The bishop is about to go to Spain, [48] and is so wrought up over what touches his individual interests, and matters connected with his friars (as are all of the latter), that he declares publicly that if I would not let him go he would betake himself to a desert, in order not to look upon injustices.  Not the least among these are the many murders of Indians, very evil in the way in which they were committed, and worse in their concealment for twelve years past; and the failure to make restitution of great amounts, received but not returned.  Because I am remedying this, with which neither the bishop nor his clergy concern themselves, the bishop forces them to take this attitude because the name of injustice irritates him.

With great eagerness the bishop is making up something to say about me, taking great pains to get information in regard to my life, and trying to bring forward someone who could tell him something to write.  About a little amber which I bought a few days ago, for my own use, and at my own expense, he made many inquiries of the man who sold it—­namely, whether he had been paid for it, and how; besides other things of which he has managed to get hold.  But since I am sure these charges against me will not be believed, his base intention gives me no uneasiness.  May our Lord guard the Catholic person of your Majesty for many long years, since Christendom has need of you.

Manila, June 20, 1592.

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas

Sire: 

By the letters I am writing your Majesty through your royal Council of the Indias, your Majesty will learn of all affairs here.  It is advisable that your Majesty be able to correct and provide as is most fitting to your royal service.  Although I advise in those letters concerning the conditions of affairs here, and what I think about each one, agreeably to the nature of the events and affairs contained in the letters, I am writing this letter, addressed to your Majesty in person, so that it may serve merely as a memorandum and reminder of certain matters that most occupy and busy me.  I set them down here in small compass, in order not to fatigue your Majesty, since I have already given a detailed account of them by letters, memorials, informations, and reports which I am sending to the Council, in which your Majesty can ascertain what you may be pleased to know.

In this land, as being so new, and where affairs have not as yet the solidity and completeness requisite, are many obstacles and impediments to its good government.  One of them, and not the least, is the power, authority, and even tyranny, with which the bishop and religious have insinuated themselves into and domineered over it.  Nothing is attempted or tried that they are not wont to oppose it; and nothing is ordained or decreed here in which they do not meddle and interfere, without being summoned or consulted.  They assert that they must pass their edict of approval or disapproval