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History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 4/4 — Context and Discussion
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Cortés, Hernán, 1485-1547; Mexico -- History -- Conquest, 1519-1540
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123,535
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538 min
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22
History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 4/4 — Context and Discussion can be approached with a clearer sense of reading commitment from its source measurements: 123,535 words, 8 hr 58 min estimated reading time, and 22 detected text sections.
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Prescott's fourth volume details the siege and surrender of Mexico, featuring the defeat of the Indian flotilla, desperate assaults, and the capture of Guatemozin. The narrative includes a prophetic Aztec poem and contrasts Spanish and indigenous perspectives.
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Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
THE WORKS OF WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
_The Montezuma Edition of William H. Prescott’s Works is limited to one thousand copies, of which this is_
PROFESSOR OF EUROPEAN HISTORY IN BROWN UNIVERSITY
AND COMPRISING THE NOTES OF THE EDITION BY JOHN FOSTER KIRK
Victrices aquilas alium laturus in orbem. LUCAN. Pharsalia, lib. v., v. 238
PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
Copyright, 1843, by WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT Copyright, 1871, by WILLIAM G. PRESCOTT Copyright, 1873, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. Copyright, 1904, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
Electrotyped and Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, U. S. A.
SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
INDIAN FLOTILLA DEFEATED--OCCUPATION OF THE CAUSEWAYS--DESPERATE ASSAULTS--FIRING ON THE PALACES--SPIRIT OF THE BESIEGED--BARRACKS FOR THE TROOPS
Sandoval marches on Iztapalapan 3
Cortés takes Command of the Fleet 3
Indian Flotilla defeated 5
Cortés occupies Xoloc 6
Sandoval advances to Cojohuacan 7
Skirmishes on the Causeway 8
Simultaneous Assaults on Mexico 9
Ramparts raised by the Aztecs 10
Brigantines enfilade the Causeway 10
Spaniards enter the City 12
Allies demolish the Buildings 12
Fierce Battles in the City 13
Spaniards reach the Square 15
Hurl the Priests headlong 15
Spaniards give Way 16
Cavalry to the Rescue 17
Retreat to their Quarters 17
Ixtlilxochitl in the Camp 19
Spaniards penetrate the City 20
Fire the Palace of Axayacatl 21
Royal Aviary in Flames 22
Rage of the Mexicans 23
Sufferings of the Spaniards 26
Operations of Guatemozin 27
Ambuscade among the Reeds 28
Resources of the Indian Emperor 29
Accession of Allies to the Spaniards 30
Barracks for the Troops 31
Hard Fare of the Besiegers 31
Spirit of the Aztecs 33
GENERAL ASSAULT ON THE CITY--DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS--THEIR DISASTROUS CONDITION--SACRIFICE OF THE CAPTIVES--DEFECTION OF THE ALLIES--CONSTANCY OF THE TROOPS
Views of the Spaniards 35
General Assault on the City 37
Cortés rebukes Alvarado 38
The Enemy give Way 39
Their cunning Stratagem 40
Horn of Guatemozin sounds 41
Aztecs turn upon their Foe 41
Terrible Rout of the Spaniards 42
Imminent Danger of Cortés 43
Self-devotion of his Followers 44
Sharp Struggle on the Causeway 45
His Division retreats 46
Sandoval and Alvarado 46
Their Troops driven from the City 47
Sandoval visits the General 49
His Interview with him 50
Great Drum beat in the Temple 51
Sacrifice of the Captives 52
Sensations of the Spaniards 53
Rejoicings of the Aztecs 54
Prophecy of the Priests 55
Defection of the Allies 56
Gloomy Condition of the Spaniards 56
Heroism of their Women 58
SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS--FRUITLESS OFFERS TO GUATEMOZIN--BUILDINGS RAZED TO THE GROUND--TERRIBLE FAMINE--THE TROOPS GAIN THE MARKET-PLACE--BATTERING ENGINE
Allies return to the Camp 60
Accession of Confederates 62
Plan of the Campaign 63
The Breaches filled 65
Famine in the City 66
Fruitless Offers to Guatemozin 67
Council of the Aztecs 67
Result of their Deliberations 69
Buildings razed to the Ground 69
Guatemozin’s Palace in Flames 72
Sufferings of the Besieged 73
Neglect of their Dead 73
Their unconquerable Spirit 75
Conflagration of the Teocalli 76
Success of Alvarado 77
Spaniards in the Market-place 79
Cortés surveys the City 80
DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE BESIEGED--SPIRIT OF GUATEMOZIN--MURDEROUS ASSAULTS--CAPTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--EVACUATION OF THE CITY--TERMINATION OF THE SIEGE--REFLECTIONS
Dreadful Famine in the City 85
The Corpses fill the Streets 87
Pestilence sweeps off Multitudes 88
Alarming Prodigies 88
Spirit of Guatemozin 89
Cortés requests an Interview with him 90
Guatemozin consents 90
He avoids a Parley 91
Appalling Scene of Carnage 93
Preparations for the final Attack 96
Cortés urges an Interview 97
Aztecs attempt to escape 99
Capture of Guatemozin 100
Cessation of Hostilities 101
Person of Guatemozin 102
Brought before Cortés 102
His Wife, Montezuma’s Daughter 104
Furious Thunder-storm 106
Mexicans abandon their City 106
Number of those who perished 108
Amount of the Spoil 109
Cortés dismisses his Allies 109
Rejoicings of the Spaniards 110
Solemn Thanksgiving 111
Aztec Institutions 112
Their moral Influence 114
Cruelty ascribed to the Spaniards 114
The Conquest as a military Achievement 117
Notice of the Historian Solís 119
His Life and Writings 121
Sahagun’s Twelfth Book 125
