the royal
estate. I have given information thereof which will accompany this,
and I think that it is impossible to exercise more diligence. I have
ordered that, when the gold enters into possession of the officials
of the royal estate, they shall value it before a notary, so that it
shall be issued in the same way that it entered. This is done because
there seems to be no other remedy, as the Moros, with their standards,
buy up all the money of current gold, and necessarily at the prices
which they themselves give to it in their debts and traffic.

As provisions were wont to be sent from Nueva Espana every year,
there were also sent reals until I came. Since then, none have been
sent; nor has any money been given to me. On the other hand, I have
announced to the public that it is outrageous that we do not serve
your Majesty by sending some gold from here; and that even to think of
their sending money from there would be to argue that we do not know
how to look for it as well as they do in Nueva Espana. It has been
a thankless task to make this ruined land profitable, for he who has
Indians, or some wealth, keeps it for himself; everyone else comes,
with loud complaints, to ask the governor to give them enough to
eat from the royal estate. Accordingly, when I came here the royal
treasury had no possibility of income, as his Majesty will see from
the accounts and from a memorandum which I am sending. Although but
a short time has passed, the condition of things has improved, and
the affairs of the royal estate have been put into as good order as
in Mexico, considering their extent.

I have succeeded in obtaining for the royal crown all the Indians
possible, especially those who are useful, and whose tributes are
increasing. They are conveniently near Spaniards, so that the latter
can more easily make collections, and also profit by the supplies. Thus
I will always do, although I have had, and still have, considerable
trouble in it.

These natives have not been able to pay their tributes, on account
of living scattered and far away; and their country has been at
war until now. They have not been taxed, as the number of people
is not known. They are so skilful in hiding themselves, that
private soldiers have to be sent from here for the collection of
the money. These latter collect what they wish, and say that they
have collected so much, and not a penny more, and that the entire
village is composed of honest men. Whoev