History of Mexico (Bancroft)/Volume 1/Table of Contents

by Hubert Howe Bancroft

 

CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
VOYAGE OF HERNANDEZ DE CÓRDOBA TO YUCATAN.
1516-1517.
page
A Glance at the State of European Discovery and Government in America at the Opening of this Volume — Diego Velazquez in Cuba — Character of the Man — A Band of Adventurers Arrives from Darien — The Governor Counsels them to Embark in Slave-catching — Under Hernandez de Córdoba thay Sail Westward and Discover Yucatan — And are Filled with Astonishment at the Large Towns and Stone Towers they See there — They Fight the Natives at Cape Catoche — Skirt the Peninsula to Champoton — Sanguinary Battle — Return to Cuba — Death of Córdoba	1
CHAPTER II.
JUAN DE GRIJALVA EXPLORES THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE MEXICAN GULF.
1518.
Velazquez Plans a New Expedition — Gives the Command to his Nephew, Juan de Grijalva — Who Embarks at Santiago and Strikes the Continent at Cozumel Island — Coasts Southward to Ascension Bay — Then Turns and Doubles Cape Catoche — Naming of New Spain — Fight at Champoton — Arrival at Laguna de Términos — Alaminos, the Pilot, is Satisfied that Yucatan is an Island — They Coast Westward and Discover the Rivers San Pedro y San Pablo and Tabasco — Notable Interview at this Place between the Europeans and the Americans — The Culhua Country — They Pass La Rambla, Tonalá, the Rio Goazacoalco, the Mountain of San Martin, the Rivers of Alvarado and Banderas, and Come to the Islands of Sacrificios and San Juan de Ulua	15
CHAPTER III.
RETURN OF GRIJALVA. A NEW EXPEDITION ORGANIZED.
1518.
Refusal of Grijalva to Settle — Alvarado Sent back to Cuba — Grijalva Continues his Discovery — After Reaching the Province of Pánuco he Turns back — Touching at the Rio Goazacoalco, Tonald, the Laguna de Términos, and Champoton, the Expedition Returns to Cuba — Grijalva Traduced and Discharged — A New Expedition Planned — Velazquez Sends to Santo Domingo and Spain — Characters of Velazquez and Grijalva Contrasted — Candidates for the Captaincy of the New Expedition — The Alcalde of Santiago Successful — His Standing at that Time	28
CHAPTER IV.
THE HERO OF THE CONQUEST.
Birthplace of Heman Cortés — His Coming Compensatory for the Devil-sent Luther — Parentage — Herman a Sickly Child — Saint Peter his Patron — He is sent to Salamanca — Returns Home — Thinks of Córdoba and Italy — And of Ovando and the Indies — Chooses the Latter — Narrow Escape during a Love Intrigue — Ovando Sails without Him — Cortés Goes to Valencia — Is there Ill — Returns Home — Finally Sails for the Indies — His Reception at Santo Domingo — He Fights Indians under Velazquez, and is Given an Encomienda — Goes to Cuba with Velazquez — Makes Love to Catalina Suarez — But Declines to Marry — Velazquez Insists — Cortés Rebels — Seizures, Imprisonments, Escapes, and Reconciliation	41
CHAPTER V.
SAILING OF THE EXPEDITION.
1518-1519.
The Quality of Leader Desired — Instructions Issued to Hernan Cortés, Commander-in-chief — The Character of Cortés Undergoes a Change — Cost of the Expedition — By whom Borne — Places Established for Enlistment — The Banner — Cortés Puts on the Great Man — More of his Character — The Scene at Santiago Harbor — The Governor's Jester — Dark Suspicions of Velazquez — Departure from Santiago — Cortés at Trinidad — Fresh Recruits — Verdugo Receives Orders to Depose Cortés — The Fleet Proceeds to San Cristóbal, or the Habana — Review at Guaguanico — Speech of Cortés — Organization into Companies — Departure from Cuba	53
CHAPTER VI.
THE VOYAGE.
1519.
