they will not expedite the business,
or reduce the great volume of accounts and business that are pending
in this accountancy. Even the commencement of this suit has caused
great trouble, and the clerks have been much disturbed by it. Will
your Majesty be pleased to order the suit to be concluded, and the
decision that is most expedient to be made. [_In the margin_: "Look up
the papers regarding this matter; let it be as the fiscal says." "These
sections were collected with the papers which treat of this matter."]

What is to be said is that the accountant and treasurer are very poor;
and that the offices in the Yndias are not worth anything unless one
steals, and they do not do that. The expenses of their households and
families have been excessive in this city for some little time past,
and consequently, those ministers cannot live decently on their pay. If
there is any means to increase it, will your Majesty order that inquiry
be made in what way this can be done without the royal officials taking
away the perquisites from their clerks. May God preserve the Catholic
royal person of your Majesty, as is necessary to Christendom. Cavite,
August first, 1629. Sire, your Majesty's humble vassal,

_Don Juan Nino de Tavora_

[_Addressed_: "To his Majesty. Cavite, 1629."] [_Endorsed_: "Governor
Don Juan Nino de Tavora. Treasury. Seen and decreed in the margin,
July 11. Take it to the fiscal. In the Council, November 23, 630."]

[_The findings of the fiscal_]

1. The fiscal says that he has read this letter. In regard to the
first point, concerning the ship which is to take the cloves, he
thinks that if affairs move with the security and ease which the
governor ascribes to them, the profit is a matter of considerable
moment, and that the governor should be ordered to undertake it. But,
inasmuch as many things enter into that question which pertain to the
Council of War, he requests that the matter be examined and discussed
by them before any resolution be taken. He also thinks that it will
be necessary that a copy of what concerns the Council of Portugal be
given that body, on account of the relations which the execution of
this measure have and may have with Goa, Malaca, and other points of
Eastern Yndia which fall within the demarcation of the said Council.

2. In regard to the second point, concerning the cultivation of the
land, he thinks that it ought to be accepted; for the amount of money
risked is lit