_How, when Gonzalo Pizarro was feeling very sad because the
citizens of Cuzco did not agree with him as he expected, there
arrived Mezcua who had gone to spy with letters from several
people, and what else happened._
The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, on his arrival at the city of Cuzco,
notwithstanding that Alonso de Toro, Villacastin, and Tomas Vasquez
showed great willingness and declared themselves to be his faithful
friends, had found a strong disinclination to comply with his wishes
among the others. The reason was that they knew of the arrival of the
Viceroy in Lima, and they felt that it would not be right to oppose
themselves to the royal orders. Seeing this, Pizarro was discouraged and
somewhat enraged. He had been wrong and wanting in knowledge to be moved
by private letters and conversations. He ordered his Indians to depart
from Cuzco which they had done, and he was about to do the same when
Gomez de Mezcua arrived. He had set out from Cuzco, by Pizarro’s order,
to find out what was happening at Lima. He met Gaspar Rodriguez de
Camporedondo and Bachicao, with others, at Guamanga. These used very
ugly words against the Viceroy and the ordinances. When they heard from
Mezcua that Gonzalo Pizarro was in Cuzco, they rejoiced exceedingly,
telling him to return and report that they were coming. They gave him
letters from some of the citizens of Lima who spoke of their hatred of
the Viceroy. Pizarro was urged to drive him out of the country if he
would not suspend the ordinances until his Majesty the King was informed
of the grave injury they would do. Mezcua with great speed returned to
Cuzco to bring such joyful news, just at the time when Gonzalo Pizarro
was preparing to leave it.
When the coming of the citizens and the things they said of the Viceroy
were known, opinions in Cuzco altered a good deal. Men declared that
they would not suffer such injuries. Pizarro, sending for Alonso de
Toro, Villacastin and his other friends, showed them letters he had
received from Lima, and told Mezcua to state what he had been told by
Gaspar Rodriguez and his companions. The news made Gonzalo Pizarro
change his mind about returning to Charcas, and gave the citizens of
Cuzco a reason for electing him as Procurator-General to prevent the new
laws from being enforced until his Majesty had received and considered
the petitions of the conquerors of Peru.
Here the reader may see how fragile and slippery are the affairs of
this world, and that there are many changes in every hour that we live
in it. At one moment we find Gonzalo Pizarro about to retire into
private life, and the people of Cuzco in no mind to make him their
Procurator, nor to give him any other charge. In another, no sooner was
it known that citizens of Lima were coming to arouse those of Cuzco,
than Pizarro was accepted to take command over all others, march to
Lima, and drive out the Viceroy. Afterwards, by virtue of a clause in
the will of the Marquis his brother, Gonzalo Pizarro was to be received
as Governor. Pompey the Great, when Julius Cæsar passed the Rubicon, was
received as Captain-General against him and, being in Greece, at the
proposal of the Consul Lentulus he was given a commission to raise
troops, appoint captains, and fit out fleets against him who was looked
upon as an enemy. The simple people of all nations, when they saw the
mandate of the Roman Senate, and that Pompey was appointed as
Captain-General to defend the republic, easily came to the conclusion
that Pompey was fighting solely for the public good, which, God knows,
would be that he who conquered might do as he pleased.
Thus, in the kingdom of Peru the news spread that those of the
municipality and the other citizens had nominated Gonzalo Pizarro as
Procurator. Believing that his only object was their good, they rejoiced
and gave assistance. He had more time than Pompey had to mature the
tyrannical objects which he fostered in his bosom. Happy those who were
in the kingdom, and were able to desist from following the banners of
this tyrant. But what can I say, being far away in the dense cane brakes
of Quimbaya[39], yet this fury extended even to that distance, letting
us know how cruel are these civil wars.