CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.—Discoveries of Cordova and Grijalva—Cortéz appointed by Velasquez—Biographical notice of Cortéz—Cortéz Captain General of the Armada—Equipment of the Expedition—Quarrel of Velasquez—Firmness of Cortéz—Expedition departs under Cortéz,[13]
CHAPTER II.—Olmeda preaches to the Indians—Aguilar and Mariana—interpreters—Cortéz lands—interview with the Aztecs—Diplomacy—Montezuma's presents—Montezuma refuses to receive Cortéz,[22]
CHAPTER III.—Cortéz founds La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz—Fleet destroyed—March to Mexico—Conquest of Tlascala—Cholula—Slaughter in Cholula—Valley of Mexico—Cortéz enters the Valley—Gigantic Causeway—Lake of Tezcoco—Reception by Montezuma—Spaniards enter the capital,[28]
CHAPTER IV.—Description of the City of Tenochtitlan—Montezuma's way of life—Market-place—Cortéz at the Great Temple—Description of it— Place of Sacrifice—Sanctuaries—Huitzilopotchtli—Tezcatlipoca—Danger of Cortéz—Montezuma seized—Montezuma a prisoner—his submissiveness—Arrival of Narvaez—Cortéz's diplomacy—Cortéz overcomes Narvaez, and recruits his forces,[35]
CHAPTER V.—Cortéz returns to the Capital—Causes of the revolt against the Spaniards—Cortéz condemns Alvarado—his conduct to Montezuma—Battle in the city—Montezuma mediates—Fight on the Great Temple or Teocalli—Retreat of the Spaniards—Noche Triste—Flight of the Spaniards to Tacuba,[44]
CHAPTER VI.—Retreat to Otumba—Cortéz is encountered by a new army of Aztecs and auxiliaries—Victory of the Spaniards at Otumba—Proposed re-alliance of Aztecs and Tlascalans—Forays of Cortéz—reduction of the eastern regions—Cortéz proposes the reconquest—sends off the disaffected—Cortéz settles the Tlascalan succession,[50]
CHAPTER VII.—Death of Cuitlahua—he is succeeded by Guatemozin—Aztecs learn the proposed reconquest—Cortéz's forces for this enterprise—Cortéz at Tezcoco—his plans and acts—Military expeditions of Cortéz in the Valley—Operations at Chalco and Cuernavaca—Xochimilco—return to Tacuba—Cortéz returns to Tezcoco and is reinforced,[56]
CHAPTER VIII.—Cortéz returns—conspiracy among his men detected—Execution of Villafaña—Brigantines launched—Xicotencatl's treason and execution—Disposition of forces to attack the city—Siege and assaults on the city—Fight and reverses of the Spaniards—Sacrifice of captives—Flight of allies—Contest renewed— Starvation,[62]
CHAPTER IX.—Aztec prediction—it is not verified—Cortéz reinforced by fresh arrivals—Famine in the city—Cortéz levels the city to its foundation—Condition of the capital—Attack renewed—Capture of Guatemozin—Surrender of the city—Frightful condition of the city,[70]
CHAPTER X.—Duty of a historian—Motives of the Conquest—Character and deeds of Cortéz—Materials of the Conquest—Adventurers—Priests—Indian allies—Historical aspects of the Conquest,[75]
CHAPTER XI.—Discontent at not finding gold—Torture of Guatemozin—Results of the fall of the capital—Mission from Michoacan—Rebuilding of the capital—Letters to the King—Intrigues against Cortéz—Fonseca—Narvaez—Tapia—Charles V. protects Cortéz and confirms his acts,[80]
CHAPTER XII.—Cortéz commissioned by the Emperor—Velasquez—his death—Mexico rebuilt—Immigration—Repartimientos of Indians—Honduras—Guatemozin—Mariana—Cortéz accused—ordered to Spain for trial—his reception, honors and titles—he marries—his return to Mexico—resides at Tezcoco—Expeditions of Cortéz—California—Quivara—returns to Spain—death—Where are his bones?[84]
