Chapter LIII (1)

_How the Viceroy, on receiving the news that Gonzalo Diaz had
deserted, was much enraged, and what else happened._

We have related how Vela Nuñez returned from the snowy mountains of Pariacaca in great consternation owing to the monstrous treason of Gonzalo Diaz, fearing that the traitor might overtake him and murder him. Having descended into the valley of Lima he reflected much within himself, concluding that the evils which were coming on the land, by reason of the wars, could not be slight. Certainly he would desire that the Viceroy could check the disturbances arising in all parts, from the time that he arrived in Peru, and even after the suspension of the ordinances. On the other hand the evil character of the people, and their bad faith, showed that, even if the ordinances had been suspended from the beginning, the disloyal movements would not have ceased, for so rich and prosperous a land could not remain at peace. These things and others Vela Nuñez said to me in the city of Cali, when I wished to inform myself respecting these events. So Vela Nuñez arrived at Lima in the night, and gave the Viceroy a detailed account of what had happened, including the great treason of Gonzalo Diaz, and how ill he had requited the honour the Viceroy had shown him.

The Viceroy was deeply moved and his countenance could not conceal the deep sorrow which filled his heart. He said--“This land is the Devil! Great are the evils which surround it! Never are those who live in it at peace one with another! If I had not seen it, I could not believe that without reason, without the fear of God, without truth, without shame they could thus abandon loyalty to their king! In whom can I put trust. Not in those I chose as captains, and to whom I showed so much honour. For they deny me and cease to be loyal, preferring to live as traitors.” Saying this he went about, trying to show that he was not disturbed by the desertion of Gonzalo Diaz, for he said that it was better to have traitors outside the city than inside.

Great was the excitement in the city of Lima when the flight of Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda was known. Though some felt regret, others rejoiced exceedingly, both citizens and soldiers, because it brought the time nearer when Gonzalo Pizarro would enter with his banners. They talked one with another, and showed their delight by their words, saying “Now Pizarro comes. This time he will be Governor, and we shall have no Judges, and no rules about our Indians, nor ordinances, and Blasco Nuñez Vela will go back to Spain.”

The Viceroy, after having been fully informed by his brother the general, called an assembly of the Judges, captains, and principal citizens, and as soon as they were all present, he said to them, “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. God our Lord often puts his hand in favour of causes that appear lost, and they are won.” The Viceroy having said these words to the assembly and made another speech to the captains, they all replied that they would carry out his orders.

It had been arranged that Diego Alvarez de Cueto, with a light body of horse, should go as far as Chincha on the coast, to meet Garcilasso de la Vega, Graviel de Rojas, and the others who were coming as fugitives from Cuzco. Although Captain Cueto got ready to start he did not go, having been ordered to remain for fear of desertions.

Soon afterwards there was a general review of the troops. The infantry mustered more than 500. Jeronimo de la Serna received the appointment of captain of the company of Gonzalo Diaz. This was a great grievance to Manuel de Estacio, ensign of that company, who had brought the banner to the great square. He said, now that Gonzalo Diaz was a traitor to his King in spite of the loyalty he owed to the Viceroy, he was the person entitled to succeed to the vacancy, for his services were not so small that he did not merit promotion. In a great rage he tore the banner, saying that the flag of a traitor had no place in a loyal camp. It was black with a red cross. So it was torn, and Gonzalo Diaz was declared a traitor publicly with the reason, and naming his parents and place of birth. The Viceroy said to Manuel de Estacio that he should not be aggrieved at Serna having been appointed captain, as he had enlisted more men; but Estacio still felt injured.

In the house of Illan Suarez de Carbajal there were many secret proceedings. One of his slaves had been sent with letters to the Licentiate Benito Suarez de Carbajal. But in sending the letters he did little contrary to his duty to the King our Lord, for after the death of the Licentiate Carbajal, I saw the letter in the city of Cuzco. It contained nothing but exhortations to the Licentiate to leave the company of Gonzalo Pizarro, and come to join the Viceroy and serve him.

LETTER

OF

FRIAR JUAN SOLANO, BISHOP OF CUZCO[59]

TO

THE KING

LIMA, _March 10th, 1545_.

I arrived in this kingdom, province of Peru, without waiting for the bulls, as your Majesty ordered, for by the provisions in my possession your Majesty orders me to occupy myself with the good treatment and conversion of the Indians, and in teaching them our holy catholic faith, bringing those who are warlike into the paths of peace. With this end and object I ventured to accept this office. It appears to me that I shall have great opportunities of usefulness, if the unsettled state of the land gives me a chance. As a servant of your Majesty I am bound to tell your Majesty the truth, without affection or passion, touching all that has been passing, and that I have seen in this land, from my landing until I reached the city of Lima, that your Majesty may apply the remedy that is needed, for the necessity is great.

