consumed was almost incredible CHAP. IV. Of the great Halls and Rooms of State and other things belonging to the Court. IN many of the King's Palaces were long and spatious Galleries of about two hundred paces in length and about fifty or sixty in breadth wherein they often danced and celebrated their Feasts at those seasons of the year when the Rains and bad weather incommoded them in the open Air. I remember that in Cozco I saw four of these Galleries which when I was a Child were still in being and not ruined One of them was in Amarucancha Street where Hernando Piçarro then lived and is now the Jesuits College The other was in Cassana Street but now built and converted into Shops the Rent of which belonged to my School-fellow John de Cillorico Another was in Collcampata Alley where the Inca Paullu and his Son Don Carlos who also was my School-fellow had a Rent in Houses This Gallery was the least of all the four and the biggest was that of Cassana being capable to receive three thousand persons It is wonderfull to consider where it was possible for them to find Timbers so long and square as were fit for the Roofs of such Edifices The fourth Gallery is now turned into the Cathedral Church One thing is remarkable that the Indians of Peru in building their Houses did never raise one Story above another nor did they join one Room to another but always left some space or distance of one Chamber from the other and perhaps a whole Court-Yard or Quadrangle between unless sometimes to their large Halls they built at the corners some Closets or withdrawing Rooms for better convenience and in the Divisions they made of their several Offices they raised Walls of Apartment to keep them private one from the other It is farther also observable that when they had built the four Walls of Stone or Brick for a House or Chamber they erected Pillars or Posts in the middle of it for support of the Roof for they knew not how to cross their Beams or Rafters or how to fasten them with Nails or Wooden Pins but laid their Timbers loose upon the Walls fastning them onely to each other with Spart or Cords made of Straw or Rushes as strong as our Hempen Ropes These main Beams they crossed with Rafters fastning them one to the other on which they laid a covering of Straw so thick that the Thatch was a Yard deep extending its Eves above a Yard over the Walls so as to be a Pend-house to them to preserve them from the Rain I remember that in the Vally of Yucay I once saw one of these large Rooms which was about seventy Foot square covered in form of a Pyramid the Spire of which was twelve Rod high though the Walls were not above three having two little Chambers on each side This Building was not burnt by the Indians when they made their general Insurrection against the Spaniards for though they destroyed many other Houses of pleasure in that Vally the Ruines of which I have seen yet they spared this Structure out of respect to their Incas who had frequented this place being a large and open Square or Quadrangle which served for a wide and spatious Theatre whereon to represent their shows and sports at the times of their principal Festivals Besides the Walls of Stone they made also Walls of Clay which they formed in Cases or Moulds for that purpose mixing the Clay with Straw for better binding The Moulds they made as little or as large as they pleased in measure or proportion to the Wall the shortest were about a Yard long and about the sixth part of a Yard broad and of a like thickness which after they had well dried in the Sun they laid them one upon another in order and after that they had lain two or three Years under covering from the Sun and the Water so that they were fully dried they then used them in their Buildings as we do our Bricks cementing them with the same Clay well tempered and mixed with Straw They knew not how to make Mud-Walls nor did the Spaniards use other than Clay in making their Sun-burnt Bricks In case any of these great Houses which we have mentioned should by any accident have been burnt they did not build again upon the same Walls because as they said the Straw which strengthened and bound the Clay and made it firm and solid being consumed by the fire the Wall must necessarily be weakned and the Clay become loose and unable to bear the weight of the roof and covering which was laid upon it but this was but an erroneous conceit of theirs for I have seen and observed several of the Walls of those Houses which have been burnt that have remained firm and solid as before So Soon as the King happened to dye they presently locked the door of the Chamber where he did usually sleep with all the Ornaments and Riches of Gold and Silver which furnished it or were found therein at the time of his death and this Chamber was in this manner kept always locked that none should enter for that place being ever afterwards esteemed sacred was not to be prophaned by the Feet of any onely the room was without-side kept and maintained in good repair The like Ceremony was observed in the Chambers of all the other Royal Palaces where the Inca had reposed and slept though it had been but the space of one night as he travelled or in a journey where he passed And then immediately they fell to building other Chambers for the living Successour in place of those which had been shut up at the death of the late King. All the Vessels and Services of Gold and Silver which belonged to the former Inca such as Cups Jarres or Goblets of Gold in which he drank as also all the Dishes and Plates of his Kitchin with Cloths and Jewels appertaining to his Person were all buried and interred in the same Grave with him which absurdity proceeded from an opinion they had that the Inca would have occasion of such Utensils and Services in the next World. All the other Ornaments of Majesty and State which belonged to the Chambers Gardens Baths and the like were the Inheritance of the Successour and converted to his use and Service All the Wood and Water which was consumed in the Inca's Court at Cozco was brought thither by the People of the four Divisions called Tavantinsuyu being the Inhabitants nearest adjacent to the City that is within fifteen or twenty Leagues about The Water which they used for their beverage which in their Language they call Aca was a sort of heavy water and something brackish and indeed they did not much desire a sweet and light Water for they were of opinion it made them lean and would not stick by the ribs but easily corrupted in the Stomach for this reason the Indians not being curious in their Waters did not delight in fountains
besides those which we have mentioned in the third Book and fifteenth Chapter of our History of Florida which are found in many parts of that great Kingdom particularly in that rich Temple of the Province called Cofachiqui the 18 Mark weight of Pearl besides the two Chests which Acosta mentions to have been brought for the King's account were all choice Pearls and such as at several times were called out by the Indians and set apart for the King's use and service to whom a fifth part belonged of all the Pearls which were taken and accordingly delivered into the Royal Wardrobe from whence they were given out for adorning a Manto and Petticoat for the Image of our Lady of Guadalupe embroderying a whole Suit such as the dress of her Head Frontlers Surcoat hanging Sleeves and hem of her Garments all with the finest sort of Pearl set in Diamond-work the House or Chair of State made for this Image which were usually of a darkish colour were now covered with Rubies and Emeralds set in Gold by which it was apparent by whose command and at whose charge those Artists worked and to whose service the Catholick King did dedicate so great a Treasure which was immense and beyond the abilities and magnificence of any other than his onely who was Emperour of the Indies But to compute and rightly to calculate the Riches of this Monarch we ought to reade the fourth Book of Acosta wherein are such strange discoveries of things in the New World as are almost incredible Amongst which I have been an eye-witness my self at Sevil in the year 1579 where I saw a Pearl which a Gentleman called Don Diego de Temez brought from Panama and designed for King Philip the Second the Pearl was about the bigness of a Wallnut and roundness of a Pigeon's Egg it was valued in the Indies at twelve thousand Pieces of Eight which make fourteen thousand four hundred Ducats Jacomo de Treco of Milan an excellent Artist and Jeweler to his Catholick Majesty esteemed it at fourteen thirty fifty and sometimes at a hundred thousand Ducats that is that it had no price for in regard there was none like it in the World and that there was none with which it might be compared it was not capable of any estimation In Sevil many went to see it for a sight giving it the Name of the Foreigner A certain Italian Gentleman at that time went about that City and bought up all the choicest Pearls he could find for account of a Great Lord in Italy when having purchased a String or Chain of the best yet being compared and laid by the Foreigner they seemed like so many little pebles of the Brook. Those that knew and were acquainted with Pearls and pretious Stones did aver that it weighed 24 Quilats above any other that was ever known but what that means I am not skilfull enough to interpret The Proprietor of this Pearl said that a little Neger Boy which was not worth above a 100 Ryals fished the shell wherein it was contained out of the water which was so cragged and promised so little outwardly that they were going to cast it again into the Sea but yielding unexpectedly so great a profit to the Master he was pleased in reward for the benefit to give liberty to the Slave and in honour to the Master on whom fortune had bestowed so great a Treasure the Inhabitants of Panama were pleased to make him their High Constable the Pearl was never polished because the Master would never consent that it should be touched unless it were to bore a hole through it for they never attempt to alter the fashion or shapes of them but string them as they come from the shells so that some of them come out very round others long others flat others round of one side and flat on the other but those vvhich are in fashion of a Pear are most esteemed because they are not common When a Merchant hath got one of this shape he presently enquires and makes search for another vvhich is like it for being vvell matched they rise double in their price so that vvhen a Pearl being single is valued at a hundred Ducats being afterwards vvell matched vvith another doth presently double its price and both give a value to each other because they are made the more fit for Chains and Neck-laces for vvhich they are principally designed Pearl is of a nature vvhich vvill admit of no polishing being composed of a certain shell or tunicle vvhich covers