Sire:
The religious of the Society of Jesus of the Philipinas Islands,
considering that that country was so new, and that it was advisable
that the Indians be reared from its beginning in good customs and
Christian civilization, founded a seminary in the island of Leyte,
located in the province of Pintados. There they instruct the native
children of the island in good customs and in the matters of our holy
Catholic faith, and teach them to speak Spanish, and other things
which conduce to virtue. Inasmuch as the governor of the said islands
was made cognizant of the above, he ordered in the year 601 that one
hundred pesos of common gold and two hundred fanegas of unwinnowed
rice be given the said religious annually for four years, for the
support of the said seminary, to be taken from the fund of the fourths
[_i.e.,_ fourths of the tributes] of the city of Manila--provided
that the Jesuits could obtain a decree in which your Majesty should
give your consent to this grant. On behalf of the said religious it
has been represented that excellent results have been attained from
the foundation of the said seminary, which still continue; and that
it is advisable that it be maintained. They entreat your Majesty
to consider the matter, and have the above-mentioned gift approved,
and the said alms continued to them for ten years more; for otherwise
it cannot take effect. Having examined this in the Council, we think
that, because of the great need for the said seminary in that country,
the provision of the governor for a grant to them for four years may be
confirmed; and, in order that the seminary be preserved and continued,
that the concession of the said one hundred pesos of common gold and
the two hundred fanegas of rice, taken from the fund of the fourths,
may be made for ten years more, as they petition. The governor should
be ordered to have it all very carefully distributed for the said
purpose, and give advice thereof. Your Majesty will order as suits
your pleasure. Madrid, January 18, 1607.
[Four signatures follow.]