opinion, he will lose nothing of the authority and preeminences of the office, or of the jurisdiction and power that your Majesty might grant him; for I regard it as certain that he would not err in his government through having less knowledge than the auditors, and in it would make arrangements for greater efforts and aid to military affairs and those who engage therein.  The latter would be advantaged by him, for even in this, although it is not his profession, I consider him as having more decision and effective energy than the said [auditors] have.

And that it may not appear that I am in every case speaking of them in general terms (my intention being to tell the plain truth, without reserve or any other consideration than the telling of it), I declare what I believe:  namely, that if Doctor Don Antonio Rodriguez—­who is the latest auditor, and has not much health or maturity of years—­had resided here longer I would trust his executive ahility in preference to that of the two others here, whom I do not consider very capable, for the reasons explained in other letters and in this; for as has been seen by experience, he shows himself to be a man of greater knowledge and prudence, and of great sagacity.  However, for a long time there have been rumors (and not few) that he has been the one who has disturbed the minds of his associates, writing, advising, and counseling them secretly.  But by his not approving the object of such things, and by his keeping aloof from the others, for that reason and something of this having been well understood, I do not consider it as certain or sure; and in other things outside of this (except that it seems to me that he is anxious to grow rich quickly) I consider him as a man of good method, very prudent and well informed, and one who takes pride in appearing to be a good judge.

[Marginal note:  “Council.  May our Lord be pleased to grant you health, so that, having finished your term of office and fulfilled the hopes that are entertained of your service, you may be promoted to better things.  Although what is advisable is decreed in this matter, you will accordingly take all the care possible in it.  It is to be hoped, in our Lord, that He will give you the health that you desire and the fortunate success that is so important.”]

19th.  Consequently, I have requested him to take charge of the cause of one Joan Mohedano who was arrested ten days ago for the accusation made against him of having entered the seminary of Sancta Potenciana; and because there are so few here who could act as judges—­some not having authority to try this cause, and others having been refused therein—­it has not been possible to finish it hitherto, which Doctor Don Antonio will do.

[Marginal note:  “It is well.  Take special note that such crimes and acts of sacrilege as this demand their punishment in the presence of our Lord.  Accordingly it is advisable, and I order and charge you, that in this crime and in others similar—­may God forbid their commission—­you shall show yourself, as shall the judges who take charge of these causes, as severe and rigorous in judgment, and prompt in their despatch, as the cause requires.  You shall advise me fully, in a short account, of what should be done in this matter, and the sentence and execution of justice therein.”]