Alonso Calderón, 1582 
117 
more work done in the mines. All goes well, so much so that persons 
who have seen the samples assure me that they are the best and richest 
that have come out of this land since it was conquered, as your Grace will 
see there by them and by the opinion which the viceroy and the Audiencia 
gave about it. The official opinions go in the parcel for his Majesty, and 
I beg that your Grace will give them your support and assistance and 
grant me all the favor possible, for which I offer to serve you with 
special good will. Juan Ramírez de Velasco and Pedro de Arriola will 
present them in my name, and will give a statement of what I ask for in 
reward for all. Because of the death of Martin López de Ibarra, who 
served in the office of treasurer of Nueva Vizcaya, I, as governor of it, 
appointed to the said treasurership Juan de Ibarra, my nephew and servant 
of your Grace. He is writing to your Grace, giving you a detailed ac¬ 
count of all that is happening, and as I am satisfied that he will do his duty 
in serving his Majesty, I beg that he [his Majesty] will do me the favor of 
confirming my appointment of Juan de Ibarra. As in this matter money 
is more important than setting forth services, and as this will fall to him 
who gives the most money, I convey my power of attorney to Juan 
Ramirez de Velasco to give the same for this office as was given for the 
auditor’s office of Nueva Vizcaya, which was granted to Alonso Calderón 
for property to the amount of six thousand ducats, and if it be possible 
let it be procured for less. 7 If any claimants bid higher than this I give 
my power to the said Juan Ramirez de Velasco to give the necessary order. 
Juan de Ibarra is also writing to the señor Count of Chinchón about it, 
and I understand that his lordship will earnestly assist him, as the matter 
concerns a servant and henchman of his house. I again beg your Grace to 
give your support to all this as an affair of this your house for the one 
business and the other. Doña Ana and all those here kiss the hands of 
your Grace, whose illustrious person may the Lord guard and grant 
increase and prosperity, as I desire. Mexico, November 10,1582. Most 
Illustrious Sir, your servant kisses your Grace’s hand. Diego de Ibarra. 
[Rubric.] 
Letter of the Contador Alonso Calderón to his Majesty, November 2, 1582. 
Sacred Catholic Royal Majesty: Ever since I arrived in these provinces 
of Nueva Vizcaya to serve your Majesty as contador [auditor] of your 
real hacienda, I have endeavored to seek their welfare and increase both 
in respect to the settlers and to your Majesty’s treasury. Although it is 
twenty years since the province began to be settled it is at present very 
sparsely populated, because the governors, their lieutenants, and the offi¬ 
cers of your Majesty’s treasury have parcelled it out among themselves, 
neglecting to obey the order which your Majesty gave concerning new 
settlements and conquests. This may be seen from the deposition [ testi¬ 
monio ] sent by Martín López de Ibarra, your Majesty’s treasurer and 
lieutenant-governor, of the possessions which he acquired and took for 