I landed at Tumbez, which is a port in this land of Peru, 200 leagues from this city of Lima, arriving the last of the officials of your Majesty for I met with many hindrances, especially in the South Sea. As I came last, I had occasion to see all that had taken place along the road. As the Viceroy is such a zealous and fervent servant of your Majesty, as soon as he jumped on shore in this port of Tumbez, he put in force the ordinances and new laws which your Majesty gave for these kingdoms. Presently he gave freedom to all the Indians held to service by the Spaniards in Tumbez, telling them that, being free, they could go where they chose and act for themselves freely and according to their wishes. As regards all other provisions in the ordinances, the Viceroy went on executing them in accordance with your Majesty’s orders. With this liberty given to the Indians, I saw that those who had been taught our holy catholic faith and knew it, and were baptized Christians, having returned to their chiefs and their homes as before, also went back to their old rites and customs. Of this all the land is a witness. I also saw that in the houses of Christians and in the _tambos_ on the roads, where the Christian doctrine used to be taught every night, now there is no such custom because there is no one to teach, all having gone to their chiefs and their homes.

I arrived at the city of San Miguel, and I saw that in the church, where there used to be 40 little Indian boys serving and learning the things pertaining to the divine services, there did not remain more than two. All the rest had gone with their parents to the old homes, to live under their old laws and in blindness. I saw the same thing all the way to the city of Lima. I could only weep to see the Christians returning to be Infidels. For I know it is your Majesty’s wish that the Indians should become Christians and be taught the holy catholic faith, and not that they should abandon it. The reception their chiefs gave them was to sacrifice them because they were Christians and had served Christians. This was publicly stated on the roads. I am myself a witness as regards one chief, for I scolded him and he confessed that he had sacrificed a woman, and seeing this I could not but feel it much. For to have the Indians subject to our holy catholic faith, and gentle and domestic as regards our evangel and Christianity is not to deprive them of liberty, but rather to give them that liberty that _Christus liberavit nos_ not to make them slaves. They should be treated _non sicut servi sub lege sed sicut liberi sub gratia constituti_.

In the cities of San Miguel and Truxillo I saw the citizens much disturbed and rebellious, for they protested against the ordinances and laws, and their petitions were not agreed to; indeed they complained that the Viceroy had replied very harshly with menaces of their lives.

When I arrived at Lima my sorrow increased to find that all the labours of the past had only brought trouble all over the country and no peace. The Viceroy, on landing, at once began to enforce the laws and ordinances, refusing to concede anything to the supplications. The consequence was that the whole country rose when he reached Lima, where they received him very unwillingly. When the news came to Cuzco that he would consider no supplication, the people rose against the person of the Viceroy, and took up arms, saying that they would come to protest against the new laws, and they chose Gonzalo Pizarro for their captain. The Viceroy, knowing this, began to collect troops. When I arrived I saw that the troops were disorderly. Presently the Viceroy ordered 150,000 _castellanos_, which Vaca de Castro had on board ship for despatch to your Majesty, to be landed. He spent it all on his troops for hosen, doublets and other clothes. But though he paid them well, he did not gain the good will of fifty, as was seen afterwards. When the three Judges arrived, who had been left at Panama, they considered it advisable to suspend the new laws so as to quiet and pacify the land. But this did no good. It was too late. The people said that it should have been done before.

The people had no confidence whatever in the Viceroy, for he publicly talked of them as traitors and rebels, saying that when the country was at peace he would hang them by sixties and sixties until there was not a head left in the land. Hearing this, they were all afraid that he would do as he said, enforcing the new laws without listening to any supplication. In this your Majesty may believe that the fault was in the Viceroy, for he knew not how to keep anything secret in his heart, and he said publicly all that came into his head. What he thought at night he said in the daytime, and this was the cause of his fall. For these reasons the people of Cuzco prayed that the Judges of your Majesty’s Court would remain, and that the Viceroy would go to report to your Majesty.

[Sidenote: Sunday, Sept. 4, 1544.]

[Sidenote: Sept. 15, 1544.]

Things being in this state it happened that in the night of Sunday, September 14th, about 17 to 20 men on horseback left Lima to join the rebels at Cuzco, for the hearts and best wishes of all were with them, and every day some men went to join them. Among others two relations of the Factor Illan[60] Suarez went, and some men who lodged in his house[61]. Whether the Factor knew of this or not, there is no one who knows. When they went there was a call to arms at midnight, and as soon as the Viceroy was told who it was that had gone, he sent for the Factor and asked him whether this treason appeared good to him. The Factor answered that he was a servant of the King and not a traitor. This was told to me by a clergyman who was there all the time. The Viceroy was going to reply when the Factor again said that he was as good a servant of his Majesty as the Viceroy. When the Viceroy heard those words he was enraged. Then he, or his servants by his order, killed him there without confession, nor taking his statement nor anything else whatever. They wrapped the body in a mantle, and ordered some soldiers to take it away for burial, which was done. Great was the sorrow and amazement of the people when it became known. All were plunged in grief. On the Monday the 15th the Viceroy ordered the children of the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro to be put on board a ship; and on Tuesday the 16th he talked of embarking the Judges and all the women, with what object I do not know[62]. He also said that he would sack the town on that day, at least that was the report, but I do not believe it. Yet all the people began to hide their valuables and bury their treasure.

[Sidenote: Sept. 17.]

