On every occasion which has arisen I have regularly advised you of whatever seemed desirable for the proper service of your Majesty, which is my only desire. Accordingly, last year I sent a letter by the two ships which were despatched, a duplicate of which I send in this, with other matters that have come to my notice. Your Majesty will be pleased to have this examined, as it treats of some affairs which demand remedy; and in regions so remote many difficulties arise when due provision is not made--as will be seen in some papers which are sent with this, concerning the little respect which the soldiers and troops of war show toward the auditors, as the governor claims that we are not their judges; and regarding the galleys which the governor has built, and their excessive cost, which is the ruin of this country; likewise will be seen therein the many offices and positions of profit which the governor has given to his creatures, against the decrees of your Majesty and the instructions for his office, so that all those who have served here feel very indignant over it. These things, and the obligation of my office, have constrained me to give this report, and to try to secure the remedy which the vassals of your Majesty hope for, when your Majesty shall cast your gaze upon this land which was so cared for and favored by his Catholic Majesty (whom may God keep!) which your Majesty is still caring for, with the great favors which your Majesty grants it for the spiritual and temporal good which is your object. The royal [estate] in these islands is in debt for a large sum of money in gold, as your Majesty has been informed; on this account all those who draw salaries and stipends therefrom are in the utmost need--so much so that we have not been able to pay this year the president, auditors, archbishop, bishops, prebendaries, or ministers of instruction and justice, not having the means to pay them. Most pitiable of all has been the plight of the soldiers, who are suffering the utmost extremity, without there being any resources with which to aid them. All this has been caused by the excessive cost of the galleys, and the great expenses incurred by some expeditions made with them without anything being thus gained. In the interim, until your Majesty be pleased to order some provision, we shall take great pains to do what is most expedient so that these expenses may cease and the country be defended without them. [_In the margin of this paragraph is written_: "No answer to be given."] This year it will be very necessary to appropriate a considerable loan of money from what comes from Nueva Spana--because the viceroy of Mexico has not sent the usual aid, and it is impossible to get along without obtaining it from private persons--that the land may not go to ruin; for I can assure you that it has come to this extremity.