will be impossible for the royal officials to collect personally; but they can authorize some one to collect and deposit the money in the royal treasury every night. By that means everything will be regulated, although they never remain satisfied, for they do not have the profits which they have desired. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."] Another decree came by which your Majesty orders me to investigate the troubles which the royal Audiencia had represented as being due to the sale of the offices of the notaries for the provinces of these islands. I discussed the matter in an assembly of persons of considerable experience, both seculars and religious; and all were of the opinion that it was not advisable to sell the said offices, but that they should be filled by appointment, and changed annually along with the alcaldes-mayor. For besides that they are of very small profit to your Majesty, it is certain that if the said notaries were permanent, the said Indians would not dare to bring suits against them at the time of their residencia, which is taken each year when the alcaldes-mayor finish their office. Consequently, they come to be so tyrannical that they destroy the poor Indians. For that purpose, I had already resolved before the reception of the decree not to continue the sale of the said offices; and, when those which I found sold became vacant, not to resell them. Will your Majesty please consider this matter favorably, since what is most important for your royal service is that these afflicted natives be not injured by your agents. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that, notwithstanding what the governor writes in this section, these notaryships must be ordered to be sold, or at least one in the capital of each province. For while some troubles may result from this, those which are experienced daily in regulating the notaries who are called 'appointed' are greater. Consequently, general decrees are despatched ordering the suppression of this practice in all parts of the Yndias, although it has been carried out in but few, because the said governors refuse. He petitions that it be so provided and ordered, and justice done. Madrid, November 19, 1630." "Let what is decreed be obeyed." "Observe what is decreed, in accordance with what the fiscal says."]