the whole change is only setting the city aright;
for the fortifications were wrongly planned from the beginning.

Your Majesty's exchequer has suffered so much damage and loss
by the mismanagement of the officials, that, although various
gentle means were taken to relieve and repair it, they were of no
effect. Consequently, when the governor saw himself so hard pressed, he
commenced to investigate the accounts; and the officers are suspended
from the exercise of their duties until the state of their offices
shall be ascertained. They are alike in their bitter enmities and
difficulties with one another, making the despatch of the matter
impossible. The papers are sent in order that your Majesty may see
what has been done, and the condition of affairs here at present,
which if investigated thoroughly will be found to contain other things
of much moment in the matter. Your Majesty will decree in everything
what will be most expedient for your service. I assure your Majesty
that had any other means been found of dealing with the said officials
besides the one used, until your Majesty should be advised thereof,
this final measure would not have been taken--which was necessary,
since no other effectual means were at hand.

Your Majesty has yet in this kingdom a revenue amply sufficient for
all the expenses thereof, if it be administered with fidelity and care,
and if many present superfluous expenses be suppressed. There are not
more than a hundred paid soldiers in camp, and six captains of infantry
and their officers draw salaries. The forts are without garrisons;
but for more than a year the wardens thereof have been improperly
drawing salaries. Your Majesty has no galleys whatever, and there
is one commander, who, though unemployed, draws a yearly salary of
eight hundred pesos; and there are many officers who get a salary
in the same manner. There are many garrisons of soldiers, sailors,
artillerymen, and others in various capacities who draw pay from
your Majesty's exchequer; and they are of no service, nor will they
ever in their lives be of any use, except as servants and attendants
upon the officers and other persons, who pay them from your Majesty's
revenues. In this way much of your Majesty's revenue is being spent
and wasted. It would be necessary to institute a reform, and to make
many investigations of the accounts of your Majesty's debtors and the
collectors of your Majesty's revenue, in order to regain much pr