Chapter I: Preface

The people of the United States have always felt a deep interest in the history and destiny of Mexico. It was not only the commercial spirit of our citizens that awakened this sentiment. In former times, when the exclusive policy of Spain closed the door of intercourse with her American colonies, the ancient history of Peru and Mexico attracted the curiosity of our students. They were eager to solve the enigma of a strange civilization which had originated in the central portions of our continent in isolated independence of all the world. They desired, moreover, to know something of those enchanted regions, which, like the fabled garden of the Hesperides, were watched and warded with such jealous vigilance; and they craved to behold those marvelous mines whose boundless wealth was poured into the lap of Spain. The valuable work of Baron Humboldt, published in the early part of this century, stimulated this natural curiosity; and, when the revolutionary spirit of Europe penetrated our continent, and the masses rose to cast off colonial bondage, we hailed with joy every effort of the patriots who fought so bravely in the war of liberation. Bound to Mexico by geographical ties, though without a common language or lineage, we were the first to welcome her and the new American Sovereignties into the brotherhood of nations, and to fortify our continental alliance by embassies and treaties.

After more than twenty years of peaceful intercourse, the war of 1846 broke out between Mexico and our Union. Thousands, of all classes, professions and occupations,--educated and uneducated--observers and idlers,--poured into the territory of the invaded republic. In the course of the conflict these sturdy adventurers traversed the central and northern regions of Mexico, scoured her coasts, possessed themselves for many months of her beautiful Capital, and although they returned to their homes worn with the toils of war, none have ceased to remember the delicious land, amid whose sunny valleys and majestic mountains they had learned, at least, to admire the sublimity of nature. The returned warriors did not fail to report around their firesides the marvels they witnessed during their campaigns, and numerous works have been written to sketch the story of individual adventure, or to portray the most interesting physical features of various sections of the republic. Thus by war and literature, by ancient curiosity and political sympathy, by geographical position and commercial interest, Mexico has become perhaps the most interesting portion of the world to our countrymen at the present moment. And I have been led to believe that the American people would not receive unfavorably a work designed to describe the entire country, to develop its resources and condition, and to sketch impartially its history from the conquest to the present day.

It has been no ordinary task to chronicle the career of a nation for more than three centuries, to unveil the colonial government of sixty-two Viceroys, to follow the thread of war and politics through the mazes of revolution, and to track the rebellious spirit of intrigue amid the numerous civil outbreaks which have occurred since the downfall of Iturbide. The complete Viceroyal history of Mexico is now for the first time presented to the world in the English language, while, in Spanish, no single author has ever attempted it continuously. Free from the bias of Mexican partizanship, I have endeavored to narrate events fairly, and to paint character without regard to individual men. In describing the country, its resources, geography, finances, church, agriculture, army, industrial condition, and social as well as political prospects, I have taken care to provide myself with the most recent and respectable authorities. My residence in the country, and intimacy with many of its educated and intelligent patriots, enabled me to gather information in which I confided, and I have endeavored to fuse the whole mass of knowledge thus laboriously procured, with my personal, and, I hope, unprejudiced, observation.

I have not deemed it proper to encumber the margin of my pages with continual references to authorities that are rarely consulted by general readers, and could only be desired by critics who would often be tantalized by the citation of works, which, in all likelihood, are not to be found except in private collections in the United States, and some of which, I am quite sure, exist only in my own library or in the Mexican Legation, at Washington. Such references, whilst they occupied an undue portion of the book, would be ostentatiously and tediously pedantic in a work of so little pretension as mine. I may state, however, that no important fact has been asserted without authority, and, in order to indicate the greater portion of my published sources of reliance, I have subjoined a list of the principal materials consulted and carefully verified in the composition of these volumes. Nevertheless, I have perhaps failed sometimes to procure the standard works that are accessible to native or permanent residents of the country, and thus, may have fallen accidental into error, whilst honestly seeking to shun misstatement. If those whose information enables them to detect important mistakes will be kind enough to point them out candidly and clearly, I will gladly correct such serious faults if another edition should ever be required by an indulgent public.

BRANTZ MAYER.

BALTIMORE, AUGUST, 1850.

AUTHORITIES USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS WORK.

