History of America (Volume 3)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1788. Excerpt: ... B o o K the town that day with extraordinary pomp, to tak$ -v- DEGREES possession of his new dignity DEGREESoct. DEGREESs. But amidst the disorder and turbulence which recovers his accompanied this total dissolution of the frame of government, the minds of men, set loose from the ordinary restraints of law and authority, acted with such capricious irregularity, that events no less extraordinary than unexpected followed in a rapid succession. Pizarro had scarcely begun to exercise the new powers with which he was invested, when he beheld formidable enemies rife up to oppose him. The viceroy having been put on board a vessel by the judges of the audience, in order that he might be carried to Spain under custody of Juan Alvarez, one of their own number; as soon as they were out at sea, Alvarez, either touched with remorse or moved by fear, kneeled down to his prisoner, declaring him from that moment to be free, and that he himself, and every person in the ship, would obey him as the legal representative of their sovereign. Nugnez Vela ordered the pilot of the vessel to shape his course, towards Tumbez, and as soon as he landed there, erected the royal standard, and resumed his func, tions of viceroy. Several persons of note, to whom the contagion of the seditious spirit which reigned at Guzco and Lima had not reached, instantly i Zarate, lib. v. c. 8--10. Vega, p. 11. lib. iv. C 13-- Ig. Gorhara, c. 159--163. Fernandez, lib. i. c. 18--25. Hmera, dec. 7. lib. viii. c. 10--20. avowed their resolution to support his authority r. The violence of Pizarro's government, who observed every individual with the jealousy natural to I54*' usurpers, and who punished every appearance of disaffection with unforgiving severity, soon augmented the number of the Viceroy's adherents, as it forced some leading men in th...