I do what I can to maintain it, some measure must be taken in this
regard which will be more radical and put it on an entirely different
footing from the present one. The original inspection made in past
years was by the factor, Francisco de las Missas, alone. I have this
in my possession, and a copy of it was sent to the Council by Doctor
Morga, who took it. As the commission for the inspection of the other
officers--delivered to me in order that the late licentiate Cambrano,
might make it--covers only the time of four months (which is not
even a long enough period to look over the papers), I instructed
them to take a further adjournment, so that this vacancy in the
inspector's office should not cause the neglect of necessary work;
and accordingly I am doing so at present. Your Majesty will command
according to your pleasure.

It has likewise seemed best to give your Majesty an account of the
inexpediency of appointing as inspector of the auditors any of their
companions, especially those who have exercised that office at the
same time with them, and given judgment in the same affairs; for if
one of them has acted unjustly, the other one may have done so as
well, and might not perform his duty in reprimanding or inspecting
those whom he should. Your Majesty will order as is most expedient.

In the despatches which I have sent from here since I arrived via Nueva
Hespana, I have advised your Majesty of the great difficulty which
lies in the appointment by the viceroy of Mexico of persons there,
as the commanders, admirals, and other officials who come and go on
the ships; and how important it was that they should be appointed
here from those who have here served your Majesty, for the reasons
which I there gave, as your Majesty will command to be examined. The
same matter confronts me now, and every day I am coming more to see
the great injury which this commonwealth suffers, without finding any
means for its redress. I promise your Majesty that I am not moved to
this step by the greater importance which this office will then have,
but only for the service of your Majesty, and by seeing that this
is as I have said in my other letter; and that there is great need
of reform, in order to ward off disaster at all points, for it is
very near. May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your Majesty,
in the prosperity which is necessary for Christendom. Manila,

July 15, 1604.

_Don Pedro de Acuna_

It is not expedien