登陆注册
5384600000198

第198章

But he was the child of misfortune, and his morning of life was overcast by clouds and tempests. If his character, naturally benignant, sometimes showed the fiery sparkles of the vindictive Indian temper, some apology may be found, not merely in his blood, but in the circumstances of his situation. He was more sinned against than sinning; and, if conspiracy could ever find a justification, it must be in a case like his, where, borne down by injuries heaped on his parent and himself, he could obtain no redress from the only quarter whence he had a right to look for it. With him, the name of Almagro became extinct, and the faction of Chili, so long the terror of the land, passed away for ever.

While these events were occurring in Cuzco, the governor learned that Gonzalo Pizarro had arrived at Lima, where he showed himself greatly discontented with the state of things in Peru. He loudly complained that the government of the country, after his brother's death, had not been placed in his hands; and, as reported by some, he was now meditating schemes for getting possession of it. Vaca de Castro well knew that there would be no lack of evil counsellors to urge Gonzalo to this desperate step; and, anxious to extinguish the spark of insurrection before it had been fanned by these turbulent spirits into a flame, he detached a strong body to Lima to secure that capital. At the same time he commanded the presence of Gonzalo Pizarro in Cuzco.

That chief did not think it prudent to disregard the summons; and shortly after entered the Inca capital, at the head of a well-armed body of cavaliers. He was at once admitted into the governor's presence, when the latter dismissed his guard, remarking that he had nothing to fear from a brave and loyal knight like Pizarro. He then questioned him as to his late adventures in Canelas, and showed great sympathy for his extraordinary sufferings. He took care not to alarm his jealousy by any allusion to his ambitious schemes, and concluded by recommending him, now that the tranquillity of the country was reestablished, to retire and seek the repose he so much needed, on his valuable estates at Charcas.

Gonzalo Pizarro, finding no ground opened for a quarrel with the coot and politic governor, and probably feeling that he was, at least not now, in sufficient strength to warrant it, thought it prudent to take the advice, and withdrew to La Plata, where he busied himself in working those rich mines of silver that soon put him in condition for more momentous enterprise than any he had yet attempted.35Thus rid of his formidable competitor, Vaca de Castro occupied himself with measures for the settlement of the country. He began with his army, a part of which he had disbanded. But many cavaliers still remained, pressing their demands for a suitable recompense for their services.

These they were not disposed to undervalue, and the governor was happy to rid himself of their importunities by employing them on distant expeditions, among which was the exploration of the country watered by the great Rio de la Plata. The boiling spirits of the highmettled cavaliers, without some such vent, would soon have thrown the whole country again into a state of fermentation.

His next concern was to provide laws for the better government of the colony. He gave especial care to the state of the Indian population; and established schools for teaching them Christianity. By various provisions, be endeavored to secure them from the exactions of their conquerors, and he encouraged the poor natives to transfer their own residence to the communities of the white men. He commanded the caciques to provide supplies for the tambos, or houses for the accommodation of travellers, which lay in their neighborhood, by which regulation he took away from the Spaniards a plausible apology for rapine, and greatly promoted facility of intercourse. He was watchful over the finances, much dilapidated in the late troubles, and in several instances retrenched what he deemed excessive repartimientos among the Conquerors. This last act exposed him to much odium from the objects of it. But his measures were so just and impartial, that he was supported by public opinion.36Indeed, Vaca de Castro's conduct, from the hour of his arrival in the country, had been such as to command respect, and prove him competent to the difficult post for which he had been selected. Without funds, without troops, he had found the country, on his landing, in a state of anarchy; yet, by courage and address, he had gradually acquired sufficient strength to quell the insurrection. Though no soldier, he had shown undaunted spirit and presence of mind in the hour of action, and made his military preparations with a forecast and discretion that excited the admiration of the most experienced veteran.

If he may be thought to have abused the advantages of victory by cruelty towards the conquered, it must be allowed that he was not influenced by any motives of a personal nature. He was a lawyer, bred in high notions of royal prerogative. Rebellion he looked upon as an unpardonable crime; and, if his austere nature was unrelenting in the exaction of justice, he lived in an iron age, when justice was rarely tempered by mercy.

In his subsequent regulations for the settlement of the country, he showed equal impartiality and wisdom. The colonists were deeply sensible of the benefits of his administration, and afforded the best commentary on his services by petitioning the Court of Castile to continue him in the government of Peru.37 Unfortunately, such was not the policy of the Crown.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 我的笨儿子,感谢您伴我成长

    我的笨儿子,感谢您伴我成长

    记录一名智障小孩与父亲共同成长的过程。因为爱您,一切都变得容易。
  • 看绿

    看绿

    这是一篇用现实主义手法写成的散文,作者对生活和现实的真实感受,对现实的忠实描述,表达了作者纯朴的心意和愿望。
  • 世界最具启迪性的名言格言(2)

    世界最具启迪性的名言格言(2)

    我的课外第一本书——震撼心灵阅读之旅经典文库,《阅读文库》编委会编。通过各种形式的故事和语言,讲述我们在成长中需要的知识。
  • 高门皇后

    高门皇后

    唐意怎么也没想到,在面对穷凶极恶的毒贩没有嗝屁,却在凯旋时遭遇乱流,坠下数万米高空,光荣穿越了!何其有幸,一朝穿越,竟成西秦国的皇后!一人之下万万人之上,独享专宠。何其不幸,穿越第一天就遭遇破国之灾!富贵荣华如流水,未过眼已成烟云。更不幸的是,新君继位,第一道圣旨就是将她做为祭礼,嫁入东晋为妃,把她变成史上第一个和亲的皇后!他一身明黄,高高地站在她的身前,俊逸如仙,清雅如风,凝望着她的凤眸中透出的却是嗜骨噬心的寒,刻骨铭心地恨……是谁说的?每一个穿越女的背后都站着一个加强排的美男,而每一个穿越女都是打不死的小强,一定会越站越勇,越斗越强的!她走进重重迷雾,层层阴谋,几度生死徘徊,多次命悬一线,只为抚平他眉间的那一点愁,平息他心底的那一缕恨,圆他胸中的那一个梦……然后——看得清的是世情人性,看不透的永远是那颗冰冷的帝王心!
  • 锦庭娇

    锦庭娇

    原本奔着复仇而来,没想到除了复仇,这一世还有着仅属于她的精彩篇章……当她心满意足做回了高门贵女,某人却忽然阴恻恻在她耳畔呢喃:欠我的帐,不许赖!——————全文无异能,望周知……
  • Steep Trails

    Steep Trails

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大学辨业

    大学辨业

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 故事会(2016年4月下)

    故事会(2016年4月下)

    《故事会》是上海文艺出版社编辑出版的仅有114个页码、32开本的杂志,是中国最通俗的民间文学小本杂志。《故事会》创刊于1963年,是中国的老牌刊物之一。先后获得两届中国期刊的最高奖——国家期刊奖。1998年,它在世界综合类期刊中发行量排名第5。
  • 全闽诗话

    全闽诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 恶鬼临天

    恶鬼临天

    踏天路成仙,逆天路修魔,万念悟道聚成神,阴阳之间守无常。何谓善,善者独善其身。何谓恶,恶者横行无忌。天弃良人而忌恶,如果这便是善,那我李审就要让这天在我脚下颤抖!