The latter said that he heard
it and would answer in due form.

7. He did so, and presented himself with the copy authorized in public
form, of the proceedings of the royal and supreme Council of the Indias
in the cause prosecuted by the father procurator-general, Fray Juan de
la Madre de Dios, asking that his province should be restored to its
former possession of the ministries of Mariveles, Masinloc, Bolinao,
Puquil, and Playa-honda, and the rest of the province of Zambales. The
decision thereon, as appeared from the said proceedings, was referred
to the royal Audiencia of Manila. In regard to the contents of Father
Peguero's memorial, notwithstanding what he might petition, it should
be refuted as outside the truth, as a calumny, and as grievously
offensive to his province--which with excessive and continual work,
and equal zeal in the service of both Majesties, had assisted in the
administration of the Christians and the conversion of the infidels
in the aforesaid districts, from the year one thousand six hundred
and seven to the year one thousand six hundred and seventy-nine,
when it was despoiled actually and contrary to law, and the Dominican
religious introduced into those missions. Notwithstanding the above,
the said memorial, proceeding by malicious reports, and with a lack
of accurate information, says that in the year seventy-six the said
Father Peguero informed the government of these islands that the
conversion and reduction of the Zambals--both the light-complexioned
ones and those with the kinky hair, on both sides of the mountains that
extend from Batan to Pangasinan, especially in the localities of Aglao,
Buquil, Alupay, and Culianan, and many others--had not been thitherto
in charge of any of the orders of these islands. In consideration of
that, he petitioned that that care be assigned to his order. Despatches
were given him in accordance with the terms of his petition, without
summoning the party of the Recollect province, which was in possession
[of that territory] from the time mentioned above. That order was then
especially extending its labors, and working in the reduction of the
infidels of those very same places, and in the administration of a
great number of Christians in those districts, who paid tribute to
their encomenderos. His order having offered opposition, and having
made a petition before the royal Audiencia to be protected in its
ancient possession, this was done, and the Order of