Although there are facilities in this country for making ships of all
kinds, and the best yet built has not exceeded in cost six thousand
pesos--and many private individuals would after this engage in it
for the sake of gain if they could maintain the industry--yet the
expenses incurred with the necessary force of sailors and workmen,
can be sustained only by the king. The greatest difficulty is in the
bringing of the anchors and rigging from Vera Cruz. Your illustrious
Lordship knows from experience what it costs his Majesty to transport
sailors to Mexico, from there to these islands, and from here to the
port of Acapulco; and the expense of overhauling the ship, and of
keeping it there a winter. Therefore although I wish to aid Captain
Esteban Rodriguez in the despatch of the ship that he has built,
I do not know if it can depart hence for lack of men. It is hard to
find them; for, although a large number of sailors usually come here
from Nueva España to bring the ships here, they are all needed on the
return. They bring here the fragatas and vessels which convey hither
aid and means of defense for this land, and take back the provisions
and other supplies needed in the king's service. Nevertheless,
I shall do everything possible for the said captain.

I believe that Baltasar de Aldana, nephew of the schoolmaster Don
Santiago Sanchez, will embark in this ship, which he is permitted to
do through your illustrious Lordship's orders.

I understand thoroughly that I am importunate, but the requirements of
health and the discontent of Doña Ysabel oblige me again to beseech
your Lordship to favor me and try to influence his Majesty to grant
me grace in España--in the meantime permitting me to act as auditor in
Mexico, with permission to serve his Majesty there, as I have fulfilled