ORIGIN OF



TEP



  The government of Mexico, when the Npania
arrived amongst them, was mon)archical ; but it is s,
formerly to have been a republic: frequent factih
havina endangered the state, it was changed into
elective monarchy. At first, their kinas were elect
by the whole community; afterwards the elective pox
was assumed, exclusively, by the kings of of Zacuba a
Tezuco, and four princes of the blood. The monai
was always chosen from the roval family. Before
kiug, who had been elect d, could be crowned, lie v
obliged to go on an expedition ag ai I st some neighbor]
nation. At his return, ble was met by his nobles,
ministers of state, and chief priestsi He was conduc



to the templ
with the im
a golden s"x
king of T ez
on his head
of the peopl



e of
peri
tord



Mu



th
al
0
I'



CO, fit
one c
, CODn(



C ~crod of w
robes. Ih
in his let
rst elector
)f the prin
rratiulated



ar. There he 1
i his right hand
t a bow and ar
of the empire, si
cipal ministers,
him upon his



h



ro
et
ill
C



rds
aid
HnS
an
ied
ver
nid
rch
the
v as
ing
the
ted



is invested
e received
Ws. The
the crown
the name
rcession to



the crown, and instructed him in the duties which his
new dignity enforced upon him.
  The king lived in areat magnificence and splendour.
He ate alone but had always 200 dishes at his table; he



was waited on by his priiicipal nobility; and
them he distributed the dishes, after he had I
them what he wanted. He frequently drank
golden goblet; a privilege denied to his greatest
  Justice was administered by proper courts, an
appointed in every city and province; but from
appeal could be made to the supreme tribnnal, in



which consiosted of twelve judges.
to every court of judicature in the
council of state, composed of the
empire, and generally held in the e
and without consulting this council,
on any measure of importance. Tre



among
taken of
out of a
vassals.
d judges
them an
Mexico,



Superior, however,
kingdom, was the
six electors of the
,rmperor's presence;
he seldom resolved
ason, murder, soda-



my, and adultery, to which some add robbery and theft,
were punished with death.



296



. .