Murder of the Inca Manco described by his son.
Titu Cusi Yupanqui, younger son of the murdered Inca Manco, being a neophyte in the beginning of 1570, dictated to an Augustine friar named Marcos Garcia, who was with him at Vilcapampa, the following “Narrative of the entry of the Spaniards into Peru, and of what happened to him when they were living with him.”
All these things having happened, both those which I have mentioned and many others which I have not touched upon to avoid prolixity, my father returned to Vilcapampa as head of all this province, where he rested for some days. From this place, because he did not like to be without me, he sent to Cuzco for me, where I was, until they took me to Viticos, in the house of Oñate[78]. The messengers took me and my mother secretly to the town of Viticos, where my father had come for fresh air, it being a cold land. There I and my Father stayed for many days. At different times seven Spaniards arrived, saying that they were fugitives owing to having committed offences, and they protested that they would serve my Father with all their power, for the remainder of their lives. They prayed that they might be allowed to remain in that land and end their days there. My Father, thinking that they came with good intentions, ordered his captains to do them no harm, for he wished to keep them as his servants, and that they should have houses in which to live. The captains would much rather have put an end to them, but obeyed my Father’s orders. My Father had them with him for many days and years, treating them very well, and giving them all that they needed, even ordering his own women to prepare their food and their beverage, and taking his meals with them. He treated them as if they were his own brothers.
After these Spaniards had been with my Father for several years in the said town of Viticos they were one day, with much good fellowship, playing at quoits with him: only them, my Father, and me, who was then a boy. Without having any suspicion, although an Indian woman, named Banba, had said that the Spaniards wanted to murder the Inca, my Father was playing with them as usual. In this game, just as my Father was raising the quoit to throw, they all rushed upon him with knives, daggers, and some swords. My Father, feeling himself wounded, strove to make some defence, but he was one and unarmed, and they were seven fully armed; he fell to the ground covered with wounds, and they left him for dead. I, being a little boy, and seeing my Father treated in this manner, wanted to go where he was to help him. But they turned furiously upon me, and hurled a lance which only just failed to kill me also. I was terrified and fled amongst some bushes. They looked for me, but could not find me. The Spaniards, seeing that my Father had ceased to breathe, went out of the gate, in high spirits, saying, “Now that we have killed the Inca we have nothing to fear.” But at this moment the captain Rimachi Yupanqui arrived with some Antis, and presently chased them in such sort that, before they could get very far along a difficult road, they were caught and pulled from their horses. They all had to suffer very cruel deaths and some were burnt. Notwithstanding his wounds my Father lived for three days. Before he died, he sent for me and all his captains, and spoke these words....[79]
All the above writing was done and ordered to give the information dictated by the most illustrious Lord Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui, son of Manco Inca Yupanqui late natural Lord of these kingdoms of Peru, to the Reverend Father Friar Marcos Garcia, Friar Presbyter of the order of Saint Augustine, who resides in that province of Vilcapampa, having in charge the cure of all the souls within it, to the honour and glory of Almighty God.
I Martin Pando, clerk, commissioned by the Illustrious Lord the Licentiate Lope Garcia de Castro, late Governor of these kingdoms, solemnly declare that all that is above written was composed and ordered by the said Father under the instructions of the said Don Diego de Castro, and which I myself wrote with my proper hands in the manner dictated by the said Father, being witnesses the Reverend Father Friar Diego Ortiz, professed presbyter of the said order, who jointly resides in company with the author of this, and three captains of the said Don Diego de Castro, named Suta Yupanqui, Rimachi Yupanqui, and Sullca Huarac. In token of the good faith of all the aforesaid, I signed my name. Done in the town of San Salvador of Vilcapampa, on the 6th of February 1570, which, to make it more authentic is also signed with the names of Father Friar Martin Garcia and Father Diego Ortiz.
I Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui, natural son of Manco Inca Yupanqui late Lord of these kingdoms of Peru declare that, as it is necessary for me to make this statement to the King Don Philip our Lord, containing things of importance to me and my successors, and not knowing the style and manner used by Spaniards in such reports, I requested the very Reverend Father Friar Marcos Garcia and Martin de Pando that, in conformity with the usage on such occasions, they would order and compose the above narrative, for the very illustrious Lord, the Licentiate Lope Garcia de Castro to send to Spain; that for me, in my name, holding, as I do hold, my power, all may be explained to his Majesty Don Philip our King and Lord, that he, seeing the grounds of my request, may show favour to me, to my sons and my descendants and I sign my name on the day aforesaid.
Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui.
To Don Lope Garcia de Castro,
Having received letters from your Lordship, asking me to become a Christian and saying that it would conduce to the security of the country, I enquired of Diego Rodriguez and Martin de Pando, who was the principal monk among those who were in Cuzco, and who were the most approved and of most weight among the religious orders. They replied that the most flourishing were those of St Augustine, and their Prior was the most important religious in Cuzco. Having heard this, I became more attached to the order of St Augustine than to any other. I wrote letters to the Prior, requesting him to come in person to baptize me, because I would rather be baptized by him than by anyone else. He took the trouble to come to my country and to baptize me, bringing with him another monk, and Gonzalo Perez de Vivero and Atilano de Anaya who arrived at Rayangalla on the 12th of August 1568, whither I came from Vilcapampa to receive baptism. There, in that village of Rayangalla, were the said Prior named Juan de Vivero and his companions. I was instructed in the things of the faith for a fortnight, at the end of which time, on the day of the famous Dr St Augustine, the Prior baptized me. My godfather was Gonzalo Perez de Vivero and my godmother Doña Angelina Zica Ocllo. After I was baptized the Prior remained for eight days to instruct me in the holy catholic church and to initiate me into its mysteries. He then departed with Gonzalo Perez de Vivero, leaving me a companion named Friar Marcos Garcia, that he might little by little instil into my mind what the Prior had taught, that I might not forget, and also to teach the word of God to the people of my land. Before he departed I explained to my followers the reason why I had been baptized, and had brought these people into my land. All replied that they rejoiced at my baptism, and that the friar should remain. In effect the friar did remain with me[80].
Diego Rodriguez de Figueroa.
Notice.
Thin 4to MS.
