upported on so small a tribute, because there are many
encomenderos who cannot be supported on a tribute of three maes,
and they live in great poverty, through having so few Indians. One of
these encomenderos has for his share less than three hundred Indians,
and many five and six hundred, and as very few have over a thousand,
especially are they in need where goods are so dear and gold is valued
so slightly. A pair of shoes is worth a half-tael of gold, which
would be the tribute of eight Indians. A shirt is worth six pesos,
and so on; all other Castilian articles are worth double their price
in Nueva Espana. Then, if the Indians here should pay every year
two reals (the equivalent of one maez) as tribute, one could not
live here by any means, especially since the natives are so rich,
and have so many profits and sources of gain, and are more rich
in lands than those of Nueva Espana. They have a great deal of
cloth with which to clothe themselves; many silken fabrics worked
with gold, greatly esteemed and of high value; many porcelains and
fine earthenware jars; lances, daggers, bells, and vases; and many
adornments for their persons, of which they make use. They also
have great quantities of provisions, which they gather every year
from their irrigated lands; palm wine, and wine of the nipa palm,
which they collect ordinarily every day during the whole year and
many other wines, made from rice or cane--to say nothing of the great
profits they make from wax and gold, which are ordinarily produced
in all the islands. There is a great deal of cotton, which they work
and spin, and make into fine cloths; these are very valuable to the
Indians in their trade. The Chinese bring them many silks, porcelains,
and perfumes; with iron and other articles, from which they make great
profits. For all this and many other reasons and causes, which are well
known everywhere, the said natives can pay the tribute which is imposed
upon them, and much more, without any difficulty. If some natives in
some of the villages decamp in order to avoid paying the tribute,
as is stated in the "Opinion," it is not on account of any lack of
means, but because the natives are spirited, and make it a point of
honor to pay the tribute only when forced. They like to be compelled
to do so. This is not the case with all of them, but only with some
who, after debaucheries and guzzling of wine, come to the Spaniards,
and say that they have nothing wherewith t