and that payment be not deferred or delayed for any reason or cause.  For, if the requisite system and order be observed in this, there can be no lack of money; but, on the contrary, I think there will be a great superabundance, if it is not spent for other things.  Will your Majesty order that this be not done for any reason whatever—­unless, on some occasion, after the third due has been paid to the soldiers, it may be necessary to spend some of the money; but the pay shall be left sure and certain, so that it be not wanting or payment delayed.  This would be a great injury, and would cause or create risk of many wrongs, and troubles of great consequence.  I say once more, Sire, that it is very important and very necessary that your Majesty order this strictly under severe penalties, in order that it may be observed and obeyed promptly—­without admitting, under any consideration, any excuses fof failure to perform it; for this would be greatly against the service of God and of your Majesty, as the cause and occasion of many wrongs, offenses, and evil deeds, as well as of wretchedness.

Whether the soldiers’ pay be raised or not, it would also be a great relief and assistance in many cases of need (which are usual in this community), if your Majesty, for the love and service of our Lord and that of your Majesty, would at least be pleased to institute in the hospital—­inasmuch as there is a hospital for soldiers, and the sick poor—­or in La Misericordia, a separate lodging and quarters for needy well people.  Those there who have not the means to obtain food, should at least be given one meal a day.  By such a course many needy Spaniards and soldiers could be aided and relieved in their most pressing necessity, and would not die of hunger, or have to commit thefts or other evil acts, which cause their death and decrease.  In this your Majesty and this country are heavy losers, on account of both the expense of bringing the soldiers here, and the want and need of soldiers.  The above could be done at but little expense, by using for this purpose the said thousand pesos for gratuities that your Majesty orders granted annually, inasmuch as the amount of gratuity paid to one person does not exceed ten pesos.  This sum is of no moment or great value, if spent in that way, and amounts to nothing at all.  But if spent as suggested above, it will be of much more use to many, and those the most necessitous, and, in addition, to the service of God and your Majesty.  And by adding eight hundred and twenty-five or thirty pesos more, from whatever fund your Majesty may be pleased, five pesos can be spent every day in the year on providing a good and substantial meal for about sixty people.  In short, this would prove of great relief and assistance, and it can also be done by no means or method with more security, than by your Majesty’s putting it in charge of the Confraternity of La Misericordia, if you are pleased so to command.  It would be well even to grant a considerable amount; for everything the brotherhood puts hand to is to the great glory and service of God, and of your Majesty, and the welfare of all this land.  It could attend to this also, which is of great importance.  Will your Majesty command that the plan most in conformity to your inclinations be adopted therein.