Читать книгу The War of Quito - Pedro de Cieza de León - Страница 13

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How the Governor Cristobal Vaca de Castro saw the letter of the Viceroy, and how he was received at Lima having dismissed his followers and sent the artillery to the city of Guamanga.

It will cause great astonishment to hear the events of this narrative as they unfold themselves, for many were the troubles that arose in these kingdoms. Not only the hills and chains of mountains but also the rivers and streams are full of gold and silver, so that a country with such riches could not remain at peace. Most of those who had settled in it gilded their iniquities with great treasons, throwing the blame on the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro. Numerous were the letters that he received from all parts, persuading him to come forth from where he was, as all would join him, and assist him with their persons and their properties. Some have wanted to throw the blame on those of Cuzco but they were those who were least culpable, as further on I will clearly show.

The news of the arrival of the Viceroy in the kingdom, and his letter having been received, Vaca de Castro was much disturbed in his mind, as well from the things that his servant Ruy Lopez had told him, as from the way he had been received. He would wish, according to what they said, to enter Lima at the time of the reception, and make a petition respecting the ordinances. He desired that his Secretary Pero Lopez should see the Viceroy shortly, that he might be informed of all that had been done. But he was perplexed as to what he should do, being surrounded on all sides by anxious cares which greatly fatigue generous minds. It is needful at first to consider what steps to take with much prudence. For afterwards, if a mistake has been made, it is said to be the fault of those who have not looked in advance, whereas if all goes well they are regarded as prudent. In great affairs determination is more needed than counsel. For when murmurs and discontents are converted into wars it is better to follow a daring soldier than a noted scholar, for they say that to gild a mistake they make a hundred.

Vaca de Castro considered that if he entered Lima accompanied by artillery, arms, and arquebuses it would look bad and give rise to a doubt of his loyalty; while if he entered privately the Viceroy might ill use him, without regarding what was due to his position, nor considering his services to the King, for it was notorious that the Viceroy was coming with a prejudice against him. Notwithstanding these dangers Vaca de Castro dismissed his followers and ordered the artillery to be taken to Guamanga. At Guadachevi, 18 leagues from Lima, where he received the news, he left the pikes and other arms.

The Licentiate, Benito Suarez de Carbajal[24], was with Vaca de Castro, and a letter came to him from his brother the Factor, to let him know that the Viceroy would deprive him of his Indians, as he had treated all others who had been lieutenants, or officials. He was advised, on receipt of the letter, to return to where he held the grant of Indians, collect all the money he could, and to go to Spain, leaving the Indians in trust to Rodrigo de Carbajal, Jeronimo de Carbajal, and Juan Vazquez de Tapia. The Licentiate Carbajal, having received this letter, read it publicly, and arranged the transfer with Vaca de Castro, although he was no longer Governor. He then departed to do what the Factor advised. This was one reason why the Viceroy was offended with the Factor, for he was informed of the letter he had written, by Antonio and Juan de Leon, when they went out to receive him.

After he had dismissed his people, Vaca de Castro went on to Lima with very few attendants without trying, by any intrigues, to form new friendships.