To conclude the account of what ensued
with the auditors--Licentiate Geronimo de Legaspi y Echabarria and
Doctor Don Albaro de Messa y Lugo--I shall say that whether for the
causes here written, or because of restraining them and trying to
reduce them to harmony and a desirable moderation; or because the
correction of justice is also overtaking the members of their families
(a matter on which I could debate by writing more); or, finally,
whether it be by deductions from these things (which I know not),
the two have so grudged their courtesies that they do not visit me
since I have come from outside--although I have been careful to go
to their houses oftener than was sufficient. Neither do their wives
visit mine. Will your Majesty be pleased to have them advised that
what they ought to do in this matter to another president than to me,
be not lacking to me. In other things, I shall manage with the fitting
mildness and delicacy, so that we all may proceed very conformably to
the service of your Majesty. I hope for this, for on my part there is
the desire and on theirs so many obligations. Very soon they will make
a trial of the obligations that they have in their offices. In order
not to neglect the fulfilment of my obligations and the discharge
of my conscience, I assure your Majesty that I do not consider it
advisable for your royal service that the present order be executed,
ruling that he who shall be senior auditor shall exercise the office
of captain-general because of the death of the governor; but [I
recommend] that, in case your Majesty should have appointed no person
for that purpose, the whole Audiencia, together with the archbishop,
shall appoint him, and the appointee shall remain subordinate to the
Audiencia, as are other captains-general, in the royal council of war:
Thus may be avoided the existence of two heads, which occurs with the
division of the departments of war and peace of the government, and
the great inconveniences that usually result from it.
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