ave not the means to obtain food,
should at least be given one meal a day. By such a course many needy
Spaniards and soldiers could be aided and relieved in their most
pressing necessity, and would not die of hunger, or have to commit
thefts or other evil acts, which cause their death and decrease. In
this your Majesty and this country are heavy losers, on account of
both the expense of bringing the soldiers here, and the want and
need of soldiers. The above could be done at but little expense,
by using for this purpose the said thousand pesos for gratuities
that your Majesty orders granted annually, inasmuch as the amount
of gratuity paid to one person does not exceed ten pesos. This sum
is of no moment or great value, if spent in that way, and amounts
to nothing at all. But if spent as suggested above, it will be
of much more use to many, and those the most necessitous, and,
in addition, to the service of God and your Majesty. And by adding
eight hundred and twenty-five or thirty pesos more, from whatever
fund your Majesty may be pleased, five pesos can be spent every day
in the year on providing a good and substantial meal for about sixty
people. In short, this would prove of great relief and assistance,
and it can also be done by no means or method with more security,
than by your Majesty's putting it in charge of the Confraternity of
La Misericordia, if you are pleased so to command. It would be well
even to grant a considerable amount; for everything the brotherhood
puts hand to is to the great glory and service of God, and of your
Majesty, and the welfare of all this land. It could attend to this
also, which is of great importance. Will your Majesty command that
the plan most in conformity to your inclinations be adopted therein.

_In regard to the Seminary of Sancta Potenciana_

The Seminary of Sancta Potenciana is a charity of great service to God
our Lord, and the welfare of this community, for there are housed many
orphaned girls and the poor daughters of those who have served your
Majesty, and who have died, leaving daughters, and little or nothing
for their support and assistance. They can be assisted and reared here,
as is being done with many now in it. They live here in all virtue
and under good instruction, in great retirement, and engaged in holy
and devout exercises. Hence it results that the Divine Majesty of God
our Lord has daily and continual praises, and your Majesty prayers,
that are offered