. He talks with the same liberty in his theology and judgments,
since in order to prove his opinions, he says that the universities
of Salamanca and Alcala (who do the contrary) are in error, and he
right. He declared also that those who should follow the instruction
of the Theatins here would go to hell; and that the doctrine of Father
Acosta was heretical--beside innumerable other things. And it is quite
certain that, since my arrival here, I have had in him a continual
opposition and obstacle to whatever is ordered and done. If things
are not quite to his taste, he says that he will go into retirement,
and abandon everything. And the friars say the same thing--namely,
that they will abandon their doctrinas [_i.e._, Christian villages]
if their power over the Indians is taken away. This power is such that
the Indians recognize no other king or superior than the father of
the doctrina, and are more attentive to his commands than to those of
the governor. Therefore the friars make use of them by the hundreds,
as slaves, in their rowing, works, services, and in other ways,
without paying them, and whipping them as if they were highwaymen. In
whatever pertains to the fathers there is no grief or pity felt for
the Indians; but as for some service of your Majesty, or a public work,
in which an Indian may be needed, or as for anything ordered from them,
the religious are bound to gainsay it, place it on one's conscience,
hinder it, or disturb everything. Without doubt, if I did not exercise
so much caution and moderation, some mutiny or rebellion might arise,
in a country so new, at less opportunities than those which the bishop
and his friars afford. For they do not content themselves with opposing
our proceedings in the tribunal of conscience [_fuero interior_],
announcing them as sins or cases against conscience; but also, as soon
as they assemble in their councils and enunciate their propositions,
in the latter and in their pulpits they declare these acts to be
unjust, wrong, and worthy of restitution. Thereupon the bishop orders
refusal of absolution in confessions, excommunicates, and proceeds in
the outer court. [49] Thus if it is ordered in accordance with your
Majesty's commands that the citizens alone discuss [any matters],
they say that that is not just, because it must be for the general
welfare. And if, by your Majesty's command, it is ordered that the
Chinese merchandise be bought at one price, theology declares