jesty would immediately remedy it;
for we are led to think that you do not realize the trouble which this
matter is causing, or else that it is one which is not to be discussed
as it should be, on account of the archbishop's many scruples. As
a result, the condition of affairs is intolerable, which is a most
unfortunate thing and one of great importance. Accordingly, as he
is a prelate and we are religious, we are writing to your Majesty's
Grandeur; and we make these statements with great circumspection,
that it may not seem as if passion were carrying us away.

Coming, then, to what concerns us, not even the least important
incident has occurred in which he has not shown himself opposed to an
order such as ours, causing us infinite annoyance--as if it were not
we who discovered these regions for your Majesty, and founded with
infinite toil this new church, and by whose industry your Majesty has
innumerable vassals. Every day, too, we are expecting to open up a
greater conversion [of the heathen]; and we continue what was begun
by those first fathers who trained us here. We desire not only that
the number of the faithful be multiplied, but that the royal crown of
your Majesty be increased. To this end, there has been no expedition in
which we did not send religious for the consolation and encouragement
of the troops. And on the so sudden and dangerous occurrence of the
rising of the Chinese, we doubt not that the governor has given your
Majesty an account of our proceedings; for in public and aloud he
thanked us in your Majesty's name for our humble services, though
our desire was great for the service of our king and lord. Not a
fortification has been made upon land, nor a ship or galley built,
where we have not rendered service; and in ministries to the Indians
and Spaniards, we believe that no religious order has surpassed us. In
spite of all this, the opposition which the said archbishop displays
toward us in everything is well known. Thus we find ourselves without
protection and in a very wretched state, whence we hope to extricate
ourselves with the aid and powerful protection of your Majesty,
who will consider himself pleased with these his household, and
will command that we be treated in all matters as is right. If it
were not for the president and royal Audiencia, who restrain these
acts of violence, this poor commonwealth would be separated by five
thousand leguas from its real deliverance and father, who is