In the morning of Wednesday the 17th of September the city was in a great state of commotion, and the people took up arms. The Judges came with some followers[63], though not many. They ordered a banner to be displayed, and caused it to be proclaimed that all should be on the side of his Majesty and his Royal Court of Justice. They came to the great square with this proclamation, and marched towards the troops of the Viceroy who were in front of his house. As the Judges approached, the Viceroy’s troops fired their arquebuses in the air, threw up their pikes and all went over to the side of the Judges. The people then entered the Viceroy’s house and arrested him without anyone being killed or wounded, or a drop of blood shed. It was all done so quietly that it appeared to me as if it had been arranged beforehand. It was either a miracle or I cannot understand it. It is beyond me that a Viceroy, having so many troops, should have been arrested and no one hurt. He was delivered to the Judges who sent him as a prisoner to the house of one of them, and thence he was taken to an island[64] near the port, until they could send him in a ship to Spain as a prisoner.

I believe that, if there had been resistance, they would have killed the Viceroy, there would have been many deaths, and the country would have been in great danger. The course taken by the Judges, therefore, appears to have been the best and to have averted worse evils. I know not. They will give an account of their proceedings to your Majesty. What I have been able to learn, and what I have seen is that the Viceroy was very unpopular with the people of this land, and that they would rather see him torn to pieces than be governed by him. All the fault lies with the Viceroy, for he knew not the art of governing. If he had entered this land dissimulating, and judging of the good and the bad in it until he reached Lima, he would have been received by the whole land, would have placed his own justices and officials, and would have dominated the country. Then he could have done what he liked, and could have enforced the new laws to the letter, without anyone attempting to thwart him. But he did not wish to receive any advice from the officials and servants of your Majesty. The only advice the Viceroy listened to, came from those of Chile[65], opponents of Gonzalo Pizarro, men he brought from Panama, whither they had been banished by Vaca de Castro. Thus he boldly entered the country, ordering and talking, and it seems to me that all went wrong because he did not listen to the advice of your Majesty’s servants.

Also I will not omit to say another truth to your Majesty. All that Blasco Nuñez Vela has done, he has done with the greatest love and devotion, and with zeal to serve your Majesty, and he has not failed in a single point in your Majesty’s service, and in the desire to execute all that your Majesty has ordered.

The commander appointed by the Viceroy burnt two ships, and sunk another. With the rest he made sail with the brother and brother-in-law of the Viceroy, and with Vaca de Castro, who had for many days been a prisoner on board, I know not for what reason. They went to a port 18 leagues distant[66]. There they put the Viceroy on board, in charge of the Licentiate Alvarez, one of the Judges, who was to take him to Spain under arrest. But on the voyage the two made friends, concerted together, and landed at Tumbez. The Viceroy fled thence, by land, to the city of Quito.

On the 24th of October Gonzalo Pizarro entered the city of Lima. Three days previously his captains had arrived, with the Procurators of all the cities. They and the captains demanded of the Royal Judges that they should appoint Gonzalo Pizarro to be Governor and Captain-General of all these kingdoms until his Majesty should order otherwise. The Judges did this, and it appeared to the servants of your Majesty that this would be in furtherance of your Majesty’s service, and pleasing to God[67].

Now it is positively stated that the Viceroy is in the neighbourhood of Quito with 200 men to march against this city, and that he has taken your Majesty’s rents in the neighbouring districts, to pay his troops. I fear that this is so.

Your Majesty will be able to see how great are the evils in this land, and will continue until your Majesty orders a remedy which will bring us peace. Your Majesty may also see to the way in which the rents and the gold of your Majesty are spent, and the great sorrow it is to see the natives who remain, destroyed, lost, and dead, to the very great weight on our consciences. 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. With these troubles and wars all is dropped and lost. Your Majesty should feel sorrow for them, because it is a very heavy load on the conscience to leave them to perish. With peace and rest in the land very great results would be seen in very few years, and their conversion will be a very great service to your Majesty because they are all inclined to be Christians.

I have also ascertained that the citizens of Lima have taken $25,000 from your Majesty’s treasury, and the citizens of Cuzco $12,000 for the expenses of the war. When I knew this, I spoke to Gonzalo Pizarro on the subject of having taken the treasure of your Majesty. He said that those who took it had given acknowledgments and receipts, and had mortgaged their persons and goods, that they were substantial men whose estates are worth over $200,000 and that your Majesty would not lose a _blanca_. All the others said the same, that your Majesty’s interests were safe.

I am also informed that the Judges, by a royal decree, have ordered Gonzalo Pizarro to march north and drive the Viceroy out of the country, that he may not continue devastating and destroying, but go to give an account to your Majesty. All the troops are got ready to march with him and all are starting. Gonzalo Pizarro has a great power, and I fear that all are hostile to the Viceroy, while Pizarro has not taken upon himself to defend the Viceroy that he may not be killed. By these feuds the country is lost and destroyed, and the natives perish. I entreat your Majesty to look upon it with eyes of pity, as the Prince, Lord, and Father of all this land.

What I see and what I hear is that all are well with Gonzalo Pizarro, that he is friends with all classes, and that all desire his rule. All too desire mercy from your Majesty, and to serve your Majesty transmitting much treasure, and paying all that the Viceroy spent, and this is what is most desired in this land. Otherwise the country is in very great doubt and danger. This is truth concerning all that is passing here, and anything further will be told by the father who takes this, and who can give your Majesty full information.

I have written to your Majesty because if I did not send a full account of all that has passed, I should be left with a heavy load on my conscience, and should not be doing my duty to your Majesty.

I have sent this father, who is a person of credit and a provincial vicar in this land of Peru, a very religious man of good fame. To him I refer your Majesty for all further particulars.

