English Edition
History
The History of the Conquest of Mexico
English BooksWhale Edition by William H. Prescott
A vivid nineteenth-century historical account of Cortés, the Aztec Empire, conquest, empire, and encounter.
- Preview
- A sample from the prepared text
- Formats
- Online reader, EPUB, PDF
- Access
- Library claim
Book introduction
The History of the Conquest of Mexico
Prescott’s History of the Conquest of Mexico became a classic narrative history for its scale, research, and dramatic prose. This English original edition is suited to readers of Latin American history, empire, and historical writing.
BooksWhale edition
How this edition was prepared
This edition is based on a public domain text and has been prepared for digital reading by BooksWhale.
Public domain basis
Why this edition can be shared
William H. Prescott died in 1859, and The History of the Conquest of Mexico was first published in 1843, supporting the public-domain basis for this English original edition.
Read preview
A sample from the prepared text
Preview selected from the prepared reader text.
Preview chapterFull textRead preview
The History of the Conquest of Mexico
William H. Prescott
Preview chapterPREFACEPreview
As the Conquest of Mexico has occupied the pens of Solís and of Robertson, two of the ablest historians of their respective nations, it might seem that little could remain at the present day to be gleaned by the historical inquirer. But Robertson’s narrative is necessarily brief, forming only part of a more extended work; and neither the British nor the Castilian author was provided with the important materials for relating this event which have been since assembled by the industry of Spanish scholars. The scholar who led the way in these researches was Don Juan Baptista Muñoz, the celebrated historiographer of the Indies, who, by a royal edict, was allowed free access to the national archives, and to all libraries, public, private, and monastic, in the kingdom and its colonies. The result of his long labors was a vast body of materials, of which unhappily he did not live to reap the benefit himself. His manuscripts were deposited, after his death, in the archives of the Royal Academy of History at Madrid; and that collection was subsequently augmented by the manuscripts of Don Vargas Ponçe, President of the Academy, obtained, like those of Muñoz, from different quarters, but especially from the archives of the Indies at Seville.
On my application to the Academy, in 1838, for permission to copy that part of this inestimable collection relating to Mexico and Peru, it was freely acceded to, and an eminent German scholar, one of their own number, was appointed to superintend the collation and transcription of the manuscripts; and this, it may be added, before I had any claim on the courtesy of that respectable body, as one of its associates. This conduct shows the advance of a liberal spirit in the Peninsula since the time of Dr. Robertson, who complains that he was denied admission to the most important public repositories. The favor with which my own application was regarded, however, must chiefly be attributed to the kind offices of the venerable President of the Academy, Don Martin Fernandez de Navarrete; a scholar whose personal character has secured to him the same high consideration at home which his literary labors have obtained abroad. To this eminent person I am under still further obligations, for the free use which he has allowed me to make of his own manuscripts,--the fruits of a life of accumulation, and the basis of those valuable publications with which he has at different times illustrated the Spanish colonial history.
From these three magnificent collections, the result of half a century’s careful researches, I have obtained a mass of unpublished documents, relating to the Conquest and Settlement of Mexico and of Peru, comprising altogether about eight thousand folio pages. They consist of instructions of the Court, military and private journals, correspondence of the great actors in the scenes, legal instruments, contemporary chronicles, and the like, drawn from all the principal places in the extensive colonial empire of Spain, as well as from the public archives in the Peninsula.
I have still further fortified the collection by gleaning such materials from Mexico itself as had been overlooked by my illustrious predecessors in these researches. For these I am indebted to the courtesy of Count Cortina, and, yet more, to that of Don Lúcas Alaman, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mexico; but, above all, to my excellent friend, Don Angel Calderon de la Barca, late Minister Plenipotentiary to that country from the court of Madrid,--a gentleman whose high and estimable qualities, even more than his station, secured him the public confidence, and gained him free access to every place of interest and importance in Mexico.
I have also to acknowledge the very kind offices rendered to me by the Count Camaldoli at Naples; by the Duke of Serradifalco in Sicily, a nobleman whose science gives additional lustre to his rank; and by the Duke of Monteleone, the present representative of Cortés, who has courteously opened the archives of his family to my inspection. To these names must also be added that of Sir Thomas Phillips, Bart., whose precious collection of manuscripts probably surpasses in extent that of any private gentleman in Great Britain, if not in Europe; that of M.
Preview chapterWILLIAM H. PRESCOTT.Preview
BOSTON, October 1, 1843.
NOTE.--The author’s emendations of this history include many additional notes, which, being often contradictory to the text, have been printed between brackets. They were chiefly derived from the copious annotations of Don José F. Ramirez and Don Lúcas Alaman to the two Spanish translations published in Mexico. There could be no stronger guarantee of the value and general accuracy of the work than the minute labor bestowed upon it by these distinguished scholars.--K.
