PIZARRO. I. Francisco, a Spanish adventurer, born in Trujillo, Estremadura, about 1471, assassinated in Lima, Peru, June 26, 1541. He was an illegitimate son of Gonzalo Pizarro, a
colonel of infantry, and of Francisca Gonzales. He received little care from his parents, and in his early years was a swineherd; but he embarked with some adventurers at Seville for the new world. In 1510 he joined an expedition from Hispaniola to Uraba in Terra Firma, under Alonso de Ojeda, who on quitting the settlement in search of supplies left Pizarro in command. Afterward he was associated with Balboa in establishing the settlement at Darien, and after Balboa's death Governor Pedrarias employed him in several military expeditions. In 1515 he was sent with a small company across the isthmus to traffic with the natives, and when Panama was made the capital he established himself near the city on a tract of land which he cultivated by the labor of Indian slaves. A few years afterward he formed an association with Hernando de Luque, a priest possessed of considerable money, and with Diego de Almagro, an adventurer and soldier, and they fitted out an expedition for exploration and conquest along the southern coast. They purchased a vessel, and in November, 1524, Pizarro embarked with 100 adventurers from Panama and sailed southward, Almagro following in a smaller vessel with about 70 men. Neither voyage was successful, and after running for several hundred miles down the coast of New Granada, sustaining terrible hardships and losing several men in their attempts to penetrate the interior, both commanders returned to the isthmus with a small quantity of gold obtained from the natives. They brought intelligence of the existence of the rich empire of Peru, and after a long controversy with Pedrarias received permission to make a second attempt. For this expedition only 160 men could be mustered. Their first exploit was to plunder a small village on the river San Juan, where they got some gold, with which Almagro returned to Panama for recruits, while Pizarro established himself on the coast. Almagro returned with 80 men, but the force was insufficient for the conquest, and he again went to Panama for reënforcements, while Pizarro continued to explore the coast. Pedro de los Rios, who had succeeded Pedrarias as governor of Panama, refusing to grant any further assistance, Pizarro, after various adventures, returned to that city, and went thence to Spain to ask for aid from the crown, taking with him as vouchers several natives of Peru, a few llamas, and many gold and silver articles of Peruvian manufacture. He reached Seville early in the summer of 1528, and on landing was imprisoned for debt; but Charles V. ordered his release, and received him at court with distinguished favor. On July 26, 1529, a capitulacion or commission was granted to him conveying the right of discovery and conquest in Peru, with the title and rank of governor and captain general of the province, together with those of adelantado and alguacil mayor for life and a salary of 725,000 maravedis. On his part he agreed within six months to raise and