_16. Arrival of the aid and ships from Nueva España_


Just as I reached this point in my letter, and when about to seal it,
I received news that the two ships which sailed for Nueva España last
year for the reënforcement have returned with it; and that they have
made port in different parts of these islands, because the weather did
not allow them to reach this port of Cavite. They left Nueva España
late, and the vendavals set in early. Hence the voyage has been one
of hardships, and it was a great mercy of God that they were able to
make the islands, although not little is the discomfort and not few the
additional expenses that have been incurred because of their inability
to make this port. What I grieve over most is to see the inadequacy of
the aid, which does not reach two hundred and fifty thousand pesos,
while I informed the viceroy that we needed four hundred thousand,
as I wrote last year. Consequently, I again petition your Majesty in
the same terms as in that letter, to be pleased to endow these islands
with the said sum, so that it may not be at the will of the viceroys
of Nueva España to discontinue sending it. This is the chief point,
and on it is based all the government of these islands, so that we
may be able to give a good account of them to your Majesty. [_In the
margin_: "Have what was enacted for this examined." "The enactments
were examined, and filed with this section for the Council. Answered
on a separate paper."]



_17. Aid of artillery sent to the viceroy_