Doctrinas, 1597 
121 
[In the margin it saysf] The same. 
Sacred Catholic Royal Majesty: The loyal vassal and faithful servant 
of your Majesty, who kisses your feet and hands, Alonzo Calderón. 
[A rubric.] 
[On the back it reads :] Seen, and provided for within; bring what is 
ordered. [A rubric.] 
Reply [of the king] to the viceroy of New Spain. [1597.] 
The King. Count of Monterey, relative, my viceroy, governor, and 
captain-general of New Spain: In your letter of February 28 you wrote 
me concerning the existing lack of knowledge of the native languages 
among the religious of the order of Saint Francis who have charge of the 
doctrinas in the vicinity of Guadiana in the province of Nueva Vizcaya; 
you also told how they prevent the religious of the Company of Jesus who 
know the native languages from going among those towns to confess and 
preach. Although the commissary-general of the order of Saint Francis, 
who resides in Madrid, has been ordered to call this matter to the attention 
of the prelates of his order in that province, showing them how unwisely 
they act in not placing in those doctrinas persons who understand the 
native languages, and in opposing the entry of the religious of the Com¬ 
pany of Jesus; and although the same order has been sent to the provin¬ 
cial of the order of Saint Francis of the province itself, I am writing 
concerning the situation to you also, you being the one upon whom falls 
the principal care of providing and ordering all that is suitable for pre¬ 
venting lack anywhere of ministers of doctrinas who understand the 
language of the Indians. I therefore charge you that they are to see that 
all the religious who understand the language shall enter the province of 
Guadiana to engage in instruction and the preaching of the gospel; and 
the Company of Jesus you will thank in my behalf for the solicitude with 
which they have offered themselves for this, and you will encourage them 
to continue so doing. 
You also speak of the inconviences suffered by the Archbishop of the 
Philippines, who had to wait in Mexico for a vessel; it was not proper 
that this should occur, and I therefore charge and command you that 
if he is still there you will have him provided with everything needed 
for his maintenance and voyage at the expense of the income of his 
church. If there are no funds available from this source because they are 
already assigned to other uses, you will make provision in some other 
way, for this is my pleasure. As to what you say with reference to the 
request of Nueva Vizcaya to be separated from the bishopric of Guadala¬ 
jara, this is being looked into. San Lorenzo, June 25, 1597. I the 
King. Countersigned by Juan de Ibarra and signed by the president 
and members of the Council. 
