Above all we petition your Majesty to consider that this church is so poor that we are unable for that reason to send a person to look after its causes as the religious are doing. The latter are sending persons suitable for the matters that concern them, and so that they may not leave anything undone. We humbly petition your Majesty for correction in this and in all things. We petition our Lord God to communicate to your Majesty grace and ability to serve Him and aid you to govern the kingdoms rightly in which He has placed your Majesty. May He preserve you for us many long and happy years as He is able, and as we have need. Manila, July 3, 1602. Your Majesty’s chaplains and vassals.
- Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila.
- Archdeacon Arellano
- Sancto de Castro, precentor of Manila.
- Juan de la Za, canon.
- Diego de Leon, canon.
- Licentiate Gabriel Sanz
- Juan Galindo de Mesa
- Ramirez de Cartajena, canon.
- Pablo Ruiz de Talavera
- Blas Vela Melquior
- Crisanto de Tapiayo
[1] The first archbishop of Manila, Ignacio de Santibañez, O.S.F., died August 14, 1598, after having been in the islands only since May 28, of the same year. His successor Miguel de Benavides, O.P., did not assume his seat until 1603. [↑]
[2] This was the estate at Quiapo. See VOL. XIV, pp. 327–329. [↑]
[3] See Ortega’s relations and representations, VOL. IX, pp. 95–119. [↑]
LETTER FROM BERNARDINO MALDONADONADO[1] TO FELIPE III
Sire: