CHAPTER LXXXIX.

_How Motecusuma, accompanied by several caziques, pays us a visit in

our quarters, and of the discourse that passed between him and our

general._

After Motecusuma had dined, and was informed that we had likewise left

table, he set out from his palace in great pomp, accompanied by a number

of his grandees and all his relations, to pay us a visit. Cortes, being

apprized of his approach, advanced to the middle of the apartment to

receive him. Motecusuma took him by the hand, while others brought in a

species of chair of great value, decorated, according to Mexican

fashion, with gold beautifully worked into various shapes; the monarch

then invited our general to seat himself next to him.

Motecusuma then began a very excellent discourse, and, first of all,

expressed his delight to entertain in his kingdom and city such

courageous cavaliers as Cortes and all of us were. A couple of years ago

he had received intelligence that some other officer had made his

appearance in the province of Champoton; and a year later, of a second,

who had been off the coast with four vessels. He had long desired to

see Cortes, and, since his wishes were now fulfilled, he was ready to

render us any services, and provide us with everything we might require.

He was now convinced that we were those people of whom his earliest

forefathers had spoken,--a people that would come from the rising of the

sun and conquer these countries. After the battles we had fought at

Potonchan, Tabasco, and those against the Tlascallans, which had been

represented to him by pictures, all further doubt had vanished from his

mind.[50]

To which Cortes answered, that we should never be able to repay him for

all the kindnesses he had shown us. We indeed came from the rising of

the sun, and were servants and subjects of a powerful monarch, called

Don Carlos, who had numerous distinguished princes among his vassals.

Our monarch had received intelligence of him, Motecusuma, and of his

great power, and had expressly sent us to his country to beg of him and

his subjects to become converts to the Christian faith, for the

salvation of their souls; and that we only adored one true God, as he

had previously, in some degree, explained on the downs to his

ambassadors Teuthlille, Cuitalpitoc, and Quintalbor, all of which,

however, would be more fully explained to him at some future period.

When this discourse was ended, Motecusuma presented to our general

various kinds of valuable gold trinkets, and a smaller portion of the

same kind to each of our officers, with three packages of cotton stuffs,

splendidly interwoven with feathers; and to every soldier two similar

packages. All this he gave with every appearance of delight, and in all

he did he showed his excellent breeding. He likewise inquired, after the

presents had been distributed, whether we were all brothers, and

subjects of our great emperor? To which Cortes replied in the

affirmative, assuring him we were all united in love and friendship

towards each other. In this way a pleasant discourse was kept up between

Motecusuma and Cortes, though it was of short duration, as this was the

monarch's first visit, and he was unwilling to be too troublesome thus

early. He then ordered his house steward to provide us the necessary

provisions, consisting in maise, fowls, and fruits, and also grass for

our horses; to furnish women to grind our corn with stones, and bake the

bread: after which the monarch took leave of us with great courtesy,

Cortes and all of us conducting him to the door.

Our general now issued strict commands that no one should stir from

head-quarters until we had gained some certain knowledge as to how

matters really stood.

[50] Cortes, in his despatches to the emperor, says that the monarch

spoke as follows to him: "We have long known, from the historical books

of our forefathers, that neither I, nor the inhabitants of this country,

originally belonged to it, but that our forefathers came from distant

countries. We also know that the tribe we belong to was brought hither

by a monarch to whom it was subject; but this king returned to his own

country, nor did he return to visit his people till several years had

elapsed, after they had married the daughters of the land, and got large

families by them. The monarch came with the view of leading them back to

their old country again; however, they not only refused to accompany

them, but would no longer acknowledge him as their king. We have always

firmly believed that descendants of this monarch would one time or other

make their appearance among us, and obtain the dominion of the country.

As you, according to your assurances, come from the rising of the sun,

we doubt not, after what you have told us of your great monarch, who

sent you here, that he is our rightful sovereign; and we have the more

reason to believe this, since you tell us that he had some previous

knowledge of us." (p. 224.)