306 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



cioufly received, and lodged in the houfe appropriated 

 for ambaffadors; and after they had repofed and dined 

 were introduced into the fenate to explain their embaffy. 

 There, after having bowed moft profoundly, and faluted 

 with all the other neceffary ceremonies, they delivered 

 themfelves to this purpofe: " Moft great and valiant 

 " chiefs, may the gods profper you, and grant you vic- 

 *' tory over your enemies. The lord of Chempoalla, 

 " and all the nation of Totonacas, offer their refpe&s to 

 " acquaint you, that from the quarter of the Eaft there 

 " are arrived in our country in large fhips certain bold 

 4C adventurous heroes, by the affiftance of whom we are 

 " now freed from the tyrannical dominion of the king 

 " of Mexico. They acknowledge themfelves the fub- 

 " je&s of a powerful monarch, in whofe name they come 

 " to vilit you, to communicate intelligence to you of a 

 " true God, and to aflift you againft your ancient and 

 " inveterate enemy. Our nation, following the dilates 

 M of that ftricl friendfhip which has always fubfifted be- 

 " tween it and this republic, counfel you to receive thofe 

 " ftrangers as friends, who, though few in number, are 

 <c equal in worth to many." Maxicatzin anfwered, in 

 the name of the fenate, that they thanked the Totona- 

 cas for their intelligence and counfel, and thofe brave 

 ftrangers for the affiftance which they offered them, but 

 that they required fome time to deliberate upon a point 

 of fuch importance; that in the mean time they would 

 be pieafed to return to their abode, where they would be 



treated 



himfelf, who fent them, affirms, that they were four in number; and from the 

 context of his letter, it appears that Bernal Diaz was ill informed of what paifed 

 in Tlafcala. The account given by this writer being contrary to that of other 

 ancient hiftorians, both Spanifh and Indian, has led many authors, and Robert- . 

 fon among the reft, into errors. 



