ABSTRACT

Don Fernando determined, however, with some of his friends, that a document should be drawn up against Ursua. This was done, and, that it might carry weight, Don Fer­ nando ordered that it should be signed by the whole camp, for he said that it was for their mutual good. The men being present, the governor signed it first, and it was then Lope de Aguirre’s turn to sign, as maestro del campo; but he with­ drew the mask, and signed “ Lope de Aguirre, the traitor.” There was a general murmur at seeing this, particularly from those who were not so corrupted; they said that it was

an insult to his person and office thus to sign himself; but Lope de Aguirre observing this, insolent man as he was, and that he was but little esteemed for having signed him­ self as he had done, wished to give an explanation, and spoke thus:

3. e< Caballeros, what madness and gross ignorance is this into which some of us have fallen, which, certes, looks more like a pastime than an affair of such importance. You have killed the king’s governor, one who represented his royal person, one who was clothed with royal powers ; and do you pretend that with documents concocted by ourselves, we shall be held blameless ? think you that the king and the judges will not understand how such papers were got up ? This is madness; and well is it known to all, that if those who sign it should be asked questions against themselves, it will go against them, if they have said so much in their own favour. Yes, we have all killed the governor, and the whole of us have rejoiced at the act; and if not, let each man lay his hand upon his heart, and say what he thinks. We have all been traitors, we have all been a party to this mutiny, and have agreed that the country (in search of which we are) shall be sought for, found, and settled. Now should it be ten times richer than Piru, and more popu­ lous than New Spain (Mexico), and should the king draw more profit from it than from all the Indies together, yet as soon as the first bachiller or letradillo1 comes with powers from his majesty to take up his residence amongst us, and to take note of what has been done by us, I tell you it will cost us all our heads: thus our exertions and services will have been in vain, and fruitless, for ourselves and successors. My opinion is (and I hold it to be more to the point than what you have conceived), that we should abandon these in­ tentions of searching for these new lands ; for if we discover

them and people them, our lives will be sacrificed. Let us therefore anticipate the evil time, and let us settle ourselves well in a good land known to you all, which is Piru. There all are friendly to us, and, on hearing that we are approaching, they will come out and meet us. They, having the same views as ourselves, will open their arms, and will assist us with their lives. This is (I repeat) what we ought to do, and this is the reason why I signed myself 4 traitor.’ ”

In confirmation of Aguirre’s opinion, Alonzo de Villena started up (the Alferez general, and one of those who went to kill the governor) and, said “ What the Senor Lope de Aguirre, maestrd del campo, has spoken, appears to me to be the best to be done, and must suit all, and I confirm it with my vote; and I believe that his reasons are good, and any one who counsels the Sefior general otherwise, is no friend of his, but wishes his ruin and that of the expedition, and is his enemy.”