( 497 ) 



iand, fubflituting in their places, a good policy and the holy doftrine. 

 It is true that after the lapfe of two years, when the country was fub- 

 jugated and civilized, certain worthy fathers Francifcans, of good ex- 

 ample and dodtrine came here, and were followed in three or four) ears 

 by fathers of the order of St. Dominic, who completed what others 

 had begun, but if it is duly confidered it will appear that the meed and 

 honour of deftroying the evil cuftoms of the land, in juftice belongs to 

 us the true conquerors, in preference to any other perfons, even though 

 they (hould be of the holy profeffion. 



Since the deflrudiion of idolatry, by the will of God, and with 

 his holy aid, and the good fortune and facred chriftianity of the mod 

 chriftian Emperor Don Carlos of glorious memory, and of our monarch 

 and mofl fortunate fovereign, the invincible King of Spain, our lord 

 Don Philip his dear and much beloved fon, to whom may God grant 

 years, and much increafp of dominion, to be enjoyed by him during 

 his fortunate and holy life, and to be tranfmitted from him to his pof- 

 tefity, there have been baptized in this country, all the natives, whofe 

 fouls formerly were funk and lofl in the infernal pit. At prefent alfo 

 as there are here many reverend fathers of the different orders, they go 

 through the country preaching and baptizing, whereby the holy Evan- 

 gelifts are firmly planted in the hearts of the natives, who confefs every 

 year, and thofe fufficiently advanced in the knowledge of the faith co- 

 jiiulgate. The churches alfo and their altars are richly adorned, with 

 all requifites for holy worfhip, as, crolTes, and candleflicks, wax can- 

 dles, chalices, cup&, plates, and veffels for incenfe, all of filver. The 

 ornaments of the altars and croffes are of velvet and damafk, and other 

 rich materials of various colours and workmanfhip, aud embroidered 

 with gold, filk, and pearls. The funerals alfo are diftinguifhed by their 

 emblematic reprefentations of ikulls and bones, and with their palls, 

 fome good, and others not fo. Each town alfo has its bells, according 

 to its ability. There are choirs alfo in the chapels, of good voices 

 which fing in concert, tenors, and trebles, and counter-altos^ In fome 



S s s places 



