Audiencia in the islands.

Luis Perez Dasmariñas recommends (July 20, 1597) that the royal
hospital at Manila should be placed under the joint care of the
Franciscans and the Order of La Misericordia. He reports that the
religious are reluctant to do this, but that the confraternity approve
of the plan--except that they are unwilling to assume a financial
responsibility in a work which is, on their part, one of charity only.

A group of short letters from Tello to the king (April 29-August 12,
1597) relates various matters of interest. The conquest of Mindanao
has been practically effected. The numbers and power of the Chinese
in the islands have been greatly reduced. A rising of the Zambales
has been quelled. Insubordinate Spaniards have been punished; "on
New Year's day, I had the entire city council arrested for an act of
disobedience to me." Tello is improving the city, and is striving
to secure a good water-supply. He has imprisoned Dasmariñas, for
failure to equip the lost treasure-ship properly. The Japanese talk
of seizing Formosa, but the Spaniards are planning to forestall
them in this. The Chinese who slew some Spaniards en route to
Mindanao have been punished with death. It is reported that the
Spanish fort of Maluco has been seized by the natives. The natives
of Mindanao have rebelled (August, 1597), and reënforcements have
been sent thither to end the the Chinese, whom he views with some
suspicion. The Japanese trade requires regulation, especially that in
deerskins, which threatens to destroy the game. The sale of provisions
especially should be under government supervision. Sumptuary laws
and the prevention of gambling are required. Negroes should be kept
out. Building houses with wood should be prevented. The streets
need repairs. The officials take much advantage of their position,