rders that this letter,
together with the enclosed copies, be attended to, taking such steps
as may be required for the good service of your Majesty here.

Your Majesty will have received the news of the capture of the "Sancta
Ana" last year, which occurred while on its way from these islands
to Nueva Spana, by an English pirate, who entered the Southern Sea
with two vessels; after having plundered the ship, he burned it,
with all the goods which still remained on board. [61] This was one
of the greatest misfortunes that could happen to this land; because
it is estimated from the investments made, and the treasure and gold
carried, that the cargo of the said vessel would have been worth in
Mexico two millions [of pesos]. The loss has caused great poverty and
distress in this city, and among its inhabitants and soldiers. To cap
the climax, they have learned anew how much harder the viceroy of Nueva
Spana makes things for this country, for he has levied certain imposts,
ordering that every tonelada of cloth shipped from here to Nueva Spana
shall pay forty-four pesos, the duty having been only twelve pesos
heretofore--an increase which is keenly felt. As the people here are
serving your Majesty without receiving any salary or pay, it seems
expedient and just that they be favored by ordering the viceroy not
to alter the regulations hitherto made, and also to allow all those
people who desire, to come freely to these lands. From what has been
ascertained, it appears that they find it exceedingly difficult and
expensive to obtain a license to come; and even the personal effects
that they bring must be declared and permission obtained for each
article. All this causes a great loss, and prevents the development
of these islands; and it is necessary, should your Majesty be pleased
to do so, that this state of affairs be remedied.

By a royal decree of May 10, eighty-three, brought here by Doctor
Santiago de Vera, president of this royal Audiencia, when he came to
establish it, your Majesty ordered that the said Audiencia look into
the matter of the three per cent customs duty imposed on goods, both
imports and exports, by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, when he was governor of
these islands; and, in case this duty be not expedient, to remove it,
or to take such measures as they deemed best. Considering the poverty
of the royal treasury of these islands, and the many current expenses
here, the Audiencia ordered that the three per cent du