country are so
many and so bad, it is more difficult to correct this evil.

* * * * *

By a decree of your Majesty, I was asked [to fix] the boundaries of the
city. I assigned five leagues around this place where we live, although
as yet these limits are of no use, as in this island there have not
been, nor are there now, any customs duties or other imposts. I came
at a time full of labors, and the people are few and poor. Considering
the losses of the ships of the past year, it seems to me that it is
too soon to obtain any duties from the Chinese ships. I have advised
your Majesty thereof, and exemption from the customs and other duties
has been granted to these islands for thirty years. Consequently,
nothing is demanded from the Spaniards; and, as they are all soldiers,
and should have some profit from what is sent hence to Nueva Espana,
it would be well to increase the customs duties somewhat. It is also
decreed that for the term of ten years there shall be paid the tenth
instead of the fifth of all the gold found here. The city already
demands, at the end of these ten years, that your Majesty renew his
favors. I think that, as a result of this decree, some gold is sent
to Nueva Espana; but, if the entire fifth were taken, the gold would
be traded with the Chinese, and thus so great a quantity would not
be sent to Nueva Espana. May your Majesty be pleased to grant this,
and advise me as to this point.

When I came to this city there were here two ecclesiastics, and besides
them no more in all the islands. One died of illness, and the other
is now alone here, under command of the friars. When at one time
he read a letter of excommunication he was appointed vicar by the
provincial of the order of St. Augustine; and now he complains that
he is commanded by friars. There is great need that ecclesiastics be
sent here, so that the sacraments can be administered and confessions
be heard, as in other colonies.

Although I write to the viceroy of Mexico concerning the religious
instruction in this country (a copy of which letter accompanies this),
I wish to explain more fully to your Majesty that there is a great lack
thereof. Some of the friars sent from Mexico are those who cannot stay
there, and must be sent away. Those who come here to lead the apostolic
life must be orderly persons, and such as are missed in the place from
which they come. But it is of secondary importance to discuss p