These noble menne did abide in _Mexico_ certayne tyme of the yeare, in the Court of _Mutezuma_, and could not departe from thence without especiall licence of the Emperoure, leauing each of them a sonne or brother behinde them for securitie or Rebellion, and for this cause they had generally houses in the Citie: such and so great was the court of _Mutezuma_. The great subiection of the Indians _to their King_. There is not in all the dominions of _Mutezuma_ any subiect that payeth not tribute vnto him. The noblemen paye theyr tribute in personall seruice. The husbädmen called _Maceualtin_, with body & goodes. In this sort they are eyther tenauntes, or else heyres to their possessions. Those which are heyres, do pay one third part of all their fruite and commoditie that they doe reape or bring vp, as Dogges, Hennes, Foule, Conyes, Gold, Siluer, Stones, Salt, Waxe, Honey, Mantels, Feathers, Cotten, and a certayne fruite called _Cacao_, that serueth for money, and also to eate. Also all kinde of grayne, and garden Herbes and fruites, whereof they do maynteyne themselues. The Tenantes doe paye monethly or yearely as they can agrée, and bycause their tribute is greate, they are called slaues, for when they maye haue licence to eate egges, they thinke it a greate fauour. It was reported that they were taxed what they shoulde eate, and all the residue was taken from them. They went very poorely clothed, yea and the most of their treasure was an earthë potte, wherein they boyled theyr herbes, a couple of Milstones to grinde their Corne, and a matte to lye vppon. They did not onely pay this rente and tribute, but also serued with their bodyes at all times when the great King should commaunde. They were in such great subiectiö to their prince, that they durst not speake one word, although their daughters shoulde be taken from them to be vsed at their pleasure. It was reported, that of euerye thrée sonnes, they deliuered one to be sacrifised, but y^e report was false, for if it had bin true, the Townes had not bin so replenished with people as they were: and also the noble men did not eate mans flesh, but only of those whiche were sacrifised, and they were slaues or prisoners taken in the warres. Assuredly they were cruell butchers, and slewe yearely for that bloudy sacrifice many menne, and some children, but not so many as was reported. All the aforesayde rentes they brought to _Mexico_ vpon theyr backes and in boates, I meane so much as was necessary for the prouision of the house and Courte of _Mutezuma_, all the residue was spente among souldyers, and bartred for golde, plate, precious stones, and other riche Iewels, estéemed of Princes, all the whiche was broughte to the treasory. In _Mexico_ was large and greate barnes and houses to receyue and kéepe the Corne for prouision of the Citie, with officers and vnderofficers, who did receyue the same, and kepte accompte thereof in bookes of paynted figures.