friars; for this province of that order is very lax, and all who come from there become inactive, and most of them become traders, and skin the natives.  There is a Master Solier there [i.e., in Espana]—­who, it is said, is confessor to the president of the Indias, Marques de Salinas—­who is said to have carried [from here] more than thirty thousand pesos, and to be claiming a great bishopric.  May God free His church from such prelates.  This year there goes from these islands, sent by the governor on his affairs, another friar of the Augustinians, named Fray Diego de Gevara, who has been confessor to the said governor, to the great scandal of this community.  He also made visitation of this his province, and it is public report that he visited the purses.  I believe it is beyond doubt that he is taking letters very favorable to himself, and he is so kind a man that he promises bishoprics.  I write this to your very reverend Paternity for the relief of my conscience, for I know that this matter of the bishoprics must rest in your hands; and bishops may cause great injury here if they are not very exemplary, fathers of the poor, and free from all avarice.

Father Fray Diego Duarte went to that court as procurator for this province to bring religious here, which he did in the manner of a messenger of God.  Now, after he had come with the second reenforcement of them to help carry the burdens of this province, at the command of his obedience he is returning again to bring more religious; for his virtue is already recognized in that court, and he too is acquainted with those who have influence there.  I beseech your very reverend Paternity to receive him as one recommended, and favor him on any occasions that may arise.  May our Lord protect your very reverend Paternity for many long years, for the good of His church, with many gifts from His divine favor.  Manila, August 15, 1613.

The Bishop of Nueba Segobia [67]

LETTER FROM FELIPE III TO SILVA

The King:  To Don Juan de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, my governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia there.  Your letters of July 20, 612, have been received and examined in my Council of the Yndias, and I was pleased to learn that you had sent to Nueva Espana, by the ships going that year, the two hundred quintals of quicksilver [68] of which you informed me; also of the friendly reception and kind feeling that you encountered among the Chinese in the matter of selling this metal and bringing it to Macan, where you say there is established a factory [i.e., trading-post] for this purpose.  I feel gratified at the diligence and care that you have exercised in the matter, and earnestly charge you to advance this matter, and strive that the quantity of quicksilver that you shall purchase and send to Nueva Espana may be as large as possible, in accordance