258 THE AGE OF HAPSBURG ASCENDENCY but they sought to extend their rule not as destroyers but as benefactors. Wherever they went they brought with them a highly organised system of government; and they imposed their own rule as that of a superior race, the children of the Sun, a caste who reserved to themselves knowledge and authority, but used it for the benefit of their subjects — a claim which their subjects found to be entirely warranted. The natives whom the Spaniards found in the islands and on their first visits to the mainland were exceedingly primitive, 2. Spanish Dut tnev heard rumours of nations of a different Conquests. sort dwelling inland. The Spanish governor, Diego Velasquez, despatched an expedition to Mexico under Fernando . Cortes. The party of four hundred Europeans accompanied by half that number of natives had with them a few horses and a few guns, horses and guns being alike unknown in America. The fame of the Spaniards went before them. The ruler of Mexico was Montezuma n., who sent envoys to meet the strangers. Cortes announced that he had come from a great monarch in the east to visit the Emperor of Mexico, and desired permission to do so. Montezuma sent him presents, but forbade him to visit the capital. Nevertheless, Cortes advanced. Some resistance was offered by intervening tribes, but the superiority of the Spanish arms was demonstrated at once. Cortes went on his way, and Montezuma did not venture to resist his entry into the city of Mexico. The king professed to welcome the strangers, and while refusing to adopt Christianity offered homage and tribute to the great eastern monarch whose servant Cortes declared himself to be. Evidence, however, that he was meditating treachery warranted Cortes in assuming control of the king's Cortes and person. In the temporary absence of Cortes his Montezuma, lieutenant Alverado, believing that the Mexicans were about to attack the Spaniards in the course of a great native festival, chose to strike first and attack the natives him- self. The result was that Cortes on his return found the position of the Spaniards to be extremely dangerous. He compelled Montezuma to show himself to the populace, and proclaim his favour towards the Spaniards ; but this only turned