I. HISTORICAL.

Cartas de Cortéz ed. Lorenzana.

Historia Verdadera de la Conquista de la Nueva España--Bernal Diaz.

Peter Martyr.

Conquista de Mejico, by De Solis.

Veytia. Herrera.

Robertson's History of America.

Clavigero--Historia Antigua de Mejico.

Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico.

Cavo y Bustamante--Tres Siglos de Mejico.

Alaman--Disertaciones sobre la Historia de Mejico.

Father Gage's America.

Ternaux-Compans's History of the Conquest.

Recopilacion de las leyes de las Indias.

Mendez--Observaciones sobre las leyes, &c., &c.

N. American Review, vol. XIX.

Transactions of the American Ethnological Society, in the Articles
on Mexico, by Mr. Gallatin.

Researches, Philosophical and Antiquarian, concerning the
Aboriginal History of America, by J. H. McCulloh.

Pesquisia contra Pedro de Alvarado y Nuño de Guzman.

Lives of the Viceroys in the Liceo Mejicano.

Notas y esclarecimientos à la historia de la Conquista de Mejico,
por José F. Ramirez.--2d vol. of Mexican translation of Prescott.

Zavala--Revoluciones de Mejico desde 1808, hasta 1830.

Don Vicente Pazo's Letters on the United Provinces of South America.

Robinson's Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution.

Ward's Mexico in 1827, &c.

Foote's History of Texas.

Tejas in 1836.

Memorias para la Historia de la Guerra de Tejas, por General
Vicente Filisola.

Forbes's California.

Greenhow's Oregon and California.

American State Papers.

Ranke--Fursten und Volker.

Dr. Dunham's History of Spain and Portugal.

General Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico.

Apuntes para la historia de la guerra entre Mejico y los Estados
Unidos.

Lectures on Mexican history, by José Maria Lacunza, Professor in
the College of San Juan de Letran.

Constituciones de Mejico y de los Estados Mejicanos.

_Thirteen_ octavo volumes of documents published by the Congress
of the United States, relative to our intercourse and war with
Mexico, collected by myself.

Tributo à la Verdad,--Vera Cruz 1847.

II. DESCRIPTIVE.

Humboldt, Essai Politique sur la Nouvelle Espagne.

Poinsett's Notes on Mexico.

Bullock's Mexico.

Lieut. Hardy's Journey in Mexico.

Ward's Mexico in 1827.

Folsom's Mexico in 1842.

Mühlenpfordt--Die Republik Mejico.

Mejico en 1842, por Luis Manuel de Rivero.

Mexico as it Was and as it Is, 1844.

Ensayo sobre el verdadero estado de la cuestion social y politica
que se agita en la Republica Mejicana, por Otero, 1842.

Madame Calderon de la Barca's Life in Mexico.

Kennedy's Texas.

Emory, Abert, Cooke and Johnston--Journals in New Mexico and
California--1848.

Frémont's Expeditions, 1842-'3-'4.

Frémont's California, 1848.

T. Butler King's Report on California, 1850.

W. Carey Jones's do. do. 1850.

Executive documents in relation to California, 1850.

Forbes's California.

Bryant's do.

Kendall's Santa Fé Expedition.

Wilkes's Exploring Expedition.

Wise--Los Gringos.

Ruxton's Travels in Mexico, &c.

Norman's Rambles in Yucatan.

" " in Mexico.

Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies.

Dr. Wislizenius's Memoir on New Mexico.

Stephens's Central America.

" Yucatan.

Gama--Piedras Antiguas de Mejico.

El Museo Mejicano.

Isidro R. Gondra's Notes on Mexican Antiquities, in the 3rd vol.
(with plates) of the Mexican translation of Prescott.

Nebel--Voyage Arquéologique et Pittoresque en Mexique.

Memoir of the Mexican Minister of Foreign and Domestic Affairs on
the condition of the country in 1846.

Idem in 1849.

Memoir of the Mexican Minister of War, 1844.

Idem in 1846.

Idem in 1849.

Memoir of the Mexican Minister of Finance on the condition of the
Treasury, 1841.

Idem in 1846.

Idem in 1848.

Idem in 1849.

