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diff --git a/14266.txt b/14266.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..10da921 --- /dev/null +++ b/14266.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8784 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, by E. H. Blair + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 + Volume X, 1597-1599 + +Author: E. H. Blair + +Release Date: December 6, 2004 [EBook #14266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 1493-1898 *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the PG Distributed Proofreaders Team + + + + + + + + + +The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 + +Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and +their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, +as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the +political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those +islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the +close of the nineteenth century + +Volume X, 1597-1599 + + + +Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson +with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord +Bourne. + + + + +Contents of Volume X + + + + Preface ... 9 + Documents of 1597 + + Letter to Felipe II. Antonio de Morga; Manila, June + 30 ... 25 + Administration of the hospital at Manila. L.P. Dasmarinas; + Manila, July 20 ... 28 + Letters to Felipe II. Francisco Tello; Manila, April + 29-August 12 ... 41 + + Documents of 1598 + + Letter to Antonio de Morga. Juan de Ronquillo; Tanpaca, + January 4 ... 53 + Report, of conditions in the Philippines. Antonio de Morga; + Manila, June 8 ... 75 + Recommendations as to reforms needed in the islands. + [Unsigned and undated; 1598?] ... 103 + Reception of the royal seal at Manila. Francisco Tello, + and others; Manila, June 8 ... 132 + Letters from the archbishop of Manila to Felipe II. Ygnacio + de Santibanez; Manila, June 24 and 26 ... 141 + Letters from the bishop of Nueva Segovia to Felipe + II. Miguel de Benavides; Manila, June 30 and July 5 + ... 161 + Letters to Felipe II. Francisco Tello; Manila, June + 17-July 9 ... 168 + Report of the Audiencia on the conduct of Tello. Antonio + de Morga, and others; Manila, July 15 ... 183 + + Documents of 1599 + + Letter to the archbishop of Manila. Felipe III; Valencia, + March 1 ... 189 + Letter from the bishop of Nueva Segovia to the king. Miguel + de Benavides; Tulac, May 17 ... 190 + Letter to Joan de Ibarra. Miguel de Benavides; Afulu, + May 22 ... 198 + Missions of the religious orders. Geronimo de Alearas; + Manila, June 28 ... 204 + Military affairs in the islands. Francisco Tello, and + others; Manila, July 12 ... 207 + Letter to the king. Francisco Tello; Manila, July 12 + ... 245 + Ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila: Francisco + Tello, and others; Manila, June, 1598-July, 1599 ... 293 + _(To be concluded.)_ + + Bibliographical Data ... 317 + + + + + +Illustrations + + + + Autograph signature of Ignacio de Santibanez, first archbishop + of Manila; photographic facsimile from MS. in Archivo general de + Indias, Sevilla ... 159 + Autograph signature of Francisco Tello; photographic facsimile + from MS. in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla ... 177 + + + + + +Preface + + +The present volume covers the years 1597-99, and is mainly occupied +with the details of the Philippine colony's internal affairs +and development Mindanao has been conquered, but proves to be an +unprofitable possession, except that the Spanish garrison there +serves as a check on the piratical Moros, who otherwise would harry +the Pintados Islands. Japanese pirates have menaced Luzon, and the +Chinese immigration needs frequent restriction. In the colony there +is much corruption in official circles and inaction and inefficiency +in the military. The new governor relates his efforts to improve the +condition of the city and administer the affairs of the islands; +but he is accused, especially by the ecclesiastics, of immorality +and tyrannical behavior, and of general unfitness for his office. The +Indians are oppressed in various ways; and some mutinies among them +have been suppressed. Formal submission to the Spanish crown is +required from the Indians; but this proves difficult to enforce. They +need more missionaries, who are to be sent. The usual discords between +the secular and ecclesiastical authorities still exist; and the +relations between Manila and Mexico are none too cordial. Complaint +is made of the trade recently begun with the Chinese at Canton. + +A letter from Antonio de Morga (June 30, 1597) notifies the king +that the treasure-ship "San Felipe" has been wrecked on the coast of +Japan, and her cargo seized by the emperor of that country; this is +a heavy blow to the Philippine colony. Franciscan missionaries have +been crucified in Japan. Morga approves the reestablishment of the +Audiencia in the islands. + +Luis Perez Dasmarinas recommends (July 20, 1597) that the royal +hospital at Manila should be placed under the joint care of the +Franciscans and the Order of La Misericordia. He reports that the +religious are reluctant to do this, but that the confraternity approve +of the plan--except that they are unwilling to assume a financial +responsibility in a work which is, on their part, one of charity only. + +A group of short letters from Tello to the king (April 29-August 12, +1597) relates various matters of interest. The conquest of Mindanao +has been practically effected. The numbers and power of the Chinese +in the islands have been greatly reduced. A rising of the Zambales +has been quelled. Insubordinate Spaniards have been punished; "on +New Year's day, I had the entire city council arrested for an act of +disobedience to me." Tello is improving the city, and is striving +to secure a good water-supply. He has imprisoned Dasmarinas, for +failure to equip the lost treasure-ship properly. The Japanese talk +of seizing Formosa, but the Spaniards are planning to forestall +them in this. The Chinese who slew some Spaniards en route to +Mindanao have been punished with death. It is reported that the +Spanish fort of Maluco has been seized by the natives. The natives +of Mindanao have rebelled (August, 1597), and reenforcements have +been sent thither to end the the Chinese, whom he views with some +suspicion. The Japanese trade requires regulation, especially that in +deerskins, which threatens to destroy the game. The sale of provisions +especially should be under government supervision. Sumptuary laws +and the prevention of gambling are required. Negroes should be kept +out. Building houses with wood should be prevented. The streets +need repairs. The officials take much advantage of their position, +and especially favor their dependents unduly. Military commissions +are given by favoritism. Soldiers are ill disciplined, ill paid, +ill lodged, demoralized, and in bad health. Military stores are badly +cared for; the very arquebuses in the armory are rotting, and there is +no preparation for emergencies. The ordinary magistrates pillage the +treasury, are oppressive, indolent, and corrupt, and take advantage +of their position to traffic; they are not sharply looked after. The +encomenderos are extortionate and fraudulent, take law into their own +hands, and fail to provide religious instruction for the Indians. The +royal exchequer and treasury is negligently and wastefully managed, +and insufficiently regulated. There are many sinecures, and not a +little fraud in offices. In the voyages to and from Mexico, many +frauds and illegal acts are committed by the officers of the vessels. + +An interesting complement to Morga's report--all the more so because +it is apparently written by an ecclesiastic--is found in a document +unsigned and undated (but probably of 1598) which enumerates the +reforms needed in the islands. The writer advises that the usual +inspection of encomenderos and officials be made by the prelates +of the church, rather than, as hitherto, by laymen appointed by +the governor. He urges that fewer offices be provided, and that +each should have more extensive jurisdiction. The present system +is a heavy and increasing burden on the wretched Indians, who are +in danger of perishing; and causes much unnecessary waste to the +royal exchequer. The city should establish a storehouse, where rice +and other supplies should be kept in store for times of need. Thus +the natives would not be harassed, often at most unseasonable times, +to supply provisions for the Spaniards; both peoples can be aided in +times of famine, and prices can be better regulated. More care should +be used in selecting men to collect the tributes from the Indians; +and their appointment, as well as that of the lay protector of the +Indians, should be approved by the archbishop. The Indians who are +engaged in various labors for the Spaniards are often kept waiting +a long time for their pay, or even cheated out of it; when such pay +is due them, it should be sent to them promptly and safely. Rewards +should be given to deserving soldiers; and the troops should no longer +be recruited with exiles and criminals. The troops should be paid +more liberally and punctually; and one meal a day should be given to +the poor Spaniards, whether soldiers or not. The soldiers, moreover, +should be paid from the time of their arrival; for, as it is, they must +serve long without pay, which causes great suffering and immorality +among them. Half of the advance pay now given them in Mexico should be +held back until their arrival at Cavite. The desirability of aiding +needy Spaniards is again urged, and this charity should be placed in +charge of the Confraternity of La Misericordia. The seminary of Sancta +Potenciana is well conducted, and a most important work; it should +be further aided, and now needs that some order of professed nuns +be represented in it. Again the writer urges that the vessels plying +between the islands and Nueva Espana be commanded by inhabitants of +the Philippines, in order to correct the abuses now prevalent. + +Upon the arrival of the ships from Nueva Espana, bringing the members +of the reestablished Audiencia, the royal seal, which represents +the authority and person of the king, is received by the governor +(June 8, 1598) with great solemnity and pomp, and deposited in the +royal building; the official record of this proceeding, with the +oaths taken by the new governor, is here presented. + +The new archbishop of Manila writes to the king (June 24, 1598) +complaining of the neglected and impoverished condition of his see, +and the little interest or attention given to religion by the laity +therein. He denounces the governor as avaricious, corrupt, vicious, +and tyrannical. The archbishop asks that a new governor be appointed, +who shall have no selfish aims in accepting the post, preferably +an ecclesiastic. Some check must be placed on the immigration of +Chinese, who are ruining the country and demoralizing the natives. The +Inquisition should be reestablished in Manila. In another letter (dated +July 26) Santibanez explains to the king his attitude in regard to +the marriage of one of his relatives, and complains that the governor +has, in consequence of this affair, slandered and persecuted him. The +archbishop again denounces Tello's vices, and asks that he himself +be permitted to return to Spain, as he cannot remain with Tello in +that land. + +Fray Miguel de Benavides, bishop of Nueva Segovia, sends to the king +(June 30, 1598) a complaint against the conduct of the new governor, +Francisco Tello: the latter has contracted an unlawful marriage, and is +also very licentious; he has seized the property of a citizen; and he +is cowardly, extravagant and reckless, even wasting the public stores +for his own uses. Benavides asks that Luis Dasmarinas be appointed +governor in Tello's place. A postscript to this letter (dated July 5) +complains of the wrongs done to the Chinese by the Spanish officials, +and for details refers the king to Fray Diego de Soria, who is going +to Spain. + +Tello sends the king a report on military matters (June 17, 1598). In +Mindanao, Ronquillo had been successful, but retired (pursuant +to orders afterward canceled), and is to be tried. In Cagayan the +revolt has been extinguished, and its leader killed; and the Spanish +encomendero whose oppression had had most to do with causing the +revolt has died in prison, while awaiting trial. Relations with +Japan are still uncertain, although Luis de Navarrete's reception +as ambassador had on the whole been favorable. Some new economies +are being practiced in the military establishment. An impregnable +citadel has been formed within the city, but there is a lack of +weapons; and there is great negligence in Nueva Espana in providing +serviceable and well-equipped soldiers. Another letter (dated June 19) +complains that the reenforcements sent from Nueva Espana are ragged, +penniless, and unarmed, largely on account of the rascality and greed +of their captains. The viceroy of that country illegally permits +Mexicans to bring money to the islands, to the great detriment of the +inhabitants. The old soldiers who have obtained encomiendas receive but +little income therefrom, because so many of the Indians are revolting; +these men need aid, which the king is asked to grant. The governor +claims that he is annoyed by defamatory libels, and asks that the +offenders be punished. He objects to the reckless marriages of rich +widows, and proposes to the king a plan for correcting this evil. The +royal treasury is greatly straitened, and for its relief Tello asks +permission to levy additional duties on the Chinese merchants. In +a third letter (July 9) Tello reports the number of religious in +the islands, belonging to the various orders, and the number still +needed. The Council of the Indias orders that suitable measures be +taken to increase the number of missionaries in the islands, and to +send out such as are fitted to do this work. + +The Audiencia complains to Felipe II (July 15, 1598) of Tello for +various improprieties of conduct and irregularities of procedure; +but above all for failure to recognize that, by the establishment of +the Audiencia, the extent of his own jurisdiction is diminished. + +A letter from Felipe III--who has succeeded his father on the +Spanish throne--to the archbishop of Manila (March, 1599) refers +to the latter certain complaints sent from Manila regarding some +Augustinian teaching friars. + +Bishop Benavides writes (May 17, 1599) to the king, informing him of +the death of the new archbishop, and complaining of the acts of the +governor and Audiencia in sending a ship to trade with China--from +which all kinds of evils, spiritual and temporal, would result to +Macao and the Philippines. + +Benavides writes to the king's secretary (May 22, 1599) urging that +a new governor be appointed for the islands; and he recommends for +that post several persons. He asks that no ships be allowed to go from +the Philippines to China, as that will ruin the Portuguese who trade +there. He complains of the undue power exercised by the bishops over +the religious orders; and that he receives so little salary that he +cannot live decently on it. + +A brief statement of the religious houses established in Luzon up +to June 28, 1599, is made by Geronimo de Alcaraz, secretary of the +cathedral chapter of Manila. A long report on military affairs was sent +(July 12, 1599) by Tello to the king. He urges that annual supplies of +men and arms be sent to the Philippines from Nueva Espana, adducing +many important reasons for this. The Spanish colony is surrounded by +many and powerful heathen countries, who are hostile to the Christian +faith. The insalubrious climate and various military expeditions are +continually causing losses of men. Artillery and skilled workmen are +greatly needed; and the fortifications need repair. The government of +Nueva Espana has given little attention to the needs of the Philippine +colony. Japanese pirates have menaced Luzon, and the Chinese are +suspected of plots against the Spaniards. Light sailing-vessels are +being built for defense of the coast, since galleys cannot be used +to advantage. Mindanao is pacified, but no tribute has yet been +paid, and the country is poor. A rebellion in Cagayan has been put +down, and the leaders executed; so that region is now pacified and +secure. Dasmarinas's expedition to Camboja has proved a failure, +and he is stranded on the Chinese coast, in great need; but Tello +is unable to send him aid, and advises him to return to Manila. Aid +for the poor soldiers is urgently needed and requested. This letter +is accompanied by a report of the conquest of Mindanao and of affairs +there, and other papers. Mindanao is a source of little profit; but it +is necessary to keep that island in subjection, in order to protect +the Pintados natives. Another paper gives a history of affairs in +Camboja, the relations of the Philippine colony with that country, +and the failure of Dasmarinas's expedition thither. At the end of +the document are depositions (dated in 1593, and apparently copied +from the official records of the colony) to show that the conquest +of Champa is justifiable, as its king is a pirate and tyrant, and a +man of evil life, and robs and kills Christians on the high seas. + +In another letter of the same date (July 12) Tello makes a general +report of affairs in the islands. In matters of religion, there is +need for more ministers of the gospel. Two bishops have arrived in +the islands, and are in charge of their dioceses. The hospitals have +been aided; that for the Spaniards has been placed in charge of the +Confraternity of La Misericordia, and that for the natives is under +the king's authority. The seminary for girls (Santa Potenciana) is +in good condition, and doing excellent work. It should be under the +charge of professed nuns, and its income ought to be increased; the +king is asked to provide for these matters. The Jesuits have begun +the foundation of a seminary for the Indians, in which they are to +learn the Spanish language and civilized ways of living; the king +is asked to aid this also. Measures are being taken to enforce the +royal decree that formal submission and homage must now be rendered to +the king by the conquered Indians; but Tello finds some difficulties +in this. The bulls concerning the crusades are being preached, and +Tello expects to extend this to the Indians. One of the auditors has +died, and his place is filled. Tello has been obliged to check the +assumption of secular authority by the ecclesiastics. The Chinese +should be driven out of Manila, and the Parian abolished. A building +of stone has been erected for the Audiencia; Tello asks for a grant +of money to continue this work, and mentions other public buildings +which he has erected or improved. Religious instruction should be +commenced in the Ladrones Islands; and the viceroy of Nueva Espana +has been asked to send missionaries thither. The latter functionary +has neglected several matters which are necessary to the prosperity of +the Philippine colony, and has been arbitrary and overbearing in his +treatment of it. Especial complaint is made that he has evaded the +law which restricts the Chinese trade to citizens of the Philippine +colony, by granting licenses for trade to Peruvians, who have taken +from the islands the best of the Chinese trade, which is their main +support. A port at Canton has been opened to the Spaniards for trade; +and efforts are being made to improve this opportunity. Trade with +Siam has also begun. Tello asks that the citizens of Cebu be allowed +to trade occasionally with Peru; and that officers of vessels to Nueva +Espana be not appointed there, but in the islands. He recommends that +the Indians should be punished by moderate pecuniary-fines, rather than +by flogging. Various papers are appended to this letter by Tello. One +is a memorandum of the number of converts and missionaries in the +islands. Another is an inventory of the resources and income of the +hospital for natives, and a statement of its expenses for part of +the current year. The instructions given to the alcaldes-mayor and +to the religious for securing the formal submission of the Indians +to the authority of the Spanish king, and the measures taken for this +purpose in La Laguna, are given in detail. + +The ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila during the +year June, 1598, to July, 1599 (the part in this volume ends with +December, 1598) throw much light on social and economic conditions +at that time. Certain Chinese prisoners remain too long in jail for +non-payment of debts, thus causing much useless expense; their services +will hereafter be sold for the payment of their debts. Notaries must +be present at the inspection of prisons. Prisoners shall no longer +be permitted to leave the jail at their pleasure. All huckstering is +forbidden, under heavy penalties. No person whatever may leave the +islands without the governor's permission, under heavy penalties. The +prisons must be regularly visited by the auditors, so that justice +shall be promptly and duly administered. The Indians shall be +encouraged and obliged to raise poultry. Provision is made for the +aid of certain slaves in Pampanga. Another act makes regulations for +the supply of provisions in the city of Manila. Buffalo meat shall be +provided by contract with Indian hunters. The natives and Sangleys +shall be obliged to raise fowls and swine. The Indians must carry +their provisions to the city for sale; and for meat, fowls, and some +other articles the prices are fixed by the authorities. The natives +about Manila protest against being compelled to furnish supplies to +the city; and the Audiencia therefore enacts that this responsibility +shall be divided among the various districts, each being assigned +a period of two or three months therefor. Residencias of regidors +shall be taken every two months. Various reports are to be sent to +the king and his Council. + +The remainder of the ordinances contained in this document will be +presented in _Vol_. XI. + +_The Editors_ +December, 1903. + + + + + +Documents of 1597 + + + + Letter to Felipe II. Antonio de Morga; June 30. + Administration of the hospital at Manila. L.P. Dasmarinas; July 20. + Letters to Felipe II. Francisco Tello; April 29-August 12. + + + +_Source_: All these documents are obtained from original MSS. in the +Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. + +_Translations_: The first two documents are translated by Henry +B. Lathrop, of the University of Wisconsin; the third, by Arthur +B. Myrick, of Harvard University, except the second letter, which is +by Consuelo A. Davidson. + + + + +Letter from Antonio de Morga to Felipe II + + +Sire: + +At the end of April of the current year I sent your Majesty an account +of the state of affairs in these islands, a duplicate whereof is +enclosed. I have only to add that some days after I returned to this +city, the ship "San Felipe" which left this city in July, 96, was +carried by several storms to the coast of Japan, entered the port +of Hurando, and was lost there; and the emperor of that country, +Taycosama, covetous of the treasure with which it was laden, took +it all. The men of the ship and the passengers have come in other +vessels. At the same time the said tyrant caused to be crucified +in Nangasaqui six barefoot friars of the Order of St. Francis, +of the number of those who were there from these islands [1]. He +has also crucified eighteen native Japanese Christians of their +following. Fuller accounts of the matter will be sent your Majesty +by the reports thereon to be written by the governor. So far as I can +learn, the said king of Japan is a proud and covetous barbarian, who +does not keep his word or observe the peace that he promises. As for +the Portuguese present in those islands, they desire to see us ousted +from there, and have done us no kindness in the affair of the said +ship. The religious had as little assistance in what was done to them; +and a little before had received great injuries from the religious of +the Society who were there and from their bishop, whose purpose was +to cause them to abandon that kingdom, as has been done--leaving the +members of the Society alone in this work of conversion, as they are, +much to their satisfaction. Yet the barefoot friars and their following +met death with great fervor for the faith and the defense thereof, +and God has since worked many marvels and miracles by means of their +bodies. Therefore we of this country have reason to be consoled and +happy to have produced in it such fruit for heaven and such honor +for Christianity. The loss of this ship was a very great one. She +was worth a million and a half--a mighty loss for so small a country; +hence it is more needy than ever and more wretched, and your Majesty +will have pity on it. + +Herewith I send your Majesty again the despatches which it has been +possible to copy, in the short time allowed, from those sent last +year in the "San Phelipe." They dealt with the residencias and other +local affairs which it seemed essential for your Majesty to know, +because of their importance. I do not lack those who are ill-disposed +toward me because I pay attention as I ought to your Majesty's service; +but I care not, for truth must prevail. In the coming year there will +be sent at the first opportunity other official documents pertaining +to the same residencia in which I have been pleading, and which has +been undertaken for these islands. + +It is said that your Majesty intends to command the reestablishment of +the royal Audiencia which used to be in these islands, which, according +to the disposition of affairs in it, will be the most necessary of +all things. I accordingly repeat my assurances to your Majesty that +on my conscience there never was so great a necessity thereof as +now; and I declare that it will be well received by all. I am here +very ready to serve your Majesty in all things in which my personal +service is required; for I have come hither five thousand leguas; +but if my departure hence is desirable, and if your Majesty is pleased +to command it, I shall regard it as a very great kindness. Above all +may your Majesty's royal will be fulfilled. May your royal person be +preserved for many years, as the whole of Christendom, and as we your +servants, have need. Manila, June 30, 1597. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ + +[_In the margin_: "Let everything referring to the miracles be +collected, and a summary thereof be made in the most authentic +manner."] + + + + +Administration of the Royal Hospital at Manila + + +Sire: + +I have desired that the royal hospital of this city should be served +and administered with more charity, better order and a more perfect +system than hitherto; for I am told and I know how much the poor +thereof suffer, and of how much importance for the correction of +this and of many other evils is their good comfort, assistance, and +healing, spiritual and temporal--all which the hospital has in charge; +and how essential it is that it should be administered by persons +who are servants of God, self-denying and free from self-interest, +charitable and zealous for His service and for the good of their +neighbors. Hence I desire that the Order of St. Francis, because it +seems to me suitable on account of its self-denial, barefootedness, +and freedom from self-interest, may unite with the Confraternity of +La Misericordia [2] in the charge of the hospital. I suggest that +they place there four friars--two priests and two laymen; for this +can be done without interfering with the conversion of the natives, +and will be a thing of great service to God and your Majesty, the +good of the poor and of this state, and the good order, service, +and system of the said hospital. It will also remedy many of the +inconveniences that may arise, and of the deficiencies from which +the hospital suffers, from the want of such persons in charge of +it. For these reasons I have asked that this order, associated with +the Confraternity of La Misericordia, may attend to this matter, +and may take under its care the government and administration of the +hospital. Therefore I have set forth and enclosed separately some of +the reasons for this, and the advantages which I see in this course +and in joining the hospital for the slaves, which the Confraternity +of La Misericordia has founded, with the royal hospital. The plan +involves establishing separate quarters in the said royal hospital, +that there may be a definite place for the slaves, and that slaves +and Spaniards may not be mingled. In these quarters there may be a +separate ward or room for needy Spanish women, mestizas, and the like, +in such a way that they may be kept in separation and distinct from +the slaves. There is a great need of this ward for women, for there +is no place to put them in the royal hospital, and hence they are not +received there. By joining the royal hospital with the hospital of +the Confraternity of La Misericordia a place may be provided--which +will be of great importance, help, and benefit to the necessities of +poor and needy women who have not wherewithal to care for themselves +in their sicknesses. It must be no little that they suffer in these +regions for lack thereof, and because of their poverty; for even in +health there is no little to be undergone, and many are the evils +and misfortunes which may result from the lack of this provision. + +The provincial and Order of St. Francis having discussed and considered +this matter hesitate about it because the distance between the hospital +and their monastery makes it inconvenient to keep religious in the +former; but as for me, my judgment is that, as they have religious +who have to go even further away in the work of instruction, they can +keep them here; and that there is no lack of religious who know the +language, for the work of conversion. Hence, although there will be +some inconveniences, they will not be serious and important; and it +seems best to overlook them, and to take account of the advantages +hoped for from this work and to be expected of it, which are not few, +or of small value and importance. + +The deputies and Confraternity of La Misericordia were inclined to +accept the suggestion, and to undertake the administration of the +royal hospital jointly with that of the slaves' hospital; and the +same guardian of the Order of St. Francis, before the adoption of +the resolution above mentioned, approved it. In conference with the +deputies with regard to the effect of it, he hesitated on one or +two points. One of special importance was the question whether the +expense was to be in common, and whether the expense for the slaves +was to be paid out of the income of the hospital, and that for the +Spaniards, in consequence, out of the alms of the Confraternity +of La Misericordia. Although he made some doubt and scruple to me +personally as to paying for the slaves, to whom his superiors owed +the duty of support (although God knows how it was incurred) out of +the funds destined for the poor Spaniards, yet on the whole he said, +with my approval, that in the interim before your Majesty should be +advised of the whole matter, everything should be paid for by accounts +kept separately for the royal hospital and by consequence for that +of the slaves likewise--as used to be done and as is done still; +so that they are not connected, though the connection is desired +because of the known advantages of it. But the greatest obstacle to +the execution of this plan is the fear and mistrust put forward to +requiring the Confraternity and deputies of La Misericordia to render +accounts, exposing them to disturbance, and perhaps to expense and +loss for matters their connection with which is voluntary--being +assumed for charity and the service of God, and not for duty, pay, +or advantage. This objection, however, was met by the consideration +that the expense with its account had to pass before so many persons of +honor, standing, and financial stability that there was not much ground +for hesitation; since just as one superintendent or administrator +paid and gave accounts, so the deputies can do the same as well or +better, being more in number, and of no less financial standing, +and making their expenditures with the system and general agreement +which are to be desired. With all, I could not bring them to make the +venture. But if this risk and obligation were absent, they would do +it; this I know from some who were desirous of undertaking this work. + +I give your Majesty an account of this matter, because of the +importance that it may have for the service of God and your Majesty, +the good of the poor, and the advantage of a work of such public +necessity and importance in these regions. If your Majesty should +be pleased to command that the Confraternity of La Misericordia +should take charge of the administration of the royal hospital, +as aforesaid, it will be necessary to come to a statement of the +system to be observed in making payments for the royal hospital and +that of the Confraternity of La Misericordia, by deciding whether +they are to be kept separate or no. It will also be necessary, in +the way in which your Majesty shall be most pleased and profited, to +deal with the mistrust about the accounts, which is what causes most +hesitation. Submitting myself to your royal pleasure, and suggesting as +I ought what occurs to me in the matter, I propose, Sire, that payments +be made only as passing through the hands of a single administrator +and superintendent. In this way he will be able to give account of +the expenditure. Let the manner, order, and direction of the same be +in accordance with the judgment of the deputies of La Misericordia; +and let the superintendent give his account of expenditures made under +the direction of the deputies. On such conditions the Confraternity +will take charge of the work; for it will not hand in accounts +and will be called upon for no business except of charity, trust, +and good administration, while the superintendent will hand in the +accounts for the said Confraternity. Thus the whole, if your Majesty +please, will be in one; and on other conditions the Confraternity will +not undertake it. At least I regard it as a matter of the highest +importance and advantage that your Majesty give commands that the +archbishop and the Order of St. Francis place four religious--two +priests and two laymen--in the said hospital; and that, in case +this order cannot undertake it, the Society of Jesus do so, for, +being persons of great charity and good government in all things, +it will be of great advantage for them to have this in their charge; +so that in this way it seems that many great evils would be remedied, +and many great advantages result. Our Lord keep your Majesty many +long years, as His Divine Majesty has power, and as we all desire +and have need. Manila, July 20, 1597. + +_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_ + +[_Endorsed:_ "Let the president and auditors and the archbishop state +what they think best to be done in the case; and in the meantime +let them give such orders as they think best for the good conduct of +the hospital."] + +Considering and reflecting that the royal hospital of this city is +one of the most important and considerable establishments in this +country and these islands, it is very essential to the same, for the +best advantage and comfort of the poor, and for the good order and +system of the administration of the hospital, that it should be under +the charge of persons who are influenced by the love of God and by +zeal for His service and for the welfare and advantage of His poor, +and by no payment or temporal interest. Since all the other hospitals +of this city have this advantage, it is a pity that it should be +lacking in this one alone, which is of so much importance; and that +although it has so good an income and other advantages, it should not +surpass the others; and that there should be cause that many refuse to +go to it to be cared for, and prefer to go elsewhere. That is proof +of either carelessness and disorder, or of necessity; and, although +there is some of the latter, yet I believe that it must be mainly the +former. Likewise it spends and requires on its part certain salaries +and expenses for persons who serve in the said hospital. Great injury +is done to the service of God our Lord and of his Majesty the king, +if such an institution is managed extravagantly, ineffectively, or +unsystematically. At the same time other hospitals are well managed, +because of being in the hands of persons who are members of religious +orders and servants of our Lord; who being free and bare from personal +interest, exert themselves for the good of the poor, merely for His +love and service, and with charity and zeal for the good of their +neighbors. This is what is done in the hospital for the natives and +in that for the Sangleys, which are now well established, having +their incomes and accounts separate. On this account, and because +they are in charge of persons who are servants of God and have the +qualities aforesaid, they are better served than when they were +otherwise managed, and better than is that for the Spaniards, for +lack of persons to administer and serve it through love and charity +toward God and their neighbor, as has been said. + +Hence, considering this, and because I know that it will be of +great convenience and advantage to the service of God our Lord, +and of his royal Majesty; the good, profit, and relief of many poor, +and of the wretched and needy; and the common benefit, welfare, and +service of this state--therefore I am of the opinion and belief that +it may be very advantageous and extremely useful, and may conduce +to the improvement, good management, and systematic conduct of +the royal hospital that the hospital of the Confraternity of La +Misericordia should be joined with it. The resulting advantages +will be recapitulated; and the causes and reasons on which I rely, +and which I find for this, are the following. + +The first reason is that this is a work of so great service to the +Divine Majesty of God, and the royal Majesty; to the state a very +great advantage, profit, and benefit; to the poor, the advantage, +attendance, and healing of their maladies and miseries, bodily as +well as spiritual. + +Conspicuous among the advantages is the service to God done by caring +for His poor, whether Spanish or not, which latter are a forgotten +and wretched people--although some of their masters, for charity and +the love and service of God, provide and afford them their support, +their good, their care, and their salvation, spiritual and temporal. + +The royal Majesty will be much advantaged, because by the charity, +good order, and system that will exist, several salaries for persons +employed in the said hospital may be dispensed with, and there will +be more profit and increase of the revenue; while for the support of +the poor there will be a larger fund, in addition to the fact that +they will be better cared for and served. The result will be that +health will more abound, and that perhaps mortality will be lessened, +together with these great sicknesses--a great service to God and +his royal Majesty, and the state; for his Majesty will have more +soldiers, by which he will reap a profit, and in this case a great one, +because of the great cost and expense of sending and bringing them +here. The state will also have a larger population, more citizens +and men to defend it, in addition to the great private and ordinary +benefit received by the people thereof, in saving much expense on +their property incurred for the care of their servants and slaves, +as well as trouble, care, and responsibility, by their being cared +for in the said hospital bodily and spiritually. + +Then the importance of this for the souls and bodies, not only +of the Spaniards but those of the slaves, may easily be seen and +understood. For the former, the Spaniards, fail not to have and +to suffer great and special need in their illnesses and deaths, +of someone to minister to them, or at the least to aid and comfort +them therein; while the latter, the slaves, as a people cast off and +the greater part of them ordinarily belonging to the royal crown, +and of so different races--some or many of them yet to be converted, +or imperfectly instructed and entered in the Christian faith--still +more require that there should be someone who in the love of God, +and with zeal for the good of their souls, should aid them and secure +their welfare and health, spiritual and temporal, in the one case as +in the other. + +Further, the reward, merit, and crown befitting the service done +to God our Lord by this, and to the royal Majesty, and the good +to this state and these islands, will not be small; since the +result and the advantages which will arise from it are so great +and so special, important, and universal; and this is a cause for +applying the compassion and Christian charity in this state to the +glory and service of God, to the welfare, relief, and consolation, +perhaps the salvation, of His creatures and the poor thereof; and +to the edification and confusion of the great numbers of barbarians, +heathens, and infidels whom we have as witnesses about us looking at +us, and who will see nothing that can move and edify them like such +works of true charity, performed without worldly payment and profit. + +It will also result from this that the Confraternity of La +Misericordia, which is of such importance, and which succors, +aids, and relieves so many general and public necessities, would +ordinarily be supported in this state and would be more continuous, +and that charity and compassion would be more exercised, as has been +said. The hospital would be more frequented and more fully occupied, +and the poor better provided and served; and all this would result +because of the good order, careful accounting, and system which would +exist, on account of putting the control in the hands of persons of +such security, gravity, and commendable zeal as the deputies of the +said Confraternity. This will also be a cause that for the love and +service of God our Lord, as also for their own characters and persons, +and their own interest in their own property (namely, their slaves), +more people will visit the hospital, and aid it with greater care and +liberality, and less hesitation; for one month brings the chance upon +one, another upon another, and in this order it comes to all. This +will be occasion and cause that the devout women, and those of the +greatest influence, after seeing the work and perceiving that it is +under the care of religious who are servants of God, and under that +of their husbands, and that it is for the good of their slaves, will +please and desire to see them, and to visit the hospital, and take +the poor some dainties; and from the visits made to some of them will +result the good, the comfort, and the consolation of the rest. + +Further, as for the order, good accounting, and systematic management +of the expenditure, and the care of the estate of the said hospital, +it can be carried on by no hand with more clearness and security than +by persons of so great honor and so high standing, persons who are +required to be such, and who are themselves cognizant of and acquainted +with all that is done. Thus the defects, if any there are, will be +more known and observed; and if they arise from need the hospital will +finally have more, and those from among the best in the state, who +will be active in their efforts to supply and provide what is lacking. + +The service of the hospital, which is of so great importance to the +health and comfort of the sick, will be better and more punctual, +and not so expensive, being attended to by persons undertaking it +for charity, and not for gain. + +Besides all that is said and referred to above, there will be avoided +in the aforesaid way many sinful speeches and murmurs, inasmuch as +the business will be in the hands of persons of such charity, poverty, +holy zeal, and high standing; and thus with reason there will be more +occasion for glory and praise to God for this work than for murmurs +and condemnation. + +In short, this undertaking may afford to the Divine Majesty of God +our Lord, service and glory; to the royal Majesty, great service and +profit; to the state, great and general good, and advantages; to these +nations and tribes who are looking on at us, confusion and edification; +to the poor, service, aid, and comfort in their wretchednesses and +sicknesses, and care and healing for their bodies, and above all +for