CHAPTER XXVII

_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.