ABSTRACT
For, although this land was so newly occupied and cultivated, it was one of the best and most populous to be found in all the Indies, and well supplied with fine fruits because, although we did not know whether it were Your Majesty's intention to carry this establishment on, we who live here had been so much inspired by the harvest obtained in the conversion of the natives (p. 2) to God's service that we were encouraged to build houses which, although made of wood, were expensive because so good. All this, by Your Majesty's most Christian favour, enjoyed for so long, had laid the good commencement and foundation which was to be anticipated-the first fruits and reward which God prepared for him who is accustomed to labour for the exaltation of His holy faith. And if perchance because
