF MEXICO. 157 



difadvantageous, where they were fo ftinted in'the ne- 

 GelTaries of life, was it not verified by their hiftorians and 

 fucceeding events^ 



But in the midft of their miferies they were free, and 

 liberty alleviated in fome degree their diftrefles. In 

 1 3 14, however, flavery was added to their other dif- 

 treffes. Hiftorians differ in opinion concerning this eventr 

 Some fay, that the petty king of Colhuacan, a city not 

 far diftant from Acocoko, not willing to fuffer the Mexi- 

 cans to maintain themfelves in his territories without 

 paying him tribute, made open^ war upon them, and 

 having fubdued, enlfeved them^ Others affirm, that this 

 petty king fent an embaiTy to them, to inform them that 

 having compaffion for the miferable life which they led 

 in thofe iilands, he was willing to grant them a better 

 place where they might live more comfortably ; and that 

 the Mexicans who wiftied for nothing more ardently, ac-* 

 cepted inftantly the favour, and gladly quitted their difa^ 

 greeable fituation ; but they had fcarcely fet out when 

 they were attacked by the Colhuas and taken priibners. 

 Whichever way it was, it is certain, that the Mexicans 

 were carried flaves to Tizapan, a place belonging to^ the 

 ftate of Colhuacan. 



After fome years flavery, a war arofe between- the 

 Colhuas and Xochimilcas their neighbours, whh fuch 

 difad vantage to the former, that they were worfted in 

 every engagement. The Colhuas, being afflicted with 

 thefe repeated loffes, were forced to employ their pri- 

 foners whom they ordered ta prepare for war ; but they 

 did not provide them^ with the neceffary arms, either 

 bccaufc thefe had been exhaufted in preceding battles, 

 ©r becaufc they left them at liberty to accoutre them- 

 felves as they ehofe. The Mexicans being perfuaded 



that 



