nistration of sacraments,
shall be presented and appointed. Therefore we strictly charge the
diocesan prelates, and those superiors of the religious orders, and
we order our viceroys, presidents, audiencias, and governors, that
in the nominations, presentations, and appointments that they shall
have to make there, as is said, in conformity [with this decree],
they shall always prefer, in the first place, those who shall have
been occupied, by life and example, in the conversion of the Indians,
and in instruction and in administering the sacraments, and those who
shall know the language of the Indians whom they have to instruct;
and, in the second place, those who shall be the sons of Spaniards
and who shall have served us in those regions.

"In order that we may better make the presentation that shall
become necessary of prelacies, dignidades, prebends, and the other
ecclesiastical offices and benefices, we ask and charge the said
diocesan prelates and the provincials of the religious orders, and we
order our viceroys, presidents, audiencias, and governors, each one
of them, separately and distinctly by himself, without communicating
one with another, to make a list of all the dignidades, benefices,
missions, and ecclesiastical offices in his province, noting those
of them that are vacant, and those that are filled. Likewise they
shall make a list of all the ecclesiastical and religious persons,
and of the sons of citizens and Spaniards who are studying for
the purpose of becoming ecclesiastics, and of the good character,
learning, competency and qualities of each one, stating clearly his
good parts and also his defects, and declaring, so that prelacies,
dignidades, benefices, and ecclesiastical offices shall be suitably
filled, both those that shall be at present found vacant, and those
that shall become vacant hereafter. Those relations shall be sent us
closed and sealed, in each fleet, and in different ships; and what
shall be deemed advisable to add to or to suppress from the preceding
ones that shall have been sent before, shall be added or suppressed;
so that no fleet shall sail without its relation. We charge the
consciences of one and all straitly with this matter.

"In order that we may not be deceived by those who come or send
to petition us to present them to some dignidad, benefice, or
ecclesiastical office, we desire, and it is our will, that he who
shall thus come or send appear before our viceroy, or be