who may punish with censures; and yesterday the provincial of the Dominicans came to me to say that Don Hieronimo had nominated him.  We are now halting at this point.  Will your Majesty cause decision to be made as to what it is advisable to do; and whether the residencia of the said Don Hieronimo must be taken here, and who shall take it; and if possible to excuse me from it, I petition your Majesty to commit it to another, inasmuch as I have as yet done nothing touching residencia because I had not your Majesty’s license or order for it.  Those who are plaintiffs against the said Don Hieronimo are complaining that I might do more for their satisfaction.  He is also complaining and is angry because he is not to go now to Espana.  Truly I have done what I could without failing in my duty to justice, and have endeavored to pacify each party.  Had I not done that, they would have brought incriminating documents against one another, each one tarnishing the other’s reputation—­as is wont to happen whenever there is any passion, even though it be with little cause.  I confess that, in order to be surer of the relief for these obstacles, I would rejoice if there were some way so that Don Hieronimo may go; but the best means for it should be sought.  In everything I shall proceed as I think is most advisable to your Majesty’s service.

The archbishop of Manila, I am told, is writing to your Majesty, petitioning you to command that his stipend be increased.  Having considered the reasons that he gives—­and that, even if there were no other than his residing here in the gaze of so many pagan nations and those of different sects, as the representative of the greatest ecclesiastical dignity—­his desire for the means to discharge so many obligations as he has seems as just, for this reason and for the others regarding the archbishopric, as would be unjust my neglect to petition your Majesty for the same on my part, because of my ever-present obligations to represent to you whatever I think to be advisable for your royal service.

With this letter I send your Majesty the declaration of a notary who was prisoner among the Dutch, and a document written to me by a father of the Society, which came together day before yesterday from Terrenate; and also two copies of letters from Lucas de Vergara Gaviria, governor of those forts, and from the king of Tidore, which were received a few days before.  Will your Majesty have them examined, for they contain the latest news from Maluco.

The two vessels that are being despatched to Nueva Espana are now able to set sail, and will do so (God willing), when the weather is favorable.  They go well equipped for the voyage, and the lading well adjusted—­more so than has yet been usual here.  They carry excellent crews, artillery, sufficient arms, and good rigging, and a great quantity of that, in order to spare your Majesty the expense that is incurred in Nueva Espana—­where each quintal [of rigging] costs, delivered in Acapulco,