lco upon
the merchandise exported hence. The purpose of this fund shall be
to maintain four or five galleys, which are necessary here. This is
the same amount that is spent in Cartagena for a single galley, and
your Majesty may trust me, as one who has looked carefully into the
matter, that this is necessary; and that expenditures without this only
waste funds and consume lives in gaining nothing. [_Marginal note_:
"Referred to the Council of War."]

I shall examine some despatches which have been received here this
year, which as yet I have not been able to do because of the necessity
of concluding this despatch, and I shall answer them at the first
opportunity. May God keep the Catholic person of your Majesty, as
Christendom has need.

From the port of Cavite, July 8, 1605.

_Don Pedro de Acuna_

[_Endorsed_: "August 2, 1606. Examination and decree within"]

Sire:

Many are the labors of this charge, both bodily and spiritual,
and almost without surcease must be the cares of him who holds, on
his own account and for your Majesty, the protection, defense, and
preservation of a kingdom and provinces so far from your royal person,
and amid so many nations, so great in numbers and so powerful, who have
so extraordinary tendencies, laws, and customs. From these we promise
ourselves, in time, with the help of God, excellent results for His
greater glory and the increase of His church. No one of these things
has given me so much anxiety as the conduct of the licentiate Don
Antonio de Rivera Maldonado, auditor of this royal Audiencia. This man,
with his temper, his haughtiness, and lack of understanding, has given
and is giving so many occasions for annoyance to the people, to me, and
to his companions--and particularly to the soldiers, and the military
and royal officials--that I have had more ado to moderate, adjust,
and set right his affairs than all others in my charge. His arrogance
is terrible. The citizens, even the most powerful of them, fear him,
for they realize that in his position as senior auditor he has the
boldness to attempt any design to their harm that comes into his mind,
or suits his desires, and that he carries out his plans. Consequently,
all cry out to God for redress for his unjust acts. For there is
no redress here, and it comes but tardily from your Majesty, owing
to the time necessary for it to reach this country. I do all that I
can, but he gives me so many provocations that it is a wonde