t for lack of supplying themselves here with the
necessaries for the voyage; for although but little time was spent in
despatching the ship, I exercised much diligence in seeing that more
men and provisions were shipped than is customary. There are things
which our Lord permits; since it was His will that they should die,
it was an instance of His great clemency.

I have always tried to fulfil your Lordship's commands in regard to the
lord bishop, and he may command me and I will obey; but I know of no
means in the world whereby I can preserve his love and make it lasting.

I kiss the hands of your illustrious Lordship for the kindness that
you do me in encouraging me to the work of this office; but as I am
old and worn, the extra duties are very heavy for me, especially
since I receive so little aid from my associates, and since the
Council [of the Indias] so poorly seconds my efforts. As they are
so far away and do not know affairs here in detail, they make some
regulations so far from what is proper that, if they were complied
with, it would be the undoing of this land, and his Majesty's service
would suffer greatly. In order that your illustrious Lordship may
understand how affairs stand, I declare that everything concerning
the government and war in these islands depends on the president. He
must attend to everything punctually; and, in order to comply with
his Majesty's commands, he must pay over and spend from the royal
treasury what is necessary for the affairs of government and of war. No
account can be given thereof, and in delay there would result great
inconveniences. The despatch of the ships would cease, as well as
the work in the shipyards, the defense of these islands, and the
supply of aid to other islands, in accordance with his Majesty's
commands. Knowing all this, which is evident, I received the decree
of which a copy goes with this. This gave an opportunity for the
officials to excuse themselves from honoring my orders for money,
and soon the Audiencia commanded that they be not observed. For
the revocation of this decree it is necessary to wait three years,
and although in my commission his Majesty has given me full power for
everything, I am prevented for the most trivial reasons from exercising
my authority. I am writing to his Majesty, but it will be of more
effect to give an account thereof to your illustrious Lordship; for,
if nothing is done, it is of no use whatever for his Majesty to have