ion. Hence
followed much ill-will, which he manifested on his side. In order to
compel a new decision, as a result of the fear and change of purpose
which he intended to cause in their minds, he delivered deceitful and
satirical speeches (with which he is provided), in which he let them
know that there was no one else in the chapter who could be elected
except himself. He declared that he was not obliged to confirm him whom
they might elect, making this declaration for the benefit of him who
presumed to be most fit to be chosen. Although he was challenged and
called upon to declare the impediment or incapacity of that man or
of any other, he was not willing to do so, since in truth there was
no such disability. As a result of this and other acts of tyranny,
he forced a new election and new vote, to the great disgust and
astonishment of the chapter. This sufficed to elect him (as he was
in fact elected) provincial. He caused himself to be confirmed by
one of the definitors; and, as the chapter had begun by siding with
him, so it was continued. He now saw himself provincial, president,
and vicar-general; and all this encouraged and enabled him to take
our courage and spirit away from us in all elections, both small and
great. Thus they all resulted in accordance with his will, and with
the promises which he had made to those of his party, and to those
from whom he had asked votes. This he had done through some laymen,
a thing which makes the matter worse.

The result is manifest in the holders of all the better offices and
convents. They are chosen from the friars of his province of Mexico,
and from those who have assumed the habit here--unlearned, dissipated,
and worthless boys. At the same time he has put out of office those
whom he has oppressed, solely because they have come, being sent out
by your Majesty from the provinces of Espana. The hatred and division
among ourselves arising from his party cannot be remedied unless you
Majesty take prompt measures to cure it from there, so completely
have these fathers who are not from Espana obtained possession of
the province, which is not very lucrative under their control. All
the rest of us remain in discouragement and unhappiness to see such
things, so opposite to good government and the Christian religion,
and so full of peril to consciences. The result has been that some
religious have not been willing to accept priorships in this chapter,
for fear that they cannot ho