Vast Kingdoms and Expansive Provinces of Perusia

A notorious Tyrant in the Year 1531, entred the Kingdoms of Perusia with his Complices, upon the same Account, and with the same pretences, and beginning at the same Rate as others did; he indeed being one of those who were exercised, and highly concern'd in the Slaughters and Cruelties committed on the Continent ever since the Year 1510, he increased and heightned the Cruelties, Butcheries, and Rapine; destroying and laying waste (being a False-hearted Faithless Person) the Towns and Villages, and Murdering the Inhabitants, which occasion'd all those Evils, that succeeded in those Regions afterward: Now to undertake the Writing of a Narrative of them, and represent them lively and Naturally to the Readers view, and perusal, is a work altogether impossible, but must lie concealed and unknown until they shall more openly and clearly appear, and be made visible to every Eye, at the day of Judgement. As for my part, if I should presume to unravel, in some, measure the Deformity, Quality and Circumstances of those Enormities, I must ingenuously confess I could by no means perform so burthensom a Task, and render it compleat and as it ought to be.

In 1531, a notorious tyrant entered the kingdoms of Perusia with his accomplices. He came for the same reasons, used the same excuses, and began just as the others had. Indeed, he had been deeply involved in the slaughter and cruelty on the mainland ever since 1510. Now he increased the cruelty, butchery, and plunder. Treacherous and faithless, he destroyed and devastated towns and villages and murdered their inhabitants. These acts caused all the evils that later followed in those regions. To write an account of these horrors and describe them vividly and faithfully for readers is utterly impossible. These horrors must remain hidden and unknown until the day of Judgement, when every eye will see them more clearly. For my part, I might attempt to explain, to some extent, the ugliness, nature, and circumstances of these monstrous acts. But if I did, I must honestly admit that I could never complete so burdensome a task as it deserves.

At his first admission into these parts, he had laid waste some Towers, and rob'd them of a great quantity of Gold, this he did in the Infancy of his Tyrannical Attempts, when he arriv'd at Pugna a Neighbouring Isle so called, he had the Reception of an Angel; but about Six Months after, when the Spaniards had spent all their Provisions, they discover'd and opened the Indians Stores and Granaries, which were laid up for the sustenance of themselves, Wives and Children against a time of Dearth and Scarcity, brought them forth with Tears and Weepings, to dispose of at pleasure: But they rewarded them with Slaughter, Slavery and Depopulation as formerly.

When he first entered these lands, he destroyed some towers and stole a great quantity of gold from them. This was at the beginning of his tyrannical acts. When he arrived at Pugna, a neighboring island, he was welcomed like an angel. But about six months later, the Spaniards had used up all their provisions. They found and opened the Indians' storehouses and granaries. These held food saved for the Indians, their wives, and their children against times of famine and scarcity. The supplies were brought out amid tears and weeping, for the Spaniards to use as they pleased. But the Spaniards repaid them with slaughter, slavery, and depopulation, just as before.

Thence they betook themselves to the Isle Tumbala, scituate on the firm Land, where they put to Death all they met with. And because the People terrified with their abominable Sins of Commission, fled from their Cruelty, they were accused of Rebellion against the Spanish King. This Tyrant made use of this Artifice, he commanded all that he took, or that had bestowed Gold, Silver and other rich Gifts on him, still to load him with other Presents, till he found they had exhausted their Treasures, and were grown naked and incapable of affording him farther supplies, and then he declared them to be the Vassals and Subjects of the King of Spain, flattering them, and proclaiming twice by sound of Trumpet, that for the future he would not captivate or molest them any more, looking upon it as lawful to rob, and terrifie them with such Messages as he had done, before he admited them under the King's protection, as if from that very time, he had never rob'd, destroy'd or opprest them with Tyrannical Usage.

From there they went to the Isle Tumbala, situated on the mainland, where they killed everyone they met. The people fled their cruelty, terrified by the abominable sins these men committed. Because the people fled, they were accused of rebellion against the Spanish King. This tyrant used the following trick. He demanded more gifts from everyone he captured or who had given him gold, silver, and other rich gifts. He kept demanding gifts until he found that their treasures were exhausted. They were left with nothing and could give him no more. Only then did he declare them vassals and subjects of the King of Spain. He flattered them and twice proclaimed, with trumpet blasts, that he would no longer enslave or harass them. He considered it lawful to rob them and terrify them with such proclamations before admitting them under the King's protection. He acted as if, from that moment on, he had never robbed, destroyed, or tyrannically oppressed them.

