: "Ecclesiastical government. You mention some
things in this section which it is advisable for you to understand
thoroughly because of their gravity and for their better management,
as follows. What you say of the good treatment of the natives, and
of the burdens and evils that come upon them, is excellent. Endeavor
that what you think best be carried out in regard to their services,
relieving, consoling, and comforting them by good works, equity, and
administration of justice, taking their cause _ex officio_ against the
more influential and powerful who [_MS. holed_: oppress?] them. This,
being to the service of our Lord and good government, will give a most
effective example and method for the reduction of the rest of the
natives of those islands, and their incorporation into the Catholic
church and our government. Accordingly endeavor to do what you have
so thoroughly understood, and live with the prudence that the matter
necessitates. Inform yourself by all means of what is being done,
and of the fruit that results from it. No church or convent, not
even a chapel, ought to be, or can be, founded unless concurrent
with your permission, and that of the Audiencia, together with
that of the ordinary. You shall demolish and reduce to its former
state what should be done in violation of this, for the contrary is
disobedience, spoliation, and offense; and it is not proper that
reward, or permission to contradict what is proper, should follow
from such assumptions, and that the insolent shame by their license
those who are obedient and modest. The number of churches that you
mention seems great, and there is excess in that, about which it is
proper to be cautious. For few churches, well served and endowed,
are advisable and are sufficient, while from a great number of them
signal disadvantages arise. You shall take note of all this, for
religious zeal, when unaccompanied with the knowledge and prudence
necessary, becomes excess and disorder, and a matter for troubles,
which will be avoided by seeing that the churches are established in
the manner above mentioned."]

42d. One of those of this profession, named Pedro Leussara, has been
arrested on the petition of parties whom he has greatly offended,
by word and writing, in the most vital part of their honor--and
without proof, as will be seen by the writ. In this matter, if natural
inclination frees from guilt, he will have to remain free.

[_Marginal note_: "It is well."