their souls; and to those who have in their charge the service, +administration, and superintendence, a great crown and reward. + +Therefore, since this project is good for all and in all, and since +this work encloses within itself so many great and important effects, +it is right that it should be favored, and that your piety should +be supported in it. For the religious who will be occupied there, +will be well occupied and employed, preaching with their works true +charity and humility, and at the same time striving and aiding in +the saving and healing of the souls, both of Spaniards and of others, +who shall be ministered to and cared for there; and, since so great +advantages may result from this, it is right that it should be done, +and that your piety should be supported in encouraging and beginning +a work of such importance, and from which so great advantages are +hoped for and may result, as has been said. + +And assuredly it is highly desirable that the royal hospital should be +in the care of this order or of the Society, that it may be served and +administered as is proper, and that it may enjoy the advantages which +the other hospitals enjoy, and the good administration which they have, +as well that for the natives as that for the Sangleys, as has been +said. It is also a great good, glory, and service to our Lord, and a +cause of great satisfaction and consolation that the results obtained +from them are great; and there will be great enthusiasm from this +day forward because they are in charge of persons who are servants of +God, free from personal interests, who for God, His love and service, +give their efforts to this work. Of this advantage it is right that +this royal hospital should have the fruit, because it is not the +least important, and that it should not suffer, and remain as it is. + +_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_ + + + +Letters from Francisco Tello to Felipe II + + +Sire: + +Last year, as soon as I arrived in these islands, I wrote to your +Majesty what had taken place, taking into account the short time that I +had spent here. I was afterward told that the people of Terrenate were +coming to these your Majesty's islands to inflict injuries upon your +subjects and vassals, and that the natives of Mindanao were helping +them in this. The conquest of Mindanao being in charge of the heirs +of the late Esteban Rrodriguez de Figueroa, who was killed there, +I insisted on their continuing that pacification, giving them men at +your cost, and appointing, as general and leader, Don Juan Ronquillo, +supplying them with what they needed from your Majesty's storehouses, +the supply being ample. All was charged to the estate of Esteban +Rrodriguez and is now being collected. + +I sent to Mindanao Captain Toribio de Miranda, so that, until +the arrival of the troops, he might encourage and look after the +Spaniards, who had fortified themselves there after the death of +Esteban Rrodriguez. Captain Toribio de Miranda, setting out with +this order of mine, met the soldiery who had deserted that position, +on account of the coming of Captain Juan de Lajara. The latter I +hold under arrest. He is to be tried for having abandoned his post +without orders from the governor of these islands. Toribio de Miranda +having met these men, showed them my orders which he was carrying, +and made them return. Then of the men whom I had sent from here, some +arrived with Captain Diego de Chabez, with assistance in the shape +of supplies. Encouraged by this, many returned to Mindanao with the +others and fortified themselves again, although in a better position +than before. After this, General Don Juan Ronquillo left Oton with +the rest of his force, which numbered perhaps one hundred and fifty +men in all. At the present moment I am quite satisfied that, after +his arrival, a large part of that land will be peacefully opened +up. I have no good reports from that land in regard to abundance of +provisions or gold (which is the only thing to encourage those who +make these conquests), nor as large a tribute as there was said to +be. In the prosecution of this business the necessary demands of your +Majesty's service will be considered. + +When I came to the government I found that the Sangleys had been +given a free hand, and jurisdiction in the administration and +cabildo. Considering the troubles that might result, and the large +numbers of Sangleys here (somewhat over ten thousand), I took away +and withdrew their power in the administration--leaving, however, a +governor among them, as was formerly the custom. I have expelled from +this land a large number of the Sangleys who were here, and I shall +soon order many others to go, leaving only three or four thousand men, +who are necessary for the service of the land. + +About two months ago the Parian of the Sangleys was burned, together +with a large amount of property. I assisted that night in taking care +of the property of a few, which was saved. The fire did not touch this +city, although the Parian is contiguous to it. All this was well done, +and I permitted them to rebuild their Parian, but one hundred paces +farther from the city than it was before. + +We are having a good deal of trouble from the license taken by some +religious in this land. They have a practice of excommunicating the +governor by virtue of the apostolic briefs in their possession. Having +no authority here to annul their unlawful acts, we can have no liberty +to carry on your Majesty's service as it should be done. Therefore I +humbly beg your Majesty to consider and order what is most necessary +for your Majesty's service. + +Many events have taken place in these days. One of them was the rising +of the Zambales natives, and the murder of two alcaldes-mayor--one a +short time before I came, and the other after my arrival. Therefore I +appointed Captain Julian de Cuenca alcalde-mayor of Panpanga, to go +to punish them--which is a difficult matter, because these Zambales +are in hiding in rugged mountain ranges. However, he wrote me that he +had beheaded twenty of them, and that he continues to hunt them down; +so that after such a punishment they will be sufficiently frightened +for him to make the effort to induce them to leave the sierra for a +settlement where they may be instructed. + +Although I commenced to govern with mildness, because it seemed +to me the best way to get along with the Spaniards here, yet when +I came to know them and see the license that they take, I found it +necessary to punish several captains and regidors. On New Year's day, +I had the entire city council arrested for an act of disobedience to +me, which occurred during the election of alcaldes. In all that has +been done I have followed judicial forms and taken records, so that, +whenever it is necessary, your Majesty may order their examination. + +When I arrived, I found your Majesty's royal affairs in confusion, +owing to the carelessness and neglect of former governors. I have +ordered that, in building, stone shall be substituted for wood which +has hitherto been used. Fines and the expenses of justice will be +attended to. I also ordered the construction of cabildo buildings +in stone, where there had been none before. The whole city has been +enriched by stone buildings, and since my arrival more than one +hundred and fifty houses have been erected. I am trying to have water +conducted into the city, as it is needed by the citizens and by the +troops stationed here by your Majesty. Many have died on account of +the poor water. + +Don Luys Dasmarinas, when he was governor here, appointed Captain Juan +Xuarez Gallinato sargento-mayor of the force to go to the assistance +of the king of Canboja, who they said was besieged by his enemy the +king of Cian. When they arrived there they met a rough reception +from a part of the people of Canboja, and from some Sangleys who are +settled there and engage in trade. The Spanish came to blows with some +of these Sangleys and killed some of them. There was lost, according +to their story, a large amount of property belonging to the Sangleys, +which they had placed aboard sampans at the time of the fight. I am +examining the papers which Captain Juan Xuarez Gallinato brought. He +has already returned from his expedition, and justice will be meted +out in the case. May our Lord preserve your Majesty for many years +for the need of Christendom, etc. Manila, April twenty-nine, 1597. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +Sire: + +From the vessel "San Phelipe," lost in the sea of Japan, some letters +addressed to your Majesty reached my hands, which I enclose herewith. + +I have imprisoned Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, because he failed to fit +out and repair thoroughly the said vessel; and, for the same reasons, +I have imprisoned also General Matias Delandecho. An investigation of +this matter is being made in the case of each, and justice shall be +done. Copies of all proceedings in connection with this investigation +will be sent to your Majesty. + +I beg to thank your Majesty for your kindness to this kingdom and +especially to myself, in creating here a royal Audiencia, a tribunal +very much needed by this government; and although so far I have not +received from your Majesty any letter or decree to that effect, I +have heard the news through the auditor Don Antonio Maldonado and +others, who have communicated it to me. Doctor Antonio de Morga, +lieutenant-general of this kingdom, serves your Majesty here with +zeal and assiduity; and because he enforces the law, he has made +enemies--since, as I have previously written to your Majesty, there +are honest people here willing to serve your Majesty; but there +exist others unruly and ill disposed, who are exceedingly dangerous +to the country. I am punishing a few of these, and am investigating +the previous records of others; it shall be done throughout. May +our Lord preserve your Majesty as is needful for the good of +Christendom. Manila, June 15, 1597. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + + +Sire: + +Every day events are taking place of which I shall advise your +Majesty. A grave Dominican friar [3] lately arrived here from Japon, +who went on the ship "San Felipe" which was lost there. He acquainted +me with the affairs of that kingdom, and gave me a memorandum which +will accompany this. I asked him to sign it, and I now send it to +your Majesty, so that you may order to be considered and decreed in +this matter whatever you think best for your Majesty's royal service. + +Later advices have arrived from Japon to the effect that the Japanese +are considering the occupation of the island of Hermosa [Formosa] +which lies near these islands, and serves as a connecting point between +China and these islands. I am considering what is best to do in this +case, because, although I am of the opinion that we should seize it +first, the council of war opposed me; urging that we have few men +for such an enterprise. I have appointed, as general of the coast, +Captain Don Juan Camudio, a trusty and serviceable person. I am also +fitting out ships with which to navigate among all these islands, +wherever it is necessary. + +I have sent money and men to Cagayan to fortify your Majesty's fort +there. If the men and assistance which I have asked from Nueva Spana +are sent to me, I shall not fear all the power of Japon; because, +although there are few troops here, they are all excellent and +well-drilled. Your Majesty may be certain that your vassals here +will maintain what we hold, even to the death, with sword in hand, +doing our duty in your Majesty's service. May our Lord preserve your +royal person, as Christendom has need and your vassals desire. Manila, +June 19, 1597. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +As matters of importance arise in this government, it becomes necessary +to give your Majesty an account of such affairs. Yesterday we held +a council of war to consider a petition presented to us by Don Luys +Perez Dasmarinas, relative to an expedition to the island of Hermosa, +and we passed resolutions which your Majesty may examine, if you +be pleased to do so, by means of the report which will accompany +this. Although I ordered with resolution what was to be done, I shall +keep the sounding-lead in my hand until reenforcements and money +arrive from Mexico; for without men nothing can be done. I have sent +to the viceroy for five hundred men. + +While the detachment of thirty soldiers under an ensign, ordered +to the assistance of Mindanao, was on its way thither, aboard a +Sangley ship, the Sangleys (who numbered more than forty) mutinied, +and killed twenty-five soldiers and some women, and the rest jumped +overboard. Captain Gregorio de Bargas, who was sailing in that region +with my orders, upon hearing of the matter, attacked and captured the +ship, and killed forty soldiers. Nine who were left alive were brought +to me two days ago. Today they were executed, with great publicity, +before the eyes of their nation and others who are in this city. + +Yesterday there arrived from Malaca some of the soldiers who were +with Sargento-mayor Gallinato on the expedition to Canboja. They say +that they had the news there that Malucos and Terrenatans had banded +together, captured your Majesty's fort and annihilated the Portuguese +detachment stationed there. I am making an investigation to see what +foundation this report has. The result I shall try to send on these +ships. These soldiers also say that they were told that there were four +English ships off Maluco; and that it was thought that they had joined +Terrenate and Maluco to undertake this enterprise. I am guarding the +frontiers, because as there are few men here and the fort is in Manila, +they were in need of reenforcements. In everything I shall continue +to do all that is necessary for your Majesty's royal service, and I +shall inform you of everything that happens, after the departure of +these vessels, by the despatch-boat, which will be in readiness to +be sent out if necessary. + +They say that the news from Mindanao is quite plainly for your +Majesty's advantage. Although I have heard nothing by letter from the +governor there, several Indians who have come from there one by one +corroborate this news. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic +person to the benefit of Christendom. Manila, June 22, 1597. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +Sire: + +This ship of discovery under Joan Batista Justiniano, which is about to +go to Nueva Spana, has just returned, on account of lack of cables, and +will sail again in the morning. Some further details concerning what +I have already written to your Majesty are as follows. We have just +heard from Mindanao that the war has been renewed with the Indians, +because they have failed to observe the stipulations of the treaty. So +we have again sent assistance in men, munitions, supplies, and other +things. I have ordered General Don Joan Ronquillo to prosecute the war, +and, after having demolished the enemy's fort, to build a good one +in its place, leaving it well supplied with artillery, and fortified; +and to leave a captain with one hundred arquebusiers, and mobilize the +remainder of the troops, amounting to about two hundred men. If the +Japanese should come, as is thought probable, he will take position +on one of the frontiers, especially that of Cagayan. In other places, +I have appointed, as justices, captains who were old soldiers, and I +have given them soldiery. What little sail-cloth is to be had here, +is all well prepared for any occasion. I am having artillery cast, +and powder and other necessary things provided, in all haste. Although +I am almost out of lead and iron, I shall try to have one of your +Majesty's small vessels, which now lie here, go to China, where there +is a great abundance of such things, in order to buy some, and return +so quickly that we shall not be embarrassed by the scarcity. + +I am having some galliots and light vessels built to patrol all these +coasts, because their defense is quite important if we are attacked +by the Japanese. + +When I became governor of these islands, I found them full of +Sangleys. I have expelled more than eight thousand of them, and I am +gathering the others, who are scattered, into Manila, in order that +those who are not needed may return to their own country, for they +teach the natives very evil customs. In everything I shall always +try to further the service of God and your Majesty, as I was ordered +to do, and is my duty. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic +person as is needful. Manila, August twelve, 1597. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + + + +Documents of 1598 + + + + Letter to Antonio de Morga. Juan de Ronquillo; January 4. + Report of conditions in the Philippines. Antonio de Morga; June 8. + Recommendations as to reforms needed in the islands. [Unsigned + and undated; 1598?] + Reception of the royal seal at Manila. Francisco Tello, and others; + June 8. + Letters from the archbishop of Manila to Felipe II. Ygnacio de + Santibanez; June 24 and 26. + Letters from the bishop of Nueva Segovia to Felipe II. Miguel de + Benavides; June 30 and July 5. + Letters to Felipe II. Francisco Tello; June 17-July 9. + Report of the Audiencia on the conduct of Tello. Antonio de Morga, + and others; July 15. + + + +_Source_: All these documents are obtained from original MSS. in the +Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. + +_Translations_: The first, fourth, fifth, and most of the sixth, +are translated by Robert W. Haight; the second, by Rachel King; the +third, and part of the sixth and seventh, by James A. Robertson; +most of the seventh, by Jose M. and Clara M. Asensio; the eighth, +by Helen E. Thomas. + + + + +Letter from Juan Ronquillo to Antonio de Morga + + +In my last letter, which I sent you by Captain Luys de Villafana, +who left this island on the first of August, I described the need +that we were in, and the investigations on account of the failure +of the arms to arrive. Although he was wrecked on the way, I have +understood that the papers reached there, having been wet, but in +such shape as to be legible. Thus far I have seen no answer, either +to this despatch, or to those sent on the thirteenth of May and the +first of July, from the lord governor, or from your Grace. It leaves +me quite undecided and uncertain as to what I am to do. While the +aid awaited was being sent on, our need was becoming more pressing, +to such an extent that I even abandoned the work, dropped the +pacification, and ran the whole fleet aground, so that all the men +could busy themselves with gathering landan for food. It seemed to +me more important not to abandon the foothold that we had gained in +the country, than to get more land, and risk losing it all. Further, +it was impossible to provide the men from so few rations; and with so +small provision and less support, and large appetites, it looked to me +as if they would be forced to leave. I finally resolved to tell them +not to be impatient to turn their prows about, or to hope for Manila; +for here we should live or die. Thereupon I embarked the next day and +went up the river to cut landan; [4] for I felt myself fortunate if +I could get plenty of this even. We passed several days in this way, +and when it appeared to me that the men were settled, and less anxious +about the proposed movement, I had a few vessels launched; and in +them I sent two captains with fifty men to the villages of Lumaguan, +who is the most friendly to us, that they might be fed there, and +together with the natives reconnoiter some of the enemies' villages +in the neighborhood. When they were setting out against the latter +one night, they attacked the very friends who were guiding them, +and killed several. They had thought that they were being deceived, +and betrayed to the enemy. The mistake made much trouble, and it would +have been worse if they had not taken the utmost pains to remedy it, +giving satisfaction to the injured, making them presents, and giving +them whatever they had with them. As they were truly friendly to us, +this sufficed to put them on the former footing, as they have since +demonstrated in all earnestness. So I persevered in the undertaking, +changing, however, the leader whom I had sent; and it pleased God that +this expedition should be the beginning of so much good fortune as we +have had since then, for back from the fort of Buyahen, on a large +lagoon, were found a number of the hostile villages, with excellent +fields of rice, although it was not the season to harvest it. I ordered +them to take the stronghold of a chief named Dato Minduc, which was +close to Buyahen. Its site was such that the natives themselves say +that, unless men were to come down from heaven to take it, it would +be impossible to do so. We captured it with all the artillery in it, +a number of men being lost on their side, and none on ours. After this +the enemies began to lose spirit, and the friendly natives to take +heart, and to hold us in greater esteem. This was on the twenty-ninth +of August. On the very next day I brought the men down to the fort, +and encouraged them all, and bade them be of good hope that the work +would soon be done; and I cheered them to it, and straightway followed +up the undertaking, without giving the men's ardor a chance to cool. I +got aboard ship, and made my way along the coast. On the eighteenth of +September, I entered a river called Picon, in a well-peopled country, +there being, besides the natives, a large number of the enemy, who had +been scattered abroad, and had joined them. At daybreak we arrived at +the first village, close to the sea. It was one of the finest places +I have seen, with excellent houses, and a very elaborate mosque; there +was a good supply of swine, fowls, goats, and fruit. The enemy made a +stand, but at the first encounter we overpowered them, and killed or +captured more than two hundred persons; the troops stopped for food, +and then I had the village burned. I would have liked to attack another +village, which lay a day's march inland, and which has two thousand +houses. I left it, because I could have done nothing at that time; +for the fugitives from the first village had warned them, and they had +all gone to the mountains. This stroke had terrorized the whole coast, +and not a vessel appeared over its whole extent; for, as there were +Indians in many places, they had all received news of it without delay. + +I could remain no longer, nor pass on to other encounters which I +might have had there, on account of the crops which I had discovered +at Buyahen, which were urgently demanding my presence for the harvest, +before their owners should gather them. Accordingly I came back to the +fort, whence, in less than four days, I again sent the same captains +who had been there before, for the crops, with eighty soldiers and +all the boats, besides five hundred friendly Indians, to gather +the harvest, and to take another fort in the same neighborhood, +of which the Indians informed them. On the twenty-second of October +they attacked it, and took it with all the artillery, killing more +than a hundred and seventy of them, besides taking a number captive. I +did not come out so cheaply as the last time; for it was an extremely +strong place, having, besides the usual defenses, inventions of which a +barbarous people are incapable. Furthermore, they had fastened on the +very curtains some large spars bent like a bow, so that when anyone +attacked it, by cutting one end loose from the inside a hundred men +would be thrown down--namely, all who were climbing upon the rampart +platform. It was intrenched at intervals in such wise that it was +necessary to win it step by step, and from below, if one undertook +to take it by storm. There were a great many pikemen to receive the +stormers, and they felt so safe that they put their women and goods +on the inside to guard them better. Thus they lost everything, and +the booty was very rich, although the Indians obtained the most--more +than did the soldiers, of whom eighteen came out wounded (including +the two captains, Guerrero and Grabiel Gonzalez), most being wounded +by bullets and arrows. They had fortified this fort strongly; and +since they had lost it first, having considered it so long as a last +hope for their safety, they thought of nothing more after losing it +but being left in peace in the one which they at present hold; for +already they have hardly a hand's breadth of land left, and there they +are fortifying themselves as much as possible. This will not succeed, +for without my going there they will come to ask peace from me--in a +few days I hope, because the grain is growing up all over. In this +way the whole country becomes ours and the crops are left ready to +be gathered. They lie so near to Buyahen that the sentinel bells can +be heard from one place to the other. + +They are retreating and there is no one who can go ahead. They are +sending chiefs from a distance to conduct us peaceably, who wish +to become our friends and pay tribute. On the first of November I +arrived anew at the mouth of this river on the site of Mindanao, +where the fort which belonged to the Spaniards when they took the +country was burned. There was a fleet there of more than sixty ships +and we did not know what people they carried; but, believing that +it was those whom we were awaiting from those islands, I was glad +that they had arrived in so good time, and sent some of the friendly +Indians to reconnoiter them. They said that they were Terrenatans. I +immediately sent Captain Grabiel Gonzalez to make certain who it was, +and on the way he met a caracoa which was on sentinel duty. Some +arquebus-shots were exchanged, and without any injury he came back +with the information. There were at this time in the whole camp, +provisions for not more than nine days; and the munitions were so +far spent that, having no matches, the soldiers were going about with +fire-brands in their hands--for the few matches and balls which they +had, had been taken by the troops who were outside harvesting the +grain. We had to consider that as soon as we sent to call them back +we were lost; for if the rice were not cut we should have nothing to +live on. Likewise, on the other hand, I saw the great injury which I +should suffer if the enemy should fortify themselves where they were +working. It would cost me a great deal to dislodge them, and besides +there was the risk which was run of losing the communication with +your city; for we had to enter boldly into the enemy's country, +as one of the boats of the friendly Indians from Zanboanga had +done. Finally, as the evil of the want of food was most pressing, +and as without food we could neither go back nor forward, I resolved +to reenforce the pass of Vutil, so that the enemy could not pass that +way and join with the people of Buyahen. The troops who were acting as +porters kept the pass, and immediately, at the same time, I sent the +people who were above down to the sea, ordering Captain Juan Pacho, +who was at their head, not to come back without bringing in first all +the rice which he had harvested and cut, as aforesaid. I got a galley +ready with a good deal of trouble, for there was not even bonote [5] +to calk it, and I had to go in person among the houses of the Indians +to find some. I launched it, and fitted it with guns and new rigging +to make it ready; for I was resolved that if the enemy fled I should +follow them even as far as their own country. When the men got back +I embarked, on Thursday morning, which I reckon to be the third of +November. By noon I had come in sight of the enemy, where I anchored, +and we exchanged cannon-shots. Seeing that he had a larger force than +I had understood, I immediately sent an order to Captain Guerrero who +was in Butil, that he should come down to the river of Vitara to the +sea, with a galliot, and enter the mouth of this river of Mindanao +and come within sight of the enemy, and exchange cannon-shots on his +arrival. He did so, arriving at noon on Friday. On the way he met an +outpost of the enemy, and killed a few Indians who were with them, +with a cannon-shot. When he arrived at cannon-shot distance from the +fort he anchored, and commenced to fire. The enemy replied so well +that at the first shot they hit the galliot, and it was only by good +fortune that it did not go to the bottom. With the second they killed +a soldier. With such exercise the day was passed. Saturday morning, +Lumaguan having arrived with some troops that were expected, I ordered +Captain Guerrero to land immediately with twenty-five soldiers and join +me, leaving the rest and the captain of the galliot in it, with orders +that, when the troops began the investment, the galliot should come up +close to the mouth of a lake which was close to the fort. Accordingly, +when these troops came I landed ninety men with Captains Juan Pacho, +Guerrero, Ruy Gomes, Grabiel Gonzalez, and Altra. I circled about +the fort with the galley, fighting with a good deal of skirmishing, +and the galliot doing the same on the other side, so that we had the +fort between us. On my side the troops landed not a hundred paces from +the fort, on which, on the side toward the aforesaid lake, they had +already closed in, and which they had reached as well as on our side, +where a very large cavalier was under construction, although they had +not yet finished the enclosure. The enemy were so brave that although, +by keeping their fleet within the lake, they might have gone away +two nights before without losing anything, not only would they not +do so, but they even ran the whole fleet on land, excepting one ship, +using that as a bridge to pass from the cavalier to the fort. + +That very night they cried out to us, telling Captain Don Juan +Pacho to have a care and not come to fight them, "because we are all +Terrenatans, and you are Castilians and Tanpacans." Although they +might have been safe in their fort, and not have lost it unless they +sold themselves very dearly, most of them went out into the open +country to reconnoiter and there commenced to fight with the land +troops. These acted so courageously and so quickly that the enemy +had no time to prepare before they had come upon them in front; and +when they wished to go back to the fort they could not do so at all, +for the artillery of my galley, which was moored quite near, cut +off their road with _lenternas_ [grenades?] and balls. Our men kept +coming forward without giving way in any part, gained the cavalier, +and by the bridge that the enemy had provided passed on to the +fort, and won it with all the artillery, altogether in less than an +hour. They took the whole fleet, of which we were in much need, and +ten pieces of fairly good artillery and more than fifty arquebuses, +although most of these were thrown away by the friendly Indians. There +were killed there on this occasion more than eighty Moros, among +them the commander of their forces, who was an uncle of the king of +Terrenate, and was named Cachil Baba, together with other cachils [6] +and chiefs. Of those who fled many were wounded, most of whom died, +as was afterward seen, in the marshes and mountains. One band of more +than fifty Moros--some being wounded, among these a cachil--made an +attempt to pass to the other side of the river, thinking that from +there they might escape; but, as the river is broad and the current +swift, they were all drowned. Every day we are finding more and more +who have died from wounds and hunger, and those who have survived are +gathering in small bands and going back to their country. They found +some boats to take their goods across at the cape of San Agustin, +and carry this good news to their king--whom perchance the gain +will dispose to continue. This reenforcement was brought by Buysan, +brother of Sali and uncle of Raxa Mura, who went to get him and wished +him to attack the sargento-mayor, at the time when they cut off his +leg. The king of Terrenate yielded to him respectfully, as your Grace +may see by the letter of the chief captain of Maluco, a copy of which +is sent with this, in which he informs me of what had happened. The +troops who came were the most noble and gallant in all Terrenate, and +the commander was an old man of more than sixty years, white-haired, +with mustaches more than a span long. He was a very venerable person, +and so valiant that, after being brought down with an arquebus-shot, +so that he could not move, he raised his campilan in the air, calling +out to his troops to fight until death. They came well supplied with +women and goods, and the materials for making powder. They brought +gilded field-beds to sleep on, with cushions of silk and chairs to +sit upon, and richly worked cloths for their use. There was so much +with this and other things that the booty must have been worth six +thousand ducats; and though, as always, the soldiers took the lesser +part, yet even thus some of them are a little better off. + +I am well aware that I was very fortunate on that occasion, and if +our Lord was pleased to grant me success, still fortune will change +and the enemy will have it. Not only will that which remains to me +here be lost, but even the Pintados Islands have been in great danger, +having run the risk each year of being harried by these enemies. But +though I knew that God was helping us in a time of such need, yet I +had almost lost hope of success. On the other hand, finding myself +puzzled and almost desperate at seeing that at the end of six months +there had come no reply from the lord governor, nor in any way any +intimation of his will or determination, and that it almost seemed +as if he were forgetting us, as if we were a lost people without +hope, I resolved to do what I did as one who was destitute of aid, +and who must live by his own hands. The success was such that I may +be pardoned. When I took the site of Buyaen I was so nearly out of +supplies that there was not a cannon-ball left for me to use; and on +this so important occasion, as I with reason believe it to be--and I +may say that since the Philipinas were discovered there was never a +better one in them--I had no others than what, by my own diligence, +I gathered from some fishermen's cast-nets, and well they did their +duty, since they fished so well on land. + +When I left that city I told your Grace that, even if I found myself +in the utmost need, I should not turn my prow back thither; but first +should go to the land of the enemy, and my duty should be well done. If +I have accomplished this against so many difficulties as your Grace +may see, I believe there are few men who would not have been moved by +the circumstances and the necessity which urged me on. When I was most +pressed and the troops most in want--so much so that it would bring +pity to the heart of anyone who saw it, no matter how hardened he was; +for their shirts, shoes, and hose but ill sufficed them, and their +food was only a dish of rice with nothing else--even at such a time, +I conquered the island; for we may say that it is already conquered, +as the larger part pays or gives tribute; and I hope, God willing, that +a year from now the whole island will pay us. All this occurred in the +midst of the winter, in water waist-deep, with no change of clothing, +and the men weary from head to foot. What I think most of is, that I +kept the men free from discontent, which seems almost a miracle. And +when it was understood that I must depart for lack of supplies, I put +in the warehouse eight hundred sestos of rice of forty gantas each; +and I supplied almost the whole camp for a month and a half with the +crops; the Spaniards and Indians brought in food enough for another +month, and the friendly Indians did the same. Much more than what was +gathered was destroyed and ruined, as it was not the harvest season. + +On all these occasions soldiers and captains worked so gallantly that I +have never before so much regretted being poor, since I cannot provide +them with some little part of all that they deserve. The sargento-mayor +and Captain Juan de Valencia arrived on the twenty-eighth of the last +month in a fragata, in which they had been despatched from that city +to Butuan. They brought a thousand sestos of rice and some fish, +wine, and some clothing which Captain Guenca gave them in Zebu, +together with other articles. Very luckily they were retarded, as I +had also been, so that they did not arrive earlier; for if they had +been twenty days earlier the enemy would have taken them without fail. + +The friendly natives were so alarmed at this that even those from the +village of Tanpaca, who are near to this fort, withdrew their goods to +the tingues, and did not feel safe. They thought that we were dead, +and told us to eat, for we must soon kill the Terrenatans. It is +strange what fear they felt of the latter, incomparably more than of +us; although immediately after this victory they said that we were +more valiant than the others, and that there was no people like +us. When the fight was over we had no place to store the tribute +in acknowledgment of sovereignty which the friendly chiefs offered +us in token of friendship, paying it in rice, for at the time of the +invasion from Terrenate, Silonga had not threatened them, or made them +abandon their good purpose. Immediately upon my arrival I sent to get +it, and to prepare them, and to tell them that they might be certain +that they would always be under his Majesty's dominion, and likewise +to collect the acknowledgment. On this mission the captains, Juan +Pacho, Guerrero, and Grabiel Gonzalez were sent with eighty soldiers; +and six days ago they informed me that the natives were very firm in +their friendship, and that they were busy harvesting the rice which +they were to pay. Lumaguan and his people were doing the same thing, +being obliged to pay seven hundred sestos of clean rice. In order to +collect this, all the men had to pass on to the great lake [_i.e.,_ +Lanao] for which this island is famous; and as the fame of our works +had spread throughout the whole island, two chiefs had already come +down from the lake to say that they did not wish to fight with the +Spaniards, but to be their friends and pay them tribute. Thus I +hope, through God, that inside of twenty days the whole country will +be settled; and while sending down the people already mentioned, +I myself shall go out in person and go along the coast of the lake +and of the cape of San Agustin. Four days ago there came to me word +from another chief who wished to be friendly, that the Terrenatans +are leaving this road and passing on; for there was not one of them +who did not drop his arms and flee. I shall go as far as La Canela, +subduing all the country up to that point. This will not detain me +long, as I shall follow down the coast and on the way meet the fleet, +which was to be despatched from those islands. As it was already so +belated when I arrived, it would have been in danger if I had not +come to its rescue, and might not have arrived here. I have also +kept merchant vessels from the islands of Jolo and Taguima during +this whole time. Thus far they have been giving help to the enemy, +the most important which they have received; but as they were present +at the defeat of the Terrenatans, they are little disposed to remain +with them or favor the people of Buyahen. I warned them to be waiting +for me at the end of January at La Caldera with the tribute, so that +I should not go to their country to punish them. If they do not give +it, perhaps I shall do so, as it will be the most certain way. + +As I have had no letter from the lord governor I do not know what he +may have ordered concerning the continuation of this establishment; +but I can say this for myself, that even if he orders me to desert it +in so great need as it is, without giving the least information as to +the situation in which I now am, which is very different from what I +have hitherto thought it, I should not do so. For if it is not kept +up for the good which it may be hoped will result to the country, in +order to make up for the damage which it suffered in being laid waste, +then it must be done for the consideration that its condition will be +like that of all the Pintados, which were laid waste unmercifully. And +as these affairs are not well understood there, perhaps they thought +it sufficient to station here, or at La Caldera, fifty soldiers as +a garrison in order to keep the country in check. Those and as many +more will be a breakfast to these natives on the day when they do +not see that things move on so effectually as now; and they would +have done the same thing to those who would have remained in this +fort, when I was told to withdraw the rest of the camp to Zebu. In +short, I have done this only of my own free will, for good or evil, +and without advice--not because I am not given to taking it on all +occasions, but because in this country it has always turned out ill, +and few are brought into friendship through force. + +Neither do I think of wasting time in besieging Buyahen any longer; +because, by the means which I have now taken, I shall reduce it to +peace with much less difficulty. I am negotiating a marriage between +Raxa Mura and the sister of Xlunao, who is the chief of this village +of Tanpaca. He is willing and anxious for it and has already embarked +to come to see me. As he is a boy, although he is respected by all, +his uncles Sali and Silonga would not let him do so. They have +hindered him, warning him that he will be hanged. He is importunate +in his desire to come, saying that he has no fear of the Spaniards, +because he has done them no harm; and his father, Dimasanca, was their +friend and paid them tribute, and why should they do him harm? As +his uncles are so much to blame they are keeping him back, thinking +that they cannot receive the mercy that Raxa Mura will, on account +of their treacheries; and that, if he came, they would be lost. If +they could make sure that they would not lose their heads, they would +all be friendly and the island would be pacified. But it is enough +that Raxa Mura should be friendly, wherefore Captain Juan Pacho is +under orders to carry on this negotiation through the mother. If this +plan of mine is not successful and fails, they must be overcome by +want where they now are; for I have them so close pressed and hemmed +in that they are not lords of the land a pace from their fort, and +they will die of hunger, as neither salt nor fish can enter to them, +and their crops have been taken from them on all sides, so they must +either die or surrender. And what makes them more reasonable is, that +three days ago I took a fort at the place where I have the galliot +from Vutil. I have closed the river in such wise that there is no +way to go up or down it, and I have there a captain with twenty-four +soldiers. They were greatly affected by the defeat of Terrenate; +and as they had put their hope in that they lost it thereby as much +as if they had been defeated. Sali and Silonga called a meeting of +all their people and sought their advice as to what to do. All the +timaguas and other chiefs told them that there was nothing to do +but become the friends of the Spaniards and pay them tribute. They +answered that they would not pay tribute, but would fight first, +and they warned them that they should do so. They all answered that +they did not wish to fight with the Spaniards, for it was well known +that that meant to go to death. The advice that their people gave +them was good, but it pleased God that they should choose the worst. + +If there had not been such a lack of rowers I should have traveled +by means of two hands and forced their respect. But I have so few +Indians, and keep them so busy in all kinds of ways that we should be +thankful for what has been done. They must have harvested much rice +likewise in other parts, and therefore a considerable amount of that +to be sent from there [Manila] can be dispensed with. I have something +more than four hundred Indians, and two hundred and fifteen Spaniards, +counting soldiers, sailors, and gunners. Some of these are crippled and +maimed. The war of men continues. Although I understand that this will +be more costly to me than was the Terrenate war, two soldiers only have +been lost--one of them having his head carried away by a cannon-shot, +and the other one his bowels by an arquebus-shot. I sent asking your +Grace if you would have those conveyed back to Manila who are no longer +capable of service. It will be a gracious act to favor their cause. + +In the last letter which I wrote to your Grace I gave an account of +the products of this