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.
[1] The festival of St John the Evangelist is on the 5th May but the
assasination of the Marquis did not take place till the 26th June
1541. - E.
[2] In a former note, it has been mentioned, on the authority of Robertson,
that Francisco de Alcantara was the uncle of Pizarro by his mother;
yet Garcilasso calls him his brother, and perhaps he was so by a
different father. - E.
[3] The language of the French translator is here rather equivocal, but
distinctly bears the construction here given of the marquis being at
supper in the house of de Alcantara.
