dians; in the second,
the obligations of the encomenderos toward their encomiendas. As for
the first, it might (and not without reason) be disputed whether,
for your Majesty's peace of conscience and for the welfare of these
natives, it is fitting that these encomiendas be allotted. But since
this subject requires more time and space than I now have to devote
thereto, let it remain for another voyage, when, by the help of God,
these and other doubts will be dissipated, for the service of God and
your Majesty. I venture to say this because, although your Majesty
has so near you so many and so excellent learned men in all subjects,
yet, to determine many matters relative to the Yndias, it is doubtless
necessary to have dwelt in them, and that for not a few years. For
the present it is sufficient to say that if the governors (before
allotting the Indians) and the encomenderos (after their allotment)
would observe even what is demanded from them in this clause, they
would relieve your Majesty from painful scruples, and us from doubt,
and thus from a heavy burden of conscience; while to the Indians would
be given an extraordinary benefit. But all is contrary to this, because
neither do the governors, when allotting the Indians, take notice of
what is here required from them--for they make the encomiendas before
the Indians are pacified, or even have heard the name of God or of your
Majesty--nor do the encomenderos heed the obligation which they take
upon themselves; but, confident of the encomienda allotted in this
manner, they go to collect the tributes in the manner above stated;
and among them are some who do so even more tyrannically.

145th. Of clause 145, that which has to do with the Indians is not
observed any more than the foregoing in regard to reserving the chief
villages for your Majesty. Your islands are not like Nueva Espana,
where there is a chief village with many others subject to it. Here
all are small villages, and each one is its own head. The governors,
interpreting this law more literally than is good for the service of
your Majesty, have added to your royal crown some very small maritime
villages; and the advantage has been given to whomsoever they have
wished--whether justly or not, it is not for me to decide. I can
assure your Majesty that it is very little in way of tributes that
finds its way into the royal chest, although there is much need that
your Majesty should have money here to provide many