Up to this time the natives have not been injured, nor are they now injured, by paying the tribute which is imposed upon them, because it is so moderate that they can pay it without any labor.  For by breeding four fowls under their houses every year (which can be done without any cost), they can pay their tribute, over and above which they have many advantages and profits.  Now more than ever, with the stay of the Spaniards in these regions, they have established and increased their trade, and they continue to increase it every day.  The “Opinion” states that the encomenderos can be supported with the one maes that each Indian gives every year.  It is very certain that no one can be supported on so small a tribute, because there are many encomenderos who cannot be supported on a tribute of three maes, and they live in great poverty, through having so few Indians.  One of these encomenderos has for his share less than three hundred Indians, and many five and six hundred, and as very few have over a thousand, especially are they in need where goods are so dear and gold is valued so slightly.  A pair of shoes is worth a half-tael of gold, which would be the tribute of eight Indians.  A shirt is worth six pesos, and so on; all other Castilian articles are worth double their price in Nueva Espana.  Then, if the Indians here should pay every year two reals (the equivalent of one maez) as tribute, one could not live here by any means, especially since the natives are so rich, and have so many profits and sources of gain, and are more rich in lands than those of Nueva Espana.  They have a great deal of cloth with which to clothe themselves; many silken fabrics worked with gold, greatly esteemed and of high value; many porcelains and fine earthenware jars; lances, daggers, bells, and vases; and many adornments for their persons, of which they make use.  They also have great quantities of provisions, which they gather every year from their irrigated lands; palm wine, and wine of the nipa palm, which they collect ordinarily every day during the whole year and many other wines, made from rice or cane—­to say nothing of the great profits they make from wax and gold, which are ordinarily produced in all the islands.  There is a great deal of cotton, which they work and spin, and make into fine cloths; these are very valuable to the Indians in their trade.  The Chinese bring them many silks, porcelains, and perfumes; with iron and other articles, from which they make great profits.  For all this and many other reasons and causes, which are well known everywhere, the said natives can pay the tribute which is imposed upon them, and much more, without any difficulty.  If some natives in some of the villages decamp in order to avoid paying the tribute, as is stated in the “Opinion,” it is not on account of any lack of means, but because the natives are spirited, and make it a point of honor to pay the tribute only when forced.  They like to be compelled to do so.  This is not the case