Memoir on the Agriculture and Manufactures of Mexico, by Don Lucas
Alaman, 1843.

Memoir on the Liquidation of the National Debt, by Alaman, 1845.

Noticias Estadisticas del Estado de Chihuahua, 1834.

Noticias Estadisticas sobre el Departamento de Querétaro, 1845.

Nos. 1, 2, 3, Boletin del Instituto Nacional de Geografia y
Estadistica, 1839-1849.

Collecion de documentos relativos al departamento de Californias,
1846.

El Observador Judicial de Mejico.

Semanario de la Industria Mejicana.

El Mosaico Mejicano.

Journal des Economistes.

Lyell's Geology.

Lerdo--Consideraciones sobre la condicion social y politica de la
Republica Mejicana en 1847.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.--Discoveries of Cordova and Grijalva--Cortéz appointed
by Velasquez--Biographical notice of Cortéz--Cortéz Captain
General of the Armada--Equipment of the Expedition--Quarrel of
Velasquez--Firmness of Cortéz--Expedition departs under Cortéz, 13

CHAPTER II.--Olmeda preaches to the Indians--Aguilar and
Mariana--interpreters--Cortéz lands--interview with the
Aztecs--Diplomacy--Montezuma's presents--Montezuma refuses to
receive Cortéz, 22

CHAPTER III.--Cortéz founds La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz--Fleet
destroyed--March to Mexico--Conquest of Tlascala--Cholula--
Slaughter in Cholula--Valley of Mexico--Cortéz enters the
Valley--Gigantic Causeway--Lake of Tezcoco--Reception by
Montezuma--Spaniards enter the capital, 28

CHAPTER IV.--Description of the City of Tenochtitlan--Montezuma's
way of life--Market-place--Cortéz at the Great Temple--Description
of it--Place of Sacrifice--Sanctuaries--Huitzilopotchtli--
Tezcatlipoca--Danger of Cortéz--Montezuma seized--Montezuma a
prisoner--his submissiveness--Arrival of Narvaez--Cortéz's
diplomacy--Cortéz overcomes Narvaez, and recruits his forces, 35

CHAPTER V.--Cortéz returns to the Capital--Causes of the revolt
against the Spaniards--Cortéz condemns Alvarado--his conduct to
Montezuma--Battle in the city--Montezuma mediates--Fight on the
Great Temple or Teocalli--Retreat of the Spaniards--Noche
Triste--Flight of the Spaniards to Tacuba, 44

CHAPTER VI.--Retreat to Otumba--Cortéz is encountered by a new
army of Aztecs and auxiliaries--Victory of the Spaniards at
Otumba--Proposed re-alliance of Aztecs and Tlascalans--Forays of
Cortéz--reduction of the eastern regions--Cortéz proposes the
reconquest--sends off the disaffected--Cortéz settles the
Tlascalan succession, 50

CHAPTER VII.--Death of Cuitlahua--he is succeeded by
Guatemozin--Aztecs learn the proposed reconquest--Cortéz's forces
for this enterprise--Cortéz at Tezcoco--his plans and
acts--Military expeditions of Cortéz in the Valley--Operations
at Chalco and Cuernavaca--Xochimilco--return to Tacuba--Cortéz
returns to Tezcoco and is reinforced, 56

CHAPTER VIII.--Cortéz returns--conspiracy among his men
detected--Execution of Villafaña--Brigantines launched--
Xicotencatl's treason and execution--Disposition of forces to
attack the city--Siege and assaults on the city--Fight and
reverses of the Spaniards--Sacrifice of captives--Flight of
allies--Contest renewed--Starvation, 62

CHAPTER IX.--Aztec prediction--it is not verified--Cortéz
reinforced by fresh arrivals--Famine in the city--Cortéz levels
the city to its foundation--Condition of the capital--Attack
renewed--Capture of Guatemozin--Surrender of the city--Frightful
condition of the city, 70

CHAPTER X.--Duty of a historian--Motives of the Conquest--
Character and deeds of Cortéz--Materials of the Conquest--
Adventurers--Priests--Indian allies--Historical aspects of the
Conquest, 75

