I have written to your Majesty because if I did not send a full account of all that has passed, I should be left with a heavy load on my conscience, and should not be doing my duty to your Majesty.
I have sent this father, who is a person of credit and a provincial vicar in this land of Peru, a very religious man of good fame. To him I refer your Majesty for all further particulars.
I again entreat your Majesty, for the love of Jesus Christ, to send us peace, and not to allow these natives to receive such evil treatment, which is a very great load on the conscience. For they were on the point of becoming Christians, but these disturbances have caused everything to be dropped. With peace all would be remedied, and so I hope in our Lord.
May the Lord guard the imperial person of your Majesty, with increase to your kingdoms and lordships, as is desired by your servants and vassals. From this city of the Kings, the 10th of March 1545. Your devoted servant and chaplain who kisses your imperial feet and hands, Fray Juan Solano.
INDICTMENT
OF THE
JUDGES AGAINST THE VICEROY
BLASCO NUÑEZ VELA
REPORT made by order of the Judges Cepeda, Tejada and Alvarez on the proceedings of the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela, 19-23 Sept. 1544.
Embargo on precious metals at Panama.
1. As soon as the Viceroy arrived at Nombre de Dios and Panama, he put an embargo on all the gold and silver coming from Peru, on the ground that it had been taken from the Indians, and respecting this he made public proclamation with heavy penalties. Owing to this many were forced to return to Lima, following the Viceroy, having to expend considerable sums on the voyage. This scandalized the country and disturbed men’s minds.
Native servants on the isthmus sent back to Peru.
2. Many natives of Peru, men and women, who were in the service of various citizens of Nombre de Dios and Panama, were collected by him and sent back to their native places at the expense of their masters. Some died on the voyage, others were put on shore at Tumbez and died of hunger, others returned to their idolatry.