I again entreat your Majesty, for the love of Jesus Christ, to send us peace, and not to allow these natives to receive such evil treatment, which is a very great load on the conscience. For they were on the point of becoming Christians, but these disturbances have caused everything to be dropped. With peace all would be remedied, and so I hope in our Lord.

May the Lord guard the imperial person of your Majesty, with increase to your kingdoms and lordships, as is desired by your servants and vassals. From this city of the Kings, the 10th of March 1545. Your devoted servant and chaplain who kisses your imperial feet and hands, Fray Juan Solano.

INDICTMENT

OF THE

JUDGES AGAINST THE VICEROY

BLASCO NUÑEZ VELA

Report made by order of the Judges Cepeda, Tejada and Alvarez on the proceedings of the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela, 19-23 Sept. 1544.

[Sidenote: Embargo on precious metals at Panama.]

1. As soon as the Viceroy arrived at Nombre de Dios and Panama, he put an embargo on all the gold and silver coming from Peru, on the ground that it had been taken from the Indians, and respecting this he made public proclamation with heavy penalties. Owing to this many were forced to return to Lima, following the Viceroy, having to expend considerable sums on the voyage. This scandalized the country and disturbed men’s minds.

[Sidenote: Native servants on the isthmus sent back to Peru.]

2. Many natives of Peru, men and women, who were in the service of various citizens of Nombre de Dios and Panama, were collected by him and sent back to their native places at the expense of their masters. Some died on the voyage, others were put on shore at Tumbez and died of hunger, others returned to their idolatry.

[Sidenote: Judges left behind.]

3. On leaving Panama, he would not take with him the Judges Cepeda, Alvarez, Zarate, Tejada who had come with him from Spain, though they were ready, and there was room in the ship.

[Sidenote: Judges arrive at Tumbez.]

4. This cost Cepeda and Tejada $3000 in hiring a ship in which they embarked and sailed a few days after the Viceroy, arriving at Tumbez some days after him.

[Sidenote: Viceroy would not wait for the Judges.]

5. He would not wait for them at Tumbez, before entering the country, acting absolutely without counsel, before he had been officially received.

[Sidenote: Acted alone instead of jointly with the Judges.]

6. He entered alone to enforce the ordinances, it being his duty to act jointly with the Judges, and thus threw everything into confusion.

[Sidenote: Release of all Indians at Tumbez.]

7. In Tumbez he turned all Spaniards out of the place, deprived them of the Indians who were in service there, ordered all the native chiefs of the district not to give food to any Spaniard, whether resident or travelling, which had been the custom since the conquest.

[Sidenote: Released all Indians at the _tambos_: not to supply food without payment.]

8. He did the same at all the other _tambos_ as far as Lima leaving the road desert, without men or food. Hence there was hunger, sickness and deaths on the road. The passengers found no support, were generally scandalized and cursed the Viceroy.

[Sidenote: Showing the ordinances to everyone.]

[Sidenote: Violent conduct at Tumbez.]

9. He wanted to show, even to the commonest people, the ordinances and provisions he brought with him, and he swore that he would put them in effect and enforce them even before he was officially received. In Tumbez he took away the Indians from Cabrera (Don Pedro Luis de?).

[Sidenote: Violent conduct at San Miguel and Truxillo.]

10. From all the citizens of San Miguel and Truxillo and from all the soldiers he took the Indians for service. Especially he left Pedro de los Rios of San Miguel, son of the former governor of Nicaragua and Panama, with none, and one Cordova, a highly qualified person.

[Sidenote: Violence at Truxillo.]

11. In Truxillo he took away the Indians from Diego de Mora and from Garcia Holguin, one of the veteran conquerors who was 80 years of age and who had nothing else, a proceeding which shocked the whole country.

[Sidenote: Provisions at _tambos_ to be paid for.]

12. The provisions which the Indians used to supply for nothing were ordered to be paid for, a measure which troubled all travellers.

[Sidenote: Violent threats.]

13. In San Miguel and Truxillo, far from consenting to receive supplications about the new laws, he used injurious words to monks and others who brought them, telling one he would cut out his tongue, and another that he would hang him, which was the cause that many went to join the rebels in Cuzco.

[Sidenote: Loss to the revenue.]

14. By not suspending ordinance 3 or 4, your Majesty lost a million of gold with which they would have done service, but afterwards these and other ordinances were suspended by public proclamation.

[Sidenote: Treatment of Aldana. Violent threats made publicly.]

15. Lorenzo de Aldana, a principal citizen of Guamanga, had written two or three letters with news, and came to offer himself. The Viceroy put him on board a ship, and kept him a prisoner there for many days. This caused general scandal. He was suspicious of everyone, and threatened some with death. The worst of it was that he published his suspicions, thus incurring the hatred of all, so that a great number went to Cuzco, to join those who were marching against him.

[Sidenote: Threats to kill the Judges and Martin de Robles.]

16. The hatred against him was increased by his threats to kill the Judges and many others, especially Martin de Robles, to whom the Viceroy himself had given the command of 130 soldiers, and he would have done it, if his brother Vela Nuñez had not interfered.

[Sidenote: Threats to kill several others.]

17. He wanted to kill Diego de Urbina, the Master of his Camp, Lorenzo Mexia, and the Mayor-domo of Maria de Escobar.

[Sidenote: Treatment of Solar.]

