The latter oppose it stoutly, and say that in no event can
they be ruled by it without the order of their generals, and that they
will abandon their missions first. In the year of 29 I wrote to your
Majesty at length upon this matter, in regard to which no particular
answer was given to me besides the sending of this decree--which, as I
judge, is general for all the Yndias. The point is very serious, and
is one of peculiar difficulty in these islands. Although we here are
sufficiently ministers of your Majesty to be able to decide it in case
that the religious leave their missions, yet we desire to have some
clearer light on the matter from there, in order that we may better
succeed in your Majesty's service. [_In the margin_: "File it with,
the letter of the bishop of Zibu, who writes concerning this matter,
which is submitted to the fiscal."]
For many years the bishopric of Camarines has had no prelate; for,
although your Majesty has appointed many, no one comes here. That
must be because they hear how wretched a post it is.
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