The manuscript of the Report of Diego Rodriguez de Figueroa on his mission to Titu Cusi Yupanqui Inca, came into the possession of Eugene Jacquet, a French orientalist, who gave it to Alexander von Humboldt, in 1833. Humboldt left it to the Royal Library at Berlin. The text was published by Dr Pietschmann of Göttingen in 1910.
Rodriguez came to Peru in about 1552. The Count of Nieva, Viceroy from 1561 to 1564, appointed him Defensor de todos los Indios.
Rodriguez took part in the subjugation of Vilcapampa by order of the Viceroy Toledo in 1571, and an encomienda of 100 Indians was given to him, in that province, where he was Alguazil Mayor. He was there four years, but quarrelled with the Governor. In a petition to the Viceroy Don Martin Henriquez, successor to Toledo (1 Dec. 1582), Rodriguez mentions that he has five daughters and three sons, that he had lived many years at Potosi, and had fought in three battles for the King. He had occupied himself with writings and pictures representing the history of the Incas and all sorts of reports and memoirs. He had been Corregidor of Potosi.
NARRATIVE
OF THE ROUTE AND JOURNEY MADE BY
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ
FROM THE CITY OF Cuzco TO THE LAND OF WAR OF
Manco[81] Inca WHO WAS IN THE ANDES IN
INSURRECTION AGAINST THE SERVICE
OF His Majesty,
AND OF THE AFFAIRS TOUCHING WHICH HE TREATED
WITH THE OBJECT OF ESTABLISHING PEACE, AS
WELL AS TO INDUCE THE PEOPLE TO RECEIVE
THE EVANGELICAL DOCTRINE OF OUR
Lord Jesus Christ
as follows:
I left Cuzco on the 8th of April after having received letters from the Judge Matienzo to the Inca Titu Cusi Yupanqui, with leave to make an entrance, after having offered my services to go by that route. I went to sleep at Tambo, where they gave me seven Indian carriers to show me the way. Three men of this town were to enter with me, after the cacique had told them that if the Inca asked them whence they came they were to say they came from another part and that they were not natives of Tambo, because it was a garrison of the Inca frontier, and he might kill them, if they said they came from thence.
On the 9th of April I went to the other part of the cordillera, crossed the uninhabited snowy region and slept at Yanamachi, where there are large caves. There I heard that the runners of the Inca had arrived at Chuquichaca which is near the land of peace, and ready to pass to the other side of the river which is subject to the Spaniards. I encouraged the Indians and told them to fear nothing as I would go with them to see what people they were and what they wanted; but they were unwilling. That night seven Indians fled from fear. They carried loads containing some presents for the Inca, bought with my own money and at my cost. Considering one thing and another, I should have wished to return, if it had not been that I was ashamed, and for other secret reasons.
I concealed the loads under some straw, and went on for five leagues to the valley of Amaibamba, three leagues within the land of the Inca, where they gather much coca, and where there are always many Indians at harvest time. The place was devoid of inhabitants, because all had concealed themselves in the forests. There was no one to show me the ford over the river, but I passed, I and the horse, God seeing fit to guide the horse miraculously, the depth being more than 300 estados.
Later in April some of the Indians who had fled, as well as the runners, came to me. I encouraged them and said that I would go to the bridge to see what was going on. I said to them that those others were infidels and were not Christians, and that one Christian could fight all the infidels put together; because those others were infidels and they were Christians. They answered that they had been robbed more than ten or fifteen times, and some of those others had got their wives and children, that they were not men but devils with no fear of God, and that when they had stolen everything they burnt the house, and to insult the Christians they burnt the churches, and had broken the images, and with the cross placed in front they had made a fire and cooked a sheep. It is true that I saw the burnt church, and the pieces they showed me, which may have been bits of the cross. I explained to them that God permitted this for our sins, but that He would inflict a great punishment on those others. I told them that I was going to speak to the Inca on the part of the President of the Municipality and of the Royal Audience of the city of La Plata, and to warn him that if he would not live in conformity with our Holy Catholic Faith and in obedience to his Majesty, war would be declared. While I should be there, they were to keep a good watch on the bridge to see when the runners should arrive, that I might speak with them. They replied that they did not dare, and they also advised me not to, because those others would kill me, and give my body to be eaten by the Anti Indians.
Seeing the small courage of these Indians, I sent them for the loads, to the place where they were hidden, and left the horse here, in the valley of Amaibamba, as the road was very rough, and in places one could not even walk on foot, but like cats. I arrived at the bridge, which is between two great hills, on the 11th of April. I made great lights on the banks of the river to see if any of the Inca’s runners had arrived. I also made a flag of a pocket handkerchief, and put it on the top of a tree as a sign of peace, and a very large cross on the bridge, that they might understand that a Spaniard and Christian had come. Then two runners came from Yucay, which is in the land of peace. They told me that my luggage had arrived and was waiting at Amaibamba, that the Indians who had fled to the mountains had now returned, that they were not frightened now that I was at the bridge, that they would feel safe while I was there, and that the Inca had gone back with his captains.
On the 11th they made great fires, and there was much smoke on the other side of the river. That night two Indian runners fled to the mountains because they did not dare to sleep where I slept, which was close to the bridge. There I was, in much trouble with the mosquitos, which bit me by night and by day, but in no trouble about the Inca’s people. This being the case I determined to return to Amaibamba, and wait there for the runners. If they made any remark I could say that it was three leagues away, and that the bites of mosquitos had swollen my hands and feet, and brought on a fever.
On Good Friday, the 20th of April, in the evening, a runner arrived with the news that six Indians of the Inca had arrived at the bridge, and there appeared to be more behind. It did not appear what object they had, but they had left the cross which I had set up. All the Indians armed themselves and some, from fear, fled to the mountains. I presently went to the bridge, commending myself to our Lord. I went by a very bad road and in the night, having several falls by the way, and much hard work. I took with me two Indians against their will, with coca, bread, and other things to eat. I arrived at the bridge at about 3 o’clock in the morning, and began to cry out and struck a light. The runners then came together and, with many torches of straw alight, we began to talk. I said that I came, with peaceful intent, to speak to the Inca, bringing letters from the Municipality and Judges of the city of La Plata, and another from the Judge Matienzo, requesting permission for me to enter the country, speak to the Inca, and deliver the letters into his hands. They replied that they were satisfied. The letters were thrown over the river with a sling, and coca and bread were passed over on a rope, that they might eat. I asked them to let me leave one of the two Indians until the reply came from the Inca, to which they agreed.
