(same year), by a fragata sailing to Malaca and Eastern India,
I wrote later events, and sent the duplicate of the letters. As that
route is not considered very safe, I send this, combining both reports,
written in fuller detail--fearing least perchance, on account of the
many accidents which have taken place on the sea in these years,
all the letters have been lost. I cannot help fearing so because,
as I write this, a ship has just arrived from Mexico, by which I have
received no letter from your Majesty; nor have I received one since
I have been in charge of this government--although, praise be to God,
I have had good news of the health of your Majesty. For this I return
infinite thanks to God, and pray that it may continue, and that He may
give your Majesty complete success in all the new cares and anxieties
which may present themselves. I am confident that His Divine Majesty
will give long life to your Majesty, in order that everything may be
ordered and arranged according to the needs of Christianity.

Supposing that the duplicates of the letters aforesaid have been
received, this letter will be more brief, in order not to repeat
herein what has been said elsewhere. It is now necessary to describe
in general the state of this land, although this year has been very
unfortunate, deaths and sickness being common among both Indians and
Spaniards; and we are also pressed hard and threatened by enemies,
as your Majesty will learn by a separate letter. As to the general
quiet and tranquillity of this state and kingdom, it has never been
better; for great progress is being made in the strengthening and
adornment of public buildings, both ecclesiastical and state.

Hitherto the Spaniards have not experienced misfortune, but much profit
in traffic; and trade [with Nueva Espana] is being regulated and put in
order. The natives are content and happy; the Chinese are more fond of
trading with the merchandise which they bring from that kingdom. There
came this year twenty-eight ships with much merchandise, including
very rich goods of silk and other articles. The religious are agreed
among themselves, and aside from the bishop, everything is quiet as it
should be--except in some few matters, of which I will give an account
to your Majesty. The encomenderos have more peace of conscience than
they have heretofore had, and justice is equitably administered in
the districts of the alcaldes and the villages of the Indians; and,
fina