d the provinces of the king our lord in every way;
and that you will not reveal the secrets of the royal judgments,
or others which are to be kept; and that you will avoid in all ways
and by all means any losses which might occur to the king our lord;
and that likewise you will faithfully expedite and decide the pleas
which may come before you in this royal Audiencia and out of it,
conformably to the laws of these realms; and that you will not leave
the path of truth and right either for love, hatred, ill-feeling, fear,
gift, promise, or any other cause, nor receive favors or stipends from
any grand council or corporation, for any plea which may be brought
before you to determine?" He answered, "I do so swear." "If you act
thus, may God aid you; but if otherwise may He require account from
you." He answered, "Amen."

When this was done the above-mentioned lieutenant-governor arose,
and seated himself in the said halls of court.

In the said order the other honorable auditors and the fiscal of
his Majesty were called, received, and put under oath, and likewise
the other officials of the said royal Audiencia, each one taking the
oath conformably to each of the offices. And when this was finished,
in the form above stated, the said lord president gave a general
instruction in the presence of all, in which he charged the said
honorable auditors to strive for peace and harmony, and the increase of
the royal exchequer, and to take care to attend punctually to their
duties, and to keep the secrets of this royal Audiencia, whereby
his Majesty would be served. In his name he thanked them, as well
as the citizens and others present. He charged them with the respect
which is due to the said royal seal, and to the commands of the said
royal Audiencia; and asked me, the present clerk of court, to give a
testimonial thereof. Forthwith he commanded the articles establishing
the royal Audiencia to be read. As they were not new (for some of
them had been read), he ordered that this cease; whereupon the said
Audiencia rose from session for this day. To all which I bear witness.

_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_, clerk of the court.

[_Attestation_]

This copy is certain and truthful, having been corrected and compared
with the said book from which it was copied. In order that this may
appear, I have made the present copy at the request and command of
Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and
captain-general of the