of them are married, and very few have encomiendas of reasonable extent, and they can maintain themselves only with much difficulty—­much less will they be able to support the soldiers.  They concluded that your Majesty is not obliged to use your royal patrimony for this and the other expenses, but that those for whose benefit they are incurred (for which purpose the Spaniards are here) must bear the cost.  Accordingly, if the tribute they give does not suffice for all the expenses necessary in order that they may have suitable instruction and may be protected, they, and not your Majesty, must bear these—­as St. Paul says, and as the divine law commands.  For this reason the governor wished to add the two reals before mentioned, and there was no lack of agreement in this opinion among the fathers and clergy.  To me also it seems that, considering the divine law, these people are obliged to pay all the expenses.  But considering the poverty of the common people, that perhaps the tribute they give might suffice, for all that is necessary—­if it were well apportioned—­and for other reasons that make the project doubtful, I have ventured to give the opinion that nothing should be added to the tribute which the Indians now give, until your Majesty can be informed and can order what action should be taken.

In these islands there are many soldiers who were married in Mexico, Espana, and other countries.  Many of them left their wives twenty-five, others ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago; and others, more or less.  I have done my best to induce them to go to live with their wives, or to bring them here, but it has been of no avail.  Will your Majesty please order that your decree in this matter be observed, for this is not done—­nor do the governors try to observe it, saying that the soldiers are needed here; and thus they spend so many years, breaking the law of God and that of holy matrimony.  I beg your Majesty, if it please you, to provide a remedy for this; for, if your Majesty does not order it, there will be no one here who can send them hence.

The thing most necessary for the protection of these Indians until they shall better understand our ways is, that there should be a protector who should look after them and defend them from the innumerable injuries that are inflicted upon them.  The governor has named one who, it appears to me, does this well, and with care and diligence.  But as his appointment is temporary, he dare not exercise his office with as much freedom as if he were appointed by your Majesty.  I beseech your Majesty to order this matter disposed of in such manner that it may be to the advantage and not to the injury of the Indians—­which would result if this office were given through favor or sale, instead of being conferred on a person who is unencumbered, and very zealous in the service of your Majesty and for the welfare of the Indians; of such there will be very few.  He who is now protector is very persevering, and is qualified for this appointment.