friendship of its king. He urges the sending of a moderate force
against Siam, to be provided by the home government. He announces
that he is planning to send an embassy to China, with gifts; and
he prays the king to reimburse him for expenses connected with the
sending of this embassy. Toward the end of the letter he discusses
the gifts most acceptable in China.

Felipe II grants (March 20, 1596) the city of Manila a coat-of-arms
more satisfactory to the Spaniards than the one which had been
previously used. A royal decree, dated May 15, 1596, regulates the
status of the bishoprics suffragan to the archdiocese of Manila. Ten
days later, the king issues instructions for the new governor,
Francisco Tello. He is earnestly charged to further in every possible
way the interests of religion, especially in the instruction of the
natives, and the completion and equipment of the cathedral; and to work
in harmony with the archbishop. He is to provide liberally for the
maintenance of the hospitals, and oversee their management. He must
give the king full information regarding the number of missionaries
now in the islands, and those needed there, etc.; and shall make
arrangements with the superiors of the various orders for the most
advantageous distribution of the missionaries who shall be sent each
year. Every effort must be made to convert the heathen Indians. Tello
is strictly charged not to meddle with ecclesiastical affairs, and to
maintain friendly relations with both clerics and friars. No minister
of religion shall be permitted to collect from the natives any fees for
burials, marriages, etc. Tello is ordered to leave some missionaries
at the Ladrones Islands, for the instruction of the natives. Tribute
must be collected from all the pacified Indians, whether converts
or heathen. The ecclesiastics must not meddle with the collection of
tributes, or oppose the governor's authority; for any reforms which