us are so busily
engaged with the natives of the islands, they have not done this. When
the Dominicans came here, I entrusted to them the instruction of
the Chinese, and supplied them with interpreters to teach them the
language. I bade them build a church and dwelling in the alcaiceria
(called the Parian); and at the point of Tondo, where the Chinese live
and carry on their trade. Two of the religious have been so apt that
one of them already understands and speaks that language well, and the
other will know it in a short time. They are preaching and teaching and
have converted many people, having now a village of Christians. This
year, on Holy Thursday they held a procession in honor of the blood
of Christ, wherein they displayed much devotion. I hope in our Lord
that, as this people so clearly and firmly understand what they learn,
and as they have no particular worship, in a short time they will all
be converted. It is certain that if their long hair were not cut off
when they are baptized (according to the bishop's commands), there
would already have been a general conversion in this land, and they
would have received baptism. I gave account thereof to your Majesty,
and await your orders. [_Marginal note_: "Write to the provincial
acknowledging this, and to the bishop "in regard to cutting off the
hair of the Chinese. This is not expedient, as their conversion is
thereby retarded. Moreover, they do not dare to return to their own
country where they could teach and convert others. This custom of the
Chinese, wearing their hair long, is more usual in other parts of
the Yndias, as he knows; and hitherto this has not been considered
unseemly. Let the bishop call together the superiors of the orders,
and other learned and zealous persons. They shall confer and give
commands for what is expedient in regard to suitable measures for the
conversion of the Chinese. He shall send advices thereof, and of the
difficulties in the way, and shall provide for both."]

The bishop of these islands, as I have at other times written to
your Majesty, does not countenance appeals made by force, and the
decrees of the Audiencia; and when he is so inclined, he refuses to
comply therewith. We have therefore been put to much annoyance and
constraint in enforcing exile and other penalties, particularly in
regard to the defense of the royal jurisdiction. This latter has
not been done because the land is new, and to avoid offending the
natives