_How the President Vaca de Castro quitted Popayán, to go to the
city of Quito._
We recounted in former chapters how, while the Licentiate Vaca de
Castro was in the city of Popayán, Lorenzo de Aldana brought news of
the death of the Marquis Pizarro in the city of Lima at the hands of
the men of Chile, and how, when this was known to Vaca de Castro,
he wrote to the Adelantado Don Sebastián de Belalcázar, who was
then at Cali, desiring him not to go to the city of Cartago, nor to
Anzerma for the present. Vaca de Castro was very anxious to know for
certain if the news was true. At this juncture one Ordas, and Juan
de Valdivieso, citizens of Cuzco, arrived, who, jointly with Diego
Maldonado and other settlers in Peru, had embarked at Panamá for
that Realm. When they had reached the coast of Peru they received
the news of the Marquis's death; and, as the Judge had landed at the
port of Buenaventura, they gave up their voyage further southwards,
and went inland to Quito to find him. Thence they went on to Pasto,
and, together with Villalba, they proceeded to Popayán, where they
found Vaca de Castro, and related to him what was going on; how Don
Diego had assumed the _rôle_ of governor of the realm; how he had
sent one of his captains, named García de Alvarado, to range the
coast, and even to get the Judge himself into his clutches in order
to detain or kill him; how he had taken and killed Alonso de Cabrera
and others, and had captured and carried back the Licentiate García
de León a prisoner. When Vaca de Castro heard this news he became
quite convinced that the Marquis had been murdered, and that Don
Diego was set up as Governor. He wrote again to Belalcázar therefore,
explaining that the Marquis had been murdered, and that Don Diego had
shamelessly and insolently got himself installed as Governor, and had
been so received at Lima. Vaca de Castro called upon Belalcázar, who
had always been a faithful servant of his Majesty and was the King's
Governor and Captain-general, to collect as many men and arms as
possible and march to Popayán, where the Judge awaited him.
People allege that when Belalcázar read this letter from Vaca de
Castro, he was much worried, and that it was more from fear than from
goodwill that he obeyed the summons. This seems likely, because he
always showed himself lukewarm in whatever things occurred, and in the
letters he sent to the cities nearest the coast he wrote that he was
going back because he could not do otherwise, but would soon return.
He had another reason for wishing to go down stream but not up, which
was that according to positive news received at Cali, Captain Jorge
Robledo, the founder of those towns and cities, with all those who had
been his followers before, had espoused the royalist cause, and the
Adelantado was anxious to arrest him. However, Belalcázar replied to
the Licentiate that he would be happy to come to Popayán at once and
do what might be required of him, and that he would bring as many men
as he could, although he then had very few in the city. He got ready
as best he was able, and set out for the city of Popayán, accompanied
by some of his servants and friends, and other inhabitants of Cali. At
Popayán he was received by the President Vaca de Castro.
Having assembled the principal people who were there, the Licentiate
Vaca de Castro displayed a Royal _Cedula_ of his Majesty, whereby
it was decreed that if the Marquis Pizarro should die during Vaca
de Castro's voyage to Peru, or after his arrival there, he, Vaca de
Castro, was empowered to take over the government of the provinces and
be his Majesty's Governor there, with the same full powers as those
granted to the Marquis. When they had seen the _Cedula_ there was some
argument as to what had best be done to take the control from Don
Diego, who held it against the royal will. There were some who advised
that Vaca de Castro should go back to Buenaventura and thence to
Panamá, where he might assemble a fleet and a large force with which
to go in strength against the men of Chile and punish them for the
crime they had committed in putting the Marquis to death and seizing
the country. Lorenzo de Aldana was not of this opinion. He maintained
that Vaca de Castro should take the road and enter Peru with all
possible despatch; for although Don Diego had assumed the name of
Governor, there were in Peru so many loyal subjects of his Majesty
that they would not fail for any reason to enlist themselves in his
service. To go to Panamá would cause much mischief, and would be of no
use. After they had argued about what should be done, Vaca de Castro
decided to go on to Quito, and ordered Belalcázar to go with him to
Peru. While preparations were being made for the journey many copies
were made of the royal _Cedula_ of his Majesty, and despatched by
messengers to all parts that the President's coming might be known,
as well as the will of his Majesty to the effect that in the event of
the death of the Marquis, Vaca de Castro was to be Governor. Then,
with the following he had, Vaca de Castro set out for Quito, taking
with him Lorenzo de Aldana, who he expected would be very useful.
Continuing the journey they came to Villaviciosa de Pasto, where they
found several persons willing to go with the President to serve his
Majesty.
Then, when the messengers sent by Vaca de Castro from Popayán arrived
at Quito, and the royal _Cedula_ of the King our master was seen
there, the Captain Pedro de Puelles, who was lieutenant there, and the
_alcaldes_ assembled in council; and they acknowledged Vaca de Castro
as Governor, sending messengers to inform him, and offering to go with
him until he should have carried out all that his Majesty had ordered.
When the Governor Vaca de Castro learnt that he had been acknowledged
at Quito he rejoiced at this good beginning, and pressed on with all
speed to arrive there.