320 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



his eafy credulity in the promifes of men fo perfidious as 

 the Tlafcalans. They told him, that thofe appearances 

 of peace were defigned for no other purpofe than to in- 

 fpire him with confidence to enter their capital, that they 

 might there, without hazard, execute that which they 

 had not been able to accompli (h by arms in the field ; 

 that it was fit he fliould contraft the conduct of their fe- 

 nate with that of the court of Mexico : the Tlafcalans 

 after having, with the femblance of peace, granted them 

 permifiion to enter their country, had yet not defifted 

 from making war upon them, until they found all their 

 aims and oppofition fruitlefs. From the Mexicans, on the 

 contrary, they had fufFered no hoftilities, had rather met 

 with the mod different reception, the greateft refpect and 

 attention in every place of their dominions where they 

 had paffed, and from their fovereign the moll: diftinguifli- 

 ed proofs of benevolence and friendship. Cortes anfwer- 

 ed, that he never meant by fuch connexion to do wrong 

 to the court of Mexico, to which he acknowledged him- 

 felf under high obligations ; as he was defirous of peace 

 with all parties ; that befides he did not fear any thing 

 from the Tlafcalans, if they chofe to become his enemies ; 

 that as for him and the other Spaniards, it was the fame 

 thing whether they were attacked in a city or in the 

 country, by night or by day, as they were ikilled to 

 conquer at all times, and in all places ; that even on ac- 

 count of that very infinuation which they had thrown out 

 againfl the Tlafcalans, he was defirous of repairing to 

 their city, to have an opportunity there of taking exem- 

 plary vengeance on their perfidy. 



The Tlafcalans were extremely diftant from any fuch 

 difmgenuoufnefs as was imputed to them by the Mexicans; 

 for from that moment in which peace was decreed by the 



fenate, 



