Carbajal,toridhimselfoftheghostlyfather\'simportunity,repliedbycoollyrepeatingthewords,\"PaterNoster,\"\"AveMaria\"!Hethenremainedobstinatelysilent。Hedied,ashehadlived,withajest,orratherascoff,uponhislips。5
FranciscodeCarbajalwasoneofthemostextraordinarycharactersofthesedarkandturbulenttimes;themoreextraordinaryfromhisgreatage;for,attheperiodofhisdeath,hewasinhiseighty-fourthyear;——anagewhenthebodilypowers,and,fortunately,thepassions,areusuallyblunted;when,inthewittywordsoftheFrenchmoralist,\"Weflatterourselvesweareleavingourvices,whereasitisourvicesthatareleavingus。\"6ButthefiresofyouthglowedfierceandunquenchableinthebosomofCarbajal。
Thedateofhisbirthcarriesusbacktowardsthemiddleofthefifteenthcentury,beforethetimesofFerdinandandIsabella。Hewasofobscureparentage,andborn,asitissaid,atArevalo。ForfortyyearsheservedintheItalianwars,underthemostillustriouscaptainsoftheday,GonsalvodeCordova,Navarro,andtheColonnas。HewasanensignatthebattleofRavenna;witnessedthecaptureofFrancistheFirstatPavia;andfollowedthebanneroftheill-starredBourbonatthesackofRome。Hegotnogoldforhisshareofthebooty,onthisoccasion,butsimplythepapersofanotary\'soffice,which,Carbajalshrewdlythought,wouldbeworthgoldtohim。Andsoitproved;forthenotarywasfaintoredeemthematapricewhichenabledtheadventurertocrosstheseastoMexico,andseekhisfortuneintheNewWorld。OntheinsurrectionofthePeruvians,hewassenttothesupportofFrancisPizarro,andwasrewardedbythatchiefwithagrantoflandinCuzco。Hereheremainedforseveralyears,busilyemployedinincreasinghissubstance;fortheloveoflucrewasarulingpassioninhisbosom。OnthearrivalofVacadeCastro,wefindhimdoinggoodserviceundertheroyalbanner;andatthebreakingoutofthegreatrebellionunderGonzaloPizarro,heconvertedhispropertyintogold,andpreparedtoreturntoCastile。Heseemedtohaveapresentimentthattoremainwherehewaswouldbefatal。But,althoughhemadeeveryefforttoleavePeru,hewasunsuccessful,fortheviceroyhadlaidanembargoontheshipping。7Heremainedinthecountry,therefore,andtookservice,aswehaveseen,thoughreluctantly,underPizarro。Itwashisdestiny。
Thetumultuouslifeonwhichhenowenteredrousedalltheslumberingpassionsofhissoul,whichlaythere,perhapsunconsciouslytohimself;
cruelty,avarice,revenge。Hefoundampleexercisefortheminthewarwithhiscountrymen;forcivilwarisproverbiallythemostsanguinaryandferociousofall。TheatrocitiesrecordedofCarbajal,inhisnewcareer,andthenumberofhisvictims,arescarcelycredible。Forthehonorofhumanity,wemaytrusttheaccountsaregreatlyexaggerated;
butthatheshouldhavegivenrisetothematallissufficienttoconsignhisnametoinfamy。8
Heeventookadiabolicalpleasure,itissaid,inamusinghimselfwiththesufferingsofhisvictims,andinthehourofexecutionwouldgiveutterancetofrightfuljests,thatmadethemtastemorekeenlythebitternessofdeath!Hehadasportivevein,ifsuchitcouldbecalled,whichhefreelyindulgedoneveryoccasion。Manyofhissallieswerepreservedbythesoldiery;buttheyare,forthemostpart,ofacoarse,repulsivecharacter,flowingfromamindfamiliarwiththeweakandwickedsideofhumanity,anddistrustingeveryother。Hehadhisjestforeverything,——forthemisfortunesofothers,andforhisown。Helookedonlifeasafarce,——thoughhetoooftenmadeitatragedy。
Carbajalmustbeallowedonevirtue;thatoffidelitytohisparty。Thismadehimlesstoleranttoperfidyinothers。Hewasneverknowntoshowmercytoarenegade。Thisundeviatingfidelity,thoughtoabadcause,maychallengesomethinglikeafeelingofrespect,wherefidelitywassorare。9
Asamilitaryman,CarbajaltakesahighrankamongthesoldiersoftheNewWorld。Hewasstrict,evensevere,inenforcingdiscipline,sothathewaslittlelovedbyhisfollowers。Whetherhehadthegeniusformilitarycombinationsrequisiteforconductingwaronanextendedscalemaybedoubted;butintheshiftsandturnsofguerillawarfarehewasunrivalled。Prompt,active,andpersevering,hewasinsensibletodangerorfatigue,and,afterdaysspentinthesaddle,seemedtoattachlittlevaluetotheluxuryofabed。10
Heknewfamiliarlyeverymountainpass,and,suchwerethesagacityandtheresourcesdisplayedinhisrovingexpeditions,thathewasvulgarlybelievedtobeattendedbyafamiliar。11Withacharactersoextraordinary,withpowersprolongedsofarbeyondtheusualtermofhumanity,andpassionssofierceinonetotteringonthevergeofthegrave,itwasnotsurprisingthatmanyfabulousstoriesshouldbeeagerlycirculatedrespectinghim,andthatCarbajalshouldbeclothedwithmysteriousterrorsasasortofsupernaturalbeing,——thedemonoftheAndes!
