destroy the poor Indians.  For that purpose, I had already resolved before the reception of the decree not to continue the sale of the said offices; and, when those which I found sold became vacant, not to resell them.  Will your Majesty please consider this matter favorably, since what is most important for your royal service is that these afflicted natives be not injured by your agents. [In the margin:  “Take it to the fiscal.”  “The fiscal says that, notwithstanding what the governor writes in this section, these notaryships must be ordered to be sold, or at least one in the capital of each province.  For while some troubles may result from this, those which are experienced daily in regulating the notaries who are called ‘appointed’ are greater.  Consequently, general decrees are despatched ordering the suppression of this practice in all parts of the Yndias, although it has been carried out in but few, because the said governors refuse.  He petitions that it be so provided and ordered, and justice done.  Madrid, November 19, 1630.”  “Let what is decreed be obeyed.”  “Observe what is decreed, in accordance with what the fiscal says.”]

By the last decree concerning this matter of revenue, your Majesty orders me to investigate whether it would be advisable to make a new appraisement of the tribute which the Indians are ordered to pay in kind; and whether it will be advisable for the Indians not to be compelled to pay in kind, but in gold or silver, or in what they were able and willing to pay.  What I can say to your Majesty about this is, that the present practice in these islands was introduced by order of Governor Don Pedro de Acuna, with the consent of the royal Audiencia and the ecclesiastical prelates, by which the natives pay four reals of their tribute in kind, and one fowl besides, and the rest in money.  In regard to the quantity and kinds of products which had to be given for the said four reals, the appraisement was made according as the circumstances of each province required.  After the religious and ministers who instruct the provinces had conferred among themselves, at the command of the said governor this was done, in the year 604.  Since then times have changed, and the prices have been different.  Accordingly, the quantity of rice or other products that the Indians are ordered to pay on account of the said four reals is too much in some provinces.  Consequently, I think that your Majesty ought to order, with the assistance of another council that was called in the time of Don Pedro de Acuna that the matter be again conferred over, and decision made whether it is advisable to make a new appraisement; and that, if that be found desirable, it be done at once.  But in regard to leaving it to the Indians whether they will or will not pay the said four reals in kind, besides the fowl, in no consideration am I of the opinion that that should be left to their choice; for the natives are generally so inclined to laziness that they do