religious orders be authorized to serve as a check on the governors, the only real use of the Audiencia.  They ask the king to increase the income of the archbishop, and take occasion to commend the honor and integrity of the royal officials at Manila.  Their letter is accompanied by a list of the reasons why the Audiencia should be suppressed in the islands.  The number of lawsuits is much greater since the reestablishment of that court, and the prisons are crowded; while many persons are neglected and languish in prison for many years.  Justice is not done in the Indian lawsuits, the Spanish procedure being entirely unsuitable for these cases; and the innocent suffer the penalties, while the guilty escape.  Dignities and offices are given to the unworthy and incompetent, and to relatives of the auditors.  Criminals connected with the auditors go unpunished.  The auditors engage openly in trade, by which they have gained enormous wealth.  The royal intention that they should advise the king regarding the governor’s conduct is frustrated, since they are in such relations with the governor that they will not oppose him.

The Jesuit Gregorio Lopez relates (July 1, 1610) events in the islands for the past year.  Rumors of an invasion by the Dutch cause Silva to fortify Cavite, hitherto unprotected.  Several disasters befall the Spaniards—­among them the treacherous murder of a large number of Spaniards by their Chinese and Japanese rowers; and the Chinese need to be pacified.  During the latter part of 1609 and the early months of 1610 the Dutch squadron commanded by Francis de Wittert remains near Manila, capturing the Chinese and other vessels that trade with Luzon.  Meanwhile, the Spaniards collect military supplies and make all other preparations for defense.  On April 24 the Spanish squadron encounters that of the Dutch at Playa Honda, outside Manila Bay; after a hot contest in which Wittert is killed, the Dutch flagship surrenders, as does their almiranta; another ship is destroyed by fire, and the rest take to flight.  Many ceremonies, both religious and secular, signalize the rejoicings in Manila over the victory of the Spaniards, as well at their mourning for the slain.  Then the spoils of the conquered are distributed, amounting to nearly four hundred thousand pesos.  Many of the Dutch heretic captives are reconciled to the Church through the ministrations of a Jesuit priest.  Lopez relates various incidents connected with this war, and gives a vivid account of the perils and hardships of the ocean voyages, especially in relating the shipwreck on the Japan coast of the galleon “San Francisco.”  A boat carrying supplies to the Jesuit mission at Maluco is captured by the Dutch and with it Father Masonio; but he escapes their hands, after many dangers.  His companion, Father Gabriel de la Cruz, dies after a long sickness; and Antonio Pereira, sent to take his place, dies on the voyage.  The Dutch pay a heavy ransom for their captive commander van Caerden.