With this in view, it is very important to forbid these offices to persons who are under obligations, which induce an insatiable greed and presumption; and, to fill that yawning void, the wealth of all the Indias is insignificant.  The worst is, that they pervert a man, and lead him astray by their influence.  If I were to recount here in detail all the difficulties which they occasion, I should have to take twice the space.  In short, everyone there is lamenting; and these people come in smiles, and even negotiating for the honors which belong to others, with crass insolence; and, worse yet, it seems to the governor that his own people alone deserve all there is, and the rest are of no account.  To give color to their impudence, one of them has dared to write to your Majesty that there was not a person in all your kingdom who could in the least be trusted.  The mistakes of these people are never punished, nor is there any one who dares to demand an investigation against them, even when they have done a thousand injuries.  In short, he must be such a one as the emperor Theodosius spoke of to St. Ambrose, when he sent him to govern Milan:  “Go; and, look you, I send you not to act as governor, but as bishop.”  Such must be the governors of the Filipinas, if your Majesty would have them succeed.

And on this account I have no fault to find with Don Alonso Faxardo, whom your Majesty has sent at present to govern.  On the contrary, I believe that he will conduct himself there as befits the service of your Majesty and the welfare of your kingdom.  For I recognized such desires in him in the little intercourse that I had with him in Mexico, where I was acquainted with him.  I am therefore very thankful to God to see him so desirous of serving you, and may He give him grace to succeed.  As for the persons who are sent to that Audiencia, they should be in a degree like the governors; for your Majesty places as much confidence in them—­although I think it would be more to the purpose to discontinue it, for the reasons which are given by most people in that country, in which matter I will give your Majesty a memorial.

The affairs of that kingdom are in such disorder, and move in so irregular channels, that people ask for an inspector to reform and adjust them and put everything in its place, redressing injuries and punishing wrong-doing.  The country is much in need of this; but that it may not be like the frogs who asked Jupiter for a king, and were given one that devoured them, it will be best for your Majesty to appoint some one from that country, who, through his great experience and knowledge, cannot be deceived, and knows what must be reformed, and who is possessed as well of the prudence and tact which are necessary in such a new country.  And on the other hand, on account of the risks which exist in sending anyone from here who does not understand the affairs and conditions which must be remedied, and knows not how to proceed, it would be wiser to send no one, on account of the danger which exists of ruining the city.