the salary which their Highnesses gave him, I did not
wish to allow more than 50,000 maravedis each
year for the work he performs here while he remains
here. This I entreat their Highnesses to
order allowed to him with the salary from here, and
that, because he says and affirms that all the
physicians of their Highnesses who are employed
in Royal affairs or things similar to this, are
accustomed to have by right one day’s wages in
all the year from all the people. Nevertheless,
I have been informed and they tell me, that however
this may be, the custom is to give them a certain
sum, fixed according to the will and command of their
Highnesses in compensation for that day’s
wages. You will entreat their Highnesses
to order provision made as well in the matter of the
salary as of this custom, in such manner that the said
Dr. Chanca may have reason to be satisfied.
["Their Highnesses are pleased in regard to this matter of Dr. Chanca, and that he shall be paid what the Admiral has assigned him, together with his salary. “In regard to the day’s wages of the physicians, they are not accustomed to receive it, save where the King, our Lord, may be in persona.]
“Item. You will say to their Highnesses that Coronel is a man for the service of their Highnesses in many things, and how much service he has rendered up to the present in all the most necessary matters, and the need we feel of him now that he is sick; and that rendering service in such a manner, it is reasonable that he should receive the fruit of his service, not only in future favours, but in his present salary, so that he and those who are here may feel that their service profits them; because, so great is the labour which must be performed here in gathering the gold that the persons who are so diligent are not to be held in small consideration; and as, for his skill, he was provided here by me with the office of Alguacil Mayor of these Indies; and since in the provision the salary is left blank, you will say that I supplicate their Highnesses to order it filled in with as large an amount as they may think right, considering his services, confirming to him the provision I have given him here, and assuring it to him annually.
["Their
Highnesses order that 15,000 maravedis more than his
salary
shall be assigned him each year, and that it shall
be
paid
to him with his salary.]
“In the same manner you will tell their Highnesses how the lawyer Gil Garcia came here for Alcalde Mayor and no salary has been named or assigned to him; and he is a capable person, well educated and diligent, and is very necessary here; that I entreat their Highnesses to order his salary named and assigned, so that he can sustain himself, and that it may be paid from the money allowed for salaries here.
“[Their
Highnesses order 20,000 maravedis besides his salary
assigned
to him each year, as long as he remains yonder, and
that
it shall be paid him when his salary is paid.]