Diego de
Soto, and Diego de Valdenebro, who were then in the town of
Vera Cruz, jointly with the council of Vera Cruz and the
members of the other town councils, to see and perform
whatever the service of your majesty and the good of the
country required.

"When they reached the place where the said Tapia was, who
had already set out on his journey to this city, accompanied
by Father Pedro, they requested him to return, and all went
together to the city of Zempoalla, where Christoval de Tapia
presented your majesty's orders, which all received with the
respect due to your majesty. In regard to their execution,
they said that they asked some delay of your majesty as
demanded by the royal interests, for causes and reasons
contained in their petition, and more fully set forth
therein. After some other acts and proceedings between the
inspector Tapia and the deputies, he embarked in his own
ship, as he had been requested to do, since from his
remaining, and having published that he had come as governor
and captain of these parts, there would have been
disturbances.

"The coming of the said Tapia, and his want of knowledge
respecting the country and its inhabitants, had already
excited sedition, and his stay would have led to serious
evils if God had not interposed to prevent it. Much greater
service would have been rendered to your majesty if, while
he was in the island of Hispaniola, instead of coming
hither, he had first advised with your majesty. The said
Tapia had been often advised by the admiral, judges, and
other officials of your majesty residing in the island of
Hispaniola not to come into these parts until your majesty
had first been informed of all that had taken place here,
and on this account they had prohibited his coming under
certain penalties, which prohibition, however, by means in
his power, looking more at his individual interest than the
service of your majesty, he had succeeded in getting
removed.

"I have prepared this account of every thing in relation to
this matter for your majesty, because, when the said Tapia
departed, neither the deputies nor myself drew up any
statement, as he would not have been a suitable bearer of
our letters; and also that your majesty may see and believe
that