hat would be profitable to
settle are those that can maintain the Spaniards and can provide
them with food. If these are not colonized by us, the Indians will
continue their old mode of life, which means attacking others. For
this reason, it would be well to grant some lands, but with discretion,
so that we shall not be separated; for each by itself would prove but
a weak community, as happened on the appearance of the corsair. For
this reason and because there have always been foreign ships here,
I have delayed effecting settlements until we have more people. I
have attempted to send leaders and men through those districts, so
that the land might be made peaceful; and for this purpose have sent
one troop to Cubu, another to Camarines, and another to Ylocos. We
are always busy.

105. According to the accounts of the royal exchequer, your Majesty
will see that Guido de Lavesares and Legazpi have been in the habit of
allowing gratuities and other free sums from the royal treasury. I
have not continued these, but have closed the door on all this,
in order not to give them. However, as the friars insist that it be
given and spent in sermons, I have, without consulting them made a
decree to the effect that only the needy poor should receive alms,
and the gift must be for their support. I ordered a list of the poor
to be made and rice to be given them, as is given to others who are
supplied with rations from the royal treasury. Thereupon some persons
came, and have received alms. Those who begged only for gaming and
other like purposes are ashamed to take that alms, and wish nothing
but encomiendas. I have stated all this to your Majesty so that you may
be pleased to send me special instructions concerning these charities
and gratuities, so that in a just case actually seen, and in certain
necessities and calamities, attested to before notary and witnesses,
I might be empowered to furnish aid of weapons and clothing--always
prohibiting the giving of money even for once, or the income from
the chest with three keys, for this is harmful.

106. When an encomendero dies in Nueva Espana, his Indians are
allotted to the royal crown of your Majesty, as being in a simple
and peaceful country, where there is no need of soldiers. In these
islands I think that this would be impossible; and I would not dare
do it until I receive an answer from your Majesty ordering me to do
so. For, as so many men die here, all the encomiendas would be