VerydifferentwerethecircumstancesattendingtheclosingsceneofGonzaloPizarro。Athisrequest,noonehadbeenallowedtovisithiminhisconfinement。Hewasheardpacinghistentduringthegreaterpartoftheday,andwhennightcame,havingascertainedfromCentenothathisexecutionwastotakeplaceonthefollowingnoon,helaidhimselfdowntorest。Hedidnotsleeplong,however,butsoonrose,andcontinuedtotraversehisapartment,asifburiedinmeditation,tilldawn。Hethensentforaconfessor,andremainedwithhimtillafterthehourofnoon,takinglittleornorefreshment。Theofficersofjusticebecameimpatient;buttheireagernesswassternlyrebukedbythesoldiery,manyofwhom,havingservedunderGonzalo\'sbanner,weretouchedwithpityforhismisfortunes。
Whenthechieftaincameforthtoexecution,heshowedinhisdressthesameloveofmagnificenceanddisplayasinhappierdays。Overhisdoubletheworeasuperbcloakofyellowvelvet,stiffwithgoldembroidery,whilehisheadwasprotectedbyacapofthesamematerials,richlydecorated,inlikemanner,withornamentsofgold。12Inthisgaudyattirehemountedhismule,andthesentencewassofarrelaxedthathisarmsweresufferedtoremainunshackled。Hewasescortedbyagoodlynumberofpriestsandfriars,whoheldupthecrucifixbeforehiseyes,whilehecarriedinhisownhandanimageoftheVirgin。ShehadeverbeenthepeculiarobjectofPizarro\'sdevotion;somuchso,thatthosewhoknewhimbestinthehourofhisprosperitywerecareful,whentheyhadapetition,topreferitinthenameoftheblessedMary。
Pizarro\'slipswerefrequentlypressedtotheemblemofhisdivinity,whilehiseyeswerebentonthecrucifixinapparentdevotion,heedlessoftheobjectsaroundhim。Onreachingthescaffold,heascendeditwithafirmstep,andaskedleavetoaddressafewwordstothesoldierygatheredroundit。\"Therearemanyamongyou,\"saidhe,\"whohavegrownrichonmybrother\'sbounty,andmyown。Yet,ofallmyriches,nothingremainstomebutthegarmentsIhaveon;andeventhesearenotmine,butthepropertyoftheexecutioner。Iamwithoutmeans,therefore,topurchaseamassforthewelfareofmysoul;andIimploreyou,bytheremembranceofpastbenefits,toextendthischaritytomewhenIamgone,thatitmaybewellwithyouinthehourofdeath。\"Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthemartialmultitude,brokenonlybysighsandgroans,astheylistenedtoPizarro\'srequest;anditwasfaithfullyrespondedto,since,afterhisdeath,massesweresaidinmanyofthetownsforthewelfareofthedepartedchieftain。
Then,kneelingdownbeforeacrucifixplacedonatable,Pizarroremainedforsomeminutesabsorbedinprayer;afterwhich,addressingthesoldierwhowastoactastheministerofjustice,hecalmlybadehim\"dohisdutywithasteadyhand\"Herefusedtohavehiseyesbandaged,and,bendingforwardhisneck,submittedittotheswordoftheexecutioner,whostruckofftheheadwithasingleblow,sotruethatthebodyremainedforsomemomentsinthesameerectpostureasinlife。13
TheheadwastakentoLima,whereitwassetinacageorframe,andthenfixedonagibbetbythesideofCarbajal\'s。Onitwasplacedalabel,bearing,-\"ThisistheheadofthetraitorGonzaloPizarro,whorebelledinPeruagainsthissovereign,andbattledinthecauseoftyrannyandtreasonagainsttheroyalstandardinthevalleyofXaquixaguana。\"14
Hislargeestates,includingtherichminesinPotosi,wereconfiscated;
hismansioninLimawasrazedtotheground,theplacestrewedwithsalt,andastonepillarsetup,withaninscriptioninterdictinganyonefrombuildingonaspotwhichhadbeenprofanedbytheresidenceofatraitor。
Gonzalo\'sremainswerenotexposedtotheindignitiesinflictedonCarbajal\'s,whosequarterswerehunginchainsonthefourgreatroadsleadingtoCuzco。CentenosavedPizarro\'sbodyfrombeingstripped,byredeeminghiscostlyraimentfromtheexecutioner,andinthissumptuousshrouditwaslaidinthechapeloftheconventofOurLadyofMercyinCuzco。Itwasthesamespotwhere,sidebyside,laythebloodyremainsoftheAlmagros,fatherandson,whoinlikemannerhadperishedbythehandofjustice,andwereindebtedtoprivatecharityfortheirburial。Allthesewerenowconsigned\"tothesamegrave,\"saysthehistorian,withsomebitterness,\"asifPerucouldnotaffordlandenoughforaburial-
placetoitsconquerors。\"15
GonzaloPizarrohadreachedonlyhisforty-secondyearatthetimeofhisdeath,——beingjusthalfthespaceallottedtohisfollowerCarbajal。HewastheyoungestoftheremarkablefamilytowhomSpainwasindebtedfortheacquisitionofPeru。HecameovertothecountrywithhisbrotherFrancisco,onthereturnofthelatterfromhisvisittoCastile。GonzalowaspresentinalltheremarkablepassagesoftheConquest。HewitnessedtheseizureofAtahuallpa,tookanactivepartinsuppressingtheinsurrectionoftheIncas,andespeciallyinthereductionofCharcas。
HeafterwardsledthedisastrousexpeditiontotheAmazon;and,finally,headedthememorablerebellionwhichendedsofatallytohimself。
Therearebutfewmenwhoselivesaboundinsuchwildandromanticadventure,and,forthemostpart,crownedwithsuccess。Thespacewhichheoccupiesinthepageofhistoryisaltogetherdisproportionedtohistalents。Itmaybeinsomemeasureascribedtofortune,butstillmoretothoseshowyqualitieswhichformasortofsubstituteformentaltalent,andwhichsecuredhispopularitywiththevulgar。
Hehadabrilliantexterior;excelledinallmartialexercises;rodewell,fencedwell,managedhislancetoperfection,wasafirst-ratemarksmanwiththearquebuse,andaddedtheaccomplishmentofbeinganexcellentdraughtsman。Hewasboldandchivalrous,eventotemerity;courtedadventure,andwasalwaysinthefrontofdanger。Hewasaknight-
errant,inshort,inthemostextravagantsenseoftheterm,and,\"mountedonhisfavoritecharger,\"saysonewhohadoftenseenhim,\"madenomoreaccountofasquadronofIndiansthanofaswarmofflies。\"16
Whilethus,byhisbrilliantexploitsandshowymanners,hecaptivatedtheimaginationsofhiscountrymen,hewontheirheartsnolessbyhissoldier-likefrankness,histrustintheirfidelity,——toooftenabused,-andhisliberallargesses;forPizarro,thoughavariciousofthepropertyofothers,was,liketheRomanconspirator,prodigalofhisown。Thiswashisportraitinhappierdays,whenhishearthadnotbeencorruptedbysuccess;forthatsomechangewaswroughtonhimbyhisprosperityiswellattested。Hisheadwasmadegiddybyhiselevation;anditisproofofawantoftalentequaltohissuccess,thatheknewnothowtoprofitbyit。Obeyingthedictatesofhisownrashjudgment,herejectedthewarningsofhiswisestcounsellors,andreliedwithblindconfidenceonhisdestiny。Garcilassoimputesthistothemalignantinfluenceofthestars。17Butthesuperstitiouschroniclermighthavebetterexplaineditbyacommonprincipleofhumannature;bythepresumptionnourishedbysuccess;theinsanity,astheRoman,orratherGrecian,proverbcallsit,withwhichthegodsafflictmenwhentheydesigntoruinthem。18
Gonzalowaswithouteducation,exceptsuchashehadpickedupintheroughschoolofwar。Hehadlittleevenofthatwisdomwhichspringsfromnaturalshrewdnessandinsightintocharacter。Inallthishewasinferiortohiselderbrothers,althoughhefullyequalledtheminambition。Hadhepossessedatitheoftheirsagacity,hewouldnothavemadlypersistedinrebellion,afterthecomingofthepresident。Beforethisperiod,herepresentedthepeople。Theirinterestsandhiswereunited。Hehadtheirsupport,forhewascontendingfortheredressoftheirwrongs。Whenthesewereredressedbythegovernment,therewasnothingtocontendfor。Fromthattime,hewasbattlingonlyforhimself。
Thepeoplehadnopartnorinterestinthecontest。Withoutacommonsympathytobindthemtogether,wasitstrangethattheyshouldfallofffromhim,likeleavesinwinter,andleavehimexposed,abareandsaplesstrunk,tothefuryofthetempest?
