is of the same sort.  There had returned from the expedition to Maluco many captains, ensigns, and soldiers detained on shipboard, whom it is necessary to send back again to Espana.  It was found very difficult to put more than thirty soldiers on a ship of the capacity of four hundred toneladas, although its cargo amounted to no more than three hundred and fifty.  As for this number of fifty soldiers voyaging [in one ship], the regulation cannot be carried into effect.  If it were to be done, it could only be at the risk that most of the men on board the ship should perish, while all would travel in great discomfort.  Further, at the time when the ships are sent out, it would be hard to find in the city two hundred soldiers having the qualifications necessary for them to be useful in any battle.  It would be a serious evil for this garrison to be left with so small a number of people.  It is considered as beyond doubt that those who go away from here will not return again to this city; this will also cause others to abandon the idea of coming here.  Hence it seems that on this point it is not desirable to make any innovation upon that which has hitherto been done, as that would be of little advantage, and cause much expense.  When the ships return to these islands they are of much use in defense if they come well supplied with arms and ammunition, with a hundred soldiers in each as reenforcements for the troops in these islands.  As for the regulation that the officials who are to go on these ships are to be appointed here, and that they shall be chosen from among the most influential and most honored citizens of these islands and those best qualified for such posts, and that they shall give bonds and that residencia shall be exacted from them, your Majesty’s decrees shall be fulfilled.

As for the fourth section, it provides that the commanders and seconds in command, and the officers of the said ships, shall have in the voyage no trade or commerce, either small or large.  As regards the commanders and seconds in command, your Majesty’s decrees shall be executed; as for the other officers, we refer to the following section.

The fifth section deals with the salary paid to the commander, being four thousand ducados, while the second in command receives three thousand for each voyage, including the going and the coming.  It seems that this might be reduced, and that it would be sufficient to allow the commander three thousand pesos and the second in command two thousand.  As for allowing salaries and regular pay to the captains, soldiers, seamen, and gunners who sail in the said ships with the regulation that they shall have no trade or commerce, it seems, with reference to the pay of the captains and soldiers, that for the reasons referred to in the third section these expenses might be avoided.  It would be sufficient to give wages to the gunners and seamen, without prohibiting them to trade; for the amount of their trade is very small,