ty continue in
force; but in order to make its payment easier, and not to harass by
this tax the inhabitants of this city and other people serving in these
regions, it was decided that the citizens and soldiers and traders
should not be obliged to declare in detail the number of pieces of
silk carried, or their length in varas--it being sufficient to state
the quality of the silk and what it had cost, so that the goods might
be appraised according to their value for the payment of the three
per cent duty. The same order obtains in regard to all the rest of the
cargo--goods in bundles, robes, and other articles--this measure being
taken for the sake of avoiding the annoyances caused at the port of
Acapulco were the officials sent from Mexico for this purpose, since
they would open the boxes and undo the packages, thus occasioning a
great deal of damage and loss to the inhabitants of these islands,
both soldiers and merchants. Now we have learned that the viceroy
has given orders that the goods of those who have not declared the
number of pieces of each article carried, and the number of varas
they measure, and a like account and calculation for everything else,
be seized and confiscated--for which purpose he has begun to send to
the port a judge, who proceeds with great rigor. We beg your Majesty
that, since this royal Audiencia was ordered by the said royal decree
to take such measures as it deemed best, and it has declared that
the inhabitants and soldiers should be relieved and favored, and has
had therein so just a reason to prevent the oppression that might be
inflicted on them, your Majesty will order the viceroy of Mexico not
to interfere in this or other measures which may be taken here, since
from such measures result so much benefit to the poor citizens and
soldiers, and to all other people who dwell in and maintain this land.

Since this royal Audiencia was established in the year 83, it has not
received any answers to the letters written, except a few decrees
which have reached it; and we are informed that all letters sent
from here are opened in Mexico and held there, so that we cannot feel
at liberty to write anything which is not examined and known there,
from which great difficulties may result. Even were it not certain
that the letters from this Audiencia are held there, we beg that your
Majesty will be pleased to give orders for their safe conveyance,
and that nothing be lacking which may be important f