_How the Viceroy, seeing that the Judges were not coming, ordered
the new laws to be publicly proclaimed, and of the imprisonment of
Vaca de Castro._
From what has gone before the reader will remember that Blasco Nuñez
Vela arrived at Lima joyfully, assuring the people that he would not
execute the laws until the court of justice had been established, and it
will also be borne in mind what passed with the Treasurer. But as he had
come fresh from Spain where the majesty of our King is obeyed in such a
manner, that every provision or order, however hard it may appear, is
enforced and complied with notwithstanding any protests, he did not
understand how disloyal the people in this kingdom had become, and the
great looseness which had prevailed for some time. Notwithstanding the
news of the rebellion at Cuzco and the seizure of the artillery he
adopted a measure very suddenly which required much deliberation,
forgetting his promise, and not considering how complicated and
difficult the affairs of the kingdom had become, while the minds of the
majority were dangerous and filled with animosity against himself. He
suddenly ordered Juan Enriquez, the common crier, to proclaim the new
laws publicly, that no one might claim ignorance, and that all might be
public.
It is proper that the Viceroy’s intention should be understood, and not
be obscured. I truly believe that he understood the state of affairs to
be serious, and all now living know that what our Cæsar orders must be
obeyed, though compliance may be difficult, still the laws must be
published and enforced. No doubt the Viceroy wanted to execute them that
it might not be said, either in the present time or in the future, that
he desisted through fear from complying with the royal commands.
The great Alexander, founder of the third empire, and the most powerful
King of Greece, we are told by Quintus Curtius and Arrian, had an
excellent captain who passed with him into Asia, named Parmenion. This
Parmenion had three noble sons, Philotas, Hector and Nicanor. Being
Prefect of Mesopotamia, some of his letters appeared to be against the
service of the King. Alexander suspected his general’s son Philotas,
because he knew through Diminus that he had a grievance against the
King. He did not wish to communicate the matter to Alexander because it
was a matter of life and death; yet for this and for the letters which
were found from his father, Philotas was cruelly put to death.
Alexander, calling on Polidamas, one who was daring, ordered him to go
to where Parmenion was and to kill him, and after his death to show an
order he had given about the captains, that those of the army might not
mutiny. Polidamas, notwithstanding that he had received much kindness
and great honours from Parmenion, came to him with some letters, and
while he was reading them he stabbed him. Although the sight of his
venerable person moved him to compassion, he could only give attention
to the royal order[45]. In the same way the Viceroy was anxious that
his Majesty should know that, with fidelity and good will, he complied
with the orders he had received, without concerning himself with the
scandals he must face, in proclaiming the laws. What I say is only to
show the Viceroy’s good intention, without contending that it was not
foolhardy, and that the service of the King would have been better
considered if the laws had been suspended and not proclaimed.
When the citizens of Lima heard the new laws proclaimed, they were much
disturbed in their minds, and said one to another, “How is this? How can
a Prince so very Christian as his Majesty seek to destroy us, when we
have acquired this province at the cost of our property and the death of
so many of our comrades. What will now become of our wives and
children?” Many lost all feeling, and from that time looked upon
themselves as bereft of Indians, and of all property. Being enraged they
wrote letters to Gonzalo Pizarro, telling him what had taken place, and
how the new laws had been proclaimed.