I am advised from Camboja that a galleon which I am having built there at your Majesty’s account has been already launched.  No one thought that this would be accomplished; but it has been God’s will that the difficulties should be conquered at last, and that this shipbuilding should be established in a place where this ship has been built at much less cost, and from more durable woods, than [it could have been] in these islands.  As this one has been built, so can many others be constructed; and these provinces can be relieved from the great burden of their shipyards.  I also have under discussion another negotiation with the city of Cochin in regard to this same matter; and, if it succeeds, it will be of great service to your Majesty.

Some difficulties have arisen in military matters, which it is necessary for your Majesty to have determined in your Council of the Yndias.  Since your Majesty has had armed forces in these islands, the ships which enter this port and that of Cabite have been inspected by the military department.  The governor does not go in person, both because of his many duties and also because every year he gives commission, by his authority, to one of the persons in whom he trusts, for that person to go in his name.  This appointee goes in company with a notary, and inspects the number of the people, and the arms, ammunition, and the amount of property, to see if everything is in accordance with the orders given from the time of Governor Don Juan de Silva to the Chinese, so that they might not burden these islands with useless ships and people (as will be seen by the copy of the commission, which is sent to your Majesty in your royal Council of the Indias).  Several discontented regidors—­thinking to annoy me, and incited perhaps by some of this royal Audiencia who is but little inclined to my course of action—­presented a decree of your Majesty (of which a copy is also enclosed to your said royal Council), under date of the year 20, in which it is ordained that, in order to give this commission, the governor must meet with the auditors, and that all in assembly choose the person to whom it shall be given.  This detracts authority from the office of the captain-general, to maintain which efforts should be made in that royal Council of the Yndias.  I am now with spurs on my heels, as they say, [ready] either for the other world, or to finish this government.  Consequently, I cannot negotiate this matter with the intention of enjoying it; I am doing this for the service of your Majesty and for the authority of the office—­considering that, although it would be very proper to have this commission granted by the votes of four, never would those votes conform, for each one would try to have it given to his friend.  For the commission entails but little work; and, if many ships come, it is worth quite one thousand or one thousand five hundred pesos.  The tariff of fees is appraised by the Audiencia, of which I also send a copy to that said royal Council.  I petition your Majesty that it be examined in that royal Council, so that the military department may have a defense on its part, and so that its rights of preeminence may be kept.