One of the things which this cathedral has considered, and considers, intolerable, is that it always has to be governed by friars. That is a matter that has in itself many grave inconveniences, that would take long to relate in a letter which demands brevity. We wish only for your Majesty to understand and to be assured that the seculars can be better governed than any other clergy; and that they live with greater quietness and peace, not only in their souls and spiritual government, but in what concerns the temporal. Not only do the seculars recognize this, but the religious themselves; for the secular is always in the midst of affairs, while the friar must necessarily incline himself to his order and to those with whom he has been reared. It would be worse if such a person had not been, in his order, of much learning and of known virtues, but rather the contrary. Your Majesty will consider the estimation that all will have for such a man who knew him before. When this is so, it does not result to edification, which is your Majesty's intent, but to depreciation of and contempt for the episcopal dignity, which requires the highest perfection. God our Lord would be greatly pleased if the honors, dignities, and prelacies of this country be given to those who have served and labored in it. From that three blessings of high importance will follow. The first, that your Majesty will have fulfilled your obligation in accordance with the excellent principle of distributive justice. Thus have our sovereigns Kings Philipo Second and Third, of glorious memory, your Majesty's grand-father and father, ruled, ordered, and commanded in their royal patronage. And most certain can your Majesty be that there have always been and there are now men worthy, capable, and of great talents, from whom much may be expected, both in this cabildo and in the orders--especially that of St. Dominic and that of St. Francis; but, since they do not try to obtain the prebendaries of this church, never will their affairs be known, nor will any of them ever be seen in that royal court, for neither can they go, nor do they possess the wherewithal to send. These arguments will have greater force and power in the future, because of the two universities which your Majesty has permitted in this city--one in the residence of the Society of Jesus, and the other in that of Santo Tomas of the Dominican friars, where students are being trained and many graduated. Thus this city is today full of poverty-stricken seculars, and one must fear that there will be so many within a few years that they will die of hunger, because we have not any benefices to give them in this archbishopric or throughout the islands; for these are held by friars, who cost your Majesty so dearly. It is very desirable to refrain from sending many of the religious who come from Espana, which is an argument worthy of much consideration. [_In the margin_: "That great care will be