o give the reasons for the
aforesaid, as ought to be done, so that your Majesty may be pleased
to order it, much space would be needed; and there are many evidences
and proofs that the present is the worst plan, because of the great
offenses and annoyances it has caused, as is well known. And on the
other hand this is what proves best how advisable is the latter method,
and how necessary are such special expedients, even though they should
be extraordinary, since the necessity and wrongs are so. I shall
not go into details concerning this lest I go beyond bounds. But I
shall only refer to one advantage in addition to the above, in having
the bishops act as inspectors--namely, the respect that the governor
will have for them, and his abstaining from interfering with them in
some measures that may be desirable to adopt. If he were to attempt,
by importunity or pressure of any kind, thus to interfere with other
inspectors (as he could more easily, inasmuch as they would have to
proceed with greater caution and obsequiousness), the result might
be very harmful.

_That there be fewer offices, and more extensive jurisdictions, and
that there be no assistants. It is advisable to read this section
thoroughly._

There is much to say why there should be fewer offices, because of
the great vexations, offenses, and insults endured by these natives,
as many of the offices are not properly exercised. They should be thus
exercised; for since they are not, and since the Indians look upon
those who are given and appointed as magistrates for them, and for
their welfare and protection (who by right should be the best men),
and behold in these same men so much license, wrong, and evil example,
what can they think and believe about the others, and about the law
that is preached and taught to them? since they see that it is not
kept, but only broken over and over again by us, the very ones who
profess it and teach it to them. It is apposite to mention that when
one Cagayan Indian was trying to persuade another Indian to become
a Christian, and was declaring the blessings to be derived from it,
the latter answered to his arguments: "Bah! the Castilians have no
better sense than we have; since they act as they do, and do not
observe that law; say nothing more about it." Or they say: "That law
must be only for the fathers." In this way great offenses and things
displeasing to God follow, and offense to His law and gospel, so that
it is held