Pedro de Cieza de León

“ For at the time when the unfortunate Viceroy entered Peru, he found the minds of men, owing to their wealth, not only ready to protest against the laws, but to oppose them. Yet when the same tyrant’s proceedings had led them to disaster and misfortune, Gasca was able not only to enforce the laws but to enact others more heavy, and to carry out the will of the Emperor our lord who is now so powerful and so feared in these parts that his authority is not equalled in any other province in the world. ”

“ When the citizens of Lima heard the new laws proclaimed, they were much disturbed in their minds, and said one to another, “How is this? How can a Prince so very Christian as his Majesty seek to destroy us, when we have acquired this province at the cost of our property and the death of so many of our comrades. What will now become of our wives and children?” Many lost all feeling, and from that time looked upon themselves as bereft of Indians, and of all property. Being enraged they wrote letters to Gonzalo Pizarro, telling him what had taken place, and how the new laws had been proclaimed. ”

“ As there was not sufficient metal, a bell which was placed in the principal church by the Marquis Pizarro, for divine worship, and had pleasantly rung ever since it was founded, was taken away and made into arquebuses. Oh miserable land! Great must have been thy sins, that such evils should befall thee. Prosperous and in great majesty in times of peace, it seems to me that thou now sailest in tempestuous seas, and cruel fortune turns foul and furious winds against thee, leaving thee in the high seas. Few of thy sons will escape without colouring the sea with their blood. ”

“ It is easy to understand this, for letters had always passed between Lima and Cuzco, the messengers going and coming. The news was now certain. They said joyfully among themselves, as it is reported, “Have you by chance not heard the good news?” “Well, Gonzalo Pizarro is nominated Procurator to come against this audacious man, the Viceroy!” Others, when they heard it, shrugged their shoulders and pressed their hands, unable to repress the laugh that came from their mouths. In short, great was the rejoicing among all the people. ”

“ O that thy divine goodness had left Vaca de Castro among the snows{28} of Pariacaca never to appear again, that the Viceroy had fallen so ill at Truxillo, where he then was, that it might have been his end, instead of finding it with disgrace in Quito, and that another pit had opened for Gonzalo Pizarro and Carbajal, like the one at Rome. Wanting these leaders the miserable country might not have suffered such evils, and the sorrowful fields of Salinas and Chupas might have sufficed. ”

“ Gonzalo Pizarro sent the news of his victory to all the cities in Peru, and Captain Alarcon brought the glad tidings to Hinojosa at Panama in a ship. Pizarro trusted Hinojosa fully, as he owed everything to his benefactor. Hinojosa’s treason was the cause of Pizarro’s fall. Alarcon brought back Gonzalo Pizarro’s son, and Vela Nuñez, the Viceroy’s brother: who received full pardon and went with Pizarro to Lima. Gonzalo Pizarro was now at the height of his power. Always just and inclined to mercy, he never put anyone to death without trial. ”

“ The first was Martin Monje who followed the war for a long time, and is now a citizen of the town of Plata. The soldiers joined Pizarro because they delighted in war and hated peace; for in war time they could rob at their wills, and use their neighbour’s property as their own. They all knew from their own experience that in changes some lost and others gained. In the absence of peace and tranquillity in the kingdom poor soldiers might become prosperous citizens, and knights with great estates might become poor, and even lose their lives which is worse. ”

“ At this the Inca was undecided, fearing that it might be a plot to kill him and his Indians, but that I would counsel him and that he would trust me. I said that not only could he trust the word of the Judge in going to Chuquichaca, but that he might trust it in going to Cuzco. If he brought a hundred men with him it would not be for offence but for service. All those he brought with him would come as friends. If the King of Spain wished to conquer him, not all the Indians in the kingdom and 10,000 more could stand against his power. ”

“ For these reasons the people would not receive him in Cuzco, Arequipa, Huanuco, Chachapoyas, Charcas and Quito. Many went to Cuzco with arms and horses, wishing to march against him to kill him or drive him out of the country, for they said that he was a man without justice, proud, very cruel, one who neither kept his word nor promise, and one in whom they could have no faith. ”

