result than to grieve my heart at the sight of it. When his Majesty
shall learn the reasons which I had for giving it up, I am sure that
he will not regard me as undutiful to him in having abandoned it.

In conferring the prebends and benefices I abide by the royal
rights of presentation in what I am obliged to; but to station a
clergyman in a Christian Indian village [_doctrina_] when there
is someone who opposes, is a thing that I have sometimes done,
and will do henceforward, because I know that it is proper to do so
for the service of God and the good of the sheep which I have in my
charge. Against this there is no right of patronage; nor would it occur
to the king to wish that this should not be done, nor would it occur
to me to defraud the royal right of patronage; for I know very well
the obligation under which I am to keep it, and I know when anyone
acts according or contrary thereto. Surely I am surprised that your
Lordship should meddle in such trifles as to ask from me an account of
the title under which Father Salinas was ordained. If your Lordship
does not know how he can act, I know; and for that reason I created
him a priest; and I know that this was well done, and that it is not
fitting to do anything else. I know that your zeal is great, but I
also know what St. Paul said of others who had zeal, and zeal for
God, but he said that that zeal was not according to knowledge. And
certainly, when your Lordship interferes in the things in which
you interfere in this letter, although I say it be with great zeal,
you have greatly exceeded your powers, and overstepped the bounds
to which they extend. For even if your Lordship had known and seen
that I transgressed due limits, your Lordship had neither license
nor authority to treat in so imperious a manner your bishop, whose
instruction and advice your Lordship is bound to follow, and your
Lordship should not undertake to constrain your master. The worst