such men waste
for, and cost, your Majesty. I cannot see what betterment there
will be until your Majesty shall provide it, since I do not think,
that more can be done in Nueva Spana, although the viceroy must be
endeavoring to do so, as he is ordered.

[_Marginal note_: "Have the orders held by the viceroys regarding
this collected. All that he says for the benefit of the treasury
is good. Thus I am trying to do on all occasions. In regard to the
quality of the soldiers, have the viceroy of Nueva Espana informed
that they must always be men who have served, and of the quality
desirable. Those who were boys might be kept in presidios, and in
places where there is not so great need of experienced soldiers. By
placing them in other companies and in diverse services, they might
supply the lack of other persons. Have a letter written to the viceroy
of Nueva Espana, and a copy of this section and the answer to it
sent to him. Have him advised to try, at the levy of these soldiers,
that no places be given to any but persons who are suitable and useful
for the Filipinas, for the contrary becomes a useless expense."]

4th. I wrote to the viceroy last year that if, in any year in the
future--through any misfortune, or for any other cause or obstacle
that might prevent it--no ships from this country should reach those
provinces, he should try to send what aid he could, as is usually
requested, especially that of money; so that in case of such a lack,
the need should not increase, or the danger caused when ships of
this commerce do not sail. According to his reply, it seems that the
viceroy does not dare assure it, because he doubts whether he can
find ships in the ports of that country for that purpose.

Desiring to find some plan for the greater facility and less cost of
sending these reenforcements, it has occurred to us here and has been
considered a reasonable and feasible means and expedient to have them
come by way of Panama. If your Majesty would be pleased to keep there
one of the two ships that leave these islands for Nueva Espana, that
would have very good results, if no obstacles thereto arise which we
have not considered here.

The advantages are, that what infantry your Majesty pleases can come
from Espana divided among the vessels of the trading fleet of Tierra
Firme, that go to Puertovelo or Nombre de Dios. Their passage and the
transportation of their food would not cost much, and the owners of the
vessels mi