Peter Gascasent to settle Affairs inPeru.
Whilest thePeruvianAffairs were in this confusion and disorder,Peter Gasca, impower’d by the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth, arriving there, endeavor’d to settle all things in Peace and Quiet, and sent byPeter Hernandes, besides the Emperor’s Letter,another which he writ himself toPizarro, the Contents of which were to this purpose:
Gasca’s Letter toPizarro.
ThePeruvianSoyl hath drunk up theSpanishBlood long enough, and the ruin’d Realm gapes for Rest: The Emperor proffers Pardon for all past Crimes, Repeals the new Laws which the Vice-RoyVela,during his Government, enjoyn’d theSpaniardsto observe. IfPizarroaims at the general Welfare, he may easily see that Arms must first be laid aside, which he now depends on in vain, all his Associates being ready to forsake him, because no Soldier can take up Arms against the Emperor, without being guilty of high Treason.
Pizarro’s Designs against him.
His Party generally fall off toGasca.
Cuscotaken byCenteno.
Pizarroconfounded with this Letter, call’d a Council of War, who differ’d very much from one another in their Votes, some judging that it would be best privately to destroyGasca, others were for an open Engagement, but most thought of another way,viz.to get his Person into their custody, and keep him under a strong Guard on the IslandPuna, under pretence that thePeruvianPrinces were sent for to come and acknowledge him as supream Governor, which because the Cities lay so remote one from another, could not be done in less than two years. Mean while an Embassy was to be sent to the Court atMadrid, which should enjoynGascato remain inPanama, and not offer to come toPerutill such time as the Emperor commanded the same a second time at the return of the Agents. ButHieronimus Loaisa, chief Bishop ofLos Reyos,Thomas Martin, Provincial of theDominicans,Gomes Solis,Pizarro’s Steward,Laurence Aldana, who were design’d for this Embassy to the EmperorCharles, never went their Journey, but staid inPanamawithGasca, who had also gain’d to his PartyPeter Alfonso Ainoiosa, who CommandedPizarro’s Fleet:Aldanalikewise inform’d him of allPizarro’s private Councels; whereuponGascasent privately for Aid toMexico,Guatimala,Nicaragua, andSt. Domingo, and dispatch’d four Ships with three hundred Men, Commanded byAldana, from the HavenPanama, with Order to Land about Midnight against the CityLos Reyos, and so fall unawares onPizarro.Aldanaaccordingly falling into the Bay ofMalabrige, was reliev’d and supply’d with Provisions byDiego Mora, Governor ofTruxillo: On the other side, the Field-MarshalCarvayalesbeing sent for byPizarro, made a pompous Entrance, with the firing of Guns and Bonfires, intoLos Reyos, where all Persons that seem’d to have the least inclination forGasca, were either stabb’d or poyson’d. In the room ofMora,Pizarrosent the LawyerGarcias Leonto be Governor ofTruxillo, but he being taken byAldana’s Fleet, joyn’d withGasca; and thus all things began to conspire the ruine ofPizarro, yet he despair’d not, but being inform’d of the approach of the Ships, caus’d the Drums to be beaten inLos Reyos, forc’d every one that was able to bear Arms, on pain of death to serve him, made several experienc’d Soldiers, Commanders over his Horse and Foot, to whom he gave as much Money as they requir’d, to maintain those whom they had rais’d, and who were to be rais’d, by which means he got a thousand Men in Arms; to which number, according to an Order sent toCusco,Plata,Arequipa,Lima,Guanuco, and other neighboring Places, new Forces were expected to joyn; butSavedra, Governor ofGuanuco, deserting the City, leftPizarroand joyn’d withMora, who secur’d the Province ofCaxamalcaforGasca. ThusPizarrobegan to be daily more and more forsaken. Since the destruction of the Vice-RoyVela, CaptainDiego Centenihad hid himself out of fear ofPizarroa whole year, in a Cave under Ground, but now inform’d ofGasca’s Arrival, came forth, and getting forty Men and some Horses together, which also belong’d formerly to the Vice-Roy, resolv’d, though meanly Arm’d, to go upon a bold Design,viz.to take the CityCusco; of whichAntonio de Robles, a Man hated and despis’d for his mean Extract and little Wit, had the chief Command, there being therein a Garrison of five hundred Soldiers, besides the Citizens, who were likewise in Arms: Being inform’d ofCenteno’s approach, he sent outFrancisco Aguierreas a Spye to discover the Enemy; but he joyning withCenteno, advis’d him to march along a By-way, and towards Night to draw up aboutCusco, which accordingly he did, and forcing open the Gates, rush’d in with his Horse against the Enemy, who were drawn up in the Market-place, and breaking through their Ranks trampled whole Companies under foot; after which he fell in uponRobles, who having forgotten to give his Men theWord, caus’d a great distraction; for the Men blinded by the darkness of the Night, knew not Friend from Foe, insomuch thatRobles’s Party did one another more mischief thanCentenodid; who being thus become Master of the City, caus’dRoblesto be Beheaded the next day, and distributed a hundred thousandDucatsamongst his Soldiers, and then march’d with a hundred Men to the CityPlata, to bringMendoza, Governor of the same, under the Emperor’s subjection; in which his Design he likewise prov’d successful, being supply’d with a hundred and thirty Foot, whichLucas Martin, had fetch’d fromArequipafor the Service ofPizarro, whom since he had deserted and joyn’d withGasca’s Party. Mean while the Fleet under the Command ofAldanaarriv’d in the Haven beforeLos Reyos, to the great terror and amazement of the whole City; from whencePizarromarching, Encamp’d himself with five hundred and fifty Men, so to prevent their Landing, swearing that he would spare none whoe’re fell into his Hands, and sent Order toPeter Martin, whom he had left in the City, immediately to Hang up those which would not follow the Army, or who return’d from thence home; to which purposeMartinwent from place to place with an Executioner, and thinking him not quick enough in his Work, stabb’d many Citizens himself: And strict Order was given byPizarrothat all Runaways should be punish’d with Death; notwithstanding all which many of his nearest Friends daily forsook him, taking advantage of the darkness of the Night; nay, the Soldiers themselves would at Noon-day ride away from him, crying aloud,Long live the Emperor, and let the TyrantPizarrodie: Wherefore he judg’d it most convenient to remove to the CountreyNasca: During his Journey thither, whole Troops left him, insomuch that he scarce kept a hundred and fifty Men, and those he fear’d every Minute would fall upon him and Murder him.
