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。
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