lly, everything which my poor strength could accomplish has been
done for the common tranquillity and good government. As I realize
my little worth and ability, I would wish it to be known how much I
desire and strive to accomplish in the service of God and your Majesty.

The cathedral church is completed, thanks be to God; and mass has
been celebrated therein since the twenty-first of last March with a
large attendance and much devotion, and to the great satisfaction of
the people.

The seminary for girls, although in its first house, is maintained
in seclusion and good order; and there have been several marriages
or establishments made from among the inmates. As I have written,
that house is so unsuitable that the erection of the new church and
house is being pushed forward; it is being built of stone, and will be
very substantial and commodious, and will be completed inside of six
months. Your Majesty is patron of this house; and not only on account
of the preeminence of the royal patronage and what for this reason is
due, but for the good ordering of the house, I desire that there be
sent me from Espana some rules or laws whereby such houses are ruled
and governed. The regulations which I have been able tentatively
to ordain here are those accompanying this letter. This house will
have four hundred pesos of income. That being built has not hitherto
received anything whatever from the royal exchequer of your Majesty;
for, although I would like to give it, your Majesty does not have it
here. I am sending also a set of rules for the conduct of the hospital,
in order that your Majesty may order them amended there.

The new fort, which will be called Santiago, is now raised from
the level of the ground more than two estados; and in one ravelin
thereof, which is now finished, eight pieces of artillery have been
mounted already, and guard is kept. By the time this reaches you,
God willing, the fort will be finished and perfected. All the beach
from the fort of Santiago to the fort of Nuestra Senora is occupied by
the curtains and traverses--the latter very suitable, two and a half
estados in height. It needs nothing but the parapet, which is being
built. Although that already built was called a fort, it is not one,
nor can it be of use; for it is but a large tower, badly cemented,
and was falling in four places. It was braced by four buttresses
which were called cavaliers, and cost your Majesty a large sum, as
I have w