18. He ordered Antonio Solar, the Mayor-domo or Overseer of Lima, to be hanged because he did not wish to send a Portuguese to his Indians, and said that the valuations would cause a rebellion. He ordered Solar to be hanged, and though he desisted owing to the prayers of many people, he was kept for 3 months in the public prison.

[Sidenote: Order for a shipmaster to be hanged.]

19. He ordered Baltazar Rodriguez, Master of a ship to be hanged, without trial and without consulting the Judges, for having taken his ship from the port of Arequipa to that of Lima without permission, and this was only stopped at the last moment.

[Sidenote: More threats.]

20. He wanted to kill Don Baltasar de Castilla, son of the Count of Gomera, who came to offer his services, and the same with Gaspar Mexia and others, who for that reason fled to Cuzco.

[Sidenote: His wild talk in the _tambos_. Opinions of his character.]

21. To show his powers, in the _tambos_ and elsewhere he made a display of them, recounting his severities in other posts he had held, with details. All his hearers took him for an imprudent, injudicious, cruel, violent man who neither wanted nor sought for counsel.

[Sidenote: Hated by all.]

22. Every one, even his brothers, relations, and servants detested and were unable to endure him.

[Sidenote: Partiality and temper.]

23. In many lawsuits he showed himself to be passionate and partial.

[Sidenote: Corrupt practices.]

24. He gave powers of attorney of the Court of Justice to incapable persons, to whom they were sold by his brother Vela Nuñez and his brother-in-law Cueto.

[Sidenote: Nepotism.]

25. He ordered that all the Constables of the kingdom should contribute half of fees to his brother-in-law Diego Alvarez Cueto as Chief Constable and, in spite of the Judges, he caused them to be paid by the court and the city.

[Sidenote: Despotism.]

26. Cueto despised the appointment, and a servant of the Viceroy acted as his substitute, very violently, so that neither the Judges nor the Alcaldes could do anything but what the Viceroy liked.

[Sidenote: Brother and brother-in-law lawless.]

27. Cueto and Vela Nuñez always took out of prison anyone they chose.

[Sidenote: Nepotism.]

28, 29. In spite of the citizens, he made them, by menaces, receive his brother-in-law as Chief Constable.

[Sidenote: Misgovernment.]

30. He settled the tributes by the statements of certain persons who had received grants, or only of Indians, without consulting the Judges, without information, or keeping the rules of the ordinances, or the instructions. For this he brought the chiefs and principal Indians to Lima maintaining them and their followers, leaving their districts without Indians or provisions, and thus causing troubles followed by famines, robberies, and disturbance.

[Sidenote: Corrupt practices.]

31. He fixed the tributes with partiality and without knowledge, doubling the tax on some, reducing it by a half for others who were friends of Cueto and Vela Nuñez.

32. The Indians of Melchor Verdugo, a citizen of Truxillo, because he came from Avila, were rated higher than those of all the other citizens put together. The valuation of Verdugo was over 9000 _pesos_ of gold and other things, and that of all the others put together did not amount to that sum.

[Sidenote: Opinions against him.]

33. To those whom he dismissed from lieutenancies he increased the tributes. 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.

[Sidenote: Failure of his attempts to treat with rebels.]

34. He treated many times with Gonzalo Pizarro and others who had risen against him, but they always answered that he must leave the country and that they would not be governed by him.

[Sidenote: H. M. treasure spent on armaments.]

35. He proposed to the Judges and officials that 50 arquebusiers and 30 mounted soldiers should be raised for a guard for himself and the city, and on this pretext he spent 150,000 _castellanos_ of your Majesty’s treasure, by the hand of Vela Nuñez, whom he made Captain-General, and of Cueto who has taken 30,000 _castellanos_ without giving any account, for his servants.

[Sidenote: Soldiers disloyal.]

37[68]. Most of these soldiers, by reason of their bad treatment, say that they do not want the Viceroy to win, nor to fight for him. Every day some desert to the enemy.

[Sidenote: Bad appointments.]

38. He gave the captaincies to inexperienced men. A captain of arquebusiers fled, and another he threatened to stab.

[Sidenote: Wild threats.]

39. He treats everyone as a traitor, threatening to kill them. At the same time that he tried to treat with those of Cuzco, he publicly declared that he would kill some and banish others; and that he wished ill to all and would defeat them.

[Sidenote: Conduct of Judges a contrast.]

40. The Judges had lived at their own cost and honestly, had given advice to the Viceroy and sent two bishops to treat with the rebels.

[Sidenote: Viceroy’s conduct cause of the rebellion.]

41. The Viceroy by his attempt to enforce the ordinances untimely and without the consent of the Judges, and by his follies, evil speeches, and cruelties has been the cause of the rebellion.

[Sidenote: Treatment of two women.]

42. He condemned a married woman, with Indians, on the ground that she had perjured herself respecting an emerald cross which she said she had given to the Licentiate Vaca de Castro, to imprisonment and to do public penance in the church. He ordered another to be sent to prison for sitting near him in church. As regards the first sentence he enraged everyone. As regards the second all the relations rose in rebellion and wanted to kill him.

[Sidenote: Acted alone in criminal cases and actions for debt.]

