only means of income here is the payment of the
tributes to the encomenderos, whom I have tried to convince that
all the soldiers be maintained thereby, as it is a very convenient
method; but people of much caprice cannot be persuaded to this,
nor can they clear their heads from vapors. On account of the small
number of troops here, as I have already stated, I have induced the
people to do sentinel-duty and undertake expeditions under leaders--of
whom there are not a few, beginning with a brother of mine. Although
I do my best, it is impossible to avoid giving them some aid. Last
Christmas I aided several with tributes paid by some unapportioned
Indians, declaring that, if they had belonged to the royal crown,
I could not have done so. I allotted the Indians to a captain by the
name of Chacon, and the income arising from them was divided among
several persons. I preferred to have the transaction take place under
authority of the officials, and to have it attested by the government
notary. Therefore this has been recorded, and together with the decree
forwarded to your Majesty. I trust that his Majesty will examine it,
and send me information of what he may be pleased to provide.

In Nueva Espana, when an encomendero dies without an heir, the
Indians under his charge revert to the royal crown. When Guido de
Lavazares was here, he arranged that in such case the Indians should
be re-allotted; and thus it was done, being a law of the land when I
came here. As the country is so new, and but ill pacified, and there
is so great need for people, and this concerns the community, I have
followed the same custom since my arrival--although I have assigned
to the royal crown the majority of Indians who are left ownerless,
thus combining both methods. I have told the people that it is meet
for his Majesty to receive income in order to support the friars and
his servants here, as well as for the alms and assistance which have
been described. Nevertheless, it has seemed to me necessary that
his Majesty be informed of the reassignments, and that he have the
goodness to issue commands therefor which shall be duly obeyed. I
state no reasons for or against this arrangement, since the royal
council may judge better than I. If it be considered convenient to
grant the grace which these persons desire, as a favor proceeding
from the royal person and his royal council, let it not be imagined
that this and similar actions emanate from the gover