The expedition of Pedro de Ursua & Lope de Aguirre in search of El Dorado and Omagua in 1560-1

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Chapter I

1. Gives a brief account of the deeds of Pedro de Ursua before his arrival in Peru, and of his entrance into that country. — 2. Certain Brazilian Indians give information in Peru, of very rich provinces near the river Maranon. — 3. The marquis of Canete determines to send Pedro de Ursua to explore them, and summons him to his presence. — 4. Various opinions are formed in Peru respecting this expedition ....... 1

Chapter II

1. Pedro de Ursua builds the brigantines for the expedition, and makes Pedro de Ramiro his lieutenant-general. — 2. Ursua leaves Lima with his people ; he arrives at the town of Moyobamba. — 3. How he contrives to obtain two thousand dollars from the cura or priest of the place. — 4. Ursua sends part of his people from the Motilones to other provinces, where they provide for themselves . . .5

Chapter III

1. Arles and Frias are displeased at having Ramiro among them ; they determine to kill him. — 2. They kill Ramiro. — 3. The governor Ursua goes in person to arrest the delinquents. — 4. He sends them to Santa Cruz, where they are beheaded . . . .8

Chapter IV

1. People in Peru are fearful of mutiny in Ursua’s expedition ; a friend writes to him on the subject. — 2. The governor sends two parties of soldiers in search of provisions ; one of these, composed of thirty men, goes down the river more than two hundred leagues. — 3. Garcia del Arze and his soldiers fortify themselves on an island against the Indians. — 4. The Spaniards are most cruel to the natives who come peacefully to them . . . . . .12

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Chapter V

1. Juan de Vargas commences his voyage ; arrives at the mouth of the Cocama. — 2. He remains here until Ursua arrives. — 3. The brigantines spring a leak when launched, which is unfortunate for the expedition. — 4. Ursua descends the river with all his people, arriving at the province of the Caperuzos. — 5. He sends a brigantine to advise Juan de Vargas of his coming . . . . . .16

Chapter VI

1. From the river Bracamoras the governor continues his voyage to that of Cocama, where he finds Juan de Vargas with his party. — 2. They continue their voyage, some of their necessities in the way of food being supplied by the hicoteas and their eggs. — 3. They arrive at the island where Garcia del Arze and his soldiers are. — 4. They find some islands lower down the river, with villages, but no inhabitants, for they had abandoned them . . . . . . .20

Chapter VII

1. The Indians come out to see the expedition from a distance, and a chief comes with offers of peace. — 2. The Indians come from the province of Carari with some provisions, which they barter for trinkets.—

3. The governor sends an officer to examine the country inland.—

4. Punishments which Pedro de Ursua inflicted on his people. —

5. Opinions entertained respecting this province, whether there were

Chapter VIII

1. Pedro de Ursua continues his course through a desert region, where his people suffer from want. — 2. They establish themselves in a village, where they make up for past want by a large supply of provisions.— 3. The governor, on account of the plentiful supplies, determines to encamp in the village, pass Christmas there, and make inquiries respecting the land for which they are searching. — 4. Fifty Spaniards depart to assist the chief of Machiparo, against two hundred hostile Indians . . . . . . .29

Chapter IX

1. Pedro de Ursua names a provisor or vicar-general for his fleet, believing he had power to do so. — Some grow faint hearted at the continuation of the expedition, and the governor encourages them to proceed. — 3. Excuses which the mutineers make to Pedro de Ursua for their delinquencies. — 4. The mutineers conspire to rid themselves of the government of Ursua, and to make Hon Fernando de Guzman his successor . . . . . . ,34

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Chapter X

1. The mutineers determine to kill the governor, Pedro de Ursua, and to return to Peru. — 2. Mysterious warning of the death of Ursua, which was seen and heard by a knight of the order of San Juan. — 3. They continue their course from this village to another lower down, of the same name. A slave of one of the mutineers discovers their design, and attempts to warn the governor. — 4. The mutineers kill the governor Pedro de Ursua, and his lieutenant . . 38

Chapter XI. The Cruise Op The Traitor Aguirre

1. The governor being dead, the rebels endeavour to bring all the expedition to their side. — 2. They do not allow the soldiers to leave their quarters during the night, to prevent them from conferring together. — 3. The murderers divide the various offices among themselves.— 4. They continue the division of offices. Sancho Pizarro returns ........ 43

