ng the originals, and translations of the letters
from China, together with the residencias; and other papers,
consisting of a Chinese map and another small map that I had made
here, some stories of China, and those that they call "Flowers of
Silver"--all in a box directed to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, so
that it may be sent to your Majesty. It may be, as I believe, that,
in the accounts of the officials of your Majesty's royal treasury,
I also have not fulfilled well the duty of accountant, as is done at
court. I humbly beg your Majesty that these faults may be pardoned,
and that I may be advised of them, so that in the future my work
may be more correct. When these ships are despatched, I shall begin
to examine the accounts of last year, and shall send them by the
first ship. I shall set down fully in these your Majesty's actual
income here. I do not venture to send it with the other papers but
will send it by itself. The only data accompanying this letter are
in a statement of the money paid into the treasury last year, 1575;
and I hope, God helping, that this amount will soon increase.

124. Because, as I have said, this year's ship from Nueva Espana was
lost, will your Majesty please order new copies of all the papers
sent in it.

125. Your Majesty sent me twelve magistracy titles for the regidores of
this city, with a decree. I gave them to those magistrates whom I found
living here, who numbered five, seven having died before my arrival,
counting one who had become a friar. Therefore I guided myself by the
precedent that there should be twelve. In addition to these five, there
are the three officials of this royal exchequer, which makes the number
eight; a high-constable of the city, who was already provided, and him
I have left undisturbed; one Antonio Alvarez, one Franciso Banon, and
one Marcos de Herrera who are among the earliest settlers. The truth of
the matter is that we would better not discuss these magistracies now,
for everything is in turmoil. Your Majesty also had a decree sent, so
that the city might have the boundaries that I should assign to it;
but I have not yet determined this, as I had some doubts and wished
to investigate the matter thoroughly; for, if once they are assigned,
the natives are bound. I shall advise your Majesty of my decision.

126. We have shipped in this vessel ninety bundles of cinnamon
belonging to your Majesty; and as many more, which remained here,
will be shipped in