Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/302

282 Armed with these extraordinary powers, the oidores arrived at Vera Cruz the 6th of December, 1528. It would seem that from the beginning they resolved to stretch to its utmost limit the authority given them. Determining not to await the arrival of their president they sent him word of their intention, and went on at once to the capital, accompanied by the three regidores of that city sent by the ayuntamiento to do them honor. At Mexico that body had been busied for several days preparing for their reception, and they made their entry with great pomp, under triumphal arches bearing inscriptions hailing their coming as blessed since it was in God's service that they came. Although Matienzo was the oldest and most infirm of the four, Maldonado and Parada had fallen victims to the hardships of the voyage and the treachery of the climate shortly after their arrival in the country, leaving their two associates in undisputed possession of power. The president did not arrive until the end of the month, entering upon his duties for the first time on the 1st of January, 1529, at a joint meeting