Sire:
At the end of April of the current year I sent your Majesty an account
of the state of affairs in these islands, a duplicate whereof is
enclosed. I have only to add that some days after I returned to this
city, the ship "San Felipe" which left this city in July, 96, was
carried by several storms to the coast of Japan, entered the port
of Hurando, and was lost there; and the emperor of that country,
Taycosama, covetous of the treasure with which it was laden, took
it all. The men of the ship and the passengers have come in other
vessels. At the same time the said tyrant caused to be crucified
in Nangasaqui six barefoot friars of the Order of St. Francis,
of the number of those who were there from these islands [1]. He
has also crucified eighteen native Japanese Christians of their
following. Fuller accounts of the matter will be sent your Majesty
by the reports thereon to be written by the governor. So far as I can
learn, the said king of Japan is a proud and covetous barbarian, who
does not keep his word or observe the peace that he promises. As for
the Portuguese present in those islands, they desire to see us ousted
from there, and have done us no kindness in the affair of the said
ship. The religious had as little assistance in what was done to them;
and a little before had received great injuries from the religious of
the Society who were there and from their bishop, whose purpose was
to cause them to abandon that kingdom, as has been done--leaving the
members of the Society alone in this work of conversion, as they are,
much to their satisfaction. Yet the barefoot friars and their following
met death with great fervor for the faith and the defense thereof,
and God has since worked many marvels and miracles by means of their
bodies. Therefore we of this country have reason to be consoled and
happy to have produced in it such fruit for heaven and such honor
for Christianity. The loss of this ship was a very great one. She
was worth a million and a half--a mighty loss for so small a country;
hence it is more needy than ever and more wretched, and your Majesty
will have pity on it.
Herewith I send your Majesty again the despatches which it has been
possible to copy, in the short time allowed, from those sent last
year in the "San Phelipe." They dealt with the residencias and other
local affairs which it seemed essential for your Majesty to know,
because of their importance. I do not lack those who are ill-disposed
toward me because I pay attention as I ought to your Majesty's service;
but I care not, for truth must prevail. In the coming year there will
be sent at the first opportunity other official documents pertaining
to the same residencia in which I have been pleading, and which has
been undertaken for these islands.
It is said that your Majesty intends to command the reestablishment of
the royal Audiencia which used to be in these islands, which, according
to the disposition of affairs in it, will be the most necessary of
all things. I accordingly repeat my assurances to your Majesty that
on my conscience there never was so great a necessity thereof as
now; and I declare that it will be well received by all. I am here
very ready to serve your Majesty in all things in which my personal
service is required; for I have come hither five thousand leguas;
but if my departure hence is desirable, and if your Majesty is pleased
to command it, I shall regard it as a very great kindness. Above all
may your Majesty's royal will be fulfilled. May your royal person be
preserved for many years, as the whole of Christendom, and as we your
servants, have need. Manila, June 30, 1597.
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
[_In the margin_: "Let everything referring to the miracles be
collected, and a summary thereof be made in the most authentic
manner."]