. No more aid can be sent from here unless his Grace supply
aid to this country, with an allowance for the former object--as is
done in Florida, which is of less importance. Provision should be
made for sending troops and arms, since his Grace has not enough in
the royal treasury for our needs here, and there are no more troops
than are needed for defense. I beseech your illustrious Lordship thus
to explain the affair to his Majesty.

In regard to Don Diego de Alcaraso, I have no merit in favoring and
advancing him, since he deserves it, and is extremely judicious and a
thorough gentleman. He is supported without any trouble or annoyance
whatever. He is the governor in the fort at Mindoro, and is at present
in this city. Don Pedro de Angulo has not arrived from Maluco, and,
as to affairs there, I am particularly anxious in his behalf. For
some months I have had Bustamante employed at a salary which he still
enjoys, and now that I know that your Lordship is pleased with this
I shall put him in a better place. Captain Machuca has been guilty
of great stupidity, for as he was about to depart to take charge of
the governorship of a fort, provided and appointed according to his
deserts, he got married, and not as well as I could have wished. I
shall give a present to Father Pina, as your Lordship orders.

Your illustrious Lordship grants me grace so often that I can only
show my gratitude by beseeching our Lord to keep your Lordship for
the many years necessary, and during which I would have you live. I
well realize the favor done my daughter, and it is enough that your
Lordship has shown her kindness, to have all the nuns do the same.

Although there are facilities in this country for making ships of all
kinds, and the best yet built has not exceeded in cost six thousand
pesos--and many private individuals would after this engage in it
for the sake of gain if they could maintain the industry--yet the
expenses incurred with the necessary force of sailors and workmen,
can be sustained only by the king. The greatest difficulty is in the
bringing of the anchors and rigging from Vera Cruz. Your illustrious
Lordship knows from experience what it costs his Majesty to transport
sailors to Mexico, from there to these islands, and from here to the
port of Acapulco; and the expense of overhauling the ship, and of
keeping it there a winter. Therefore although I wish to aid Captain
Esteban Rodriguez in the despatch of the ship that he