The sole correction for these evils, and for all the misfortunes of this land, is for your Majesty to send—­besides a holy and learned archbishop, zealous in honoring God, your Majesty, and the common welfare—­a disinterested and God-fearing governor, such as Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, and, according to my information, Don Pedro Brabo de Acuna, who has been governor for some years in Cartagena in the Indias.  But I understand that, at the receipt of these letters and other things, your Majesty will have ordered Don Francisco Tello to return [to Espana] and another governor will be provided.  May God have granted light to your Majesty, and continue to give you light always, in order that your Majesty may be guided aright in a government so far away from the royal eyes as this, where the governors have so many opportunities to cause the destruction of the poor vassals of your Majesty.  Tulac, May 17, 1599.

Fray Miguel de Benavides,

Bishop of Nueva Segovia.

Letter from Bishop Benavides to Joan de Ibarra

May it please our Lord that this letter shall find your Grace and Senora Dona Catalina and your children enjoying all the grace of God and the health and contentment that I wish them, and which I every day beseech for them in my poor masses and prayers.  I cannot write now in regard to the news which should come this year, because I am far from Manila, and the ships depart hence for Mexico when those from Mexico come, and sometimes earlier.  I am writing what has occurred here to the Council, and as one who knows your Grace’s zeal, I have no need to urge the necessity here of having a man come as governor who is known to fear God.  Oh, my lord secretary, if your Grace could see some of this, and if I could cause the eyes of those lords to perceive the need of this unfortunate country, and the mighty things which depend on it, for the glory of God and the faith, and for the honor of the crown of Castilla!  The king cannot settle a matter of such importance in the Yndias—­and certainly I shall not err in expatiating upon it.  There is need here of a man so moderate and disinterested, and so staunch a friend of the general weal—­and in a word, so fearful of God and His judgment—­as is fitting for the government of the Philipinas.  But, as I say, by his discretion in matters concerning his Majesty, and his zeal for the service of God and the king, there is one who is qualified for it—­that is, Don Luis Perez Das Marinas; for it is necessary that the governor of this country be even more a preacher of the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of His law, than are the preachers themselves.  His life is an example of effort to conciliate to Christianity, or to keep at a distance the Chinese, Japanese, Sianese, Cambojans, and numberless other nations whom God has placed here.  I have heard much good of Don Pedro Bravo de Acuna, formerly governor of Cartagena; and