Attabaliba put to death by the Spaniards.
Attabaliba strangled by Almagro’s Order.
The antient Splendor of the Peruvian Ingas.
Quisquis, Attabaliba’s General, stabb’d and cut in pieces.
Mango Inga releas’d out of Prison, sets upon the Spaniards, and is at last put to flight.
Several Parties of the Peruvians set upon the Spaniards and overthrow them.
They are beaten by Alvarado.
The first that gave the Spaniards notice of Peru, was an Indian Prince call’d Panguinaco, who having been taken Prisoner, inform’d Vasquez Nunnez of the abundance or Gold and Silver which was to be had there, who resolv’d to venture through a thousand Dangers into the South Sea. After which Francisco Pizarro, Ferdinand de Lugue, and Diego de Almagro, consulted upon this great Design, Anno 1525. Pizarrus being order’d to Sail before with a Ship carrying a hundred and fourteen Men, and Almagro to follow with a Vessel carrying seventy Men, whilest De Lugue staid to manage the Affairs at home. Fifty Leagues Southward from Panama, Pizarrus found a small Neck of Land nam’d Peru, from which it is most probable that great Kingdom afterwards receiv’d its Denomination, though many deduce it from the River Beru, as before mention’d: Thence Sailing to the main Continent of Peru, and Landing, he lost several of his Men, and being himself desperately wounded, return’d with ill success, whilest Almagro missing of him, Landed afterwards in the same place, and also lost several of his Men, and one of his own Eyes: yet not long after they renew’d their Design, carrying with them in two Ships and three Boats, three hundred stout Men, which all suffer’d extream Hunger, and had they not happily gotten some Sea-Crabs, they had without doubt all of them perish’d: at last Landing on the Coast of Catamez, they were Encountred by a People whose Faces were hung full of Golden Nails, and daily lost more and more of their Men; upon which ill Successes the new American Vice-Roy forbad the farther discovery of Peru, and call’d home the remaining part from the Island Gallo, so that Pizarro kept with him but twelve Men, with whom he went to the desolate Isle Gorgona, where he liv’d on Sea-Snails, till he receiv’d Provisions from Panama; after which they spent two years in making farther Discoveries upon the Coasts of Peru: During which time he visited the Queen Capullana, and discover’d a mighty Palace, where three of the twelve Men were kill’d, whose Memory deserves to live for ever, because the World owes to their unheard-of Valor the Discovery of the mighty Kingdom of Peru; but there are onely left Recorded the Names of those nine Worthies who surviv’d that Exploit, which were these following, Nicholas de Rivera, Peter de Candia, Juan Torre, Alonzo Briseni, Christophero Peralca, Alonzo de Truxillo, Francisco Cuellar, Alonzo Molina, and the Pilot Bartholomeo Ruyz: With these nine Pizarro Landed on the Isle Puna, inhabited by a valiant People, who us’d Bowes, Darts, Silver Knives, and Pikes tipt with Gold: From thence he steer’d his Course unto the Haven Tumbez, where Peter de Candia Landing, was met by forty thousand of the Inhabitants, who conducted him to the Temple of the Sun, built by the Inga Guaynacava, and adorn’d in the in-side with Golden Plates. Not long after which Pizarro was by an Order from the Spanish Court made Governor of Peru, to the great discontent of Almagro; which Difference being decided, Pizarro set out again with two hundred and fifty Foot, besides Horse, with which he Landed a hundred Leagues lower than before, where he got a great Mass of Gold and some Emeraulds of the Casique, all which he sent to Panama, thereby to stir up the People to come to Peru to his assistance; where those that were at present on the Place, besides other great Hardships which they suffer’d, were miserably plagued with Ulcers in their Faces; yet they prosecuted their Conquest as well as they could with what small Power was left them, and had newly taken Puerto Viejo when Captain Bevalcazar and Juan Florez brought fresh Supplies of Men and Horse; with which Recruit Pizarro conquer’d the Valley of Tumbez; from whence they Sail’d over to the Island Punas, where the friendly Entertainment they met with at first, turn’d soon after into a bloody Battel: for the Spaniards not forbearing to prie into every House, and committing many Outrages, were set upon by the Natives, whom having at last subdu’d, and being again supply’d with new Forces by Ferdinando Sotto from Nicaragua, they return’d to Tumbez, where the Countrey was all in Arms upon the Report of the Spaniards Cruelties committed on the Island Puna, insomuch that they Offer’d all those whom they took alive to their Gods, and slew as many as they could conveniently meet with. Pizarro having stay’d about twenty days, went with his Brothers Juan and Gonsalves, the Captains Sotto and Bevalcazar, and fifty Horse over the River Ambato about Mid-night, through a thorny Way betwixt Mountains, and about Break-of-day fell upon the Tumbezan Army, and having setled things pretty well in those Parts, he built the City St. Michael in the Countrey Tangazara, along the River De la Chira, where he was Complemented by two Agents from Cusco, who desiring Aid