The college was founded by the corporation of the Dominicans in 1612, and its foundation approved by King Felipe IV, in December, 1623, [77] as appears from the Recopilación de las Indias (ley liii, título xxii, libro i). It was declared a university by brief of his Holiness, Innocent X, in 1645, and King Carlos II received it under his protection and royal patronage in 1680. Finally, King Carlos III, by a decree of March 7, 1785, conferred on it the title of Royal, giving it the titles and honors of the universities of the Spanish monarchy. The collegiates with beca (free) numbered thirty-six in 1896. Pupils matriculated in 1896 in the different courses Courses Degrees conferred Course in Theology 15 2 ,, ,, Canons 7 3 ,, ,, Jurisprudence 1,298 17 ,, ,, the Profession of Notary 244 4 ,, ,, Medicine 857 8 ,, ,, Pharmacy 169 2 ,, ,, Philosophy and Letters 160 ,, ,, Sciences 54 Practitioners of Medicine 205 ,, ,, Pharmacy 38 Midwives 12 ----- ---- Total 3,059 [36] College of San Juan de Letrán [78] This college was founded under the title of San Pedro y San Pablo in the year 1640, for the purpose of giving primary instruction to the poor and orphaned children of Spanish parents. The most reverend master-general, Fray Tomás Turco, confirmed its erection in 1644. The provincial chapter of 1652 accepted it as a house of the province at the request of the governor-general with the approbation of the archbishop of Manila. In the year 1683, it was called the college of San Juan de Letrán, and it has been so called to our day. [79] Course for 1896-1897 Rector and father professors 13 Brother masters of primary instruction 4 Resident [internos] collegiates 220 Half Resident ,, 50 Filipino assistants (servants) 8 --- [Total] 295 Class of day pupils Matriculated in general studies for the bachelor's degree 5,363 Matriculated for practical studies (specialists) 337 ----- Total 5,700 Titles conferred