Fajardo sends his annual despatches to the king (July 21, 1621).  He describes his measures for the prompter despatch of the trading-fleet to Nueva Espana, and the recent hostile demonstration made by the Dutch and English at Manila Bay.  He takes all precautions for defense against them, but is unable to attack them, owing to his lack of troops—­a deficiency which he proceeds to explain.  Thus far, the enemy have done little harm, especially as Fajardo promptly warned the Chinese, and other trading countries near by, of their arrival.  He learns of other hostile fleets that are preparing to attack the islands, and takes all possible precautions for their defense.  He asks that, until the affairs of the islands are in better condition, the Audiencia of Manila may be discontinued, as the auditors embarrass and hinder his efforts, and are not competent to fulfil their duties.  The religious also make the governor’s duties a burden; and their exactions from the Indians prevent the latter from serving the crown.  The Dutch know betters how to deal with the natives; they exempt the latter from tributes, personal services, and religious instruction.  Little has been done in opening the Igorrote mines—­a task which Fajardo is warned to push forward.  He has sent troops and supplies safely to Ternate.  He is having much trouble in regard to the residencia of his predecessor, the late Juan de Silva; and complains of the shelter and countenance given to Auditor Messa by the Dominicans.  Fajardo recounts various matters of government and his procedure therein; also the annoyances and hindrances which he experiences from the friars.  He commends, however, the Jesuits and their work, suggesting that more of them should be sent to the islands.  He is perplexed and hindered by the lack of soldiers, but is doing his best with his small forces.  The Council orders the viceroy of Nueva Espana to send every year to Filipinas all the reenforcements in his power.

The archbishop of Manila sends to the king (July 30, 1621) an account of ecclesiastical and some other affairs in his diocese.  He asks permission to hold an ecclesiastical council, and to hold the feast of Corpus Christi at some other and more convenient date than it has on the calendar.  He complains of the poverty of the Manila cathedral, and asks for aid; also of the governor’s failure to consult him regarding appointments to prebends, and of the incapacity for canonical offices of certain royal appointees.  Serrano commends the members of his chapter, some of them individually and by name.  The two colleges in Manila are training so many students that they cannot find positions in the church, and the archbishop is greatly pained by their consequent poverty and humiliation.  He asks for more competent bishops to be sent to the islands; and for authority to be given to religious ministers there to grant absolution for certain impediments to marriage which render divorces among the natives too easy.  The