HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



321 



had already, by fecret negociations, drawn over a great 

 part of the Mexican provinces to his intereft. The Mex- 

 icans, however, frequently engaged with that army, 

 being fometimes vanquiflied, and at other times vidlo- 

 rious. In one of thofe battles a relation of the king of 

 Mexico was taken prifoner, who had gone out to the 

 war with an exprefs refolution to make a prifoner of the 

 prince, and to carry him bound to Mexico according to 

 a promife which he had made to Montezuma. Ixtlilxo^ 

 chitl knew of this boaftful promife, and in order to be 

 fully revenged, commanded him to be bound and cover- 

 ed with dry reeds, and burned alive in the fight of the 

 whole army. 



In the courfc of our hiftory it will appear how much 

 this turbulent prince contributed to the fuccefs of the 

 Spaniards, who began about this time to make their 

 appearance on the coaft of the Gulf of Mexico : but be- 

 fore we undertake the relation of a war which totally 

 reverfed the order of thofe kingdom.s, it will be necef- 

 fary to give fome account of the religion, the government, 

 the arts, and manners of the Mexicans. 



Vol. L 



GENE- 



