the see]--nor can appeal be taken to the delegate of his Holiness,
or to any other--by any bishop of these islands, since all four are
Dominicans and follow the lead of the archbishop; and all the four
cities and bishoprics of these islands are entirely unsettled with
lawsuits and excommunications at every step. No attention is paid to
the officials of his Majesty, the more discreet of whom acquiesce. It
is necessary to apply a very exemplary corrective; for they [i.e.,
the ecclesiastical authorities] have gone to such an extreme that
to issue royal decrees to them is the same as to throw caps at the
tarasca. [114] They act with contempt for the royal authority, which
even the most remote barbarians fear and reverence.

On the first of December was published the residencia of Don Juan de
Vargas Hurtado; and a fortnight later the city challenged the judge
of residencia, by saying that it was conducted with fraud, as the
said judge was bribed. The challenge was admitted, and he named for
his associate Senor Calderon; as the latter declined, he named Senor
de Viga, and then Senor Bolivar, both of whom did the same. The judge
continued to nominate other persons, and all excused themselves. [115]
As a result, it seems, Don Juan de Vargas was anchored to his island
[116] for several years. He himself has caused this, since he has not
the dexterity to apply a curb of silver with the royal arms to Captain
Quintanilla, the scrivener of the residencia--who still endeavors to
urge it on, although he does not lead the plot.

A second embassy came from Borney; and General Don Juan de Morales is
going with the title of ambassador, to establish peace at once. [117]
They say a Theatin will accompany him, to pave the way for introducing
the faith into that kingdom.

The commander [of the galleon] for Castilla is Don Francisco
Zorrilla; the sargento-mayor, Don Bernardo de Andaya; the chief
pilot, Lazcano. [Here is the list of] alcaldes-mayor: Of Tondo,
Don Pedro Lozano; of Pampanga, Samaniego; of Bulacan, Armijo; of
Bay, Don Antonio de Ortega; of Balayan, Don Juan Antonio de Tabara;
of Tayabas, Captain Conde; of Albay, Captain Ariola; of Pangasinan,
Arcega; of Ylocos, the former sargento-mayor of Cavite; of Calamianes,
Don Alonso de Leon; of Mindoro, Prada; of Panay, Don Agustin Crespo;
of the island of Negros, Captain Adriano; of Caraga, Captain Blas
Rodriguez. For accountant of his Majesty, Juan del Pozo y Gatica;
for castellan of