he Christian spirit which he shows in all dealings with
the natives, and the fidelity and truth that has always been found
in him, I recommend him in general terms to the most important office
in your Majesty's service. I most humbly beg you that all favors may
be granted him, because he is worthy and deserving of them.

Juan de Salcedo, grandson of the governor Miguel Lopez, has served
and serves your Majesty in these districts in the capacity of captain
of infantry. He is one who has exerted and does exert himself in
whatever he has been commanded--not only in the conquests, discoveries,
and pacification of these islands, but in everything else that has
occurred and occurs from day to day in your Majesty's service. In all
of these, and in expeditions of great importance entrusted to him in
this land, he has given a very good account of himself. He merits,
and it is fitting that your Majesty should resolve to grant him,
some favor. In paying his grandfather's debts and for the repose of
his soul, he has spent all his possessions. What the governor left
was but little, and did not suffice for this, because he had spent
his income in helping some poor soldiers, and in other matters of
your Majesty's service, and was therefore poor and needy.

The governor, Miguel Lopez, in this city of Manila appointed in
your Majesty's royal name certain _regidores_ to serve as long as
it should be your Majesty's pleasure. I did the same in the town
of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus. [53] The said governor changed the
_cabildo_ of the said town at the end of the year, and I believe
would have done the like in this city, had he lived; because I
assure your Majesty that it is a thing of great inconvenience and
disturbance to have perpetual _regidores_. The _regidores_ in this
city from its foundation discharged their duties little more than a
year, during which time there were among them parties and factions;
as a result of this, the governor, seeing certain of them maltreat or
affront one of the _alcaldes_-in-ordinary in the town-hall, sent two
of the said _regidores_ with the record of their trial, referred to
your royal _Audiencia_ in Nueva Espana. I removed the said _cabildo_,
and appointed new _regidores_, as in the first town. And so I think
it a matter very important to your Majesty's service that, for the
present, there should be no perpetual _regidores_ in these parts,
but those who are elected annually; because in this way they will