cials rendered
their accounts, although I have not passed upon some things--such as
accounts which are not certified, the tribute collected, and their
salaries. If they hold some funds which I have not found, I cannot
execute what I am commanded to do; although what I have found has
been attended to. For this reason, affairs have been delayed; and
in the meantime investigations have been made, and thus many affairs
are now sent for the consideration of the royal council. Some of my
instructions, however, cannot be carried out, for lack of funds.

On the occasion of the last investigations, it appears that they
reported that they had spent more than they had received; and that
the loans and deposits thus due should be placed to the account
of the royal treasury. As their loans were drawn out as salaries,
I have not permitted this.

The officials of the royal estate have each furnished bondsmen, who
are their securities for two thousand ducats; and they gave them,
little [original illegible] because they came from Nueva Espana
without furnishing bonds, and, as they say, without instructions;
so I have commanded them to find bondsmen for these amounts. Their
sureties are all captains and soldiers, from whom their clothes and
weapons cannot be taken away, nor their means of support; there are,
moreover, no realty holdings here. They regard their accounts, however,
as adjusted, and have almost obliged me to wait for your Majesty
to examine their pleas, so that their misdeeds may be excused. On
this account I am advancing but slowly; and, as our resources for
correcting this evil are so inadequate, may your Majesty be pleased
to declare his pleasure as soon as possible.

The sureties have not fulfilled their agreements; and, although I have
commanded them to give bonds, they do not nor can they do so, as all
are soldiers in this country. The best remedy is for his Majesty to
command that accounts be audited every year. Thus I have ordered,
and they have been audited to the year seventy-six, and accompany
this present report. For this reason most of all should the officials
give bonds, that they are in charge of various small matters and
transactions for which I am not sufficient security. Accordingly,
although they have not yet furnished bonds, I have refrained from
enforcing this order, until his Majesty shall decide what he wishes
done. Guido de Lavazares had appointed Salvador de Aldave as treasurer;
and he still holds