The forts of Terrenate are garrisoned with soldiers and necessary supplies, although all, as I have heard, are quite discontented with their governor, Pedro de Heredia, because of his trade and intercourse with the enemy, of which they accuse him, and his usurpation of the duties from the export of cloves and other things.  I shall investigate the truth and advise your Majesty of the result, and in the meantime I shall correct the matter.  The enemy have dismantled the forts of Calomatas and Motil, and are, as I believe, somewhat weakened in those districts.  I shall send the usual expedition early, with what is asked from me from there; and shall endeavor to secure very friendly intercourse with the king of Macassar, who proves himself ever a most zealous servitor of your Majesty, which is of importance for Maluco affairs. [In the margin:  “File.”]

The Ternatans beg urgently for this king whom we are keeping here in prison, and offer to make treaties of peace—­although it would mean no more than to divide them between father and son, and to join the powerful Chile, for all are hostile.  It would surely be advisable, for if what they offer were not obtained, the king is nothing more than an old and worn-out Moro, who remains here to no purpose, consuming your Majesty’s revenues. [In the margin:  “See whether provision has been made in this matter.  Discuss it in a letter to Don Juan Nino de Tabora.”]

Your Majesty orders me to advise you of the mines of the Ygolotes, [15] and the success of the nutmeg of La Laguna.  The latter is considered as wild nutmeg, and now as of no importance.  I shall endeavor to ascertain whether it may be cultivated, and shall attempt to do so.  More than fifty thousand pesos were spent in the mines, but nothing was found at last.  A quantity of rocks were sent to Nueba Espana, in order to be assayed there, as we had no one here who understood it; and, the soldiers having been withdrawn, that exploration was abandoned, as a matter that did not have the desired result.

[In the margin:  “Seen; have Don Juan Nino de Tabora inform me more minutely of this.”]

I found this city without regidors, because the Audiencia had removed those who held that office.  By virtue of a decree of your Majesty, the observance of which was demanded by the fiscal, those offices were offered at auction; but only two of them were sold.  The purchasers were persons whose standing did your Majesty but know, you would surely not consider yourself served that [these offices should be sold] for so small a price as is two thousand pesos for each—­and one thousand pesos of that sum was paid in due-bills.  They should be discontinued, to be conceded to the persons of highest standing in this community, who because of their good character will attend more carefully to your Majesty’s service, and the conservation and increase of the community, than do those who buy them; for the latter generally try to get from the