selling for money the presentations which he makes to the benefices conformably to your Majesty’s right of patronage.  This is so true that I have this week corrected one which he committed in the convent of San Francisco del Monte itself.  Abandoned by the power of God, he paid for the evil which he had done against me with so great a vice.  He received four hundred pesos, for the presentation to a prebend, which he presented to me that very day.  He has become accustomed to do this, and says that he is going to write to Espana that he is going to this said convent, which is a heavenly garden, belonging to descalced fathers of much holiness.  Although he has a house near there he is not content with it, but comes in and meddles with the convent, and with those who go to see it, for there is nothing which his hand does not profane.  On Monday afternoon before St. Francis’ day, this year, he left Manilla, saying that he was going to Cabite to despatch the ships.  At night he left the road with a servant, having placed the horses within some chapels which are being built at the convent of Santo Domingo; and entered to sleep that night in the house of a married woman, the wife of an honorable man of this city, leaving guards at the door, for thus imprudent is he, although God permits that he is such a coward as not to enter into such evil acts without taking guards, and even sometimes arquebuses, to serve as witnesses of his sins—­which are made public, to the scandal of all the people.  Sire, I do not believe that I can live with this man; if your Majesty thinks that it is best for your royal service to keep him in this government, your Majesty must take me from this church.  I wish nothing else, and even this place I do not merit; nor did I seek it, nor did it ever pass through my head that it was possible that at any time I should have to hold it.  But I wish your Majesty to command me to return, to die in my cell in peace; for if I remain here I cannot conceal so many and so public offenses against God and against the service of your Majesty, without reprehending them with the same publicity as that with which they are committed.  I trust through the mercy of God that your Majesty will see all this with Christian and Catholic eyes, and will provide a remedy fitting for the service of God and of your Majesty, whom may our Lord protect, for the long years which we need.  Manilla, June 26, 98.  Sire, I kiss the feet of your Majesty, your servant and chaplain,

Fray Ignacio, Archbishop of Manilla.

Letters from the Bishop of Nueva Segovia to Felipe II

Sire: