THE CONQUEROR OF PERU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 209, 15 September 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CONQUEROR OF PERU.

Francisco Pizarro was born at Trijillo in Spain, about the year 147*, and served under 3a 1 boa when that explorer crossed the isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific. Tn 1526 Pizarro sailed from Peru and after many misadventures and delays reached the port of Tumbez, where he collected full informaron inspecting the empire of the lncas, and th.en repaired to Spain for authority to undertake the conquest of Peru, which he got in 1529. Pizarro was appointed captain-general, and Aimagro was made marshal. He sailed from Panama in December 1531 with 183 men and 37 horses, and arranged with Aimagro to follow with re:nforcements. Landing at Tumbez, the Spaniards ctimenccd the march inland in May 1532, and in November entered Ccjamarca. Near here Pizarro captured the Inca Atahualpa by treachery, and after • extorting an enormous ransom, amounting to £3,500,000, he put him to death on August 29, 1522. Pizarro then marched to Curzco, set up the young Inca Manco as nominal sovereign, and was himsoli created a marquis by Emperor diaries V. AVhiio Aimagro undertook the conquest of Chili and Pizarro was founding Lima and other cities, an Indian : nsiirrection broke out. Both Cuzco, where P'zarro's brothers were, and Lima wore besieged, but in the spring Aimagro returned from Chili, raised the siege of Cuzco. and took possession of that city. But Pizarro did not intend to allow his rjval to retain the city, and, being too old to take the field Ir'niself, lie entrusted h : s brother with tho command of his forces, and Aimagro was defeated and beheaded soon afterwards. One of Almagro's followers then matured a conspiracy for Pizarro's assassination, which took place in his house at Lima on June 26. 1541. Pizarro was an exceedingly illiterate man, though possessed of considerable natural ability, and his dealings with the native population of Peru were characterised by extreme barbarity.