re five companies of
foot-soldiers. Don Pedro de Almacan, son of Auditor Almacan, a youth
of tender years, and inexperienced in military affairs, is captain
of one company. Don Juan de la Vega, son of Auditor Vega, likewise a
person of tender years, has another company. Captain Madrid, brother of
Auditor Madrid--who has been in this country but one year, and before
coming here was only a common soldier--has a third company. I do not
mention many others--alferezes and sergeants who are immature boys--at
whom all laugh, and who would better be in school than occupying
such offices. They are the ridicule and plaything of the soldiers;
for the latter see in them no other valor or sufficiency than to
be relatives of the auditors or fiscal. The same is true of other
honorable and advantageous posts. Mateo de Heredia is alcalde-mayor
of La Pampanga. He is the son-in-law of Licentiate Almacan, and that
office is the best appointment in this country. To be chief guard
of the parian of the Sangleys is a position that needs especially
qualified persons, and those who have served his Majesty for many
years. For six or seven years it has been held by Diego Sanchez, a
common person, who is married to a mestizo woman of Nueva Espana. He
has no greater merit therein than to be the brother-in-law of Auditor
Alcaraz. The same is true of other provisions.

4th. _Item_: That if any person connected with any of the auditors
commits a crime or crimes, such a one is not brought to justice for it,
however grave and enormous his crime. This very year a very grave case
has happened in this city, in the person of a son of Auditor Vega,
who committed adultery with a woman married to an inhabitant of this
city, an honorable man, and of a good family. The woman betook herself
to a convent; and the adulterer fled. The aggrieved man begged justice
of the governor and the Audiencia. The said Auditor Vega not only did
not do his duty as judge, but defended his son with unfurled banners,
to his own great infamy and censure as a person whom his Majesty
maintains, to administer justice. The preachers have denounced him in
the pulpits, demanding that justice be done. The people are exceedingly
scandalized at so grave a matter remaining unpunished, only because the
criminal is the son of an auditor. Not only do they not punish him,
but the said adulterer was even made captain of infantry in the war
with the Dutch, to the great offense of all. That appeared s