Governor Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas was daily expecting a change in this government and his removal, and owing to this and his mildness of disposition, affairs in general suffer.  Although he is a man of good intentions and of much virtue, he is governed in everything by the friars, and particularly by the Dominicans, who are enjoying this favorable opportunity and make use of it to advance their own interests and those of their friends.  The youth and inexperience of the governor does not permit of anything else.  Now with the news that your Majesty is to send Don Francisco Tello to this government, it seems as if everything would take on new life; for, if there is more delay, it would be at the cost of the service of your Majesty, and the welfare of these islands.  Everything has declined greatly from the condition in which matters were left by his father; and although I have done what I could it is but little, on account of my slight and inadequate authority.  Nevertheless, some of the most important things have been looked after with more spirit than at first.  The people of this land cannot be pleased with everything, for they are fond of liberty; and for this reason there are some complaints.  But I endeavor only to further the service of God and of your Majesty, not to consult their tastes or to manage affairs so that they may write to your Majesty in approbation of me.  As things have happened, there may be a lack of persons to approve my proceedings; but this does not vex me, because I expect that, with God’s help, time will show the truth; and no other reward is needed than to satisfy your Majesty, as is my earnest desire.

The jurisdiction of your Majesty in this kingdom is so hampered by that of the ecclesiastics that on no occasion can we have our own way.  As there is no one to withstand them much damage is experienced; and we see ourselves in great troubles and hardships, tied hand and foot, because the ecclesiastics and religious interfere in everything.  They rebel against and hinder the accomplishment of your Majesty’s commands; and even among themselves they have many dissensions and disagreements.  It is a pitiable state of affairs, and even if it were for no other purpose than to moderate these excesses and licenses of powerful persons, it would be best to have here the royal Audiencia, which your Majesty ordered to be suppressed.  I beseech your Majesty, as I likewise urged from Nueva Spana, in the report which your Majesty already has, that in case the royal Audiencia is not reestablished, a remedy be provided.  There should be someone to oppose the ecclesiastics in a land so far away from the Audiencia of Mexico; for, no matter what question is sent there for decision, at least two years must elapse before despatches can be returned.

The bishop is very much missed in this land by all the ecclesiastics; and it would be very beneficial for the future if he should come this year with the arms sent from Nueva Spana.  May God bring them, although they are already late in arriving.  If they should fail to come, great need would be felt everywhere.  All these islands are now pacified, and the only need is for ministers of the gospel, on account of the many heathen who are without instruction.  Many of the Spaniards who people the land and come here for its defense, die here.  Thus we are in need, as I have said.