accordance with the nature
and condition of the country, and the people that you shall have.

You have done very well in applying the proceeds of the merchant's
peso on the Chinese merchandise, and the monopoly of playing-cards,
to the wall of that city; and because you have made, for the same
purpose, a two per cent assessment and contribution on the citizens
and on the Peruvian and Mexican merchandise traded in that land. And
although you report that this two per cent assessment has been made
for only one time, you shall continue the collection of this duty,
and that on the playing-cards, and the merchant's peso, until the
said fortification is finished.

You shall be very careful to favor the cathedral and hospitals. You
shall advise me of what alms can be given, and to what amount, since
you report their, necessity as so great.

I note what you say in regard to the change of lieutenant-governor
that you advise, or my giving you permission to appoint another. In
the meantime, until what is deemed advisable is provided in regard to
this (which is now being discussed) you shall endeavor to maintain
pleasant relations; and shall proceed as is most desirable to the
service of God and to mine, and to the welfare of the land.

What pertains to the navigation from those islands will be determined
as soon as possible--namely, whether it shall be at my account,
or at that of private individuals, and you shall be advised of the
resolution taken. In either case, you shall send information, now and
henceforth, upon all occasions, to my royal Council of the Indias,
of all vessels leaving there, and of their registers, with itemized
cargo--as, so much in gold, and so much in merchandise, with the
declaration of the different kinds.

You say that you have experienced difficulties and opposition on the
part of the encomenderos in establishing the increase of two reals
on the tribute of each Indian; and that notwithstanding that they
afterward agreed to it, yet they petitioned that they be allowed
to collect their tributes in the usual way. As this does not seem
to you advisable, but you desire that they collect with mildness,
you shall ordain thus, and it will receive endorsement.

In undertaking the construction of the galleys, you shall advise me
of its progress, and of their cost, and for what purpose they can
best be used.

I am ordering Joan de Ledesma to send you, with this, signed copies
of the decrees prohibiting Pe