offend
them or the father, or for other reasons, it comes to pass that the
poor wretches do not enjoy the fruit of their labor. In like manner,
it is advisable for your Majesty to order straitly that the many who
are conscripted for these services, expeditions, and ordinary works,
from Tondo and the environs of Manila, at great cost and expense to
them, be paid immediately; for their pay is due them for a long time,
and is postponed and delayed for many days, to their great vexation,
loss, and annoyance, and even to the extent of being a public offense.

_That there should be a reward for old soldiers who have served and
have no remuneration, besides others who are of rank, or who have
served in other places, or who come to these regions to serve._

There should be something to reward old soldiers who are not
remunerated, and are in need, besides the other persons enumerated
above, who come here and, because of not having been here so long
as others, appear to be excluded from the offices and advantages of
the country. There are but few offices, while there are many to fill
them, and as many offices as are sought can not be found, although the
men appear to merit them. This is one of the very necessary matters
in this country, and requires your Majesty's attention; or else,
inasmuch as it is most important and of great moment, that God and
your Majesty may be well served in this land, the governor might
be empowered to appoint to offices those who should exercise them,
as is most fitting. It is a great and necessary advantage for your
Majesty to provide this in the manner and by the person most pleasing
to you. I see very well that a governor must be appointed with liberal
authority, not only in this, but in other matters that demand it. But,
in this matter of remuneration and gratifications, it has occurred
to me, that troubles might ensue if the governor were to distribute
rewards and gratifications entirely as seemed best to him, and to whom
he wished. Hence I say that, although it is advisable and necessary
for your Majesty to appoint such a person, and very requisite that
you should be able to trust that matter to him, besides many others,
still in this case, the number of persons to be appointed might be
assigned and limited. Thus he could not do more than is necessary and
advisable, and might appoint only those who merit such advantage and
reward by their services and good qualities, and not others in whom he