Archbishop Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado reached this city this month
of June, and was received with universal rejoicing and happiness;
for he is well-known, and the people know his earnest zeal, and that
it is expended for the service of your Majesty and that of God, and
the increase of our holy faith. We trust that life will be given him
to reestablish all this country that has remained without a shepherd
for so long. The pity is, that he has not the means with which to
assist the poor, as their father which he is, and all are grieving
over this. Will your Majesty encourage him to continue with holy zeal
in the future and not to become faint-hearted on account of poverty;
and surely it is poverty to be an archbishop in this land.

The royal officials, whose duty it is, by right, to inform your
Majesty of everything here, will inform you and attend to that. They
are honorable men and fulfil their obligations, as we see. Especially
does the factor Juan Saenz de Hegoen attend in a very Christian and
faithful manner, and very assiduously and carefully, to what is in his
charge. He shows his zeal for the service of your Majesty and for the
increase of your royal treasury. He is deserving of favor from your
Majesty. Inasmuch as others will inform you of this, we shall not
enlarge more on it, but beg from the Lord the life that we all wish
for your Majesty, even if it be taken from ours, for the welfare of
His church, the glory of the Lord, and the increase of the estates
of your Majesty. Manila, June the last, 1610.

_Fray Baltasar Fort_, [18] prior provincial.

_Fray Francisco Miñayo_, [19] prior of St. Dominic, Manila.