next day to a pass, where there were some houses and
large temples, and great piles of wood intended for
the service of the idols. Provisions were scarce
during the two last days, and we now approached the
confines of the Mexican empire, at a place called
Xocotlan; to the cacique of which place Cortes
sent a message informing him of our arrival.
The appearance of this place evinced that we were
entering upon a new and richer country. The temples
and other buildings were lofty, with terraced roofs,
and had a magnificent appearance, being all plastered
and white-washed, so as to resemble some of our towns
in Spain; on which account we called this place
Castel
blanco.
In consequence of our message, the cacique and other
principal persons of the town came out to meet us,
and conducted us to our quarters, where they gave
us a very poor entertainment. After supper, Cortes
inquired respecting the military power of Montezuma,
and was told that he was able to bring prodigious
armies into the field. The city of Mexico was
represented as of uncommon strength, being built on
the water, with no communication between the houses,
houses, except by means of boats or bridges, each
house being terraced, and only needing the addition
of a parapet to become a fortress. The only access
to the city was by means of three causeways or piers,
each of which had four or five apertures for the passage
of the waters, having wooden bridges which could be
raised up, so as to preclude all access. We were
likewise informed of the vast wealth possessed by
Montezuma, in gold, silver, and jewels, which filled
us with astonishment; and although the account we
had already received of the military resources of
the empire and the inaccessible strength of the capital
might have filled us with dismay, yet we were eager
to try our fortunes. The cacique expatiated in
praise of Montezuma, and expressed his apprehension
of having offended him by receiving us into his government
without his leave. To this Cortes replied, That
we had come from a far distant country by command
of our sovereign, to exhort Montezuma and his subjects
to desist from human sacrifices and other outrages;
adding: “I now require all who hear me,
to renounce your inhuman sacrifices, cannibal feasts,
and other abominable customs; for such is the command
of GOD, whom we adore.” The natives listened
to all this in profound silence, and Cortes proposed
to the soldiers to destroy the idols and plant the
holy cross, as had been already done at Chempoalla;
but Father Olmedo recommended that this should be
postponed to a fitter opportunity, lest the ignorance
and barbarism of the people might incite them to offer
indignity against that holy symbol of our blessed religion.
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