Download Dueling Documents How Did Spaniards and Aztecs Remember First

Dueling Documents
How Did Spaniards and Aztecs Remember First Contact?
In 1519 Spaniards that were under the command of Hernan Cortés made the first encounter
with ambassadors of the Emperor Moctezuma. The events of the first meeting were written down
by men from the Spanish and Mexican sides. The Spanish version of the happenings was written
by conquistador Bernal Díaz, one of Cortés’s lieutenants, in 1560. On behalf of the Mexican
version missionary Fray Bernardino de Sahagún compiled information form indigenous
informants in 1540. After reading both men’s description of the fateful meeting, they seem to
have completely different views on how things went.
In Bernal Díaz’s interpretation of the meeting he states the Indians gave many regards of
respect and welcomed Cortés. He also stated they were sent by their lord, a servant of
Moctezuma, to speak to their captain to find out what kind of men they were and what they were
searching for. Cortés’s response was that his arrival was a fortunate one. They were only there
for trade and to see the natives.
Díaz makes an account that several days after this first meeting one of Moctezuma’s
emissaries brought painters to the ships to paint true pictures of Cortés, captains, his soldiers,
ships, sails, horses, cannons, cannon balls, and even the dogs. Cortés became uneasy with the
trickery of the painters making an accurate account of all that they had there and fired cannons in
the air. Díaz tone is of deception and portrays the Spaniards’ kindness being repaid with malice
from the Aztec’s
In the document written by missionary Bernardino de Sahagún the Aztecs humbly requested
to attend the captain’s ship. After they were welcomed onboard the Aztecs began adorning the
captain with gold, stones, and shells. Sahagún claims the captain responded by ordering the
Aztecs to be tied up with shackles of iron on their feet and necks. While the messengers were
tied up Cortés shot off the cannons scaring them so bad they fainted.
The men were then released after being tortured and gave their accounts to Moteucc̹ oma.
These reports made Moteucc̹ oma greatly afraid. The food the Spaniards ate, the sound of the
thunderous guns, the size of their deer they rode, and the iron enclosed bodies of the men
disturbed Moteucc̹ oma. The tone of the Aztec’s were of fear and worry.
Even though both documents did get a vague intention across the grammar portrayed was a
little hard to read (maybe due to the translation of the different languages). I feel Bernal Diaz
made the encounter sound somewhat peaceful with the sly trickery of the Aztec’s. He made it
sound like Cortés would cause them no harm, which they were just there for business and
curiosity. On the other hand that the Aztec’s were there to gain attack style strategies by making
an account of everyone and everything that was there. In the document written by the missionary
Bernardino de Sahagún he had more descriptive scenes and his interpretation of the meeting was
more aggressive on the Spaniard’s side. After the Aztec’s gave gold and gifts they were tortured
and tied up.
In conclusion, I have made the opinion there are two sides of every story. Whatever side
you’re on is the peaceful, respectful, and no harm done way; whatever side you’re against is the
evil, destructive, harmful way.
During the American Revolutionary War dueling documents between husband and wife were
recorded; “Abigail and John Adams spar on women’s rights and the American Revolution.”
These two documents were letters written to each other Abigail Adams writing her first one on
March 31, 1776 and her second May 7, 1776 while she was taking care of their family farm in
Braintree, Massachusetts. John Adams wrote a reply to Abigail’s first letter on April 14, 1776
while he was running the war as a delegate to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.
In Abigail’s letter she asking how the war is going, why John’s letters are not as long as her
letters, and a suggestion for future politics for particular people. In her concerns on the war she
asks about where the fleet has traveled, defense maneuvers Virginia has, and the general worries
of the common people. She also states her wanting of the announcement of the declaration of
independence and that when this occurs they should “remember the Ladies.” She feels that it is
time for the men in the country to give up there cruel title of Master and be more of a friend.
Abigail’s voice is loving yet firm. I feel she makes a clear and thorough request of fairness to
women. She respects her husband fighting for the independence but would like to see women
have more of a voice in their government since they too have played such a pivotal role in
creating the country. She expresses her firmness by suggestion if this issue is to remain with no
attention they too (women) shall form a rebellion. She also displays her aversion of the treatment
of women. She would like to change the customs of all ages of women being treated as vassals to
being under the “Men of Sense” protection. She is calling the men to use their fake “Supreem
Being” to use their power for it not nothing but for the happiness of ladies of the nation.
In response to Abigail’s letter John gives her answers for her questions. John apologizes for
the shortness of his letters and should be excused due to the seriousness his situation is in
running a war. He also explains on the tactical able defensive Virginia has. Hi response of the
people he claims the Gentry are rich and the common people are poor.
In regards of the fairness of women, he replies with laughter. He compares allowing women
representation to the struggles that were found elsewhere when the strict powers of Masters were
loosened on their subordinates. He claims that it does not work and only complete chaos is
emerged. John clearly states that men only have the “Name of Masters” and if women were to
rebel for them to give that up, he would hope that all would fight along with George Washington
against this.
Abigail responded to John’s response and her tone is sad and sends him a warning. She feels
his actions to ensue “peace and good will to men” and the freedom of all nations is
condescending with the total power that will remain on the women. She states that the women of
the nation will be able to free themselves without valance and their due justice will soon be
handed to them.
The two documents were well written and easy to understand. It almost feels like you were
there having a Sunday conversation.
America was at civil war within her states between 1861 and 1865. During this time there
were two dueling documents recorded and recovered, “Invaders and Defenders”. Each one was
from a person involved from the conflicting sides of the war. One of the documents was a letter
written by William G. Christie, a Union soldier, to his brother on July 16, 1862. The opposing
side was from the diary of a devout Confederate, Nancy Emerson, on the accounts of what she
saw happening where she lived in Augusta County, Virginia during the civil war.
In the letter written by Union soldier from Minnesota, William Christie, he write to pass his
days and let his brother know he is still alive. He describes the city to which he is stationed in as
being once a handsome place before the war but since war has changed its appearance. Christie
expresses his disdain with the Rebels claiming they have destroyed the city and is now filthy and
odorous. He emphasizes this contempt when he describes while traveling through the country
where both troops are camped, you can tell which side is at what camp due to their distinctive
smell, (rebels being the worst).
Christie also goes into how tedious the days are with the sounds of the same drums and flutes
over and over. He has some despair in his tone with all the death and hot weather surrounding
him. He asks in his letter if this war is too much for the Nation to bear. He ends his letter by
telling his brother although he is nothing but skin and bones he is still alive and well.
I feel Christie gets his point across well to his brother. He is explaining of his mundane
routines and the ghastly surroundings. His last line was especially profound; “Read, forgive, and
Remember me to all.”
In the Diary excerpts from Nancy Emerson she is explain how the rush of Union soldiers in
her county affected her and her neighbors. One can tell by her writings that she thinks of the
Union soldiers being arrogant and feel superior to the Confederates. In her passage thinking of
the Union “…what they think of us, whether they set us down as incorrigible rebels against “the
best army in the world,” shows her feelings of arrogance to the Union. She claims the war to be
unjust and abominable.
Emerson also writes of the Union soldiers marching into town and first asking for food and
drink and then later taking everything they possibly can. She claims at her neighbors houses the
soldiers took all of their food, towels, sheets, ladies stockings, horses, money, dishes, and even a
couple of their negro men. Christie also explains as these men were being taken away one was
seen crying.
The tone of Nancy Emerson writings is very strong that she is angry with the Union. Her
abbreviated and chaotic writing clearly shows her disgust with the soldier’s actions. She does get
her view across with the disregard the soldier’s displayed with her and her neighbors belongings
and their wellbeing.