pesos each
year; and that this additional pay be given according to the order
and manner set forth in the decree that will be handed you. You shall
order that the said soldiers be regularly paid, and see that they are
satisfied, armed, and well disciplined; that the said number of four
hundred soldiers be not lessened; and that they be divided into what
companies you deem fitting. When you shall appoint the said captains,
officers, or soldiers to any encomienda or other post, you shall not
permit them to draw their pay any longer; and while they receive pay
they cannot trade or traffic, for their solicitude in that pursuit
necessarily occupies their minds and distracts them from their proper
object and the practice of war. For the same reason, likewise, you
shall not grant the said pay to any soldier who acts as servant to
another person, whoever he may be. Whenever any repartimientos of
Indians become vacant in the said islands, you shall apportion some
of the Indians to my crown, as an aid toward the said pay.

35. In respect to the said captains, officers, and soldiers, you shall
observe, and cause to be observed, their privilege of exemption from
arrest for debt contracted while they were in the service; or the
seizure of their weapons, horses, or other things needful and proper
to military service, in satisfaction therefor.

36. Whenever you shall send any captain with men on any commission
or business that arises, you shall order him also to maintain his
privileges, in whatever pertains to the usual exercise of the power
and authority requisite to command, direct, and punish his inferiors;
as well as all the other things peculiar to the service, and which
are conceded to and exercised by officers.

37. It is my will that you have a body-guard of twelve halberdiers,
who shall be paid the same sum as the soldiers. The said halberdiers
shall have a leader or captain, who shall receive pay of fifteen
pesos monthly. Although their principal service shall be to act as a
body-guard, and this is determined and ordained by that which pertains
to the authority and dignity of your position, you shall take note
that they also must go to war upon any occasion that arises.

38. Inasmuch as I have been informed that many of the soldiers,
who are sent to the said islands from Nueva Espana, are mere lads,
mestizos, and a few Indians, and unarmed; and that a portion of them
are pages and servants of the captains or other perso