y are
forever abandoning their native land. On the contrary, these persons
have broken all ties, and submitted to every requirement, that they
might not remain without baptism. It is true that we have baptized
some of that nation without requiring them to cut off their hair,
through our reasonable consideration toward them; but we have never
consented that anyone of them should be baptized until he had made up
his mind to allow his hair to be cut: and then he did not know that we
intended to baptize him without removing his hair. From the above it
may be inferred that the payment of little, or much, or none of the
tribute is not in itself a reason for the infidels to avoid baptism;
they do so because we oppose so many obstacles to the preaching of
the gospel, and set so bad an example, and because it is so preached
that they do not understand it.

[Salazar protests against the notion entertained by the encomenderos
that "all their festivities and superfluous expenses should be at the
expense of the wretched Indians, when they themselves do not fulfil
their obligations toward the latter." Other persons can support
themselves without an encomienda; so those who possess such aid can
certainly do something outside of it to meet their expenses. The method
of collecting the tributes hitherto has been little more than slavery
for the natives; the bishop pleads in eloquent terms that the governor
will reform this abuse, and consider the subject from the standpoint
of the Indians as well as from that of the Spaniards.] In order that
they may endure their hardships cheerfully, it is well that they should
understand the change among the Spaniards which has occurred since the
coming of your Lordship; for their burdens have been lightened by the
reduction of the tributes from the former amount; and the Spaniards
have done what they did not previously--that is, to treat the natives
well, and to converse with them in a friendly manner. This, without
doubt, will greatly incline them toward our holy Christian religion;
and then the Indians cannot make this a matter of complaint against
the Spaniards, but will keep silence and yield to whatever commands
are given them. [The Spaniards have might on their side, and terrorize
the weaker natives; but the right only should be considered, and is
mainly on the side of the Indians. The conquerors have brought forward
many specious arguments to justify their oppression, which for a time
deceived