solid gold, daggers of gold, and other very rich trinkets. These
are generally seen among them, and not only the chiefs and freemen
have plenty of these jewels, but even slaves possess and wear golden
trinkets upon their persons, openly and freely. To say, then, that
the Indians are so wretched that they live on roots during part of
the year, and in some places are accustomed to support themselves for
a certain part of the year on sweet potatoes, sago bread, and other
vegetables they find, is wrong. It is not so in all districts, but
only in some of the Pintados [92] islands; nor is this through any
lack of prosperity, but because they are vicious, and eat all sorts
of food. They are so lazy that they will not go four leagues out
of their villages to buy rice, but spend their time in drunkenness,
idolatries, and feastings. As they get along also with those eatables
until they harvest their rice, they do not miss it; because they are
a people who, when any of their relations die, will, as mourning,
willingly go without eating rice for four or six months, or even a
year. They live on other foods and grains that they possess, and in
many parts of the Pintados they live a part of the year on borona,
millet, beans, fish, swine, and fowl, and many kinds of wine. Not for
that reason do they fail to be rich and have golden jewels, slaves,
lands, and gardens. The Pintados are not as rich as the natives of
this island of Luzon (who are called Moros), because they are not as
capable in labor and agriculture. So they are taxed to a less amount,
each Indian being taxed for a fanega and a half of unwinnowed rice,
and a piece of cloth, white or colored, woven from a plant. [93]
In other districts they have other tax-rates, each suitable to their
prosperity. Up to this time the natives have not been injured, nor are
they now injured, by paying the tribute which is imposed upon them,
because it is so moderate that they can pay it without any labor. For
by breeding four fowls under their houses every year (which can be
done without any cost), they can pay their tribute, over and above
which they have many advantages and profits. Now more than ever, with
the stay of the Spaniards in these regions, they have established and
increased their trade, and they continue to increase it every day. The
"Opinion" states that the encomenderos can be supported with the one
maes that each Indian gives every year. It is very certain that no
one can be s