they feared and hated the person of Verdugo and believed that he was commanded thither by the order of the President but to clear himself of this suspicion he wrote a Letter himself to Verdugo and sent it by the hand of an intimate friend of his who was a Church-man ordering Verdugo upon no terms whatsoever to come to Nombre de Dios but to go to any other place which should be more convenient and that he should restore the Ships and Goods which he had taken to the true Proprietors This was the Contents of what was wrote in the Letter but then privately and by word of mouth he gave him orders to return to Nicaragua and there to expect such farther directions which should be sent him the which would tend greatly to his Majesty's Service But Melchior Verdugo instead of returning to Nicaragua sailed into Spain much doubting his security in that Countrey for that he had rendred himself so odious to the People that he thought himself in no place secure or safe And being in Spain his Imperial Majesty honoured him with the habit of Santiago I saw him once in the Anti-chamber of the most Catholick King Philip the Second in the year 1563. But soon after Informations came against him of all the Pyracies he had committed in Peru and the other Violences and Mischiefs he had done in Nicaragua and Nombre de Dios which were such great and crying sins that he was in danger of being deprived of the honour of his habit with which he became so sad and dejected that his countenance changed and shewed the inward sorrow of his mind but afterwards at the Intercession of Friends he obtained his Majesty's Pardon and returned into Peru. CHAP. III. The President sends Hernan Mexia to Panama to quiet the Disturbances which were made by Pedro Hinojosa and dispatches an Ambassadour to Gonçalo Piçarro who having Intelligence of the coming of the President sends Messengers to the Emperour THE President made preparations to return again to Panama where he hoped by means of his good conduct to reduce Pedro de Hinojosa with the other Captains which were there quartered to due allegiance unto their Emperour for according to the relation which Hernando Mexia de Guzman had given him their inclinations were very well disposed thereunto and accordingly he conceived great hopes of success In order to which he went with all speed possible to Panama taking the Mareschall Alvarado into his company and to his assistance as Diego Fernandez Palentino in the thirty eighth Chapter of his Book affirms for whom he had obtained a Licence from the Council of the Indies that he might be spared for some time from the Register's Office to attend unto the affairs of Peru and be an Assistent and a Companion to him This Gentleman having been in the Battel of Chupas against Don Diego de Almagro Junior returned afterwards into Spain and by reason that he was well versed in the transaction of affairs between the Piçarrists and Almagrians he was entertained in the service of the Council of the Indies But let us leave both him and the President in their journey to relate what Pedro de Hinojosa acted in the mean time at Panama upon the News that Hernan Mexia had received the President with signs and demonstrations of peace and friendship rather than of enmity and opposition and he was the more dissatisfied because he was ignorant of the Commission and Contents of the Instructions which the President brought And because he had concluded and agreed without any communication or correspondence with him wherefore Hinojosa wrote so very angrily to him upon that matter that several friends of Hernan de Mexia advised him not to go to Panama Howsoever as Augustine Carate saith after some conference had with the President thereupon it was concluded that Hernan Mexia should speedily depart for Panama and laying aside all fears and jealousies should boldly communicate the whole matter to Hinojosa which Mexia accordingly performed in confidence of the friendship which was between them and the knowledge he had of his humour and disposition After some conference together Mexia so well acquitted himself and gave such reasons for receiving the President shewing that let the business go how it would his actions hitherto could bring no prejudice to their cause that Hinojosa appeared well satisfied thereupon Hernan Mexia returned to Nombre de Dios and the President went to Panama where he personally treated with Hinojosa and with all his Captains declaring to them the cause and reasons of his coming And managed matters with such secrecy and prudence that none knew what he had communicated to the other which so secured their affections and good will towards him that he adventured publickly to declare his design and to assure them that his negotiations tended to the publick welfare and at the same time took care to provide for the necessities and conveniences of the Souldiery the which he acted with such sweetness of behaviour and respect towards all as feeds the vanity of that Souldiery and prevails most in that Countrey Thus far Augustine de Carate in his seventh Chapter So soon as Pedro de Hinojosa had notice of the coming of the President to Nombre de Dios he gave immediate intelligence thereof to Gonçalo Piçarro as did all his Captains giving him assurance that they would never suffer him to pass into Peru But notwithstanding all their resolutions after some conferences which they held with the President at Panama they changed their minds and then wrote in a different manner for the President had so dealt with every single person in private as had much engaged them and inclined their good-wills and affections to him Whereupon they consented and gave permission that he might send one of those persons whom he brought from Castile with Letters from Gonçalo Piçarro to advise him of his arrival in those parts the Gentleman whom the President resolved to send was called Pedro Hernandez Paniagua who was an Inhabitant and Governour of the City of Plasencia a person well qualified for such a negotiation for besides that he was a Gentleman of good extraction he had left his Wife and Children a competent Estate in Spain for which he not onely merited esteem and respect of Piçarro but also for his Countreys sake and for the sake of his kindred and relations who were engaged in his faction Thus did Paniagua set sail for Peru upon a frigate appointed for him all the Letters he carried with him were one from the King to Gonçalo Piçarro and another to him from the President besides some other private Letters to persons of quality as namely to the Bishop of Lugo and another to Licenciado Benito de Carvajal to whom the President wrote amicably and as became a kinsman directing him in what manner to act for the service of his Majesty And here we will leave Paniagua in his voyage and relate what Gonçalo Piçarro was acting in
