Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-03-01

illy fed and family attacked by troops
of the Mexicans. The seventh day, on
rising an emincnce, they found a large
plain before them, through which they
had to pass, and in this plain was assem-
bled the principal army of the MeXicans.
This is said to have been an Incredible
multitude. 1t was enough to appall the
boldest heart, but Cortez rose at once to
the emergency. Telling his men briefly
that they must conquer or die, he led
them instantly to the charge. The fight
was now in the open field, free from the
ambush of the city or the night, and ev-
erywhere the Spanish phalanx advanced
the enemy was driven before them. But
though beaten at one point, they would
rally at others, so that the fight seemed
almost hopeless. Again Cortez' talent
came to the rescue. lie noticed the great
banner of the empire carried before the
Mexican general, and remembering to
have heard that on the fate of it depend
ed every battle, he gathered his bravest
officers and led the way himself to cap
ture them. Nothing could withstand the
charge of COrteZ. In a few minutes he
had killed the Mexican general and cap
tured the standard. Instantly a panic
seized the Mexican soldiers they threw
down their arms and fled to the noun
tains. The next day Cortez, with the
rei1HanC Vi his army, eIuereu uile territory
of the Tlascans.
Cortez now determined to conquer
Mexico. He had learned much. He saw
where were his former mistakes and set
himself at work more deliberately to the
final conquest of the country. He saw
one thing, that it was necessary for him
to have command of the lake, and he
gave orders to prepare in the mountains
of Tlasca material for twelve brigantines,
so that they could be carried in pieces TO
the lake and there put together and
launched. He repenished his supply of
stores and arms from those left at Vera
Cruz. And once more by fortunate
set of accidents he repenished the num-
Der of his men. The governor of Cuba
sent two more ships with troops and
stores to Join Narvaez. These entered
the harbor of Vera Cruz, when the ships
were seized and the men persuaded to
Join Cortez. Soon after three more ships
came into the harbor from Jamaica, that
had been sent out with certain troops for
exploring purposes. Their men, too,
were persuaded to enlist. a ship also
arrived from Spain freighted with mill
tary stores, and these Cortez bought.
His army now numbered 500 infantry, 40
horsemen and a train of nine field pieces.
At the head of these, accompanied by
1000 Tlascans and other friendly Indians,
Cortez began his march towards Mexico
December %. This was six months after
his disastrous retreat. Quetlevaca, broth
er to MonteZuma, was now emperor, and
ably prepared for defence. But before
, the attack began he died of smallpox,
which had been introduced by the Span
iards. Guatimosin, nephew and son-in-
law of Montezuma, and young man of
high reputation for abilities and valor,
e Ii, l..
cans uniting upon him with one voice.
Cortez now made all his moves with de-
liberation. This was his lesson from de-
feat. He first captured Tezenco, the sec
; Ond city of the empire, built on the lake
about 20 miles from Mexico. Here he
made his headquarters and had his briga-
tines brought here and launched. In the
1 meantime, four ships arrived from His
4 pamela with 200 soldiers, so horses, TWO
battering cannon and considerable sup
ply of ammunition and arms. At last
everything prepared to suit him he at
e tackled the city from three different quar-
e tiers. north, west and south. With his
brgatDes, which Cortez lead himself. he
achieved at once decided naval victory
: over the canoes of the MeXicanS. For Il
[ month the attack was kept up on the city
5 necessarily, with no decisive effect. At
the end of that time, July 3, Cortez made
:, his most determined attack, and though
for while successful, it resulted in IA
very serious repulse, in which the span
n lard lost above 60 men. This defeat al
y most proved fatal, as it shook the faith of
the Indian allies in the Spaniards, with
{ out whose help it would have been inn
f possible to have captured the city Luck
0 lily for Cortez the MeXicans fell into the
!, trap of lying. Their priests gave out
that their gods had informed them that IN
eight day the Spanards would be de-
e stroyed. Hearing of this. CorteZ, protect
d ed by his brigatnes, lay on his arms un-
+ til the time was over, when his Indian
allies, finding the prophecy untrue, re-
/ newed their allegiance, and the McNicans
o themselves were much depressed. Curtez
e had now, according To his own account,
q 40, 900 Indian allies. These were Tlas-
cans and other tribes who had been for
y merly conquered by the MexicanS with
: these and his own troops, he pushed his
d advances warly, destroying each part of
p the city as he captured it, until at last
three-fourths was laid in ashes. Reduced
u to such eXtremities, GuatimoZlu, at the
a earnest request of his chiefs, undertook
. to escape, so as to continue the war IN
! the provinces, but he was captured by
one of the brigatines and this ended the
: war. The MeXcans gave up, ami August
l. 10 CorteZ took possession OF the remnant
1. of the city which had not been destroyed.
Thus ended the seige of Mexico, having
lasted - days. The fate of the capital
< decided that of the empire. one after
d another the provinces submitted, Inc
q Aztec empire was forever terminated.
', Mexico remained a colony of Spain until
l. 1871. when under Iturbde it gained its
~ Independence At first lturhide was
|. crowned emperor, but his empire spredi-
d ly collapsed and he, though allowed 70
Is leave the country, was afterwards, on his
d return from England, declared Il traitor
t. and shot. Mexico was then declared a
y republic, its constitution being pattern
E. ed after that of the United States; and
A. after sort as a republic it has since eX-
If sted. But constant revolutions have
" harrassed it. Its government has been
$ habitualy cruel and corrupt; and large
- Oh, ~, Of itc manila today Substupi al