It is an abuse that, although the provincials are ordered to watch
over the reduction of these peoples, so that the Indians, living
within sound of the church-bell, may be directed and instructed
in a Christian and civilized manner, the latter are today found
(except those administered by the Franciscans, who are those most
settled in villages) as scattered as they were in the time of their
paganism. They have many of the vicious habits of their paganism,
and are so stupid in their Christian belief and social life that it
causes pity. So grave a wrong is followed by another against the royal
treasury, namely that, as they live far away and in the recesses of
the mountains, it is impossible for the alcalde to enumerate them for
the payment of their tribute, and he is compelled to guide himself by
the list or register which the father gives him. In that particular,
considerable discrepancies have always been noted against his Majesty;
for in Filipinas and América, it has been considered as an act of
cleverness to defraud the king and persecute the Spaniard, and they
never tire of it.