This decree ordained that the archbishop should make all the efforts that he possibly could to maintain at their studies such Indians of the islands as were inclined to that pursuit, and in due time should promote them to holy orders, when he found them properly instructed; and that for this purpose some boys should enter the colleges that the Dominicans and Jesuits maintain, until a seminary be founded. The archbishop stated the little inclination that the Indians have for theological and moral studies, and that there was the additional difficulty of their evil customs, their vices, and their preconceived ideas--which made it necessary to treat them as children, even when they were fifty or sixty years old. He considered even the sons of Spaniards, born in the islands, unsuitable for priests, since they were reared by Indian or slave women, because of their defective training and education in youth. Finally, on account of the sloth produced by the climate, and of effeminacy and levity of disposition, it was evident that if they were ordained priests and made ministers to the Indians when they were not sufficiently qualified therefor, through the necessity there was for them, they did not again open a book, and with their vicious habits set a very bad example to their parishioners. That which should be done was to send from España those religious who were most zealous for the conversion of souls. [92] ROYAL DECREE CONCERNING NATIVE SCHOOLS 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,