ia, should attempt it; and it will
be easy to drive them out at once. In truth, however, (that I may
always discuss a similar case), our design must be more difficult to
attain than theirs; for they content themselves with going where they
are received, and of receiving what they are given, without caring
much whether others enter that district, while your Majesty desires,
as is right, to be absolute and sole ruler, and to shut the gate to
all who do not enter under the name and title of vassals.

As to the difficulty and delay of sending aid to the islands, although
it is understood that the enemy is attempting some entrance in the
islands, I can easily comprehend that it would be easier to build a
fleet in Espana, and that it would be despatched much more quickly
than from these provinces. But I have always considered that, in this
regard, Sire, he who has so extensive a monarchy as your Majesty,
must see that each part of it have all the force necessary for
its sole defense, without being dependent for so costly and remote
reenforcement, as would necessarily be the case did your Majesty send
it from the the ports of that kingdom. Consequently, I presume that,
if the islands should find themselves in a like necessity, either
they would have to resist an attack with their presidios and walls,
or (to extend the hope farther) that they would not have need for
more aid than what they could secure from Malaca with the galleons
of that crown. The aid that is not so pressingly needed, and which,
it seems, must necessarily come from Espana--such as infantry for the
presidios--is sent there with some difficulty, because of the long
distance overland from Veracruz to the port of Acapulco, in a land
so open that the companies necessarily lose some men. But it would
prove more costly should your Majesty, in order to avoid this, have to
form a fleet on occasions when it would be necessary. However, I have
thought that an effort might be made, some time, to send the soldiers
who must go to the islands in the trading fleet or galleons sailing to
Puertobelo; [66] and to advise the president [of the Audiencia there],
somewhat earlier, to have small boats provided to take the soldiers
by river from Chagre to Cruces. Since from that point to Panama it is
only five leguas overland, the men might be taken there easily and at
little expense. The viceroy of Peru, having been notified beforehand,
should, without any expense to your Majesty,