Table of contents
Inside this edition
- 01Full text
- 02PREFACE
- 03WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT.
- 04GENERAL CONTENTS
- 05BOOK I
- 06INTRODUCTION--VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
- 07BOOK II
- 08DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 09BOOK III
- 10MARCH TO MEXICO
- 11BOOK IV
- 12RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
- 13BOOK V
- 14EXPULSION FROM MEXICO
- 15BOOK VI
- 16SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
- 17BOOK VII
- 18CONCLUSION--SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTES
- 19APPENDIX
- 20CONTENTS OF VOL. I
- 21BOOK I
- 22INTRODUCTION--VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
- 23CHAPTER I
- 24ANCIENT MEXICO--CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS--PRIMITIVE RACES--AZTEC
- 25EMPIRE
- 26PAGE
- 27CHAPTER II
- 28SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN--AZTEC NOBILITY--JUDICIAL SYSTEM--LAWS
- 29AND REVENUES--MILITARY INSTITUTIONS
- 30CHAPTER III
- 31MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY--THE SACERDOTAL ORDER--THE TEMPLES--HUMAN
- 32SACRIFICES
- 33CHAPTER IV
- 34MEXICAN HIEROGLYPHICS--MANUSCRIPTS--ARITHMETIC--CHRONOLOGY--ASTRONOMY
- 35CHAPTER V
- 36AZTEC AGRICULTURE--MECHANICAL ARTS--MERCHANTS--DOMESTIC
- 37MANNERS
- 38CHAPTER VI
- 39TEZCUCANS--THEIR GOLDEN AGE--ACCOMPLISHED PRINCES--DECLINE
- 40OF THEIR MONARCHY
- 41ORIGIN OF THE MEXICAN CIVILIZATION--ANALOGIES
- 42WITH THE OLD WORLD
- 43PRELIMINARY NOTICE
- 44BOOK II
- 45DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 46CHAPTER I
- 47SPAIN UNDER CHARLES V.--PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY--COLONIAL
- 48POLICY--CONQUEST OF CUBA--EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN
- 49CHAPTER II
- 50HERNANDO CORTÉS--HIS EARLY LIFE--VISITS THE NEW WORLD--HIS
- 51RESIDENCE IN CUBA--DIFFICULTIES WITH VELASQUEZ--ARMADA
- 52INTRUSTED TO CORTÉS
- 53CHAPTER III
- 54JEALOUSY OF VELASQUEZ--CORTÉS EMBARKS--EQUIPMENT OF HIS
- 55FLEET--HIS PERSON AND CHARACTER--RENDEZVOUS AT HAVANA--STRENGTH
- 56OF HIS ARMAMENT
- 57CHAPTER IV
- 58VOYAGE TO COZUMEL--CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES--JERONIMO
- 59DE AGUILAR--ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO--GREAT BATTLE
- 60WITH THE INDIANS--CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED
- 61CHAPTER V
- 62VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST--DOÑA MARINA--SPANIARDS LAND IN
- 63MEXICO--INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS
- 64LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- 65PAGE
- 66MAP OF THE COUNTRY TRAVERSED BY THE SPANIARDS ON THEIR
- 67MARCH TO MEXICO 1
- 68FRA BARTOLOMÉ DE LAS CASAS 94
- 69OUR LADY OF GUADALOUPE 172
- 70PORTRAIT OF CHARLES V. 276
- 71PORTRAIT OF HERNANDO CORTÉS 296
- 72BOOK I
- 73INTRODUCTION
- 74VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
- 75FOR PRESCOTT’S HISTORY]
- 76ON THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.]
