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$Title{History Of The Conquest Of Peru
Chapter I: Part I}
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$Author{Prescott, William H.}
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$Date{1864}
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Title:       History Of The Conquest Of Peru
Book:        Book V: Settlement Of The Country
Author:      Prescott, William H.
Date:        1864

Chapter I: Part I

Great Sensation In Spain. - Pedro De La Gasca. - His Early Life. - His Mission
To Peru. - His Politic Conduct. - His Offers To Pizarro. - Gains The Fleet.

     1545-1547.

     While the important revolution detailed in the preceding pages was
going forward in Peru, rumors of it, from time to time, found their way to
the mother-country; but the distance was so great, and opportunities for
communication so rare, that the tidings were usually very long behind the
occurrence of the events to which they related.  The government heard with
dismay of the troubles caused by the ordinances and the intemperate
conduct of the viceroy; and it was not long before it learned that this
functionary was deposed and driven from his capital, while the whole
country, under Gonzalo Pizarro, was arrayed in arms against him.  All
classes were filled with consternation at this alarming intelligence; and
many that had before approved the ordinances now loudly condemned the
ministers, who, without considering the inflammable temper of the people,
had thus rashly fired a train which menaced a general explosion throughout
the colonies. ^1 No such rebellion, within the memory of man, had occurred
in the Spanish empire.  It was compared with the famous war of the
comunidades, in the beginning of Charles the Fifth's reign.  But the
Peruvian insurrection seemed the more formidable of the two.  The troubles
of Castile, being under the eye of the Court, might be the more easily
managed; while it was difficult to make the same power felt on the remote
shores of the Indies.  Lying along the distant Pacific, the principle of
attraction which held Peru to the parent country was so feeble, that this
colony might, at any time, with a less impulse than that now given to it,
fly from its political orbit.  It seemed as if the fairest of its jewels
was about to fall from the imperial diadem!

[Footnote 1: "Que aquello era contra una cedula que tenian del Emperador
que les daba el repartimiento de los indios de su vida, y del hijo mayor,
y no teniendo hijos a sus mugeres, con mandarles espresamente que se
casasen como lo habian ya hecho los mas de ellos; y que tambien era contra
otra cedula real que ninguno podia ser despojado de sus indios sin ser
primero oido a justicia y condenado." Historia de Don Pedro Gasca, Obispo
de Siguenza.  Ms.]

     Such was the state of things in the summer of 1545, when Charles the
Fifth was absent in Germany, occupied with the religious troubles of the
empire.  The government was in the hands of his son, who, under the name
of Philip the Second, was soon to sway the sceptre over the largest
portion of his father's dominions, and who was then holding his court at
Valladolid.  He called together a council of prelates, jurists, and
military men of greatest experience, to deliberate on the measures to be
pursued for restoring order in the colonies.  All agreed in regarding
Pizarro's movement in the light of an audacious rebellion; and there were
few, at first, who were not willing to employ the whole strength of
government to vindicate the honor of the Crown, - to quell the
insurrection, and bring the authors of it to punishment. ^2

[Footnote 2: Ms. de Caravantes. - Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca, Ms.

     One of this council was the great Duke of Alva, of such gloomy
celebrity afterwards in the Netherlands.  We may well believe his voice
was for coercion.]

     But, however desirable this might appear, a very little reflection
showed that it was not easy to be done, if, indeed, it were practicable.
The great distance of Peru required troops to be transported not merely
across the ocean, but over the broad extent of the great continent.  And
how was this to be effected, when the principal posts, the keys of
communication with the country, were in the hands of the rebels, while
their fleet rode in the Pacific, the mistress of its waters, cutting off
all approach to the coast?  Even if a Spanish force could be landed in
Peru, what chance would it have, unaccustomed, as it would be, to the
country and the climate, of coping with the veterans of Pizarro, trained
to war in the Indies and warmly attached to the person of their commander?
The new levies thus sent out might become themselves infected with the
spirit of insurrection, and cast off their own allegiance. ^3

[Footnote 3: "Ventilose la forma del remedio de tan grave caso en que huvo
dos opiniones; la una de imbiar un gran soldado con fuerza de gente a la
demostracion de este castigo; la otra que se llevase el negocio por
prudentes y suaves medios, por la imposibilidad y falto de dinero para
llevar gente, cavallos, armas, municiones y vastimentos, y para
sustentarlos en tierra firme y pasarlos al Piru." Ms. de Caravantes.]

     Nothing remained, therefore, but to try conciliatory measures.  The
government, however mortifying to its pride, must retrace its steps.  A
free grace must be extended to those who submitted, and such persuasive
arguments should be used, and such politic concessions made, as would
convince the refractory colonists that it was their interest, as well as
their duty, to return to their allegiance.