Something of the Captains of Cortés — Alvarado — Montejo — Ávila — Olid — Sandoval — Leon — Ordaz — Morla — The Passage — The Fleet Struck by a Squall — Arrival at Cozumel — Alvarado Censured — Search for the Captive Christians — Arrival of Aguilar — His Chaste Adventures — They Come to Tabasco River — Battles there — Conquest of the Natives — Peace Made — Twenty Female Slaves among the Presents — The Fleet Proceeds along the Shore — Puertocarrero's Witticism — Arrival at San Juan de Ulua	73
CHAPTER VII.
WHAT MONTEZUMA THOUGHT OF IT.
Home of Mexican Civilization — The Border Land of Savagism — Configuration of the Country — The Nahuas and the Mayas — Toltecs, Chichimecs, and Aztecs — The Valley of Mexico — Civil Polity of the Aztecs — King Ahuitzotl — Montezuma Made Emperor — Character of the Man — His Career — The First Appearing of the Spaniards not Unknown to Montezuma — The Quetzalcoatl Myth — Departure of the Fair God — Signs and Omens concerning his Return — The Coming of the Spaniards Mistaken for the Fulfilment of the Prophecy — The Door Opened to the Invader.	94
CHAPTER VIII.
THE COMBATANTS SALUTE.
April-May, 1519.
The Embassy from the Shore — The New Interpreter — Marina — Her Appearance and Quality — Her Romantic History — She Cleaves to the Spaniards and to Cortés — And Becomes One of the most Important Characters of the Conquest — The Spaniards Land and Form an Encampment — The Governor Comes with Presents — The Spaniards Astonish the Natives — Who Report all to Montezuma — Cortés Sends the Monarch Presents — Council Called in Mexico — Montezuma Determines not to Receive the Strangers — Reciprocates in Presents a Hundredfold — Cortés Persists — Montezuma Declines more Firmly — Olmedo Attempts Conversion — Teuhtlile, Offended, Withdraws his People from the Camp of the Spaniards.	116
CHAPTER IX.
THE MIGHTY PROJECT IS CONCEIVED.
May, 1519.
Serious Dilemma of Cortés — Authority without Law — Montejo Sent Northward — Recommends another Anchorage — Dissensions at Vera Cruz — Prompt and Shrewd Action of Cortés — A Municipality Organized — Cortés Resigns — And is Chosen Leader by the Municipality — Velazquez' Captains Intimate Rebellion — Cortés promptly Arrests Several of Them — Then he Conciliates them All — Important Embassy from Cempoala — The Veil Lifted — The March to Cempoala — What was Done there — Quiahuiztlan — The Coming of the Tribute Gatherers — How They were Treated — Grand Alliance.	131
CHAPTER X.
MULTIPLICATION OF PLOTS.
June-July, 1519.
Cortes, Diplomats and General — The Municipality of Villa Rica Located — Excitement throughout Anahuac — Montezuma Demoralized — Arrival of the Released Collectors at the Mexican Capital — The Order for Troops Countermanded — Montezuma Sends an Embassy to Cortés — Chicomacatl Asks Aid against a Mexican Garrison — A Piece of Pleasantry — The Velazquez Men Refuse to Accompany the Expedition — Opportunity Offered them to Return to Cuba, which they Decline through Shame — The Totonacs Rebuked — The Cempoala Brides — Destruction of the Idols — Arrival at Villa Rica of Salcedo — Efforts of Velazquez with the Emperor — Cortés Sends Messengers to Spain — Velazquez Orders them Pursued — The Letters of Cortés — Audiencia of the Emperor at Tordesillas.	152
CHAPTER XI.
THE SINKING OF THE FLEET.
July-August, 1519.
Diego Velazquez once More — His Supporters in the Camp of Cortés — They Attempt Escape — Are Discovered — The Leaders are Seized and Executed — Cortés' Ride to Cempoala, and what Came of it — He Determines on the Destruction of the Fleet — Preliminary Stratagems — Several of the Ships Pronounced Unseaworthy — The Matter before the Soldiers — The Fleet Sunk — Indignation of the Velazquez Faction — One Vessel Remaining — It is Offered to any Wishing to Desert — It is finally Sunk — Francisco de Garay's Pretensions — Seizure of Some of his Men.	174
CHAPTER XII.
