d as
are the custom. When there is any doubt about the matter, I shall be
consulted, so that, having examined it thoroughly, I may provide what
is advisable for the public peace and for decorous relations between
the president and Audiencia. (Note for a separate paper.)" [25]]

14th. Although it is my desire to restrain myself in this particular,
in order not to drag on this letter to greater length, and for
other considerations, certain of my obligations move me to say the
things that I cannot avoid, because I have heard that the auditors
claim that your Majesty should take from the office of governor and
captain-general and president, the declaration and trial of suits
that concern government and war--which your Majesty conceded to him,
on account of those which were being tried then, and the disadvantages
that were experienced in leaving them to the Audiencia. This is a
matter from which--even if it pertained to them, by opposing what
your Majesty has ordered in this matter--it is impossible to dissuade
them, seeking in such things any pretext or excuse to meddle in them,
and to embarrass and hinder me in the exercise of my office. Thus
have they endeavored to do in many things, especially in one trial,
begun here by the master-of-camp against various persons employed
for wages in marine works (who were under the military jurisdiction)
because of a conspiracy and desertion that they had planned, and which
they were ready to execute if they had any one to get their pay for
them for that purpose. This occurred at a time when I, because of a
pressing need then of men for your Majesty's service, was compelling
the master-of-camp and Aclaras to restore all those to their places who
for ten years back had been removed from them. In their guilt Pedro
Alvarez, war and government notary, appeared to be implicated. One
of his friends, an ecclesiastic, named Joan Cevicos, tried to prove
himself leader of this affair, in order perhaps to clear him and
the auditors, according to what I understand and many believe. In
complaisance to Doctor Don Alvaro de Meso, or for other objects,
the auditors took it into their heads that the notary of war did not
belong to the military jurisdiction; and that the master-of-camp had
not the right of first instance in his cause, but that it belonged to
me, in order that appeals might go to them. Without what I declared,
in accordance with your Majesty's royal decree (which I presented),
being suf