Pizarro Francisco

Pizarro, Francisco, the conqueror of Peru, was born about 1476 at Truxillo, in Spain. He was a natural son, and his early history is obscure; but it is known that his father was a soldier of distinction. He received absolutely no education and was never able to read or write, and enlisted as a soldier in order to give up his occupation as a swineherd. His courage and his wily manner speedily procured him promotion; and, his cupidity being as marked as his ambition, the conquest of Mexico by Cortez induced him to join with another soldier named Almagro, in 1524, in an expedition to Peru, of which little was then known. Pizarro had previously been on a voyage of discovery, as he was one of those with Balbao when the latter discovered the Pacific Ocean. The funds for the Peruvian expedition were provided by a priest named Luque. Save that it revealed a rich country and many possibilities of plunder, this expedition did not yield much profit, and the sufferings of those who undertook it were terrible. Another voyage was accomplished in 1526-27, and this time the tremendous importance of securing the country was fully recognised. Pizarro and his companions brought away much spoil, and were determined to seek the aid of the Government in their project, seeing how few they were in number and their lack of money. They first tried to get help from the Governor of Panama, who refused to assist them. Pizarro arrived in Spain in 1528, and obtained an interview with Charles V. at Toledo, unfolding his plans and expatiating on the results of a successful expedition to Peru. It was July, 1529, however, before he obtained the royal sanction. He was appointed governor of the territory to be annexed, which received the name of New Castile. Securing the help of his brothers and other adventurers, Pizarro embarked in 1531 with three ships, leaving Almagro to follow with such help as he could get. At this time Peru was tormented by a civil war, which proved Pizarro's opportunity. The emperor had died, and his two sons were fighting for the throne. The victorious son, Atahualpa, did not recognise the seriousness of the Spanish invasion, nor the ease with which Pizarro's handful of men could be annihilated. Pizarro professed peace when the hostile forces met, and invited Atahualpa to a banquet, where he was arrested and his followers massacred. The butchery which followed was frightful. The Peruvians, utterly demoralised, were slaughtered in thousands. Pizarro forced Atahualpa to disclose all his treasure, and then ordered him to be burnt as a conspirator, but mercifully allowed him to be strangled first on his becoming a Christian. His cruelty so thoroughly subjected the Peruvians that Pizarro held his course uninterruptedly. He founded Lima in 1535, and but for his savage treatment of Almagro, whom he put to death, might have reigned for many years. He was created a marquis, but was assassinated with his brother on June 26th, 1541, by the friends of his murdered companion Almagro.