ese provinces afflicted, because he has
taken away encomiendas from very poor persons who have served well,
and who by virtue of these grants have become citizens. They have
been condemned because they did not secure the confirmation of your
Majesty within the time set. Their excuse is, not only that it is not
more than two years since your Majesty's decree requiring that the
confirmation be given was proclaimed, but that, besides their living
in the most remote provinces in the world, the advice-ships from Nueva
Espana were wrecked this year. The ships sailing hence have put back to
port, and their despatches have not arrived; and as they are soldiers,
with careless agents who employ but little effort in soliciting their
causes, will your Majesty be pleased to show them the favor that is
agreeable to you. [_In the margin_: "It was provided."]

Two auditors have remained in this royal Audiencia, because the visitor
suspended the other two. There is a lack of officials, for I also
found that the fiscal, Don Juan de Quesada, was dead. The government
appointed in his place, before my arrival, Don Juan Fernandez de
Ledo, until your Majesty order otherwise. I am informed that he is
a capable person, and that he is very learned and of praiseworthy
morals. Will your Majesty be pleased to show him the favor that you
may deem advisable. [_In the margin_: "It was provided."]

Because of my having taken possession of this government so late,
although your Majesty had ordered that the ships that sail annually to
Nueva Espana should depart on the first of June I have found, on the
second of August, their despatch so delayed that it has been impossible
to make it before now, although I have not endeavored to accomplish any
other thing since my arrival. I desire to have your Majesty informed
that this despatch is not chargeable to me. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]

May God preserve your Majesty, etc. Manila, August 14, 1633.

_Don Juan Cerezo Salamanca_

_Revenue matters_

Sire:

Although I informed your Majesty in two other letters, of equal date
with this, of my arrival in these islands, and that this temporary
government is in my hands, I intend to tell briefly in this letter
only the matters that I observe concerning the revenues.

I have found your Majesty's revenues very inadequate, and that the
royal treasury owes eighty-eight thousand eight hundred pesos to the
inhabitants of Manila, which have been borrowed in rea