is left them no just ground for complaint. When I came here I
found that, although the said decree is so precise, the execution of it
was so far forgotten here that, when I took steps for its observance,
it was ill received, as will appear by the accompanying reports
thereof. Nevertheless, the execution of the decree will be attended
to on my part, until your Majesty may decree otherwise. There is no
doubt that by this is decreed what is expedient for this kingdom; and
if the officials took proper care to execute your Majesty's orders,
these difficulties would be obviated. But, as I have before written,
it is not done with due exactness.

Governor Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas was daily expecting a change in
this government and his removal, and owing to this and his mildness
of disposition, affairs in general suffer. Although he is a man of
good intentions and of much virtue, he is governed in everything
by the friars, and particularly by the Dominicans, who are enjoying
this favorable opportunity and make use of it to advance their own
interests and those of their friends. The youth and inexperience
of the governor does not permit of anything else. Now with the news
that your Majesty is to send Don Francisco Tello to this government,
it seems as if everything would take on new life; for, if there is
more delay, it would be at the cost of the service of your Majesty,
and the welfare of these islands. Everything has declined greatly from
the condition in which matters were left by his father; and although
I have done what I could it is but little, on account of my slight
and inadequate authority. Nevertheless, some of the most important
things have been looked after with more spirit than at first. The
people of this land cannot be pleased with everything, for they are
fond of liberty; and for this reason there are some complaints. But
I endeavor only to further the service of God and of your Majesty,
not to consult their tastes or to manage affairs so that they may
write to your Majesty in approbation of me. As things have happened,
there may be a lack of persons to approve my proceedings; but this
does not vex me, because I expect that, with God's help, time will
show the truth; and no other reward is needed than to satisfy your
Majesty, as is my earnest desire.

The jurisdiction of your Majesty in this kingdom is so hampered by that
of the ecclesiastics that on no occasion can we have our own way. As
there is no one to w