Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/235

 A still worse evil might happen, for the natives of these parts had, in their times, those who conducted their rites and ceremonies who were so strict not only in composure and honesty, but also in chastity, that if one was discovered violating his vows he was punished with death; if they now saw the servants of God's Church in the power of Mammon, practising vanities, and learned that they were ministers of God, and beheld them falling into vice, as is the case in our times in Spain, it would bring our Faith into contempt and the natives would hold it as a mockery; and this would do such mischief that I do not believe any amount of preaching would be of any avail. As this is of such importance, and the principal object of Your Majesty is, and should be, the conversion of these people, those who reside here in Your Royal name should behave as becomes Christians. I have wished to give this information and my opinion which I pray Your Highness to accept as coming from your subject and vassal, who has worked with all his vital powers, and will ever strive to extend Your Majesty's kingdoms and dominions in these parts and to publish Your Royal fame and great power among these people: and who likewise desires and will strive that Your Highness may sow amongst them our Holy Faith meriting thereby the eternal reward to everlasting life. As the giving of holy orders, the consecration of churches, ornaments, oils and chrism, and other functions require a bishop, and, we not having any, it would be difficult to seek them elsewhere, Your Majesty should likewise beseech His Holiness to grant such powers to two principal persons amongst the religious men coming here, who might be as special delegates, one from the Order of