o_, Madrid, 1615. fol. From the Rev. C.M.
Cracherode's copy in the British Museum

11. Capture of Atahualpa, and Siege of Cuzco. From the
Title-page of the Sixth Decade of Antonio de Herrera

12. Map of Vilca-Pampa. 1907. By Graham Mackay, R.G.S

Plates 2--7 have been reproduced from the negatives, kindly lent
for the purpose by Professor Dr Richard Pietschmann, Director of
the Goettingen University Library.

[Illustration: 1907. Series II. Vol. XXII.
Reproduced and printed for the Hakluyt Society by Donald Macbeth.
PORTRAITS OF THE INCAS. From the Rev. C.M. Cracherode's copy in the
British Museum.]

INTRODUCTION.

The publication of the text of the Sarmiento manuscript in the Library
of Goettingen University, has enabled the Council to present the members
of the Hakluyt Society with the most authentic narrative of events
connected with the history of the Incas of Peru.

The history of this manuscript, and of the documents which accompanied
it, is very interesting. The Viceroy, Don Francisco de Toledo, who
governed Peru from 1569 to 1581, caused them to be prepared for the
information of Philip II. Four cloths were sent to the King from Cuzco,
and a history of the Incas written by Captain Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa.
On three cloths were figures of the Incas with their wives, on
medallions, with their _Ayllus_ and a genealogical tree. Historical
events in each reign were depicted on the borders. The fable of
Tampu-tocco was shown on the first cloth, and also the fables touching
the creations of Viracocha, which formed the foundation for the whole
history. On the fourth cloth there was a map of Peru, the compass lines
for the positions of towns being drawn by Sarmiento.

The Viceroy also caused reports to be made to him, to prove that the
Incas were usurpers. There were thirteen reports from Cuzco, Guamanga,
Xauxa, Yucay, and other places, forming a folio of 213 leaves, preserved
in the _Archivo de Indias_[1]. At Cuzco all the Inca descendants were
called upon to give evidence respecting the history of Peru under their
ancestors. They all swore that they would give truthful testimony. The
compilation of the history was then entrusted to Captain Pedro Sarmiento
de Gamboa, the cosmographer of Peru. When it was completed the book was
read to the Inca witnesses, chapter by chapter, in their own language.
They discussed each chapter, and suggested some corrections and
alterations which were adopted.