43. In criminal cases, and suits for debts he alone heard and sentenced.

[Sidenote: Favouritism.]

44. Under colour of the war he gave his servants double the pay received by the other soldiers.

[Sidenote: Murder of Carbajal.]

45. In the night of Sunday the 14th of September Don Baltasar de Castilla and Gaspar Mexia, with 18 others, fled from Lima, owing to the abuse and bad treatment they had received. The Viceroy ordered the Factor Illan Suarez de Carbajal to be summoned in the middle of the night. When he came the Viceroy said: “Say cunning traitor! how is it that you have committed this treason in allowing your nephews and some servants to go to the rebels at Cuzco?” The Factor replied: “I know nothing of it, and I am no traitor. On the contrary I serve his Majesty.” On this the Viceroy stabbed him with a dagger[69], and ordered Cueto and the servants to finish him. When he was dead they put the body into the corridor, and thence, after an interval, two negroes took it away for burial[70].

[Sidenote: Character of the murdered man.]

46. The Factor was a quiet and virtuous person who knew nothing about the flight of nephews or servants. He had a very large house with four doors and 40 or 50 persons living there. He was retired in his own room, and took no notice of what was going on. He took a great part in advocating the reception of the Viceroy, when the magistrates and people were against it.

[Sidenote: Question of Judges remaining if the Viceroy left.]

47. The Judges convened a meeting in the morning of Tuesday, the 16th of September, to discuss the questions whether the Viceroy should wait in Lima for the arrival of Gonzalo Pizarro and the others who were coming from Cuzco; and if he arranged to go, whether the Judges should remain. It was decided that the Judges should remain for many reasons offered by officials, magistrates and captains who were consulted.

[Sidenote: Decision repudiated by the Viceroy.]

48. But the Viceroy had resolved to embark and take the Judges and officers of the Court, and all the citizens, and to kill anyone that resisted[71]; while his brother Vela Nuñez was to march by land with the soldiers, for Pizarro would not come across him. The Viceroy repudiated the opinion of the majority, saying that he would wait in Lima to be sure that all the others should not think that he wanted them to embark.

[Sidenote: Decision of the Judges to remain.]

49. It remained to deliberate on so serious a matter, and the two Bishops of Quito and Cuzco who were then in Lima, joined in consultation with the Judges and the officials of the municipality. The Judges then published their resolution not to depart. The Viceroy called together his captains with whom he consulted without the intervention of the Judges or anyone else.

[Sidenote: Captains concur.]

50. The decision of the captains was that, although the Viceroy might depart, the Judges ought to remain, maintaining the country in the name of His Majesty.

[Sidenote: Wild conduct of the Viceroy. Taken to Cepeda’s house.]

51. Nevertheless the Viceroy resolved to take the royal seal, the Judges and officials with all their property, and that of many citizens with their wives, children, horses, farriery, &c. In the night of Tuesday the 16th of September the soldiers assembled under Vela Nuñez, and at dawn of the 17th there was a call to arms at the Viceroy’s door with the cry, “Sack! Sack!” The Judges wished to stop the sacking of the town, and came to the Viceroy’s door with three banners. They did not dare to go in to speak with him, because they had been told that he would kill them. But they sent the choir master with some monks and clergymen to entreat him not to insist on the destruction of the city and kingdom, but to embark if he desired to do so, and to leave the citizens with their property. He would not condescend to talk with them, but many of the citizens had taken up arms and wished to oppose the Viceroy and his soldiers. If it had not been for the Judges who ordered, on pain of death, that no one should injure the person of the Viceroy, he would have been killed. He took refuge in the house of the Licentiate Cepeda, where he was quite safe from the citizens, and the soldiers who hated him.

[Sidenote: Judges’ version of the Viceroy’s departure.]

52. The Viceroy was well served and attended all the time that he was in Cepeda’s house. Of his own accord he said that he was hated, and that he wanted to go to Spain. By his order they took him to embark. Those who had command of the ships did not wish to receive him, and there were mutinies on board six or seven that were in the port. Two were burnt and two others were sent to the bottom by Geronimo de Zurbano, Martin de Arauco, and Diego Alvarez de Cueto, the Viceroy’s brother-in-law, or by their order. They did this to rob all that was on board the ships, of a value of more than 130,000 _castellanos_. The ships were in charge of Alvarez de Cueto, and it is believed that all this was done with the consent of the Viceroy.

[Sidenote: Judges’ version.]

53. At the time when the Judges came out of the house of Maria de Escobar, where they met that morning from fear of the Viceroy, the Licentiate Alvarez said: “Be my witnesses that we go to entreat the Viceroy not to kill us, take us, nor force us to embark, and to tell him that the people have risen against him. We go neither to enrage him nor to injure him and let it be punishment of death for any who acts otherwise.” He repeated this at the corner of the street, and on the steps of the church.

[Sidenote: Judges claim to have saved the Viceroy.]

54. Without doubt the people would have killed the Viceroy, if the Judges had not intervened.

[Sidenote: Hatred of the people.]

55. But he was not safe on land, nor to govern. For he was so detested that the people would have torn him to pieces rather than consent to his government, as they publicly declared.

[Sidenote: Viceroy’s temper.]

56. When anyone opposed his decisions, he became so furious that he seemed to have lost his senses, abusing and menacing the objector.

[Sidenote: A foolish talker.]

