or that of Cagaian has nothing, and there
are no established tributes there. For if the money goes to Manila,
as the governor and auditors and royal officials are there, I too
must go there; and it certainly is an indignity to the position of a
bishop that they should thus treat him. What is done for a lay priest
and a religious is not much to do for a bishop; and as the religious
and the secular clergymen are paid where they labor and where the pay
is needed, the bishop should also be paid where he labors and where
he needs it. Beside this, as he is obliged to go there and return,
he undergoes during the journey (which is on the king's account)
danger from sea and from many enemies on land; and on the return,
which is on my account, there are the same dangers and risks to be run,
and I must pay money to bring it from a great distance, and through
dangerous routes. All this would be obviated if only the said decree
of his Majesty were observed in my case. But, as they say in Castilla,
the gallows was made for the unfortunate.

There is some more money which the royal officials have not collected
from me, which I owed, although they were informed of it by the
bulls. They failed to collect from me other money--that which was lent
me in Espana in the House of Trade at Sevilla, for my aid and outfit. I
say that concerning this I am writing to the Council, asking them to
remit me this debt, as it is certainly necessary. If those lords should
consent to have this favor done me, well and good; if not, patience.

Although I have equal liking and respect for all the Council, as for
Senor the licentiate Molina de Medrano, he best knows my heart and my
soul, as he has had closer association with me. Although I am writing
to his Grace, yet I do not know whether that letter will be so long;
and accordingly I beg your Grace to communicate this to him. To Senora
Dona Catalina, and to Senors Don Francisco and Don Christoval, and to
Dona Magdalena, and to that other angelic child whose name I do not
recall: may God keep them in life, and grant health to your Grace,
as I, the affectionate chaplain of all your household, desire. Afulu,
May 22, 1599.

_Fray Miguel_, Bishop of Nueba Segobia.

That letter I wrote to the Council, but it was blotted; and accordingly
I send a copy of it, and send that to your Grace, so that you may
show this if perchance the other one should be lost.

[_Endorsed_: "To Joan de Ibarra, knight of the habit of