_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.