LETTER FROM FELICIAXO CIEZA a.d. 



1597- 



to your Majestic, and not unto the Friers. But the 

 Governour hath written a letter unto me, signifying 

 that he hath pronounced a sentence against me in the 

 Friers behalfe, which is this. The King our master 

 hath sent a decree and certaine statutes touching the good 

 government and orders to be executed and kept in those 

 Indian townes : and that upon sight hereof I shall 

 presently banish all the Mamalukes and white men 

 which dwell in any of those Indian townes with all 

 speede, and that none of them from hence forward shall 

 enter into the said villages, without commandement and 

 consent of the said Friers. So this sentence was pre- 

 sented unto me by the Reverend father Custodio, Prior 

 of Sant Anton of Brasil, with a further postscript of the 

 governour importing these words ; I doe likewise charge 

 and commaund you the Governour of Parajua, that 

 presently upon sight hereof you shall restore those 

 villages and houses which you have burned and de- 

 stroyed in the last warres, and likewise the towne of T^he towne of 

 S. Augustine, and that you shall build them againe at ^- ^^8,^^^^^^- 

 your owne proper cost and charges : for the Friers 

 alleage that these townes were given them, by a decree 

 sent them from Pope Pius Quintus, that the said Friers 

 should governe and rule them. 



On the other side I have pronounced another sentence 

 against the said Friers, in your Majesties name, and 

 for your Majestic, alleaging that those townes, villages, 

 and subjects appcrtaine and belong unto your Majestic, 

 and that^ in temporall causes I am to punish those 

 offenders, which shall rebell against your Majestic : and 

 as touching ecclesiastical causes that the Vicar of this 

 Cathedrall church shall rule, governe and instruct them 

 in the Christian religion. So we both have appealed 

 unto your Majestic herein, and your Majestic may peruse 

 all our writings, and then determine that which shall 

 be best and most profitable for your Majesties service 

 and enlargement of your crownc. For through these 

 broyles the inhabitants of this Parajua forsake their houses 



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