regard to the appointment of the clerks who serve under the royal
officials; and that there be no such innovation as is attempted by
the governor--by which, besides the petition that shall be given to
the governor by the person who solicits such and such an office, the
royal officials give information as to his ability and competency;
and the governor, having considered his competency, will make the
appointment. For this means to deprive the royal officials of what
they now enjoy and possess, which is even less than their rights in
other parts. Neither does the pretension of the accountant, Martin
Ruiz de Salazar, appear suitable--namely, that he absolutely appoint
his clerks and have authority to remove them; for that is contrary
to the custom and procedure which has always obtained there. It is
sufficient for him to propose them to the governor. It will be well
for the latter to retain that privilege, especially since that royal
official's associates, the treasurer and factor, do not make any
demand regarding this point, although they have the same right. It
will be advisable to write to the accountant that in regard to the
point that he makes concerning the removing of his clerk at will,
he shall go to the governor who appointed him, or to the Audiencia,
where justice will be done in the presence of the parties. In regard
to the laws and acts regarding this that have been referred to the
Council, he thinks that either one of two means can be adopted:
either to order the Audiencia of Manila to take the proper measures,
after having examined the parties, since they are there, and do not
come [here] under summons; or, in case the Council wishes to decide
the matter, that the parties be summoned, so that they may declare
what is advisable for them. For the tariff given by the Audiencia in
the year 599 speaks clearly in favor of the clerks; and since it is
so old and has always been observed, and since this favorable act
was obtained from the Audiencia, the said royal officials cannot