or set any price upon him but in case it happened by the Master's Death or his departure for Spain that a Horse was set to sale the price was four five or six thousand pieces of Eight In the Year 1554. when the Mareschal Don Alonso â—â— Alvarado went in pursuit of Francisco Hernandez de Giron which was before the Battel of Chuquinca A Negro Boy leading a very hansome Horse in his Hand well managed a certain rich Gentleman casting his Eyes upon him and being much taken with him said to the Owner of him Sir for the Boy and Horse as they now are I will give you ten thousand pieces of Eight which is as much as twelve thousand Ducats but the Owner refused the Offer telling him that he had occasion for the Horse to charge upon in the next Battel which was shortly expected the issue of which was that the Horse vvas killed and the Master mortally vvounded But that vvhich is observable herein is this that he vvho vvould have bought the Horse vvas rich having a considerable Colony of Indians in the Countrey of the Charcas and the Ovvner vvas a famous Souldier vvho to signalize himself in that day of Battel refused to sell his Horse at any rate though never so advantageous I knew them both to be Gentlemen and Persons of Noble Quality But since that time the price of Horses is much abated in Peru because the breed is much increased so that a good Horse may be vvorth three or four hundred Pieces of Eight and an ordinary Jade may be sold at tvventy or thirty The Indians are very commonly fearfull of an Horse for when they see him gallop or run in any Street where they chance to meet him they are so affrighted that they think they can never croud near enough to the Wall to avoid him fearing lest he should run over them and trample them under foot wherefore when they meet a Horse in the Streets they will cross the Street three or four times from one side to the other and being so scared as it were out of their Wits they have run blindly as I have seen into the very way of the Horse whom they have endeavoured to avoid and have never thought themselves out of danger unless they could get a Spaniard to stand before them nor would that guard neither acquit them from all fear and though now by custome and conversation the dread of them is not so great yet never could any Indian be persuaded to take upon him the Trade of a Blacksmith because he would not be concerned in shooing Horses though in all works of Metal they are excellent Artists And though the Spaniards have bred up some Indian Boys and taught them to dress and curry Horses yet I never knew or saw an Indian that durst adventure to mount upon their Backs if any of them were so bold as to lead a Horse by the Bridle it was some tame gentle Jade as quiet as a Mule for indeed that which scared the Indians most was to find most of the Horses wanton and skittish for as yet the Spaniards did neither use them to the Martingale nor to covers or as they are called Spectacles for their Eyes which was a great neglect and was the cause of much more labour and trouble to the Master in the breaking and managery of them for these Horses are of that docible and tractable Nature that with good dressing and management they will in every thing incline to the will and pleasure of the Master At the beginning when the Conquest was first made in Peru the Indians believed that the Man and the Horse were all of one piece or the same Creature fansying like the Poets that they were Centaures They tell me now that some Indians have adventured to shoe Horses but that there are very few so hardy And having said thus much concerning Horses let us now proceed to give an account of what other things were not found in my Countrey CHAP. XVII Of their Cows and Oxen. IT is believed that Cows were brought into Peru presently after the Conquest which soon increased and multiplied in those numbers that they supplied all the Kingdom the same also is probable of the Hogs and Goats for I remember to have seen numbers of them in Cozco when I was a Child It cannot be expected that a price should be set for a Cow in the first beginning when the Spaniards planted themselves they being brought over onely for breed but afterwards by increasing they became common and were sold at moderate rates The first Man in Cozco that was Master of Cows was Antonio de Altamirano the Father of two Sons Peter and Francis which he had by an Indian Woman and were my School-fellows and both dyed young to the great sorrow of the whole City by reason of the great hopes and expectation was of their Understanding and Vertue The first Oxen that I ever saw at plough were in the Valley of Cozco about the Year 1550 belonging to John Rodriguez de Villalobos they were in all but three one they called Chaparro another Naranco and the third Castillo I was carried to see this sight with great numbers of Indians who flocked from all parts with astonishment and wonder to see this prodigious Novelty which I amongst the rest did much admire They said that the Spaniards who were drones and would not work themselves had made these great Animals labour and doe that work which they ought to have performed themselves I have reason to remember these particulars for when I was Boy and plaid the Truant to see the Oxen Plough it cost me two dozen of good stripes one half of which I received from my Father and the other dozen from my Schoolmaster the piece of land which they ploughed was a very pleasant field which is situated a little higher than that ground where now the Convent of St. Francis is built the which part of the Convent where the Body of the Church stands was erected at the charge and cost of the aforesaid John Rodriguez de Villalobos and dedicated by him to St. Lazarus to whom he was greatly devoted the remainder of the Church the Franciscan Friars purchased with the two pieces of Land some years after for when the Oxen ploughed there was no House or Buildings there either belonging to Spaniards or Indians as we have at large declared in that part where we make a description of the City and situation of Cozco The Ploughmen that tilled the Land were Indians and the Oxen were taught and broken to the Yoke in a certain Inclosure without the City and then when they had learned their work they were brought to Cozco where they had as many Spectators and Admirers that day as had the Triumphs at Rome in its mightiest grandeur When Cows were first brought to the Market one might be worth two hundred Pieces of Eight but afterwards as they increased and became more common they fell by degrees to
their Lord and Sovereign and was to give rather than receive terms and therefore that they should refer all their grievances to his Wisedom who inheriting the justice of the Sun his Father was inclinable of himself to redress their Oppressions and reduce their Enemies to terms of Reason and Justice With this Answer the Ambassadours returned and the day following all the Indians that were retired within the inclosure to the number of above twelve thousand fighting men with their Wives and Children to about thirty thousand souls came forth and in several Divisions presented themselves on their knees before the Inca professed themselves to be his Slaves and Vassals and in testimony thereof offered unto him Gold and Silver and Lead and whatsoever else was the product of their Countrey The Inca receiving them with his accustomed Goodness ordered that meat should be given them to satisfie their present hunger and likewise provisions for their journey that so they might all return to their respective Habitations lest they should faint by the way and want due refreshment and care in their Travel CHAP. XI The Conquest of those of Aymara The Curacas are received to Pardon Marks are set up for boundaries on the Confines THese People being sent home to their respective dwellings the Inca proceeded to another part of the same Province of Aymara called Huaquirca which even to this day contains two thousand Families from thence he dispatched Messengers to summon the Caciques or Lords of Umasuyu to appear before him for that being descended from the Sun he claimed it as his Prerogative to hear and decide the differences between them and their Neighbours of Aymara about the pasturage and places where they feed their Cattle and