year ago.

Because I sat down one day on the gospel side of the principal altar
during mass, the president and auditors took umbrage, and refused to
enter the principal church again until I made them return to it. I
have not sat there since, in order to give no grounds for contention,
although I know that it is my proper place, and that the Audiencia
have deprived me of it against all right. What was done in this
matter was sent also to the royal Council last year. I entreat that
your Majesty will be so good as to have the Audiencia and myself
informed as to what must be observed in regard to these two points;
for it is neither right that they should take umbrage at me, nor for
me to do what I should not.

After their arrival in this city, there was but little harmony between
the president and auditors. Their discord was so public, that it
caused great scandal here. I tried to restore peace between them,
and for that purpose came to this city, leaving the visitation that
I was making. After they had been harmonized once, they began to
quarrel again, and with much more scandal than before. I tried for
the second time to pacify them; and when I saw that talking to each
one in private could result in nothing, one day, in full meeting,
I set before them the great scandal that they were causing in this
city, and the bad example that they were setting to it; and declared
to them the great displeasure of your Majesty, if you should know it,
and of God too. The hand of the Lord was interposed, and their lack
of harmony ended from that time; and they have been on friendly terms
ever since. In public as in secret, God works His will.

In a decree sent to me by the Inquisition of Mexico your Majesty
orders me to deliver the records of proceedings and the prisoners to
the commissary of the Inquisition there; this I did immediately, as
I was only awaiting a message sufficient to enable me to do so, but
which had not come until then. I know that many troubles will surely
arise from this in the future; but, in doing what is ordered me,
I obey. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's royal Catholic person
for many years, for the good of His church and the protection of us
who have so little power. Manila, June 26, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your most humble friar chaplain kisses your
royal hands.

The Bishop of the Filipinas

[Addressed: "To his royal Catholic Majesty, King Don Phelippe,
our sovereign. In his royal Counci