A few days later (May 1, 1515) Velasquez himself was accused of gross abuse in the discharge of his duties by Inigo de Zuniga, who wrote to the king:  " ...  This licentiate has committed many injustices and offenses, as the attorney can testify.  He gave Indians to many officers and merchants, depriving conquerors and settlers of them.  He gambled much and always won, because they let him win in order to have him in good humor at the time of distribution of Indians.  He carried away much money, especially from the ‘Naborias.’” [28]

“He took the principal cacique, who lived nearest to the mines, for himself, and rented him out on condition that he keep sixteen men continually at work in the mines, and if any failed he was to receive half a ducat per head a day.”

“He has taken Indians from other settlers and made them wash gold for himself, etc.”

Before Ponce’s departure for Spain the island had been divided into two departments or jurisdictions, the northern, with Caparra as its capital, under the direct authority of the governor, the southern division, with San German as the capital, under a lieutenant-governor, the chain of mountains in the interior being the mutual boundary.  This division was maintained till 1782.

Caparra, or Puerto Rico, as it was now called, and San German were the only settlements when Ponce returned.  The year before (1514) another settlement had been made in Daguao, but it had been destroyed by the Caribs, and this ever-present danger kept all immigration away.

The king recognized the fact, and to obviate this serious difficulty in the way of the island’s settlement, he wrote to his officers in Seville: 

" ...  Spread reports about the great quantities of gold to be found in Puerto Rico, and do not trouble about the antecedents of those who wish to go, for if not useful as laborers they will do to fight.”

That Ferdinand was well aware of the insecurity of his hold on the island is shown by his subsequent dispositions.  To the royal contractors or commissaries he wrote in 1514:  “While two forts are being constructed, one in Puerto Rico and the other in San German, where, in case of rebellion, our treasure will be secure, you will give arms and ammunition to Ponce de Leon for our account, with an artilleryman, that he may have them in his house, which is to do duty as a fortress.”  And on May 14, 1515, he wrote from Medina del Campo:  " ...  Deliver to Ponce six ‘espingardas.’” [29]

During this same period the island was constituted a bishopric, with Alonzo Manso, ex-sacristan of Prince John and canon of Salamanca as prelate.  He came in the beginning of 1513, when the intestine troubles were at their worst, bringing instructions to demand payment of tithes in specie and a royal grant of 150 Indians to himself, which, added to the fact that his presence would be a check upon the prevalent immorality, raised such a storm of opposition and intrigue