That appears to have been the understanding, for on the said occasion not thirty pairs of them were found, and very little powder.

All that resulted from those who despatched those ships not paying attention to what their commanders asked, while they supply them at times with what they do not need or request; and other things those persons furnish at their own pleasure, with no care whatever except for the bulk and lump--obliging the masters to receive them on faith, and even on appearances, according to what is observed here.

Those who have made those voyages think strongly that the standards of measure there should be somewhat less.

I hope for a reform in all this, through the good management and zeal of the viceroy, and that he will set a limit to what those who attend to these despatches at the port of Acapulco have done--as also to the vexation and trouble caused to the sailors and workmen of those ships by examining so minutely the wretched belongings that they carry in their little chests, and by treating them with more severity in this than appears advisable for men so necessary and who work so hard.
[_Marginal note_: "In the letters that were written you, in the next to the last and the last despatch before this one, that discussed this reform and the avoidance of expenses which were made and caused in Nueva Espana for those reenforcements, you were directed to try to give special and minute information as to what you have there, and of its cost; and advised that, if prices are so much more advantageous than those of Nueva Espana, those expenses might be avoided.

The same thing has been written to the viceroy, while the royal officials there [_i.e._, in Filipinas] have been notified to send a detailed report of the matters of that sort [in which expense] could be avoided.