your Majesty was pleased to
send us to these lands. But such was not the case; for the archbishop
was angry (according to what we can understand of the matter)
because in the former year of 35 we followed the cathedral church,
during his absence, in the observance of an interdict which he had
laid on this city--a proceeding which he greatly resented because,
he said when he returned to this city, the interdict had not been
raised by his order or with his consent. Now, as this business has
come into his hands, he is giving us many opportunities for gaining
merits; and although the narration made in the brief is so accurate
and truthful that there is nothing more evident, he has displayed his
cognizance of it by reducing it to the terms of an ordinary litigation,
and has made plain his intention, which is to exceed the commission
that his Holiness gives him in the brief--to the very considerate
prejudice and injury of this province and of the observance of our holy
constitutions. By his conduct the opposition that we have thus far
suffered from lay persons born in these regions has been continually
stimulated--to such an extent that Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera,
the governor of these islands, saw that he had reason to fear some
bad ending to such beginnings; and therefore, with the prudence and
carefulness which he displays in all matters concerning his government,
he suppressed the disturbances which were being stirred up.

We do not know, Sire, how this will result, although we strive in
all things to possess our souls in patience; and we trust to the
justice of the governor of these islands, that he will protect us in
all that our just claims and rights shall permit. For we can have
only this consolation in the present emergency, that violence is
threatened against us; and that the protection which the governor of
these islands has extended to your Majesty's vassals in such cases,
and his defense of the royal patronage, have been the occasion of
the commotions and troubles which have occurred in this city during
these last two years. For if the archbishop had chosen to avert them
he could have done so, without losing anything of his jurisdiction,
or failing to meet the obligations of a vigilant prelate.

Accordingly, we entreat your Majesty not to give entire credit to all
the reports about this matter that are written to your Majesty from
this country; for we know how persons regard our affairs at present,
and