that residing now in Huaquirca he expected their coming thither so that he might impose Laws and Rules of Reason on them whereby to measure their actions that they might not like brute Beasts destroy one the other for causes of so small import or moment as that of pasturage since it was evident that the Countrey was large and the grounds abounding with Grass sufficient to feed the Flocks both of one and the other People The Curacas or Chiefs of Umasuyu being assembled together to consult of this common concernment gave this general answer That they had no business with the Inca so as to oblige them to repair to his place of Residence but if he had any occasions for them that he should seek them within their own Territories where they were ready to attend and receive him with Arms in their hands whether the Sun were his Father or not they did neither know nor care and if he were yet the Sun was no God of theirs for they had natural Gods of their own whose Protection and goodness they had so well proved as not to change them for any other That the Inca might bestow his Laws and Ordinances on his own Subjects for that they would accept of none which restrained them from a liberty of taking that to which their Arms and Power gave them a right and title and by the same Arms they would defend themselves and their Countrey against any who should dare to disturb them in their Peace and enjoyments This they said was all the answer that they would give and that in case the Inca required any other he should appear in the field and decide the controversie like a valiant Souldier The Inca Capac Yupanqui entering into consultation with his principal Officers upon this answer of those of Umasuyu agreed and concluded that the success of this War depended on dispatch and therefore that they should without delay make an attempt upon them the suddenness of which would so distract and confound them that the surprisal and fear more than the real hurt would affright them into submission for that it being a Law and Maxime of the first Inca Manco Capac and from him derived to all his Royal Posterity to spare the bloud of the Indians and gain them by all arts and contrivances of Gentleness and Invitation and that War and Force were to be the last remedies In consideration of which Capac Yupanqui thought fit to make use of this Strategeme commanding eight thousand select Men of his Army to march day and night into the Province of Umasuyu so that by the speediness of their march they might surprise the Enemy who did not expect the motion of so great a body in less than the space of a whole month but seeing them already in the midst of their Countrey with a flying Army and the gross Body on their march towards them and considering that it was impossible for them to assemble so soon together as to make a head sufficient to resist began to repent of their pertinacious answer and now laying aside the thoughts of War the Curacas with speed and haste assembled together from all parts resolving that the onely expedient in that exigency was to ask pardon and mercy for their late offence so that one after the other as they chanced to come in prostrated themselves before the Inca acknowledging him for a true Child of the Sun and as such they swore and vowed unto him all Faithfulness and Obedience The Inca contrary to the expectation of the Curacas who expected nothing less than death or punishment received them with a gratious Clemency telling them by one of his Captains that when he considered their Barbarity and that they were wholly ignorant of all kind of Morality he did not admire at their refusal to accept his Religion and the lenity of his government being assured that when they shall have once learned and proved those things which conduce to humane Life they will bless the hour in which they were persuaded to forsake those their Idols which were formed in the similitude of Beasts and vile Creatures and capable of nothing but contempt wherefore now he commanded them that in every thing they should resign themselves with implicite Faith and entire Obedience to the Religion Laws and Government which the Inca and his Ministers should impose upon them for such was the pleasure of the Sun his Father The Curacas with most profound humility answered That they did promise and vow to acknowledge no other God than the Sun nor no other King than the Inca whose Laws and Ordinances being founded on Reason and Justice were the best â—â—es whereby to make his Subjects happy The Inca in favour and honour to these his new Subjects settled his Court for a while in the Province of Chirirqui which is the chief and capital Seat of this People at which place informing himself of the situation and position of their pasturages and of the Causes and Original of the differences arising between these People and their Neighbours did after mature consideration determine where the confines of each Countrey should be limitted and in testimony thereof caused heaps of Stones to be thrown up at such places where he thought fit to remain for
was the Great Tupac Yupanqui who was great Grandson to Viracocha The third was Huayna Capac the Son of Tupac Yupanqui and Grandson of the Fourth Generation to Viracocha the two last were Men with gray Hairs yet did not seem so aged as Voracocha One of the Women was said to be the Body of the Queen Mama Runtu Wife of Viracocha the other of Coya Mama Occlo Mother of Huayna Capac and it is probable that they might be Husband and Wife considering that the Bodies were laid and found so close together and what is more strange these Bodies were more entire than the Mummies wanting neither Hair on the Head nor Eye-brows and even the very Eye-lashes were visible They were clothed with the same sort of Garments which they wore in their Life time the List or Wreath appeared about their Heads which was all the Badg or Ornament they shewed of their Royal Dignity The posture they were in was sitting after the manner of the Indians their Hands crossed on their Breasts with the right hand upon the left their Eyes cast downwards looking towards the Earth Acosta it seems had seen one of these Bodies of which discoursing in the 21st Chap. of his 6th Book saith That it was so well conserved by a certain sort of bituminous matter with which they embalmed it that it seemed to be alive the Eyes were so well counterfeited by a mixture of Gold that they seemed lively and natural I must confess that my want of Curiosity did not move me to make so narrow a scrutiny into this matter as I should have done had I believed that I should have had occasion to write of them for then I should not onely have viewed and considered the Bodies themselves more exactly but also have made enquiry of the Natives concerning the manner and receipt of this way of embalming which perhaps they might rather have imparted to me who am a Native and one of their Relations than to the Spaniards who are Strangers and Aliens to them unless perhaps the Art and Secret is lost amongst them as many other things are of the like nature For my part I could not discover any thing of this bituminous matter of which Acosta speaks though certainly there must have been some excellent Secret without which it was impossible to have conserved Bodies with their Flesh so plump and full as these were This Acosta treating farther of these Bodies in the 6th Chapter of his 5th Book hath these Words which follow In the first place saith he they had an Art to conserve the Bodies of their Kings and Great Men without stinking or corruption for