s. This is seen
in the great number of shipwrecks, one after another. Although there
are no prophets in this land, yet all prognosticate beforehand what
will surely happen, since the vessels sail with so heavy a cargo of
injustices; and accordingly they say that the voyages will not end
well, as we see by the outcome. But the pity is that, as the punishment
is public, and in the ships, it is necessary that the just should pay
for the sinners. Of the truth of all the above, your Majesty would
rest assured if you were to visit this country. This is daily going
from bad to worse, because until now, if those debarred therefrom
were trading and engaging in commerce, they did so with some show
of shame, and under some cover; but last year your Majesty's fiscal
came here, and all shame has been lost. For he has publicly traded and
engaged in commerce, and has gone to Cavite to lade his exports. This
has scandalized the entire community. Although the fiscal has been
advised and corrected in a fraternal spirit, he has not turned over
a new leaf. One of our number having told him that he had committed
a heavy sin against the oath that he had given to your Majesty,
he says that he knows his own business, and what he can do. And,
as your Majesty is far away, they have no fear.

A memorandum concerning your Majesty's Audiencia in this country,
accompanies this letter. Therein are set forth the reasons why it
is advisable for your Majesty to order it to be suppressed, and they
explain how it would be to the service of God and of your Majesty, and
to the advantage of your royal treasury were there no Audiencia. For
the Audiencia serves but to take the profits of the country,
in violation of your Majesty's orders in your royal decrees. For if
there is any matter of gain it is given to the relatives or followers
of the auditors, and in matters touching trade and commerce, these
are they who export most of the cargo. This is manifestly unjust,
as it would be in Castilla, if any corregidor should unlawfully
reap the benefits of the whole returns of vineyards which were not
his. In this country there are no other vineyards or fields than the
cargo which your Majesty has conceded to the inhabitants. As for the
advantage that could accrue from this Audiencia to this country, that
was, to act as a check on the governor. This consideration has now no
longer any force, on account of the decrees brought by the governor,
in which the auditors ar