On the 28th of April the Inca replied in a very brief letter. He thanked me for the trouble I had taken, but for the rest he said that he did not want any Spaniard to enter his territory either in peace or in war, for they would only come as spies and to deceive him. He ordered me not to enter, and that if I did his captains would kill me. Further he kissed the hands of the Judge Matienzo and of all the others who had written, and did not reply as he was in bad health. I was to return with this message. I was to be so good as to send him the letters, which I told him I was bringing, that he might have them in his hand. On the day that I received this reply from the Inca, I reflected that if I returned they would say at Cuzco that I was afraid and sought an excuse for not going to the Inca. So I determined to give the letters to the runners, as well as some presents which I had brought, such as raisins and comfits, quince jam, three pieces of cloth, three pairs of scissors, four knives with sheaths, some needles and other things. I wrote that I was his friend, and that he should understand that I had no wish to deceive him, but to tell him what it would be convenient for him to know. If he would give me permission I would enter his territory to recognize him as a Lord. I further said that if I could serve him in anything I would do so. That he might know this to be the truth I sent him a provision appointing me Defender of all the Indians of this kingdom signed by the Count of Nieva[82].
On the 5th of May ten captains came to the bridge, richly dressed with diadems of plumes, and lances in their hands which they brandished, and wearing masks on their faces. They came to the passage of the bridge where I was, and asked if I was the man who had the audacity to want to come and speak to the Inca. I said yes. They replied that I could not fail to be much afraid, and if I felt fear I could not come, because the Inca was a great enemy of cowards. To this I answered that if he was an elephant or a giant I might be afraid, but as he was a man like myself I had no fear, but I would offer him respect. If he would let me enter under his word, I would do so, for I knew that he would keep it. On this they produced two letters. One was from a mestizo who is there, named Pando, and the other from the Inca. They sent them across to me. Some of the Indians who were with me then fled. In both letters there were expressions of joy to understand, from the Provision, that I was not a spy and that I did not come to deceive them. They were pleased that I should come as far as a town called Aramcalla, and that the Inca would come there with his Governor and Master of the Camp.
On the 6th of May I crossed the river in a basket travelling along a cable, and seven Indians came with me. The ten Indians of the Inca helped me to cross, and accompanied me. That night I slept at the foot of a snowy mountain, in an uninhabited village called Condormarca, where there had been a bridge in ancient times, which crossed the river to go to Tambo, Sapamarca, and Viticos in the country of peace.
On the 7th of May as many as a hundred Indians came to meet me and accompany me over the road of Marainiyo, a very rough country with much vegetation and some swamps. They asked me if it was I who had put up the flag which I mentioned before. I said yes and that I had hoisted it as a signal that I came on an errand of peace. They answered that it was a great piece of insolence for anyone to hoist a flag in the territory of the Inca, and if it had not been that the Inca had given orders for me to enter, they would have killed me there and then. Each one then began to brandish his arms, calling the Spaniards bearded cowards and thieves. Others said, “May we not kill this little bearded one, to avenge what his brethren have done to us.” I appeased them by saying it was true than when the Spaniards came they did much harm; but that now there was justice, that the people were favoured and had their liberty. They then asked me if I was one of those who came first, or whether I had arrived recently. I answered that it was seventeen years since I came from Spain, that in all times there were some good and some bad, and that now they deserved much honour for it seemed to me that they were good men. As to what others had done, the fault did not lie with me. I then gave them some drink, and I gave some of them needles, ornaments, knives, and other things, so we made friends. I then wrote to the Inca to say that I had entered his country, but had not yet come to where he was, and that in token of friendship I sent him two glass jars and two dozen buttons of green glass that looked like emeralds.
On the 8th of May we departed from the station of the Inca called Marainiyo, and marched to an Indian village named Lucuma where four Indians came to see me from a captain, who was on that frontier, named Cayanbi. I sent him salt and knives, and in return he supplied me with maize and chicha, asking me not to pass on, because he had not sent to tell the Inca anything about my arrival, but that he would come and sleep that night, to accompany me. Considering the abominable road, and the discomfort of having to travel on foot, and seeing that though I was near the goal they would not let me reach it, I sent to say that I would not go, and that I wanted to return to Cuzco. So I ordered the Indians to take the road by which we had come, and I wrote a very angry letter to the Inca saying that I had arrived at Lucuma by his order, and that one of his captains, who was on that frontier, had refused to receive me in his land. With the letter I sent a hat with two plumes of feathers. When the captain saw my determination to return to Cuzco he came to me, on the road, and begged me not to go until a reply came from the Inca. He also brought plenty of food of the country.
I remained with the captain until another day when the reply of the Inca came, the runner having covered 40 leagues in two days, saying in his letter that he was very angry with the captain who would be well punished. He sent another in his place named Vilcapaniguana, with a hundred Indians to help in my journey. I was lodged in Arancalla, a village of a hundred Indians, in a very rough country near the snows, where there was a large fort.
I arrived there on the 9th of May, and they made me two houses on a hill two arquebus shots from the village. Presently the inhabitants of the village came with provisions for my party. Above all things they asked me to show them the contents of my loads, because they desired much to know. At first I refused, but as it seemed to me that they would manage to find out, against my will, I thought that it would be well to let them see. So they looked at everything. They saw that I carried a sword and dagger, and said that I should show them to the Inca as he would rejoice to see them. The same day a servant of the Inca arrived, with two baskets of earth nuts[83], to visit me on his part. I received him well and gave him a head cloth and an ornament; and for the Inca two packs of cards and two pair of scissors. I understood that he came to see what manner of man I was, and to learn from those who came with me what I had asked, said, and done. They took leave, very well contented.
On the next day, the 11th of May, I received another letter from the Inca, in which he made great offers to me, owing to the good report he had heard of me from Cuzco, and that I was to come to a village further on called Bambacona that we might sooner meet, and that he would be there in two days.