the space of above two hundred Years in which manner the Bodies of the Inca-Kings were found at Cozco erected in their Chapels and Oratories where they were adored which the Marquess of Cannete when he was Vice-roy of the Indies caused to be removed from thence that he might abolish the Idolatrous Worship which they performed towards them and transported three or four of them to a place called the King's Town which appeared very strange and stupendious to the Spaniards to see Bodies after so many years so firm and sound as they were These are the Words of Acosta from whence I observe that these Bodies had been removed to the King's Town almost twenty years before he had a sight of them which being a hot and moist Air was more apt to taint and corrupt Flesh than the cold and dry Air of Cozco and yet notwithstanding he saith That twenty Years after their removal they were still firm and uncorrupt as formerly and appeared with such Life that they wanted onely Speech to make them seem to be living I am of opinion that the way to conserve Bodies is after they are dead to carry them to the Mountains of Snow where being well dried and congealed by the cold and all humours consumed and digested then afterwards to apply that bituminous matter which may plump up the Flesh and render it full and solid as the Living But I onely adventure on this conjecture from what I have seen the Indians doe when they have carried a piece of raw Flesh into the cold Mountains where after it hath been well dried by the Frost they have kept it as long as they pleased without salt or any other preservative and this was the manner which the Incas used for drying and keeping all the flesh Provisions which they carried for Food to maintain their Army I remember that I once touched a finger of Huayna Capac which seemed to me like a stick of wood and so light were these Bodies that an Indian could easily carry one of them in his Armes or on his Shoulders to the Houses of Spanish Gentlemen who desired to see them When they carried them through the Streets they covered them with white Linen and the Indians falling down on their knees before them sighed and wept shewing them all the reverence imaginable and some of the Spaniards also would take off their Caps and uncover their Heads to them as they passed in testimony of the respect they bore to the Bodies of Kings with which the Indians were so pleased and overjoyed that they knew not in what manner to express their thankfulness to them This is all that we have been able to deliver concerning the Actions of Viracocha in particular the other Monuments and Sayings of this famous King are lost for want of Letters and Learning to record them to posterity and have incurred the Fate of many famous Men whose glorious Exploits and Deeds have been buried in the Graves with them Onely Blas Valera reports one memorable Saying of this Viracocha which being often repeated by him was observed by three Incas who kept it in remembrance as also the Sayings of some other Kings which we shall hereafter specifie That which this Inca delivered had reference to the education of Children of which he was made the more sensible by that Severity and Disfavour with which he was treated by his Father in the time of his Minority his Saying was this That Parents are oftentimes the cause of ruine to their Children when either they educate them with such fondness that they never cross them in their Wills or desires but suffer them to act and doe whatsoever they please whereby they become so corrupt in the manners of their infancy that Vice grows ripe with them at the Years of Manhood Others on the contrary are so severe and cruel to their Children that they break the tenderness of their Spirits and affright them from learning discouraging them in that manner by menaces and lectures of a supercilious Pedant that their Wits are abased and despair of attaining to knowledge and vertue The way is to keep an indifferent mean between both by which Youth becomes valiant and hardy in War and wise and political in the time of Peace With which Blas Valera concludes the Reign of this Inca Viracocha Royal Commentaries BOOK VI. CHAP. I.
I am well assured and I believe ye are all sensible that my Desires to reign and govern are not grounded on Principles of Ambition but that my Kingdoms may recover that Peace and Liberty which they enjoyed under the gentle and easie Government of my Ancestours it being the Duty of every good King to study the Prosperity and Welfare of his People and according to the practice of the Incas to prefer that before any other Consideration whatsoever But I have good reason to suspect and fear that the Designs of these Men whom we call Gods and say they were sent from Heaven are very much different from these Principles Howsoever for my part I cannot but with much Regret and Tenderness towards you seek to gain my point at the cost of your Lives and would rather live in a private manner despoiled of my Empire which is my Inheritance than to recover it at the expence of their Bloud whom I love as dearly as my own Children And now therefore that the Viracochas may not treat you ill for my sake I am resolved to retire my self and to live an Exile from my Countrey that so all Cause of Jealousie and Suspicion being removed by my Absence ye may be received into their good Grace and Favour And now I find the Prophecy of my Father Huayna Capac fully accomplished which was That a Stranger Nation should deprive us of our Empire and destroy our Laws and Religion Had we well considered this before we began the War we should have acquiesced and submitted because my Father the King enjoined us to obey and serve the Viracochas whose Laws as he said were better than ours and their Arms more powerfull than our force Both which things have proved true for so soon as they entred into this Empire Our Oracles became silent which is a sign that they yielded unto theirs And as to their Arms they have had an advantage over ours for though at the beginning we had the fortune to kill some few of them yet at length one hundred and seventy onely which survived were able to deal with us nay as we may say did conquer us seeing that in the end we are forced to retreat The truth is it cannot well be said that they conquered us nor can they boast much of their Victories for setting aside the Miracles which appeared in their Favour they of themselves gained no advantage over us For what can we say to the Fire which burned our own Houses and became extinct so soon as it touched theirs What can we think of that Cavalier who at the Extremity of the Siege appeared with Thunder and Lightning in his Hand and routed and destroyed all before him And then in the Night a most beautiful Princess appeared in the Clouds with an Infant in her Armes which with that astonishing Brightness she darted from her Eyes dismayed and blinded us in such manner that we knew not what we did and even feared to return unto our own Quarters how much less durst we adventure to give Battel to these Viracochas Moreover we have seen and tried how such a handfull of Men have been able to defend themselves against such multitudes of ours without Food Sleep or Rest that when we imagined they were wearied faint and ready to yield they appeared formidable and refreshed with new Vigour All which being considered 't is apparent that the Hand of God is in it and that the Pachacamac who favours them doth discourage and infuse fear into our Minds wherefore let us yield our selves rather than bring so many calamities upon our