l tonnage and for larger vessels (provided your Majesty think
it is well to do so). Please have sent also a lot of canvas. Your
Majesty will have to order the officials to make selection of both,
and to see that it is very good; or else let them send to Vilbao
[Bilbao] where they say the best rigging is made, and at the most
reasonable prices. This must come, moreover, with the fleet, if it
is to be utilized by these ships.

The accountant Melchor de Legazpi, on hearing of the death of his
father, wished to go to throw himself at your Majesty's feet, in order
to beg you to remember his father's services, and how he had died in
your royal service; and he had for this purpose sold his property,
and was poor and even not free from debt. However, I prevented him
from going, by telling him to write to your Majesty, and recall his
father's services to your Majesty. Certainly, from the accounts I have
received, his father did perform such services; and I understand that
he was a good man, and served with all possible loyalty.

The boon which his son desires does not lie in those islands, but
must be given by your Majesty in this land, and to the extent that
seems best to you, in order that certain of his sisters, who are of
a marriageable age, may not be left unprovided for. In those islands
he was to have had a repartimiento which they say was a very good
one. This repartimiento possessed a large amount of provisions, and is
called Vitis and Lau. I believe that it was this which General Miguel
Lopez wished your Majesty to grant him and the same thing is desired
by the successor to his office. My opinion is that it would be well to
annex it to the royal crown, in order to supply soldiers and sailors
with provisions from it. Your Majesty could order the accountant
Legazpi to be given such recompense in this land as your Majesty may
be pleased to give him; for by remembering the dead your Majesty will
encourage the living--so that, in addition to the mere duty involved,
they may die for you with the utmost zeal. Whatever your Majesty may
do for him, moreover, I shall consider as a favor done to myself.

As for the procedure which this royal Audiencia is to adopt with the
Inquisition, there is only a mere document which bears no signature;
a copy of which I send which relates thereto. Neither the auditors
nor alcaldes are satisfied with this, and they think that they
should possess more authority than an unsigned paper. Your Ma