Cepeda,morecriminalthanPizarro,sincehehadbothsuperioreducationandintelligence,whichheemployedonlytomisleadhiscommander,didnotlongsurvivehim。Hehadcometothecountryinanofficeofhighresponsibility。Hisfirststepwastobetraytheviceroywhomhewassenttosupport;hisnextwastobetraytheAudiencewithwhomheshouldhaveacted;andlastly,hebetrayedtheleaderwhomhemostaffectedtoserve。Hiswholecareerwastreacherytohisowngovernment。Hislifewasonelongperfidy。
Afterhissurrender,severalofthecavaliers,disgustedathiscoldbloodedapostasy,wouldhavepersuadedGascatosendhimtoexecutionalongwithhiscommander;butthepresidentrefused,inconsiderationofthesignalservicehehadrenderedtheCrownbyhisdefection。Hewasputunderarrest,however,andsenttoCastile。Therehewasarraignedforhigh-treason。Hemadeaplausibledefence,andashehadfriendsatcourt,itisnotimprobablehewouldhavebeenacquitted;but,beforethetrialwasterminated,hediedinprison。Itwastheretributivejusticenotalwaystobefoundintheaffairsofthisworld。19
Indeed,itsohappened,thatseveralofthosewhohadbeenmostforwardtoabandonthecauseofPizarrosurvivedtheircommanderbutashorttime。ThegallantCenteno,andtheLicentiateCarbajal,whodesertedhimnearLima,andboretheroyalstandardonthefieldofXaquixaguana,bothdiedwithinayearafterPizarro。HinojosawasassassinatedbuttwoyearslaterinLaPlata;andhisoldcomradeValdivia,afteraseriesofbrilliantexploitsinChili,whichfurnishedhermostgloriousthemetotheepicMuseofCastile,wascutoffbytheinvinciblewarriorsofArauco。TheManesofPizarrowereamplyavenged。
Acosta,andthreeorfourothercavalierswhosurrenderedwithGonzalo,weresenttoexecutiononthesamedaywiththeirchief;andGasca,onthemorningfollowingthedismaltragedy,brokeuphisquartersandmarchedwithhiswholearmytoCuzco,wherehewasreceivedbythepoliticpeoplewiththesameenthusiasmwhichtheyhadsorecentlyshowntohisrival。Hefoundthereanumberoftherebelarmywhobadtakenrefugeinthecityaftertheirlatedefeat,wheretheywereimmediatelyplacedunderarrest。Proceedings,byGasca\'scommand,wereinstitutedagainstthem。Theprincipalcavaliers,tothenumberoftenortwelve,wereexecuted;otherswerebanishedorsenttothegalleys。
Thesamerigorousdecreeswerepassedagainstsuchashadfledandwerenotyettaken;andtheestatesofallwereconfiscated。Theestatesoftherebelssuppliedafundfortherecompenseoftheloyal。20Theexecutionofjusticemayseemtohavebeensevere;butGascawaswillingthattherodshouldfallheavilyonthosewhohadsooftenrejectedhisproffersofgrace。Lenitywaswastedonarude,licentioussoldiery,whohardlyrecognizedtheexistenceofgovernment,unlesstheyfeltitsrigor。
Anewdutynowdevolvedonthepresident,——thatofrewardinghisfaithfulfollowers,——notlessdifficult,asitproved,thanthatofpunishingtheguilty。Theapplicantswerenumerous;sinceeveryonewhohadraisedafingerinbehalfofthegovernmentclaimedhisreward。Theyurgedtheirdemandswithaclamorousimportunitywhichperplexedthegoodpresident,andconsumedeverymomentofhistime。
Disgustedwiththisunprofitablestateofthings,Gascaresolvedtoridhimselfoftheannoyanceatonce,byretiringtothevalleyofGuaynarima,abouttwelveleaguesdistantfromthecity,andtheredigesting,inquiet,aschemeofcompensation,adjustedtothemeritsoftheparties。Hewasaccompaniedonlybyhissecretary,andbyLoaysa,nowarchbishopofLima,amanofsense,andwellacquaintedwiththeaffairsofthecountry。Inthisseclusionthepresidentremainedthreemonths,makingacarefulexaminationintotheconflictingclaims,andapportioningtheforfeituresamongthepartiesaccordingtotheirrespectiveservices。Therepartimientos,itshouldberemarked,wereusuallygrantedonlyforlife,and,onthedeathoftheincumbent,revertedtotheCrown,tobereassignedorretainedatitspleasure。
Whenhisarduoustaskwascompleted,GascadeterminedtowithdrawtoLima,leavingtheinstrumentofpartitionwiththearchbishop,tobecommunicatedtothearmy。Notwithstandingallthecarethathadbeentakenforanequitableadjustment,Gascawasawarethatitwasimpossibletosatisfythedemandsofajealousandirritablesoldiery,whereeachmanwouldbelikelytoexaggeratehisowndeserts,whileheunderratedthoseofhiscomrades;andhedidnotcaretoexposehimselftoimportunitiesandcomplaintsthatcouldservenootherpurposethantoannoyhim。
Onhisdeparture,thetroopswerecalledtogetherbythearchbishopinthecathedral,tolearnthecontentsofthescheduleintrustedtohim。A
discoursewasfirstpreachedbyaworthyDominican,thepriorofArequipa,inwhichthereverendfatherexpatiatedonthevirtueofcontentment,thedutyofobedience,andthefolly,aswellaswickedness,ofanattempttoresisttheconstitutedauthorities,——topics,inshort,whichheconceivedmightbestconciliatethegood-willandconformityofhisaudience。
Aletterfromthepresidentwasthenreadfromthepulpit。Itwasaddressedtotheofficersandsoldiersofthearmy。Thewriterbeganwithbrieflyexposingthedifficultiesofhistask,owingtothelimitedamountofthegratuities,andthegreatnumberandservicesoftheclaimants。Hehadgiventhematterthemostcarefulconsideration,hesaid,andendeavoredtoassigntoeachhisshare,accordingtohisdeserts,withoutprejudiceorpartiality。Hehad,nodoubt,fallenintoerrors,buthetrustedhisfollowerswouldexcusethem,whentheyreflectedthathehaddoneaccordingtothebestofhispoorabilities;andall,hebelieved,woulddohimthejusticetoacknowledgehehadnotbeeninfluencedbymotivesofpersonalinterest。Heboreemphatictestimonytotheservicestheyhadrenderedtothegoodcause,andconcludedwiththemostaffectionatewishesfortheirfutureprosperityandhappiness。TheletterwasdatedatGuaynarima,August17,1548,andborethesimplesignatureoftheLicentiateGasca。21
Thearchbishopnextreadthepapercontainingthepresident\'saward。
Theannualrentoftheestatestobedistributedamountedtoahundredandthirtythousandpesosensayados;22alargeamount,consideringtheworthofmoneyinthatday,——inanyothercountrythanPeru,wheremoneywasadrug。23
Therepartimientosthusdistributedvariedinvaluefromonehundredtothirty-fivehundredpesosofyearlyrent;all,apparently,graduatedwiththenicestprecisiontothemeritsoftheparties。Thenumberofpensionerswasabouttwohundredandfifty;forthefundwouldnothavesufficedforgeneraldistribution,norweretheservicesofthegreaterpartdeemedworthyofsuchamarkofconsideration。24