it and vvhich decays vvith time losing much of its lustre and brightness vvhich it had at first hovvsoever vvhen they take off the upper coat or tunicle of the decayed part that vvhich is under appears as oriental as it did at first but yet vvith great damage to the Pearl being considerably lessened at least one third of its bigness Hovvsoever the best sort of Pearls do never decay and may be excepted from this general rule CHAP. XXIV Of Gold and Silver SPain it self is a sufficient witness of the Gold and Silver which comes from Peru considering that for the twenty five years last past besides what hath been formerly carried there hath been every year transported twelve or thirteen Millions according to Register besides that which hath passed without account There is Gold found in all the parts of Peru some more and some less generally in every Province It is found on the top or surface of the Earth carried by streams and currents and washed down by great flouds of Rain which the Indians gather and put into water separating it from the Earth as the Silver-smiths do the filings which fall in their shops That which is found in this manner is called Gold in dust because it is like filings some of which are indifferently big and about the fashion of a Mellon-seed some are round and others of an oval form all the Gold of Peru is about eighteen or twenty Quilats more or less in goodness onely that which comes from the Mines of Callauaya or Callahuaya is of the finest sort being twenty four Quilats and better as I have been informed by some Gold-smiths in Spain In the year 1556 there was digged out of the veins of a Rock in the Mines of Callahuaya a piece of Gold Ore of the bigness of a Man's head in colour like the Lungs of a living creature and indeed did something resemble it in the shape having certain Persorations through it from one end to the other in all which holes there appeared little kernels of Gold as if melted Gold had been dropped into them some of them being outwardly in knobs and others more inward Those that understood the nature of Mines were of opinion that had that piece of Ore been suffered to remain it would all with time have been turned into perfect Gold. In Cozco the Spaniards looked upon it as strange and unusual and the Indians called it Huaco as they did every thing which was
way as they travelled than what was of indifferent things and of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of that Valley When they came to the passage of the River he was met by the Garcidiaz de Arias who was elected Bishop of Quitoo who with the Dean and Chapter of that Church and the rest of the Clergy remained there in expectation of his coming and at their meeting there was much joy and chearfulness And proceeding farther untill he came near to the City he was met by the Jurats and Corporation of the City accompanied with the Citizens and principal Gentry thereof and as all the three Authours do agree in their report the Commissary of the King's Revenue named Yllen Suarez de Carvajal went forth in the head of them all and being the chief of the Corporation did in the name thereof offer an Oath to the Vice-king whereby he was to swear that he would maintain the Privileges Franchises and Immunities which the Conquerours and Inhabitants of Peru had received and did hold of his Majesty and that in the Courts of Justice he would receive their Petitions and give ear to the Reasons they should offer against the new Regulations The Vice-king would swear no otherwise than that he would perform all that which was conducing to the King's service and to the benefit of the Countrey at which many took exceptions and said that he swore with equivocations and what would admit of a double meaning Thus far are the words of Diego Fernandez This Oath which the Vice-king took being onely in general terms and which might admit of such a sense as he himself would be pleased to put upon it was occasion of much discontent both to the Clergy and Laity so that all their mirth was dashed and every one turned sad and melancholy saying that nothing could be expected of good from such an Oath which rather administred just cause to fear and suspect that in a short time they should be dispossessed of their Indians and Estates which was a hard case for men of their age who were grown old and infirm by the labours and hardships they had sustained in their youth to gain and conquer that Empire Notwithstanding all which they conducted the vice-Vice-king with great triumph into the City under a Canopy of Cloth of Gold supported by the chief Magistrates of the Town in their Gowns of crimson Sattin lined with white Damask the Bells of the Cathedral Church and of the Convents rang out and all sorts of musical Instruments resounded through the Streets which were adorned with green Boughs and triumphal Arches erected in various works and forms made of Rushes in which as we have said the Indians were very curious But yet so much sadness appeared in their countenances that all the solemnity seemed rather a performance of some Funeral Rites than triumph for receiving a Vice-king all their joy being forced and strained to cover an inward grief which lay heavy upon their spirits In this manner they went in Procession to the great Church where having adored the most holy Sacrament they conducted the vice-Vice-king to the House of Don Francisco Piçarro where he and all his Family was lodged Some few days after which the Vice-king having notice of the great noise and stirs which were making in the Streets by those who were upon their return to Cozco with Vaca de Castro he presently suspected as Carate in the fifteenth Chapter of his third Book reports and with whom other Authours agree that Vaca de Castro had been the cause of all that noise and disturbance for which reason he ordered him to be seised and committed to prison and all his Estate to be sequestred The people of the City though they had no very great kindness for Vaca de Castro yet they petitioned the Vice-king in his behalf desiring him that since Vaca de Castro was one of his Majesty's Council and had been their Governour that he would not be so severe upon him as to commit him to the common Prison since that a person of his Quality though condemned the next day to loose his head might be secured in some decent and convenient Prison whereupon he was sent to the Town-house under bail of an hundred thousand Pieces of Eight in which Sum the Citizens of Lima had engaged for him With such rigorous courses as these the people being much disgusted many of them forsook the City privately departing by few in a company taking their way towards Cozco where the Vice-king had not as yet been received Thus far are the words of Carate the which is confirmed by Diego Fernandez almost in the same words to which he adds that Vaca de Castro remained a Prisoner in the common Gaol his words are these which follow Such as remained behind in the City often met in several Caballs and Counsels lamenting together the misery that was come upon the Land and the Inhabitants of it bidding adieu to all the Riches Liberty and Jurisdiction which they as Conquerours and Lords of Indians had gained and acquired which would be a means to unpeople the Countrey and to cause an abatement of the King's Customs and other parts of his Revenue and therefore they positively averred that it was impossible that the King's Commands could be executed herein or that ever there should be any new discoveries made or Trade and Commerce maintained for the future besides a thousand other inconveniences and damages which they alledged And with this fear and distraction of mind was every man possessed when some of the most principal persons pretending to make a visit to the Vice-king in hopes that he having proved and had some experience of the Constitution of the Countrey might be induced to alter his humour or at least render it more flexible and easie but so soon as any person touched on that string though with the greatest gentleness and submission imaginable he immediately put himself into a passion and by his authority forbade all farther discourse upon that point obviating all objections with the name of the King's pleasure and command which abrupt manner of treaty gave great discontent and excited in the minds of men rancour and malice against his person Some few days after the Vice-kings reception three of the Justices which remained behind with Doctour Carate who lay sick at Truxillo came then to Town upon whose arrival he immediately caused a Court to be called and appointed a place of Judicature to be erected in the House where he himself was lodged being the most convenient for his own accommodation as also because it was the most sumptuous Chamber in all the City He also ordered a stately reception to be made purposely for his Commission under the Great and Royal Seal which was put into a Case covered with Cloth of Gold and carried on a Horse decked with a Foot-cloth and Trappings of Tissue the which was at each end held up by Judges of the City clothed in Gowns of crimson
Major Hernando de Guillado and Garci Tello de Vega were made Captains and Pedro de Castillo Captain of the Artilery and Alvar Perez Payan Proveditor General Diego Perez was made High Sheriff and Bartholomew de Santa Ana his under Sheriff Thus far Palentino Rodrigo de Orellana took part with the Rebels rather out of fear than love the like did other Citizens and Souldiers of good reputation who were truly Loyal to his Majesty being forced thereunto by the greater power of the Rebels who had the Arms in their hands and resolved to kill all those who complied not with them CHAP. XXIV The Orders and Methods which Don Sebastian took in his Affairs Egas de Guzman is directed to make an Insurrection in Potocsi the several strange Revolutions which happened in that Town DON Sebastian himself made choice of one of his Souldiers in whom he had the greatest confidence called Diego Mendez to be Captain of his Guard and for better security of his person thirteen Souldiers were chosen to be listed therein being all esteemed stout Men and true and faithfull to him and yet when this poor Gentleman had occasion for them not one man would appear in his defence Another Souldier called Garçia de Baçan was sent with a small party to the Estate and Lands of Pedro de Hinojosa to seise his Slaves Horses and all other his Goods and Faculties with Orders to bring back with him those Souldiers who were dispersed abroad and lived amongst the Indians for want of clothing after the Spanish Fashion which was very dear for with the Indians any thing served and also Orders were given by Don Sebastian to bring Diego de Almendras a prisoner Other Souldiers were dispeeded away in pursuit of Polo the Lawyer but neither party had success for Polo passing by the place where Diego de Almendras lived gave him advice of the