CHAPTER XI.--Discontent at not finding gold--Torture of
Guatemozin--Results of the fall of the capital--Mission from
Michoacan--Rebuilding of the capital--Letters to the
King--Intrigues against Cortéz--Fonseca--Narvaez--Tapia--Charles
V. protects Cortéz and confirms his acts, 80

CHAPTER XII.--Cortéz commissioned by the Emperor--Velasquez--his
death--Mexico rebuilt--Immigration--Repartimientos of
Indians--Honduras--Guatemozin--Mariana--Cortéz accused--ordered
to Spain for trial--his reception, honors and titles--he
marries--his return to Mexico--resides at Tezcoco--Expeditions
of Cortéz--California--Quivara--returns to Spain--death--Where
are his bones? 84

CHAPTER XIII.--Archbishop Zumarraga's destruction of Mexican
monuments, writings, documents--Mr. Gallatin's opinion of
them--Traditions--two sources of accurate knowledge--Speculations
on antiquity--Aztecs--Toltecs--Nahuatlacs--Acolhuans, &c.--Aztecs
emigrate from Aztlan--settle in Anahuac--Tables of emigration of
the original tribes--Other tribes in the empire, 92

CHAPTER XIV.--Difficulty of estimating the civilization of the
Aztecs--Nations in Yucatan--Value of contemporary history--The
Aztec monarchy--elective--Royal style in Tenochtitlan--
Montezuma's way of life--Despotic power of the Emperor over life
and law--Theft--intemperance--marriage--slavery--war--Military
system and hospitals--Coin--Revenues--Aztec mythology--Image of
Teoyaomiqui--Teocalli--Two kinds of sacrifice--Why the Aztecs
sacrificed their prisoners--Common Sacrifice--Gladitorial
Sacrifice--Sacrificial Stone--Aztec Calendar--week, month, year,
cycle--Procession of the New Fire--Astronomical Science--Aztec
Calendar--Tables, 99

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I.--Colonial system--Early grants of power to rulers
in Mexico by the Emperor Charles V.--Abuse of it--Council of the
Indies--Laws--Royal audiences--Cabildos--Fueros--Relative
positions of Spaniards and Creoles--Scheme of Spanish colonial
trade--Restrictions on trade--Alcabala--Taxes--Papal Bulls--Bulls
de Cruzada--de Defuntos--of Composition--Power of the Church--its
property--Inquisition--The acts of the Inquisition--
Repartimientos--Indians--Agriculturists--Miners--Mita--Excuses
for maladministration, 127

CHAPTER II.--Founding of the Viceroyalty of New Spain--New
Audiencia--Fuenleal--Mendoza--Early acts of the first Viceroy--
Coinage--Rebellion in Jalisco--Viceroy suppresses it--Council of
the Indies on Repartimientos--Indian Servitude--Quivara--
Expeditions of Coronado and Alarcon--Pest in 1546--Revolution--
Council of Bishops--Mines--Zapotecs revolt--Mendoza removed to
Peru, 139

CHAPTER III.--Velasco endeavors to ameliorate the condition of
the Indians--University of Mexico established--Inundation--
Military colonization--Philip II.--Florida--Intrigues against
Velasco--Philipine Isles--Death of Velasco--Marques de
Falces--Baptism of the grand-children of Cortéz--Conspiracy
against the Marques del Valle--his arrest--execution of his
friends--Marques de Falces--charges against him--his fall--
Errors of Philip II.--Fall of Muñoz and his return--Vindication
of the Viceroy, 148

CHAPTER IV.--Almanza Viceroy--Chichimecas revolt--Jesuits--
Inquisition--Pestilence--No Indian tribute exacted--Almanza
departs--Xuares Viceroy--Weak Administration--Increase of
commerce--Pedro Moya de Contreras Viceroy--Reforms under a new
Viceroy--His power as Viceroy and Inquisitor--Zuñiga
Viceroy--Treasure--Piracy--Cavendish--Drake captures a
galeon--Zuñiga and the Audiencia of Guadalajara--His deposition
from power, 160

CHAPTER V.--Luis de Velasco II. becomes Viceroy--Delight of the
Mexicans--Factories reopened--Chichimecas--Colonization--
Alameda--Indians taxed for European wars--Composition--Fowls--
Acebedo Viceroy--Expedition to New Mexico--Indian
ameliorations--Death of Philip II.--New scheme of hiring
Indians--California--Montesclaros Viceroy--Inundation--Albarrada, 170

