the house of Santa Potenciana.

_Affairs of war_

85. Those in authority must not give the companies or other garrisons
into the charge of their relatives, friends, or servants, especially if
they are mere youths and of but little experience. This is a notorious
wrong, since there are so many deserving men who are suffering and
dying from hunger.

86. Every man in the royal garrison must serve in case of war, and
none should be excused because of being a relative, servant, or friend,
or for any other reason. There are many who are thus excused.

87. The captains and officers ought to be more painstaking in
disciplining and drilling their soldiers, and in knowing what arms
they possess, and whether they are in good condition. The men should
be well treated, disciplined, and thoroughly under control. They
should not gamble away or sell their clothes or arms.

88. When a soldier commits any crime for which he merits punishment,
his captain must not hide or palliate the offense, in order to save
him from prison or from being punished--as is done quite commonly,
to the great injury of all.

89. It is indispensable that the walls and fort should be always kept
in repair and garrisoned.

90. The same is true in regard to the artillery, of which there should
be a good supply, but of which there is at present a great lack.

91. Warships ready for any emergency are needed; but at present we
have none.

92. There are but few arms in the armory, and those few are rotten
and out of order. This need is notorious; and all classes of weapons,
especially muskets and arquebuses, must be made.

93. Carrying arms out of the country must be prohibited. This is
done quite commonly by the Portuguese and by the natives, and is a
proceeding which causes great injury.

94. Gunners are greatly needed, as we have but few of them, and these
few do not understand artillery.

95. The artillery is badly mounted, and left exposed to sun and
rain. The caissons and wheels are rotted and of no use. Balls and
cartridges are all mixed up; besides, none of the other supplies are
laid out so that they can be used when occasion (much more a sudden
emergency) may require.

96. The gunpowder should always be well refined, and stored
in different places, and not in one house, in order to prevent
accidents. This should be done with the other ammunition.

97. The soldiers' lodgings at the garrison need rebuilding, as they
are inadequate to the