death of General Hinojosa whereupon Almendras getting as many of the Slaves belonging to Hinojosa together as he was able with seven of his Horses he fled away in company with Polo which soon carried him far enough away out of the reach of the rebellious Souldiers likewise Don Sebastian dispeeded away two Souldiers to the quarters of Potocsi to inform Egas de Guzman of all that had passed that he also might take up Arms as others had done These and all the Actions mentioned in the preceding Chapter with what else we shall touch upon hereafter were performed the very day that Pedro de Hinojosa was killed of which he endeavoured to send the first intelligence to all parts the Messengers whereof carried it with such speed to Potocsi that though it was seventeen leagues thither and a bad rocky way and a River to pass yet they arrived there the next morning by break of day so soon as Egas de Guzman received this news he assembled his Souldiers which he had formerly listed upon this occasion and with them and the two messengers which brought the news and without other Arms or Provisions than their Swords and Daggers and Cloaks to cover them they went immediately to the Houses of Gomez de Solis and Martin de Almendras Brother of Diego de Almendras and took them with great ease and carried them Prisoners to the Town-house where they laid them in Chains and lodged them in a Chamber with a secure Guard upon them Upon the report of this pleasing Action many Souldiers came in and joined with Egas de Guzman and presently went to the King's house where they seised his Treasurer Francisco de Ysafiga with his Accomptant Hernando de Alvarado and broke open the Royal Treasury from whence they robbed above a Million and a half of Silver and made immediate Proclamation that every man upon pain of Death should repair to the Market place to join with the Squadron Then did Guzman make choice of a Souldier called Antonio de Luxan to be Chief Justice or Recorder of the Town who so soon as he was in Office put the Accomptant Hernando de Alvarado to death upon an Accusation as Palentino saith that he had been in the Conspiracy with the General Pedro de Hinojosa to make a Rebellion in the Countrey Likewise Egas de Guzman dispatched away six or seven Souldiers to a Village called Porcu to get what Men Arms and Horses they could find in those parts At this time a certain Knight of the Order of St. John being amongst his Indian Vassals where he had a good Estate assigned him and hearing of the Murâ—â—er of Pedro de Hinojosa wrote a congratulatory Letter to Don Sebastian upon that subject wishing him much joy of his high promotion and desired him presently to send him twenty Musquetiers that he might go and take Gomez de Alvarado and Lorenço de Aldana who were his neighbours and to take away call jealousie and suspicion of the design he advised that the Souldiers should not be sent by the ordinary road but by private ways and untrodden paths for which good contrivance this good Gentleman paid afterwards to his cost The day following after the death of Hinojosa Baltasar de Velazquez and Basco Godinez came to the City who had been chief Instruments in that Mutiny and such as had contrived and fomented the Plot as will appear hereafter and which is confirmed by Palentino in these words Whilst Don Sebastian was preparing to receive them they both entred the Town Sebastian was over-joyed to see them and alighting from his Horse he met Godinez a foot and they both embraced with all the Ceremony of good correspondence Then said Basco Godinez to Sebastian Sir about five leagues from hence I first received the joyfull news of this glorious Action so much desired by me To which Don Sebastian taking off his hat made answer These Gentlemen here were pleased to make choice of me for their General which Charge I accepted until such time as you arrived here to ease me thereof which therefore now I renounce and willingly resign it into your hands But Basco Godinez refused to accept it saying that that Office could not be better supplied by any than by himself and that his endeavours tended wholly to see him advanced to that Dignity and Charge After which Complements they retired from the Company and discoursed together privately and apart After which Don Sebastian made Proclamation whereby Basco Godinez was declared Lieutenant General and that he should be obeyed accordingly by the Souldiery upon pein of death and Baltasar de Velazquez was made Captain of Horse Moreover Sebastian said to Godinez Sir it was impossible to have deferred this action untill your coming for if we had we had lost our opportunity but for the future we shall regulate our selves by your direction To which Godinez replied that neither then nor at any other time could he erre in such wise proceedings and that he hoped in God that those steps he had made with so much difficulty and hazard would tend to the happiness and settlement
and suppressed untill this season in which they esteemed it convenient to vent their hatred And in regard that the life of all designs is speedy execution and that now they were to surprize the Inca unprovided of Men and power of Resistence they did not doubt but by one single Victory to render themselves Masters again not onely of their ancient Enemies but of all the Empire of the Incas With these probable hopes and expectations of successes they invited all their Neighbours as well those that were Subjects to the Inca as those that were not to partake with them in the design and reward of the enterprize the which appeared fair and promising in this present conjuncture To these Summons the Indians easily yielded expecting great advantages and depending on the great renown and fame in War which the Ancient bravery of the Chancas had acquired And having constituted Hanco-huallu their Captain-General and the two Brothers Major-Generals with other Curacas for Colonels and Officers they marched directly with resolution to Summon and make demand of the City of Cozco CHAP. XXIV The Inca abandons the City and the Prince succours it SO soon as the Inca Yahuar-huacac understood the certainty of this News and of the approach of the Enemy he was affrighted and terrified within himself for it seemed a surprize to him to understand of a rebellion for as yet no such thing had ever happened in the Provinces during the lenity of that Government which the Incas had exercised from the time of Manco Capac to those very days under the security of which and out of the hatred he conceived to his Son to whom he could not allow the honour of divine revelation he neither would give credit to the dream nor hearken to the advice or counsel of his kindred but having blinded his understanding with passion and prejudice he found himself ensnared in inextricable difficulties having neither time to levy a force sufficient to encounter his Enemies nor a Garrison in readiness to defend the City untill other relief or succour could be administred Wherefore in these doubts he resolved to give way to the Torrent of his Enemies rage and retire towards Collasuyu where he promised to himself security of life and defence from the Loyalty and Valour of that people With this intention and design he departed from Cozco with a retinue of such Incas as were able to follow him and came to the Straits of Mayna about five Leagues Northward from the City towards the Sea of Zur and there posted himself on the top Mountain from whence he could survey the Enemies Camp and descry what they acted in the way as they passed The King having thus abandoned Cozco the City was exposed to open violence none daring to propose much less act in the defence of it every one endeavouring to shift for himself and save his life in the best manner he was able Of these Fugitives some repaired to the Prince Viracocha informing him of the Rebellion of Chincasuyu and of the flight of his Father and that there was no possibility in so short time and warning to withstand or make head against the Enemy The Prince deeply resenting this sad news of the flight of his Father and the nakedness of the City commanded those who brought him the advice and those few Shepherds that were with him that they should immediately repair to the City and order those that they should find there and as many as they should meet in the ways that they should with such Arms as they had and with as much speed as they could possibly repair to the Inca their Lord and Master giving them likewise to understand that it was his intention so to doe and that this was his Order and Special Command to them Having issued out this advice the Prince Viracocha proceeded in Quest of his Father and without visiting the City he took a short cut and losing no time overtook him in the Straits of Muyna from whence he was not as yet departed and being covered over with sweat and dust holding a Lance in his hand which he had casually taken up on the way he presented himself before the King and with a grave and melancholy countenance he thus addressed his Speech to him How is it Inca that upon a report whether true or false is uncertain of some few of your Subjects risen in Rebellion you should abandon your City and Court and fly before an Enemy not as yet seen nor appearing How can you yield and resign the Temple of the Sun your Father into the power of your Enemies to be polluted by their Prophane and unhallowed feet giving them thereby liberty to return to their ancient Abominations and there offer again their detestable Sacrifices of Men Women and Children with other unhumane and unnatural actions from which your Ancestours had reformed them What account shall we be able to render of the charge committed to us for guard and defence of those Virgins dedicated to the Sun if we abandon and leave them to the brutality and lusts of our Enemies And what benefit shall we get by saving our lives with the loss of our honour and admission of all the evils and mischiefs imaginable For my part I shall never assent unto it but rather appear singly before the face of my Enemies and lose my life in opposing their entrance into Cozco rather than live to see the desolation of that City and those abominable practices committed in that Sacred and Imperial Court which the Sun and his Children had founded Wherefore let such as have courage follow me and I shall shew them how to exchange an infamous and loathsome Life for a noble and honourable Death Having said thus much with deep sense and heat of spirit he took his way towards the City without losing so much time as to eat or drink The Incas of the Bloud who untill now had accompanied the King and with them his own Brothers Cousins and nearest Relations to the number of above 4000 Men returned and followed the Prince so that onely some few old and impotent Men remained with the King As many as they met in the way they marched and those also who were scattered abroad in the Countrey they called and summoned unto them giving them to understand that the Prince Viracocha was returned to the City with intention to defend that and the Temple of his Father the Sun with the last drop of his bloud With this news which was soon spread over all places the Indians were so encouraged the presence of the Prince giving countenance to the resolution that they all unanimously returned to the City intending there to dye with great alacrity and chearfulness with their Prince who evidenced so much resolution and courage in their defence In this manner and with these thoughts he entred the City and from thence immediately taking the direct road towards Chincasuyu which was the Pass by which the Enemy marched he
