passage from one part to another without permission.  Especially is it charged upon the alcalde-mayor of the jurisdiction of Vinondo—­the point where the Sangleys fortified themselves during the insurrection.  For this so laborious occupation, in a special meeting fees were assigned for each license, at the rate of one real and a quarter for him and his clerk.  This has been the practice for many years.  This Audiencia having begun to govern these islands because of the death of Don Juan Nino de Tavora, the Order [104] of St. Dominic endeavored to alter these licenses and the fee, by representing the injury that was done the Sangleys.  But the auditors, in consideration of the above so superior reasons, confirmed to the letter the last act made concerning this matter by the deceased governor; and when I succeeded to the government in accordance with your Majesty’s order, the said religious endeavored to do the same thing.  Upon becoming thoroughly familiar with the matter, I confirmed the said governmental acts, enacted by the Audiencia and by Don Juan Nino de Tavora.  Nevertheless, from this they have stirred up this pretension, trying the subterfuge of having recourse to the Audiencia for an affair of justice—­where they are admitted without these same auditors heeding that they have [already] cast their votes for the government measure.

In the month of September of the past year, five Sangley ships were wrecked on this coast of the province of Ilocos, with a great amount of silver.  When preparing to send a person to look for it, the fiscal presented a petition in the Audiencia, although he ought to have presented it to the government.  Not to confuse matters by withdrawing them from his charge, and to avoid controversy, and in order that what was to be done be accomplished quickly, I tolerated this mode of despatching the business through the Audiencia, hoping that the alcalde-mayor, to whom the matter would be committed, would make diligent efforts.  But seeing that he sent to this treasury but little more than three thousand pesos, I am left with deserved pain for having allowed the jurisdiction of the government to be usurped.  I have sent a new alcalde-mayor, with new ordinances for the purpose.

Geronimo de Fuentes bid at auction [for the position of regidor], and the judges of the auction knocked it down to him; and after he had paid to the treasury the price and the half-annat, his title as regidor was made out in the ordinary form.  When he went to take possession of his post, some regidors opposed him, appealing to the Audiencia, as is their custom, with the intention that the royal decrees and the orders of the government should never be fulfilled; and, in order not to open the door so that those alcaldes-mayor of the provinces might attempt the same thing with their successors, I had possession of his post given to him, reserving to the party concerned his right, safe and in full force.