Item:  That there has been great disorder in regard to lading the ships because it has been entrusted at times to very greedy persons, who, having but slight fear of God, sell the toneladas to, and lade for, whomsoever they wish.  Thence it generally results that the goods of the poorest and most needy are left ashore, after the poor have invested their capital; and, after they have paid the duties to your Highness, they are left ruined.  Consequently, the ships sail laden more with the curses of the poor than with merchandise.  That is the greatest pity, and this evil is worthy of reform.  Never has that been punished.  The reform that can be established is, that the overseers who shall be appointed to assist in the said lading, be appointed by open cabildo; and should such persons refuse the post, they shall be compelled to accept it.  If they are chosen in this manner, a mistake cannot be made in the election, since all are known.  The governor shall confirm the choice, and he will thus be exempted from trouble and will be freed by this from the complaints that he generally incurs, because the blame is always laid on him.  Certainly it belongs to him, since, he does not appoint those that he should, but whomever he wishes to advantage, who are at times his own servants.

Item:  That the said ships are very ill provided with the ship-stores necessary for the sailors; and on that account the poor sailors spend their wages in buying provisions for the voyage.  That is a great abuse, and for that reason the ships are also overladen.  Likewise they should carry some fowls for those who fall sick, especially the Indian common seamen, who are treated like dogs.  The Spanish sailors are more accustomed to provide such things for themselves.  Inasmuch as that voyage is so long, and no fresh provisions can be obtained on the way, very many fall sick.  For a remedy to that, God has placed, midway in the sea and on the voyage, an island that serves as an inn in the middle of their way, just as the Portuguese in their voyage have one at the island of Santa Elena, where they get fresh food.  That island, which I call Rica de Plata, is large, and over one hundred leguas in circumference.  Although some ships sight it in passing, inasmuch as its ports are unknown, no one dares to get fresh food there.  It is thought to be inhabited, for some signs of habitation have been seen.  It is very necessary that a small vessel sail from Manila to explore it, and that it look there for a good port, so that the ships can get water and wood, and reprovision.  The exploration of it may be of the highest importance.  It is necessary also because near that region the ships generally lose their rigging in storms, and they can be refitted and repaired there, and can continue their voyage without having to put back to Manila.  I advised your Highness of that some years ago, as it is so important for that voyage I believe that a decree was sent to the governor in a former year [100]