if offices among the natives were not bestowed upon those who commit
excesses, even if they have served, but only to those who live in a
Christian manner, without offense and harm to the natives.

Likewise, it is a very pernicious practice to provide offices in a
haphazard manner, for services alone, or as a source of gain to those
who get them simply by favor, and have no merits or have performed no
service. This means giving office to one who has no capacity for its
administration, and no judgment of matters. Some of them have never
learned or been accustomed to do anything but fire an arquebus, and
perhaps have habitually lived in great license and poverty. Such enter
upon their offices unprovided with virtue, but in a state of need and
ignorance, and with a greed for becoming rich; and this causes much
grief, misery, and trouble. The result is that such a person has to
try and hear suits and causes; and many of those which arise among
these natives are wont to cause perplexity in their determination
and sentence, even to some men of experience and judgment. Thus the
office is heedlessly vested in one who does not know or understand how
to grant, or deprive of, liberty and possessions by his opinion and
judgment. And although there is a superior judge to whom appeal may
be made, and who may undo errors and wrongs, it is not done, nor can
it be done with the same ease. Appeal involves expense and trouble,
and a long journey to Manila that the Indians must make to ask for
their rights, obliging them to leave their houses and fields--a very
troublesome and injurious thing for them. They are often unaware that
appeal can be made; or they do not dare to go, or they look for no
relief. So all this wrong continues.

On account of these reasons and arguments, it is advisable not to
bestow posts among the natives as a reward for services alone, upon