ordinance before the visit, and I have followed it in the preparation of fleets and reeenforcements; and I do not pay any attention to the delivery in small quantities when that is necessary.  But I am endeavoring to make it understood that it is impossible to do so always, without obstructing the despatches which usually demand attention suddenly.  What is of importance to the service of your Majesty is that we, the governor, royal officials, and other ministers, are attending to the best administration of the royal revenues.

In accordance with these new ordinances, the alcaldes-mayor, the assistants of the royal officials, and shipmasters must annually settle their accounts exactly.  Because of the difficulty of navigation between some of the islands, it is impossible to obey this ordinance to the letter, or to cease receiving from such men at the time of [settling] the account, what their salaries allow, as the emoluments which they receive are small or nothing.  Thus do we continue to proceed, according to the weather-conditions of the season, and the distance [from Manila] of the places where they live.

Whenever ships or fleets have been despatched, some advance pay has been given to the regular sailors and soldiers.  It is a harsh measure that because we do not have, for all the greater and less matters that arise, a distinct decree from your Majesty which is in accord with one of the new ordinances, the royal officials should continually impugn and oppose the orders that exist in some of the same matters; and although there should be nothing else to do than to obey the ordinances, the greater part of the time is passed in summons and replies.  I have received in these ships a royal decree from your Majesty, under date of August 26 of the past year, in which your Majesty is pleased to order me to collect two per cent on the merchandise exported to Nueva Espana, in addition to the other three per cent that has been paid hitherto, in accordance with what the visitor agreed with this city by way of a gracious gift; and that on the first occasion [word illegible in MS.; I make?] decision of what must be observed, and give information whether this duty is collected here, or whether the benefit of it is obtained along with the situado of these islands.  I caused it to be obeyed and executed according to its contents.  And in order that these citizens might appraise their goods in accordance with this order I had the said royal decree published in the usual places, and it was communicated to the cabildo, judiciary, and magistracy of this city.  Seeing that the citizens were exceedingly remiss in lading, and the time far advanced for the ships to make their voyage, I proceeded to stimulate them by edicts and orders, and finally by placing them under the penalty of losing the favors which your Majesty has granted them in allowing the five hundred thousand pesos that are brought every year from Nueva Espana.  The city replied to that by appealing from my act and