Los Reyosdeclares for the Emperor.
Pizarroutterly defeated, surrenders himself intoGasca’s Power.
CarvayalesandPizarroboth put to death byGasca.
WithPizarro’s departure, the whole Scene of Affairs was chang’d inLos Reyos; for there the Imperial Standard was erected, the City Cryer read the Letters of Pardon whichGascahad brought with him fromSpainin the corner of every Street.Juan PaliminoLanding with fifty Men, receiv’d all those that had desertedPizarro, whilestGascaset Sail fromPanamawith five hundred Men, with whom Landing atTruxillo, he Encamp’d himself in the ValleyXauxa, whither great multitudes flock’d from all places out of malice toPizarro, who in a short time had destroy’d above five hundred Gentlemen. ButPizarrohaving quittedLos Reyos, he possess’d the CityArequipa, which he found quite desolate, but meeting afterwards with the Forces Commanded byJuan Acosta, of which one half were also run away, joyn’d with them, and march’d againstCenteno, who lay along the LakeTiticaca, with whom he Engag’d in the PlainGuarina:Ludovico RiberaLanding,Centeno’s Party fir’d their Guns before thePizarrianswere within shot of him, of whichCarvayalesmaking speedy use, drew up his Pieces close before the Enemy, and made an exceeding slaughter amongst them, killing above a hundred and fifty Men in the first Onset; the Horse amaz’d at the sudden destruction of the Foot, fled, leaving the remaining Foot-Soldiers open to the Enemy, who was gotten behind them with his Musquetteers,and with his Horse before, whilest sixPeruvianscarried awayCentenoout of the Fight, he lying sick on a Chair.Pizarrothus become Victor, kill’d all he met with; of whichGascabeing inform’d, resolving upon a private and sudden Revenge, caus’d all Necessaries for War to be made ready, and march’d with a thousand and nine hundred Men out of the Valley ofXauxatoCusco, where by the Way he was supply’d with the Forces, which the experienc’d ColonelPeter Valdiviahad brought fromChili; with which coming toAndagua, he took up his Quarters there for some time, because the mild Winter had with continual Rains made the Ways so dirty, that there was no travelling, and had rotted their Tents andMaiz, and also occasion’d the Bloody-flux amongst the Soldiers. InMarch,Gascabroke up with his Camp to cross the RiverApurima, which he found very troublesom, becausePizarrohad broke down all the Bridges: ButGascacaus’d Wood and other Materials to be carried to several places, that the Enemy should not certainly know his Intentions, and at last march’d over deep snowy Mountains toCotabamba, where suddenly he made a Bridge, over which march’d four hundred Foot, but the Horse suffer’d most damage; for sixty Horses loaden with Arms going to wade over, were carried down by the Stream against sharp Rocks, by which they were desperately gor’d in their sides, and many of them kill’d outright.Pizarroinform’d of the Enemies whole Proceedings by his Spyes, sentAcostathither with two hundred Musquetteers, to fall upon those that were come over, whom he finding too many, durst not venture to Engage with them. Mean whileGasca’s whole Army getting over on the other side of the RiverApurima, march’d up a high Hill, whilestPizarroEncamp’d himself five Leagues fromCusco, in a Plain call’dSaguisagrana, the Entrance into his Camp being fortifi’d with six Field-Pieces, each side by a River and several Mountains, and the Rere by a deep dry Moat:Gascastood upon a Hill and view’d the Enemy’s whole Forces lying in the Valley, and being oppress’d with excessive Heat, whilest his Men were so exceedingly pinch’d with Cold in the Night, that they were scarce able to hold their Arms, according to the strange property of thePeruvianClimate; for the tops of Hills generally Freeze, whilest the Valleys about a League from thence are parch’d with Heat: At Break-of-dayGascadescended the Hill; his Horse being divided into two Wings, were Commanded, the left byJuan Savedra, and the right byBalthazar Castro;Mendozaled some Dragoons,Valdiviaguarded the Guns, andGascahimself march’d in the Front of the Musquetteers. On the other side,Pizarroplac’d thePeruvianson his right Wing,CepedaandAcostaCommanded the Horse,CarvayalesandLa Torrethe Foot,Sebastian VergaraandPeter Soriaguarded the Field-Pieces: But the Battel was scarce begun, whenCepedoand a great part of the Horse desertingPizarrowent to joyn withGasca, and immediately after the right Wing of the Musquetteers; at the same timeCentenoandMendozafir’d amongstPizarro’s main Body, of which some ran away toCusco, others with their Colours toGasca’s Army.Pizarroseeing himself thus forsaken, cry’d out,Since all are fled to the Imperial Standard, I will also betake my self thither, where perhaps I may find Mercy: WhereuponAcostaanswer’d,Let us rather fall in amongst the thickest of the Enemy, and die valiantly: To whichPizarroreply’d,No, now I have lost Honor and Goods, I must take care for my Soul, that that may not be lost also; which said, he lighted from his Horse, Caparison’d in Silver, and deliver’d himself and his Sword into the Hands of the SerjeantVillavicenzo, who found him Habited in curious Armor, a Golden Helmet with a stately Plume of Feathers, and a Corslet incircl’d with Emeraulds about his Neck:Gascaseeing him brought before