result, many and great misfortunes have ensued,
which we can now clearly discern, and yet but poorly remedy.

In order that the Indians, after their conversion, may have adequate
religious teaching, and be taught and instructed and guided in the
conduct of their souls, a minister should not have the care of more
Indians than he can know, visit, and minister to in such wise that
all may understand and comprehend the doctrine. Then, if anyone is
sick, the minister can know of it, and visit and console him in his
sickness; and if the sick man be poor, the minister can give him what
he may need, or shall find someone to do so, so that the sick man may
not die without confession or extreme unction. To the living who are
prepared for it, he can administer the eucharist, and can persuade
everyone to prepare himself so that he can receive communion, and
can labor with all earnestness in making known the great benefits
which are contained in the most blessed sacrament, and how much is
lost by those who do not partake thereof, and the obligation of all
Christians to receive it. The minister can thus also personally care
for the burial of the dead; and, in short, fulfil with solicitude and
concern all the demands and obligations of his office as a priest,
and in the care of souls. It is because the ministers in the Indias
are burdened with so many souls, that we observe so little Christianity
there, that so many die without the sacraments, and there are so many
infidels to be converted.

Ninth conclusion: As soon as the Indians shall have become Christians
the encomendero may with good conscience exact from them the tributes
which are imposed and regulated by his Majesty or by persons
commissioned by him; and the Indians are bound by conscience and
justice to pay them, if they have adequate religious instruction
and the encomendero fulfils the obligations imposed upon him by his
acceptance of the encomienda.

Tenth conclusion: The encomenderos are under obligation to observe,
exactly and faithfully, the instructions given them, that they may not
transgress these in regard to the kind of tributes to be paid, or to
the age or condition of those who must pay them--under pain of mortal
sin, and of making restitution for what they shall have exacted in
violation of law or beyond the amount assessed. The damages moreover,
which are sustained by the natives in compelling them to pay tributes
which they are not bound to pay, and the e