ships are supplied.  I am sending also to Nueva Espana shoots of the cinnamon and pepper trees, so that they may be planted there and benefit your Majesty.  I have also sent previously a tamarind tree, and have been informed that it is already bearing fruit in Nueva Espana.  I have tried to have some rigging for the ships made on this island, because what is brought from Nueva Espana is completely rotten and useless, and for want of rigging the vessels have many times been unable to sail.  God has been pleased that we should succeed in our endeavors—­a thing that will be of great service in the despatching of the fleets that your Majesty will cause to be constructed here.  I have also procured pitch for the same purpose; and, although there is not much of it, what has been discovered will be of great assistance.

The baptism of the natives steadily continues, and they are being received into our holy faith and religion.  I hope in our Lord that the spiritual and temporal good will continue to increase day by day, to the glory of our Lord and to your Majesty’s honor.  It will conduce much to the conversion of these natives to have some religious of the society of Jesus, and friars of the order of St. Francis, come to these districts; because it has a most edifying influence upon the covetous disposition of these barbarians, to see that those fathers do not receive or have anything to do with money—­which will be a good example for them.  May your Majesty provide in this regard according to your pleasure, for it would certainly greatly rejoice everyone to see those holy people here.

As the labors that have been endured and are being endured in this expedition are prolonged and heavy, it has happened that many of the encomenderos [52] to whom repartimientos were given have died.  Understanding that it will be for the good of your Majesty’s service, I have reapportioned and am reapportioning the Indians, as is done in Gautemala and other parts of the Indies.  I beg your Majesty to favor this and send confirmation of it, because in no other way can this island be maintained for the present.

I send to beg your Majesty to grant me favor regarding certain petitions made in my own name.  I am confident of receiving this as from a lord and prince so magnanimous that he will take into account that I have busied myself almost all my life in your royal service.  So also those who have served your Majesty in these regions send, severally and jointly, to beg your Majesty to reward them, having recourse to your Majesty as to a fountain of all liberality, all being confident of receiving what they ask, as they are continually receiving favors.

Martin de Goiti has served and serves your Majesty in this country in the capacity of master-of-camp.  With great faith and diligence has he served, and serves, notwithstanding his age or sufferings.  On the contrary, he is just as ready today to undergo hardship as he was the first day.  So on account of his qualities and his experience in warlike matters and the Christian spirit which he shows in all dealings with the natives, and the fidelity and truth that has always been found in him, I recommend him in general terms to the most important office in your Majesty’s service.  I most humbly beg you that all favors may be granted him, because he is worthy and deserving of them.