107.  As there are so few people here it is impossible to administer justice, such as execution for murder, or whipping a rogue; for in one day we all would die.  It is necessary to separate enemies and pardon offenders; for a whipped man can be a soldier no longer.  It is important that your Majesty should know this.

108.  The ordinances sent me by your Majesty concerning pacified districts, which propose to summon the Indians peaceably to settle near those districts and to persuade them to become Christians by means of the friars, are very holy and just, but it is quite evident that a correct report of this matter has not been made.  For the Indians are generally like deer; whenever one wishes to find them, he must first employ strategy to catch one of the Indians in order that this one may summon the others who have taken to the hills.  Moreover, while they are going and coming it is necessary that God should perform miracles in providing food, clothing, and shoes for the soldiers, and also for the friars, who will go for this purpose.  You must know that being long in one place incites them against one another, and they begin to die.  Those who return come broken down and sick; and alms must be given them, in order that they may remain alive.  I advise and assure your Majesty that they appeal to us with great facility for clothing, weapons, and money.

109.  I have to undertake many different trades and offices here for I must serve as workman and overseer, judge and mediator; I must take care of the hospitals and of the dead, as well as the property of the deceased.  Not one real of said property has been lost.  I am sending today forty-five marcos of gold, credited to the accounts of the dead.  There remain here pending law-suits, appealed to the Audiencia of Mexico, in greater amount.  There is so much administration by land and sea, and so many details, that it is impossible to mention them.  All this gives me great satisfaction, for I am happier when many cares attend my duties.  What has wearied me, and still is unusually wearisome, is the accounts of the officials of your Majesty’s royal exchequer, on account of their extravagance and careless administration.  In this ship I am sending the accounts, even in their present shape, from which your Majesty will see whether there has been any trouble.  I enclose also the examination of the officials and the residencias that have been taken.  In these residencias, because it was not best to discuss it, no charges were made, since no Indians had been apportioned to the royal crown.  On this account, the treasury has but little income at present.  I shall endeavor to improve these matters in the future, as I have said.  The books of said officials of the royal treasury have been copied according to your Majesty’s orders, as given in the clause of instruction for taking the accounts, and are being sent.