to ninety-five thousand.  Besides this, when at the last everything was exhausted, old notes were presented; and during these last two years about twenty thousand pesos were paid.  Now although the royal officials have no time so that they can take part in this collection—­as it is different from all other collections that are made, and one has to keep at it all day—­I have ordered them by an act, in accordance with the decree of your Majesty, that it be done in a room assigned for it, in order that it may be paid in these royal houses; and so that they may really collect in person the money which the judge whom I appoint (as I cannot attend to it), and the agents whom I hire, collect from the Sangleys who shall bring it to them.  By that method your Majesty’s order will be accomplished.  That is not its intention, but only to keep tab on the Sangleys, and on the profit that results from the licenses.  This sum is distributed in official service, and is a matter of justice.  Diligent toil is expended on this collection, and the Sangleys are sought in the hills and in a thousand places where they hide, in order not to pay.  Only the authority of the governor, to whom your Majesty has assigned the giving of licenses allowing the Sangleys to remain in the country, can issue the licenses and order the collection, but no other person.  Your Majesty may be assured that your service is performed with great affection and care; and that I am looking out for your royal revenues much more than for my own.  For since I arrived in these islands considerable has been saved for your Majesty; as it will be seen by the accounts that what cost six in former years and did not gain any profit, today costs four and is profitable; and the profit is not lost, for it is carefully expended.  I know that it will be impossible for the royal officials to collect personally; but they can authorize some one to collect and deposit the money in the royal treasury every night.  By that means everything will be regulated, although they never remain satisfied, for they do not have the profits which they have desired. [In the margin: “Seen.”]

Another decree came by which your Majesty orders me to investigate the troubles which the royal Audiencia had represented as being due to the sale of the offices of the notaries for the provinces of these islands.  I discussed the matter in an assembly of persons of considerable experience, both seculars and religious; and all were of the opinion that it was not advisable to sell the said offices, but that they should be filled by appointment, and changed annually along with the alcaldes-mayor.  For besides that they are of very small profit to your Majesty, it is certain that if the said notaries were permanent, the said Indians would not dare to bring suits against them at the time of their residencia, which is taken each year when the alcaldes-mayor finish their office.  Consequently, they come to be so tyrannical that they