I set out on the 12th of May and went on to Viticos where the seven Spaniards killed the Inca, and their heads are exposed. The Indians told me that those Spaniards had killed him to raise the land, and that they determined to kill him while playing at la herradura. One Mendez[84] did it with four or five stabs behind until he killed him; and to Titu Cusi, the Inca who is now, they would have done the same, but he escaped down some rocks, which they showed me. They, however, succeeded in giving him a stab in the leg, the mark of which he afterwards showed me. If they had wanted to kill some Indians they could have done so, but their object was to kill the Inca. Then many Indians and captains assembled, who seized the Spaniards and killed them.
On the 13th of May I sent two of my Indians to the Inca with some refreshments of raisins, figs, and other things. The Inca received them well, and gave them two baskets of earth nuts which they were to take to me, with a message that next day he would arrive, so that we should see each other soon, and that I need not travel further.
On the 14th of May the Indians of Bambacona had made a large house on a strong height surrounded by entrenchments. Below were the houses of the inhabitants. The road by which he was to come was very clean and passed over a great plain. The three hundred Indians with their lances, and others from the surrounding country, had made a great theatre for the Inca, of red clay. They were awaiting his arrival, and wished me to go out to meet him. They told me that the people of the village would wait on the plain, and that they would show me a place where they had brought two loads of straw, half a stone’s throw from the rest of the people. They told me to wait there, and see the entry of the Inca, and not to move until the Inca sent for me.
Many lances were drawn up on a hill, and messengers arrived to say that the Inca was coming. Presently the escort of the Inca began to appear. The Inca came in front of all, with a head-dress of plumes of many colours, a silver plate on his breast, a golden shield in one hand, and a lance all of gold. He wore garters of feathers and fastened to them were small wooden bells. On his head was a diadem and another round the neck. In one hand he had a gilded dagger, and he came in a mask of several colours. Arriving on the plateau where the places of the people were, and his seat was set up, and mine, he gazed where the sun was, making a sort of reverence with his hand, which they call mucha, and then went to his seat. There came with him a mestizo with a shield and sword, and in a Spanish dress and a very old cloak. Presently he turned his eyes in the direction where I was, and I took off my hat. The Indians did not notice this. I held up an image of our Lady which I carried in my bosom, and though the Indians saw it, they took no notice. Then two orejones came near the Inca with two halberds, dressed in diadems of plumes with much adornment of gold and silver. These made obeisance and reverence to the sun and then to the Inca. All the rest were standing near his seat, encircling him in good order. Presently the governor came, named Yamqui Mayta, with 60 or 70 attendants with their silver plates, lances, belts of gold and silver, the same dresses as were worn by all who came with the Inca. Then came the Master of the Camp with the same gaily dressed following: and all made obeisance first to the sun and then to the Inca, saying, “Child of the Sun thou art the child of the day[85].” Then they took up their positions round the Inca. Then another captain entered, named Vilcapari Guaman, with about thirty Indians bearing lances adorned with feathers of many colours. Then twenty men with axes, making reverences to the sun like the rest. All wore masks of different colours, which they put before their faces. Next a little Indian entered who, after making reverences to the sun and the Inca, came towards me, brandishing a lance, and raising it with great audacity. He then began to cry out in Spanish “Get out! get out!” and to menace me with his lance. Next another captain entered named Cusi Puma, with about 50 archers; who are Antis eating human flesh. Presently all these warriors took off their plumes of feathers and put down their lances. With their daggers of bronze and their shields of silver, or leather, or of feathers, each one came to do reverence to the Inca who was seated, and then returned to their places.
Presently he sent for me, and passing through that multitude of Indians, I took off my hat and made a speech to him. I said that I had come from Cuzco solely to know and serve him. If I wore a sword and dagger it was to serve him with them, and not to offend him. To this he answered that it was for men to bear arms and not for women or cowards, and he did not, therefore, hold me in more esteem for that. But he said he was pleased at the trouble I had taken to come from such a distance to him, adding that he had come 40 leagues only to see and converse with me. Then he gave me a cup of chicha, asking me to drink it for his service. I drank a quarter of it, and then began to make faces, and wipe my mouth with a handkerchief. He began to laugh, understanding that I did not know that liquor. Then he spoke to the mulatto, asking him how this was, and that our Lord Jesus Christ should be remembered for he had blessed such work. He said that he would show me the governor Yamqui Mayta, that I might talk to him. He came and embraced me as the Inca had done, and he was seated on the Inca’s right hand.
Presently I returned to my lodging, with permission of the Inca, and he sent me, by the governor, a macaw and two baskets of earth nuts. Then the mestizo came with a very small cup of chicha, with a message from the Inca asking me to drink it, that he looked upon me as a friend, and that when I liked, we could treat of the matters about which I had come. I took a sip, and gave the rest to one of the Indians who had come with me. He sent a message by the mestizo that I must rest, that I must be tired, and that another day he would do all that I desired. I sent him four pieces of glass, and a case of comfits, which were the presents the Judge Matienzo had sent, and had mentioned in his letter. I also sent half an arroba of crystals and pearls, and seven bracelets of silver, saying that the glass was sent by Matienzo, because it was a thing held in high estimation and that as the comfits gave a pleasant taste to the tip of the tongue, so I trusted that my words would give satisfaction, and that I wished to be of service as the messenger and ambassador who came to him. He took it all in, and rejoiced greatly. That he might not hesitate to eat the comfits, I said that they were very good, and that he might be sure that they would do him no harm, I wished to eat some in his presence. I did eat with the mestizo and invited him, who ate them also. Then I gave two sheathed knives, a head cloth, and other things to the governor Yamqui Mayta. I distributed presents to all the other captains pointed out to me by the mestizo, embraced them all, and returned to my lodging.
Then the people of the village brought much food and presented it to the Inca, and to those who had come with him. The Inca did not eat on cloths, but on green rushes, and the rest on the ground.