own Heads For my part I am resolved to retire within the Mountains of Antis and there secure and defend my self better than I am able to doe with all my power and there living quietly and without offence I shall not provoke those Strangers to doe Hurt and Mischief unto you for any Cause or Reason of mine In this my Solitude and Banishment it will be my Comfort to hear that it passeth well with you and that ye live with Liberty and Contentment under this new Government of the Spaniards wherefore instead of my last Will and Testament and in pursuance of that Command left us by my Father I do conjure you to serve and obey them to the utmost of your power so shall ye be well treated and used by them And so farewell and remain in peace and now methinks I am very sorry to leave you in the Hands of Strangers wishing with all my Heart that I were able to take you all with me When the Inca had ended his Speech his People dropped a Floud of Tears with such Groans and Sighs that the fulness of Sorrow stopped the utterance of Words nor durst they dissuade him from this resolution perceiving that he determined so to doe wherefore in the first place he disbanded all his Souldiers that were under Command of their respective Caciques advising them to repair unto their several Provinces and there patiently submit unto and obey and serve the Spaniards but the Inca collecting as many as he could together of his own Bloud and Family both Men and Women fled with them into the wild Mountains of Antis and seated himself at a certain place called Villcapampa where he passed his time as we may imagine in Solitude like a Prince deposed and dispossessed of his Sceptre and there lived untill he was killed by a certain Spaniard to whom he had given Protection and conserved from his Enemies and who most inhumanely sought his Life As we shall see in its due place CHAP. XXX What a certain Author reports of the Incan Kings and their Subjects BLas Valera discoursing of the Wisedom Abilities Prowess and Valour of the Indians of Peru he gives this Character of them as follows which I the rather mention because it conduces much to the matter in hand and will serve to confirm what we have already said and what we shall hereafter report The People of Peru exceed most Nations of the World in quickness of Wit and strength of Judgment the which appears in that they have been able without the help of Letters to attain unto the knowledge of many things which the learning of the Egyptians Caldeans and Greeks could never reach so that if in place of their Knots they had made use of Letters they had surpassed the Romans and Galls and other Nations in all points of Learning whatsoever That rudeness of Manners which appears in them at present is not for want of Natural Parts or Endowments of Mind but for want of practice in the Fashions and Customs of Europe and of Instructours in Liberal Sciences being taught nothing but what relates to Interest and Gain for such of them as have Masters or Teachers and leisure time and liberty to learn nay if they do but see a thing they will imitate it so exactly without being taught that they become better Artists and Mechanicks than the Spaniards themselves and would become
Sattin and one of them led the Horse by the Bridle the which was performed with the same solemnity as they used in Castile to receive the person of the King. So soon as the Court was sate they began to treat and enter upon business as well relating to Justice as Government and herein he thought to render himself the more popular by favouring the cause of the poor who generally are more pleased with revolutions and changes than the rich And now the Devil who designed the downfall and ruine of this pernicious and evil Vice-king began to disturb and disquiet all the Countrey which was so lately settled after the troubles of an intestine War the first commotion took its rise from an ill understanding between the Vice-king and the Judges and indeed of all the Kingdom for that the Vice-king resolving to carry on his work in putting the new Laws in execution he little regarded the Petitions and Addresses which were presented to him from the City of Los Reyes of Lima and other smaller Corporations Thus far are the words of Fernandez Palentino in the 10th Chapter of his Book And this Authour farther discoursing of the humour of this Vice-king and the shame the Devil owed him for being the cause of all those Commotions which were raised in the Countrey and also that he was the occasion of that discord which ruines Kingdoms and destroyes Empires and which particularly proceeded not onely to a quarrel between the Vice-king and the Conquerours of that Kingdom but also to such a mortal feud between him and the Judges as was not to be reconciled And indeed herein the Judges had much advantage for that they were men of great temper discreet and unbiassed who foreseeing the many inconveniencies which the rumour onely much more the execution of the new regulations would occasion dissuaded those rash proceedings wherein they were the more positive in consideration that this Kingdom which was scarcely appeased and settled since the late Wars and was still in agitation and commotion would never be able to support such extravagant oppressions which would certainly be the cause of the total ruine and destruction of that Empire These plain representations made to the Vice-king with intention and design onely if it had been possible to attemper his angry and froward disposition served to little purpose and effect for that his humour being wholly bent on his own obstinate resolutions he termed all those who concurred not with him in the same opinion rebellious to the King and enemies to himself And farther to widden these breaches he ordered the Judges to remove from his neighbourhood in the palace and to take other lodgings in other quarters for themselves All which and much more so inflamed the minds of both parties that sharp words and reparties frequently intervened between them Howsoever in regard the Judges for better administration of affairs were obliged to keep fair with the Vice-king they so concealed and dissembled their resentments that their passions were not publickly made known But because the resolution of the Vice-king to put in execution the new Laws became daily more and more apparent and manifest the Discontents and Quarrels arose daily to a higher degree and those who were injured and prejudiced thereby became uneasie and impatient And as Diego Fernandez in his 10th Chapter saith that the Judges considering the obstinate and inflexible humour of the Vice-king on one side to execute the new Regulations of the Emperour to whom by reason of the distance of the place no opportune or seasonable applications could be made for a moderation or redress and that on the other side in case they should condescend to be deprived of their Indians it would be very difficult to recover that vassalage again they were by these difficulties reduced to such a kind of Dilemma that they were all distracted and knew not which way to turn or resolve Nor was the people onely confused and unquieted by these thoughts but even the Vice-king found himself reduced to an inquietude and distraction of mind when he found the people mutinous and turmoiled with a thousand fancies and resolved to sacrifice their lives and fortunes rather than to submit tamely to their own destruction As hereafter we shall find by the success And thus far are the words of Palentino which we have extracted â— verbatim from his own Writings