57. He was such a talker that he told the contents of the reports and letters he received at his table, however secret they might be.

[Sidenote: Necessary that he should go.]

58. If he should be longer in Peru, there would be a thousand misfortunes, so it was absolutely necessary that he should go back to Spain, and that your Majesty should be informed.

[Sidenote: When he was gone peace restored.]

59. In effect, as the people know that he wishes to return to Spain, all things are quiet and peaceful.

SEQUEL

(BY THE EDITOR.)

The first part of the _War of Quito_ closes just before the murder of Illan Suarez de Carbajal. It was a final death-blow to the Viceroy’s rule. He knew this himself and no doubt felt sorrow and remorse at his sudden gust of passion. But it was too late. The deed was done.

On assuming the governorship of Peru Gonzalo Pizarro was advised to send envoys to Spain to urge the greatness of his services, explain the course of events, and obtain confirmation of his position. The wise and far-seeing Carbajal alone opposed. He said that the best _Procuradores_ were many arquebuses, soldiers and horses. But it was resolved that Dr Tejada, one of the Judges, should go to represent his colleagues, and Francisco Maldonado for Pizarro. There was only one ship, the one on board of which Vaca de Castro had long been kept a prisoner by the Viceroy. Vaca de Castro was informed of the intention by his relation Garcia de Montalvo. The crew willingly agreed to seize the ship and take Vaca de Castro to Panama, for he was respected and beloved by all on board. So she sailed away, leaving Gonzalo Pizarro furious, for there was no other vessel to take his “Procurators.”

Luckily a brigantine arrived from the port of Arequipa and Dr Tejada, Maldonado, and Bachicao embarked, sailing along the coast. At Payta they heard of the release and landing of the Viceroy.

As soon as the vessel with the Judge Alvarez on board, taking the Viceroy and his brothers to Panama, was well out at sea, there was another act of treachery. Alvarez went to the Viceroy, declared he had only taken charge of him to get him out of the power of his colleague Cepeda, and that now he was free to do as he pleased. The Viceroy took charge, very ungratefully covered Alvarez with abuse, and landed with his few followers.

Bachicao went on to Panama. On his arrival Vaca de Castro, and the Viceroy’s envoys--his brother-in-law Cueto and Zurbano--fled to Nombre de Dios, and embarked for Spain. They were joined by Tejada and Maldonado. But Tejada died during the voyage. Cueto and Maldonado arrived, and went off to the Emperor in Germany to tell their stories. Vaca de Castro landed at Terceira, and went thence, by way of Lisbon, to the Court of Spain. He was falsely accused and imprisoned in the castle of Arevalo for more than five years. Finally he was acquitted, and declared to have been a good ruler. He was restored to his seat in the Royal Council of Castille. Garcilasso saw him at Madrid in the end of 1571. His son Antonio was granted a large _repartimiento_ in Peru.

The Viceroy having landed, managed to get together 150 men and marched to Quito where he was well received, and increased his force by 200 more men. With this force, and a native of Quito named Diego de Ocampo as general, he returned to Piura. The Judge Alvarez was always with him. Gonzalo Pizarro sent Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda and Geronimo de Villegas along the coast to Truxillo and Piura to collect men. They reached Piura, but fled on the approach of the Viceroy and sent the news to Pizarro. The Viceroy made a night march and surprised them, putting them and their followers to flight. Pineda fled alone into the mountains and died of hunger. Villegas escaped to Truxillo, while the Viceroy returned to Piura.

Gonzalo Pizarro, when he received the news that the Viceroy was still in the country at the head of a large force, resolved to attack him without delay. He left Lorenzo de Aldana as Governor of Lima, with 80 arquebusiers. He went himself by sea to Truxillo, with 150 picked officers and men, stores and munitions of war. The rest marched by land. The Judge Cepeda had become a fighting man and a strong partisan of Pizarro. The _Audiencia_ or Court of Justice had ceased to exist, for Alvarez was with the Viceroy, Tejada had gone to Spain, and Zarate remained at Lima, keeping aloof from all recent proceedings.

Pizarro took the royal seal with him, and embarked in March 1545. Landing at Santa he marched to Truxillo, where all the troops were assembled, going thence to the province of Collique. He had 600 men, horse and foot, about the same number as the Viceroy but Pizarro’s were more experienced soldiers. Supplies of all kinds were got together in Collique, and arrangements were made for carrying water across the deserts. On his approach to Piura, the Viceroy made a rapid retreat into the mountains. Pizarro, without entering Piura, followed in pursuit. Each day the work became more severe. Many stragglers from the Viceroy’s force were captured. Reaching Ayahuaca Pizarro halted to rest his men and obtain supplies. The Viceroy continued his march to Quito. Pizarro resumed the pursuit, but the mountain route was extremely difficult. At last he sent Carbajal ahead with 50 mounted men, who reached the enemy’s camp at 4 A.M. The Viceroy got his men into some order and continued his march. At dawn, when he saw the small number of his pursuers, he turned to attack them. His men were perishing with cold and hunger, and Carbajal declined the combat. Fresh troops joined Pizarro under Juan de Acosta[72], and the Viceroy was so closely pressed that he fled with 60 mounted men. He reached Tumibamba where he put his Camp Master Ocampo and several others to death, on suspicion of traffic with the enemy--the captains Geronimo de la Serna and Gaspar Gil.

