been sung and ceremonies gone through, the said archbishop chanted certain prayers.  Again they left the church in the same order, the said archbishop and the rest of the clergy accompanying them to the door.  The said lord governor again placed the said coffer, wherein lay the royal seal, upon the said horse; and with the same pomp and ceremony, solemnity and rejoicing, they went to a hall of the royal building, where it was agreed that the royal seal should be placed temporarily, until the royal buildings which are being erected for this royal Audiencia are completed.  Within the said hall were placed various carpets, and it was hung and adorned.  A great canopy of red velvet was placed there with the royal arms, and within it another after the same fashion.  Under the canopy stood a table with its cloth of velvet, and thereon a cushion of the same stuff, all bedecked with gold.  The said lord governor placed the said coffer, wherein lay the royal seal, upon the said table, and covered it with the said cloth; and, with the said honorable auditors drawn up at one side, he presented a commission from his Majesty by which he was appointed president of the royal Audiencia, and which commanded the said honorable auditors to receive him in the said office; this was read by me, the present clerk of the court.  And after this was done, the said honorable auditors kissed it, and made obeisance to it, and placed it above their heads as the letter and decree of their king and rightful lord.  And they ordered that his Lordship, having placed his hand upon his knight’s habit, should take the oath which his Majesty commands; which, having so placed his hand, he received, as follows: 

Oath of the lord president.  “Your Lordship swears by God our Lord and upon the holy gospel, as you are a knight, that you will exercise well and faithfully the office of president of this royal Audiencia and chancilleria, and observe and comply with, and cause to be observed and complied with, the ordinances which his Majesty has commanded to be issued, and which have been issued therefor, in all respects and in all ways, without in any way violating them.  Your Lordship also swears that you will keep secret the votes and the books of judgment, and other things which may arise, and will reveal them to no one without the permission and express command of his Majesty; and that you will strive for the fulfilment of justice to litigants, and for the welfare and increase of the royal exchequer, and for the good of the natives; and that you will do all other things which ought to be done in so distinguished an office, and as your Lordship is bound to do.”  “I do so swear.”  “If your Lordship shall do thus, may God our Lord aid you; but if otherwise, may He require account from you.”  “Amen.”

When this was done, they left the said hall and sat in the chambers of court; and the governor ordered Senor Doctor Antonio de Morga to appear.  He presented himself with his commission, which was read by me, the present clerk of court.  When this was done, his Lordship kissed it and placed it above his head; and he was ordered to take the oath which his Majesty directs, which he took in the following manner: