[Marginal note:  “These inspections are very essential, since they are based on the relief of miserable persons, and in no way can the condition of affairs be fully ascertained unless by means of these inspections; and the most advisable measures can hardly be well understood, if the condition and facts of what ought to be remedied and can be bettered are not known.  Hence I again charge you to pay especial attention to these inspections.  The Audiencia is commanded to observe the orders that you shall give in your capacity as president, so that each auditor, when it concerns him, may observe his obligations and go out on the inspections.” [28]]

23d.  On receiving your Majesty’s despatch, in observance of your royal order that was directed to me, I gave his despatch to the fiscal, Don Joan de Alvarado Bracamonte, ordering him to refrain from going to the Audiencia and from the exercise of such office, and that he get ready to embark.  He did so, and when he was ready for his voyage and had placed on board what he had for it, and while he was making his farewells preparatory to embarking:  he was arrested by the judge of his residencia, in order that he might give bail for the claims and appear before the judge; and the property found to be his was sequestered.  Thereupon, what he had aboard ship was taken ashore.  I communicated to the Audiencia your Majesty’s royal order to embark, that he had received.  It appeared right for him to give bail.  That and other things were referred to the said judge, to whom I also showed the decree, so that he might facilitate the preparations of the said Don Joan and act according to justice.  But it must be that he could not do so until now; for yesterday, when I had come from Cavite, and the ships had sailed—­even being outside the bay, since they are not seen inside it—­the notary of the residencia came to me to say that the judge had now remitted the imprisonment and removed the guards with whom he had arrested the said fiscal.  As if now there were any resource for his embarcation; or as if one could send him, with his goods, household, and sea-stores, overland on the shoulders of Indians, in order to intercept the ship at the landing-place where these letter packets go out!  I am sending a statement of the time when I was informed of it, lest the matter should be forgotten, or in case he should not choose to make this report.  As I know him, and here are now recognized the unjust complaints that he makes, that the Audiencia have hindered him in part from the exercise of his commission, I deem it advisable that the truth be recounted, without leaving it solely to his relation; for I am sure that he has not been restrained in anything, and that in this regard the Audiencia has proceeded with circumspection and particular care, as they also know him.  Although to all there his ancient hostility to us was apparent, for which reason the fiscal challenged his judge, the only provision made in the matter was that he be accompanied as should be deemed advisable by the acts.  From them likewise will be apparent the certainty of the guilt of which he has been accused.