hat is worse is, that the governor is building
a ward at the hospital, on the side that faces our convent--which
he says is for convalescents. It is so high that because of its so
close proximity to the convent, we think that one will be able to
see the beds of the nuns in our infirmary and dormitory. That is a
thing that ought to be carefully considered. But the governor has only
thought about proceeding with his own purpose, leaving us surrounded
on streets without any exits; for one that was near the wall--by which
the parents and relatives of the nuns came, and which served for the
use of the convent--has been taken by the governor for the building,
thereby doing us much damage. For many structures are now being built
about us, and that by the most prominent people in the city.

In another part, the passage-way inside the wall--which was a street
for passengers, and of service to the convent--has been closed by
the governor by placing against it, and across our very threshold,
another building, which he is having erected as lodgings for the
cavalry and as stables, so that the company that he has organized
may keep their horses.

Accordingly, we humbly beseech your Majesty to be pleased to have the
hospital returned to the religious of our order, as it has always been
[in their charge], and that a cell be given therein to our vicar. By
so doing, God our Lord will be greatly served, and the poor aided
spiritually and corporally. After those religious left, the nuns
were very disconsolate for lack of ministers to attend to them. The
secular priest appointed for them thinks that he has fulfilled his duty
by saying mass. We trust that your Majesty, through your Christian
zeal, will furnish relief to so pious causes as these we mention,
at the first opportunity. Will your Majesty order that the street be
left free, from the place where we have our porter's lodge to the
wall--without [permitting] any hospital building or windows--as an
enclosure for the convent and for its guard; so that if there should
be no place for the father-vicar to live, a low dwelling may be made
for him, and for the men who serve in the convent--making a gate at
the wall for [receiving] the food for the convent.

The poverty of our order and rule is well known to your Majesty. The
lack of comfort in which we live is very great, as we are without
sufficient funds to finish the house and church, and the citizens
are so needy that they cannot help