pirates are apparently disposed to make peace, so Acuña is discussing
this with them; but he has little confidence in their promises, except
as he can inspire them with fear. The difficulties arising from the
slaughter of the Chinese in their revolt of 1603 have been a source
of much anxiety to the Spaniards; but these are in a fair way to be
settled. The fiscal, Salazar y Salcedo, has died; and the Audiencia
has appointed temporarily to that post Rodrigo Diaz Guiral, whom Acuña
highly commends. The governor complains that the archbishop has been
meddling with his appointments of chaplains for the galleys. He also
asks for money to maintain galleys for the defence of the islands. In
a third letter Acuña complains of the unjust and tyrannical conduct
of the auditor Maldonado, and asks for redress from the king. This
evil conduct has been especially noticeable in Maldonado's efforts
to secure the hand and property of a wealthy minor heiress.

A group of documents relating to the Dominican mission which reached
the islands in 1606 depict the difficulties, besides the long and
toilsome voyages, which the missionaries encountered on their journey
to the other side of the world. Diego Aduarte, one of the most noted
of the Dominican missionaries in the Far East, is in charge of a
reënforcement to go to the Philippines, and applies (at some time
in 1604) to the officials of the treasury in Spain for the money
necessary for their expenses in this journey; a grant for this is
made. He furnishes a list of the friars who are to go with him, with
the names of the convents that send them. In a document written by
Aduarte (January 20, 1605) he relates at length "the difficulties
of conducting religious to the Philippine Islands." The hardships
and perils of the long voyage daunt many at the start, and he who
is in charge of them must use great discretion in managing them. At
the court, he cannot get his documents without much importunity,