yet whether or not they
have been taken there, you shall investigate the matter in the said
Nueva Espana. If it has not been done, you shall request the viceroy,
as I write him, to have those animals taken in the vessels in which
you sail from Acapulco to the said islands.

I was petitioned, on behalf of the said islands, to order that
encomiendas be granted with the condition and obligation upon the
encomenderos that some patch of ground should be cultivated, and that
the farmers and Indians should be aided so that they also may till
and cultivate. I charged Gomez Perez straitly in his instructions with
this, and now I charge you too. You shall grant lands and homesteads,
cattle and horses for breeding and farming, both to the Indians,
and to the settlers and farmers. Inasmuch as the execution of this
is important, you shall advise me of the condition of former days
and what ordinances you shall enact, so that what is advisable may
be done during your term.

The said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas was advised urgently in his
instructions to endeavor to establish a convent for the shelter of
girls, as soon as he should arrive at those islands, in order that
both those who should sail from this country, and those born in the
islands, might be kept therein. There they would live respectably,
and be well instructed. They would leave the convent in order to marry,
so that the necessary increase in population might be assured. The said
Gomez Perez wrote me in his last letters that he had established the
said convent in a parish of the city called San Andres, quite to the
liking and satisfaction of the cabildo and citizens. He said that one
citizen had granted the convent a certain estate, with which, together
with other alms, a few girls were being supported. He reported that
the convent was beginning to show good results, in accordance with
the purpose of its foundation. Since this matter is so important
to our Lord's service and the welfare of that country, I charge you
to prosecute what has been commenced. You shall procure its further
progress, strengthening it and aiding it as far as possible. You shall
examine and cause its' rules to be observed. These rules were sent,
and declare the method of governing and controlling the girls of that
retreat. You shall advise me of the condition in which you find the
retreat, and hereafter shall do the same on all occasions that might
arise. You shall act in this with the care that I exp