rather, they tried to explain all on this supposition, and
the result is the confused and contradictory accounts given of these
officials and divisions of the people. But every thing tending to add
glory to the "Empire of Montezuma" was caught up and dilated upon. And
so have come down to us the commonly accepted ideas of the government of
the ancient Mexicans.

That these views are altogether erroneous is no longer doubted by some
of the very best American scholars. The organization set forth in this
chapter is one not only in accord with the results obtained by the
latest research in the field of ancient society, but a careful
reading of the accounts of the Spanish writers leads to the same
conclusions.<21> In view of these now admitted facts, it seems to us
useless to longer speak of the government of the Mexicans as that of an
empire.

We have as yet said nothing of the league or confederacy of the three
tribes of Mexico, Tezcuco, and Tlacopan; nor is it necessary to dwell
at any great length on this confederacy now. They were perfectly
independent of each other as regards tribal affairs; and for the purpose
of government, were organized in exactly the same way as were the
Mexicans. The stories told of the glories, the riches, and power of the
kings of Tezcuco, if any thing, outrank those of Mexico. We may dismiss
them as utterly unreliable. Tribal organization resting on phratries and
gentes, and the consequent government by the council of the tribe was
all the Spaniards found. These three tribes, speaking dialects of the
same stock language, inhabiting contiguous territory, formed a league
for offensive and defensive purposes. The commander-in-chief of the
forces raised for this purpose was the "Chief-of-men" of the Mexicans.

We have confined our researches to the Mexicans. Mr. Bandelier, speaking
of the tribes of Mexico, remarks: "There is no need of proving the fact
that the several tribes of the valley had identical customs, and that
their institutions had reached about the same degree of development."
Or if such proofs were needed, Mr. Bancroft has furnished them. So
that this state of society being proven among the Mexicans, it may be
considered as established among the Nahua tribes. Neither is there any
necessity of showing that substantially the same state of government
existed among the Mayas of Yucatan. This is shown by their architecture,
by their early traditions, and by many statements in the writi