Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/576

570 words:—"Sir, I have done what becomes a monarch to do. I have defended my country and my people to the last extremity, and nothing now remains but to die (at the same time placing his hand on Cortez's dagger). Take this dagger and place it in my breast, and put an end to a life which no longer can be of any use to myself or to my beloved people. My race is run, my country and people are forever ruined."

Afterwards Guatamzin was taken to Cuyoacan and tortured until he was nearly dead. All done by a class of people who called themselves Christians. God spare us from such disciples.

The defeat and sad misfortune to the Mexican rulers so demoralized and disheartened the Aztec nation that they never attempted to defend their country against the Spaniards, or to dislodge or drive the invaders from their soil, and were compelled to be ruled by the Spanish yoke and government until February 24, 1821, when it succeeded in declaring its first independence.

Conqueror Cortez was a bold, fearless, ardent and spirited man; thirsting for blood, fame, gold, plundering and burning towns and cities. Exercised vast cruelties upon the poor and unfortunate natives; in fact, too horrible to recite them.

Fernando Cortez, for conquering the republic of Mexico and plundering nearly its whole dominion, was endowed by Charles V, who at that time was king of Spain, with many rich honors for his great services in Mexico. He was lionized, feasted and received with great applause wherever he went, which was continued as long as he lived.

It is said that during the Spanish rule in Mexico they had killed over four millions of people, besides as many more ruined and crippled for life. They were, no doubt, fierce, marauding people, who lived by massacring and pillaging the Aztecs—all done to convert the Aztec people to the Catholic faith; but they acted more like fiends of the worst kind than Christians.