knowing how great is the service done to God, if success is secured therein.  I shall not request your Majesty to give him audience, for all the community begs that; and of the kindness with which you will receive his humble and good intentions, proof is experienced here, and your Majesty will appreciate them.  And as he has no other thought, intent, or designs than the common welfare, and the service of God and your Majesty, both he and I have great fortitude and tranquillity.  May God grant your Majesty, in this life, what we all desire for you; and, in the other and eternal life, what we all beg for your Majesty, and are all assured is kept for you as a reward for the so many labors and cares with which your Majesty has maintained, and maintains, the universal Church.  Manila, June 25, 1586.  Your sacred royal Catholic Majesty’s most humble servant in our Lord.

Antonio Sedeno

[Addressed:  “+ To the sacred royal Catholic Majesty of the King Felippe, our sovereign.”]

[Endorsed:  “+ To his Majesty, no. 16. 1586.  Manila, June 25.  Antonio Sedeno, rector of the Society of Jesus.  In recommendation of Father Alonso Sanchez.”]

Letter of Domingo de Salazar to Felipe II

Royal Catholic Majesty: 

As Father Alonso Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus, is going, in the name of this community, to inform your Majesty of the condition of these kingdoms, and of their need for reforms, I shall not dwell upon that matter at all, but will refer you to what the said father will relate in detail.  But, inasmuch as there are certain special matters that perhaps he will not mention, I thought that I should inform your Majesty of them in the present letter.

Immediately upon the arrival of the royal Audiencia in these islands, mass was commenced to be said in the royal chapel.  According to the usual procedure in other audiencias, the chaplains who said it ended the prayer of the mass with that clause which reads, et famulos tuos, etc.—­in which, after the name of his Majesty, follow those of the bishop and the president, and the others contained in the said prayer.  According to what is said in this principal church of this city, the president and auditors erased the name of the bishop, and substituted those of the auditors, under the name of senators.  When I heard of this, I ordered my name to be inserted, and those of the auditors to be erased.  This gave rise to animosity, and certain acts were passed, which the dean declares were sent to the royal Council [of the Indias] a year ago.

Because I sat down one day on the gospel side of the principal altar during mass, the president and auditors took umbrage, and refused to enter the principal church again until I made them return to it.  I have not sat there since, in order to give no grounds for contention, although I know that it is my proper place, and that the Audiencia have deprived me of it against all right.  What was done in this matter was sent also to the royal Council last year.  I entreat that your Majesty will be so good as to have the Audiencia and myself informed as to what must be observed in regard to these two points; for it is neither right that they should take umbrage at me, nor for me to do what I should not.