CHAPTER XIII.—Archbishop Zumarraga's destruction of Mexican monuments, writings, documents—Mr. Gallatin's opinion of them—Traditions—two sources of accurate knowledge—Speculations on antiquity—Aztecs—Toltecs—Nahuatlacs—Acolhuans, &c.—Aztecs emigrate from Aztlan—settle in Anahuac—Tables of emigration of the original tribes—Other tribes in the empire,[92]
CHAPTER XIV.—Difficulty of estimating the civilization of the Aztecs—Nations in Yucatan—Value of contemporary history—The Aztec monarchy—elective—Royal style in Tenochtitlan—Montezuma's way of life—Despotic power of the Emperor over life and law—Theft—intemperance—marriage—slavery—war—Military system and hospitals—Coin—Revenues—Aztec mythology—Image of Teoyaomiqui—Teocalli—Two kinds of sacrifice—Why the Aztecs sacrificed their prisoners—Common Sacrifice—Gladitorial Sacrifice—Sacrificial Stone—Aztec Calendar—week, month, year, cycle—Procession of the New Fire—Astronomical Science—Aztec Calendar—Tables,[99]

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I.—Colonial system—Early grants of power to rulers in Mexico by the Emperor Charles V.—Abuse of it—Council of the Indies—Laws—Royal audiences— Cabildos—Fueros—Relative positions of Spaniards and Creoles—Scheme of Spanish colonial trade—Restrictions on trade—Alcabala—Taxes—Papal Bulls—Bulls de Cruzada—de Defuntos—of Composition—Power of the Church—its property— Inquisition—The acts of the Inquisition—Repartimientos—Indians—Agriculturists—Miners—Mita—Excuses for maladministration,[127]
CHAPTER II.—Founding of the Viceroyalty of New Spain—New Audiencia— Fuenleal—Mendoza—Early acts of the first Viceroy—Coinage—Rebellion in Jalisco—Viceroy suppresses it—Council of the Indies on Repartimientos—Indian Servitude—Quivara—Expeditions of Coronado and Alarcon—Pest in 1546—Revolution—Council of Bishops—Mines—Zapotecs revolt—Mendoza removed to Peru,[139]
CHAPTER III.—Velasco endeavors to ameliorate the condition of the Indians—University of Mexico established—Inundation—Military colonization—Philip II.—Florida—Intrigues against Velasco—Philipine Isles—Death of Velasco—Marques de Falces—Baptism of the grand-children of Cortéz—Conspiracy against the Marques del Valle—his arrest—execution of his friends—Marques de Falces—charges against him—his fall—Errors of Philip II.—Fall of Muñoz and his return—Vindication of the Viceroy,[148]
CHAPTER IV.—Almanza Viceroy—Chichimecas revolt—Jesuits— Inquisition—Pestilence—No Indian tribute exacted—Almanza departs—Xuares Viceroy—Weak Administration—Increase of commerce—Pedro Moya de Contreras Viceroy—Reforms under a new Viceroy—His power as Viceroy and Inquisitor—Zuñiga Viceroy—Treasure— Piracy—Cavendish—Drake captures a galeon—Zuñiga and the Audiencia of Guadalajara—His deposition from power,[160]
CHAPTER V.—Luis de Velasco II. becomes Viceroy—Delight of the Mexicans—Factories reopened—Chichimecas—Colonization—Alameda—Indians taxed for European wars—Composition—Fowls—Acebedo Viceroy—Expedition to New Mexico—Indian ameliorations—Death of Philip II.—New scheme of hiring Indians—California—Montesclaros Viceroy—Inundation—Albarrada,[170]
