r I kiss your
Majesty's feet a thousand times. In another letter I have entreated
your Majesty that you will be pleased to command your viceroy of Nueva
Espana to allow the commander and admiral who conduct thither the
galleons from these islands to exercise authority and jurisdiction
in the port of Acapulco (so long as they are not on the land) to
punish their seamen and soldiers, and that the warden of the port
shall not interfere with them by endeavoring to have such delinquents
punished on shore; for they have always had some men under them who
have ability, and have served well, and are very competent--who yet,
from the time when the said galleons cast anchor, neither respect nor
obey as they should, during the entire time while they remain in port,
the said commander and admiral, since they think that those officers
cannot punish them until they set sail for the return voyage. This
is a great hindrance to the service of your Majesty; and since you
have been generously pleased to grant to your governors authority
to send future successors for the said offices, may your Majesty be
also pleased to grant me this favor which I now entreat, in behalf
of their authority and due respect and proper government. [_Marginal
notes_: "Bring hither the orders already given on this subject, and a
statement of what is customary in other ports, especially in that of
Bera Cruz." "They are here." "Let the governor's request be granted,
with the conditions that he mentions; and write to the viceroy that
this seems to be the general practice, to judge from precedents found
here, and that he is to issue the necessary orders for the execution
of the above--unless he finds difficulties in the way which oblige him
to do otherwise. Then, when the men on the ships commit any excesses
on shore, let a case be made against them, and then referred to the
commander and admiral."]

5. In another decree from Madrid, dated May 4 of the same year,
your Majesty commands, that in order to prevent the frauds which
hitherto have been committed on the ships which sail with merchandise
to Nueva Espana, I shall, since this port is so near, sometimes
go to examine and direct the lading, or entrust this duty to some
careful person. Before the said decree arrived, I came (as I have
informed your Majesty in another letter) to the said port to serve
as a royal official; and I have already laden the capitana--which
is an undertaking of so much importance that th