e, in the presence
of your Majesty--relative to the mystery of the conception of the
most holy Virgin our Lady. [19] Besides this, by express enactments
of law they are forbidden under censures to read and teach other
faculties and sciences than those of philosophy and theology. It is
therefore unbecoming and in conflict with the said enactments, as well
as incompatible with their institute and profession, which forbid them
to conduct public universities in the form now claimed. It, moreover,
is in manifest prejudice to the right conferred by bulls and privileges
on the Society of Jesus, as well as to what has been decreed in its
favor with so much toil and expense. And, besides, it may be remarked
that the establishment of a university, with courses of medicine,
and canon and civil law, in the convent of Santo Domingo would be
an improper and absurd proceeding, as they have no teachers who are
acquainted with the first principles of these sciences, in default of
which there could be but poor instruction, whereas the law requires
that the teachers thereof be very learned, besides being endowed
with singular talents and qualifications. As the matter is well and
generally known, it may be observed that in the Philippines and the
city of Manila, where the only persons who treat the sick are Chinese,
there is no graduate physician; for no one wishes to go thither from
Mexico, as he would be unable to get a living. As regards canon and
civil law, graduates therein might go thither every year, if only they
could obtain a living and find scholars to whom they might lecture
and give instruction. But the city of Manila is so small and confined
that--as is evident from the paper here presented with the necessary
formalities from Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corquera--it numbers no more
than two hundred and seventy citizens. Behold then, your Majesty, under
what conditions and in what sort of a place it is sought to establish
a regular university of sciences and arts, with chancellor, rector,
secretary, beadle, and other officials and teachers who make up its
stall--for whose support would be needed twelve thousand ducados of
income, no matter how moderate the salaries; whereas, if a portion
of this were applied in increasing the number of settlers, with
a consequent saving of burdens on the royal exchequer, this would
redound to the greater benefit and service of your Majesty. With
consideration of the same and whatever besides in fac