most gentile and fashionable sort after the manner of the King and the Incas that in token of Approbation and having passed examination were found and esteemed worthy This Ceremony of putting on the Shoes did something resemble the practice of buckling the spurs on the heels of Knights of the military Order in Spain which being done they kissed them on the right Shoulder saying That Child of the Sun who hath given these evidences of his Merits deserves to be kissed For the same Word which with them signifies Kisses signifies also Adoration Honour and Courtesie This Ceremony being past the Novitiate was introduced into a round Chamber adorned with Hangings where the ancient Incas vested him with the Habit agreeable to his Order which untill that time it was not lawfull to put on This Vestment was made with three corners two of which hung down at length to cover the Privy-parts being girt about the Wast with a Twist of the Thickness of a finger the other part behind was girt or laced about the Thighs so that though all the other Garments were stripped off yet this habit would remain a sufficient and decent covering for the Body But the chief and principal Mark of this Order was the boring of the Ears which as it was a Badge of Royalty so this of the Vestment was of Chivalry the Ceremony of the Woollen Shoes was a Novelty introduced signifying the Weariness of the Novitiate after his Labours and were bestowed by way of refreshment rather than as any essential Ceremony belonging to the Order From this word Huaracu which fully expresses all the Solemnity of this Festival the word Huara is derived which signifies a Cloth or Vestment and implicitely denotes that that Person who deserves such Habit hath a lawfull Title of pretence to all those Dignities Honours and Royalties which may be acquired either by War or Peace Moreover they placed on the Head of these Novitiates Garlands of two several sorts of Flowers one was of that which they call Cantut being of a very beautifull form and of various Colours such as yellow murry red and others all being very lively and chearfull The other sort of Flower was called Chihuayhua being of a deep incarnation not unlike the Gilliflowers of Spain These two sorts of Flowers were appropriated onely to those of the Royal Family it not being lawfull for the Commonalty nor for any Curaca how great soever he were to wear that sort of Flower Moreover they wore upon their Heads the Leaf of an Herb called Vinay Huayna which signifies youthfull being very verdant and green and bearing a Leaf like that of the Lilly it conserves it self fresh for a long time and though it be withered yet it continues its colour All the Badges of Chivalry and Honour such as the Flowers and Leaves before mentioned and other things were conferred alike on all Novitiates as well as on the Heir apparent who was differenced from them onely in the Wreath which bound his Temples which was four fingers broad not round as the Spaniards imagine it but like a Fringe made of Wool for the Indians had no Silk in their Countrey the colour was of a pale yellow like a Lemon-colour This distinction was not worn by the Prince untill he had passed his time of Approbation and then it was his single and peculiar Badge of Honour not being allowed to any other no not to his own Brother The last Royal distinction they gave unto the Prince was a kind of Pole-ax with a Handle of about a yard long which they called Champi This Iron had an edge like a sword on one side and the point of a Diamond on the other being like a Partesan onely that it wanted a point When this Weapon was put into his Hand they said Aucacunapac which is a Noun of the Dative Case and signifies for Tyrants for Traytors for cruel Persons for false Breakers of their Faith for this and much more this word Auca signifies these Arms which were put into his Hands served for an Embleme of Justice with which he was to punish Offenders the other particulars of Flowers and odoriferous Herbs signified Clemency Piety Gentleness and other Vertues and Royal Endowments of a Prince which he ought to make use of towards his faithfull and loyal Subjects For as his Father the Sun had caused those Flowers to grow in the Fields for the contentment and pleasure of Mankind so likewise ought a Prince to cultivate the Flowers of Vertue in his Mind that so he might justly claim the Title of Lover of the Poor and that under that character and notion his Name might smell sweet and be pretious in the World. The Officers of Chivalry having in the presence of the Inca made and concluded this Discourse unto the Prince then immediately the Uncles and Brothers of the Prince presenting themselves on their Knees before him adored and reverenced him for the true and undoubted Child of the Sun and Heir of the Inca. The which Ceremony seems a kind of Instalment of the Prince and Admission to the hereditary Succession of the Empire which being done they bound his Temples with the yellowish Wreath And thus the Feast of the Novitiates admitted into the Order of Chivalry concluded CHAP. XXVIII The Distinctions which the Kings and the other Incas and the Masters of Novitiates wore THE King wore the same sort of Wreath about his Temples but of a different colour being red besides which the Inca carried another more peculiar distinction proper to himself which was the two pinion Feathers of the Bird called Corequenque the which are streaked white and black and as large as the Wings of a Falcon or long-winged Hawk they were to be fellows of the same Bird as I once remember to have seen them planted on the Head of Inca Sayri Tupac The Birds which have these Feathers are found onely in the Desart of Villcanuta being about thirty Leagues distant from the City of Cozco situate near a little Lake lying at the foot of the inaccessible snowy Mountain Those that are acquainted with that sort of Fowl say that never above two of them namely a Male and Female are seen together but whence they come or where they are bred is not known besides which place the Indians say that none are seen in any other part of Peru though there are other Lakes and snowy Mountains and Desarts besides that of Villcanuta perhaps this Bird may be like the Phenix which none having seen we may fansie it after the form and colour of this Bird. Now in regard that these Birds were singular in the World and that none besides them were ever seen before nor since the Incas esteemed them such a rarity as did not become any besides the Royal Head for these Birds for the singularity of them resembling as they said their two original Parents Man and Woman which descended from Heaven served to continue the memory of them and therefore as
joy and contentment on this occasion But I not well understanding the meaning of this Drollery replied to him and said Uncle why should we rejoice for the Death of Don Francisco since he was our Kinsman and Acquaintance With which turning towards me with great anger and passion and taking the end of his Mantle and biting it with his Teeth as the manner is amongst the Indians when they are in a rage retorted upon me and said What you have a mind to be a Kinsman to an Auca the Son of another Auca which signifies a Tyrant and Traytour who destroyed our Empire and killed our Inca who exhausted our Bloud and extirpated our Family who committed so many outrages unnatural to our Kindred unknown and abhorred by our Forefathers Give me but this dead Rascal into my hand and you shall see me eat him raw without Pepper or Salt. Oh that Traytor his Father was surely no Son of Huayna Capac our Inca but some mean Bastard of an Indian of Quitu with whom his Mother plaid the Whore and abused our King for if he had been an Inca he could never have been guilty of those horrid Cruelties and Abominations he committed nor could such execrable designs have entred into his imagination for considering that it was a fundamental Doctrine of our Ancestours never to doe hurt or damage unto any no not so much as to their Enemies What Monster then of iniquity must this Man be who violating all the Rules of Humanity hath imbrued his hands in the bloud of all his Relations Then do not say that this person can be descended from our Lineage whose disposition was unnatural and different to the temper and constitution of our Forefathers Consider what an injury you doe to them to us nay to your self in styling us the Kinsmen of a most cruel Tyrant who from the degree of Kings reduced those few of us who escaped his outrageous hands to the condition of servitude and slavery All this and much more this Inca uttered with such rage moved by a sensible remembrance of those detestable cruelties which Atahualpa had committed that the satisfaction they received by the Death of Don Francisco was changed into woe and lamentations And indeed this Francisco during the time of his Life was so sensible of the common hatred of Mankind towards him which avoided his conversation flying from him as from the Pestilence that he with shame absconded himself and lived retired within his own doors the like also did his two Sisters who hearing all places resound with Auca which properly signifies Cruelties Tyrannies and Misfortunes were filled with shame and confusion CHAP. XL. What remains survived of the Incan Family A Long time after I had finished this ninth Book I received Advices from Peru out of which I have framed this Chapter concerning the Reliques of the Incan Bloud which being greater than I thought I have added as pertinent to this History For in the year 1603 they all joined in a Letter directed to Don Melchior Carlos Inca Son of Don Alonso de Mesa who lived near Cozco and likewise to my self desiring us that we would intercede in their behalf with his Majesty that he would be pleased to exempt them from Tribute and from those grievous Exactions with which they were charged in common with other Indians for performance of which they delegated all and every of us with full Power and Authority from them particularly named descended from such and such a King and for better proof of their Lineage they sent a Royal Tree of their Pedigree drawn out upon a Yard and half of white