HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



in the court, (the number (k) of whom is not known), 

 adorned with various ornaments of gold, gems, and 

 feathers. They began to dance and to fing to the 

 found of mufical inftruments; and in the mean while, 

 Alvarado ftationed fome foldiers at the gate. When he 

 faw the Mexicans become heated, and poflibly alfo wea- 

 ry with dancing, he gave a fignal to his men to attack 

 them; they immediately charged with the utmoft fury" 

 upon thofe unfortunate victims, who were unable td 

 make any refiftance, as they were unarmed and fatigued, 

 nor was it poffible for them to efcape by flight, as the 

 gates were guarded. The flaughter was terrible, and 

 the cries piteous which the dying uttered, and the co- 

 pious blood which was flied. This fatal blow was mofl 

 fenfibly felt by the Mexicans, for they loft by it the 

 flower of their nobility; and, to perpetuate the memory 

 of it among their defcendants, they compofed dirges and 

 elegies on the fubjec*t, which they preferved for many 

 years after the conqueft. When the horrid tragedy was 

 ended, the Spaniards ftripped the dead bodies of all the 

 riches with which they were adorned. 



The motive is not known which induced Alvarado to 

 commit an a£Hon fo abominably inhuman. Some have 

 faid he was influenced alone by his infatiable third for 

 gold (r). Others affirm, and which is more probable, 



that 



(b) By Gomara, the nobles who were prefent at the dance are reckoned fix 

 hundred, by other hiftorians more than a thoufand, and by Las Cafas more 

 than two thoufand. 



(c) The Mexican hiftorians, Sahagun, in his hiftory, Las Cafas, in his for- 

 midable account of the deftruction of the Indies, and Gomara, in his Chroni- 

 cle, affirm, that the avarice of Alvarado was the caufe of the flaughter com- 

 mitted on the Mexican nobility; but we cannot believe it without ftronger 

 proofs. Gomara and Las Cafas have unqueftionably followed Sahagun in this 

 opinion, and he mull have received it from the Mexicans, who, being enemies 

 «f the Spaniards, are not to be trufted in this matter. 



