that I shall strive with all my mind and power to achieve this end.
Immediately after the capture of this city, I took steps to establish a fort in the water where the brigantines might be
Fortification
of Mexico
kept safely, and from where I might control the whole city should there be any occasion for it, and the exit and entrance remain in my hands. It was constructed in such wise that, although I have seen some forts and arsenals, I have seen none that equals it, and many others affirm the same as myself; and it has been built in this wise: on the side towards the lake, it has two very strong towers, provided with loop-holes: these two towers are joined by a building in the form of three naves, where brigantines are kept, and which have doors towards the water for going in and out; and all this building is provided also with loop-holes, and on the end towards the city there is another large tower, with many rooms above and below for offensive and defensive operations. But, as I shall send a plan to Your Majesty to make this more clearly understood, I shall give no more particulars about it, but, holding these with the ships and artillery, peace or war is in our hands as we choose. Once this building was finished, everything seemed secure for repeopling the city, so I returned there with all my people, and distributed plots of ground to the householders; and to each of those who had been conquerors I gave, in the name of Your Highness, a plot of ground in recompense for their services, besides the one they received as citizens.[1] And so well and quickly does work go on in these parts, that many of the houses are finished and others are well advanced, for there is an abundance of stone, lime, wood, and bricks which the natives make,
- ↑ Tlatelolco and Popotla were the quarters of the new town assigned to the Indians. A plan was drawn in which each concession of ground was marked; one lot was given to anyone who applied, on the condition that he should build a house and live there for four consecutive years. Each of the conquerors, as Cortes says, was entitled to two lots.