him in this manner, said thus unto him,Have you not order’d your Business well, to waste so much of the Emperor’s Treasure, and shed so much Blood, and all to confirm your self in your unlawfulUsurpation ofPeru? To whichPizarroanswer’d, saying,I have spent my own Estate in the Service of theSpanishCrown, and might lawfully take upon me the Government ofPeru,having with the loss of my Brother’s Life, and the hazard of my own, discover’d the same.Carvayalesescaping out of the Fight, had hid himself in a Thicket of Canes, but being discover’d by his own People, was by them brought beforeGasca, who the next day after the Battel caus’d him to be Quarter’d alive, andPizarro’s Head to be cut off in Prison; the other Prisoners were most of them kill’d in cold Blood.Gascathus become absolute Master ofPeru, found an incredible Treasure left byPizarro, of which he gave to every common Soldier above six thousandDucats; and with this his victorious Army march’d toCusco, where he employ’d his Executioners afresh, in Hanging, Drawing, and the like; some that were stigmatiz’d and condemn’d to the Galleys, accounted themselves happy that they had escap’d so.Gasca, though Victor, perceiv’d no small Troubles to threaten him, having twenty five hundred Men in Arms, of which every one for their faithful Service judg’d that they deserv’d some Office or other, there being then above a hundred and fifty to dispose of,Pizarrohaving Executed the chiefest Officers, and those that bore any Command under him being either fled or kill’d in the last Fight: but the small number of Officers that were wanting, was not to be compar’d to all those that gap’d for Commissions. The Revenues, which yearly amounted to eleven hundred thousandDucats, went most of it away amongst the Officers, the common Soldiers getting onely a small Snip out of it; wherefore many began to murmur, and were upon the point of Mutinying, ifCianca, the Judge of criminal Causes, taking the chief of them, had not punish’d them in such a manner, that all the rest being terrifi’d, gave over their Complaints. AfterGascahad spent above nine hundred thousandDucatsin the War againstPizarro; all which Money he took up upon Interest, which, after having setled the Kingdom in Quietness, he paid for the most part with the Goods taken from the Rebels. Next he made a Law concerning thePeruvianspaying of Tribute, which before theSpaniardsforc’d from them whensoe’re and howsoe’re they pleas’d, with the greatest Tortures imaginable.
PeruGoverned by Vice-Roys.
Gascahaving again erected inLos Reyosthe high Court of Judicature, in which sat the Imperial Judges, return’d home with an unvaluable Mass of Treasure forCharlesthe Fifth, and left thePeruvianGovernment to the JudgeCianca; since which timePeruhath been Govern’d by Vice-Roys, the first whereof, who succeededCianca, wasAntonio Mendoza, and after him successivelyAndreas Hurtado Mendoza,Diego Valasco,Lopez Garcias de Castro,Francisco de Toledo,Martin Enriques,Garcias Mendoza,Ludovico Velasco, andJuan Pacheco, under whom thePeruvianKingdom hath enjoy’d Peace and Quiet, to the considerable enriching of theSpanishInhabitants.
Thus much of the antient Transactions inPeru, it will now be requisite to give you a brief Account of the several Provinces in this mighty Kingdom.
Division ofPeru.
The Countrey is generally divided into threeJuridicial Resorts, as they call them, or Courts of Appeal, which areQuito,Lima, andCharcas; but the particular Provinces, as they are commonly observ’d by Geographers, are said to be six,viz.1.Quito.2.Los Quixos.3.Lima.4.Cusco.5.Charcas.and 6.Collao.
Sect. II.Quito.
Situation and Description ofQuito.
The first Province ofPerutowards the North isQuito, or the new Kingdom ofGranada, with which on that side it is bounded, having on the West,Mare del Zur; on the South,Lima; and on the East,Los Quixos. It lieth in a manner right under theLine, and is said to be seventy two Leagues in length, and in some places about twenty five in breadth.
The Winter begins here inOctober, and continues tillMarch, in which fall mighty Showers, and on the Mountains abundance of Snow, but all the Summer long the Sun is seldom darkned with a Cloud. Many of the Inhabitants die of a Giddiness in the Head about the beginning and end of Summer. ThePOXalso destroys many of the Natives; with which Disease they are often born, and give it to theSpaniards, who are not able to abstain from theIndianWomen; they useSassaparillaand the WoodGuaiacumto cure themselves with.
Here grow also many poysonous Herbs, which thePeruviansmake use of to poyson one another.
The FruitQuaba.
In the farthest parts ofQuitogrows the salt and cooling FruitQuaba, two Handfuls long, cover’d with a grey Rind, and within full of white Pulp and hard Kernels.
The TreeGuaiaba.
The TreeGuaiabahath a pale smooth Bark, thick Boughs, hard and glittering Leaves, Flowers consisting of five Leaves, not unlike a Peacock’s Plume, long Apples, woolly without, and within full of a pale red Pulp and eatable Stones; the Root, which spreads it self very much, is sweet, and when boyl’d cures the Bloody-flux. This Tree grows in most places, especially in low Grounds, the more because the Kernels which the Birds picking out let fall on the Ground, spring up in new Trees.
