s, so that
the city may come out and disapprove of, and protest against, his going
[against the enemy], and may inform many of the council of the danger
if they should say that he should go out. And it is said that thus, in
the matters above related and in many things left unsaid, the governor
wastes his time--which he ought to spend in pleasing God our Lord, and
in imploring His mercy, so that He might aid us in the conservation
of the country, in succeeding in serving our king, and in preparing
matters for his royal service--in many feasts and games, parties,
weddings, christenings, and entertainments with women, even while the
enemy are along the coasts, and often even anchored inside the bay;
for I believe, and it is understood, that the Japanese inform the enemy
of the slight preparations of the country. As a result, the governor
has acquired a wretched reputation and character, even among the
Chinese Sangleys and the Japanese of the country (who are infidels),
not only for sensuality and lasciviousness, but for other and worse
doings. We have the country in the most wretched condition that can
be imagined. Never has it been so wretched, as is affirmed openly by
the oldest residents here, as well as by me. They bewail Don Juan de
Silva, for, although they say that he was covetous and revengeful, yet
he was moderate in these faults; besides, he was prudent, and watchful
of your Majesty's service, and of the preservation [of the country]
and credit in war, and of the honor of your Spanish nation. Many
of them fear, and I with them, some great chastisement from heaven,
because of the publicity and multitude of the sins of us who live here.

In the particulars of the above matters [your Majesty's revenues]
have been and are being wasted during the time of this government,
and I fear greatly that it will continue in the same way until the
end of it; and I do not know that it can become worse. For I assure
your Majesty that I am talking with some caution, although I could
enlarge on this subject--because when I talk with my king, I am
talking with God, for the satisfaction and security of my conscience;
and because from my entrance into this Audiencia, I thought that I
would not be fulfilling my obligations unless I endeavored to do my
duty in what concerns me, and in the rest what I could, so that the
service of God our Lord and that of your Majesty might be furthered. I
thought that if evil beginnings be looked on with