The devotion, sire, to the most holy sacrament had greatly fallen into disuse in this city, just as if we who are its residents had not come from the Christian country of Espana.  Consequently, as soon as I entered upon the government of this church, I endeavored to promote this observance, and exerted all my effort and strength—­so that, by the goodness of God, this devotion is being introduced in good earnest, being aided by the indulgences that our most holy father [i.e., probably Pope Paul V] conceded at the instance of your Majesty; and there are few persons who do not have those indulgences in their houses, through an edition that I caused to be printed in order that all might receive the benefit of them. [Marginal note:  “That it is well, and that thanks are given him for his care in this matter; and that he continue thus, since it is a matter that is so important.”]

The principal feast [i.e., Corpus Christi] of this revered and admirable sacrament cannot be held at its season, as the universal Church has ordained, because then the rainy or winter season begins in these regions.  Consequently, but seldom has the weather given opportunity to hold the procession in the streets, nor can the streets be draped or adorned.  It would be a very great consolation, if your Majesty would be pleased to obtain a brief from his Holiness, in which he concedes us authority in these islands to anticipate the feast of the most holy sacrament, [celebrating it] on the Thursday after the octave of Easter; or otherwise, that this feast may come later—­as his Holiness conceded for all of Yndia, in order to hold it at the most convenient season, since its own time came during the rainy season; in both regions the same reasons and obstacles occur so that the feast cannot be celebrated with due and proper observance.  I am enclosing to your Majesty a copy of the brief cited. [Marginal note:  “Have a letter sent to the ambassador at Roma, giving him an account of this section, and sending him a copy of the brief here cited, in order that he may petition it from his Holiness; for it is a matter that should be solemnized with so great propriety.  Send a letter to the archbishop, telling him that a request to this effect has already been made, and that he will be advised of the answer.”]

The poverty of this cathedral is so great that it has had no revenue with which to furnish not only a reredos, or the necessary ornaments as regards the colors of the seasons, but also a veil to cover the altar during Lent.  On Palm Sunday the two prebendaries who accompanied me as assistants, when I performed the pontifical office on that day, wore cloaks of different color from what they should have worn, as we did not have the right ones in the church.  For as the church has not a single real of income, nor has had hitherto any other aid than the alms that the inhabitants have given it, it suffers the need of which I speak.  The royal Audiencia has investigated