TheSpanishFruits, as Peaches, Cittrons, Figs, Pomegranates, Pears, Quinces, and Oranges, grow also here in great abundance, but when ripe are subject to rot.
Moreover, the Fields abound with Wheat, Barley, andMaiz; the Pastures afford plenty of Grass for Oxen, Horses and Sheep, which bring forth Lambs twice in fourteen Moneths.
The Ocean and Rivers store of Fish; the StreamBarbaraus’d formerly to produce Gold also.
In moist Grounds the Inhabitants find abundance of Salt-petre, the best that is for the making of Gun-powder.
The InnsTambos.
For the Accommodation of Travellers, Inns call’dTambos, are built near the High-ways, exactly five Leagues distant one from another, where all sorts of Provisions are sold at a set Price.
The Nature of the People.
The Natives antiently went Cloth’d in a Frock without Sleeves, as wide on the top as at the bottom, and pleited their long Hair. They are strong, well proportion’d in Body, and subtile enough to learn any Art, but treacherous, inconstant, and inclin’d to Drunkenness: They were very hard also to be brought to receive theRomanReligion, so that most of them would not suffer themselves to be Baptiz’d till they lay a dying: They also drove a great Trade in Cotton, Wooll, and Cloth.
BetweenPastoandQuitoare several Villages, and the famous High-way, by theIngascut through the Wildernesses and Mountains, the Wall of an old Castle, and the wonderful Stone-BridgeLumichaca, which Nature hath made over the swiftRiverGuaca; it consists of a hard Cliff, at the Foot whereof is a great Arch, through which the Water runs with exceeding force.
This Tract of Land producesMaiz, and abundance ofMortuanos, a Fruit resembling Damask Prunes, which eaten in excess cause Drunkenness and Faintness.
The LakeYaguarcocha, signifyingBloody-Water, because the IngaGuayanacavakill’d and drown’d twenty thousand there.
Towns and Places of chief note.
The chief Towns and Places of Note are, 1.Caranguez, antiently a Royal City, where stood a sumptuous and stately Palace of the Kings ofPeru, now almost deserted. The Palace, built of Stone in a little Plain, without either Mortar or Iron-work, manifests its former glory by its Ruines.
2. The Royal Castle ofAtabalo, orOttavallis, in the building of which theIngasspar’d no Cost nor Charges; and indeed it is a Structure no way inferior to any of the antientRomanEdifices. Between this Castle andCochequi, a stately House, lies a cold snowy Mountain. Moreover, theSpaniardshave several Habitations along the Way toQuito, and especially in the ValleyAnnaquito, where the Vice-RoyVelalost the Battel fought againstGonsalvo Pizarro.
3.Quito, commonly call’dSt. Francisco de Quito. There stood formerly here certain Palaces, built by theIngas, but the City was re-built by theSpaniardsat the Foot of a certain Ridge of Mountains, which it hath on the North and North-West side of it, and are said byLaet, to cross the whole Countrey ofPeruquite over from the South to the North Sea: It was soon after the Building inhabited by five hundred Families ofSpaniardsat least, besides Natives, and well fortifi’d, and might be thought a Town very well seated in all respects, but for the neighborhood of a Vulcan, which at times annoyeth it very much, as namely in the Year 1560. when it vomited out such abundance of flaming Cinders and other sulphureous Matter, that had it not been for a Shower of Rain unexpectedly falling, would have much damnifi’d, if not destroy’d the Place. The Natives aboutQuitoare more Moraliz’d than otherPeruvians. The Valleys which are warm’d by the Sun produce all manner of Fruit-Trees and large Vineyards; and the RootPapas, not unlike Apples.TheQuimla, which is of a Mans heighth, hath little Seeds, of which a pleasant Liquor is boyl’d. FromQuitothe High-way leads toCusco, along which at every four Leagues distance stands a brave Palace; and fromCuscotoChili, being in all above a thousand Leagues long. The City, built on a sandy Soyl, is divided in the middle by a Moat, over which lead several Bridges: the Streets are large and streight, and full of handsom Houses, and at the ends of the four chief Streets four Market-places. Besides the Cathedral, are two other Churches, Dedicated to the SaintsSebastianandBlasius. The Cloysters of theFranciscansandDominicansare also no small Ornament to the City. Besides other stately Structures, are the Residences of the Receivers of the Kings Revenues, to which thePeruviansthat live about the City, being computed no less than fifty thousand in number, pay Tribute; and to keep them in subjection, the CityQuitois always well stor’d with all manner of Ammunition and Instruments of War. The chiefest Trade here consists in Sheep, Goats, and other Cattel, Cotton-Clothes, Cloth, Flax, Hats, Cordage, Sugar and Salt; which Salt, being grey and bitter, springs out of a Fountain in the CountreyMira. The Oyl, Wine, and Drugs which are us’d here, are fetch’d from the South Sea up the RiverAmbato, and from thence with Carts into the City.
