rendred an account to the Inca of their success; and particularly, that having made
enquiry into the secret customs of those Natives, and into their Rites and Cere∣monies,
as also what Gods they worshipped: They observed and found, that their
chief Deity was the Fish which they killed and eat; and also, that there were So∣domites
amongst them; but howsoever, that this wickedness was not general or
common to all the Vallies, but to some few; nor was it openly practised, but in
secret, being that which nature and the light of humane reason did abhor. They
farther likewise acquainted the Inca, that being arrived to the utmost bounds which
are terminated by the Sea, there remained on that side no other Land to subdue.
The Inca was much pleased with the Relation of these Conquests, and much more,
that it had cost no bloud; wherefore he sent to Command his Souldiers, that ha∣ving
left and established such Orders as were necessary for the government and se∣curity
of those Countries, they should return to Cozco; but first, that they should
make strict inquisition concerning those who were esteemed guilty of that unna∣tural
sin of Sodomy, and not onely burn those alive in a publick place, who were
evidently convicted of that crime, but even those who were but so much as
suspected thereof; that they should also burn and destroy their Houses, their Trees
and Inheritance, leaving them a sad spectacle to their neighbours and acquaintance.
And farther, the Inca commanded that they should proclaim and publish this his
Edict against Sodomy for the future to be, That whosoever should be found
guilty of this abomination, that not onely he should be destroyed in particular,
but likewise his Relations, his Neighbours, and all the Inhabitants of the parts
round should be punished with the same destruction, ruine and desolation.
All which being performed exactly according to the pleasure and direction of
the Inca, this new Law was with great admiration and astonishment of the Na∣tives
put into execution on the Offendours; for being a crime so shamefull and
detestable to the Inca, and his proper Subjects, the mention and name thereof was
not without some abhorrence taken into their mouths; so that if any Indian, who
was a Native of Cozco, should at any time in passion revile his neighbour with
that word and opprobrious term, he was presently looked upon as one defiled,
and for many days polluted, untill his mouth were cleansed from a word so filthy
and detestable.
The General and his Officers having in this manner executed all the Com∣mands
of the Inca, they returned to Cozco, where they were received in great
triumph, and rewarded with honours and favours agreeable to their merit. But
many years had not passed after these Conquests, before the Inca, Capac Yupanqui,
resolved to begin a new Expedition in person for enlargement of his Dominions
on the side of Collasuyu; (for as yet in his late Marches he had not passed the Di∣visions
of Contisuyu) so that in order hereunto, he commanded that twenty thou∣sand
select men should be put in a readiness against the following year. And
that in the mean time nothing should be omitted, which might contribute to the
due administration of his Government, he appointed his Brother Aqui Titu to re∣main
Deputy in his place, and that the four Major-Generals which had accompa∣nied
him in the last Wars should be his Counsellours. Into their places he chose
four other Generals, and both they and all the Captains and Officers of the Army
were not of less degree or quality than that of an Inca; for though the Forces
which came from divers Provinces were conducted by their own Chief or Com∣mander,
yet afterwards, when they came to be united with the Imperial Army, an
Inca was given to preside over them, so that the Chief became, as it were, his
Lieutenant; by which means the whole Army had Incas for their Officers, and yet
none seemed to be displaced or acquitted of his charge. By which method and
policy in government, things were preserved in their just balance; for unless it
were in matters of Law and Justice, which admitted of no dispensation, it was
a Maxim amongst the Incas never to disoblige their Curacas, but in every thing to
render their Yoke so easie and gentle, that the Indians might be fond of it; and
that the love of the people might be the basis and foundation of their Govern∣ment.
Moreover, the Inca thought fit to take his Son, who was his Heir, to ac∣company
him; for though he were young, yet his years were capable of educa∣tion
and practice in the War.