e, and full of slaves, all of whom need no more
than to see us without preparation, in order to revolt. All these
are so cogent reasons, in my poor judgment, that I consider it beyond
doubt that it will be for your Majesty's service to have a new order
issued giving your governor and captain-general authority. In order
that he may fill those offices effectively in your Majesty's service,
it is necessary for him to have that authority in the royal treasury,
for extraordinary expenses which result from government and war--as
your captains-general have in Flandes, in Milan, in Napoles, and in
Sicilia, where there is war, and state affairs arise which render
that necessary. It is the same in the Filipinas, because of so many
enemies who are within its gates, and so many negroes roundabout,
with whom it is necessary to have intercourse and against whom it is
necessary to be on our guard. I do not say that there should not be
a council in the form ordered by your Majesty, but after the council
the governor should have the power to take such measures as he deems
best. I do not petition this for myself; for, when a reply to this
shall come, already the term of my government will be finished. Your
Majesty's service moved me, through my zeal for it. I shall exercise
the opposition to the visitor which seems advisable in this matter
of the treasury tribunal, your Majesty always retaining the right to
order what shall be your pleasure. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]

In the letters which I am writing by way of Yndia, I discuss the
controversy which the royal officials had with the city, before the
visitor, in regard to the seats. That contention ceased after the
visitor had pronounced judgment against the city, to which I did
not assent, affairs having been adjusted in this regard until your
Majesty should order what should be most to your pleasure. After many
excommunications which had been issued, search was made for the decree
in which your Majesty mentions the form which must be observed in this,
and in which you order that they be seated in the places which they
occupied while regidors; finally, the decree appeared among the others
that the royal officials had in their office. The same Don Francisco
de Rojas found it by chance, while looking for other decrees in the
books which he had demanded from them for the inspection, and after
they had, under oath, denied having it. The excommunications which
intervened in the matter having