land, so far as they were known up to that time; +and now I am doing the same with what has since been observed. In the +first place the country is healthful, as has been clearly shown; for +if the want, hardships, and privations which the troops have suffered +here in mid-winter had occurred in that city, not a man would have +lived through it. The climate is incomparably better than that of +that island [Luzon]; for in the whole year there are not six days +of extreme heat, and the evenings, nights, and mornings are usually +cool. Gold is found in all parts, although not in large quantities, +but it must exist where there are traces of it. Throughout the whole +island there is a great deal of wax and much tortoise-shell. Rice +is sowed in all parts, and in some places in great quantities. They +raise fowl, goats, and swine in all the villages, and wax they do +not save. There is a great quantity of wild game, which is excellent, +growing larger than in other places. + +There are a great many nipa and other palms, although more than twenty +thousand palm-trees have been destroyed. The people of the tingues are +farmers and stock-raisers, and would plant a great deal if directed +to do so; accordingly, four hundred or five hundred Spaniards could +be very bountifully supplied here, and even more. They are in an +excellent position for trade, for they are at a very few days' journey +from all the islands of Maluco, Xlatheo [Matheo?], Borney, and Xaba, +and they lie on the route of the galleons which ply between Yndia, +Malaca, and Maluco, and which anchor at La Canela. The only thing to +be feared is that the men from these galleons will enter the island, +doing damage, and making a bad name for us. It would take a miracle +to lose it. The worst thing that I see is that it should be divided +into encomiendas, as otherwise the soldiers will work willingly and +even without further recompense than what they may happen to get. And +accordingly it seems but just that the masters should come and give us +support, or that they should leave us, who are well satisfied with it. + +Two or three encomenderos only have sent their attendants; and they +might as well not have sent them, because they have not provided +them with provisions and supplies, but the king has had to furnish +them. If this is all that is necessary, they have done well to stay +at home forgetful, and let us fools labor here for them. And it seems +to me that there has been sufficient deceit, falsehood, and cunning +used with the lord governor with their false excuses. Let them come +or give up, for otherwise I believe there will be no one to continue +the work. Let them build ships and boats; since most of them hold +encomiendas, from which they can pay for them. Of one thing they may +be certain, that so long as I am on the island no tributes shall be +collected there unless in the meantime there shall be another order +from the lord governor; except that I shall have them collected and put +in the treasury to cover the expenses of this pacification; for thus +far I have knowledge of no assent or approval, and therefore I shall +treat it as if left to me. Thus far I have founded no settlement; for, +although the situation of Tanpaca is good and healthful, it is far from +the sea, so that it takes a fragata five or six days to come up and go +down from here. There is no other site of importance, and from now on +until things are more settled it is inexpedient to leave this river; I +shall therefore postpone such an enterprise until a better opportunity. + +More than thirty pieces of artillery, although small ones, have been +won from the enemy, and more than five hundred boats have been defeated +and captured; and up to the time of the peace more than eight hundred +people have died or been taken captive. + +On the twenty-sixth instant the sargento-mayor came down from exploring +the great lake. He found upon it a village of eight hundred people, +which immediately surrendered peaceably and paid acknowledgment. There +were no more in that neighborhood. And as all the people there pay +tribute to these people, they denied having any more than a few +tinguianes [_i.e.,_ hill people]. When they were told to notify the +villages, they said that they could not, for they were at war with +them; that this was the boundary of their nation; and that it would +take a large body of troops. It could not all be explored on this +occasion, because it would take more time than our troops could +afford. It is understood that the people of this district are all +farmers, and by nature like the Vizayans; they have much cotton and +wax. This part of the lake is clear, and has a swift current, owing +to the strength of the rivers which flow into it, and which have +every reason for being populous. We shall examine it soon; the reason +for our not doing so this time was that Silonga knew that the chiefs +and principal men of his party wished to go over to our side, paying +tribute and obedience unto his Majesty. Seeing himself deserted on +all sides without them, and that they were all leaving him, he came +out of Buyahen with a large number of troops and went to the village +of Dato Mindum; and there he cut off their path and kept them all +hedged in. The sargento-mayor and the other captains, considering that +since he was so bold as to take up a position where he was without +fortification, he must have confidence in the number of his troops, +and that for some eight days more or less the victories which God has +given us up to now should not be spoiled, therefore put off attacking +him till they should have a new order from me. Accordingly today, +the twenty-ninth of the said month, I am sending Captain Ruy Gomez +with forty soldiers more, and three hundred friendly Indians and more +supplies. He has orders to attack the village. We should lose much if +the troops came down the river without attacking Silonga; the more he +has at stake, the more he will lose. For I know the worth and value of +a Spaniard, and it is not a good thing to hazard them without a great +deal of consideration. I hope, God willing, that if the enemy wait they +will be badly beaten; and if they flee to the chiefs who wish to go +over to our side, that will increase their wish and confirm them in it. + +Thus far no fragata or other ship has arrived except that of the +sargento-mayor which I sent back from here, and even if this had +remained in Zebu, it might have brought word from the lord governor +regarding the prosecution of this business. He comes here with no +more knowledge than we have; the only thing of which he leaves us +in no doubt is that he comes without the means to pay or succor +these poor troops. If this be true, I am much astonished at it; +and it appears to me that this is afflicting them too much and will +give them an occasion to make trouble and rebel some day, taking one +of the galleys and the artillery and going where they list, as has +already been done in two cases. In the one case a barangay and four +soldiers mutinied and went away, no one knows where. Although they +took an officer, he had no power to prevent them, for they rose in arms +against him. The best that he could do was to have them put him ashore +and in this way he came back to this fort. The three soldiers who were +posted on the galliot which was at Vutil conspired and took the small +boat and fled. Your Grace may see, from the eve of the feast, what +sort of feast-day may be expected, especially from troops suffering +privation and hunger, who do not leave their arms day or night, +working for others and receiving no pay. With so small a ration of +rice they are ill sustained for any length of time; for the little +meat and fish which was sent was so insignificant and arrived in so +damaged a condition that there is not enough for eight days. Finally, +on this ground of pay they would be justified in mutiny. They are +seeking all about for food and clothes, which, if they had received +the pay, they would not have lacked; and at the same time they could +be commanded and obliged to serve and keep the regulations--which are +every day broken, and we cannot punish them. Another band attempted +flight a few days past, one of whom I hanged--although it weighs on +my conscience now that I have done it; for, in a sense, they have +excuse enough. Since I did not shirk it, I inform you of it now, +to relieve my conscience, before God and his Majesty. + +While writing this, word came to me from the captains who are up +the river, that from the mountain ridge, from a creek called Malago, +there had come a chief with several peaceful Indians. This is worthy of +note, since they have come so late, without waiting for a suggestion, +since they have never seen our faces, and since they have come many +leguas, dressed in clothes of cotton and of medrinaque, which is a good +sign. They say that there are many people in their country. I hope, +through God, that soon all will render obedience to his Majesty, and +that every day will give occasion for the report of more gains. May our +Lord grant your Grace many years, and His protection, as I desire. The +fortress of Tanpaca, January 4, '98. Your Grace's humble servant, + +_Don Juan Ronquillo_ + + + + +Report of Conditions in the Philippines + + +_By Antonio de Morga_ + +What is to be said of the condition of affairs in these Philipinas +Islands is as follows: + +_Instruction and instructors of the Indians_ + +1. The evil example set by the religious through their vices, indecent +behavior, gambling, banquets, and festivities. + +2. They trade and make a profit in their districts, from rice, wax, +wine, gold, boats, fowls, cloth, and deerskins, to the great detriment +of the Indians, as well as that of the entire country. + +3. They deal openly in merchandise of the above-mentioned articles, +as well as in those of China, in the trade with Nueva Espana. + +4. They usurp the royal jurisdiction, hearing, according to the due +forms of law, suits among the Indians. They have stocks, prisons, +and place of detention, where they vex, whip, and otherwise afflict +the Indians, compelling these to obey the laws they themselves make, +rather than those of the king's magistrates. + +5. They distress the Indians by demanding their services as rowers; +and contributions of rice, wine, fowls, and other things, with but +slight payment, or even none. + +6. They employ many more Indians than are necessary, who serve in +many capacities without pay. + +7. They levy many excessive fees for baptisms, weddings, and funerals, +and then neglect to reserve the episcopal tax. + +8. They erect large churches, houses, and monasteries for only one +friar, or at the most for two. They often remodel and rebuild these +edifices at a great expense to the royal treasury, encomenderos, +and Indians. + +9. They put forth strenuous efforts to oblige the Indians to bequeath +at least a third of their gold and wealth to the monasteries, for +which gifts they receive more honor at their death, so that others +may be roused to do likewise. Those who do not thus give are buried +like beasts. + +10. In the churches alms-boxes and chests are placed, in which they +compel both men and women alike to drop their offering each one singly, +diminishing their property. + +11. They insist on the continual formation of brotherhoods and erection +of shrines, so that these may be endowed and adorned and may receive +new alms--the Indians understanding no more of the matter than the +display and ostentation of the offering. + +12. Every monastery has, usually, a great many festivities, which +are all attended by the friars throughout the whole province. These +are accompanied by many Indians, for the purpose of bearing their +hammocks, rowing for them, and acting in other capacities. Thus, +year after year, the friars go from one village to another, dragging +the Indians after them, and causing great expense. + +13. The religious levy many contributions on the Indians for the +expense of their festivities, for triumphal arches, castles, and +dances. These entertainments are receptions which they compel the +Indians to tender, as a welcome, to their provincials and priors, +to whom breakfasts and dinners are given also. These festivities +occur frequently, and are conducted with much worldly show and expense. + +14. They are very careful to exact that all the Indian girls, +especially the young and most beautiful, appear at the gates of the +monastery every day. They converse with them, showing partiality to the +handsomest among them. When a new prior arrives or any other person +for whom the religious wish to make a special display, these Indian +girls dress themselves carefully and call to see them. Besides this, +there are other things which it would be offensive to tell. + +15. The superiors commonly send young friars of but little education +and no very good example to these curacies. Their conduct is such +that the Indians hate them as enemies. Thus the Indians profit but +little by the instruction, and acquire a distaste for the law of God +and His gospel. + +16. They generally spend their time disputing with the +alcaldes-mayor. Especially if the latter do not coincide in all their +opinions, they persecute and harass them, until they even compel them +to leave the country. + +17. They accept and encourage complaints and tales by private persons, +even though they may be false and unjust; for this enables them to +preach to and reprove the people and also the ministers of justice, +so that they themselves may be feared and respected. And they do this +with great indecorum and license. + +18. By means of special study and persistent effort, they strive +to participate in government affairs. They desire to have a hand in +everything, and to take part in all matters, through the medium of +conscience and theology, by means of which they interpret and pick +flaws in his Majesty's ordinances. But rarely do they allow his orders +to be executed, unless quite to their taste and liking. + +19. Many of them undeniably have contracts with the factors, +encomenderos, and known capitalists in the trade with Espana. + +20. They are attended by a great following of Indian boys, who serve +as pages and servants. These are well dressed, wearing liveries and +gold chains. They carry their hats for them in the streets, while +in the monastery they assist them in the cells. Each one, however, +has his own special servant. + +21. These servants, together with other Indians whom they have with +them, who are taught to play on the guitar and other instruments, are +made to dance, execute lively songs and dances, and to sing profane +and immodest tunes. Thus they entertain their guests, setting a bad +example to the Indians, without profiting anyone. + +22. When they find themselves gainers in wealth, their principal +thought is to try to return to Espana with their profits. This +disturbs many here, for by divers ways and means they endeavor to +obtain permission to carry out their design. + +23. The orders send many each year, under the pretext that they are +going on business for the order. They do not take into consideration +that they are needed here, nor the expense to his Majesty in sending +them. + +24. The more spiritual among them try to go to China, Xapon, Camboxa, +and other kingdoms, in order to preach the gospel, unmindful of their +duties here, for which they were brought. This anxiety makes them +restless, and they invent journeys and conquests which disturb the +rulers and the Spaniards. All this gives rise to other objectionable +things. + +25. They will accept no curacy in any province, unless rich enough to +suit them. They abandon the rest, so that there are many islands and +provinces whose people ask for baptism but are unable to obtain it, for +the lack of persons to administer it as well as to impart instruction +and to live with the Indians to see that they do not apostatize. + +26. Many of the religious treat the Indians very cruelly, just as +if they were slaves or dogs. On failure to please, they are beaten, +or subjected to any penalty that presents itself, on the pretext that +they were remiss in attention to religious instruction. + + +_Ecclesiastical judges and prelates_ + +27. They meddle with the royal jurisdiction. Hitherto they have not +been restrained, for they would immediately pronounce excommunication +and offer other insults. + +28. In the cases tried by them, they practice notorious coercion, +insulting the parties to the case, executing all that they decide +and determine, whether right or wrong--and all this without having +any education, or having any person to guide them. + +29. The religious have attorneys who speak both languages, and +interpreters, whom they invest with authority, and from whom the +Indians suffer innumerable offenses and many grievances. + +30. Their officials and clerks collect excessive fees and do not keep +to the fixed rate. + +31. Although his Majesty had ordered no pecuniary fines to be +imposed on the Indians for any cause or pretext whatsoever, they +are compelled to pay fines of gold and reals, which decrease their +property and estate. + +32. Some of the judges are quite at variance with others, especially +in regard to conservators; and they excommunicate one another and the +town, with considerable offense and scandal. Bulls and briefs have +been published, unknown to, and not passed or received by, the council. + +33. When complaint is made of the excesses and crimes of any +ecclesiastic or religious, their superiors do not punish them. On +the contrary, saying that it does not befit the dignity of religion +to say that they have committed crimes and that they have received +punishment, they let the matter drop. + +34. The ecclesiastics and religious quietly take away from and add to +the instruction at will, and without the supervision of the governor +and the ecclesiastical superior, contrary to his Majesty's orders. This +occasions many difficulties. They do not allow the bishop to visit +their curacies, for fear that the injustice of their action will +be discovered. + + +_Secular government_ + +35. Negligence and carelessness exist in making the laws, and more +in enforcing them, in regard to matters pertaining to the care and +advancement of this kingdom, and its good government--and especially +to the royal decrees sent by his Majesty, most of which are suspended +or not effectively observed. + +36. Concerning provisions and all other necessities for human +existence, each one is a law unto himself, does what he pleases, and +sells as he wishes, without any fixed price, measure, or system. Hence +provisions are growing steadily worse and dearer. The natives and +Chinese trade, bartering and retailing, which, as above stated, results +in the injury and high price of provisions, while the merchandise is +adulterated or counterfeited. + +37. The thorough efforts which are needed are not made to prevent +the natives from becoming vagabonds and idlers; and to make them +cease to be peddlers and traders for gain. They must be induced to +cultivate the soil, make their cloth, and occupy themselves with +their different kinds of work, as they did formerly. Then the land +was more productive and they were better off. + +38. It is necessary rigorously to restrict the Chinese from going +about as they now do among these islands for trade and profit, without +any system, robbing the country, enhancing the value of articles, +and imparting many bad habits and sins to the natives. They also +explore the ports and harbor entrances, and reconnoiter the country, +that they may be able to work some injury when occasion offers. + +39. It would be very advantageous forcibly to eject all the Sangleys +who are scattered throughout the islands--namely, those who are +protected by the alcaldes-mayor and the religious--because of the money +that they take out of the country, and the injury they cause to it. + +40. These Sangleys should not be allowed to have parians in certain +towns of the islands, where there are but few Spaniards. The justices +harbor them there for their own profit, and the harvests that they +gather from them and their ships, as in Manila. This might prove +very harmful and injurious, and renders it necessary that, at the +very least, the ship coming to trade shall dispose of its cargo as +quickly as possible, and return to China with all those who came in it. + +41. It is only just that, when the Sangleys arrive with their ships, +they should observe the proclamations issued which prohibit them +from bringing many people. Penalties should be exacted, and when +the Sangleys return they should take as many people as they can, +thus relieving the country from the many here who are an injury to it. + +42. We must endeavor to have them sell the merchandise brought by +them from China freely to any person who wishes to buy; and we must +see that no advantage is taken of anyone, either in their ships or on +land, under severe penalties intended to prevent such acts--from which +arise obvious injustice, and the increase of the price of their wares. + +43. An order must be given to the Chinese to sail early for these +islands, so that, during the month of May, their goods shall be sold, +and their ships go on the return voyage. This is the best thing, both +for the safety of their voyage, and the prevention of so excessive +prices on their goods. + +44. We must endeavor to have them bring good merchandise, not defective +or spurious. As they are an unscrupulous race, they adulterate the +goods, which they would not do if they saw that notice was taken of +their action, and that the goods that were not up to the standard +were burned. + +45. All possible care must be taken to prevent their trusting their +goods to Spaniards, for without knowing them, the Sangleys let them +have the goods at an enhanced price, without personal security; and +afterward the Sangleys tire themselves and us in trying to collect +the money, so that credit is lost. + +46. Action should be taken, so that these Sangleys should +not be afflicted as at present by any judges, constables, and +interpreters--who, by various pretexts and calumnies, cheat and rob +them, and perpetrate much fraud, coercion, and bribery. + +47. The great number of Sangley interpreters must be decreased. These +serve for no other purpose than to commit innumerable acts of bribery, +corruption, and fraud with the Chinese. + +48. It would be much better for the Chinese who become Christians not +to dress like Spaniards. The latter should resume their accustomed +labors so that it might not be necessary for many Sangleys to remain +in the country to perform the needful service. They should cultivate +and till the soil, which they do not do at present, because of which +arise many bad results. + +49. Measures must be taken to enforce his Majesty's decree, under +severe penalties, so that the royal officials, clerks, and guards +who register and appraise the merchandise of the Sangleys in their +vessels, shall not take the goods for themselves, or pick out the best, +or give promissory notes. This is very unjust and oppressive. + +50. The Chinese captains and merchants should be ordered, under +penalty of being imprisoned and fined, to bring saltpeter, iron, +and other metals, which they have refused to bring of later years, +and of which there is great need. + +51. When the Sangley ships are about to depart, they are ballasted +and loaded with lumber. This should be prohibited, for they fell the +trees for this, and in a short time there will be a lack of wood here. + +52. All the Japanese coming hither in their vessels would better +be sent back to Xapon. Not one should be allowed to settle in this +kingdom. + +53. Those already here should be banished to their own country, for +they are of no benefit or utility; but, on the contrary, very harmful. + +54. On departing, the Japanese are wont to take cargoes of silk and +gold, which are merchandise intended for Xapon. This should not +be allowed until the Spaniards have made their purchases, for it +increases the price of silk. + +55. The Japanese and Chinese strive to take many deerskins as +merchandise from these islands to Xapon. They hunt for these, and +buy them from the Indians and even the religious, who give and sell +them. This traffic must be stopped, for it is very injurious to the +country, as the animals are killed solely for their skins, and thus +the supply of game will become exhausted. + +56. The flour, biscuits, and wax brought from Xapon are suitable +commodities for this country. Some persons have already become so +keen in their plans to dispose of these goods that they buy them +by wholesale, store them, and retail them. This must be prohibited, +and an order issued to the effect that this state shall be provided +and supplied with them at moderate rates. + +57. It does not appear that the alcaldes and regidors of Manila use +their offices to the good of the state, but each for his own private +interests. They must be instructed in their duties, and punished for +any negligence. + +58. There is no system in regard to the provision of beef, for +there is no one who is compelled to provide it. What there is, +is not properly cleaned. It is not cut, divided, or weighed with +equality and fairness. As the regidors and people in authority are +the owners of the cattle, they weigh and sell them as they please, +without observing any system. + +59. There is likely to be a scarcity of rice, for the city does not +make the necessary provision for it. Those who have this grain--the +encomenderos--hoard it and make a profit from it, selling it to the +Sangleys at high rates; and thus it becomes dear. The same thing is +true of fowls. The rate fixed is not observed, and no one takes any +pains to enforce it. + +60. Fish is the most abundant and most general food supply. The +Indians do not occupy themselves, as formerly, in fishing, but leave +this work to the Chinese. These avaricious and interested people have +raised the prices, an evil that must be restrained and checked. + +61. The fishing is done with salambaos, [7] and with fine-meshed nets; +with which they block up the bay and kill the small fish. These nets +ought not be employed, and the size of the mesh should be regulated so +that the supply of fish will not be exhausted; for already experience +has demonstrated that they are not so abundant as formerly. + +62. We have gardeners and kitchen-gardens now. Although there were +none before, yet the price of vegetables has increased beyond any +former price. This occurs because of the lack of fixed rates, and +because a man is kept on guard in the market-place to prevent robbery +by the soldiers and other people. Now this man allows whatever price +the Sangleys may name, which results to his profit; for they pay him +for it, while he strives only to keep them satisfied. + +63. Considerable trouble exists here in regard to the current silver +money, because the Sangleys generally cut and clip it, and because they +cut into many pieces the single reals for the trade in small articles, +for which formerly they bartered with rice. This truly serious abuse +must be corrected by an ordinance. + +64. In both the conduct and dress of men and women, unwarrantable +extravagance and license exist. Rich and poor, and chiefs and common +people alike, all wish to dress in fine garments, have their wives +carried in chairs attended by pages, have carpets in the churches, +and many other unwarrantable luxuries, from which arise many +difficulties. As far as possible this condition of affairs must +be remedied. + +65. In Manila the men are accustomed to gamble for enormous and +excessive stakes; whatever of this sort is especially objectionable +should be corrected. During the visits and intercourse of the women, +their chief diversion is to play cards, and more commonly than is +becoming to their station. Men are admitted to these games, from +which might arise greater evils. This matter requires attention. + +66. For very just and necessary considerations, the Sangleys have +not been allowed to sleep in the city. This measure should still be +enforced rigorously. + +67. There are a great number of Indians, both men and women, in the +city of Manila, who are vagabonds of evil life, living in the houses of +the Spaniards. Their own houses they use for receiving the goods stolen +by their slaves, and for their revelries. The Spaniards aid them, +and thus waste the provisions. They are retailers and secretly buy up +the provisions at wholesale. They commit other sins and do much harm, +as is notorious. Therefore it is necessary that they be expelled from +the city and sent to their villages and parishes, and made to work. + +68. The country is becoming filled with black slaves and Cafres, +[8] brought by the Portuguese, and these are the worst that the +Portuguese have. They do a great deal of damage, transgress the law, +and will cause the ruin of this city and country; for they rebel at +least every year, seize vessels, and take flight, committing many +outrages and thefts. It is contrary to the law to bring these slaves, +unless very young, but this law is poorly observed. It is advisable +to take the measures necessary in this matter. + +69. Large fires have occurred in the city of Manila, and are constantly +occurring. Although many of the buildings and houses are of stone, +still many are made of wood, or of bamboo thatched with leaves of +the nipa palm. It was decreed that all be covered with roof tiles, +but this law is not rigorously enforced. It is advisable to have this +law observed, both to diminish the danger, and for the well-being of +the city. + +70. The streets of the city are in poor condition, and are very +uneven. During the rainy season, they are almost impassable, and +should be repaired. + +71. In regard to the public works of the city--the cabildo's hall, +the prison, and the slaughter-house--they should be constructed as +soon as possible, for their absence causes great hardship. + +72. The Sangleys are buying gardens, estates, and other country +property, which may prove harmful. They are also establishing +themselves in these lands, and in the houses of some of the orders, +contrary to his Majesty's ordinance. The small size of this country +may render this more harmful than in other countries. + +73. Monasteries have occupied several of the streets of the city, and +a portion of the space between the fortifications and the houses. This +needs investigation. + +74. In the offices and places of gain belonging to the country, the +men employed should be selected with regard to merit and skill, and +for no other reason. Especially if they are incapable, or excluded +by royal decrees, should they be refused employment. + +75. The same with regard to the provision for repartimientos and +encomiendas of the Indians. + +76. The people of the country wish to be maintained in peace and +justice. They desire the punishment of all crimes, but object, on +account of the newness of the country, to penalties which affect +property, in the case of insignificant offenses. + +77. It is requisite that, in the treatment of their persons, +and especially of those who merit consideration, those who are in +authority show the people respect, courtesy, and affability. + +78. Those in authority must avoid having a great following of servants +and retainers; and those that they do have they must pay and recompense +from their own pockets, and must not bestow on them the offices or +profits of the country. This is a very unjust proceeding, as there is +not sufficient even for those who serve, because of the small extent +of this country. + +79. Those in authority must refuse to allow such servants and friends +to trade and make contracts, and to buy goods at wholesale and to +embark in commercial enterprises; because they exercise much coercion +and inflict many wrongs--spreading the report that it is on behalf +of those in authority. No one, therefore, dares to institute a suit +against them. + +80. The said relations, servants, and friends of those in authority +ought not to be permitted to become regidors or city officials; +for besides being incapable of filling such positions, and having no +experience in the ways of this country, they only serve to deprive +the others who fill these offices of freedom of action, so that no +necessary measures can be enacted in their cabildos, if it is at all +against the will of those in authority. + +81. His Majesty's orders, contained in many decrees, to the effect that +none but inhabitants of these islands should engage in trade here, must +be put into rigid execution, as well as all else in them concerning +the inhabitants, for this is the only salvation for the country. + +82. In regard to the weight and cargo in the vessels sailing to Nueva +Espana, it is essential that those in authority protect the citizens, +since there is but one August and one harvest. They should strive to +allow the citizens to pursue their occupations freely and leisurely, +and to have the cargo loaded by those only who can justly do so. + +83. Just as it is requisite to use restraint sometimes, in order to +prevent the troops in this land from going on some enterprises, so +likewise expeditions and pacifications must be arranged as a means of +employing them; for as idlers they gain nothing, nor does the country +receive any profit. At other times it is necessary to allow some to +return to Espana, for thus others will lose their fear of coming to +this country. + +84. The hospitals, especially that for the Spaniards, ought to be +greatly favored, as they are the asylums for all the needy. The same +is true of the house of Santa Potenciana. + + +_Affairs of war_ + +85. Those in authority must not give the companies or other garrisons +into the charge of their relatives, friends, or servants, especially if +they are mere youths and of but little experience. This is a notorious +wrong, since there are so many deserving men who are suffering and +dying from hunger. + +86. Every man in the royal garrison must serve in case of war, and +none should be excused because of being a relative, servant, or friend, +or for any other reason. There are many who are thus excused. + +87. The captains and officers ought to be more painstaking in +disciplining and drilling their soldiers, and in knowing what arms +they possess, and whether they are in good condition. The men should +be well treated, disciplined, and thoroughly under control. They +should not gamble away or sell their clothes or arms. + +88. When a soldier commits any crime for which he merits punishment, +his captain must not hide or palliate the offense, in order to save +him from prison or from being punished--as is done quite commonly, +to the great injury of all. + +89. It is indispensable that the walls and fort should be always kept +in repair and garrisoned. + +90. The same is true in regard to the artillery, of which there should +be a good supply, but of which there is at present a great lack. + +91. Warships ready for any emergency are needed; but at present we +have none. + +92. There are but few arms in the armory, and those few are rotten +and out of order. This need is notorious; and all classes of weapons, +especially muskets and arquebuses, must be made. + +93. Carrying arms out of the country must be prohibited. This is +done quite commonly by the Portuguese and by the natives, and is a +proceeding which causes great injury. + +94. Gunners are greatly needed, as we have but few of them, and these +few do not understand artillery. + +95. The artillery is badly mounted, and left exposed to sun and +rain. The caissons and wheels are rotted and of no use. Balls and +cartridges are all mixed up; besides, none of the other supplies are +laid out so that they can be used when occasion (much more a sudden +emergency) may require. + +96. The gunpowder should always be well refined, and stored +in different places, and not in one house, in order to prevent +accidents. This should be done with the other ammunition. + +97. The soldiers' lodgings at the garrison need rebuilding, as they +are inadequate to the needs of the men, who will not then suffer their +present necessities. Also this will do away with their disorderly +conduct in the city by day, and especially that at night. + +98. It is extremely necessary to adopt some system with regard to +payment, so that the soldiers would not squander it in gambling. A +portion should be retained and paid out each day for food and +clothing. Through this lack of system much suffering has resulted, +and many soldiers have died. Consequently many are unfit to serve. + +99. The soldiers should be kept as busy as possible, for in Manila +they give themselves up to laziness and vice. When most needed, they +are found to be undrilled, and so unfit for their work. Especially +should they be made to go aboard the vessels as often as possible, +for in these islands it is very necessary that they go to sea and +know how to fight on the water. In fact, this is generally the kind +of fighting to be done here. + +100. In the other cities and places of these islands, it is necessary +that the magistrates and the officers of war should always be on the +alert, ready themselves, and their Indians also, for any emergency +that should arise. They should have ships that would inspire respect; +because enemies or corsairs are apt to attack them, with whom they +lose time and reputation by not hurrying to encounter them. + +101. Expeditions and enterprises for pacification or conquest outside +of the islands must be scrutinized very carefully. Before going on +them, it must be understood and determined that those sent on such +expeditions must give account and residencia of their duties and +methods of procedure. + +102. In respect to crimes committed by the soldiers, when these are +slight offenses there is but little to register, or little judicial +procedure to be observed; but when they are of greater import, and the +penalty therefor is severe, it is just that the case be registered and +substantiated so that the proper course of justice may be observed, +and so that they may be prosecuted in due form of law. + + +_Justice_ + +103. As for justice, there has been much negligence in punishing +public excesses and faults. Many things--and some of them of great +importance--have been overlooked or covered up. This has led to other +irregularities, such as reckless, continual, and fraudulent gambling, +and concubinage. + +104. From Nueva Espana many disreputable men, condemned to the galleys, +are brought here, and allowed to disembark and go where they will, +dressed and armed like the rest of the people. They are not often +tried; and not only do they not pay the penalty for their crimes, +but even commit other atrocities and crimes here. + +105. The ordinary judges are lax in their duties, are not prompt in +finishing the business of the advocates, and in fact, neglect this +duty greatly. They do not patrol or visit suspected places, nor watch +over the government, supplies, and civil affairs of their districts. + +106. The chief aim of the alcaldes-mayor, corregidors, and assistants, +is trade. They buy up by wholesale the products of the land, especially +rice and other food supplies, exactly as is said above concerning +the religious of certain curacies, and their interpreters and helpers. + +107. They try old suits of which they cannot know the details, and +stir up many suits and processes among the Indians, at great expense +to the latter. + +108. Neither they nor their clerks observe the schedule when levying +the fees. In their own behalf they afflict and trouble the Indians +with outrageous requirements, making them cut wood, serve as rowers, +and perform other services. + +109. The first thing that they do, on entering their provinces, +is to lay hands immediately on all the property of the communities, +and to use it for their own advantage. When their offices expire, +they seldom return the property to the community. + +110. If they collect any fines belonging to the royal treasury, or to +expenses of justice, they conceal them, keeping no book or account +sufficient to enable such fines to be demanded from them. The same +is true of the tenths of gold. + +111. It is not advantageous for these alcaldes-mayor and corregidors, +or their assistants or friends, to receive the royal collections, for +they perpetrate numberless frauds and cheats, both against the royal +treasury and against the Indians; and there is no remedy for this, +as they themselves administer justice. They hold the collections in +their possession for a long time, trading with them, and the royal +treasury is the loser. + +112. They leave their provinces when and how they please, without +permission of those in authority; and when others are appointed +to their offices, they immediately depart, in order not to have +their residencia taken. Thus they are not to be found in office, +and escape being made to give satisfaction for the injuries that they +have committed, and being prosecuted by justice. + +113. They are not accustomed to obey the commands and orders sent +them by their superiors unless these suit them; for this they must +be severely rebuked. + +114. Hitherto their residencias have been decided and taken with all +mildness and little investigation, so that they have lost all fear, +and dare to lead lives of carelessness and hypocrisy. Therefore it +would be advantageous to take their residencias more strictly, so +that they should live hereafter with care. + +115. They do not watch carefully so that the religious shall not usurp +their jurisdiction or meddle in matters that do not pertain to them; +they do this in order not to have disputes and quarrels with the +religious, lest they themselves should not be allowed to live and +buy and sell as they please. This is a detriment to the public service. + +116. Those in authority ought to refrain from asking or requiring the +alcaldes-mayor, corregidors, etc., to supply them with provisions, or +other things from their provinces, even when they pay for them; for, +in the name of those in authority, they do the same for themselves, +much more and with greater freedom, and to the greater loss of the +country. Then they lay the blame on the one who ordered it, thus +excusing themselves. + +117. Many are haughty and disrespectful to the religious and ministers +of instruction, always inclined to contend and disagree with them. This +is also disgraceful and of little profit for any. Severe measures +must be adopted in this regard. + +_Encomenderos_ + +118. They pay no attention to the schedule in the collection of their +tributes, and usually practice frauds to violate it. + +119. They collect tribute from minor Indians, and from the aged, +the lame, the poor, the dead, and the fugitive--their oppressions in +this respect being well known. + +120. They employ the Indians in building houses and large vessels, +grinding rice, cutting wood, and carrying it all to their houses and +to Manila; and then pay them little or nothing for their labor. They +use them also for their own work for many days without pay. + +121. They themselves administer justice in their village, arresting +and whipping their Indians during the collection of the tribute, +besides committing other notorious acts of violence. + +122. They pay but little attention to the instruction of the Indians +or anything pertaining to it. They pay grudgingly the stipends of +their curacies, as well as the money for the building and adornment +of churches. In this regard they are at continual variance with the +ministers, and the Indians are the losers by it. + +123. Although not authorized to remain in their villages longer than +to collect the tribute, they go to and live in them at many other +times. This proves a great burden to the Indians, because of the +annoyances, and the requirements of services and contributions with +which they afflict them, and which constitute the only purpose of +their going. + +124. At other times they send collectors, who are very unworthy and +have no compassion on the cause of the Indians, whom they afflict and +maltreat worse even than do their masters, and do them more harm. In +most cases, these collectors are not approved by those in authority, +nor do they, bear permission from them. + +125. They dispute and quarrel with the magistrates on slight +pretexts, and incite their Indians not to obey them or listen to +their summons. This they do quite commonly, whenever they fail to +find the judges unwilling to shield them in whatever they choose to +do in their encomiendas. If they act in harmony, it generally means +more injury to the wretched Indians. + + +_The royal estate_ + +126. These encomenderos conceal in great part the amount of the +tributes collected by them, and show only partial