_How Gonzalo Pizarro sent Mezcua as a spy to Lima, and how, not
finding the equipment he expected in the city, he did not wish to
leave it._
When the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro was established in the houses at Cuzco,
some of the citizens came to visit him, but they were not all disposed
to follow him in his policy of resistance. In order to gain them over,
he said that he would dispose all his forces for the public good, as for
his own brothers and companions; without saying a word that would give
them any suspicions of his evil intentions and tyrannical thoughts,
which were to seize the kingdom. The citizens had received news that the
Viceroy was coming from Truxillo to Lima (where he had been
acknowledged, as well as in all the other cities and towns of the
kingdom), in order to see that no harm arose in the future from the
proceeding of Gonzalo Pizarro. Those in Cuzco who believed this, agreed
not only to show him no favour, but seldom to visit him. He, seeing how
cold those had become who had invited him to come, became sad, saying
that he wished to return to Charcas. He sent for one of his servants
named Mezcua, and told him to go to Lima with all speed, to find out
what was happening there, and whether the Viceroy would soon enter the
city. Mezcua set out, and Gonzalo Pizarro waited for the result, and to
see whether the citizens of Cuzco would then receive him as their
defender and Procurator-General.
At this time there arrived in Cuzco the Licentiate Benito Suarez de
Carbajal, with a bad report of the Viceroy’s conduct and of the rigour
with which he was enforcing the new laws. Gonzalo Pizarro rejoiced at
his arrival. The Licentiate de la Gama travelled along the route of
Cuzco, very glad that he had been able to get away from Lima before the
arrival of the Viceroy, but enraged at that official’s proceedings,
telling every one he met that they should return to Cuzco and not go on
to Lima, because the cruelty of the Viceroy was great. The Licentiate
Leon, being apprised that the Viceroy was near Lima, left that city by
the coast road to Arequipa. He left a letter to the Viceroy saying that
he did not go to create any disturbance, nor against the service of the
King our Lord nor of his lordship; but merely to his own property. He
concluded with the assurance that he would never join any one who was
not a servant of the King. But he only kept this promise for the time it
took him to write the letter. As soon as he arrived at Cuzco he
expressed joy at Gonzalo Pizarro’s position in the city. He not only
joined him, but declared that it was lawful for him to petition against
the new laws, even in arms, with the title of Procurator-General, if the
Viceroy should insist on doing harm. The opinions of the lawyer and
others who did not fail to endorse what he said, induced many people to
join Pizarro, which did not cost them more than their lives and
estates, and being branded as traitors.
One thing I wish to affirm, that the citizens of Cuzco, as well as those
of Lima, merely desired nor had they any other wish than that his
Majesty the King our Lord should suspend the new laws because much evil
would arise from their enforcement. When they chose Pizarro as
Procurator, they nominated three or four conquerors to accompany him
with his petition but these, being sheep, had chosen a wolf for their
guard.
Those who have made kings out of tyrants have always done harm to
republics. Those of the isle of Cadiz who, in war with the Andaluces,
were constrained to send to Carthage for help, remained with all their
republics as vassals to their supposed friends. Ceasing to speak of very
ancient times in which there were many such examples as well among the
tyrants of Sicily as in Greece, all the cities of Italy were free and
exempt, but now are held by Lords and have lost their liberty, by what
means those who are curious well know and can clearly see. In the name
of liberty Pompey fought. Cæsar did the same, and Octavius and Mark
Antony. These remained Lords, and of those who opposed them, some were
killed and the others became vassals. As the Carthaginians did not give
Asdrubal and his brother-in-law Hannibal rule and power over their city,
their affairs went forward.
The citizens of Cuzco and Lima desired that their Procurator should be
Pizarro, who was to venture his life and honour for their liberties. It
was not remembered that he was the brother of Hernando Pizarro, the
other raiser of former wars, and that it was publicly known that, after
he came from Canela, many had heard him say that the King our Lord had
treated him badly in not having made him governor of the province after
the death of the Marquis, and, on many other occasions, that he would
govern though it was against all the world. From the time that Gonzalo
Pizarro knew that the Viceroy had arrived, and that he had received
letters urging him to undertake the enterprise, he had resolved to be
Governor, though he carefully dissimulated, saying that he only sought
the public good and his own rest, and that he only wished for the means
to live.