e wind
was strong, half of its houses were burned, including those of the
richest citizens and merchants, and the royal warehouses. Through this
loss and that of the ships this whole community, both ecclesiastical
and secular, is in great straits, hard pressed and very needy. On
this account your Majesty will favor it by your royal power, that
it may not be ruined altogether. We are confident in the Lord, that
if this letter reaches your Majesty's royal hands, with information
in the other matters above mentioned, our Lord will be served, and
this commonwealth and the Filipinas Islands aided and favored by your
Majesty--whom may our Lord protect during many long and happy years,
for the welfare and increase of His dominions. Manila, December
11, 1603.

The chaplains and vassals of your Majesty:
_Don Juan de Bivero_, dean of Manila.
_Sanctiago de Castro_, precentor of Manila.
The canon _Diego de Leon_
The licentiate _Marcos Maldonado_, canon.
The canon _Ranullo de Cartagena_
The canon _Pablo Ruiz de Talavera_
_Francisco de Cavranca_

Sire:

This order has thought best to send to Espana, to negotiate its
affairs, father Fray Diego de Guevara, prior of this house at Manila,
as your Majesty will be informed. This has pleased me much, for,
besides that business, I have communicated to him things which
intimately concern the service of God and your Majesty, which he
will explain to you--particularly the need for reformation in this
province. I beseech your Majesty, if such be your pleasure, to give
him audience, and to remedy without delay the matters concerned. In
my opinion, the most important thing is to have some person come
here from Hespana, who is zealous for both services--a man of great
energy and integrity, and sufficient power so that, with another
of the same qualifications, to be chosen here, as the former there,
they can settle this matter aright, for it is very necessary. I refer
you to the said father procurator, who will make a complete report
concerning this and other matters here. I will say no more than that
I am taking this measure because it touches my obligations, and my
bounden duty to your Majesty's service. If this be done, I am certain
that all will be in fitting order. May our Lord protect the Catholic
person of your Majesty, according to the needs of Christendom. From
your Majesty's convent of San Pablo, at Manila, December 17, 1603.

_Fray Pedro Arce_, provincial.

Sire:

The Order o