,
when at the request of part of my [_word illegible_], I refer them
to the fiscal, so that he may advise according to his judgment. I
have observed that from the commencement of my government, and I
shall observe it with greater care in the future; but it will be
advisable to have the fiscal ordered to defend, in the disputes with
the Audiencia over jurisdiction, the royal decrees which are in favor
of the jurisdiction of the government.

Your Majesty orders me by another royal decree of the same date to see
that the ships which are despatched from all these islands to Nueva
Espana leave every year from this port in the beginning of June. That
is advisable, but it is impossible to establish it this year; for never
have these ships left without having to wait for the arrival of the
others [from Nueva Espana], in order that [the inhabitants] answer
their agents in regard to their [commercial] relations, and because
no other opportunity for this arises during the year. Consequently,
although the ships have been, as far as I am concerned, prepared in
time with all that is necessary, the inhabitants have not begun to lade
them until they have seen those which arrived safely on the twentieth
of July. Since that, the fulfilment of this royal decree touching
the two per cent has been discussed, as appears more in detail from
the sworn statement of the acts, which I enclose. From now on I have
commenced to order that the ships in the coming year are to set sail
without those which are now departing; and that the royal decree of
your Majesty must be inviolably kept and observed; but even with this
warning in advance the early despatch has many inconveniences.

This year no ships have come from Macan, so that the Chinese have
brought more merchandise than usual. Their main deficiency has been
that of not coming laden with woven stuffs; but with the fair treatment
that has been given them, it is hoped that a great abundance of cloth
of all kinds will come in the first champans.

The loan of 60,000 [pesos] made to the royal treasury by the
inhabitants of Macan, which I ordered to be paid, was opposed by the
fiscal, because the Portuguese have kept a quantity of the goods of
our citizens. Consequently that sum remains on deposit, in a separate
account, so that, when the account is adjusted, their money may be
returned to them.

The reenforcements for the island of Hermosa, which left here during
the last part of August of last