Gentlemen of the financial board of holy Misericordia: Although
we must always have recourse to God in our troubles, the necessity
for so doing that offers itself to me at present, in the expedition
that I shall commence on the day of our Lady of the Conception, is
very urgent; and obliges me to avail myself not only of the regular
and ecclesiastical communities, where we are all friends, but also
of that holy house. [39] Therefore, I beg your Graces, with all the
persuasion in my power, that you cause God to be petitioned with all
earnestness in your holy Confraternity of La Misericordia and in your
residence, to give me favor and good success in this expedition; for,
besides its being for the common service of God and of the king our
sovereign, I shall, in so far as pertains to me, if it be the will
of His Divine Majesty that I return with life, demonstrate my thanks
and favor to that holy house, as far as may be possible to me. And
in order that this petition may carry some merit, I send to that
house one hundred pesos in alms, as an aid in the many alms that it
distributes among the poor. I would be very glad were I more wealthy,
in order that my affection and good-will might be seen. May our Lord
preserve your Graces as I desire. The palace, December 4, 637.