in their offices.  In order not to neglect the fulfilment of my obligations and the discharge of my conscience, I assure your Majesty that I do not consider it advisable for your royal service that the present order be executed, ruling that he who shall be senior auditor shall exercise the office of captain-general because of the death of the governor; but [I recommend] that, in case your Majesty should have appointed no person for that purpose, the whole Audiencia, together with the archbishop, shall appoint him, and the appointee shall remain subordinate to the Audiencia, as are other captains-general, in the royal council of war:  Thus may be avoided the existence of two heads, which occurs with the division of the departments of war and peace of the government, and the great inconveniences that usually result from it.  And according to what I, as a Christian, believe, the inconveniences that could be feared, were Licentiate Geronimo de Legazpi to take this office (who in the event of the absence of Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz will be senior auditor), would not be few; for as yet he is a person who has not exhibited the capacity and qualities required for it.  On the contrary a certain incontinence has been noted in his morals.  With the scandal and bad example of that and certain inclinations in the administration of justice, and complaints from persons to whom he has failed to return money which he received from them to invest in merchandise or to pay to them here, he has become as disreputable as in other matters of his own private affairs.  Since he allows one of his sons, the eldest one here, called Don Atanasio de Legazpi, to live so licentious a life, it is said of him that his father is making amends for the fault of his son’s bad rearing.  He endures from his son much disrespect, even fearing him and following his will in unjust things.  Hence it can be inferred that he who cannot govern his own son will illy govern so many others.  Further, with such a counterpoise, and since this matter is so worthy of consideration, and so important to the service of your Majesty, and since it is not a matter on which I can take action here or which I can remedy, I could not neglect reporting it to your Majesty, in order that you may take those measures most suitable to your royal service.

Auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez de Villegas has just arrived in that ship from Nueva Espana, but he is in so poor health that he cannot attend the Audiencia except in any necessary case when Licentiate Legazpi and Don Albaro must have a third person.  At such times he is requested to attend so that certain business may not be delayed.  He has given many signs of prudence, wisdom, and good intentions.  That is what hitherto we have been able to understand of him; and I promise myself that his person will be of great service to your Majesty from his good beginnings and the many good qualities that are found in him.