other people who serve
your Majesty. Although its income is but scanty, if it had some one
to distribute it efficiently, and to care for it properly, there
would be sufficient aid from the many alms given by the inhabitants
who can do something. It is most necessary for its good government
and maintenance for your Majesty to send four or five brothers from
the order called [St.] John of God, who should have authority from
your Majesty and from his Holiness to be able to receive others; for
now the matter is ready, and all that is necessary. Those brothers
could come with the religious whom your Majesty is sending--either
Franciscans or Dominicans--or your Majesty could have them sent from
the good brothers who are established in Nueva Espana. The latter
would economize the expense, and the journey would be quicker and more
certain. May our Lord preserve your Majesty long years, for the welfare
of His church. Manila, July 7, 1606. I kiss your Majesty's royal hands,

Fray Diego, bishop of Nueva Segobia."

[_Endorsed_: "Manila, July 7, 1606. Number 518. From the bishop of
Nueva Segovia. September 24, 1607." "Have the four brothers whom he
mentions sent; have the matter entrusted to Don Francisco de Tejada,
so that he may arrange this with the chief brother of Anton Martin." "A
copy was sent to Don Francisco."]

A decree of Felipe IV, dated Madrid, November 30, 1630, thus regulates
the foundation of these religious in the Indias:

"The viceroys, presidents, and auditors of the royal audiencias shall
not allow any of the religious of St. John of God to live or reside
in the Indias, who shall have gone thither without our permission;
or to found convents, give habits to any persons, or allow them
to profess. Those who may be living in the provinces of their
districts, or shall go thither later with our permission, shall not
take upon themselves the care of the hospitals, either of Indians or
of Spaniards, or the management of their incomes and alms, unless by
first binding themselves to give reports and allow inspections in this
respect by the ecclesiastical, or secular judges who can and ought
to make them. And they shall not be exempt from that by saying that
they have a bull from the apostolic see to be religious, and that
they are ordained with holy orders, and that therefore they are to
be subordinate only to their regular prelate. Neither shall they be
exempt from the inspection for any other excuse that they may br