s is commanded by the
councils. Besides the above difficulty there is another one, namely,
that no people sail from Yndia to the Moluccas except the Dutch, as the
latter have gained possession of those islands and of their drug trade,
which they defend from all, most especially the Portuguese of Yndia.

Consequently, it seems to be necessary that the spiritual affairs of
those forts be placed in charge of the archbishop of Manila (although
they are nearer to the bishopric of Zebu), because of the ships which
continue to carry reenforcements, with a voyage of three hundred leguas
or a little more or less. No other object is intended in this than the
welfare of those Christians; and your Majesty will obtain no other
advantage than that of maintaining our Roman faith in its purity in
that most remote district of the world, among so warlike nations as
are the Japanese, Chinese and Tartars, Tunquinese, Cochin-chinese,
Cambojans, Siamese, Joloans, and others who almost surround it. For
that alone so great a sum of money is spent as is known, not only in
those forts but in all those islands. It has been proved to be very
agreeable to God because of the extent to which the holy gospel has
spread among them, for they are the best fields of Christian effort of
all the conquests of the monarchy. It is well seen that He favors it
in the continual victories that your Majesty's arms have had in those
regions on sea and land, although it is so distant a member of the body
of this monarchy. May God prosper this monarchy well with fortunate
victories for the welfare and increase of our holy religion. [17]

Francisco Vello

JESUIT PROTEST AGAINST THE DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

Memorial of Miguel Solana, Jesuit, petitioning the king not to
allow the Dominican friars to carry out their purpose of founding a
university in Manila.

Sire:

Miguel Solana of the Society of Jesus, and procurator-general of the
province of the Philippine Islands, makes the following declaration,
namely: That he has been shown a memorial presented by the father
master Fray Mateo Vermudez, [18] procurator-general of the college
of Santo Tomas in the city of Manila, wherein for reasons therein set
forth he asks that the ambassador at Rome be authorized in writing to
petition his Holiness to erect a university of general studies, and to
incorporate and establish it in his college as above--so that, should
there hereafter be founded separate schools and