By one of the said pataches, I received three decrees from your Majesty.  In one of them you were pleased to grant me acceptance of my resignation as auditor of this royal Audiencia, and permission to go to Espana.  In another decree your Majesty orders the governor of these islands to give me accommodations in the vessels about to sail to Nueva Espana, in accordance with the quality of my person, and the offices that I have held.  In the last decree your Majesty concedes me one year’s salary as a gratification for the many expenses that I shall incur in so long a voyage.  Immediately upon receiving these royal decrees, I could have bid farewell to the Audiencia; but, considering that it was then in the midst of preparing the fleet, and since I had been employed in and had arranged what was advisable to your Majesty’s service, I thought that it would be very wrong to retire on such an occasion and flee the danger, and lift my hand from a matter of so great importance.  After the expedition, I would have vacated my office and would have prepared to go to give your Majesty an account of many things of importance to your royal service, but I have neglected to do so, because there are no judges in the Audiencia.  Licentiate Madrid y Luna is ready to go in one of the trading ships to serve in his position as alcalde of the court of Mexico.  Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega has been sick for four months, and small hopes are had of his recovery.  Two new auditors are expected (who are known to be in Nueva Espana) on the ships of this year.  When they shall have arrived, it will necessarily take some days for them to understand the affairs of government and the form of procedure of the Audiencia.  Since I think that I shall serve your Majesty in this, I shall delay here no longer than is absolutely necessary for the Audiencia to fulfil its obligations, and so that your Majesty may be better served.

With the grace shown me by your Majesty in permitting me to go to Espana, I shall not enjoy my salary as auditor from the day that I shall cease to serve in this post.  Consequently I shall not be able to live in accordance with the quality of my person and the posts that I have held.  In remuneration of twenty-nine years of service (twenty-four of them in the Indias)—­and no favors have been granted me for the offices of president and captain-general, and the successful outcome of the difficulties that I experienced therein—­I petition your Majesty to grant me the reward of certain pensions equivalent to the salary taken from me, or what reward your Majesty may be pleased to order given me, which will be in excess of what my services can merit.