_How Tupac Inca Yupanqui set out from Cuzco, and how he conquered all
the country from thence to Quito, and touching his great deeds._
I could well give a longer account of this conquest of Quito by Tupac
Inca Yupanqui, but I have so much to write touching other events that I
cannot spare the space, nor can I relate what he did, except summarily.
On the departure of the king from the city of Cuzco, it was not known in
what direction he was going to make war, because he did not make known
his intention, except to his councillors. More than 200,000 men
assembled, with so much baggage and stores that the plain was covered
with them. He sent orders, by the posts, to the governors of provinces
that all should bring provisions, munitions, and arms to the royal road
of Chincha-suyu. This road was made without deviating from the line
traced by order of his father, nor so near it as that both could be
joined into one. It was grand and very handsomely constructed, with the
order and industry touching which I have already written, and in all
parts there were preparations for the great multitude that was to pass
along it, without anything being wanting. None of the king’s soldiers
were allowed to pick so much as a cob of maize, and, if any man did, it
did not cost him less than his life. The natives carried the loads, and
performed the other personal services, but it may be held for certain
that they did not go beyond the appointed places; and as they worked
willingly, and faith and justice were observed towards them, they did
not feel the work.
A garrison, with _mitimaes_, and a governor selected from among the most
faithful of his friends, were left in Cuzco. The Inca then set out,
taking, as his captain-general and chief councillor, his uncle, Ccapac
Yupanqui, not he who made the war against those of Xauxa, for that chief
had been put to death owing to some offence he had given. The Inca
advanced to Vilcas, where he stopped for some days, enjoying the sight
of the temple and other edifices that had been built. He ordered that
there should always be silversmiths making vases and other ornaments for
the temple and palace of Vilcas.
The Inca arrived at Xauxa, where the Huancas prepared a solemn
reception. Thence he sent messengers in all directions, announcing to
the people that he desired to win their friendship, without giving them
offence or making war. He said that they must have heard how the Incas
of Cuzco exercised no tyranny and imposed no exactions on those who were
their allies and vassals, and that, in exchange for the service and
homage they gave, they received much good from their sovereign. In
Bonbon they knew the great power with which the Inca came, and, as they
expected great things from his clemency, they came to do him homage.
Those of Yauyo did the same, as well as those of Apurima and many
others. He received them all very well, giving women to some, to others
coca, and to others mantles and shirts. He himself wore the dress of the
people among whom he was, which was the way in which they received most
satisfaction.
In the provinces which lie between Xauxa and Caxamalca, they relate that
there were some wars, and he ordered forts and strongholds to be made
for defence against the natives. But, generally, he subdued them by his
policy, and without shedding much blood, as well the intermediate
tribes, as those of Caxamalca. In all parts he left governors and
delegates, and established posts to keep open his communications. He did
not leave any great province without ordering houses and a Temple of the
Sun to be built, and establishing _mitimaes_. They also relate that he
entered Huanuco, and ordered that fine palace to be built, which we
behold to this day.[215] Being among those of Chachapoyas, he waged such
war that they were defeated at all points. In Caxamalca the Inca left
people of Cuzco, that they might instruct the natives touching what they
should wear, and the tribute they should contribute, and, above all, how
they should worship and reverence the Sun as their god.
In all parts they called the Inca their father, and he took care that no
one should do any damage in the fields by which they passed, nor
ill-treat any man or woman. He who committed any such offence was
presently punished with death. He arranged that those who submitted
should build their towns in due order, that they should not wage war
upon each other, nor eat human flesh, nor commit any other crimes
against the law of nature.
He entered the country of the Bracamoras, but returned flying, for it is
an evil region covered with forest. In the country of the Paltas, in
Huancabamba, Caxas, and Ayavaca, he had great trouble in subjugating the
people, who were strong and warlike. They maintained the contest against
him during more than five moons. At length they asked for peace, which
was granted with the usual conditions. On one day the peace was
established, and on the next, the country was full of _mitimaes_ with
governors, without depriving the native chiefs. Store-houses were
built, provisions were collected in them, and the royal road was
constructed, with a series of forts throughout.
From these districts, Tupac Ynca Yupanqui advanced until he came to the
country of the Cañaris, with whom he also had quarrels and disputes; but
the same happened with them as with others, they remained his vassals,
and he ordered them to proceed to Cuzco and settle in that city--more
than 15,000 men, with their women, and the principal chief to govern
them. It was done as he commanded. Some pretend that the sending of the
Cañaris to Cuzco happened in the time of Huayna Ccapac. At Tumebamba,
the Inca ordered great edifices to be built, respecting which I treated
in the First Part.[216] From this place he sent embassies in various
directions, inviting the people to come and see him, and many, without
making war, offered their services. Those who took another course were
obliged, by an advance of captains and troops, to do by force what
others did of their own free will.
The affairs of the country of the Cañaris having been settled, the Inca
marched by Tiquizambi, Cayambi, and the Purnaes, and many other
districts, where they recount great things that he did; and the
knowledge he must have possessed to make himself monarch of such great
kingdoms, seems almost incredible. In Tacunga, he waged fierce war with
the natives, and, after they were subdued, he made peace. Here he
ordered such grand edifices to be erected as to exceed those of Cuzco in
perfection. He rested at Tacunga for some days; and nearly every day a
messenger arrived from Cuzco, reporting the state of affairs there,
while, from other parts, the runners constantly arrived with reports on
the administration of the different provinces by the governors. And
tidings arrived of a disturbance at Cuzco among the Orejones themselves,
which caused some anxiety. But another report quickly followed that all
was settled again, and that the governor of the city had severely
punished the authors of the uproar.
From Tacunga the Inca advanced until he came to the place we call Quito,
where the city of San Francisco del Quito is founded. As the country
seemed inviting, and as good as Cuzco, the Inca here founded a place
which he called Quito, peopling it with _mitimaes_. Here he made
edifices and store-houses, saying, “Cuzco must be the capital of one
part of my great empire and Quito of the other.” He gave important
powers to the Governor of Quito, and placed his own governors and
delegates in all the surrounding districts. He ordered that there should
be a garrison of men, both for peace and war, at Caranguri; and he
removed the inhabitants from one village to another, making them
exchange their abodes. In all parts they worshipped the Sun, and adopted
the customs of the Incas, insomuch that it appeared as if they had all
been born in Cuzco. They loved the Inca so much that they called him
Father of all, the good Lord, the just, the judge. In the province of
the Cañaris, they assert that Huayna Ccapac was born, and that great
festivities took place at his birth. All the inhabitants of those
provinces which had been brought under the orderly rule of the great
Tupac Inca, arranged their towns with regularity, and made rest-houses
on the royal roads. They were diligent to learn the general language of
Cuzco and the laws which it was their duty to observe. Masters who came
from Cuzco super-intended the building of the edifices, and instructed
others in the art; and in like manner the rest of the things which the
king ordered were completed.