_How the Viceroy sent Hernando de Alvarado to Truxillo, Jeronimo de
Villegas to Huanuco and the Treasurer to Arequipa, and what
happened._
The Viceroy was very active in assembling men and, although he had
suspended the ordinances, he did not cease to talk about the duty of
enforcing them. All sorts of intrigues and discourses passed in the city
of Lima at that time. The Judges, talking one with another, thought they
were lost while the Viceroy, with all the forces he could collect, would
be carrying on the war with Gonzalo Pizarro.
The Viceroy notwithstanding the despatches he had sent to all the cities
in the kingdom already, determined also to send persons in his
confidence to the cities, to summon all citizens to join him with their
arms and horses. He sent the Captain Hernando de Alvarado, brother of
Alonso de Alvarado who had gone to Spain, to the city of Truxillo. He
had offered his person and to bring men and arms. His statement may have
been good in intention at the time, as he was a person much esteemed by
his brother the Captain Alonso de Alvarado. But Hernando had heard the
Viceroy declare that he would enforce the ordinances when the time was
opportune, and this made him presently forget the offers he had made. If
the captains were thus cautious in their dealings with the unfortunate
Viceroy, on whom could he rely? If those around him were disloyal to the
King whose servant the Viceroy was, where was he to find help? Hernando
de Alvarado did get together some men and arms, but he took the road to
the mountains with them.
The Viceroy ordered the Treasurer Manuel dc Espinal to go to the city of
Arequipa, giving him powers to raise troops with the title of captain.
When he arrived there was a meeting of the magistrates who refused to
comply, saying that they were on bad terms with the Treasurer, and that
they would do nothing for him nor receive him as captain. But they added
that they would go to Lima to serve, of their own free wills. The
Treasurer returned alone. After him came Francisco Noguerol de Ulloa,
who was then Alcalde, and Hernando de Toro. Juan de Arvés and others
went to the city of Leon which is in Huanuco, where Pedro de Puelles, a
native of Seville, was in office, an astute leader in wars with the
Indians, a good citizen, and with much experience in administration,
having been lieutenant to the governor of Quito, besides other
appointments. He had corresponded with Gonzalo Pizarro and knew his
movements. He had also received letters from the Viceroy. He had also
sent an officer to collect provisions along the road from Cuzco to Lima,
for until then many were still neutral, not caring to declare themselves
either friends of Pizarro or servants of the King. Pizarro’s messenger
had brought Puelles a most gracious letter with great promises. The
Viceroy was anxious that help should come from those parts for the King.
He sent Jeronimo de Villegas, a friend both of himself and of Pizarro,
to proceed to Huanuco and tell Pedro de Puelles to come down to Lima
with all the arms and horses he could collect for the service of the
King our Lord. His loyalty had always been staunch, and the Viceroy
could not doubt that it was still and that he would comply with the
order with all possible despatch. Villegas was glad of the opportunity
of joining Pizarro, so that the Viceroy had sent good ambassadors. He
was given his instructions and he gladly promised the Viceroy to lose no
time, and that he would return with Pedro de Puelles and all the
followers he could collect. So Villegas left Lima very joyfully to do
quickly what he did do.
Arrived at the city of Leon, he spoke to Pedro de Puelles and to anyone
else who liked to listen, doing all the harm he could to the cause of
the Viceroy who he declared was severe and rigorous, and that he had
come to take away the property of every man. He said that Pizarro had
raised the cry of liberty. Pedro de Puelles was quite ready to take that
line. He arranged to start with twenty armed men, including Villegas.
This messenger had made known his intention before he left Lima to
Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda, one of the Viceroy’s captains, who was also
looking out for a chance to join Pizarro, who was likely to prevail in
the end. Juan de Sayavedra did not at once agree to what Pedro de
Puelles said. He had given an evasive answer and remained at Huanuco.
Rodrigo Tinoco, a native of Badajoz, Francisco de Espinosa, a native of
Campos, Garcia Hernandez of Salteras, Grado, and others up to the number
stated, then departed with Pedro de Puelles and Villegas.