According to the news received here of what has come in the said ships, the aid in silver and reals that has come on your Majesty’s account amounts to three hundred and fifty-two thousand pesos; while the supplies that I asked both this year and last come to less than one-third of the amount that was generally brought in several former years—­for I am very careful not to exceed what is actually necessary and unavoidable, in order to save the so excessive expenses which were generally incurred in this; since other expenses are not wanting that render that saving very necessary.

The infantry does not amount to two hundred men, in three companies.  If these men were that number, and Spaniards, it would not be so bad; but, although I have not seen them, because they have not yet arrived here, I am told that they are, as at other times, for the most part boys, mestizos, and mulattoes, with some Indians.  There is no little cause for regret in the great sums that reenforcements of such men waste for, and cost, your Majesty.  I cannot see what betterment there will be until your Majesty shall provide it, since I do not think, that more can be done in Nueva Spana, although the viceroy must be endeavoring to do so, as he is ordered.

[Marginal note:  “Have the orders held by the viceroys regarding this collected.  All that he says for the benefit of the treasury is good.  Thus I am trying to do on all occasions.  In regard to the quality of the soldiers, have the viceroy of Nueva Espana informed that they must always be men who have served, and of the quality desirable.  Those who were boys might be kept in presidios, and in places where there is not so great need of experienced soldiers.  By placing them in other companies and in diverse services, they might supply the lack of other persons.  Have a letter written to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, and a copy of this section and the answer to it sent to him.  Have him advised to try, at the levy of these soldiers, that no places be given to any but persons who are suitable and useful for the Filipinas, for the contrary becomes a useless expense.”]

4th.  I wrote to the viceroy last year that if, in any year in the future—­through any misfortune, or for any other cause or obstacle that might prevent it—­no ships from this country should reach those provinces, he should try to send what aid he could, as is usually requested, especially that of money; so that in case of such a lack, the need should not increase, or the danger caused when ships of this commerce do not sail.  According to his reply, it seems that the viceroy does not dare assure it, because he doubts whether he can find ships in the ports of that country for that purpose.

Desiring to find some plan for the greater facility and less cost of sending these reenforcements, it has occurred to us here and has been considered a reasonable and feasible means and expedient to have them come by way of Panama.  If your Majesty would be pleased to keep there one of the two ships that leave these islands for Nueva Espana, that would have very good results, if no obstacles thereto arise which we have not considered here.