This decree ordained that the archbishop should make all the efforts that he possibly could to maintain at their studies such Indians of the islands as were inclined to that pursuit, and in due time should promote them to holy orders, when he found them properly instructed; and that for this purpose some boys should enter the colleges that the Dominicans and Jesuits maintain, until a seminary be founded. The archbishop stated the little inclination that the Indians have for theological and moral studies, and that there was the additional difficulty of their evil customs, their vices, and their preconceived ideas—which made it necessary to treat them as children, even when they were fifty or sixty years old. He considered even the sons of Spaniards, born in the islands, unsuitable for priests, since they were reared by Indian or slave women, because of their defective training and education in youth. Finally, on account of the sloth produced by the climate, and of effeminacy and levity of disposition, it was evident that if they were ordained priests and made ministers to the Indians when they were not sufficiently qualified therefor, through the necessity there was for them, they did not again open a book, and with their vicious habits set a very bad example to their parishioners. That which should be done was to send from EspaÑa those religious who were most zealous for the conversion of souls.1