- 77CONQUEST OF MEXICO
- 78CHAPTER I
- 79ANCIENT MEXICO--CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS--PRIMITIVE RACES--AZTEC EMPIRE
- 80CHAPTER II
- 81SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN--AZTEC NOBILITY--JUDICIAL SYSTEM--LAWS AND
- 82REVENUES--MILITARY INSTITUTIONS
- 83CHAPTER III
- 84MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY--THE SACERDOTAL ORDER--THE TEMPLES--HUMAN SACRIFICES
- 85CHAPTER IV
- 86MEXICAN HIEROGLYPHICS--MANUSCRIPTS--ARITHMETIC--CHRONOLOGY--ASTRONOMY
- 87CHAPTER V
- 88AZTEC AGRICULTURE--MECHANICAL ARTS--MERCHANTS--DOMESTIC MANNERS
- 89CHAPTER VI
- 90THE TEZCUCANS--THEIR GOLDEN AGE--ACCOMPLISHED PRINCES--DECLINE OF
- 91THEIR MONARCHY
- 92THE ORIGIN OF THE MEXICAN CIVILIZATION
- 93PRELIMINARY NOTICE
- 94ORIGIN OF THE MEXICAN CIVILIZATION--ANALOGIES WITH THE OLD WORLD
- 95BOOK II
- 96DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 97BOOK II
- 98DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 99CHAPTER I
- 100SPAIN UNDER CHARLES V--PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY--COLONIAL
- 101POLICY--CONQUEST OF CUBA--EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN
- 102CHAPTER II
- 103HERNANDO CORTÉS--HIS EARLY LIFE--VISITS THE NEW WORLD--HIS
- 104RESIDENCE IN CUBA--DIFFICULTIES WITH VELASQUEZ--ARMADA INTRUSTED TO
- 105CORTÉS
- 106CHAPTER III
- 107JEALOUSY OF VELASQUEZ--CORTÉS EMBARKS--EQUIPMENT OF HIS FLEET--HIS
- 108PERSON AND CHARACTER--RENDEZVOUS AT HAVANA--STRENGTH OF HIS
- 109ARMAMENT
- 110CHAPTER IV
- 111VOYAGE TO COZUMEL--CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES--GERÓNIMO DE
- 112AGUILAR--ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO--GREAT BATTLE WITH THE
- 113INDIANS--CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED
- 114CHAPTER V
- 115VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST--DOÑA MARINA--SPANIARDS LAND IN
- 116MEXICO--INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS
- 117FOOTNOTES:
- 118A. D.
- 119M.]
- 1201868).--K.]
- 121ΟΔΥΣΣ. Α.
- 122MS. DE IXTLILXOCHITL.
- 12310.--K.]
- 124vol. i.
- 125No. 5.
- 126THE WORKS OF WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 127TWENTY-TWO VOLUMES
- 128VOL. II
- 129No. 345
- 130HISTORY OF THE
- 131BY
- 132WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 133EDITED BY
- 134WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO
- 135PROFESSOR OF EUROPEAN HISTORY IN BROWN UNIVERSITY
- 136AND COMPRISING THE NOTES OF THE EDITION BY
- 137JOHN FOSTER KIRK
- 138VOL. II
- 139PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
- 140J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
- 141CONTENTS OF VOL. II
- 142BOOK II
- 143DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 144(CONTINUED)
- 145CHAPTER VI
- 146ACCOUNT OF MONTEZUMA--STATE OF HIS EMPIRE--STRANGE
- 147PROGNOSTICS--EMBASSY AND PRESENTS--SPANISH ENCAMPMENT
- 148PAGE
- 149CHAPTER VII
- 150TROUBLES IN THE CAMP--PLAN OF A COLONY--MANAGEMENT OF
- 151OF VERA CRUZ
- 152CHAPTER VIII
- 153ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY--DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS--DESPATCHES
- 154SENT TO SPAIN--CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP--THE FLEET SUNK
- 155BOOK III
- 156MARCH TO MEXICO
- 157CHAPTER I
- 158PROCEEDINGS AT CEMPOALLA--THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE TABLELAND--PICTURESQUE
- 159SCENERY--TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES--EMBASSY TO TLASCALA
- 160CHAPTER II
- 161REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA--ITS INSTITUTIONS--EARLY HISTORY--DISCUSSIONS
- 162IN THE SENATE--DESPERATE BATTLES
- 163CHAPTER III
- 164DECISIVE VICTORY--INDIAN COUNCIL--NIGHT ATTACK--NEGOTIATIONS
- 165WITH THE ENEMY--TLASCALAN HERO
- 166CHAPTER IV
- 167DISCONTENT IN THE ARMY--TLASCALAN SPIES--PEACE WITH THE
- 168REPUBLIC--EMBASSY FROM MONTEZUMA
- 169CHAPTER V
- 170SPANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--ATTEMPTED
- 171CONVERSION--AZTEC EMBASSY--INVITED TO CHOLULA
- 172CHAPTER VI
- 173CITY OF CHOLULA--GREAT TEMPLE--MARCH TO CHOLULA--RECEPTION
- 174OF THE SPANIARDS--CONSPIRACY DETECTED
- 175CHAPTER VII
- 176TERRIBLE MASSACRE--TRANQUILLITY RESTORED--REFLECTIONS ON
- 177THE MASSACRE--FURTHER PROCEEDINGS--ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA
- 178CHAPTER VIII
