History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 1/4Prescott, William Hickling
History
History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 1/4
Prescott, William Hickling
Cortés, Hernán, 1485-1547; Mexico -- History -- Conquest, 1519-1540
This was Easter. Teuhtlile arrived, as he had announced, before noon. He
was attended by a numerous train, and was met by Cortés, who conducted
him with much ceremony to his tent, where his principal officers were
assembled. The Aztec chief returned their salutations with polite though
formal courtesy. Mass was first said by Father Olmedo, and the service
was listened to by Teuhtlile and his attendants with decent reverence. A
collation was afterwards served, at which the general entertained his
guest with Spanish wines and confections. The interpreters were then
introduced, and a conversation commenced between the parties.
The first inquiries of Teuhtlile were respecting the country of the
strangers and the purport of their visit. Cortés told him that “he was
the subject of a potent monarch beyond the seas, who ruled over an
immense empire, and had kings and princes for his vassals; that,
acquainted with the greatness of the Mexican emperor, his master had
desired to enter into a communication with him, and had sent him as his
envoy to wait on Montezuma with a present in token of his good will, and
a message which he must deliver in person.” He concluded by inquiring of
Teuhtlile when he could be admitted to his sovereign’s presence.
To this the Aztec noble somewhat haughtily replied, “How is it that you
have been here only two days, and demand to see the emperor?” He then
added, with more courtesy, that “he was surprised to learn there was
another monarch as powerful as Montezuma, but that, if it were so, he
had no doubt his master would be happy to communicate with him. He would
send his couriers with the royal gift brought by the Spanish commander,
and, so soon as he had learned Montezuma’s will, would communicate it.”
Teuhtlile then commanded his slaves to bring forward the present
intended for the Spanish general. It consisted of ten loads of fine
cottons, several mantles of that curious feather-work whose rich and
delicate dyes might vie with the most beautiful painting, and a wicker
basket filled with ornaments of wrought gold, all calculated to inspire
the Spaniards with high ideas of the wealth and mechanical ingenuity of
the Mexicans.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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