lists of the +collections. Usually they retain the amount in their own hands for +a long time, before bringing it to the treasury. + +127. The most important thing here is the royal treasury, for on it +all the people of the islands depend; yet it receives the least care +and the poorest management. + +128. There is little thought given to ensure its increase, or to +prevent its decrease. There has been a great falling off in the matter +of tributes, tenths of gold, and other taxes that belong to it. Some +excellent provisions for its management were ordered in the past, +but are neither carried out nor even considered. + +129. The royal officials have no statutes for their guidance, beyond +some decrees of the governors, which do not cover all the requirements +of their offices. + +130. The royal books are not kept with the requisite clearness and +system. Entries are not set down with exactness, or at the right +time. The officials commonly use loose memoranda, which may give rise +to much loss, although it may not be fraudulent. + +131. All the officials do not go over the work. On the contrary, +many different matters are put in charge of one alone, such as the +collections of the duties and other things, account of which is +rendered to the treasury after a long time. In the meantime the +treasury is the loser. + +132. The officials very often receive royal property at their +residences without passing it in to the treasury. They use it to +suit themselves. + +133. The notary of the exchequer is not present when money is paid +to or from the treasury, and it is done without him, contrary to his +Majesty's commands. This may give opportunity for wrong and fraud. + +134. In order to accommodate individual debtors to the treasury, +orders and notes are often received on account for the payment, +and then they try to realize on them. + +135. They have been seen to receive into their houses, from collectors +and others who were bringing goods to the treasury, great amounts +thereof, which they employ in their own affairs and needs, not +depositing them in the treasury for a long time. + +136. They have used the royal tributes of rice, wine, gold, and cloth +in the same way. + +137. The royal warehouses were entirely under the control of the +factor for a long time, with less assurance of safety than if they were +under the control of all three officials. Some time ago, they were put +under control of all three, but these have entrusted the keys to three +servants or followers. This arrangement, far from increasing the royal +estate, is an excuse for them to draw pay from the royal treasury; +and it does not satisfactorily fulfil the royal intention--namely, +that these officials should carry the keys on their own persons, +in order to avoid all damage and loss to the royal stores. + +138. There is little interest taken in selling and administrating +the goods in the storehouses before they are spoiled, as has been +the case with much of their contents. + +139. The timely use of rice and other supplies, and the cutting of +wood for the ships is not considered. This necessitates greater cost +and damage afterwards. + +140. In the expenditure for repairing ships and other royal vessels +made in Cavite, there has been spent much more than appears by +Master de Ribera's statement, which was verified only by his word and +oath. This is a very extensive scheme, in which there may have been +considerable loss and fraud between the factor and Master de Ribera, +because the expense has been very heavy and is not clearly stated. + +141. Galleys, vireys, caracoas, fragatas, and other royal vessels +have been lost because of inadequate shelter. + +142. There are many places in which are employed sailors, gunners, +calkers, coopers, and other seafaring men, who are superfluous, +unnecessary, and of no service. They create notorious expense and +are maintained in these employments on account of being servants, +relatives, and friends of those in authority. + +143. There are many sinecures and gratuities given by those in +authority, which are enjoyed by officials, clerks, officials of the +accounts, and royal officials--all without his Majesty's orders and +contrary to his intention. + +144. Many soldiers enlisted are excused from service for private +reasons. + +145. There are many more captains and their officers in the camp than +is necessary. These cause a useless expense and waste, and this is +a matter requiring reform. + +146. Many draw salaries as commanders and captains of galleys, when +there are no galleys; and some as knights of the city, who do not +serve in its defense, and of whom there is no necessity. + +147. The governors of the forts of Nuestra Senora de Guia and Santiago +draw larger salaries than his Majesty ordered. + +148. The consignments made by the king to his treasury are confused +with other payments. + +149. But little care is exercised in collecting all the royal dues +from the vessels coming from Espana, because they are always laden +beyond the appraisal. The same is true in regard to freight and the +dues on the money coming from Espana, more of which always comes than +the register shows. + +150. The collectors sent to make the collections for the royal +treasury and those of the tributes do not usually bring them in +promptly; and they perpetrate many frauds and injuries, so that each +time the collections are smaller. Sometimes it has been observed that +they retain the money collected, and that with the knowledge of the +officials themselves, because they are favorites of the latter. + +151. Many times they delay making the final account of the debtors to +the royal treasury, and fail to collect the balance of their debts, +on account of private considerations. + +152. There are many old debts that the treasury owes, the payment of +which is unavoidably suspended. To cancel these it will be necessary to +send to the treasury of Mexico for the deficiency, with the required +authorization. + +153. Likewise, as the salaries and expenses have already accumulated +to a considerable sum, we must perforce send, each year, to the said +treasury of Mexico for the means to pay it all when due. + + +_The navigation to Espana_ + +154. The giving of positions on the trading ships of the Nueva Espana +route is a great detriment to the country. In the first place this +advantage is enjoyed by those who have not served in this land, +thus depriving of it those who have served. + +155. As persons who have no compassion on the citizens of this country, +they busy themselves only for their own interests, and not for the +good of the country. + +156. Many of those in the naval and military service come here who +are useless and troublesome. This is a great expense to the king, +and all to no purpose. + +157. The soldiers come naked, unarmed, and starving, because their +captains have only tried to cheat them. + +158. The ships return loaded with the investments of the officers +of the ships. Besides their own goods, they have been entrusted with +large commissions and trusts in Mexico, which they execute and fulfil +to the great deprivation of this country. They receive excessive +salaries all the time until their return to Espana, which might be +dispensed with if they were officials of these islands. + +159. After they depart for Nueva Espana with their vessels, then for +greater comfort and the better stowing of their merchandise, they throw +overboard the goods of our citizens, without any necessity. This they +do without any feeling of compassion for the many whom they ruin. It +makes no difference to them, for they are going where they cannot be +proceeded against, and where it is impossible to follow them. + +160. Usually those who come in those positions are relatives and +servants of the viceroy of Nueva Espana. They are mere youths and +have no experience in their duties. Innumerable frauds and injuries +are perpetrated in the despatch of the vessels at Acapulco, of which +I shall not speak in detail, for that one point alone would require +a great deal of paper. Manila, June 8, 1598. + +_Don Antonio de Morga_ + + + + +Recommendations as to Reforms Needed in the Islands + + +_The inspection, as will be related_ + +It is very necessary and important, Sire, that your Majesty be +pleased not to entrust the inspection of encomenderos, magistrates, +and collectors in this country to persons who, after the completion of +their commission, must remain and live in the country as subjects--who, +on that account, would be forced to proceed timidly and with a +view to what might be done by persons who have been punished and +feel resentment. Nor, after the inspection is finished, should the +inspector remain among friends or enemies who have much or little +property. Neither should he remain with those of whom there is any +doubt. They are fortunate if they are such men as are suitable for +this task, and if they proceed with rectitude, rigor, and example, +and with zeal for the glory of God, the service of your Majesty, +the welfare of this country, with a Christian and disinterested +heart. Since the above qualities are clearly in accordance with the +necessity and condition of affairs, Sire, it is very necessary that he +who makes the inspection for reform should possess them. On the other +hand, since it is very difficult to find such a man among the laymen +in this country and region--where the majority of those who live or +come here care only for their own plans and individual interests, +the increase of their possessions, and other things of much harm +(so that many suffer themselves to be led by others), and from which +it is advisable that those who exercise so necessary and important +a duty be free--I do not know, Sire, what remedy can be expected; +because the governor is called upon to select fit inspectors from +this country. This is something that never will be achieved; and this +condition of affairs will be perhaps a cause of greater loss, ruin, +and offense, unless your Majesty, with your most Christian and royal +heart, shall be pleased to render this matter safe, and entrust the +inspection to the prelates themselves, so that each one will make +it every two or three years in his bishopric and district. In fine, +Sire, considering the pain and grief that they suffer at seeing the +great loss and ruin of things, and the wrongs inflicted upon this +wretched people; and, on the other hand, their obligation to endeavor +to set things right, in case there should be added the authority +therefor, should your Majesty be pleased to grant the inspection to +them--considering all these things, and also their experience of the +conditions of the country (which is very important, since they are +servants of our Lord and fearless men, who will not proceed with the +same timidity and cautiousness as others), there is no doubt that they +will be able to bring matters into a clearer light, to advise your +Majesty, and to effect great reforms. At the same time the Indians +will conduct their suits with greater tranquillity, security, and +confidence, and at less cost. This is not much to ask, since your +Majesty is pleased to entrust special matters and the inspection of +a viceroy of Nueva Espana to a bishop; and the same should be done +with those which are of so much greater importance, and concern so +greatly the glory and service of God, and of your Majesty, the common +welfare of these districts (rightly so favored by your Majesty), and +the alleviation and consolation of their wretched people, whom God has +placed under your Majesty's royal protection. It is true, however, that +as far as this matter of inspection is concerned, I once suggested, +among other matters, that it should be entrusted to specially chosen +private persons; but, when I wrote to that effect, your Majesty had +not appointed any bishops or audiencia for this country. Therefore it +was what seemed perhaps most advisable, considering the condition of +affairs, and the employment of the governor and his lieutenant-governor +in the government and in matters of importance so that they could +not attend to it; and there was no other more advisable method to +be discerned. Even by this method it has always been very difficult +to find men of such qualities as the case demands. However, now that +our Lord has been pleased that your Majesty appoint prelates for this +kingdom--a most useful thing for it--it is evidently most advisable +that they should have charge of the inspection because of their +experience and the great need of a provision for these matters. In +very grave cases, they could be accompanied by some auditor, if +necessary. And if your Majesty should not wish the prelates to make +the inspection, at least the inspector should be no other than an +auditor, and he should have a good salary with fees at the cost of +culprits. This is essential to produce the desired effect. But this +last method would cause greater delay and dangerous annoyances to the +natives, because of certain reasons and causes vexatious to them; for +the auditor could inspect in one year and summer but one province, +and in that would not be doing little. The next year he would have +to visit another province, and so on, until he had finished the whole +country. But if the bishops act as inspectors inasmuch as they have to +go through their bishoprics annually, each one in his own district, +the inspection would be completed in one year, and very comfortably +and conveniently, especially for the Indians. This would not be the +case, were the inspection made by others. To give the reasons for the +aforesaid, as ought to be done, so that your Majesty may be pleased +to order it, much space would be needed; and there are many evidences +and proofs that the present is the worst plan, because of the great +offenses and annoyances it has caused, as is well known. And on the +other hand this is what proves best how advisable is the latter method, +and how necessary are such special expedients, even though they should +be extraordinary, since the necessity and wrongs are so. I shall +not go into details concerning this lest I go beyond bounds. But I +shall only refer to one advantage in addition to the above, in having +the bishops act as inspectors--namely, the respect that the governor +will have for them, and his abstaining from interfering with them in +some measures that may be desirable to adopt. If he were to attempt, +by importunity or pressure of any kind, thus to interfere with other +inspectors (as he could more easily, inasmuch as they would have to +proceed with greater caution and obsequiousness), the result might +be very harmful. + +_That there be fewer offices, and more extensive jurisdictions, and +that there be no assistants. It is advisable to read this section +thoroughly._ + +There is much to say why there should be fewer offices, because of +the great vexations, offenses, and insults endured by these natives, +as many of the offices are not properly exercised. They should be thus +exercised; for since they are not, and since the Indians look upon +those who are given and appointed as magistrates for them, and for +their welfare and protection (who by right should be the best men), +and behold in these same men so much license, wrong, and evil example, +what can they think and believe about the others, and about the law +that is preached and taught to them? since they see that it is not +kept, but only broken over and over again by us, the very ones who +profess it and teach it to them. It is apposite to mention that when +one Cagayan Indian was trying to persuade another Indian to become +a Christian, and was declaring the blessings to be derived from it, +the latter answered to his arguments: "Bah! the Castilians have no +better sense than we have; since they act as they do, and do not +observe that law; say nothing more about it." Or they say: "That law +must be only for the fathers." In this way great offenses and things +displeasing to God follow, and offense to His law and gospel, so that +it is held in odium and seems evil to these natives, just after it +has been preached to them with so great moral example and sanctity of +life--the true preaching that moves and converts this race. They do +not recognize or know that the fault is not in the law, nor can it +be attributed to it, but to those who do not observe it, because of +their necessities--or rather their baseness, vileness, and greed which +they excuse under the name of poverty and lack of support. Therefore, +a great part of the reformation in this matter--which is so important, +and demands reformation, but without having it--will be effected by +having fewer offices and larger jurisdictions. This is advisable and +necessary for the removal of many great wrongs--offenses against our +Lord, and harm to the natives. But if the contrary is done, and things +continue as at present, more troubles have followed and will continue +to follow each day that this reformation is delayed; for it will be, +as says the proverb, like rain upon wet ground. Following upon the +continual oppression, grievances, and other injuries received because +of the abuse, greed, and audacity of these wrongdoers, and the trifling +punishment inflicted upon those who have perpetrated these misdeeds, +and exhausted, as is notorious, the natives, the present injuries, +although fewer, will be felt more severely, because of the distress, +need, and wretchedness in which things are, and to which they have +come. Our only hope is in the law and charity of God, and in the will +of your Majesty constraining them to remedy the above, as well as in +the tolerance and mercy of our Lord in preserving this country and +island by saving therein those whom He has chosen for Himself. He has +not chosen them for us Spaniards, by whose offenses, great greed, +and evil examples, so contrary to the good of society and to the +gospel, His Divine Majesty is not pleased; nor does He permit so many +offenses for the sake of those who commit them, or to the end that +there should be no amendment of them. But even if no attention should +be given to anything but worldly gain alone, which we love so much, +yet even to keep some of this wretched race, we must see to their way +of life, so that they may not perish and die as happened to so great +a multitude of people in Sancto Domingo. It is well to be warned by +this example, and to notice how much diminished, reduced, and changed +are things here now, and are tending to be, in comparison with their +former condition--as is well known to those who have an experience +of both past and present conditions. Therefore, if the Indians are +not allowed to take breath, and do not receive some relief, they must +necessarily feel the burden more and more each day; for we permit land, +though it be arable and fitted to be sown and reaped, to lie fallow, +and do not exhaust it year after year. How much more with sentient +human beings; for either they will endeavor to be rid of the burden +(as, without citing other cases, was attempted but lately in Cagayan), +or they will perish under it, for it will compass their ruin, and we +ourselves shall feel the want of them, as is plainly evident. This +has been clearly manifested on the one hand, in the diminution +of tributes, the great wretchedness, and the many deaths among the +natives in Ylocos and other districts; and on the other hand in the +scarcity and dearness of that which can least easily be dispensed with, +and which is most essential--namely, rice and food supplies. Although +these advance to outrageous prices from year to year, yet even so the +necessary amount cannot be obtained, and there is a deficit both for +your Majesty's service and for individuals, whether rich or poor; +and, in short, for both Spaniards and natives. The latter are the +ones who can endure the scarcity least, for among them result from it +great want, slavery, sickness, and many deaths. Since things are come +to such a pass, much heed must be given to the importance of reform, +and to what may be feared if there is none. Therefore, in order that a +reform be instituted, two things, Sire, are extremely needful: first, +the wise appointment and choice of men for the offices--including +with this what is by far the most essential point, and the absence +of which is most felt, severe punishment for delinquent officials; +and second, that the superfluous and unnecessary officials should +be dismissed, for thus there will be fewer to plunder and offend +these new and tender plants. These evil acts constitute a great +hindrance to the increase of this harvest so pleasing to God, and +so much sought after by your Majesty. The harvest would be greater, +were there fewer evil acts and more virtue in these regions. Besides, +if the offices were few it would be easier to find the needed few +with the good qualities requisite for these offices than to find such +persons to fill so many offices as there are at present. Then too, +fewer abuses and injuries, and less ill-feeling among the natives, +will result from fewer appointments and selections, because those +who cause resentment among the natives will be fewer, particularly +in regard to offices and tax assessments, among others; for as a +result of the larger jurisdictions, there will be a smaller amount +of relationship with the individual Indians. Also, the governor +could furnish and provide honorably for certain men of merit and +desert in certain of these offices, increasing their salaries from +the extinguished offices, so that they may fulfil their obligations +and carry out their orders with greater advantage and profit to +themselves, and without harm to the natives. Likewise the curtailing +of certain salaries will be advantageous to your Majesty's treasury, +by reducing its standing expenditures and requirements. + +The present salary of an alcalde-mayor is three hundred pesos, while +a deputy receives one hundred pesos. If one hundred pesos were added +to the salary of each of the former, these amounts would be sufficient +for a moderate ease and competency, and would obviate the temptations +of greed to men who are sensible and upright; and it might be easier +to appoint and select such men, if there is pay and gratuity, so that +those may receive a salary who have served, and not those who came to +get office. Whoever not satisfied with this, wishes an office, let +him change his manner of living and remove the obstacles so that an +office may be given him; and if not, then let him attribute the blame +to himself. It might even be a means to cause many, by consideration +or desire of an office, to moderate and relinquish their excesses if +there were a punishment for them, and a reward for well doing; and +if offices among the natives were not bestowed upon those who commit +excesses, even if they have served, but only to those who live in a +Christian manner, without offense and harm to the natives. + +Likewise, it is a very pernicious practice to provide offices in a +haphazard manner, for services alone, or as a source of gain to those +who get them simply by favor, and have no merits or have performed no +service. This means giving office to one who has no capacity for its +administration, and no judgment of matters. Some of them have never +learned or been accustomed to do anything but fire an arquebus, and +perhaps have habitually lived in great license and poverty. Such enter +upon their offices unprovided with virtue, but in a state of need and +ignorance, and with a greed for becoming rich; and this causes much +grief, misery, and trouble. The result is that such a person has to +try and hear suits and causes; and many of those which arise among +these natives are wont to cause perplexity in their determination +and sentence, even to some men of experience and judgment. Thus the +office is heedlessly vested in one who does not know or understand how +to grant, or deprive of, liberty and possessions by his opinion and +judgment. And although there is a superior judge to whom appeal may +be made, and who may undo errors and wrongs, it is not done, nor can +it be done with the same ease. Appeal involves expense and trouble, +and a long journey to Manila that the Indians must make to ask for +their rights, obliging them to leave their houses and fields--a very +troublesome and injurious thing for them. They are often unaware that +appeal can be made; or they do not dare to go, or they look for no +relief. So all this wrong continues. + +On account of these reasons and arguments, it is advisable not to +bestow posts among the natives as a reward for services alone, upon +men who are lacking in the virtue and good example so necessary to +all in these regions; and especially to those who should serve as +magistrates, and hold offices in this country, where the Divine +Majesty and your Majesty can be so well served, in case men fill +those offices with some little uprightness and decency of life. + +In what pertains to and in what I say upon the subject of deputies +and to giving them a salary in addition, that is in case it is your +Majesty's pleasure to have such officers. But it would be better not +to do this, for it means two alcaldes-mayor and two notaries in one +jurisdiction, since each of those officers has his deputy and other +officials, all of whom have to eat, or rather to rob. Of a truth, +it will be sufficient for the alcalde-mayor alone to be rewarded +and to live commodiously in his office, if he does his duty. But if +he does not do his duty, and has in addition a deputy and officials, +and both have friends, all this is showered down upon the Indians, and +they pay it, with their sufferings, because they have to supply the +sustenance and gain of all. It would be much better for all that, if +two hundred pesos are required for the needless deputies, one hundred +of this amount should be given to an honest alcalde-mayor, while the +other hundred would be saved for your Majesty's treasury. Above all, +the great evils would be done away with which result from having +deputies among a harassed and wretched race--and that, too, in so +narrow jurisdictions that the alcalde-mayor is able to visit them +alone, and go now to one part, and again to another. This would produce +greater ease and convenience for the Indians for various reasons, which +are not here stated in order not to prolong this subject. Therefore +I conclude it by saying that the dismissal of the deputies, and the +reduction of the number of alcaldes-mayor and corregidors, are most +necessary for many reasons. There is only one objection that might be +considered in this matter, but it is not for the service of God and +your Majesty to abandon what is of so much import for this country on +account of it. That objection is that there would not be so many posts +and offices for claimants, and for the governors to provide and supply +people with. But as for this, it has been said that for those who have +served and merit reward there would be appointments and rewards--and +for others too, in the offices left. Hence, even if the deputies be +dismissed, and the number of offices be reduced, your Majesty has not +suppressed opportunities or posts for rewards, but exchanged them; +so that anyone who ought to receive a deputyship or corregidorship +would have a better allowance and reward, and more gain, without +so much trouble and loss--even for the very persons who hold them, +because for many this reformation is a sentence. What your Majesty +suppresses by this method and plan is only sins, offenses against the +service of God and of your Majesty, and great wrongs inflicted on +these natives. This is the most Christian and royal design of your +Majesty. Whichever is most advisable should be enacted now; namely, +that there be or be not rewards, at your Majesty's pleasure. + + +_That there should be a city storehouse and granary_ + +That there should be a city storehouse and granary, wherein should be +stored annually thirty or forty thousand fanegas of rice in the hull, +so that it may keep longer--which cleaned would amount to half as +much--besides a quantity of wine, vinegar, and oil. At the very least, +it is advisable to store the rice in this way, in preparation for a +siege or the coming of an enemy, or for any expedition that should be +undertaken. If these supplies are thus kept in store, the harassing of +the natives on such occasions to obtain a supply of provisions will be +unnecessary and will be prevented. Without this store, the demand might +come at a time when the natives might suffer great wrongs and injuries, +because such events are irregular, and might occur at a season when the +natives have not enough for their own sustenance and for seed. This +would cause great wretchedness, and would be the occasion of famine, +disease, slavery, or mortality among the natives. Besides, the prices +are not as a general thing so regulated, upon such an opportunity +and occasion, as to do the natives no wrong in that matter also. + +This provision will be of great advantage, convenience, and saving of +time in making expeditions, besides serving generally as a source of +food-supply for this community, in any necessity or famine that may +arise, and as an aid to the Indians, when they are in need. This will +be of great aid to them, and they will be profited and edified to find +themselves aided and helped in their necessities and famines. This +rice must be gathered at harvest time, as it is cheaper at that time, +and can be obtained more easily and with less hardship to the natives, +if sent in sacks from the districts having the best crops and where +it is easiest to obtain it. And every year the rice in storage can +be renewed with ease and profit, by selling it and buying other new +rice at the season for it. On account of the little public property of +the community, and the need in which it was, it has been impossible +to do this; but now it has a great deal of public property that has +been granted it, and an income with which to do this. The money will +be better and more wisely spent on this than on other things not so +necessary and advantageous to the common welfare, and to the service +of God and of your Majesty. + +_Concerning collectors, and a protector of the Indians_ + +It is also very advisable that the collectors of encomiendas be persons +approved by the archbishop as protector of the Indians, and appointed +by the governor. Your Majesty should order them very straitly to +seek and appoint the men best qualified as collectors. If, on the +one hand, such men are appointed, and, on the other, are registered +and approved by the archbishop, a great and special blessing and the +remedy of great wrongs, thefts, and offenses against our Lord and +the service of your Majesty will result. These I shall not specify, +lest I be prolix. Besides the above, it is very necessary that the +lay protector of the natives be also chosen by the archbishop and +governor, and that he may not be removed or disqualified from his +office except for known remissness and guilt, nor allowed to keep +it if he is guilty. He should have a good salary in return for his +labors, his attention to the laws, and the necessity that he is under +of opposing many influential men. And although the salary is assigned +already, it is likewise desirable that he be very much favored in +his office by the governor, so that he may petition and procure the +good of the Indians with greater resolution and freedom. Above all, +it is advisable that the chief protector be the archbishop, and each +bishop in his bishopric. + + +_Wages of the natives_ + +It is also necessary and important for your Majesty to order the +officials of your treasury to entrust and send the wages of the +Indians, for any services for your Majesty ordered to be performed +by them--such as the cutting of wood, the carrying of other things, +and personal services performed by the natives, or given by them--to +men worthy of confidence and trust. It should be sent to residents of +the same districts where the services are ordered to be performed, +particularly if the district is somewhat remote and distant. For if +the pay is not thus sent, those who did the work suffer, and, as a +rule, do not get it. The cause of this is, that those who perform +these services generally live at a distance from Manila; and by +not coming to the city, but waiting until they are paid, without +leaving their homes, wives, and fields, they allow themselves to lose +it. Many come too, but are not paid even then, which is the cause +of great harm. Loss results also because generally certain persons +perform the services, while others conduct the affair here. Since +they thus remain at home without coming to Manila for their pay (as +is the quite general practice), and send a chief to collect it for +them, before the latter gets it and the pay is turned over to those +who performed the service, a long time elapses, and they may even +never get it. For sometimes the chiefs keep it, or give it for some +pious object, at the instigation or persuasion of the religious, +and to gratify the latter at the expense of another's toil and of +the poor--who, although they would rather have their pay than give it +away, do not dare to complain, as the chiefs, to whom they are very +subject, are concerned in the matter. Thus in order not to offend +them or the father, or for other reasons, it comes to pass that the +poor wretches do not enjoy the fruit of their labor. In like manner, +it is advisable for your Majesty to order straitly that the many who +are conscripted for these services, expeditions, and ordinary works, +from Tondo and the environs of Manila, at great cost and expense to +them, be paid immediately; for their pay is due them for a long time, +and is postponed and delayed for many days, to their great vexation, +loss, and annoyance, and even to the extent of being a public offense. + + +_That there should be a reward for old soldiers who have served and +have no remuneration, besides others who are of rank, or who have +served in other places, or who come to these regions to serve._ + +There should be something to reward old soldiers who are not +remunerated, and are in need, besides the other persons enumerated +above, who come here and, because of not having been here so long +as others, appear to be excluded from the offices and advantages of +the country. There are but few offices, while there are many to fill +them, and as many offices as are sought can not be found, although the +men appear to merit them. This is one of the very necessary matters +in this country, and requires your Majesty's attention; or else, +inasmuch as it is most important and of great moment, that God and +your Majesty may be well served in this land, the governor might +be empowered to appoint to offices those who should exercise them, +as is most fitting. It is a great and necessary advantage for your +Majesty to provide this in the manner and by the person most pleasing +to you. I see very well that a governor must be appointed with liberal +authority, not only in this, but in other matters that demand it. But, +in this matter of remuneration and gratifications, it has occurred +to me, that troubles might ensue if the governor were to distribute +rewards and gratifications entirely as seemed best to him, and to whom +he wished. Hence I say that, although it is advisable and necessary +for your Majesty to appoint such a person, and very requisite that +you should be able to trust that matter to him, besides many others, +still in this case, the number of persons to be appointed might be +assigned and limited. Thus he could not do more than is necessary and +advisable, and might appoint only those who merit such advantage and +reward by their services and good qualities, and not others in whom he +finds any lack of these things, or whom he appoints from other less +weighty and just considerations. And as to what quantity and from +what fund these rewards and gratifications should be given, I think +that they should be given from what is collected in Mexico from the +duties and freight-charges on ships sailing from this country, which +are never returned here. Your Majesty could command them to be brought +here annually for this purpose, without any deficit or abatement; or +the half of them, or the equivalent of that which is collected here, +for the pay of the soldiers. In order to give these gratifications and +rewards, in regard to the amount, I think that eight or ten thousand +pesos annually would suffice. But it should be considered that there +are many who have served, and that this country is already settled; +and that many persons of rank, who have served in other places, are +coming to it, or are to continue serving your Majesty here, and come +for such continuation of service, and for whatever occasions are of +great moment, importance, and need. And inasmuch as these opportunities +are often postponed or delayed for good reasons, and are not offered +immediately; and inasmuch as those who come, and almost all the +others of this country, who are not already provided, always desire +these opportunities--therefore it is needful and important to have +the means with which to remunerate them. For if the contrary is done, +many great troubles will follow, so that, finding themselves without +occupation, and at the same time without any profit and sustenance, and +no place whence to hope for it, they become querulous, low-spirited, +and even desperate. From this condition follow many other evils--among +which, with many that I do not name, is the one of affirming that to +better their condition they must return and leave this country. This +causes others to do the same thing, and not to come here, because of +what they hear of the country. Accordingly this country, being thus +defamed, is coming to be regarded as a place of exile and punishment +for crimes; and, as to such a land, they are sending here men whom it +would be to the good service of God and your Majesty to punish there, +and never to let them set foot in a land where sanctity, virtue, and +good example are so much needed. And so harmful are the many evils +here in this new plant and vine of the Lord, that thus, Sire, it is +advisable that there be rewards and gratifications, at the least to +the sum above named, and in the form most pleasing to your Majesty, +or in the following mode. Let your Majesty order ten posts to be +provided, of the value of one hundred and fifty pesos apiece, for men +of moderate rank who have served well, and are unmarried; another ten +posts, of two hundred pesos apiece, for others who, besides having +performed good service, and being deserving men, are in greater need +because of being burdened with a wife and children and a household; +and another ten posts, with three hundred and fifty pesos apiece, +for other men, who have performed greater duties and services. Still +another ten posts, with three hundred and fifty pesos apiece, should +be set aside for men of rank and service, who are not remunerated +or employed, and have served, in either these or other regions; and +who come hither, as aforesaid, with the desire of continuing in your +Majesty's service, and who are in need--either by reason of not having +provision for so many, or because of the short time that they have +spent here. These last complain much, and beg that something be given +them, or that they be given employment, for they think that they are +deprived of it. Therefore I beg that your Majesty will command this, +as it is of so great importance, and a matter by which God and your +Majesty will be so well served. Thus these men will be kept in hope, +and come here willingly, with the resolution to serve upon all +occasions that arise; while others will be incited to come to these +regions, and to serve in them, by the knowledge of this provision. And +if some of these men should go upon expeditions, or be given employment +in other greater things, others will take their places and posts. In +this way the governor will be able to provide and remunerate those +for whom there are no judicial posts to be given. Also this plan will +do away with annoyance to the governor, and even the danger that, if +this plan be not followed, he might be persuaded or incited, by the +importunity of claimants, to make appointments differently from what +is advisable. It will be well to specify and note that such rewards +and gratifications are not to be given only to those who have spent +years of service in the country; for some have been engaged for the +most part in making collections in the encomiendas and in services +that can be paid and rewarded with very little, and perhaps they even +deserve punishment rather than reward, for some of their actions. Thus +the appointments should be given to those of the greatest merit. + + +_That the soldiers' pay be increased, and that it be paid them +punctually, three times a year, on the expiration of the time, +and without any delay; and that, whether it be increased or not, +an order be issued to give, as shall be declared, one meal per day +to poor and wretched Spaniards and soldiers who are without it. From +this follows what shall be declared in regard to it. It is advisable +to read this entire section_. + +It is very desirable and necessary that the pay of the soldiers be +increased, for they suffer the utmost poverty and want with their +pay of but six pesos; for the country is so expensive and so needy +that they can in no manner be fed or clothed as is fitting. This is +necessary so that the spirit and honor of the soldiers may be kept +constant, and so that they may not be debased and humbled to the low +condition of becoming pages to women throughout the year. This fits +the name of soldiers of your Majesty very ill, and many of them are +now thus engaged. This is permitted to them and tolerated because +of their poverty; for when it is seen and regarded close at hand, +greater compassion and pity are felt for them. Another cause for +connivance and gentle treatment is the danger that they may commit +other greater wrongs in the way of theft and violence, to which need is +wont to incline and constrain men--and there is enough of such things. + +There is also danger of their flight and desertion for fear of +punishment; and thus by being punished, the soldiery may be lost, and +the forces lessened and made useless. [After making all allowances,] +ordinarily there are plenty of them who require punishment, and more +than get it, in proportion to the universal need and poverty. Because +of these things, the raising of the pay is very important, as is also +a provision for additions to it, so that the companies may be kept +intact and respectable. For, if they have these, then respectable +young men who are in this country, and who now are leaving it, will +serve gladly. They now come usually on the footing of mercenaries, +because of their small means, and finally leave the islands--only +those remaining who are worthless and of no account, and even of them +but few. In other districts where there is no lack and need of people +as here, they ought to consent. + + +_That the one hundred and fifteen pesos given to the soldiers in +Mexico be reckoned only up to the time of their arrival at the port +of Cavite, and that thenceforth their ordinary pay be given them_. + +This is as indispensable and needful as the matter of the pay and +means of profit, and even more so; for if this be not done, it will +be and serve for nothing else than to waste your Majesty's royal +estate, without any results for the expense--namely, the colonization, +increase, and defense of this country. Rather the very opposite in a +certain way results; and to say so is no exaggeration, but truth. For +they arrive at Cavite after a three months' voyage, and without a +_blanca_ [9] in a new land, which is much less comfortable than Mexico, +which they have left. Then in the space of nineteen months they receive +not one real of pay or remuneration, until after they have served +out the one hundred and fifteen pesos. This causes them to suffer +such want and wretchedness that I can not tell it. So many evils and +wrongs are caused that is a pity and shame to recount them. The result +is that their need abases and lowers (or rather forces) many of them +to commit thefts and other misdemeanors as bad, and worse, which I +shall not name out of the respect due your Majesty. They also marry +the Indian women, so that the latter may supply their necessities; +but the Indian women themselves do not possess those things. And +most usually there is great danger and risk of offenses against God, +and of the discrediting of the Spanish name and nation. + +One other great harm follows from the above, and it is of great +moment. This is the slight credit and little esteem accorded to +the soldiers by