I well realize the favor done my daughter, and it is enough that your Lordship has shown her kindness, to have all the nuns do the same.
Although there are facilities in this country for making ships of all kinds, and the best yet built has not exceeded in cost six thousand pesos--and many private individuals would after this engage in it for the sake of gain if they could maintain the industry--yet the expenses incurred with the necessary force of sailors and workmen, can be sustained only by the king.

The greatest difficulty is in the bringing of the anchors and rigging from Vera Cruz.

Your illustrious Lordship knows from experience what it costs his Majesty to transport sailors to Mexico, from there to these islands, and from here to the port of Acapulco; and the expense of overhauling the ship, and of keeping it there a winter.

Therefore although I wish to aid Captain Esteban Rodriguez in the despatch of the ship that he has built, I do not know if it can depart hence for lack of men.

It is hard to find them; for, although a large number of sailors usually come here from Nueva Espana to bring the ships here, they are all needed on the return.