Theeffectproducedbythedocument,onmenwhosemindswerefilledwiththemostindefiniteexpectations,wasjustsuchashadbeenanticipatedbythepresident。Itwasreceivedwithageneralmurmurofdisapprobation。Eventhosewhohadgotmorethantheyexpectedwerediscontented,oncomparingtheirconditionwiththatoftheircomrades,whomtheythoughtstillbetterremuneratedinproportiontotheirdeserts。
TheyespeciallyinveighedagainstthepreferenceshowntotheoldpartisansofGonzaloPizarro——asHinojosa,Centeno,andAldana-overthosewhohadalwaysremainedloyaltotheCrown。Therewassomegroundforsuchapreference;fornonehadrenderedsoessentialservicesincrushingtherebellion;anditwastheseservicesthatGascaproposedtorecompense。Torewardeverymanwhohadprovedhimselfloyal,simplyforhisloyalty,wouldhavefritteredawaythedonativeintofractionsthatwouldbeoflittlevaluetoany。25
Itwasinvain,however,thatthearchbishop,secondedbysomeoftheprincipalcavaliers,endeavoredtoinfuseamorecontentedspiritintothemultitude。Theyinsistedthattheawardshouldberescinded,andanewonemadeonmoreequitableprinciples;threatening,moreover,that,ifthiswerenotdonebythepresident,theywouldtaketheredressofthematterintotheirownhands。Theirdiscontent,fomentedbysomemischievouspersonswhothoughttofindtheiraccountinit,atlengthproceededsofarastomenaceamutiny;anditwasnotsuppressedtillthecommanderofCuzcosentencedoneoftheringleaderstodeath,andseveralotherstobanishment。TheironsoldieryoftheConquestrequiredanironhandtorulethem。
Meanwhile,thepresidenthadcontinuedhisjourneytowardsLima;andonthewaywaseverywherereceivedbythepeoplewithanenthusiasm,themoregratefultohisheartthathefelthehaddeservedit。Ashedrewnearthecapital,theloyalinhabitantspreparedtogivehimamagnificentreception。Thewholepopulationcameforthfromthegates,ledbytheauthoritiesofthecity,withAldanaascorregidorattheirhead。Gascarodeonamule,dressedinhisecclesiasticalrobes。Onhisright,borneonahorserichlycaparisoned,wastheroyalseal,inaboxcuriouslychasedandornamented。Agorgeouscanopyofbrocadewassupportedabovehisheadbytheofficersofthemunicipality,who,intheirrobesofcrimsonvelvet,walkedbareheadedbyhisside。Gaytroopsofdancers,clothedinfantasticdressesofgaudy-coloredsilk,followedtheprocession,strewingflowersandchantingversesastheywent,inhonorofthepresident。Theyweredesignedasemblematicalofthedifferentcitiesofthecolony;andtheyborelegendsormottoesinrhymeontheircaps,intimatingtheirloyaldevotiontotheCrown,andevincingmuchmoreloyaltyintheircomposition,itmaybeadded,thanpoeticalmerit。26Inthisway,withoutbeatofdrum,ornoiseofartillery,oranyoftherudeaccompanimentsofwar,thegoodpresidentmadehispeacefulentryintotheCityoftheKings,whiletheairwasrentwiththeacclamationsofthepeople,whohailedhimastheir\"FatherandDeliverer,theSaviouroftheircountry!\"27
But,howevergratefulwasthishomagetoGasca\'sheart,hewasnotamantowastehistimeinidlevanities。Henowthoughtonlybywhatmeanshecoulderadicatetheseedsofdisorderwhichshotupsoreadilyinthisfruitfulsoil,andhowhecouldplacetheauthorityofthegovernmentonapermanentbasis。Byvirtueofhisoffice,hepresidedovertheRoyalAudience,thegreatjudicial,and,indeed,executivetribunalofthecolony;andhegavegreatdespatchtothebusiness,whichhadmuchaccumulatedduringthelatedisturbances。Intheunsettledstateofproperty,therewasabundantsubjectforlitigation;but,fortunately,thenewAudiencewascomposedofable,uprightjudges,wholaboreddiligentlywiththeirchieftocorrectthemischiefcausedbythemisruleoftheirpredecessors。
NeitherwasGascaunmindfuloftheunfortunatenatives;andheoccupiedhimselfearnestlywiththatdifficultproblem,——thebestmeanspracticableofamelioratingtheircondition。Hesentanumberofcommissioners,asvisitors,intodifferentpartsofthecountry,whosebusinessitwastoinspecttheencomiendas,andascertainthemannerinwhichtheIndiansweretreated,byconversingnotonlywiththeproprietors,butwiththenativesthemselves。TheywerealsotolearnthenatureandextentofthetributespaidinformertimesbythevassalsoftheIncas。28
Inthisway,alargeamountofvaluableinformationwasobtained,whichenabledGasca,withtheaidofacouncilofecclesiasticsandjurists,todigestauniformsystemoftaxationforthenatives,lightereventhanthatimposedonthembythePeruvianprinces。Thepresidentwouldgladlyhaverelievedtheconqueredracesfromtheobligationsofpersonalservice;but,onmatureconsideration,thiswasjudgedimpracticableinthepresentstateofthecountry,sincethecolonists,moreespeciallyinthetropicalregions,lookedtothenativesfortheperformanceoflabor,andthelatter,itwasfoundfromexperience,wouldnotworkatall,unlesscompelledtodoso。Thepresident,however,limitedtheamountofservicetobeexactedwithgreatprecision,sothatitwasinthenatureofamoderatepersonaltax。NoPeruvianwastoberequiredtochangehisplaceofresidence,fromtheclimatetowhichhehadbeenaccustomed,toanother;afruitfulsourceofdiscomfort,aswellasofdisease,inpasttimes。Bythesevariousregulations,theconditionofthenatives,thoughnotsuchashadbeencontemplatedbythesanguinephilanthropyofLasCasas,wasimprovedfarmorethanwascompatiblewiththecravingdemandsofthecolonists;andallthefirmnessoftheAudiencewasrequiredtoenforceprovisionssounpalatabletothelatter。
Stilltheywereenforced。Slavery,initsmostodioussense,wasnolongertoleratedinPeru。Theterm\"slave\"wasnotrecognizedashavingrelationtoherinstitutions;andthehistorianoftheIndiesmakestheproudboast,——itshouldhavebeenqualifiedbythelimitationsIhavenoticed,——thateveryIndianvassalmightaspiretotherankofafreeman。29
Besidesthesereforms,Gascaintroducedseveralinthemunicipalgovernmentofthecities,andothersyetmoreimportantinthemanagementofthefinances,andinthemodeofkeepingtheaccounts。
