17. The office of secretary of the registries has been held by the secretaries of the governors. As a result of this, claims for justice have been relinquished in several grievances of great importance, to the loss both of the Chinese who come to trade here, and of the citizens of the city. It would be well to sell this office, under condition that he who buys it cannot be the secretary or in any wise the servant of the governor at that time acting. As Rroque Espino de Caceres, who is serving it at present, has begged for your Majesty's confirmation, and is a person worthy of it, as appears from the informations made in this royal Audiencia, in its opinion this favor might be extended to him, as he seeks it, with the said condition, and with that of a moderate price for the royal treasury.
[In the margin: "Tell the new governor that it is not expedient that this office should be held by a secretary or servant of the governor, or a subordinate of the auditors and ministers of the Audiencia; and that from worthy persons there he shall appoint three, in whom he believes is found the necessary ability for this office, so that his Majesty may select the one who may seem best to him. In the meantime let him appoint as best he can, and without inconvenience.">[
18. In the island of Zubu there is a notary-public who bought the office from your Majesty. The cabildo there have written to me that there is need of still another, and that accordingly it might be sold. Therefore, if your Majesty pleases, you might order another notaryship sold in said island of Zubu.
[In the margin: "Have the governor and Audiencia send an information regarding this, and what offices have been sold in those islands, at what price, and to what persons.">[
19. The city of Nueva Segovia, of the province of Cagayan, the chief city of that bishopric, has no notary-public named by your Majesty, but only one appointed by the governor, for the cases which there arise. This is a great inconvenience, as wills and other writings cannot be sworn to before him, from which results damage to the citizens. It would be well, if your Majesty were so pleased, to sell a notary-public's office there.
20. The office of depositary-general of this city of Manila, on account of the governors having appointed to it persons who were their confidants, is embarrassed with some difficulties, which would cease if the office were sold, and the royal treasury would be benefited. Your Majesty will command whatever is most expedient for your royal service.
[In the margin: "Let the governor and Audiencia inform us whether it is well to sell the office, and who can be found for it; and, in case that it is not well to sell it, what persons there are of character, worth, and conscience which fit them to take the commission for it. Let the royal officials also give information.">[
21. About four years ago the preaching of the bulls was commenced here, and the governor appoint a treasurer for them; and it is also said that there came a decree from your Majesty directing that the account be audited every year by a royal official, and that the proceeds from them be remitted. Thus far, no royal official has taken the said accounts; and I have been informed that in sending the proceed thereof there has not been much punctuality, and that the money has been employed in uses and investments for certain private persons. For the correction of all this, it would be well that from now on an auditor should audit the said accounts of the said treasurer, and cause the balance which is found to be placed in the royal treasury, charging it as a separate account to the royal officials; then, in the first ships which leave, it may be sent to Nueva España, invested in merchandise, whereby it will be doubled, with no more risk than if it were taken in coin. The latter is never taken because what has to be sent is invested, and turned into money in Mexico, and amounts to twice as much. The profit which can be made in this way might better be, for so good a work as that for which the alms of the said bulls is applied.
[In the margin: "Let a copy of this clause be given to Señor the licentiate Valtodano, to be examined in the council for the crusade.">[
22. Since, even if your Majesty should be pleased to command everything done as above, it will still be necessary to bring money from Mexico for the costs, expenses, and salaries incurred in these islands; and as it is not well that, in order to cover them, it should be necessary for your Majesty to employ more property than they amount to, it has seemed best to me to seek some other methods for this—which, if they should appear expedient for the service of your Majesty, and can be carried out with no scruples of conscience, will not only render unnecessary the bringing of money from outside these islands, but even will make it possible to aid other great expenses which your Majesty has. The means which I have found are the following. Your Majesty pays a stipend to all the citizens and inhabitants of the fortified town which you hold in the island of Tidore, which is one of the Malucas Islands. In order to make these payments, aid is sent every year from Yndia by a galleon; and a quantity of cloth is brought from the royal customs treasury at Goa. With this the said citizens are all given their "quarters," as they call them. [5] This cloth is disposed of among the natives, who trade provisions for it.