I have always tried to fulfil your Lordship’s commands in regard to the lord bishop, and he may command me and I will obey; but I know of no means in the world whereby I can preserve his love and make it lasting.

I kiss the hands of your illustrious Lordship for the kindness that you do me in encouraging me to the work of this office; but as I am old and worn, the extra duties are very heavy for me, especially since I receive so little aid from my associates, and since the Council [of the Indias] so poorly seconds my efforts.  As they are so far away and do not know affairs here in detail, they make some regulations so far from what is proper that, if they were complied with, it would be the undoing of this land, and his Majesty’s service would suffer greatly.  In order that your illustrious Lordship may understand how affairs stand, I declare that everything concerning the government and war in these islands depends on the president.  He must attend to everything punctually; and, in order to comply with his Majesty’s commands, he must pay over and spend from the royal treasury what is necessary for the affairs of government and of war.  No account can be given thereof, and in delay there would result great inconveniences.  The despatch of the ships would cease, as well as the work in the shipyards, the defense of these islands, and the supply of aid to other islands, in accordance with his Majesty’s commands.  Knowing all this, which is evident, I received the decree of which a copy goes with this.  This gave an opportunity for the officials to excuse themselves from honoring my orders for money, and soon the Audiencia commanded that they be not observed.  For the revocation of this decree it is necessary to wait three years, and although in my commission his Majesty has given me full power for everything, I am prevented for the most trivial reasons from exercising my authority.  I am writing to his Majesty, but it will be of more effect to give an account thereof to your illustrious Lordship; for, if nothing is done, it is of no use whatever for his Majesty to have a governor or captain-general, nor is there any reason for his Majesty to go to such expense from the royal exchequer only to have it lost.

I have tried to make arrangements with the Sangleys here for them to bring me a quantity of quicksilver, [11] according to your Lordship’s orders; but for some time past they have been carrying it to the Japanese; in that country there are many silver mines, where they receive a good price for it.  On this account the quicksilver has increased in value, and they are so shrewd merchants that they will not believe that this kind of traffic is desired.  I shall proceed with them gradually, until it can be seen whether they will give it at the price which your Lordship has fixed.  I shall advise your illustrious Lordship of the result thereof.