ny murders of Indians, very evil in the way in which they were
committed, and worse in their concealment for twelve years past;
and the failure to make restitution of great amounts, received but
not returned. Because I am remedying this, with which neither the
bishop nor his clergy concern themselves, the bishop forces them to
take this attitude because the name of injustice irritates him.

With great eagerness the bishop is making up something to say about
me, taking great pains to get information in regard to my life,
and trying to bring forward someone who could tell him something to
write. About a little amber which I bought a few days ago, for my own
use, and at my own expense, he made many inquiries of the man who sold
it--namely, whether he had been paid for it, and how; besides other
things of which he has managed to get hold. But since I am sure these
charges against me will not be believed, his base intention gives me
no uneasiness. May our Lord guard the Catholic person of your Majesty
for many long years, since Christendom has need of you.

Manila, June 20, 1592.

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

Sire:

By the letters I am writing your Majesty through your royal Council
of the Indias, your Majesty will learn of all affairs here. It is
advisable that your Majesty be able to correct and provide as is most
fitting to your royal service. Although I advise in those letters
concerning the conditions of affairs here, and what I think about each
one, agreeably to the nature of the events and affairs contained in the
letters, I am writing this letter, addressed to your Majesty in person,
so that it may serve merely as a memorandum and reminder of certain
matters that most occupy and busy me. I set them down here in small
compass, in order not to fatigue your Majesty, since I have already
given a detailed account of them by letters, memorials, informations,
and reports which I am sending to the Council, in which your Majesty
can ascertain what you may be pleased to know.

In this land, as being so new, and where affairs have not as yet the
solidity and completeness requisite, are many obstacles and impediments
to its good government. One of them, and not the least, is the power,
authority, and even tyranny, with which the bishop and religious
have insinuated themselves into and domineered over it. Nothing is
attempted or tried that they are not wont to oppose it; and nothing is
ordained or decreed here in which they