divided among the three tribes.
The Incas were the only tribe, in the case of Peru, having supreme
power. Having no one to suit but themselves, they introduced some new
features. The tribute, instead of being all brought to Cuzco, seems to
have been, at least a portion of it, stowed away in storehouses located
at places most convenient for the Incas. Cieza De Leon says: "The
Incas... formed many depots full of all things necessary for their
troops. In some of these depots there were lances; in others, darts;
and in others, sandals: and so, one with another, arms and articles of
clothing which these people used, besides stores of food. Thus, when
a chief was lodged in one of these depots with his troops, there was
nothing, from the most trifling to the most important article, with
which they were not supplied."<34> This tribute was gathered by regular
tribute-gatherers. As in the case of Mexico, these appear in history as
governors. Ondegardo says they left "Cuzco every year, and returned in
February,... bringing with them the tribute of the whole empire."

As a rule, the Incas did not interfere with the customs of the tribes
they had conquered. Garcillasso says: "Excepting a few alterations that
were necessary for the welfare of the whole empire, all the other laws
and customs of the conquered province were retained without any change."
In the main, all they wished for was tribute. Yet they seem to have had
some idea of a higher policy than that. They are credited with carrying
out measures which would certainly tend to bring the tribes into a close
union. Mr. Squier remarks: "The efforts of the Incas to assimilate the
families that were brought within their empire, by force or alliance--in
respect to language, religion, and modes of life--were powerful and
well-directed."<35> This was a step ahead of any thing that can be said
of the Mexicans.

In the matter of language, it is said they made persistent efforts to
have the conquered tribes learn their own language. De Leon tells us
that it was a law throughout the kingdom that this language should be
used--"fathers were punished if they neglected to teach it to their
children in their childhood." How much we are to believe of this account
is doubtful. Mr. Markham has shown us that the languages of all the
interior tribes were related. We know how difficult it is to compel
a conquered people by law to learn a foreign language. William the
Conqueror made an unsuccessful