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How the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez de Vela entered the city of Lima.

The members of the municipality of Lima did not rejoice at the arrival of the Viceroy nor did what he brought with him give them any satisfaction. So that they had made no preparation to receive him in the way that was required with one coming with so important a charge from his Majesty. Then Estopiñan arrived and told them that the Viceroy did not come to enforce the new laws before the arrival of the Judges. Then they took from the church the canopy which was used to hold over the most holy sacrament, the body of our God, when it was taken to the sick: and there assembled the Alcaldes Nicolas de Ribera, Alonso Palomino, the Captain Diego de Aguero, Francisco de Ampuero, the Overseer Garcia de Salcedo, the Factor Suarez de Carbajal, Nicolas de Ribera (Junior), Juan de Leon, and the Procurator Rodrigo Niño. The Treasurer was laid up with the gout. All the city was sad and tearful with the knowledge that the new laws would so soon be enforced. The magistrates were dressed in robes, and a crimson cloth was placed on the canopy. For as the arrival was disliked, no orders had been given for the reception, except the presentation of the three demands adopted by the advice of Diego de Aguero. The Alcaldes held the poles of the canopy and were accompanied by a crowd of people. They came as far as the river, making a show of public rejoicing at the arrival.

In the morning the Viceroy set out from the place where he had passed the night and soon came to where they were waiting for him. He spoke to the members of the municipality with much love, and they answered in the same way and put him under the canopy. He was on a black horse covered with black velvet adorned with gilded nail heads. Then the Factor Illan Suarez de Carbajal said, in a loud voice: “Your Lordship, as Viceroy, on entering this city, we supplicate in all humility that you will confirm our liberties and privileges as is just.” The Viceroy looked at his breast, and not seeing the cross he replied: “By the habit of Santiago I promise to guard and maintain those privileges which are in conformity with his Majesty’s service.” They conducted him to the church, where there were two balconies which the Bishop had ordered to be put up, one for the Viceroy, the other for the Bishop and Vaca de Castro. Mass was said, and the Viceroy was then conducted to the house of the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro. When the Indians saw the Viceroy entering under a canopy, an honour which they had never seen to be shown to any other Spaniard, but only when the most holy sacrament was taken from the church: they spoke one to another, and asked some of the Spaniards whether it was the son of God to whom such honour was done. They were told who he was, and evinced much pleasure at his arrival.

In Pizarro’s house, over the door of the Viceroy’s bed chamber, they had painted an inscription—SPIRITUS SANCTISSIMUS SUPERVENIAT IN TE, and over the door of the hall or saloon, another—VELOCITER EXAUDI ME DOMINE QUIA DEFECIT SPIRITUS MEUS. Leaving the Viceroy in his lodging, the Alcaldes and Magistrates went to hold a meeting where they could consult as to what they should do.

The Viceroy, finding that the Secretary Pero Lopez was well liked in the kingdom, had sent him on the road to Cuzco with the royal ordinances, to notify them to the municipality and citizens.