The Inca was a man of forty years of age, of middle height, and with some marks of small-pox on his face. His mien rather severe and manly. He wore a shirt of blue damask, and a mantle of very fine cloth. He is served on silver, and there are also twenty or thirty fairly good-looking women, waiting behind him. He sent for me to eat where he was with his women and his governor. The food consisted of maize, potatoes, small beans, and the other products of the country, except that there was very little meat, and what there was consisted of venison, fowls, macaws, and monkeys, both boiled and roasted. When night came on he asked me whether I had made the acquaintance of his captains. I replied in the affirmative, and he then took leave of me. He went to the house that had been prepared for him, in exactly the same order as when he arrived, with music of silver flutes and trumpets. That night there was a guard of a hundred Indians who were divided into watches, and flutes and drums were played to call each watch. They placed a guard of fifteen Indians over me with their lances, I being in a house outside the village. I calculate that all the Indians who came with the Inca, and those of the village, numbered 450.
In the morning of the 14th of May the Inca sent for me to his house, for it was raining. The greater part of his troops were seated round a large fire. The Inca was seated, dressed in a shirt of crimson velvet, with a mantle of the same. All his captains had taken off the masks they wore on the day before. As I entered I saluted, making many compliments, and taking off my cap. He saluted me in his language. The mestizo was on a seat in front. I presented the Inca with a very good looking glass, two necklaces of coral beads, and a paper book. He was very much pleased with the presents, and ordered my seat to be placed near him, next to the governor and two captains. I understood that the Inca had been told by one of the captains who came with me, respecting what I had said and asked, and that I had expressed discontent at the want of proper respect shown to me by the Indians. Presently he asked for the letter I brought, and what I had come for. I answered that he had already seen the letters, before my arrival, and that he had then read what I now wished to put before him in words. He said that that was true. I then said that what I had to communicate to him was a matter of great importance, both for the salvation of his body and his soul; and that it might be seen that I did not wish to deceive on any point as regards what I had to say, I suggested that he should send for all the wisest men he had with him, that what I had to say might be better understood. At the same time he was himself a man of such sound judgment, his own understanding would be quite sufficient to deal with all that might be submitted to him. He replied that all were there present, and that I might now say what I wanted, as on another day I should have to return to Cuzco with his reply. The Christians, he added, had never given more than one day for audience and another for departure. If they stayed longer his people might kill them from fear and terror, without his permission to kill. I answered that it would occupy more than two days to complete the negotiations, and to make what I had come to say clearly understood. Especially this was the case when I did not wish to cause discontent by being given so short a time, my intention being rather to cause satisfaction and not annoyance. The Inca was pleased and said to me that he and his captains would not answer until I had represented everything, and after that I could make answer to their view of what I had said.
Presently I said to the mestizo, who was the interpreter, that I requested permission to say something in praise of God and of our holy Christian religion. The Inca gave permission. I then said many things which were the fruits of study in books I had brought, but to avoid prolixity I will not write down my discourse. I have it written in a little book with other things. The Inca and all his captains expressed themselves pleased at having heard it, and enquired whether there were any Christians among the Indians who were there. If so they were ordered to stand up. Twenty or twenty-five among the chiefs did so. I asked each one his name, and every one of them gave me Christian names. So I asked the permission of the Inca to animate and console them, which he was pleased to give. I said to them that they should not turn back but trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, remaining firm in what they had professed when they received baptism. And I told them to serve the Inca as he was their Lord, and also God the creator of all things. I said many other things to them until they began to cry, in presence of all those captains of the Inca, and the Inca himself was moved to anger. He spoke very fiercely to me, saying that no Spaniard who had entered his territory had dared to treat of these things and to praise their Lord Jesus Christ, nor in the time of his father, that it was great insolence on my part, and that he was disposed to order me to be killed. I answered that I came as a man who had to do this, that I had confessed and taken the sacrament as a Christian, and that no time could be better for me to die than the present. I reminded him that what I had said, was said with his permission. Then I delivered a discourse in praise of truth and against what was false, representing that so I must deal with him, being as truthful as if I was on oath. I then spoke of the Judge Matienzo who had given permission for me to come with a letter from him to the Inca. I told him how well fitted I was to manage affairs for the Indians, and I showed them some papers I had brought with me, by which the Inca would be convinced of it. He should not think that I came as a spy, or for a bad object, nor would he believe it when he knew what I had done for him in his absence. They had all thought that the entries into their lands on foot or on horseback had been secret, but we had known of them and they were quite public. For this there was indeed no need of spies, and presently I would tell them all, and how I desired to take up the negotiation from further back.
During this discussion three of their Indians arrived who had been sent as messengers to the President. They brought eight yards of yellow damask, half a dozen masks, and a letter from the President in which he said that if the Inca would come peacefully to Cuzco, he should have a grant of certain villages of Indians with a revenue of over $15,000, which the Treasurer Merlo would show, sending the account in three or four days, and showing what the rents are from those Indians, which would be paid in the name of his Majesty. Merlo also wrote out a translation of what was in the decrees respecting the Indians. Another letter was sent, signed by the President, which was for Merlo. It said that the letter was written by the President and that if the Inca did not wish to accept the grant that was offered to him, he was requested to reply at once, because an officer, on the part of the city of Cuzco was to force an entry and make war. The question should be settled for his word had been given. There were letters saying that the chiefs of Xauxa and of the whole kingdom were arrested, and that the municipalities of Cuzco and Guamanga wished to make war.
The Inca and his captains received the news bravely. The Inca rose up and declared that they were not afraid of the Spaniards. He said, before his assembly, all he could think of in abuse of the Spaniards and in praise of his Indians. Then all the Indians arose and began to worship, and those Indian captains began to make offerings, each one for himself, with daggers of bronze or iron in their hands. Some said they would kill four Spaniards, others five, others six, and others ten. One of them, named Chinchero, said that as I was there, why was he not ordered to kill me, for he wanted to stab me with the dagger in his hand. The Inca kept silence, answering nothing, so the Indian went back to his seat.
As daylight was now appearing, and they had all drunk freely, I asked permission of the Inca to return to my lodging and get something to eat, and that on another day I would state frankly what I had come for. So I departed, leaving them to boast loudly, but all much disturbed in their minds.
Soon afterwards they sent me a sheep of Castille, many fowls and partridges, and the other food which their country produces. To those who brought them I gave some trinkets, needles, and other Spanish things. Presently the Inca sent for me. I went there, and was there until night, without a word being spoken, when I returned to my lodging. The reason for this appeared to be that too much chicha had been drunk.
