After the events we have related had passed in the city of Cuzco,
there did not cease to be some tumult in the city following the death
of Cristóbal de Sotelo. Don Diego, who felt most keenly the insolence
of García de Alvarado, reflected within himself what scheme would lead
to the satisfaction of his desire, which was that no one else, with
the example of García de Alvarado before him, should attempt another
treason such as that person had perpetrated. He also wanted to get
rid of García de Alvarado as a companion, in order to advance his
desire and give effect to his plans. Summoning to a consultation the
captains and old soldiers who were entirely faithful to him, through
having followed the banners of the Adelantado his father, Juan Balsa
was with the assent of them all nominated Captain-general--a man
unworthy of such a charge; and the troop lately Cristóbal de Sotelo's
was entrusted to Diego Méndez, because he was known to cherish enmity
against García de Alvarado, who was still esconced in the fortified
house with his supporters. As the soldiers in Cuzco had now received
news of the entry of Vaca de Castro into the Realm, they felt the
necessity for peace among themselves in order to be in a position to
resist attack, come whence it might; and they therefore approached
their captains, with a view to mediation between Don Diego and García
de Alvarado. But as the latter knew he was to blame in reference
to past transactions, he asked that Don Diego would make him his
Captain-general and give him sufficient power to govern the camp in
Don Diego's name. Failing that, Alvarado would not trust to promises,
but in that way his person would be secure and he would serve Don
Diego loyally. The latter desired to punish Alvarado, but, seeing
there was no other course open, he agreed to give him the power that
was requested and to appoint him his General, first arranging with
Juan Balsa and others to concert crafty and cautious plans to kill
him. So Alvarado was presently sent a commission naming him General
and Deputy-Governor. When they delivered it to him he tore it up
in front of the officer who had brought it, and spoke ugly words
against Don Diego because it did not include power to displace and
appoint captains, declaring that he was not the man to be contented
with limited power. And as he had heard it said that Juan Balsa had
previously been named for General, he conceived that Balsa must have
intrigued with Don Diego not to give the full powers he claimed. So he
talked with some friends about a way to kill Balsa, by sending to call
him up and then stabbing him. His friends replied they would execute
his command.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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