the disadvantages that were experienced in leaving them to the Audiencia.  This is a matter from which—­even if it pertained to them, by opposing what your Majesty has ordered in this matter—­it is impossible to dissuade them, seeking in such things any pretext or excuse to meddle in them, and to embarrass and hinder me in the exercise of my office.  Thus have they endeavored to do in many things, especially in one trial, begun here by the master-of-camp against various persons employed for wages in marine works (who were under the military jurisdiction) because of a conspiracy and desertion that they had planned, and which they were ready to execute if they had any one to get their pay for them for that purpose.  This occurred at a time when I, because of a pressing need then of men for your Majesty’s service, was compelling the master-of-camp and Aclaras to restore all those to their places who for ten years back had been removed from them.  In their guilt Pedro Alvarez, war and government notary, appeared to be implicated.  One of his friends, an ecclesiastic, named Joan Cevicos, tried to prove himself leader of this affair, in order perhaps to clear him and the auditors, according to what I understand and many believe.  In complaisance to Doctor Don Alvaro de Meso, or for other objects, the auditors took it into their heads that the notary of war did not belong to the military jurisdiction; and that the master-of-camp had not the right of first instance in his cause, but that it belonged to me, in order that appeals might go to them.  Without what I declared, in accordance with your Majesty’s royal decree (which I presented), being sufficient, they hindered me so in it that it was impossible to administer justice.  At last, as I thought that the notary’s imprisonment had been long enough—­although during his trial he had no guards who could levy costs on him—­at the news that the men and possessions of your Majesty and of private individuals that we desired from Nueva Espana were in safety, and that the enemy were waiting, I released him (in part as a demonstration of the thanks due our Lord), among other prisoners who had not been tried, and who had no one to plead for them, whom I also released.  Such, then, is the end of that affair.

[Marginal note:  “Let them observe the laws and what I have commanded by the decrees that I have given.  Advices are being sent to the Audiencia in accordance with this.” In another hand:  “Have letters of this tenor sent to the Audiencia, so that they may observe the decrees of enforcement [lo acordado].  Let it be noted that since the distance from those islands to these kingdoms is as is known, and the delay and obstacles in the replies and receipt of letters is the same and in some cases greater, it is commanded and ordered that he who shall be guilty of opposing what is ordered for the good government of those islands, both in military and in civil matters, will be punished with the severity and example that the case requires; for it is not right that he who merits it be unpunished in matters of such importance, involving loss and delay.”]