An anonymous letter to his Majesty--Death of Governor Benito Ruid
Salazer--Two others appointed to serve _pro tem._ die suddenly of a
contagious disease--Certain related officials gather in the night and
elect Don Pedro Ruitinez Governor--A distressing condition follows--The
people’s money squandered--Officials intimidated and abused--Material
sent for repairing Fort used to barter with the Indians for amber and
the money used by the Governor and Treasurer--Consults his own pleasure
as to obedience to church laws and vows--A report from Diego Rebolledo,
1657, as to the necessity of guarding the Ports of the Province owing to
pirates and as a prevention from the enemy entering and entrenching
themselves in some of the distant but rich Provinces--The Friars object
to the fortifications as the Spaniards would retard the conversion of
the Indians--The Governor thinks the real reason is, that because of the
present condition the Friars are the masters of the Indians--A Friar
reports to his Majesty that owing to the Governor insisting upon some
Indian chiefs carrying heavy burdens of corn, when there were vassals
for such labor--The chiefs cause an uprising--They march into the
Garrison and hang the Governor--The Island of Jamaica heavily fortified
by the English who intend taking Cuba, so it is rumored.