Garcias De Alvarado Was Therefore Sent
With A Force Of Cavalry And Infantry, Having Orders To Go In The First
Place to the cities of San Miguel and Truxillo, to deprive the inhabitants
of these two colonies of their arms
And horses, and then to march with all
his troops against Alonso de Alvarado. Garcias went accordingly by sea to
the port of Jauta, about fifteen leagues from Truxillo, where he found
Captain Alonso de Cabrera, who had fled thither with all the inhabitants
of Guanuco to join the people of Truxillo against the usurpation of Don
Diego. Garcias made Cabrera and some other of his companions prisoners;
and on his arrival at San Miguel he cut off his head, and likewise put to
death Francisco de Vozmudiana, and Hernando de Villegas.
When the deputies or messengers of Don Diego arrived at Cuzco with orders
to recognize him as governor general of Peru, Diego de Silva and Francisco
de Carvajal were the chief magistrates of that city. These officers,
together with the other magistrates and counsellors forming the Cabildo,
were unwilling to submit to his authority, yet durst not declare
themselves openly till they had maturely considered whether they were
possessed of a sufficient force, and had enough of provisions and warlike
stores to defend themselves in case of being attacked. On purpose
therefore to gain time, they desired the messengers of Don Diego to return
to their master, and to desire him to send them other deputies with more
ample and more regular powers or instructions, after which they would
recognize his authority. Gomez de Tordoya, who was one of the principal
members of the royal council of Cuzco, happened not to be in the city when
the deputies arrived, as he had gone out that day to take the diversion of
hawking. The other members sent therefore a message to inform him of what
was going on, and to desire his presence and advice. On his return to the
city, he met the messengers of Don Diego, and having learnt the state of
affairs, he twisted off the head of an excellent falcon which he carried
on his fist, saying that fighting must now be followed, not the sports of
the field. After a secret consultation with the rest of the Cabildo on the
proper measures to be pursued on the present emergency, he left the city
the same night, and went to the residence of Captain de Castro. They sent
immediately a message to Pedro Anzurez, the lieutenant of the province of
Charcas, giving him an account of the state of affairs, and he declared
himself at once for the party of his majesty.
Immediately afterwards Gomez de Tordoya set off in pursuit of Pedro
Alvarez Holguin, who had lately marched with above a hundred men to reduce
some revolted Indians: On coming up with Holguin, Tordoya immediately told
him all that had taken place, earnestly intreating him to assist the loyal
inhabitants of Cuzco in their just and honourable intentions, and to
assume the command of such troops as might be collected for the defence of
that city against the usurpation of Don Diego.
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