It is now three years since certain Franciscan religious left this island to go to China (as your Majesty will already know), without notifying the governor.  Now they have determined to do the same thing; the custodian, whose name is Fray Pablo de Jesus, has gone thither with his companions, without saying anything to the governor, for which I am very sorry.  For lack of their labors here, many Indians who were already Christians have remained without instruction, which I consider a great disadvantage.  But, knowing that God moves the hearts of men (a matter that we cannot understand), I will overlook that.  The governor took this with more asperity than I wished, for he sent after them, and the person who went thither treated them very rudely; but finally God ordained that they should arrive at this island.  The governor ordered a proclamation to be made (its contents will be seen by the copy of the ordinance which I send to your Majesty), which even to me seems very harsh toward an order of so high character and strict obedience as is that of the discalced Franciscans.  I advised the governor not to act with so much severity, but he did not see fit to grant my petition.  I have since learned that the same person who went after them treated them very harshly in Pangasinan and Yllocos—­perpetrating upon them many acts of oppression, taking away their ship, and refusing to let any one accompany them—­which occasioned no little scandal to the Indians.  Among other reasons which the religious have given me to justify their departure from here is the sight of the ill-usage which the natives of these islands receive from the Spaniards, especially those who have the charge of justice; and they say that all these are for hindrance, and no one for help.  Hence no harvest can be gathered; and therefore they went to seek a place where they could gather it.  Certainly they are not far wrong, for the things that occur here and the obstacles opposed by those who ought to aid us, are so numerous that many times I have longed to leave it all and flee to the mountains; but the charge that I hold keeps me within bounds.  There is very little respect for the ministers of the gospel; and they cannot exercise their office without being dependent upon those who have more concern for their own profit than for the instruction of the Indians.

There was sent to the island of Macan, where the Portuguese live—­near the city of Canton, in China—­a father of the Society, and with him two Franciscan religious, to deal with the Portuguese there, in the same way as with those at Maluco; he was sent also to the Chinese governor at Canton.  A copy of the letter is sent to you, in order that it may be seen what is asked from the Chinese governor and in what form; for the Chinese who were then here told me how it should be properly written; they said that their governor would thus learn our usages, and that he would be delighted if we would write to him as we write to one another.