By license of the ordinary and the governor of the Filipinas Islands,
and the consent of our royal Audiencia therein, the religious of
the Order of St. Dominic in the city of Manila founded a college,
where grammar, the arts, and theology, are taught. In it they
established two religious for each subject, and they have twenty
secular collegiates. From this has resulted and now is resulting a
great advantage to the youth, to the preaching of the holy gospel,
and to the instruction of the sons of the inhabitants. We order that
now, and until we order otherwise, the said religious make use of the
said license given them by the governor to found the college, and to
study the said branches. This is and shall be understood to be without
derogation or prejudice to any decrees concerning like foundations, in
order that they may not be established and begun without our express
permission, which must be observed throughout our Indias, without
any exception. [Given in Madrid, November 27, 1623, by Felipe IV.]
The King. Inasmuch as Fray Matheo de la Villa, procurator-general
of the Order of St. Dominic in the Philipinas Islands, has reported
to me that a college was founded in certain houses that they held as
theirs in that city, by the license of the ordinary and of Don Alonso
Faxardo de Tenca, my governor and captain-general of those islands,
where grammar, the arts, and theology are taught; and that there are
two religious of each department in it for that purpose, and twenty
secular collegiates; and that from it has resulted, and is resulting,
great advantage to the youth, the preaching of the holy gospel,
and the instruction of the sons of the citizens: and petitioning me,
in consideration of the above, and of the fact that the license which
was conceded to them was on condition that they obtain my confirmation
of it, if I should be pleased to give it; and the matter having been
considered in my royal Council of the Yndias, I have considered it
advisable to give the present. By it I order that for the present,
and until I order otherwise, the said religious of the Order of
St. Dominic enjoy the license that the said my governor gave them to
found the said college and to teach in it the said branches; and such
is my will. Given in Madrid, November twenty-seven, one thousand six
hundred and twenty-three.
_I The King_
Countersigned by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, and signed by the members
of the Council.