ight
be paid to the inspector, either in the town or wherever
they should meet, I dispatched with the father two or three
respectable persons from my companions, and when they had
gone I waited the issue. In the mean time, I employed myself
in regulating the affairs of my command, and in such a way
as best to promote your majesty's interests, and the peace
and security of these parts.

"In ten or twelve days after, the magistrate and municipal
authority of Vera Cruz wrote me that the said Tapia had
exhibited the orders of your majesty, and of your governors
acting in the royal name, which they had treated with all
suitable reverence; but that as to the execution of the
orders, they had answered that, since the most of the
government were with me, having been concerned in the siege
of the city, they should be informed of them, and in the
mean time they would do whatever the service of your majesty
and the good of the country required. This answer, they
added, was received by the said Tapia with great
displeasure, and he had since attempted some scandalous
things.

"Although this answer occasioned me some regret, I answered
them, and begged and entreated that they would look chiefly
to the service of your majesty, and endeavor to content the
said Tapia, giving him no occasion for making a disturbance;
and that I was about going to meet him, and to comply with
whatever your majesty commanded, and the most your service
required.

"As I was now preparing to depart, the members of the
council entreated me, with many protestations, not to go, as
all this province of Mexico, having been but a short time
reduced, might revolt in my absence, whence much injury
would be done to your majesty's service, and great
disturbance caused in the country. They also urged many
other arguments and reasons why it was inexpedient for me to
leave the city at present; and added that they, with the
authority of the council, would go to Vera Cruz, where the
said Tapia resided, examine the orders of your majesty, and
perform all that the royal service demanded. As it seemed so
essential to our safety that the said councilors should go,
I wrote by them to Tapia informing him of what had passed,
and that I had authorized Gonsalvo de Sandoval,