The Viceroy marched from Tumibamba to Quito without difficulty, where he put three more officers to death. Pizarro sent Juan de Acosta to follow the Viceroy with 60 cavalry.

Gonzalo Pizarro had sent Francisco de Almendras to Charcas as his Lieutenant, a staunch adherent. He put a citizen of Chuquisaca named Gomez de Luna in prison for some speech against Pizarro’s rule. The municipality ordered him to be released, upon which Almendras went to the prison and had him strangled. Many people were furious, especially a citizen named Diego Centeno. He made a plot with others (Luis de Mendoza, Alonso Perez de Esquivel, Alonso de Camargo, Hernan Nuñez de Segura, Lope de Mendieta, Juan Ortiz de Zarate) to murder Almendras[73]. This they did, and then declared for the King, appointing Diego Centeno their Captain-General. Alonso de Toro marched against him from Cuzco. When the news reached Gonzalo Pizarro near Quito, he sent Carbajal to put down the insurrection. The indefatigable old man set out with an escort of 20 men. He collected men on the way at Truxillo and Guamanga, and then took the route by Lima to Arequipa, thence to Cuzco where he found Alonso de Toro. He marched against Centeno who retreated before him. Carbajal gave him no rest, and hunted him down to the coast.

Meanwhile Gonzalo Pizarro continued the chase of the Viceroy by day and night, over a country purposely made bare of provisions by the pursued. Pizarro was joined by Bachicao who came from Panama with 350 men, artillery, and 20 ships. Pizarro’s force then amounted to 800 soldiers. The Viceroy continued his flight to Pastos, within the jurisdiction of Sebastian de Belalcazar. Pizarro, after a short stay at Quito, continued the pursuit, and the Viceroy fled to Popayan. Pizarro then returned to Quito. He appointed Pedro de Hinojosa to command the fleet which was at Puerto Viejo, with 250 men. Hinojosa obtained information that the Viceroy’s brother, Vela Nuñez, was coming to the coast on a mission to Spain, with a natural son of Gonzalo Pizarro as a hostage. Hinojosa captured them both, and proceeded with them to Panama. He arrived there in October 1545, and took possession without interfering with the civil government.

The Viceroy busily collected arms and assembled troops at Popayan and, having received false news respecting the strength of the enemy, he began his march southwards, hoping to destroy the forces of Puelles and Pizarro. In reality Pizarro had 200 arquebusiers, 350 pikemen and 150 cavalry, with plenty of good powder.

Captains of Arquebusiers Juan de Acosta,
Juan Velez de Guevara.

Captain of Pikemen Hernando de Bachicao.

Captains of Cavalry Pedro de Puelles,
Gomez de Alvarado.

Standard bearer Francisco de Ampuero.

The fighting Judge Cepeda was there, and the Licentiate Benito Suarez de Carbajal, brother of the murdered Factor, with thirty friends and relations to avenge his death.

The Viceroy faced his enemies near Quito, thinking that he only saw the detachment of Puelles, and that Pizarro was not there. His captains advised a flank march over most difficult country to Quito. This took all night, and at dawn they were a league from the town, worn out with fatigue. The idea was to take the enemy in rear, but it was a fatal mistake. The Viceroy came out of Quito, while Gonzalo Pizarro’s army turned and advanced to meet him.

The Viceroy’s Captains

of Infantry were Sancho Sanchez de Avila[74],
Juan Cabrera his cousin[75],
Francisco Sanchez.

of Cavalry were Sebastian de Belalcazar[76],
Pedro de Bazan,
Francisco Hernandez Giron[77].

The two bodies of cavalry encountered each other but the Viceroy’s men were worn out by the long night march. It was a desperate battle at close quarters, both infantry and cavalry. The Viceroy received a blow from Hernando de Torres of Arequipa, which brought him to the ground. Puelles would have protected him, but the Licentiate Carbajal, after searching for him, came up and caused a negro to cut off his head. Gonzalo Pizarro was enraged at this treatment of the Viceroy, and caused his body to be honourably buried, he himself being chief mourner. Pizarro’s victory was complete: 200 of the Viceroy’s men were killed. The Judge Alvarez died of his wounds a few days afterwards.

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. On his return to Lima he enacted some excellent laws for the protection of the Indians. Gasca confessed that Gonzalo Pizarro was a good governor.

Old Carbajal had been hunting Diego Centeno, who hid himself in a cave for eight months. Of his accomplices Lope de Mendoza and Nicolas de Heredia were executed, the rest pardoned, including Luis Pardomo and Alonso Camargo.

Carbajal wrote a long letter to Gonzalo Pizarro urging him to assume the kingship of Peru. He said that no pardon could be expected after killing the Viceroy, nor would it be safe to trust to any promises that might be sent to him. He should divide all the vacant land among his supporters as perpetual tenures, instead of two lives, with titles of Dukes, Marquises, and Counts, and should create military orders. He strongly advised Pizarro to secure the devotion of the natives by taking an Inca Princess as his Queen. Puelles and Cepeda concurred. Pizarro had entered Lima in triumph, accompanied by four Bishops, of Lima, Quito, Cuzco, and Bogota, by Lorenzo de Aldana and all the municipal officers and magistrates, and nearly all the citizens.