In May, 1603, three Chinese mandarins visit Manila.  Salazar y Salcedo, the fiscal, informs the king of this, and sends him a translation of the letter presented by the mandarins to the governor (in which they explain that they have come in search of a mountain of gold, of which report had reached them); also a copy of the complaint made by the fiscal to the Audiencia regarding the manner in which these mandarins have administered justice, according to their own usages, to the Chinese residing in Manila.  The governor forbids them to continue such procedure, and takes measures to fortify the city against possible Chinese invasion.

Fray Miguel de Benavides resigns his bishopric (July 4), to become archbishop of Manila.  On the next day he reports to the king his arrival at Manila, and the present condition of affairs in the islands, which is very disheartening.  The Mindanao pirates have ravaged the coasts, and carried away many captives.  The richest part of the city, including the merchandise stored in the warehouses, has been destroyed by fire; and the ships from Mexico arrived too late for the merchants to ship goods thither this year.  The people are full of anxiety over a possible war with the Chinese; and the archbishop deprecates the laxity of the royal officials in allowing so many Chinese to live in the islands.  They are so numerous that their presence is a menace to the Spaniards, and they are corrupting the natives with their own vicious practices.  He urges that most of the Chinese be expelled from the islands, and that the conduct of the civil officials be investigated and punished.  On the next day, he writes another letter to ask that certain matters in the islands be set right.  The trade upon which the people depend for support is being taken from them by unscrupulous Spaniards from Mexico and Peru.  The archbishop has been urged to excommunicate those citizens of Manila who are engaged in this illegal traffic, but refuses to do so, not thinking this the right procedure in such a case; and his efforts to secure redress from the Audiencia are fruitless.  He also complains that offices are given to friends of the auditors; that the latter and their women-folk monopolize the best seats in the church; and that various irregularities have crept into the church at Manila.  Benavides criticises the religious orders in the islands, saying that they often neglect their duties to the Indians; and asks that the friars be not allowed to leave their charges at their own pleasure.  The Dominicans and Franciscans maintain strict discipline, but neglect the Indians.  The Augustinians are in great need of inspection and reform.  The Jesuits lead exemplary lives, and are excellent instructors; but the Indians complain that these fathers have taken from them their lands and property.  Benavides asks the king to redress this wrong.  They also keep infidel Chinese on these lands, who are corrupting the Indians.  The bishop demands that he shall be consulted by the