HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



393 



war, to Chinantla, to demand two thoufand men from 

 that warlike nation ; and alfo to procure three hundred 

 pikes of the kind made ufe of by thefe Indians for the 

 purpofe of refitting the cavalry of Narvaez, as they were 

 both longer and ftronger than thofe of the Spaniards. 

 He left in Mexico one hundred and forty foldiers (w), 

 with all their allies, under the command of Pedro d'Al- 

 varado, recommending it to them to guard and treat the 

 king well, and to maintain harmony between them and 

 the Mexicans, particularly the royal family and the no- 

 bility. Upon taking leave of the king, he told him, 

 that he left in his place the captain Tonatiuh fas Alva- 

 rado was called by this name of the fun among the Mex- 

 icans, becaufe he was fair), who was charged to ferve 

 his majefty in every thing ; that he requefted him to 

 continue his protection to the Spaniards ; that he was 

 going to find that captain who was lately arrived, and to 

 do every thing polfible for putting his royal commands 

 into execution. Montezuma, after having made new 

 protections to him of his good-will and attachment, 

 furnifhed him plentifully with provifions and men of 

 burden to tranfport his baggage, and took leave of him 

 with the utmoft: friendfhip. 



Cortes fet out from Mexico in the beginning of May, 

 in the year 1520, after having been fix months in that 

 capital, with feventy Spaniards, and fome Mexican no- 

 bles, who chofe to accompany him a part of the way. 

 Several hiitorians are perfuaded that the Mexicans went 



Vol. II. 3D to 



(u) Bernal Diaz fays, that the Spaniards left behind in Mexico were eighty- 

 three in number. In the modern editions of Cortes's letters, they are faid to 

 have been five hundred : but the ancient editions fay one hundred and forty, 

 which appears to have been the truth, confidering the total amount of the Spa- 

 nifh troops. The number of five hundred is evidently falfe, and contradids 

 Cortes in his own account. 



