95.  There is no artilleryman here who knows how to fire or cast artillery, nor is there any artillery.  I am writing to the viceroy our needs in this matter.  Having learned that the Moros of this country had artillery, I told them that they had nothing to fear now, since we Spaniards are here, who will defend them; and that therefore they should give me their artillery.  By very affable address, I have obtained possession of as much as possible, without any harshness, and without seizing any man.  I have therefore in the fort, in your Majesty’s magazine, four hundred quintals of bronze that seems to be good.  It was all taken within the radius of eight leagues.  For this reason, and because often some of the pieces burst, we need here at this camp master-workmen to cast artillery.  They ought to be sent from Espana for this purpose so that we should not be deceived about them in Mexico, as we have been in regard to the gunners—­who have simply passed by the gunners’ barracks, and have never served in the capacity of gunner.  Such men we have here, to our great risk and harm.  It will be necessary to send fifty gunners.  Those who are here must be discharged, or be sent as substitutes for sailors.

96.  And because, although I might act as overseer, these things do not form part of my duty, two master-engineers are necessary, who understand how to fortify a town, and everything pertaining thereto.  We also need experienced troops, for we are here among enemies and nothing is possessed unless it is held.  With regard to the artillery and master-engineers, I implore that your Majesty may be pleased to command that this business be attended to at once; for we are lost here without artillery, which alone can defend the dominions of your Majesty.

97.  It is necessary that two masters to build ships and galleys should be sent from Nueva Espana—­so that, if it were necessary, those here, who are becoming lazy, might be changed.  It is necessary to change them and to keep them in two shipyards, as I have done, so that the expense at Acapulco, in Nueva Espana, might cease.  All the work done there is thrown away; for the vessels from Nueva Espana alone detain the workmen here in repairing them, and prevent them from building new ones.  We need commanders of galleys who know how to manage the lateen sail.

98.  We have no lead here, but it abounds in Nueva Espana; it will be necessary to order that more than five hundred quintals be brought from that country, for this is our sustenance—­besides three hundred quintals of gunpowder, for present use.  We need some weapons and armor—­some corselets, such as are used in Nueva Espana, and five hundred lances, which should be brought from Nueva Espana.  Those that we had here were used up, through carelessness and in the encounter with the corsair.  Until now it was not understood that pikes were necessary, because the natives are wont to flee.  But now it has been seen that the Chinese attack other men