eeminence in life and in the
favor of your Majesty is granted to them in consideration of the
services which their ancestors have rendered in their conquests and
pacifications, and on occasions of wars which were there carried on,
it also appears just that present services which are being rendered
in this land on occasions of war here and upon these seas, ought
not to take their position behind those of the ancestors. For it is
certain that the services of today are more important, on account
of the greater need which there is for them, and because the creole
sons and descendants of conquistadors or colonists claim the favors
entirely in consideration of this (although there are not many who
show their deserts by continuing their services), going so far as to
demand that those who served Terrenate should have no recognition in
granting the favors and encomiendas of this country, as if there were
anything to provide them with in those islands. I beseech your Majesty
to command that your royal will be declared in this matter--although,
for my part, I have understood that it is those whose services are
the greater, whether in the present or the past, who should have the
first or greater reward, considering the quality of those services,
the rank of the persons, and their abilities and character.

In the distribution of the offices, encomiendas, and other rewards
and favors which are given in the name of your Majesty to those who
serve who deserve them, the auditors and fiscals hold the authority,
and the viceroys, governors, and captains-general lose what they
used to possess. There will surely be great difficulties from this,
and much greater in this country where there is so much war, and
in others where war shall arise, than in the other parts of the
Indias, which are tranquil and quiet and enjoy peace. For if in
them all the offices and occupations are of advantage and utility,
and for that reason sought through different methods, and on this
account there are many worthy persons to receive them, among whom
to choose, therefore this new order ought to be put into operation
[there]. In this country it is different, because most of them are
engaged in the exercise and labor of war, and there are by no means
too many men for the needs thereof; it thus necessarily results that,
as certain offices are demanded for them, those who appoint to these
are importuned; but here it has to be the governor who importunes,
and who is