I find it very unadvisable for religious of any order to go for the present to the kingdom of Japon, and until God shall open the eyes of the emperor—­either so that he may receive the holy gospel, or at least not persecute so cruelly those who preach and obey it.  His severity is such that he is not satisfied with martyring its preachers with exquisite and extraordinary forms of martyrdoms—­as well as those who have received the preachers into their houses and districts, even though ignorant of their identity; but he has issued an edict that no one, under penalty of death, may receive them into his ship.  What may cause greater anxiety is the fact that, a number of Japanese being angered by the Dutch, who make port in their kingdom, it will be easy enough both to place these islands in danger, and, what is more, to extinguish the spark of the Catholic faith in these regions.  Because of that I called a meeting of the provincials of the orders, so that they should refrain from sending their religious [to Japon] without the governor’s orders and mine.  Having seen the great difficulties [thus occasioned], and although, convinced of it, they promised compliance, yet their zeal for the saving of souls is so great that, without informing us, they actually sent four religious.  I fear great danger from that action, and am powerless to avert the continuation of this, unless your Majesty interpose your powerful hand by ordering absolutely that which, according to this, is most advisable for the service of our Lord and your service.

[In the margin:  “Let what he says be carefully heeded.”]

Our Lord took Doctor Don Juan de Renteria, bishop of Nueva Segovia, to himself on November 4 of last year, 24, while he was coming from his bishopric to this city of Manila.  His loss has been deeply felt in this country, as he was a man of so eminent qualities.  Because of the lack of a cabildo in that bishopric I sent a man to govern it, and there is as yet nothing new of moment there of which to inform your Majesty.  The inspection of this royal Audiencia and the royal officials, which your Majesty entrusted to the said bishop, was not effected because of his death.  Consequently, I am bound by my obligations to your Majesty’s service to remind you of what I said in regard to this matter in my letter to that royal Council in the month of August of the former year of 23, which is as follows.  “Persons entirely trustworthy and zealous for your Majesty’s royal service have informed me of the need of inspecting this royal treasury.  If your Majesty be pleased to make choice of the person of Don Juan Cevicos who is at that court attending to affairs of this church, for this matter and for other matters of inspection, I regard it as certain that your Majesty will be well served, as he is one of the most intelligent persons in the Yndias.  He also has experience with papers and accounts, so that many people in this city were wont to send such to him; and, even though most complicated,