Bytheseandotherchangesintheinternaleconomyofthecolony,heplacedtheadministrationonanewbasis,andgreatlyfacilitatedthewayforamoresureandorderlygovernmentbyhissuccessors。Asafinalstep,tosecurethereposeofthecountryafterhewasgone,hedetachedsomeofthemoreaspiringcavaliersondistantexpeditions,trustingthattheywoulddrawoffthelightandrestlessspirits,whomightotherwisegathertogetheranddisturbthepublictranquillity;aswesometimesseethemistswhichhavebeenscatteredbythegenialinfluenceofthesunbecomecondensed,andsettleintoastorm,onhisdeparture。30
GascahadbeennowmorethanfifteenmonthsinLima,andnearlythreeyearshadelapsedsincehisfirstentranceintoPeru。Inthattime,hehadaccomplishedthegreatobjectsofhismission。Whenhelanded,hefoundthecolonyinastateofanarchy,orratherorganizedrebellionunderapowerfulandpopularchief。Hecamewithoutfundsorforcestosupporthim。Theformerheprocuredthroughthecreditwhichheestablishedinhisgoodfaith;thelatterhewonoverbyargumentandpersuasionfromtheverypersonstowhomtheyhadbeenconfidedbyhisrival。Thusheturnedthearmsofthatrivalagainsthimself。Byacalmappealtoreasonhewroughtachangeintheheartsofthepeople;and,withoutcostingadropofbloodtoasingleloyalsubject,hesuppressedarebellionwhichhadmenacedSpainwiththelossofthewealthiestofherprovinces。Hehadpunishedtheguilty,andintheirspoilsfoundthemeanstorecompensethefaithful。Hehad,moreover,sowellhusbandedtheresourcesofthecountry,thathewasenabledtopayoffthelargeloanhehadnegotiatedwiththemerchantsofthecolony,fortheexpensesofthewar,exceedingninehundredthousandpesosdeoro。31Nay,more,byhiseconomyhehadsavedamillionandahalfofducatsforthegovernment,whichforsomeyearshadreceivednothingfromPeru;andhenowproposedtocarrybackthisacceptabletreasuretoswelltheroyalcoffers。32Allthishadbeenaccomplishedwithoutthecostofout-fitorsalary,oranychargetotheCrownexceptthatofhisownfrugalexpenditure。33Thecountrywasnowinastateoftranquillity。Gascafeltthathisworkwasdone;andthathewasfreetogratifyhisnaturallongingtoreturntohisnativeland。
Beforehisdeparture,hearrangedadistributionofthoserepartimientoswhichhadlapsedtotheCrownduringthepastyearbythedeathoftheincumbents。LifewasshortinPeru;sincethosewholivedbythesword,iftheydidnotdiebythesword,toooftenfellearlyvictimstothehardshipsincidenttotheiradventurouscareer。Manyweretheapplicantsforthenewbountyofgovernment;and,asamongthemweresomeofthosewhohadbeendiscontentedwiththeformerpartition,Gascawasassailedbyremonstrances,andsometimesbyreproachescouchedinnoverydecorousorrespectfullanguage。Buttheyhadnopowertodisturbhisequanimity;hepatientlylistened,andrepliedtoallinthemildtoneofexpostulationbestcalculatedtoturnawaywrath;\"bythisvictoryoverhimself,\"saysanoldwriter,\"acquiringmorerealglory,thanbyallhisvictoriesoverhisenemies。\"34
Anincidentoccurredontheeveofhisdeparture,touchinginitself,andhonorabletothepartiesconcerned。TheIndiancaciquesoftheneighboringcountry,mindfulofthegreatbenefitshehadrenderedtheirpeople,presentedhimwithaconsiderablequantityofplateintokenoftheirgratitude。ButGascarefusedtoreceiveit,thoughindoingsohegavemuchconcerntothePeruvians,whofearedtheyhadunwittinglyfallenunderhisdispleasure。
Manyoftheprincipalcolonists,also,fromthesamewishtoshowtheirsenseofhisimportantservices,senttohim,afterhehadembarked,amagnificentdonativeoffiftythousandgoldcastellanos。\"AshehadtakenleaveofPeru,\"theysaid,\"therecouldbenolongeranygroundfordecliningit。\"ButGascawasasdecidedinhisrejectionofthispresent,ashehadbeenoftheother。\"Hehadcometothecountry,\"heremarked,\"toservetheking,andtosecuretheblessingsofpeacetotheinhabitants;
andnowthat,bythefavorofHeaven,hehadbeenpermittedtoaccomplishthis,hewouldnotdishonorthecausebyanyactthatmightthrowsuspiciononthepurityofhismotives。\"Notwithstandinghisrefusal,thecolonistscontrivedtosecretethesumoftwentythousandcastellanosonboardhisvessel,withtheidea,that,onceinhisowncountry,withhismissionconcluded,thepresident\'sscrupleswouldberemoved。Gascadid,indeed,acceptthedonative;forhefeltthatitwouldbeungracioustosenditback;butitwasonlytillhecouldascertaintherelativesofthedonors,whenhedistributeditamongthemostneedy。35
Havingnowsettledallhisaffairs,thepresidentcommittedthegovernment,untilthearrivalofaviceroy,tohisfaithfulpartnersoftheRoyalAudience;andinJanuary,1550heembarkedwiththeroyaltreasureonboardofasquadronforPanama。Hewasaccompaniedtotheshorebyanumerouscrowdoftheinhabitants,cavaliersandcommonpeople,personsofallagesandconditions,whofollowedtotaketheirlastlookoftheirbenefactor,andwatchwithstrainingeyesthevesselthatborehimawayfromtheirland。
Hisvoyagewasprosperous,andearlyinMarchthepresidentreachedhisdestinedport。Hestayedthereonlytillhecouldmusterhorsesandmulessufficienttocarrythetreasureacrossthemountains;forheknewthatthispartofthecountryaboundedinwild,predatoryspirits,whowouldbesorelytemptedtosomeactofviolencebyaknowledgeofthewealthwhichhehadwithhim。Pushingforward,therefore,hecrossedtheruggedIsthmus,and,afterapainfulmarch,arrivedinsafetyatNombredeDios。
Theeventjustifiedhisapprehensions。Hehadbeengonebutthreedays,whenaruffianhorde,aftermurderingthebishopofGuatemala,brokeintoPanamawiththedesignofinflictingthesamefateonthepresident,andofseizingthebooty。NosoonerwerethetidingscommunicatedtoGasca,than,withhisusualenergy,heleviedaforceandpreparedtomarchtothereliefoftheinvadedcapital。ButFortune——or,tospeakmorecorrectly,Providence——favoredhimhere,asusual;and,ontheeveofhisdeparture,helearnedthatthemaraudershadbeenmetbythecitizens,anddiscomfitedwithgreatslaughter。Disbandinghisforces,therefore,heequippedafleetofnineteenvesselstotransporthimselfandtheroyaltreasuretoSpain,wherehearrivedinsafety,enteringtheharborofSevilleafteralittlemorethanfouryearsfromtheperiodwhenhehadsailedfromthesameport。36
Greatwasthesensationthroughoutthecountrycausedbyhisarrival。
Mencouldhardlybelievethatresultssomomentoushadbeenaccomplishedinsoshortatimebyasingleindividual,——apoorecclesiastic,who,unaidedbygovernment,had,byhisownstrength,asitwere,putdownarebellionwhichhadsolongsetthearmsofSpainatdefiance!
