that of the Confraternity of La Misericordia, by deciding whether
they are to be kept separate or no. It will also be necessary, in
the way in which your Majesty shall be most pleased and profited, to
deal with the mistrust about the accounts, which is what causes most
hesitation. Submitting myself to your royal pleasure, and suggesting as
I ought what occurs to me in the matter, I propose, Sire, that payments
be made only as passing through the hands of a single administrator
and superintendent. In this way he will be able to give account of
the expenditure. Let the manner, order, and direction of the same be
in accordance with the judgment of the deputies of La Misericordia;
and let the superintendent give his account of expenditures made under
the direction of the deputies. On such conditions the Confraternity
will take charge of the work; for it will not hand in accounts
and will be called upon for no business except of charity, trust,
and good administration, while the superintendent will hand in the
accounts for the said Confraternity. Thus the whole, if your Majesty
please, will be in one; and on other conditions the Confraternity will
not undertake it. At least I regard it as a matter of the highest
importance and advantage that your Majesty give commands that the
archbishop and the Order of St. Francis place four religious--two
priests and two laymen--in the said hospital; and that, in case
this order cannot undertake it, the Society of Jesus do so, for,
being persons of great charity and good government in all things,
it will be of great advantage for them to have this in their charge;
so that in this way it seems that many great evils would be remedied,
and many great advantages result. Our Lord keep your Majesty many
long years, as His Divine Majesty has power, and as we all desire
and have need. Manila, July 20, 1597.

_Luis Perez Dasmariñas_