At this time there arrived in Cuzco the Licentiate Benito Suarez de Carbajal, with a bad report of the Viceroy’s conduct and of the rigour with which he was enforcing the new laws. Gonzalo Pizarro rejoiced at his arrival. The Licentiate de la Gama travelled along the route of Cuzco, very glad that he had been able to get away from Lima before the arrival of the Viceroy, but enraged at that official’s proceedings, telling every one he met that they should return to Cuzco and not go on to Lima, because the cruelty of the Viceroy was great. The Licentiate Leon, being apprised that the Viceroy was near Lima, left that city by the coast road to Arequipa. He left a letter to the Viceroy saying that he did not go to create any disturbance, nor against the service of the King our Lord nor of his lordship; but merely to his own property. He concluded with the assurance that he would never join any one who was not a servant of the King. But he only kept this promise for the time it took him to write the letter. As soon as he arrived at Cuzco he expressed joy at Gonzalo Pizarro’s position in the city. He not only joined him, but declared that it was lawful for him to petition against the new laws, even in arms, with the title of Procurator-General, if the Viceroy should insist on doing harm. The opinions of the lawyer and others who did not fail to endorse what he said, induced many people to join Pizarro, which did not cost them more than their lives and estates, and being branded as traitors.

One thing I wish to affirm, that the citizens of Cuzco, as well as those of Lima, merely desired nor had they any other wish than that his Majesty the King our Lord should suspend the new laws because much evil would arise from their enforcement. When they chose Pizarro as Procurator, they nominated three or four conquerors to accompany him with his petition but these, being sheep, had chosen a wolf for their guard.

Those who have made kings out of tyrants have always done harm to republics. Those of the isle of Cadiz who, in war with the Andaluces, were constrained to send to Carthage for help, remained with all their republics as vassals to their supposed friends. Ceasing to speak of very ancient times in which there were many such examples as well among the tyrants of Sicily as in Greece, all the cities of Italy were free and exempt, but now are held by Lords and have lost their liberty, by what means those who are curious well know and can clearly see. In the name of liberty Pompey fought. Cæsar did the same, and Octavius and Mark Antony. These remained Lords, and of those who opposed them, some were killed and the others became vassals. As the Carthaginians did not give Asdrubal and his brother-in-law Hannibal rule and power over their city, their affairs went forward.

The citizens of Cuzco and Lima desired that their Procurator should be Pizarro, who was to venture his life and honour for their liberties. It was not remembered that he was the brother of Hernando Pizarro, the other raiser of former wars, and that it was publicly known that, after he came from Canela, many had heard him say that the King our Lord had treated him badly in not having made him governor of the province after the death of the Marquis, and, on many other occasions, that he would govern though it was against all the world. From the time that Gonzalo Pizarro knew that the Viceroy had arrived, and that he had received letters urging him to undertake the enterprise, he had resolved to be Governor, though he carefully dissimulated, saying that he only sought the public good and his own rest, and that he only wished for the means to live.

CHAPTER XIX

How the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela was coming near to the city of Lima, and how Don Alonso de Montemayor went out to meet him with the Secretary, Pero Lopez, and some others.

Having left Truxillo the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela continued to approach Lima with a strong desire to find himself in it, feeling certain that the disturbed state of all parts of the country would be softened down by his presence there. Two men set out from Lima very cautiously, when his approach was known, who had grievances against Vaca de Castro, named Anton de Leon and Juan de Leon. They went on the road to tell the Viceroy what was passing, and to gain his favour. Continuing his journey the Viceroy came to a town called La Barranca. Here he met the Secretary Pero Lopez who had come in advance from the province of Xauxa and told the Viceroy what Vaca de Castro had told him to say. The Viceroy did not look favourably on the affairs of Vaca de Castro, thinking he was a very avaricious man.

Don Alonso de Montemayor had come from Cuzco with the Licentiate Vaca de Castro. When he knew that the Viceroy was coming near Lima, he went out to meet him. As Don Alonso was a principal person, the Viceroy was very glad that he had come and received him very well. Don Alonso told him of the citizens of Cuzco having departed from Lima, and even what Gaspar Rodriguez de Camporedondo had said publicly. The Viceroy deplored this, and lamented that men should so easily be moved to oppose what his Majesty ordered. He feared that it would cause scandals and disturbances and increase his difficulties. For he also had news of the letters which Gonzalo Pizarro had sent to all parts. As he came nearer to Lima other knights came out to meet him. Some urged him not to enforce the new laws, as they would cause serious detriment to the service of his Majesty. He said that he could not delay what his King had ordered. From the time that he arrived, he had seen the provinces disturbed at the Indians being taken from widows. He would not submit the protest to the Emperor as Don Antonio de Mendoza and the other governors did, which would have saved this kingdom from passing through such great miseries and calamities. But still worse! What do I say! That the coming of the Viceroy, as I have already said many times, was a scourge of God, sent to chastise this kingdom for its sins. They say how great was the prosperity of the citizens of Quito in those times. In their feasts and banquets some of them put on their tables salt cellars full of gold dust instead of salt, and all had $30,000 or 40,000 some more some less, which they had got out of the mines in a short time. They themselves were for the Viceroy and took him to their city where, on the field of Añaquito, he was killed with many of them. The cause of what happened in Peru on the coming of the Viceroy was the great sins committed by the settlers in that land. I myself knew some citizens who by their concubines had fifteen sons. Many leave their wives in Spain for fifteen and twenty years, living with an Indian girl: and so, as both Christians and Indians sinned greatly, the punishment was general.

CHAPTER XX

How it was known at Lima that the Viceroy was near, and how the Bishop Don Jeronimo de Loaysa and the Governor Vaca de Castro, with other knights and citizens, went out to meet him.