That care and system signifies much in such employment,
and even more when it is lacking, since a deficiency therein is more
grievous. Inasmuch as the accountant, Francisco Lopez Tamayo, left the
department of accounts because of his advanced age and his ill-health,
I appointed Pedro de Lensarra as accountant in his stead. He came
in the caravels with Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra. I appointed him here
for this purpose for I thought him a man just and intelligent in
the matter, according to what I have hitherto been able to learn;
and I made more of his good qualities than of the jealousy exhibited
toward him by some, who call him a criminal and blasphemer--but I
am not surprised that it is rather unusual here to praise any person
very highly. What I can say of him is that the way in which he fills
his office has not as yet displeased me. On account of his report to
me and that of the royal officials, in response to an order of mine
issued for the correction of certain abuses, which I shall mention
below, I instituted a reform in them as follows.
During the term of my predecessor a meeting was held by the president,
auditors, and royal officials then in office (some of whom still hold
their offices). In that meeting reasons were given, with precedents
and instances, that were deemed sufficient for them to resolve to
distribute among themselves and other officials of the Audiencia,
and the archbishop of this church, three thousand five hundred fanegas
of rice, at the price at which the grain is furnished as tributes to
your Majesty.
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