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Prescott, William Hickling, 1796-1859

"History of the Conquest of Peru; with a preliminary view of the civilization of the Incas"

"
No. V.
Translation From Oviedo's Historia General De Las Indias, Ms
Parte II., Cap. 23.
[This chapter of the gossiping old chronicler describes a
conversation between the governor of Tierra Firme and Almagro, at
which the writer was present. It is told with much spirit; and
is altogether so curious, from the light it throws on the
characters of the parties, that I have thought the following
translation, which has been prepared for me, might not be
uninteresting to the English reader.]
The Interview between Almagro and Pedrarias, in which the latter
relinquished his Share of the Profits arising from the Discovery
of Peru. Translated from Oviedo, Historia General, Ms., Parte
II., Cap. 23.
In February, 1527, I had some accounts to settle with Pedrarias,
and was frequently at his house for the purpose. While there one
day, Almagro came in and said to him, - "Your Excellency is of
course aware that you contracted with Francisco Pizarro, Don
Fernando de Luque, the schoolmaster, and myself, to fit out an
expedition for the discovery of Peru. You have contributed
nothing for the enterprise, while we have sunk both fortune and
credit; for our expenses have already amounted to about fifteen
thousand castellanos de oro. Pizarro and his followers are now
in the greatest distress, and require a supply of provisions,
with a reinforcement of brave recruits. Unless these are
promptly raised, we shall be wholly ruined, and our glorious
enterprise, from which the most brilliant results have been
justly anticipated, will fall to the ground.


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