_How, after Gonzalo Pizarro was received as Governor of Quito,
he determined to undertake the conquest of El Dorado; and of his
departure from Quito._
We have already related, in a former chapter, how the Marquis Pizarro
ordered the captain Gonzalo Pizarro, his brother, to depart for the
city of Quito, where, by virtue of an authority from his Majesty, he
would be received as Governor. In reality the authority was not to
the effect that the Marquis could divide the government; still less
did it empower him, if it should seem to him fit, to grant the whole
to one of his brothers or to any one he chose. The aim of the Marquis
was to establish his brother in that province, that his Majesty might
not grant the government of it to Belalcázar, whose setting out by
the Rio Grande was now known.[31] Although this was so, they say that
the Marquis wrote to His Majesty that, if it were decided to divide
the government, Belalcázar deserved whatever favour might be shown
him. News also came to Lima that Pascual de Andagoya was coming as
Governor of the province of the river of San Juan. This caused the
Marquis great annoyance, and he appointed one Isidro de Tapia to be
his lieutenant at Cali, nay, also at Anzerma, in consequence, it is
said, of heavy bribes given to the Secretary Antonio Picado. Although
this was done, they would not accept him nor give up Robledo in his
stead.
To return to Gonzalo Pizarro. He arrived at the city of Quito, where
he found Lorenzo de Aldana, and by virtue of the authority we have
mentioned, they received him as Governor of Quito, San Miguel, Puerto
Viejo, Guayaquil and Pasto. Soon afterwards Pedro de Puelles, who had
been the Governor's lieutenant at Quito, arrived on the sea coast.
Now Gonzalo Pizarro was desirous of undertaking some expedition,
and observing in that city of Quito many men, all either youths or
veterans, he became eager for the discovery of the valley of _El
Dorado_, based on the same story which the captains Pedro de Añasco
and Belalcázar had brought, and on what was said of the land of
Cinnamon which, a short time before, had been invaded by the captain
Gonzalo Díaz de Pineda. This Pineda, with a party of Spaniards,
penetrated as far as some very lofty mountains, but many Indians
came from their lower slopes to prevent the Spaniards from advancing
further. These Indians killed some of the Spaniards, and amongst
them a cleric. They had made many trenches and ditches. Pineda's
party advanced for some days until they came to the _Quijos_, and the
Cinnamon valley. They returned to Quito without having been able to
fully explore the region of which they had heard such great things.
The Indians said that further on, if they advanced, they would come to
a widespreading flat country, teeming with Indians who possess great
riches, for they all wear gold ornaments, and where are no forests
nor mountain ranges.[32] When this news was spread in Quito, every
one who was there wanted to take part in the expedition. The Governor
Gonzalo Pizarro began to make preparations and collect men and horses.
In a few days he got together 220 Spaniards, horse and foot,[33]
naming Don Antonio de Rivera to be Camp-master, and Juan de Acosta
Ensign-general. As soon as the men of the expedition had been mustered
Gonzalo Pizarro ordered Don Antonio de Rivera to go forward with the
vanguard. Don Antonio replied that he would do so gladly, and all got
ready to start. In the city of Quito, Pedro de Puelles remained as
Lieutenant and Chief Justice. They started well equipped, and with
plenty of provisions.[34] The natives of Quito, on seeing them pass
beyond their domains, declared that they would find great riches, and
praised the land of which news had been brought; while the Spaniards
already imagined the plunder before their eyes, and believed it theirs.
FOOTNOTES:
[31] On his way to Spain to solicit the governorship of Popayán, and
other parts he had explored.
[32] There is no mention of this expedition led by Pineda, in the
account given by Garcilaso de la Vega.
[33] Garcilaso gives the number at 340--cavalry 150, the rest infantry.
[34] Garcilaso gives 4,000 Indians laden with supplies, and materials
for buildings, bridges, or vessels, 4,000 head of swine, and a flock
of llamas.