Taffity made of the Bark of the China Tree descending from Manco Capac to Huayna Capac and his son Paullu the Chief Incas being all curiously painted in their ancient Habits upon their Heads they wore the coloured Twist or Wreath in their Ears their great Earings with Partesans in their hands in the place of Sceptres being painted from their Breasts upwards The Papers were directed to me which I addressed to Don Melchior Carlos Inca and Don Alonso de Mesa then residing in the Court at Valladolid because my other affairs would not permit me to attend this cause in which I should otherwise have gladly employed both my time and life This Letter which was subscribed by the Incas was wrote by one of them in a very fair Character the phrase or style was partly Indian and in part Castillian they being all now much conformed to the Spanish Mode and it was dated the 16th of April 1603. I did not think fit to insert a Copy thereof here because it is too sad and tragical recounting the dolefull estate into which they were fallen The Address is penn'd with such assurance of his Majesty's favour that as we all believe whensoever his Catholick Majesty shall be informed and made sensible thereof he will not onely ease them of their burthens but bestow such privileges on them as are decent and becoming the Royal Off-spring of Kings The Scheme vvhich they drevv of their Pedigree vvas exactly framed for the Kings vvho vvere Incas vvere painted in their several Figures denoting on each side the descendencies from them vvith this Inscription Capac Ayullu vvhich is the Royal Off-spring and is the Title in common to all signifying thereby hovv all of them vvere derived from the first Inca Manco Capac then the Pedigree of every King hath its particular distinction vvith different Names by vvhich appears hovv every one descended from such and such a King. The Issue or Progeny of Manco Capac they call Chima Panaca from vvhich forty Incas are successively descended That of Sinchi Rocca they call Raurava Panaca from vvhence proceeded sixty four Incas That of Lloque Yupanqui the third Inca they call Hahuaniva Ayllu from whence descended sixty three Incas That of Capac Yupanqui they call Apu Mayta from whence are fifty six That of Mayta Capac the fifth King they call Usca Mayta from whence are thirty five That of Inca Roca they call Vicaquitau from whence are fifty That of Yahuar Huacac the seventh King they call Aylli Panaca from whence are sixty nine The Issue of Inca Pachacutec and his Son Inca Yupanqui being joined together are called Inca Panaca and make up a double number of ninety nine The Off-spring descended from Tupac Inca Yupanqui they call Capac Ayllu which signifies no more than the Royal Progeny which confirms what we have declared before concerning that Title and of this branch there are onely eighteen The Off-spring of Huayna Capac they call Tumipampa in remembrance of that solemn Festival which he instituted in honour of the Sun and celebrated in that wide and open Field which is situate in the Province of Cannaris where he erected Royal Palaces and Store-houses for support and accommodation of the Souldiery together with a Monastery for the Select Virgins and a Temple of the Sun all which were so magnificent and stately and so full of
lament his lost leaves and scattered fragments CHAP. XXVI The Authour compares his own Writings with the Histories of Spaniards NOW to compare what we have said with the Writings of Spanish Historians we say that the Discourse of Friar Valverde and the Answer of Atahualpa are delivered very brief and in few words in all the printed Histories For the truth is the General and Captains were not very sincere or faithfull in the Narrative they gave of passages which occurred for to put the best gloss and colour they could on their actions they left out all their cruel and unjustifiable proceedings and added whatsoever they judged to have the best appearance What we have alledged concerning Atahualpa how that he ordered his Subjects to resist the Spaniards is confirmed by the authority of several Historians and particularly by Lopez de Gomara who in the 113th Chapter of his Book hath these Words It is very observable saith he that though the Indians came all armed yet not a Man lifted up his hand because the word of Command was not given nor the Signal shewed for Fight as was agreed in case that matters so required for it is probable the surprize was so sudden and the affrightment so great by the sound of the Trumpets the Vollies of the Musquets and roaring of the Cannon the rushing of the Horses and clattering of Armour things so unknown to these poor people as distracted them and put them besides their understandings and reason And a little farther he adds Great numbers of them perished because they did not fight whilst ours killed them with their Daggers slashing and stabbing them for Friar Valverde advised them not to use their Swords lest in that service they should be either blunted or broken Thus far are the Words of Gomara the which is likewise confirmed by other Authours who report that the Indians fled so soon as they saw their King taken Prisoner and that Atahualpa commanded them not to resist the Spaniards The which we may attribute to a Miracle of God's Providence who was pleased to conserve the Christians and not suffer them to perish whom he had designed to preach the Gospel For if the Inca had not commanded them not to fight certainly they would never have endured to see their Prince overthrown and taken for having Weapons in their hands they would rather have died all in his defence than have suffered 160 Spaniards whom they were able to have subdued with stones to commit such Outrages upon them instead whereof there was not one Spaniard either killed or wounded unless it were Francisco de Piçarro who received a little hurt in his hand by one of his own people as he went to seize Atahualpa The truth is the Indians did not fight because they held every Command of their Inca to be a part of their Religion and of the divine Law though it were to the loss of their Lives and Estates And as to what Historians report of Friar Valverde that he himself used his Weapons and encouraged the Souldiers to kill and destroy the Indians and stab them with Daggers to save their Swords and conserve them to another opportunity is a false report of those who wrote these passages into Spain where they might easily at 3000 Leagues distance obtrude what stories they pleased on the minds of Men for otherwise it is not to be imagined that a religious Friar a good Catholick and a Divine would utter such outragious words of Cruelty which became a Nero rather than a Person of his Coat and Profession and one who deserved the Dignity of a Bishop in that he died by the hands of the Indians for preaching the Catholick Faith Which having said let us return to the Series of our History CHAP. XXVII How the Spaniards took the king Atahualpa THE Spanish Horse sallying forth attacked the Squadrons of the Indians and ran them through with their Lances without any opposition and at the same time D. Francisco Piçarro and his Infantry assailed Atahualpa with all their fury for they imagined that in case they could once make themselves Master of that Jewel which was the King they should soon gain all the Treasures of Peru but the Indians with great numbers encompassing the Kings's Chair did not offend the Spaniards but onely endeavoured to defend and cover their King from hurt and mischief Howsoever the Spaniards wounded them on all sides and lanced them through the sides though they defended not themselves onely interposed their bodies between the King and the Spaniards in fine with much slaughter they opened their way to the King the first that came up to him was D. Francisco Piçarro who laying hold on his Vestments fell with him to the ground though some Historians say that he took him by the Locks which were very long but that was a mistake for the Incas wear very short Hair. In short the Spaniards having overthrown Atahualpa they took him Prisoner In confirmation of which truth Gomara hath these words There was not one Spaniard either killed or wounded onely Francisco Piçarro received a small hurt in his hand by a blow of one of his own Souldiers who strook at Atahualpa to knock him down whence it is reported that it was not Piçarro but another which took the King Prisoner With which Words Gomara ends his 113th Chapter Now to add unto his History what he hatly omitted as we have declared we would we aver that this Souldier was called Michael Astere who afterwards lived in the City of Huamanca where he possessed some Lands and commanded over the Indians When Atahualpa was fallen this Souldier took off the coloured Wreath which encircled his Temples the which was as his Crown or Laurel of Royalty and kept it for his prize which gave occasion for the report that Atahualpa was taken Prisoner by the Souldier and not by Piçarro but be the matter how it will since both vvere so near together and the thing doubtfull the Honour ought to be given to the chief Commander Hovvsoever Michael Astere kept the coloured Wreath by him untill the year 1557 vvhen he bestovved it on the Inca Sayritupac vvho then deserted the Mountains to vvhich he vvas retired as shall be related in its due place The Indians seeing their King taken and the Spaniards still pursuing them with wounds and slaughter staid no longer but all put themselves to flight but not being able to make their escape by the way for the Horse had possessed themselves of that pass they made towards a certain Wall built of freezed Stone in the time of the Great Inca Pachacutec when he had conquered Cassamarca and being in great multitudes and many hands they over turned above a hundred paces of the Wall and climbed over the Ruines over which the Horse not being able to follow them they escaped into the Plains And here a certain Authour saith that the Stones of these Walls were more tender and compassionate than the hearts of the Spaniards