Chapter XII

1. The new general, Don Fernando, calls a council to discuss matters relative to the projected discovery of the new lands of the Dorado. —

2. He has a document made out for their security, and orders all to sign it. Lope de Aguirre signs it, adding the word “traitor.” —

3. Aguirre publicly explains why he did so. — 4. Juan Alonzo de la

Bandera replies, saying that those who killed the governor were not traitors ........ 47

Chapter XIII

1. They leave the village (Machiparo) where they had killed Ursua, and, going down the river, arrive at another village, where they commence building brigantines. — 2. They suffer so much from hunger in this village, that they are obliged to eat horses and dogs. — 3. Aguirre kills Captain del Arze, because he was a friend of Uriua’s, siezes Diego de Belcazar for the same cause, and has two others strangled. — 4. Don Fernando takes away the office of maestro del campo from Lope de Aguirre, and gives it to Juan Alonzo de la Bandera, his lieutenant-general . . . . . . . .51

CHAPTER XIY.

1. Don Fernando comes to an understanding with Lope de Aguirre, and promises to restore him to his post of maestro del campo. — 2. The governor and Aguirre become friends, the enmity of the latter increases against Bandera. — 3. Aguirre calumniates Bandera before the

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governor, saying he wished to kill the governor, and rebel. — 4. Aguirre kills Bandera, and one Christoval Hernandez, at the governor’s house ........ 56

Chapter XV

1. The soldiers irritate the Indians, who bring provisions for them, when some Spaniards are killed. — 2. Owing to these proceedings the Spaniards suffer great privations, on account of the fear the Indians have of coming near them. — 3. Aguirre succeeds in gaining the confidence of Don Fernando for his own particular ends. — 4. Don Fernando plans how to discover the real sentiments of the soldiers, and their devotion to him, and how he suceeeds . . 60

Chapter XVI

1. Don Fernando thanks them for his new election, and makes it known that he will not force any one to follow him. — 2. He asks the soldiers to take an oath to follow him, and all promise to do so, except three. — 3. They all take the oath on a missal placed on an altar. — 4. Difficulties that occur in consequence of the want of employment for the people, at this spot . . . . .64

Chapter XVII

1. Aguirre addresses the soldiers. — 2. He, together with the soldiers, proclaims Fernando de Guzman Prince of Piru. — 3. Don Fernando accepts the title of Prince, and sets up an establishment accordingly. — 4. Don Fernando takes the office of sargento major from Sancho Pizarro (a friend of Ursua’s) and gives it to Martin Perez . 68

Chapter XVIII

1. Various projects regarding their journey to Piru. — 2. The plans they intend to adopt on their arrival at Nombre de Dios, Panamd, and Piru : Don Fernando bestows titles for Encomiendas. — 3. The vile doings of other traitors. — 4. After three months, the brigantines being ready, they leave this village and prosecute their voyage . 72

Chapter XIX

I. They arrive at an Indian village, where they pass Passion week and Easter ; Aguirre causes a soldier to be strangled. — 2. They depart after Easter, and stop at another very large Indian town, where they find abundance of provisions and wine (chicha). — 3. Some customs of the Indians of this place. — 4. How they arranged to obtain provisions here ; and how some scruples occur to Don Fernando and his friends . ...... 77

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Chapter XX

1. Hon Fernando calls a council, in which it is determined to kill Aguirre as it seemed necessary to do so.— 2. Aguirre and his friends get more arms, taking them from the rest. — 3. He divides the soldiers into companies, such an arrangement appearing to him better for his designs. — 4. Aguirre arrests Gonzalo Huarte, Hon Fernando’s mayordomo, with the intention of killing him, but afterwards they become friends ........ 81

Chapter XXI

1. Hifficulties between Captain Lorenzo Salduendo and Aguirre, as to the accommodation for Hona Ines on board the brigantines. — 2. Aguirre kills Salduendo, and by his orders two soldiers kill Hona Ines. — 3. Hiscussion between Hon Fernando and Aguirre as to the death of Salduendo. — 4. Aguirre pacifies Hon Fernando, but, on account of an idle report which two captains repeat to Aguirre, he determines to kill Hon Fernando . . . . . . .85

Chapter XXII

1. Aguirre makes his arrangements to kill the Prince Hon Fernando and others. — 2. Aguirre and his companions kill two captains, and plan how the Prince is to die. — 3. They go in the morning of the next day to kill the Prince. — 4. Aguirre kills a priest, some captains, and the Prince Hon Fernando , . . . .90

Chapter XXIII

1. Aguirre explains the cause of the death of the governor and the others to the camp, and calls his soldiers the “ Marahones”. — 2. He changes the various offices in the army, giving them to his friends. — 3. They leave the town of the “ Butchery”, and sail through large provinces. — 4. After navigating for twelve days they come to a village ....... .93

CHAPTER XXIY.

