good results for which it is intended; and will give the auditor to
whose lot it falls a vessel of fair size with which to sail from those
islands of Luzon to the others, at the expense of my treasury. As for
the additional pay or gratuity which should be allowed to the said
auditors beyond their salary, and beyond what is granted them by the
ordinances and decrees, you will send me a report, with your opinion.

I have heard that the said islands contain many poor and needy
persons, to whom on account of their services and those of their
fathers a remuneration is due out of the profits of the land and
appointments to offices; but that as these sources of revenue are so
few, and the governors confer them on their relatives, servants, and
followers, as I have heard they have done, the others have remained
without anything. It is not just that there should be opportunity
for such appointments; therefore I order you to observe and fulfil
in this matter exactly what is enjoined by the decrees, provisions,
and instructions sent to the governors, preferring the most deserving
and the older inhabitants of the land, who have best and most served
the country without having been yet rewarded.

I have been informed that the ships which go to those islands from
Nueva Espana carry each year, without a merchandise register, a large
quantity of money from that country and Piru--which is not found on
reaching the port, on account of the care with which they hide it;
and that it was necessary to make investigations and inspect the
said ships before their reaching port. Since I understand that there
is some foundation in this, and that many irregularities occur in
this respect, I charge and command you to prevent and correct this
evil in a fitting manner; and to see that the fiscal shall go with
the officials of my exchequer to inspect those ships, at such place
as they find convenient. Let the penalty be rigorously enforced in
connection with what is found and discovered to be brought without
register and against orders, adjudging to the informer the share
which may seem to be best to my royal Audiencia of those islands.

Since I have learned that the office of treasurer of my exchequer in
those islands has very little work attached to it, since its duties
consist mainly in those of factor and accountant; and that therefore
there is no need of the said treasurer, and that office could be
fused with that of factor and the latter could