heir career of conquest, the Mexicans, supported by
allies, sought to extend their power. The result was that soon they had
subdued all of the Nahua tribes of the valley except one, that was
a tribe located at Tezcuco. This does not imply that they had become
masters of the territory of the valley. When a modern nation or state
conquers another, they often add that province to their original
domain, and extend over it their code of laws. This is the nature of
the conquests of ancient Rome. The territory of the conquered province
became part of the Roman Empire. They became subject to the laws of
Rome. Public, works were built under the direction of the conquerors,
and they were governed from Rome or by governors appointed from there.

Nothing of this kind is to be understood by a conquest by the Mexicans,
and it is necessary to understand this point clearly. When they
conquered a tribe, they neither acquired nor claimed any right to or
power over the territory of the tribe. They did not concern themselves
at all with the government of the tribe. In that respect the tribe
remained free and independent. No garrisons of troops were stationed in
their territory to keep them in subjection; no governors were appointed
to rule over them. What the Mexicans wanted was tribute, and in case
of war they could call on them for troops. Secure in their pueblo
surrounded by water, they could sally out on the less fortunate tribes
who chose to pay tribute rather than to be subject to such forays.

Instead of entering into a conflict with the tribe at Tezcuco, the
result of which might have been doubtful, a military confederacy was
formed, into which was admitted the larger part of the old Tecpanic
tribe that had their chief pueblo at Tlacopan. The definite plan of
this confederacy is unknown. Each of the three tribes was perfectly
independent in the management of its own affairs. Each tribe could make
war on its own account if it wished, but in case it did not feel strong
enough alone, it could call on the others for assistance. When the force
of the confederacy went out to war, the command was given to the war
chief of the Mexicans, the "Chief-of-men."

If a member of the confederacy succeeded in reducing by its own efforts
a tribe to tribute, it had the full benefit of such conquest. But when
the entire confederacy had been engaged in such conquest, the tribute
was divided into five parts, of which two went to Mexico, two to
Tezcuco