is concerned with the collections of tribute, in that in confession you should deny absolution to anyone who confesses that he has not fulfilled well the charge of an estate. I do not know whether you, as bishop, can command the confessors that they all should refuse absolution in this or that case, provided the said confessors and your Lordship be of the same opinion and doctrine. As for special commission, I do not know if your Lordship have one, unless it be in the unruly and unpacified encomiendas. With this supposition there remains to your Lordship no other foundation on which to act. Neither does his Majesty commit it to you, nor do I find how your Lordship can be occupied in dealing with [_illegible in MS._] more than to give your opinion on it; and here ends the prerogative which your Lordship can claim in this matter. You make strenuous efforts in what does not properly concern you, and fail to remedy what is most necessary and close to your office, which is what I mentioned above about religious instruction. I beg of your Lordship that, putting aside human considerations, you order that this be attended to, which the good of these souls demands with [_illegible in MS._] necessity. Since in this way there are needs now, there will be at least many more. Meanwhile, until ministers are provided more liberally from Spain, let them all get along as best they can, and accommodate themselves, establishing houses wherever they wish to, and where no better opportunity is to be expected. God knows that this does not [_illegible in MS._] your Lordship, because you interfere with my office. As far as this is concerned, if I could [_illegible in MS_.] with it and my commission, or even give it all to your Lordship, and perform my duty, [I would ask (?) _--illegible in MS._] your Lordship to do it, if it were not for the obstacle which that would put in the way of the careful guidance and [_illegible in MS._] who manage affairs. Neither does your Lordship resolve to order that, on account of the great lack of religious ministers which exists, provision may be made in the encomiendas that laymen of good life and example may instruct the Indians, bringing them thus to a knowledge of the true God, as well as into friendship and intercourse with us. From this would result at least the favorable disposition which you wish them to have for the time when there may be religious instruction for them, as his Majesty orders in his charge regarding presentations. I have proposed this to your Lordship on several occasions, but you do not set about it or reply to it. Since your Lordship [knows(?) _--illegible in MS._] what persons will be fitted for this ministry, I beg you to tell me of some who are suitable; for, as I am new here, am not as well able to [select them(?)--_illegible in MS._] properly; and those whom I brought and know are occupied in other duties and neither [know(?)] the language nor are acquainted with the country.