CHAPTER VI.--Second administration of Don Luis Velasco--His
great work for the Drainage of the Valley--Lakes in the
Valley--Danger of Inundation--History of the Desague of
Huehuetoca--Operations of the engineers Martinez and Boot--The
Franciscans--Completion of the Desague--La Obra del Consulado--
Negro revolt--Extension of Oriental trade--Guerra Viceroy--De
Cordova Viceroy--Indian revolt--Cordova founded, 178

CHAPTER VII.--Marques de Gelves Viceroy--his reforms--Narrative
of Father Gage--Gelves forestalls the market--The Archbishop
excommunicates Mexia, his agent--Quarrel between Gelves and the
Archbishop--Viceroy excommunicated--Archbishop at Guadalupe--he
is arrested at the altar--sent to Spain--Mexia threatened--Mob
attacks the Palace--it is sacked--Viceroy escapes--Retribution, 187

CHAPTER VIII.--The Audiencia rules in the interregnum--Carillo
Visitador--Inquisitorial examination--Acapulco taken--Attacks
by the Dutch--Removal of the Capital proposed--Armendariz
Viceroy--Escalona Viceroy--Palafox's conduct to the Viceroy--
Palafox Viceroy--His good and evil, 195

CHAPTER IX.--Sotomayor Viceroy--Escalona vindicated--Monastic
property--Bigotry of Palafox--Guzman Viceroy--Indian
insurrection--Revolt of the Tarahumares--Success of the
Indians--Indian wars--Duke de Alburquerque Viceroy--Attempt
to assassinate him--Count de Baños Viceroy--Attempt to
colonize--Escobar y Llamas and De Toledo Viceroys--Depredations
of British cruisers--Nuño de Portugal Viceroy, 201

CHAPTER X.--Rivera Viceroy--La Cerda Viceroy--Revolt in New
Mexico--Success of the Indians--Colony destroyed--Efforts of
the Spaniards to reconquer--Vera Cruz sacked--Count Monclova
Viceroy--Count Galve Viceroy--Tarrahumaric revolt--Indians
pacified--Texas--Hispaniola attacked--Insurrection--Burning of
the Palace--Famine--Earthquake, 212

CHAPTER XI.--Montañez Viceroy--Spiritual Conquest of
California--Valladares Viceroy--Fair at Acapulco--Spanish
monarchy--Austria--Bourbon--Montañez Viceroy--Jesuits in
California--La Cueva Viceroy--Duke de Linares Viceroy--British
slavery treaty--Colonization--Nuevo Leon--Texas--Operations in
Texas--Alarcon--Aguayo--Casa-Fuerte's virtuous administration--
Louis I.--Oriental trade--Spanish jealousy--The King's opinion
of Casa-Fuerte--his acts, 221

CHAPTER XII.--Vizarron and Eguiarreta Viceroy--Eventless
government--Salazar Viceroy--Colonial fears--Fuen-Clara
Viceroy--Galeon lost--Mexico under Revilla-Gigedo I.--Ferdinand
VI.--Indians--Taxes--Colonies in the north--Famine--Mines at
Bolaños--Horcasitas--Character of Revilla-Gigedo--Villalon
Viceroy--Charles III.--Cagigal Viceroy, 232

CHAPTER XIII.--Marques de Cruillas Viceroy--Charles III.
proclaimed--Havana taken by the British--Military preparations--
Peace--Pestilence--Galvez Visitador--Reforms--Tobacco
monopoly--De Croix Viceroy--The Jesuits--their expulsion from
Spanish dominions--their arrival in Europe--banished--Causes of
this conduct to the order--Origin of the military character of
Mexico, 240

CHAPTER XIV.--Bucareli y Ursua Viceroy--Progress of New Spain--
Gold placers in Sonora--Mineral wealth at that period--
Intellectual condition of the country--Line of Presidios--Mayorga
Viceroy--Policy of Spain to England and her colonies--Operations
on the Spanish Main, &c.--Matias Galvez Viceroy--his acts, 248

