Consequently, the ships sail laden
more with the curses of the poor than with merchandise. That is the
greatest pity, and this evil is worthy of reform. Never has that been
punished. The reform that can be established is, that the overseers
who shall be appointed to assist in the said lading, be appointed by
open cabildo; and should such persons refuse the post, they shall be
compelled to accept it. If they are chosen in this manner, a mistake
cannot be made in the election, since all are known. The governor
shall confirm the choice, and he will thus be exempted from trouble
and will be freed by this from the complaints that he generally incurs,
because the blame is always laid on him. Certainly it belongs to him,
since, he does not appoint those that he should, but whomever he
wishes to advantage, who are at times his own servants.
_Item_: That the said ships are very ill provided with the ship-stores
necessary for the sailors; and on that account the poor sailors spend
their wages in buying provisions for the voyage. That is a great
abuse, and for that reason the ships are also overladen. Likewise
they should carry some fowls for those who fall sick, especially the
Indian common seamen, who are treated like dogs. The Spanish sailors
are more accustomed to provide such things for themselves. Inasmuch
as that voyage is so long, and no fresh provisions can be obtained on
the way, very many fall sick. For a remedy to that, God has placed,
midway in the sea and on the voyage, an island that serves as an inn
in the middle of their way, just as the Portuguese in their voyage
have one at the island of Santa Elena, where they get fresh food.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315