"Negotiations for peace were begun immediately, and on February 2, 1848, the treaty was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo. It was ratified in the following May, and as soon as it could be done conveniently, Mexico was evacuated by the American troops, and the two nations became friends again. And we shall all hope that the friendship will never be broken.

"Commenting on the war with Mexico, General Grant said: 'For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the measure [the annexation of Texas], and to this day regard the war which resulted as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger upon a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory.'"

A SCENE OF PEACE.


[CHAPTER XVI.]

THE NOCHE TRISTE TREE.—A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.—DEPARTURE OF CORTEZ FROM CUBA.—HE LANDS IN YUCATAN.—FOUNDING THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ.—DEFEATING THE TLASCALANS.—ENTRANCE TO TENOCHTITLAN.—RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA.—RETURN TO THE COAST.—EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS.—BESIEGING THE CITY WITH THE AID OF THE TLASCALANS.—CAPTURE OF THE CITY, AND DEATH OF GUATEMOZIN.—BEGINNING OF THE RULE OF THE VICEROYS.—THE CHURCH OF GUADALUPE.—STORY OF THE MIRACULOUS APPARITION.—RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL HOLIDAY.—PILGRIMAGE TO GUADALUPE.—PENITENTES; THEIR SELF-INFLICTED TORTURES.