The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1886-04-15
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ms GlNDUEol W MEAllA.
fernando Cortez had been oneofths
most able iieuenants 10 the expedition
Of Diego FelasQuez against Cuba In
1911. In 1913, therefore, Velasquez,
who had been installed ss Governor
OF the conquered leland, intrusted TO
hin al expedition sgainst Mexico.
No sooner had the commission been
granted, however, than Nelasques
wished 20 revoke Il, fearing tsiht the
dashing lieutenant would claim all
the glory OF the enterprise, but COrtez
retained his command IN defiance Of
the governor. Probably 90 great
task was never undertaken with 50
little thought given to Its possible
great difficulties. The entire force
with which COrtez undertook tire
conquest Of the then great and power
fui empire Of Mexico consisted Of less
than 100 men, Of whom thirteen only
were musketeers, with but ten field
pieces aud two or three smaller can
non. Early In 1913 the Spaniards
reached the Mexican shores. Sailing
up the river TabascO, Cortez captured
the town Of thst name, the Indians
there being much impressed by the
prowess OF the Spaniards. Thence
the invaders went 10 the coast Of San
Juan d'UllOa, where COrtez was visit
ed by a deputatiOn Of Mexican chiefs,
who brought him many gifts Of gold
and silver. The object Of these was
10 induce the invaders TO leave the
country, bat they only inflamed the
cupidity Of the SpaniaTds, and
made them more desirious Of penetra-
-.
was then Emperor, ruling all Mexi-
CO with neary sbsOlute swGy. COrtez
declared his Intention Of visiting the
Emperor 10 his capital. MOntezuma
sent 10 him rich presents, but forbade
his coming TO the Emperor's city.
This opposition but whetted the de-
terniined purpose Of COrteZ. Found
ing a settlement on the coast, which
he called Vera Cruz, and burning his
ships 50 that his men could not return
and must conquer or perish, with q
force reduced 10 400 white men on
foot and fifteen on horse, and q few
thousand Indians who, because Of
affection toward MOntezuma, had
Joined him-he set forth on his daring
attempt to conquer the capital Of the
empire Of mexico. OvercOmeing
the Tlascalas, q brave people,
who became his allies, and taking
fearful vengeance on the city Of ChO-
lula, where, by MOntezuma's orders,
q treacherUus attempt was made TO
massacre his troops, COrtez, on Nov.
s, 1919, reached the city Of Mexico
with his little band, and was received
with great pOmp by the Emperor ia
person. The Spaniards were regard.
ed IS those descendants CT the sun
who, according 10 a current prophecy,
were to come from the East and sub
vert the Aztec Empire. aud this ira
ditiOn was worth many soldiers 70
Cortez. But while he was at the capt.
tai, one OF MOntezumE's generals at
tackled the little colony which he had
left behind at Vera Cruz, and killed
several OF their number. Returning
20 the City Of Mexico this general
made known the fact that the Oasted
children Of the sun were but mortals,
and would have caused the prompt
annihilatiOn of the Spaniards but for
the decisive action Of their leader.
COrtez Immediately seized MOnteZu-
ma himself, and conveyed him to the
Spanish camp, WbsTs, by threats, he
was forced TO give up the offending
general and three other chiefs, and
these COrtez caused 90 be burned alive
in front Of the palace. Soon after
MOntezuma, who had been put In
irons. made q formal cession Of his
empire TO Spain and paid over to Cor
tez 100, 900 ducats I'm gold. The su-
preme daring Of Cortez's action Is
amazing when we remember that the
City OF Mexico at the time contained
a population estimated at 500, 600.
Meanwhile Velasquez, enraged at the
report Of COrtez's audacity and sue
cess, sent a force OF 900 men, well
provided with artillery, to seize him
aEd bring bin back pri u
OneF 10 Cuba. COrtez, hearing Of the
landing Of this army on the Mexican
coast, left 20O men in the capital
having with unparalleled audacity
recommended them 10 the care Of
MOnteZuma as q vassal Of the King
Of Spain-and taking seventy men
with him, was Joined BY $50 whom
he had left at ChOlula, and surprized
aud captured the force sent against
him aud secured their allegiance. But
I'm his absence the Mexicans I'm the
city had risen and OverpOwered the
AAE lNN1nAlAAHH N4AAAAA AAE MAoNAEu-
ance MOntezuma, who was still held
a prisoner, on appearing on a terrace
TO address his subjects, was wounded
with a stone 50 that he died i'm few
days. COrtez attempted 10 Te-enter
the city, but was kept out by the en-
ragged people. The Spaniards escaped
the best they could, many Of their
number being killed but amer recruit
ing and recognizing his troops and
adding to them a large force Of Idana,
COrteZ subdued all the neighbOring
provinces and then besieged Mexico. |
The country made a gallant defense
for four months, but surrendered Aug. |
Is, 1921, after nearly five-siXths of its |
population had persisted by famine. |
The buildings had been shattered by |
the fire Of the artillery, and the city |
Is described rs appearing, when the |
Spaniards entered il. like some huge
churchyard with the corpses dEsin-
TERED and the tOmhstOnes scattered |
about" COrtez was now declared |
Governor and Captain General Of the |
country. He Immediately caused |
GuatimOzin, the new Emperor, 90 be /
executed with great cruelty, aud |
many officers suffered a like fate. |
The unhappy MeXicans made several |
attempts at revolt, but these were all |
crushed by the superior power OF Eu- |