ships should be laded, even though we should postpone the fulfilment of what your Majesty lately ordered, for the damage that would ensue from the ships going empty would be beyond comparison far greater than the gain of the two per cent; and that the appeal interposed by the citizens ought to be granted, as it was apparent that the report which the visitor had made was different from what had actually and truly taken place. In accordance with this, the city has given bonds for all the sum to which this duty can amount, now and henceforth, until your Majesty be pleased to provide what is most advisable. In order that this may be apparent from the investigations, I enclose herewith a testimony of the acts. In respect to my report, Sire, I declare that the three per cent which has been collected hitherto, has entered into this royal treasury, and has never been reckoned with the situado. The same will have to be done with this two per cent, for it is all needed for the ordinary support, unless that your Majesty should be better served [by ordering otherwise]. The visitor at his departure gave me an account of all that he had done during the two years while he has been occupied in his visit. According to the report which he gave me of accounts which had been settled, I learned that this treasury was clear of debt, and had much money besides. But I have found by experience since then that, although in appearance he stirred up affairs, in fact the expense was greater than the gain. For most of the settlements of which he made a parade are in litigation, and are being nullified by the acquittal of the parties [in the suit], while others in the Audiencia are even abandoned; and few reach the point of collecting [the amounts due]. Some of the new ordinances that he left suffered the same misfortune, because he did not dictate them or draw them up, but entrusted them to two clerks before his visit--for his poor health did not permit him to do more. It is not to be believed that a well-informed lawyer would try to obstruct the service of your Majesty, for nearly all his ordinances are directed to and reflect distrust of the fidelity of the royal officials, to whom your Majesty has hitherto entrusted your revenues. From the good disposition that I observe in them and the work that they do, I judge them to be your very good and faithful servants. It is advisable that your Majesty be pleased to send an accountant for settling accounts, and that he be a person of authority, with adequate pay. He who serves in that office in the meanwhile was formerly the servant of one of these auditors; and he is more concerned in occupying his time in sustaining friendships than in attending to what is necessary. On that account if some of the new ordinances were to be remade, this would be bettered.