that they regard it as their vocation to be opposed to the government and to the governors, as they have done since their establishment in these islands, without a single exception—­unless only it be Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, whom, with the asperity on which they pride themselves, and their tyrannical ways they subjected in such manner that they ruled him.  In order that those who succeed me may continue attending to the service of your Majesty without the difficulties and quarrels which we, the former governors and I, have experienced, it will be expedient that your Majesty order them not to interfere so much in the government, and that they must restrain their audacious and insolent mode [of speech].  For this is so uncurbed and terrible that any honorable man would fear it on account of what the friars cast at him, to the prejudice of anyone who acts contrary to their wishes; and this they do not only through the pulpits, but by various other means, as I have said they did with the past governors—­and particularly with Don Juan de Silva, my predecessor—­and which I also have sufficiently experienced and suffered. [In the margin:  “Let him exercise care to do what is ordered in this matter, and have it done at the first opportunity.” In another hand:  “Write a letter to the provincial of St. Dominic, telling him that the insolence which his friars display is known, and what Don Alonso says here, and accordingly the provincial must convene and reprimand them, obliging them to look after the affairs of their order alone, and the conversion of souls, as is their duty (which is the principal reason why they went there); and let them not mix in government affairs, or any others not concerning their order; and have him advise us of what he shall do.” In another hand:  “Write to Don Alonso that such a letter has been sent to the provincial of St. Dominic, that he may be aware of it.”]

None of these things of which I have informed your Majesty and have just written about are meant to comprehend, nor can they concern, the fathers of the Society of Jesus; for they are judicious, prudent, and moderate men, and, without in the least failing in their obligation to the service of your Majesty, they attend to those of their vocation, and to the protection of their Indians, so that each of them is suitably occupied.  To spare what I might write concerning their well-ordered procedure, I will say that these fathers who are here are of the same [character] as those who are under the inspection of your Majesty and that of the supreme pontiff.  They are religious who reap a great harvest among souls in this newly-christianized land.  It would be expedient for your Majesty to order their general to send [more of] his men here, increasing the number of them; for they are greatly needed for the mission villages that these fathers have in their charge, and the work which they accomplish therein, and the other duties of their office.  Nor is there anyone of that order who talks of going back to those kingdoms without the most urgent reason making it necessary. [In the margin:  “Examined.”]