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By a decree of your Majesty, I was asked [to fix] the boundaries of the city.  I assigned five leagues around this place where we live, although as yet these limits are of no use, as in this island there have not been, nor are there now, any customs duties or other imposts.  I came at a time full of labors, and the people are few and poor.  Considering the losses of the ships of the past year, it seems to me that it is too soon to obtain any duties from the Chinese ships.  I have advised your Majesty thereof, and exemption from the customs and other duties has been granted to these islands for thirty years.  Consequently, nothing is demanded from the Spaniards; and, as they are all soldiers, and should have some profit from what is sent hence to Nueva Espana, it would be well to increase the customs duties somewhat.  It is also decreed that for the term of ten years there shall be paid the tenth instead of the fifth of all the gold found here.  The city already demands, at the end of these ten years, that your Majesty renew his favors.  I think that, as a result of this decree, some gold is sent to Nueva Espana; but, if the entire fifth were taken, the gold would be traded with the Chinese, and thus so great a quantity would not be sent to Nueva Espana.  May your Majesty be pleased to grant this, and advise me as to this point.

When I came to this city there were here two ecclesiastics, and besides them no more in all the islands.  One died of illness, and the other is now alone here, under command of the friars.  When at one time he read a letter of excommunication he was appointed vicar by the provincial of the order of St. Augustine; and now he complains that he is commanded by friars.  There is great need that ecclesiastics be sent here, so that the sacraments can be administered and confessions be heard, as in other colonies.

Although I write to the viceroy of Mexico concerning the religious instruction in this country (a copy of which letter accompanies this), I wish to explain more fully to your Majesty that there is a great lack thereof.  Some of the friars sent from Mexico are those who cannot stay there, and must be sent away.  Those who come here to lead the apostolic life must be orderly persons, and such as are missed in the place from which they come.  But it is of secondary importance to discuss persons, and it is necessary to refer to important matters which require remedies.  Your Majesty must understand that there is great lack of religious teachers here, and that the friars labor very diligently, although they do not usually apply themselves to learn the language, or to attract the natives.  If I am not mistaken, the surest remedy is for friars and ecclesiastics of all orders to come here, especially those who cannot possess property; for, as this land is so new and there are no inheritances, the friars can have no income in common, except the alms given from the royal treasury.  As the Indians are so avaricious, and adore the gold—­which they actually kiss, and consider of the highest importance—­it is exceedingly necessary that the priest accept no gold, nor should he seek or trouble them for it.  He must only desire food, according to the necessities of nature; and as the land is well provided therein, at the lowest prices in the world, he may be well content who wishes nothing more.