xperience
or knowledge of the country; they have little affection for it, and
few ties or interests therein. It is always their intention to return
to the mother-country, and to procure their own enrichment--whether
it be by fair means or foul, or even by destroying and consuming, in
their eagerness to attain that end--not troubling themselves whether
the country be ruled rightly or wrongly, whether it be ruined or
improved. The second evil is that, to the Spaniards, the commonalty
of the Indians is something new and strange, and the latter are always
regarded as menials and slaves, and objects for the insolence of those
who come into possession of them. Accordingly, they are always scorned,
despised, overworked, exhausted, and even dying--as is actually seen
to be the case. With all this, it is impossible that their numbers
should increase or their condition or their lands improve; rather,
they are continually deteriorating and dying--as in many districts
they are already ruined; and everywhere there is a tendency to this, in
the opinion and judgment of all who see and understand their condition.

Twelfth: All this has arisen from two sources. The first is, as has
been already said, that the people are so low, barbarous, poor,
ill-favored, rude, ignorant, and unworthy of being mingled with
Spanish nobility and valor. The second is, that the country is so
poor, and what wealth it has is so unsubstantial; it has no roots,
or anything in which it could take root and become established. For
almost the only wealth of these people has been in the mines and
metals, and in their personal belongings, which are not permanent
or fixed. There are no hereditaments or cultivated farms, or crops,
or regular supplies; no products of the industry of workmen, and no
machinery; no general provision for ordinary use. But all is a desert,
and destitute, and at a standstill, and unsettled--as they say,
belonging to the east wind. And therefore the Spaniards also have
been and are as unsettled as if they were stopping at an inn. Such
are the lands that they have won.

Thirteenth: In China, conditions are altogether different, since its
people are, as has been said, qualified for marriage, friendship, and
union and equality; and they are fitted for offices and dignities and
authority, both spiritual and temporal. And, further, the richness
of the country is so great and of such sort--being realty, crops,
and necessaries of life; provisions