of the governors having appointed to it persons who were their
confidants, is embarrassed with some difficulties, which would cease if
the office were sold, and the royal treasury would be benefited. Your
Majesty will command whatever is most expedient for your royal service.

[_In the margin_: "Let the governor and Audiencia inform us whether
it is well to sell the office, and who can be found for it; and,
in case that it is not well to sell it, what persons there are of
character, worth, and conscience which fit them to take the commission
for it. Let the royal officials also give information."]

21. About four years ago the preaching of the bulls was commenced here,
and the governor appoint a treasurer for them; and it is also said that
there came a decree from your Majesty directing that the account be
audited every year by a royal official, and that the proceeds from them
be remitted. Thus far, no royal official has taken the said accounts;
and I have been informed that in sending the proceed thereof there
has not been much punctuality, and that the money has been employed in
uses and investments for certain private persons. For the correction
of all this, it would be well that from now on an auditor should
audit the said accounts of the said treasurer, and cause the balance
which is found to be placed in the royal treasury, charging it as
a separate account to the royal officials; then, in the first ships
which leave, it may be sent to Nueva Espana, invested in merchandise,
whereby it will be doubled, with no more risk than if it were taken
in coin. The latter is never taken because what has to be sent is
invested, and turned into money in Mexico, and amounts to twice as
much. The profit which can be made in this way might better be, for
so good a work as that for which the alms of the said bulls is applied.

[_In the margin_: "Let a copy of this clause be given to Senor the
licentiate Valtodano, to be examined in the council for the crusade."]

22. Since, even if your Majesty should be pleased to command everything
done as above, it will still be necessary to bring money from Mexico
for the costs, expenses, and salaries incurred in these islands;
and as it is not well that, in order to cover them, it should be
necessary for your Majesty to employ more property than they amount to,
it has seemed best to me to seek some other methods for this--which,
if they should appear expedient for the service of your Majesty