nt of the other writings of the
great navigator, which were translated and edited for the Hakluyt
Society in 1895.

The manuscript consists of eight leaves of introduction and 138 of text.
The dedicatory letter to the King is signed by Sarmiento on March 4th,
1572. The binding was of red silk, under which there is another binding
of green leather. The first page is occupied by a coloured shield of the
royal arms, with a signature _el Capita Sarmi de Gaboa_. On the second
page is the title, surrounded by an ornamental border. The manuscript is
in a very clear hand, and at the end are the arms of Toledo (_chequy
azure and argent_) with the date Cuzco, 29 Feb., 1572. There is also the
signature of the Secretary, Alvaro Ruiz de Navamuel[6].

[Note 6: Alvaro Ruiz and his brother Captain Francisco Ruiz were the
sons of Francisco Santiago Rodriguez de los Rios by Inez de Navamuel.
Both used their mother's name of Navamuel as their surname; and both
were born at Aquilar del Campo. Alonso Ruiz de Navamuel was Secretary to
the governments of five successive Viceroys. He wrote a _Relacion de las
cosas mas notables que hiza en el Peru, siendo Virev Don Francisco de
Toledo, 20 Dec. 1578_. He died in the year 1613. The descendants of his
son Juan de los Rios formed the _mayorazgos_ of Rios and Cavallero.

By his wife Angela Ortiz de Arbildo y Berriz, a Biscayan, he had a
daughter Inez married to her cousin Geronimo Aliaga, a son of the
Secretary's brother Captain Francisco Ruiz de Navamuel, the
_encomendero_ of Caracoto in the Collao, by Juana, daughter of Captain
Geronimo de Aliaga. His marriage, at which the Viceroy Toledo was
present, took place on November 23rd, 1578. From the marriage of the
younger Geronimo de Aliaga with Inez Navamuel, descend the Aliagas,
Counts of Luringancho in Peru.]

The history of the Incas by Sarmiento is, without any doubt, the most
authentic and reliable that has yet appeared. For it was compiled from
the carefully attested evidence of the Incas themselves, taken under
official sanction. Each sovereign Inca formed an _ayllu_ or "gens" of
his descendants, who preserved the memory of his deeds in _quipus_,
songs, and traditions handed down and learnt by heart. There were many
descendants of each of these _ayllus_ living near Cuzco in 1572, and the
leading members were examined on oath; so that Sarmiento had
opportunities of obtaining accurate information which no other writer
possessed. For the corr