atives, as you have always provided and now provide at great cost to
the royal exchequer, nevertheless, many more workers are needed. For
there are many encomiendas, both those in your Majesty's name and those
belonging to private persons, some of which have never had a minister,
but magistrates only; while others, although they have had ministers,
have not had enough of them to give sufficient instruction. Thus it is
most pitiable that many thousands of souls who have been subdued to
your Majesty's service for many years, pay their tributes, declare
their desire to become Christians, and ask for ministry, but for
lack thereof are not converted. The encomenderos will be glad to
pay their share of the expense for the support of the instruction,
which they do not have in their encomiendas on account of the lack of
ministers. Therefore I send herewith to your Majesty an exact account
of the districts in this country where ministers are needed. And I
beseech your Majesty kindly to provide ministers, to give instruction,
as this is the principal royal purpose. In case of entrances and of
taking possession of lands for your Majesty, the lack of instruction
is one of the greatest troubles; for it is important to the service
of God and of your Majesty that there be religious present when said
entrances are made and possession is taken by your Majesty. They should
be there to attend to the instruction, as the principal object, so that
everything may be carried on according to the intention and obligation
of your Majesty--that is, that the conversion of these souls may be
brought to pass. It should be taken into consideration that, of those
friars who are sent here, some die before reaching their destination
and others after their arrival; while others grow infirm, and none
are born. [_Marginal note_: "Friars are sent herewith; and care shall
be taken that provisions be made according to the advices received."]

9. Besides the cessation of the preaching of the gospel for lack of
ministers, as has been stated above, which is the principal danger
affecting the spiritual good, there is another question of no little
consideration touching temporal welfare. In the present condition
of things here, where there is no instruction (even should there
be justice) the entire tribute cannot be raised, according to the
statement of the theologians of this bishopric. The Indians must be
left at least the fourth part of the tribute, which is abou