uths of those islands might be graduated without going
to the university--which foundations were to be under the patronage
of the most pure conception of Mary most holy, our Lady--have been
considered, and you may proceed.

As to your proposition that my royal exchequer in those islands should
be inspected, the necessary provisions have already been made.

You advise us that in the execution of the measures contained in the
decree of August 9, 1621, you have warned the heads of the orders that
they shall not receive in those islands the religious from Yndia,
and that you caused several clerics to embark who arrived at that
city from that country. You will continue to do so, fulfilling your
orders contained in this memorandum.

The other points mentioned in your letter have been considered,
but answers to you are not yet ready. [Madrid, October 3, 1624.]

_I The King_

Countersigned by Juan Ruiz de Contreras.

_Ordering the correction of abuses against the Indians by the
Dominicans_

Don Phelipe, by the grace of God, king of Castilla, Leon, Aragon,
Jerusalem, Portugal, Navarra, and the Indias. To the reverend and
devout father-general of the Order of St. Dominic: It has been learned
from letters received and examined in my royal Council of the Indias
from Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor and captain-general of
the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia resident
therein, that, although the religious of the Order of St. Dominic who
reside there are most exemplary and protect their parishioners so well,
it generally results that there is anger at their encomenderos, and
they do not attend to the affairs of my service as is advisable. On
the other hand, the Indians consider the treatment received from the
religious as severe, for they do not allow even the women to wear
shoes, while they force the men of the province of Nueva Segovia to
guard the church in rotation and turn. For whatever annoyance the
Indians cause them, they question them with regard to the Christian
doctrine, and their questions exceed those that persons with more
reason and education can answer. And thereupon, if they fail in the
least to meet these requirements, the religious have the chiefs and
their wives whipped, and cut off their hair. That has resulted in
causing among the Indians so great resentment that the insurrection
of the Indians that occurred may be attributed to that. Inasmuch
as that is a matter in whi