veniences and losses so obvious--it being certain
that a man is necessary here of integrity and accomplishments and of
excellent abilities; he must also be proficient in various professions
and functions for which occasions continually arise here, so that
he must practice and exercise them. Then in regard to property the
greatest difficulty of all is touched--that is, to need it and not
to have it; for it is necessary to spend all the year and all one's
life in contriving. In regard to war it is the same thing, since
there are so many occasions for it here, and the forces and means to
enable him to carry out what he would undertake are lacking; nor can
he show who is at the head of the enterprise and has in charge what
means are available for his purposes. He must also be accomplished
with weapons, and experienced in the preparation and management of
marine affairs and artillery, for here the governor must be almost
always, and in most affairs of these islands, the head master; for
it is not the same as in Espana, where each office has its own man,
but in the affairs of government it is certain that this is the most
difficult office that is known. For the greater the obligation, and
the less the means for fulfilling it, so much greater is the labor and
so many more are the demands; and the less there is to give them, the
more captious and more numerous are the complaints and discontents,
which they both utter and write, that they have never seen a worse
governor. Nor are there lacking friars to help them, who preach the
same thing with great effect--all the more if by chance something
which the friars have asked for has been denied them.

Other reasons beside those that I have given could be added to this
effect, which I do not set down, as the city are doing it on their
own part. I beg your Majesty to have all these matters examined
and considered, and to decree what is most fitting for your royal
service--in attention to which it has seemed to me just, fitting,
and proper to make this representation and supplication.

I once more beg your Majesty to have examined and considered what
this city so often requested from you, for a long time before I
came here, in regard to releasing them from the Audiencia--although,
as I have said in other letters, I shall not enjoy this relief from
the burden which is resting upon and is, in every way, irksome to
all the people. I shall refrain from bringing forward this claim
again,