The adventures of Hernan Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico

by Francis L. Hawks

NOTE.

THE writer of this volume has thought it best not to encumber a book written for the young, with references to authorities. He owes it to himself, however, to say, that he believes he has made no statement for which authority may not readily be produced.

To any older readers, who may possibly glance at the volume, he would remark, that he is indebted for his materials principally to Antonio de Herrera, Bernal Diaz, Antonio de Solis, Torquemada, Clavigero, Don Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio, Venegas, the letters of Hernan Cortes, the English historian Robertson, and our own lamented countryman, R. C. Sands, Esq.

TO
THOSE OF MY YOUNG COUNTRYMEN,
WHO ARE DISPOSED TO GATHER FROM THE PAGES OF
HISTORY, A STORY OF REAL LIFE, STRANGER
THAN ANY TALE OF ROMANCE,
This Volume
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED,
By the Author.

CONTENTS.

[CHAPTER I.]
Birth and parentage of Hernan Cortes—His early boyhood—Atthe age of fourteen he is sent to the University of Salamanca—Proveslazy, and returns home—Leaves his books,and takes to field-sports—Disappointment of his father—Passionof young Cortes for military life—Determines tojoin the great captain Gonzalo in the wars of Italy, but isdisappointed—Resolves to accompany his kinsman Ovandoto Hispaniola, but is prevented by an accident—At lengthreaches Hispaniola in 1504—Kindness of Ovando—Restlessnessof Cortes—His third disappointment—AccompaniesDiego Velasquez in his conquest of Cuba—Imprudence ofCortes—Expedition of Hernandez de Cordova and Juan deGrijalva—Discoveries of Grijalva—Excitement among theSpaniards—Cortes manages to get command of an expeditionfor the continent—Jealousy of Velasquez—Attempts tostop him at Trinidad and Havana—Enthusiasm among thefollowers of Cortes	[Page 13]
[CHAPTER II.]
Cortes arrives at Cozumel—Imprudence of Alvarado—Discoveryof Geronimo de Aguilar—his wretched condition—Thefleet reaches Tabasco—Hostility of the natives—Cortesoffers to treat with them; they refuse—Notwithstandingtheir opposition, he makes his landing—Defeats them on thegreat plain of Ceutla—Receives Doña Marina as a present—Heerects a cross upon the plain—The fleet sails for St. Juande Ulua—Reaches that harbor—Kindness of the natives—Interviewwith Teutchlile, their chief—Demands that he maysee the Emperor Montezuma, and sends presents to him—Alarmof Montezuma—He refuses to see the strangers, butsends presents to them—Cortes again demands to see him—Angerand fear of the Emperor—Commands Cortes to leavehis empire, yet sends him further presents	[31]
[CHAPTER III.]
Teutchlile arrives at the Spanish camp with the commands ofMontezuma—Finds Cortes in the midst of difficulties withhis men—Leaves the camp angry—Murmurs of the men—Managementof Cortes—Commences the settlement of VillaRica de la Vera Cruz—Quiets the complaints of the discontented—TheCacique of Chempoalla invites him to visit him—Cortesaccepts the invitation—Interview between them—Thesettlement is removed to Quiabislan—Friendship of theCaciques of Chempoalla and Quiabislan—The tax-gatherersof Montezuma arrive—Cortes arrests them—The Totonacasbecome his friends—Visits the Cincapacingas—Makes friendsof them—Imprudence of Cortes in the temple of Chempoalla—Sendsmessengers with presents to the King of Spain—Plotof Escudero and Centeno to stop them—They are putto death—Cortes destroys his fleet, and prepares to marchtoward Mexico—Arrival of Alonzo de Pineda upon the coast—Stratagemof Cortes—Sets out on his march—Passes Xalapan,Socachema, and Texotla, and arrives at Xocotlan—Interviewwith the Cacique—Determines to pursue his journeythrough the province of Tlascala	[46]
[CHAPTER IV.]
Cortes enters the Tlascalan territory—Character of the people—Warswith the Tlascalans—Cortes subdues them—Theybecome his allies—Marches to Cholula—Conspiracy and awfulmassacre of the Cholulans	[64]
[CHAPTER V.]
