History of the Incas | Page 4

as their surname; and both
were born at Aquilar del Campo. Alonso Ruiz de Navamuel was
Secretary to the governments of five successive Viceroys. He wrote a
Relacion de las cosas mas notables que hiza en el Peru, siendo Virev
Don Francisco de Toledo, 20 Dec. 1578. He died in the year 1613. The
descendants of his son Juan de los Rios formed the mayorazgos of Rios
and Cavallero.
By his wife Angela Ortiz de Arbildo y Berriz, a Biscayan, he had a
daughter Inez married to her cousin Geronimo Aliaga, a son of the
Secretary's brother Captain Francisco Ruiz de Navamuel, the
encomendero of Caracoto in the Collao, by Juana, daughter of Captain
Geronimo de Aliaga. His marriage, at which the Viceroy Toledo was
present, took place on November 23rd, 1578. From the marriage of the
younger Geronimo de Aliaga with Inez Navamuel, descend the Aliagas,
Counts of Luringancho in Peru.]
The history of the Incas by Sarmiento is, without any doubt, the most
authentic and reliable that has yet appeared. For it was compiled from
the carefully attested evidence of the Incas themselves, taken under
official sanction. Each sovereign Inca formed an ayllu or "gens" of his
descendants, who preserved the memory of his deeds in quipus, songs,

and traditions handed down and learnt by heart. There were many
descendants of each of these ayllus living near Cuzco in 1572, and the
leading members were examined on oath; so that Sarmiento had
opportunities of obtaining accurate information which no other writer
possessed. For the correct versions of the early traditions, and for
historical facts and the chronological order of events, Sarmiento is the
best authority.
But no one can supersede the honest and impartial old soldier, Pedro de
Cieza de Leon, as regards the charm of his style and the confidence to
be placed in his opinions; nor the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega as regards
his reminiscences and his fascinating love for his people. Molina and
Yamqui Pachacuti give much fuller details respecting the ceremonial
festivals and religious beliefs. Polo de Ondegardo and Santillana supply
much fuller and more reliable information respecting the laws and
administration of the Incas. It is in the historical narrative and the
correct order of events that Sarmiento, owing to his exceptional means
of collecting accurate information, excels all other writers.
There is one serious blemish. Sarmiento's book was written, not only or
mainly to supply interesting information, but with an object. Bishop
Las Casas had made Europe ring with the cruelties of the Spaniards in
the Indies, and with the injustice and iniquity of their conquests. Don
Francisco de Toledo used this narrative for the purpose of making a
feeble reply to the good bishop. Under his instructions Sarmiento stated
the Viceroy's argument, which was that the King of Spain was the
rightful sovereign of Peru because the Incas had usurped their power by
conquest and had been guilty of acts of cruelty. Hence the constant
repetition of such phrases as "cruel tyranny" and "usurping tyrant"; and
the numerous interpolations of the Viceroy himself are so obvious that
I have put them in italics within brackets. He goes back as far as the
first Inca to make out the usurpation, and he is always harping on
illegitimacy. If we go back as far as Sancho IV the title of Philip II to
Spain was voided by the grossest usurpation, while we need only go
back to Henry II to see how Philip's title was vitiated by illegitimacy.
As for cruelty, it would be a strange plea from the sovereign by whose
orders the Netherlands were devastated, the Moors of Granada almost

annihilated, and under whose rule the Inquisition was in full swing. It is
the old story of preaching without practice, as Dr Newman once
observed in quoting what James I said to George Heriot:
"O Geordie, jingling Geordie, it was grand to hear Baby Charles laying
down the guilt of dissimulation, and Steenie lecturing on the turpitude
of incontinence."
It is right to say that Philip never seems to have endorsed the argument
of his Viceroy, while his father prohibited the circulation of a book by
Dr Sepulveda which contained a similar argument; nor was the work of
Sarmiento published.
Barring this blemish, the history of the Incas, written by order of the
Viceroy Toledo, is a most valuable addition to the authorities who have
given us authentic accounts of Andean civilization; for we may have
every confidence in the care and accuracy of Sarmiento as regards his
collection and statement of historical facts, provided that we always
keep in mind the bias, and the orders he was under, to seek support for
the Viceroy's untenable argument.
I have given all I have been able to find respecting the life of Sarmiento