4.Thomebamba, famous for a Royal Palace, built there by some of theIngas; It lies Southward fromQuitoin the Province ofCanares, where two Rivers commix their Waters, near a Plain abounding with Venison. There yet remain considerable Ruines of this Palace, in which one may discern the vast Dimensions of divers Rooms, in some of which Arms were kept, and in others Provisions and Clothes; of which kind of Buildings or Magazines theIngashad erected above a thousand inPeru, especially along the High-way, that they might have their Ammunition ready in all places if need should require. On the left side ofThomebambaappear’d the famous Temple of the Sun, whose Gates were not onely curiously Painted, but also Inlay’d with Emeraulds. Both the Palace and Temple, adorn’d with Gold and costly Images of great Touch-stone and Jasper, contain’d within their Walls an unvaluable Treasure. These magnificent Structures are at this day fall’n quite to decay. The People of this Countrey, who wear long Hair, pleited on the top of their Heads like a Coronet, go Cloth’d in Cotton Coats and Buskins of Hair-cloth. The Women, indifferent fair, and great admirers of theSpaniards, Plough, Sowe, and gather in the Harvest, whilest the Men stay at home, Spinning, Weaving, and doing of other Female-Offices.Anno 1544.they discover’d Mines here, which produc’d as much Gold as Earth.
5.Tacunga, where was formerly another stately Palace, about fifteen Leagues fromCusco, not far from the Mountain which some years since vomited Ashes and Stones into the adjacent Fields. Hereabouts was formerly a Cloyster, inhabited by the Nuns call’dNamaconas, the Ruines whereof are yet to be seen, with several Houses of Stone, but cover’d with Thatch. The Natives in this Place are of a brown Complexion, and of a very affable Nature.
6.Mulambato; 7.Mocha; 8.Rhiobamba, three small Villages, but each of them credited with a stately Palace. Opposite toRhiobambalies the ProvinceChumbo, from which a troublesom Way leads toGuaynacapaover the RiverChongo.
9.St. Jago de Puerto Viejo, giving Denomination to the Territory about it, which produces abundance ofPotatoeRoots,Maiz,Juca, three sorts ofGuayavas,Cerezillas, and the TreeTunas, which bears wild Figs. TheSpanishFruits grow here likewise in great plenty. The fore-mention’d Beasts like Hogs, whose Navels grow on their Backs, are also very common here. The Woods abound with Deer and all sorts of Fowls, amongst which one resembling a Goose, and call’dXuta; and anothernam’dMaca, somewhat lesser than a Cock, and which feeding about the House, may be reckon’d amongst the Poultrey of this Countrey. The Sea along the Coast affords them abundance ofBonito’s, which eaten in some Seasons cause Agues. The People along the Sea-Coast are generally troubled with Pimples and Sores in their Faces, especially on their Foreheads and Noses, few of them living long, by reason of the unhealthfulness of the Place through excessive Moisture, for the Rain continues eight Moneths together.
10.Manta, lying upon the Southern Ocean, the chief of the Villages, formerly possess’d by theCaranes, betwixt the PromontoryPassaoand the RiverDable. These People are said to this day to carve and cut their Faces from their Ears to their Chins; about their Necks and Arms they wear Chains of Gold and little red Corals, call’dChaquina, highly esteem’d by thePeruvians. This Town was formerly famous for a great Emerauld, which was religiously worshipp’d there.
11.Guayaquil, otherwise call’dCulata, built at a deep Inlet of the Sea, near the RiverAnebato, which with great swiftness falls down from the MountainsQuito, is surrounded with a fertile Soyl; and in the hollow Trees is found plenty of Honey. The Water of the fore-mention’d River, being of great vertue in curing theMorbus Gallicus, hath great resort of People from all places; who likewise gather theSarsaparillathat grows along the Banks. The Bridge which the IngaGuaynacavabegan to lay cross this River, is also very remarkable, but he dying, it was left unfinish’d. TheGuancabilcaswere heretofore under the Jurisdiction of this CityGuayaquil.
12.Castro, so call’d from a strong Fort built there by aSpanishCaptain, and situate in the ValleyVili, not far fromGuayaquil.
13. The CityLoxa, built in the Countrey of thePaltas, a People that went naked, between two Arms of the RiverCatamayounder a wholsom Climate, near the High-way that leads toCuscoin the ValleyCuribamba, where no poysonous Beast was ever found. The Soil bears abundance of Oaks, Hazles, Ash, Willow, and Cedar-Trees;Maiz, Barley, and Wheat. Not far from the City springs a hot and sulphurous Fountain, which cures all sorts of Sores and Wounds. The Countrey hereabouts is likewise stor’d with Fowls, Venison, Cattel, and Fish. Moreover, the City receives no small lustre from twoDominican, and oneFranciscanCloyster. Eastward from which lie desolate Mountains, whose tops are continually cover’d with Snow. Not far from hence were formerly two noble Palaces,PiedrasandTamboblanco, besides several Villages.
14.Cuenca, wherein are also large Structures for the Monks and Priests: The Countrey about the same hath rich Mines of Gold, Silver, Quicksilver, Copper, Iron, and Sulphur.
15.Zamora, Eastward from the cold MountainsAndes, built in a Marshy Soyl, where the Inhabitants are never visited with Pestilential Distempers, and use no other Physick for such Sicknesses as they are troubled with, than Tobacco, and the HerbAquacolla. But there is a certain Nut that grows hereabouts, which occasions sudden death, if eaten raw, but being boyl’d, is a wholsom Food. The Mines afford great pieces of Gold, of which one weighing eighteen Pound, was presented toPhilipthe Second, King ofSpain. The briny Springs produce good Salt. Three Rivers falling from the Mountains, are noted for their Golden Sands, and also afford delicious Fish. The Bees being here void of Stings, furnish the Inhabitants with plenty of Honey. The Tygers and little Lyons devour many of the SheepPacos, Goats, Hogs, and other Cattel, and sometimes the Natives themselves. The City it self is neatly built with Woodden and Stone Houses, and adorn’d with a Church andDominicanCloyster, besides a stately Palace, the Residence for the King’sReceiver. The Natives about this Place are a stupid and barbarous People, which before theSpaniardscoming thither, would for a small trifle kill one another.
