The great service which the Society of Jesus is performing for God and your Majesty in the conversion of souls is well known.  But they cannot continue to prosecute what has hitherto been done in this province because of their lack of workers; for many have succumbed to the hardships of their ministry, while others are crippled and incapacitated from helping in the missions.  Consequently there is need of a goodly shipment of these servants of God to be sent, who so edify and instruct by their good example and learning.  For this purpose, the order is sending Father Francisco Gutierrez as their procurator-general.  I humbly petition your Majesty to be pleased to order that he be despatched here, so that this so urgent need may be supplied. [Marginal note: “Have us reminded of this at the time, if the Society should request it.”]

The other orders, those of St. Augustine, St. Dominic, and St. Francis, experience the same lack of religious.  They have their procurators at that court.  Will your Majesty be pleased to have them given a goodly number of religious, so that they may attend to their ministries. [Marginal note:  “Have us reminded in due season.”]

The hospitals—­of which I am informing your Majesty in a separate letter—­need the efforts of the brethren of [St.] John of God, so that the sick may be treated as is fitting, and which is the chief object of those brethren.  Hitherto the discalced Franciscan religious of this province have had charge of their spiritual matters.  As that is not one of their vows, and they do not have charge of temporal matters, the sick have suffered greatly.  Accordingly, should your Majesty be pleased to send some of those brethren from that country, and to order them to take charge of the administration of these hospitals, it would be a very great service to our Lord. [Marginal note:  “Observe what is decreed regarding this matter.”]

The official investigations that are made in the royal Audiencia are made with so little secrecy that the parties interested know the witnesses and their depositions.  The same occurs in the letters of recommendation that are obtained from the cabildos and from some orders—­which the interested party takes to them, made out as they desire, and only asks for their signatures.  These are obtained easily, whence follow the sinister reports that they give your Majesty, to the harm of the public welfare. [Marginal note:  “It is well.  Let us be advised of this on the occasions that arise.”]

Although this royal Audiencia by right should attend the principal feasts at the cathedral, they have not done so; nor have I seen them attend in a body since I took up the government of this church—­now upwards of a year—­except once only.  That was on St. Andrew’s day, when a prayer was made for the coming of the ships from Mexico.  I do not know whether the reason has been the want of harmony between the governor and the auditors,