expressed by the chearfulness of his Countenance his Words and Gestures And at last turning to his own People he said to the same purpose as Atahualpa had done when he first saw Hernando Piçarro and Hernando de Soto These Men said he are the true Sons of our God Viracocha for so they resemble him in their Behaviour in their Beards and Habits and therefore do justly challenge all Duty and Service from us according to the Commands enjoined us by our Father Huayna Capac as appears by his last Will and Testament CHAP. XII The Inca demands Restitution of his Empire and what Answer was returned to him thereupon THese Discourses being ended the Spaniards mounted on Horseback and the Inca into his Chair then the Governour took the Left hand of the Inca and his Brothers and the other Captains and Souldiers marched in the front each Company by it self one Company was commanded to bring up the Rere and a Guard of twenty four foot-Souldiers were ordered to attend and march by the Chair of the Inca. Thus when the Indians found themselves to join in one Body with the Spaniards they were highly pleased to be so honoured and esteemed worthy to associate and to join company with those whom they adored for Gods. In this order they entred into the City with great Joy and Triumph the Inhabitants going forth to meet them with Dances and Songs composed in Praise of the Viracochas for the poor people were overjoyed to see their Inca and to understand that the true and lawfull Heir which had escaped from the Tyranny of Atahualpa was now to succeed into the Throne of his Ancestours The Street through which the Inca was to pass was covered with a sort of their Rushes and Canes and some triumphal Arches erected at a certain distance each from the other decked with Flowers after the Fashion which they used at the Triumphs of their Kings The Spaniards conducted the King to one of the Royal Palaces called Cassana situate in the Market-place fronting to the Colosseo belonging to the Jesuites where they left him highly pleased and big with expectation to be restored to his Empire for measuring the good Intentions of the Spaniards by the kind reception which they gave him the Inca and his Attendants were fully persuaded that the days were now returned in which they should enjoy the ancient Peace Quiet and Freedom which flourished in the time of their Incas So soon as the King was settled in his Lodgings the Officers delivered the Presents which they had brought to the Governour and his Viracochas who received them with so many Thanks and kind Words that the Indians were infinitely pleased and overjoyed at the gratefull acceptance of them This was the onely happy day crowned with Honour and Contentment that this poor Inca had ever known in all the course of his former Life for in the time of his Brother Atahualpa he remained under great persecutions flying from place to place in perpetual dread and fear and the remainder of his Days untill the time of his Death admitted of little more Consolation than the former as we shall see hereafter in the Sequel of this Story When the Inca had a little reposed himself in his Lodgings he sent to Francisco Chaves and his Companions letting them know that he was desirous to see and to be acquainted with them on the good report and character he had received from his People concerning them so soon as they were come he embraced them with all demonstration of kindness and having drank with them according to the custome of the Incas he told them besides many other kind expressions that their Actions shewed them to be the true Off-spring of the God Viracocha and Brethren of the Incas because they endeavoured to deliver Atahualpa from Death which worthy Act he would ever acknowledge and recompence desiring them to esteem him for their Brother considering that they were all descended from the same Race and Lineage of the Sun and then he presented them with Vessels of Gold and Silver and pretious Stones which he had brought apart for this Gentleman and his Companions which were taken so kindly that Chaves in the name of the rest returned his Complement and said that they were all Servants of his Highness and would evidence so much when occasion should offer and that what they had endeavoured for his Brother was onely in compliance with their Duty and Obligation and that if he doubted of their Reality they desired him to make a trial of their good-will and services for him Then the Inca embracing them again dismissed them highly satisfied with the Presents he had made them of Jewels and of Gold and Silver Turquoises and Emeralds Two days after his Arrival the Prince Manco Inca proposed to the Governour that he might be restored to his Empiré according to the Articles agreed between the Indians and the Spaniards and that a firm Peace and an Alliance might be made between them That Priests should be sent to preach and propagate the Law of the Christians unto the Indians as the Spaniards had themselves proposed and that for what concerned the Inca to perform he was ready to give his orders that they should be well received and treated with high Veneration and Esteem in all the principal Provinces of the Empire where they would find the People very docible and willing to be instructed in their Faith upon the assurance they had received from their Father Huayna Capac who at the time of his death did attest that the Law of the Christians was better than our own And whereas this their Father had by his last Will and Testament ordained that his People should obey and serve the Spaniards they were ready to comply with his Injunctions therein and to resign so much and what part of the Kingdom they should desire into their Hands To which the Governour returned this Answer That his Highness was welcome to his own Imperial City and that he should rest and take his Repose with quietness and security That he was very well pleased to know his Will and Pleasure that so he might give him a proof of his readiness to comply with his Desires And that as to the Capitulations which were agreed they were so just and reasonable that nothing could be objected against the performance of them After which some Discourse past but very short for want of an Interpreter The next day the Governour holding a Consultation with his Brothers and the rest of the Captains touching the demand which was made by the Inca several opinions arose upon the Debate but it being considered that the possession of the Kingdom had no other meaning than the binding of the Inca's Head with the coloured Wreath the Governour with his Attendants went to the House of the Inca and without farther Preface or long Oration desired him to take immediate possession of his Empire for had he been acquainted with the custome of his
whose parties all the Noblemen and persons of Estates in Spain adhered on one side or the other and actually served untill the death of one of them determined the quarrel if a succeeding King after the Wars were ended should have deprived all those who were engaged in this quarrel both of one side and the other what troubles would it have created and how would it have moved the spirits of all the powerfull men in Spain The like which happened between the House of Castile and that of Portugal might be brought into example as namely the Party which held for Beltraneja who was twice sworn Princess of Castile and in favour of her many of the chief Lords of that Countrey appeared whom when Queen Isabella called Rebels and Traitours the Duke of Alva replied pray God Madam that we may overcome them for if we do not I am sure they will call us Traitours and prove us so too To apply these particulars in History to the present case what will become of us said they if the Successour to this King should seise on the Estates of those who were concerned in this War. Besides all which they uttered many scandalous and seditious words which we purposely omit not to offend the ears of the hearers howsoever the contrary Party was highly incensed thereat and both sides put into a fermentation whence all those mischiefs were derived which afterwards happened But to return to the Vice-king who was now on his Journey to Los Reyes so soon as the Messengers from Vaca de Castro came to him he received them to outward appearance kindly and with much respect and gave them a speedy dispatch that they might return freely again to Los Reyes where being returned they rendred a sad relation of the rigour and severity wherewith the new Laws were put in execution and of the rude and morose humour of the Vice-king who admitted of no Pleas or Petitions or Appeals to the contrary which served to add new fuel and blow all into a flame both in Los Reyes Cozco and in all that Kingdom So that now they began generally to discourse that they would neither receive this Vice-king not obey the new Laws which he was putting into practice for that they were well assured that the very day that he entred Vice-king into Los Reyes and his Laws were published they should be no longer Masters of their Indians nor of their Estates and that besides the point of taking their Indians from them his Laws and new regulations included so many severe things that all their Estates were confiscated and their Lives endangered for by the same rule that they took away their Indians from them because they had been engaged on one side or the other with the Almagrians or the Piçarrists they might also take off their heads which was a case intolerable and not to be endured though they were reduced to the condition and lived under the notion of Slaves To such a pitch of mutinous humour the whole City of Los Reyes was incensed that they had almost taken a resolution not to receive the Vice-king which they had certainly pursued had not the Receiver General named Suarez de Carvajal and Diego de Aguero who were principal men of that Corporation and greatly esteemed for their prudence and moderation prevailed upon the people and dissuaded them from that rash design so that at length it was resolved to receive him in state and with much solemnity in hopes that by their services and humility they might incline his mind to some sort of flexibility and good nature at least that he might lend a gentle ear to the Pleas which they made for themselves and in favour of those Laws which the Catholick Kings and the Emperour himself had made in favour of the Conquerours and of those who had gained and subdued this new World with particular respect to the people of Peru who having acquired this rich Empire ought more especially to be cherished and favoured as persons of highest merit and desert It being thus determined to receive the Vice-king all the people decked themselves with their best ornaments and array preparing themselves against the day of his entry into this City when in the mean time Yllen Suarez de Carvajal and Captain Diego de Aguero were scandalously treated by the people who always mutinied against them whensoever as any thing went cross or contrary to their humour saying that for their own interest they had solicited and persuaded them to receive the Vice-king namely one of them being Receiver General of the King's Treasury and the other having been in the late Wars and both of them being Justices little esteemed the loss of their Indians more in regard to their own interest than to the service of the Emperour In the mean time the Vice-king pursuing his Journey put the new Laws in execution in all places wheresoever he arrived with his usual severity and rigour without admitting any plea to the contrary giving them to understand that he stood in fear of none but as a good Minister and Servant to his Master he was to obey his commands without respect or regard unto any At length he came to the Valley called Huaura