HISTORY OF MEXICa. 



S19 



men ; whether it was from the dread of his power^ or 

 from an inclination to favour his pretenfions, he was well 

 received in all the places through which he paffed. He 

 fent an embalTy from Tepepolco to the Otompanefe, 

 commanding them to do obedience to him as their proper 

 king ; but they replied, that as Nezahualpilli was dead, 

 they would acknowledge no other fovereign than Caca- 

 matzin, who had been peaceably accepted at court, and 

 was already in poffeffion of the throne of Acolhua- 

 can. This anfwer fo exafperated the prince, that he 

 went in great wrath againft their city. The Otompa- 

 nefe met him in order of battle ; but although they for 

 fome time refilled the army of their enemy, they were at 

 laft vanquiflied, and their city was taken by the prince. 

 The lord himfelf of Otompan fell among the flain, which 

 accident accelerated the vi6lory. 



This event threw Cacamatzin and all his court into 

 the utmoft uneafinefs, fearing the enemy might even be- 

 Cege the capital ; he prepared fortifications againfl them ; 

 but the prince being contented with feeing himfelf re- 

 fpefted and feared, did not move from Otompan ; but 

 placed guards on the roads, with orders, however, to 

 hurt no perfon, to hinder no individuals from pafiing 

 from the court to any other place, and to fliew refpe6t 

 and civility to all pafiTengers of rank. Cacamatzin, 

 knowing the forces, and the refolutions of his brother, 

 and confidering it would be better for him to facrifice 

 even a great part of his kingdom than to lofe it altoge- 

 ther, with the confent of his brother Coanocotzin, dif- 

 patched an embafify to treat of an accommodation with 

 him. He fent to tell him, that he might, if he chofe, 

 retain all the dominions in the mountains, as he was 

 contented with the court and the territory of the plainj 



that 



