for the
service of our Lord and of His church, and that of his Majesty King
Don Phelipe. Your Paternities are bound to follow the footsteps of the
other and mendicant orders in matters so justifiable and for the common
welfare; and I am confident that I shall receive your support. May our
Lord preserve your Paternity for many years. From the [archiepiscopal]
house, today, Monday, October, 1635.

_Fray Hernando_, archbishop."

The bishop of Nueva Segovia, Don Fray Diego Duarte, excused himself
by saying that that measure calculated not to quiet but rather to
disturb the citizens. The clergy excused themselves--one for illness,
another for ill-health, a third because he could not attend, and a
fourth because he did not wish to attend; and so no one went. Your
Grace should note here the malice of the other relation; for although
the bishop of Nueva Segovia and the ecclesiastical cabildo had excused
themselves, that relation makes no mention except of the dean--saying
that he could not attend, because of sickness--and of the fathers of
the Society, in order to stigmatize their motives and to make them
more odious. Although it is true that the latter excused themselves,
they did so by a courteous letter, which was written for that purpose
by their rector; and in order that your Grace may read it, and know
exactly its contents, since from it originated the disputes that
followed, I place it here.

"Most illustrious Sir:

"It appears that the more the Society endeavors to serve your most
illustrious [Lordship], and your provisor, in striving for the peace
of the community, and harmony and friendly relations between the
ecclesiastical and secular leaders, in the same proportion do some
(I know not whether with so good intention)--making, as is said,
a poison from the antidote--endeavor to injure that peace. Hence I
am unable to see what benefit our attendance can be, or what lack
there will be if we fail to offer our opinion; since whatever we say
will be received in the manner that the so pious efforts that have
been made during these last few days have been received. Therefore,
I beg your Excellency, with due humility and respect, to be pleased
to excuse us on this occasion, for the love of God our Lord; for
other occasions on which we can serve your Excellency will not be
wanting. May our Lord preserve and augment your person as we all,
your chaplains, and I the least of them, desire.

_Luis de Pedraza_"

S