r Majesty to
approve his departure from this country--for it appeared to him that
no bishop was necessary in that region [of Camarines], nor so many
in so small a country as are these islands--if it were not that the
disagreements and difficulties which he had with the friars of that
province obliged him to remain. There was lost in his person one of
the most zealous for the service of your Majesty that were here; and
one who labored for it with most affection, good sense, and integrity,
without aiming at private ends or his own aggrandizement. [_In the
margin_: "There is already a person appointed in his place."]

The bishop of Cebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, is likewise little or not
at all desirous of greater honors. On the contrary, according to his
own words, he desires the quiet of a cell, with scant alms from your
Majesty, for the repose of his old age; and we all believe this, for
we regard him, as he is generally reputed, as a holy man, as humble
as the latest novice of his order. [_In the margin_: "It is well."]

The archbishop of this city, Don Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano, showing
his zeal for the service of your Majesty and for procuring the
assistance and welfare of these islands, planned and offered himself
to go to that court [of Espana], laying aside his own repose for
the hardships of so long a voyage. In this matter, I think that the
officials of his church did not divert him from the exercise of his
office--this being my opinion, and that of many others--in order to
leave themselves freed from so much domination and authority as this
office entails, and with more free will, as they were wont to be before
[he came]; and for this reason I will not say that they were making
illegal use of that office--although they have discussed my affairs
in an unfriendly way, at the instance of someone who induced them
to do so; but, on the other hand, they have acted with great virtue
and as very good ecclesiastics. When I had consulted the Audiencia,
in their session, about the purpose of this voyage, it appeared that
it was not quite necessary, and that your Majesty therefore might not
approve of it; accordingly, this opinion was stated to the archbishop,
with many thanks for his zeal and his kind offer. According to what
I have heard, he was hurt by it; so it appears that he would have
liked better that his desires should be realized. [_In the margin_:
"Examined."]

I wrote to your Majesty concerning the auditor,