CHAPTER VIII--A. D. 1655-1657 96

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.