226 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



were thought to have been fufEciently eftabllflied by 

 twelve years poffeffion, and the general acquiefcence of 

 the people. But availing himfelf of no fuch pretences, 

 he lincerely defired to place NezahualcojotI on the throne 

 which by lawful fucceffion was due to him, and v/hich 

 he had been deprived of for fo many years by the ufur- 

 pation of the Tepanecas. 



After the defeat of the Tepanecas there were feveral 

 cities in the kingdom which were unwilling to fubmit to 

 the prince, from apprchenfions of the chaftifement they 

 merited. Huexotla was one of this number, in the 

 neighbourhood of Tezcuco, the lord of which Huitzna- 

 huail (a)y continued obftinately rebellious. The con- 

 federate troops left Mexico, and directing their courfe 

 through the plains, which at prefent go by the name of 

 Santa Marta, made a halt in Chimalhuacan, from whence 

 the king and prince fent an offer of pardon to thofe ci- 

 tizens if they would furrender, and threatening to fet fire 

 to their city if they perfifted in rebellion ; but the rebels, 

 inftead of accepting the terms offered them, went out in 

 order of battle againft the royal army. The confli6l was 

 not lafting 5 the lord of that city being taken by the in- 

 vincible Montezuma, the rebel force was put to flight, 

 and afterwards came humbly to afk pardon, prefenting 

 according to cuflora, their pregnant women, their chil- 

 dren, and old people to the conqueror, to move him to 

 mercy. At length the way to the throne of Acolhua- 

 can being laid open, and the prince being placed there, 

 the auxiliary troops of Huexotzinco and Tlafcala were 

 difmilTed with many marks of gratitude and a confider- 

 able fliare of the plunder of Azcapozalco. 



From 



(a) The city of Huexotla had been given by Tezozomoc, to the king of Tla- 

 telolco, from whom it is probable, therefore, Maxtlaton took it to give to 

 Hultznahuatl. 



