HISTORY OF MEXICO. 229 



pofleifion of the throne of Acolhuacan, on condition of 

 his giving afTiftance to the Mexicans in war, for which 

 he was affigned a third part of the plunder, after de- 

 ducting the fliare of the king of Tacuba, the other two 

 thirds to be referved for the king of Mexico (h). Befides 

 this, both the kings were created honorary ele£i:ors of the 

 kings of Mexico ; which honour was fimply confined to 

 the ratifying the election made by four Mexican nobles, 

 who were the real eledors. The king of Mexico was reci- 

 procally bound to aiFord fuccour to each of the two kings 

 wherever occafion demanded. This alliance of the three 

 kings which remained firm and inviolate for the fpace of 

 a century, was the caufe of the rapid conquefts which 

 the Mexicans made hereafter. But this was not the only 

 mafterly ftroke in politics of the king Itzcoatl ; he muni- 

 ficently rewarded all thofe who had diftinguiflied them- 

 felves in the wars, not paying fo much regard to their 

 birth or the ftations which they occupied, as to the cou- 

 rage which they fliewed and the fervices they perform- 

 ed. Thus it was the hope of reward animated them to 

 the mofl heroic enterprifes, being convinced, that the 

 glory and the advantages to be derived from them would 

 not depend on any accidents of fortune, but on the me- 

 rit of their actions themfelves. By fucceeding kings the 

 fame policy was pra<^ifed with infinite fervice to the fiate. 

 Having formed this important alliance Itzcoatl fet out 

 with the king Nezahualcojotl for Tezcuco, to crown him 

 with his own hand. This ceremony was performed with 

 all poflible folemnity in 1426. From thence the king 



of 



(b) Several Hiftorians have believed that the kings of Tezcuco and Tacuba 

 were real eledors, but the contrary appears evident from hiftory ; no occafioii 

 ever occurred where they interfered or were prefect at an cledion, as we fliall 

 ihew hereafter. 



