g to make me suspect that they
were writing things against me which they did not dare to say to
me. That is the manifestation which they might make in case of any
treachery or knavery on my part. They had little to answer to these
arguments, but for all that they were not willing to regulate their
conduct as they should, but to persevere in their theme. That would
have obliged me to make the demonstration which the case demanded,
had I not considered rather the service of your Majesty than the
action which the vehemence of their passions deserves.

_Attack on the orders of the government, by the auditors commanding the
royal officials to pay them their thirds [of salary], notwithstanding
any order of government_.

2. Jointly with this they made another attack on the government,
namely, to notify the royal officials by an act that they should
immediately pay them their thirds [of salary] notwithstanding any
order that they might have to the contrary, as such was not from your
Majesty. That they said because of the order of the government that
nothing be paid without its decree. That order was given by all my
predecessors, and the auditors themselves ratified it when they were
governing, as will be seen by the enclosed records. I resented this
action, because of their boldness in trying to oppose the orders of
the government, and because of the slight foundation which they had
for it: for never was more owing to them than the third for April,
as the treasury is without a real at this time; and we do not have in
the entire city any place to get the money, and with great difficulty
are we able to get a meager aid for the soldiers and sailors. That
third is paid the auditors in June or July, which is the time when
the silver comes from Nueva Espana. And now because it arrived about
ten days ago, and their third has not been paid them, because I am
here in Cavite, attending to the despatch of the ships, they were
so impatient that, not having taken the trouble to remind me of
their need so that I might order them paid immediately, they enacted
the act above mentioned--copy of which, together with the reply of
the royal officials, I herewith enclose. Last year they themselves
asked me not to pay them the April third until that for August was
due, as they wished to receive them together. That shows how little
inconvenience follows their not having received it this year in the
month of July. Surely, all these actions are the o