- 179MARCH RESUMED--ASCENT OF THE GREAT VOLCANO--VALLEY OF
- 180MEXICO--IMPRESSION ON THE SPANIARDS--CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA--THEY
- 181DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY
- 182CHAPTER IX
- 183ENVIRONS OF MEXICO--INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA--ENTRANCE
- 184INTO THE CAPITAL--HOSPITABLE RECEPTION--VISIT TO THE
- 185EMPEROR
- 186BOOK IV
- 187RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
- 188CHAPTER I
- 189TEZCUCAN LAKE--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--PALACES AND
- 190MUSEUMS--ROYAL HOUSEHOLD--MONTEZUMA’S WAY OF LIFE
- 191CHAPTER II
- 192MARKET OF MEXICO--GREAT TEMPLE--INTERIOR SANCTUARIES--SPANISH
- 193QUARTERS
- 194CHAPTER III
- 195ANXIETY OF CORTÉS--SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA--HIS TREATMENT
- 196BY THE SPANIARDS--EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICERS--MONTEZUMA
- 197IN IRONS--REFLECTIONS
- 198CHAPTER IV
- 199MONTEZUMA’S DEPORTMENT--HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTERS--MEDITATED
- 200INSURRECTION--LORD OF TEZCUCO SEIZED--FURTHER MEASURES OF CORTES
- 201LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- 202PAGE
- 203CORTÉS RECEIVING THE EMBASSY OF MONTEZUMA 14
- 204CORTÉS SINKING HIS SHIPS 70
- 205AUDIENCE OF CORTÉS WITH MONTEZUMA 260
- 206MONTEZUMA 304
- 207BOOK II
- 208DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
- 209(CONTINUED)
- 210CONQUEST OF MEXICO
- 211CHAPTER VI
- 212ACCOUNT OF MONTEZUMA--STATE OF HIS EMPIRE--STRANGE
- 213PROGNOSTICS--EMBASSY AND PRESENTS--SPANISH ENCAMPMENT
- 214CHAPTER VII
- 215TROUBLES IN THE CAMP--PLAN OF A COLONY--MANAGEMENT OF CORTÉS--MARCH
- 216CHAPTER VIII
- 217ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY--DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS--DESPATCHES SENT TO
- 218SPAIN--CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP--THE FLEET SUNK
- 219CORTÉS SINKING HIS SHIPS]
- 2201872.--M.]
- 221BOOK III
- 222MARCH TO MEXICO
- 223CHAPTER I
- 224PROCEEDINGS AT CEMPOALLA--THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE
- 225TABLE-LAND--PICTURESQUE SCENERY--TRANSACTIONS WITH THE
- 226NATIVES--EMBASSY TO TLASCALA
- 227CHAPTER II
- 228REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA--ITS INSTITUTIONS--EARLY HISTORY--DISCUSSIONS
- 229IN THE SENATE--DESPERATE BATTLES
- 230CHAPTER III
- 231DECISIVE VICTORY--INDIAN COUNCIL--NIGHT-ATTACK--NEGOTIATIONS WITH
- 232THE ENEMY--TLASCALAN HERO
- 233CHAPTER IV
- 234DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY--TLASCALAN SPIES--PEACE WITH THE
- 235REPUBLIC--EMBASSY FROM MONTEZUMA
- 236CHAPTER V
- 237SPANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--ATTEMPTED
- 238CONVERSION--AZTEC EMBASSY--INVITED TO CHOLULA
- 23930,000.--M.]
- 240CHAPTER VI
- 241CITY OF CHOLULA--GREAT TEMPLE--MARCH TO CHOLULA--RECEPTION OF THE
- 242SPANIARDS--CONSPIRACY DETECTED
- 243CHAPTER VII
- 244TERRIBLE MASSACRE--TRANQUILLITY RESTORED--REFLECTIONS ON THE
- 245MASSACRE--FURTHER PROCEEDINGS--ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA
- 246CHAPTER VIII
- 247MARCH RESUMED--ASCENT OF THE GREAT VOLCANO--VALLEY OF
- 248MEXICO--IMPRESSION ON THE SPANIARDS--CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA--THEY
- 249DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY
- 250CHAPTER IX
- 251ENVIRONS OF MEXICO--INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA--ENTRANCE
- 252INTO THE CAPITAL--HOSPITABLE
- 253RECEPTION--VISIT TO THE EMPEROR
- 254BOOK IV
- 255RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
- 256MAP OF THE
- 257CONQUEST.
- 258CHAPTER I
- 259TEZCUCAN LAKE--DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL--PALACES AND
- 260MUSEUMS--ROYAL HOUSEHOLD--MONTEZUMA’S WAY OF LIFE
- 261CHAPTER II
- 262MARKET OF MEXICO--GREAT TEMPLE--INTERIOR SANCTUARIES--SPANISH QUARTERS
- 263CHAPTER III
- 264ANXIETY OF CORTÉS--SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA--HIS TREATMENT BY THE
- 265SPANIARDS--EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICERS--MONTEZUMA IN
- 266IRONS--REFLECTIONS
- 267CHAPTER IV
- 268MONTEZUMA’S DEPORTMENT--HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTERS--MEDITATED
- 269INSURRECTION--LORD OF TEZCUCO SEIZED--FURTHER MEASURES OF CORTÉS
- 270FOOTNOTES:
- 271MS.
