356 HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



" fince our anceftors came here from the regions of the 

 " North, and we have not ruled thefe people but as the 

 " viceroys of Quetzalcoatl our god and lawful fove- 

 " reign." 



Cortes anfwered, by thanking him warmly for the 

 Angular kindneffes he had hitherto received from him, 

 and for the honourable idea he had formed of the Spa- 

 niards. He told him he was fent by the greateft mo- 

 narch of Europe, who, although he might afpire to 

 fomething higher in virtue of his being the defcendant 

 of Quetzalcoatl, neverthelefs, he contented himfelf with 

 eftablifliing a confederacy and perpetual friendftiip with 

 his majefty and his fucceffors; that the end of his em- 

 baffy was not to take away from any one that which he 

 poffeffed, but that of announcing a true religion, and 

 communicating fome important information which would 

 improve his government, and render his vaffals happy ; 

 this he would do upon another occafion, if his majefty 

 would vouchfafe to hear him. The king affented to his 

 propofal, and having informed himfelf of the rank and 

 condition of every one of the Spaniards, he took leave, 

 and fome little time after he fent them a large prefent, 

 confiding of fome works of gold, and three bales of fine 

 feathers, dreffes for each of the officers, and two bales 

 of dreffes of fine cotton for each of the foldiers. This 

 profperous beginning might have fecured to the Spa- 

 niards the quiet poffeffion of all that vafl monarchy, if 

 they had conduced themfelves with prudence equal to 

 their courage (n). 



The 



(n) The learned and judicious Acofta, treating of the firfl: conference with 

 Montezuma, in book vii. chap. 05. of his hiftory fays, " Many are of opinion 

 " that confidering the ftate of things on that firfl; day, it would have been 

 " eafy for the Spaniards to have done with the king and the kingdom what- 

 " ever they pleafed, and to have communicated to them the law ©f Jefus 

 " Chrift with peace and contentment to all." &c. 



