hose
souls. Such a condition demands a remedy, and it appears to me best to
present the matter to your Majesty, beseeching you to be pleased to
apply the remedy which is fitting, by providing a prelate and bishop
to govern the church for so many souls. The most effective measure, it
appears to me, is to discontinue the bishopric of Camarines, and have
the bishop put over the said nations--considering that the former is
the smallest bishopric, and borders on this archbishopric of Manila;
and that the administration of the sacraments of confirmation, and
the visitations, could be attended to by land journeys [from here]. In
this way these souls will be provided with their needed nourishment,
and many will receive [spiritual] aid who today are neglected, or
who have hardly any ministers. It has seemed best to me to present
this matter to your Majesty, that you may command what shall seem
best. [In the margin: "Let the decision on the printed memorial,
number 47, 48, and 53, be executed."]

In the year 654 I gave an account to your Majesty of all the kingdoms
and islands in the neighborhood of these. In some of them your Majesty
has garrisons and government, as in that of Terrenate; others are
governed by their own native kings; and in all there are an infinite
number of Christians. But all of them are lacking in ecclesiastical
jurisdiction and spiritual administration, because priests have to come
to them from Goa; and on account of the want that they have suffered,
they find themselves in need of ministers. Considering the fact that
I am the nearest metropolitan in these islands, it seemed best to me
to make known these facts to your Majesty, so that, if it be your
pleasure, you may provide assistance from this archbishopric--as
is provided for the countries of Camboxa, Tunquin, Macazar, Sian,
which are all governed by their native kings and are inhabited by an
infinite number of baptized persons, who are afforded salvation in
the same manner and way as was done in the year 654 in the islands
of Terrenate, where the power of your Majesty is established. Your
governor, Don Sabiniano Manrrique de Lara, withdrew the curacy which
was established at Malaca, as it seemed expedient for the service
of your Majesty; and at that time he sent ministers to maintain that
Christian community until your Majesty should determine otherwise, or
his Holiness should make provision [through me], as the metropolitan
nearest at hand, for the s