s
many troubles would be avoided, and greater disorders, which may be
feared if the friars act as commissaries, would be obviated; and we
shall have the peace that is desired among your people. I entreat your
Highness to be pleased to consider this matter, and how necessary is
what I represent for the exercise of so holy a tribunal, and for your
Highness's service; for I shall not assure you that the islands will
be free from any confusion or insurrection unless reform is given, and
it is at least certain that we shall never have peace [otherwise]. And
since this holy tribunal always brings peace to the kingdoms where
it is just, will your Highness do this for me, and grant this request?

I petition the above from you in consideration of the above mentioned
causes; and because my uncle, the inquisitor, Don Pedro Hurtado
de Gabiria--who served for thirty years in the Inquisition of the
Canarias, Granada, and Lograno, and in the royal Council as fiscal
and inquisitor--having reared me until I was old enough to go to
serve your Highness in the States of Flandes, in the course of his
training taught me to obey, to venerate, and to respect so holy a
tribunal. And wherever I have been since then, when your Highness
sent me from the States of Flandes to Piru, and thence to govern
the kingdom of Tierra Firme at Panama, the Inquisitions of the said
Piru and Cartaxena, and (when I passed through Mexico) that of Nueva
Espana, have shown me, for my great respect, courtesy, and submission,
many honors and favors for which I shall always be grateful--as also
to your Highness, from whom I hope for greater honors. May our Lord
preserve your Highness in your grandeur. Manila, the last of June,
1636. Sire, your vassal kisses your Majesty's feet.

Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera

[The letter is followed by the appended documents:]

[The act of October 9, 1635, directed against the Society of Jesus,
which will be found in the "Letter written by a citizen of Manila,"
Vol. XXV, pp. 216-219. In the present document, the act is followed
by the following:]

Collated with the original records which are in possession of his
Excellency, and which I attest. Manila, October ten, one thousand
six hundred and thirty-five.

The bachelor Joan Fulgencio, notary.

This copy was collated with the copy of the original which is
authenticated by the bachelor, Joan Fulgencio, notary of the archbishop
of these islands, Don Fray Hernando Guerrero, whi