ount, but in order to ascertain the
characteristics of each region, and the products and articles that can
be produced in them and carried in case of need to any other region;
and in order to take what measures may be advisable for justice and
good government. It has been learned that this has not been done with
the exactness required, and that on account of the personal occupation
and toils that generally accompany it, you excuse yourselves and state
other objections, in order not to make those visits; but I order you
to busy yourselves in them, in accordance with the order that shall
be given you by your president, Don Alonso Fajardo, who shall advise
me of what shall be done in this. You shall take very special care
to send a minute copy of the findings for the districts visited; for
thus it is advisable for the good government and for the information
that must be had of affairs there; and so that what has been ordered
for the benefit of the natives may not be converted into mischief
and burdens for them, especially since that land is pacified. It is
ordered to you that, in going to make the said visits, you observe
the order decreed, avoiding followers and retainers. And in order
that we may have the satisfaction necessary from this, when you send
a relation of the said visits, you shall send one of the men whom
the visitor took with him, and an account of what occurred in this."]

Letter from Felipe III to Fajardo

The King: To Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor and
captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president of my royal
Audiencia residing there. The letter which you wrote me on the tenth
of August of the past year has been received and examined in my royal
Council of the Yndias; and the resolutions adopted in regard to the
matters discussed therein will be explained to you in this.

You say that Francisco Lopez Tamayo, on account of his many years and
ill health, has left the office of accountant which he occupied, and
that you have appointed in his place Pedro de Lenzara, as he appeared
to you a suitable and intelligent person. In filling this office you
have used the care and attention which the matter demands; accordingly
the appointment will remain with [him as] a person competent for
this employment.

You inform us that in a council held in the time of your predecessor,
which consisted of himself, the auditors of the Audiencia there,
and the officials of my royal exchequer, it