Although in regard to those who are recently enslaved, and are known, reform is easy, still regarding the many held from former times, the bishop and all his assistants are in great doubt and perplexity, because, on the one hand, they see that the Indians possess and inherit the slaves from their parents and grandparents, while on the other, the ecclesiastics are certain that none, or almost none, of the slaves were made so justly.

Therefore, hardly any learned and conscientious religious is willing, not only to absolve, but even to baptize or marry the Indian, unless he gives up his slaves; for these generally are, or were, stolen from other countries, or taken in unjustifiable petty warfare, or made slaves for very small debts--of which the majority admit no other payment than their enslavement--others by usury and barter according to their custom, and by other methods, even more unjust than these.

It is necessary for his Majesty to ordain some method so that, now and henceforth, at least those who are under our control, may make no more slaves; that children born to those who are now slaves, or appear to be slaves, should be born free; that those that wish to redeem themselves may do so at a price adjudged reasonable by arbitrators; and that those held at present may not be sold to pagans, or to Indians not subject to his Majesty.
6.

_The annoyances to the Indians from lawsuits and the preparation therefor._ Sixth: His Majesty should prevent the annoyances and troubles suffered by the Indians from the ministers of justice--alcaldes-mayor, deputies, notaries, and alguazils--by the many suits that they stir up among them, not only about events occurring since the advent of the Spaniards and a government, but also about events of former days, occurring in their heathen condition, and regarding their ancestors; these may be either civil or criminal.

And these are not summary cases, but are conducted with all the preparation made in a chancilleria of Espana; and as the ministers of justice and their assistants are so many (and as there are so many alguazils, attorneys, secretaries, reporters, summoners, notaries, clerks, and servants of all these--_Madrid MS._), and the Indians are so poor, ignorant, and cowardly, the latter spend their entire substance (all they have is quickly consumed--_Madrid MS._), and they are left without any property or any conclusion to the suit, which keeps them frightened and uneasy.