Tello sends the king a report on military matters (June 17, 1598).  In Mindanao, Ronquillo had been successful, but retired (pursuant to orders afterward canceled), and is to be tried.  In Cagayan the revolt has been extinguished, and its leader killed; and the Spanish encomendero whose oppression had had most to do with causing the revolt has died in prison, while awaiting trial.  Relations with Japan are still uncertain, although Luis de Navarrete’s reception as ambassador had on the whole been favorable.  Some new economies are being practiced in the military establishment.  An impregnable citadel has been formed within the city, but there is a lack of weapons; and there is great negligence in Nueva Espana in providing serviceable and well-equipped soldiers.  Another letter (dated June 19) complains that the reenforcements sent from Nueva Espana are ragged, penniless, and unarmed, largely on account of the rascality and greed of their captains.  The viceroy of that country illegally permits Mexicans to bring money to the islands, to the great detriment of the inhabitants.  The old soldiers who have obtained encomiendas receive but little income therefrom, because so many of the Indians are revolting; these men need aid, which the king is asked to grant.  The governor claims that he is annoyed by defamatory libels, and asks that the offenders be punished.  He objects to the reckless marriages of rich widows, and proposes to the king a plan for correcting this evil.  The royal treasury is greatly straitened, and for its relief Tello asks permission to levy additional duties on the Chinese merchants.  In a third letter (July 9) Tello reports the number of religious in the islands, belonging to the various orders, and the number still needed.  The Council of the Indias orders that suitable measures be taken to increase the number of missionaries in the islands, and to send out such as are fitted to do this work.

The Audiencia complains to Felipe ii (July 15, 1598) of Tello for various improprieties of conduct and irregularities of procedure; but above all for failure to recognize that, by the establishment of the Audiencia, the extent of his own jurisdiction is diminished.

A letter from Felipe iii—­who has succeeded his father on the Spanish throne—­to the archbishop of Manila (March, 1599) refers to the latter certain complaints sent from Manila regarding some Augustinian teaching friars.

Bishop Benavides writes (May 17, 1599) to the king, informing him of the death of the new archbishop, and complaining of the acts of the governor and Audiencia in sending a ship to trade with China—­from which all kinds of evils, spiritual and temporal, would result to Macao and the Philippines.

Benavides writes to the king’s secretary (May 22, 1599) urging that a new governor be appointed for the islands; and he recommends for that post several persons.  He asks that no ships be allowed to go from the Philippines to China, as that will ruin the Portuguese who trade there.  He complains of the undue power exercised by the bishops over the religious orders; and that he receives so little salary that he cannot live decently on it.