HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



253 



minifters and magiftrates, and in relief of the poor, it 

 would be totally incredible, nor fliould we be bold 

 enough to write it, were it not certified by the original 

 paintings, feen and examined by the firft religious million- 

 aries, who were employed in the converfion of thefe peo- 

 ple, and confirmed by the teftimony of a third grandfon 

 of this fame king, who being converted to chriftianity 

 was baptized by the name of Don Antonio Pimentcl (/). 

 The annual expenditure made by Nezahualcojotl re- 

 duced to Caftilian meafure, was therefore as follows : 

 Of Maize, - 4,900,300 Fanegas (g). 



Of Cocoa nuts, - 2,744,000 Fan. 



Of Chili or common pepper and 



Tomate, - - 3^200 Fan. 



Of Chiltecpin, or fmall pepper, - 240 Fan. 

 Of Salt, - - 1,300 large ba/Icets. 



Of Turkeys, - - 8,000 



The quantity confumed of Chia, French beans, and 

 other leguminous plants ; of deer alfo, and ducks, 

 quails, and other birds, was infinite and numberlefs. 

 Every perfon will eafily comprehend how great the ex- 

 tent of population mufl have been to amafs fuch a vaft 

 quantity of maize and cocoas ; particularly as it was ne- 

 ceflary to procure this laft by commerce with warm coun- 

 tries, there being no foil in all the kingdom of Acolhua- 

 can fit for the culture of this plant. During one half 

 of the year or nine Mexican months, fourteen cities fur- 

 niftied fuch provifions, and fifteen other cities fupplied 

 them during the other half year. Young men were em- 

 ployed 



(/) Torquemada the hiftorian, had thefe paintings in his hands, by his own 

 teftimony. 



(g) The Fanega is a Spanifh meafure for dry goods, containing about a hun* 

 4red Spanifh pounds^ or one hundred and thirty Roman pounds. 