TheemperorwasabsentinFlanders。HewasoverjoyedonlearningthecompletesuccessofGasca\'smission;andnotlesssatisfiedwiththetidingsofthetreasurehehadbroughtwithhim;fortheexchequer,rarelyfilledtooverflowing,hadbeenexhaustedbytherecenttroublesinGermany。Charlesinstantlywrotetothepresident,requiringhispresenceatcourt,thathemightlearnfromhisownlipstheparticularsofhisexpedition。Gasca,accordingly,attendedbyanumerousretinueofnoblesandcavaliers,——forwhodoesnotpayhomagetohimwhomthekingdelightethtohonor?——embarkedatBarcelona,and,afterafavorablevoyage,joinedtheCourtinFlanders。
Hewasreceivedbyhisroyalmaster,whofullyappreciatedhisservices,inamannermostgratefultohisfeelings;andnotlongafterwardhewasraisedtothebishopricofPalencia,——amodeofacknowledgmentbestsuitedtohischaracteranddeserts。Hereheremainedtill1561,whenhewaspromotedtothevacantseeofSiguenza。Therestofhisdayshepassedpeacefullyinthedischargeofhisepiscopalfunctions;honoredbyhissovereign,andenjoyingtheadmirationandrespectofhiscountrymen。37
Inhisretirement,hewasstillconsultedbythegovernmentinmattersofimportancerelatingtotheIndies。Thedisturbancesofthatunhappylandwererenewed,thoughonamuchsmallerscalethanbefore,soonafterthepresident\'sdeparture。Theywerechieflycausedbydiscontentwiththerepartimientos,andwiththeconstancyoftheAudienceinenforcingthebenevolentrestrictionsastothepersonalservicesofthenatives。Butthesetroublessubsided,afteraveryfewyears,underthewiseruleoftheMendozas,——twosuccessiveviceroysofthatillustrioushousewhichhasgivensomanyofitssonstotheserviceofSpain。Undertheirrule,themildyetdeterminedpolicywaspursued,ofwhichGascahadsettheexample。Theancientdistractionsofthecountrywerepermanentlyhealed。Withpeace,prosperityreturnedwithinthebordersofPeru;andtheconsciousnessofthebeneficentresultsofhislaborsmayhaveshedarayofsatisfaction,asitdidofglory,overtheeveningofthepresident\'slife。
ThatlifewasbroughttoacloseinNovember,1567,atanage,probably,notfarfromtheonefixedbythesacredwriterasthetermofhumanexistence。38HediedatValladolid,andwasburiedinthechurchofSantaMariaMagdalena,inthatcity,whichhehadbuiltandliberallyendowed。Hismonument,surmountedbythesculpturedeffigyofapriestinhissacerdotalrobes,isstilltobeseenthere,attractingtheadmirationofthetravellerbythebeautyofitsexecution。ThebannerstakenfromGonzaloPizarroonthefieldofXaquixaguanaweresuspendedoverhistomb,asthetrophiesofhismemorablemissiontoPeru。39Thebannershavelongsincemoulderedintodust,withtheremainsofhimwhosleptbeneaththem;butthememoryofhisgooddeedswillendureforever。40
Gascawasplaininperson,andhiscountenancewasfarfromcomely,Hewasawkwardandill-proportioned;forhislimbsweretoolongforhisbody,——sothatwhenherode,heappearedtobemuchshorterthanhereallywas。41Hisdresswashumble,hismannerssimple,andtherewasnothingimposinginhispresence。But,onanearerintercourse,therewasacharminhisdiscoursethateffacedeveryunfavorableimpressionproducedbyhisexterior,andwontheheartsofhishearers。
Thepresident\'scharactermaybethoughttohavebeensufficientlyportrayedinthehistoryalreadygivenofhislife。Itpresentedacombinationofqualitieswhichgenerallyservetoneutralizeeachother,butwhichweremixedinsuchproportionsinhimastogiveitadditionalstrength。Hewasgentle,yetresolute;bynatureintrepid,yetpreferringtorelyonthesofterartsofpolicy。Hewasfrugalinhispersonalexpenditure,andeconomicalinthepublic;yetcaringnothingforrichesonhisownaccount,andneverstintinghisbountywhenthepublicgoodrequiredit。Hewasbenevolentandplacable,yetcoulddealsternlywiththeimpenitentoffender;lowlyinhisdeportment,yetwithafullmeasureofthatself-respectwhichspringsfromconsciousrectitudeofpurpose;
modestandunpretending,yetnotshrinkingfromthemostdifficultenterprises;deferringgreatlytoothers,yet,inthelastresort,relyingmainlyonhimself;movingwithdeliberation,——patientlywaitinghistime;
but,whenthatcame,bold,prompt,anddecisive。
Gasca,wasnotamanofgenius,inthevulgarsenseofthatterm。Atleast,nooneofhisintellectualpowersseemstohavereceivedanextraordinarydevelopment,beyondwhatisfoundinothers。Hewasnotagreatwriter,noragreatorator,noragreatgeneral。Hedidnotaffecttobeeither。Hecommittedthecareofhismilitarymatterstomilitarymen;
ofecclesiasticaltotheclergy;andhiscivilandjudicialconcernshereposedonthemembersoftheAudience。Hewasnotoneofthoselittlegreatmenwhoaspiretodoeverythingthemselves,undertheconvictionthatnothingcanbedonesowellbyothers。Butthepresidentwasakeenjudgeofcharacter。Whatevermightbetheoffice,heselectedthebestmanforit。Hedidmore。Heassuredhimselfofthefidelityofhisagents,presidedattheirdeliberations;dictatedagenerallineofpolicy,andthusinfusedaspiritofunityintotheirplans,whichmadeallmoveinconcerttotheaccomplishmentofonegrandresult。
Adistinguishingfeatureofhismindwashiscommonsense,——thebestsubstituteforgeniusinarulerwhohasthedestiniesofhisfellow-menathisdisposal,andmoreindispensablethangeniusitself。InGasca,thedifferentqualitieswereblendedinsuchharmony,thattherewasnoroomforexcess。Theyseemedtoregulateeachother。Whilehissympathywithmankindtaughthimthenatureoftheirwants,hisreasonsuggestedtowhatextentthesewerecapableofrelief,aswellasthebestmodeofeffectingit。Hedidnotwastehisstrengthonillusoryschemesofbenevolence,likeLasCasas,ontheonehand;nordidhecountenancetheselfishpolicyofthecolonists,ontheother。Heaimedatthepracticable,——thegreatestgoodpracticable。
Inaccomplishinghisobjects,hedisclaimedforceequallywithfraud。Hetrustedforsuccesstohispowerovertheconvictionsofhishearers;andthesourceofthispowerwastheconfidenceheinspiredinhisownintegrity。Amidstallthecalumniesoffaction,noimputationwasevercastontheintegrityofGasca。42NowonderthatavirtuesorareshouldbeofhighpriceinPeru。
Therearesomemenwhosecharactershavebeensowonderfullyadaptedtothepeculiarcrisisinwhichtheyappeared,thattheyseemtohavebeenspeciallydesignedforitbyProvidence。SuchwasWashington,inourowncountry,andGascainPeru。Wecanconceiveofindividualswithhigherqualities,atleastwithhigherintellectualqualities,thanbelongedtoeitherofthesegreatmen。Butitwasthewonderfulconformityoftheircharacterstotheexigenciesoftheirsituation,theperfectadaptationofthemeanstotheend,thatconstitutedthesecretoftheirsuccess;thatenabledGascasogloriouslytocrushrevolution,andWashingtonstillmoregloriouslytoachieveit。