- 272269.--K.]
- 273156.--K.]
- 274147.--K.]
- 275THE WORKS OF WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 276TWENTY-TWO VOLUMES
- 277VOL. III
- 278No. 345
- 279HISTORY OF THE
- 280BY
- 281WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 282EDITED BY
- 283WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO
- 284PROFESSOR OF EUROPEAN HISTORY IN BROWN UNIVERSITY
- 285AND COMPRISING THE NOTES OF THE EDITION BY
- 286JOHN FOSTER KIRK
- 287VOL. III
- 288PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
- 289J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
- 290CONTENTS OF VOL. III
- 291BOOK IV
- 292RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
- 293(CONTINUED)
- 294CHAPTER V
- 295MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN--ROYAL TREASURES--THEIR
- 296DIVISION--CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI--DISCONTENT
- 297OF THE AZTECS
- 298PAGE
- 299CHAPTER VI
- 300FATE OF CORTÉS’ EMISSARIES--PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASTILIAN
- 301COURT--PREPARATIONS OF VELASQUEZ--NARVAEZ LANDS IN
- 302MEXICO--POLITIC CONDUCT OF CORTÉS--HE LEAVES THE CAPITAL
- 303CHAPTER VII
- 304CORTÉS DESCENDS FROM THE TABLE-LAND--NEGOTIATES WITH
- 305NARVAEZ--PREPARES TO ASSAULT HIM--QUARTERS OF NARVAEZ--ATTACK
- 306BY NIGHT--NARVAEZ DEFEATED
- 307CHAPTER VIII
- 308DISCONTENT OF THE TROOPS--INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL--RETURN
- 309OF CORTÉS--GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSPITALITY--MASSACRE
- 310BY ALVARADO--RISING OF THE AZTECS
- 311BOOK V
- 312EXPULSION FROM MEXICO
- 313CHAPTER I
- 314DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS--FURY OF THE MEXICANS--SALLY
- 315OF THE SPANIARDS--MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE--DANGEROUSLY
- 316WOUNDED
- 317CHAPTER II
- 318STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE--SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS--DISTRESSES
- 319OF THE GARRISON--SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY--DEATH OF MONTEZUMA
- 320CHAPTER III
- 321COUNCIL OF WAR--SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY--NOCHE
- 322TRISTE, OR THE “MELANCHOLY NIGHT”--TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER--HALT
- 323FOR THE NIGHT--AMOUNT OF LOSSES
- 324CHAPTER IV
- 325RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS--DISTRESSES OF THE ARMY--PYRAMIDS
- 326OF TEOTIHUACAN--GREAT BATTLE OF OTUMBA
- 327CHAPTER V
- 328ARRIVAL IN TLASCALA--FRIENDLY RECEPTION--DISCONTENT OF
- 329THE ARMY--JEALOUSY OF THE TLASCALANS--EMBASSY FROM
- 330MEXICO
- 331CHAPTER VI
- 332WAR WITH THE SURROUNDING TRIBES--SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS--DEATH
- 333OF MAXIXCA--ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS--RETURN IN TRIUMPH TO TLASCALA
- 334CHAPTER VII
- 335GUATEMOZIN, EMPEROR OF THE AZTECS--PREPARATIONS FOR THE
- 336MARCH--MILITARY CODE--SPANIARDS CROSS THE SIERRA--ENTER
- 337TEZCUCO--PRINCE IXTLILXOCHITL
- 338BOOK VI
- 339SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
- 340CHAPTER I
- 341ARRANGEMENT AT TEZCUCO--SACK OF IZTAPALAPAN--ADVANTAGES
- 342OF THE SPANIARDS--WISE POLICY OF CORTÉS--TRANSPORTATION
- 343OF THE BRIGANTINES
- 344CHAPTER II
- 345CORTÉS RECONNOITRES THE CAPITAL--OCCUPIES TACUBA--SKIRMISHES
- 346WITH THE ENEMY--EXPEDITION OF SANDOVAL--ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS
- 347CHAPTER III
- 348SECOND RECONNOITRING EXPEDITION--ENGAGEMENTS ON THE
- 349SIERRA--CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA--BATTLES AT XOCHIMILCO--NARROW
- 350ESCAPE OF CORTÉS--HE ENTERS TACUBA
