would have waited till now if I had thought that what your Lordship
says would be expedient; but as I know how important it is for the
good of my sheep that those who teach them should live uprightly, I
am more pleased to see the religious living together than to see them
separated. I am sorry in my heart when I know that some religious is
alone in a house, and if I could remedy it I would do so; but I do
what I can in not consenting that, through taking too many houses,
the friars may be left alone in others. Your Lordship will do me
the great favor and kindness not to treat of any other matter which
shall be contrary to this, because I know that it is to destroy the
religious and ruin religious instruction. The provincial who shall
do this will give me a very bad example; and I shall understand that
he cares more about establishing houses than about looking after his
friars or religious instruction. On this account the religious and
I have had some quarrels, but I know that they have not been right;
for my zeal and desire has not been to prevent their having houses,
but to prevent their taking so many that they could not support those
establishments without harm to themselves and to the Indians. When your
Lordship says that two are sufficient in Batan, you show clearly that
you are not well informed of what is needed in order that there be
religious instruction; for in Batan there is need of two more friars
in order that it may be well instructed. As to what your Lordship
says about provision for the encomiendas of Ylocos, you have as much
care for them as if you forgot those which the king has in Panay
and in other regions of the Pintados, who are all, or most of them,
Christians. The Augustinian fathers, in whose charge these were wont
to be, abandoned them; but since they have returned to take charge of
the religious instruction of that people, and the obligation which
holds them is greater than that of Ylocos, let them cease to claim
houses there until they have more ministers. As for those who were to