Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 08).djvu/258

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254
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8

If the matter of inspection and the residencia held here had fallen to my order and commission, as it fell to that of the viceroy of Nueva España, I would have proved to your Majesty the investments of past years. I wish to say but two things, pertaining to your Majesty's service, and which I ought to say. One is that the licentiate Rrojas, in this country, where he is so busied with these means of gain, is so puffed up with the authority and name of auditor, and with his other abilities, that I believe that he will not serve your Majesty so well in this country as in another, where these opportunities are wanting. The other thing is that I do not consider it fitting to the royal service of your Majesty to give a man who should have served your Majesty in a similar place here, anything in Mexico; for as such men go delighted with their interests and gains from trade here, they are fettered and biased by their relations with the trade of this country, which always [break in MS.] objects and profits, and not in accord with the common welfare and perpetuity of these islands. In both of these maters your Majesty will determine what is most important for your royal service. May our Lord preserve and prosper your Majesty for many long years, as Christendom has need.

Manila, June vi, 1592.[1]

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas

[Addressed: "To the king, our sovereign."]

[Endorsed: "To His Majesty, 1592. Gomez Perez Dasmariñas. June 6." "A place has already been given him as alcalde of Mexico, although the

  1. An extensive synopsis made by some government clerk is written on the back of this letter.