in accordance
with the wishes of the few men whom he had, assigning two or three
thousand natives as an encomienda to four or eight men. These natives
were not pacified, conquered, or even seen, so that the people asked
and still ask for soldiers to visit and pacify them, in regard to
which there is much trouble here. It was agreed that eight thousand
tributarios should be given as an encomienda to the master-of-camp,
four thousand to the captains, three thousand to men of rank, and so
on to the different classes, according to their position. This caused
trouble immediately because the generality of people and soldiers are
not willing to acknowledge so many people superior to themselves. It
is impossible to pursue the procedure adopted. Again, complaints are
heard that fewer Indians are given to one than to another, and that
those taken from their encomienda, as is commonly asserted, swell
the encomiendas of other persons. All these were things not well
understood at that time. They were not discussed in the residencia,
[9] in order not to arouse dissension. I tell all this to your Majesty
so that you may know the condition of affairs here. If I could,
I would reform matters so that good sense should conquer.

89. He [Legazpi] was also wont to maintain a number of gentlemen, who
had nothing more to do than to act as sentinels for him alone. They
were considered as of higher rank, as above said, and even more;
and they ate with him at his table. They were ordinarily young men
recommended to him by others from Mexico. They were thus set above
their fellows, which occasioned considerable trouble--even resulting
once in the garrotting of one from Cadiz. These men always accompanied
the governor in his walks, for he went afoot, because there were no
horses; and they were supported from your Majesty's treasury. It
has seemed to me a gracious act toward the people to entrust my
person to them all; and that those appointed by the sergeant-major
in turn, from the different companies, should perform sentinel
duty at my house--in order to relieve your Majesty's royal estate
of this traffic and expense; and to obviate this envy and the too
great equality caused by seating common people at the table. Then,
too, I ride on horseback whenever I go out; and no one would wish to
attend me except my servants. Therefore this guard, as was necessary,
ceases to exist. I rely on the fidelity of the sentinels, and will
rely on any person who