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William H. Prescott
History of the Conquest of Mexico



with a Preliminary View of Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the Life of the Conqueror, Hernando Cortes


NEW YORK

HARPER AND BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET.
M DCCC XLIII
Entered according to Act of Contress, in the year 1843 , by William H. Prescott,
inthe Clerk's office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.


Book 1 Introduction-View Of The Aztec Civilization
Ancient Mexico-Its Climate And Its Products-Its Primitive Races-Aztec Empire
Succession To The Crown-Aztec Nobility-Judicial System-Laws And Revenues-Military Institutions
Mexican Mythology-The Sacerdotal Order-The Temples-Human Sacrifices
Mexican Hieroglyphics-Manuscripts-Arithmetic-Chronology-Astronomy
Aztec Agriculture-The Mechanical Arts-Merchants-Domestic Manners
The Tezcucans-Their Golden Age-Accomplished Princes-Decline Of Their Monarchy

Book 2 Discovery Of Mexico
1516-1518: Spain Under Charles V-Progress Of Discovery-Colonial Policy-Conquest Of Cuba-Expeditions To Yucatan
Hernando Cortes-His Early Life-Visits The New World-His Residence In Cuba-Difficulties With Velasquez-Armada Intrusted To Cortes
Jealousy Of Velasquez-Cortes Embarks-Equipment Of His Fleet-His Person And Character-Rendezvous At Havana-Strength Of His Armament
Voyage To Cozumel-Conversion Of The Natives-Jeronimo De Aguilar-Army Arrives At Tabasco-Great Battle With The Indians-Christianity Introduced
Voyage Along The Coast-Dona Marina-Spaniards Land In Mexico-Interview With The Aztecs
Account Of Montezuma-State Of His Empire-Strange Prognostics-Embassy And Presents-Spanish Encampment
Troubles In The Camp-Plan For A Colony-Management Of Cortes-March To Cempoalla-Proceedings With The Natives-Foundation Of Villa Rica De Vera Cruz
Another Aztec Embassy-Destruction Of Idols-Despatches Sent To Spain-Conspiracy In The Camp-The Fleet Sunk

Book 3 March To Mexico
Proceedings At Cempoalla-The Spaniards Climb The Tableland-Transactions With The Natives-Embassy To Tlascala
Republic Of Tlascala-Its Institutions-Its Early History-The Discussions In The Senate-Desperate Battles
Decisive Victory-Indian Council-Night Attack-Negotiations With The Enemy-Tlascalan Hero
Discontents In The Army-Tlascalan Spies-Peace With The Republic-Embassy From Montezuma
Spaniards Enter Tlascala-A Description Of The Capital-Attempted Conversion-Aztec Embassy-Invited To Cholula
City Of Cholula-Great Temple-March To Cholula-Reception Accorded The Spaniards-Conspiracy Detected
Terrible Massacre-Tranquillity Restored-Reflections On The Massacre-Further Proceedings-Envoys From Montezuma
March Resumed-Valley Of Mexico-Impression On The Spaniards-Conduct Of Montezuma-They Descend Into The Valley
Environs Of Mexico-Interview With Montezuma-Entrance Into The Capital-Hospitable Reception-Visit To The Emperor

Book 4 Residence In Mexico
Tezcucan Lake-Description Of The Capital-Palaces And Museums-Royal Household-Montezuma's Way Of Life
Market Of Mexico-Great Temple-Interior Sanctuaries-Spanish Quarters
Anxiety Of Cortes-Seizure Of Montezuma-His Treatment By The Spaniards-Execution Of His Officers-Montezuma In Irons-Reflections
Montezuma's Deportment-His Life In The Spanish Quarters-Meditated Insurrection-Lord Of Tezcuco Seized-Further Measures Of Cortes
Montezuma Swears Allegiance To Spain-Royal Treasures-Their Division-Christian Worship In The Teocalli-Discontents Of The Aztecs
Fate Of Cortes' Emissaries-Proceedings In The Castilian Court-Preparations Of Velasquez-Narvaez Lands In Mexico-Politic Conduct Of Cortes-He Leaves The Capital
Cortes Descends From The Tableland-Negotiates With Narvaez-Prepares To Assault Him-Quarters Of Narvaez-Attacked By Night-Narvaez Defeated
Discontent Of The Troops-Insurrection In The Capital-Return Of Cortes-General Signs Of Hostility-Massacre By Alvarado-Rising Of The Aztecs

Book 5 Expulsion From Mexico
Desperate Assault On The Quarters-Fury Of The Mexicans-Sally Of The Spaniards-Montezuma Addresses The People-Dangerously Wounded
Storming Of The Great Temple-Spirit Of The Aztecs-Distresses Of The Garrison-Sharp Combats In The City-Death Of Montezuma
Council Of War-Spaniards Evacuate The City-Noche Triste, Or "The Melancholy Night"-Terrible Slaughter-Halt For The Night-Amount Of Losses
The Spaniards Retreat-Distresses Of The Army-Great Battle Of Otumba
Arrival In Tlascala-Friendly Reception-Discontents Of The Army-Jealousy Of The Tlascalans-Embassy From Mexico
War With The Surrounding Tribes-Successes Of The Spaniards-Death Of Maxixca-Arrival Of Reinforcements-Return In Triumph To Tlascala
Guatemozin, New Emperor Of The Aztecs-Preparations For The March-Military Code-Spaniards Cross The Sierra-Enter Tezcuco-Prince Ixtlilxochitl

Book 6 Siege And Surrender Of Mexico
Arrangements At Tezcuco-Sack Of Iztapalapan-Advantages Of The Spaniards-Wise Policy Of Cortes-Transportation Of The Brigantines
Cortes Reconnoitres The Capital-Occupies Tacuba-Skirmishes With The Enemy-Expedition Of Sandoval-Arrival Of Reinforcements
Second Reconnoitring Expedition-The Capture Of Cuernavaca-Battles At Xochimilco-Narrow Escape Of Cortes-He Enters Tacuba
Conspiracy In The Army-Brigantines Launched-Muster Of Forces-Execution Of Xicotencatl-March Of The Army-Beginning Of The Siege
Indian Flotilla Defeated-The Causeways Occupied-Desperate Assaults-Firing Of The Palaces-Spirit Of The Besieged-Barracks For The Troops
General Assault On The City-Defeat Of The Spaniards-Their Disastrous Condition-Sacrifice Of The Captives-Defection Of The Allies-Constancy Of The Troops
Success Of The Spaniards-Fruitless Offers To Guatemozin-Buildings Razed To The Ground-Terrible Famine-The Troops Gain The Market-Place
Dreadful Sufferings Of The Besieged-Spirit Of Guatemozin-Murderous Assault-Capture Of Guatemozin-Termination Of The Siege-Reflections

Book 7 Conclusion-Subsequent Career Of Cortes
Torture Of Guatemozin-Submission Of The Country-Rebuilding Of The Capital-Mission To Castile-Complaints Against Cortes-He Is Confirmed In His Authority
Modern Mexico-Settlement Of The Country-Condition Of The Natives-Christian Missionaries-Cultivation Of The Soil-Voyages And Expeditions
Defection Of Olid-Dreadful March To Honduras-Execution Of Guatemozin-Dona Marina-Arrival At Honduras
Disturbances In Mexico-Return Of Cortes-Distrust Of The Court-His Return To Spain-Death Of Sandoval-Brilliant Reception Of Cortes-Honours Conferred On Him
Cortes Revisits Mexico-Retires To His Estates-His Voyages Of Discovery-Final Return To Castile-Cold Reception-Death Of Cortes-His Character
Personae

Terms Defined

Referenced Works