The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 13]

I604-I605]

ACUNA TO FELIPE III

229

most honored of this colony, and disinterested in the
matter of partnership, to make the allotment among
the citizens, as is done with the cargo, considering
what is most expedient and most just and satisfactory for the people; and it has been so done. I have
allotted to the distributers themselves their own part
because I was not willing that they should allot it.
I have sent the memorandum to the viceroy. Your
Majesty will be pleased to order that the said allotment be made in accordance therewith, as well as the
licenses; and that this be continued from year to
year; for it is most expedient, and with it there will
be less uncertainty and fraud.
The royal treasury of these islands is in great need
of inspection and reform. It should be put in good
order and well regulated; for, according to the
officials, there are no ordinances, nor is there proper
government and administration for the property.
Although I do what I can to maintain it, some measure must be taken in this regard which will be more
radical and put it on an entirely different footing
from the present one. The original inspection made
in past years was by the factor, Francisco de las
Missas, alone. I have this in my possession, and a
copy of it was sent to the Council by Doctor Morga,
who took it. As the commission for the inspection
of the other officers- delivered to me in order that
the late licentiate Qambrano, might make it- covers
only the time of four months (which is not even a long
enough period to look over the papers), I instructed
them to take a further adjournment, so that this
vacancy in the inspector's office should not cause the
neglect of necessary work; and accordingly I am do