“ Almao answered: “Arise, for Bustillo has come bringing news and letters for you, for they want to cut off your head.” Thinking that he spoke of Vaca de Castro, Gonzalo Pizarro replied: “I will cut off his first, I swear by our Lady.” Then he got out of bed without asking any more questions and, before the dawn appeared, he galloped off to the town of Chaqui, where he found the messenger. Taking the despatches he was reading them all that day, until midnight; and when he knew the provisions of the new laws he was much agitated. ”

“ It is as well known to you as it is to me that it is the will of his Majesty that the ordinances shall be complied with and enforced in all these kingdoms. If you should make any changes, or order anything contrary to the wish of your prince, no doubt you will be looked upon as well informed and wise men by those of Peru who have armed themselves to defend their properties. But it is his Majesty the Emperor who, in this case, must be served, and without fear. We should take up arms and be ready to march against the rebels. Do not think that it is not seen what these people desire. ”

“ The simple people of all nations, when they saw the mandate of the Roman Senate, and that Pompey was appointed as Captain-General to defend the republic, easily came to the conclusion that Pompey was fighting solely for the public good, which, God knows, would be that he who conquered might do as he pleased.
Thus, in the kingdom of Peru the news spread that those of the municipality and the other citizens had nominated Gonzalo Pizarro as Procurator. Believing that his only object was their good, they rejoiced and gave assistance. ”

“ The cruel fire was breaking out in all directions and the Devil, enemy of the human race, rejoiced at the cruel war that was waged among the Spaniards, and at the cruelty with which fathers killed their sons and sons killed their own fathers, and that there was perturbation among them all. So he put the desire into the mind of the King Manco Inca to march against the city of Cuzco and destroy it, for it was reported to him that there were few Spaniards there, as most of them had gone to Lima with Gonzalo Pizarro. ”

“ It is very certain that when there are grievances leading to war, and the first impetuous fury that gave rise to it has passed, reason resumes its sway with some who begin to see the error they are committing. Many who had joined Gonzalo Pizarro now began to receive this impression, and hesitated to march with arms against the Viceroy. ”

“ One thing I wish to affirm, that the citizens of Cuzco, as well as those of Lima, merely desired nor had they any other wish than that his Majesty the King our Lord should suspend the new laws because much evil would arise from their enforcement. When they chose Pizarro as Procurator, they nominated three or four conquerors to accompany him with his petition but these, being sheep, had chosen a wolf for their guard.
Those who have made kings out of tyrants have always done harm to republics. ”

“ For if the ordinances were hastily enforced it might cause great evils. In this country the Spaniards are not of low degree, but all consider themselves great lords of noble parentage, and would be ready to die rather than submit to the new laws, nor would dissensions and wars be wanting, the discontent being so great.”
When Contreras said this, the Viceroy replied: “If on all sides the evil is preferred to the good, and tyranny comes before loyalty, and if the King has no more part in these realms than those who are here like to give him, I can believe that what you say is correct. ”

“ It seems to me that Vela Nuñez has fortunately escaped. What think you of the treachery of Gonzalo Diaz? Yesterday I sent letters to the principal men of Cuzco who come as fugitives by way of Arequipa and will be here shortly. I believe that there is want of agreement in the camp of Pizarro, many regretting the course they have taken and desiring pardon. But when those traitors approach we must show no want of firmness. It is important that we all should animate the soldiers, remembering also that with the captains lies the greater force in war. Do not be too much depressed by the bad news. ”

“ There were letters saying that the chiefs of Xauxa and of the whole kingdom were arrested, and that the municipalities of Cuzco and Guamanga wished to make war.
The Inca and his captains received the news bravely. The Inca rose up and declared that they were not afraid of the Spaniards. He said, before his assembly, all he could think of in abuse of the Spaniards and in praise of his Indians. Then all the Indians arose and began to worship, and those Indian captains began to make offerings, each one for himself, with daggers of bronze or iron in their hands. ”

“ For when murmurs and discontents are converted into wars it is better to follow a daring soldier than a noted scholar, for they say that to gild a mistake they make a hundred.
Vaca de Castro considered that if he entered Lima accompanied by artillery, arms, and arquebuses it would look bad and give rise to a doubt of his loyalty; while if he entered privately the Viceroy might ill use him, without regarding what was due to his position, nor considering his services to the King, for it was notorious that the Viceroy{26} was coming with a prejudice against him. ”

