_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.