treated
them very harshly in Pangasinan and Yllocos--perpetrating upon them
many acts of oppression, taking away their ship, and refusing to let
any one accompany them--which occasioned no little scandal to the
Indians. Among other reasons which the religious have given me to
justify their departure from here is the sight of the ill-usage which
the natives of these islands receive from the Spaniards, especially
those who have the charge of justice; and they say that all these
are for hindrance, and no one for help. Hence no harvest can be
gathered; and therefore they went to seek a place where they could
gather it. Certainly they are not far wrong, for the things that occur
here and the obstacles opposed by those who ought to aid us, are so
numerous that many times I have longed to leave it all and flee to the
mountains; but the charge that I hold keeps me within bounds. There is
very little respect for the ministers of the gospel; and they cannot
exercise their office without being dependent upon those who have more
concern for their own profit than for the instruction of the Indians.

There was sent to the island of Macan, where the Portuguese live--near
the city of Canton, in China--a father of the Society, and with him two
Franciscan religious, to deal with the Portuguese there, in the same
way as with those at Maluco; he was sent also to the Chinese governor
at Canton. A copy of the letter is sent to you, in order that it may be
seen what is asked from the Chinese governor and in what form; for the
Chinese who were then here told me how it should be properly written;
they said that their governor would thus learn our usages, and that he
would be delighted if we would write to him as we write to one another.

To fulfil our obligation, and to bring this narrative--already so
long--to a close, I will not omit, as your Majesty's servant and
chaplain, to say that since these lands are your Majesty's, and you
have in them so many and so loyal and obedient subjects, both Spaniards
and Indians, you should please to see that the people are cared for
and well treated; and that the governors preserve their liberties,
and do not convert the government into a source of profit to those
who govern, as has been done heretofore, to the great injury and
deterioration of these colonies.

To remedy this condition, your Majesty should send to govern them
not those who solicit that charge, but those whom your Majesty shall
seek--Chri