except a desire that in some way or other so evident an obligation
should be fulfilled, and that religious affairs should be settled
as they ought, according to the adjustment and amendment which they
themselves sought [_illegible in MS._] In accomplishing this, let not
your Lordship understand that the royal exchequer is to suffer, because
[_illegible in MS._] his royal intention is that there shall be no
lack in this. Accordingly, we shall have recourse in other districts
to the clergy whom I mentioned above as being at leisure, who will be
occupied with their own support. The plans for this, as I say--taking
away here, and replacing there, and distributing and selecting them in
order that each one may receive a little--this is all matter for your
Lordship and for the obligations of your office. It is much more your
Lordship's duty that you should attend to this business than it is to
prevent the king and his encomenderos from enjoying what in justice
they ought to, because they do not give you ministers or because they
have not them. Your Lordship can remedy and provide for this only in
one of three ways--either as a protector of the Indians, or as bishop,
or as one who has a special commission for it from his Majesty. As
protector, what your Lordship can do is to bring suits in the courts
(and, even then, not in all cases), and be satisfied with the decision;
or else perform your own duties in the matter. As bishop, your Lordship
is concerned with the collections of tribute, in that in confession
you should deny absolution to anyone who confesses that he has not
fulfilled well the charge of an estate. I do not know whether you,
as bishop, can command the confessors that they all should refuse
absolution in this or that case, provided the said confessors and
your Lordship be of the same opinion and doctrine. As for special
commission, I do not know if your Lordship have one, unless it be in
the unruly and unpacified encomiendas. With this supposition there
remains to your Lordship no other foundation on which to act. Neither