Majesty be informed of the reassignments, and that he have the goodness to issue commands therefor which shall be duly obeyed.  I state no reasons for or against this arrangement, since the royal council may judge better than I. If it be considered convenient to grant the grace which these persons desire, as a favor proceeding from the royal person and his royal council, let it not be imagined that this and similar actions emanate from the governor.  I am of the opinion that his Majesty is the one to grant the favor; and, if he does so, he will send advices thereof, either secret or public.

The Indians of this country are not simple or foolish, nor are they frightened by anything whatever.  They can be dealt with only by the arquebuse, or by gifts of gold or silver.  If they were like those of Nueva Espana, Peru, Tierra Templada, Tierra Firme, and in the other explored places where the ships of Castilla may enter, sound reasoning might have some effect. [14] But these Indians first inquire if they must be Christians, pay money, forsake their wives, and other similar things.  They kill the Spaniards so boldly, that without arquebuses we could do nothing.  This was the reason that Magallanes, the discoverer of these islands, was killed; and that Villalobos and Sayavedra, and those who came afterward from Nueva Espana were maltreated.  All those who have been killed since the coming of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi received their death through lack of arquebuses.  The Indians have thousands of lances, daggers, shields, and other pieces of armor, with which they fight very well.  They have no leaders to whom they look up.  The havoc caused by the arquebuse, and their own lack of honor, make them seek refuge in flight, and give obedience to our orders.

After imprisoning a soldier, it is necessary to give him food while he is in jail, and also to care for him in sickness.  In order to avoid the expense, he is finally set at liberty.  I have exercised all possible diligence to deal with them so that they will be afraid, and mend their ways.  I have sent the delinquents to work apart, separated from one another; and have also reprimanded them, and informed them that they must do right.  Thus, by the aid of God, this commonwealth is entirely reformed.  They do not follow the pernicious practice of gambling, because they are occupied, and because they know that he who is engaged in these practices cannot be my friend.  Among other men, gambling might be more endurable; but here they attack one another with knives, blaspheme, and steal, and do great harm to one another.  There is also almost complete reformation from the swearing, drinking, and like vices which had caused great corruption and the disgrace of many men.  There is also improvement in regard to concubinage among them.  It is desirable that the soldiers should always lead honest lifes, but as they are young, and the women in this country are so many and so bad, it is more difficult to correct this evil.