asked that a
gratuity be given them from the royal treasury. Since it was evident
to this royal Audiencia, as being a well-known fact, that without
such alms the religious could not be supported, or assist in religious
instruction, we gave orders, with the consent of the fiscal, that an
amount equal to that given to the friars of the order of St. Augustine
be granted them, provided that a greater amount be not given to
each Dominican convent than is given to the Augustinian friars,
although the latter have more religious in their convents. They are
very content and pleased with this order. Alms have been granted to
four religious of the convent in this city, with pledges that they
would secure the approval of the royal Council. This is a kindness
which your Majesty can do them, if you so please; it is just, and
they cannot live without it.

Your Majesty orders this Audiencia, by a decree dated January 11,
87, which has been received here, to investigate the _modus operandi_
of the fathers of the Society [of Jesus] who reside in these islands:
whether they look after the welfare of the souls of the people, and in
what districts, and what result they have accomplished, what benefit
would accrue by endowing for them a college in this city, and how the
income for it could be provided, and for what amount. In regard to
these questions it may be said that since the time of the arrival of
these fathers in the islands until now, they have not been in charge
of the souls of the natives, nor have they instructed them. Throughout
the islands they have maintained one convent, which is in this city,
where there have been generally from four to six religious. They have
rendered very good service to the Spaniards, and have always attended
very carefully to preaching and confessions, obtaining the same good
results which they are wont to secure wherever they may be. They would
do the same for the natives were there enough fathers, and if they had
charge of the Indians. Although there are so few of these fathers,
there have been and are some of great prudence, and learning, and
highly esteemed, who could do excellent work in the college which
they are attempting to open, if there were any inclination for it,
in this city. But it would be useless, at present, to open a college,
because there are in all this country no students to attend their
teaching. For this reason, the Dominican fathers ceased to give
instruction in grammar soon af