do not importune the Indians.  The bishop does not wish others than the religious to do that, and meanwhile it is not done by either.  It would doubtless be of some benefit, and the lack of instruction of which your Majesty complains would be obviated, if the encomenderos could furnish it.  But, if there is no such thing in the land, the encomendero is not to blame—­as your Majesty declares plainly in my instructions, clause forty-nine, in the following words, “they do not supply it or try to supply it as they are bound to do, and as they should, although there is a sufficient number of the said ministers.”  Therefore, when there is not a good supply, but a lack of ministers, the encomendero is not at fault, and has no reason for not collecting his tribute.  Should the encomenderos be deprived of this, your Majesty, as the party most interested, could not support here a soldier, nor the bishop, nor me, and everything would be lost.  I replied to his question as to what action I should order taken; and finally, as authority (with added reasons) for the orders that were being carried out, I cited several authors who were quoted in an opinion that I had from the religious.  He was greatly offended thereby as your Majesty will see by his reply, and I have just entreated him to wait at least until the ships arrive; and especially as, in a general meeting of the orders which took place soon after my arrival, all agreed, and he with them, in the opinion which I have now applied in my orders; and 1 asked him, inasmuch as he had approved of it then, not to make any innovation now.  Finally, I begged him at least to refrain from scandalizing the people from the pulpit, defending certain opinions and refuting others very improperly and freely.  Since the Augustinians kept silence, they should not be obliged to answer for themselves.

16.  This letter appeared to the bishop so disrespectful and bold that in his reply there are but sharp and heated words against the religious.  He says that they err from the beginning, and that they do not know the fundamental principles.  He had imagined that the letter was not mine alone, as he believed that I could not by myself have seen the authors cited therein for its authority and doctrine.  He says that neither I, nor your Majesty, nor the pope has authority to take from the infidels a single real; that it is true that he was of the general opinion before, but that he erred then, and now is in the right (It appears to me, however, that he errs now, and was then in the right.) So firm is he in his opinion that he does not wish to call it opinion, but truth.  He declares that if all the orders in this bishopric, and the universities of Salamanca and Alcala [8] in addition, should say the contrary, he would not forsake his opinion; and he is very certain that your Majesty will oblige me to follow his opinion.  He offers a treatise on the subject which he is preparing for the explanation and elucidation of everything, and finally closes by asking me to have the money paid which is owed by the royal treasury.