or the service
of your Majesty. We also ask that suitable action be taken in regard
to the letters sent by individuals, because both Nueva Spana and this
country resent very deeply this interference.

Through letters received here it has also been learned that, without
any cause therefor, the viceroy orders investigations to be made
in regard to the president and auditors of this Audiencia, by every
vessel which goes to Nueva Spana from other islands, from which great
harm results to the authority of the royal Audiencia. We beg that your
Majesty will be pleased to command what shall be done in this matter,
and not permit the good name of those who are serving your Majesty
here to be tampered with in that fashion.

This Audiencia wrote to your Majesty, in the letter above referred
to as sent via Malaca, concerning the great injury done to this
country by the sale of the vessel "San Martin," sold by the viceroy
of Nueva Spana--an injury not only through the need of ships in these
islands but because it was sold with permission to make its first
voyage to Macan, and thence to return to Mexico without touching
at this city. And now it has been learned by letters from private
persons that the ship "Santa Ana," burned by the English privateer,
has been sold at public auction in the plaza of the City of Mexico,
also with the condition that permission would be given so that it
could make another voyage to Macan. If this be so, it means the total
ruin of this country; because it cannot be supported if commerce be
carried on between Macan and Mexico, and if the vessels which carry on
that trade be taken away from us. Your Majesty, if he be so pleased,
will look into the matter, and furnish a prompt remedy, as the affair
does not admit of any delay, and the welfare and development of this
country depend wholly upon such a remedy.

This year we expected to receive help in the way of people and
supplies, of which we suffer great lack, and without which this land
is in the utmost danger of ruin; but as the "Sancta Ana" and the "San
Martin" which were the best ships that we had afloat, are not coming
any more, there were no vessels that the viceroy of Nueva Spana could
send for this purpose; accordingly, he sent a vessel so small that
it could not carry any people. The necessity of this country and its
extremity are such that no carelessness may be allowed in providing
help. May it please your Majesty to command that aid be provide