er languages, philosophy, theology, and other forms of learning. For
these studies, the Chinese possess excellent memories and understanding
and very keen faculties. They have gentle dispositions, and well-shaped
figures. They are very neat, and polite and serious in behavior, and
lead temperate lives. They have the qualifications and the possessions
for any office or dignity, and they occupy and represent these with
much more authority and severity than do our people. On the other
hand, they display much gentleness and suavity--all the more since
there are no severe or outrageous punishments in those realms, which
are so settled and peaceable, and ruled with such justice that it
compels admiration.
Tenth: From what has been said, it follows that there will be among
those natives--whether pure-blooded, or partly of Spanish blood,
as has been said--after the two peoples have become united and
connected, persons suited to become priests and religious; and to
assume the government and official posts of the state, and military
offices; and to undertake all the other services and enterprises
of the country. With these, it will be evident how well established,
peaceful, and united the country will be, since those persons will look
after it as their own; and on account of the bond and union which will
exist between its parts, and of the many ties of kindred--of wives,
and children, and relatives--and of estates, which will constrain
them to aid one another, and take care of the country.
Eleventh: In the other Yndias all this has been lacking, and
continually have been supplied from Espana, or from the pure Spaniards,
all the priests and religious; the governors, and judges both superior
and inferior; with all the other positions and commands, both in peace
and war--and even the mechanics, and the assistants and subordinates
of the above-mentioned persons. Besides, the Spaniards have always
managed the state for themselves, and separately from the natives of
the land--disdaining to give them a share in any matter of honor or
profit, but remaining always foreigners and aliens, and even objects of
dread, to the natives. For when some of the Spaniards die, or return
to Spain, others come anew, who are always strangers to the people
of the country and regard the natives as barbarians. From this have
resulted two serious evils, and the beginnings of many others. First:
The Spaniards are always few in number, and have but little e
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