MARCH TOWARD MEXICO.
August-September, 1519.
Enthusiasm of the Army — The Force — The Totonacs Advise the Tlascalan Route — Arrival at Jalapa — A Look Backward — The Anáhuac Plateau — Meeting with Olintetl — Arrival in the Country of the Tlascaltecs — The Senate Convenes and Receives the Envoys of Cortés — An Encounter — A More Serious Battle — Xicotencatl Resolves to Try the Prowess of the Invaders, and is Defeated.	191
CHAPTER XIII.
ENTRY INTO TLASCALA.
September, 1519.
Native Chiefs Sent as Envoys to the Tlascalan Capital — Their Favorable Reception — Xicotencatl Plans Resistance to Cortés — Sends out Spies — Cortés Sends them back Mutilated — The Spaniards Attack and Defeat Xicotencatl — Night Encounters — General Dissatisfaction and a Desire to Return to Villa Rica — Envoys Arrive from Montezuma — Cortés Receives Xicotencatl and the Tlascalan Lords — Peace Concluded — Tlascala — Festivities and Rejoicings — Mass Celebrated — Cortés Inclined to Extreme Religious Zeal — Brides Presented to the Spaniards — Appropriate Ceremonies — Preparing to Leave Tlascala for Cholula — Communications with the Cholultecs.	211
CHAPTER XIV.
SUBJUGATION OF CHOLULA.
October, 1519.
Departure from Tlascala — Description of Cholula — The Welcome — Army Quarters in the City — Intimations of a Conspiracy between the Mexicans and Cholultecs — Cortés Asks for Provisions and Warriors — He Holds a Council — Preparations for an Attack — The Lords Enter the Court with the Required Supplies — Cortés Reprimands them in an Address — The Slaughter Begins — Destruction of the City — Butchery and Pillage — Amnesty finally Proclaimed — Xicotencatl Returns to Tlascala — Reconciliation of the Cholultecs and Tlascaltecs — Dedication of a Temple to the Virgin — Reflections on the Massacre of Cholula.	235
CHAPTER XV.
FROM CHOLULA TO IZTAPALAPAN.
October-November, 1519.
Montezuma Consults the Gods — He again Begs the Strangers not to Come to him — Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl — News from Villa Rica — Death of Escalante — Return of the Cempoalan Allies — Again en route for Mexico — Reception at Huexotzinco — First View of the Mexican Valley — Exultations and Misgivings — Resting at Quauhtechcatl — The Counterfeit Montezuma — Munificent Presents — The Emperor Attempts to Annihilate the Army by Means of Sorceries — Through Quauhtechcatl, Amaquemecan, and Tlalmanalco — A Brilliant Procession Heralds the Coming of Cacama, King of Tezcuco — At Cuitlahuac — Met by-Ixtlilxochitl — The Hospitality of Iztapalapan.	252
CHAPTER XVI.
MEETING WITH MONTEZUMA.
November, 1519.
Something of the City — The Spaniards Start from Iztapalapan — Reach the Great Causeway — They are Met by many Nobles — And Presently by Montezuma — Entry into Mexico — They are Quartered in the Axayacatl Palace — Interchange of Visits.	275
CHAPTER XVII.
CAPTURE OF THE EMPEROR.
November, 1519.
Cortés Inspects the City — Visits the Temple with Montezuma — Discovery of Buried Treasure — Pretended Evidences of Treachery — Cortés Plans a Dark Deed — Preparations for the Seizure of Montezuma — With a Few Men Cortés Enters the Audience-chamber of the King — Persuasive Discourse — With Gentle Force Montezuma is Induced to Enter the Lion's Den.	294
CHAPTER XVIII.
DOUBLY REFINED DEALINGS.
1519-1520.
