Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 11).djvu/127

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

LETTERS FROM FRANCISCO TELLO TO
THE KING

Sire:

I have striven for your Majesty's service in this government to the extent of my ability, and I have done my duty with much care and diligence. I have punished certain individuals, as it seemed proper to do; and hence it has resulted that I have rivals—as have all of us who have governed, and are engaged in your Majesty's service in the Indias. Although in all things I have always been favorable to Doctor Morga—who was my lieutenant-general, and who is now auditor of this royal Audiencia—I have been informed by many persons that he has spoken ill of my proceedings, and has even opened the way for others to write evil of me to your Majesty. I have never paid any attention to this, since I felt that my actions proved my innocence; nor have I ever thought it necessary to write to your Majesty about this matter, although some things seemed to affect my honor; for, having been bred in honor, I thought that in the end the truth must come to light, and could not be obscured, [MS. worn] the royal service could not be hindered here. [But now I feel][1] myself compelled to speak of this, because a letter was writ-

  1. ↑ The words in brackets throughout this letter are conjectural readings.
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.