nd offer other insults.

28. In the cases tried by them, they practice notorious coercion,
insulting the parties to the case, executing all that they decide
and determine, whether right or wrong--and all this without having
any education, or having any person to guide them.

29. The religious have attorneys who speak both languages, and
interpreters, whom they invest with authority, and from whom the
Indians suffer innumerable offenses and many grievances.

30. Their officials and clerks collect excessive fees and do not keep
to the fixed rate.

31. Although his Majesty had ordered no pecuniary fines to be
imposed on the Indians for any cause or pretext whatsoever, they
are compelled to pay fines of gold and reals, which decrease their
property and estate.

32. Some of the judges are quite at variance with others, especially
in regard to conservators; and they excommunicate one another and the
town, with considerable offense and scandal. Bulls and briefs have
been published, unknown to, and not passed or received by, the council.

33. When complaint is made of the excesses and crimes of any
ecclesiastic or religious, their superiors do not punish them. On
the contrary, saying that it does not befit the dignity of religion
to say that they have committed crimes and that they have received
punishment, they let the matter drop.

34. The ecclesiastics and religious quietly take away from and add to
the instruction at will, and without the supervision of the governor
and the ecclesiastical superior, contrary to his Majesty's orders. This
occasions many difficulties. They do not allow the bishop to visit
their curacies, for fear that the injustice of their action will
be discovered.

_Secular government_

35. Negligence and carelessness exist in making the laws, and more
in enforcing them, in regard to matters pertaining to the care and
advancement of this kingdom, and its good government--and especially
to the royal decrees sent by his Majesty, most of which are suspended
or not effectively observed.

36. Concerning provisions and all other necessities for human
existence, each one is a law unto himself, does what he pleases, and
sells as he wishes, without any fixed price, measure, or system. Hence
provisions are growing steadily worse and dearer. The natives and
Chinese trade, bartering and retailing, which, as above stated, results
in the injury and high price of provisions, while the merchandise is
adulte