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umhappy Montezuma thought he recognized in 
the soldiers of Cortez. We know by our 
books/’ said he, in his first interview with the 
Spanish General, that myself, and those who 
“ inhabit this country, are not natives, but 
strangers, who came from a great distance. 
“ We know also, that the chief, who led our 
ancestlors hither, returned for a certain time to 
his primitive country, and fhence came back 
to seek those, who were here established. He 
found them married to the women of this land, 
having a numerous posterity, and living in 
cities, which they had built. Our ancestors 
hearkened not to their ancient master, and he 
returned alone. We have always believed, that 
his descendants would one day come to take 
possession of this country. Since you arrive 
from that region, where the Sun rises, and, as 
you assure me, you have long known us, I 
cannot doubt, but that the king, who sends 
you, is our natural master*.” 
Another very remarkable tradition still exists 
among the Indians of Cholula, according to 
which the great pyramid was not originally 
destined to serve for the worship of Quetzalcoatl. 
After my return to Europe, on examining at 
Rome the Mexican manuscript in the Vatican 
library, I found, that this same tradition was 
* First Letter of Cortez, § 21 and 29. 
