commands with respect to the pacification of the Indians.  And—­in order that you may know how these Indians feel about paying the tribute—­when my arrival was made known among them, and it was said that I was captain of the clergy, as the governor was of the laymen, they asked if I had come to force on them any tribute, a thing which they so much fear.  In the instructions which the governor, Don Geronimo [sc. Gonzalo], recently gave to Captain Juan Pablo de Carrion, who made the expedition to Cagayan, there is a clause stating that “tribute shall not be demanded from them for one year”—­which marks the beginning of some respect for your Majesty’s orders; and I hope to God that it is to be one of much importance, in order that those Indians, who three or four times have been so wronged and scandalized, may now have peace.

147th.  Clause 147 is quite forgotten, nor can those who govern be persuaded that this so holy manner of preaching the gospel be tried; besides, your Majesty leaves no authority to the bishops or to other prelates to attempt the apostolic preaching of the gospel, but all the authority is given to the governors, or is assumed by them.  If this clause were to be observed, the bishops and not the governors would have to reform whatever is needed.  The preachers go either alone or with an escort; hence it is that the governors attempt more than the conversion of the Indians.  They never find place for the fulfilment of this clause.  It is without doubt a shameful thing, and unworthy of one who professes such a law as ours, that we should not trust in God, for sometimes the preachers would do more alone, unaccompanied by arquebuses and pikes; and, although I do not deny that this may be lawful and sometimes necessary, it would not be a bad plan that this be tried the other way, at some time.  But it will not be done if your Majesty does not order otherwise.

148th.  It is very necessary to observe clause 148 in this country, since the Indians are thinly scattered, and are settled amid rivers and marshes where they are found with much difficulty.  Hence it is very desirable that the encomenderos do as they are here commanded, and not wait for the religious or ecclesiastics, who can not do it with the same facility as can the encomenderos.  Moreover, since the removal of the Indians from their former homes is a thing very odious to them, and they change their homes very unwillingly and with much hardship, it would be better that they be vexed with the encomendero than with the minister—­who has to teach them, and through whom they have to learn love, and who in all things strives for their good.  The same is true of building the churches and monasteries.

Relation of what concerns the Sangleys