these Sangleys, Japanese, and other peoples--and, +consequently or jointly with them, by ourselves--since they behold +them naked, ill clad, and worse conducted. The behavior of some, +as I have said, is of such a nature that out of respect I shall not +name their vices; but their actions and manners are a cause for sorrow. + +It results and springs from this need that the soldiers are a +torment and a vexation to the community; and they become obnoxious +to, and are little liked and less esteemed by, the inhabitants; for +they are generally seen at the doors of the people begging for aid +in their need and poverty. It is a grief to consider and see every +one of these things--and the more so, as they are so just. And they +are felt much more by those who, with love and zeal for the glory +of God, care for and desire His service and that of your Majesty, +the welfare and increase of these lands, and the reputation of our +nation. Of a certainty this last is being ruined and lost more and +more daily. The remedy for these evils is the increase of the pay, +and provision for additions to it; and a decree by your Majesty that +the one hundred and fifteen pesos be regarded as a gratuity provided +until the arrival of the soldiers at Cavite. Only the half of this sum +should be given the soldiers in Mexico for their clothes, while the +other half should be kept back until their arrival at the said port, +without giving them any of it. This will be of much greater utility +than giving them all the pay in Mexico; for, if all is given them, +most of it goes in gambling, and whatever is left is lost and wasted +at sea. The captain of the vessel and crew becomes rich by means of +the quantities of playing-cards and other schemes to drain the poor +wretches of all their money. On this account they are wont to arrive +at the port, naked, ragged, and in such a condition that it is a pity, +shame, and grievous thing to see them. And if, beside this, they do +not receive any pay for many months, let your Majesty consider and +examine the tendency of such things, so that God and your Majesty +may be served, this country increased and settled, and our nation +esteemed. As things are now the rule is quite to the contrary; and +matters are in such a state that respectable and honorable men have +no desire to become soldiers, but only mestizos and the scum of the +people enlist. In the year ninety-four a great many of these latter +came hither. Would to God that they had no come in so great numbers, +on account of both their poverty and their evil habits. All of this +will be checked, or at least greatly remedied, by the course above +mentioned, and by keeping back one-half of their pay. With that half, +they could clothe themselves very comfortably, because at the time +of their arrival, the Chinese have come here with their merchandise; +and clothing is very cheap then, and to be had at moderate prices. In +this way they will be well dressed when they come here, and will +be considered, feared, and respected by these barbarians, and even +by ourselves. Then too, your Majesty will have more soldiers; for, +although they are not increased in respect to their number, this plan +will succeed in taking from them the causes for which they so quickly +desert, and their numbers are lessened. These causes are punishments, +and in a certain manner, the sickness and wretchedness that they +suffer--from which, together with the ordinary hardships and the +recklessness of some, many die. + +It is advisable to bring the arms here on the account of your Majesty, +and not deliver them in Mexico to the soldiers; first that their +pay may not be lessened, and second that the soldiers may not lose +them on the way. Moreover, they will thus be brought from there, +and delivered to the men here, in better condition; and there will be +more weapons in this country. In conclusion, I assert that it is very +desirable that your Majesty order your governor and royal officials, +under very severe penalties, that this pay assigned by your Majesty to +the soldiers for the purposes indicated, be strictly and inviolably +kept separate in the treasury or in a separate account, and be paid +to the soldiers every four months, on the very day when it is due; and +that payment be not deferred or delayed for any reason or cause. For, +if the requisite system and order be observed in this, there can be +no lack of money; but, on the contrary, I think there will be a great +superabundance, if it is not spent for other things. Will your Majesty +order that this be not done for any reason whatever--unless, on some +occasion, after the third due has been paid to the soldiers, it may be +necessary to spend some of the money; but the pay shall be left sure +and certain, so that it be not wanting or payment delayed. This would +be a great injury, and would cause or create risk of many wrongs, +and troubles of great consequence. I say once more, Sire, that it +is very important and very necessary that your Majesty order this +strictly under severe penalties, in order that it may be observed +and obeyed promptly--without admitting, under any consideration, any +excuses fof failure to perform it; for this would be greatly against +the service of God and of your Majesty, as the cause and occasion of +many wrongs, offenses, and evil deeds, as well as of wretchedness. + +Whether the soldiers' pay be raised or not, it would also be a great +relief and assistance in many cases of need (which are usual in this +community), if your Majesty, for the love and service of our Lord +and that of your Majesty, would at least be pleased to institute in +the hospital--inasmuch as there is a hospital for soldiers, and the +sick poor--or in La Misericordia, a separate lodging and quarters for +needy well people. Those there who have not the means to obtain food, +should at least be given one meal a day. By such a course many needy +Spaniards and soldiers could be aided and relieved in their most +pressing necessity, and would not die of hunger, or have to commit +thefts or other evil acts, which cause their death and decrease. In +this your Majesty and this country are heavy losers, on account of +both the expense of bringing the soldiers here, and the want and +need of soldiers. The above could be done at but little expense, +by using for this purpose the said thousand pesos for gratuities +that your Majesty orders granted annually, inasmuch as the amount +of gratuity paid to one person does not exceed ten pesos. This sum +is of no moment or great value, if spent in that way, and amounts +to nothing at all. But if spent as suggested above, it will be +of much more use to many, and those the most necessitous, and, +in addition, to the service of God and your Majesty. And by adding +eight hundred and twenty-five or thirty pesos more, from whatever +fund your Majesty may be pleased, five pesos can be spent every day +in the year on providing a good and substantial meal for about sixty +people. In short, this would prove of great relief and assistance, +and it can also be done by no means or method with more security, +than by your Majesty's putting it in charge of the Confraternity of +La Misericordia, if you are pleased so to command. It would be well +even to grant a considerable amount; for everything the brotherhood +puts hand to is to the great glory and service of God, and of your +Majesty, and the welfare of all this land. It could attend to this +also, which is of great importance. Will your Majesty command that +the plan most in conformity to your inclinations be adopted therein. + + +_In regard to the Seminary of Sancta Potenciana_ + +The Seminary of Sancta Potenciana is a charity of great service to God +our Lord, and the welfare of this community, for there are housed many +orphaned girls and the poor daughters of those who have served your +Majesty, and who have died, leaving daughters, and little or nothing +for their support and assistance. They can be assisted and reared here, +as is being done with many now in it. They live here in all virtue +and under good instruction, in great retirement, and engaged in holy +and devout exercises. Hence it results that the Divine Majesty of God +our Lord has daily and continual praises, and your Majesty prayers, +that are offered to Him for your Majesty. It only remains for your +Majesty to protect and favor this charity, both by granting it some +reward, as an aid to its support and expense; and by ordering that +there be professed nuns in it, as is the desire of this community--and +especially that the superior of this seminary be one. For this purpose +it would be highly desirable for your Majesty to have sent from Nueva +Espana three or four women of the sanctity, virtue, and experience +requisite. They are necessary to begin so heroic and important a +work, and to increase and further perfect it. By this God will be +very well served, your Majesty rewarded by His Divine Majesty, and +this community favored, consoled, and increased in spiritual blessings. + + +_That the posts on ships which ply hither be given to men of this +country_ + +It is important to appoint men of this country, well qualified and +sufficient for it, to the post of captain and other posts in the ships +plying to this country; for being inhabitants of the country, and men +who have to return and live in it, they will endeavor to procure its +welfare, and will fear to commit the wrong of casting goods overboard, +which is so injurious to this community. And especially is this +injurious to its poor, who suffer all the greatest hardships and +losses, as they cannot send their goods as can others who are more +powerful and perhaps less deserving. The latter load their goods in +a part of the ship which is safe from these risks; and it usually +happens that the rich profit from the good sale that they are wont +to have of the goods they send, while the poor are losers, because +their goods are not loaded or are cast overboard. If the captain is +not a man of much conscience, and only desires his own enrichment, +and not the welfare of the country, and again, does not have to live +here, but can return; and if he should commit any wrongs for any cause, +and for advantage to his own goods, it would be in vain to go to Nueva +Espana to beg satisfaction. If he were an inhabitant of this country, +he would fear to do wrong, in that he might not pay the penalty +afterward. Moreover, as men who do not live in this community have to +be given an opportunity of gain if they are to accept these offices, +it is better for the inhabitants of this country to make the profit, +for they will take the offices very willingly without any salary, +for the honor of the office and the advantage to their goods--both +in having a place to load them, and in making a profit from them +in Nueva Espana. Thus will be saved some salaries for captain, +assistants, and other officers; and to give them salaries is more of +a means of profit to those who fill the posts than an advantage or +necessity, since we have citizens, as has been said, who will accept +them without salaries. For these positions to be given in such a way +that respectable people may come to this country, it is necessary +that these officials remain in service here, instead of coming simply +for their own interest and a right to space and cargo on the return +voyage, in a country of so much worth, and so advantageous, but so +hurtful if there is a lack of respectable people. + +And in order that the vessels may sail in a proper state of +preparation, and so that it may not be necessary to lighten them (as +ordinarily happens, to the great loss of the poorest and most needy, +as above said), it is especially important that the assessments and +charges for lightening be divided proportionally among all the goods +carried in the said vessels, [10] so that, the losses thus being +general, they will strive to avoid incurring them; and if some goods +are more valuable the losses may be shared among all, so that they +may be less oppressive and hurtful to the poor. + +[_On the back is written_: "I entreat your Majesty, for the service of +our Lord, and your own, to be pleased to read this paper and letter +throughout; for it is important for the reasons I have adduced, and +for many others. Will your Majesty pardon my boldness and prolixity, +which are entirely born of an earnest desire, and of the necessity +of bringing forward some considerations and arguments which bear +upon these matters. Hence I was unable to shorten it, as I wished +and ought to have done."] + + + + +Reception of the Royal Seal at Manila + + +This is a good and faithful copy of several instruments drawn in +regard to the reception of the royal seal of the royal Audiencia +and chancilleria, which the king our lord has lately commanded to +be reestablished in the city of Manila of the Philipinas Islands; +they are set down in the book wherein is recorded the establishment +of the said royal Audiencia, and their tenor is as follows: + +In the city of Manila of the Philipinas Islands, on the eighth +day of the month of June of the year one thousand five hundred and +ninety-eight, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, +governor and captain-general of these islands for the king our lord, +and president of the Audiencia and chancilleria which was ordered +to be established there, said that immediately upon the arrival of +the last ships from Nueva Espana in this present year, on which +came the honorable auditors whom his Majesty was sending for the +said royal Audiencia, the licentiate Christoval Telles de Almazan, +one of the said honorable auditors, informed him that he had brought +and held in his possession the royal seal of the king our lord, +which was given to him by the viceroy of Nueva Espana for this royal +Audiencia; and the said auditor directed that an order should be +given for the formal reception of it, with the authority and reverence +which his Majesty directs and commands by his royal instruction and +decrees. Accordingly his Lordship immediately gave notice thereof +to the cabildo and regimiento of this city, and the other ministers +of justice here, that they might provide and make ready all matters +necessary for it. This day was appointed for the said reception, and, +as the governor has been advised on behalf of the city that all matters +are arranged and ready for the said reception to be immediately made, +he commanded and commands that it be put immediately in execution, +and that the royal seal of his Majesty be placed in the church of San +Augustin of this city, within a coffer covered with velvet and gold, +with the ceremony which is fitting, so that thereafter it may be taken +thence to the royal buildings, to whatever place may be appointed and +made ready for the said purpose. And for this end shall be called and +summoned to the city all the companies of infantry, both paid troops +and citizens. + +Accordingly he has declared and ordered it, and signed it with +his name. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_, clerk of the court. + +And promptly, without any delay, on the said day, month, and year, +the following persons met in the royal building where the said +governor and captain-general resides, to wit: Doctor Antonio de +Morga, lieutenant-general and auditor of the said royal Audiencia; +the licentiate Christoval Telles de Almacan, and the licentiate +Alvaro Rodriguez Cambrano, auditors of the said royal Audiencia; the +licentiate Geronimo de Salazar Salzedo, fiscal of the Audiencia; and +the cabildo, court of justice, and regimiento of this distinguished +and ever loyal city of Manila. And these persons all came clothed +in silk, and over that their Flemish robes of bright red velvet, +lined with blue taffeta. And then came a number of the principal +persons of this city, encomenderos, and citizens thereof. In the +main plaza a squadron of Spanish infantry was drawn up by companies, +consisting of the citizens of the city. Thereafter the said governor +and captain-general, and the honorable auditors, and the officials +of the city, and other persons came out from the royal buildings and +went therefrom on horseback, with much music of clarions, flutes, and +other festive instruments. They went through the streets leading to the +said royal seal, which were hung and adorned with silks of all kinds, +until they arrived at the church of San Agustin; and having dismounted +they entered. Within the larger chapel was a seat of honor covered with +bright red velvet, and thereon a cushion of the same, embroidered with +gold; and on the cushion a coffer, adorned with red velvet and gold, +and locked. All knelt, and having heard a mass, which was said with +great solemnity and dignity, the said licentiate Christoval Telles +de Almazan said to the said lord governor and captain-general that +within the said coffer lay the royal seal, which had been delivered +to him by the viceroy of Nueva Espana to be brought to these islands, +as appeared by a testimonial thereof which he presented, together +with the key of the said coffer. Thereupon the said governor, +kneeling upon the ground, as were all the rest, took and opened the +said coffer, and drew from it the said royal seal. He commanded me, +the undersigned secretary, to read the royal decree and instruction +of his Majesty, wherein is ordered and directed the formality that +shall be observed in receiving the said royal seal. Having read this +in an intelligible voice, so that it was heard by all, the said lord +governor turned to the city officials, and other persons present; and, +with the royal seal in his hands, told them that that was the seal of +the arms of the king our lord, which represented, his royal person, +and which all must respect and obey with due reverence and veneration, +as they would their king and rightful lord. Having finished this, +the said lord governor put the said royal seal into the said coffer, +and locked it. He took in his hands the said coffer and carried it +out of the said church with all the people and the said cabildo, +carrying the said royal seal, which was covered with a pall of bright +red velvet with gilded bars; in the middle of it were embroidered the +royal arms. At the door of the said church stood a large gelding, well +housed with a cloth of embroidered red velvet. On either side was an +escutcheon with the royal arms, and upon the saddle rested a cushion; +the said governor placed the said coffer thereon, and immediately +covered it with a cloth of brocade, and the said horse was covered. The +reins were held by Captain Gomez de Machuca, who was appointed chief +alguacil of this court; he was covered with the said pall; and before +him went the said lord governor and the said honorable auditors, and +other principal people and citizens of this colony. Behind marched +six companies of paid infantry, and many other people. They went to +the cathedral church of this city, at the door of which stood the +archbishop of these islands, dressed in his pontifical robes, with the +whole chapter of the said church and other clergy thereof. When the +said royal seal was taken down from the horse the said lord governor +and captain-general held it in his hands and carried it, covered with +the pall. Thus they went in procession to the chief chapel, and above +the steps was placed a seat of honor; on this was set a cushion, +whereon the said coffer was placed. And when this was done and the +customary songs had been sung and ceremonies gone through, the said +archbishop chanted certain prayers. Again they left the church in the +same order, the said archbishop and the rest of the clergy accompanying +them to the door. The said lord governor again placed the said coffer, +wherein lay the royal seal, upon the said horse; and with the same +pomp and ceremony, solemnity and rejoicing, they went to a hall of +the royal building, where it was agreed that the royal seal should be +placed temporarily, until the royal buildings which are being erected +for this royal Audiencia are completed. Within the said hall were +placed various carpets, and it was hung and adorned. A great canopy +of red velvet was placed there with the royal arms, and within it +another after the same fashion. Under the canopy stood a table with +its cloth of velvet, and thereon a cushion of the same stuff, all +bedecked with gold. The said lord governor placed the said coffer, +wherein lay the royal seal, upon the said table, and covered it with +the said cloth; and, with the said honorable auditors drawn up at +one side, he presented a commission from his Majesty by which he was +appointed president of the royal Audiencia, and which commanded the +said honorable auditors to receive him in the said office; this was +read by me, the present clerk of the court. And after this was done, +the said honorable auditors kissed it, and made obeisance to it, and +placed it above their heads as the letter and decree of their king and +rightful lord. And they ordered that his Lordship, having placed his +hand upon his knight's habit, should take the oath which his Majesty +commands; which, having so placed his hand, he received, as follows: + +_Oath of the lord president_. "Your Lordship swears by God our Lord +and upon the holy gospel, as you are a knight, that you will exercise +well and faithfully the office of president of this royal Audiencia and +chancilleria, and observe and comply with, and cause to be observed +and complied with, the ordinances which his Majesty has commanded to +be issued, and which have been issued therefor, in all respects and in +all ways, without in any way violating them. Your Lordship also swears +that you will keep secret the votes and the books of judgment, and +other things which may arise, and will reveal them to no one without +the permission and express command of his Majesty; and that you will +strive for the fulfilment of justice to litigants, and for the welfare +and increase of the royal exchequer, and for the good of the natives; +and that you will do all other things which ought to be done in so +distinguished an office, and as your Lordship is bound to do." "I do +so swear." "If your Lordship shall do thus, may God our Lord aid you; +but if otherwise, may He require account from you." "Amen." + +When this was done, they left the said hall and sat in the chambers +of court; and the governor ordered Senor Doctor Antonio de Morga to +appear. He presented himself with his commission, which was read by me, +the present clerk of court. When this was done, his Lordship kissed +it and placed it above his head; and he was ordered to take the oath +which his Majesty directs, which he took in the following manner: + +_Oath of Doctor Antonio de Morga_. "Do you swear by God our Lord, +and upon the holy gospel, that as auditor and judge you will obey +the commands which publicly or privately the king our lord may give +you, and will observe his royal ordinances, both those which are +given by the royal Audiencia and chancilleria, and those which may +be given in the future; and that you will maintain the sovereignty, +the territory, and the provinces of the king our lord in every way; +and that you will not reveal the secrets of the royal judgments, +or others which are to be kept; and that you will avoid in all ways +and by all means any losses which might occur to the king our lord; +and that likewise you will faithfully expedite and decide the pleas +which may come before you in this royal Audiencia and out of it, +conformably to the laws of these realms; and that you will not leave +the path of truth and right either for love, hatred, ill-feeling, fear, +gift, promise, or any other cause, nor receive favors or stipends from +any grand council or corporation, for any plea which may be brought +before you to determine?" He answered, "I do so swear." "If you act +thus, may God aid you; but if otherwise may He require account from +you." He answered, "Amen." + +When this was done the above-mentioned lieutenant-governor arose, +and seated himself in the said halls of court. + +In the said order the other honorable auditors and the fiscal of +his Majesty were called, received, and put under oath, and likewise +the other officials of the said royal Audiencia, each one taking the +oath conformably to each of the offices. And when this was finished, +in the form above stated, the said lord president gave a general +instruction in the presence of all, in which he charged the said +honorable auditors to strive for peace and harmony, and the increase of +the royal exchequer, and to take care to attend punctually to their +duties, and to keep the secrets of this royal Audiencia, whereby +his Majesty would be served. In his name he thanked them, as well +as the citizens and others present. He charged them with the respect +which is due to the said royal seal, and to the commands of the said +royal Audiencia; and asked me, the present clerk of court, to give a +testimonial thereof. Forthwith he commanded the articles establishing +the royal Audiencia to be read. As they were not new (for some of +them had been read), he ordered that this cease; whereupon the said +Audiencia rose from session for this day. To all which I bear witness. + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_, clerk of the court. + +[_Attestation_] + +This copy is certain and truthful, having been corrected and compared +with the said book from which it was copied. In order that this may +appear, I have made the present copy at the request and command of +Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and +captain-general of these islands, and president of the royal Audiencia +here, in the city of Manila, on the twenty-eighth of June of the year +one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, being witnesses + +_Alonso de Saavedra_ +_Pedro Munoz de Herrera_ + +citizens of Manila, in witness of the truth whereof I have affixed +my seal. + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_, clerk of the court. + +[_Endorsed_: "Testimonial concerning the reception of the seal and +the establishment of the royal Audiencia."] + + + + +Letters from the Archbishop of Manila to Felipe II + + +Sire: + +It pleased our Lord that three years after the time when I left Madrid +I should arrive at these islands, where I came at the command of your +Majesty, with many hardships and so broken in health and strength that +I hardly had the vigor to undertake such arduous duties as confront me, +which are worthy of much remedy. I shall try to gather up my strength +until such time as your Majesty can appoint such a person as is fitted +for this place. + +I remember, Sire, that at my departure your Majesty said you were +confident that I would take a load off your royal conscience. Surely, +Sire, if, as I wish, I should find affairs in favorable condition, +I would, sparing no labor to myself, strive to serve your Majesty so +heartily that none of your Majesty's servants would have the better +of me. But everything here is so run down that many years of life and +very strong arms are necessary to put affairs into even a reasonable +condition. It is only a month since I came to this city of Manila, +and so I cannot give your Majesty an account in detail of the many +things which must be remedied. But there are going to your court +father Fray Diego de Soria, a Dominican, and a man of much holiness, +learning, and very exemplary life, who has had much experience for +many years in the affairs of this country, and to whom your Majesty +should listen; and likewise father Fray Marcello [11] of the Order of +our Father St. Francis, who will give a full account of everything; +for it is zeal for the honor of God and the service of your Majesty, +and the desire for the remedy of these islands, which alone bring them +through so many dangers by land and by sea. But all I have been able +to learn in this little time is that everything is like a clock out +of order, and even in such condition that nothing will go into its +right place unless the powerful hand of your Majesty be placed upon it. + +In the first place your Majesty has here a cathedral and metropolitan +church, and there is not a village church in Castilla so ill served, +so lacking in ornament as this--to such an extent that although the +quality of the ornaments is inferior, there are so few that they have +not even the necessary colors for the feast-days, although they are +in a place where silks are so cheap, as they are here. [12] Thus it +is with all the rest, and it seems as if ecclesiastics had never +lived in this country. It is served by four secular clergy alone, +to whom your Majesty orders a salary paid. The rest, although they +have the title of canons and canonates, do not serve at all, except +in their allotments and curacies. Accordingly, even on an apostle's +day there is no one in vestments at the altar for the epistle and the +gospel, which is highly discreditable. I have asked the governor, +conformably with what your Majesty charges him in the third clause +of his original instructions, to provide for this matter. But either +he is unwilling to listen to me, or, if he listens to me, he does not +wish to do so. Your Majesty will know what is fitting, but it would be +expedient to add four other salaries to the four which your Majesty +pays--namely two canonries and two half canonries, the incumbents of +which could be vested before the altar for ministration. I must inform +your Majesty that no one will be found to take them if your Majesty +does not increase the stipend; for this country is not now, as it used +to be, a cheap place to live, but the most expensive in all the Indias, +on account of the irregularity in its government. Everything has been +left in the hands of infidel Sangleys, who rob the country and sell +us things at their own price, without there being any one to check +them or keep them in bounds; in return for this, they are able to +gratify and keep content those who ought to provide for it. I do not +wish to complain of my grievances to your Majesty, but to leave them +in your royal hands. But, although our house is so small that we have +only fourteen persons, it is impossible to live for half a year and +provide for the rest, with the salary which your Majesty orders to be +given to me. Your Majesty will be informed of this by those who are +going there. If your Majesty desires that I should go about seeking +money as alms, I shall do so, so far as that would not be derogatory +to the pontifical dignity among these heathen. Again I say then, +Sire, that your Majesty's church is so ill provided, that, in place +of edifying the infidels and heathen who are here, it is a cause of +scoffing among them. They say that, as they see the monasteries so +richly adorned with ornaments that they have chalices of fine gold, +their God must be greater than that of the secular clergy and of the +friars; and they say other ridiculous things. And nevertheless there +is no one to look after it, nor any one who is grieved over it except +myself, who cannot remedy it. When I succeeded in discussing it with +the governor and the officials of your Majesty's royal treasury, they +shrugged their shoulders and said that, although your Majesty says +in the instructions in general terms that this should be remedied, +your Majesty does not point out how, or with what funds. + +Besides this there is the little interest in spiritual things +and Christianity among the laity. Sire, I wish, that I were in the +presence of your Majesty to tell you by word of mouth of this matter, +which is the most pitiable thing which has ever occurred or ever will +occur to so Catholic and Christian a prince, and one on whom our Lord +has showered such singular favors as to allow in his day the opening +of the gate through these islands, for the bringing of the gospel to +realms so great, and so far removed from all that is good. This I say, +then, Sire, that it is a most pitiable thing that there is not a man in +all these Philipinas Islands--Spaniard, or of any other nation--saving +some religious, who make their principal aim and intent the conversion +of these heathen, or the increase of the Christian faith; but they +are only moved by their own interests and seek to enrich themselves, +and if it happened that the welfare of the natives was an obstacle +to this they would not hesitate, if they could, to kill them all in +exchange for their own temporal profit. And since this is so, what can +your Majesty expect will happen if this continues? From this inordinate +greed arises the violation of your Majesty's decrees and mandates, as +everyone is a merchant and trader--and none more so than the governor, +who has this year brought ruin upon the country. There comes each year +from Nueba Espana a million in money, contrary to the mandate of your +Majesty, all of which passes on to the heathen of China. From here, +in violation of your Majesty's decrees, cargoes are loaded for the +Peruvians and the merchants of Mexico, without leaving room for those +of this country--especially the poor, who are unable to secure any +interest therein except for a wretched bundle which is allowed them as +cargo. If I were to go into the multitude of evils which are connected +with this, I should have to proceed _ad infinitum_. There are going +to your court those who have themselves experienced them; and one of +them even, for having preached with Christian zeal, was persecuted by +the governor, who was the cause of this and of other great evils. His +vices are so many and so low and obscene that if one were to seek +faithfully over all Espana for a man of most debauched conscience, +even the vilest and most vicious, to come to this country and corrupt +it with his example, there could not be found one more so than he. A +priest told me yesterday--Sunday, the twenty-first of June--that it +was public talk that no woman had escaped from him with her honor, when +he could accomplish her ruin; and that further, through his great and +scandalous incontinence, he twice ordered the priest to marry him to +his own niece, and used every means with the priest and Father Soria +to secure a dispensation, although the latter showed him how little +that measure profited. He has so tyrannized over this colony by his +actions that, in order that nothing should be lacking, he has taken +away the offices of regidor from honorable men who held them; and put +his kinsmen, whom he brougnt with him from Espana, into the regimiento, +so that information of his evil ways cannot be given to your Majesty +in the name of the city; nor can they write to ask your Majesty that +you should send a successor to him. Likewise he asked his regimiento, +and also me (but may God deliver me from such treason!), to write +to your Majesty that it was expedient that he should remain in this +country, on account of the experience which he has here. Nevertheless, +if such a letter should go, your Majesty would consider it suspicious; +because it would be signed by some who would wish to see him undone, +only because they do not dare to do otherwise; for he treats them +like negro slaves when they swerve a point from his desires. About +eight days ago he had called to his house all the honorable people, +even to the master-of-camp and all the captains; and when they were +before him, standing bareheaded, he treated them worse than he would +his cobbler, speaking in these terms: "You don't realize that I can +have all your heads cut off, and you think that I don't know that you +have written to the king against me." And this language, with the +"vosotros," [13] he used for half an hour to the most respectable +people in this country. In short, all his conversation and words are +those of a vicious and tyrannical Heliogabalus. What I say now is +nothing to what remains to be said, and which your Majesty can learn +from those who are going there--who, as good Christians, will relate +the truth. It would appear best that your Majesty should write to +Nueba Espana, so that all the goods may be put on board there which +are to be carried this year. Your Majesty would then see the shameful +results which he has caused in this country. He sends therewith one +of his servants even, who is called Juan de la Guardia, and also Diego +de Montoro, a native of this country. And if by chance your Majesty's +letter should arrive after the property had already been despatched, +the said persons should be seized, and obliged to confess the truth. It +is possible that in this way, and with the cargo for next year (when +he says that he must enrich himself), a large quantity may be taken, +to supply the various matters for which your Majesty must provide. Your +Majesty may rest assured that during all the time that the governor +may be in this post your Majesty's conscience cannot be at ease, +but that it must be heavily loaded to bear with him. It would be very +advisable to appoint a governor, not like the poor men who have been +here thus far and who come to enrich themselves, but a man who will +enrich the land with holiness and virtue. It should be a man whom +your Majesty would choose among thousands--one of those who is not +attempting to make your Majesty appoint him; but, on the contrary, +one of those whom, so to speak, your Majesty asks. Your Majesty +should not consider whether or not he is a knight or a captain, +as there are plenty of experienced captains in the country, who, +in case of war, would be better in leading an army than a number +who could come from there. If it is possible, he should be a man of +education and conscience. I should desire one of these men who would +serve your Majesty without private interests, for whom, when the man +had served your Majesty in this charge, you could appoint a church, +one of the largest of Espana; as this post is most honorable and of +greater importance for the spread of the gospel than is the Turkish +frontier for its defense. On this account a person should be chosen who +has no claim to private interests, for the gain which he would secure +from the growth of the teaching of the gospel here is large enough. It +is not fitting that your Majesty should entrust the residencia of +the governor here to the Audiencia, or to any member thereof; but +it should be made by the person who is to succeed him, if he be a +person such as I have described. For there are many serious matters +for which a Christian and impartial judge is necessary, to clear the +conscience of your Majesty. + +It would be very important for your Majesty to renew the mandate +forbidding the governors and auditors to trade, with heavier penalties; +for it is not observed, and from its violation there result great +inconveniences. But, as it appears that the salaries appointed by your +Majesty are not sufficient recompense for coming to such distant lands, +your Majesty might decree that when the governors were such as they +should be, and have abstained during their whole term from trade, +at the time of their departure your Majesty would permit to be given +them as large a cargo as they wish, and even an entire ship, so that +they might be made prosperous. The auditors might be given, every +six years, to each one the liberty of a cargo, so that in this way +they would have what is needed to marry their children and maintain +their households. For otherwise they are the causes of great losses; +and, as they are involved in the same misdeed, they are not urgent +in having the mandates and decrees of your Majesty complied with. + +It is a great hindrance to the growth of the faith and morals +of the natives that there is a continual communication with the +infidel Chinese. Since they are coming to trade, it would be well +that when they finish selling their wares they should leave the +country; for from their remaining in these islands result many +great inconveniences. In the first place, on account of their greed, +they have taken to the cultivation of gardens and other real estate; +whence it follows that all the native Indians live idle and vicious +lives, without anyone urging them to labor. The Chinese have risen, +by buying and selling and bringing provisions to the community, to +be the retailers of supplies. From this it results that this country +is so expensive to live in that where a fowl used to be worth half +a real, or at the most one real, it is now worth four. Formerly a +ganta of rice could be obtained for a quartillo or less. Now it is +worth two reals, or at least one, and the same with other things; +and, beside being retailers and hucksters, one Chinaman uses more +food and wine than do four natives. What is worse than this is, that +the crime against nature is as prevalent among them as in Sodoma; and +they practice it with the natives, both men and women. As the latter +are poor wretches and lovers of gain, and the Chinese are generous in +paying for their pleasures, this calamity is spreading wide without +any public manifestation. They tell me that during the last few years +the Chinese have spread over all the islands. I saw them when I came +into the channel. Formerly they were only in Manilla. If your Majesty +does not command that this people must absolutely leave the country +I fear that God must visit some great punishment upon it. Those who +govern here deceive in regard to their status. Some of them are kept +because the fathers of the Society say thai they need five hundred to +cultivate the gardens which they have here, close by the city. They +give each Sangley, for the portion of garden which he works, one peso +and one fowl each month. Others are kept for other reasons; but all +the work could be done by the natives if the Chinese were driven out, +and the idle and vagabond were compelled to work. + +In another letter I wrote to your Majesty of the necessity which +obtained in this country of establishing the Inquisition, and today +the reasons for this are stronger than then, as shown by experience +and our inconveniences. Thus we have seen, within a few years, +that two prisoners who were going to Mexico escaped from the ship +"Sanct Philipe." In the ships of last year, of three persons who went +thither, two died. A negro who was being taken along as a witness for +an accused man of this city died at sea. If it is thought best not to +have salaries, the matter can be remedied by appointing two religious +or ecclesiastic persons, and one of the auditors of the Audiencia--who, +as they are advisers, can likewise carry on the suits. These, as they +conduct the office of commissary (which is here the same thing as +an inquisitor), would be able to hear the cases and would do so as a +work of charity, and with zeal for the honor of God, until they could +obtain, from the confiscated property, salaries for the inquisitors +whom your Majesty may appoint. For it is easy to see that there is +a great inconvenience in denouncing a person in Manilla and being +obliged to send his case to Mexico, or to come from there with a +decision as to whether to arrest him or not; and to confiscate here +the property of heirs and send it to the Inquisition of Nueba Espana, +with so great a risk of loss. + +This is all at present that occurs to me to send to your Majesty. I +fear I have tired your Majesty with so prolix and unpleasant a +narration. I beg of your Majesty to pardon me and accept my wish, +which is to succeed in the service of your Majesty. If there is a man +in the world who has this desire, unmixed with interest, it is myself, +who am desirous to be of some use so that your Majesty may learn by +experience that I am more anxious to be the most insignificant servant +of your Majesty, merely because your Majesty is who you are, than to +possess all the treasures of the world. May your Majesty enjoy those +of heaven after the many years of life which are necessary for his +realms. Manilla, June 24, 1598. Sire, I kiss the feet of your Majesty, +your humble chaplain, + +_Fray Ygnacio_, Archbishop of Manilla. + +Sire: + +Although I wrote another letter to your Majesty in which I give an +account of the affairs in this country, I am obliged to write this +one to give your Majesty an account of my own affairs, which cannot +be successful unless regulated by your royal hand, from which I +would receive death, if I deserved it, more willingly than life from +another. It has come to my knowledge that the governor of these islands +is writing to your Majesty and complaining of me. As everything which +I shall say now is true, I beseech your Majesty to give it credit. If +your Majesty should find that I do not tell the truth to the last word, +I charge your Majesty to visit upon me a heavy punishment. + +I brought with me from Espana a son of one of my nephews. He is +a youth of great virtue and worth, with no manner of vice; and, +desiring that he should choose for a wife someone who was his equal +in