Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 08).djvu/165

the bishop." This does not mean to commit the affair to him alone; but, after hearing his opinion, and having examined his discussion and treatment of the matter with me, I am to resolve upon what measures are best for the remedy thereof, and then in the name of your Majesty provide and carry out that remedy, and have it observed most punctiliously. Further, I told him that two-thirds of the number of religious are of this opinion and sentiment, contrary to that of the bishop; moreover that the bishop himself and all the theologians were lately of one mind in this matter, but that now the bishop alone disagrees; and that I think I make no mistake in being guided by so many learned opinions in a matter which I find to be of service to God and my king. Furthermore, I replied to various inquiries that he made of me, such as the remedy which had been brought to bear in these things, and the resulting benefit. My answer is so long, that in order not to be detailed here, I refer your Majesty to the aforesaid reply, as well as to the result obtained, which I show there, and to the orders now in force. I see no other remedy than to take the matter as I find it. I see that for lack of justice nothing can be collected, as the Indian receives no benefit. I wish to establish justice for administration and government, and for dealings with and good management of the Indians, that both your Majesty and the encomenderos should receive profit; and that the royal estate should not suffer, nor the encomendero starve, abandon everything, and go away. For your Majesty's share alone there would necessarily be more than a hundred and fifty thousand pesos of restitution, not to count thirty thousand pesos of income which would be lost from the present tributes (for all the encomi-