where at the Inn he neither found Indian nor Provisions nor any accommodation whatsoever the which though in reality was caused by the default and omission of the Inhabitants of Los Reyes whose duty it was to take care of the Provisions in the way for the vice-Vice-king yet he otherwise took it and attributed the want thereof to Antonio de Solar who was a Native of Medina del Campo and a Citizen because he was the chief Proprietor of that Valley for which reason he was highly incensed against him and more vehemently when upon a white Wall of that Inn which as the saying goes is the paper of bold and angry men he saw this Motto written He that will drive me from my House and Lands I will drive him out of this world if I can The which Sentence being supposed to be written by Antonio Solar or some other by his order he conceived a mortal hatred against him which though he concealed for a while yet at length it burst out as hereafter will be declared CHAP. V. In what manner they received the Vice-king the imprisonment of Vaca de Castro and of the great trouble which it caused both to the Vice-king and the People THUS were the people discontented sad and enraged though they endeavoured as much as was possible to conceal and dissemble it when the Vice-king arrived about three Leagues distant from Rimac where he was met by several Gentlemen of Quality and particularly by Vaca de Castro and Don Geronimo de Loaysa Bishop of that place afterwards made Archbishop who came thither to conduct him to the City The Vice-king received them all with much kindness and humanity especially the Bishop and Vaca de Castro entertaining no other discourse with them in the
Carvajal utter with much passion and vehemence and was as good as his word as well to Friars as others according to the report of all Historians for such as he took who had revolted from him he punished with the utmost cruelty and torment but those who were onely Prisoners of War and had kept their side he used well and with some kindness endeavouring to bring them over to his own Party And now we shall leave Carvajal in his pursuit of Diego Centeno and return to Gonçalo Piçarro who was also in the pursuit of the Vice-king at the same time and almost in the same days CHAP. XXX Gonçalo Piçarro pursues the Vice-king so close that at length he drove him out of Peru. Pedro de Hinojosa sails to Panama with a Fleet of Ships belonging to Piçarro WE have before mentioned how that the Vice-king marched into Quitu and that Piçarro pursued him at the heels though his Souldiers were not less weary nor wanting of provisions than the others but rather more because the Vice-king marching before carried away all the provisions of the Countrey wheresoever they came howsoever so eager was Piçarro and so much concerned to put an end to these labours that he continued his pursuit day and night as Carate reports in the twenty ninth Chapter of his fifth Book in these words Gonçalo Piçarro pursued the Vice-king from the City of St. Michael's which was the place from whence he made his retreat as far as the City of Quitu which are an hundred and fifty leagues distant from each other and so hotly did he carry on this work that there was scarce a day but they saw each other and the Scouts often discoursed together and to be in greater readiness their Horses remained always sadled but if either Party was more vigilant than the other it was the Vice-king's for his men slept always in their Clothes holding their Horses by the Halter without Tents or Horse-clothes to cover them but necessity made them ingenious and taught them a remedy in that sandy Countrey where were no Trees to shelter them which was this So soon as they came to the place where they intended to quarter that night they filled certain Baggs or Sacks which they carried with them with Sand and having made a great hole they threw them in and covered them with Sand which they troad and trampled on and made it very firm so that the Horses could lie thereupon with much ease But besides all this both Armies suffered much for want of provisions and especially Piçarro's men who came in the pursuit for the vice-Vice-king wheresoever he passed raised all the Indians of the Countrey and the Caciques or Governours and took them with him that so the Enemy coming after might find all places dispeopled and unprovided and such was the great haste which the Vice-king made that he took with him eight or ten of the best Horse which could be procured in that Countrey which were led by Indians and in case any of his Horses happened to be tired on the way he maimed or disabled him in such manner that the Enemy could make no use of him And now in the way Captain Bachicao returned from the Voyage which we formerly mentioned and joyned with Gonçalo Piçarro bringing a recruit of three hundred and fifty Men twenty Ships and good store of Cannon and sailing along the coast which is nearest to Quitu he landed his Men in a place not far from the Forces of Piçarro with which additional auxiliaries Piçarro's Army amounted to eight hundred men of which many were principal persons of quality and note as well Inhabitants as Souldiers who came in with such frankness as no story can parallel under the Government of a Tyrant and an Usurper In that Province all Provisions were very plentifull and therein not long before they had discovered several rich Veins of Gold out of which the Spaniards whose lots fell there raised vast sums which they refused to yield to Piçarro and also denied the fifths to his Majesty or to be accountable for the Treasures of dead persons And here it was that Piçarro received intelligence that the Vice-king was advanced forty leagues from Quitu and was entred into a certain Town called Pasto within the Government of Benalcaçar And here he resolved to pursue him to that place which he accordingly did without delay or interruption for Gonçalo Piçarro staid but very little in Quitu and having overtaken the Enemy several skirmishes happened between parties on each side in that place which is called the Hot River And the Vice-king having advice that Piçarro was near at hand he quitted Pasto in great haste and marched up into the Countrey untill he came to the City of Popayan and Piçarro having still pursued him for twenty eight leagues farther where finding a desart and desolate Countrey and want of all provisions he resolved to return again to Quitu which he accordingly did after he had pursued the Vice-king for so long a time and through such a vast tract of Land as is before mentioned and we may confidently averr that from the City of Plate from which he first began his March to the City of Pasto are seven hundred leagues so long as may be computed to make a thousand of our ordinary leagues of Castile c. Thus far are the words of Carate to which other Historians add That the Vice-king having passed the River of Hot Waters did imagine that his Enemies would have remained satisfied therewith and desisted from all farther pursuit considering that they had driven him out of Peru and from the confines of their Jurisdiction and that now he should remain in peace and quiet untill some good opportunity should offer for his better advantage but he had not long pleased himself with these thoughts and scarce ended his discourse with his Captains concerning them before some Parties of Piçarro's Army appeared to them descending a Hill towards the River with the same haste and fury that they had formerly practised at which surprise the Vice-king lifted up his hands to Heaven and cried aloud and said Is it possible or will it ever be believed in Ages to come That men pretending to be Spaniards should pursue the Royal Standard of their King as they have done for the space of four hundred leagues as it is from the City of Los Reyes to this place and then raising his Camp with speed he proceeded forward that his Enemies might have no time to repose but Piçarro proceeded no farther but as we have said returned to Quitu where as Carate reports he became so elated with pride by reason of his many prosperous successes that his insolence became insupportable and then out of the fulness of his heart he would vent many bold sayings derogatory to the honour and Majesty of his King The King said he will be obliged whether he will or not to grant me the Government of Peru for he is sensible of
then Piçarro turning his face to John de Acosta said Brother John what shall we doe Acosta presuming on his valour more than on his own discretion answered Sir let us fight and dye like old Romans No said Piçarro it is better to dye like Christians Gomara upon this occasion Chap. 186 saith than his words were like a good Christian and a valiant Man for he judged it more honourable to surrender than to dye for that he had never turned his back to his Enemy c. And he adds farther that Piçarro still kept himself in a very excellent garb mounted on a brave Horse of a Chesnut colour he was armed with a Coat of Mail and over it a Wastcoat of Sattin well beaten with many doubles and on his Head he wore a Helmet and Bever of Gold c. Augustine Carate says that the Coat which he wore over his Arms was of an incarnation Velvet covered almost all over with bosses of Gold and that he said to John de Acosta since all people are going over to the King I also am going likewise c. Having said this he proceeded to the Royal Camp with those Captains who were contented to follow him namely John de Acosta Maldonado John Velez de Guevara and as he was going in this manner he met with Pedro de Villavicencio whom he observing to be well attended asked who he was and understanding that he was the Serjeant Major he said to him I am Gonçalo Piçarro and am going to render my self to the Emperour having said this he yielded up to him his Dagger which he carried in his hand for that as Carate saith he had broken and spent his Lance upon his own people which fled from him Villavicencio was very proud of this his good fortune and with many fair words returned him thanks for the great favour he had done him and therefore in complement would neither require his Sword nor his Dagger which was girt about him which was of considerable value the Hilt being all of beaten Gold proceeding a little farther he met with Diego Centeno who said my Lord I am heartily sorrow to see your Lordship in this condition Gonçalo Piçarro smiled hereat a little and replied Captain Centeno there is nothing to be said more upon this matter my business is finished to day to morrow you your selves will lament my fall and without interchanging more words he was carried directly to the President 's Quarters who received him in such manner as the three Authours agree whose words we will faithfully repeat Carate Book the seventh Chapter the seventh saith And so he was carried before the President between whom some speeches passing which were judged to be bold and seditious