     But to approach the people in their present state of excitement, and
to make those concessions without too far compromising the dignity and
permanent authority of the Crown, was a delicate matter, for the success
of which they must rely wholly on the character of the agent.  After much
deliberation, a competent person, as it was thought, was found in an
ecclesiastic, by the name of Pedro de la Gasca, - a name which, brighter
by contrast with the gloomy times in which it first appeared, still shines
with undiminished splendor after the lapse of ages.

     Pedro de la Gasca was born, probably, towards the close of the
fifteenth century, in a small village in Castile, named Barco de Avila.
He came, both by father and mother's side, from an ancient and noble
lineage; ancient indeed, if, as his biographers contend, he derived his
descent from Casca, one of the conspirators against Julius Caesar! ^4
Having the misfortune to lose his father early in life, he was placed by
his uncle in the famous seminary of Alcala de Henares, founded by the
great Ximenes.  Here he made rapid proficiency in liberal studies,
especially in those connected with his profession, and at length received
the degree of Master of Theology.

[Footnote 4: "Pasando a Espana vinieron a tierra de Avila y quedo del
nombre dellos el lugar y familia de Gasca; mudandose por la afinidad de la
pronunciacion, que hay entre las dos letras consonantes c. y. g. el nombre
de Casca en Gasca." Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca, Ms.

     Similarity of name is a peg quite strong enough to hang a pedigree
upon in Castile.]

     The young man, however, discovered other talents than those demanded
by his sacred calling.  The war of the comunidades was then raging in the
country; and the authorities of his college showed a disposition to take
the popular side.  But Gasca, putting himself at the head of an armed
force, seized one of the gates of the city, and, with assistance from the
royal troops, secured the place to the interests of the Crown.  This early
display of loyalty was probably not lost on his vigilant sovereign ^5

[Footnote 5: This account of the early history of Gasca I have derived
chiefly from a manuscript biographical notice written in 1465, during the
prelate's life.  The name of the author, who speaks apparently from
personal knowledge, is not given: but it seems to be the work of a
scholar, and is written with a certain pretension to elegance.  The
original Ms. forms part of the valuable collection of Don Pascual de
Gayangos of Madrid.  It is of much value for the light it throws on the
early career of Gasca, which has been passed over in profound silence by
Castilian historians.  It is to be regretted that the author did not
continue his labors beyond the period when the subject of them received
his appointment to the Peruvian mission.]

     From Alcala, Gasca was afterwards removed to Salamanca; where he
distinguished himself by his skill in scholastic disputation, and obtained
the highest academic honors in that ancient university, the fruitful
nursery of scholarship and genius.  He was subsequently intrusted with the
management of some important affairs of an ecclesiastical nature, and made
a member of the Council of the Inquisition.

     In this latter capacity he was sent to Valencia, about 1540, to
examine into certain alleged cases of heresy in that quarter of the
country.  These were involved in great obscurity; and, although Gasca had
the assistance of several eminent jurists in the investigation, it
occupied him nearly two years.  In the conduct of this difficult matter,
he showed so much penetration, and such perfect impartiality, that he was
appointed by the Cortes of Valencia to the office of visitador of that
kingdom; a highly responsible post, requiring great discretion in the
person who filled it, since it was his province to inspect the condition
of the courts of justice and of finance, throughout the land, with
authority to reform abuses.  It was proof of extraordinary consideration,
that it should have been bestowed on Gasca; since it was a departure from
the established usage - and that in a nation most wedded to usage - to
confer the office on any but a subject of the Aragonese crown. ^6

[Footnote 6: "Era tanta la opinion que en Valencia tenian de la integridad
y prudencia de Gasca, que en las Cortes de Monzon los Estados de aquel
Reyno le pidieron por Visitador contra la costumbre y fuero de aquel
Reyno, que no puede serlo sino fuere natural de la Corona de Araugon, y
consintiendo que aquel fuero se derogase el Emperador lo concedio a
instancia y peticion dellos." Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca Ms.]