CHAP. VI. The secret quarrel concealed between the Vice-king and the Judges breaks out in publick Prince Manco Inca and the Spaniards who were with him write to the Vice-king NOR did the quarrel between the Vice-king and the Judges contain it self within the limits of private resentments but burst forth into the publick Streets and places of common Meetings the which calling into the mind of the Vice-king that Motto or Sentence which he had read in the Inn of Huaura belonging to Antonio Solar and which he believed was either wrote by himself or by his order for which cause as both Carate and Diego Fernandez report sending for him and discoursing with him in private and having given him some very severe terms and reprehensions he gave order to have the gates of the palace shut and calling his Chaplain to confess him with intent to have him hanged on one of the Pilasters of the Court-yard which leads towards the High-street But Antonio Solar refusing to confess his execution was suspended till such time as that his danger and case was divulged through the whole City upon the rumour of which the Arch-bishop and all the persons of quality came to intercede for a pardon or suspension of Justice and after great intercessions all that they could prevail was for one day's reprieve upon which he was committed to close imprisonment But the fury and impetuosity of this choler passing over he considered that it was not convenient to put him to death but rather to detein him in prison and accordingly he kept him under restraint without process of Law Endictment or any Accusation whatsoever for the space of two months untill such time as the Judges going on a Saturday to visit the prisons were desired by some of the friends of Antonio Solar to make their enquiry concerning the state of his affair with which though they were well enough acquainted before yet for form sake they asked him the cause and crime for which he stood committed to which he replied that he knew not any and then calling for the books of the prison to see what actions or process had been made against him and finding none and that the Keeper of the prison could assign no cause against him the Judges on the Monday following made a Report to the Vice-king that having visited the prison they found that Antonio Solar had been there committed and upon examination of the books no crime or cause was entered against him onely that he was there imprisoned by his order Wherefore in case no crime were laid to his charge his imprisonment was
the obligations he hath to me for this Conquest and though oftentimes he would pretend to great obedience and resignation to his Majesty's pleasure yet at other times he would let fall words seditious and rebellious and at the instigation of his Captains he published his reasons setting forth his right and title to that Government And being now settled in the City of Quitu he passed his time in Festivals Sports and Banquets without minding the actions or proceedings of the Vice-king onely the discourses amongst themselves were that he would go to Spain by way of Cartagena others that he would pass up farther towards the Continent to raise Men and Arms and there expect his Majesty's further Instructions others were of opinion that he would remain in the Countrey of Popaya untill he received new Orders but it was generally believed that he would not stay long there or attempt any thing in those parts but be his design what it would it was concluded necessary to obstruct his passage to the Continent to which end Hernando Bachicao was remanded back again with his Fleet of which Pedro de Hinojosa Gentleman of his Bed-chamber was made Admiral with two hundred and fifty men under his command who departed with all expedition Moreover Rodrigo de Carvajal was dispatched with his Ship to Panama with a Pacquet of Letters from Gonçalo Piçarro desiring the Inhabitants of that City to favour his cause and designs assuring them that whatever Spoils and Insolencies Bachicao had committed on them were contrary to his will and pleasure and against his express command Rodrigo de Carvajal arrived accordingly within three leagues of Panama where he received intelligence that two Captains sent from the Vice-king were there the one called John de Guzman and the other John de Yllanez who were raising Forces to carry to the Province of Belalcaçar to recruit the Vice-king's Army therewith and that they had already listed about an hundred men and had prepared good quantities of Arms with five or six pieces of Cannon And though these men had been for some time in a readiness they were not sent away by reason that apprehending some attempts from Gonçalo Piçarro they thought fit to keep their people in reserve till they saw the danger over Howsoever Rodrigo de Carvajal adventured to send a Souldier privately into the City with Letters to certain Citizens who upon receipt thereof communicated them to the Officers of the Town who seised on the Souldier and by him understanding the design of Hinojosa put the City into Arms and sent two Brigantines to seise the Ship of Carvajal but he suspecting some ill intention against him by reason of the long absence of his Messenger set sail from thence and so the two Brigantines missing him returned back without success CHAP. XXXI Pedro de Hinojosa takes Vela Nunnez in his voyage The great Preparations which were made in Panama And how those Troubles were appeased THE Governour of Panama called Pedro de Casaos born at Seville went in haste to Nombre de Dios where he raised all the Men he was able with what Arms he could find both offensive and defensive which he carried with him to Panama to oppose Pedro de Hinojosa the like diligence was used by the two Captains of Piçarro between whom and Pedro de Casaos though there had formerly risen some Disputes and Contests about place or preference yet all agreed to chuse Casaos for Commander in chief Pedro de Hinojosa having dispatched Rodrigo de Carvajal proceeded on his Voyage to Panama enquiring along the Coast concerning the Vice-king and in the River and Port of St. John he put some Men ashoar to receive what Intelligence and News was there stirring who took ten Spaniards and brought them on board by one of whom they were given to understand that the Vice-king by reason of the long stay of two of his Captains John de Guzman and John de Yllanez in Panama had sent also his Brother Vela Nunnez thither to hasten the Recruits and to increase the numbers he sent great sums of Money out of the King's Treasury and delivered to him also the bastard Son of Gonçalo Piçarro and that Vela Nunnez had sent a Souldier before to discover what danger there was on the Coast whilst he remained a day's journey behind upon which Intelligence Hinojosa sent two Captains with different Parties by several ways both which had good success the first had the fortune to take Vela Nunnez and the other Rodrigo Mexia who was born in the City of Castin and with whom was Piçarro's Son and both of them got great booty and riches all which came very acceptable to Hinojosa who was much pleased with the taking of Vela Nunnez who might oppose and prevent his design in Panama and with the rescue of the Son of Gonçalo Piçarro whose freedom would be joyfull to his Father And encouraged with this happy success they sailed toward Panama and being near the Place Rodrigo de Carvajal came forth to meet them and gave them Intelligence of all Matters at Panama and how the City was prepared to oppose them Hinojosa was rather pleased than discouraged with