“ The Viceroy had received news of what was passing in Peru, of the great number of people in that kingdom, of the proceedings of the Governor Vaca de Castro, and that there were many charges for artillery and arquebuses and much gunpowder in the cities of Lima and Cuzco. He was strongly advised to enter Peru quietly and with consideration, for if he came in another way there would be a rebellion against him. For besides the arms and people actually in the country, more came every day, and are now coming. ”

“ As a man arrived from Spain in this new kingdom, he had not known who to trust. The Captain Don Alonso answered, that for his part he would die in the service of the Viceroy, and all the captains said the same, showing a strong desire to serve{100} him. There then began the beating of drums, displaying of colours, and enlisting of men. Don Antonio de Ribera, Alonso Palomino and other citizens sent news of all this to Gonzalo Pizarro, putting their letters in very small calabashes, that they might not be seen by anyone. ”

“ We cannot deny that Vaca de Castro was a distinguished statesman and, barring his avarice, he truly governed the kingdom with prudence. Although he had dismissed his forces, and only came accompanied by some knights who were citizens of Cuzco, he consulted with them as to the way in which he should enter the city. He knew that the municipality had acknowledged the Viceroy only on the strength of the copy of a despatch, and he desired they themselves should receive his resignation, so that he might answer the Viceroy. ”

“ Finding all quiet in Peru, and himself popular, while Tierra Firme was in his hands, for he was ignorant of the treason there, his Council advised Gonzalo Pizarro to become King by an Act similar to that made at Avila by Alonso, in the time of his brother Henry IV, to be approved by all the citizens and principal persons in Peru. Carbajal, who was at Cuzco, was ordered to Lima. Meanwhile the Licentiates Cepeda and Carbajal, and Juan de Acosta a great favourite of Gonzalo, tried to persuade Gonzalo that the Camp Master was a traitor and advised Gonzalo to kill him. ”

“ THERE was no less commotion in Tierra Firme than in Peru on hearing that the Viceroy intended to enforce the ordinances and to hold the kingdom under a rule of such right and justice that no one should live in licentiousness, as had hitherto been the case. Rodrigo de Contreras, who had been Governor of Nicaragua, was at that time in Panama. ”

“ Those who do escape will be left saddened, sombre, altered, thoughtful, and I see them walking deaf to all around. In Cuzco they are arming, in Lima they pull down the bell to make arms. In all the province they think of nothing but the search for arms and armour, that the time of trouble may come more quickly.
The Father Losa, who, as we have already said, left Lima with the Bishop, went as far as the bridge of Abancay, where Francisco de Almendras was stationed with the artillery. Thence he was allowed to go on to Pizarro’s camp, and was well received by him and his captains. ”

“ Diego Centeno was a native of Ciudad Rodrigo. He came to Peru with Alvarado in 1534, and was at the battle of Salinas on the side of the Pizarros. He was also at Chupas. He then settled at Chuquisaca, and when the news of the new laws arrived, he and Hinojosa were appointed Procurators by the citizens. He seems to have wavered for some time, but eventually took up arms against Gonzalo Pizarro in Charcas. Old Carbajal went against him, defeated him, and hunted him until he was obliged to hide in a cave for nearly a year. He then collected forces again, surprised Cuzco, and marched southward. ”

“ If we advance to battle, for which there is no excuse, and we are defeated, few of us will remain alive, and all without our Indians and without hope of mercy.{121} And if Gonzalo Pizarro and we succeed, so many evils will spring up, that we shall be consumed in the wars.” The soldiers did not cease to talk, looking upon themselves as ignorant in being moved by the citizens to make war against the King. ”

“ Those who suffer most, as it seems to me, are your Majesty and the natives. I, therefore, entreat your Majesty, for the love of Jesus Christ, that you will have pity on them, and send peace without delay, for all is in your Majesty’s hands, and the necessity is urgent in the extreme. Do not permit this land to be lost, and the natives to be destroyed, for now they are beginning to understand our laws and to avail themselves of the things appertaining to our holy catholic faith. ”