he Indians understanding no more of the matter than the
display and ostentation of the offering.

12. Every monastery has, usually, a great many festivities, which
are all attended by the friars throughout the whole province. These
are accompanied by many Indians, for the purpose of bearing their
hammocks, rowing for them, and acting in other capacities. Thus,
year after year, the friars go from one village to another, dragging
the Indians after them, and causing great expense.

13. The religious levy many contributions on the Indians for the
expense of their festivities, for triumphal arches, castles, and
dances. These entertainments are receptions which they compel the
Indians to tender, as a welcome, to their provincials and priors,
to whom breakfasts and dinners are given also. These festivities
occur frequently, and are conducted with much worldly show and expense.

14. They are very careful to exact that all the Indian girls,
especially the young and most beautiful, appear at the gates of the
monastery every day. They converse with them, showing partiality to the
handsomest among them. When a new prior arrives or any other person
for whom the religious wish to make a special display, these Indian
girls dress themselves carefully and call to see them. Besides this,
there are other things which it would be offensive to tell.

15. The superiors commonly send young friars of but little education
and no very good example to these curacies. Their conduct is such
that the Indians hate them as enemies. Thus the Indians profit but
little by the instruction, and acquire a distaste for the law of God
and His gospel.

16. They generally spend their time disputing with the
alcaldes-mayor. Especially if the latter do not coincide in all their
opinions, they persecute and harass them, until they even compel them
to leave the country.

17. They accept and encourage complaints and tales by private persons,
even though they may be false and unjust; for this enables them to
preach to and reprove the people and also the ministers of justice,
so that they themselves may be feared and respected. And they do this
with great indecorum and license.

18. By means of special study and persistent effort, they strive
to participate in government affairs. They desire to have a hand in
everything, and to take part in all matters, through the medium of
conscience and theology, by means of which they interpret and pick
flaws in his Majes