means to pay it all when due.
_The navigation to Espana_
154. The giving of positions on the trading ships of the Nueva Espana
route is a great detriment to the country. In the first place this
advantage is enjoyed by those who have not served in this land,
thus depriving of it those who have served.
155. As persons who have no compassion on the citizens of this country,
they busy themselves only for their own interests, and not for the
good of the country.
156. Many of those in the naval and military service come here who
are useless and troublesome. This is a great expense to the king,
and all to no purpose.
157. The soldiers come naked, unarmed, and starving, because their
captains have only tried to cheat them.
158. The ships return loaded with the investments of the officers
of the ships. Besides their own goods, they have been entrusted with
large commissions and trusts in Mexico, which they execute and fulfil
to the great deprivation of this country. They receive excessive
salaries all the time until their return to Espana, which might be
dispensed with if they were officials of these islands.
159. After they depart for Nueva Espana with their vessels, then for
greater comfort and the better stowing of their merchandise, they throw
overboard the goods of our citizens, without any necessity. This they
do without any feeling of compassion for the many whom they ruin. It
makes no difference to them, for they are going where they cannot be
proceeded against, and where it is impossible to follow them.
160. Usually those who come in those positions are relatives and
servants of the viceroy of Nueva Espana. They are mere youths and
have no experience in their duties. Innumerable frauds and injuries
are perpetrated in the despatch of the vessels at Acapulco, of which
I shall not speak in detail, for that one point alone would require
a great deal of paper. Manila, June 8, 1598.
_Don Antonio de Morga_
Recommendations as to Reforms Needed in the Islands
_The inspection, as will be related_
It is very necessary and important, Sire, that your Majesty be
pleased not to entrust the inspection of encomenderos, magistrates,
and collectors in this country to persons who, after the completion of
their commission, must remain and live in the country as subjects--who,
on that account, would be forced to proceed timidly and with a
view to what might be done by persons who have been punished and
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