ose
of Mexico receive. For this very reason, their letters-patent state
that they are to be paid only from the profits of this land; yet
they have taken from the stores for barter and from your Majesty's
treasury at various times and seasons, what they could. I did not take
an itemized account of this, for at the time of settlement, either
they had nothing, or it was hidden; and they allowed themselves to be
imprisoned. Upon this question judgment has been suspended, and I refer
it to your Majesty, so that you may make such provision as is best. My
opinion is that for the present the officials of your Majesty's royal
exchequer here should not hold positions simply for ostentation, but
for actual service--since there is so much to be administered here,
and it is necessary that they should go about to make collections
and to inspect the work in the shipyards, as well as in other places
where they might be needed. It would be better to give them lower
salaries, and if they proved themselves efficient in their duties,
then they should be given an increase in the shape of an encomienda
or another office, after having closed the account; for in this land,
as all are soldiers, there are no guarantors or others to ensure the
pay of the many officials. There are people of gentle birth here, as
well as diligent and able soldiers, who could fill all the positions
satisfactorily, while the accounts would be well kept--all of which
is necessary, so far away from your Majesty. Will your Majesty please
issue the necessary orders in this?

112. Although from the letter that I am writing to the viceroy
of Mexico one can understand something of what concerns religious
instruction and the friars in this country, still I state the matter
here as I understand it. Although, according to their rule, they
may hold property in common, they cannot do so here; for the houses
are built of wood and bamboo, while there are no other holdings
for them. To all friars, priests, and lay brethren something must
be given, so they are each granted an annual income of one hundred
pesos, and one hundred fanegas of rice. I think there is a lack of
religious instruction here; for there are only thirteen friars who
can say mass, and I am not sure that any one of these understands the
language of the natives. I am told that these islands alone require
one thousand priests. Those friars who are to come here must be
men who are missed elsewhere, since they come to