- 351CHAPTER IV
- 352CONSPIRACY IN THE ARMY--BRIGANTINES LAUNCHED--MUSTER OF
- 353FORCES--EXECUTION OF XICOTENCATL--MARCH OF THE ARMY--BEGINNING
- 354OF THE SIEGE
- 355LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- 356PAGE
- 357THE STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE 130
- 358THE NOCHE TRISTE 168
- 359THE GREAT BATTLE OF OTUMBA 196
- 360ADRIAN OF UTRECHT (POPE ADRIAN VI.) 354
- 361BOOK IV
- 362RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
- 363(CONTINUED)
- 364CONQUEST OF MEXICO
- 365CHAPTER V
- 366MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN--ROYAL TREASURES--THEIR
- 367DIVISION--CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI--DISCONTENTS OF THE
- 368AZTECS
- 369CHAPTER VI
- 370FATE OF CORTÉS’ EMISSARIES--PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASTILIAN
- 371COURT--PREPARATIONS OF VELASQUEZ--NARVAEZ LANDS IN MEXICO--POLITIC
- 372CONDUCT OF CORTÉS--HE LEAVES THE CAPITAL
- 373CHAPTER VII
- 374CORTÉS DESCENDS FROM THE TABLE-LAND--NEGOTIATES WITH
- 375NARVAEZ--PREPARES TO ASSAULT HIM--QUARTERS OF NARVAEZ--ATTACK BY
- 376NIGHT--NARVAEZ DEFEATED
- 377CHAPTER VIII
- 378DISCONTENT OF THE TROOPS--INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL--RETURN OF
- 379CORTÉS--GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSTILITY--MASSACRE BY ALVARADO--RISING OF
- 380THE AZTECS
- 381BOOK V
- 382EXPULSION FROM MEXICO
- 383CHAPTER I
- 384DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS--FURY OF THE MEXICANS--SALLY OF
- 385THE SPANIARDS--MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE--DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED
- 386CHAPTER II
- 387STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE--SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS--DISTRESSES OF
- 388THE GARRISON--SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY--DEATH OF MONTEZUMA
- 389CHAPTER III
- 390COUNCIL OF WAR--SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY--NOCHE TRISTE, OR “THE
- 391MELANCHOLY NIGHT”--TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER--HALT FOR THE NIGHT--AMOUNT
- 392OF LOSSES
- 393CHAPTER IV
- 394RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS--DISTRESSES OF THE ARMY--PYRAMIDS OF
- 395TEOTIHUACAN--GREAT BATTLE OF OTUMBA
- 396CHAPTER V
- 397ARRIVAL IN TLASCALA--FRIENDLY RECEPTION--DISCONTENTS OF THE
- 398ARMY--JEALOUSY OF THE TLASCALANS--EMBASSY FROM MEXICO
- 399CHAPTER VI
- 400WAR WITH THE SURROUNDING TRIBES--SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS--DEATH
- 401OF MAXIXCA--ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS--RETURN IN TRIUMPH TO
- 402TLASCALA
- 403CHAPTER VII
- 404GUATEMOZIN, EMPEROR OF THE AZTECS--PREPARATIONS FOR THE
- 405MARCH--MILITARY CODE--SPANIARDS CROSS THE SIERRA--ENTER
- 406TEZCUCO--PRINCE IXTLILXOCHITL
- 407BOOK VI
- 408SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
- 409CHAPTER I
- 410ARRANGEMENTS AT TEZCUCO--SACK OF IZTAPALAPAN--ADVANTAGES OF THE
- 411SPANIARDS--WISE POLICY OF CORTÉS--TRANSPORTATION OF THE BRIGANTINES
- 412CHAPTER II
- 413CORTÉS RECONNOITRES THE CAPITAL--OCCUPIES TACUBA--SKIRMISHES WITH
- 414THE ENEMY--EXPEDITION OF SANDOVAL--ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS
- 415CHAPTER III
- 416SECOND RECONNOITRING EXPEDITION--ENGAGEMENTS ON THE SIERRA--CAPTURE
- 417OF CUERNAVACA--BATTLES AT XOCHIMILCO--NARROW ESCAPE OF CORTÉS--HE
- 418ENTERS TACUBA
- 419CHAPTER IV
- 420CONSPIRACY IN THE ARMY--BRIGANTINES LAUNCHED--MUSTER OF
- 421FORCES--EXECUTION OF XICOTENCATL--MARCH OF THE ARMY--BEGINNING OF
- 422THE SIEGE
- 423FOOTNOTES:
- 4241520, MS.
- 425MS.
