Note 4 — Letters from Auditor Messa y Lugo to the King

Colin, Labor evangélica, p. 159, in discussing the events of Fajardo’s government of the islands says: “And inasmuch as there were many complaints of the annoyances imposed upon the Indians during Don Juan de Silva’s term, because of the construction of so many and so great galleons, he was charged to moderate that, and to endeavor to give relief to the natives; in consequence of which, as soon as he had entered by the strait of San Bernardino, he ordered two galleons which he found on the stocks there to be reduced in size. During his entire government he was very favorable to the Indians, and relieved as many [171n] of their burdens as possible. Therefore they loved him as a father. He also favored particularly the progress of the Spanish community, endeavoring to get worthy soldiers to become citizens there—to whom, for that purpose, he granted encomiendas and offices. By that means the soldiers were reformed, and many daughters of Spaniards who were without protection were married.”