he was committed to the custody of Diego Centeno c. Gomara Chapter 186. saith Villavicencio being proud of such a Prisoner conducted him forthwith to the presence of Gasca who amongst many other questions asked of him whether he thought he had done well in raising War against the Emperour to which Piçarro replied Sir I and my Brothers gained this Countrey at our own cost and expence and therefore I thought it no crime to aspire unto the Government having his Majesty's word and Commission for it Gasca in anger twice commanded that he should be taken from his presence and the custody of him was committed to the charge of Diego Centeno who petitioned for the same Palentino Chap. 90th relates the discourse which passed on this occasion as follows Gonçalo Piçarro saith he was carried before the President and being alighted from his Horse he made his humble obeisance to him the President laid his faults before him and would have comforted him but Piçarro continuing still inflexible and obstinate answered That it was he who had gained that Countrey and putting a smooth gloss on his actions endeavoured to justifie whatsoever he had done which so provoked the President that he retorted very severely upon him in presence of many standers-by and told him plainly that whatsoever he could pretend had not sufficient force to cause him to swerve from the duty he owed to his Prince much less to become ungratefull and obdurate for granting that his Majesty had conferred the favour and honour on his Brother the Marquis to govern this Countrey yet considering that thereby he had raised both him and his Brothers from a mean and poor to a rich and high condition and advanced him from the dunghill to a considerable degree it ought to be so owned and acknowledged especially since in the discovery of that Countrey there was nothing due to him it is true his Brother might pretend to some merit therein but he understood so well the favours his Majesty had conferred upon him as to esteem himself obliged for ever to continue loyal and within the terms of duty and respect Piçarro would have made some reply but the President commanded the Marshal to take him away and deliver him into the custody of Diego Centeno Thus far Palentino and with him the other two Authours agree but all of them are so short in the relation they give of this matter that we think it necessary to recount the story more particularly as it passed which was this When Gonçalo Piçarro came to the place where the President was he found him alone with the Marshall for the other Commanders ashamed to see him whom they had denied and sold retired at some distance from them the ceremonies of respect which were made passed on Horseback for Piçarro did not alight seeing that every man kept himself on his Saddle as did also the President and the first thing he asked him was Whether he thought he had done well in raising the Countrey against the Emperour and making himself Governour thereof contrary to his Majesty's will and pleasure and in killing his Vice-king in a pitch'd Battel To which he made answer that he had never made himself Governour but was raised thereunto by the Judges who at the request and desire of all the Cities of the Kingdom had given him a Commission in pursuance and confirmation of that Act of Grace which his Majesty had conferred on his Brother the Marquis impowering him to nominate a person to succeed him after his life and that it was manifest and notoriously known to all the world that he was the person nominated by his Brother and that having gained the Kingdom it was but just that he should be made Governour of it And as to the Vice-king he was advised by the Judges as a thing lawfull and tending to the quietness and peace of the Empire and to his Majesty's service to drive out a person from amongst them who was so little fit and qualified for Government and as to his death he was not concerned in it but he having oppressed the people and put many to death without either Reason or Law was in revenge thereof killed by those whose Kindred Friends and Relations were murthered by him If those
case they did they might easily worst them whensoever they made Head to oppose them And since that by this method things had succeeded well it were not good to change the course of their proceedings lest therewith they should change and alter the Current of their Fortune An Example whereof they had seen and proved by the Enemies success at Chuquinca How confident â—aid they were they of Victory and with what heat and courage did they assail us and how on a sudden were they overthrown and defeated Notwithstanding all this Discourse Hernandez declared his Resolution to beat up the Enemies Quarters that Night with the force of all his Army and that he would never turn his Back to the Justices for some Wise Old Woman had foretold good success to him in that place wherefore he intreated them all not to contradict or oppose him in this matter but to prepare themselves for that night's Enterprise Thus ending the Consultation the Captains arose very much discontented and out of humour seeing such a Resolution taken as was contrary to the common Opinion of all the Officers of the Army and which was so full of hazard and danger that they seemed rather to be led forth to Slaughter than to the doubtful chance of War And though the General observed sadness and a cloud on the Brow of all his Captains yet depending on his Sorceries and Enchantments nothing could alter the Resolution he had taken but Orders were given to prepare for an Assault after Midnight about setting of the Moon and because it would be then dark every one was to be cloathed in White to distinguish themselves from the Enemy After Sun-set a Muster was taken of all the Souldiers whereby two Souldiers appeared to be wanting who formerly belonged to the Marshal and were suspected to be revolted over to the King's Party but some who were willing to please Hernandez did aver that they were informed by Indians That one of those missing who was the most considerable of the two was seen and met on his way towards the Charcas and the other of less account was a Man so silly and without Sense that the Justices would never give credit to any Report he should make them These Stories were sufficient to satisfie Hernandez who with an unparallelled temerity gave orders for all things to be in a readiness against the hour appointed The two Souldiers who were fled came though late to his Majesties Camp where they gave intelligence of the intention of the Enemy to attack them that Night in two Bodies for perceiving that they did not attempt them within their Fortification they resolved themselves to be the first Assailants The Justices Officers and Counsellors who were of the most Ancient Conquerours of Peru and who by long experience in War were become great Souldiers were of Opinion that it was better to salley out of their Intrenchment and to draw up their Forces in the open Field rather than to fight within their Trenches which were strait and filled with Tents Mules and Indians which would be incumbrances and obstructions in the time of Battel And though many things were urged against this design saying That Cowards and Men of little Courage would fight better under the shelter of a Mud-wall than in open Field yet by Gods Mercy and Providence the first Resolution prevailed and both Horse and Foot were drawn forth into the Plain which formed a very handsome Squadron well furnished and provided with Musqueteers and lined with Pikes and Halberds and eleven pieces of great and heavy Cannon CHAP. XXVII Francisco Hernandez proceeds forth to Battel He misses of his design and retreats back again to his Camp. Thomas Vazquez revolts over to the King's Party Hernandez the Rebel declares a Prediction which was made concerning himself THE time being come that the Rebel calculated to be the auspicious hour he sallied out of his Fortress with 800 Foot of which as Palentino says 600 were Musqueteers and the rest Pike-men his Horse were few and not exceeding thirty in all His Neger Souldiers or black Guard to the number of 250 he sent by another way joining about seventy Spaniards with them to lead them on and to govern and direct them in what they had to do But in these they reposed no great Confidence intending them only to divert and amuse the Enemy who in the Night could not distinguish the difference of one from the other The Orders were that these Negers should assail the Justices in the Front and Hernandez in the Rear and in this manner they silently marched towards his Majesties Camp with their Matches and Lights covered In like manner the King's Squadrons were all drawn up in posture of battel and remained quietly and without noise with their Fires covered The black Guard came first to the Intrenchment before Hernandez where finding no resistance they entred in and killed all the Indians Horses and Mules which they found there together with five or six Spanish Souldiers who out of Cowardise had left the Army and hid themselves within the Intrenchment Hernandez coming afterwards fired a whole volly of shot into the Fortification without receiving any return from thence but finding that the King's Party fired all their Musquets upon them with their whole Train of Artillery from another place they were much amazed in regard that contrary to their expectation the Enemy had quitted their Intrenchments and drawn up in open Field Howsoever no great hurt was done on either side for the Night being very dark every one shot at random and without any aim Had these Vollies of above 1300 shot passed by day and so near each to other it had been impossible but that the Fields should have been covered with the Bodies of the slain The Rebel perceiving that he was disappointed of his design gave himself over for lost and so retreated back to his Fortification in the best order that he could Howsoever he could not retire in such manner but that 200 of his men forsook him who formely belonged to the Marshal and who now making use of this occasion to escape threw down their Arms and revolted to the Justices In the mean time the King's Forces would have pursued the Enemy in their flight but were countermanded by their General and other Officers who ordered that no man should stir out of his Rank but should keep his ground the which Rule was happily observed for a Party of Horse perceiving that the Enemy intended not to fight sallied out upon them to obstruct their retreat in which Action a Cornet of Horse was killed and three Citizens of Cozco were wounded namely Diego de Silva Antonio Ruyz de Guerara and Diego Maldonado the Rich the Wound of this last was never cured to the day of his death which happened to be eleven or twelve years afterwards for it was always kept open by the advice of Chyrurgeons and Physicians who were of opinion that the nature of the Wound was such