fiscal came here, and all shame has been lost.  For he has publicly traded and engaged in commerce, and has gone to Cavite to lade his exports.  This has scandalized the entire community.  Although the fiscal has been advised and corrected in a fraternal spirit, he has not turned over a new leaf.  One of our number having told him that he had committed a heavy sin against the oath that he had given to your Majesty, he says that he knows his own business, and what he can do.  And, as your Majesty is far away, they have no fear.

A memorandum concerning your Majesty’s Audiencia in this country, accompanies this letter.  Therein are set forth the reasons why it is advisable for your Majesty to order it to be suppressed, and they explain how it would be to the service of God and of your Majesty, and to the advantage of your royal treasury were there no Audiencia.  For the Audiencia serves but to take the profits of the country, in violation of your Majesty’s orders in your royal decrees.  For if there is any matter of gain it is given to the relatives or followers of the auditors, and in matters touching trade and commerce, these are they who export most of the cargo.  This is manifestly unjust, as it would be in Castilla, if any corregidor should unlawfully reap the benefits of the whole returns of vineyards which were not his.  In this country there are no other vineyards or fields than the cargo which your Majesty has conceded to the inhabitants.  As for the advantage that could accrue from this Audiencia to this country, that was, to act as a check on the governor.  This consideration has now no longer any force, on account of the decrees brought by the governor, in which the auditors are ordered not to oppose him, but only to give information to your Majesty.  This can be done by many in this community who are free from covetousness (as are the archbishop and the religious orders), if they were permitted to attend to this and to oppose the acts of the governor.  The auditors are pledged to the said governor, because he has given the posts and advantageous positions to the relatives of the auditors; therefore the latter do not dare to talk, as experience has shown us in the past.  If your Majesty reestablished the Audiencia—­and we, your Majesty’s vassals, requested it—­it was with hopes of the aforesaid.  And since that result is lacking, it is very much to the service of God and of your Majesty, and advantageous to your royal treasury, that there be no Audiencia.  For any lawyer can conclude the cases here, as Licentiate Rojas and Doctor Morga did when there was no Audiencia here.  We trust, through our Lord’s mercy, that your Majesty will consider this so just proposal, and give it inspiration, so that it will be settled in a manner suitable to the service of God and that of your Majesty, and the welfare of all these your vassals who live so far from your Majesty, and who are most loyal, as you have been made to see in the past.