The bishop of Malaca wrote me the letter that I enclose herewith. And
although I answered him so briefly, and without making a decision
(as you will see by the enclosed copy of the letter), because I
did not like to say what I thought without first consulting your
Majesty, now, because of some news and information given me in
regard to matters of the commerce and navigation of those regions
and of these, I lay before your Majesty, in the enclosed paper, the
drawbacks and advantages on either side that I find in this matter,
so that, after examining them, your Majesty may be pleased to order
in all these matters what is most suitable.

I have written to your Majesty concerning the great annoyances
resulting from the unsuitable marriages of widows and minors, who are
wealthy encomenderas of this country. It is a fact that within the last
few days, three cases of very great inequality and irregularity have
occurred in the marriages of the widows of very respectable captains,
with an income of more than four or five thousand pesos. One of them
was of advanced age, and quite unfitted for marriage. They all married
youths with little or no money, who have employed evil methods to
obtain this end, and have defrauded several very honorable and worthy
captains and soldiers, who serve here, and for whom such encomiendas
were especially established. These women inherited these encomiendas
from their husbands or fathers. This abuse will result in the complete
destruction of this country, and the discouragement of its soldiers
and conquistadors, unless your Majesty remedy it. This can be done
by ordering that these marriages shall not be made here without
communicating with you, under penalty of loss of such encomiendas;
and it should be provided that the governor should not make this an
opportunity whereby to accommodate and provide for his relatives and
servants. Your Majesty will act according to your pleasure.