University of Virginia Library

6. A Room Full of Gold
BY FRANCISCO XERES (1533)

GOVERNOR PIZARRO received news from the natives that the way to Cuzco passed through very populous districts which were rich and fertile;[32] that there was an inhabited valley called Caxamalca ten or twelve

days' journey from the settlement where Atahuallpa, the greatest lord among these natives, resided.[33] When Atahuallpa had come to the province of Caxamalca years before he found it to be so rich and pleasant that he settled there and continued to conquer other lands from thence. This lord was held so much in dread, that the natives of the valley did not dare to leave his service for the service of the king of Spain; so they told the Christians and their leader, Governor Pizarro, that a small detachment of Atahuallpa's army would be sufficient to kill all the Christians. Governor Pizarro thereupon resolved to march in search of Atahuallpa to reduce him to the service of the king of Spain and to win over the surrounding countries.

The Governor departed from the city of San Miguel in search of Atahuallpa on the twenty-fourth of September, 1532.[34] He arrived at the town of Caxamalca two months later at the hour of vespers. In the middle of the town there was a great open space surrounded by walls and houses. The Governor occupied this position and sent a messenger to Atahuallpa to announce his arrival, to arrange a meeting, and in order that he might show him where to lodge; meanwhile he ordered the town to be examined with a view to discovering a strong position where he might pitch his camp. He ordered all the troops to be stationed in the open space and the cavalry to remain mounted until it was seen whether Atahuallpa would come.

This town, which is the principal place in the valley, is situated on the edge of a mountain, with an open plain in front of it. Two rivers flow through the valley, which is level and well peopled with

about two thousand inhabitants. Near the entrance there are two bridges because two rivers flow past: The plaza[35] is larger than any in Spain, surrounded by a wall and entered by two doorways which open upon the streets of the town. The houses are more than two hundred paces in length, very well built, being surrounded by strong walls, three times the height of a man.[36] The roofs are covered with straw and wood, the interiors are divided into eight rooms, much better than any we had seen before. Their walls are of well cut stones, and each lodging is surrounded by a wall of masonry with doorways, and has its fountain of water in an open court brought from a distance by pipes for the supply of the house.

Atahuallapa feared that the Spaniards would kill him, so he told Governor Pizarro that he would give his captors a great quantity of gold and silver.[37] The Governor asked him: "How much can you give and in what time ?" Atahuallapa said: "I will give gold enough to fill a room twenty-two feet long and seventeen wide up to a white line which is half way up the wall. The height will be once and a half that of a man's stature." Atahuallapa also said, that up to that mark he would fill the room with different kinds of golden vessels, such as jars, pots, vases, besides lumps and other pieces. As for silver, he said that he would fill a whole chamber with it twice over. He undertook to do this in two months. Governor Pizarro told him to send off messengers for this purpose, and that when it was accomplished he need have no fear.

Then Atahuallapa sent messages to his captains who were in the city of Cuzco, ordering them to send two thousand Indians, laden with gold and silver. After

some days, several of the family of Atahuallapa arrived. There was his brother, who came from Cuzco, and sisters and wives. The brother brought many vases, jars, and pots of gold and much silver, and he said that there were more on the road; but that as the journey was long, the Indians who were bringing the treasure became tired and could not come so quickly, but that every day more gold and silver would arrive . And it came. On some days twenty thousand, on others fifty or sixty thousand pesos of gold arrived.[38] The Governor ordered it to be put in the house where Atahuallapa had his guard, and to be stored there until he had accomplished what he had promised.

SPANIARD IN ARMOR.

[Description: Black and white illustration of a man with upper-body armor, with hand on sword.]

And so the gold was delivered to the Christians by little and little and slowly, because it was necessary to employ many Indians who had to go from village to village to collect it.[39] The Governor ordered the pieces of gold to be counted, and the gold vessels and plates to be melted down and weighed. It was found

that there was over three million pesos of good gold. Of this, Governor Pizarro had as his share two hundred thousand pesos of gold and fifty thousand of silver. The "royal fifth" was set aside for the Spanish king. All the rest was divided among all the conquerors who had accompanied Governor Pizarro, and the men who had been friendly to them during the expedition. Thus every one of Pizarro's helpers in the country received something out of this room full of gold.[40]