HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



431 



opportunity to rid themfelves of the Spaniards than 

 then, when they were reduced in number, feeble in 

 ftrength, and deje&ed in mind. Maxixcatzin, who, on 

 the contrary, was fincerely attached to the Spaniards, 

 and pofTeffed of more difcernment of the laws of na- 

 tions, alfo of a difpofition more inclined to obferve them, 

 arraigned the fentiments of Xicotencatl, charging him 

 with abominable perfidy in counfelling the fenate to fa- 

 crifice to the revenge of the Mexicans, men who had 

 juft felt the rod of adverfity, and fought an afylum in 

 Tlafcala, trufting in the promifes and protections of 

 the fenate and the nation. He continued, that if they 

 flattered themfelves with receiving the advantages which 

 the Mexicans offered, he on the contrary hoped for 

 greater from the bravery of the Spaniards; that if there 

 was no motive to place confidence in them, they ought 

 ft ill lefs to confide in the Mexicans, of whofe perfidy 

 they had fo many examples; laflly, that no crime would 

 be capable of provoking fo firongly the anger of the 

 gods, and obfcuring the glory of the nation, as fuch im- 

 pious treachery to their innocent guefis. Xicotencatl 

 prelfed his counfel upon the fenate, prefenting to them 

 an odious picture of the genius and cuftoms of the Spa- 

 niards. So great an altercation enfued, and their minds 

 became fo much heated, that Maxixcatzin, tranfported 

 with pafiion, gave a violent pufh to Xicotencatl, and 

 threw him down fome Heps of the audience chamber, 

 calling him a feditious traitor to his country. Such an 

 accufation made by a perfon fo circumfpec"t, fo refpe&ed 

 and loved by the nation, obliged the fenate to imprifon 

 Xicotencatl. 



The refolution which they came to was, to anfwer to 

 the embafly that the republic was ready to accept the 

 peace and friendfhip of the court of Mexico, when it 



did 



