(In the first general junta ["assembly"], held in the royal buildings, three conclusions were reached:  First, the requirements of the country and the necessity for this journey; second, the person who should make the journey; third, the necessity for convening other assemblies in order to treat more clearly and more specifically the matters which needed attention in detail.  As the president and auditors could not be absent from their regular occupations, it was decided that thereafter should assemble for this purpose the bishop of the islands with one or two prebends to represent the cabildo of the church; one of the officials of the royal exchequer; the mariscal of Bonbon; the master-of-camp, with two other captains, in behalf of the military; two regidors with two other citizens, representing the cabildo and city, and some procuradors from other towns of the island; the three superiors of the religious communities; and other religious men therefrom, who are learned, seniors in their houses, and men of experience in the affairs of the country.  The president, auditors, and fiscal should be present at those times and hours when, as often happened, they were free from official duties.  With the persons thus chosen, these assemblies and conferences were held for many days, and the proceedings were conducted with great care and deliberation.  The following brief summaries of their conclusions were made, furnishing a more clear and intelligible review of these to the father [Alonso Sanchez] already mentioned and appointed, that he might carry these notes with him and thus give further information to his Majesty.) [37]

Chapter first.  Of what concerns the spiritual affairs of Manila and the Filipinas

1. That the cathedral of Manila is constructed of wood and straw, and has nothing for other buildings or for ornaments. [38] First:  It was declared and resolved that his Majesty should be informed that the cathedral of these islands has no buildings, ornaments, or suitable equipment for divine worship; nor has it any income or contributions for these purposes, or for sacristan, verger, or other necessary assistants.  And being built of wood and straw, as it is, and so poor, weatherbeaten, and deprived of necessities, it is a reproach and a cause of loss to our faith and Christian religion, and to our state and the men who rule the state, and even to the majesty and greatness of its king and sovereign—­since we are in the gaze of so many pagans (both natives and foreigners), who come here from many regions, especially China, and who see and take note of this.

2. That nothing is paid to the bishop and prebendaries from the royal treasury, or from tithes. Second:  Inasmuch as, on the one hand, the tithes are not paid, nor, on the other, has the royal treasury at Manila the wherewithal to pay the bishop or prebendaries, or provide for curates or the said helpers, they cannot exist and live as their station demands; and neither in their houses and persons, nor in the service of the church and the methodical arrangements of the hours, [39] do they or can they observe, nor do they feel obliged to observe, the decorum due in all these matters—­from which results the said diminution and loss of souls.  The person who goes for this purpose will relate what he knows of this matter, besides what is here set down.