xisting in the collection of tributes, and the many
injuries inflicted on the Indians by the Spaniards and their great
opportunity for inflicting them; for, as he who made the assessments
in die beginning was not a lawyer (as the first governors were not
lawyers--_Madrid MS._), nor acquainted with the mischief that could
happen later in the collections, he rendered them very confused and
vexatious. Although, in its general understanding, and in the usage
of the first years, it is seen that the tribute amounted to the value
of eight reals, paid in what the Indian possessed and desired to pay,
still in certain words and clauses regarding the assessments and the
articles which they fix as payment for the tributes--such as cotton
cloth, rice, and other products of the country, or three mayces of gold
and one fowl--opportunity is given for the lack of system now existing,
each one collecting as he pleases, with great offense to the Indians,
and harm to the country. For when gold is plentiful, and reals scarce,
they ask for reals; when the latter are plentiful, and there is a
scarcity of gold, they ask for gold, even when the Indians have to buy
it; and when crops are plentiful, they ask for money, but when these
are lacking, they ask for produce--such as rice, etc.--even all that
the Indians have, and they are compelled to travel great distances
to try to buy it at high rates. Thus, where the tribute is eight
reals, some collect fifteen, and others twenty, twenty-five, thirty,
and more, on account of the value of the articles that they demand,
which they compel the Indians to search for and bring from other
districts. Through this the Indians endure so great oppression and
distress, that, on this account, several provinces have revolted, and
others will not pay, except by force and with much disturbance. All,
including the encomenderos themselves, desire that this matter be
cleared up; but the royal Audiencia did not care to meddle with it,
as it is a matter of tributes, and pertains solely to his Majesty. It
is necessary that the tributes be in the standard of Castilian reals,
paid in money, or in the produce of the soil, as the Indian has them,
and as he chooses, provided that their value remains.

4. _That his Majesty order the Spaniards to release their Indian
slaves._ Fourth: Although many of the Spaniards (all the Spaniards
who have tender consciences--_Madrid MS._), have, in obedience to his
Majesty's decrees, given u