[_Tribute from Negro slaves_]
Sire:
With the approval of your royal Audiencia, it has been decreed that
the negro slaves of the Indians shall pay tribute to your Majesty,
in the same manner as it is paid by their masters and by the Indian
slaves whom these hold, who are of their own countrymen and people. No
one has opposed it, except that the religious of St. Dominic,
St. Francis, and St. Augustine say that this is a new imposition,
and that it cannot be collected. They do so, because there is nothing
else in which they can oppose the government. These Indians, Sire,
formerly cultivated their lands, and they served the Spaniards for
what the latter chose to pay them, on the ships and in other kinds
of service; but now, as they have become slothful and do not render
these services, they purchase these negro slaves and use them for
making money--with which gains they pay their tributes and support
themselves. It stands to reason that since the Indian slaves of these
people pay the tribute as their masters do, the negro slaves should
do the same. Your Majesty will be pleased to command that this matter
be considered, and to give me such orders as shall be most expedient
for the service of your Majesty--whose Catholic person may our Lord
preserve in your greatness, as Christendom has need. Manila, June 30,
in the year 1636. Sire, your vassal kisses your Majesty's feet.