CHAPTER XXX.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLEET.
December, 1520 — February, 1521.
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.
The Tepeaca campaign had been only part of the plan conceived during the flight to Tlascala for the recovery of the dominating point of the empire. The strength of the capital, and the ascendancy acquired by the Aztecs during Spanish exclusion from the lake region, made it impossible to strike directly at the centre of the uprising. It was necessary first to conquer the surrounding provinces on which Mexico depended for aid, and to do this in detail was easier than to meet the combined strength of the foe. This would also leave the conquering troops free to turn their whole attention against the capital, with fresh allies and larger resources. A centre for operation was now needed within the valley, and one from which the Aztecs might be attacked in due time both by land and water. For this object Tezcuco presented the greatest advantages in being situated on the lake, some six leagues from Mexico, in the midst of a fertile country, and near enough to Tlascala, from and through which reinforcements might readily be obtained.[1]
- ↑ Many favored Ayotzinco, near Chalco, which offered also a good launching place for the vessels. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 118.
