87.  The Malucos are nearer to Nueva Espana than this city is, by two hundred leagues; so that it would be easier and shorter to reach them from Nueva Espana.  On returning, the season could be chosen better, as there are no channels or islands to go through, as we have here.  Among these islands there are certain currents which flow more rapidly than those of any river.  One cannot believe this unless one actually sees it.  And as the archipelago is so extensive, at the doubling of each promontory it is needful to choose a different time for sailing.  For this reason we need vessels with oars.  Meanwhile, unless your Majesty orders it, we shall not go to Maluco.  If we had to go there, it would be better to locate in that village in Mindanao, which is well supplied with provisions and where there are people.  It is more than one hundred leagues nearer than Maluco.

88.  When your Majesty was pleased to give Miguel Lopez de Legaspi permission to divide the land into encomiendas, he did so in accordance with the wishes of the few men whom he had, assigning two or three thousand natives as an encomienda to four or eight men.  These natives were not pacified, conquered, or even seen, so that the people asked and still ask for soldiers to visit and pacify them, in regard to which there is much trouble here.  It was agreed that eight thousand tributarios should be given as an encomienda to the master-of-camp, four thousand to the captains, three thousand to men of rank, and so on to the different classes, according to their position.  This caused trouble immediately because the generality of people and soldiers are not willing to acknowledge so many people superior to themselves.  It is impossible to pursue the procedure adopted.  Again, complaints are heard that fewer Indians are given to one than to another, and that those taken from their encomienda, as is commonly asserted, swell the encomiendas of other persons.  All these were things not well understood at that time.  They were not discussed in the residencia, [9] in order not to arouse dissension.  I tell all this to your Majesty so that you may know the condition of affairs here.  If I could, I would reform matters so that good sense should conquer.

89.  He [Legazpi] was also wont to maintain a number of gentlemen, who had nothing more to do than to act as sentinels for him alone.  They were considered as of higher rank, as above said, and even more; and they ate with him at his table.  They were ordinarily young men recommended to him by others from Mexico.  They were thus set above their fellows, which occasioned considerable trouble—­even resulting once in the garrotting of one from Cadiz.  These men always accompanied the governor in his walks, for he went afoot, because there were no horses; and they were supported from your Majesty’s treasury.  It has seemed to me a gracious act toward the people to entrust my person to them all; and that those appointed by the sergeant-major in turn, from the different