EXPUGNATIO PAYTÆ
16. The CityYaen, situate in the CountreyChuiquimayo; it is so call’d from a swift River, cross which thePeruvianWomen and Children swim, to the great amazement of theSpaniards. They paint their Bodies black with the Juice of the RootYaguas, and feed for the most part on the stamp’d PlantYaca. On the other side of the Mountain, which rises on the Banks ofChuquimayo, lies the CountreyPerico, fruitful and well inhabited, against which juts the Golden CountreyCherinos.Peruhath also several delightful Valleys, amongst which on the North the chiefest are theTumbez,Solana,Poechos, andPiura, all of them very fertile, full of stately Buildings, and water’d by several Rivers.
17.San Miguel, the first City that was built by theSpaniardsinPeru, situate in a sandy and dry Soyl, being extraordinary dusty in Summer, and very slabby in the Winter, because the hard Ground cannot soak up the Rain. TheIngasmade a Way through this Valley fifteen Foot broad, between two Walls, and Planted Trees on each side.
Spilbergen’s Attempt uponPayta.
18. Westward fromMiguelappearsPayta, near a convenient Haven in the South-Sea, whichAnno 1547.was burnt byThomas Candish; since which it had been re-built twenty eight years, whenJoris Spilbergen, after a hard Engagement with theSpanishAdmiralRodrigo Mendoza, arriving in the large Haven beforePayta, sent eight Sail with three hundred Armed Men up to the City, where finding the Enemy Encamp’d along the Shore, he return’d without any effect; but two of his Frigats, theEolusand theMorning-Star, running close toPayta, fir’d whole Broad-sides at the same, whilest CaptainDe Wittook aPeruvianFisher-man, who had been two Moneths out at Sea, and taken abundance of Fish. The Guns which the Ships fir’d upon the Town struck such a terror into the Citizens, that they fled with Bag and Baggage into the Mountains, and left the City for a Prize toSpilbergen, who setting fire on the same, in few hours burnt down two Churches, aDominicanCloyster, and several Alms-houses: But had not the Citizens been cowardly, they mighteasily have kept off theHollanders; for the Vice-RoyLudovico Velascoinform’d ofSpilbergen’s Arrival, had stor’d the Place with Ammunition and Men, whose Courage failing, prov’d successful for theHollanders, who whilest they Rid here at an Anchor, took a very strange Bird on the IslandLobos, lying beforePayta, being two Yards high and three thick, in its Bill, Wings, and Claws resembling an Eagle, and having a large Crest on its Head. Not long afterDonna Paulabeing Governess ofPayta, a Lady famous inPerufor her Beauty and obliging Nature, sent Cabbages, Oranges, Cittrons, and other Provisions to theHollanders, and requested the Releasement of some of theSpaniardstaken in the Engagement againstMendoza, but could not obtain her Request from the uncourtlyDutchmen.
Description ofLos Quixos.
The Province ofLos Quixoslieth South, and to the South-East ofQuito, being border’d more directly Eastward with a part of the Province ofGuiana, call’d by someEl Dorada, orThe Golden Countrey; on the South it hathLimaandCusco.
TheCanela-Fruit.
This Province is subdivided into several lesser Territories,viz.Canela,Pacomores, andSt. Juan de Salinas.Canelais so call’d, because it hath many great Woods, which produce the FruitCanelain great abundance, the Owners whereof were most inhumanely dealt with by theSpaniards; forGonsalvo Pizarrosupposing to get store of Gold there, found nothing but Trees, bearing a Fruit like Olives, by the Natives call’dCanela, with which they us’d to drive a great Trade, being otherwise poor and simple People, living in Huts, whichPizarropulling down, caus’d the Inhabitants to be torn in pieces by his Dogs, because they could not furnish him with Gold, nor direct him where it was to be had.
TheGranadilla-Apple.
Besides theCanela-Tree, this Countrey also produceth in great plenty the Tree which beareth the ApplesGranadilla, exceeding good against burning Feavers; the Leaves are like Ivy, the Blossom resembling the Sun, and the long Leaves speckled with Red and White, open three hours after Sun-rising, and close again before the Evening, just as if Nature took care to preserve the beauty of the Flower.
Towns and Places of chief note.
In this part of the Province the chief are, 1.Baeza, otherwise call’dQuixos, built in the Year 1559. byRamires de Avila, eighteen Leagues fromCusco.
2.Archidona, twenty Leagues to the South-East ofBaeza. 3.Avila.4.Sevilla del Oro, all of themSpanishColonies.
The TerritoriesPacomoresandYguansongo, otherwise call’dThe Countrey of Juan de Salinas, are said both to extend above a hundred Leagues in length, and little less in breadth. The Fields afford store of Pasture for Cattel, the Plough’d Lands produce Wheat and all sorts of wholsom Herbs; and in some places are also rich Gold-Mines.
The GovernorLayolabuilt four Towns here,viz.1.Valladolid; 2.Loyola; 3.San Jago de los Montanas; and 4.Caruma.
The JesuitAcostarelates, That not far fromCarumahe found great Stones, some of which were full of Golden Veins, but were hard to be cut from the Rock. Most of the Gold is found in the Sand of several Rivers, the chiefest whereof flow throughQuito,New Granada,ValdiviainChili, andCaravayainPeru.
On the Point ofQuito, the RiverSan Jagofalls into the Southern Ocean; the Ground in the Mouth of the River being very uneven, for oftentimes the Ships arefast aground at the Stern, and on Head they have above eighty Fathom Water; yet nevertheless the Shoals are no ways dangerous.
