The King. Inasmuch as it is ordered by law v, título 13, book i, [93]
of the Nueva Recopilación de las Indias that all the archbishops and
bishops of the Indias give order in their dioceses to the curas and
missionaries to the effect that by using the most mild means, they
order and direct all the Indians to be taught the Spanish language, and
the Christian doctrine in that language, so that they may become more
proficient in the mysteries of our holy Catholic faith, gain profit
for their salvation, and attain other advantages in their government
and mode of living; and inasmuch as it is ordered by another law,
namely, law xviii, título i, of book vi, that schools be founded for
the Indians and teachers appointed to teach the Castilian language
to those who wish of their own free will to learn it, in the manner
that may be of least trouble to them and without cost to them; and
since it appears that the sacristans of the churches can do this well,
just as in the villages of these kingdoms they teach reading, writing,
and the Christian doctrine: [94] therefore, considering, in my royal
Council of the Indias, the great advisability of observing this in
the future strictly and inviolably, as it is inferred to be the most
efficient means for banishing idolatries, to which the Indians are for
the greater part addicted at present, as they were in the beginning of
their conversion, from this means also it follows that the vexations
which are practiced on them will cease in whole or in great part,
and the Indians will be able to make their complaints directly to
the superiors without making use of interpreters, who being bribed
change the translation, I have resolved to order and command, as I
do by this present, my viceroys, presidents, governors, corregidors,
and alcaldes-mayor, who hold office at present or shall hold office in
the future, of all the provinces of Nueva España, Guatemala, Filipinas
Islands, and Barlovento, and I ask and request the archbishops and
bishops of the metropolitan churches and cathedrals of those countries,
each one, so far as it concerns him, to watch carefully and strictly
over the observance of the laws above cited. They shall cause them to
be carried out strictly, without any opposition or interpretation, so
that the Indians may study the Castilian language and begin immediately
to learn it. I charge all to have especial care in this, and I warn
(as I do by this present) the viceroys, presidents, governors,
corregidors, and alcaldes-mayor of all the provinces and islands
above mentioned, that the non-observance of this shall be charged
against them in their residencias. [95] I also order and command
generally all the ecclesiastical and secular ministers mentioned in
this despatch, to report to me on all occasions when a fleet sails,
and on all other occasions that offer, that they have placed in
practice what is expressed and mentioned by the above-mentioned laws,
and of what they shall continue to do in their observance and punctual
performance, and the result thereof; for it is so important for the
end which is proposed and so to the service of God and myself, to be
informed of the results which I hope will follow from the observance
and fulfilment of the abovesaid laws. Given in Madrid, June 20, 1686.