religious orders there; and on July 30 he directs the archbishop to
punish those of the teaching friars who abandon their mission fields
and sell or exchange church furniture.

Acuña writes to the king (July 15) about various business matters. He
asks for money with which to make restitution to certain Chinese,
and for royal favor to Christoval de Azqueta. Much fear of a
Chinese invasion is felt in Manila. Trade with the Japanese is in
good condition; but Acuña refuses to let them bring money to Manila
for investment. Acuña makes various recommendations as to officials,
their appointment, and the official inspection of their conduct; and
asks that the royal treasury of the islands be properly inspected and
regulated. In other letters of the same date, the governor urges at
some length that the Audiencia at Manila should be abolished. The
Spanish population is so small that the Audiencia has but little
occupation; the auditors bring to the islands numerous relatives or
friends, for whom they secure the offices and benefits which rightfully
belong to the inhabitants; they appropriate the best of the Chinese
trade and of its profits, compelling the citizens to stand aside; and
they tyrannize over the latter in many ways. The auditors interfere
with the affairs of the military service, and hinder the governor from
performing his duties. The expense of their salaries is a heavy burden
on an impoverished country, and the treasury has not enough means to
meet the demands constantly made upon it. The people are discontented
and clamorous, and they ought to be freed from this encumbrance. A
postscript dated July 19 refers to the king a dispute between the
Audiencia and archbishop regarding the seminary of Santa Potenciana.

Letters from Pedro Chirino (undated; 1604?) to the king ask for
royal grants to aid the Jesuit seminary for boys at Cebú. In support