The War of Quito

by Pedro de Cieza de León

How the Viceroy sent Hernando de Alvarado to Truxillo, Jeronimo de Villegas to Huanuco and the Treasurer to Arequipa, and what happened.

The Viceroy was very active in assembling men and, although he had suspended the ordinances, he did not cease to talk about the duty of enforcing them. All sorts of intrigues and discourses passed in the city of Lima at that time. The Judges, talking one with another, thought they were lost while the Viceroy, with all the forces he could collect, would be carrying on the war with Gonzalo Pizarro.

The Viceroy notwithstanding the despatches he had sent to all the cities in the kingdom already, determined also to send persons in his confidence to the cities, to summon all citizens to join him with their arms and horses. He sent the Captain Hernando de Alvarado, brother of Alonso de Alvarado who had gone to Spain, to the city of Truxillo. He had offered his person and to bring men and arms. His statement may have been good in intention at the time, as he was a person much esteemed by his brother the Captain Alonso de Alvarado. But Hernando had heard the Viceroy declare that he would enforce the ordinances when the time was opportune, and this made him presently forget the offers he had made. If the captains were thus cautious in their dealings with the unfortunate Viceroy, on whom could he rely? If those around him were disloyal to the King whose servant the Viceroy was, where was he to find help? Hernando de Alvarado did get together some men and arms, but he took the road to the mountains with them.

The Viceroy ordered the Treasurer Manuel dc Espinal to go to the city of Arequipa, giving him powers to raise troops with the title of captain. When he arrived there was a meeting of the magistrates who refused to comply, saying that they were on bad terms with the Treasurer, and that they would do nothing for him nor receive him as captain. But they added that they would go to Lima to serve, of their own free wills. The Treasurer returned alone. After him came Francisco Noguerol de Ulloa, who was then Alcalde, and Hernando de Toro. Juan de Arvés and others went to the city of Leon which is in Huanuco, where Pedro de Puelles, a native of Seville, was in office, an astute leader in wars with the Indians, a good citizen, and with much experience in administration, having been lieutenant to the governor of Quito, besides other appointments. He had corresponded with Gonzalo Pizarro and knew his movements. He had also received letters from the Viceroy. He had also sent an officer to collect provisions along the road from Cuzco to Lima, for until then many were still neutral, not caring to declare themselves either friends of Pizarro or servants of the King. Pizarro’s messenger had brought Puelles a most gracious letter with great promises. The Viceroy was anxious that help should come from those parts for the King. He sent Jeronimo de Villegas, a friend both of himself and of Pizarro, to proceed to Huanuco and tell Pedro de Puelles to come down to Lima with all the arms and horses he could collect for the service of the King our Lord. His loyalty had always been staunch, and the Viceroy could not doubt that it was still and that he would comply with the order with all possible despatch. Villegas was glad of the opportunity of joining Pizarro, so that the Viceroy had sent good ambassadors. He was given his instructions and he gladly promised the Viceroy to lose no time, and that he would return with Pedro de Puelles and all the followers he could collect. So Villegas left Lima very joyfully to do quickly what he did do.

Arrived at the city of Leon, he spoke to Pedro de Puelles and to anyone else who liked to listen, doing all the harm he could to the cause of the Viceroy who he declared was severe and rigorous, and that he had come to take away the property of every man. He said that Pizarro had raised the cry of liberty. Pedro de Puelles was quite ready to take that line. He arranged to start with twenty armed men, including Villegas. This messenger had made known his intention before he left Lima to Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda, one of the Viceroy’s captains, who was also looking out for a chance to join Pizarro, who was likely to prevail in the end. Juan de Sayavedra did not at once agree to what Pedro de Puelles said. He had given an evasive answer and remained at Huanuco. Rodrigo Tinoco, a native of Badajoz, Francisco de Espinosa, a native of Campos, Garcia Hernandez of Salteras, Grado, and others up to the number stated, then departed with Pedro de Puelles and Villegas.

CHAPTER XLVII

How the Viceroy was informed of the departure of Puelles and Villegas, and what he did in consequence.

We have already seen how the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela sent Jeronimo de Villegas to Huanuco to convey the despatch to Pedro de Puelles, ordering him to come with as many Spaniards as he could collect, to serve his Majesty, and what else happened until they set out to join Gonzalo Pizarro. Don Antonio de Garay remained behind at Huanuco, of which place he was a citizen, and he wrote to tell the Viceroy what had happened. A servant of the Viceroy named Felix, who, by his master’s order was making pikes in the valley of Xauxa, also sent the news.

When the news came to Lima and was reported to the Viceroy he showed much feeling, not ceasing to complain of the disloyalty of Puelles, and the treachery of Villegas, praying to our Lord to show his justice by not suffering them to go without punishment. He called the Judges and captains together for consultation, and heard them all in silence, for the sad news left little to say. The Viceroy, however, told them that he sent Villegas, trusting to his honesty, for he had always shown so loyal a disposition that he had no reason to suspect him. He further told them that Pedro de Puelles, being a governor and captain in the service of the King, had gone to join Gonzalo Pizarro. This grave offence and treason should be punished, and he asked the assembly what steps should be taken before the traitors had time to form a junction with Gonzalo Pizarro. He added that he sent Hernando de Alvarado to the city of Truxillo, having himself volunteered to go, and his conduct is already known. He also sent the Treasurer of New Toledo to the city of Arequipa, but neither would they obey him. These things show how little loyalty there is in the land. If only those who were assembled in Lima were really loyal, they would suffice to chastise Gonzalo Pizarro and the traitors who had joined him. He meditated a march into the interior, not only to deal with Villegas and Puelles but also to rally his supporters and alarm the enemy.

The Judges and captains, assembled in council, after some debate, decided upon sending a force of arquebusiers under the command of Captain Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda[56] to the bridge over the river that passes by Xauxa where, without doubt, they would intercept and kill the traitors. In order to make this enterprise more effectual, General Vela Nuñez was to go, with speed, as far as the river Xauxa. The Viceroy enjoined great diligence, so as to prevent the traitors from carrying out their evil intent. He reminded them that the King had sent him to administer justice and execute the laws, that he suspended the laws without the king’s orders, and yet the country was in a disturbed state, only to be remedied by the punishment of those supporting such absurd demands as those made by Pizarro. In thus doing his duty the Viceroy said that he was obliged to put it before his wife Doña Brianda or his sons[57]. Vela Nuñez prayed him not to go further in that discourse, declaring that they would do all that was possible.