When preparing to send a person to look for it,
the fiscal presented a petition in the Audiencia, although he ought
to have presented it to the government. Not to confuse matters by
withdrawing them from his charge, and to avoid controversy, and in
order that what was to be done be accomplished quickly, I tolerated
this mode of despatching the business through the Audiencia, hoping
that the alcalde-mayor, to whom the matter would be committed, would
make diligent efforts. But seeing that he sent to this treasury but
little more than three thousand pesos, I am left with deserved pain
for having allowed the jurisdiction of the government to be usurped. I
have sent a new alcalde-mayor, with new ordinances for the purpose.
Geronimo de Fuentes bid at auction [for the position of regidor],
and the judges of the auction knocked it down to him; and after he
had paid to the treasury the price and the half-annat, his title
as regidor was made out in the ordinary form. When he went to take
possession of his post, some regidors opposed him, appealing to the
Audiencia, as is their custom, with the intention that the royal
decrees and the orders of the government should never be fulfilled;
and, in order not to open the door so that those alcaldes-mayor of
the provinces might attempt the same thing with their successors,
I had possession of his post given to him, reserving to the party
concerned his right, safe and in full force.
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