tributarios, which she held as an encomienda for a second life, so that these might be assigned to other persons.  The other nine hundred and seven tributarios remaining I assigned to General Don Juan de Arcarasso, likewise a person of great ability and merit, and many services.  He has served your Majesty for thirty-four years past in those lands of Europa, in the royal fleet and elsewhere, as well as in these islands—­where he came as captain of a company of Spanish infantry, which came with the reenforcements of the year six hundred and fourteen.  He has held and served in other charges and honorable offices, being present when occasion arose.  Thus far and ever he has acquitted himself very well, as will appear more at length by his paper and the commission which I sent him—­which should already be in that court to secure the confirmation of the said encomienda.  They are likewise recounted in a clause of a letter which I despatched to your Majesty in the past year of one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven, with the report concerning encomiendas and offices.  I made these two grants on the eleventh of December one thousand six hundred and twenty-six, and issued decrees for them, having fulfilled all the requirements which are ordered by the royal decrees.  I beseech your Majesty to have examined the matter referred to, and the said encomienda considered vacant and so declared, in conformity to the royal decrees which treat of this matter; and as such to have the appointment given to the said two worthy persons, who are in possession thereof by a just title.  Above all, I beseech you to command that it be your pleasure that this be observed and complied with; and in the meantime I shall make no change, because it appears to me that I acted justly, and that it is expedient for the service of your Majesty.  Dated ut supra.  Sire, the humble vassal of your Majesty.

Don Juan Nino de Tavora

[Endorsed:  “Examined; have it joined with the others on this matter.”  “In the Council, October 9, 630.”]

LETTERS TO FELIPE IV FROM GOVERNOR TAVORA

Doubts in judicial matters

Sire: 

1.  Problems in regard to matters of justice are continually arising, of which to inform your Majesty, in order that you may have the advisable decision made therein, and so that the dissensions that are wont to arise here from such doubts may be avoided.  In regard to the Spaniards and inhabitants of these islands, but one problem has arisen—­namely, when an encomendero marries an encomendera, whether they may both retain encomiendas; or whether, after choosing the one that they may esteem better, the other should he vacated.  The practice of these islands is that one of the two encomiendas is vacated.  In virtue of that, your Majesty’s fiscal is at present petitioning before the royal Audiencia for the revenues of a certain encomienda given to