Hollow Homage to the Captive King — Montezuma has his Wives and Nobles — He Rules his Kingdom through the Spaniards — The Playful Page — Liberality of the Monarch — The Sacred Treasures — Cortés Resents the Insults of the Guard — Diversions — Quauhpopoca, his Son and Officers, Burned Alive — Plantations Formed — Villa Rica Affairs — Vessels Built — Pleasure Excursions.	309
CHAPTER XIX.
POLITICS AND RELIGION.
1520.
Growing Discontent among the Mexicans — Cacama's Conspiracy — He Openly Defies both Montezuma and Cortés — The Council of Tepetzinco — Seizure of Cacama. — The Tezcucan Ruler Deposed — Cuicuitzcatl Elevated — Montezuma and his People Swear Fealty to the Spanish King — Gathering in the Tribute — Division of Spoils — The Spaniards Quarrel over their Gold — Uncontrollable Religious Zeal — Taking of the Temple — Wrath of the Mexicans.	328
CHAPTER XX.
THE CUBAN GOVERNOR IN PURSUIT.
1519-1520.
The Mexicans Threaten Revolt — The Clergy in Arms — They Denounce the Conduct of Montezuma — The Emperor Declares he can no longer Restrain his People — Tidings of Velazquez' Fleet — Sailing from Cuba of an Expedition under Narvaez — Arrival in Mexico — Conflict with Cortés — Interchange of Threats and Courtesies — Attempted Union of Forces — Narvaez Remains Loyal to Velazquez — Desertion of Some of his Men to Cortés.	353
CHAPTER XXI.
THE COUP DE MAÎTRE OF CORTÉS.
May, 1520.
Dismal Prospects — Empire to Hold, Invasion to Repel — The Army Divides — Alvarado Guards Montezuma, while Cortés Looks after Narvaez — The March Seaward — The Rendezvous — The Chinantecs and their Pikes — Cortés Sows Alluring Words in the Camp of the Enemy — Proposals of Peace — Defiance — Night Attack — Cortés Captures Narvaez and his Army.	374
CHAPTER XXII.
ALVARADO'S MERCILESS MASSACRE.
May, 1520.
After the Battle — Victory Made Secure — Conduct of the Conquered — A General Amnesty — Disposition of the Forces — Affairs at the Capital — Insurrection Threatened — The Spaniards Hold a Council — Alvarado's Resolve — The Great Day of the Feast — The Spaniards Proceed to the Temple — The Grand Display there Witnessed — The Attack of the Spaniards — Horrors upon Horrors.	399
CHAPTER XXIII.
UPRISING OF THE AZTECS.
May-June, 1520.
Character of the Aztecs — Spanish Quarters — The City in Arms — Growing Hatred toward the Invaders — Perilous Position of Alvarado — Montezuma Called to Interfere — Failing Provisions — Miraculous Water — Cortés to the Rescue — Rendezvous at Tlascala — The City and its People — The Army Joins Alvarado — Desperate Encounters.	419
CHAPTER XXIV.
FIGHT UPON THE TEMPLE SUMMIT.
June, 1520.
The Natives Continue the Assault — Their Fierce Bravery — The Spaniards Build Turrets — Still the Mexicans Prove too Strong for Them — Montezuma Called to Intercede — He is Insulted and Stoned by his Subjects — Cortés Attempts Egress by the Tlacopan Causeway — Failure of Escobar to Take the Pyramid — Cortés Gains the Slippery Height — The Gladiatorial Combat There.	436
CHAPTER XXV.
DEATH OF MONTEZUMA.
June, 1520.
A Living Death — The Old Imperial Party and the New Power — Aztec Defiance — Perilous Position of the Spaniards — Disappointment to Cortés — Another Sally — The Dying Monarch — He has No Desire to Live — His Rejection of a New Faith — He will None of the Heaven of the Spaniards — Commends his Children to Cortés — The Character of Montezuma and of his Reign.	449
CHAPTER XXVI.
LA NOCHE TRISTE.
June 30, 1520.
The Captive-King Drama Carried too Far — Better had the Spaniards Taken Montezuma's Advice, and have Departed while Opportunity Offered — Diplomatic Value of a Dead Body — Necessity for an Immediate Evacuation of the City — Departure from the Fort — Midnight Silence — The City Roused by a Woman's Cry — The Fugitives Fiercely Attacked on All Sides — More Horrors.	463
CHAPTER XXVII.
