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How Gonzalo Pizarro and his friends induced the municipality of Cuzco to nominate him Chief Justice, which was done against the wishes of many.

Gonzalo Pizarro rejoiced at being appointed captain against the Inca, because it was a step in the direction he wanted to go. Talking with the principal people of Cuzco, they discussed together the intention of the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela to enforce the ordinances, Pizarro pointing out that he had been induced to come from Charcas to help them, and that they should unite to name him Procurator, that he might have power to go and to supplicate in their favour. Letters kept arriving from Lima and from other parts urging him to lose no time in marching from Cuzco. The members of the municipality had a meeting where many speeches were made touching this business. At length it was agreed that Gonzalo Pizarro should be given authority, in the name of the city, to march to Lima and see that the ordinances were suspended until they had been again submitted to his Majesty the King. The people of Cuzco would risk their lives, goods and estates to secure this.

Gonzalo Pizarro, after this resolution, went about with armed men, and showed by his words and bearing that he expected something more than the title of Procurator. The Licentiate Leon had now arrived at Cuzco and rejoiced very much when he heard what had taken place. The Licentiate de la Gama had written letters in which he said many bad things against the Viceroy.

As soon as Gonzalo Pizarro was nominated Procurator, he began to talk with Gaspar Rodriguez de Camporedondo, Cermeño, Alonso de Toro, Tomas Vasquez, and his other friends, to concert measures for turning the minds of the citizens to receive him as Chief Justice, for if this was done he would have complete control of everything. The members of the municipality were much opposed, for it seemed to them that Gonzalo Pizarro, against their wishes, wanted to raise the country in opposition to the Viceroy. They would not give their consent, and some of them murmured, saying—“Perhaps you do not see the consequence of such an advance to contend against the Viceroy.” They cursed those who had written from Lima, and that Gonzalo Pizarro, believing them too easily, should have come to the city, leaving the town where he resided.

When Pizarro understood this attitude of some of the citizens, he said that he did not wish to be Procurator of such an ungrateful city, and he did not desist from going about accompanied by arquebusiers and musketeers. There was then another meeting of the municipal officers, who made the following proposal, copied exactly from the original, which I saw in possession of a notary.

“In the city of Cuzco, 26th of June 1544, in presence of Gomez de Chaves, public notary. The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro was there and said ‘I will resign the offices of Captain-General and Procurator of this kingdom because the magistrates and other officials of it do not wish to include the office of Chief Justice. If they should wish to entrust me with that duty I should not shrink from it, but would use and exercise it as I am instructed by them. Because it will conduce to the pacification of the soldiers, I desire to be chosen for that office, that being my desire, and I sign this with my name.’ Witnesses—the Captain Francisco de Almendras and the Captain Cermeño.”

When Gonzalo Pizarro said this, some of those who were at the meeting, were very much disturbed. For while, on one side, Gonzalo Pizarro said that he would resign the appointments of Captain and Procurator, on the other the armed men who were with him seemed ready to elect and nominate him as Chief Justice. So they were afraid to come to a decision. The arquebusiers outside fired some shots to give those inside to understand what would happen to them if they did not obey.

In conclusion, after some further discussion, the votes were given in the following manner.

Juan Velez de Guevara, Magistrate for his Majesty, said that he would vote, and give as his opinion that the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro should be Captain-General and Chief Justice, and to this he signed his name.

Then Antonio de Altamirano, Alcalde, gave his vote that Gonzalo Pizarro should be Chief Justice, and signed his name.

Next the Captain Diego Maldonado the rich said that as his desire was to do what was best for his Majesty’s service, he requested his colleagues to let him consult some one with more learning, after which he would be prepared to answer.

Hernando Bachicao, a Magistrate, said that his vote and opinion was that the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro should be Chief Justice until his Majesty should otherwise provide, and he signed his name.

Francisco Maldonado said that his vote and opinion was that as the ordinary Alcaldes were occupied in civil and criminal lawsuits, and as there were many soldiers in the city, the number daily increasing, the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro should be Chief Justice, and he signed his name.

Diego Maldonado de Alamos said that his vote and opinion was to seek what was best for the service of God our Lord, and for that of his Majesty, and for the good and service of the city and its people. He had not learning to be able to certify that the request of Captain Gonzalo Pizarro was right, nor whether he had the power to make him Chief Justice as a Magistrate of that city, and to this he put his name.

Juan Julio de Hojeda said that his opinion was the same as that of Diego Maldonado de Alamos, and to this he signed his name. Then followed a document as follows:

“And presently, the votes of the Alcaldes and Magistrates having been seen, they said that the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro was chosen and nominated Chief Justice, and powers were given to him which appertain to that Office. They received the oath in due form, and he promised to use and exercise the Office according to law, and these names were signed”:

Gonzalo Pizarro Juan Velez de Guevara Francisco Maldonado

Diego Maldonado de Alamos Hernando Bachicao Juan Julio de Hojeda.

They say that, at this time, the Licentiates de la Gama, Carbajal, Leon, and Barba and the bachelor Guevara, gave votes and opinions that Gonzalo Pizarro should go with an armed force to supplicate respecting the ordinances, and that they would show that this was legal and right. Even worse things than these were said, and votes were given which caused no little harm, many simple people, believing what was told them, following the tyrant in his rebellion.