d an encomienda, to provide means
for conducting municipal affairs and meeting necessary expenses. He
recommends a reward for Ensign Francisco de Duenas, who has just
returned from an important mission to Ternate--whither he went with
official announcement of the transfer of the Portuguese settlement
there to the Spanish crown, which is peaceably accomplished. The
Franciscan missionaries who went to China have been brought back
to the islands by the governor, who forbids them to go away again
without his permission. The bishop intercedes for them with Penalosa,
but in vain. This is but an instance of the frequent conflicts between
the bishop and the civil authorities, who hinder rather than aid his
efforts. Salazar closes his letter with advice to the king as to the
officials who ought to be sent to these islands.

A document of especial interest is that (dated March 1, 1583) which
gives instructions for the commissary of the Inquisition who is to
reside in the Philippines. Great care must be exercised in the choice
of that official; he must be very discreet in his actions, and observe
most strictly the rule of secrecy in all transactions connected with
his office and proceedings. All cases of heresy are to be referred
to the Holy Office; accordingly, no cognizance of such cases is to be
taken by bishops or other ecclesiastical dignitaries. The commissary
is warned to control his temper, to be careful and thorough in
his investigations, and to report to the Holy Office any cases of
disrespect or disobedience to his commands. Careful instructions
are given for procedure in receiving denunciations against suspected
persons, on which are placed various restrictions, as well as upon
arrests made in consequence of such accusations. The commissary is
expected to investigate various crimes, especially that of bigamy;
but he should, when possible, leave its punishment to the regular
courts. In case of any accusation for this or other crimes, he should
send to the Inquisition at Mexico all available information regarding
the accused; in certain cases the latter should be sent to Mexico. The
royal officials of justice are required to assist the commissary on his
demand, and the public prisons are at his disposal; but he may at his
own discretion select a special and secret place of imprisonment for
a person arrested by him. The prisoner is to be promptly despatched
to Mexico, to be tried by the Inquisition there. The commissary i