sustenance therein.  Furthermore, in that letter I said to the bishop that, although it is true that your Majesty commits to him only the arrangements for the disturbed encomiendas and those unpacified (and these are the only ones in doubt), nevertheless, it was necessary in that case for us to meet, in order to discuss them all and give our opinions regarding them.  Moreover I told him that, even though his opinion and advice were right and proper, yet, in carrying them out there were inconveniences and difficulties which endangered this land.  For that reason I did not agree with him, and was of another opinion.  Being unable to agree, it was better to advise your Majesty and await your consequent commands.  As we had already waited so long, we could wait a little longer for the resolutions of your Majesty.

11.  After several days the bishop replied to this letter by another of great length.  He still insisted on the observance of his conclusions, saying that it was unnecessary to await new orders from your Majesty, as your Majesty had already remitted them to him and to me.  He proceeded to interpret the aforesaid clause of the instruction after his own manner.  He declares that your Majesty commands the payment of a small portion, as token of recognition of authority; and that three-quarters of the tribute is not a small part.  He does not take into consideration that your Majesty does not treat therein of the encomiendas pacified, and under administration of justice, order, and other benefits, but of those never subdued or rebellious.  The difficulties which I encounter in the execution of his projects he passes over with some generalities, as that God will preserve the faith which He has planted here; and that the encomendero will have enough for his support from the share assigned him—­namely, the third of the large encomiendas and the half of the smaller.  He also claims that the encomenderos will not abandon the encomiendas, as they are not deprived of all, but of only a part of them—­and that only for the brief period until your Majesty declares what is to be done (and this period will be very brief); and it is to be noted that this declaration will be, beyond doubt, that the encomenderos and your Majesty shall not collect the tributes.  The time intervening until the declaration comes from your Majesty seems to him short.  As to leaving things as at present and collecting the tribute without any innovation therein, until after your Majesty has been consulted, the time appears to him long; and he thinks that orders and corrections will never cease coming from Espana, and that instruction will never be obtained in this manner.  He enjoins upon me, the city, and the encomenderos to make every endeavor and use all diligence to supplicate your Majesty for said instruction.  He declares frankly that if the infidels do not become baptized because they see that tribute is levied after such baptism, it is of no account that such are not converted.  He supports himself