as some friar
named de Montoia went to Portugal. If things are as reported--and
they must be so, in large part at least--affairs are in a ruinous
condition. The one thing that most needs remedy in these islands,
Sire, is this matter of the Order of St. Augustine.

At present one of these fathers, [23] named Fray Juan Gutierrez,
is being sent by their superiors to the feet of your Majesty. He has
been definitor, and has had three offices in his Order, and it has
been proposed to make him provincial. I consider him a very modest
and religious friar, who will earnestly plead with your Majesty in
this matter of the inspection and improvement of his Order. I beseech
your Majesty to favor and aid him in all ways.

The religious of the Society live here in an exemplary manner,
which is necessary here, and carry out well the Indian missions in
their charge. They are reputed excellent in some of their methods
of instruction, but it is very necessary that your Majesty should
curb them in some matters. Your Majesty should command that what I
here relate be investigated. Near this city there is a small Indian
village, called Quiapo, which is assigned, it must be by the governors,
for the service of the great church of this city. It is pitiful
indeed to see how bare it is of every advantage. These Indians feel
much aggrieved at the Society's religious, saying that the latter
have taken from them their lands and inheritances, to their very
houses. The poor Indians are in a most poverty-stricken condition,
and certainly one must shut his ears, in order not to listen to what
he hears in this matter. It is a great pity that some poor Indians are
complaining against the religious having taken from them their paltry
property. The said Indians are writing to your Majesty in the matter;
I beseech your Majesty to command that it be noted that these are
the children, grandchildren, and relatives of the former king of this
city, who was here when the Spaniards captured it. He was called Raja
Soliman. They only ask your Majesty to protect them from the Jesuits,
[24] and to cause their lands and inheritances to be returned to
them. They consider all laymen as prejudiced judges; for certainly the
governors as well as the auditors usually are not willing to incur the
displeasure of the religious, as they do not write anything against
them either to your Majesty or to any of your Council. If this matter
could be entrusted to some religious of St