2d. Item:  That the said royal Audiencia not only is useless in these islands, but a signal harm to, and destroyer of the peace and quiet of the natives of the islands, because of the Indians’ method of procedure and their characteristics.  These are quite different from the characteristics of the Spaniards, for when the Indians have quarrels and disputes, they do not come to knife-thrusts or blows, but present false testimony.  For this the royal Audiencia’s method of procedure is very suitable.  When an Indian is accused by a false witness whom they present, the Audiencia immediately have the accused man arrested and thrust into prison, which is the end desired by his opponent in order to avenge himself; for he knows quite well that the prisoner has entered the prison not for a few days or months.  If the accuser wishes to proceed with his investigation, he presents more witnesses and proves whatever he desires.  He can find witnesses for anything, as the Indian’s nature is as facile in swearing falsehood as truth.  Cases like this are actually seen daily.  In grave matters the innocent and guiltless are punished and condemned to the galleys, while the guilty and deceivers are left free and unpunished.  The ministers of the gospel, who know the truth of the matter, and how things are tending, seeing that those punished blaspheme the name of God—­saying that those who condemn them are Christians and men placed there in the stead of the king to administer justice, but who administer injustice—­the religious, then, incited by their zeal for the honor of God, inform the judges.  That the truth may be known, they go to give information of what they know.  The judges answer that they have to judge juxta allegata et probata, without proceeding to inquire of the nature of the witnesses.  Consequently instead of administering justice they administer injustice.  They condemn the innocent, and allow the criminals to go free.  False testimonies continue to increase.  False witnesses have no fear of justice.  Finally, the Indians declare that they punished like crimes better when they were infidels, while the Sangley infidels assert that their law is better, for justice proceeds rigorously to punish false witnesses, which is not done by the royal Audiencia.

3d. Item:  The said royal Audiencia is the cause of the perversion of distributive justice.  Dignities and offices are given to the unworthy and undeserving, thus causing those who have served his Majesty to complain. [20] For the appointive offices and offices of dignity, both of war and of the districts of alcaldes-mayor, are given to the brothers, sons, or relatives of the said auditors.  These are men without experience or merit.  As a manifest and evident proof of this, it is not necessary to refer to the events of past years, but only to what is now current in this city of Manila.  There are five companies of foot-soldiers.  Don Pedro de Almacan, son of Auditor Almacan, a youth of tender years, and