Majesty commands me to send, as to the religious orders in these islands, the number of houses and religious that they contain, and the number needed—whom may your Majesty order to be sent, so that there may be sufficient religious instruction in the islands—will accompany this letter. It is sent with the promptness commanded by your Majesty, whose Catholic and royal person may our Lord preserve, as is necessary to Christendom, and as we your vassals desire. Manila, July 9, 1598.
Don Francisco Tello
[Endorsed: "Manila. To his Majesty, 1598. Don Francisco Tello. July 9."]
[Instructions of the council: "Have the superiors of the religious orders of España notified to send useful religious to the Philipinas. Let the viceroy of Nueva Espaňa be directed by letter that he shall assemble the superiors of those religious orders, shall confer with them in regard to the annual selection and despatch of religious who are fitted to engage in this conversion, and shall direct them in the matter. Let a letter be sent to the archbishop of Manila asking for definite information as to the houses there, how they are distributed, how many religious are in each one, and how many would be needed in order to provide the necessary instruction; and let him be directed to see that there is no lack, but that the conversion shall continue to increase."]
Report of the religious orders in these Philippinas Islands, of their provinces and houses, and of the religious whom they have and those whom they
