The Citie being sacked, oure men tooke the spoyle of golde, plate, and feathers, and the Indians their friendes tooke clothes and salte, which was the treasure that they desired.
Cortez commaunded to ceasse the spoyle. The other Captaynes that lay bounde, hearing of suche a greate destruction and punishment, most pitifully besought Cortez to loase some of them, for to sée what was become of their Gods and cōmō people. Likewise they humbly besought him to pardon them, who had not so muche faulte as Mutezuma, who perswaded and entised them to that pretended treason.
Vpon their lamentable request, he loased two of them, and the next day following the Citie was as ful of people agayne, that there séemed not one to be wanting.
At the sute of the Tlaxcaltecas who were put for mediators, Cortes pardoned them all, and sette his prisoners at libertie, assuring them that the like correction he woulde do vppon al them that should dissemble or shewe an euil countenance, or make lyes, or fynally vse anye kinde of treason toward him: wherevpon they all abode in greate feare. He made the knot of friendship betwéene them and the Tlaxcaltecas, which in time past had bin betwixt them, for Mutezuma and his auncetors made them enimies, with fayre promises, words and also feare.
The Citizens hauing their generall slayne, chose an other with licence of Cortes.
The Sanctuary or holy place among the Indians was Chololla.
Chololla is a city as Tlaxcallan, and hathe but one person who is gouernour and general Captayne, chosen by the consente of all the Citizens. It is a Citie of twentie thousande householdes within the walles, and in the suburbes as muche more. It sheweth outwardes verye beautifull, and full of towers, for there are as manye temples as dayes in ye yeare, & euery temple hath his tower. Our men counted foure hundred towers. The men and womē are of good disposition well fauoured, and very wittie.
The women are Goldsmithes and also Caruers, the men are warriers, and light fellowes, and good maisters for any purpose: they goe better apparelled than anye other Indiās yet séene. They weare for their vtter garmēt clokes like vnto Moriscos, but after an other sort. Al the Countrey rounde aboute them is fruitefull and eareable grounde, well watered, and so full of people, that there is no wast grounde, in respect whereof, there are some poore, whiche begge from dore to dore. The Spanyardes hadde not seene any beggers in that Coūtrey before they came thither.