176 THE PI.ANT WORLD 



necessary for the actual consumption of the people, if sufficient be 

 planted, and leaving out accidents." 



To provide for the storing of this reserve supply of grain, Don Felipe 

 proposed ' ' to put into practice the ancient system of Spain and of other 

 countries of preserving cereals in subterranean granaries, and combining 

 this idea with the beneficent institution of the public granaries of Spain 

 and some places in the Indies." He published an order for which he 

 begged the approval of the Captain-General, assuring him that in taking 

 such a step he had been prompted by a fervent wish to benefit the 

 natives. 



Mo7iday, October 2. — Made a draft of two general orders, which I sent 

 to the Governor, who is still on the Yosemite awaiting the completion of 

 the work on the palace. The tiled roof has been patched and the 

 carpenters are putting gutters under the eaves, in order to catch all the 

 rain water possible. The doctor disapproves of the wells, which he 

 considers the source of the sickness among the natives and our men. 



This day Don Vicente Herrero y Roberto tendered his resignation as 

 Administrador, or Treasurer, the duties of his office not allowing him 

 sufficient time to devote to his personal affairs. With the consent of the 

 Governor I promoted Don Juan de Torres, the Interventor, or Auditor, 

 to fill the vacancy. I do not think it nece.ssary to fill Don Juan's place, 

 as I myself will audit the accounts each month. This leaves me a fund 

 of 62.50 pesos a month. 



The roads and streets are in bad condition, and it seems absolutely 

 necessary that there should be some official whose duty it would be to 

 inspect the roads, streets, and the sanitary condition of the town. This 

 official could act also as coroner and under the doctor's direction grant 

 burial permits. At present there is no attempt at drainage. During the 

 recent rains many acres of ground in the heart of the city remained 

 flooded for more than twenty-four hours. Don Pedro Duarte, late 

 Captain in the Spanish Army, the military aid of the last Spanish 

 Governor, possesses all the necessary qualifications for these duties. He 

 is a practical civil engineer, has a transit instrument, and can make any 

 surveys or plans that we may need. He has, moreover, a good knowledge 

 of medicine and sanitation. He accompanied me all over the city, 

 pointing out the position of ancient sewers and drainage lines, and seems 

 anxious to render us any assistance in his power. In order that we may 

 not unduly increase the expenses of the island government, however, it 

 will not be possible to offer him more at present than the salary the late 

 auditor has been receiving. I no sooner asked Don Pedro if he would 

 be willing to accept such a position, than he proceeded to show his 

 willingness by taking his transit instrument out into the street and 

 adjusting it, as though he meant business. 