in Huascar’s Name against his Brother Attabaliba, receiv’d for Answer, That he was going to Caxamalca, as indeed he was, to find Attabaliba there; whose Commands that he should not approach prov’d all in vain: for Pizarro, under pretence of Complementing him in his Catholick Majesty’s Name, was no sooner admitted to his Presence, but he took him Prisoner, and set for a Ransom upon him as much Gold as a Room of fifty four Foot long and nine Foot broad was able to contain, as high as he could just reach with his Hand held up: But the Gold coming slower than was expected, Pizarro was much incens’d thereat, whom Attabaliba endeavoring to pacifie, alledg’d, That it could not possibly come sooner, because the Way between Caxamalca and Cusco, from whence the Gold was to be fetch’d, was at a great distance: The truth whereof Pizarro resolving to try, sent Sotto and Peter del Baro to Cusco in Chairs, carried by Peruvians exceeding swift of Foot, and who if they tir’d were successively reliev’d by others that attended, without so much as setting down the Chair; being got about half way, they met with Attabaliba’s Captain Cilucuchuma, he having taken Huascar Prisoner, who requested Sotto and Baro that they would be pleas’d to deliver him out of the Hands of his blood-thirsty Brother, for which kindness he would pay three times as much Gold as Attabaliba had promis’d, who was not able to give any thing else but the Golden Plates which were in the Temple of the Sun in Cusco; whereas Huascar had all the Treasure that was left by Guaynacava; which indeed was true, for Huascar had caus’d it privately to be buried, and put to death those that did it, that so he might keep the place conceal’d where it lay; insomuch that none could ever find it out to this day, though the Spaniards have tortur’d the Indians with all imaginable cruelty, to make them discover the place. But Attabaliba inform’d by Pizarro of Huascar’s Imprisonment, seem’d to be exceeding sorry, and said, I am much troubled at the News of my Captain’s laying violent Hands on my Brother Huascar, whom I acknowledge my eldest Brother, and both of the same Father and Mother; but I suppose he has no design to kill him, but onely keeps him Prisoner, to bring him to grant me peaceably to enjoy the Kingdom of Quito, of late brought under subjection of the Peruvian Crown. Pizarro not observing Attabaliba’s subtilty (who design’d nothing but Huascar’s Death, out of fear that the Spaniards upon his liberal promises to them, might promote him to the Throne) comforted him as well as he could: whereupon Attabaliba supposing that Pizarro would be little concern’d at the killing of his Brother Huascar, gave speedy Order that he should be burnt alive, which accordingly was put into execution; but before he was brought to the Fire, he foretold his Brother Attabaliba’s cruel death. During which time Almagro came with fresh Supplies from Panama, eager to have a share of the fore-mention’d Ransom, which at last was paid with overplus; for by daily bringing in of Baskets of Gold, the Chamber was fill’d up to the very top; but though Attabaliba had more than perform’d his Promise, yet Sentence of Death was pronounc’d against him presently after he had been Baptiz’d: the Reasons of which wicked and rash Condemnation were two; first the false Accusation of a Peruvian Interpreter call’d Philippillo, who desir’d his Death, that then he might with the more freedom enjoy one of his Wives; for Attabaliba mistrusting the same, had complain’d thereof to Pizarro, saying, That his Imprisonment was not so grievous to him, as the thoughts of the Adultery, acted against the strict Laws of his Countrey; the Defiler of an Inga’s Bed being not onely to be burnt with the Adulterers, but also the whole Families of them, to the least Infant, their Houses to be rac’d to the Ground, and their Land sow’n with Salt, as for ever curs’d. The second cause of Attabaliba’s Death is laid on Almagro, who came to Peru with new Forces, and who fearing that none of the Gold which Attabaliba had the delivery of, would fall to his share, as not having been in the Battel where Attabaliba was taken, therefore order’d him to be suddenly Strangled, that so the Booty might be equally divided. Not long after Pizarro conquering Cusco, got no less Treasure than at Caxamalca. Here the Reign of the Peruvian Inga’s ceased, with which before no Kings that ever Govern’d in the World were able to compare in Riches and Glory. Their Palaces were round about adorn’d with Golden Images; and they never ate but out of Golden Vessels, spitting in the Hands of beautiful young Women of Noble Extract, were worshipp’d like Gods both whilest living and when dead, all their Subjects being their Slaves, and they the sole Lords of the whole Realm. In the interim Bevalcazar march’d from the new City St. Michael, with a hundred and twenty Foot and eighty Horse, to assist the Cannares against one of Attabaliba’s Generals, who having spoil’d the Ways by digging Pits, and covering them over with Bushes, resisted them in several places: then marching to Quito he burnt the City, after having kill’d a hundred of the Natives, because they laughed at the Spaniards Arrival. Afterwards