vice of divine worship; and afterward
he bought there some buildings for the church, at an expense of
eight hundred ducados. As, for both this and the bishopric, there is
nothing left of the five hundred thousand maravedis paid him yearly
from your Majesty's royal exchequer--which sum, even, has not been
paid because there is no money there--he is deeply in debt and in
need. He beseeches your Majesty that, attentive to his great labors
in the service of our Lord and of your Majesty, and for the good of
that state, your Majesty will bestow upon him a sum equal to what he
has spent, in order that he may pay his debts; and that he be given
an order for it on the royal treasury of Mexico. The said Audiencia,
in its opinion cited above, declares that his debts amount to six
or seven thousand pesos; that his request seems to them very just;
and that any concession made to him will be a great aid to the
bishop. After deliberation in the council, it is our opinion that,
in consideration of the above, a concession of three thousand pesos,
the equivalent of three thousand six hundred ducados, might be made
the said bishop, as an aid in paying his debts: this sum to be given
him once from the tributes of unassigned Indians in those islands,
or from those that shall first become vacant. Your Majesty will act
herein as suits your pleasure. Madrid, April xii, 1590.

+

[_Endorsed_: "Council of the Indias. April 12, 1590. That the bishop
of the Philippinas be granted three thousand six hundred ducados
in unassigned tributes of those islands, as an aid in paying the
debts that he has contracted in the service of our Lord, and of your
Majesty, and the welfare of that state." "The opinion of the council
is approved, although the former concessions and assignments would be
preferable; for I suspect that in such favors irregularities are wont
to occur in the payment to the loss of the collectors." "A warrant
[for that sum] has been drawn up, in accordance with his Majesty's
commands."] [33]

Letter from Members of the Suppressed Audiencia to Felipe II

Sire: All vessels sailing to Nueva Espana, since the Audiencia was
established here, have taken advices to your Majesty of everything that
has appeared fitting to your royal service. The orders of your royal
decrees and the ordinances of the royal Council have been observed
with all care. Whenever any trouble has arisen in the execution of
these decrees and ordinances, a