From the day of my arrival until now, there have been dissensions and quarrels among the members [of the Audiencia], because they did not agree in the division of offices.  That was a matter of no slight importance, because not all the appointments had been given to them, as well as the encomiendas.  And although your Majesty, seeing this danger before, prohibits it by your royal decrees, they apportioned some of the latter.  I have regarded such encomiendas as vacant, ordering that their tributes be placed in the royal treasury. [In the margin: “It is well.  Advise the new governor that this decision is approved, and that he shall put it into practice accordingly.”]

The auditors of this Audiencia are all at odds.  Some among them are continually refusing to act, influenced by the confidants, and even abetting these.  As a result, in the sessions of the court there is nothing to be observed except dissensions; and thus the despatch of business is delayed, by the rehearings [of cases] that proceed from the tie-votes [of the auditors].  Thus they accept the salaries for their posts without serving them, so far as their judicature is concerned, which is a wrong that urgently needs remedy, for the litigants. [In the margin:  “Seen.”] The Dutch enemy came to this coast with a fleet of three large vessels and two small ones, while your Majesty had at the port of Cavite two galleons of very heavy burden, three of five hundred or six hundred toneladas of the northern sea, one patache of more than two hundred and fifty toneladas, and two galleys, together with many good soldiers and sailors and a goodly abundance of heavy artillery.  Within forty days or thereabout, they were all ready to sail, and in charge of the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba.  He encountered the enemy, but did not fight, after an expense in preparing that fleet, of many more ducados than the condition of the treasury could warrant; I found the treasury pledged to about one hundred and ten thousand pesos, while the infantry and substitutes were loaded with vouchers against it, because of the lack of reenforcements for more than a year back.  The matter is so serious that the captain-general, Don Geronimo de Ssilva, having been arrested, by the Audiencia, and deposed from his office, appealed the cause to me, and I do not dare write more minutely concerning it, because of the short time.  The verbal process is made, and, the said Don Geronimo’s deposition having been taken, both he and the commanders of the other ships will be prosecuted.  All claim that they will be cleared; each one throwing the burden of guilt on the other.  When the matter assumes a proper condition I shall remit an account of it to your Majesty, so that you may take the measures advisable. [In the margin:  “File.”]