but to give time for the Emperor to be informed generally of the state of the kingdom that, in consideration of the great service performed for his Majesty, he might deign to show mercy and not to insist on the ordinances being enforced in their entirety. Although they supplicated in great sorrow, holding up their right hand in testimony that they would always serve the King with loyalty, their prayers availed nothing, nor the protests and representations they made. Further he presently superseded Diego Palomino because he had been Lieutenant to the Governor, and he gave complete liberty to the Indians, telling them not to give anything to the Spaniards unless they paid for it first, and to use weights and measures in their dealings.

News came to Truxillo and the city of the Kings of all these proceedings, with much exaggeration. Besides the people who were coming by land, a ship commanded by Juan Vazquez de Avila, who was her master, arrived at Callao, the port of the city of the Kings. The master said that he had landed the Viceroy at Tumbez. On the receipt of this news there was a great tumult in the city, hearing what had passed where the Viceroy was, and anticipating the enforcing of the ordinances. The magistrates and officials assembled and consulted respecting the approach of the Viceroy, and the trouble throughout the kingdom, to decide what course to take. After the discussion they decided that some learned persons of authority should go to meet the Viceroy and give him a welcome, informing him of what was happening, and how all, with bosoms on the ground, would do what their Lord and King commanded.

CHAPTER VI