Indian Towns, 1570 
101 
province of Nueva Galicia. When they have been so placed, as they 
should be in our name, you will at once order that, without excuse or 
delay whatsoever, there shall, in conformity with this contract, be delivered 
to Gonzalo López or whoever holds his power of attorney, all the revenue 
from the above-mentioned Indians during the two years of the license 
which he took for the purpose of going to those kingdoms and staying 
there, as well as for the three years’ extension which was conceded to 
him by us at various times, reserving nothing whatever for ourselves or 
any person whatsoever, notwithstanding that he may not have embarked 
for and gone to that land to reside among his Indians within the space 
of the last extension of time allowed, or that he may not have given the 
securities demanded by the contract; for, in this respect, we free him 
from whatever obligation toward us is commanded and ordered, the 
remainder of the contract to remain in full force and vigor, provided 
that if anyone shall have collected the said tributes for the whole or part 
of the five years, the said Gonzalo López shall have his money without 
injury or diminution, but we shall not be obligated for the payment of it 
or security for it. You will also turn over or cause to be turned over to 
him all the tributes which the Indians have or may have paid during the 
above-mentioned year of extension during which, by the terms of the 
extended contract, he is to enjoy such tributes. First, however, you will 
deposit them in our royal treasury after having deducted from the gross 
receipts whatever has been necessary for the Christian instruction, ad¬ 
ministration, and preservation of the Indians; and when the six years are 
concluded you, the royal treasury officers of the province of Nueva 
Galicia, will collect for us all the revenue which the Indians produce, 
just as the revenues are collected elsewhere in that land from Indians 
under our royal crown. All this you will do and comply with, notwith¬ 
standing he may not go to reside for the prescribed year among his 
Indians; this none of you shall fail to do, under penalty of loss of our 
favor and a fine of one hundred thousand maravedís to be applied to the 
account of our [cámara]. Dated in Madrid, February 10, 1567. I the 
King. Signed by Eraso and countersigned by him. 
[Royal order ] commanding that the Indians of Nueva Galicia he gathered 
into towns, where they may live under an organized government. 
[■ 1570 ■] 
The King. To our oidores, alcaldes mayores of the Audiencia of the 
province of Nueva Galicia: Juan de la Peña, in the name of the council 
of justice and government of the city of Guadalajara, has made a report 
to me saying that because the Indian inhabitants of the province are not 
gathered into towns where they may have political government, much 
harm is done and many difficulties arise in their conversion and indoctri¬ 
nation, and they are not taught to live under the control and ordered 
system conducive to their salvation and welfare. For, scattered as they 
are over the mountains and deserts, the religious are unable to go every- 