1. They catch an Indian and send him to tell the others that they desire to be at peace with them. — 2. Aguirre kills three soldiers, whilst they are putting the brigantines in order. — 3. He still has tyrannical fears, although he has killed so many men. — 4. The Brazilian Indian guides escape from him . . . , . . .99

Chapter XXV

1, Going down the river, they fall in with some strongly built houses, where they find cakes of salt. — 2. Huring the voyage they pass many islands, and on one of them they leave the greater number of Indian

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servants, whom they had brought with them. — 3. They continue the voyage under many difficulties. For a trifling affair Aguirre has two soldiers strangled. — 4. He loses a piragua, with three Spaniards and some Indians ; and others are drowned, gathering shell-fish , 103

Chapter XXVI

1. The first Spaniard who sailed out of the mouth of this river, was Captain Franciso de Orellana. Its banks are not well peopled. — 2. Character, climate, and people of this river, from its sources to where it enters the sea. — 3. There are more than two thousand islands near to the mouth of the river. — 4. Lope de Aguirre, finding himself out at sea, sails for the island of Margarita, where he arrives and lands, having first killed two soldiers in the brigantine . . 107

Chapter XXVII

1. The maestro del campo, having received Aguirre’s orders, departs, and strangles Sancho Pizarro on the road. — 2. A piragua with Indians is sent from the port of Margarita, to examine the brigantines of Aguirre, and a party of soldiers visit him. — 3. The Margarita people give Aguirre two bullocks, and he recompenses them. — 4. The governor, on account of a letter received from Aguirre, decides upon visiting him, accompanied by some of the inhabitants of the city. — 5. The governor offers him hospitality. The traitor marshals his armed men before the governor . . . . . .113

Chapter XXVIII

1. Aguirre makes prisoners of the governor, alcalde, and their companions.— 2. All the traitors march towards the city with the governor ; the maestro del campo takes possession of the city, in the name of Aguirre. — 3. Aguirre enters the city, and robs the royal treasury. — 4. He continues his insolence by a thousand threats . .117

Chapter XXIX

1 . For the love of a roving life, like that which the traitors led, some soldiers of the island join them, which causes no little detriment. — 2. Aguirre sends to take a ship that was in Maracapana, belonging to the Provincial of Santo Domingo, but fails. — 3. The Provincial of Santo Domingo determines to go in his ship, to the port of Burburata, and other parts, to give notice of the proceedings of Aguirre. — 4. Aguirre addresses the people of the island with feigned words, and even with lies ....... 122

Chapter XXX

1. Aguirre kills one of his captains. Four of his soldiers desert. — 2. Two of the deserters found ; Aguirre orders them to be hung. He intends

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to kill a monk of the order of Santo Domingo. — 3. Aguirre informs his soldiers how he intends to proceed in his tyrannies. — 4. He places his brigantines with their bows towards the shore, fearing that his soldiers might desert; and he destroys the houses and estates of an inhabitant who had fled ....... 127

Chapter XXXI

1. Aguirre kills a captain, named Juan de Turriaga, and buries him with pomp. — 2. Aguirre threatens the people of Margarita with his vengeance, in case the provincial of Santo Domingo takes his men in Maracapana. — 3. The provincial’s ship is seen making for the island, the traitor prepares for defence. — 4. Aguirre, observing that the provincial’s ship had anchored, puts the inhabitants into the/ort, as prisoners, and determines to kill the governor and his companions . 131

Chapter XXXII

1. Aguirre arranges for the execution of the governor and his companions in captivity. — 2. They kill the governor and his companions. Aguirre summons his soldiers to see the dead bodies, and makes his observations on the matter. — 3. He explains, and gives his reasons for their death. — 4. Aguirre orders the bodies to be buried, and sends the inhabitants back to prison. He leaves his maestro del campo in charge of the city, and then sallies forth against the governor . 136