CHAPTER VI.—Second administration of Don Luis Velasco—His great work for the Drainage of the Valley—Lakes in the Valley—Danger of Inundation—History of the Desague of Huehuetoca—Operations of the engineers Martinez and Boot—The Franciscans—Completion of the Desague—La Obra del Consulado—Negro revolt—Extension of Oriental trade—Guerra Viceroy—De Cordova Viceroy—Indian revolt—Cordova founded,[178]
CHAPTER VII.—Marques de Gelves Viceroy—his reforms—Narrative of Father Gage—Gelves forestalls the market—The Archbishop excommunicates Mexia, his agent—Quarrel between Gelves and the Archbishop—Viceroy excommunicated—Archbishop at Guadalupe—he is arrested at the altar—sent to Spain—Mexia threatened—Mob attacks the Palace—it is sacked—Viceroy escapes—Retribution,[187]
CHAPTER VIII.—The Audiencia rules in the interregnum—Carillo Visitador—Inquisitorial examination—Acapulco taken—Attacks by the Dutch—Removal of the Capital proposed—Armendariz Viceroy—Escalona Viceroy—Palafox's conduct to the Viceroy—Palafox Viceroy—His good and evil,[195]
CHAPTER IX.—Sotomayor Viceroy—Escalona vindicated—Monastic property—Bigotry of Palafox—Guzman Viceroy—Indian insurrection—Revolt of the Tarahumares—Success of the Indians—Indian wars—Duke de Alburquerque Viceroy—Attempt to assassinate him—Count de Baños Viceroy—Attempt to colonize—Escobar y Llamas and De Toledo Viceroys—Depredations of British cruisers—Nuño de Portugal Viceroy,[201]
CHAPTER X.—Rivera Viceroy—La Cerda Viceroy—Revolt in New Mexico—Success of the Indians—Colony destroyed—Efforts of the Spaniards to reconquer—Vera Cruz sacked—Count Monclova Viceroy—Count Galve Viceroy—Tarrahumaric revolt—Indians pacified—Texas—Hispaniola attacked—Insurrection—Burning of the Palace—Famine—Earthquake,[212]
CHAPTER XI.—Montañez Viceroy—Spiritual Conquest of California—Valladares Viceroy—Fair at Acapulco—Spanish monarchy—Austria—Bourbon—Montañez Viceroy—Jesuits in California—La Cueva Viceroy—Duke de Linares Viceroy—British slavery treaty—Colonization—Nuevo Leon—Texas—Operations in Texas—Alarcon—Aguayo—Casa-Fuerte's virtuous administration—Louis I.—Oriental trade—Spanish jealousy—The King's opinion of Casa-Fuerte—his acts,[221]
CHAPTER XII.—Vizarron and Eguiarreta Viceroy—Eventless government—Salazar Viceroy—Colonial fears—Fuen-Clara Viceroy—Galeon lost—Mexico under Revilla-Gigedo I.—Ferdinand VI.—Indians—Taxes—Colonies in the north—Famine—Mines at Bolaños—Horcasitas—Character of Revilla-Gigedo—Villalon Viceroy—Charles III.—Cagigal Viceroy,[232]
CHAPTER XIII.—Marques de Cruillas Viceroy—Charles III. proclaimed—Havana taken by the British—Military preparations—Peace—Pestilence—Galvez Visitador—Reforms—Tobacco monopoly—De Croix Viceroy—The Jesuits—their expulsion from Spanish dominions—their arrival in Europe—banished—Causes of this conduct to the order—Origin of the military character of Mexico,[240]
CHAPTER XIV.—Bucareli y Ursua Viceroy—Progress of New Spain—Gold placers in Sonora—Mineral wealth at that period—Intellectual condition of the country—Line of Presidios—Mayorga Viceroy—Policy of Spain to England and her colonies—Operations on the Spanish Main, &c.—Matias Galvez Viceroy—his acts,[248]
CHAPTER XV.—Bernardo de Galvez Viceroy—Chapultepec—Galvez dies—his daughter—Haro Viceroy—Corruption of Alcaldes—Flores Viceroy—his system of ruling the northern frontier—Mining interests—II. Revilla-Gigedo Viceroy—Charles IV.—Revilla-Gigedo's colonial improvements—his advice as to California Anecdotes of his police regulations—The street of Revilla-Gigedo—Arrest of fugitive lovers—Punishes the culprits,[255]
