Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 08).djvu/153

 logians of this bishopric. The Indians must be left at least the fourth part of the tribute, which is about the sum owed and applied for the expense and support of the instruction. Taking into account the large number of tributarios and encomenderos of your Majesty, this would amount to a very great sum, which would not be collected for this reason, and your Majesty would lose much more in these fourths. There is another inconvenience in the lack of instruction, and that is, that where there is no instruction and the payment of the fourth is excused and less tribute collected, the consequence is very damaging for the other Indians; for they say that the Christians pay more tribute than do those who are not Christians, and consequently no one is willing to be converted. This effect would cease under adequate instruction, as all would become Christians and would pay the same tribute, there being no opportunity for the aforesaid practice. Moreover, restitution of the amounts collected would be obligatory in the places where there is no teaching. Over this subject of payment of tributes I have had various arguments with the bishop, as your Majesty will see by the papers which are sent herewith. By them your Majesty may understand more accurately all that has passed, and what the bishop and I have written and replied to each other. Therefore, as briefly as possible, I shall report it.

10. The bishop founds his opinion on clause 32 of my instructions. This treats of the encomiendas which are disaffected or have never been pacified; and orders that I try to correct the excesses in the collection of the tributes of such encomiendas as are without instruction. From this the bishop formed