Early in 1632 several royal orders are despatched to the colony.  In a letter of January 27, the king writes to Tavora on several matters:  the monopoly of the sale of playing-cards, the sale of offices, and the salary of the acting archbishop.  A decree of March 25, addressed to the municipal authorities of Manila, warns them to enforce the royal decrees as to the proper consignment and registration of goods sent to Mexico; and another, issued on the following day, orders that secular priests from India be not allowed to go to the Philippines.

The usual report of Governor Tavora (July 8, 1632) is in three sections, the first devoted to general affairs of government.  He complains that the remittances from Nueva Espana are painfully inadequate for the needs of the colony and its troops; and that he needs more soldiers than are sent to the islands.  The royal visitor, Rojas, is doing very careful and thorough work in inspecting the administration of the colony, but is arrogating to himself too much authority in regard to the expenditure of public moneys; accordingly, Tavora appeals to the king against some of Rojas’s decisions, and argues for allowing a reasonable amount of liberty in this matter to the governor and Audiencia.  This is especially necessary because the colony has so many enemies that it must always be in a state of defense, and its people cannot wait to receive royal orders when an enemy is at their gates.  A controversy between the royal and the municipal officials regarding their respective rights of precedence has been duly settled.  The relations between Manila and Japan, lately strained by the capture of a Japanese junk by Spaniards, are now more friendly, and some trade between the two countries is being carried on.  The Japanese have shipped a number of lepers who are Christians from that country to Manila; the Spaniards accept this charge, and make room for the lepers in the hospital for natives.  The king is asked to aid in the expenses of their care.  Tavora describes his relations with the peoples on the opposite mainland; makes recommendations regarding certain offices; explains the condition of the vessel which sank at Manila in the preceding year; and defends himself from accusations of illegal participation in the Mexican trade.

Another section treats of military affairs.  Tavora (who writes but a fortnight before his death) thanks the king for preferment bestowed upon him, but fears that he will not live to enjoy it; and informs Felipe of the heavy losses that he has incurred in coming to Filipinas and acting as governor, asking that some arrangement may be made for the settlement of his more pressing debts.  Trade with the Japanese is being resumed.  The post of general of artillery is superfluous, and should be abolished.  Affairs in Hermosa are prospering; the province of Cagayan is pacified, and severe punishment has been inflicted on the rebellious natives of Caraga.  The relief expedition to Ternate has been successful, and the