worthiness, while coming on the ship my eyes fell upon a daughter +of the licentiate Tellez de Almansa, an auditor who was coming out +to this royal Audiencia of your Majesty. She is a very honorable and +good woman, and as it appeared to me that that was what was fitting +for the young man, rather than greater beauty or property, I made +known my desire to a doctor of theology, who was traveling in the +ship, in company with the said auditor, so that I might know whether +her parents were favorable to my intentions. As he told me that they +were pleased with it, but that the father reflected that he had no +permission from your Majesty to marry his children, it appeared to +me that, if she were to marry without the knowledge of her father, +he would be free from the penalty of the law. I wrote to the said +maiden a note, in which I desired to learn her wishes, without there +being anything else in it which could offend anyone. + +I gave her an account of the many good qualities and characteristics +of the young man, and addressed her in these words: "And neither +do I wish that you should attempt this without the permission and +knowledge of your father, because I am not setting about to steal +away or ruin the respect which I have for him, and have had all my +life." She answered me by writing that she was pleased at the choice +that was made of her person, and that it should be considered with +her father. I responded with a second note in which I thanked her +for her good wishes and said that I would speak with her father. At +the same time I summoned the auditor Almazan and told him how much +I desired that that marriage should be consummated. He told me that +he would accept it at once, if he dared dispense with the permission +of your Majesty. The truth is, that I did not tell him that I had +written to his daughter, and accordingly when someone told him, it +appears that he resented it somewhat; but when the letters came to his +hand, and he saw their terms, which were so unworthy of suspicion, +he was appeased. All this came to the knowledge of the governor, +after we landed; and, as he does nothing good, he made poison of +the whole matter. Without seeing a letter or complaint against me, +it appeared to him expedient to have a meeting of religious prelates +for my case, and he did so accordingly. He called them together in +one of our convents, named [San] Francisco del Monte, [14] where +he placed before them the letters without having examined them, and +without displaying them; and, with the utmost ill-feeling and evil +intention he asked their opinion as to whether it was expedient to +write a letter against me to your Majesty. The religious took it ill, +as they should so bad a speech, and did not answer his proposition, +considering that he was so causelessly throwing suspicion upon the +purity and integrity of their prelate, who had not even been twenty +days in the country. All this came to my knowledge within two hours, +and, as the matter was so serious, and so great an injustice had been +done, I confess that I was much more exasperated than was fitting; +and I uttered against him various harsh remarks--although all were +true, and about things which were publicly told. I learned that he is +writing to your Majesty against me, and I desire that your Majesty +should not lack a true knowledge of the affair, which is, as I have +said; and everything made less or more, your Majesty may believe, +is not truth. Nor could any one, from any word or sign of mine, +have understood an offense to God in that, or even a venial sin; +and, if anything could be added without the suspicions conceived by +his malice, or rather by his evil life and habits, the fault which +I was guilty of was becoming too angry. But I assure your Majesty +that I had more than reason enough--in the first place because he +had stained that which is so important for prelates of the church, +namely, purity; and, in the second place, because he did this at the +time when I had just arrived at my archbishopric, and when I should +have entered with great honor and reputation for virtue, especially +among infidels. In the third place, he went before all the leaders of +the religious orders, when everyone of them was free to conceive what +opinion he would of me--and especially certain persons who, as they do +not themselves live with becoming regularity, might conceive boldness, +and not fear for their own faults because they saw the superior prelate +brought before the public as guilty of similar ones. In the fifth +[_i.e.,_ fourth] place, because he called together this conventicle +while he was pretending to be my friend; for the day before he had +been in my house, and talked with me about very serious matters, and +at his departure, invited me to his house--for no one who would see +what he did, or his dealings with me, would fail to have confidence +in him, since he is a knight, and wears the habit of Santiago, and +is governor for your Majesty of so great a realm; and I say that, +as I am a frank and truthful man, I would have confidence in him, +if he were a man worthy of trust. Since he first made advances, by +asking me to do for him things which were good, what a wonder it is +that so unreasonably he should molest a man. I confess that I acted +in a manner unbecoming my position; but let him say what he will, +I have said nothing which is not true. + +Many men of sound judgment have wondered what object he could have +in this assembly; and they can think of no other unless it was +to intimidate me and close my mouth, so that I should not write +against him to your Majesty any of the infinite amount which might +be written. Likewise he had the same object in calling together the +captains and leading men of this colony, to address them with such +insolence as that which I have told your Majesty in another letter; +for the expression which he used was: "You people [_vosotros_] do +not know that I know what you have written to his Majesty against +me; and that his Majesty sent me a command to have your heads cut +off." From this your Majesty will gather how the government must be +conducted here, since the governor is going about seeking, by cunning +and deceit, to frighten people that they may not write about his +mode of life. I told enough of this in the other letter, and others +are writing the same thing; but at present I shall only mention a +few things. In the first place your Majesty should not inquire into +the particular vices of Don Francisco Tello, but should picture to +yourself a universal idea of all vices, brought to the utmost degree +and placed in a lawyer; this would be Tello, who is your Majesty's +governor in the Philippinas. He is not one of those men who accompany +a vice by a virtue, and among many vices follow one virtue; but he +has not even an indication of a virtue. And that he should not lack +the sin of putting his hand upon the altars, he has now begun to +commit simonies, and to live excommunicated, selling for money the +presentations which he makes to the benefices conformably to your +Majesty's right of patronage. This is so true that I have this week +corrected one which he committed in the convent of San Francisco del +Monte itself. Abandoned by the power of God, he paid for the evil which +he had done against me with so great a vice. He received four hundred +pesos, for the presentation to a prebend, which he presented to me +that very day. He has become accustomed to do this, and says that he +is going to write to Espana that he is going to this said convent, +which is a heavenly garden, belonging to descalced fathers of much +holiness. Although he has a house near there he is not content with +it, but comes in and meddles with the convent, and with those who go +to see it, for there is nothing which his hand does not profane. On +Monday afternoon before St. Francis' day, this year, he left Manilla, +saying that he was going to Cabite to despatch the ships. At night +he left the road with a servant, having placed the horses within +some chapels which are being built at the convent of Santo Domingo; +and entered to sleep that night in the house of a married woman, the +wife of an honorable man of this city, leaving guards at the door, for +thus imprudent is he, although God permits that he is such a coward +as not to enter into such evil acts without taking guards, and even +sometimes arquebuses, to serve as witnesses of his sins--which are +made public, to the scandal of all the people. Sire, I do not believe +that I can live with this man; if your Majesty thinks that it is best +for your royal service to keep him in this government, your Majesty +must take me from this church. I wish nothing else, and even this +place I do not merit; nor did I seek it, nor did it ever pass through +my head that it was possible that at any time I should have to hold +it. But I wish your Majesty to command me to return, to die in my +cell in peace; for if I remain here I cannot conceal so many and so +public offenses against God and against the service of your Majesty, +without reprehending them with the same publicity as that with which +they are committed. I trust through the mercy of God that your Majesty +will see all this with Christian and Catholic eyes, and will provide +a remedy fitting for the service of God and of your Majesty, whom may +our Lord protect, for the long years which we need. Manilla, June 26, +98. Sire, I kiss the feet of your Majesty, your servant and chaplain, + +_Fray Ignacio_, Archbishop of Manilla. + + + + +Letters from the Bishop of Nueva Segovia to Felipe II + + +Sire: + +With my soul filled with a thousand afflictions, I write this letter +to your Majesty, awaiting a certain consolation for this unfortunate +community; since the man who is the only protector of all Catholic +countries in the world, as your Majesty is, must be the more so of +this land which is so thoroughly your own, since it is entirely +the establishment and edifice of your Majesty. Your Majesty has +a governor here, namely, Don Francisco Tello, who, if a fourth be +true of all that is said of him by Christian, learned, and prudent +men, and those in office in this community, both ecclesiastic and +secular, is one of the worst men whom your Majesty has in all his +estates. One thing I can say, and that is that neither on my way +from Nueba Hespana here, nor after my arrival, have I heard anything +said which would indicate that this man is a good governor; but I +have heard and hear every day increasing and innumerable evil acts, +evil in the highest degree. During the time since I came here, which +is already a considerable period, I have seen nothing good in him +which would lead me, on any account or in any manner, to have any +consideration for him. If your Majesty were pleased to desire to know +particular instances, I am certain that there has been and is being +sent to the royal Council of the Indias so much concerning him that +the Council could easily inform your Majesty of matters concerning +this wretched man; and I shall only relate two or three things, which +everyone knows. The first matter (of which your Majesty must certainly +have information) is, that this man married a woman between whom and +himself there were two obstacles--in the first place, consanguinity; +and, in the second place, relation by marriage. In her case there was +still another obstacle, in that she had taken the vows in a religious +order. Although there were so many and so impassable obstacles, they +procured a dispensation in this [_MS. torn_] so that Don Francisco +might marry her. [I tell your Majesty of this] for love of the common +welfare, and so that he might not by his licentiousness destroy this +commonwealth, which is enslaved, more so than any other in the world +or even than any person, so much are all men subjected to the good +or ill will of the governor--not only the principal persons, but all +others. And further, Don Francisco would have it that this should be +considered sufficient cause for giving so many dispensations, and +in matters so difficult--namely his own unbridled incontinence and +lust--rather than put a check to his vileness. God has permitted this +blindness so senseless in a man, so that we may see in Don Francisco +that, when God takes His hand from a man, neither his honor, nor his +word, nor the fear of God, nor of your Majesty, nor the fact that +he is placed in so public an office and is the minister of such a +king as your Majesty, is sufficient to check him. If the chains and +bonds of matrimony had detained him, the dispensation and past evil +acts might be endured; but according to the report, although these +are not matters which I can examine into, he is still continuing in +these vile acts of his, as a man without God, law, or king. + +Another instance: an affair characterized by covetousness, wrongs, and +injustice, which are being perpetrated before the sight of God and all +the world. This is the affair. There is here a vessel which is called +"Sancta Margarita" which belonged to Captain Stevan Rodriguez. This +boat he despatched this year to convey cloth and merchandise from this +city to Mexico. There is a record of what this same ship took last +time; and according to the register (which is here and in Mexico) +the vessel loaded two hundred and fifty to three hundred toneladas; +but this year there was not allotted among the citizens of the islands +more than a hundred and sixty toneladas. All the rest, up to the +said number of two hundred and fifty or three hundred, he has seized +upon. This injustice and robbery is terrible, but the circumstance +makes it even more remarkable that sin and greed and vices so blind +a man that he considers everyone else blind; and thinks that they +will not look at this ship and see its size, when it is present here; +nor remember that, in this same ship, the same persons with the same +merchandise laded ten times as large a cargo; nor does he consider +that, at any rate, the registry of this same ship exists. + +On the day on which I write this, which is the last of June, when +the ships should have sailed days ago for Mexico, because they +might encounter a wind which would make it impossible for them to +leave this bay for a long time, and the voyage would be lost, or +undertaken when the ships would be wrecked--during this time he is +entertaining guests and making feasts and gambling. Certainly, Sire, +considering the injustice and grievance which he is inflicting on +the poor subjects and vassals of your Majesty, and considering him so +taken up with these feasts, there occurs to me the history of Nero, +when he set fire to Rome, and stood rejoicing while the street was +burning and being consumed; or, as a learned and pious man said, +it seems parallel with the idea which Nabuchodonosor carried out +when he desired that the people should adore his image, and ordered +that thenceforth there should be much music and feasting, so that +the people, thus deluded, should not even think of him without at +once committing an act of idolatry. Just so here all is feasting, +so that in this way the people may be prevented from thinking; and +that, thus deluded, they should busy themselves with this until the +evil record be finished, and the ships depart. + +How can I tell your Majesty of the affairs of war? Although we are +every moment fearing some movement from Japon, this man will not build +a single turret to finish the wall. He considers himself safe with a +dark retreat which he built to retire to if the enemy should take the +city; but if the enemy should take a single house of the city, he is +as well fortified there as are the Spaniards in their retreat. For, +with the cheap labor of Chinamen, they have built here so that every +house is a fortress. God has granted to this country a Spaniard of +great genius, good birth, and singular virtue, who came with Don Luis +Perez das Marinas. This Spaniard cast artillery very ingeniously at +this post where I am at present, which is on the river in the middle +of Manila. During all the time that I have been here I have not seen +the governor go to examine this work, or have anything more to do with +it than if it were in Constantinople. In short, his God is his belly, +and his feasts, and the vices and sins consequent upon this. That +his drink may be cold he uses from the warehouses of your Majesty +an endless amount of saltpeter, which is difficult to procure. He +expends an immense amount of powder in his feasts. + +To fulfil my duty to God and His faith, and to your Majesty, and the +fidelity of a vassal, which I particularly owe, through the obligation +placed upon me by being bishop, I say that this man has no good in him; +nor is there anything bad lacking, to make him in the highest degree +a bad governor. Every instant that the remedy is delayed will bring on +more surely the wrath of God by delivering us into the hands of Japon +and other worse enemies or scourges. The only remedy is to appoint here +the good Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, a well-known knight, and proved +to be just and discreet, with long experience in these lands--and, +above all, with great respect for God and His laws and those of your +Majesty. He is a friend of prayer, and believes in considering his +affairs with God. He need not be embarrassed in coming here, nor come +loaded down with persons to whom he is bound. And if perchance Don +Luis should not be available--although it certainly appears that he +is so, particularly since the coming of the Audiencia--for the love +of God may your Majesty not send us a person who is so boastful of +being a knight; but rather a nobleman, a prudent soldier, who will +be alone, and neither greedy, nor brought up in the vices of Sevilla, +nor with the braggarts there. It seems to me that I have said enough +of this. Manilla, the last of June, 1598. + +It is said that he is sending great presents, and will try in that +way to maintain himself here. + +_Fray Miguel_, Bishop of Nueva Segovia. [15] + +Sire: + +After I had written your Majesty my grief at the condition of these +islands, a number of Chinese, both Christians and infidels, came to +me, all bewailing the grievous injuries that they suffer daily from +your Majesty's officials and other Spaniards. They delivered to me two +letters addressed to your Majesty, and written in their characters and +language and after their manner; and I had these letters translated +into Castilian characters. These people have no other protection than +the Order of our father St. Dominic; and, as I am the head of that +order here, they have recourse to me for protection, asking that I send +the letters to your Majesty. I assure your Majesty that these wretched +people are receiving so many wrongs and injuries, that there are no +greater enemies of the immaculate Christian law than are many of your +Majesty's officials here. Your Majesty has provided, and well, that +the possessions of the Chinese should not be disturbed or the best of +them taken away, inasmucn as this is one way of ruining both Spaniards +and Chinese. But this order is not in the least observed. Your Majesty +will credit me with freedom from any exaggeration in regard to the +Order of our father St. Dominic. At present it is sending one of our +principal friars, who is prior here at Manila, named Fray [Diego] +de Soria. He knows more about these islands and countries than many +even of those who remain. He will give you information of everything, +if your Majesty wishes. Manila, July 5, 1598. + +[_Endorsed_: "The bishop of Nueva Segovia, July 5, 98. Received April +6, 600. Bid the archbishop and governor to exercise great care in +the fair treatment and instruction of these Sangleys; and let them +see that no injury is done them, so that no harm may result to their +settlement."] + + + + + +Letters from Francisco Tello to Felipe II + + +Sire: + +Last year I wrote your Majesty an account of the state of military +affairs. What has happened since then is as follows. + +The pacification of Mindanao was undertaken by General Don Juan +Ronquillo, who fought with the enemy and eight hundred Terrenatans who +came to their assistance. He destroyed and defeated them, killing a +number of people. Just when the ruler of Mindanao had offered to make +peace, Ronquillo received my order to retire with all his forces to +La Caldera, as I did not know of the successful engagement. Before +this he had written to me, after having conquered the enemy, that, +on account of this success and the improvement of affairs, he would +not, even if he should receive an order from me to do so, retire until +affairs were more settled. However, when my order arrived, he was in +some difficulties, and therefore left that place and retired to La +Caldera, which is near. There he built a fort, and before he departed +thence, he received my second order to remain at the river of Mindanao, +the first place taken, and build a fort there. Not only did he fail to +comply with this order, but he has returned with all the troops except +a hundred men, leaving everything there exposed to danger. I reported +this to the Audiencia, and after they had examined the papers thereof, +I resolved to arrest the said Don Juan, accuse him, and after trying +him, convict or acquit him. [16] Affairs being in this condition, +I sent aid to La Caldera, which was very necessary; and I wrote to +the army, encouraging them to persevere in the service of your Majesty. + +It is now eight months since the rising in the province of Cagayan. The +country is in rebellion, but it is true that the encomenderos gave +cause for the disturbance by oppressing the natives with tributes, +and in other ways. The one who caused most harm in this respect was +Don Rodriguez Ronquillo, who died while in prison for this cause. The +addition of four reals to the tribute, which was collected last year, +also helped to rouse the rebellion. When I considered the serious +harm which might result from the uprising in the land, I sent the +master-of-camp, Pedro de Chaves, with competent troops, in order +that, by means of kind methods, he might reduce them completely to +the service of your Majesty. I ordered also that the increase in the +tribute be suspended; and this has been done and will be continued +until your Majesty is pleased to order otherwise. I think that, +until the affairs of this land are better established, say for six +years, these four reals should not be collected; but your Majesty +will provide according to the royal pleasure. + +The master-of-camp arrived with his troops at Cagayan, and in +conformity with my order he pacified that land; and Magalate, the +leader of the Indians, was killed by some soldiers in ambush. [17] +This Indian had so much ability, authority, and shrewdness that he +could have caused much damage if he had lived. The master-of-camp +has now returned, and I am examining the papers which he brought +with him. Although it is thought best to punish some of the subdued +Indians, it is being done with mercy; for the bishop of Cagayan has +told me that he holds a certain decree of your Majesty, whereby it +appears that the war waged against those Indians at their conquest +was not fully justified. + +There have also been other uprisings of the Cambales blacks [18] in +Pampanga, but they have all been suppressed by the effective measures +which are so necessary in this land. I have succeeded in pacifying +an Indian by the name of Casilian, who is the chief of the Cambales; +and I am trying to bring him to this city, and to change the site of +his settlement, in order that we may have more security. + +There is always suspicion of Xapon, and, according to the advices which +I now have, those people desire exceedingly to come here, although +it is difficult for them to do so by ship. Consequently, I am, and +shall be, well prepared for them, with arms in readiness. Garrisons +are always maintained in that part of the country by which they would +approach, namely, in the province of Cagayan. I have great hope, God +helping, that Japon will be subdued. Several prominent persons there, +with whom I have friendship and communication, have written to me. I +have replied to them, and sent them presents, as must be done with +these people. The one who is most friendly is the general of Coria, +named Gentio, who is close in the order of succession in the kingdom +to the Conbaco. [19] He wrote me that, although not a Christian +himself, he is a friend of Christians. Having this good-will, he might +receive the holy gospel, and I am trying to bring this to pass. This +communication is secret, being without the knowledge of the Conbaco, +who is very much hated in his kingdom, because of his great tyranny. + +The ambassador Don Luis de Navarrete, whom I sent to the Conbaco, +arrived there safely with the present which he took with him. The +elephant was very well received, and they tell me that on the day when +he entered Meaco (where the court of Japon resides), the concourse of +people in the plaza was so great--because they had never seen elephants +before--that seven persons were suffocated. When the ambassador had +ascended to the hall, the king came out to meet him with thirty kings +who were his vassals. My letter, a copy of which was sent to your +Majesty last year, was then read in public. It was well received, +and the king said that he would reply thereto. Then he wished to see +the present which had been put in twelve boxes. Greatly excited and +enraged by a picture of myself, which represented me armed and with a +cane in my hand, he asked in a loud voice whether this were intended +as a threat. He was answered in the negative, but that it was a custom +of persons who held high offices to send their portraits as tokens of +regard and friendship when embassies were despatched. Thereupon he +was appeased, and ordered the picture to be placed in a large hall, +and directed his wives and children to go to see it. After this the +ambassador was invited to dine with him three times, and was finally +dismissed with a present of twelve coats of mail, thirty lances, +and two horses. The despatch has not yet arrived, but I fear that the +ambassador has died, for he was very ill at Nangasaque. The information +which I give your Majesty was gained from a letter of his. [20] + +In compliance with your Majesty's orders, and after investigating the +embarrassments of the royal treasury, I have cashiered two companies +commanded by two of my relatives, thereby saving expenses to the +treasury of more than two thousand pesos a year; but if you consider +it best for your Majesty's service to extend the reduction somewhat, +it shall be done. + +Within this city I have made an impregnable refuge, which is bounded +on one side by the sea and on another by the river; while on the +land side one thousand armed men can, if sufficiently provisioned, +defend it against one hundred thousand. I am uneasy, however, because +Nueva Espana neglects this important post. The troops sent me from +that country are useless, and the majority of them are unarmed. The +captains deprive the soldiers of their wages, and I have a hundred +such complaints. I have sent advices of everything to the Conde +de Monterrey, [21] in order that he may correct this evil, for the +reparation thereof belongs to him. Your Majesty's service will be +furthered by giving orders to this effect. + +I beseech your Majesty to order that, for the use of the troops +of this camp, eight hundred arquebuses, four hundred muskets, and +three hundred coats of mail be brought from Spain; for the troops +are unarmed and your Majesty is put to much useless expense. I should +wish never to have been born if, on any occasion, this kingdom could +not be defended for your Majesty, for lack of arms. + +I have found here an invention of the Sangleys for founding +artillery. It is easy of accomplishment, and as there is much metal +in the royal warehouses I am having fifty pieces of artillery made, +which will take a ball of one to three libras' weight, the size +most needed here. After these are finished, I shall not fail to go +to China to attack the Sangleys. May our Lord preserve the royal +Catholic person of your Majesty as is needed by these kingdoms, +and as we your vassals desire. Manila, June 17, 1598. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +Sire: + +Your Majesty's royal instructions despatched in the year ninety-six +were received in the month of May of the year ninety-eight. Your +Majesty's commands will be fulfilled with all punctuality, in each +and every respect; and the viceroy of Nueva Espana will be advised of +what concerns him, in order that he may also observe your Majesty's +commands. It is best for the service of your Majesty that the viceroy +should punctually send the reenforcements supplied to this kingdom, +and carefully attend to all other things pertaining thereto. I am +very sorry to see the manner in which your Majesty's revenues are +being wasted, and with so small a result; for the troops are in a +wretched condition and without arms, and the captains try rather +to rob them of their money than to secure good and serviceable +troops. They are striving to deprive this last contingent, who are +poor and unprotected, of the greater part of their pay. Owing to a +misunderstanding, the viceroy also does something unsuitable to your +Majesty's service--namely, he sends freight on certain ships which are +despatched to these regions by private persons. To avoid expense to +the royal exchequer, he makes entry thereof, and gives them license to +carry a large sum of money. [22] From investing this they secure four +times its value in goods; and all this wealth they use, and lade on +their ships, and they take away the cream of the trade from those who +were born in this country. As a result, this land is poor, harassed, +and wretched; and the Peruvians and Mexicans are rich and powerful, +for it is they who are engaged in this traffic. By the methods above +described, there can be no obstacle which prevents them from receiving +the highest profits. Your Majesty will command orders to be given in +this matter as is most beneficial. + +The troops of this land, old and deserving soldiers, are in great need, +for the encomiendas are in rebellion, and they cannot be pacified +in many years. They are very poor, and beset with afflictions; and +it grieves me to be unable to assist them. Although I have supplied +several with temporary positions, I have been careful not to give +them to any follower or relative of mine. There are many who are +unfortunate, and the thousand pesos which your Majesty was pleased +to command to be granted every year, with the condition that the +additional pay given from it should not exceed ten pesos annually, +is not used for that purpose. This is because there is no one to take +the money, for it yields but seven reals a month, which can do no more +than buy food for one day. The provisions in this land are as dear as +those in Castilla. If your Majesty were pleased to have these thousand +pesos and another thousand--which can be obtained from charges laid +upon the vacant encomiendas--divided by the governor among twenty or +thirty unemployed captains and deserving soldiers, they would then be +enabled to buy food; and many very great excesses committed by them +in trying to obtain food among the Indians would be avoided. As these +are caused by their extreme necessity, they are to a certain extent +excusable, for no one is willing to be left to die of starvation. This +point is worthy of much consideration. I entreat your Majesty to have +the goodness to examine it and provide what is most needful. + +Although by right of my office I can proceed to punish the captains +and soldiers of the land, and do so, there are, mingled with the +good men, so many who are vile and vicious that the majority of +the men are constantly informing on one another. This vice, as +well as that of writing defamatory libels and letters, is very +prevalent. This is a state of affairs very unfortunate for this +land, and one by which our lord is very ill served; and great and +serious misfortunes follow. If your Majesty were pleased to charge +each of the auditors here, in turn, privately to investigate these +cases and give the offenders exemplary punishment, a great part of +the present difficulty might be remedied. I assure your Majesty, +that one of the things which make me most dissatisfied and anxious +to leave the country, is the matter above stated. Therefore I have +petitioned your Majesty to grant me favor and license for it, as I +hope for it from your royal clemency. Many times I have considered +and been brought face to face with the great evil that is done in +this land by the marriage of elderly widows with whomsoever they may +choose. They are old and but ordinary women, as they were those who +first came here. Their husbands pacified the best encomiendas, and +died; and these widows are left with five or six thousand pesos of +income. They marry and have married despicably and irregularly, and +old soldiers, honorable gentlemen, and noblemen have been defrauded, +who by their descent would have inherited and succeeded to these +encomiendas. I have thought of a plan suitable to correct this evil, +about which I have conferred with grave religious persons--namely, +that the childless widow who shall marry after the age of forty years +shall hold but a life-interest in the encomienda. Will your Majesty +have this considered and provide accordingly, considering the extreme +importance of it. + +Your Majesty's treasury is greatly embarrassed, as I have noted in the +letter pertaining to the royal finances. It occurs to me to declare +here what may be done in this regard, should it appear best to your +Majesty. The Chinese who come here to trade every year bring eight +hundred thousand pesos and sometimes more than a million. During the +ten days they spend here they gain more than a hundred per cent; and +this year, according to the universal opinion, fully two hundred per +cent. They find plenty of money and sell as they would in their own +land. Each outgoing ship pays as anchorage five hundred pesos and +the duties that are paid to your Majesty are only three per cent, +as imposed by Don Juan Rronquillo. If your Majesty would increase +the duties by another three per cent, it would not hurt them to pay +that amount, and your Majesty's royal treasury would receive much +relief thereby. The goods brought by these heathen Chinese are silks +of little cost and value, the scum of what they have; and they take +back in return gold and silver. + +I humbly beseech your Majesty in respect to this point, as to all +my other suggestions, to accept so much as may be best for the royal +service, which my zeal but desires to further. May our Lord preserve +your Majesty for many long years, as we your Majesty's servants and +vassals need. Manila, June 19, 1598. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +Sire: + +The report which by your royal instructions your 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 Espana notified to send useful religious to the +Philipinas. Let the viceroy of Nueva Espana 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 need from Espana,in order that there may be sufficient +religious instruction in the islands._ + +_St. Augustine_.--The Order of St. Augustine, the first order to be +founded in these islands, has occupied the provinces of Tagalos, +Pampanga, Ylocos, and Pintados. It has in them sixty houses, +with one hundred and eight priests and preachers, and fifty-three +lay-brethren. They must establish more houses, both for the entries +into new regions, and the new explorations which are to be made; +and for the provision of sufficient instruction. To this end it will +be necessary to send annually twenty religious to the order. These +should come from Nueva Espana, where there are many religious. It +would be at very much less cost to the royal exchequer to do this, +and most sufficient for this country, because they have already made +a beginning with the Indians. + +_St. Francis_.--The Order of St. Francis has occupied the province +of Camarines, where it has forty houses, with one hundred and twenty +religious, twenty-three of whom are lay-brethren, and the rest priests, +preachers, and confessors. They need fifty religious, both that they +may have sufficient instruction, and for the houses that they are +to establish. + +_St. Dominic_.--The Order of St. Dominic occupies the province of +Cagayan, where it has twelve houses, with seventy-one religious. For +the houses which they are to establish in that province, and that +the province may have sufficient instruction, they must have twenty +priests sent to them annually; for they receive as many lay-brethren +in the islands as they need. + +_The Society of Jesus_.--The Society of Jesus, which is the last +established, has twelve houses, which lie in the provinces of +Pintados, and in the islands of Camar, Leite, and Babao. They have +in them forty-three religious, of whom twenty-three are priests, +preachers, and confessors, and the rest lay-brethren. For the houses +that they are to establish, and in Mindanao, where these religious +will have charge of the pacification, they will need fifty priests +at one time, and annual help henceforth; for they are reaping a great +harvest in this country. They have two colleges here, one in Manila, +and the other in the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jesus, where Latin +is taught to the Spaniards, and the Christian faith to the natives, +who manifest a deep interest. + +The superiors of these orders are religious of much ability, and +among the other members of the orders are many excellent linguists, +who are accomplishing much in the conversion of the natives, which +continues to increase daily. + + + + + +Report of the Audiencia on the Conduct of Tello + + +Sire: + +Among other things which seemed advantageous to your Majesty's service +was for this Audiencia to govern in accordance with the instructions +and orders your Majesty gave us, and to request the president, +Don Francisco Tello, to observe them on his part. We have notified +him in writing that it is your Majesty's will that he shall use the +seal of your Majesty's arms only to seal the decrees made and issued +by the president and auditor of this chancilleria. We have notified +him that he is not to use it, as he does, in issuing commissions for +civil and military appointments. We have told him that your Majesty +has granted this privilege, under special decree, to the viceroys +alone. But he does not refrain from doing this, as we have reported +to your Majesty in a special letter of the first of this month. + +We requested him, also, to wear suitable apparel in the judicial +sessions of the Audiencia, since hitherto he has come in wearing a +short cloak, and a hat with colored plumes. We asked him to wear the +same suitable apparel in conducting the deliberations of the Audiencia, +and in the building and council-room and court of the Audiencia. Up +to this time, when the aforesaid president has held the courts, +he has done so outside of the building of the Audiencia, and in a +chamber of the inn where he ordinarily resides. On these occasions +he has not been properly attired, appearing sometimes with a colored +cloak and sometimes without any. + +It is urged upon the president also that when the deliberations +are being held, the door shall be bolted, that he shall allow no +one to enter, shall keep secret all deliberations, and shall cause +to be observed the respect and dignity due to this place where your +Majesty's person is represented--which he has thus far not done with +the requisite propriety and exactness. From this have resulted several +disagreeable occurrences. + +But especially has the president been informed that, since your Majesty +has resumed the civil and criminal jurisdiction of these islands in +the Audiencia, so that he [the governor] may be less occupied and +more free to attend to matters of state and of war, he should not +take charge of imprisonments and suits against the inhabitants and +natives of this city. They complain that very often he persecutes them +severely for some grudge, or because he does not like them; and that, +even when he arrests them, he does not try their cases, and neither +condemns nor acquits the accused; nor does he refer the cases to the +Audiencia, so that they may be tried there, in accordance with the +demands of justice therein. Of all these cases, he has the right to +retain jurisdiction only over the offenses of the soldiers. These +he may try directly, as your Majesty has granted to him, as being +captain-general. We have had some conferences on these points with +the aforesaid president, and have used other means to induce him +to do right, and not transgress your Majesty's will. We have not, +however, found him entirely submissive to it, especially as to the +requirement to cease proceeding entirely alone in whatever suit he +chooses. In this way he has begun to persecute those who are not +entirely to his liking, and often with little justification. Because +it is very important to your Majesty's service, and to the welfare +of those who live here that this should not go on, we shall continue +the necessary precautions, so that without giving occasion on our part +for a break or disagreement with the president, he shall be submissive +to what your Majesty has decreed, as you desire. The important thing +is to report to your Majesty the state of affairs here, so that you +may provide definitely for what is to be done. We state truthfully +that we are under obligations to your Majesty to interfere in no +manner with the exercise of his governing power, and that of waging +war--unless, under title and pretext of his office as captain-general, +he shall prosecute and harass for his own personal grudges, and for +objects which are not for your Majesty's service, the inhabitants, +and those who are not soldiers, and have committed no offense, since +this must not go unremedied. Whatever your Majesty may be pleased +to decree in all this matter, we shall remain without anxiety and +in peace; for our only aim is the fulfilling of your Majesty's will, +and our desire the satisfactory accomplishment of the affairs of your +Majesty's service. May God keep your Majesty. Manila, July 15, 1598. + +Doctor _Antonio de Morga_ + +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ + +The licentiate _Alvaro Canbrano_ + + + + + +Documents of 1599 + + + + Letter to the archbishop of Manila. Felipe III; March 1. + Letter from the bishop of Nueva Segovia to the king. Miguel de + Benavides; May 17. + Letter to Joan de Ibarra. Miguel de Benavides; May 22. + Missions of the religious orders. Geronimo de Alcaraz; June 28. + Military affairs in the islands. Francisco Tello, and others; + July 12. + Letter to the king. Francisco Tello; July 12. + Ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila. Francisco Tello, + and others; June 1598-July, 1599. (_To be concluded_.) + + + +_Source_: All of these documents arc obtained from original MSS. in +the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. + +_Translations_: The first, third, fourth, and sixth are translated +by Robert W. Haight; the second, by Jose M. and Clara M, Asensio; +the fifth and seventh, by Arthur B. Myrick, of Harvard University. + + + + + +Letter from Felipe III to the Archbishop of Manila + + +The King: To the very reverend father in Christ, the archbishop of the +city of Manila, of the Philipinas Islands, a member of my Council. As +the information of which a copy is sent you with this has been examined +in my Council of the Indias, which inquiry was made by the order of +the governor of that archbishopric, concerning certain excesses of +the teaching religious of the Order of St. Augustine in those islands, +I have decided to send it to you; so that, in so far as concerns your +jurisdiction over the occupations of the priests in the missions, +you may correct the excesses mentioned in the said information, +and whatever others there may be. You will remedy them in the form +which most furthers the service of God our Lord, and myself. As to +the other matters contained in the said information concerning the +said religious--that it is understood that they are in league with +the governor of those islands and the provincial of the said Order +of St. Augustine, or he who may be in his place--you will discuss the +remedy which is made necessary by events, as well in this particular +as in general. Accordingly I charge and command you to do this, +and to advise me of what you shall have done therein. Valencia, +on the first of March, of 1599. + +_I The King_ + +Countersigned by _Joan de Ybarra_ + +Signed by the Council. + + + + +Letter