Royal Catholic Majesty:

There has now returned one of the ships by which I wrote in the year
80. Until now no word has been received of the other ship to Nueva
España, in which I sent a duplicate report. Therefore in this letter I
shall refer to some of the most essential points which I had written,
and will give a report also of what is presented for the first time.

This country is advancing rapidly in the conversion of the natives,
and they are quick to embrace baptism and the knowledge of our
holy faith. If the harvest is not greater, it is for lack of
workers. However, the repartimientos held by the Spaniards contain
but few persons and yield small income; and thus they cannot assist
in supplying all the instruction necessary, because of the cost of
maintaining the religious. In this ship sail two religious of the
order of St. Augustine, in order to beseech your Majesty to grant them
grace in several necessary points. One is father Fray Juan Pimentel,
in whom are found many excellent qualities. Among the things that
they desire, I consider it very important that your Majesty order
convents to be built in all the villages and cities. There should be
a convent of six religious in each of the villages, and one of twelve
in the cities. May your Majesty see to it that these be provided,
from the alms which are customarily given to those who serve in the
instruction of your Majesty's towns. It is very inconvenient that for
lack of the means of support, the priests who are sent here and are
occupied in instructing the Indians, are not able to carry on their
work. If there were convents, none but the most approved persons
would be sent to occupy them, as is necessary for the result that