The reenforcement of soldiers is so scant that, even if all went to Terrenate, there would not be many; for the enlistments of those who came in two companies do not amount to a hundred and ten, besides seventy convicts [forcados] who come for service, and I know not how many galley-slaves.  The number of those who die here ordinarily is very great, as I have already explained, whereby the lack of troops—­which is what we most suffer from here, and can least be supplied—­becomes every day greater; and in the same degree my labor and anxiety increase, adding to this and my obligations the fulfilment of so many duties as this government entails, with so little means to carry them out, and with so much as must be done to carry on war with so many enemies as there are in these regions.  With this, and the knowledge of the misfortune and loss of the fleet which was coming to help us, we have already ceased to consider what we may have to bear.  But nevertheless, with the help of God, I hope that the enemy, when they come here as they have hitherto done, may lose more than they gain.  In the meantime we will exercise skill, care, and vigilance in this matter, until the reenforcements which I am expecting are added to our forces here, to punish the enemy, and better results are obtained than in the past.  I will nor repeat again the many things which are necessary, as I have already done so sufficiently; nor again state the better facilities for sending aid regularly by way of Panama, which is the most important thing.  This must have been already examined and considered, if the letters in which I discussed it at length have not been lost.  I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to have executed immediately what is most expedient for the royal service in this matter. [In the margin:  “Write to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, sending a copy of this clause, so that he may see how few troops are being sent to the governor; accordingly, let him be charged to reenforce him with all the soldiers that he can, since he can see how important it is that that country be fortified and have troops; and entrust it to his care and zeal that this year there shall be sent sufficient help, as has been written to him, and let him continue this every year.”]

The letters of your Majesty have not arrived, but we are waiting for them and hope that in time they will come, and that these ships will not lose the favorable weather necessary for their voyage, on account of the great importance of securing it.  If they should come with the promptness with which I charged the person whom I sent for them, I shall answer them in the most important matters.  If not, I shall do so as soon as possible, as befits the importance of what is contained in them, and the service of your Majesty. [In the margin:  “Examined.”]