CHAPTER XVI.—Branciforte Viceroy—his grasping and avaricious character—Corruption tolerated—Persecution of Frenchmen—Encampments—Branciforte's character—Azanza Viceroy—Effect of European wars on colonial trade and manufactures—Threatened revolt—Marquina Viceroy—Revolt in Jalisco—Iturrigaray Viceroy—Godoy's corruption—War—Defences against the United States—Miranda— Humboldt—Mexico taxed for European wars—Ferdinand VII.—Napoleon in Spain—King Joseph Bonaparte—Iturrigaray arrested—Garibay Viceroy,[267]

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.—Lianza Viceroy—Audiencia—Venegas Viceroy—True sources of the Revolution—Creoles loyal to Ferdinand—Spaniards in favor of King Joseph—Mexican subscriptions for Spain—Secret union in Mexico against Spaniards—Hidalgo—Allende—First outbreak—Guanajuato sacked—Las Cruces—Mexico menaced—Indian bravery at Aculco—Marfil—Massacre at Guanajuato—Calleja—Insurgents defeated—Execution of Hidalgo,[279]
CHAPTER II.—Venegas Viceroy—Rayon—Junta in 1811—its willingness to receive Ferdinand VII.—Proclamation by the Junta—Morelos—Acapulco taken—Successes of the insurgents—Siege of Cuautla—Izucar—Orizaba—Oaxaca—Chilpanzingo—Calleja Viceroy—Iturbide—Reverses of insurgents—Morelos shot,[287]
CHAPTER III.—Apodaca Viceroy—Spanish constitution of 1812 proclaimed in Mexico—Condition of the revolutionary party—Victoria—Mina lands at Soto la Marina—his efforts—Los Remedios—Guerrillas—he is shot—Padre Torres—Iturbide—Apodaca selects him to establish absolutism—Iturbide promulgates the Plan of Iguala—Army of the Three Guaranties,[293]
CHAPTER IV.—O'Donoju Viceroy—Conduct of Iturbide—Novella—Revolt—Treaty of Cordova—First Mexican Cortes—Iturbide Emperor—his career—exiled to Italy—Iturbide returns—arrest—execution—his character and services,[301]
CHAPTER V.—Review of the condition of Mexico and the formation of parties—Viceroyal government—The people—The army—The church—Constitution of 1824—Echavari revolts—Victoria President—Escocesses—Yorkinos—Revolts continued—Montayno—Guerrero—Gomez Pedraza President—is overthrown—Federalists—Centralists—Guerrero President—Abolition of Slavery in Mexico,[307]
CHAPTER VI.—Conspiracy against Guerrero by Bustamante—Guerrero betrayed and shot—Anecdote—Revolt under Santa Anna—he restores Pedraza and becomes President—Gomez Farias deposed—Church—Central Constitution of 1836—Santa Anna—his Texan disgrace—Mexia—Bustamante President—French at Vera Cruz Revolts in the north and in the capital—Bustamante deposed—Santa Anna President,[316]
CHAPTER VII.—Reconquest of Texas proposed—Canalizo President ad interim—Revolution under Paredes in 1844—Santa Anna falls—Herrera President—Texan revolt—Origin of war with the United States—Texan war for the Constitution of 1824—Nationality recognized—Annexation to the United States—Proposition to Mexico—Herrera overthrown—Paredes President—Our minister rejected—Character of General Paredes,[326]
CHAPTER VIII.—General Taylor ordered to the Rio Grande—History of Texan boundaries—Origin of the war—Military preparations—Commencement of hostilities—Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca—Matamoros—Taylor's advance—Fall of Monterey,[334]
CHAPTER IX.—General Wool inspects and musters the western troops—Army of the Centre—New Mexico—Kearney—Macnamara—California— Frémont—Sonoma—Californian independence—Possession taken—Sloat—Stockton—A revolt—Pico—Treaty of Couenga—Kearney at San Pascual—is relieved—Disputes—San Gabrielle—Mesa—Los Angeles—Frémont's character, services, trial,[342]
