_Translations_: The first document is translated by Robert W. Haight;
the remainder, by James A. Robertson.




RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF MANILA


Sire:

Licentiate Diego Vazquez de Mercado, archbishop of the metropolitan
church of the city of Manila in the Philipinas Islands, by a
letter written your Majesty on the first of July, 610, submits
that, as that church has been without a prelate for a long time,
he finds the affairs of the church in a condition far from what
they should be, and much in need of correction; but, owing to his
great age and the hardships he has undergone, he is very deficient
in health and strength to fulfil the obligations of a good prelate,
and that therefore he finds it necessary to appeal to your Majesty,
that you may be pleased to relieve him from that burden, and receive
his resignation of the archbishopric, which he tenders. And he asks
that, in case this favor is not extended to him, there be named and
appointed a person of suitable qualifications as his coadjutor,
with the future succession, and this should be done as soon as
possible. This has been examined in the Council; and they regard as
actual and valid the hindrances which he represents. Considering the
urgent request which he makes in the letter to your Majesty and in
others which he has written to private persons to the same effect;