South-West fromSt. Jagolies the spacious InletMattheo, and the PromontoryFrancisco, known by its Banks and high Grounds, which shew red and white at a great distance.
Not far from hence, exactly under theEquinox, appearsCape Passao, flat and low; between which andMattheo, the great RiversLos Quiximesfall into the Sea.
BehindPassaorises the high MountainQuaque; and more Westerly the BayCaraquesaffords a secure Harbor for all manner of Vessels.
Next you come to the TownPuerto Viejobefore mention’d, lying behind the IslandLaurenso.
Five Leagues off at Sea, beforeLaurenzo, lies the IslandPlata, formerly famous for aPeruvianTemple, in which the Natives Sacrifis’d Sheep, and sometimes Children, and painted the Figures of divers Persons with the Blood; to which they also Offer’d Jewels, Gold, Silver, Wooll, Cotton Shirts, and Cloaks.Francisco Pizarroarriving here, got an invaluable Mass of Treasure; but at present it lying desolate, affords nothing but Brambles and wild Trees.
The next which come in view are the HavensCalloandZalango, where there are safe Harbors, good Wood and Water.
The Cape ofSt. Helenamakes also a secure Road on the North, and on its Shore hath a Spring, on the top of whose Waters swims a certain Gum, by the Natives call’dCopey, exceeding good to make Ships tight.
The RiverTumbezfalls into a large Bay, which on its North-East Point near the Main Land, hath the IslandPuna, ten Leagues in circumference: The Soyl whereof produces abundance ofMaiz,Fuca, and other good Roots, besides great Woods full of fruitful Trees, andSarsaparilla. The Inhabitants of a brown Complexion, and middle Stature, wear Cotton Cloaks, and Chains ofChaquiraand Precious Stones: They drive a great Trade, and formerly maintain’d Wars with the People inhabiting upon the RiverTumbez; their great want is fresh Water in the Summer.Thomas CandishLanding hereAnno 1587.found a Ship hal’d ashore, and three Villages, in one of which stood a Palace belonging to aCasique, surrounded with Stone Galleries; and near it a large Store-house full of Tar-pots and Hemp to make Cables of: The Village consisted of two hundred Houses, and a fair Church with a Steeple, in which hung several Bells. TheCasiqueMarried to aSpanishWoman being fled with the Villagers,Candishtook many Oxen, fat Sheep, Pigeons and Ducks, the Bells, and what else was not convey’d aboard, with him, and, afterwards burnt the whole Town; but whilest he was busie in making havock, a thousandSpaniards, and a considerable number ofPeruviansfell upon theEnglishon such a sudden, that they kill’d some, and took others Prisoners.
Somewhat farther off at Sea appears the IsleClara, where those ofPunaformerly buried their Dead.
The Inlet into which falls the RiverTumbez, whose Shores are well inhabited, ends Westward at the PromontoryBlanco; Southward from which lies the IsleLobos, where there are several Springs full of the same Gum, orBitumen, a little above mention’d.
Beyond the PointAgualie the two IslesLobos Marinos, opposite to a low Coast; they are desolate, and barren of Grass, Trees, and all kind of Herbs, and destitute of fresh Water; but many Pelicans, Penguins, and other strange Birds.
The discovering of these Coasts belonging to the Jurisdiction ofQuito, deserves a short Relation:
BevalcazarovercomingRuminagua, takesQuito.
He comes to an Agreement withAlvarado.
Pizarroand his Army driven to great Straights.
Orellanacross’d in his Designs, dies for grief.
The miserable Condition ofPizarro’s Men.
Quitovery much defac’d by siding withVelaagainstGonsalvo Pizarro.
WhilestPizarrokept the IngaAttabalibaPrisoner, he sent CaptainBevalcazarto the new FortSt. Miguel, where eighty Horse and a hundred Foot being arriv’d fromPanamaandNicaragua, and he being inform’d that there lay a great Treasure inQuito, and that theCanares, theSpaniardsFriends, were exceedingly oppress’d byRuminagua,Attabaliba’s General, immediately march’d thither with the new arriv’d Forces before mention’d, to fetch the Booty, and to assist theCanares; but several things oppos’d him in his Design: forRuminaguaguarded the Way with twelve hundredIndians, digg’d Pits in the same, and filling them with sharp Poles, cover’d them slightly over with Canes and Earth; all whichBevalcazarshunning, went about, fell in upon the Rere of the Enemy, and after a small Resistance conquer’d the CityQuito. Mean whileFerdinand CortesiosentPetro AlvaradofromNew Spain, who takingGuatimala, receiv’d a Commission from theSpanishCourt, to subdue the Northern parts ofPeru. Soon after whichGarcias Holguabeing sent with two Ships to enquire concerning the State ofPeru, brought News back, ThatFrancisco Pizarrohad gotten an unvaluable Treasure atCaxamalca; which so stirr’d upAlvarado, that he Landed five hundred Men atPuerto Viejo, march’d in great want of Provisions over the MountainsAcabucos, and had he not accidentally found a Pond of sweet Water in a Thicket of Canes, both Men and Horses had all perish’d; at last upon his approachingQuito, the Governor thereof, beingBevalcazar, not enduring to suffer an Equal, drew up all his Men in Battel array; but some Persons interceding between them, they were soon reconcil’d, andAlvaradobeing bought out with a great sum of Money, desertedQuito; where afterGonsalvo Pizarro, had remain’d a considerable time he march’d Eastward of the Province, which produces abundance of Cinamon; whither he was accompanied by two hundredSpaniardsand four thousandPeruvians; against whom the Natives dwelling on the Borders ofLos Quixosfought very valiantly, till Night approaching, when they all ran away; after which resting a while, there arose a mighty Tempest of Thunder and Lightning, accompanied with a dreadful Earthquake, which swallow’d above five hundred Houses, whole Woods and Fields, whilest an unknown River burst out of the Earth, and overflow’d