You know that I abhor, as much as you do, the cruel massacre at the temple.

My sympathies were with your people, while struggling to throw off the yoke that the Spaniards had imposed upon them; but I am white, like them.

I know that many among them are noble men, and that much of the harm they have committed has been done from conscientious motives; just as your people have, from a desire to please the gods, offered up thousands of human victims, every year.

Much as they love gold, many of them--and certainly Cortez among them--think more of spreading their religion than they do of personal ambition, or even of gain.
I have many acquaintances and some good friends, among them; and I cannot think of their being all destroyed, without regret and horror.

I do not say that you are not justified in killing all, for your existence as a nation is at stake; but to me, it is terrible." "I can understand that, my friend; but nothing can avert their destruction.
"Now, as to yourself.