at was the universal determination
and sentiment of all the theologians of this bishopric, I determined
to communicate and confer with the superiors and religious of the
orders themselves. Thus they might thoroughly and conscientiously
consider what could and ought to be done in regard to this matter,
and ascertain (if it were a fact that all held and thought alike)
whether some regulation could be made; and if not, to advise your
Majesty of everything. I acquainted them, in detailed information,
with the reasons for making no innovations until after reporting to
your Majesty, and for not restricting the poor encomenderos to such an
extent. I discovered that three-fourths of the number of theologians
and religious were of a different opinion, one quite contrary to
that of the bishop. Although it is true that the Dominicans (of which
order he is a member), but not all, hold that his doctrine is good,
the Franciscans think differently; for, singularly enough, they have
another opinion with regard to the payment of the quota and reject the
bishop's opinion respecting the infidels. The Augustinian fathers,
however, who are three times more numerous than the Dominicans, and
with the Augustinians the fathers of the Society [of Jesus]--these two
orders, I say, hold (in entire agreement, _nemine discrepante_) that
the encomenderos can, with good conscience, collect the entire tributes
from the encomiendas which have instruction, from both the believers
and the infidels. Where there is justice, but no instruction, they may
collect three-fourths of the payment, the remaining fourth being left
to the Indians, the believer and the infidel paying equal shares. From
the encomiendas which have neither instruction nor justice, nor other
spiritual or temporal benefits, nothing whatever should be collected;
nor from the encomiendas disaffected or unpacified, except in case
of those disaffected without cause and through their own fault,
which would accordingly pay the part justly collected by way of
acknowledgment. All the aforesaid facts your Majesty may consider
at greater length by means of the opinions which I send. It may be
seen how many there are which vary from that of the bishop and his
friars, who alone follow him. I saw fit to reply to a note in which he
inquired what resolution I thought of taking, and what order must be
given to the encomenderos for their collections. I declared therein
that if he did not wish to wait until th