The royal commentaries of Peru, in two parts the first part, treating of the original of their Incas or kings, of their idolatry, of their laws and government both in peace and war, of the reigns and conquests of the Incas, with many other particulars relating to their empire and policies before such time as the Spaniards invaded their countries : the second part, describing the manner by which that new world was conquered by the Spaniards : also the civil wars between the Piçarrists and the Almagrians, occasioned by quarrels arising about the division of that land, of the rise and fall of rebels, and other particulars contained in that history : illustrated with sculptures / written originally in Spanish by the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega ; and rendered into English by Sir Paul Rycaut, Kt.

CHAP. XX.

Of the cruel Battel between the Incas and other Nations, and of the first Spaniard who discovered Chili.

THE day following, both Armies raising their Camps, put themselves in order of Battel, and began the Fight with great Courage and Resolution, which continued that whole day with such equality of Fortune, that it could not be dis∣cerned to which part the Victory most inclined; many were slain and wounded on both sides, untill the night divided them, and caused them to retreat to their several Quarters. The second and third days were alike bloudy, one party conten∣ding for Liberty, and the other for Honour. The fourth day both sides were drawn up in their Camp, expecting which should make the attempt; and in this order they continued for the space of two days after, and then they both drew off, each side suspecting that the other had sent for more Succours, requiring speedy Re∣cruits. The Purumaucans, and their Allies, thought that they had gained Credit enough, in being able to withstand the invincible Power of the Incas, and with this Reputation they returned to their own Countries, proclaiming Victory and Triumph in all parts where they passed.

The Incas, after due and mature consideration, thought it not convenient to pursue after the Enemy, but rather give way to their bestial Fury for a time; howsoever the Debates hereupon were divers, some were for pursuing the Ene∣my, untill they had entirely subdued them; but others of a more moderate tem∣per, were for following the mild and gentle Principles of the Incas, not being over forward in the utter destruction of their Enemies. At length it was agreed and concluded, that they should preserve that which they had already gained, making the River Maulli the utmost limit and bound of their Frontiers, untill such time as they should receive new Orders and Instructions from the Inca. Of all which the King Yupanqui being advised, gave directions, that they should give a stop to the farther progression of their Conquests, and attend to the im∣provement and cultivating of the Lands and Possessions they had gained, with particular respect to the ease and benefit of the new Subjects; that so the neigh∣bouring people being allured by this good treatment might offer themselves to be∣come Vassals to the Inca; and in case the Nature of this people should be so dull and stupid, as not to observe and distinguish between the happiness of an impro∣ved Life, and their own Bestialities, that then the loss would be theirs, and re∣dound more to their own hurt, than to the prejudice of the Incas. In compliance with this Command from the King, they desisted from farther prosecution of their Conquests in Chili, making the River Maulli the ultimate bounds of their Empire, which they fortified with Castles, and strong Garisons; so that now their business was to administer Justice and improve the Incomes of the Sun; all which was performed with great respect to the benefit of the Subjects, who fin∣ding themselves obliged by such kind treatment, did with great Zeal and Affection embrace the Government of the Incas, and comply with their Laws, Rites and Re∣ligion, continuing constant in them, untill such time as the Spaniards became Ma∣sters of their Countrey.

The first Spaniard that discovered Chili, was Don Diego de Almagro; but he did but just see it, and afterwards return to Peris, having sustained innumerable labours, and endured great fatigues both in his journey thither, and in his return; the which enterprise was the cause of the general Revolt of all Peru, and the original of that Discord and civil Dissention which happened afterwards between those two Governours, and of the Death of the said Almagro, being taken Prisoner at the Battel of Salinas; and also of the Death of the Marquiss D. Francisco de Piçarro, and of D. Diego de Almagro, who was born of Spanish and Indian Bloud, and who commanded in the Fight, called the Battel of Chupas. Of all which we

shall (God willing) treat more at large in its due place. The second person that entred into the Kingdom of Chili was the Governour Pedro de Valdivia, who with a strong party both of Horse and Foot, marched beyond the Dominions of the Incas, making conquest of all before him; the Colonies which he planted were thriving and prosperous, though he himself unhappily fell by the hands of his own Subjects of the Province of Araucu, which he having subdued, made choice of for himself, when the Lands were divided amongst the Conquerours. This worthy person planted many Colonies, and founded Cities with Spanish Inhabi∣tants; and amongst the rest, that which after his own Name was called Valdivia; in the Conquest of this Province he performed many and noble Exploits, and afterwards governed it with great prudence and justice, and had not onely been happy in himself, but fortunate also to his people, had not the boldness of an Indian, who adventured to cut the thread of his life, given a period to the expecta∣tion of many other blessings, which his Wisedom and Conduct might have pro∣duced to his Subjects. And in regard the Death of this Governour and General was in a manner without Example, and that which was never practised by the In∣dians either before or since the Entrance of the Spaniards into that Countrey; and what turned to their greater mischief; I have thought fit to relate it in this place, that so the Reader may be clearly informed of the particulars of that unhappy bat∣tel, according to the first report which came of it to Peru, soon after the Fight was ended, and likewise what intelligence the second report gave of it; for better understanding of which, it will be necessary to begin from the original and cause of this whole matter.