44th.  While about to direct these despatches, so that they might cross over to Mindoro—­where the ships generally stop in order to lighten and get sailors for their voyage—­I am told that the ships had not even been able to double the island of Fortuna, because of the violent head-winds, which have continued there with so great force; and also that [MS. holed] from China, which, although it is more than one month since they left, have not had the weather to enable them to get entirely free of the shoals and promontories of this bay, which is in [MS. holed] the greatest difficulty.  I trust, God helping, that the weather will moderate, for the sake of all.

Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca

[This belongs to the second section:  “Have a letter written to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, enclosing a copy of this section, and advising him at the same time of what is being written to the governor.  Having informed himself of these disorders and lack of good management that have been observed in the government agents and persons who take part in that despatch of ships, he shall be advised that he must investigate and punish it.  What results from that is being awaited for public example, which is so necessary, and for the better despatch of those ships.  Inasmuch as both the remedy and the punishment are to be included in this investigation, you [i.e., the viceroy of Nueva Espana] shall endeavor to procure the execution of this with the earnestness demanded by the matter.  In the future very trusty men shall be appointed, namely, men who do not commit the offenses and disorders so strongly prohibited.  The vessels particularly shall sail very lightly laden, and in the order mentioned in the preceding section.  Inasmuch as I understand that what the governor notes in his letter about sending unnecessary and costly things has been remedied, you are again charged to send a detailed relation every year to the Council of everything sent [to Filipinas], so that we may know what articles and products are sent, their prices, and whether they contain any things mentioned by the governor.  It is a serious matter, and one that heavily charges your conscience and the reputation of the officials—­who in that matter are aware that it is declared that in order to burden the royal treasury and to give advantages to third persons, opportunity is given for such actions.  The service that you would perform would be very grateful to us, if you would advise us immediately of the condign punishment of any official guilty of such an offense; for it is a great offense for those who are placed in offices to protect the royal treasury, and to benefit the public cause, to convert the exercise of their offices into all manner of wrongs like this.”]