faithfully, and to render a good account of my obligation as your
Majesty's born vassal, and as your servant and creature, to pay that
debt with all diligence and zeal.

4. Under the second clause your Majesty orders me to bring about
the maintenance of the pacified district in these islands, and to
increase its extent as far as possible. In answer I will say that
I am promptly attending to that, as your Majesty will see by every
clause and subject separately. [_Marginal note:_ "It is well."]

5. I am ordered by the third clause to expend, in the construction and
erection of the cathedral church of Manila, twelve thousand ducats,
to be apportioned in three parts--namely, between your Majesty, the
encomenderos, and the Indians; two thousand ducats of your Majesty's
share to be advanced from the royal treasury of Mexico. I could not
collect these two thousand ducats from Mexico, as the decrees to that
effect sent to me at Sevilla did not come as they should have done;
and therefore the officers of the royal exchequer there would not give
me the money. When I came here I found that the work on the church had
been going on for three years, and there had been spent on it eight
thousand pesos, received from assessments on the three parties--namely,
your Majesty, the encomenderos, and the Indians. There had been poor
management of the expenditure of this money, as very large salaries
were paid to those engaged on the work. Had not some reform been
inaugurated, most of the money would have gone for salaries. The
building is being carried on as rapidly as possible, although there
are other large undertakings hereabout--namely, the fortifications
and other public works of the city. The greatest lack felt is that
of people; but nevertheless I expect, God willing, that in a month
from this date, mass can be said in the cathedral. The two aisles