this News and putting himself into a posture of War sailed forward untill on a day in the month of October which was in the year 1545. he came within sight of the City of Panama with a Fleet of eleven sail of Ships and a hundred and fifty Men aboard upon this appearance the City was in great consternation all Souldiers repaired to their Colours and Pedro de Casaos who was chief Officer had above five hundred Men under his command but the most of them were Merchants and the Officers such unexperienced Men in the War that few of them knew how to fire a Musquet and all of them unwilling to engage in fight especially against Men coming from Peru with whom having formerly been accostomed to deal in Traffick and Merchandize it seemed strange to contend with them at any other Weapon And moreover they considered that a great part of their Estates and effects were in Peru which would all be confiscated by Gonçalo Piçarro in case they should appear in Arms against his Forces Howsoever they formed and joined in several Bodies commanded by their respective Officers the chief of which were first Pedro de Casaos General then Arias de Azebedo who came afterwards over and lived at Cordoua where at this time some of his Grand-children inhabit Other Captains and Officers were John Fernandez de Reboledo Andren de Arayza with the Vice King's two Captains John de Guzman and John de Yllanez with several other Noble Persons then present who resolved to defend the City for the service of his Majesty and others being affrighted with the late Outrages and Insults of Bachicao were inclined to preserve themselves from the like Tyrannies which they feared from Hinojosa but he considering what sort of people he had to deal with landed two hundred
unanimously chose Centeno for General of the new Enterprise At first they consulted whether it would be most advantageous for them to march to the City of Arequepa or to Cozco where they knew that Antonio de Robles resided with three hundred men well fitted and appointed but as yet they knew not what to resolve upon for it seemed a hazardous matter to attack a body of men with so much disadvantage of numbers but afterwards considering that they carried with them the specious colour of the King's Authority and the powerfull name of Loyalty they resolved on the question and to march directly to Cozco But let us leave them here on their Journey to relate other actions and successes which were carried on and passed in divers parts and at the same time in those Countries which were so many and various that I seem to be entred into a Labyrinth from whence I shall endeavour to extricate my self in the best manner I am able hoping for the Reader 's pardon and acceptance in case I fall short in the relation where such great variety of affairs hath happened We have mentioned before how that Lorenço de Aldana Hernan Mexia de Guzman John Alonso Palomino and John de Yllanes were by order of the President sent by Sea to Peru these by the way came to Tumpiz where Bartolmeo de Villalobos was Governour under Gonçalo Piçarro who observing that their four Ships had remained four days before the Port and had not entred he suspected that they had changed their Copy and were revolted to the other Party upon which supposition without other grounds he dispatched a Messenger to Piçarro with this information The news was first carried to Captain Diego de Mora who was then in Truxillo above a hundred leagues distance from Tumpiz who was from thence to forward it with all expedition to Gonçalo Piçarro Diego de Mora upon receipt of this Advice dispeeded the Messenger to Los Reyes but he himself remained doubtfull which side to take whether he should adhere to Piçarro or revolt from him but whilst he was thus considering within himself the news came that the new Ordinances were repealed and a general Pardon granted by his Majesty for all Treasons and Crimes which were past wherefore remaining no longer in suspense he packed up all his Houshold-stuff took what Gold and Silver he had and therewith embarked his Wife and Family on a Ship and with â—orty of his Souldiers of which some were Inhabitants of Truxillo he sailed to Panama the news of these four Ships being come to Los Reyes though the particulars thereof were confused and obscure it being not known who or what they were yet it served to put the People into a great consternation and caused every one to prepare for a War. At the same time news coming of the revolt of Diego de Mora his place was immediately supplied by a Commission given to Licenciado Leon and he sent by Sea to Truxillo but meeting a few days after with Lorenço de Aldana and his Associates in his way he turned to their side the like also did Diego de Mora and all of them returned together to the Port of Truxillo where Diego de Mora landed with his forty men to recover them of the sickness into which they were fallen at Sea but he marched farther into the Countrey as far as Cassamarca publishing in all places how that the late Ordinances were repealed and a general Pardon given for all Treasons and Crimes already committed upon this news all people generally came in and offered themselves for his Majesty's Service amongst which were John de Saavedra a Native of Sevil Gomez de Alvarado John Porcel to whom Piçarro had lately wrote advising him to prepare matters in a readiness for War. In short all the people of those places and Provinces coming in they formed a Body of about three hundred men under the command of Diego de Mora and declared for the Emperour of which Bartolmco de Villalobos then quartering at Tumbiz receiving intelligence he gathered what Forces he could and marched into the inland Countries intending by way of the Desart to pass over to Gonçalo Piçarro but his men gave a stop to his Journey persuading him to change his way and his intention and return to Piura and keep that Town for the Emperour as he had done before for Gonçalo Piçarro to which he assented though much against his will. The like happened in Puerto Viejo which Francisco de Olmos held for Piçarro who upon news of the many revolts and of people turning to the service of the Emperour went with some persons in whom he much confided unto Huayllqui which was a place governed by Manuel Estacio with Commission from Piçarro and there without farther ceremony taking him by the hand he stabbed him to the heart with his Dagger and immediately set up his Majesty's Standard And thus with the news onely of a general Pardon and revocation of the late Ordinances without other persuasions or forces the hearts and inclinations of all the Captains chief Commanders and People were turned and reduced to the service of his Majesty Of all which Gonçalo Piçarro and his Party were not ignorant for they received intelligence daily how matters succeeded at which they were much troubled and with great reason for seeing how people daily fell from their Party they feared that many others would follow the same example whereupon they entred into frequent consultations but with such confusion and disorder that nothing was concluded onely it was agreed to burn the five Ships then in Port together with all the Boats and Vessels which were there This Counsel was said to be given by Licenciado Cepeda and Licençiado Benito de Carvajal men who were better Lawyers than Souldiers and better skilled in Books than in the Politicks for they believed that the Ships and Vessels then in Port would give people opportunity to escape and turn to the Enemy and for want thereof they would be forced though against their wills to side with their Party The burning of the Ships was ordered during the absence of Carvajal who was gone for a weeks time about twenty leagues from Los Reyes to direct some important affairs then in hand but when Carvajal returned and heard of the burning of those Ships he grievously lamented the issue of that fatal Counsel and amongst other things he said to Gonçalo Piçarro Sir You have ordered five Guardian-Angels appointed for the defence of the Coast of Peru and destruction of your Enemies to be consumed with fire had you reserved but one for me I should therewith have given you such an account of my actions as should have surpassed all my former services and have given the world cause to envy my great successes for with some Musketiers which I would have put aboard I would have undertaken to engage all the Fleet of the Enemy for according to the intelligence we have from Panama all the
