248 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



zuma, as is ufual to noble mindsj by feelings of compaf- 

 fion for the unfortunate. He proclaimed a general par- 

 don to all the fugitives, particularly for the relief of the 

 aged, the women, and the children, inviting them to 

 return without fear to their native country ; nor content 

 with that only, he ordered his troops to traverfe the 

 mountains, to call back the wanderers who had fled from 

 man to find fhelter among the wild beafts, and woods. 

 Many returned, who were diflributed in Amaquemecan, 

 Tlalmanalco, and other places ; but many refigned them- 

 felves to their fate in the mountains, from diflruft of the 

 pardon, or the excefs of their defpair. One part of the 

 country of Chalco was divided by Montezuma among 

 the officers who had the moft diftinguiflied themfelves 

 in the war. 



After this expedition the Mexicans conquered Tama- 

 zollan, Piaztlan, Xilotepec, Acatlan, and other places. 

 By fuch rapid conquefts Montezuma fo enlarged his do- 

 minions, that in the eafl he extended them as far as the 

 gulf of Mexico ; in the fouth-eafl, to the centre of the 

 country of the Mixtecas ; in the fouth, as far as Chila- 

 pan and fomething beyond it ; in the weft, to the valley 

 of Toluca ; in the north-weft, to the centre of the coun- 

 try of the Otomies ; and in the north, as far as the ter- 

 mination of the vale of Mexico. 



But while fo attentive to war, this famous king ne- 

 glected not what concerned internal polity and religion. 

 He publiftied new laws, added to the fplendor of his 

 court, and introduced there many ceremonials not known 

 to his predeceflbrs. He eredled a large temple to the 

 god of war, ordained many new religious rites, and in- 

 creafed the number of the priefts. The interpreter of 

 Mendoza's colleClion adds, that Montezuma was himfelf 



fober. 



