Jesus, Mary

May all empires and kingdoms be made subject to your royal Majesty.  We were sent here by the great king, Don Felipe, our sovereign (may he rest in peace), by his royal decree and favor he ordering the governor and royal Audiencia to receive us under his royal protection as nuns of the first rule of St. Clare, [22] so that the daughters of the conquistadors who do not have the means for marriage may be aided; and [it was ordered] that, when the provincial of our order should be present they should make regulations according to our rule and profession—­his royal Majesty ordering the above with the earnestness that is made evident in his decree.  We have found in this kingdom so friendly a disposition and so great abundance of what is necessary (with which we are supplied in the city), that although at present we number only thirty-three sisters, seventy could be supported on the alms that are bestowed upon us every week in small contributions—­besides those given in quantity by private persons and bequeathed to us in wills; and those from women who are admitted to the order, who have wealth for this purpose.

Our rule declares that we may not solicit the property of those who enter to become nuns, and we are not to be careful of aught else than their virtues; but that if any one of these wishes to give some alms of her own freewill, we may receive it, as from any other person.  Consequently, having observed faithfully this rule—­I mean, in not desiring or striving for any more than the said benefit (and we exercise great care in this)—­our Lord moves hearts, so that one woman alone has given us fourteen thousand pesos.  With that the work on the convent is progressing.  Other women who are about to make profession say that they will give the same amount that they would give their husbands if they married; and that, since God is their spouse, they wish to give it to Him so that a convent capable of sustaining many nuns may be built, so that they may serve his Majesty.  Some have as their dowry only the spiritual wealth that the rule requires.  Consequently, there are liable to be many orphan girls who serve God, daughters and granddaughters of conquistadors, who are calling aloud, and they refuse to allow them to enter.  It is a pity to see so pious desires disappointed.  I petition your Majesty to send me a royal decree that no limit shall be set to the number of nuns that the convent may contain.  The rule does not limit the number, nor does any other convent throughout all these kingdoms.  The city is very rich, and food so cheap that fourteen libras of beef cost one real; another real buys eight libras of fish; six libras of sugar, one real; and fowls, salt pork, and all other things in the same proportion; of salt alone, they have given us, on this last arrival of the ships, three hundred and seventy baras [i.e., bahars]; also a goodly supply of wine for the mass; and linen, which is very cheap.