from the Bishop of Nueva Segovia to the King + + +I have no doubt that by other ways your Majesty [23] will learn of +the affairs of Manila. Even to seek correction for them I would be +unwilling to recall them to mind, were I not obliged to do so by the +service of God and the welfare of my afflicted fellow men. With the +fidelity which I owe to your Majesty, I must proclaim aloud before God +and your Majesty everything in Manila outside of the monasteries, and +declare what thing or what person is offensive to God, to your Majesty, +and to his fellow man. God is severely punishing that city by poverty +and losses of property. Such is the chastisement in spiritual affairs, +that, after so many years had passed without a prelate or father to +sympathize with and help the people, the archbishop who came last +year fell into a profound melancholy; and when he had been here two +months and a half God called him to Himself. He was removed from many +misfortunes which could not be relieved; and before he had preached +a single time, or given one call to his flock, the Lord took him. It +was said, however, that he died of a poisonous herb which was given +him; and they say that his symptoms proved it. Whether that is true +or not, this land is such that it could be suspected and said that in +so short a time they took the life of their prelate. In the temporal +government, the death of the good licentiate, Alvaro de Cambrano, was +very unfortunate for the poor and for persons of little influence. He +was a pious man and one of noble purposes, and he died of grief, as may +be deduced from a letter which he wrote me before his death. There is +no doubt that the reason we do not die is because we have not grieved +over matters with the charity and good zeal which were his. + +Something has been done by the governor of these islands, Don Francisco +Tello, in which the auditors also must have been concerned. A ship was +sent from these islands to China, and, as I understand--your Majesty +will learn the facts by other means--it sailed to a port very near to +the town of the Portuguese. If God and your Majesty provide no remedy, +this expedition will be the total destruction of what is held here by +the crowns of Castilla and Portogal, with great offense to the faith, +or the destruction of preaching and conversion. It is most difficult +of correction, for there are interested in this matter first, the +governor; secondly, the auditors; and thirdly, their followers and +ministers. I hope, God helping, that all the good works which have +been commenced here will not be abandoned for aught but the interest +and profit of those who, according to right, should not regard their +private welfare, but the common good, and the service of God and their +king. In this I do not refer to the present auditors and governor, for +I do not know what they have done of good or of bad in this despatch to +China, but I speak of what is their custom and what is infallibly done +by governors and auditors, unless they are people very much devoted +to God's service. There are few if any persons that come who do not +destroy this land, by sending much money to China. Of this there is +no doubt, and every day more light is shed upon the subject. From +this vessel sent to China is resulting the total destruction of the +Portuguese town called Macan. Its sole support consists of the trade +carried on there with the Chinese, exporting goods thence to Japon and +elsewhere. By means of the friendly relations between the Portuguese +and the Chinese, they succeed in buying the stuffs very cheaply, and +by the little which is afterward gained in Japon and other places, +these people are supported. Even should we go there, we have not that +success in business, that concord among ourselves, or that patience +and phlegm, and we seek greater profits. Necessarily, we must greatly +increase the price of the goods--more especially as the Chinese are +very shrewd traders; and on seeing our ship there laden with money, +and knowing that it could not return empty, they may raise the prices +at their pleasure. As the profits of the Portuguese are not so great +that they can afford to suffer this, they must therefore give up that +trade, and abandon that town, which has no other means of support, +thus leaving the Christian Chinese to return to their idolatries and +mingle again with the heathen. + +From this great and evident wrong, follow others even greater; +for whatever of Christianity there is in Japon, and the beginning +which your Majesty has there is supported solely by the traffic of +the Portuguese of Macan with Japon. When Macan is lost, Japon is +destroyed. The other parts of India which have traffic in Chinese +goods, and in goods which are carried to Espana--such as porcelains, +silks, and chests--must lose very materially. The royal income of +your Majesty must be greatly diminished, because all the duties from +Chinese merchandise are collected in India. Then in conveying them to +Portogal and from thence to Castilla you must also lose, for all these +affairs are moved by but one wheel, namely, Macan. Not the slightest +doubt can be entertained of the destruction of Macan, if ships from +the Philipinas go to that port or to any other of China, unless it be +very far away from Macan. Even in the latter case, Macan must receive +serious damage. It will also be necessary for the Portuguese to fit +out ships and try to capture what vessel or vessels go there from +the Philipinas. That there will be war between us is not doubtful, +but certain. + +If the Portuguese must receive these serious damages, greater injuries +must be suffered by the Philipinas and the unfortunate Castilians +who have settled them, sustained them with their blood, maintained +in them the faith of Jesus Christ, and fulfilled their duty to your +Majesty by means of the continual labors of themselves and their +descendants. If this is continued, the governor, the auditors, and +their followers will send their property to China, and have the ship +brought back full of merchandise for themselves alone; and consequently +will supply the cargoes for the ships which sail hence to Mexico. Thus +the poor vassals of your Majesty, who have nothing whereby to support +themselves or their poor children except in this traffic with Mexico, +must be left like poor Indians, only because the devilish avarice +of those persons sent by your Majesty to govern and care for this +land leads them to take for themselves all the profits thereof. At +present--with much honor to your Majesty's royal crown and to the +Spanish nation--the Chinese come with their goods to the Philipinas, +and each Spaniard may buy and export goods; although even of this +traffic, it is said commonly that there is nothing to be expected +except thunderbolts from heaven to punish what is done, if report +be true. But at last shame must check these injustices sometime, +and not permit them to be done so openly. But if vessels are sent +from here to China, the Chinese merchants will not come here, nor +will goods from China be brought here; and should such goods come, +the governor and auditors will export their own goods, depriving of +space those to whom all the exportation is granted, according to the +just and holy will of your Majesty. + +Even were it only for the sake of not seeing the Spanish nation so +defamed as it must be in China, and hated and scorned in these regions +even by the school-children, the governor and auditors should not be +willing to enter into a traffic so costly to the honor and reputation +of our nation. Here we have no large armies to sustain us, nothing +but reputation alone, and if they treat us as avaricious persons, +there will not be an Indian who will not be insolent to the Spaniards +on account of this, and more in proportion as we are always blinded +by avarice. What must be lost by the holy gospel and the Christian +law is evident; for sailors and soldiers will go hence in the ship--an +ungodly people, guilty of sins of the flesh as well as other offenses, +who know naught except to commit offenses against those with whom +they deal. Moreover, the heathen cannot receive a very good example +from the wars and enmity which will exist between the Castilians and +the Portuguese. The Chinese who come here to Manila have some poor +examples; but they also receive very good lessons from the religious, +and in the churches, the holy ceremonies of the church, and in the +life of several very good Spaniards, and even of some Indians. But +when the ship of the governor and auditors, or any others, is sent +there, the Chinese can have but the examples of soldiers, sailors, +and impious people. + +God knows what the import and export duties and incomes of your +Majesty would profit and gain by the bringing of goods from China and +exporting them to Nueva Espana, because everything has to pass through +the hands of avarice, and of ministers who can do as they please here. + +I do not know what can have been the reason for sending this ship to +China and beginning an enterprise so prejudicial. In a general clause, +however, of an instruction to the governor, your Majesty ordains that +the governor may send to Japon, Macan, or other pagan countries, also +to ports of the heathen and of the Portuguese in order to ascertain +if they would like trade with us. But China is not mentioned by name +in said clause; and the law of justice is that what is not conceded in +particular is not understood to be granted in a general statement. The +point under discussion was not only not particularly conceded by your +Majesty, but had been expressly prohibited by a special decree. Not +only did your Majesty ordain that no ship whatever should go from other +Spanish possessions to China, but it is even decreed that the Chinese +merchants coming here shall not take back Spanish money to China; +and that merchandise shall not be exported from China on account of +the Spaniards, but on account of the Chinese themselves. Even in the +same instruction, in the two clauses immediately preceding the one +to which I refer, your Majesty commands a thing incompatible with +the sending of a vessel to China, which has been undertaken this +year. Your Majesty decrees that all the goods coming from China +should be sold at the pancada and that nothing should be bought on +private account until after the pancada. The aforesaid decree would +be futile if license were then to be given to send money to China, +and also ships, to buy there the stuffs and merchandise for the +Spaniards. It may be that there are those who represent that this +has been done for the sake of opening a door to the evangelization +of China; but such persons do not have as a profession the preaching +of the gospel. The evident truth is what I state. + +The sole correction for these evils, and for all the misfortunes of +this land, is for your Majesty to send--besides a holy and learned +archbishop, zealous in honoring God, your Majesty, and the common +welfare--a disinterested and God-fearing governor, such as Don Luis +Perez Dasmarinas, and, according to my information, Don Pedro Brabo +de Acuna, who has been governor for some years in Cartagena in the +Indias. But I understand that, at the receipt of these letters and +other things, your Majesty will have ordered Don Francisco Tello to +return [to Espana] and another governor will be provided. May God have +granted light to your Majesty, and continue to give you light always, +in order that your Majesty may be guided aright in a government so +far away from the royal eyes as this, where the governors have so +many opportunities to cause the destruction of the poor vassals of +your Majesty. Tulac, May 17, 1599. + +_Fray Miguel de Benavides_, + +Bishop of Nueva Segovia. + + + + +Letter from Bishop Benavides to Joan de Ibarra + + +May it please our Lord that this letter shall find your Grace and +Senora Dona Catalina and your children enjoying all the grace of God +and the health and contentment that I wish them, and which I every day +beseech for them in my poor masses and prayers. I cannot write now in +regard to the news which should come this year, because I am far from +Manila, and the ships depart hence for Mexico when those from Mexico +come, and sometimes earlier. I am writing what has occurred here to +the Council, and as one who knows your Grace's zeal, I have no need to +urge the necessity here of having a man come as governor who is known +to fear God. Oh, my lord secretary, if your Grace could see some of +this, and if I could cause the eyes of those lords to perceive the +need of this unfortunate country, and the mighty things which depend +on it, for the glory of God and the faith, and for the honor of the +crown of Castilla! The king cannot settle a matter of such importance +in the Yndias--and certainly I shall not err in expatiating upon +it. There is need here of a man so moderate and disinterested, and +so staunch a friend of the general weal--and in a word, so fearful +of God and His judgment--as is fitting for the government of the +Philipinas. But, as I say, by his discretion in matters concerning +his Majesty, and his zeal for the service of God and the king, there +is one who is qualified for it--that is, Don Luis Perez Das Marinas; +for it is necessary that the governor of this country be even more +a preacher of the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of His law, +than are the preachers themselves. His life is an example of effort +to conciliate to Christianity, or to keep at a distance the Chinese, +Japanese, Sianese, Cambojans, and numberless other nations whom God +has placed here. I have heard much good of Don Pedro Bravo de Acuna, +formerly governor of Cartagena; and it seems to me that he, too, would +be very fit for this country. Gomez Perez Dasmarinas brought with +him a nephew named Don Fernando de Castro, of as good family as was +his uncle, or even better. I have often conversed with him, and know +much about him that is good. I know that he is a very moderate man, +and has much fear of God; and he is well inclined to take advice when +occasion arises. These islands and the king's exchequer would also +gain much if this man were governor. He likewise has much experience +on these lands and seas, as he has been several times commander on +the voyage to Mexico, and went to China on the occasion of the death +of his uncle, Gomez Perez. + +I do not care to write concerning Don Francisco Tello, as when this +arrives another will already have been appointed, and he will go to +his home; may God guide him, and give him good fortune and penitence +for his misdeeds. What I write concerning the great evil of having a +ship go to China from these islands to trade--at any rate near where +the Portuguese are, and even in all parts of China--is at present so +true that, if this evil be not remedied, these islands must be ruined, +and the Portuguese will be destroyed. The Catholic faith must lose +much; and I hold it certain that there will be a war between us and +the Portuguese, for they have sought to take up arms with less cause +than this, or even have taken them up, against the Castilians there +in Macan. In short, they will not allow themselves to be ruined, and +that so evidently for merely the interest of the Castilians; but it +is not for the interest of the Castilians, but that of the governor +and auditors, and their retainers. The Portuguese know well, and so +do we all, that this is not the will of the king nor of the Council. + +I write also that it is necessary to correct the freedom, ignorance, +and boldness of certain religious. I am still of the opinion which +we all had at that time, that the brief which Father Alonso Sanchez +secured from Gregory XIV, giving the bishop power to make visitations, +in person or by any clergyman, of the religious and their mission +villages, is certainly a most damaging one. Although no doubt some +superiors of the religious orders deserve to have this put in execution +at times, yet the religious orders are the walls of the church, and it +is not well to treat them thus. But likewise it is necessary that the +pope establish some order in the irregularity which your Grace will see +described in my letter for the Council. Let the bishop keep his place, +and the religious theirs; and let this divine work of preaching the +gospel be continued, which is our greatest desire. If the captain of +infantry tries to take up the duties of the master-of-camp, and the +soldier those of the captain or of the general, it will go ill with +the war. I am sending the Council the letter which I am writing to +the pope--first, because I wish that the Council should see first +what I have to say to the pope, that they should place it before +the pope, and that everything may be done by his order. In this way +everything will be regular, and, God willing, we shall achieve the +desired result. In the second place I have not and do not desire +any agent, because through the mercy of God, I solicit nothing for +my private interests, but only for the service of God and that of my +king. It seems to me sufficient to write what I think, to the Council, +so that those lords may attend to it, since that is their affair; +and they and their consciences will be excellent solicitors for the +adjustment of the matters that I write about, and the zeal of your +Grace will make up for my shortcomings and remedy matters here, +for I promise you there are many. + +Concerning myself I may say that I am well, thanks to God. Those +who manage the royal exchequer have treated me according to my +deserts. It is impossible for me to live unless this be remedied, +for in this misery which has been decreed for me, they have through +a whole year accorded me no more than one third, amounting to +six hundred and some odd pesos of eight reals. The expense which +I undergo is excessive, although I brought with me only one boy, +and at most two persons. I have not even anyone to help me at mass, +although in so new and unsettled a country. I am forced to go from one +part to another; and, as there are no beasts of burden and everything +has to be borne on men's shoulders, even if one is only bringing the +articles necessary to say mass, it costs a great deal of money. I am +in such a condition that I have not even a chasuble in which to say +the ordinary mass. I have even worn shoes with holes, which showed +the bare flesh, and perhaps there was nothing with which to buy +others. I do not ask for more income; I only ask that the decree of +his Majesty be obeyed in my behalf--that instruction shall be paid +for in the same place with the tributes from that place. I would be +satisfied if only that which was ordered to be given me were paid +me in my bishopric, from the tributes and the treasury thereof, in +the province of Ilocos; for that of Cagaian has nothing, and there +are no established tributes there. For if the money goes to Manila, +as the governor and auditors and royal officials are there, I too +must go there; and it certainly is an indignity to the position of a +bishop that they should thus treat him. What is done for a lay priest +and a religious is not much to do for a bishop; and as the religious +and the secular clergymen are paid where they labor and where the pay +is needed, the bishop should also be paid where he labors and where +he needs it. Beside this, as he is obliged to go there and return, +he undergoes during the journey (which is on the king's account) +danger from sea and from many enemies on land; and on the return, +which is on my account, there are the same dangers and risks to be run, +and I must pay money to bring it from a great distance, and through +dangerous routes. All this would be obviated if only the said decree +of his Majesty were observed in my case. But, as they say in Castilla, +the gallows was made for the unfortunate. + +There is some more money which the royal officials have not collected +from me, which I owed, although they were informed of it by the +bulls. They failed to collect from me other money--that which was lent +me in Espana in the House of Trade at Sevilla, for my aid and outfit. I +say that concerning this I am writing to the Council, asking them to +remit me this debt, as it is certainly necessary. If those lords should +consent to have this favor done me, well and good; if not, patience. + +Although I have equal liking and respect for all the Council, as for +Senor the licentiate Molina de Medrano, he best knows my heart and my +soul, as he has had closer association with me. Although I am writing +to his Grace, yet I do not know whether that letter will be so long; +and accordingly I beg your Grace to communicate this to him. To Senora +Dona Catalina, and to Senors Don Francisco and Don Christoval, and to +Dona Magdalena, and to that other angelic child whose name I do not +recall: may God keep them in life, and grant health to your Grace, +as I, the affectionate chaplain of all your household, desire. Afulu, +May 22, 1599. + +_Fray Miguel_, Bishop of Nueba Segobia. + +That letter I wrote to the Council, but it was blotted; and accordingly +I send a copy of it, and send that to your Grace, so that you may +show this if perchance the other one should be lost. + +[_Endorsed_: "To Joan de Ibarra, knight of the habit of Calatrava, +of the royal Council of the Indias, and secretary of the king our +lord for the Indias."] + + + + +Missions of the Religious Orders + + +I, Geronimo de Alcaras, secretary of the chapter of this holy +metropolitan church of Manila, and notary-public of the ecclesiastical +jurisdiction, give witness and true testimony that, by the books +wherein are recorded the decrees and other matters having to do with +the government thereof, which are issued in this archbishopric, and +which books are in my possession, it appears that on the twenty-first +of August of the past year one thousand five hundred and eighty-seven, +Don Fray Domingo de Salasar, who was the first bishop of these +islands, gave permission and license to the religious of the Order +of St. Dominic to found a church and convent in this said city of +Manila. Likewise on the twenty-ninth of August of the year one thousand +five hundred and ninety, the said bishop gave the said permission to +the religious of the Order of St. Augustine to establish missions in +the tingues of Pas, the encomienda of Tome de la Ysla. [24] On the +same day he also gave permission for the villages of Araya and Pinpin, +of the jurisdiction of Candava. Likewise on the third day of the month +of February of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-five, +Fray Christoval de Salvatierra, then director of this archbishopric, +gave the said permission to the religious of the Order of St. Francis +to establish a mission in the tingues of Cavite, on the encomienda of +Diego Jorge. On the twenty-fifth of September of the year one thousand +five hundred and ninety-six the dean and chapter of this said holy +church, _sede vacante_, gave the said permission to the religious of +the Society of Jesus, for the whole of the island of Mindanao. On +the twelfth of February of the year one thousand five hundred and +ninety-eight, the said dean and chapter gave the said permission to +the said religious of the Society of Jesus for the mission village +[_doctrina_] of Taytay. On the eighth of May of this present year of +ninety-nine, the said dean and chapter gave the said permission to +the said religious of the Society of Jesus for the village of Silan +in the tingues of Cavite, because the religious of St. Francis had +resigned that mission. Although I have examined with particular care +the said books, I find in none of them that there has been given thus +far permission for more houses than those above mentioned, all of +which appears and is evident by the said books to which I refer. That +this may be evident, at the command of the said dean and chapter I +give this present, dated at Manila, on the twenty-eighth day of the +month of June of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine. + +_Geronimo de Alcaraz_ + +The notaries who have below signed their names certify and bear +witness, to whomsoever may see the present paper, that Jeronimo de +Alcaras, by whom this report is signed in this other part, is secretary +of the chapter, acting as vicar-general, and is master of school and +licentiate, and as such entire faith and credit, in and out of court, +is given to the reports and other papers which have passed and shall +pass before him. That this may be apparent, we have given this present +in Manila, on the twenty-eighth of June of the year ninety-nine. + +_Francisco de Olavide_, notary to his Majesty. + +_Francisco de Valencia_, notary public. + +_Joan Paz Dessotomayor_, notary royal. + +[_Endorsed_: "Testimony regarding the occasions upon which the +ordinary of the Filipinas Islands has given his permission to the +mendicant religious to found churches and instruct the natives of +those islands."] + + + + +Military Affairs in the Islands + + +_That the Phelippinas Islands are far distant from Espana and Peru, +and in the midst of many enemies; and that they should be annually +supplied with men and arms._ [25] + +I. Since these your Majesty's islands are very remote and distant from +Nueva Espana and Peru, and much farther from Castilla, and surrounded +by many large kingdoms inhabited by heathen, who are enemies of our +holy Catholic faith--as, for instance, China, Cochinchina, Camboxa, +Sian, Xapon, Maluco, and many others--to whom the Spanish name and +valor are odious and hateful, and who watch for any opportunity to +compass our injury and destruction, it is important to notice and +guard against any danger or suspicion which may threaten us. For, +by the entry to Manila which the Chinese and Japanese enjoy for +the purposes of trade, and their understandings with the natives, +it may be justly suspected that, allied with the natives of the +land, with whom they are very friendly, they may attempt some great +enterprise. The best defense against that lies in a large force of +Spanish troops. Although your Majesty takes such particular care to +send assistance every year, this camp not only does not continue to +increase, but even is not maintained: first, because the number of +men who come is not in proportion to those who die during the year, +since the land is [in]salubrious [26] and unhealthy, without reckoning +the men wasted in the ... on punitive expeditions, pacifications, and +ne[w dis]coveries w[hich o]ffer [themselves]; and further there is a +lack of ... since, almost at the same time, occurred the expedition +and pacification of Mindanao, the punishment and pacification +of the presidio of Cagaian, the reverse for the troops in Cebu, +the punishment of and raids among the Cambales, the presidio of La +Caldera, and the expedition to Camboxa. Also the voyage from Nueva +Espana wastes many men; because leave must necessarily be given to +those who are married in Espana or to Peruvians--who are men very +harmful to the commonwealth--besides others who did not come with +the intention of living in it, or the desire of becoming citizens, +but only to return with their property. In giving them leave, we +take into consideration that there is ... of those who leave here +rich ... few set their minds upon ... many to come ... voluntarily +without any expense to your royal treasury, so that we are always +in need of men. Those who remain here are exceedingly poor, so I beg +your Majesty to order the viceroy of Nueva Espana to attend to this +matter with the greatest punctuality. This year only seventy men came +here; they were not serviceable men and among them all there were +only three arquebuses. One thousand arquebuses, five hundred muskets +with powder-horns and small flasks, and five hundred coats-of-mail +and as many morions, should be sent to me from Espana, at prime cost, +to be distributed among the unarmed men; and those left over would be +stored in your Majesty's armory for future necessity, for at present +the soldiers are unprovided with arms. + +[_In the margin_: "Have a letter written to the viceroy of Nueva +Espana, and this relation sent him ... much that he provide with +care these ... useful, and endeavor to send settlers ...; and that +for this object he perform and execute what is order[ed] in regard +to the matter, with exactness and rigor, and aid in every way. Send +directions to Don Pedro de Acuna to communicate with the viceroy in +regard to the despatch there of all that pertains to the service of +this matter; and that they prepare what will be advisable, in order +to settle that country, taking care that the needful moderation be +exercised in incurring expenses for his Majesty's exchequer."] + +_Two workmen are asked for to cast artillery, of which there is +considerable need._ + +II. A couple of artillery founders are very much needed here, because +of the artillery cast in the islands--sometimes by Indians, and +sometimes by Chinese--besides the great cost and delay, not even one +piece out of four turns out good, although there is plenty of material, +which I have caused to be collected with the greatest care. I beg your +Majesty to send me these masters because there is a great scarcity +of artillery for the defense and protection of this country. + +[_In the margin_: "Endeavor to have these two founders sent; have +them sought carefully, and ask the captain-general for them."] + +_That a master-builder is needed to repair defects in the wall and +the fortifications._ + +III. I beg your Majesty to have a master-builder sent me, because +the work on the wall of this city did not have the necessary finish +and foundation. In some places it has fallen. The fortifications were +not built with the plan and in the form necessary for their purpose. + +[_In the margin_: "Have some suitable person found to send."] + +_That no more assistance is asked from Nueva Espana than is necessary; +that the succor which has been ordered for this colony has been ill +attended to; that there are fears of the Japonese who came this year, +1599, to plunder these islands; and that a relation of the state of +Xapon is being sent_. + +IIII. In a royal decree, your Majesty orders me not to ask from +here too much assistance of Nueva Espana, which shall be fulfilled +according to your Majesty's orders. I assure your Majesty that nothing +more than what is actually necessary is, or shall be, asked for from +here. Mexico is not in close accord with us, because, although your +Majesty has ordered that the customs and freights derived from the +Chinese trade be sent from that country for the payment and assistance +of this colony, it has not yet been done or observed. Now besides the +men to whom I am pledged in La Caldera for the second ... the island +of Mindanao and a check to ... the enemy in Terrenate from coming +to ... the Pintados, your Majesty's vassals ... year Japonese have +commenced to come ... almost within sight of Manila. Formerly not +more than two or three ships were in the habit of coming, but this +year seven piratical vessels appeared, who have done considerable +damage; and nine merchant-vessels, who have entered Manila within +four months. But, as it happened that the pirates came after them, +as we suspected that they were not all of the same understanding +and alliance, several investigations were made in regard to them, +and their commanders arrested, although nothing of importance was +found. I sent General Don Joan Ronquillo and Captain Joan de Alcega to +attack the enemy with a galley and a galliot; and although they came +within sight of them, they did not effect the desired purpose, because +their vessels were not suitable, and heavy storms were threatening. I +sent Captain Gaspar Perez to ... with some vireys and small ships; +he had better luck, for, having met with two of the Xaponese ships, +he overcame the one which awaited him, and killed the whole crew. He +brought one Xaponese of this city here alive, who was executed in the +sight of the Xaponese and Chinese. I also sent Captain Christoval de +Azqueta with what ships were suitable. The enemy did not wait, but +fled. I am quite certain that they will return the coming year with +a large number of ships, and a large force of men, on account of the +booty which they found aboard a Chinese trading-vessel that they seized +on the high sea, and some robberies committed on the native Indians. + +With the death of Taico Samar, the lord of all Xapon, the state of some +affairs may be changed, but not the government--for this, they say, +is well conducted. Although I have not declared him who governs an +enemy, there is little to hope for in this affair of Xapon, because +about one hundred thousand men, Xaponese soldiers, who were employed +in the war with Corea, have returned to their own country, who are +now idle and poor. Some of them may try to invade this land, which is +so coveted by them on account of their thirst for gold. I have sent +letters to Xapon on the two trading-vessels, advising the Xaponese +of the arrival of the pirates, and requesting their punishment, and +the prevention of any ships from leaving Xapon without permission. I +also asked them not to send more than three Xaponese trading-vessels, +for they are quite enough to supply this community with flour. A +relation of the condition of Xapon accompanies this. + +[_In the margin_: "Have the new governor directed to display +great care in meeting expenses which are to be disbursed from his +Majesty's treasury; to prevent any trouble which might arise from the +presence and residence of foreigners there, even under the pretense +of trading; that a welcome be extended to friends, and harmony with +them maintained; and that ports and frontiers have their necessary +defenses."] + + +_That on account of suspicions that the Chinese are bringing over +corsair pilots and seamen, the conduct of the governor of the Sangleys +in Manila was investigated._ + +V. On account of suspicions which arose a long time ago regarding the +Chinese, and because the Japanese pirates brought Chinese pilots and +seamen, I made some investigations ... Alonso Sauyo, governor of the +Sangleys, but nothing of importance was discovered. . . . + +[_In the margin_: "No reply to this."] + + +_That, as the galleys are not suitable for these seas, because of +the tides, galizabras [27] are being built._ + +VI. After having considered and discussed in special meeting the fact +that galleys are not suitable for these seas--as may be seen by the +fact that they are not ships that can stand the heavy tides, or enter +the bays in pursuit of the enemy--and because of the difficulties +which the religious put in the way of enlisting rowers, and the lack +of skill among the latter--it was resolved to build four galizabras, +well supplied with artillery and manned with crews. Three galliots +in addition seems to be a large enough force to sweep this sea and +make it safe, so that the Chinese merchants can go and come from +their country with greater safety. These are being built in all haste. + +[_In the margin_: "Have this entrusted to the new governor, so that +he may take the necessary precautions, and advise as to what should +be done and the cost of the undertaking."] + + +_That Gomez Perez had not manned more than three galleys._ + +VII. Although your Majesty has been informed that Gomez Perez had +manned more than eight galleys here, the report made to your Majesty +was false; for all that he did was to arm three or four galleys for +that expedition to Maluco, and the crew were a few blacks who were +brought at that time to him from the punishment and raids among the +Cambales, and the rest were Indian seamen taken by force, at the cost +of the encomenderos who accompanied him on the said expedition. The +principal galliot he manned with a crew of Chinese, who killed him. + +[_In the margin_: "No reply to this."] + + +_That the island of Mindanao is pacified, and a garrison maintained +in La Caldera, and that report of the condition of the island is sent._ + +IX. [28] In regard to the pacification of Mindanao, the undertaking +has hitherto been carried on at the cost of the estate of Estevan +Rodriguez de Figueroa; but now a judgment has just been handed down +by this royal Audiencia against your Majesty, providing that it +shall be carried on at the cost of your royal treasury, since that +expedition was organized with prearrangement by your Majesty and +complete justification. The present condition of affairs there is +that Don Joan Ronquillo left the island, and it is now, in a state of +pacification, for the natives acknowledged your Majesty's rule. But, +because of the disposition of some of the chiefs, there is no security, +nor have they come to pay their tribute. It is not in the necessary +state of quiet and perfection, because, in order to attain that, it +is necessary to maintain a garrison there of two hundred soldiers, +whom I have not at the present time. The land produces but little, +nor is there any great quantity of gold, although considerable wax +and tortoise-shell is found. In some parts the people are poor, and +I understand will not be able to pay tribute. In order to insure +security for the Pintados, it is quite important that that island +be safe and secure, so that the natives of Terrenate may have no way +station there to rob the Pintados--who are your Majesty's vassals--as +was done in the year 95, when one thousand five hundred Indians were +captured. Considering that I lack men and force sufficient for the +said purpose, I have posted in La Caldera, which is near Mindanao, +one hundred Spaniards, under command of Captain Toribio de Miranda, +a good leader, by whom that quiet and blessing can be effected, and +Terrenate kept in check until, finding myself better supplied with +men here, it could be completely quieted. A report of the condition +of Mindanao will accompany this. + +[_In the margin_: "Have the new governor directed to exercise great +care to maintain the pacified regions, and to have the gospel preached, +and in the ... in regard to the tributes to make necessary regulations, +after consultation with the prelates, and according to his orders; +and that he try to keep those who acknowledge his Majesty's dominion +secure from receiving any injury from their enemies, and forward +information of everything that is done."] + + +_That the province of Cagaian rebelled, but is now in greater peace +and security than at any time heretofore._ + +X. In the province of Cagaian, which is one of the best and most +fertile districts of the country, a rising among the Indians took place +last year (1598) caused by the bad treatment of the encomenderos +and collectors, and from the warlike nature of the natives of +that province. The place being of so great importance, I sent the +master-of-camp, Pedro de Chaves, with one hundred men to restore peace +and punish them. He subdued and pacified them. Immediately after this, +I sent Captain Diego de Chaves as alcalde-mayor to punish the Indians +who were the instigators of the said rising, and he executed twelve +of the headmen. Today the province is quiet, peaceful, and tractable +by land and sea, so that a single soldier may go through it alone; +while formerly it was necessary for ten or a dozen to go in company, +and even then there was little security. + +[_In the margin_: "Have ... master-of-camp notified to go upon the +first occasion to fill his office."] + + +_That a relation of the expedition to Camboxa, and the state of that +kingdom, was sent last year (1598), and it is now sent again._ + +XI. In a letter dated November 15 of last year (1598), which I sent +your Majesty by way of Malaca, I gave your Majesty a detailed account +of the condition of the kingdom of Camboxa with these islands, and the +expedition which Captain Joan Joares Gallinato made to the country, by +order of Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas. I also told you that the same Don +Luis went to finish it in person at his own cost, with my concurrence +and agreement, and at the advice of the royal Audiencia. The relation +of the condition of that kingdom I sent to your Majesty with a copy of +the agreements. Don Luis having left prematurely, and the winds being +quite contrary, he made a harbor, and is now on the coast of China in +the harbor of Pinal, near Canton--crippled, and without ships, arms, +or munitions to continue his expedition. The admiral's ship of his +fleet was lost on some shoals on the coast of Chincheo, and a fine +crew of forty-five Spaniards were drowned. A galliot, which he also +had with him, arrived at Cagaian, where the crew received all good +provision. Repairs were made and the men supplied with what they +needed. The vessel set out on its voyage to Camboxa, before hearing +of the loss of Don Luis, and nothing else is known of it. Don Luis +is continually sending from there for assistance in ships, men, +arms, and munitions, of which there is a great scarcity. Although +he has endured so many hardships, and hunger, and nakedness, when +I consider on my side the straits in which I find myself, and the +little assistance that I have had from Nueva Espana this year for +the great dangers which confront us, and the number of affairs which +it is necessary to attend to and provide, not only do I not think of +sending him any help, but with the consent of the royal Audiencia, +I advised him to return here so that I could avail myself of the men +that he had there, for occasions which are expected in the future. He +was not strictly ordered, considering the expense to his own estate, +and the hardships which he has endured upon this expedition. When he +arrives at Camboxa he will see whether the king there is in great +need of his person and troops to defend him. After considering the +state of affairs there, Don Luis will do whatever is most necessary +for the service of God and your Majesty. [29] + +[_In the margin_: "That everything necessary regarding Camboxa is +already attended to."] + +_That, considering that there are poor citizens who have served well, +they should be given some support from the royal treasury, setting +aside for it, a fund of two thousand pesos, besides one thousand +pesos from saleable offices_. + +XII. Considering the distress of the troops here, and how little there +is here for their support--and I assure your Majesty that this is an +expensive land, although in the midst of plenty--and as it was seen +that there are not enough encomiendas or offices for everyone, and that +some of your deserving citizens, not being rewarded, do not fill them, +it was the custom to give them false musters [_plazas muertas_], so +that these people secured a living. Your Majesty has ordered this to +be stopped, and this has been done. Also further, in regard to your +Majesty's order to divide one thousand pesos of additional pay among +the soldiers, there is no one who will accept anything, on account of +its being so small a sum, as ten pesos a year, and I do not dare to +exceed your Majesty's orders. I should be of the opinion that these +thousand pesos and as many more, amounting in all to two thousand +a year, should be distributed as a deferred allowance to old and +deserving men, who can serve no longer. One thousand pesos is good, +and may serve until another greater reward is given them. This may +be under the title of pay, up to one hundred pesos, or whatever your +Majesty may order. May God preserve your Majesty's Catholic person, +as is needful to these kingdoms, and as we your vassals desire. Manila, +July 12, 1599. