weighty and just considerations. And as to what quantity and from
what fund these rewards and gratifications should be given, I think
that they should be given from what is collected in Mexico from the
duties and freight-charges on ships sailing from this country, which
are never returned here. Your Majesty could command them to be brought
here annually for this purpose, without any deficit or abatement; or
the half of them, or the equivalent of that which is collected here,
for the pay of the soldiers. In order to give these gratifications and
rewards, in regard to the amount, I think that eight or ten thousand
pesos annually would suffice. But it should be considered that there
are many who have served, and that this country is already settled;
and that many persons of rank, who have served in other places, are
coming to it, or are to continue serving your Majesty here, and come
for such continuation of service, and for whatever occasions are of
great moment, importance, and need. And inasmuch as these opportunities
are often postponed or delayed for good reasons, and are not offered
immediately; and inasmuch as those who come, and almost all the
others of this country, who are not already provided, always desire
these opportunities--therefore it is needful and important to have
the means with which to remunerate them. For if the contrary is done,
many great troubles will follow, so that, finding themselves without
occupation, and at the same time without any profit and sustenance, and
no place whence to hope for it, they become querulous, low-spirited,
and even desperate. From this condition follow many other evils--among
which, with many that I do not name, is the one of affirming that to
better their condition they must return and leave this country. This
causes others to do the same thing, and not to come here, because of
what they hear of the country. Accordingly this country, being thus
defamed, is coming to be regarded as a place of exile and punishment
for crimes; and, as to such a land, they are sending here men whom it