Majesty,
the welfare and increase of these lands, and the reputation of our
nation. Of a certainty this last is being ruined and lost more and
more daily. The remedy for these evils is the increase of the pay,
and provision for additions to it; and a decree by your Majesty that
the one hundred and fifteen pesos be regarded as a gratuity provided
until the arrival of the soldiers at Cavite. Only the half of this sum
should be given the soldiers in Mexico for their clothes, while the
other half should be kept back until their arrival at the said port,
without giving them any of it. This will be of much greater utility
than giving them all the pay in Mexico; for, if all is given them,
most of it goes in gambling, and whatever is left is lost and wasted
at sea. The captain of the vessel and crew becomes rich by means of
the quantities of playing-cards and other schemes to drain the poor
wretches of all their money. On this account they are wont to arrive
at the port, naked, ragged, and in such a condition that it is a pity,
shame, and grievous thing to see them. And if, beside this, they do
not receive any pay for many months, let your Majesty consider and
examine the tendency of such things, so that God and your Majesty
may be served, this country increased and settled, and our nation
esteemed. As things are now the rule is quite to the contrary; and
matters are in such a state that respectable and honorable men have
no desire to become soldiers, but only mestizos and the scum of the
people enlist. In the year ninety-four a great many of these latter
came hither. Would to God that they had no come in so great numbers,
on account of both their poverty and their evil habits. All of this
will be checked, or at least greatly remedied, by the course above
mentioned, and by keeping back one-half of their pay. With that half,
they could clothe themselves very comfortably, because at the time
of their arrival, the Chinese have come here with their merchandise;
and clothing is very cheap then, and to be had at moderate prices. In
this way they will be well dressed when they come here, and will
be considered, feared, and respected by these barbarians, and even
by ourselves. Then too, your Majesty will have more soldiers; for,
although they are not increased in respect to their number, this plan
will succeed in taking from them the causes for which they so quickly
desert, and their numbers are lessened. These causes are punishments,