e auditors might hold their meetings;
for it is not convenient for them to meet in a hall of the president's
house, where the desirable secrecy cannot be observed because their
discussions can easily be overheard. Therefore it would be expedient
to build the said hall beyond the hall of the Audiencia, and next to
it, on the side where the clock is. As it is so important that the
said meetings be held in a suitable hall, and that great secrecy
be maintained in regard to the affairs transacted by them, it has
seemed good to me to notify you of this, and to charge you as I do,
that with the advice of the Audiencia you erect such building in
suitable style; so that the above-mentioned difficulties may cease,
and occur no longer on account of the authority and secrecy which
should prevail in the said meetings.

I have learned that Governor Don Francisco Tello, your predecessor,
went to the Audiencia and attended its meetings and visitations,
in unbefitting garments; and that at times he went half-dressed,
without sword or jacket. Since in positions of that sort, in places
and regions so remote, it is necessary to exercise the authority and
propriety due to those offices, I charge you to be very careful in
that respect, and always to attend meetings and courts with the garb
and decorum which befit the occasion.

The fiscal of the Audiencia of the said islands, to whom is entrusted
the protection of the Indians, has informed me that, as their lawsuits
are many and involve much work, with the Audiencia's permission he
appointed a solicitor, with a salary of two hundred pesos, and an
interpreter with a salary of eighty pesos, at the expense of the
encomenderos. I charge you that, as soon as you reach the islands,
you discuss this matter with the Audiencia; and, if it be necessary
to retain the said solicitor and interpreter, to see that their
salaries be paid, and that they be trustworthy men and competent to
fill those offices. You will always take special care to see that
the Indians be relieved from burdens, and protected and favored in
all permissible ways, and that their affairs be promptly settled,
endeavoring to avoid lawsuits whenever possible. At Zamora, on the
sixteenth day of February in the year one thousand six hundred and two.

I, The King

Countersigned by Juan De Ybarra

Two Royal Decrees

Colonists for the Islands

The King: To the Conde de Monterrey, my kinsman, and viceroy,
governor and c