Gasca\'sconductonhisfirstcomingtothecoloniesaffordsthebestillustrationofhischaracter。Hadhecomebackedbyamilitaryarray,orevenclothedintheparaphernaliaofauthority,everyheartandhandwouldhavebeenclosedagainsthim。Butthehumbleecclesiasticexcitednoapprehension;andhisenemieswerealreadydisarmed,beforehehadbegunhisapproaches。HadGasca,impatientofHinojosa\'stardiness,listenedtothesuggestionsofthosewhoadvisedhisseizure,hewouldhavebroughthiscauseintojeopardybythisearlydisplayofviolenceButhewiselychosetowinoverhisenemybyoperatingonhisconviction。
Inlikemanner,hewaitedhistimeformakinghisentryintoPeru。Hesufferedhiscommunicationstodotheirworkinthemindsofthepeople,andwascarefulnottothrustinthesicklebeforetheharvestwasripe。
Inthisway,whereverhewent,everythingwaspreparedforhiscoming;
andwhenhesetfootinPeru,thecountrywasalreadyhisown。
Afterthedarkandturbulentspiritswithwhichwehavebeenhithertooccupied,itisrefreshingtodwellonacharacterlikethatofGasca。Inthelongprocessionwhichhaspassedinreviewbeforeus,wehaveseenonlythemail-cladcavalier,brandishinghisbloodylance,andmountedonhiswar-horse,ridingoverthehelplessnatives,orbattlingwithhisownfriendsandbrothers;fierce,arrogant,andcruel,urgedonbythelustofgold,orthescarcemorehonorableloveofabastardglory。Mingledwiththesequalities,indeed,wehaveseensparklesofthechivalrousandromantictemperwhichbelongstotheheroicageofSpain。But,withsomehonorableexceptions,itwasthescumofherchivalrythatresortedtoPeru,andtookserviceunderthebannerofthePizarros。Atthecloseofthislongarrayofironwarriors,webeholdthepoorandhumblemissionarycomingintothelandonanerrandofmercy,andeverywhereproclaimingthegladtidingsofpeace。Nowarliketrumpetheraldshisapproach,norishiscoursetobetrackedbythegroansofthewoundedandthedying。Themeansheemploysareinperfectharmonywithhisend。Hisweaponsareargumentandmildpersuasion。Itisthereasonhewouldconquer,notthebody。Hewinshiswaybyconviction,notbyviolence。Itisamoralvictorytowhichheaspires,morepotent,andhappilymorepermanent,thanthatoftheblood-stainedconqueror。Ashethuscalmly,andimperceptibly,asitwere,comestohisgreatresults,hemayremindusoftheslow,insensiblemannerinwhichNatureworksouthergreatchangesinthematerialworld,thataretoendurewhentheravagesofthehurricanearepassedawayandforgotten。
WiththemissionofGascaterminatesthehistoryoftheConquestofPeru。TheConquest,indeed,strictlyterminateswiththesuppressionofthePeruvianrevolt,whenthestrength,ifnotthespirit,oftheIncaracewascrushedforever。Thereader,however,mightfeelanaturalcuriositytofollowtoitsclosethefateoftheremarkablefamilywhoachievedtheConquest。Norwouldthestoryoftheinvasionitselfbecompletewithoutsomeaccountofthecivilwarswhichgrewoutofit;whichserve,moreover,asamoralcommentaryonprecedingevents,byshowingthattheindulgenceoffierce,unbridledpassionsissuretorecoil,soonerorlater,eveninthislife,ontheheadsoftheguilty。
Itistrue,indeed,thatthetroublesofthecountrywererenewedonthedepartureofGasca。Thewatershadbeentoofearfullyagitatedtobestilled,atonce,intoacalm;buttheygraduallysubsided,underthetemperateruleofhissuccessors,whowiselyprofitedbyhispolicyandexample。Thustheinfluenceofthegoodpresidentremainedafterhewaswithdrawnfromthesceneofhislabors;andPeru,hithertosodistracted,continuedtoenjoyaslargeashareofreposeasanyportionofthecolonialempireofSpain。WiththebenevolentmissionofGasca,then,thehistorianoftheConquestmaybepermittedtoterminatehislabors,-
withfeelingsnotunlikethoseofthetravellerwho,havinglongjourneyedamongthedrearyforestsanddangerousdefilesofthemountains,atlengthemergesonsomepleasantlandscapesmilingintranquillityandpeace。
AugustindeZarate——ahighlyrespectableauthority,frequentlycitedinthelaterportionofthiswork——wasContadordeMercedes,ComptrollerofAccounts,forCastile。Thisofficehefilledforfifteenyears;afterwhichhewassentbythegovernmenttoPerutoexamineintothestateofthecolonialfinances,whichhadbeengreatlyderangedbytherecenttroubles,andtobringthem,ifpossible,intoorder。
ZaratewentoutaccordinglyinthetrainoftheviceroyBlascoNunez,andfoundhimself,throughthepassionsofhisimprudentleader,entangled,soonafterhisarrival,intheinextricablemeshesofcivildiscord。Inthestrugglewhichensued,heremainedwiththeRoyalAudience;andwefindhiminLima,ontheapproachofGonzaloPizarrotothatcapital,whenZaratewasdeputedbythejudgestowaitontheinsurgentchief,andrequirehimtodisbandhistroopsandwithdrawtohisownestates。Thehistorianexecutedthemission,forwhichheseemstohavehadlittlerelish,andwhichcertainlywasnotwithoutdanger。
Fromthisperiod,werarelyhearofhiminthetroubledscenesthatensued。Heprobablytooknofurtherpartinaffairsthanwasabsolutelyforcedonhimbycircumstances;buttheunfavorablebearingofhisremarksonGonzaloPizarrointimates,that,howeverhemayhavebeendiscontentedwiththeconductoftheviceroy,hedidnotcountenance,foramoment,thecriminalambitionofhisrival。ThetimeswerecertainlyunpropitioustotheexecutionofthefinancialreformsforwhichZaratehadcometoPeru。ButheshowedsomuchrealdevotiontotheinterestsoftheCrown,thattheemperor,onhisreturn,signifiedhissatisfactionbymakinghimSuperintendentoftheFinancesinFlanders。
SoonafterhisarrivalinPeru,heseemstohaveconceivedtheideaofmakinghiscountrymenathomeacquaintedwiththestirringeventspassinginthecolony,which,moreover,affordedsomestrikingpassagesforthestudyofthehistorian。Althoughhecollectednotesanddiaries,ashetellsus,forthispurpose,hedidnotdaretoavailhimselfofthemtillhisreturntoCastile。\"FortohavebegunthehistoryinPeru,\"hesays,\"wouldhavealonebeenenoughtoputmylifeinjeopardy;sinceacertaincommander,namedFranciscodeCarbajal,threatenedtotakevengeanceonanyonewhoshouldbesorashastoattempttherelationofhisexploits,——farlessdeserving,astheywere,tobeplacedonrecord,thantobeconsignedtoeternaloblivion。\"Inthissamecommander,thereaderwillreadilyrecognizetheveteranlieutenantofGonzaloPizarro。
