104.  The provinces in these islands that would be profitable to settle are those that can maintain the Spaniards and can provide them with food.  If these are not colonized by us, the Indians will continue their old mode of life, which means attacking others.  For this reason, it would be well to grant some lands, but with discretion, so that we shall not be separated; for each by itself would prove but a weak community, as happened on the appearance of the corsair.  For this reason and because there have always been foreign ships here, I have delayed effecting settlements until we have more people.  I have attempted to send leaders and men through those districts, so that the land might be made peaceful; and for this purpose have sent one troop to Cubu, another to Camarines, and another to Ylocos.  We are always busy.

105.  According to the accounts of the royal exchequer, your Majesty will see that Guido de Lavesares and Legazpi have been in the habit of allowing gratuities and other free sums from the royal treasury.  I have not continued these, but have closed the door on all this, in order not to give them.  However, as the friars insist that it be given and spent in sermons, I have, without consulting them made a decree to the effect that only the needy poor should receive alms, and the gift must be for their support.  I ordered a list of the poor to be made and rice to be given them, as is given to others who are supplied with rations from the royal treasury.  Thereupon some persons came, and have received alms.  Those who begged only for gaming and other like purposes are ashamed to take that alms, and wish nothing but encomiendas.  I have stated all this to your Majesty so that you may be pleased to send me special instructions concerning these charities and gratuities, so that in a just case actually seen, and in certain necessities and calamities, attested to before notary and witnesses, I might be empowered to furnish aid of weapons and clothing—­always prohibiting the giving of money even for once, or the income from the chest with three keys, for this is harmful.

106.  When an encomendero dies in Nueva Espana, his Indians are allotted to the royal crown of your Majesty, as being in a simple and peaceful country, where there is no need of soldiers.  In these islands I think that this would be impossible; and I would not dare do it until I receive an answer from your Majesty ordering me to do so.  For, as so many men die here, all the encomiendas would belong to your Majesty in four years; and the soldiers would have an incentive to attempt the deaths of others.  I notify your Majesty concerning this so that you may order how I am to proceed.  I have planned to correct with gentleness the harm already done in apportioning villages to the royal crown, by taking care that they be near and convenient to the districts where the Spaniards will reside, and where the fleets will be stationed.  Some of those situated in more remote districts I have granted.  As time passes, I understand these things better; and whenever occasion arises I am ever watchful of your Majesty’s royal treasury.  In Mexico conditions hereabout are understood so little, that I believe none know what takes place here.  Of this I am sure because they did not tell me the truth there, nor did I understand it.  One must actually see for himself the conditions here.