or food, and needy, enduring great hunger and shame for the sake of supplying these needs—­in the same day dining at one house and supping at another.  Sixth:  On this account, the captains and commanders neither dare nor can order anything freely, nor are the soldiers willing to obey; and therefore, not only is nothing accomplished, but there remains neither military order, nor respect for superiors, nor organization.  Seventh:  They have no weapons, or, if they have them, they are compelled to pawn or sell them for clothing and food.  Eighth:  On this account, many of them are almost forced to inflict injuries on the natives of the country in order to get food, and others to live with native women for the same reason.  From all of these follows the ninth and greatest evil of all—­namely, that the little that has been conquered has been so weakened that it is not growing, and shows no sign of future growth; and nearly all the rest is so disaffected, and without our having any opportunity or power to hold it, that not only will it remain as now, but it is even feared that the little already conquered will be ruined—­especially as, besides the foe at home, there are so many surrounding enemies, those of Japon, China, Cian, Patan, Jabas, Burney, and Maluco, and other innumerable peoples.  All this is in the utmost need of remedy, so that this Spanish state may not be destroyed, and so many souls of the natives lost, and the glory of their Creator and the knowledge of Jesus Christ effaced and forgotten.  Nor should the enlargement of so great lands and kingdoms, for so much gain, honor, and renown of our Catholic sovereigns and of their faithful vassals, the Spanish nation, be neglected.

2. The great importance of paying the soldiers. Second:  All this will be remedied, provided that his Majesty order that, inasmuch as there is an evident and imperative need here for troops, and for their participation, as now, in the exercise and labors of war—­conquering, pacifying, conserving, controlling, and anticipating dangers; carrying the responsibilities of presidios [i.e., fortified towns], garrisons, and sentries; and enduring other duties and hardships, greater in this country than in any other—­they be granted what is just and necessary, either from the treasury of Mexico or of some other country, or in such manner and method as his Majesty may consider better; and that the pay be the ordinary rate that is paid in the Yndias—­or, if he chooses, even less.  This will not only put an end to the said evils and annoyances, but will give rise to so great blessings; since the country will be quiet and settled, and there will be continual necessity for subduing and converting more lands, and conquering all of the neighboring islands and kingdoms.  These will have the fear and respect that they ought to have for the power and might of his Majesty, and for the Spanish people—­of which much has been lost and little gained of late years, because we have been so shut in and abandoned.