port the men.

The sixth section provides that only so many officers shall be
appointed as may be needed, that no one shall go as a gunner who is
not one in fact, and that only one gunner shall go for every piece of
artillery carried on the said vessels. In this matter your Majesty's
commands shall be obeyed.

The seventh section provides that an inspector and an accountant
shall go on the said ships to take the accounts and inventory of
all the cargo. It directs that they shall keep books, in which they
shall enter the merchandise shipped from these islands and that which
comes back on the return voyage. It would seem that this expense also
might be avoided, since this account and inventory are taken by the
royal officials of these islands, and also by the royal officials
of the port of Acapulco. By their account it is possible to know
the cargo which goes there, and what returns. From here is sent to
the viceroy of Nueva Espana a statement in which is contained the
amount of the merchandise sent in the cargo, and the names of the
consignors, in order that in conformity therewith license may be
given, to the citizens who have shipped the goods, for sending back
the money which their merchandise shall have yielded. In this way
the account and inventory required by your Majesty are obtained,
since only the inhabitants of these islands send consignments, and
the proceeds thereof are returned to them and no others.

The eighth section provides that the vessels shall be no more
heavily laden than they ought to be, and that room be left in them
for everything that is necessary for the men that sail in them. This
section also provides that sufficient provisions shall be carried for
this long voyage, so that the men may not perish for lack of food. This
section also decrees that the vessels shall not be overladen and
thus embarrassed and endangered; but that they shall be laden so as
to be buoyant, and able to meet dangers from storms and enemies. It
is also provided that in lading the vessels a proper division of the
space should be made. In all these matters your Majesty's will shall
be carried out.

The ninth section decrees that the freight charges to be paid on
cargoes in the aforesaid vessels, for the voyages both going and
coming, shall be determined and regulated in proportion to the
expenses of the voyage, no more being charged than is necessary to
meet them without any supply being required for this purpose from