t of the Order of Santiago,
my governor and captain-general of the province of Guatemala, and
president of my royal Audiencia resident therein, or the person
or persons in charge of its government: as you have understood,
the repartimientos and encomiendas of Indians which the kings my
forbears and I have been accustomed to grant to various persons in
that country, in consideration of their services, have been for two
generations. Inasmuch as my intention has always been, and is, to
show favor to those who serve, equal to their deserts, and especially
to the pacifiers and settlers of those provinces, and considering the
special importunities that many persons make, that the repartimento or
encomienda which they hold may be prolonged for one more generation,
they representing to me not only their own causes, but the advantages
therein for the Indians, and their good treatment and education:
with the consent and advice of the members of my royal Council of
the Indias, after they had consulted with me, I have determined to
show favor generally to all those who hold the repartimientos and
encomiendas of Indians in those provinces, by prolonging them for
another generation, in addition to the generations for which they
now hold them, provided that they immediately, for this reason,
contribute to my funds--those who shall possess encomiendas for a
second generation, with the value of the first three years; and those
who shall enjoy them in the third generation with the value of two
years--so that that may be an aid to the heavy expenses that my royal
treasury incurs in defense of these and those kingdoms, and of the
increase and conservation of our holy Catholic faith. [It shall be]
provided that this prolongation be not extended, nor be understood
to extend, to those who should hold encomiendas of which the value
exceeds eight hundred ducados and more; for such encomiendas must be
kept to reward worthy persons, in the manner that has been followed
hitherto. In order that this may be executed as is desired, I have
thought best to order you and to charge you--as I do--that as soon as
you receive this my decree you publish it in that city of Santiago,
and in all the others of your government, so that all persons who shall
desire the said prolongation of their repartimientos or encomiendas
may come before you within one year, counted from the day of the said
publication. Those who thus come before you within the said time you
sh