s; in the middle of it were embroidered the
royal arms. At the door of the said church stood a large gelding, well
housed with a cloth of embroidered red velvet. On either side was an
escutcheon with the royal arms, and upon the saddle rested a cushion;
the said governor placed the said coffer thereon, and immediately
covered it with a cloth of brocade, and the said horse was covered. The
reins were held by Captain Gomez de Machuca, who was appointed chief
alguacil of this court; he was covered with the said pall; and before
him went the said lord governor and the said honorable auditors, and
other principal people and citizens of this colony. Behind marched
six companies of paid infantry, and many other people. They went to
the cathedral church of this city, at the door of which stood the
archbishop of these islands, dressed in his pontifical robes, with the
whole chapter of the said church and other clergy thereof. When the
said royal seal was taken down from the horse the said lord governor
and captain-general held it in his hands and carried it, covered with
the pall. Thus they went in procession to the chief chapel, and above
the steps was placed a seat of honor; on this was set a cushion,
whereon the said coffer was placed. And when this was done and the
customary songs had 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