Note 68 — Chapter XXXIII

A long and unsigned document in the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library) ii, pp. 493–618, gives minute details of these events in 1668, and explains thus the controversy between the auditors: Salcedo’s galleon landed on the Cagayán coast, and it became necessary for him and his retinue and soldiers to make the overland trip to Manila, carrying thither the money and treasure that he had brought. The trip was long, wearisome, and dangerous; Mansilla pushed ahead by other routes to reach Manila first, and had his priority officially recorded at once. Moreover, Mansilla bought up warrants for arrearages of pay due the soldiers, and turned in these for his media anata (see VOL. XXIV, p. 307) to the royal treasury; “and with less than 300 pesos he made good his entire media anata, each third of which [alluding to the payment of the year’s salary in three instalments] amounted to 909 pesos 7 tomins.” But the governor learning of this, obliged him to make good the sum due, in cash. A suit for the priority claimed arose between the auditors, which was decided in favor of Coloma. ↑