een the reflection and
good judgment in this matter that is right; but, on the contrary,
the officials and ministers have made a profit from it. And since,
by one of my decrees, it concerns you, by virtue of your office,
to decide the affairs of war and government so as to have knowledge
of them, and it has been learned by experience that if these powers
be not rightly used much loss and trouble has resulted therefrom,
I charge you implicitly that the decisions which you shall make,
in the matters which may arise, be as reasonable and moderate as
is necessary for good government and administration of justice, so
that the improvement thus brought about may be recognized and become
evident, to the satisfaction of those concerned; for the remedy that
may be expedient will be applied in another way.

It has also been understood that the officials of my royal exchequer in
those islands, in complying with an order of mine to the effect that in
any emergency when it would be imperatively necessary to incur some new
expenditure they should join with the governor and Audiencia there and
discuss the matter, and the result of the voting by majority should be
carried out, advising me thereof--with this opportunity many expenses
have been incurred, and salaries and stipends increased unnecessarily,
for private ends of individuals. Accordingly, I command you to see
that the expenses be not incurred except in sudden cases of invasion
by enemies, since otherwise results so much loss to my royal exchequer.

It has also been understood that the religious orders resident in
those islands live and comport themselves with more freedom and liberty
than is proper, conformably to their profession and regulations, and
particularly so the Augustinians. It is also stated that occasional
fees and dues that they levy for masses, burials, and suffrages
[for departed souls] are excessive; and likewise that they erect
buildings and church edifices and their own houses, although they
have no authority to do so except with my express permission, or by
asking it from the governor of those islands, and then only in case of
urgent necessity. Under this pretense and others, they make allotments
[of service] and new imposts, on merely their own authority, upon the
Indians, who are distressed and overburdened. For the remedy of this,
it has seemed best to charge you to maintain all the authority that
you can, to prevent this from being done. For this purpose