Not long after Ataliba the King and Supreme Emperor of all these Kingdoms, leading a great Number of Naked Men, he himself being at the Head of them, armed with ridiculous Weapons, and wholly ignorant of the goodness of the Spaniards Bilbo-Blades, the Mortal Dartings of their Lances, and the Strength of their Horse, whose Use and Service was to him altogether unknown, and never so much as heard of before, and that the Spaniards were sufficiently weapon'd to rob the Devils themselves of Gold, if they had any, came to the place where they then were; saying, Where are these Spaniards? Let them appear, I will not stir a foot from hence till they give me satisfaction for my Subjects whom they have slain, my Towns they have reduc'd to Ashes, and my Riches they have stoln from me. The Spaniards meet him, make a great Slaughter of his Men, and seize on the Person of the King Himself, who was carried in a Chair or Sedan on Mens Shoulders. There was a Treaty had about his Redemption, the King engaged to lay down Four Millions of Crowns, as the purchase of his Freedom, but Fifteen were paid down upon the Nail: They promise to set him at Liberty, but contrary to all Faith and Truth according to their common Custom (for they always violated their promises with the Indians) they falsly imposed this upon him, that his People were got together in a Body by his Command; but the King was made answer, That throughout his Dominions, not so much as a Leaf upon a Tree durst move without his Authority and Pleasure, and if any were assembled together, they must of necessity believe that it was done without his Order, he being a Captive, it being in their power to deprive him of his LIfe, if any such thing should be ordered by him: Notwithstanding which, they entred into a Consultation to have him burnt alive, and a little while after the Sentence was agreed upon, but the Captain at the intreaty of some Persons commanded him first to be strangled, and afterward thrown into the fire. The King understanding the sentence of Death past upon him, said; Why do you burn me? What Fact have I committed deserving Death? Did you not promise to set me free for a Sum of Gold. And did I not give you a far larger quantity than I promised? But if it is your pleasure so to do, send me to your King of Spain, and thus using many words to the same purpose, tending to the Confusion and Detestation of the Spanish Injustice, he was burnt to Death. And here let us take into serious Consideration the Right and Title they had to make this War, the Captivity, Sentence, and Execution of this Prince, and the Conscience wherewith these Tyrants have possessed themselves of vast Treasures, which they have surreptitiously and fraudulently taken away from this King, and a great many more of the Rulers of these Kingdoms. But as to the great number of their Enormities committed by those who stile themselves Christians in order to the extirpation of this People, I will hear repeat some of them, which in the very beginning were seen by a Franciscan, confirm'd by his own Letters, and signed with his Hand and Seal, sending some of them to the Perusian Provinces, and others to the Kingdom of Castile: A Copy whereof I have in my Custody, Signed with his Hand, as I said before; the Contents whereof follow.

Not long afterward, Ataliba, King and Supreme Emperor of all these kingdoms, came to where the Spaniards were staying. He led a large force of naked men, armed with laughable weapons. He knew nothing of the quality of the Spaniards’ Bilbao swords or the deadly thrusts of their lances. Nor did he know the strength of their horses. He had never known or even heard of horses being used in this way. He also did not know that the Spaniards were armed well enough to rob the devils themselves of gold, if they had any. He said: Where are these Spaniards? Let them appear. I will not move a foot from here until they answer for the subjects of mine they have killed. They must also answer for burning my towns to ashes and stealing my riches. The Spaniards met him, slaughtered many of his men, and seized the King himself. He was being carried in a chair on men’s shoulders. Negotiations followed over his ransom. The King agreed to pay four million crowns for his freedom, but fifteen million were paid outright. The Spaniards promised to release him. But, as was their usual practice, they broke their word and acted against all honesty and good faith. They always broke their promises to the Indians. They falsely accused the King of ordering his people to gather together. The King replied that throughout his lands, not even a leaf on a tree dared move without his permission. If any people had gathered, the Spaniards must believe they had done so without his orders. He was a prisoner, and the Spaniards could take his life if he ordered any such gathering. Despite his reply, they discussed burning him alive, and soon agreed on that sentence. But at the request of some people, the Captain ordered him strangled first and then thrown into the fire. When the King learned of his death sentence, he said: Why are you burning me? What have I done to deserve death? Did you not promise to free me in exchange for gold? And did I not give you far more than I promised? But if you wish to do this, send me to your King of Spain. He said much more to the same effect, exposing the shamefulness of Spanish injustice and showing how hateful it was. He was burned to death. Let us now seriously consider what right or lawful claim the Spaniards had to wage this war. Consider also their right to imprison, sentence, and execute this prince. And consider the conscience of these tyrants, who took possession of vast treasures. They stole those treasures through stealth and fraud from this King and many other rulers of these kingdoms. As for the many atrocities committed by those who call themselves Christians to wipe out this people, I will recount some. A Franciscan witnessed these atrocities at the very beginning and confirmed them in letters bearing his signature and seal. He sent some of these letters to the Perusian provinces and others to the Kingdom of Castile. As I have said, I have a copy in my possession, signed by his own hand. Its contents follow.

