[82] Torquemada, Monarch. Ind., lib. 14, cap. 1.--The same wants led to the same expedients in ancient Rome, and still more ancient Persia. “Nothing in the world is borne so swiftly,” says Herodotus, “as messages by the Persian couriers;” which his commentator Valckenaer prudently qualifies by the exception of the carrier-pigeon. (Herodotus, Hist., Urania, sec. 98, nec non Adnot. ed. Schweighäuser.) Couriers are noticed, in the thirteenth century, in China, by Marco Polo. Their stations were only three miles apart, and they accomplished five days’ journey in one. (Viaggi di Marco Polo, lib. 2, cap. 20, ap. Ramusio, tom. ii.) A similar arrangement for posts subsists there at the present day, and excites the admiration of a modern traveller. (Anderson, British Embassy to China (London, 1796), p. 282.) In all these cases, the posts were for the use of government only. [83] Sahagun, Hist. de Nueva-España, lib. 3, Apend., cap. 3. [84] [The general council of the tribe.--M.] [85] Zurita, Rapport, pp. 68, 120.--Col. of Mendoza, ap. Antiq. of Mexico, vol. i. Pl. 67; vol. vi. p. 74.--Torquemada, Monarch. Ind., lib. 14, cap. 1.--The reader will find a remarkable resemblance to these military usages in those of the early Romans. Com. Liv., Hist., lib. 1, cap. 32; lib. 4, cap. 30, et alibi. [86] [“Distinguished braves,” see note, p. 35.--M.] [87] Torquemada, Monarch. Ind., lib. 14, cap. 4, 5.--Acosta, lib. 6, ch. 26.--Col. of Mendoza, ap. Antiq. of Mexico, vol. i. Pl. 65; vol. vi. p. 72.--Camargo, Hist. de Tlascala, MS. [88] “Their mail, if mail it may be called, was woven Of vegetable down, like finest flax, Bleached to the whiteness of new-fallen snow. * * * * * Others, of higher office, were arrayed In feathery breastplates, of more gorgeous hue Than the gay plumage of the mountain-cock, Than the pheasant’s glittering pride. But what were these, Or what the thin gold hauberk, when opposed To arms like ours in battle?” Madoc, Part 1, canto 7. Beautiful painting! One may doubt, however, the propriety of the Welshman’s vaunt, before the use of fire-arms. [89] Sahagun, Hist. de Nueva-España, lib. 2, cap. 27; lib. 8, cap. 12.--Relatione d’un gentil’ huomo, ap. Ramusio, tom. iii. p. 305.--Torquemada, Monarch. Ind., ubi supra. [90] Relatione d’un gentil’ huomo, ubi supra. [91] [That they might offer them as living sacrifices to their gods.--M.]