the Convent of the Merceds I my self accompanied them into the City having gone out the day before to meet my Father as far as Quespicancha being three leagues distant from Cozco part of the way I walked on foot and I was carried part of it by two Indians who by turns took me on their Shoulders but at my return a person leading a Horse gave me leave to ride so that I saw every thing which I have here related and such particular observations did I take thereof that I could assign the very Houses and Chambers where every Captain was quartered for I knew them all and though it be sixty years ago since that time yet I remember the very places and Houses where they lodged for we conserve things better in our memory which we saw in our youth than what we have observed in our riper years Gonçalo Piçarro and his Souldiers being thus entred into Cozco Francisco de Carvajal attended to give out necessary Orders and make such provisions as were requisite to carry the War forwards he repaired the Arms which were broken or become defective in the late Battel of Huarina he caused Powder and Bullets to be made and new fixed such Arms as were not used and omitted nothing in order to carry on the War. Of Arms he had great stores for he had gathered all those which Centeno's Souldiers had lest in the Field and those which belonged to the men slain on both sides and of those who had been deserters all which he repaired and re-fixed with great care and curiosity and of all sorts of offensive Arms he most esteemed of Fire-arms saying that the Gentiles had wisely armed their God Jupiter with Thunder and Lightning which was an Engin that killed at a distance as well as near He caused also Pikes to be made and though they had no Ash in that Countrey out of which to frame them yet they had another sort of Wood as strong and proper as that He also provided great quantities of Cotten for making Matches and in fine he omitted not the least matter which might be requisite or usefull in its time and season in all which matters he applied himself with that diligence that he was never idle and seemed not to allow himself time either to eat or drink His custome was always to ride upon a Mule of a pyed colour I never saw him on any other Beast during the time he continued at Cozco and before the Battel of Sacsahuana so earnest was he at his work that day and night whensoever he was met by his Souldiers they always found him employed And because he knew that they would murmur to see him so busie he would always when he passed by them with his Hat in his hand salute them and instead of saying I kiss your hands he would say What you can perform to day defer not till to morrow and this saying he constantly had in his mouth And when they asked him what time he took to eat and what time to sleep he would make answer That those who had a mind to work had time for every thing Amongst all these exercises and contrivances Carvajal could not conceal his own fierce nature which shewed it self it self in a piece of cruelty acted at Cozco upon a noble Lady belonging to Arequepa whom he strangled in Cozco for she like a Woman after the Battel of Huarina vented many opprobrious speeches against Piçarro saying that the time would come when his tyrannies would have their end like those of more powerfull Governments such as the Greeks and Romans which were all brought to destruction and so violently would she express her self without any discretion fear or wit that Carvajal caused her to be strangled and afterwards hanged out at a Window looking to the Street CHAP. XXVIII The Imprisonment and Death of Pedro de Bustincia Captains are chosen and made by the President Of his departure from Sausa and arrival at Antahuaylla IN revenge of this murther it seems as if God had suffered another of the like nature to be committed about that time in the Royal Army that so Francisco de Carvajal might not have cause without some cross accident to please himself in so detestable an action as the murther of a simple Woman Gonçalo Piçarro was greatly troubled at it and expressed his resentments of it in secret to certain Friends though he did not make known so much of his mind to Carvajal who was well acquainted with the tender heart of Piçarro and knew that he would have prevented him in the execution of his ill design in case he had been acquainted with his intended cruelty and for that reason he privately strangled her in his Chamber and afterwards hanged her out at the Window Now in return of this murther another followed by the death of Pedro Bustincia who being sent to make provisions for the Army in Antahuaylla and the parts thereabouts as hath been mentioned before Alonso Mercadillo and Lope Martin who were two Captains of the contrary party and sent upon the same design having notice thereof resolved to beat up Bustincia's Quarters in the night and take him if it were possible by whom they might be certainly informed of the condition and state of the Enemy Lope Martin so well managed his business that though he was inferiour in number to Pedro Bustincia yet he so surprised him in the night that he took him prisoner to which action twelve of Centeno's Souldiers contributed very much for though they promised to joyn with Piçarro yet their hearts failed them when they came to fight in his cause for they being pleased with any ill success which could befall him made no resistance so that Lope Martin took Bustincia and all his men of which they killed three one of which being of Piçarro's Souldiers to shew himself more brave than the rest dyed in the conflict though there was very little or no opposition the other two who were Levantines or people of the Eastern Countries called the Levant availing themselves much on their bravery boasted that they had killed ten men at the Battel of Huarina by which vain words they brought death upon themselves for it was believed that they were not men of such gallantry but some of those who had been taken lately or wounded Lope Martin set the twelve Souldiers of Centeno at liberty but Piçarro's men with Bustincia he carried away prisoners being greatly pleased and proud of so good a prize The President received Martin very kindly and by means of Centeno's men he became informed of the true state and condition of Piçarro's Army as far as he could desire to know Pedro de Bustincia was not contented quietly to remain a prisoner in the hands of the President but he must needs be talking thinking it a piece of gallantry amidst his Enemies to praise the great actions and exploits of Piçarro and extoll them to the skies which he so boldly affected that he incurred the