nor. I am of
the opinion that his Majesty is the one to grant the favor; and,
if he does so, he will send advices thereof, either secret or public.

The Indians of this country are not simple or foolish, nor are they
frightened by anything whatever. They can be dealt with only by the
arquebuse, or by gifts of gold or silver. If they were like those of
Nueva Espana, Peru, Tierra Templada, Tierra Firme, and in the other
explored places where the ships of Castilla may enter, sound reasoning
might have some effect. [14] But these Indians first inquire if they
must be Christians, pay money, forsake their wives, and other similar
things. They kill the Spaniards so boldly, that without arquebuses we
could do nothing. This was the reason that Magallanes, the discoverer
of these islands, was killed; and that Villalobos and Sayavedra,
and those who came afterward from Nueva Espana were maltreated. All
those who have been killed since the coming of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
received their death through lack of arquebuses. The Indians have
thousands of lances, daggers, shields, and other pieces of armor, with
which they fight very well. They have no leaders to whom they look
up. The havoc caused by the arquebuse, and their own lack of honor,
make them seek refuge in flight, and give obedience to our orders.

After imprisoning a soldier, it is necessary to give him food while
he is in jail, and also to care for him in sickness. In order to
avoid the expense, he is finally set at liberty. I have exercised all
possible diligence to deal with them so that they will be afraid, and
mend their ways. I have sent the delinquents to work apart, separated
from one another; and have also reprimanded them, and informed them
that they must do right. Thus, by the aid of God, this commonwealth
is entirely reformed. They do not follow the pernicious practice of
gambling, because they are occupied, and because they know that he who
is engaged in these practices cannot be my friend. Among other men,
gambling might be more endurable; but here they attack one another with
knives, blaspheme, and steal, and do great harm to one another. There
is also almost complete reformation from the swearing, drinking,
and like vices which had caused great corruption and the disgrace of
many men. There is also improvement in regard to concubinage among
them. It is desirable that the soldiers should always lead honest
lifes, but as they are young, and the women in this