joyning with Almagro, he went back to Cusco, whither on the Way he had News of Quisquis, Attabaliba’s General, and of his Brother Guaypalcon, who making use of a Rock, threw down great Stones, by the Peruvians call’d Galgas, which in their Fall hitting others, brought down a great number with them, by which means he not onely defended the Place for the present, but kill’d fourteen Spaniards; nevertheless distrusting his ability to keep it, he retreated to a steep Mountain about Midnight, at the Foot whereof a Passage led over a deep River, where he burnt all his Luggage that he could not carry with him; also above fifteen thousand Sheep and four thousand Prisoners, became wholly at the Discretion of Almagro, who leaving there Captain Martin Astete, order’d him to build the Town Truxillo: In the mean time Quisquis was put to flight by Pizarro, and went to Quito, where he lost many People, that were kill’d by Bevalcazar’s Guard; yet those that were remaining chose rather to Fight to the last, than flye through Wildernesses, and there be starv’d to death; which Quisquis contradicting, was Stabb’d by his Captain Guappalau, and immediately after cut to pieces. As soon as these Stirs were quieted, Pizarro began to build the City Los Reyos, near a convenient Haven of the Southern Ocean, whilest Almagro marching to Chili with two Troops of Horse, and five hundred Foot, return’d without doing any thing remarkable, except his taking the Interpreter Philippillo, (whom he caus’d to be cut into four pieces) and his maintaining several Battels against the Chileses, clad in Sea-Wolves Skins. In this Journey he lost several of his Men on the Snowy Mountains. About this time a Ship fitted out by Gabriel Carvajal, Bishop of Placentia, Sailing through the Straights of Magellan, ran into the Haven Los Reyos, out of which the first Rats swam ashore that ever were in Peru, by which the Countrey since suffering much damage, the Inhabitants call’d them Ococha, that is, Sinful Creatures. Now all things on the Spaniards side were tending to a quiet possession, when a new Accident arose, which had like to have spoil’d all, for Mango Inga, Attabaliba’s Brother, being releas’d out of Prison by Juan Pizarro, obtain’d leave to go to Yucaya, to fetch the famous Golden Image Machys, representing his Father Guaynacava: but he having now gotten his Liberty slew all the Spaniards which work’d in the Gold-Mines, took the Castle of Cusco by Storm, as also the City, after a Siege of eight Moneths; which nevertheless was by Francisco Pizarro soon re-taken, and Mango forc’d to flye into the Mountains Andes, after he had kill’d several of Almagro’s Men; soon after Almagro about Midnight getting over the Walls, and taking Ferdinando and Gonsalvo Pizarro, and Alphonso Alvarado Prisoners, condemn’d them all three to die, caus’d himself to be proclaim’d Governor, and gave the Royal Tassel to Paulo Inga, whilest Gonsalvo and Alvarado breaking Prison, inform’d Francisco Pizarro thereof (who then had obtain’d the Title of Marquess, and for an Inheritance, the Province Attabillos;) he was exceedingly troubled for his Brother Ferdinand, whose Enlargement he thought would be best procur’d by making Peace with Almagro and the sooner, because the Peruvians began to rebel against the Spaniards in most places, slew divers Companies of them; amongst whom Diego Pizarro was set upon in a narrow Path call’d Laucesta Parcos, and amongst the Mountains lost seventy Horsemen; and Gonsalvo de Tapico sav’d not one of eighty Horse. Also the Peruvians set upon three hundred Troopers, Commanded by the Generals of the Horse, Morgoveio and Gaeti, in a narrow Path, and rowl’d down great Stones from the tops of the Mountains both before and behind them, so killing both Horse and Man before they could put themselves into a posture of Defence, insomuch that none escap’d with Life but two Troopers. Francisco de Godoy, sent out of Los Reyos with forty five Horse, upon Discoveries, return’d also with great loss, being pursu’d twenty Leagues by the Peruvians; against whom Peter de Lerma being sent out with sixty Horse, fought a whole day with them, and though few of his Men were kill’d, yet many were wounded, and several taken: The victorious Peruvians retreating to the top of a sandy Mountain in the Night, Offer’d the Spaniards they had taken Prisoners, as a testimony of thanks, to Viracocha, and afterwards stood drawn up near the City Los Reyos by the General Tyzopangui. The Marquess thus beset round, sent for Aid from New Spain and Truxillo, and also for Alphonso Alvarado to come back, who had been sent to discover the Countrey Chachepoyos, and being gotten into a Desart, would without doubt have perish’d for want of Water, had not some Horsemen riding somewhat out of the Way, found Pits with fresh Water: notwithstanding which, five hundred Inacona’s (for so the Spaniards call’d the Peruvian Slaves) died for Thirst. He was afterwards supply’d by Gomez Tordoya with two hundred Men, by the help of whom, though encompass’d by the Inhabitants near the Bridge Lamucacha, where began a fierce Battel, Alvarado was in the end Conqueror.
Civil War between Pizarro and Almagro.
The Marquess Francisco Pizarro murdered.