5.  I am ordered by the third clause to expend, in the construction and erection of the cathedral church of Manila, twelve thousand ducats, to be apportioned in three parts—­namely, between your Majesty, the encomenderos, and the Indians; two thousand ducats of your Majesty’s share to be advanced from the royal treasury of Mexico.  I could not collect these two thousand ducats from Mexico, as the decrees to that effect sent to me at Sevilla did not come as they should have done; and therefore the officers of the royal exchequer there would not give me the money.  When I came here I found that the work on the church had been going on for three years, and there had been spent on it eight thousand pesos, received from assessments on the three parties—­namely, your Majesty, the encomenderos, and the Indians.  There had been poor management of the expenditure of this money, as very large salaries were paid to those engaged on the work.  Had not some reform been inaugurated, most of the money would have gone for salaries.  The building is being carried on as rapidly as possible, although there are other large undertakings hereabout—­namely, the fortifications and other public works of the city.  The greatest lack felt is that of people; but nevertheless I expect, God willing, that in a month from this date, mass can be said in the cathedral.  The two aisles are already covered over, and the chapel will be finished for Corpus Christi, and the rest by Christmas. [Marginal note: “Thank him for the care he has used, and tell him to continue the same.”]

6.  In this fourth clause of the instruction, your Majesty orders me to provide most carefully for the hospital for the Spaniards in this city, and that all due hospitality be observed there.  The same is to be done in the hospital for the Indians.  The hospital for the Spaniards is to be endowed with one thousand pesos of income, and that for the Indians with five hundred ducats, from the first repartimientos that may be vacant.  Your Majesty gives as alms to the one four hundred ducats, and to the other two hundred, from the royal treasury of Mexico, which also was not paid, owing to the same difficulty of my not receiving the proper decree.  This hospital is one of the good and necessary pious works of the islands.  As there are here no doctors or medicines, conveniences or cleanliness for the cure of Spaniards, it is a usual practice and universal remedy for all to go to the hospital whenever ill.  Thus with all possible care and cleanliness the poor soldiers and other Spaniards are attended.  The rich go also, as there are no conveniences elsewhere.  The rich pay the hospital for treatment and medicines, and some persons even give alms.  In fulfilment of your Majesty’s commands I have already endowed the hospital for the Spaniards with the thousand pesos of income, and that for the Indians with the five hundred ducats.  I have not given the alms because, as I have said, I did not collect it in Mexico for