Revenue affairs

Sire: 

I informed your Majesty by way of Yndia, on the twenty-second of October of last year, of the treasury matters, and of the resistance which these royal officials were making about accepting the new ordinances that were left them by the visitor, Don Francisco de Roxas, by having appealed from them, and having represented in the royal Council of the Yndias the impossibility of being able to comply with these in the service of your Majesty.  Notwithstanding their allegations, and the resignation of their offices which they made in writing, I continued, by what methods I could avail myself of, to urge them to accept the said ordinances of the visitor.  As they persevered in their disobedience, I arrested all three royal officials, and kept them together in the treasury, so that the despatch [of business] might not cease; thereupon they obeyed, and from that time on we have been following the new ordinances.  Although I blamed the too great resistance which they made, ever since I have excused them somewhat, through having experienced the great inconvenience and embarrassments which some of the ordinances contained; and I confess how prudent they were in the exercise of their authority before they experienced the present damage.  Matters are in such condition that while I am trying to adjust myself to the new ordinances and not to depart one jot from them, I find myself more embarrassed, and the despatches that demand the greatest haste delayed—­as happened to me in the stress of sending the reenforcements in a fleet which I sent to Terrenate this year, in which consisted the security of those forts, which were in danger.  It was necessary for me to facilitate it by making use of the precedents of other times.  Now, in order to fulfil my obligation, I assure you that what most is needed in Philipinas is the facilitation of the course of business, and the choice of [government] ministers who are entirely trustworthy; for in so remote provinces where all is invasion from the enemy, it will be most difficult to succeed in performing your Majesty’s service, if the jurisdiction and authority are so limited.  In order to be able to await what your Majesty may be pleased [to order], I have adopted, in certain doubts, the expedient which has seemed most advisable, after holding meetings and consulting with persons in whom I have confidence.

One of these new ordinances directs that the governor shall deliver, whether in large or small quantity, all the goods and wares of these magazines which are used for various purposes.  Those which are in danger of spoiling shall be distributed by his order; and what shall not be thus disposed of shall not be passed over, at the time, to the royal officials.  That ordinance is impractical, for, besides the continual occupations of the governor in affairs of greater importance and his inability to personally supervise things so minute, your Majesty had issued the necessary