qualities that a governor may have, and almost always hinders their
use. But if, notwithstanding, your Majesty think it not a considerable
obstacle, let it be conceded to him who shall succeed me, or to such
others as you may please to give it. Thereat I will rejoice greatly,
to have advantages added to this office which will oblige more persons
of high standing to covet it, although I would not be satisfied with
those whom this opportunity would incite.

In the Audiencia and assembly the question has been debated of writing
to your Majesty about certain points, which have not all seemed so
advisable to me as to those who proposed them. Particularly so is that
of increasing the number of auditors to five, under pretext that we
are generally in need of judges because of the auditors' occupations
or illnesses. But the reason appears but little sufficient to me, for
the suits entered here can be despatched in a few days when the court
is assembled, if the time is not wasted. I have seen much time lost
in the court by striving to wreak their passions, with which these
unfortunate inhabitants are greatly intimidated. This your Majesty
will have learned by what, I am told, has been written by justices
and regidors, and men of all estates, concerning this matter of the
Audiencia; and some of them have petitioned me to write another of
like tenor. They say that the reasons that move them to such a step
are the oppression caused by the multitude of relatives and followers
[of the auditors]; their appropriation of the offices and emoluments,
to the injury of the meritorious; their hatred and hostility to those
who unfortunately fall out with them; their trading and trafficking,
although it be by an intermediary, since they, being men of influence,
buy the goods at wholesale, and protect their agents. Many others
who speak to me have represented their desire of living without so
much encumbrance, esteeming it as thoroughly intolerable. Nor does