n be bettered are not known. Hence I again charge you to pay
especial attention to these inspections. The Audiencia is commanded to
observe the orders that you shall give in your capacity as president,
so that each auditor, when it concerns him, may observe his obligations
and go out on the inspections." [28]]

23d. On receiving your Majesty's despatch, in observance of your royal
order that was directed to me, I gave his despatch to the fiscal,
Don Joan de Alvarado Bracamonte, ordering him to refrain from going
to the Audiencia and from the exercise of such office, and that he
get ready to embark. He did so, and when he was ready for his voyage
and had placed on board what he had for it, and while he was making
his farewells preparatory to embarking: he was arrested by the judge
of his residencia, in order that he might give bail for the claims
and appear before the judge; and the property found to be his was
sequestered. Thereupon, what he had aboard ship was taken ashore. I
communicated to the Audiencia your Majesty's royal order to embark,
that he had received. It appeared right for him to give bail. That
and other things were referred to the said judge, to whom I also
showed the decree, so that he might facilitate the preparations of
the said Don Joan and act according to justice. But it must be that
he could not do so until now; for yesterday, when I had come from
Cavite, and the ships had sailed--even being outside the bay, since
they are not seen inside it--the notary of the residencia came to me
to say that the judge had now remitted the imprisonment and removed
the guards with whom he had arrested the said fiscal. As if now there
were any resource for his embarcation; or as if one could send him,
with his goods, household, and sea-stores, overland on the shoulders
of Indians, in order to intercept the ship at the landing-place
where these letter packets go out! I am sending a statement of the
time when I was informed of it, lest the matter should be forgotten,
or in case he should not choose to make this report. As I know him,
and here are now recognized the unjust complaints that he makes,
that the Audiencia have hindered him in part from the exercise of
his commission, I deem it advisable that the truth be recounted,
without leaving it solely to his relation; for I am sure that he
has not been restrained in anything, and that in this regard the
Audiencia has proceeded with circumspection and particular care,