find any proof, as the money had all been taken out before
they arrived at the fort. When they arrived here, finding much cloth
in the possession of the Chinese and not considering its price, they
spent their money. When the citizens came, as they could not lade the
share which had been assigned them, since no money had come therefor,
the Peruvians freighted the ships; and the profit which, through your
Majesty's gracious aid, the citizens of these islands should have
had, was enjoyed by the Peruvians. May your Majesty order this to be
investigated, and direct in regard to it what may be best for your
royal service and for the maintenance of this country. As the licenses
to lade their cloth in the ships which are going to Mexico--being one
of the profits and rewards which we have in this country to give to
deserving citizens--is a matter which always gives rise to complaint,
no matter how justly the distribution is made, in order to avoid this
and to proceed as justly and satisfactorily as is generally possible,
I have ordered during the whole time I have spent here that, first of
all, the ship should be gauged for its tonnage by persons chosen by
the city--men who are intelligent, conscientious, and disinterested,
and otherwise competent for the said gauging. The allotment has been
and is still made as justly as possible.

28. _That the persons appointed to lade the ships did not keep the
order which was given them, breaking it to the injury of citizens,
and were arrested_.

This year were appointed, to direct the lading of the new ship "Santo
Toma," Captain Gaspar Perez, the alcalde-ordinary, Captain Juan de
Arsega, and Captain Christoval de Asqueta, a regidor of this city. They
were given the usual order to lade according to a list, beginning
first with the men who are most deserving and have been longest in
the country. As they did not keep the order which was given them,
and laded after their own fashion, I have arrested them. The citizens
of this city have brought in complaints of them and many claims have
been filed against them. I am receiving testimony thereof, in order to
punish them according to their crimes. I have always tried, from the
day I entered, to govern as your Majesty was pleased to command me,
and to protect this commonwealth and the poor in it, even with my
own property; and it is well known in these parts that I have done
this so far as lay in my power.

29. _That a port called El Pinar, has