enemies than it has been hitherto. There
is great hope that if moderate diligence be shown, our Lord may be
pleased to open the door to the preaching of the gospel among the
heathen. This is proved by the harvest gathered by the four descalced
friars of the order of St. Francis, who went hence to Xapon last
year. I found Don Luis Dasmarinas governing this land, on account
of the death of his father, as your Majesty will have been fully
informed ere this. I will serve according to your Majesty's orders
in the office of lieutenant-general of these islands with as much
care as my strength will permit, until your Majesty may be pleased
to order otherwise. I humbly beseech your Majesty that the method of
procedure that is to be followed here be sent to this kingdom with
the utmost despatch. May those who live here be granted reward, for
they have served your Majesty with much care and fidelity; and if the
land is not burdened with taxes, the maintenance and advancement of it
are likely to bring about great improvements even in the neighboring
kingdoms, to the service of God and of your Majesty.

I shall commence the residencia which your Majesty orders me to take
in the case of Licentiate Pedro de Rojas, my predecessor, and of other
ministers, as soon as these ships for Nueva Espana have sailed. In
order not to hinder their despatch, it has seemed best to postpone
this work; but by the first ships I shall do as your Majesty bids me
in this matter.

I was inaugurated into my office as soon as I arrived at this city,
and concerning the inauguration I send the accompanying report to
your Majesty. As I have come so recently I give no report in detail
as to what should be done in this region. From what I have seen,
however, it seems to me that I ought to remind your Majesty of
what I wrote from Mexico. Your Majesty's treasury in these islands
has been administered at a great loss to your Majesty's exchequer,
and it is very necessary for your Majesty to send someone to make
investigations and set things in order for the future. In that way
your Majesty will be enabled to meet the expenses incurred, without
providing therefor from Nueva Espana, as is done now. Everything is
greatly in arrears. May our Lord preserve the royal person of your
Majesty for many long years, as is needed by universal Christendom,
and as we your Majesty's servants desire. Manila, June 25, 1595.

_Dr. Antonio Morga_

[_Order by the council_: "Let a de