many other very excellent qualities; and he is a very suitable man for your Majesty to confer upon him the dignity that he holds, or what should afterward become vacant in this church, and even of anything of greater importance.  He has not been graduated; for since the permission that is expected for the foundation of a university (which is the intention of the college of the Society of Jesus) has not yet reached this city, he has not yet had the opportunity to receive a degree.  I have employed him in the capacity of my provisor [9] and vicar-general where he is of great help, for he is a man of considerable business capacity. [Marginal note:  “Seen.”]

About seven months ago the governor presented Juan de Miranda for a racion that was vacant.  He is a good ecclesiastic and necessary for that ministry; for setting aside his virtue, example, and good life, he is an excellent singer, and has been reared from childhood in this church.  Accordingly I gave him the office very willingly.  I petition your Majesty to be pleased to confirm it. [Marginal note:  “Seen.”]

It often happens that certain individuals, depending on their favor at court, try to obtain prebends and dignities from your Majesty which they do not merit.  They are of such a sort that I am told of persons who even do not know Latin.  They hope to be preferred to those who have spent all their lives in study.  It would be of great importance for the prelate and cabildo of the district of the said ecclesiastics to inform your Majesty for these appointments, so that, having that information, the most advisable measures for the service of God and that of your Majesty may be taken. [Marginal note:  “Seen.”]

During the month of last December, an ecclesiastic named Don Patricio Arcaya de Guevara, a native of Murcia, left this country for those regions [of Europe] via India.  The governor was accompanied by him when he came here, and presented him for the treasurership of this holy church; and in fact he served therein ad interim, although the governor did not know then that he had been expelled from the Order of St. Augustine in the province of Andalucia, and that he was living in this country incontinently and with reproach, and with less discretion than was fitting.  I inform your Majesty, for, according to his resolve, he was going to ask for a dignity in this or some other church of the Yndias, for which he is not fit. [Marginal note:  “It is well.  Attention will be given to this in the office, if the papers regarding this man are sent.”]

The wretchedness and misery suffered by my poor ecclesiastics in this my archbishopric is very great, because of their number having increased rapidly in these latter years, on account of the college and seminary of the Society of Jesus, and the care that has been taken therein to maintain its studies—­teaching in the classes Latin, the arts, and theology; besides the students who are being reared in the college of