past and present conditions.  Therefore, if the Indians are not allowed to take breath, and do not receive some relief, they must necessarily feel the burden more and more each day; for we permit land, though it be arable and fitted to be sown and reaped, to lie fallow, and do not exhaust it year after year.  How much more with sentient human beings; for either they will endeavor to be rid of the burden (as, without citing other cases, was attempted but lately in Cagayan), or they will perish under it, for it will compass their ruin, and we ourselves shall feel the want of them, as is plainly evident.  This has been clearly manifested on the one hand, in the diminution of tributes, the great wretchedness, and the many deaths among the natives in Ylocos and other districts; and on the other hand in the scarcity and dearness of that which can least easily be dispensed with, and which is most essential—­namely, rice and food supplies.  Although these advance to outrageous prices from year to year, yet even so the necessary amount cannot be obtained, and there is a deficit both for your Majesty’s service and for individuals, whether rich or poor; and, in short, for both Spaniards and natives.  The latter are the ones who can endure the scarcity least, for among them result from it great want, slavery, sickness, and many deaths.  Since things are come to such a pass, much heed must be given to the importance of reform, and to what may be feared if there is none.  Therefore, in order that a reform be instituted, two things, Sire, are extremely needful:  first, the wise appointment and choice of men for the offices—­including with this what is by far the most essential point, and the absence of which is most felt, severe punishment for delinquent officials; and second, that the superfluous and unnecessary officials should be dismissed, for thus there will be fewer to plunder and offend these new and tender plants.  These evil acts constitute a great hindrance to the increase of this harvest so pleasing to God, and so much sought after by your Majesty.  The harvest would be greater, were there fewer evil acts and more virtue in these regions.  Besides, if the offices were few it would be easier to find the needed few with the good qualities requisite for these offices than to find such persons to fill so many offices as there are at present.  Then too, fewer abuses and injuries, and less ill-feeling among the natives, will result from fewer appointments and selections, because those who cause resentment among the natives will be fewer, particularly in regard to offices and tax assessments, among others; for as a result of the larger jurisdictions, there will be a smaller amount of relationship with the individual Indians.  Also, the governor could furnish and provide honorably for certain men of merit and desert in certain of these offices, increasing their salaries from the extinguished offices, so that they may fulfil their obligations and carry out their orders with greater advantage and profit to themselves, and without harm to the natives.  Likewise the curtailing of certain salaries will be advantageous to your Majesty’s treasury, by reducing its standing expenditures and requirements.