do so as shall be expedient, conferring in regard to
everything with the Audiencia, the royal officials, and other persons
of experience, choosing the best and soundest course advised. For all
this is necessary, and is undertaken in order to direct our energies
to the defense of the islands, and to try to extirpate the enemy from
them. If the latter end cannot for the present be accomplished by
force of arms, yet this communication, trade, and bartering of cloves
with the natives, and the employment of gentle but necessary means
to secure their obedience, will diminish the strength of the enemy,
which consists solely in the advantages that they possess. All this is
hoped from your prudence, although in my royal Council of the Yndias
the expediency of a factory or administration is being considered,
and of one person who should have the management and responsibility of
all in Terrenate, as may be best for the benefit of my royal exchequer.

As the number of six hundred infantry for the garrison of the fort of
Terrenate besides the two hundred Pampangos who are also in service
there, seems more than is necessary for its defense, considering that
they do not go out into battle, you will take under advice whether this
body can not be reduced to a smaller number at a less expense, without
being greatly crippled. For the principal thing to be aimed at is the
preservation and defense of that fort, and after that the sparing of
my royal exchequer. You will order that the supplies and money for the
soldiers be at your own disposal, with the sworn statement of a notary,
for there is no royal official there; thus, as these troops will be
effective, they will not be defrauded as they have been in the past.
You will likewise try to abolish all the superfluous strongholds, both
in those islands and in Terrenate; for those named in the memorial
which accompanies this, signed by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, are not
considered necessary. You will advise me when you have done this.

Considering the great expenses incurred for the reenforcements that are
every year sent from Nueva Espana, and the great importance of avoiding
the cost and adding to the funds of the exchequer, you will refrain,
so far as possible, from demanding articles that can be found in those
islands--namely, the products of either nature or industry there--or
what can be brought from other regions with greater economy. For it
is understood that in the past there has not b