sion, and this should be done as soon as
possible. This has been examined in the Council; and they regard as
actual and valid the hindrances which he represents. Considering the
urgent request which he makes in the letter to your Majesty and in
others which he has written to private persons to the same effect;
his advanced age and his failing health, and the great distance from
Espana to that church, where a person would have to be sent to take
his place in case he should fail; and the great inconvenience that
would result if it was so long without a prelate as has been seen by
experience--it has appeared very expedient to appoint for him, with
the future succession a coadjutor, of the requisite qualifications,
age, and vigor, so that he can fulfil the obligations of a prelate,
and attend to the pastoral ministration. It is recommended that he
he given, for his fitting support, a third part of the income of the
archbishopric, besides the occasional fees [_ovenciones_] and its
visitation--it being understood that the archbishops of that church
are granted a decree to the effect that if the returns do not amount to
three thousand ducados a year, what is lacking will be furnished them
from the royal exchequer. If your Majesty be pleased to approve this,
the persons who appear best fitted for that church will be proposed
to you, so that at the same time when you write to his Holiness on
the matter, the presentation of the person whom your Majesty would
nominate, may be sent to him. Madrid, June 28, 1613.

[_Endorsed_: "In order not to institute coadjutorships in such cases,
let the Council ascertain whether there is any person for those regions
who, being appointed in his own right, might aid in performing the
archbishop's duties; and if such a one be found, advise me of it, and
of what is to be done regarding the resignation of the archbishop."]

Sire:

In the year 613, your Majesty was given an account of the reasons
set forth by Licentiate Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado, archbishop
of the metropolitan church of the city of Manila in the Philipinas
Islands, why he should be given a coadjutor. The Council was of
opinion that your Majesty might command it to be examined, with the
enclosed advice; and your Majesty was pleased to answer: [Here is
repeated the endorsement on the letter preceding this]. In order
to give better satisfaction to your Majesty, and to report on the
state of affairs in those islands, we have waite