20th.  As for the other two causes similar to the above, of which I have also informed your Majesty, I remitted that of Captain Don Fernando Bezerra to Licentiate Legaspi; for certain persons, on seeing justice done in this land, say that it is not justice, but only passion, while others say that it is cruelty.  Accordingly he concluded and judged it, and freed him.  For the same reason, I committed to him the appeal to the Audiencia in the other cause of Don Joan de la Vega.  While the latter, on my conscience, was more than guilty enough to suffer decapitation (to which I sentenced him), the same auditors so managed the cause that at last they did the same thing; they set him free, and condemned Captain Lucas de Manozca, formerly alcalde-in-ordinary of this city—­who aided me in this cause and others to the service of your Majesty—­to the sum of five hundred pesos and other penalties, and caused him to suffer a considerable time in prison, and to spend for other particular objects much time and money.

[Marginal note:  “You and the Audiencia have already been answered in regard to this matter, as to what must be done.  Now you are ordered to send a copy of these processes and acts—­so that, having been examined, the satisfaction that is proper may be obtained—­and of the justice that has been administered in like matters.” [27]

21st.  I am accustomed at times, for the sake of greater assurance, to refer to the Audiencia certain causes and matters that are of importance to your Majesty’s service and the obligation of my office—­some, to one of the auditors, who consults with me in them; and in some, according to their nature—­to ask them for their opinions.  They are generally accustomed to excuse themselves from all of these, if they do not care to attend to them, and arguments or reason do not suffice for it.  I cannot tell how they are to be compelled to act if reason does not move them, or unless your Majesty be pleased to order a reform in this matter, with the orders that concern each one, and what is to be done both in the above and in the declaration of jurisdictions—­concerning which I wrote to your Majesty quite fully in letters of last year.

[Marginal note:  “Observe the ordinances according to the despatches that have been sent you regarding this.”]

22d.  I have committed the inspection of this country—­which your Majesty ordered to be made by one of the auditors for the consolation and relief of its miserable natives, and of which no memorandum exists as to when it must be made—­to Doctor Don Alvaro de Mesa, as he is in better health and more suitable for that purpose than are his other associates.  Although he resisted (even saying that I could not appoint him), and even gave me other excuses, I think that he would do it after the conclusion of this despatch of ships, had not the commissions come for the residencias that your Majesty has entrusted to him.  Consequently, when he concludes these, if there is nothing else to hinder, or another associate who may then be regarded as more suitable for it, he will have to do it.  Yet I petition your Majesty to have him advised of his obligation in this matter.