overnors grant or deny them, in accordance with law--to
the considerable discredit, of the authority that your Majesty has
conceded to the government. That results in nothing that is ordered
being executed. And although your Majesty has provided a remedy for
these accidents with decrees, so that, in case of doubt, the governor
may declare what occurs to him, and that the auditors may pass for
this purpose into Philipinas, still that has not sufficed; for they
take care to give the decrees a different meaning, and will not be
subdued by any means that I have used. In proof of this I cite the
following examples.

Your Majesty has prohibited the Audiencia from trying causes concerning
the Sangleys of the Parian, and ordered that they be tried only by
the alcalde-mayor and the governor, reserving only the sin against
nature to the Audiencia. Nevertheless, they meddle by taking the
[trial of] first instance from the alcaldes-mayor.

Your Majesty permits only four thousand Sangleys in these islands,
but a greater number has been tolerated because of the advantage of
the licenses that they pay, and in order not to disturb the trade
with China. In respect to these and many other troubles, the former
governors have endeavored very earnestly to assure that nation,
charging the justices to be very attentive in their jurisdictions,
and not allowing them to grant passage from one part to another
without permission. Especially is it charged upon the alcalde-mayor
of the jurisdiction of Vinondo--the point where the Sangleys fortified
themselves during the insurrection. For this so laborious occupation,
in a special meeting fees were assigned for each license, at the
rate of one real and a quarter for him and his clerk. This has been
the practice for many years. This Audiencia having begun to govern
these islands because of the death of Don Juan Nino de Tavora, the
Order [104] of St. Dominic endeavored to alter these licenses and
the fee, by representing the injury that was done the Sangleys. But
the auditors, in consideration of the above so superior reasons,
confirmed to the letter the last act made concerning this matter
by the deceased governor; and when I succeeded to the government in
accordance with your Majesty's order, the said religious endeavored to
do the same thing. Upon becoming thoroughly familiar with the matter,
I confirmed the said governmental acts, enacted by the Audiencia and
by Don Juan Nino de Tavora. Neverthel