Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 06).djvu/176

 cultivate the land, for their other work, and for food.

7. That the encomiendas be granted with the obligation to cultivate them. Seventh: His Majesty should order that, now and henceforth, the encomiendas be granted under this obligation and charge, namely, that the encomendero shall cultivate a portion of the land, and cause it to be cultivated, and shall induce the said Indians and Spaniards to do the same; that the governors attend to this with vigilance, and that they require from the encomenderos a certain number of animals, or so much cultivated land, or produce—either by themselves, or in company with the said chiefs and farmers.

8. That dowries be established here, so that some women may be married every year. Eighth: For a larger and better settlement and increase, his Majesty should provide for this land dowries and alms—amounting to four hundred or five hundred pesos, or thereabout, as may seem advisable to his Majesty—so that every year ten, fifteen, or twenty women, brought from España, may be married to the common people of these islands, such as soldiers and others, that thus the country may secure an increase of population—which it has not at present, for lack of women and marriages.

9. That there be dowries so that Indian women may be married to poor Spaniards. Ninth: His Majesty should assign other and lesser dowries, so that the Indian women may be married to poor Spaniards (soldiers and sailors) of the lower rank. In both these ways the country may be increased, in these regions so remote and so lacking in people.

10. That offices be not sold. Tenth: His Majesty should know that it has been proposed and