third part of the tributes?... Former
governors, as well as your Lordship, have allotted encomiendas,
imposing upon them an annual charge, for a limited period, for
the benefit of the hospital or of some individual. These were most
willingly accepted, the owners knowing that when the annual pension
expired the encomiendas remained to them, which they might freely
enjoy. It is certain, too, that what the encomenderos collected
while the pension lasted was not equal to the third part. Why, then,
will not the encomenderos endure this pension for so short a time, in
order afterward to enjoy the encomiendas freely and with consciences
at ease? for they can do that now.

[The bishop declares that the conversion of the pagan Indians
will not be hindered by his plan. Not the least hindrance to the
conversion of these islands is the harshness with which the tributes
are collected from the Indians.] It is certain that when the faith
is preached to the Indians on the plan and with the gentleness which
our Lord ordained, attended with kind treatment and good examples,
in accordance with the requirements of God's law, the infidels will
never consider whether or not they have to pay tribute. For if they
once reach a real understanding of what it means to be converted to
God, and of the benefit which they receive from it, and the evils
from which they are set free, not only will they not heed whether or
not they are paying tribute, but they will, if necessary, surrender
their goods and estates, in order not to remain without baptism. We
need not vex ourselves to secure the baptism of infidels who avoid
baptism in order not to pay tribute; since it is not such whom God
chooses, or whom the church needs.

The greatest difficulty for the Sangleys who sought baptism has been
the command to cut off their hair. It is certain that on this account
many have failed to become Christians, whereat I have been exceedingly
grieved. Not that I have not always wished, and still desire, that
all of that nation might be converted, and I have exerted myself to
that end with all my strength; but when I see one of them hesitate
as to cutting off his hair, it seems to me that he has not come for
baptism in the right spirit, and for that reason I do not admit him
to baptism. Those, however, in whose hearts God has moved, and who
truly understand what they are receiving (and there are many such),
are not disturbed because their hair is cut, or because the