It is right and necessary for the mother churches to have in their own body very eminent men, and no one is eminent ordinarily but those who have taught and held professorships. Fifth, the religious will be well able to teach theology and the arts, but canons and laws, which, particularly the canons, are also necessary for churches and for the community, cannot be taught by religious. And, in fact, the custom of the Catholic church has always been to leave in the universities, especially in those which are located in the capitals of notable provinces, as is that of this country, the door open to seculars and to religious, and to all, in order that they may compete for the professorships. This custom has always been observed by the Catholic sovereigns of Castilla, not only in Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcalá, and in the other parts of España, but also in the Yndias. Considering these so forcible reasons, which are laid at your Majesty's feet, we petition that your Majesty do not allow a university to be conceded to a religious order, although any ask it, and that the secular estate be not so abased in these islands that we should be excluded from a thing which has always been so common and so peculiar to the seculars in the Church. And if, for the present, your Majesty should be pleased to commission some religious to lecture in arts and theology, we know that there are religious in these islands who are friends of sane doctrines, and hostile to all innovation, and zealous for the honor of God, who will attend to this ministry without it being necessary for them (nor do they wish it) to meddle in giving degrees, but who only wish to be useful and to teach. If your Majesty would be so pleased, we believe that it would be very suitable for such persons to be appointed until there be more people to study, and that you be informed by the archbishop of this city, and should it appear fitting, by the governor together with him. Such appointees should not necessarily be of one order merely, but from those which the archbishop shall deem best, and your Majesty should order that very learned persons, and those inclined to simple doctrines be chosen. By so doing this will be fulfilled until such time that your Majesty shows us the grace of placing this in greater perfection and in such form that we seculars may have a place according to the merits of each one. May God preserve your Majesty many years, as is petitioned in this holy church ceaselessly. Manila, July twelve, one thousand six hundred and one. The vassals and chaplains of your Majesty. Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila. Archdeacon Arellano Santiago de Castro, chanter of Manila. Juan de Paz, canon. Diego de Leon, canon. Juan Galindo de Mesas Cristoval Ramirez de Cartagena Paulo Ruiz de Talavera Crisanto de Tamayo Lorenço Martinez Peñas Francisco de Carrança [On envelope: "Manila, to his Majesty. 1601. The ecclesiastical cabildo. July 12."]