Onhisreturnhome,Zaratesetaboutthecompilationofhiswork。HisfirstpurposewastoconfineittotheeventsthatfollowedthearrivalofBlascoNunez;buthesoonfound,that,tomaketheseintelligible,hemusttracethestreamofhistoryhigheruptowardsitssources。Heaccordinglyenlargedhisplan,and,beginningwiththediscoveryofPeru,gaveanentireviewoftheconquestandsubsequentoccupationofthecountry,bringingthenarrativedowntothecloseofGasca\'smission。Fortheearlierportionofthestory,hereliedontheaccountsofpersonswhotookaleadingpartintheevents。Hedisposesmoresummarilyofthisportionthanofthatinwhichhehimselfwasbothaspectatorandanactor;wherehistestimony,consideringtheadvantageshispositiongavehimforinformation,isofthehighestvalue。
AlcedoinhisBibliotecaAmericana,MS。,speaksofZarate\'sworkas\"containingmuchthatisgood,butasnotentitledtothepraiseofexactness。\"Hewroteundertheinfluenceofpartyheat,whichnecessarilyoperatestowarpthefairestmindsomewhatfromitsnaturalbent。Forthiswemustmakeallowance,inperusingaccountsofconflictingparties。Butthereisnointention,apparently,toturnthetruthasideinsupportofhisowncause;andhisaccesstothebestsourcesofknowledgeoftensuppliesuswithparticularsnotwithinthereachofotherchroniclers。Hisnarrativeisseasoned,moreover,withsensiblereflectionsandpassingcomments,thatopengleamsoflightintothedarkpassagesofthateventfulperiod。Yetthestyleoftheauthorcanmakebutmoderatepretensionstothepraiseofeleganceorexactness;whilethesentencesrunintothattedious,interminablelengthwhichbelongstothegarrulouscompositionsoftheregularthoroughbredchronicleroftheoldentime。
Thepersonalities,necessarilyincident,moreorless,tosuchawork,leditsauthortoshrinkfrompublication,atleastduringhislife。BythejealousspiritoftheCastiliancavalier,\"censure,\"hesays,\"howeverlight,isregardedwithindignation,andevenpraiseisrarelydealtoutinameasuresatisfactorytothesubjectofit。\"Andheexpresseshisconvictionthatthosedowisely,whoallowtheiraccountsoftheirowntimestoreposeinthequietsecurityofmanuscript,tillthegenerationthatistobeaffectedbythemhaspassedaway。Hisownmanuscript,however,wassubmittedtotheemperor;anditreceivedsuchcommendationfromthisroyalauthority,thatZarate,pluckingupamorecourageousspirit,consentedtogiveittothepress。ItaccordinglyappearedatAntwerp,in1555,inoctavo;andasecondeditionwasprinted,infolio,atSeville,in1577。IthassincebeenincorporatedinBarcia\'svaluablecollection;and,whateverindignationordispleasureitmayhaveexcitedamongcontemporaries,whosmartedundertheauthor\'scensure,orfeltthemselvesdefraudedoftheirlegitimateguerdon,Zarate\'sworkhastakenapermanentrankamongthemostrespectableauthoritiesforahistoryofthetime。
ThenameofZaratenaturallysuggeststhatofFernandez,forbothwerelaborersinthesamefieldofhistory。DiegoFernandezdePalencia,orPalentino,asheisusuallycalled,fromtheplaceofhisbirth,cameovertoPeru,andservedasaprivateintheroyalarmyraisedtoquelltheinsurrectionsthatbrokeoutafterGasca\'sreturntoCastile。Amidsthismilitaryoccupations,hefoundleisuretocollectmaterialsforahistoryoftheperiod,towhichhewasfurtherurgedbytheviceroy,Mendoza,MarquesdeCanete,whobestowedonhim,ashetellsus,thepostofChroniclerofPeru。ThismarkofconfidenceinhisliterarycapacityintimateshigherattainmentsinFernandezthanmightbeinferredfromthehumblestationthatheoccupied。Withthefruitsofhisresearchesthesoldier-chroniclerreturnedtoSpain,and,afteratime,completedhisnarrativeoftheinsurrectionofGiron。
ThemanuscriptwasseenbythePresidentoftheCounciloftheIndies,andhewassomuchpleasedwithitsexecution,thatheurgedtheauthortowritetheaccount,inlikemanner,ofGonzaloPizarro\'srebellion,andoftheadministrationofGasca。Thehistorianwasfurtherstimulated,ashementionsinhisdedicationtoPhiliptheSecond,bythepromiseofaguerdonfromthatmonarch,onthecompletionofhislabors;averyproper,aswellaspolitic,promise,butwhichinevitablysuggeststheideaofaninfluencenotaltogetherfavorabletoseverehistoricimpartiality。
Norwillsuchaninferencebefoundaltogetheratvariancewithtruth;forwhilethenarrativeofFernandezstudiouslyexhibitstheroyalcauseinthemostfavorableaspecttothereader,itdoesscantyjusticetotheclaimsoftheoppositeparty。Itwouldnotbemeet,indeed,thatanapologyforrebellionshouldbefoundinthepagesofaroyalpensioner;
buttherearealwaysmitigatingcircumstances,which,howeverwemaycondemntheguilt,mayservetolessenourindignationtowardstheguilty。ThesecircumstancesarenottobefoundinthepagesofFernandez。Itisunfortunateforthehistorianofsuchevents,thatitissodifficulttofindonedisposedtodoevenjusticetotheclaimsoftheunsuccessfulrebel。YettheIncaGarcilassohasnotshrunkfromthis,inthecaseofGonzaloPizarro;andevenGomara,thoughlivingundertheshadow,orratherinthesunshine,oftheCourt,hasoccasionallyventuredagenerousprotestinhisbehalf。
ThecountenancethusaffordedtoFernandezfromthehighestquarteropenedtohimthebestfountainsofintelligence,——atleast,onthegovernmentsideofthequarrel。Besidespersonalcommunicationwiththeroyalistleaders,hehadaccesstotheircorrespondence,diaries,andofficialdocuments。Heindustriouslyprofiledbyhisopportunities;andhisnarrative,takingupthestoryoftherebellionfromitsbirth,continuesittoitsfinalextinction,andtheendofGasca\'sadministration。ThustheFirstPartofhiswork,asitwasnowcalled,wasbroughtdowntothecommencementoftheSecond,andthewholepresentedacompletepictureofthedistractionsofthenation,tillaneworderofthingswasintroduced,andtranquillitywaspermanentlyestablishedthroughoutthecountry。
Thedictionissufficientlyplain,notaspiringtorhetoricalbeautiesbeyondthereachofitsauthor,andoutofkeepingwiththesimplecharacterofachronicle,Thesentencesarearrangedwithmoreartthaninmostoftheunwieldycompositionsofthetime;and,whilethereisnoattemptateruditionorphilosophicspeculation,thecurrentofeventsflowsoninanorderlymanner,tolerablyprolix,itistrue,butleavingaclearandintelligibleimpressiononthemindofthereader。Nohistoryofthatperiodcompareswithitinthecopiousnessofitsdetails;andithasaccordinglybeenresortedtobylatercompilers,asaninexhaustiblereservoirforthesupplyoftheirownpages;acircumstancethatmaybethoughtofitselftobearnoslighttestimonytothegeneralfidelity,aswellasfulness,ofthenarrative——TheChronicleofFernandez,thusarrangedintwoparts,underthegeneraltitleofHistoriadelPeru,wasgiventotheworldintheauthor\'slifetime,atSeville,in1571inonevolume,folio,beingtheeditionusedinthepreparationofthiswork。
End