ed, commanding that Indians must not
be held as slaves of the Spaniards anywhere in the Yndias--either
in the islands or on the mainland, in lands discovered or to be
discovered. This applies, in whatever way the Spaniards may have
obtained them: whether it be in just war; or if the Indians themselves
have sold them to the Spaniards, saying that they are slaves; or even
if among them these are actually slaves; or by any other means, and
in any manner whatsoever. By the ship in which I came the Augustinian
fathers brought a new decree from your Majesty, ordering with much
rigor, and in strong terms, that the Spaniards shall at once liberate
the slaves whom they may hold, under whatever circumstances they may
have obtained them. This was presented to the governor, for I talked
with him about it. But, to show that what I say above is true--that
no decree in favor of the Indians is ever enforced--since this
decree was presented the Indians are still in the same servitude
as formerly, and some of them are even worse treated than in the
past. The governor did not so long delay to enforce the decree (if
there be one) relative to taking a fifth of the gold; for the first
thing that he did on entering his office was to demand the fifth,
while the decree regarding liberty is yet to be executed. I have
passed over many things in this connection which, if written here,
would be annoying to your Majesty. A document in behalf of the city
is being prepared which proves the great necessity in this country
for servitude. It states that the Spaniards undergo much toil,
and most of them many hardships, and that there is much need that
your Majesty should aid and favor them; but asks that this be done
by allowing them to hold slaves. Your Majesty will order this to be
carefully examined, for it is a certain and well-established fact (and
admitted by the very persons who hold and attempt to gain possession
of slaves) that although among the Indians there are some who are
really slaves, these are few; and that, rather than sell these now,
the Indians will sell one of their children. All others are wrongfully
obtained and unjustly enslaved--as would be done by a people so
barbarous as this, who at this very time sell a relative for gain,
and among whom the more powerful will sell the weaker. Most of those
who today are in Manila as slaves are of this class. As soon as this
decree was presented to him, the governor asked me to advise him what