y for some evils of which information had been
given. It seems that the country received thereby some alleviation
of its troubles, but I do not know what will follow. It is a great
misfortune to have your Majesty so far away. For if you were near us,
all these ills would soon disappear--as I hope, by the Divine goodness
and your Majesty's holy zeal, that they will not endure longer than
till you shall hear of them, not by my report, but by information
which may be quite sufficiently obtained in Nueba Espana; for what
I say here is for no other purpose than that your Majesty may be
informed of what is going on, and that you may order it to be remedied.

Since your Majesty orders, by your royal decree, that in case the
governor do not keep the royal laws and ordinances which are made
for these lands, I advise your Majesty of the fact: what might in
compliance be said with entire truthfulness is, that I do not know
what decree, provision, or ordinance issued for the benefit and aid
of the Indians is kept or noticed; and if any promise is made, it is
only for courtesy. Never have I seen any man punished who may have
violated the decrees, or who may be scandalous in sin; and in order
that it may be quite evident to your Majesty how badly your holy laws
are kept, I shall proceed to demonstrate by the royal ordinances.

2nd. The second clause, commencing, "those who administer government,"
etc., is neither kept nor noticed, because it never is taken into
account. Therefore the Indians understand that the good which is
to be done them is but to subjugate them and make them pay tribute;
and as this is the purpose of those in authority, they never do what
is ordered in this clause, but at once send soldiers to force the
Indians to submit although they may not desire it; and before they
return they leave the natives subjects and tributarios.

4th. Clause four, for the same reason, is not heeded.

20th. In regard to clause 20, although it is so necessary, and so
deserves to be obeyed, those in power act as if they were ordered
to do the very opposite, as is explained above, where I discuss the
wrongs that they inflict.

24th. To what is ordered in clause 24 some respect is now paid in this
island; but heretofore everything has been done in contravention of
it, and the penalty has never been enforced.

25th. Nor has clause 25 been observed in this island. On the contrary,
there has been, I say plainly, a notable diminution in