Ixtlilxochitl states not wrongly that Tecocoltzin was chosen by general
request, but he adds that while the political horizon was so cloudy the
electors preferred that a legitimate heir like Ixtlilxochitl should not fill so
dangerous a position; nor did the latter care to rule while the elder brother
lived. Hist. Chich., 307; Hor. Crueldades, 11-13. Pretty good excuse for a
prince who forcibly wrested half the domain from Cacama. Brasseur de
Bourbourg assumes that he feared to be suspected of seeking a Spanish alliance
merely to obtain the crown. Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 409. But this design
he had long harbored, as even the abbé intimates at times. He no doubt
stood, with his strong character, as one of the powers behind the throne.
Cohuanacoch does not appear to have had much influence.
Solis takes this opportunity to elaborate a few of his specimen speeches.
Hist. Mex., ii. 315-16. ‘Fue el primero que en publico en Tezcuco se casò, y
velò.’ Vetancvrt, Teatro Mex., pt. iii. 152.
Bernal Diaz differs somewhat, and gives the proportion of forces, attended
also by Alvarado and Olid. Hist. Verdad., 121. The Tlascaltecs numbered
about 4000, and the Tezcucans, according to Ixtlilxochitl, from 4000 to 6000.