Next day, the 15th of May, the Inca came out in the morning with all his people in the same order as before. He sent for me in the open space. When I came I found them at breakfast, and they gave me, and my Indian attendants, plenty to eat. Afterwards I asked permission to state what I had come for. I said, through the mestizo interpreter, that the President and Judges of the Royal Audience took great pains to favour the Indians, and for that reason I had come with instructions to offer many advantages, wishing to establish peace, not to make war, not that the Indians should make incursions into the land of peace. The President had been strictly charged by his Majesty to grant many favours to the Inca and his captains, and the Judge Matienzo had sent me to ascertain the Inca’s wishes and intentions. To this it was replied that news had now arrived of the desire to make war both from Cuzco and Guamanga, and that threatening movements had been made at other places. In consequence of this, incursions had been made into the land of peace. Further they knew that Hurtado[86] had asked leave to attack them in the time of the Count[87], and had made incursions from Guamanga and in Amaibamba. I replied that the invasion was given up to avoid damage and evil, and not from fear of the Inca’s people, also because the Archbishops, friars, and clerics had intervened to prevent war. The Inca said that this was true, that so he had been informed, and that now, as then, the clergy would be against war. I told him that the face of things was altered. The reason was that his people had entered the land of peace, burnt the churches, pulled down the images, and destroyed the crosses: also that the Indians who were there had been made to worship the sun, though they were Christians. For these reasons the Archbishop, friars, and clergy could not show them favour. The Inca denied it, saying that he had not given such an order; and the first instruction he had given to his people, whenever they made a raid, was not to touch either the churches or the crosses. I then said that I had many witnesses to the facts, who had seen him and the mestizo take the images and burn the churches. He then admitted that he had taken the images and that he had them well guarded and could show them, but that he had never burnt the church. I told him that in Amaibamba I had seen the bits of the cross, and that they had cooked a sheep with it. He replied that he had not gone personally on that raid, that the Indians had done it, and that he regretted it much. He also said that none of the friars, clerics, or soldiers in Peru could complain that he had killed one of them, though he might have done so many times. He could easily have killed two Augustine friars and two other Spaniards who were shut up in a house at Curahuasi, and many others at many times and in many places, but he would not do such a thing, and he had ordered his people not to kill them. Nor had he killed the Indians that I had brought, and that the Indians had more liberty in his land than the Spaniards. He only took Indians who had belonged to his ancestors. To this I replied that here in Peru it was said that he was not the heir of the Incas of this kingdom, but the sons of Atahualpâ, because the Spaniards found him in possession of the kingdom when they arrived. He answered that Atahualpâ was a usurper and a bastard who had murdered Huascar Inca the legitimate heir, and that after him came his father Manco Inca. I then observed that the report was that he was an illegitimate son. He then told me that among them, when there was no legitimate son, the custom was that a bastard succeeded. He was, therefore, high priest in what we call spiritual things. This was in default of another brother, at least one who was older than himself. He thus inherited the temporal lordship. He was in possession and was recognized by the other Incas. They all obeyed him, and if he had not the right they would not obey him. For the rest the question had better be settled by arms and not by talking. All who come try to deceive him. He told me I might go next day. He would write to the Judge Matienzo that he had given me plenty to eat, and let me go in peace. He said he was surprised that I should have shown such prejudice against him in my conversation. In this way he took leave of me, and I went back to my lodging where I remained all that day. From the top of a rising ground I saw the festivities made for the Inca, and heard the songs. The dances were war dances with spears in their hands, throwing them from one to the other. I believe that they did such things by reason of the quantity of chicha they had drunk.
The Inca sent for me late in the afternoon and I went against my will. He told me to sit down and began to boast, saying that he could himself kill fifty Spaniards, and that he was going to have all the Spaniards in the kingdom put to death. He took a lance in his hand and a shield and began to act a valiant man, shouting “Go at once and bring me all that people that are behind these mountains; for I want to go and fight the Spaniards and to kill them all, and I want the wild Indians to eat them.” Then there marched up about 600 or 700 Anti Indians, all with bows and arrows, clubs and axes. They advanced in good order, making reverence to the sun and to the Inca, and took up their positions. Then the Inca again began to brandish his lance, and said that he could raise all the Indians in Peru, he had only to give the order and they would fly to arms. Then all those Antis made an offer to the Inca that, if he wished it, they would eat me raw. They said to him, “What are you doing with this little bearded one here, who is trying to deceive you? it is better that we should eat him at once.” Then two renegade Inca orejones came straight to me with spears in their hands, flourishing their weapons and saying, “The bearded ones! Our enemies.” I laughed at this, but at the same time commended myself to God. I asked the Inca to have mercy and protect me, and so he delivered me from them, and hid me until the morning.
On the morning of the 16th of May the Inca sent for me to come to the open square which he entered in the same order as before, and as I came in I saluted the Inca and sat down. The Inca and all the captains then began to laugh heartily at what had happened the day before, and they asked me what I thought of yesterday’s festival. I replied that I thought it rather exceptional, and that to have treated me so was wrong, seeing that I had come on serious business. They explained that it was only their fun, and that they could not give it up. I then observed that I had to go without having settled anything. We should arrange some kind of peace in the way which seemed to them best, with a fixed period. From such an agreement they would derive much good, by having many new things in their land through which they might make much money and become very rich. They said they would agree if they had any confidence in our promises. The Inca then asked me what kind of peace appeared to me to be good. I said that the King would give more than $15,000 of rent for his maintenance, with which he might be in Cuzco, or here in the Andes, if he would consent to have a town of Indians in Vilcapampa. They answered that this was well, because I said that they should sell coca and wood to Spaniards who settled here, and become very rich.
