Madrid, January 14, 1620.
+ _Francisco de Otaco_ Decree Ordering Reforms in the Friars' Treatment of the Indians The King: To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia which resides in the city of Manila of the Philipinas Islands.

I have been informed of great transgressions committed by certain religious in making repartimientos for their works on the Indians; and that the religious take, for their support, from the natives their fowls and other food at less [than the just] price, and practice on them injuries and annoyances for their own gains.

And inasmuch as it is advisable to correct this, by ordering that the religious shall not use the Indians, unless they pay them their just wage; and that, except by license of you my governor, they shall not make repartimientos on the Indians or oblige them to render service: therefore, my royal Council of the Indias having examined the matter, I have considered it fitting to have the present issued, by which I order you to attend to the above matter in the assembly of the Audiencia there.

And in what concerns my royal patronage, my royal fiscal of my Audiencia shall prosecute as he may deem best, so that those impositions and injuries may cease.

The visitors and corregidors of the districts shall take especial care to prohibit them, and shall reform those who shall be guilty.