I confess that, as yet, with what I have heard,
I would not dare to decide who is entirely to blame for it, or who
is entirely free from that blame. For Don Hieronimo de Silva blames
the government, by arraigning Licentiate Alcaraz--who, he says, had
charge of everything; while the latter blames Don Hieronimo. At times
one of them blames the royal officials, and some of the people blame
them all, opinions being divided. My own opinion is that, whenever
the government is divided, very great dissensions and evil results
must happen. Consequently, I would consider it less troublesome,
when there is no proprietary governor, for everything to be managed
by the Audiencia; for even in affairs of war (which are those of
which they can have least knowledge), if they were in charge of
these they would endeavor to secure the advice of the military men,
who would be best qualified to give it. But it would be far better
and more expedient for your Majesty to retain in this camp and in the
castle of Manila two military men of such standing and ability that,
when the governor and captain-general is absent, they might succeed
to those duties, and to those of the presidency, since no government
can be worse than one divided. The exemplification of this can be seen
in what has occurred here, if no others offer. On that account, and
because of its importance to your Majesty's service, I petition you
that, if Don Hieronimo de Silva should go, you will please give this
army a master-of-camp such as is advisable, appointing him from the
persons whom I proposed for it at Cadiz, on the eve of my departure
for Nueva Espana.
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