CHAPTER X.—Valley of the Rio Grande—Santa Anna at San Luis—Scott commander-in-chief—Plan of attack on the east coast—General Scott's plan—Doniphan's expedition—Bracito—Sacramento—Revolt in New Mexico—Murder of Richie—Selection of battle ground—Description of it—Battle of Angostura or Buena Vista—Mexican retreat—Tabasco—Tampico,[350]
CHAPTER XI.—Santa Anna's return—changes his principles—Salas executive—Constitution of 1824 restored—Paredes—Plans of Salas and Santa Anna—his letter to Almonte—his views of the war—refuses the Dictatorship—commands the army—State of parties in Mexico—Puros—Moderados—Santa Anna at San Luis—Peace propositions—Internal troubles—Farias's controversy with the church—Polko revolution in the capital—Vice Presidency suppressed—Important decree,[358]
CHAPTER XII.—General Scott at Lobos—Landing at and siege of Vera Cruz—Capitulation and condition of Vera Cruz—Condition of Mexico—Alvarado, etc., captured—Scott's advance—Description of Cerra Gordo—Mexican defences and military disposal there—Battle of Cerro Gordo—Peroté and Puebla yield—Santa Anna returns—Constitution of 1824 readopted—Mexican politics of the day—War spirit—Guerillas—Peace negotiations—Santa Anna's secret negotiations,[370]
CHAPTER XIII.—Scott at Puebla—Tampico and Orizaba taken—Scott's advance—Topography of the Valley of Mexico—Routes to the capital—El Peñon—Mexicalzingo—Tezcoco—Chalco—Outer and inner lines around the city—Scott's advance by Chalco—The American army at San Augustin,[381]
CHAPTER XIV.—Difficulties of the advance—The Pedregal—San Antonio—Hacienda—Relative position of American and Mexican armies—Path over the Pedregal to Contreras—Valencia disconcerts Santa Anna's plan of battle—American advance and victory at Contreras—San Antonio turned by Worth—Battle of Churubusco—Battle at the Convent and Tete de Pont—Their capture,[391]
CHAPTER XV.—Why the city was not entered on the 20th—Condition of the city—Deliberation of the Mexican cabinet and proposals—Reasons why General Scott proposed and granted the armistice—Deliberations of commissioners—Parties against Santa Anna—Failure of the negotiation—Mexican desire to destroy Santa Anna,[400]
CHAPTER XVI.—Military position of the Americans at the end of the armistice—Mexican defences—Plan of attack—Reconnoissances of Scott and Mason—Importance of Mexican position at Molino del Rey—Scott's scheme of capturing the city—Battle of Molino del Rey—Reflections and criticism on this battle—Preparations to attack Chapultepec—Storming of Chapultepec and of the city Gates of San Cosmé and Belen—Retreat of the Mexican army and government—American occupation of the city of Mexico,[408]
CHAPTER XVII.—Attack of the city mob on the army—Quitman Governor—Peña President—Congress ordered—Siege of Puebla—Lane's, Lally's, and Childs's victories—Guerrilleros broken up—Mexican politics—Anaya President—Peace negotiations—Scott's decree—Peña President—Santa Anna and Lane—Santa Anna leaves Mexico for Jamaica—Treaty entered into—Its character—Santa Cruz de Rosales—Court of Inquiry—Internal troubles—Ambassadors at Querétaro—Treaty ratified—Evacuation—Revolutionary attempts—Condition of Mexico since the war—Character of Santa Anna—Note on the military critics,[420]