ABSTRACT
Hernando Cortes had practical acquaintance with the incompetence of the first of the cavaliers for so delicate a post, during his short but disastrous rule in Mexico. He had for some time meditated an expedition to reconnoitre the capital and its environs, and to chastise, on the way, certain places which had sent him insulting messages of defiance and which were particularly active in their hostilities. It was the general's purpose to march at once on Tacuba and establish his quarters in that ancient capital for the present. Cortes led his troops without further opposition into the suburbs of Tacuba, the ancient Tlacopan, where he established himself for the night. Sandoval took up his quarters in the dwelling of the lord of the place, surrounded by gardens which rivalled those of Iztapalapan in magnificence and surpassed them in extent. The Mexicans had received reinforcement from the city.
