have been able.  They are poor and obliged to go in order to earn a living.  They decided to go yonder.  They have been told here that they will be dealt with as favourably as possible, and this is right, although among them there are some who merit punishment more than favours.  This is said of the rebels.  I gave these people a letter for the Lord Bishop of Palencia.  Read it, and if it is necessary for them to go and petition his Highness, urge your uncle and brother and Carbajal to read it also, so that you can all help them as much as possible.  It is right and a work of mercy, for no one ever earned money with so many dangers and hardships and no one has ever rendered such great service as these people.  It is said that Camacho and Master Bernal wish to go there—­two creatures for whom God works few miracles:  but if they go, it will be to do harm rather than good.  They can do little because the truth always prevails, as it did in Espanola, from which wicked people by means of falsehoods have prevented any profit being received up to the present time.  It is said that this Master Bernal was the beginning of the treason.  He was taken and accused of many misdemeanours, for each one of which he deserved to be quartered.  At the request of your uncle and of others he was pardoned, on condition that if he ever said the least word against me and my state the pardon should be revoked and he should be under condemnation.  I send you a copy of the case in this letter.  I send you a legal document about Camacho.  For more than eight days he has not left the church on account of his rash statements and falsehoods.  He has a will made by Terreros, and other relatives of the latter have another will of more recent date, which renders the first will null, as far as the inheritance is concerned:  and I am entreated to enforce the latter will, so that Camacho will be obliged to restore what he has received.  I shall order a legal document drawn up and served upon him, because I believe it is a work of mercy to punish him, as he is so unbridled in his speech that some one must punish him without the rod:  and it will not be so much against the conscience of the chastiser, and will injure him more.  Diego Mendez knows Master Bernal and his works very well.  The Governor wished to imprison him at Espanola and left him to my consideration.  It is said that he killed two men there with medicines in revenge for something of less account than three beans.  I would be glad of the licence to travel on muleback and of a good mule, if they can be obtained without difficulty.  Consult all about our affairs, and tell them that I do not write them in particular on account of the great pain I feel when writing.  I do not say that they must do the same, but that each one must write me and very often, for I feel great sorrow that all the world should have letters from there each day, and I have nothing, when I have so many people there.  Commend me to the Lord Adelantado in his favour, and give my regards to your brother and to all the others.

“Done at Seville, December 29.