m know that the towers of the
treasure-house are of gold and silver, and of great size. They tell us
what abundance of silver goes into general use because no other money
is current, and how so much comes in continually from other countries
and never goes out; and that is besides the many and exceedingly rich
mines of the country. They say, too, that the king will not allow
the mines to be worked, in order that trade and the culture of the
soil may not cease. For that reason silver is continually carried
into the country, and that contained in it is not carried away--on
which account, they say, that metal remains there as a treasure.

Fourth: The amount of the rents and taxes, and profits which his
Majesty can enjoy, from the first, from general sources, is very
great--and that without injury to the civil and local government
of the country. He will gain this through the mere respect for his
universal sovereignty; and the protection and introduction of the
faith, accomplished at his own cost, care, and diligence; and through
the obligation to maintain and defend not only the faith, but good
and firm government, in order to preserve it.

Fifth: The number of encomiendas that can be divided and distributed
among our people will be great; and so rich are they that each person
on whom one is conferred can maintain, worthily and liberally, the
others who remain there. And his district would be so extensive that,
if he chose to apportion it to each of his followers, he would have
enough to provide for all, without any person being neglected.

Sixth: There will be many and very different offices and dignities
of administration and justice which his Majesty must establish,
to bestow upon his vassals.

Seventh: There will also be many captaincies and subordinate places,
and military offices, and employments for the soldiers; and with
these three kinds of opportunity a great part of the Spanish people
could come to reside there, and be ennobled, and the country could
be placed on a very substantial and safe footing.

Eighth: Since the people are so clever and intelligent, with agreeably
fair complexions and well-formed bodies, and are so respectable and
wealthy, and have nothing of the Indian in their nature, they have
the advantage of us in everything except salvation by the faith,
and courage. And since the women are exceedingly virtuous, modest,
and reserved, and are very faithful wives, very humble and submissive
to the