The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, on his arrival at the city of Cuzco, notwithstanding that Alonso de Toro, Villacastin, and Tomas Vasquez showed great willingness and declared themselves to be his faithful friends, had found a strong disinclination to comply with his wishes among the others. The reason was that they knew of the arrival of the Viceroy in Lima, and they felt that it would not be right to oppose themselves to the royal orders. Seeing this, Pizarro was discouraged and somewhat enraged. He had been wrong and wanting in knowledge to be moved by private letters and conversations. He ordered his Indians to depart from Cuzco which they had done, and he was about to do the same when Gomez de Mezcua arrived. He had set out from Cuzco, by Pizarro’s order, to find out what was happening at Lima. He met Gaspar Rodriguez de Camporedondo and Bachicao, with others, at Guamanga. These used very ugly words against the Viceroy and the ordinances. When they heard from Mezcua that Gonzalo Pizarro was in Cuzco, they rejoiced exceedingly, telling him to return and report that they were coming. They gave him letters from some of the citizens of Lima who spoke of their hatred of the Viceroy. Pizarro was urged to drive him out of the country if he would not suspend the ordinances until his Majesty the King was informed of the grave injury they would do. Mezcua with great speed returned to Cuzco to bring such joyful news, just at the time when Gonzalo Pizarro was preparing to leave it.
When the coming of the citizens and the things they said of the Viceroy were known, opinions in Cuzco altered a good deal. Men declared that they would not suffer such injuries. Pizarro, sending for Alonso de Toro, Villacastin and his other friends, showed them letters he had received from Lima, and told Mezcua to state what he had been told by Gaspar Rodriguez and his companions. The news made Gonzalo Pizarro change his mind about returning to Charcas, and gave the citizens of Cuzco a reason for electing him as Procurator-General to prevent the new laws from being enforced until his Majesty had received and considered the petitions of the conquerors of Peru.
Here the reader may see how fragile and slippery are the affairs of this world, and that there are many changes in every hour that we live in it. At one moment we find Gonzalo Pizarro about to retire into private life, and the people of Cuzco in no mind to make him their Procurator, nor to give him any other charge. In another, no sooner was it known that citizens of Lima were coming to arouse those of Cuzco, than Pizarro was accepted to take command over all others, march to Lima, and drive out the Viceroy. Afterwards, by virtue of a clause in the will of the Marquis his brother, Gonzalo Pizarro was to be received as Governor. Pompey the Great, when Julius Cæsar passed the Rubicon, was received as Captain-General against him and, being in Greece, at the proposal of the Consul Lentulus he was given a commission to raise troops, appoint captains, and fit out fleets against him who was looked upon as an enemy. The simple people of all nations, when they saw the mandate of the Roman Senate, and that Pompey was appointed as Captain-General to defend the republic, easily came to the conclusion that Pompey was fighting solely for the public good, which, God knows, would be that he who conquered might do as he pleased.
Thus, in the kingdom of Peru the news spread that those of the municipality and the other citizens had nominated Gonzalo Pizarro as Procurator. Believing that his only object was their good, they rejoiced and gave assistance. He had more time than Pompey had to mature the tyrannical objects which he fostered in his bosom. Happy those who were in the kingdom, and were able to desist from following the banners of this tyrant. But what can I say, being far away in the dense cane brakes of Quimbaya[39], yet this fury extended even to that distance, letting us know how cruel are these civil wars.
CHAPTER XXIV
How Gaspar Rodriguez and his companions arrived at the city of Cuzco, and how Gonzalo Pizarro was received as Captain against the Inca.
Now it is time, O city of Cuzco, that we relate the movements which occurred in thee, causing no small amount of clamour and mourning. But boast not of that, seeing that the deeds of the citizens were the causes of much bloodshed. The war which was commenced by thee spread beyond thy confines, as the sad conflict of Huarina bears testimony.
The Spaniards in Cuzco were aroused to great anger by what they heard of the Viceroy from Gaspar Rodriguez, Hernando Bachicao and the others. They rejoiced to find Gonzalo Pizarro there, giving him an account of all that had taken place at Lima, and how the Viceroy had taken the Indians from Diego de Mora, Alonso Holguin, Diego Palomino and others; and had declared that he would do the same in all parts, enforcing the new laws with rigour. All then understood the great injury that would be done to them. When this had been heard, all agreed to take Gonzalo Pizarro, and to go with him to pray that the new laws might not be enforced in all their rigour. Gaspar Rodriguez and Hernando Bachicao declared that the people of Lima intended to seize the Viceroy if he persisted in enforcing the new laws. Owing to these statements there was much anxiety in Cuzco, and the people expected to receive very heavy punishment. Yet there was a variety of opinions among them, the majority being disposed to take any course rather than obey the new laws.
The tumult having subsided, which arose on the arrival of the news about the Viceroy, it was decided to seek the best way in which Gonzalo Pizarro, in the name of all, might represent the people. Yet it did not appear certain that power could be given to him, seeing that Blasco Nuñez had arrived at Lima, and had been received as Viceroy. On the other hand to withhold the power would be madness and would cause serious injury. Letters did not cease to arrive not only from Lima, but also from the province of Andahuaylas. Pedro de los Rios and Diego Maldonado had interviews with Francisco Maldonado, Hernando Bachicao, and Juan Velez de Guevara with others. They concerted with the citizens and the municipal officers that Gonzalo Pizarro should be appointed captain against the Inca who was, according to rumour, arranging to march against the city. As much reliance was placed on Pizarro, he easily induced the citizens, jointly with their municipal officers, to nominate and elect him as their captain against Manco Inca if he should come with warlike intent; and powers were given to their captain to collect arms and raise men.
But the desires of Pizarro did not stop there. He wanted to be acknowledged as Chief Justice and Procurator-General, with which authority he would be able to attain his ends. He wrote to the province of Andahuaylas, asking Diego Maldonado, the perpetual magistrate there, to come at once to the city. He also wrote to Pedro de los Rios to come to Cuzco. And notwithstanding that they preferred to remain in that province, and not to be present with those who were rebelling, they could not abide by their wishes, for so many letters came, that they had to go to Cuzco. When the news came that Gonzalo Pizarro was nominated captain against the Inca, soldiers arrived from all parts well armed with arquebuses and powder, eager that rumours should be converted into war, that they might emerge from the poverty caused by peace.