Cortes sends messengers to Montezuma, and leaves Cholula—Alarmof Montezuma—The Spaniards reach the summit ofIthualco, and see the valley of Mexico—Montezuma retiresto the palace of Tlillancalmecatl to mourn and pray—Sendshis nephew Cacamatzin to dissuade Cortes from entering hiscity—Cortes crosses the causeway of Iztapalapan—MeetsMontezuma—His splendid appearance—Enters Mexico, andmakes his quarters at the palace of Axajacatl—Montezumavisits him—Cortes returns the visit—By his permission, visitsthe great market-place, the temple, &c.—Is disgusted in thetemple—Anger of Montezuma—Suspicions of the Tlascalans—Deathof Escalante—Treachery of the nobles—Cortes resolvesto seize Montezuma—Enters his palace, and carrieshim away to the Spanish quarters	[83]
[CHAPTER VI.]
Montezuma becomes satisfied at the Spanish quarters—Arrivalof Quauhpopoca—He is delivered to Cortes—His confession—Istried, and condemned to die—Montezuma is fettered,and Quauhpopoca burnt—Revolt of Cacamatzin, the lord ofTezcuco—He is made a prisoner—Cortes persuades Montezumato swear allegiance to the King of Spain—and tosend him a present of gold and silver—The nobles are roused—Montezumaorders Cortes to leave the country—allowshim time to build ships for his departure—Arrival of Pamphilode Narvaez with eighteen ships—Cortes is orderedagain to leave—His joy and disappointment—Treachery ofMontejo—Anger of Velasquez—Endeavors to make a friendof Narvaez—Sends him messages and presents—Narvaezproves stubborn—Cortes leaves one hundred and fifty menwith Alvarado at Mexico, and marches to Chempoalla—Attackshim at midnight and makes him a prisoner—The soldiersof Narvaez gladly enlist under him	[102]
[CHAPTER VII.]
Insurrection of the Mexicans in the capital—Struggles ofCortes—Death of Montezuma—Awful conflict in the temple—TheSpaniards retreat from Mexico—Dreadful massacreon the causeway of Tacuba—Cortes escapes with the remnantof his army to the temple of Otoncalpolco—Determinesto go to Tlascala	[120]
[CHAPTER VIII.]
Battle of Otompan—Victory of the Spaniards—Cortes reachesTlascala—Kindness of the Tlascalans—The soldiers of Narvaezmurmur—Cortes receives unexpected reinforcements—Themurmurers are sent home—He despatches messengersto Spain, Hispaniola, and Jamaica—Orders ship-timbers tobe cut in the Tlascalan forests—Makes his head-quarters atTezcuco—Death of Cuitlahuitzin—Guatimozin is made Kingof Mexico—Cortes attacks the cities Iztapalapan, Chalco,and Tlalmamalco—Sandoval reduces Zoltepec—The timbersfor the brigantines are brought to Tezcuco—Xaltocan andTacuba are reduced—Guatimozin refuses terms of peace—Quauhnahuacand Xochimilco are attacked—Narrow escapeof Cortes—Conspiracy of Villafaña—Courage and address ofCortes—The brigantines are launched	[140]
[CHAPTER IX.]
The siege of Mexico is commenced—Dreadful massacre of theSpaniards on the causeways—Narrow escape of Cortes—Frightfulfestival of the Mexicans in the temple—Their cunning—Prudenceof Cortes—The siege is renewed—Messageto Guatimozin—His scornful answer—The Spaniards enterthe capital—The last quarter is besieged—Guatimozin ismade prisoner—The capital reduced—Disappointed avariceof the Spaniards—Guatimozin is put to the torture—Cortessnatches him from his tormentors—Death of the MexicanKing—Conquest of the distant provinces—Enmity of theBishop of Burgos toward Cortes—Rebuilding of the capital—Cortesliberates Narvaez	[157]
[CHAPTER X.]
Revolt in Panuco—Intrigues in Spain against Cortes—Hisfriends support him—The King makes him Captain-Generaland Governor of New Spain—His great popularity—Arrivalof Garay—Imprudence of his men—Slaughter of the Panuchese—TheBishop of Burgos and Narvaez continue theirintrigues—Treachery and death of Christoval de Olid—Marchof Cortes to Honduras—The King issues a commissionto investigate his conduct—Fidelity of the soldiers ofCortes—He embarks for Spain—Death of Sandoval—Receptionof Cortes at the Spanish court—He returns to Mexicodisappointed—Difficulties with the Audiencia—Embarks innew adventures—Discovery of California—Fails in his plans—Returnsto Spain—Ingratitude of the King—Scornful treatmentof the ministers—Death of Cortes—His remains aretaken to Mexico	[174]