ersons,
and it is necessary to refer to important matters which require
remedies. Your Majesty must understand that there is great lack of
religious teachers here, and that the friars labor very diligently,
although they do not usually apply themselves to learn the language,
or to attract the natives. If I am not mistaken, the surest remedy is
for friars and ecclesiastics of all orders to come here, especially
those who cannot possess property; for, as this land is so new and
there are no inheritances, the friars can have no income in common,
except the alms given from the royal treasury. As the Indians are so
avaricious, and adore the gold--which they actually kiss, and consider
of the highest importance--it is exceedingly necessary that the priest
accept no gold, nor should he seek or trouble them for it. He must
only desire food, according to the necessities of nature; and as the
land is well provided therein, at the lowest prices in the world,
he may be well content who wishes nothing more.

* * * * *

As soon as I arrived in this city, I began proceedings in the
residencia, and the examination of accounts, according to your
Majesty's commands. Duplicates of the report were sent in the ship
"Santiago" and also in the ship "San Phelipe," which were unfortunately
lost. In the ship "San Juan" will now be despatched the duplicates,
as your Majesty will note in the letter to the viceroy. There is also
sent an account of everything else which has been done in regard
to the officials. I made all possible endeavor in Mexico to obtain
instructions and papers regarding their, and I brought only those which
I send with the accounts. They said that there were no others, and the
officers of the royal estate declare that they brought no instructions,
and never had any. As your Majesty will see by the accounts there
were no books of the treasurer or factor, and consequently none can
be despatched with the accounts. When these officials were asked,
they said that they kept no books. Only the accountant kept a book;
but Aldave, who served Guido de Lavazares, had a memorandum-book, which
I remit with the accounts. I have issued orders for every official
to keep a book, and to have a common book of the treasury, which
is now done. Moreover, as they said that they had no instructions,
I gave them some orders, according to what I believe is necessary,
copies of which I send to the royal council. The offi