ain a supply of provisions will be
unnecessary and will be prevented. Without this store, the demand might
come at a time when the natives might suffer great wrongs and injuries,
because such events are irregular, and might occur at a season when the
natives have not enough for their own sustenance and for seed. This
would cause great wretchedness, and would be the occasion of famine,
disease, slavery, or mortality among the natives. Besides, the prices
are not as a general thing so regulated, upon such an opportunity
and occasion, as to do the natives no wrong in that matter also.

This provision will be of great advantage, convenience, and saving of
time in making expeditions, besides serving generally as a source of
food-supply for this community, in any necessity or famine that may
arise, and as an aid to the Indians, when they are in need. This will
be of great aid to them, and they will be profited and edified to find
themselves aided and helped in their necessities and famines. This
rice must be gathered at harvest time, as it is cheaper at that time,
and can be obtained more easily and with less hardship to the natives,
if sent in sacks from the districts having the best crops and where
it is easiest to obtain it. And every year the rice in storage can
be renewed with ease and profit, by selling it and buying other new
rice at the season for it. On account of the little public property of
the community, and the need in which it was, it has been impossible
to do this; but now it has a great deal of public property that has
been granted it, and an income with which to do this. The money will
be better and more wisely spent on this than on other things not so
necessary and advantageous to the common welfare, and to the service
of God and of your Majesty.

_Concerning collectors, and a protector of the Indians_

It is also very advisable that the collectors of encomiendas be persons
approved by the archbishop as protector of the Indians, and appointed
by the governor. Your Majesty should order them very straitly to
seek and appoint the men best qualified as collectors. If, on the
one hand, such men are appointed, and, on the other, are registered
and approved by the archbishop, a great and special blessing and the
remedy of great wrongs, thefts, and offenses against our Lord and
the service of your Majesty will result. These I shall not specify,
lest I be prolix. Besides the above, it is very necessary that the
l