Don Pedro de Arce, bishop of Cibu, declares that his predecessor, Don Pedro de Agurto, first bishop of that province, appointed and named canons and dignidades, although without any stipend, to serve in his cathedral church, without your Majesty’s order.  By his death the said canons and dignidades claimed the right to govern in the vacant see of the said bishopric; while the archbishop of Manila also claimed the right to place a government there himself.  Since many opposing ideas have been expressed among the theologians regarding this matter, I supplicate your Majesty to have the goodness to order what procedure must be observed in this, and whether such canons and dignidades constitute and hold the force of a cabildo, or not, so that, at any event, suits and dissensions may be avoided; and it will receive favor. [In the margin:  “Have all the documents that bear upon this argument collected, and have the fiscal examine them all, and let action be taken according to his declaration.  May 4, 619.”]

The fiscal declares that no other papers than this petition were brought to him.  So far as can be judged from this statement alone, those who are referred to as canons and dignidades are not such, nor can they be such.  In order to determine what further measures it it advisable to take, it is necessary that the governor and archbishop of Manila investigate the matter.  Madrid, May 28, 1619.

As the fiscal says, and until they investigate, let a decree be framed ordering what the bishops must observe in appointing the canons, when they are not appointed by his Majesty and a cabildo is not formed.  June first, 619.

Sire: 

Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Cibu, in the Filipinas Islands, declares that, at your Majesty’s order, and for the welfare of his Lord, he came to govern the archbishopric of Manila because of the death of the archbishop, Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado; and inasmuch as the stipend given us by your Majesty is slight, and we have to keep a house and servants in that city with suitable dignity and propriety, he laid a petition before your royal Audiencia of those islands, which was then governing, asking that he be given the stipend given to the archbishop.  Having called a meeting of the treasury, as your Majesty commands by your royal decrees, they voted to give him, as a gratification, the third part of the salary given the archbishop, as appears by the testimony that he presents.  He petitions your Majesty to grant him the grace, because of his many expenses there, to confirm that action, so that the royal officials who shall pay it shall not be responsible for those expenses; and thereby he will receive favor.

[Endorsed: “Have the fiscal examine it.  May 4, 1619.”]

The fiscal declares that, although the Audiencia and council of the treasury could not do this, and although they petitioned it, they ought to declare that it was to be understood if confirmed by the Council.  Their motive may be found just; and did it appear so to the Council, then they might approve and confirm it.  Madrid, May 28, 1619. [In the margin:  “Let a decree be despatched in accordance with the fiscal’s declaration.  June first, 1619.”]