CHAPTER XV.--Bernardo de Galvez Viceroy--Chapultepec--Galvez
dies--his daughter--Haro Viceroy--Corruption of Alcaldes--Flores
Viceroy--his system of ruling the northern frontier--Mining
interests--II. Revilla-Gigedo Viceroy--Charles IV.--
Revilla-Gigedo's colonial improvements--his advice as to
California Anecdotes of his police regulations--The street of
Revilla-Gigedo--Arrest of fugitive lovers--Punishes the culprits, 255

CHAPTER XVI.--Branciforte Viceroy--his grasping and avaricious
character--Corruption tolerated--Persecution of Frenchmen--
Encampments--Branciforte's character--Azanza Viceroy--Effect of
European wars on colonial trade and manufactures--Threatened
revolt--Marquina Viceroy--Revolt in Jalisco--Iturrigaray
Viceroy--Godoy's corruption--War--Defences against the United
States--Miranda--Humboldt--Mexico
taxed for European wars--Ferdinand VII.--Napoleon in Spain--King
Joseph Bonaparte--Iturrigaray arrested--Garibay Viceroy, 267

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.--Lianza Viceroy--Audiencia--Venegas Viceroy--True
sources of the Revolution--Creoles loyal to Ferdinand--Spaniards
in favor of King Joseph--Mexican subscriptions for Spain--Secret
union in Mexico against Spaniards--Hidalgo--Allende--First
outbreak--Guanajuato sacked--Las Cruces--Mexico menaced--Indian
bravery at Aculco--Marfil--Massacre at Guanajuato--Calleja--
Insurgents defeated--Execution of Hidalgo, 279

CHAPTER II.--Venegas Viceroy--Rayon--Junta in 1811--its
willingness to receive Ferdinand VII.--Proclamation by the
Junta--Morelos--Acapulco taken--Successes of the insurgents--
Siege of Cuautla--Izucar--Orizaba--Oaxaca--Chilpanzingo--Calleja
Viceroy--Iturbide--Reverses of insurgents--Morelos shot, 287

CHAPTER III.--Apodaca Viceroy--Spanish constitution of 1812
proclaimed in Mexico--Condition of the revolutionary party--
Victoria--Mina lands at Soto la Marina--his efforts--Los
Remedios--Guerrillas--he is shot--Padre Torres--Iturbide--
Apodaca selects him to establish absolutism--Iturbide
promulgates the Plan of Iguala--Army of the Three Guaranties, 293

CHAPTER IV.--O'Donoju Viceroy--Conduct of Iturbide--Novella--
Revolt--Treaty of Cordova--First Mexican Cortes--Iturbide
Emperor--his career--exiled to Italy--Iturbide returns--
arrest--execution--his character and services, 301

CHAPTER V.--Review of the condition of Mexico and the formation
of parties--Viceroyal government--The people--The army--The
church--Constitution of 1824--Echavari revolts--Victoria
President--Escocesses--Yorkinos--Revolts continued--Montayno--
Guerrero--Gomez Pedraza President--is overthrown--Federalists--
Centralists--Guerrero President--Abolition of Slavery in Mexico, 307

CHAPTER VI.--Conspiracy against Guerrero by Bustamante--Guerrero
betrayed and shot--Anecdote--Revolt under Santa Anna--he
restores Pedraza and becomes President--Gomez Farias deposed--
Church--Central Constitution of 1836--Santa Anna--his Texan
disgrace--Mexia--Bustamante President--French at Vera Cruz Revolts
in the north and in the capital--Bustamante deposed--Santa Anna
President, 316

CHAPTER VII.--Reconquest of Texas proposed--Canalizo President
ad interim--Revolution under Paredes in 1844--Santa Anna falls--
Herrera President--Texan revolt--Origin of war with the United
States--Texan war for the Constitution of 1824--Nationality
recognized--Annexation to the United States--Proposition to
Mexico--Herrera overthrown--Paredes President--Our minister
rejected--Character of General Paredes, 326

CHAPTER VIII.--General Taylor ordered to the Rio Grande--History
of Texan boundaries--Origin of the war--Military preparations--
Commencement of hostilities--Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca--
Matamoros--Taylor's advance--Fall of Monterey, 334

