not
only the soldiers are treated in the hospital, but other citizens;
if this is so, it seems that it will be necessary that the cost of
the hospital be not entirely charged to the soldiers, but that the
others contribute their share, whereby the deductions [from the pay]
of the soldiers will be less and less felt.

That in regard to passing to the Yndias it has not been considered
as very advisable that the brothers of [St.] John of God go; but that
in its general aspect the matter is being considered, and he will be
advised of what shall be resolved.

That in regard to placing alferezes on half-pay as nurses, it is not
advisable; nor do such men proceed with the charity that is necessary,
and that such ministry requires.

That in regard to the hospital which has been established in Cavite,
by taking the house of the governor, it is not approved, and that
is another innovation of which he must give account; for, although
the work is good in itself, it has the inconvenience that when the
governors go to that port, they have no house in which to lodge, and
that they will have a motive for building one. Consequently, he shall
not go ahead with that undertaking. To apply some encomienda for that
hospital of Cavite appears advisable, and he is permitted to assign it
an encomienda of about five hundred ducados of income. Let him advise
of what he does in this, and whether the quantity is sufficient, in
respect to the expense, and considering the aids which he mentions
in his letter, which will be made voluntarily by the contributors.

In regard to the cattle-farm which has been bought for the hospital of
Manila with the money from the gifts, see whether the royal officials
or any other persons write of this; and, if they do not write, have
him told that if it is money donated as a gift to his Majesty, that
expenditure is not approved; for he was not authorized to make it,
and has rather exceeded his authority, and it will be necessary to
restore the money to his Majesty. But if it is a gift made as an alms
by citizens, that will be well; and it is expected that he will have
it administered as is advisable.

Let information be asked separately on all the points of this letter
from the archbishop, Audiencia, royal officials, and the superior of
the Order of St. Francis.

Write to the governor not to make any innovation.

_Governor's act regarding convalescent ward_

Don Sebastian Urtado de Corcuera, knight of the