On this proposal we were occupied for two days. Afterwards the Inca said that if the Spaniards lived amongst them and there was some grievance, owing to which the Spaniards killed one of them or they killed a Spaniard, there would be trouble. For this reason he did not wish that there should be a town, or that the Spaniards should live among them. I replied that I did not wish that to happen, and that it would be better for the Inca or his son to come out and take possession of the estates which the President had promised him in the name of his Majesty. A Corregidor might then come here in the name of his Majesty to administer and maintain justice in that land, the inhabitants receiving the evangelical law and holy baptism. From this much good would come and they would possess their houses and estates. They received this proposal very well, with the condition that his Majesty should pardon everything that had been done up to that time. The Inca’s conditions were that estates should be given to those who were with him and had served him; that the lands which he and his father had desolated near the land of peace and the valley of Amaibamba should be granted to him; that the Indians taken from there should be his; that his Majesty should gratify the persons favoured, that they should be given a promise that they should enjoy the liberties and privileges enjoyed by people of noble birth; that friars and clerics should enter to preach the holy evangel; and that he should be obedient to his Majesty. As the Inca was poor and unable to appear in conformity with the dignity of his position, he stipulated that his son Titu should go out, and be married to the Inca’s niece Doña Beatriz. He also stipulated that the friars and clerics should not be admitted until Doña Beatriz had been delivered to him. He feared that if she was married to anyone else, he and his son would be left without the repartimiento of Indians granted to his brother Sayri Tupac. After a year or two the Inca undertook to come out peacefully, having collected the means to buy what was necessary. He would settle near Guamanga or Cuzco, whichever locality he liked best, with his son Titu and the governor Yamqui Mayta. This arrangement appeared convenient, and he and his captains would swear to observe it, if it was necessary. I was to go out by the way of Guamanga, to complete the treaty with the President.
At this time a letter arrived from the Judge Matienzo announcing that he intended to leave Cuzco in ten days, and that I was to return, bringing the statement of what the Inca wanted. I then said to the Inca that, to show his sincerity, and that the Christians might see that he was acting in good faith, I would request him to allow me to assemble the Indians who were Christians, to set up a cross, and there to preach the law of our Lord Jesus Christ and the holy evangel. The Inca consented and ordered a great cross to be made. In order that the agreement might be more secure I asked and prayed him to tell me the truth. For I had seen in the baptismal book of the principal church (in Cuzco) that the Inca had been baptized and named Diego. He told me that it was true, and that he was a Christian, and he confessed it before the Indians. He said that they had poured water over his head, but that he did not remember the name. Presently about 120 Christian Indians assembled before the cross, kneeling and taking off their llautus. Those who were not Christians stood apart, wondering at our proceedings. We carried the cross, I and four Indians, and set it up. Then I said many things about our holy Christian religion and the salvation of their souls. Then I told them to pray for God’s mercy on their knees, which they did three times, crying for mercy with their clasped hands raised to heaven. Then I asked permission of the Inca to preach to those who were not Christian, as he was one. He agreed, and ordered them to come and hear me preach. I explained to them that the things which God had created were for the use of man, that the sun and moon were creatures made by God for man’s service, and to give him light. After they had adored the cross, I said it would be well for me to write to the Judge Matienzo to tell him that they wished to receive the evangel, to make peace, and to send me to Lima on horseback, by way of Guamanga, to settle the agreement with the President. They sent Indian runners, and I sent two of those I had brought with me, to convey the writing as agreed.
On the 17th of May the Inca sent certain macaws and baskets of earth nuts to the Treasurer Merlo and the Judge Matienzo. I then said it would be a good thing for the Inca to send thirty captains to the city of Cuzco, that they might see how well treated they would be, and how freely they could pass over the whole land. I should remain as a hostage until their return. The Inca said that if I thought such a proceeding advisable he would agree; but if the slightest injury was done to any one of those Indians, he said he would hang me. I replied that I was willing to run the risk. Then the Inca sent the thirty captains to arrive there in six days, and send an account of their treatment in another five days. He ordered them to go first to the chief or principal church and worship the holy sacrament, and then to the house of the Judge Matienzo. He also wrote to the friars of our Lady of Mercy, and to the Franciscan friars, to ask two of them to come and preach in his territory, and that he would give them the products of the land in exchange for their doctrine. He also wrote to the Judge Matienzo, thanking him for having sent me, for that I had made known to them the law of our Lord Jesus Christ. He asked for two friars as his people wished to be Christians and to be convinced that the things they had worshipped up to that time were foolishness. As his honour had expressed a wish to have an interview with the Inca at the frontier of the land of peace, the Inca would rejoice to comply, if his honour would come with not more than three Spaniards, and that he would be at the bridge of Chuquichaca, at such time as the Judge might appoint.
In the meantime I preached and explained the Christian doctrine every morning, and they came to hear me. The Indian messengers who went to Cuzco did not return at the appointed time. They thought that their friends had been put to death and were sad. The governor Yamqui Mayta said to me, that morning, that I had committed some sin in Peru, because they sent me here and here I should be killed. Before I arrived, he continued, they had resolved that, with 700 Antis and 2000 other Indians, they would attack the towns near their frontier, seize all the Indians they could capture, and kill all the clerics, friars, and other Spaniards they could catch. They had abandoned this plan out of regard for me. Yet, notwithstanding that they had received the evangelic law, I had deceived them. If within two days the messengers did not return, he added, they would make the raid which had originally been intended.
On the 20th of May the news came that the captains who took the message to Cuzco had been received and well treated. Out of joy at this news they played on drums and trumpets and had a great feast. They sent for me and told me I had told the truth. Then they read the letters from the Judge Matienzo which had arrived. In them he said that he wished to have an interview with the Inca, and that on the last day of Easter he would set out, arriving at the bridge on Friday or Saturday, making all haste. He said that he would bring fourteen or fifteen men with him, being the guard that his Majesty granted, to accompany him. At this the Inca was undecided, fearing that it might be a plot to kill him and his Indians, but that I would counsel him and that he would trust me. I said that not only could he trust the word of the Judge in going to Chuquichaca, but that he might trust it in going to Cuzco. If he brought a hundred men with him it would not be for offence but for service. All those he brought with him would come as friends. If the King of Spain wished to conquer him, not all the Indians in the kingdom and 10,000 more could stand against his power. His Majesty had done this because his thought was to maintain peace, and to advance the knowledge of God; not that the Spaniards should invade their land and seize their wives and children. To this he replied that the power of the King was great, and though he had so many nations, as well black men as Moors, subject to him, yet he, the Inca, like Manco Inca his father before him, knew how to defend himself in those mountains. At the same time, as I said he should go, he would do so, and presently he sent to Vilcapampa for more men.
