This Captain Joan de Alcega was freighter of the ship “Santo Thomas” [50] in the year 99, which left here for Nueva Espana in company with two other vessels from this city.  In the loading of this ship, so great was the dishonesty and deceit on his part that it is understood that your Majesty’s exchequer was defrauded of more than a hundred thousand pesos.  The governor, in order to wash his hands of this wrongdoing, began suit against them and condemned them to heavy fines and penalties, as he must have informed your Majesty.  The case came on appeal to this Audiencia.  On account of the said friendship and partiality, the fiscal hushed up this case, as he has others, without discussion upon it, and with no reparation to your Majesty or to this commonwealth.

In this manner Juan de Alcega not only remained unpunished but, aided by the said persons with several letters, informations and documents, which they had secretly made and composed, they are attempting to underrate my good service and seek for him the reward.  I have not wished to set down in a boastful way anything more than the naked truth, which your Majesty now has before your eyes.  I most humbly beseech your Majesty to be pleased to look upon my good intentions and labors with the clemency and benevolence which they deserve, extending to me the favor which is due, in such wise that they shall not remain without the recompense which the servants of your Majesty receive on similar occasions.  And the chief of these should be to order me withdrawn from this exile, to a place where I can spend the rest of my life in greater peace in the service of your Majesty, and start my children upon the same path.  God protect the royal Catholic person of your Majesty for many long years.  Manila, June 30, 1601.

Don Antonio de Morga

Grant to Jesuit School in Cebu

Sire: 

Hernando de Espinosa, procurator of the Society of Jesus in the Yndias, in the name of the residence [51] of this order in the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus of the Philipinas Islands, has represented that, because of the great need of persons to administer the sacraments to Spaniards, Indians, and Sangleys residing in and about that city, and to preach to them the holy gospel, the provincial of the said Society, with the permission of the governor, founded the said residence six years ago.  It is productive of much good, for, besides the preaching to the Spaniards, natives, and Sangleys, and hearing their confessions, the other sacraments are administered to them; and there is a school where reading and writing are taught and Latin studied, which is of great gain and benefit to the community.  The religious who are there are in great poverty; for they have no income, nor do they receive any alms from the people.  The said procurator entreats from you a very moderate consideration, on account of their poverty.  This