[50] Son of the Adelantado Don Diego de Almagro, usually known as "El mozo" (the lad). He was a half-caste, by an Indian woman of Panamá.
[51] Juan de Herrada was an able soldier, a servant of the old Almagro, and devoted to the interests of his son.
[52] At the expiration of the term of all Spanish governors and judges a "Juez de Residencia" was appointed to examine into their conduct, and receive complaints and representations from those whom they had governed or judged. This was called a residencia. Solórzano points out many evils in the working of the system (Política Indiana, Lib. v, cap. 10, pp. 836-849). Vaca de Castro, however, was not sent out with powers to terminate the rule of the Marquis. He was to receive evidence, and report to the Home Government. If the Marquis was dead when Vaca de Castro arrived, then the latter was to succeed as Governor.
[53] So that the statement that they were starving appears false.
[54] This very interesting interview between the Marquis Pizarro and his murderer is also given by Zarate and Gómara. Garcilaso de la Vega copied from them. Prescott does not mention it; but Sir Arthur Helps (iv, 136-137) gives a full account of this extraordinary conversation. It is certainly worth preserving. Pizarro must have repeated it to his friend the Bishop elect of Quito, immediately after it took place, and the Bishop was one of Cieza de León's most valued authorities.
[55] Prescott concurs in thus fixing the blame for the death of Almagro. Sir Arthur Helps does not. The evidence of the Bishop of Quito, who was with the Governor, is conclusive that Pizarro had no knowledge of the intention of his brother to put Almagro to death, until he reached Abancay, when it was too late.
My own conviction is that Hernando Pizarro had no such intention, but that he was going to deliver Almagro to his old friend Don Francisco Pizarro, to deal with him as he thought best. But when he discovered the dangerous plot to assassinate himself and liberate Almagro, he was convinced of the necessity of passing the death sentence on the old Adelantado. He had no doubt whatever of its justice. It was quite in keeping with Hernando's stern and self-reliant character that he should take the responsibility solely on himself. He knew that his brother would not consent, yet he believed that it was a political necessity. Don Francisco Pizarro must thus be entirely exonerated from any responsibility for the execution of Almagro, whatever Cieza de León may assert on evidence derived from unauthentic gossip. The Bishop of Quito completely refutes him.
[56] Or, according to another account—"That is not business for a boy."
[57] Of these murderers Juan de Herrada died a natural death. Martín de Bilbao and Jerónimo de Almagro were killed at the battle of Chupas. Arbolancha (the murderer of Chaves), Barragán, Cabezas, Gómez, Guzmán, Hoces, Losa, were hanged; Narváez was killed by Pizarro. Méndez escaped to the Inca and murdered him, finally getting his deserts. The fate of the others is unknown.
Both Prescott and Helps repeat a story told by Montesinos that one of the conspirators, when they were rushing across the plaza, ran round a pool of water instead of going through it, to avoid getting wet. Herrada told him, as he was so particular, he must go back. Montesinos is a late and not at all a reliable authority, and the story need not be believed. It never rains, and there never are pools of water in the plaza of Lima. The name of Gómez Pérez is given, one of the villains who murdered the Inca Manco and got their deserts.