On the 25th of May one of his generals arrived with 300 men, armed with lances, who entered the open place where the rest were drawn up, and made obeisance to the sun and to the Inca. Then a hundred captains of those who came from Vilcapampa went to where Yamqui Mayta was standing and asked why he had consented to have the cross planted in their land, seeing that it had not been set up in the time of Manco Inca. Why then was it there now? If I had persuaded the Inca to do this, they intended to kill me. The Inca replied that it was done by his order, and that it was well that they should accept the cross of the creator of all things. Having received this answer they went to their seats, and the festival proceeded.
On the 28th of May we set out for the bridge of Chuquichaca to meet the Judge who was coming. A garrison of 200 Indians was left in Arancalla and the rest went with us. We arrived on Saturday, the eve of the Trinity, at the bridge of Chuquichaca, where we received the news that the Judge Matienzo was at the bridge of Amaibamba with 30 Spaniards, 10 negroes, 20 arquebusiers and 150 Cañari Indians with their lances. Presently we received a letter from the Judge Matienzo in which he said that he had come with this escort, that the Inca should cross the river to see him, and that the Treasurer Merlo, a clergyman, two other Spaniards and I would be hostages for his safety. The Inca wished to comply, but the captains would not consent. The Inca then wrote to the Judge Matienzo proposing that he should come with all his company to the passage of the bridge, that his honour should pass over, and that he, the Inca, would send as hostages his governor and camp master, who would go to the other side. The Inca then detached 300 Indians to keep watch and ward. I said that the Judge Matienzo would not consent to this, not having a royal commission, but that he would cross with all his escort and that, in that open space which was large, the Inca and Judge could see each other and discuss what they desired. The Inca wrote a letter to that effect. Then there were prepared litters of silver and gold and much carving, and he had 25 alcabuçes brought out, which he distributed among those who knew. He said to me that, as I was his friend, he wanted to tell me a secret. He had had 300 cloaks and also breeches of dead people brought. Then he called an assembly, saying that those who brought those clothes had been killed, and if the Spaniards intended to attack, each one would become a good soldier in defence of his lord.
At that moment the Judge Matienzo arrived at the bridge with all his people. Then Garcia de Merlo, the clergyman, and the two other Spaniards crossed over and explained to the Inca the proposals of the President. He said that he understood and that he would come across the river. But the captains said that the bridge was tricky, that the Inca’s legs were bruised from a fall he had recently had, and that he could not pass over. Then he sent me, with the governor and two other captains, to be hostages together with the thirty captains who had come from Cuzco. I took the Judge apart and explained everything to him, but those who were with him would scarcely let us talk in secret. I began to understand that it was not intended to settle anything owing to the intriguers who were with the Judge, and who were unreasonable. The Indians were noting everything. The Judge said he did not wish to cross the river, and I returned with the governor and all the other captains of the Inca. I then asked the Inca to come over, and he agreed to do so, contrary to the wishes of all his captains, as I advised it. Then he went with all his followers richly dressed and with their arms in good order. They marched to a cross that had been put up and all did reverence to it. The Inca’s escort amounted to 600 Indians. Then I went to the Judge Matienzo and asked him to go alone to the bridge without any of his followers, so that he and the Inca might converse without anyone hearing them. He consented and went with the mestizo Porras as interpreter. He was armed with sword and arquebus, and the Inca also had his weapons. The Inca had passed from the other side with his governor, camp master, ten captains, and the mestizo.
The Inca threw himself at the feet of the Judge weeping, and relating the misfortunes of his father and himself. He told how they had been kept in prison by Juan Pizarro, like dogs in a collar, until they should give him a box full of gold. They also seized his mother and one of his sisters in the valley of Tambo. His father had taken refuge in these mountains and four times Juan Pizarro, Hernando Pizarro and Orgoñez came to conquer him by order of the Marquis, when many Spaniards and Indians lost their lives. As a return for his father’s hospitality to seven Spaniards of the party of Almagro, they murdered him. He said many other things which were not confided to us. Finally he asked for peace on the basis that had been negotiated. Then he sent for some small baskets of feathers and presented them to the Judge.
The Judge said that he was also anxious for peace and that he would consent to all the terms in the name of his Majesty, except as regards the Indians who had been taken from citizens of Cuzco. They must be given up. The Inca said that this might be settled afterwards. The Judge replied that that could not be. Then the Inca said that he must go to consult with his captains, and that he would return with the answer. The Judge pressed the Inca to come out of the mountains, and the Inca said that he was poor, and unable to maintain the expense. He put forward the excuse that he was in the Andes, 60 leagues from whence the Judge came, and it would be necessary for him to wait more than a month before they could go together. It is true that this was so. The Judge said that he would wait for him at Cuzco. At this juncture the arquebusiers who were with the Judge Matienzo began to press nearer to hear what was said, notwithstanding that they were called to and told to stop. The Inca wanted to return from fear of them. But reason did not prevail and there was confusion. The Inca took leave, saying that he wished to tell what had been said to his captains, and that he would return. I passed backwards and forwards four or five times to ascertain when the Inca would resume the interview, for the Judge wanted to depart. The Inca said that he was so pressed upon that he was afraid, and that he thought treachery was intended. I went to the Judge and asked him not to go that day as he had arrived very late. Amaibamba was distant more than three leagues, and he could not get there before night. I urged him to stay and hear what the Inca would say when he resumed the conversation. So he waited until the morning, the Spaniards guarding one side and the Indians the other. The Indians made many fires and played on their trumpets and whistles. In the morning the camp master came and told me that the Inca would come to answer the Judge, and to tell me his view of the negotiation. The Judge did not wish it, and said the Inca could send what he had to propose further in a letter. If he would not come out in peace the bridge must be destroyed. The Inca answered that he would comply with the treaty he had made with me, and he ordered the bridge to be broken down on his side. This was done and we departed. They also retired.
This is a true account of what happened in this journey, abridged so as to avoid prolixity, and I sign with my name the truth of what happened in my presence.