"there will be peace." The intruding Observantines have attempted to
deprive the discalced of the Japan missions and of the convent of San
Francisco del Monte, near Manila; and the royal authority is invoked
to restrain their encroachments. This letter is accompanied by another
(July 20, 1621) signed by San Pablo and other officials of his order,
further entreating relief and redress for their province; and by still
another letter of similar tenor (dated only 1621), complaining of
Auditors Messa and Rodriguez for their unjust and arbitrary action
in the case of the unwelcome visitor sent to the Franciscans, and
urging the king to furnish redress therein and rebuke the auditors.

A letter from Fajardo to the king (December 10, 1621) concerns various
matters of administration and business. He explains the late departure
of the ships for Nueva España, and the consequent mortality reported
on one of them. He discusses the question of diminishing the drain of
silver from Nueva España to the Orient, and recommends that the export
of silks and other fabrics to that country from the Philippines be
prohibited; but he remonstrates against the proposed abandonment of
Macao, which would surrender the Chinese trade at once to the Dutch
and English, and thus ruin the Philippine colony. Fajardo suggests
that only vessels of moderate size be allowed on the Nueva España line,
and that more definite measures be postponed until the subject of this
trade can be more thoroughly investigated. He denies the assertions
that he is interested in the shipments of goods to that country,
and places upon the auditors the fault of certain matters in which
he, as governor, has incurred blame. He also accuses the Dominican
friars of aiding and sheltering his enemies. A royal decree of 1610
has placed most of the appointments of subordinates in the hands of
the auditors and fiscals, rather than (as formerly) those of viceroys
and governors; and preference is given therein to the descendants