st obstacle to
the execution of this plan is the fear and mistrust put forward to
requiring the Confraternity and deputies of La Misericordia to render
accounts, exposing them to disturbance, and perhaps to expense and
loss for matters their connection with which is voluntary--being
assumed for charity and the service of God, and not for duty, pay,
or advantage. This objection, however, was met by the consideration
that the expense with its account had to pass before so many persons of
honor, standing, and financial stability that there was not much ground
for hesitation; since just as one superintendent or administrator
paid and gave accounts, so the deputies can do the same as well or
better, being more in number, and of no less financial standing,
and making their expenditures with the system and general agreement
which are to be desired. With all, I could not bring them to make the
venture. But if this risk and obligation were absent, they would do
it; this I know from some who were desirous of undertaking this work.

I give your Majesty an account of this matter, because of the
importance that it may have for the service of God and your Majesty,
the good of the poor, and the advantage of a work of such public
necessity and importance in these regions. If your Majesty should
be pleased to command that the Confraternity of La Misericordia
should take charge of the administration of the royal hospital,
as aforesaid, it will be necessary to come to a statement of the
system to be observed in making payments for the royal hospital and
that of the Confraternity of La Misericordia, by deciding whether
they are to be kept separate or no. It will also be necessary, in
the way in which your Majesty shall be most pleased and profited, to
deal with the mistrust about the accounts, which is what causes most
hesitation. Submitting myself to your royal pleasure, and suggesting as
I ought what occurs to me in the matter, I propose, Sire, that payments
be made only as passing through the hands of a single administrator
and superintendent. In this way he will be able to give account of
the expenditure. Let the manner, order, and direction of the same be
in accordance with the judgment of the deputies of La Misericordia;
and let the superintendent give his account of expenditures made under
the direction of the deputies. On such conditions the Confraternity
will take charge of the work; for it will not hand in accounts
and will be c