Many other examples might be given of the secret liberalities of the marquis, who gave all his presents with his own hand that they might not be known. On this account, Almagro was always considered as more liberal, as his gifts were made in an ostentatious manner. They may be considered, however, as perfectly equal in their liberality and munificence; for, as the marquis used to acknowledge that all came from their common funds, being partners and associates in every thing derived from their joint discovery and conquest, the half of all that was given by one belonged to the other, so that he who consented to or participated in the present, was equally generous with the actual donor. Besides, in proof that they both deserved the praise of liberality, they were both during their lives prodigiously rich in ready money and vast revenues, beyond any person or prince not sovereign who had been known for many ages; yet both died so poor that no mention is made of the treasures or estates left by them; so that hardly at their deaths was there sufficient to defray the expences of their funerals; resembling in that respect Cato and Sylla and some other famous Romans, who were buried at the public charge.
Both were exceedingly kind to their servants and dependents, whom on all occasions they delighted to enrich and advance, and to rescue from dangers. In this last particular the marquis carried his attentions even to excess, as appears by the following instance. In passing a river called the Baranca, one of his Indian servants, of the Yanaconas tribe, was carried away by the strength of the current, on which the marquis plunged into the stream and swam after him, catching him by the hair, and saved him at the imminent hazard of his own life, in so rapid a current that the bravest and most vigorous man in his army durst hardly have made the attempt. When his officers blamed him for his rashness in thus exposing his life, he answered that none of them knew how to value a faithful servant. The marquis enjoyed the authority of governor much longer in tranquillity than Almagro; who, though he hardly enjoyed that authority at all, was more ambitious, and evinced a more ardent desire of exercising command. Both affected simplicity in dress, keeping to the same fashion in their old age which they had been accustomed to in their youth. In particular, the marquis used ordinarily to wear a close coat of black cloth, the wide skirts of which came down almost to his ankles, while the body had a very short waist and was closely fitted to his shape. His shoes were of white leather, with a white or grey hat, and a plain sword and dagger in the old fashion. Sometimes on festivals, by the entreaty of his servants, he wore a robe of fine fur which had been sent him by the Marquis del Valle; but immediately on his return from church he put it off, remaining in his shirt or a plain jacket, with a napkin hanging from his neck to wipe away sweat, as he usually passed most of the day when in peace in playing at bowls or tennis.
Both Pizarro and Almagro were exceedingly patient of labour and fatigue, and could submit better than most men to hunger and thirst and other privations; but especially the marquis, who was so vigorous that few young men were able to compete with him in his old days at athletic sports. The marquis in general was more addicted to play than Almagro, insomuch that he often spent whole days in playing at bowls, with any one that offered, whether mariner or miller was all one; and he never allowed any man to lift his bowl for him, or to use any ceremony whatever in respect to his rank. He was so fond of play, that few affairs were of sufficient importance to induce him to give over, especially when losing. But when informed of any insurrection among the Indians, he would instantly lay every thing aside, immediately bracing on his armour and seizing his lance and target, would hasten to the place where the mutiny had risen, without waiting for his people, who followed him with all expedition.
Both the marquis and the president were so brave and so experienced in the manner of making war with the Indians, that either of them alone would never hesitate when on horseback and armed to charge through a hundred Indians. Both were extremely intelligent, sensible, and judicious, and could take their measures both in civil and military affairs with great promptitude and propriety; yet both were so extremely illiterate that neither of them could read or write, or even sign their names; which assuredly was a great defect, and exceedingly inconvenient in carrying on the important affairs in which they were concerned; and although they in every other respect appeared like persons of high birth, and deported themselves like noblemen with much dignity and propriety, yet their entire ignorance of letters was an evident demonstration of the meanness of their birth. The marquis placed implicit confidence in his servants and friends, insomuch that in all his dispatches and orders relative to the government, and in the assignments of lands and Indians, he only made two lines with the pen, between which Antonio Picado his secretary wrote his name, Francisco Pizarro. As Ovid said of Romulus, respecting astronomy, we may say of Pizarro that he was more learned in the art of war than in the sciences, and applied himself more to know how to atchieve glorious conquests than to acquire literature. Both were exceedingly affable and familiar with the colonists, making them frequent visits, and they readily accepted invitations to dinner from any one; yet both were extremely moderate in eating and drinking; and both refrained from amorous connection with Spanish women, on the principle that to intrigue with the wives or daughters of their countrymen was both prejudicial and dishonourable to their neighbours. Almagro was the most continent in regard to the Peruvian women, as we know of no affairs of his gallantry in that country, his only son being born of an Indian woman of Panama. But the marquis had more than one attachment in Peru, having lived publickly with a sister of Atahualpa, by whom he had a son named Don Gonzalo who died at fourteen years of age, and a daughter named Donna Francisca. By another Indian woman of Cuzco he had a son named Don Francisco218.
Both Pizarro and Almagro received high rewards from his majesty for their signal services; the former being created a marquis, with the authority of governor of New Castille, and the order of St Jago. Almagro was rewarded with the government of New Toledo, with the title of President or Lord Lieutenant of that country. The marquis always evinced the highest respect for his majesty, the utmost zeal for his service, and the most perfect obedience for his orders; insomuch that he would often refrain from doing many things which were evidently within the scope of his authority, lest he should appear to overstep the bounds of his commission. Frequently, when sitting in the meeting-houses where the gold and silver was assessed for the royal fifth, he would rise from his chair to pick up the small pieces which started from the scissars; observing that if the hands failed on such occasions, a loyal subject ought to use his mouth to serve the king. As these two great men resembled each other in many things during their lives, so in their deaths they were alike unfortunate: the president being put to death by the brother of the marquis, and the marquis slain by the son of the president.
The marquis was exceedingly anxious for the improvement of the country, giving every encouragement to the cultivation of the soil, and the establishment of colonies of Spaniards in different places. He built for himself a fine house or palace in the city of Lima, and had two sluices constructed on the river to drive mills for its supply; employing much of his leisure in superintending the workmen, and instructing the overseers how he wished the works to be carried on. He was particularly diligent in procuring the erection of a great and handsome church in Lima, and monasteries for the Dominicans and the order of Mercy; both of whom he endowed with ample estates in lands and Indians.
CHAPTER VII.
CONTINUATION OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF PERU, AFTER THE DEATH OF FRANCISCO PIZARRO, TO THE DEFEAT OF GONZALO PIZARRO, AND THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANQUILITY IN THE COUNTRY; WRITTEN BY AUGUSTINO ZARATE219
218
According to Garcilasso, the marquis had only one son and one daughter, Don Francisco being the son of his brother Gonzalo. Don Gonzalo, the only son of the marquis, was born of a daughter of Atahualpa, not a sister, named Angelina. Donna Francisca was the marquises daughter by Ynes Huayllas Nusta, a daughter of the Inca Huana Capac, whose Christian name was Donna Beatrix. –E.
219
This chapter is merely a continuation of the history of the discovery and conquest of Peru, by Zarate: but we have thought proper to divide it in this manner, separating the transactions which took place during the life of Francisco Pizarro, from those which occurred after his death. –E.