     Gasca executed the task assigned to him with independence and
ability.  While he was thus occupied, the people of Valencia were thrown
into consternation by a meditated invasion of the French and the Turks,
who, under the redoubtable Barbarossa, menaced the coast and the
neighbouring Balearic isles.  Fears were generally entertained of a rising
of the Morisco population; and the Spanish officers who had command in
that quarter, being left without the protection of a navy, despaired of
making head against the enemy.  In this season of general panic, Gasca
alone appeared calm and self-possessed.  He remonstrated with the Spanish
commanders on their unsoldierlike despondency; encouraged them to confide
in the loyalty of the Moriscos; and advised the immediate erection of
fortifications along the shores for their protection.  He was, in
consequence, named one of a commission to superintend these works, and to
raise levies for defending the sea-coast; and so faithfully was the task
performed, that Barbarossa, after some ineffectual attempts to make good
his landing, was baffled at all points, and compelled to abandon the
enterprise as hopeless.  The chief credit of this resistance must be
assigned to Gasca, who superintended the construction of the defences, and
who was enabled to contribute a large part of the requisite funds by the
economical reforms he had introduced into the administration of
Valencia. ^7

[Footnote 7: "Que parece cierto," says his enthusiastic biographer, "que
por disposicion Divina vino a hallarse Gasca entonces en la Ciudad de
Valencia, para remedio de aquel Reyno y Islas de Mallorca y Menorca e
lviza, segun la orden, prevencion y diligencia que en la defensa contra
las armadas del Turco y Francia tuvo, y las provisiones que para ello
hizo." Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca, Ms.]

     It was at this time, the latter part of the year 1545, that the
council of Philip selected Gasca as the person most competent to undertake
the perilous mission to Peru. ^8 His character, indeed, seemed especially
suited to it.  His loyalty had been shown through his whole life.  With
great suavity of manners he combined the most intrepid resolution.  Though
his demeanour was humble, as beseemed his calling, it was far from abject;
for he was sustained by a conscious rectitude of purpose, that impressed
respect on all with whom he had intercourse.  He was acute in his
perceptions, had a shrewd knowledge of character, and, though bred to the
cloister, possessed an acquaintance with affairs, and even with military
science, such as was to have been expected only from one reared in courts
and camps.

[Footnote 8: "Finding a lion would not answer, they sent a lamb," says
Gomara; - "Finalmente, quiso embiar una Oveja, pues un Leon no aprovecho;
y asi escogio al Licenciado Pedro Gasca." Hist. de las Ind., cap. 174.]

     Without hesitation, therefore, the council unanimously recommended
him to the emperor, and requested his approbation of their proceedings.
Charles had not been an inattentive observer of Gasca's course.  His
attention had been particularly called to the able manner in which he had
conducted the judicial process against the heretics of Valencia. ^9 The
monarch saw, at once, that he was the man for the present emergency; and
he immediately wrote to him, with his own hand, expressing his entire
satisfaction at the appointment, and intimating his purpose to testify his
sense of his worth by preferring him to one of the principal sees then
vacant.

[Footnote 9: Gasca made what the author calls una breve y copyosa relacion
of the proceedings to the emperor in Valencia; and the monarch was so
intent on the inquiry, that he devoted the whole afternoon to it,
notwithstanding his son Philip was waiting for him to attend a fiesta!
irrefragable proof, as the writer conceives, of his zeal for the faith.
-"Queriendo entender muy de raizo todo lo que pasaba, como Principe tan
zeloso que era de las cosas de la religion." Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca,
Ms.]

     Gasca accepted the important mission now tendered to him without
hesitation; and, repairing to Madrid, received the instructions of the
government as to the course to be pursued.  They were expressed in the
most benign and conciliatory tone, perfectly in accordance with the
suggestions of his own benevolent temper. ^10 But, while he commended the
tone of the instructions, he considered the powers with which he was to be
intrusted as wholly incompetent to their object.  They were conceived in
the jealous spirit with which the Spanish government usually limited the
authority of its great colonial officers, whose distance from home gave
peculiar cause for distrust.  On every strange and unexpected emergency,
Gasca saw that he should be obliged to send back for instructions.  This
must cause delay, where promptitude was essential to success.  The Court,
moreover, as he represented to the council, was, from its remoteness from
the scene of action, utterly incompetent to pronounce as to the expediency
of the measures to be pursued.  Some one should be sent out in whom the
king could implicitly confide, and who should be invested with powers
competent to every emergency; powers not merely to decide on what was
best, but to carry that decision into execution; and he boldly demanded
that he should go not only as the representative of the sovereign, but
clothed with all the authority of the sovereign himself.  Less than this
would defeat the very object for which he was to be sent.  "For myself,"
he concluded, "I ask neither salary nor compensation of any kind.  I covet
no display of state or military array.  With my stole and breviary I trust
to do the work that is committed to me. ^11 Infirm as I am in body, the
repose of my own home would have been more grateful to me than this
dangerous mission; but I will not shrink from it at the bidding of my
sovereign, and if, as is very probable, I may not be permitted again to
see my native land, I shall, at least, be cheered by the consciousness of
having done my best to serve its interests." ^12

[Footnote 10: These instructions, the patriarchal tone of which is highly
creditable to the government, are given in extenso in the Ms. of
Caravantes, and in no other work which I have consulted.]

