Majesty be pleased to discontinue the Audiencia, the temporal
governor of these islands should be the same person who rules spiritual
affairs. For the present, it seems that this would be very desirable;
for with such a person the suspicion of trading and trafficking does
not exist, and there is more certainty that the offices and encomiendas
will be given to those who deserve them, rather than to his servants
and relatives. And, above all, it would be well if this dignity were
given to the bishop, who is now so zealous in the service of your
Majesty, and desirous that all its affairs shall go well. He is also
so thorough a Christian, and possessed of so much virtue, learning,
and wisdom, that by his holy zeal he would aid in what your Majesty
desires--that is, the conversion and good treatment of the natives
of these islands, and the propagation of the holy faith. With that
will cease the struggles for jurisdiction, which are not right during
this time when spiritual affairs are getting a foothold; but, after
they have become established, they can easily be put in their proper
place. Furthermore, the said bishop, as he is a spiritual father,
will be so in all things, and will proceed in the suits and cases
rather with fatherly mediation than with judicial rigor.

If it be not the bishop, there is the licentiate Ayala, fiscal of
this Audiencia, who performs his duties here as a good lawyer and a
Christian, and is such a man as would give your Majesty satisfaction,
whatever you may order him to do.

If the government could be given to one of the persons residing here,
there would result many advantages, the greatest being that he would be
acquainted with insular affairs, by the experience that he would have
had with them. He would know who was deserving of honor and reward;
and as all of us who have lately come have come in need, burdened with
the care of servants and relatives, all being poor, we seek to supply
our own needs and those of the persons whom we bring at our expense,
and those who deserve aid go hungry; for before the governors can feel
the pulse of affairs in the islands, and know what things need remedy,
they depart or are removed.

I write this to your Catholic Majesty, knowing that you will regard it
as for your service that I, as one present on the scene, should write
of each subject what I think in regard to it, so that your Majesty
may act as you see fit, considering the reasons advanced on either