ds on
gold instead of the fifth, conceded to them by his Majesty, should be
perpetual, or continued as long as possible, for the same reason--the
increase and augmentation of the country and the Christian religion.

6. _That the offices and encomiendas assigned be to the old citizens
and soldiers._ Sixth: The offices assigned by the governor of these
islands should be given to the old citizens of these islands who
merit it, who shall have been resident therein at least three years
and are citizens of them. The same should be understood in regard to
the encomiendas that his Majesty orders to be given to the soldiers,
and they should have resided here in actual military service and
duty--for they suffer great hardships in gaining and pacifying
the land, and afterward support it in its greater necessities and
advancement; and always the encomiendas should be given to those
among them who have most deserved these grants, paying attention
to their length of service, along with the other considerations of
greater or less services or benefits to the country. Nor should they
be given to the servants, brothers, relatives, followers, or persons
recommended, whom the governors bring hither with them of late--who
have not rendered any service to the country, and do no more than to
enjoy the sweat of the natives--but to the old Spanish inhabitants,
who have suffered the toil, and now should reap the reward. We urge
that his Majesty rigorously enforce this upon the governors; for it
is this which has most afflicted and ruined this country--because, as
(those who have done nothing for it enjoy the reward--_Madrid MS._)
those who have served it are dissatisfied and desperate, neither they
nor any one else who could do much will exert themselves, because
they are without hope.

7. _That commissions and means of advancement be assigned to those
have worked in this country._ Seventh: The same course should be
observed in all the commissions and means of gain on land and sea,
and especially in the appointments of masters and officers of vessels,
and in everything else--since, besides preserving equity and avoiding
wrongs, this recompenses those who have toiled, gives hope to those
present, allures the absent, and peoples, conserves, and betters the
country. They [the Council] should endeavor to be thus generous and
conciliatory in this matter, as it is the thing in which there is
most injustice, which is most keenly felt, and which cause