[Footnote 11: "De suerte que juzgassen que la mas fuerca que lleuaua, era
su abito de clerigo y breuiario." Fernandez, Hist. del Peru, Parte 1, lib.
2, cap. 16.]

[Footnote 12: Ms. de Caravantes. - Hist. del Don Pedro Gasca, Ms. -
Fernandez, Hist. del Peru, Parte 1, lib. 2, cap. 16, 17.

     Though not for himself, Gasca did solicit one favor of the emperor, -
the appointment of his brother, an eminent jurist, to a vacant place on
the bench of one of the Castilian tribunals]

     The members of the council, while they listened with admiration to
the disinterested avowal of Gasca, were astounded by the boldness of his
demands.  Not that they distrusted the purity of his motives, for these
were above suspicion.  But the powers for which he stipulated were so far
beyond those hitherto delegated to a colonial viceroy, that they felt they
had no warrant to grant them.  They even shrank from soliciting them from
the emperor, and required that Gasca himself should address the monarch,
and state precisely the grounds on which demands so extraordinary were
founded.

     Gasca readily adopted the suggestion, and wrote in the most full and
explicit manner to his sovereign, who had then transferred his residence
to Flanders.  But Charles was not so tenacious, or, at least, so jealous,
of authority, as his ministers.  He had been too long in possession of it
to feel that jealousy; and, indeed, many years were not to elapse, before,
oppressed by its weight, he was to resign it altogether into the hands of
his son.  His sagacious mind, moreover, readily comprehended the
difficulties of Gasca's position.  He felt that the present extraordinary
crisis was to be met only by extraordinary measures.  He assented to the
force of his vassal's arguments, and, on the sixteenth of February, 1546,
wrote him another letter expressive of his approbation, and intimated his
willingness to grant him powers as absolute as those he had requested.

     Gasca was to be styled President of the Royal Audience.  But, under
this simple title, he was placed at the head of every department in the
colony, civil, military, and judicial.  He was empowered to make new
repartimientos, and to confirm those already made.  He might declare war,
levy troops, appoint to all offices, or remove from them, at pleasure.  He
might exercise the royal prerogative of pardoning offences, and was
especially authorized to grant an amnesty to all, without exception,
implicated in the present rebellion.  He was, moreover, to proclaim at
once the revocation of the odious ordinances.  These two last provisions
might be said to form the basis of all his operations.

     Since ecclesiastics were not to be reached by the secular arm, and
yet were often found fomenting troubles in the colonies, Gasca was
permitted to banish from Peru such as he thought fit.  He might even send
home the viceroy, if the good of the country required it.  Agreeably to
his own suggestion, he was to receive no specified stipend; but he had
unlimited orders on the treasuries both of Panama and Peru.  He was
furnished with letters from the emperor to the principal authorities, not
only in Peru, but in Mexico and the neighbouring colonies, requiring their
countenance and support; and, lastly, blank letters, bearing the royal
signature, were delivered to him, which he was to fill up at his
pleasure. ^13

[Footnote 13: Zarate, Conq. del Peru, lib. 6, cap. 6. - Herrera, Hist.
General, dec. 8, lib. 1, cap. 6. - Ms. de Caravantes. - Fernandez, Hist.
del Peru, Parte 1, lib. 2, cap. 17, 18. - Gomara, Hist. de las Ind., cap.
174. - Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca, Ms.]

     While the grant of such unbounded powers excited the warmest
sentiments of gratitude in Gasca towards the sovereign who could repose in
him so much confidence, it seems - which is more extra-ordinary - not to
have raised corresponding feelings of envy in the courtiers.  They knew
well that it was not for himself that the good ecclesiastic had solicited
them.  On the contrary, some of the council were desirous that he should
be preferred to the bishopric, as already promised him, before his
departure; conceiving that he would thus go with greater authority than as
an humble ecclesiastic, and fearing, moreover, that Gasca himself, were it
omitted, might feel some natural disappointment.  But the president
hastened to remove these impressions.  "The honor would avail me little,"
he said, "where I am going; and it would be manifestly wrong to appoint me
to an office in the Church, while I remain at such a distance that I
cannot discharge the duties of it.  The consciousness of my
insufficiency," he continued, "should I never return, would lie heavy on
my soul in my last moments." ^14 The politic reluctance to accept the mitre
has passed into a proverb.  But there was no affectation here; and Gasca's
friends, yielding to his arguments, forbore to urge the matter further.

[Footnote 14: "Especialmente, si alla muriesse o le matassen: que entoces
de nada le podria ser buena, sino para partir desta vida, con mas congoxa
y pena de la poca cuenta que daua de la prouision que auia aceptado."
Fernandez, Hist. de Peru, Parte 1, lib. 2, cap. 18.]