CHAPTER IX.--General Wool inspects and musters the western
troops--Army of the Centre--New Mexico--Kearney--Macnamara--
California--Frémont--Sonoma--Californian independence--
Possession taken--Sloat--Stockton--A revolt--Pico--Treaty of
Couenga--Kearney at San Pascual--is relieved--Disputes--San
Gabrielle--Mesa--Los Angeles--Frémont's character, services,
trial, 342

CHAPTER X.--Valley of the Rio Grande--Santa Anna at San
Luis--Scott commander-in-chief--Plan of attack on the east
coast--General Scott's plan--Doniphan's expedition--Bracito--
Sacramento--Revolt in New Mexico--Murder of Richie--Selection
of battle ground--Description of it--Battle of Angostura or
Buena Vista--Mexican retreat--Tabasco--Tampico, 350

CHAPTER XI.--Santa Anna's return--changes his principles--Salas
executive--Constitution of 1824 restored--Paredes--Plans of
Salas and Santa Anna--his letter to Almonte--his views of the
war--refuses the Dictatorship--commands the army--State of
parties in Mexico--Puros--Moderados--Santa Anna at San
Luis--Peace propositions--Internal troubles--Farias's
controversy with the church--Polko revolution in the capital--
Vice Presidency suppressed--Important decree, 358

CHAPTER XII.--General Scott at Lobos--Landing at and siege of
Vera Cruz--Capitulation and condition of Vera Cruz--Condition
of Mexico--Alvarado, etc., captured--Scott's advance--
Description of Cerra Gordo--Mexican defences and military
disposal there--Battle of Cerro Gordo--Peroté and Puebla
yield--Santa Anna returns--Constitution of 1824 readopted--
Mexican politics of the day--War spirit--Guerillas--Peace
negotiations--Santa Anna's secret negotiations, 370

CHAPTER XIII.--Scott at Puebla--Tampico and Orizaba taken--
Scott's advance--Topography of the Valley of Mexico--Routes to
the capital--El Peñon--Mexicalzingo--Tezcoco--Chalco--Outer and
inner lines around the city--Scott's advance by Chalco--The
American army at San Augustin, 381

CHAPTER XIV.--Difficulties of the advance--The Pedregal--San
Antonio--Hacienda--Relative position of American and Mexican
armies--Path over the Pedregal to Contreras--Valencia
disconcerts Santa Anna's plan of battle--American advance and
victory at Contreras--San Antonio turned by Worth--Battle of
Churubusco--Battle at the Convent and Tete de Pont--Their
capture, 391

CHAPTER XV.--Why the city was not entered on the 20th--Condition
of the city--Deliberation of the Mexican cabinet and
proposals--Reasons why General Scott proposed and granted the
armistice--Deliberations of commissioners--Parties against
Santa Anna--Failure of the negotiation--Mexican desire to
destroy Santa Anna, 400

CHAPTER XVI.--Military position of the Americans at the end of
the armistice--Mexican defences--Plan of attack--Reconnoissances
of Scott and Mason--Importance of Mexican position at Molino del
Rey--Scott's scheme of capturing the city--Battle of Molino del
Rey--Reflections and criticism on this battle--Preparations to
attack Chapultepec--Storming of Chapultepec and of the city Gates
of San Cosmé and Belen--Retreat of the Mexican army and
government--American occupation of the city of Mexico, 408

CHAPTER XVII.--Attack of the city mob on the army--Quitman
Governor--Peña President--Congress ordered--Siege of Puebla--
Lane's, Lally's, and Childs's victories--Guerrilleros broken
up--Mexican politics--Anaya President--Peace negotiations--
Scott's decree--Peña President--Santa Anna and Lane--Santa
Anna leaves Mexico for Jamaica--Treaty entered into--Its
character--Santa Cruz de Rosales--Court of Inquiry--Internal
troubles--Ambassadors at Querétaro--Treaty ratified--
Evacuation--Revolutionary attempts--Condition of Mexico since
the war--Character of Santa Anna--Note on the military critics, 420

BOOK I.

HISTORY OF THE
CONQUEST OF MEXICO BY CORTÉZ,
WITH A SKETCH OF AZTEC CIVILIZATION
1511-1530.