- 426THE WORKS OF WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 427TWENTY-TWO VOLUMES
- 428VOL. IV
- 429No. 345
- 430HISTORY OF THE
- 431BY
- 432WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT
- 433EDITED BY
- 434WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO
- 435PROFESSOR OF EUROPEAN HISTORY IN BROWN UNIVERSITY
- 436AND COMPRISING THE NOTES OF THE EDITION BY
- 437JOHN FOSTER KIRK
- 438VOL. IV
- 439PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
- 440J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
- 441CONTENTS OF VOL. IV
- 442BOOK VI
- 443SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
- 444(CONTINUED)
- 445CHAPTER V
- 446INDIAN FLOTILLA DEFEATED--OCCUPATION OF THE CAUSEWAYS--DESPERATE
- 447ASSAULTS--FIRING ON THE PALACES--SPIRIT OF THE
- 448BESIEGED--BARRACKS FOR THE TROOPS
- 449PAGE
- 450CHAPTER VI
- 451GENERAL ASSAULT ON THE CITY--DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS--THEIR
- 452DISASTROUS CONDITION--SACRIFICE OF THE CAPTIVES--DEFECTION
- 453OF THE ALLIES--CONSTANCY OF THE TROOPS
- 454CHAPTER VII
- 455SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS--FRUITLESS OFFERS TO GUATEMOZIN--BUILDINGS
- 456RAZED TO THE GROUND--TERRIBLE FAMINE--THE
- 457TROOPS GAIN THE MARKET-PLACE--BATTERING ENGINE
- 458CHAPTER VIII
- 459DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE BESIEGED--SPIRIT OF GUATEMOZIN--MURDEROUS
- 460ASSAULTS--CAPTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--EVACUATION
- 461OF THE CITY--TERMINATION OF THE SIEGE--REFLECTIONS
- 462BOOK VII
- 463CONCLUSION--SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTÉS
- 464CHAPTER I
- 465TORTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--SUBMISSION OF THE COUNTRY--REBUILDING
- 466OF THE CAPITAL--MISSION TO CASTILE--COMPLAINTS
- 467AGAINST CORTÉS--HE IS CONFIRMED IN HIS AUTHORITY
- 468CHAPTER II
- 469MODERN MEXICO--SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY--CONDITION OF
- 470THE NATIVES--CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES--CULTIVATION OF THE
- 471SOIL--VOYAGES AND EXPEDITIONS
- 472CHAPTER III
- 473DEFECTION OF OLID--DREADFUL MARCH TO HONDURAS--EXECUTION
- 474OF GUATEMOZIN--DOÑA MARINA--ARRIVAL AT HONDURAS
- 475CHAPTER IV
- 476DISTURBANCES IN MEXICO--RETURN OF CORTÉS--DISTRUST OF THE
- 477COURT--CORTÉS RETURNS TO SPAIN--DEATH OF SANDOVAL--BRILLIANT
- 478RECEPTION OF CORTÉS--HONORS CONFERRED ON HIM
- 479CHAPTER V
- 480CORTÉS REVISITS MEXICO--RETIRES TO HIS ESTATES--HIS VOYAGES
- 481OF DISCOVERY--FINAL RETURN TO CASTILE--COLD RECEPTION--DEATH
- 482OF CORTÉS--HIS CHARACTER
- 483APPENDIX
- 484ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
- 485LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- 486PAGE
- 487THE STANDARD OF CORTÉS 46
- 488VIEW OF THE GREAT SQUARE IN MEXICO 76
- 489THE TORTURE OF GUATEMOZIN 130
- 490FAC-SIMILE OF THE SIGNATURE OF CORTÉS 220
- 491PORTRAIT OF HERNANDO CORTÉS 226
- 492BOOK VI
- 493SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
- 494(CONTINUED)
- 495CONQUEST OF MEXICO
- 496CHAPTER V
- 497INDIAN FLOTILLA DEFEATED--OCCUPATION OF THE CAUSEWAYS--DESPERATE
- 498ASSAULTS--FIRING OF THE PALACES--SPIRIT OF THE BESIEGED--BARRACKS
- 499FOR THE TROOPS
- 500CHAPTER VI
- 501GENERAL ASSAULT ON THE CITY--DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS--THEIR
- 502DISASTROUS CONDITION--SACRIFICE OF THE CAPTIVES--DEFECTION OF THE
- 503ALLIES--CONSTANCY OF THE TROOPS
- 504CHAPTER VII
- 505SUCCESSES OF THE SPANIARDS--FRUITLESS OFFERS TO
- 506GUATEMOZIN--BUILDINGS RAZED TO THE GROUND--TERRIBLE FAMINE--THE
