to excuse prolixity, touch on only a few of them.
He continues his careless way of living with so little modesty
and caution that scarce can there be found any action in which is
manifested the circumspection, gravity, and prudence required by
his office.
In regard to the little esteem (or better, the great contempt) that he
shows toward this Audiencia and its auditors, both in the court room
and in other public acts and meetings, what occurs is incredible. For
without any occasion for it, he shows that he delights in making use
of all the abusive terms that can be imagined. And, in order that it
may be seen that this statement is not exaggerated, we shall mention
here some particular instances. During the feast of the cross which
Auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez made this month of May at the convent of
St. Francis, Auditor Don Alvaro de Mesa went to that convent after the
governor and the Audiencia were in the church, and the royal carpet
had been spread, immediately upon his arrival; the governor thereupon
told him that he was a dirty, impudent fellow, and that he vowed to God
that the first time when Don Alvaro should neglect to accompany him,
he would take him by the collar and fling him out of court. This he
said with so much heat, disturbance, and passion, that it was observed
throughout the church. When the auditors went for him on Easter day to
accompany him to prison inspection, they advised him with all courtesy
(warned by what had happened on other inspections) to be kind enough
to allow the Audiencia to oppose privately the releases, when these
were undesirable, that he intended to grant by his authority. To that
request he answered in great heat and fury that he vowed to God that
if any auditor contradicted him in the releases of prisoners that
he thought best to make during the inspection, he would break his
head with a club; and, after dashing out his brains, would scatter
them about the walls of the prison. Consequently, in order to avoid
greater evils that might result to the disservice of your Majesty if
his conduct should not be overlooked until your Majesty hears of it, he
is allowed to continue his releasing [of prisoners] here during prison
inspection, and out of it, at his will, without considering that they
are imprisoned by the Audiencia, or the gravity of the crimes, or any
other of very weighty circumstances. And so that [it may be seen] that
we do not deceive ourselves in attributing to him
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