A vivid description of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán is provided by Hernán Cortés in his letter “to Emperor Charles V” written at Segura de la Frontera in Mexico on October 30th, 1520. Cortés opens by showing his desire to continue sending letters about the glorious and vital territory of New Spain, representing how this land could be critical to the Spanish crown. He admits that it is difficult to provide a full account because his records and official documents were destroyed in a recent disaster.
The Conquistador recounts his earlier campaign, mentioning the cities and towns that surrendered to Charles V voluntarily or through conquest. He cites openly that “Cempoal” was named Sevilla and that goodwill prevailed with the indigenous peoples; he then adds his journey on meeting the great Lord “Muteczuma.” He talks about the tough mountain passes, how friendly the locals were to him, and all the clever strategies he used to maintain control. Even amidst all these challenges, including the treacherous plan by some Spaniards and the shipwrecking of ships to ensure no one could desert, Cortés is determined to reach “Muteczuma.”
In his approach to the capital of the Aztecs, Cortés highlights the mightiness of Tenochtitlán, which is located in the middle of Lake Texcoco. He emphasizes the architectural wonders, like the Templo Mayor, dedicated to Aztec gods and the use of causeways and canals connected to chinampas in urban developments. Cortés also notices the marketplaces (tianquiztli) and fancy paraphernalia of Aztec elites.
In the latter segments of his letter, Cortés elaborates upon the religious rituals, rites, and order in Tenochtitlán. He admits it is impossible to describe the city and its marvels fully. Cortés is aware of the possible doubt of readers, including witnesses to these events, from the absurdity of that account. Amid the struggles and frustrations, Cortés remains resilient in exploring and conquering the Aztec capital, symbolizing his commitment to furthering Spain’s interests. The letter gives a thorough and vivid narrative describing the magnificence or grandeur of the Aztec culture through that which Hernán Cortés saw at this time in history.
Cortès gives a detailed account of the complex political situation, including potential alliances and rivalries between neighboring areas. He voices suspicion of Muteczuma’s conduct, especially in Cholula, where treachery had been rumored. Even though diplomatic measures were taken to clarify Moteczuma’s intentions, Cortés became increasingly suspicious, and the capital garrison was attacked and faced dangerous situations. The Conquistador portrays the urgency of his mission as even the loss of lives (of men) and acquired riches, mainly gold, silver, and jewels.
And when Cortés draws near the besieged garrison in the capital, he paints a remarkable account of their difficult journey and heightens our sense of impending danger. The reader is drawn into the turmoil and uncertainty of the environment that awaited Spanish soldiers as they fought against time to help their comrades. The narratives told by the Conquistador highlight the anxiety, tension, and resolution that characterized this crucial stage of the conquest.
In the last paragraphs of his letter, Cortés portrays what happened immediately after arriving at the Aztec city. The situation was tough for the Conquistador, who had to protect his garrison from sieges and restore positive control over the increasingly rebellious city. Cortes places the emperor at the very edge of a defining stop, making way for what is to come following the conquest of Tenochtitlán.
We can conclude that Hernán Cortés’s second letter to Emperor Charles V is an exciting eyewitness account of Aztec capital conquest. Cortés uses descriptive language to make Tenochtitlán seem more accurate, as well as the obstacles and disloyalty he would experience. The letter is an exciting account of how the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztec civilization interacted, with a history that has plenty of detail in its content. The account of Cortes is a source that not only conveys but also draws the reader to the epic struggle between two worlds during the Age of Discovery.
Reference
Second Letter of Hernando Cortés to Charles V | Early Americas Digital Archive (EADA). (2002). Eada.lib.umd.edu. http://eada.lib.umd.edu/text-entries/second-letter-of-hernando-cortes-to-charles-v/
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