The recently-arrived bishop, Domingo de Salazar, writes (June 20, 1582) to the king, imploring redress for the wrongs and sufferings endured by the Indians, who are continually oppressed by the Spanish officials placed over them.  An affidavit made by some Indian chiefs relates their grievances.  As a result of this ill-treatment, the native villages are rapidly being depopulated.

A letter from the royal factor in the Philippines, Juan Baptista Roman (June 25, 1582), relates the encounter of the Spaniards with some Japanese pirates who have raided the province of Cagayan in Luzon, and implores speedy aid from Mexico against this enemy.  A letter evidently written by Penalosa, although unsigned (July 1, 1582), mentions the fight with the Japanese, and asks for reenforcements of troops.  More funds are also needed for extra expenses incurred, and especially for emergencies which often arise in the islands.

Two papal decrees (September 15 and October 20, 1582) found the Philippine province of the Dominican order, and grant indulgences to those who go thither as missionaries.  An unsigned document (1582?) enumerates the “offices saleable” in the Philippine Islands; and recommends some changes in the methods of filling them, in view of the prevalent abuses.  Captain Gabriel de Ribera addresses (1583?) to some high official a letter complaining that Penalosa’s administration is a bad one, and injurious to the welfare of the islands.

In the same year Bishop Salazar writes a memorial regarding affairs in the islands, for the information of the king and his royal Council of the Indias.  He begins by describing the present scarcity of food supplies in Luzon.  This is the result of sending to work in the mines the Indians of Pampanga, which province has hitherto been the granary of the island.  The Spaniards also compel the natives to work in the galleys, and at many other tasks, so that they have no opportunity to cultivate their fields, and are even deprived of suitable religious instruction.  Greedy Spanish officials have monopolized all local traffic, and have set their own price on all provisions, from which some have made great profits.  Salazar—­who has with good reason been styled “the Las Casas of the Philippines”—­enumerates a melancholy list of injuries and opressions inflicted upon the hapless natives by their conquerors, and urges in most forcible and eloquent language that they be protected from injustice and treated as human beings.  He cites from the royal decrees the clauses which make such provisions in behalf of the Indians, and claims that most of these are continually disobeyed.  The Indians held by the royal crown suffer even greater oppression than do those in private encomiendas.  As a result of all these evil deeds on the part of the Spaniards, the Indians have come to abhor the Christian faith, and many remain pagans; while those who are nominally Christians are so through fear rather than choice.  The preachers who are sent to them ought to go without military escort, and the encomenderos should be compelled to fulfil their duties toward the Indians in their charge.