- 507TROOPS GAIN THE MARKET-PLACE--BATTERING-ENGINE
- 508CHAPTER VIII
- 509DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE BESIEGED--SPIRIT OF
- 510GUATEMOZIN--MURDEROUS ASSAULTS--CAPTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--EVACUATION
- 511OF THE CITY--TERMINATION OF THE SIEGE--REFLECTIONS
- 512BOOK VII
- 513(CONCLUSION)
- 514SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTÉS
- 515CHAPTER I
- 516TORTURE OF GUATEMOZIN--SUBMISSION OF THE COUNTRY--REBUILDING OF THE
- 517CAPITAL--MISSION TO CASTILE--COMPLAINTS AGAINST CORTÉS--HE IS
- 518CONFIRMED IN HIS AUTHORITY
- 519CHAPTER II
- 520MODERN MEXICO--SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY--CONDITION OF THE
- 521NATIVES--CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES--CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL--VOYAGES
- 522AND EXPEDITIONS
- 523CHAPTER III
- 524DEFECTION OF OLID--DREADFUL MARCH TO HONDURAS--EXECUTION OF
- 525GUATEMOZIN--DOÑA MARINA--ARRIVAL AT HONDURAS
- 526CHAPTER IV
- 527DISTURBANCES IN MEXICO--RETURN OF CORTÉS--DISTRUST OF THE
- 528COURT--CORTÉS RETURNS TO SPAIN--DEATH OF SANDOVAL--BRILLIANT
- 529RECEPTION OF CORTÉS--HONORS CONFERRED ON HIM
- 530CHAPTER V
- 531CORTÉS REVISITS MEXICO--RETIRES TO HIS ESTATES--HIS VOYAGES OF
- 532DISCOVERY--FINAL RETURN TO CASTILE--COLD RECEPTION--DEATH OF
- 533CORTÉS--HIS CHARACTER
- 534APPENDIX
- 535ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
- 536ADVICE OF AN AZTEC MOTHER TO HER DAUGHTER; TRANSLATED FROM
- 537SAHAGUN’S “HISTORIA DE NUEVA-ESPAÑA,” LIB. VI. CAP. XIX
- 538A CASTILIAN AND AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF A POEM ON THE MUTABILITY
- 539OF LIFE, BY NEZAHUALCOYOTL, LORD OF TEZCUCO
- 540DESCRIPTION OF THE RESIDENCE OF NEZAHUALCOYOTL AT TEZCOTZINCO,
- 541EXTRACTED FROM IXTLILXOCHITL’S “HISTORIA CHICHIMECA,” MS., CAP.
- 542XLII
- 543TRANSLATIONS FROM IXTLILXOCHITL’S “HISTORIA CHICHIMECA,” MS., CAP. LXIV
- 544OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SEVERITY WITH WHICH THE KING NEZAHUALPILLI
- 545PUNISHED THE MEXICAN QUEEN FOR HER ADULTERY AND TREASON
- 546INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY VELASQUEZ, GOVERNOR OF CUBA, TO CORTÉS ON HIS
- 547TAKING COMMAND OF THE EXPEDITION; DATED AT FERNANDINA, OCTOBER 23,
- 548EXTRACT FROM LAS CASAS’ “HISTORIA GENERAL DE LAS INDIAS,” MS., LIB. III.
- 549CAP. CXVI
- 550DEPOSITION OF ALONSO HERNANDEZ DE PUERTO-CARRERO, MS.
- 551M.
- 552EXTRACT FROM THE “CARTA DE VERA CRUZ,” MS.
- 553EXTRACT FROM CAMARGO’S “HISTORIA DE TLASCALA,” MS.
- 554EXTRACT FROM OVIEDO’S “HISTORIA DE LAS INDIAS,” MS., LIB. XXXIII. CAP.
- 555XLVI
- 556DIALOGUE OF OVIEDO WITH DON THOAN CANO, AP. “HISTORIA DE LAS
- 557INDIAS,” MS., LIB. XXXIII. CAP. LIV.
- 558DE MÉXICO, LLAMADO THOAN CANO
- 559GRANT OF CORTÉS TO DOÑA ISABEL MONTEZUMA, DAUGHTER OF THE EMPEROR
- 560MONTEZUMA; DATED AT MEXICO, JUNE 27, 1526
- 561PRIVILEGIO DE DOÑA ISABEL, MOTEZUMA, HIJA DEL GRAN MOTEZUMA, ÚLTIMO
- 562MUCHOS OFFICIOS EN AQUEL REYNO
- 563OTORGADO POR DON HERNANDO CORTÉS, CONQUISTADOR DEL DICHO REYNO, EN
- 564NOMBRE DE SU MAGESTAD, COMO SU CAPITAN GENERAL Y GOVERNADOR DE LA
- 565NUEVA ESPAÑA
- 566MILITARY CODE: DATED AT TLASCALA, DEC. 22, 1520
- 567ORDENANZAS MILITARES
- 568TRANSLATION OF PASSAGES IN THE HONDURAS LETTER OF CORTÉS
- 569LAST LETTER OF CORTÉS TO THE EMPEROR
- 570FUNERAL OBSEQUIES OF CORTÉS
- 571IN THIS CITY OF MEXICO, FEB. 24, 1629
Language availability
Other languages
Additional language editions are not published yet. This section will link to other BooksWhale editions when they become available.
Request another language