the islands instead
of being taken away by the Chinese, as is done now; for the stuffs
are being bought from the Chinese, and the Indians of the islands no
longer manufacture them. Much gold was also taken to Nueva Espana,
from which the tenth was paid to me to the yearly amount of six or
eight thousand pesos, not to mention the larger amount which was paid
for the tributes of the encomiendas which are assigned to my crown;
but since the tribute is not paid in kind, hardly any gold is mined
now. Another trouble that results from this is, that the Indians,
who are naturally prone to idleness, easily earn enough with which to
pay the tribute and buy stuffs from the Chinese with which to clothe
themselves, and so do not manufacture these. In order to remove these
difficulties, it would be expedient to impose upon the said Indians
the occupations and work for which they and the provinces where they
live are fit and suitable, with the raising of cattle; they should
also be forced to extract gold from the mines and rivers, for, if
this were done, much gold could be obtained from the mines, rivers,
and placers. Thus the Chinese trade would cease in a large degree, and
the returns from the gold and cloths which might be carried to Nueva
Espana would remain in the land; and that, with the gain which would
thus result to the Indians, would make them well inclined to such work,
and cause them to do it willingly. The main point to be settled in
order that the Indians may be influenced to undertake it is, to make
them pay the tribute in kind. And since much attention and thoughtful
consideration should be given to what is here pointed out, not only
for the welfare of the Indians but for that of the commonwealth--since
if the land itself could provide and supply produce and merchandise,
that would be more advantageous than to procure them from outside;
and the gold and silver which is now taken away to foreign and pagan
kingdoms would remain in the land itself--I charge and command you
that, as soon as you reach the said islands, you call together my royal
Audiencia there; the honored prelates who shall be in Manila, and the
superiors of the religious orders--informing of this matter, by letter,
those who cannot easily go thither--and confer and deliberate with them
on all that is expedient and necessary to be done. In this conference
you shall keep in mind the welfare and preservation of the Indians and
of the country, and see that