_How a letter came from Lima, written by the Factor Illan Suarez de
Carbajal, in cypher, and how the Captain Garcilasso de la Vega was
asked for his vote for the nomination of Pizarro._
The blessed Gregory says[42] that a great reward cannot be obtained
without great labour, great knowledge and understanding, and long
vigils, passing many nights and days in them. Solomon says that great
riches cannot be got or held without great watchfulness and much working
of the spirit. This narrative is a notable example for me, for in
putting my hands to write a work so difficult as this upon which I am
now engaged, in no way can I avoid passing long vigils, to make sure
that the stories agree one with another, and that I do not in any way
depart from the truth. But I know that the work I have undertaken, with
the divine help, is worthy of the expenditure of such labour, yet in no
part have I found myself so perplexed as at this point. I have felt that
my weak judgment is insufficient to decide such great questions,
insomuch that I have thought I must bring my narrative to an end,
leaving the field open to an abler pen. However, the hold I have taken
of it gives me courage to proceed onwards.
The city of the Kings having received the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela, and
the conversation I have mentioned having taken place between him and the
Treasurer, the Factor Illan Suarez de Carbajal, a direct servant of the
King, wrote a letter in cypher, which I have had in my possession, to
his brother Benito Suarez de Carbajal, in which he said that he should
loyally serve the King, and if there were rebellions in the provinces,
he should not consent to them, but come at once to Lima, where he would
find the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela, with other advice to the same
effect. The licentiate received the letter, and replied in cypher to the
Factor declaring that he would act in conformity with his brother’s
advice in all things, and he wrote to the Viceroy, telling him what was
taking place in Cuzco.
Gonzalo Pizarro, finding that the Captain Garcilasso de la Vega[43] had
not approved of his election, being a Magistrate of the city, he sent to
notify to him that he must give his vote. He replied that he was
unlearned, and did not know whether he could certify to the nomination
of Chief Justice. He did this to avoid either voting or signing a
document which was clearly opposed to the King’s service. Gonzalo
Pizarro then sent for the Licentiate Carbajal to require him to say
whether Garcilasso could, with justice, give his vote in this matter.
Carbajal replied in the affirmative. Garcilasso had given his answer
with circumspection. In order to evade the necessity, he went to the
place of municipal meetings and stated, in presence of the other
magistrates who were assembled there, that he was not a magistrate by
vote of the municipality, but by reason of the absence of a citizen,
whose duties he had undertaken, which he now resigned, and that he
protested he would do so no more. Saying this he left the room.
Gonzalo Pizarro, and those of the municipality, then sent Pedro de
Hinojosa to the city of Arequipa to summon Francisco de Carbajal, the
same who was the Serjeant Major in the battle of Chupas, to bring what
arms and troops he could collect, and to come to Cuzco. Pedro de
Hinojosa set out for Arequipa, where Francisco de Carbajal was residing,
very anxious to return to Spain but unable to obtain a passage. When he
understood the position of Gonzalo Pizarro and that he called for him,
it is said that he was sad, wishing to keep clear of these
complications. But he was a man experienced in war, and brought up in
the profession of arms. He said: “I was very unwilling to put my hands
into the warp of this cloth, but now that things are as they are, I
promise to be the principal weaver.” He then got ready to go to Cuzco,
using ugly words against the ordinances, and saying that he had been
like the cat that was so teased and ill treated that at length it turned
to scratch its own master. If his Majesty sent such laws, he added, it
was a decent thing to oppose them. Pedro de Hinojosa returned to Cuzco
after delivering his message. The Lieutenant or Corregidor of Arequipa
absented himself, and Hinojosa met with no hindrance or ill treatment.
He occupied himself solely in collecting as many men and weapons as he
could.