After their arrival in this city, there was but little harmony between the president and auditors.  Their discord was so public, that it caused great scandal here.  I tried to restore peace between them, and for that purpose came to this city, leaving the visitation that I was making.  After they had been harmonized once, they began to quarrel again, and with much more scandal than before.  I tried for the second time to pacify them; and when I saw that talking to each one in private could result in nothing, one day, in full meeting, I set before them the great scandal that they were causing in this city, and the bad example that they were setting to it; and declared to them the great displeasure of your Majesty, if you should know it, and of God too.  The hand of the Lord was interposed, and their lack of harmony ended from that time; and they have been on friendly terms ever since.  In public as in secret, God works His will.

In a decree sent to me by the Inquisition of Mexico your Majesty orders me to deliver the records of proceedings and the prisoners to the commissary of the Inquisition there; this I did immediately, as I was only awaiting a message sufficient to enable me to do so, but which had not come until then.  I know that many troubles will surely arise from this in the future; but, in doing what is ordered me, I obey.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty’s royal Catholic person for many years, for the good of His church and the protection of us who have so little power.  Manila, June 26, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your most humble friar chaplain kisses your royal hands.

The Bishop of the Filipinas

[Addressed:  “To his royal Catholic Majesty, King Don Phelippe, our sovereign.  In his royal Council of the Indies.”]

[Endorsed:  “Philippinas. + To his Majesty, 587; from the bishop, June 26.” In a different hand: “Seen.  Have its points abstracted.”]

Letter from the Audiencia of Manila to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty: 

In the past year of eighty-five, we gave your Majesty a report on the condition of this land, and some other matters concerning your service, which are contained in the duplicate accompanying this present letter.  If it has not been examined, we beg your Majesty to have this done, and to make suitable provision for these matters.

That the tributes shall be increased by one real for married men, and a half-real for single men, in order to pay the soldiers. [49] Section 1.  By your Majesty’s order, the soldiers usually come from Nueva Spana with one hundred and fifteen pesos as pay, out of which they clothe themselves and purchase their weapons.  They continue to spend their money until they embark at Acapulco, so that, when they arrive at these islands, they have nothing more to spend and find no one to give them