The emperor's communication was couched in the most condescending
and even conciliatory terms. Far from taxing Gonzalo with
rebellion, his royal master affected to regard his conduct as in
a manner imposed on him by circumstances, especially by the
obduracy of the viceroy Nunez in denying the colonists the
inalienable right of petition. He gave no intimation of an
intent to confirm Pizarro in the government, or, indeed, to
remove him from it; but simply referred him to Gasca as one who
would acquaint him with the royal pleasure, and with whom he was
to cooperate in restoring tranquillity to the country.
Gasca's own letter was pitched on the same politic key. He
remarked, however, that the exigencies which had hitherto
determined Gonzalo's line of conduct existed no longer. All that
had been asked was conceded. There was nothing now to contend
for; and it only remained for Pizarro and his followers to show
their loyalty and the sincerity of their principles by obedience
to the Crown. Hitherto, the president said, Pizarro had been in
arms against the viceroy; and the people had supported him as
against a common enemy. If he prolonged the contest, that enemy
must be his sovereign. In such a struggle, the people would be
sure to desert him; and Gasca conjured him, by his honor as a
cavalier, and his duty as a loyal vassal, to respect the royal
authority, and not rashly provoke a contest which must prove to
the world that his conduct hitherto had been dictated less by
patriotic motives than by selfish ambition.
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