5. That the enslavement of Indians by other Indians be regulated. Fifth:  His Majesty is informed that all the chief and wealthy Indians, and even many of the common people among them, have and continually make, many slaves among themselves, and sell them to heathen and foreigners, although the slave may be a Christian.  It is ascertained that of the twenty and more different methods of enslavement not one is justifiable.  Although in regard to those who are recently enslaved, and are known, reform is easy, still regarding the many held from former times, the bishop and all his assistants are in great doubt and perplexity, because, on the one hand, they see that the Indians possess and inherit the slaves from their parents and grandparents, while on the other, the ecclesiastics are certain that none, or almost none, of the slaves were made so justly.  Therefore, hardly any learned and conscientious religious is willing, not only to absolve, but even to baptize or marry the Indian, unless he gives up his slaves; for these generally are, or were, stolen from other countries, or taken in unjustifiable petty warfare, or made slaves for very small debts—­of which the majority admit no other payment than their enslavement—­others by usury and barter according to their custom, and by other methods, even more unjust than these.  It is necessary for his Majesty to ordain some method so that, now and henceforth, at least those who are under our control, may make no more slaves; that children born to those who are now slaves, or appear to be slaves, should be born free; that those that wish to redeem themselves may do so at a price adjudged reasonable by arbitrators; and that those held at present may not be sold to pagans, or to Indians not subject to his Majesty.

6. The annoyances to the Indians from lawsuits and the preparation therefor. Sixth:  His Majesty should prevent the annoyances and troubles suffered by the Indians from the ministers of justice—­alcaldes-mayor, deputies, notaries, and alguazils—­by the many suits that they stir up among them, not only about events occurring since the advent of the Spaniards and a government, but also about events of former days, occurring in their heathen condition, and regarding their ancestors; these may be either civil or criminal.  And these are not summary cases, but are conducted with all the preparation made in a chancilleria of Espana; and as the ministers of justice and their assistants are so many (and as there are so many alguazils, attorneys, secretaries, reporters, summoners, notaries, clerks, and servants of all these—­Madrid MS.), and the Indians are so poor, ignorant, and cowardly, the latter spend their entire substance (all they have is quickly consumed—­Madrid MS.), and they are left without any property or any conclusion to the suit, which keeps them frightened and uneasy.  The encomenderos and ministers of instruction, who see the spiritual and temporal scandal occasioned to the Indians, desire that his Majesty remedy this; and the same is desired by the president and auditors—­although one says that, without an order from his Majesty, no summary process can be conducted, but that justice must take its ordinary course.