[_Words illegible in MS._ The assembly hall?] has been shut often because of the sickness of these auditors, and more than two months have gone by without any session. Although the business that arises is but slight, it is well for the governors to know what is their obligation when there is a deficiency of auditors in a district so remote from your Majesty; and whether the progress of the suits ought to be stopped on account of death or long illness, for three or four years, until the remedy comes from Espana; or whether one can proceed as was done when there was no Audiencia. Also it is desirable to know whether it is exactly and legally necessary for an auditor to preside every year at the elections of alcaldes; or whether it will be sufficient, in the absence of auditors, to appoint a person from the number of the influential persons of Filipinas, since the auditor did not _per se_ possess jurisdiction to preside, except by virtue of the commission given him by the government; or whether the said election of alcaldes must cease because there is no one to preside. By decree of June 8, 1621, your Majesty orders, under severe penalties, that those who still owe anything of the proceeds from saleable offices can neither vote nor be elected as alcaldes-in-ordinary. This has been observed; but certain persons, because of their revengeful dispositions and passions, have extended the decree to [cover] other and different debts. Especially this year has the fiscal tried to prevent the votes of some regidors by obtaining statements [of their accounts] from the accountancy department--some of which debts the visitor brought forward, although that had not been done hitherto, except when only royal officials have (and only in a few years) given a memorandum of those disqualified by evident debts; and in the three preceding years none of these same exhibits were of this sort. They were a disqualification while the visitor was present here, and the interested parties demanded a declaration as the said royal decree did not concern them, and these statements were not obtained from the visit; they have made an appeal, in regard to these points, and they are pending in the royal Council. None of those debts are regarded as evident while they are in litigation, and while the royal officials do not begin to investigate them. I referred their petitions to the said royal officials, so that they could investigate and give their opinions. Having examined it, I declared that those therein contained were able to vote and to be elected, in accordance with the aforesaid; and that, in a community so limited as this, it is not right to give permission to avenge one's passions under pretext of this royal decree. That extends, according to its terms, only to the debts for saleable offices. Few would be the former regidors and alcaldes who would not be included; and it is advisable for your Majesty to be pleased to have the proper decision made known.