1. Whether in view of the writ of foundation of the college-university of Santo Tomás, which is enclosed, the ministry has the right to reorganize education therein, without taking account of the religious corporation of the Dominicans. 2. Whether, in case of a ministerial resolution, contrary to the native autonomy of the said college, the latter may offer opposition by legal means, and what would be the most efficacious method. Decision The foundation of the college of Santo Tomás, which seems to have been commenced under the advocacy of our Lady of the Rosary, in Manila, was ordained by a writ of April 28, 1611, before the notary of his Majesty, Juan Yllán, in order to observe the last will of the deceased archbishop, Fray Miguel de Benavides; and to the new institution were applied besides, the few resources which the latter left, and others also modest, which proceeded from the estates of Pablo Rodriguez de Aranjo and Anfrés de Hermosa. There were hopes that new liberalities would augment the capital of so useful a work. Its origin is, then, entirely private. Section 1 of the said foundation spiritualized the properties and their future increases, so that use might be made of them under such concept for the ministry of the college, and the welfare of the souls of the three deceased testators, and of future benefactors. Section 2 entrusted the management to the then or future father provincial of the Order of Preachers of St. Dominic. Section 3 gave the government correction, and instruction of the college to the prior of the convent of that order in Manila. Section 4 allowed the provincial, as patron, to appoint the lecturers who were to give the instruction, and the workmen and helpers necessary for the good administration and for the temporal government, except that if any ecclesiastical or secular person were to endow the college with a large sum, the chapter of the province could give him the patronage, provided that he did not introduce any innovation, contrary to the authority of the father provincial in respect to the provision of lectures, or withdraw the college from the Order and province [of the Preachers], or deprive the prior of the management. Section 5 established that the arts and sciences should always be read and taught in the college by the religious of the province and Order [of the Preachers], and not by any other order, or by seculars. The same was true in regard to the religious pupils, and for the secular collegiates. Section 6 permitted the admission of bequests, gifts, and other aids weighted with charges of piety, which the convent was to fulfil and observe [levantaria]. Section 7 gave to the provincial chapter the power to make new rules and regulations, both in regard to the distribution and administration of the properties, and in what related to the ministry and instruction, and to appoint a rector. Those rules once made were not to be changed without the special authority and order of his Holiness.