Although there are facilities in this country for making ships of all kinds, and the best yet built has not exceeded in cost six thousand pesos—­and many private individuals would after this engage in it for the sake of gain if they could maintain the industry—­yet the expenses incurred with the necessary force of sailors and workmen, can be sustained only by the king.  The greatest difficulty is in the bringing of the anchors and rigging from Vera Cruz.  Your illustrious Lordship knows from experience what it costs his Majesty to transport sailors to Mexico, from there to these islands, and from here to the port of Acapulco; and the expense of overhauling the ship, and of keeping it there a winter.  Therefore although I wish to aid Captain Esteban Rodriguez in the despatch of the ship that he has built, I do not know if it can depart hence for lack of men.  It is hard to find them; for, although a large number of sailors usually come here from Nueva Espana to bring the ships here, they are all needed on the return.  They bring here the fragatas and vessels which convey hither aid and means of defense for this land, and take back the provisions and other supplies needed in the king’s service.  Nevertheless, I shall do everything possible for the said captain.

I believe that Baltasar de Aldana, nephew of the schoolmaster Don Santiago Sanchez, will embark in this ship, which he is permitted to do through your illustrious Lordship’s orders.

I understand thoroughly that I am importunate, but the requirements of health and the discontent of Dona Ysabel oblige me again to beseech your Lordship to favor me and try to influence his Majesty to grant me grace in Espana—­in the meantime permitting me to act as auditor in Mexico, with permission to serve his Majesty there, as I have fulfilled my commissions here, and am of little use, being now old and worn.  It is just that I be established in a place where I can leave my wife and children.  I hope, by the grace of God and that of your illustrious Lordship, that I may shortly be delivered from this captivity.

The artillery which I brought returned in the ships “Mora” and “San Martin;” and because the ship “Santa Ana” is of such importance, I ordered three excellent pieces of bronze artillery to be placed on board besides powder and ammunition.  In order that we may not suffer from the lack of artillery in giving this, I beseech your illustrious Lordship to have the artillery returned in the same ship, “Santa Ana,” as the Japanese have commenced to show signs of hostility, and it is not desirable that they or other pirates should make light of our power.

By two conveyances I am sending plans of the site and city of Terrenate to his Majesty; one goes through the Council and the other directly to the royal person, both being transmitted by the hand of your illustrious Lordship—­whom I beg to send them with the letter packets, so that the one for the royal person is delivered through Antonio de Heraso, and the other directly to the Council.