long to
your Majesty in four years; and the soldiers would have an incentive
to attempt the deaths of others. I notify your Majesty concerning this
so that you may order how I am to proceed. I have planned to correct
with gentleness the harm already done in apportioning villages to
the royal crown, by taking care that they be near and convenient to
the districts where the Spaniards will reside, and where the fleets
will be stationed. Some of those situated in more remote districts I
have granted. As time passes, I understand these things better; and
whenever occasion arises I am ever watchful of your Majesty's royal
treasury. In Mexico conditions hereabout are understood so little,
that I believe none know what takes place here. Of this I am sure
because they did not tell me the truth there, nor did I understand
it. One must actually see for himself the conditions here.

107. As there are so few people here it is impossible to administer
justice, such as execution for murder, or whipping a rogue; for in
one day we all would die. It is necessary to separate enemies and
pardon offenders; for a whipped man can be a soldier no longer. It
is important that your Majesty should know this.

108. The ordinances sent me by your Majesty concerning pacified
districts, which propose to summon the Indians peaceably to settle
near those districts and to persuade them to become Christians by means
of the friars, are very holy and just, but it is quite evident that a
correct report of this matter has not been made. For the Indians are
generally like deer; whenever one wishes to find them, he must first
employ strategy to catch one of the Indians in order that this one
may summon the others who have taken to the hills. Moreover, while
they are going and coming it is necessary that God should perform
miracles in providing food, clothing, and shoes for the soldiers,
and also for the friars, who will go for this purpose. You must
know that being long in one place incites them against one another,
and they begin to die. Those who return come broken down and sick;
and alms must be given them, in order that they may remain alive. I
advise and assure your Majesty that they appeal to us with great
facility for clothing, weapons, and money.

109. I have to undertake many different trades and offices here
for I must serve as workman and overseer, judge and mediator;
I must take care of the hospitals and of the dead, as well as
the property of