making, in another letter, a longer report to your Majesty in
the matter above mentioned, referring to the auditor Don Alvaro,
I shall add nothing more in this, except to say that his case must
be dropped, and the Audiencia will be obliged to do so, through its
need of judges. The auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez has not been present
at it for a long time, although I have warned and commanded him to do
so. He gives as his excuse that he is in ill health; but it is certain
that that does not fail him for being present almost regularly for
the documents and councils made by the said doctor Don Alvaro, and
with the same intention and wish, influenced by their alliance--which
is known certainly by an investigation which I have made for your
Majesty's information, and send with this, concerning his trading and
trafficking in merchandise, with so much greediness and meanness of
spirit that that and other things which are told about him, and are
said to be well authenticated, would appear to besmirch the honor that
the robe and insignia of his office carry with them, which makes him
unworthy of it. But, as you wish me to tell what is true, I promise
myself honors and favors from your Majesty, and punishment to him who
dares to write or to say what is not true. This does not give me so
much trouble as the preparation and disposal of military affairs, and
other obligations of my office, which I could not fulfil if I had to go
about conjecturing what ill-affected persons do and write against me,
as in this case; and in verifying the facts time would be lost. I do
not know whether he will leave, even if nothing else should be done,
[_In the margin_: "Have the letters and documents in regard to this
matter joined together."]

As there is a lack of money in the royal treasury, and great need
thereof for the maintenance of all the paid sailors and troops,
measures to supply this need were decided upon in the session of
the Audiencia, for this and other objects for the service of your
Majesty--to the effect that thirty thousand pesos could be drawn
from the treasury of estates of deceased persons, lent for this
purpose. Although the orders and documents proper and sufficient
for this were despatched, the auditor Don Alvaro, judge for the
said estates, would not transact the business which pertained
to his office, and what he is under obligation to do for this
purpose. Accordingly it was necessary that the lock (of which he
held the key