It is to be thought that his Guard was the greater, bycause the straungers were there, although in effecte of troth it is most certayne, that all the Lords that are vnder the Mexicall Empire (as they say) are thirtie persons of high estate, who are able to make each of them a hundred thousand men. There are thrée thousand Lordes of Townes, who haue many vassals.
These noble menne did abide in Mexico certayne tyme of the yeare, in the Court of Mutezuma, and could not departe from thence without especiall licence of the Emperoure, leauing each of them a sonne or brother behinde them for securitie or Rebellion, and for this cause they had generally houses in the Citie: such and so great was the court of Mutezuma.
The great subiection of the Indians to their King.
There is not in all the dominions of Mutezuma any subiect that payeth not tribute vnto him. The noblemen paye theyr tribute in personall seruice. The husbādmen called Maceualtin, with body & goodes. In this sort they are eyther tenauntes, or else heyres to their possessions. Those which are heyres, do pay one third part of all their fruite and commoditie that they doe reape or bring vp, as Dogges, Hennes, Foule, Conyes, Gold, Siluer, Stones, Salt, Waxe, Honey, Mantels, Feathers, Cotten, and a certayne fruite called Cacao, that serueth for money, and also to eate. Also all kinde of grayne, and garden Herbes and fruites, whereof they do maynteyne themselues.
The Tenantes doe paye monethly or yearely as they can agrée, and bycause their tribute is greate, they are called slaues, for when they maye haue licence to eate egges, they thinke it a greate fauour. It was reported that they were taxed what they shoulde eate, and all the residue was taken from them. They went very poorely clothed, yea and the most of their treasure was an earthē potte, wherein they boyled theyr herbes, a couple of Milstones to grinde their Corne, and a matte to lye vppon. They did not onely pay this rente and tribute, but also serued with their bodyes at all times when the great King should commaunde. They were in such great subiectiō to their prince, that they durst not speake one word, although their daughters shoulde be taken from them to be vsed at their pleasure. It was reported, that of euerye thrée sonnes, they deliuered one to be sacrifised, but ye report was false, for if it had bin true, the Townes had not bin so replenished with people as they were: and also the noble men did not eate mans flesh, but only of those whiche were sacrifised, and they were slaues or prisoners taken in the warres. Assuredly they were cruell butchers, and slewe yearely for that bloudy sacrifice many menne, and some children, but not so many as was reported. All the aforesayde rentes they brought to Mexico vpon theyr backes and in boates, I meane so much as was necessary for the prouision of the house and Courte of Mutezuma, all the residue was spente among souldyers, and bartred for golde, plate, precious stones, and other riche Iewels, estéemed of Princes, all the whiche was broughte to the treasory. In Mexico was large and greate barnes and houses to receyue and kéepe the Corne for prouision of the Citie, with officers and vnderofficers, who did receyue the same, and kepte accompte thereof in bookes of paynted figures. Also in euerye Towne was a receyuer, who bare in his hand a rodde or a bushe of feathers, and those gaue vp their accomptes in Mexico. If any such had bin taken with deceypt and falsehoode, death was his reward, yea and his kinred punished with penalties, as of a lignage of a Traytor to his Prince. The Husbandmenne, if they payd not well their tribute, were apprehended for the same, and if they were founde to bée poore through sicknesse and infirmitie, then they were borne withall, but if they were found to be lazie and slouthfull, they should be vsed accordingly: but in conclusion, if they payde if not at a daye appoynted, then they shoulde bée solde for slaues to pay their dette, or else be sacrificed.
There were many other prouinces, whiche paid a certayne portion, and reknowledged seruice, but this tribute was more of honor than profite. In this sort Mutezuma had more than sufficiente to prouide his house & warres, and to heape vp greate store in his treasory. Moreouer, he spente nothing in the buildings of his houses, for of long time he had certayne townes that payd no other tribute, but only to worke and repayre continually his houses at their owne proper cost, and payde all kind of workemen, carrying vpon their backes, or drawing in sleddes, stone, lyme, timber, water, and all other necessaries for the worke. Likewise they were bounde to prouide all the fierwod that should be spent in the Court, whiche was a great thing, and did amount to 230. hūdred waight a day, which was fiue hundred mens burthens, and some dayes in the winter much more. And for the Kings Chimneys they brought the barke of Oke trées, whiche was best estéemed for the light thereof, for they were greate sorcerers. Mutezuma had 100. cities with their prouinces, of whome he receiued rentes, tributes, & vassalage, where he mainteined garrison of souldiers, & had treasorers in each of thē. His dominiō did extend from the North sea to the South sea, & 600. miles in lōgitude within the maine lād, although in very déed ther were some towns, as Tlaxcallō, Mechuacan, Panuco, and Teocantepec, whiche were his enimies, and payde him neyther tribute nor seruice: but yet the ransome was muche, when any of them were taken.
Also there were other kings and noble men, as of Tezcuco and Tlacopan, which were not in subiection vnto him, but onely in homage and obedience, for they were of his owne lignage, vnto whome Mutezuma married hys daughters.