I Frier Marcus de Xlicia, of the Franciscan Order, and Praefect of the whole Fraternity residing in the Perusian Provinces, one of the first among the Religious, who arriv'd with the Spaniards in these parts. I decalre with incontrovertible and undeniable Testimony, those Transactions, which I saw with my own Eyes, and particularly such as relate to the usage of the Inhabitants of this Region. In the first place I was an Eye-Witness, and am certainly assur'd, that these Perusians are a People, who transcend all other Indians in Meekness, Clemency, and Love to Spaniards; and I have seen the Indians bestow very liberally on them Gold, Silver, and Jewels, being very serviceable to them many other wayes. Nor did the Indians ever betake themselves to their Arms in an Hostile manner, till by infinite Injuries and Cruelties they were compell'd thereunto: For on the contrary, they gave the Spaniards an amicable and honourable Reception in all their Towns, and furnished them with Provisions, and as many Male and Female Servants as they required.

I am Friar Marcus de Xlicia, of the Franciscan Order, and head of the entire brotherhood in the Perusian Provinces. I was among the first religious men to arrive with the Spaniards in these parts. I offer indisputable and undeniable testimony about the events I witnessed, particularly the treatment of this region’s inhabitants. First, I witnessed and know with certainty that these Perusians surpass all other Indians in gentleness, mercy, and love for Spaniards. I have seen the Indians give the Spaniards gold, silver, and jewels very generously, and help them in many other ways. Nor did the Indians ever take up arms against the Spaniards until countless injuries and cruelties forced them to. On the contrary, the Indians welcomed the Spaniards warmly and honorably in all their towns. The Indians also supplied the Spaniards with food and as many male and female servants as the Spaniards requested.

I can also farther testifie, that the Spaniards, without the least provocation on their part, as soon as they entred upon these Territories, did burn at the Stake their most Potent Caciq Ataliba, Prince of the whole Country, after they had extorted from him above Two Millions of Gold, and possessed themselves of his Province, without the least Opposition: and Cochilimaca, his Captain General, who with other Rulers, came peaceably into them, follow'd him by the same fiery Tryal and Death. As also some few days after, the Ruler of the Province of Quitonia, who was burnt, without any Cause given, or Crime laid to his Charge. They likewise put Schapera, Prince of the Canaries to the same Death, and in like manner, burnt the Feet of Alvidis, the greatest of all the Quitonian Lords, and rackt him with other Torments to Extract from him a discovery of Ataliba's Treasure, whereof as appear'd after, he was totally ignorant. Thus they treated Cocopaganga, Governour of all the Provinces of Quitonia, who being overcome with the Intreaties of Sebastian Bernalcarus, the Governours Captain, went peaceably to pay them a Visit; but because he could not give them as much Gold as they demanded, they burnt him with many other Casics and Chief Persons of Quality. And as I understnad, did it with this evil Intention, that they might not leave one surviving Lord or Peer in the whole Countrey.

