the most promising of sovereigns, and perhaps the only leader capable of giving her a longer lease of freedom in face of the irresistible onslaught of foreigners.[1] Thus bravely worked the small-pox for Cortés and the superior civilization.
The strongest candidate for the Mexican throne was now the high-priest Quauhtemotzin,[2] a young man of about twenty-three[3] years, rather handsome, of fairer complexion than the average of his race, grave and dignified, as befitted a prince, and 'quite a gentleman for an Indian.' He is said to have been the son of Montezuma's sister by Itzquauhtzin, lord of Tlatelulco, the twin town or suburb of Mexico, who had been fellow-prisoner of the late emperor, and sharer in his fate.[4] The brothers and descendants of Montezuma had been pretty well removed by death, or through the machinations of Cuitlahuatzin; but if nearer legitimate claimants cxisted, Quauhtemotzin had eclipsed them all in experience, influence, and fame, as a brave and able leader. As the chief companion of his predecessor, and one who even before the appearance of the latter had led the uprising against the Spaniards, he had become identified as a true patriot, keeping himself at the head of the dominant party which began and continued the struggle for freedom. In order further to secure his
- ↑ Such characteristics may be seen in Spanish as well as native records; yet Solis writes, 'su tibieza y falta de aplicacion dexáse poco menos que borrada entre los suyos la memoria de su nombre.' Hist. Mex., 372. Sufficient proof of his energy is found in the siege resulting in the expulsion from Mexico.
- ↑ The native authorities incline to Quauhtemoc, but the Spanish generally add the 'tzin,' the 'c' being elided, and the 'Q' changed to 'G,' making the name Guatemotzin. 'Quauhtemoc, que significa Aguila que baja.' Vetancvrt, Teatro Mex., pt. iii. 51.
- ↑ Bernal Diaz describes him about a year later as 23 or 24 years old, while on another occasion he alludes to him as 25. Hist. Verdad., 112, 155. Ixtlilxochitl makes him 18. Hist. Chich., 304.
- ↑ Por muerte de su Padre gobernaba el Tlatelulco.' Duran, 1list. Ind., MS., ii. 479. 'Sobrino de Monteçuma, que era papa ó saçerdote mayor entre los indios.' Cano, in Oviedo, iii. 549; Peter Martyr, dec. v. cap. vi. Cuauhtemotctzin hijo del rey Ahuitzotzin y de la heredera de le Tlatelulco.' Ixtlilxochitl, Relaciones, 413. This incorrect view is adopted by Brasseur de Bourbourg and many others.
