fathers have been the first conquistadors and
founders of the greater part of the villages of Visayas, and even of
those of the island of Luzon, it appears to be the most natural thing
that the first bishop be a calced Augustinian; and that he should know
the language of the country, so that he can sooner establish this new
bishopric in better order, civilization, and increase of Christianity,
and tributes.

"Accordingly, this aged bishop expects this, Sire, from the pure
Catholicity of your Majesty, and from your ardent zeal for the increase
of the Christian church and of prosperity in these your so distant
dominions--which have always shown themselves so loyal and constant,
even in the midst of so many revolutions, to their beloved king and
sovereign; and he even dares, knowing your Majesty's goodness of heart,
to propose three Augustinian fathers who have accomplished much for
the happiness of these Visayas Islands, so that your Majesty may
choose one of the three; for any one of them would completely fulfil
your royal desires.

"The proposal is sent under other covers, and I am sending it to
his Excellency, the vice-patron, for his approval. But the decision
of your Majesty, on whose delicate conscience your bishop of Cebu
places this whole matter, and [thus] relieves his own conscience,
will always be the most suitable one. May God, etc."

If the creation of a new bishopric was considered as an absolute
necessity at that time, in order that the Christian church in the so
numerous islands might be better attended to, with how much more reason
cannot the present bishop and his successors solicit this grace from
his Majesty, since the population has increased to about double what
it was then--and especially since new provinces have been created,
and most of their wandering tribes, scattered throughout most of the
islands in the jurisdiction of this diocese, conquered for God. We
believe also, with that venerable bishop, that the division of this
extensive bishopric into two parts is highly advisable (_for_ it is
wellnigh impossible for any diocesan to visit his so numerous and
scattered flock)--not only in the interests of religion, but also
in those of the State, inasmuch as the former is preserved by their
vigilance and authority purer and more incorruptible from the vices
that have invaded it on more than one occasion; and the country will
increase in wealth and prosperity, in proportion as the numerous
nom