ble arises in the
Franciscan order over the appointment of a visitor, which is quelled
by similar action on Serrano's part, and the governor's interference
in the matter. More laborers are needed for the Jesuit missions,
as well as for those conducted by the friars. Serrano urges that
the hospital order of St. John of God be established in the islands,
as the hospitals there need better care than they are receiving from
the Franciscans. He complains that the officials of the orders give
letters of recommendation too easily; that the Audiencia are lax in
their attendance at church feasts; that the ships are sent too late
to Nueva Espana, and also return too late to the Philippines: that
workmen in government employ in the islands are defrauded of their
pay; that the city of Manila is overrun with Chinese and Japanese,
far beyond the numbers allowed by royal edicts or regard for the safety
of the Spanish citizens there; and that private persons, by collusion
with the officials, illegally secure for themselves the best of the
Philippine trade with Malacca and other adjacent regions. At the end
of Serrano's letter is the papal bull changing the date on which the
feast of Corpus Christi may be celebrated in Oriental regions.

A letter from Geronimo de Silva to the king (August 1, 1621) states
that one of the ships to Nueva Espana has been forced back to Manila
by adverse weather, which has caused great distress in the islands. The
annual relief for Ternate has been sent; attacks on Luzon by the Dutch
and English are expected, but result in the enemy capturing only
a few Chinese vessels. Silva mentions the pitiably small forces of
the colony for defense, and urges that reenforcements and other aid
be sent for this purpose. Undesirable inhabitants of the country are
being sent away, especially the Japanese, who are more dangerous than
the Chinese. Silva refers to the difficulties between the governor
and auditors, and asserts that these are due to the existence of the
Audiencia there, which is a costly and useless burden on the colony,
and a hindrance to the administration of justice and to the fulfilment
of the governor's duties.

Affairs in the Franciscan province of the Philippines are in
unsatisfactory condition; an account of them is sent to the king
(July 31, 1620) by the provincial of that order, Pedro de San Pablo,
in behalf of the province. He states that a visitor has been sent
to it from Nueva Espana who is not on