and injuries, and less ill-feeling among the natives,
will result from fewer appointments and selections, because those
who cause resentment among the natives will be fewer, particularly
in regard to offices and tax assessments, among others; for as a
result of the larger jurisdictions, there will be a smaller amount
of relationship with the individual Indians. Also, the governor
could furnish and provide honorably for certain men of merit and
desert in certain of these offices, increasing their salaries from
the extinguished offices, so that they may fulfil their obligations
and carry out their orders with greater advantage and profit to
themselves, and without harm to the natives. Likewise the curtailing
of certain salaries will be advantageous to your Majesty's treasury,
by reducing its standing expenditures and requirements.

The present salary of an alcalde-mayor is three hundred pesos, while
a deputy receives one hundred pesos. If one hundred pesos were added
to the salary of each of the former, these amounts would be sufficient
for a moderate ease and competency, and would obviate the temptations
of greed to men who are sensible and upright; and it might be easier
to appoint and select such men, if there is pay and gratuity, so that
those may receive a salary who have served, and not those who came to
get office. Whoever not satisfied with this, wishes an office, let
him change his manner of living and remove the obstacles so that an
office may be given him; and if not, then let him attribute the blame
to himself. It might even be a means to cause many, by consideration
or desire of an office, to moderate and relinquish their excesses if
there were a punishment for them, and a reward for well doing; and
if offices among the natives were not bestowed upon those who commit
excesses, even if they have served, but only to those who live in a
Christian manner, without offense and harm to the natives.

Likewise, it is a very pernicious practice to provide offices in a
haphazard manner, for services alone, or as a source of gain to those
who get them simply by favor, and have no merits or have performed no
service. This means giving office to one who has no capacity for its
administration, and no judgment of matters. Some of them have never
learned or been accustomed to do anything but fire an arquebus, and
perhaps have habitually lived in great license and poverty. Such enter
upon their offices unprovided with virtue