ion being to civilise the
people by the introduction of European clothing and luxuries, and in
that manner to create a good market for the product of the industry of
the mother country. It is one of the many examples of the folly of
attempting to force the interests of commerce by unjust laws. For a
time a few merchants sold their goods; but the ultimate result,
independent of the bloodshed which it caused, was that the Indians took
a dislike to Spanish manufactures, and the Peruvian market was
ultimately lost for ever to Spain.

The _repartimiento_ had lately been put in force by the _corregidores_
with even more than the usual injustice. The _corregidores_ were, I
must explain, Spanish municipal officers, who had very great authority
in the districts they governed; and as they were the receivers of all
taxes, tributes, and customs, they were able to ensure it with unsparing
rapacity, which they did not fail to do in most instances.

At length, after years of suffering, the Indian population were
thoroughly aroused, and determined to throw off the hated yoke of the
tyrants. Condorcanqui placed himself at their head; and before the
Spaniards were aware of the storm which was gathering, he had collected
a large but undisciplined army. He had two sons, called Andres and
Mariano, and a brother named Diogo, all of whom assumed the title of
Tupac Amaru, which means in the Quichua language, _the highly endowed_.
Several others of his relations also assumed the same title, and took
command of the patriots' forces in other parts of the country. The
Spaniards, despising the Indians, and regardless of any warnings they
might have received, were completely taken by surprise, and defeated in
all directions. The villages in whole districts were totally destroyed,
and several large towns were besieged, many of which were captured and
the inhabitants put to the sword.

Of their first victory I had been a witness. Condorcanqui had been
_cacique_ of the province of Tungasuca, the _corregidor_ of which was
among the most exacting and rapacious of his class. For a long time the
Indian chief had brooded over the sufferings of his countrymen, till he
resolved to avenge them. He confided his plans to a few other
_caciques_ only, and to his own relatives. They prepared the people by
means of faithful emissaries throughout the country; and arms and
munitions of war were collected with the greatest secrecy and
expedition. At an a