myself in your Majesty’s service.  May His Divine Majesty so well manage it that, if life does not fail me, I shall, with the protection of God, endeavor to employ it to my very utmost—­without my promising more at greater length, for we can promise much from the hands of His Divine Majesty, but from our own but little.  In order that the successful end of such intents may be better attained, at the best time, without there being any lack, I petition your Majesty to the utmost of my ability that the sending of this help, together with troops, be continued for some years—­by way of Panama, or by whatever way your Majesty may please—­so that the forces which might be assembled with such a fleet as is above mentioned might not be weakened so soon because of the many men that die here; and that the provision of money be in proportion to the men, and for the same time.  I trust that, with the above, the cost and trouble incurred will succeed, without my endeavoring to excuse myself from it, or failing to economize and well administer the revenues as well as other things.  The results certify it; for, with less money than has entered the royal treasury for many years, I have accomplished so many works, and have built or bought, in two years only, as many boats, provisions, and war stores as was done during many years in the past, and at a much less cost.  For I have paid for all these, and of the arrears of debt a very large amount—­as, if time allowed, could be seen by the official statements that would be sent to that effect.  However, I shall try to do that on another occasion.  I have come to say this, because your Majesty charges me to be very careful of your revenues, and as I have a bit of vanity in it, which seems to me not to be the most harmful vanity.  I desire exceedingly that the manner in which I manage this matter be known, for there is a great difference in faithfulness, in good administration alone.

[Marginal note:  “Council.  You have already been informed in another letter that God was pleased to let the reenforcement be lost because of a bad storm.  Nevertheless, all possible care is being taken to prepare another.  May our Lord be pleased to direct it, since it is so important for the things of His service.  By the despatches that you will receive from the hand of the castellan Pedro de Heredia, you will understand about the two hundred infantrymen, with which your present need will be supplied, until the more important aid is made ready.  Inasmuch as you are advised of other things touching this matter in the despatch of the said castellan, nothing more will be told you of it, as I refer you to what it contains.”]

6th.  For this purpose, very acceptable aid has come to me with the arrival of the factor, Diego de Castro Lison.  For the favor that your Majesty granted him in this—­both to him and to me—­I kiss your royal feet with the humility and acknowledgment that is fitting.