ey were before; for the natives
are troubled by both of these, and it is not desirable to have there
more than the alcalde-mayor of Zubu. Moreover, one corregidor with a
salary of two hundred pesos would suffice for the river of Butuan; in
the island of Calamianes, one corregidor is enough, drawing the same
salary; in the district of Oton one alcalde-mayor, with a salary of
three hundred pesos; in Panay, one corregidor, with two hundred pesos
salary. Let no alcalde-mayor or corregidor have a deputy except in his
absence, and then without a salary. I charge and command you that,
when you arrive at the said islands, you thoroughly investigate all
the aforesaid matters, and secure information thereon; and ascertain
what offices, salaries, and extra expenses have been added, and the
reason and justification for doing so. You will correct and reform
what there is to remedy and reform, so that, by taking the necessary
precaution in everything, whether it be in the administration of
justice or other matters, you will prevent as much as possible any
waste of my funds; for you see how necessary this is, on account of
the many expenses and works which must be supported by the treasury.

I have also heard that one of the things by which my exchequer is
most defrauded, and the inhabitants of the islands most wronged,
is to be found in the lading and despatch of the ships for Nueva
Espana with merchandise; for the governors, for several years, have
appointed to that duty various personal dependents and friends, who
have succeeded through illicit means in lading the ships with their
own goods and even those of their relatives, friends, and others;
and all the cloth which is shipped beyond the general apportionment
goes without paying the duties. To remedy this it would be expedient
that hereafter the allotment of freight be made in the presence and
with the supervision of the governor and other persons appointed for
it--an auditor and a royal official, appointed each year in turn,
beginning with the oldest ones; and that immediately after the said
apportionment the royal official make a copy of it. The persons to
whom the said cloth is allotted should go with their inventories in
order to value the goods and pay the duties in the presence of my
officials, who would give in return a permit for lading. One or two
of the officials should be present in the port of Cavite, the place
where the ships are laded. Likewise the lading of the sh