I can also testify that the Spaniards burned the country's most powerful Caciq Ataliba, prince of the whole country, at the stake. They did so as soon as they entered these territories, without the slightest provocation from the inhabitants. They had first extorted more than two million in gold from him and seized his province without any opposition. Cochilimaca, his captain general, had come peacefully to the Spaniards with other rulers. He followed Ataliba to the same ordeal and death by fire. A few days later, the Spaniards also burned the ruler of the province of Quitonia. He had given them no cause, and they charged him with no crime. They also put Schapera, prince of the Canaries, to death in the same way. Likewise, they burned the feet of Alvidis, the greatest of all the Quitonian lords, and tortured him in other ways. They did this to force him to reveal where Ataliba's treasure was. As became clear afterward, he knew nothing at all about it. The Spaniards treated Cocopaganga, governor of all the provinces of Quitonia, in the same way. Persuaded by the pleas of Sebastian Bernalcarus, the governor's captain, Cocopaganga went peacefully to visit the Spaniards. But because he could not give them as much gold as they demanded, they burned him. They burned many other Casics and high-ranking people with him. As I understand it, the Spaniards did this with the evil intention of leaving no lord or noble alive in the whole country.

I also affirm that I saw with these Eyes of mine the Spaniards for no other reason, but only to gratifie their bloody mindedness, cut off the Hands, Noses, and Ears, both of Indians and Indianesses, and that in so many places and parts, that it would be too prolix and tedious to relate them. Nay, I have seen the Spaniards let loose their Dogs upon the Indians to bait and tear them in pieces, and such a Number of Villages burnt by them as cannot well be discover'd: Farther this is a certain Truth, that they snatched Babes from the Mothers Embraces, and taking hold of their Arms threw them away as far as they would from them: (a pretty kind of barr-tossing Recreation.) They committed many other Cruelties, which shook me with Terror at the very sight of them, and would take up too much time in the Relation.

I also affirm that I saw with my own eyes the Spaniards cut off hands, noses, and ears. Their victims were both Indians and Indian women. They did this for no reason except to satisfy their bloodlust. These acts happened in so many places that listing them would be tedious and take too long. Indeed, I have seen the Spaniards unleash their dogs on the Indians to attack and tear them to pieces. I have also seen more villages burned by the Spaniards than could be counted. Furthermore, this is certainly true: they snatched babies from their mothers’ arms. Then they grabbed the babies by their arms and flung them as far as they pleased. (What a fine game of bar throwing.) The Spaniards committed many other cruelties that shook me with terror as I witnessed them. Describing those cruelties would take too much time.

I likewise aver, That the Spaniards gathered together as many Indians as fill'd Three Houses, to which, for no cause, (or a very inconsiderable one) they set fire, and burnt every one of them: But a Presbyter, Ocana by Name, chanced to snatch a little baby out of the fire, which being observ'd by a Spaniard, he tore him out of his Arms, and threw him into the midst of the Flames, where he was with the rest, soon burnt to Ashes, which Spaniard the same day he committed that Fact, returning to his Quarters, dyed suddenly by the way, and I advised them not to give him Christian Burial.

I also affirm that the Spaniards gathered enough Indians to fill three houses. For no reason (or a very trivial one), the Spaniards set the houses on fire and burned everyone inside. But a priest named Ocana happened to rescue a little baby from the fire. When a Spaniard saw this, he tore the baby from the priest’s arms and threw him into the flames. There, the baby was soon burned to ashes with the others. That same day, the Spaniard who committed this act suddenly died on his way back to his quarters. I advised them not to give him a Christian burial.

Farthermore I saw them send to several Casics and Principal Indians, promising them a protecting Passeport to travel peaceably and securely to them, who, no sooner came, but they were burnt; Two of them before my Face, one at Andonia, and the other at Tumbala, nor could I with all my perswasions and preaching to them prevail so far as to save them from the Fire. And this I do maintain according to God and my own Conscience, as far as I could possibly learn, that the Inhabitants of Perusia never promoted or raised any Commotion or Rebellion, though as it is manifest to all Men, they were afflicted with Evil Dealings and Cruel Torments: And they, not without Cause, the Spaniards breaking their Faith and Word, betraying the Truth and Tyrannically contrary to all Law and Justice, destroying them and the whole Country, inflicting on them great Injuries and Losses, were more reay to prepare themselves for Death, than still to fall at once into such great and irrecoverable Miseries.

