It is possible to remedy the needs of the soldiers in this manner.  Your Highness has imposed a situado of two reals on all the tributes of those islands, in order to pay one and one-half reals to the soldiers and one-half real to the prebendaries of the church.  This amount is paid into the royal treasury.  As the treasury always falls short, and the Audiencia has to be preferred in the payment of its salaries; and as the galleys and many other things cause a shortage, eight or ten months or one year are wont to pass without the soldiers receiving any pay; consequently, one can imagine their sufferings.  It will be very important to have that situado placed in a separate fund.  Since there are three royal officials and in the said treasury two are sufficient if one of them performs two duties (as has often been done), the third official could take charge of that situado.  He could purchase food at the harvests which would be cheap, and every week he could give the soldiers a ration of rice—­the ordinary bread of that country—­or wheat, which is also produced there, besides giving them in money one real per day.  The amount still remaining could be paid to them every four months in order that they might clothe themselves.  If their pay were increased by eight reals more, they could live well; and one-half of those who die now would not die, which is much more costly to your Highness.  If your Highness is not willing to have the royal official to whose charge that duty must fall perform it there, a rich and very intelligent citizen should be charged with it; and in cases of need he should have to supply what will be often necessary.

Item:  Manila lacks artillerymen—­I mean men who understand artillery when need arises; for men are not lacking to take the pay of artillerymen, some of whom have never heard a gun fired all their life, but only enjoy that salary as a favor.  Consequently your Highness’s revenues are spent uselessly, for such men are artillerymen only in name.  I petition your Highness that artillerymen be made to pass an examination, or that on demand they furnish a certificate of examination; and that whoever shall pay their salary or order it to be paid [to incompetent men] shall incur a severe penalty; and that any person who shall apply for a position in the artillery service when one becomes vacant, shall, if a capable artilleryman, be preferred to the others, and that no posts shall be granted by favor to those who do not understand artillery.

Item:  That camp needs a founder of artillery, who must be an efficient and good workman; for during the last fourteen years nothing else has been done than to spend your Highness’s royal revenues in salaries and making estimates of cost, and they have accomplished nothing useful.  There is a good supply of metals and everything else necessary.  It is extremely advisable that those islands have some one who understands founding artillery, in order to fortify the city.