the lesser? When the archbishop died here, as your
Majesty was advised, the bishop of Zibu, who entered into his place,
petitioned that he be given some gratuity from the salary enjoyed
by the archbishop, because of the many expenses of living in this
city--taking a precedent from the vacant see of the other archbishop,
in which the treasury council assigned him one thousand two hundred
pesos. On this occasion it seemed necessary, so that the bishop
might be able to support himself, to assign him one thousand pesos
annually; and it was ordered that your Majesty be advised thereof,
as was done, so that you might consider it a proper expense. It was
necessary and unavoidable, for in any other way the bishop could not
live three years--the time during which we have to wait for a reply,
if we first had to advise your Majesty. The visitor, Don Francisco
de Rojas, has added this item, and formed an opinion unfavorable
to the auditors who gave their votes to it, and has ordered that
they make satisfaction for it. His commission does not announce this;
accordingly, as a matter inferred from good government, he has no right
to inspect this affair. He has also taken issue against the auditors
of the last Audiencia, who were the ones who assigned the one thousand
two hundred pesos during the other vacancy. Your Majesty, by decrees
received here this year, grants concession to the archbishop-elect
of a third part of the salary which the dead archbishop would have
received. Your Majesty orders that another third be given to the
cathedral. In accordance with this, there is much more justice and
reason in giving suitable maintenance to him who is serving the
cathedral. I petition your Majesty in all humility to be pleased to
confirm what was done with so great a desire of serving you well--acts
which were so thoroughly grounded on justice and right. I assure you
that we desire to economize your royal revenues, and that economy is
the very thing which is necessary. I have written to the visitor, Don
Francisco de Rojas, a document (a copy of which I enclose herewith)
in regard to the matter of the proceedings which he is attempting to
obtain from the treasury councils, after having first consulted with
the Audiencia in regard to it. He replies as will also be seen by the
same copy. I have thought best to inform your Majesty of everything,
so that you may be advised of the matter. What he appears to take as
his basis of action, and on whi