Furthermore, I saw them send messages to several Casics and leading Indians, promising safe passage to visit them peacefully and securely. But as soon as these leaders arrived, they were burned. Two were burned before my eyes, one at Andonia and the other at Tumbala. Despite all my pleading and preaching, I could not save them from the fire. And I declare before God and my own conscience, as far as I could possibly learn, the following is true. The inhabitants of Perusia never encouraged or started any unrest or rebellion. Yet, as everyone knows, they suffered mistreatment and cruel torture. And with good reason, they were more ready to prepare for death than to fall into such terrible, irreversible misery. The Spaniards had broken their promises and betrayed their trust. Acting tyrannically, against all law and justice, the Spaniards destroyed the inhabitants and the whole country, causing great harm and loss.

Nay I do declare, according to Information from the Indians themselves, that there are to this day far greater Quantities of Gold kept hid and concealed than ever were yet detected or brought to light, which by means of the Spanish Injustice and Cruelty, they would not then, nor ever will discover so long as they are so barbarously treated, but will rather chose to dye with the Herd. Whereat the Lord God is highly offended and the King hath very ill Offices done him, for he is hereby defrauded of this Region, which was sufficiently able to furnish all Castile with Necessaries, the Recovery whereof can never be expected without great difficulty and vast Expenses.

Indeed, I declare, based on information from the Indians themselves, that far greater quantities of gold remain hidden today. These quantities far exceed all the gold ever found or brought to light. Because of Spanish injustice and cruelty, the Indians refused to reveal the gold then. Nor will they ever reveal it as long as they are treated so barbarously. Instead, they would rather die with the rest. This greatly offends the Lord God and does the King a great disservice. For this cruelty deprives him of this region, which could supply all Castile with necessities. Recovering the region can never be expected without great difficulty and enormous expense.

Thus far I have acquainted you with the very words of this Religious Franciscan, ratified by the Bishop of Mexico, who testifieth that the said Frier Marc did affirm and maintain what is above-mentioned.

So far, I have given you the exact words of this Franciscan friar, confirmed by the Bishop of Mexico. The bishop testifies that Friar Marc affirmed and stood by what is stated above.

Here it is to be observ'd what this said Frier was an Eye-Witness of; for he travelled up in this Countrey Fifty or a Hundred Miles, for the space of Nine or Ten Years, when as yet, few Spaniards had got footing there, but afterward, at the noise of Gold to be had there in great plenty, Four or Five Thousand came thither, who spread themselves through those Kingdoms and Provinces the space of Five or Six Hundred Miles, which they made wholly desloate, committing the same, or greater Cruelies than are before recited; for in reality they destroyed from that time to these very days, above an Hundred Thousand poor Souls more than he gives an Account of, and with less fear of God and the King, nay with less Mercy have they destroyed the greatest part of Mankind in these Kingdoms, above Four Millions suffering by violent Death.

It is important to note what this friar witnessed himself. For nine or ten years, he traveled fifty or a hundred miles into this country. At that time, few Spaniards had established themselves there. But afterward, reports of abundant gold brought four or five thousand Spaniards there. They spread across five or six hundred miles of those kingdoms and provinces, leaving the whole area desolate. They committed the same cruelties described earlier, or worse. In fact, from that time to this very day, they have destroyed over a hundred thousand more poor souls than the friar reports. With even less fear of God and the King, and even less mercy, they have destroyed most of the people in these kingdoms. More than four million have suffered violent deaths.

A few days after they darted to Death with Arrows made of Reeds a Puissant Queen, the Wife of a Potentate, who still sways the Imperial Scepter of that Kingdom, whom the Spaniards had a design to take, which instigated him to raise a Rebellion, and he still continues a Rebel. They seized the Queen his Consort, and contrary to all Law and Equity murdered her, as is said before, who was then, as report, big with Child, only for this Reason, that they might add fresh Affliction and Grief to her Husband.

A few days later, they killed a powerful queen with arrows made of reeds. She was the wife of a ruler who still rules that kingdom. The Spaniards had planned to capture him, prompting him to rebel, and he remains in rebellion. They seized his wife and, against all law and justice, murdered her, as already described. She was reportedly pregnant. They killed her only to bring her husband more suffering and grief.

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