In the ship that just arrived from Nueva Espana, there came eighteen descalced friars, a class of people who do much good in this land, on account of their mode of life and their poverty.  Nevertheless, they come so eager to pass on to China that it would not be right to keep them here.  Accordingly, in order to console them, I am now giving permission to the commissary who accompanied them, and to four other religious, both to go to Macau [Macao] to visit the house which they have there, and to pass to the bordering kingdom of Cochinchin.  News is had that the king of the latter country asks for ministers to teach him our holy faith.  I hope to God that benefit may be derived therefrom, for the salvation of those souls.  I have also improved the opportunity of the commissary’s departure to send by him to the Portuguese of Macau the news of the certainty of the late coronation of your Majesty. [47] Therefore I expect that that stronghold will be as peaceful as that of Maluco.

Through your viceroy of Nueva Espana I am sending a copy of the residencia of the doctor Sande, as that sent a year ago was lost with the ship to which it was entrusted.

Much pleasure was caused in the land by the arrival of the bishop, [48] and I received him as well as I could.  On account of the austerity of his disposition and his wish to dominate, people do not like him; and he has caused much discontent among both ecclesiastics and laymen.  His Christianity and zeal is worthy, and he will undoubtedly prove to be true.  As your Majesty is better informed, you may provide accordingly.  May our Lord guard your royal Catholic Majesty and increase your kingdoms, as we your Majesty’s vassals desire.  Manila, June 15, in the year 1582.

Royal Catholic Majesty, the most humble servant of your Majesty, who kisses the royal feet and hands.

Don Gonzalo Rronquillo de Penalosa

Bibliographical Data

Most of the documents in this volume are obtained from the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.  The original MSS. (from copies of which our translations are made) are there preserved in two patronatos, as follows: 

(a) “Simancas-Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del gobernador de Filipinas, vistos en el consejo; anos 1567 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 6.”  To this belong Sande’s report of 1576, his letters of July 29, 1578 and May 30, 1579, Penalosa’s letter, and the two documents of 1582.

(b) “Simancas-Filipinas; descubrimientos, descripciones y poblaciones de las Yslas Filipinas; anos 1566 a 1586; est. 1, caj. 1, leg. 2|24.”  From this patronato we obtain Sande’s report of 1577 (in ramo 40), and the record of his expedition to Borneo (no. 48).  The former lacks a signature, and may be a duplicate copy, sent (as already explained) by another vessel to ensure the arrival of at least one copy in Spain, the signature being perhaps forgotten through some clerical oversight; but its date and composition show it to be Sande’s report.