revolt has died in prison, while awaiting trial. Relations with
Japan are still uncertain, although Luis de Navarrete's reception
as ambassador had on the whole been favorable. Some new economies
are being practiced in the military establishment. An impregnable
citadel has been formed within the city, but there is a lack of
weapons; and there is great negligence in Nueva España in providing
serviceable and well-equipped soldiers. Another letter (dated June 19)
complains that the reënforcements sent from Nueva España are ragged,
penniless, and unarmed, largely on account of the rascality and greed
of their captains. The viceroy of that country illegally permits
Mexicans to bring money to the islands, to the great detriment of the
inhabitants. The old soldiers who have obtained encomiendas receive but
little income therefrom, because so many of the Indians are revolting;
these men need aid, which the king is asked to grant. The governor
claims that he is annoyed by defamatory libels, and asks that the
offenders be punished. He objects to the reckless marriages of rich
widows, and proposes to the king a plan for correcting this evil. The
royal treasury is greatly straitened, and for its relief Tello asks
permission to levy additional duties on the Chinese merchants. In
a third letter (July 9) Tello reports the number of religious in
the islands, belonging to the various orders, and the number still
needed. The Council of the Indias orders that suitable measures be
taken to increase the number of missionaries in the islands, and to
send out such as are fitted to do this work.

The Audiencia complains to Felipe II (July 15, 1598) of Tello for
various improprieties of conduct and irregularities of procedure;
but above all for failure to recognize that, by the establishment of
the Audiencia, the extent of his own jurisdiction is diminished.