been annulled (for in this way do
we live in the Yndias), the visitor was at last convinced of what I
always told him; and this point is settled, that the royal officials
are to use the seats which they had when regidors. [_In the margin:_
"File it with what has been petitioned in this matter."]

It might be that the said visitor will write to your Majesty in
regard to certain points of government and war, of which he has been
accustomed to advise me by notes, of which authentic copies are
taken. It seems to him that, as a minister so superior, this duty
can devolve on him. I have respected it, for what these acts may
indicate of friendship; but I cannot help mistrusting it, because of
the caution with which it is done. Consequently, I have the authentic
replies also, so that at any time what he wrote and what I replied may
be evident. I desire his friendship and am striving for it, since there
will always result a greater service for your Majesty--an intercourse
which I would swear that he ought not to remember in the visitation;
for soldiers (and more, soldiers of my rank) do not profess to be
witnesses, nor can we be. I do not believe that he will have appeared
careless, yet I take this precaution on general grounds, so that,
if perchance he may have written something, a hearing may be kept
for me, and that new decisions may not be sent from there in matters
pertaining to government and war, simply on his report; for he is a
lawyer, and new in the country, and the most that he will set forth
in this matter will be what was told him. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]

The decrees which I received last year from your Majesty were obeyed
and carried out. The same will be done with those which come this
year. I humbly kiss your Majesty's hand for the honor and reward
which you have conferred upon me in having an answer written to me
with so great promptness to the despatches of the years 28 and 29. In
what you charge me, namely, that I preserve friendship with Japon, I
have had very great care; for after the events of the year 27, I have
managed to give that king to understand the irregularity of the case,
[88] and your Majesty's desire for friendship with his kingdoms. My
efforts have already succeeded so well that this matter is already
settled with the inhabitants of Macan, and the embargo has been removed
from their ships. Having invited the same Japanese to come to trade
with this city of Manila, two ships came last year,