RETREAT TO TLASCALA.
July, 1520.
Fatal Mistake of the Mexicans — A Brief Respite Allowed the Spaniards — The Remnant of the Army at Tlacopan — They Sot out for Tlascala — An ever increasing Force at their Heels — Rest at the Tepzolac Temple — Cortés Reviews his Disasters — The March Continued amidst Great Tribulation — Encounter of the Grand Army — Important Battle and Remarkable Victory — Arrival at Tlascala — The Friendly Reception Accorded them There.	482
CHAPTER XXVIII.
INVALUABLE FRIENDSHIP.
July-September, 1520.
Divers Disasters to the Spaniards — Mexico Makes Overtures to Tlascala — A Council Held — Tlascala Remains True to the Spaniards — Disaffection in the Spanish Army — Cortés again Wins the Soldiers to his Views — Renewal of Active Operations against the Aztecs — Success of the Spanish Arms — Large Reënforcements of Native Allies — One Aztec Stronghold after another Succumbs.	509
CHAPTER XXIX.
KING-MAKING AND CONVERTING.
October-December, 1520.
Conquest in Detail — Barba Caught — Other Arrivals and Reënforcements — The Small-pox Comes to the Assistance of the Spaniards — Letters to the Emperor — Establishing of Segura de la Frontera — Certain of the Disaffected Withdraw from the Army and Return to Cuba — Division of Spoils — Head-quarters Established at Tlascala.	536
CHAPTER XXX.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLEET.
December, 1520-February, 1621.
The Objective Point — Vessels Needed — Martin Lopez Sent to Tlascala for Timber — Thirteen Brigantines Ordered — Cortés at Tlascala — Drill and Discipline — Address of the General — Parade of the Tlascaltecs — March to Tezcuco — New Ruler Appointed — Sacking of Iztapalapan — The Chalcans — Arrival at Tezcuco of the Brigantine Brigade.	561
CHAPTER XXXI.
PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGNS.
March-May, 1521.
Plan for the Investment of Mexico — Reconnoitring Tour round the Lake — Cortés in Command — Alvarado and Olid Accompany — They Proceed Northward from Tezcuco — Capture of Cities and Strongholds — Xaltocan, Quauhtitlan, Tenayocan, Azcapuzalco, Tlacopan, antl back to Tezcuco — Chalco Disturbed — Peace Proposals Sent to Mexico — Further Reconnoissance of the Lake Region — Many Battles and Victories — Quauhnahuac Captured — Burning of Xochimilco — Second Return to Tezcuco — Conspiracy.	582
CHAPTER XXXII.
INVESTMENT OF MEXICO.
May-June, 1521.
Phases of Heroism — The Brigantines upon the Lake — Division of Forces between Alvarado, Sandoval, and Olid — Desertion, Capture, and Execution of Xicotencatl — Departure of the Troops from Tezcuco — Naval Battle — Possession Taken of the Causeways — At One Point Cortés Unexpectedly Gains Entrance to the City — But is Driven Out.	613
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE.
June-July, 1521.
Something about Quauhtemotzin — Infamous Pretensions of European Civilization and Christianity — Prompt Action of the Mexican Emperor — Repetitions of the Entry Assault — Submission of the Surrounding Nations — Dire Condition of the Mexicans — Spanish Defeat and Disaffection — Resolution to Raze the City.	636
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE CONQUEST ACHIEVED.
July-August, 1521.
The Destroyers Advance — Fierce Fighting in the Plaza — Dismal Situation of the Mexicans — The Work of Demolition — Movements of Alvarado — The Emperor Refuses to Parley — Misery of the Aztecs Unbearable — Horrible Massacre of Women and Children — The Tenderhearted Cortés Mourns over his own Work — Capture of the Emperor — The Conquest Completed — Banquets and Thanksgivings — Dispersion of the Allies to their Homes — Reflections.	669
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
Authorities quoted in History of Mexico series	xxi