, and famine, and but few delicacies or provisions for their
illnesses, many of them die, and that in great wretchedness. Third:
They try to escape, as often as they can--now to Macan or to Malaca,
sometimes to Maluco, but most commonly to Nueva Espana--under a
thousand pretexts and excuses of being married, or sick, or bound to
religion, and others. Fourth: On this account, the country has so bad a
reputation in Mexico and in the other countries whence they might come,
that no one of worth comes, but only very mean and worthless beggars,
and destitute, shiftless, and useless fellows; and it would matter
very little, and would even be better, if they did not come. Fifth:
It is a pitiable thing to see men of rank and quality, and gentlemen,
who have come for private opportunities and objects, poor, ill-clad,
without shelter, service, or food, and needy, enduring great hunger
and shame for the sake of supplying these needs--in the same day
dining at one house and supping at another. Sixth: On this account,
the captains and commanders neither dare nor can order anything
freely, nor are the soldiers willing to obey; and therefore, not only
is nothing accomplished, but there remains neither military order,
nor respect for superiors, nor organization. Seventh: They have no
weapons, or, if they have them, they are compelled to pawn or sell
them for clothing and food. Eighth: On this account, many of them
are almost forced to inflict injuries on the natives of the country
in order to get food, and others to live with native women for the
same reason. From all of these follows the ninth and greatest evil
of all--namely, that the little that has been conquered has been so
weakened that it is not growing, and shows no sign of future growth;
and nearly all the rest is so disaffected, and without our having
any opportunity or power to hold it, that not only will it remain
as now, but it is even feared that the little already conquered will
be ruined--especially as, besides the foe at home, there are so many
surrounding enemies, those of Japon, China, Cian, Patan, Jabas, Burney,
and Maluco, and other innumerable peoples. All this is in the utmost
need of remedy, so that this Spanish state may not be destroyed, and
so many souls of the natives lost, and the glory of their Creator and
the knowledge of Jesus Christ effaced and forgotten. Nor should the
enlargement of so great lands and kingdoms, for so much gain, honor,
and renown of our