Fray Miguel, archbishop.  Before me:  Licentiate Alonso Ramirez

[Father Fray Alonso de Valdemoro, definitor of the province of San Gregorio, was then president and minister of the mission and ministry of Dilao.  In consequence of the aforesaid, the archbishop having ordered him to open the sacristy, in order to inspect the holy sacrament, and to examine the adornment that was there, he said that he could not do it.  Notwithstanding that reply, the prelate ordered him once more to open the sacristy, where the most holy sacrament was kept, in order that he might proceed with the said visit, “which he was to obey immediately under penalty of the greater excommunication, latae sententiae ipso facto incurrenaa, and four years’ suspension from the office of the ministry of souls.”  The father minister, having been informed of the act, insisted on his reply, basing his action on the pontifical privileges of his order.  In respect to the royal decrees, he said that he was obeying them, but that it was necessary that they should be communicated to his own regular superior, who had the right of answering them; “and consequently, that in virtue of the said briefs, by which he is exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishops in regard to the ministry and visit that his Excellency intends to make; and by law, inasmuch as he is not the archbishop’s sheep or subject, the said excommunication ... does not oblige or bind him.  Accordingly, let his most illustrious Lordship determine that matter with his superior, whom the said father is bound to obey; and, while this matter is not clear, he does not consider as harmful the penalties and censures imposed by his Excellency.  He affixed his signature, witnesses being Captain Gregorio de Galarca, Alferez Antonio de Viana, and Don Melchor de Valdes, and many other persons.

Fray Alonso de Valdemoro, definitor.

Before me, and I attest it: 

Licentiate Alonso Ramirez”

Thereupon the archbishop ordered his notary to read the act passed on the twenty-second of the same month, “in which is discussed the right of his Excellency to make this visitation.  Together with it the archbishop ordered the clause of the brief of Gregory Fourteenth to be read and communicated to him, which treats of this visitation and the decrees of his Majesty which are in these acts, so that the said father should not pretend ignorance of it.  Thus did he order, and he affixed his signature.

Fray Miguel, archbishop.”

The definitor responded “that in consideration of the fact that when his Holiness concedes any indult, and orders any new mandate, he is seen to address himself, as is his constant custom, to the chief men, to whom it pertains to carry out any new mandate, the same law extends to the decrees sent by his Majesty, which are directed to the chief persons, to whom it pertains to answer the said decrees and mandates of