[MEXICO.]
SYNOPTICAL SKETCH.
The Eagle with the Serpent alighting on the rock in Lake Tenochtitlan, on the spot where the City was built.
Discovery—Condition, anterior to the Spanish Conquest—Invasion by Cortez—Arrival of Cortez in the Mexican Capital—Abdication of Montezuma—Retreat of Cortez, and Return—Fall of the City and Empire—Fate of Cortez—Extent of New Spain—Introduction of the Catholic Religion—Native Spanish Population under the Colonial Government—Classes of the Inhabitants—Causes of the First Mexican Revolution—Commencement of the Revolution—Continuation of the War by the Patriot Chiefs—Decline of the Revolution—Invasion by Mina—Revolution under Iturbide—Adoption of the Federal Constitution—Prosperity of the years 1825 and 1826—Election of President in 1828—Usurpation of Bustamente—Defence of the Federal Constitution—Santa Anna's Proceedings—Establishment of a Central Republic—Attempts against the Central Government—Revolution of 1841—Overthrow of Santa Anna's Government.
The northern coast of Yucatan was first visited and explored in 1517 by Francisco Fernandez de Cordova, who sailed from Cuba in three small vessels, with a company of adventurers. He here found a race of men much bolder and more warlike than the inhabitants of the islands, who resisted the intruders with a most determined spirit. Many of the latter perished in the contests they were engaged in and Cordova himself received a wound, of which he died soon after his return to Cuba.
The prospect of booty which the region presented, stimulated the Spaniards to secure their prize at any hazard. Another expedition was planned the following year, under Grijalva, consisting of four ships and two hundred and forty men. They commenced by verifying the reports of the preceding adventurers; they then continued their voyage as far as the River Panuco, and were met every where with the marks of a good degree of civilization. Landing frequently, they were sometimes suspected, and warmly attacked; at other times, they were received with the reverence due to superior natures.
Condition, anterior to the Spanish Conquest.—The most ancient Mexican nation, according to tradition, was the Toltecas. It would appear that, at a period corresponding with that of 472 of the Christian era, they were expelled from their own country, called Tollan, somewhere north of Mexico, whence becoming migratory for many years, they at length built a city, called Tolton, fifty miles east from Mexico.