Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 11).djvu/272

impose upon the said Indians the occupations and work for which they and the provinces where they live are fit and suitable, with the raising of cattle; they should also be forced to extract gold from the mines and rivers, for, if this were done, much gold could be obtained from the mines, rivers, and placers. Thus the Chinese trade would cease in a large degree, and the returns from the gold and cloths which might be carried to Nueva España would remain in the land; and that, with the gain which would thus result to the Indians, would make them well inclined to such work, and cause them to do it willingly. The main point to be settled in order that the Indians may be influenced to undertake it is, to make them pay the tribute in kind. And since much attention and thoughtful consideration should be given to what is here pointed out, not only for the welfare of the Indians but for that of the commonwealth—since if the land itself could provide and supply produce and merchandise, that would be more advantageous than to procure them from outside; and the gold and silver which is now taken away to foreign and pagan kingdoms would remain in the land itself—I charge and command you that, as soon as you reach the said islands, you call together my royal Audiencia there; the honored prelates who shall be in Manila, and the superiors of the religious orders—informing of this matter, by letter, those who cannot easily go thither—and confer and deliberate with them on all that is expedient and necessary to be done. In this conference you shall keep in mind the welfare and preservation of the Indians and of the country, and see that the said natives be neither molested nor wronged—striving for this object, that there may be crops and other