CONCLUSION--SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTÉS
TORTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--SUBMISSION OF THE COUNTRY--REBUILDING OF THE CAPITAL--MISSION TO CASTILE--COMPLAINTS AGAINST CORTÉS--HE IS CONFIRMED IN HIS AUTHORITY
Small Amount of Treasure 130
Disappointment of the Soldiers 130
Torture of Guatemozin 130
His Fortitude unshaken 131
Submission of the Country 132
The Southern Ocean reached 133
Rebuilding of the Capital 135
Aztec Prophecy accomplished 136
Mission to Castile 136
Envoys captured by the French 138
Charges against Cortés 139
Tápia sent to New Spain 140
Insurrection of the Natives 141
Quelled by Sandoval 141
Fonseca’s Hostility to Cortés 143
His Cause referred to a select Tribunal 143
Accusations against Cortés 144
Defence by his Friends 144
Acts of Cortés ratified 146
He is confirmed in the supreme Authority 147
He triumphs over Fonseca 147
Mortification of Velasquez 148
His Death and Character 149
MODERN MEXICO--SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY--CONDITION OF THE NATIVES--CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES--CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL--VOYAGES AND EXPEDITIONS
Edifices in the City 152
Settlement of the Country 155
Encouragements to Marriage 156
The Wife of Cortés arrives in Mexico 158
System of _Repartimientos_ 159
Reward of the Tlascalans 161
Treatment of the Natives 162
Franciscan Missionaries 163
Their Reception by Cortés 164
Progress of Conversion 166
Settlements of the Conquerors 167
Cultivation of the Soil 168
Prescott opens this volume with the siege of Mexico reaching its climax. The Spanish fleet defeats the Indian flotilla, and Cortés occupies key positions on the causeways. The Aztecs, under Guatemozin, mount desperate defenses, including ramparts and ambuscades among the reeds. The narrative shifts between Spanish assaults and the resilience of the besieged, highlighting the brutal demolition of buildings and the firing of the royal aviary. A notable inclusion is a lengthy Aztec poem attributed to Nezahualcoyotl, which laments the transience of power and foreshadows the empire's fall. This poetic interlude contrasts sharply with the military action, offering a rare indigenous voice within Prescott's account.
The Siege Machinery
Prescott details the systematic blockade of Tenochtitlan. Cortés commands the fleet from Xoloc, while Sandoval advances on Cojohuacan. The causeways become the stage for repeated skirmishes, with brigantines enfilading the enemy. The Spanish employ a methodical approach: they occupy, then demolish buildings to prevent Aztec reoccupation. The text notes the construction of barracks for the troops and the hard fare of the besiegers, emphasizing the logistical strain. The Aztecs, in turn, raise ramparts and launch desperate assaults, their spirit undiminished despite mounting casualties. Prescott's account balances tactical detail with the human cost, as both sides suffer from the prolonged conflict.
A Poet's Lament Amid War
Embedded within the siege narrative is a remarkable poem, presented in Spanish and English translation. The poem, attributed to the pre-conquest king Nezahualcoyotl, is a meditation on the fleeting nature of power and joy. It addresses a 'prudent king' and warns that 'a day will come which shall destroy thy present bliss.' The verses list vanished lords—Cihuapan, Quantzintecomtzin, Conahuatzin—and ask, 'what is of all that people?' This elegiac tone contrasts with Prescott's usual martial prose. The inclusion suggests Prescott's interest in indigenous culture, though the poem's placement amid battle scenes creates a jarring juxtaposition. Readers may consider how this poetic interlude colors the historical account, offering a native perspective on the very events being described.
The Rout and Recovery
Chapter VI describes a general assault that turns into a disastrous Spanish defeat. Cortés rebukes Alvarado for a tactical error, and the Aztecs, after feigning retreat, sound the horn of Guatemozin and turn on their pursuers. The Spaniards are routed, Cortés himself in imminent danger, saved only by the self-devotion of his followers. The text records the sacrifice of captured Spaniards and the defection of indigenous allies. Yet the Spanish troops show constancy, regrouping for further assaults. Prescott's narrative here is vivid, capturing the chaos of battle and the shifting fortunes of war. The episode underscores the precariousness of the Spanish position, even as the siege tightens, and highlights the leadership of Guatemozin, whose vigilance and resources are noted.
Readers approaching this volume should attend to the interplay between Prescott's military chronicle and the embedded cultural artifacts, such as the Aztec poem. The narrative's structure—alternating between broad strategic overviews and intense personal moments—invites reflection on how history is constructed from disparate sources. The volume's appendices and index further suggest a scholarly apparatus that rewards careful consultation.
Sometimes, reading Prescott’s account of the last desperate days before the fall of Tenochtitlan, I feel the same heavy, quiet doom that hangs over the blood-soaked hills of the Cumberland, as if old hatreds and old glories both end the same way. There is a strange kinship between the echoing fate of Guatemozin and the solemn backdrop found in Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies Authentic History of the World Renowned Vendettas of the Dark and Bloody Ground — Context and Discussion, where pride asks such a terrible price.
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