That has not been done at any time, both to place the aforesaid persons under some obligations, and because they bring the pay for one year already paid to them.

I petition your Majesty to order this matter to be examined and considered, and to command me what I am to do in regard to it and to order the said viceroy, in accordance with the above, to refrain from annoying with that pretension the respectable and deserving inhabitants who sail [on the ships] with appointments to such offices.

For there are men here who have merits and are old residents of the country, to whom these employments might well be given; and others who, although they are not of so much prominence in this country, have been and are engaged in the service of your Majesty.

Consequently, both for that reason and because of their qualifications, no one ought to be preferred to them--although there are, besides the aforesaid persons (who are numerous), a much greater number of others who demand everything, without right, reason, or justification, and assert that they deserve it.

They must believe this, by the way in which they get angry about it; for it comes to such a pass that they do not treat one another well, as we have just experienced.