cause.  It was necessary in order to make them understand this, or make them willing to understand it, to use much time and energy; and they finally approved of it as if they were doing me some great honor.  By this event your Majesty may see to what tune the affairs of war were going, with demands and responses.  God was pleased to bring it about that the information which I sent from Macan caused the Chinese not to collect any fleet in China for the present, and that the merchant ships came; I accordingly dismissed Captain Villacon, giving him his discharge, seeing that the reason for his accepting the said company had ceased; I have thought best to give an acount of this to your Majesty, that you may be informed thereof, and may have given such order as may be expedient in similar cases which may arise in the future.

The decree which your Majesty ordered to be sent to me with the declaration of the places which must be taken in the processions and public acts by the president, auditors, and prelates when they take part therein together, arrived at a very opportune time, and has been necessary to avoid the troubles which have arisen with the archbishop in this regard, as he would not be persuaded that this was the will of your Majesty; but he is satisfied with the decree.

We are on good terms with the emperor of Japon, and likewise with his vassals who come here to trade and to make money on flour, hams, tunny-fish, nails, iron, weapons, and other things which they bring to sell.  They go back with loads of deerskins and Chinese merchandise, as they have always done.  This year, owing to the loss of the ship from Macan, they brought some money and spent it.  I have overlooked this for the present, and allowed it to be done in order not to displease them.  But I have warned them not to bring any more, or I shall not give them any chance to employ it.

The accountant Juan de Bustamante, who acts in that capacity for the royal exchequer of your Majesty in these islands, is very old, infirm, and crippled, for which reason the affairs of his office are not so well expedited as they should be.  I last year besought your Majesty to order him retired and pensioned, and to appoint a person in his place.  At present I shall again make the same suggestion, as it appears to me important for the service of your Majesty.

The Marques of Montes Claros, [31] viceroy of Nueva Hespana, last year made the allotment of the money which your Majesty has graciously permitted to be assigned to the citizens of these islands.  As this cannot be done punctually in Mexico, and there are in that country interested persons—­perchance the very ones who are apportioning the money, or giving their advice therein—­there have been many complaints.  This could not be otherwise, as Mexico is so far away and they cannot know there what each of the citizens here has and deserves, and what ought to be given them.  The viceroy writes that he