Of the events in the city of Lima after the arrival of the Licentiate Cristobal Vaca de Castro, and of what the Viceroy did in Truxillo.
Now we should relate the departure of Gonzalo Pizarro from Charcas, but it will be convenient first to relate what happened in Lima on the arrival of the Licentiate Vaca de Castro. He was lodged in the house of the Bishop Don Jeronimo de Loaysa[26]. News was always coming to Lima of the proceedings of the Viceroy in the city of San Miguel and more recently in Truxillo, with the object of enforcing the ordinances. The members of the municipality now very much regretted that they had accepted the Viceroy before he arrived at Lima and established the court of justice, without agreement with the judges, and they said one to another that a mistake had been made in acknowledging him before he had entered the city in person; for his Majesty had not ordered that he should be received simply on the strength of copies, without the original documents. It was also said that they should have waited until the arrival of Vaca de Castro, who was the actual governor of the kingdom. They say that Vaca de Castro spoke to the magistrates of the city, saying that no blame attached to those who brought arms from Cuzco, for it was only done so as to know whether the ordinances would come, so as to cause injury to all. Another object was that, in the absence of arms, there might be no rising at Cuzco and in the provinces beyond, for it is known that the people of Peru do not lightly suffer wrong. His people, knowing his wishes, and without considering their past dignities and offices, had, with patience and good will, laid down their arms and dismissed the troops, and the governor had entered the city with few attendants and privately, as every one had seen. In all this he had done what seemed most convenient for the service of the King our Lord.
When the citizens and magistrates heard these words they wanted Vaca de Castro to resume the government of the province and, being governor, that he would see to the common good, and that his Majesty might be informed that it was not for the good of his service that the new laws should be enforced. In order to conclude this measure, they met in their assemblies, requesting Vaca de Castro that he would be present, and agree to what they desired. They represented that he should resume the government. Vaca de Castro, thinking more of his position than of his desire, replied with grave words. He said that they should hold their official meeting where he was, for it was not reasonable that he should go to them in person. Then various messengers were sent between them Vaca de Castro not wishing to go to them and they not wishing to go to him, both being suspicious of each other, for in times past they had always opposed him. The result of these negotiations was that the municipality ordered certain propositions to be drawn up for Vaca de Castro to sign, but as all this was done secretly the whole intention is not known.
The Bishop Don Jeronimo de Loaysa intervened in this business and induced Alonso Riquelme the Treasurer and Illan Suarez the Factor to make friends with Vaca de Castro. When the documents were ready the Treasurer gave them to Lorenzo de Estopiñan to take them to Vaca de Castro for signature. After Vaca de Castro had read them, he said that he would not sign any such thing, for that they needed both omissions and additions. There passed negotiations between the municipality and Vaca de Castro, but it ended in their not being able to agree to anything. There is nothing more to be said about Vaca de Castro at present, for they did not arrange anything they wanted with him. He remained at Lima and they even say that he showed no anxiety about the things that were said of the Viceroy.
Meanwhile the Viceroy was resting at Truxillo occupying himself with such trifling things that, when the court of justice was established, they could have been settled by a simple order to an alguazil. All those whose duty it is to rule kingdoms, and govern provinces, and do so without guidance are apt to think that they have achieved many things. If the Viceroy had quickly left the suburbs, and had entered the cities prudently, all the scandals and serious injuries he caused would not have happened, and they were not few. All he did in Truxillo was to let the Indians know what he had ordered and done at San Miguel. He took away the Indians granted to the Captain Diego de Mora[27] because he was lieutenant of the governor, and treated Alonso Holguin in the same way because he had formerly held that office. In this city of Truxillo there were the Viceroy’s brother Francisco Velasquez Vela Nuñez, a very noble and virtuous knight, and his brother-in-law Diego Alvarez de Cueto, a very prudent and steady adviser. Both these knights always gave good advice to the Viceroy, as well as the others who had accompanied him from Tumbez.
In the city of Lima Hernando Bachicao, Diego Maldonado, Gaspar Rodriguez, Pedro de los Rios and others, when they understood what was taking place in Truxillo, and how the Viceroy was enforcing the new laws, discussed many things among themselves, and finally resolved to go to Cuzco before the Viceroy arrived at Lima, to see what was going to be done, touching these ordinances.
CHAPTER XII
How letters were sent to Gonzalo Pizarro from many persons, being in Charcas, brought by Bustillo, urging him to come as Procurator of the kingdom.
The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro had departed from the city of Cuzco, and had gone to the town of Plata which is in the region of Charcas, where he possessed a very productive grant of Indians. He was at a place called Chaqui, arranging to work the silver mines of Potosi which had lately been discovered. There came to him a servant of the Comendador Hernando Pizarro, named Bustillo, sent to him by Antonio de Ribera, Alonso Palomino, Villacorta, and many others, with letters. Luis de Almao, a servant of Gonzalo Pizarro, also told me that Vaca de Castro wrote to his master advising him to remain quiet although things were looking bad with regard to the ordinances, for his Majesty would be informed of the truth, and would order what would be best for his service.
But the letters of Don Antonio, of Palomino, of Villacorta, of Alonso de Toro and others urged him to come forward promptly and relieve them from so great an evil as that which was impending. They also sent him the ordinances. The messengers arrived when Pizarro was hunting eight leagues away, at a place called Palcocon, his servants being quite unprepared for such a thing. When Bustillo arrived at the town, he found Luis de Almao and asked him to go to where Gonzalo Pizarro was. Almao replied that he would go with all speed, for he surmised that they would cut off his head. He reached the place at the second vigil, and Gonzalo Pizarro called for a light, asking who came there in such haste? Almao answered: “Arise, for Bustillo has come bringing news and letters for you, for they want to cut off your head.” Thinking that he spoke of Vaca de Castro, Gonzalo Pizarro replied: “I will cut off his first, I swear by our Lady.” Then he got out of bed without asking any more questions and, before the dawn appeared, he galloped off to the town of Chaqui, where he found the messenger. Taking the despatches he was reading them all that day, until midnight; and when he knew the provisions of the new laws he was much agitated. Without finishing their perusal he went out, saying to those who were with him that such bad news had arrived that neither they would understand it, nor did he know how to tell them. Saying this he brought out the letters and the ordinances that they might read them. He then despatched Juan Ramirez to the city of Arequipa, that certain money might be detained which he had previously sent for transmission to Spain. I know not whether his tears were feigned or not, for those who intend to rebel and become tyrants deceive those who follow them in many ways. After a few days Gonzalo Pizarro went to the mines of Porco, where he collected all the money he could.