430 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



to fuch iniquitous ufurpers, and the gods would pour 

 down all the vengeance of their anger upon them for 

 confederating with the enemies of their worfhip. If, 

 on the contrary, they would as he prayed, declare them- 

 felves the enemies of thofe men who were abhorred by 

 heaven and earth, the court of Mexico would form a 

 perpetual alliance with them, and from that time for- 

 ward have a free commerce with the republic, by which 

 they would efcape the mifery to which they had been hi- 

 therto fubjedled: all the nations of Anahuac would ac- 

 knowledge their obligation to them for fo important a 

 fervice, and the gods, appeafed with the blood of thofe 

 victims, would mower down the necelfary rain upon 

 their fields, (lamp fuccefs upon their arms, and celebrate 

 the name of Tlafcala through all that land. 



The fenate, after having liftened to the embafiy, and 

 difmiffed the ambafladors from the hall of audience, 

 according to their cuftom, entered into confultation up- 

 on that important queftion. To fome among them the 

 propofals of the court of Mexico appeared juft and con- 

 fident with the fecurity of the republic ; they exagge- 

 rated the advantages which were offered to them; and, 

 on the other hand, the unlucky iifue of the undertaking 

 of the Spaniards in Mexico, and the flaughter made of 

 the Tlafcalan troops which had been under their com- 

 mand. Amongft the reft the young Xicotencatl, who had 

 always been the bitter enemy of the Spaniards, raifed 

 his voice, and endeavoured, with all the reafons he 

 could urge, to perfuade the fenate to the Mexican alli- 

 ance ; adding, that it would be much better to preferve 

 the ancient cuftoms of their fathers, than to fubmit to 

 the new and extravagant policy of that proud and impe- 

 rious nation; that it would be impoffible to find a fitter 



opportunity 



