bind themselves to serve on the galleys.  But although earnest endeavors have been made to teach them, they row very badly, and have as little energy as the natives of these islands have.  They row in their own country with a sort of oar which they call lios lios.  By means of these the galley moves very slowly, and therefore they may be of some benefit among these islands.  Better results would be obtained, however, if instead of these galleys there were small ships of from sixty to a hundred toneladas with which it is easier to navigate here.  I inform your Majesty thereof in order that provision may be made according to the royal pleasure.  As I have advised your Majesty, I have, in anticipation of future contingencies, commenced a good stone fort in this city, which will be entirely completed within a year.  I have levied taxes therefor upon the citizens and encomenderos; the Indian tributarios have each paid one real, while one per cent has been collected for two years on the coin brought from Nueva Espana.  I am sending to your Majesty the sketch and model of this fort; it is the strongest which has been built in the Yndias, although it is not of modern style.  It was necessary to build it according to the condition of the country; it is round in shape, high, and covered over so as to be more capacious.  The climate is so hot, the sun so fierce and the rains so heavy, that if the soldiers who must defend the place were not under cover they would perish from the heat, as would likewise those who should undertake to erect the fort.  The stone for the most of the rampart is so suitable in quality that, wherever a ball strikes, the wall remains unhurt, nor is any other injury inflicted.  There is no fear that an attack by a battery can do as much damage as if the stone were hard and resisting.  The balls cannot be fired so as to strike, without great difficulty, as the fort is on the shore and the country is perfectly level.  Within there is fresh running water in abundance; and in addition to that, wherever one digs, excellent drinking water is found.  It is impossible to undermine the fort, because there is water around it, at a distance of one or two varas, or even less in some places.  The city is surrounded by water—­the sea on one side; on another the moat, which extends to the river; and, on still another side, the river itself.  Thus the city is on an island; and, with the other bulwarks and the wooden fort, which I have had repaired, this city is well defended, provided we had sufficient troops and ammunition.

I received your Majesty’s letter on the twenty-second of May of this year; and, by a royal decree of the first of December of the year 86, your Majesty orders me to act in accordance with my best judgment, as your Majesty had understood that the auditors of this Audiencia according to the present regulations, cannot visit the country out of their turn.  I will fulfil your Majesty’s commands and will render an account of all transactions.