of this city. The object thereof, in conformity with its appellation
of mercy, is to exercise the latter in all the works and occasions
which may arise, of which there is no lack, as this land of yours is
so poor. As I say, this confraternity is occupied in feeding all the
worthy poor, of whom there are many; and in arranging marriages for
orphan girls, the daughters of the conquistadors and of persons who
have served your Majesty and died in the royal service, leaving their
children without inheritance, in poverty and bereavement. These are
persons to whom your Majesty owes a recompense; and any favor to this
confraternity is granted to them and to all this community. It also
persuades people to come willingly to settle here from other parts,
as they see that they may find here a refuge and relief for their
needs. The land has hitherto been discredited for the little comfort
which poor men, both married and single, find here in a country
new, unknown, and of scanty resources. Even these resources are
under obligation to be given to others who have settled the place
and served your Majesty; and for them alone there is not enough,
much less for those newly arrived. For their relief there should be
a lodging-house, so that poor married men may be sheltered there and
given what is necessary, until they find it convenient to go out and
support themselves. In addition to all the aforesaid institutions,
another no less important one must be mentioned. A hospital should
be established for the treatment of all the servants and slaves
of the Spaniards. This is a very necessary undertaking and a work
of exceeding charity; for there are many of these servants who die,
as they have nowhere to go for treatment. Even their souls suffer, as
there is some neglect in administering the sacrament to them. Although
there are two hospitals--the royal, and that for the natives--the
servants are received in neither, on account of the poverty of the
hospitals, and the many sick who are usually there, and the lack