Chapter XXXIII

1 . The people of the port of Burburata send tidings to the governor of Venezuela, and other cities of his government, and that of Merida, concerning the acts of the traitor. — 2. Pedro Bravo de la Molina sends information to the Royal Audience of Santa Fe, and to the other cities on the road. — 3. Preparations are made by Pedro Bravo de la Molina, in the city of Merida, to resist the traitor, if necessary. — 4. The licenciate, Pablo Collado, is not unmindful of his duties, in the towns under his government . . . . .139

Chapter XXXIV

1. Preparations ordered by the Royal Audience of Santa Fe, and officers appointed. — 2. Orders are issued that the people of the various cities of the kingdom shall be ready for all exigencies, and what the governor Pedro Bravo de la Molina has to do in Merida. — 3. The governments of Popayan, Santa Martha, and Carthagena, are ordered to collect troops, and various opinions as to sallying forth against the traitor. — 4. Investigations are made, to see if there are, in the kingdom, any soldiers connected with the Peruvian mutineers. The royal seal guarded in Santa Fe . . . . . .142

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Chapter XXXV

1. Aguirre marches with his soldiers to Punta de Piedras, whence he returns to the city. He is told unfavourable things of his maestro del campo. — 2. Aguirre has his maestro del campo killed in the fortress. Some prisoners escape. — 3. A horrible thing occurs to one Llamoso, relative to the body of the maestro del campo. — The Maranones and soldiers of the provincial see one another . . .147

Chapter XXXVI

1. Lope de Aguirre writes to the provincial. — 2. The provincial replies from his ship, and then sets sail. Aguirre hangs two soldiers. — 3. Opinions as to whether it was politic of the provincial to communicate with the traitor. — 4. The opinions and objections resolved ........ 151

Chapter XXXVII

1. Aguirre prepares to leave the island, and kills a soldier. — 2. He has flags made, and blessed in the church, on the feast of our Lady of Assumption. — 3. Aguirre makes an oration to his captains and ensigns on giving them the flags. — 4. A soldier escapes from Aguirre, on account of which he kills two others, also a woman . .156

Chapter Xxxviii

1. Aguirre orders an old man to be killed ; he likewise does the same to a friar of Santo Domingo. He also commands another friar to be killed, to whom he had confessed. — >2. Of another who was strangled, which caused much sorrow in the town. — 3. The traitor hangs an old man and a woman ; he also does ridiculous things to some soldiers. — 4. One Francisco Taxardo comes to the island of Margarita from Caraccas, with some people, with the intention of routing Aguirre 160

Chapter XXXIX

1. Aguirre embarks with all his people, and, while doing so, he causes his admiral to be killed. — 2. The traitor sails, but changes his route, by going to the port of Burburata. — 3. He is becalmed, which retards his voyage — 4. They burn a ship they find in the port, and the inhabitants advise the governor of Venezuela of Aguirre’s arrival 165

Chapter XL

1. Garcia de Paredes goes from Merida to Tocuyo with some followers, sent by the governor. — 2. The governor of Venezuela sends to the governor and inhabitants of Merida, to come and assist him. — 3. The governor of Merida goes with twenty-five soldiers to Tocuyo. — 4. Aguirre’s men find a pilot in the town of Burburata, who was one of those who had passed over to the provincial . . .169

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Chapter XLI

1. Aguirre is informed that some soldiers, who were friendly to him, are in that part of the country. He sends in search of them. — 2. The traitor kills a soldier. He burns his vessels, and takes up his quarters in the town. — 3. The soldiers look about for horses, so as to sally forth with them. The traitor declares war against the king of Castille. — 4. The whole country is in a state of ferment ; the robberies of the soldiers ; they find the alcalde, and a tradesman of the town. Aguirre sends to the town of Valencia for horses . 173

Chapter XLII

] . Aguirre kills a tradesman, also a soldier, in this town of Burburata. — 2. Two of his soldiers desert from him. He begins his march on foot, for want of horses. — 3. Aguirre leaves his camp on the road, and returns to Burburata, where he gets drunk with his companions ; three desert. — 4. Disturbances in the camp whilst Aguirre was at Burburata, two soldiers are killed. — 5. Opinion among the Maranones relative to the death of one. The tyrant is informed of what had happened, and returns to the camp . . .177

