Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 08).djvu/157

 could wait a little longer for the resolutions of your Majesty.

11. After several days the bishop replied to this letter by another of great length. He still insisted on the observance of his conclusions, saying that it was unnecessary to await new orders from your Majesty, as your Majesty had already remitted them to him and to me. He proceeded to interpret the aforesaid clause of the instruction after his own manner. He declares that your Majesty commands the payment of a small portion, as token of recognition of authority; and that three-quarters of the tribute is not a small part. He does not take into consideration that your Majesty does not treat therein of the encomiendas pacified, and under administration of justice, order, and other benefits, but of those never subdued or rebellious. The difficulties which I encounter in the execution of his projects he passes over with some generalities, as that God will preserve the faith which He has planted here; and that the encomendero will have enough for his support from the share assigned him—namely, the third of the large encomiendas and the half of the smaller. He also claims that the encomenderos will not abandon the encomiendas, as they are not deprived of all, but of only a part of them—and that only for the brief period until your Majesty declares what is to be done (and this period will be very brief); and it is to be noted that this declaration will be, beyond doubt, that the encomenderos and your Majesty shall not collect the tributes. The time intervening until the declaration comes from your Majesty seems to him short. As to leaving things as at present and collecting the tribute without any innovation therein, until after your Majesty has