all the Countrey, insomuch thatPizarroexpected nothing but a speedy Ruine, in regard no Provisions were to be found in all the Countrey: at last getting on the top of the nearest Mountain he lost many of his Men, who were frozen to death with excessive Cold. From thence marching to the CountyZumaque, he got plenty of Provision and Cinamon, which grows on great Trees in the Woods; the Leaves thereof resemble the Laurel; the Fruit grows in little Berries; the Root and Bark have a strong odoriferous smell. Thence travelling to the TownCoca, he found a mighty Cataract of Water, falling from a Rock above fifteen hundred Ells high; insomuch that the noise in calm Weather was heard six Leagues off.Pizarroleaving his sick People inZumaque, went onely with a few Eastward fromCocato the Plain CountreyGuema, full of Moorish Grounds, the Inhabitants whereof went naked: at last he came to the great RiverMaranon, which falls from the Mountains nearQuito, and extends with several windings above eight hundred Leagues in length, and at the Mouth thereof is fifteen Leagues broad, which at that time overflowing all the Countrey, he judg’d it convenient to build a Brigantine, making the Shoes of the dead Horses serve for Iron-work, his Mens Shirts for Sails, and a Gum, which was to be had there, for Tar, and having Lanch’d their Vessel, and put all their Baggage and sick People into the same, they Sail’d close along the Shore, on whichPizarromade his Way through Brambles and Canes, or went over in the Brigantine whensoe’re he espy’d a better Path on the other side; in which manner they were gone two hundred Leagues down the River, with no other Foodbut wild Fruit and Roots; when CaptainFranciscus Orellana, was order’d to Sail away before with five Men, and seek out for Provisions, and at every Stream which fell cross-ways out of the Countrey into the great River, he was to leave a Mann’d Boat: butOrellanain few days drove down so far with the swift River, that he saw no likelihood of getting up again in a whole year, neither could he find any Provisions, but fought daily with theIndians, who came stoutly to Board him in little Boats: amongst whom he was inform’d also, that thereabouts liv’d theAmazonWomen, that Warr’d continually against their Neighbors; and at last he came into the Northern Ocean. ButOrellanaSailing toSpain, obtain’d a Commission to be Governor of theAmazonsCountrey, whither he steer’d his Course with five hundred Men in three Ships; but Landing at theCanariesthey all ran away from him, which so incens’dOrellana, that he soon after dy’d with Grief. Mean whilePizarroinform’d by aSpaniardwhomOrellanahad put ashore, that the Brigantine was by the strong Current carried into the Ocean, knew not what to do, his People since their departure fromQuitohaving travell’d above four hundred Leagues, had eaten most of their Horses: Many dy’d by feeding on unwholsom Herbs; others fell down dead for Hunger, or tir’d out with toilsom Travel; their Clothes, rotted by the Rain, hung upon them like Rags, their Shoes were worn out, their Feet full of Blisters, their Bodies sadly mangled with Brambles and Thorns, for no place afforded them a Boat.Pizarroleaving the RiverMaranon, went another Way, no less troublesom for steep Rocks and inaccessible Mountains. The Valleys through which they went, began now to be strew’d with dead and sick Bodies, who were not able to follow the Army, which march’d very fast, every one judging to be so much nearer his preservation the farther he could get: Those that fainted call’d continually on their Friends for help, but the Horses were grown too weak to carry them: Every one saw nothing but Death before his Eyes; wherefore, though call’d by their dearest and most intimate Friends that lay a dying, they never look’d back, their compassion towards others being turn’d into fear and care of themselves. The Forsaken implor’d their Saints, and besoughtPizarrofor aid, but finding their Complaints to be in vain, and raging through despair, they wish’d all the rest the same success, and the like Friends, whenever they should be in the like Condition.Pizarroextreamly griev’d and troubled, that he had brought the People into this Misery, sent a few Horsemen before toQuito, to carry the sad News of his deplorable Condition, that they might immediately send Provisions to him; which he receiving when he was within fifty Leagues from the said CityQuito, distributed amongst those that were left alive, who being also almost starv’d, eat so greedily, that several of them were chok’d; the remainder were kept a considerable time in Garrison under the Command ofPizarroinQuito. Which City, built in a pleasant place, grew very populous in the Year 1544. there being several Gold-Mines found about the same in that time. But this lasted not long, forQuitosiding with the Vice-RoyBlasco Nunnez VelaagainstGonsalvo Pizarro, most of the Citizens were destroy’d by him, and their Houses burnt to Ashes. The like Destruction, and upon the same occasion, befel the three Villages in the ProvinceBracomoros, discover’d byJuan Parzeland CaptainVergara, together with the CountreyChichiapoios, whereAlphonso Alvaradobuilt the TownLevanto, surrounded with deep Caverns, through which, to the great strengthning of the City, flow several Rivers.
Round aboutPuerto Viejothe Natives dwelt in Trees, whom theSpaniardshad much ado to bring under their subjection; for their Countrey being barren and mountainous, was not onely wanting in Provisions to feed an Army, but thePeruviansalso threw great Stones out of their Huts built in Trees, and likewise Javelins and Pots full of boyling Water, with which they did much mischief to their Enemies that Storm’d them, who at last covering themselves with Boards, cut down the Trees, with which they falling were torn in pieces by theSpanishDogs.