Chapter XLIII

1. Aguirre marches, but with much trouble, towards Valencia. He becomes ill on the march. — 2. They arrive at Valencia, and find it deserted by the inhabitants. Aguirre becomes worse, but recovers, and then kills a soldier. — 3. The alcalde, Chaves, takes two soldiers in Burburata, and sends information to Aguirre ; one of them runs away. — 4. The traitor manages to lay hands on the inhabitants of Valencia, and on another soldier ...... 182

Chapter XLIV

1. The traitor allows the priest of Margarita to return to his dwelling, on condition that he forwards a letter that Aguirre had written to the king. — 2. The alcalde of Burburata informs the traitor, as to the preparations the governor is making to oppose him. Aguirre kills three soldiers. — 3. A sentinel informs the town of Barquicimeto, that Aguirre is marching on it ; the inhabitants fly. — 4. Ten of Aguirre’s soldiers desert on the march, at which he becomes very wrath, and utters ten thousand blasphemies, as was his custom . . 187

Chapter XLV

1. Aguirre, marching from Valencia to Barquicimeto, comes to a mining settlement, where he falls into some trouble. — 2. The traitor advances to the river of the valley of Damas, where he rests a day. — • 3. Here he determines to kill some of his men, but he does not do so.

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One of his captains comes from Margarita to Barquicimeto, and gives information as to Aguirre’s forces. — 4. The maestro del campo, Diego Garcia de Paredes, reconnoitres the forces of the traitor . 197

CHAPTER XLYI.

1. The maestro del campo, in a narrow part of the road, unexpectedly finds himself in Aguirre’s camp. Both parties retire. — 2. The general Pena takes letters of pardon from the governor, for Aguirre and his soldiers. — 3. The king’s party determine to await Aguirre’s attack upon the town. Aguirre writes a letter of promises and threats. — 4. The traitor’s party show themselves to those in the town, but no action ensues ........ 202

Chapter XLVII

1. Garcia de Paredes lays hands on some clothes and ammunition belonging to the traitor. His soldiers find the letters of pardon. — 2. Aguirre talks to them on the subject, they decide on following him. — 3. Aguirre sets fire to the town. The maestro del campo fires into the enemy’s camp. This vexes Aguirre. — 4. Pedro Bravo de la Molina arrives with men from Merida, where the governor had made him his lieutenant-general ..... 207

Chapter XLVIII

1 . Bravo accepts the posts conferred on him by the governor ; they all leave Tocuyo for the king’s camp. — 2. Aguirre’s letter to the governor, Pablo Collado. — 3. Those from Tocuyo join the king’s forces, when victory over the traitor is anticipated. — 4. Two of Aguirre’s soldiers desert to the king’s side. The maestro del campo and captain Bravo catch some Indians belonging to the Maranones . .211

Chapter XLIX

1. Aguirre sends sixty arquebusiers to fire into the king’s camp at night, but without any result. — 2. The traitor comes out to the aid of his men, and prepares to resist the royalists. — 3. Aguirre’s fire makes no impression on the royalists. Captain Diego Tirado deserts from the traitor. — 4. Another soldier tries to desert to the royalists. A mounted soldier of the king’s party makes the circuit of Aguirre’s entrenchment ....... 216

Chapter L

1. Aguirre, having fears of the desertion of his men, retires to his entrenchment. The royalists go to their quarters, but with hopes of victory over the traitor. — 2. The traitor meditates on killing the sick and those soldiers he has fears of, but is dissuaded from this. — 3. He

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takes their arms away from some of his soldiers, and drives away others, telling them to go and join the king’s camp. — 4. One of Aguirre’s soldiers kills Pedro Bravo’s horse. The traitor determines to return to the coast ...... 220

Chapter LI

1. The maestro del campo and captain Bravo come up towards Aguirre’s entrenchment. Some soldiers go out to oppose them. — 2. Captain Espindola, with a troop, deserts to the royalists, and all the rest of Aguirre’s soldiers follow their example by various routes. — 3. The maestro del campo sends news of the victory to the governor. Aguirre kills his daughter. — 4. Aguirre is killed by two arquebuses fired at him. His head is cut off, and his hands are given to those from Merida and Valencia ....... 224

Chapter LII

1. Gives an account of the country Aguirre came from, his character and customs. — 2. His occupations during the years he was in Peru. — 3. An account of the depredations he committed. — 4. Although the governor kept his promise of protection, with some of the Marahones, yet some were punished ...... 230