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +[_In the margin_: "Have the new governor give information of all this, +and meanwhile let everything provided be observed."] + + + +Relation of Mindanao + + +After Gomez Perez Dasmarinas saw that the sect of Mahoma was +effecting an entrance into the island of Mindanao by way of Maluco, +and that through the proximity and association of the said island +with the province of the Pintados, this sect was sure to insinuate +itself into the said province and others of the Philipinas Islands, +he tried to remedy matters by giving the pacification of the island +to Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa, of which your Majesty +has been informed. He approved the said agreements, declaring what +should be given to Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa as a reward for this +pacification. The said Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa left +these islands in the month of April, in the year five hundred and +ninety-five, with thirty-six ships, large and small, well supplied +with artillery, and with two hundred and twelve Spanish soldiers, +and one thousand five hundred Indians. On the twentieth of the said +month, he arrived at the river of Mindanao, where are the largest +settlements on the island, and where the king of the island resides. On +the twenty-fifth he went ashore, leaving the master-of-camp aboard the +vessels with a guard for the security of the fleet. Marching in the +direction of one of the enemy's forts, they came upon an ambuscade +in their path. Coming to a hand-to-hand conflict, Captain Estevan +Rodriguez de Figueroa was wounded in the head by a knife-thrust, +and died in two days without regaining consciousness. At this turn +of affairs the soldiers, who had disembarked, retired to their +ships without avenging his death. The captains and soldiers held +a council and appointed as their captain-general, Joan de Lajara, +master-of-camp of the said fleet, who disembarked with his men, +and built another fort four leagues below the enemy's fort, where +they remained several days without accomplishing anything. Finally, +in the month of October, the said Joan de Laxara came to this city, +saying that he had left the camp to come to ask for help for the +men whom he had left there, for they were in great distress. Don +Francisco Tello, governor and captain-general of these islands, +thought that the said Joan de Laxara had done wrong in deserting +his camp, when he was able to ask for help by means of letters, or +by means of some other person. He imprisoned him for several days, +and tried to find some one to take charge of it. Finding that the +children of Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa were infants, the eldest +being four years old, and that the guardians could not take care +of affairs of such importance and trust with the punctuality and +readiness necessary, and aware of the danger encountered by the men +who remained in Mindanao, he called a council of war of the most +practiced and experienced captains in the land, to consider their +resources. They were of the opinion that the said pacification thus +commenced should not be abandoned, that those Indians who were acting +so shamelessly should be punished, and that the said pacification be +prosecuted at the cost of the estate of the said Estevan Rodriguez, +which was pledged for it. With the requisite promptness, the said +governor appointed Don Joan Ronquillo, general of the galleys, to +finish the said pacification, giving him a sufficient force of men +and war-material for the purpose. While he was preparing to make this +expedition, Captain Toribio de Miranda was despatched before him, +with news of the coming of Don Joan Ronquillo with assistance and a +sufficient force to bring the undertaking to an end; and to encourage +them by showing them how little hardship they still had to undergo, +and that they should by no means stir from their position. Although +this message was despatched with the greatest celerity, when he arrived +at the port of La Caldera in the said island, which is forty leagues +from the river of Mindanao, he met there the whole camp and fleet +of Mindanao, which was coming to this city, after having burnt their +fort. The said Captain Toribio de Miranda, with the orders which he +bore, detained them and made them return to the river of Mindanao, +where Don Joan Ronquillo arrived with his fleet and army after a few +days; upon disembarking, he began to bring about some good results. At +this time a fleet arrived from the neighboring Terrenate to help the +Mindanaos, who had sent there for assistance. These were eight hundred +men under the leadership of an uncle of the king of Terrenate, who +entered the river of Mindanao where the Spanish camp was pitched. At +a distance of two leagues from it he disembarked and built a fort +and cavalier, without being disturbed. When this was discovered by +the Spaniards, he was attacked by them by land and water at once, +on November 15. They besieged the enemy's fort and fleet, and not +only the whole fort but the fleet was won, with some artillery and +the loss of many men on the enemy's side, without the loss of any +Spaniards. In this encounter the general of the fleet from Terrenate +was killed. This victory was a very important one, and with it the +whole island of Mindanao lost courage and were awed. The island was +surrendered peacefully, and is peaceful today. They acknowledged +obedience to our sovereign, the king, whereupon the robberies and +injuries which the Terrenatans were accustomed to commit in the +provinces of the Pintados, who are your Majesty's vassals, have ceased. + +Before these happy results, Don Juan Ronquillo wrote a letter to Don +Francisco Tello, governor of the Philipinas, in which he told how +far this conquest of Mindanao extended, and the distress of the camp +for lack of supplies, unless he were continually assisted from these +islands. For that island is quite lacking in them, and altogether +of little profit or substance to his Majesty, as it is a poor and +wretched land, lacking in everything; and, even when it is pacified, +the natives there would not be able to pay tribute, on account of its +great sterility. It would likewise be impossible to come to close +quarters with the Indians, because they never stand their ground, +and are able to inflict injury with safety to themselves, shooting +arrows from the heights at the Spanish camp without any possibility +of being attacked in return, because they flee immediately to the +mountains. When the said governor, Don Francisco Tello, heard this, +he called a council of war of the most practiced and experienced +captains in the land; and, having read the letter of the said Don +Joan Ronquillo, all were unanimous that, if the island of Mindanao +was so fruitless and profitless, and the pacification would have to +spread so far over it, the said Don Joan Ronquillo should be ordered +to have a last fight with the natives of the island, and do them all +the harm possible, without endangering the camp; and that, this done, +he should strike camp, and go with all his men to the island of La +Caldera. When he arrived there he was to build a fort, well supplied +with artillery and provisions. He was to leave in it a garrison of one +hundred men, in charge of a good leader, as a check for Terrenate and +Mindanao. With the rest of his force he was to return to these islands, +where, at this time, the province of Cagayan was in rebellion, whose +people are the most warlike of the island. They had grave suspicions +of Japon, and need of troops. + +This order was sent immediately to Don Joan Ronquillo. When he +received it, he had had the good fortune above referred to. He ought +to have followed up such good luck and fortune, but failed to do so, +executing his orders immediately, without at all finishing the task +of calming the minds of several chiefs of the island, although he +left it pacified, and they had rendered obedience to and recognized +his Majesty. + +Don Joan Ronquillo was also ordered to stop on his way back, at +the island of Jolo, which is twenty leagues from the harbor of La +Caldera. The king of Jolo rendered obedience to his Majesty many +years ago, and, although Jolo is an encomienda, he has paid no more of +the tribute than he pleased, having had but little intercourse with +Spaniards, and the island not having been thoroughly quieted. Don +Joan was to advise the king, and give him to understand the state of +affairs in the island of Mindanao; and order him, as it was pacified, +not to disturb it, warning him that he would be rigorously punished; +that since he had done homage so long ago, he should continue it; that +the Spaniards were settled on the island of La Caldera, whence they +could quickly come if any quarrels should arise; and that they would +maintain them in justice and defend them from their enemies. With this +order the said Don Joan Ronquillo, leaving the said island of Mindanao +in the condition above referred to and striking his camp, arrived, +with all his armament, at the island of La Caldera, where he built the +fort according to orders. Having mounted some artillery, and left a +garrison of one hundred soldiers, with Captain Christoval de Villagra +at the head of his men, well provided with supplies and munitions, +he went to Jolo, where he gave the king of that island to understand +what he was ordered. The king immediately rendered obedience again to +his Majesty. This done, the said Don Joan Ronquillo, with the rest +of his force, came to these islands, where investigations into his +conduct were made by the said governor, because he had not entirely +tamed the spirit of those chiefs, notwithstanding the orders which +were sent him to strike camp, since afterward he had had such good +fortune and an opportunity for it, had he remained--one fortnight +more being all that was required--and as nothing had been risked, +he could have done it. + +Captain Christoval de Villagra, confident in the submission which the +king of Jolo had made to his Majesty, sent thirty soldiers to the said +island to look for supplies. When they arrived there they found there +an uncle of the king of Mindanao, a brother-in-law of the king of Jolo, +whom, because he was restless and rebellious, they banished from the +said island. He treacherously killed thirteen soldiers; notice of +this being brought to the governor, the latter immediately sent as +governor of the said fort of La Caldera, Captain Joan Pacho, a person +practiced and experienced in that land, to inflict punishment upon +Jolo. As soon as he had arrived at La Caldera, he began operations, +and left there for the said punitive expedition with sixty Spaniards, +with whom he engaged the enemy. Finding the latter in a high place +difficult to ascend; and at the time of the attack being overtaken +by a rainstorm, and deceived by some Indian spies into the bargain, +whom he sent to reconnoiter the enemy--from this combination of +circumstances it happened that the said Captain Joan Pacho and nineteen +soldiers were killed. The rest retired without securing any advantage +or avenging themselves. News of this being brought to the governor, +he sent Captain Toribio de Miranda, a good soldier, to take charge +of that place, with orders not to make any entry, or inflict any +punishment until he was ordered to the contrary. The latter is not +permitted to be done until there is a better supply of men and money +in the islands, because without these there will be a greater risk, +for the king of Jolo is assisted by his brother-in-law. When there +shall be a better supply of men and money, Miranda will be sent +expressly to punish all the people of this island, and ravage it, +because it is dangerous and of no profit. + +The island of Mindanao is almost three hundred leagues in +circumference. It is a land of slight elevation; although of good +climate; it is sparsely settled, and its inhabitants very warlike +and inclined to arms. Their only aim is to rob and kill. There is +a scarcity of supplies in some parts, though cinnamon is found in +some districts, and a large quantity of wax everywhere. Tortoise +shells are also found. They weave cloth from medrinaque and some from +cotton. All the inhabitants on the coast and the river profess the +doctrine of Maoma, and those of the uplands are heathens. Although +it cannot be maintained without assistance, still it is necessary to +maintain it, in order to avert the injuries which on the other hand +would be received by the islands of the Pintados. It would usually +be necessary to bring an army for their defense, if the Spaniards +should abandon the island of Mindanao, and the chiefs rebel. + +[_Endorsed:_ "Relation of the condition of the island of Mindanao, +cited in section ix of the letter of July 12, 1599, concerning +the war."] + + + +The State of the Kingdom of Camboxa in Relation to these Phelippinas +Islands + + +The past year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-six, Don Luis +de las Marinas, governor of these islands, sent Captain Joan Xuarez +Gallinato with an armed fleet to the assistance of the king of +Canboja, who had asked him to defend him from the king of Sian, who +had threatened him; and the former offered to introduce Christianity +into his kingdom and make friends with the Spaniards. When aid +arrived at Canboxa, it appeared that the king had retired with his +children to the kingdom of Laos, for fear of the king of Sian, who +had occupied his kingdom; and that Anacaparan, military commander +of Camboxa, had assembled the greater part of the people of Camboxa, +who had remained. Having met the Sianese and recovered the kingdom, +he was powerful enough to claim it and become tyrant. Some of the +Spaniards who arrived at Canboja beforehand without their commander, +on account of a storm which separated them on the way, although they +were received with simulated friendship by Anacaparan, heard later +that he was plotting to kill them. Provoked by this and other injuries +which a number of Chinese, who had gone to the cities of Hordemuz and +Sistor (the chief cities of that kingdom) in five trading-vessels, +had inflicted upon them, and for which the tyrant refused to give +them any satisfaction and justice, the Spaniards, who numbered about +forty soldiers, attacked the Chinese and Anacaparan and his men, a +numerous force, in his palace. They made so great havoc among them, +that they killed the tyrant king and many of his men, completely +crushing them. They took the Chinese ships, and without harm or +injury retired to their own ships, defending themselves from a much +greater number of warlike enemies and elephants who charged them. At +this juncture the rest of the Spaniards arrived at Camboxa with +their commander. Considering what had just taken place, and that +the land was in rebellion and the legitimate king in the country of +the Laos, he thought that it would be impossible to set foot there +on account of the unfavorable condition of affairs. He started to +return to these islands; but, as the weather was not suitable for the +voyage, he coasted along Cochinchina, where he repaired his ships, +and sent overland, to the kingdom of the Laos, Bias Ruiz and Diego +Bellosso, well-known to the king of Canboxa, to acquaint him with +what had taken place in his kingdom, so that he should descend upon +it. Thereupon he left Cochinchina, where he had had some unpleasant +encounters with the king and natives, in which, however, he sustained +no loss. He reached these islands in September of ninety-six, with +the flagship and part of his men. The other ship was crippled by +a storm and made port at Malaca, and the rest of the men came in +the following year from Malaca. When Blas Ruiz and Diego Bellosso +reached the kingdom of the Laos, they found that the king of Canboxa +and his elder son were dead, and that the younger, called Prauncar, +alone remained, together with his mother and grandmother. This son, +in company with Blas Ruiz and Diego Bellosso, descended upon Canboxa, +with an auxiliary force of six thousand Laos. They found the country +divided by factions, and that a son of the tyrant whom the Spaniards +had killed had returned to reign over the greater part of it. There +were many battles with these enemies of theirs, all of which--by the +help of Blas Ruiz and Diego Bellosso, and about ten Spaniards, from +those who had made port at Malaca, who joined them--were gained by +Prauncar. These few Spaniards did marvels in the sight of all these +heathens, so that Prauncar, the legitimate king, has recovered his +whole kingdom, except one small province which still remained for +him to subject. On account of this, and of the friendship which his +father had had with the Spaniards, and the assistance which he had +just received from them, he wrote to me by an ambassador of his, who +came to this city, of the outcome of all these matters, asking me to +send religious and Spaniards to settle his kingdom, make Christians, +and build churches, offering every facility for it. At this time Don +Luis Dasmarinas, having some knowledge of affairs in Camboxa, urged +me to give him permission to go with some men at his own cost to begin +the conversion of that kingdom, and its settlement by Spaniards. This +expedition being proper, in my opinion and that of the Audiencia, +because of its many consequences for the service of God and his +Majesty--whence the so desired entry to the mainland could be begun, +in order that the many heathens there may come to the knowledge of +the holy Catholic faith, and submission to his Majesty--I made an +agreement, regarding the expedition, with the said Don Luis, with +the conditions and in the form which is contained in the copy which +accompanies this, together with the letters which I am writing to King +Prauncar. Therefore Don Luis Dasmarinas collected an armed fleet, +well provided with men, arms, and supplies and other necessaries, +and also some religious. He sailed with them from the harbor of +this city, in the middle of September of this year. The ambassador, +well-satisfied with so strong an expedition, left after him. I hope, +our Lord willing, that he has already arrived at Camboxa, because +the voyage is a short one, and that he is about to begin what we so +much desire. I made a list of the men in these islands, particularly +of the supernumeraries who had come from Nueva Espana. I found many, +who on account of being lazy, and the land being too poor to support +them, seemed to me suitable for this expedition, especially as this +occupation of theirs from which so much good is expected, was to be +made without any cost to his Majesty. I shall continue my account. + +After Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas sailed from this city from the +port of Cavite, with two moderate-sized ships and one fusta, with +the said force, well provided with supplies, arms, and munitions, +taking with him as admiral, Pedro de Beistigui, he went by way of +Bolinao, [30] to catch the tide from there, in order to cross with +it to the mainland, above the shoals of Aynao [_i.e._, Hainan], +near Camboxa. A few days later, news came to the governor from the +alcalde-mayor of Nueva Segovia in Cagayan, that the fusta of Don +Luis's fleet, in charge of Captain Luis Ortiz, had made port there, +badly crippled by a heavy storm, which had separated them from the +fleet, shortly after the departure from Manila. They followed the +coast until they came to the bar of the said city of Segovia. It was +preparing to sail again in search of the said fleet; this they did, +after such repairs as were possible within ten days. After that, other +news was received from the alcalde-mayor that the admiral's ship of +the fleet was also lost in the same storm on one of the Babuyanes +Islands, where the men, artillery, and clothing were saved; that +the ship was lost; and that vessels were sent in which the admiral, +his crew, and their clothing should be brought to the said city, +which was effected. They brought the news that the storm had been +very heavy and had lasted five days; and that the flagship, being a +more seaworthy vessel, had put to sea and had been seen no more. An +order was sent immediately to the alcalde-mayor of Cagayan to provide +supplies from another ship, and other necessities for the admiral, +so that he could pursue his voyage. It was done as soon as possible, +with new instructions and orders from the governor to follow the +course which Don Luis gave him in his instructions at the time of his +departure; and that if he should arrive at Camboxa before his general, +he was to execute the orders in his instructions for the undertaking, +whereupon he left. Some months before Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas +sailed from the Ffilipinas, Captain Don Joan Camudio had sailed in a +small but well-fitted vessel for China, to purchase iron, saltpeter, +lead, tin, and other very necessary articles for the provision of the +camp at Manila; because, for three or four years, the Chinese have +not brought anything of this kind in their vessels. He encountered +considerable resistance to his entry into China on the part of the +Portuguese from Macao--who, hearing the news of his arrival, set out +to find him, and tried many times to sink or burn his ship, and to +show him other evil treatment. It was their intention to prevent +the Spanish from coming to China or knowing anything about it or +its trade; and this they tried to do with the greatest obstinacy and +enmity. But affairs were managed so well with the viceroy of Canton, +called the _tuton_, and especially with the _laytao_, or chief judge +of that province, that not only were the Portuguese prevented from +uttering their previous calumnies against the Spaniards--namely, +that they were robbers and highwaymen, coming to make war on China, +and other things of that sort--but the Chinese even assigned and gave +to the Spaniards a port eight leagues from Canton, called Pinal; so +that, from that time on, the Castilians of Manila and the Philipinas +Islands, if they wished, could come there freely and securely to trade, +and for any other purpose that should arise. They were allowed ingress +into the city of Canton, and a house was given them there, in which to +assemble by night or day. This very much astonished the Portuguese, +because it was a thing that the Chinese had never done for them. Don +Joan Camudio and his men lay in this harbor of Pinar with their ship, +busy supplying their needs, when they were informed that Don Luis +de las Marinas, with the flagship of his fleet, had run before the +storm spoken of above, had made the coast of China, and had landed +near Macao; that the ship was so weakened that it sprang a leak there, +and foundered, the crew, artillery, and munitions being saved, with a +small part of the clothing that they carried. They also learned that +the Chinese mandarins there gave the Spaniards a kind reception, from +whom the latter procured a few vessels with which to get to Pinal, +where they were informed that Don Joan and his men were; and that +the Portuguese of Macao not only refused to help them in this matter, +but also contrived to subject them to considerable inconvenience and +ill-treatment, in order to complete their destruction. After this, +Don Luis himself arrived at Pinal with his men and the remains of +the shipwreck, by the vessels given them by the Chinese, avoiding the +Portuguese of Macao who were the enemies of the Castilians. Don Luis, +upon finding himself and his men in the harbor of Pinal, in company +with Don Joan de Camudio and his men, made known the particulars of +his past loss, but did not lose his courage for continuing his Camboxa +expedition, thinking that the other two ships of his fleet had gone +on. Therefore he immediately sent to Canton to ask permission of the +laytao to buy a ship in which to continue his journey. The Portuguese +again opposed them, showing greater assiduity and uttering greater +fabrications than they had done before with Don Joan de Camudio--saying +that they were corsairs, and that they had followed Don Joan to join +him and make raids on China. But it profited them little, because +the laytao of Canton ordered Don Luis and his men to enter the harbor +of Pinal, where the other Castilians were, where they would be given +whatever they needed. Don Luis de las Marinas was very much pleased +and comforted at this, and continued in his determination, especially +in securing a ship which he needed. He could not buy, nor anyone sell +him one without the permission of the laytao, on account of strict +laws against it. There was an abundance of cloth in this country, +with which they immediately provided themselves, besides supplies and +munitions. Don Joan de Camudio accommodated him with some artillery, +and other things that he had, of which Don Luis had need, so that now +the only thing lacking was a ship. They brought every influence to +bear on the laytao, but the Portuguese in Canton continually opposed +them by every means. + +At this time, the end of December, ninety-eight, Don Joan de Camudio, +having made haste from China, set sail from Pinal, leaving Don Luis +de las Marinas and his men settled there, waiting for permission +to leave China with their ship, regarding which they still had no +definite assurance. In a few days Don Joan reached the coast of Luzon +in safety, and entered the harbor of Cavite. He brought letters from +Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas. From them and what Don Joan said, they +were informed of what had happened to Don Luis and his flagship, and +that he was waiting in Pinal, until he should secure a ship, so that +he could continue the undertaking which he had begun. He requested +assistance of arms, munitions, and other things which were lacking at +Canvoja, to be sent him. The governor was much pleased with this news, +which was better than he had hoped, because it was feared lest the +fleet of Don Luis with all his men had been wrecked and drowned in +the great storm they had encountered, because nothing had been heard +of the flagship for so long a time. He immediately sent the things +that Don Luis requested on a vessel, which was about to sail to the +kingdom of Sian, in charge of Captain Joan de Mendoza y Ganvoa. A +little later, in the month of May, some trading-ships came from +China to this city of Manila, from one of which they received letters +from Don Luis de las Marinas and his men, advising them that he had +finished his preparations for his voyage and expedition; and that, +after the departure of Don Joan de Camudio from Pinar, he had again +suffered greater vexations and persecutions from the Portuguese of +Macao, but that the mandarins had silenced the latter, and had even +inflicted the lash, regarding the matter as one which concerned the +Chinese. He said that he would sail some time in March for Camboxa. He +also mentioned other things they saw in China at that time. + +In the middle of the month of June last, four soldiers, sent by +Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas to Don Francisco Tello, governor of the +Philipinas, came here in a small vessel, bearing advices that Don Luis +was still at Pinal in some distress. He had bought a Chinese ship +at Canton which seemed in good condition, in order to continue his +voyage to Camboxa. Having embarked, he was already two days on his +way after leaving port, when the ship began to leak in the stern, +so that at considerable danger he was obliged to make port again, +where he was scarcely able with great risk to arrive, The ship being +of no use, he asked the governor to send him assistance in men, arms, +and munitions, and also a ship from the islands, in order to prosecute +his voyage. The governor, being suspicious of Japon, and having few +men and arms, wrote to Don Luis, with the approbation of the royal +Audiencia, that he was himself in great need of the things requested +from him, and at present more than ever. Therefore he requested and +counseled Don Luis, that since he found himself so exhausted, and +with a so inadequate supply of all things to continue his expedition, +and with no prospect of help now or afterward from the Philipinas, +he would advise him to return to Manila and abandon the enterprise, +since the voyage had turned out so unfortunately; and that besides +that, there was great need of his men in the islands. Don Luis was +not ordered strictly to do this, as he had spent so much money on this +expedition. This message is being sent him by Captain Joan Tello, who +will leave in about a week for Pinar, to continue the good beginning +made by Don Joan de Camudio in the province of Canton. I believe that +for that very reason of having spent so much, Don Luis may wish to +investigate the state of the kingdom of Camboxa. This may be done +in such a way that we may attain what we so much desire, namely, +the establishment of the holy gospel in that kingdom, which will be +of so much importance. May our Lord direct this matter. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ + +[_Endorsed_: "Relation of the condition of the kingdom of Camboxa, +as regards the Phelippinas Islands, cited in section 11 of the letter +on the war, July 12, 1599"] + + + +Depositions Regarding the King of Chanpan + + +_Testimony_: In the city of Manila, on the thirtieth day of the month +of September in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, +Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general in these islands +for the king our lord, declared before me that he has been informed +that the infidel king of Chanpa is responsible for many wrongs, +assaults, and thefts committed at sea by his men and fleets, and by his +orders, upon the persons and property of both Christians and Pagans, +on the route to many trading-places of Christians--as, for instance, +Malaca, Macan, Goa, Xapon, and other places. Many of them he has +attacked, robbed, and deprived of life and property--causing them to +enter his ports under his word and promise of safety; but afterward +breaking it, and inflicting great cruelties upon them, to the great +offense of God and injury of Christendom. In order to give the king +our sovereign an account of what is going on, and that he may know +the truth, the said governor ordered the following deposition to be +made before me. + +_Joan de Cuellar_ + +_Testimony_: Then, on this said day, an oath was received in due form +of law, regarding the aforesaid, from Gregorio de Vargas. Being in +the said city, and questioned about the matter, this witness said +that, being three leagues more or less beyond the harbor of Chanpa, +the king of Chanpa sent him a message, saying that he was a friend +of the Portuguese (ten or twelve of whom he named), who were in his +country building a junk. He also said that since the weather was very +unfit to continue his voyage, he would better enter his port until +the weather improved. Upon receiving this message, he entered with +his junk, but he found that it was all a lie, for the king immediately +took him prisoner, and seized his ship, with all its cargo. He found +out that the statement regarding the Portuguese was all a lie, because +there was not one of them there. He also found out that the king had +captured many others by this deception, for many Christians told him +that they were taken the same way. He knows that the king captures +ships on the sea, and goes about robbing the neighboring kingdoms, +impeding trade, commerce, and free passage, and disturbing the peace +on the seas. He likewise compels the Portuguese Christians to sail on +the said ships for the purpose of robbery. He is a pirate and thief, +and a pagan who, in accordance with the teachings of his idolatry, +has two hundred men killed, in order to bathe in their bile; and +those by whom he has himself washed must be virgins. There is also +a diabolical custom that, when a chief dies, they burn his body; +his wife and his women are also burnt in the same fire. Because of +this and other abuses and pernicious idolatries, and, above all, +by the general injuries which he inflicts upon all travelers, on a +route so general and so necessary as that for Japon, China, Yndia, +and many other places, and for Cian, Patan, and Canboja (which is the +key to all that region), this witness thinks that it would be a very +acceptable service to God to go to attack him and to clear the sea +of those tyrannies and robberies, and take from them their land and +their harbor, which will be much to his Majesty's purpose for great +designs. The said witness declares that the king has a great deal of +artillery, which he has seen, moreover, with his own eyes. The other +things he has heard said by captives. This is all that he knows, and it +is true, according to the oath which he swore. His age is thirty-seven. + +Signed, _Gregorio de Vargas_ + +Before me: + +_Jhoan de Cuellar_ + +_Testimony_: Then, on this said day, the oath was received, regarding +the aforesaid, in due legal form from Diego Belosso, at present in +this city, who swore in the name of God and by the sign of the cross, +under which charge he promised to tell the truth. Being questioned +regarding the matter, this witness said that he knows it must have +been ten years ago that a junk belonging to Don Jhoan de la Gama was +lost on La Barela, which is an island lying near Chanpan, where there +were many Portuguese Christians and those of other nations, and a +cleric who was going in the said junk from Macan to Malaca. The said +people disembarked, where this same king of Chanpan captured them +all, distributed them as slaves, and otherwise ill-treated them, +even forcing them to carry timber. Captain Roque de Melo sent an +embassy to the said king of Chanpan, asking him to return the people +whom he was holding in captivity for ransom, or in any other way. The +king ransomed some, but refused to ransom others, so that more than +half of them remained there. He also said that those who went to that +country were forced into slavery. This witness knows all of this to +be true, because he was at Malaca at the time. He also heard it said +that the king who was then reigning had ordered the execution of his +own father. Being in Canboja about six years ago, this witness heard +that a junk which was on the way to Canboja from Cian ran aground +at Chanpan in a storm, where, in like manner, all the Portuguese and +others who were aboard were captured and robbed of their merchandise; +but that their junk was resold to them, and the crew ransomed. This +witness also knows that a Portuguese, whom the king of Canboja, +according to his custom, had made a nobleman of his kingdom, was, +while aboard a trading-vessel, struck by a storm so that he put +in at Chanpan, where the king of Chanpan ordered his execution, +because he knew that he was a nobleman in Canboja. The others who +were with him he made captives. This deponent, while in Canboja, saw +some of the Portuguese who were captured in Don Jhoan de la Gama's +junk, which was lost there. They were deprived of all their toes by +order of the said king of Chanpan, because they had once escaped, +but were caught again. About ten years ago, while this witness was +at Malaca, he learned that a vessel coming from Canboja to Malaca, +laden with munitions and supplies for the fortress at Malaca, went +ashore near Chanpan, and many Christians, who were on the vessel, +were captured. The king of Jor [Johore] being at war with Malaca about +five years ago, the said king of Chanpan sent him aid, and otherwise +assisted him considerably; so that with the assistance which the +said king of Chanpan lent him, they put many Portuguese and other +Christians to death. Captain Francisco de Villegas being at Chanpan, +with a ship and some men, the king made them embark upon his own +ships to rob and plunder with him. They went to Canboja, where they +captured a large number of people, because when the latter saw bands +of Portuguese coming, they thought that they were friends. The king +is an obstacle to both trade and general commerce, for quite commonly +he is wont to coast with his fleet, along Cochinchina and Canboja, +doing considerable damage to the merchants going from Canboja and +Cian to trade, to Malaca and other neighboring places--as Patan and +China, for instance--without sparing anyone whom he meets. The said +king of Chanpan is guilty every year of murdering many of the people +of his own land, to possess himself of their bile, in order to bathe +in it. The latter the witness has heard from people who were captives +there, and who saw him commit these and many other abominations. He +has also heard it said that when any noble or chief dies, the king +orders some women to be burnt alive, with terrible cruelty, with the +body of the deceased; for, according to their religion, the dead are +burnt. Lastly it was about a year ago, when Gregorio de Vargas and +his companion Blas Ruiz escaped from Chanpan to Canboja; they said +that their ship had been stolen from them in Chanpan, with all their +property aboard it. Their captors even ordered no food to be given to +them. Considering all the above, it is the opinion of this witness, +that it will be a great service to God and his Majesty, to attack +the said king of Chanpan, and put a stop to so great abominations and +tyrannies as he ordinarily practices, since he is in the path of all +the vessels going to those coasts--where he has seized a large quantity +of artillery and arms from those lost there. All that he has said, +this witness has heard from persons who had been captives there, and +he affirms it to be true and the extent of his knowledge, according +to the oath which he has sworn. He has no other information. His age +is thirty-four. + +Signed, _Diego Veloso_ + +Before me: + +_Jhoan de Cuellar_ + +_Testimony_: On this said day was received an oath in due legal form, +concerning the aforesaid, from Pantaleon Carnero, under which charge he +promised to tell the truth, concerning anything asked of him regarding +the subject aforementioned. This witness said that, when he was in +Macan in the former year of ninety-two, he heard it said there by +many persons that the king of Chanpan robbed Sebastian de Araujo of +a junk which he had built there, and a culverin which he had mounted +on it; and that he ordered the murder of two Spaniards aboard the +junk, and the captivity of the others. He afterward ransomed them +for gold and other things which they gave him. He subjected them to +great annoyances and ill-treatment, until one night, when they had an +opportunity, they fled, without finishing their ship, and left their +property behind them. This witness has also heard it said that about +ten years ago, he seized a junk, belonging to Don Juan de Gama, who +went ashore there in a storm. He captured the crew, and robbed them +of all their belongings. Another junk from Canboja bound for Malaca, +while Captain Roque de Melo was there, was captured by the said king +of Chanpan, with all its crew, and the merchandise that they had +with them seized. The said Rroque de Melo sent the king an embassy, +asking him to ransom the men whom he had taken prisoners on the said +junk. Half the crew was ransomed, but the others were kept by the +king. This witness has heard it said that some of the prisoners who +remained there escaped, but were caught again. The king ordered their +toes to be cut off because they had escaped. The said king of Chanpan +is a very great pirate, and usually goes about with a large fleet, +robbing and assaulting all the ships possible, making prisoners of +all their crews, along all those coasts, which he can do because he +is on the regular route. This witness has heard it said that the +said king has a large store of artillery and other arms from the +vessels that he has seized. It is the opinion of this witness that, +since the damage which the said king of Chanpan does every year to the +trading-vessels of Canboja, Cian, Patan, China, and other neighboring +places, is so great, valuable service would be done to God and the +king our sovereign, by attacking and crushing him as so dangerous an +enemy, and thus ensure the safety of that route. This witness has +also heard it said that the said king of Chanpan is so cruel, that +every year he orders the death of many of his own people, in order to +bathe in the bile of those killed. This has actually been witnessed +by many persons who have been captives there, from whom this witness +has heard it. Everything that he has said he knows to be the truth, +according to the oath he has sworn. His age is twenty-two. + +Signed, _Pantaleon Carnero_ + +Before me: + +_Jhoan de Cuellar_ + +_Testimony_: On this said day an oath was received for the further +investigation of the aforesaid, from Fernan Caravallo, at present +in this city. He, having sworn in due legal form, promised under +this charge to tell the truth regarding everything he knew. When +questioned concerning the subject aforementioned, this witness said +that he is a citizen of Macan, and that there he has heard it said by +many persons, sailing on trading-ships from Macan to Malaca, Canboja, +China, and other countries, that the king of Chanpan is a very great +pirate, usually cruising about with a large fleet, assaulting the +merchants whom he meets and robbing them of their ships, imprisoning +their crews, and stealing their property; and that he does them great +violence and injury. About five years or so ago, Sebastian de Araujo, +an inhabitant of Macan, sent some men to Chanpan to build a junk +there. When it was almost finished, the king of Chanpan seized it, +and imprisoned the said men who were building it. Two or three of +them were killed; and for those who remained in captivity, the said +Sebastian de Araujo procured ransoms. Some fled with the said ship, +when opportunity offered. Witness has also heard it said that the king +has seized many other Portuguese ships that have gone ashore there +in storms, and others that he deceitfully causes to enter his ports +by offering them a safe harbor, but whom he afterward imprisons, +robs of their goods, and treats with great cruelty. All the above +this witness has heard said by certain persons who have been in +captivity there. It seems to this witness that it will be a matter of +the greatest importance to attack the said king of Chanpan and crush +him, because he is in the route of the vessels where he does a great +deal of harm, because all the trading-vessels from Malaca, Canboja, +Cian, Patan, China, and other neighboring countries have to pass by +that place. It will be a great service to God our Lord, and to his +Majesty, to remove so great a pirate from the vicinity. Everything +that this witness has said is the truth, and what he has heard said +concerning the things asked him. His information goes no farther. His +age is about thirty-seven years or so. + +Signed, _Fernan Caravallo_ + +Before me: + +_Jhoan de Cuellar_ + +[_Endorsed_: "Inquiry against the king of Chanpa."] + + + + +Letter from Governor Don Francisco Tello + + +1. _This recounts that on all occasions the state of affairs of +these islands has been reported, and was not enlarged upon because no +instruction had been sent nor has been up to the year 1598, on which +account many things pertaining to the service of his Majesty, and of +importance for this country, have failed to receive attention._ [31] + +As I have at various times written to your Majesty, you ordered me +to come here and serve in this country, without giving me the royal +instructions of despatches to that end. Accordingly many things of +importance which your Majesty commanded me to attend to were left +undone at the time I came. When I arrived in these islands I wrote +to your Majesty at length of those things which could be managed in +spite of the short time I had spent here. These despatches were lost +in the ship "San Phelipe" which Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas despatched +in the year 1596, and which was lost in Xapon. The next year, 1597, +I awaited the royal instruction of your Majesty in order to govern my +action by it; but neither did that come, until the past year, 1598. I +govern my action according to that of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, my +predecessor, and with that I have stumbled through various matters. In +the past year, 1597, I wrote at length to your Majesty describing +the condition of the country and that of Japon, together with the +state of the expedition to Mindanao, and all other things which seemed +expedient. I also wrote that I had married Dona Tomasina, my relative, +and the daughter of Doctor Horosco, president of your royal Audiencia +of Guadalaxara--humbly beseeching your Majesty to approve of this, +since Dona Tomasina was not a native of this country; and I had not +gone beyond your Majesty's intentions, for you gave me permission +to bring my wife to this land. As she died on the way I married +Dona Tomasina, whom I brought from Mexico. In the past year, 1598, +I received the royal instruction of your Majesty and other royal +decrees which were mentioned therein, at the time when the ships +were being despatched. Those things which could be done at that time, +considering the short time before they left, I attended to then. I have +in everything worked for the service of our Lord and your Majesty, +conformably to the pious zeal and spirit with which I am serving you +here; and I have carried out those things entrusted in your royal +service to my predecessor. + +2. _That it is expedient, in order to realize the results of the great +expense in these islands, that religious should be sent each year to +gather the harvest which should be taken from it; and that an account +should be sent of the Indians here, both Christians and infidels, +and a memorandum of the religious._ + +As the holy intention of your Majesty, in the expenses which from your +patrimony you incur in this country, is principally the conversion or +the heathen here, and the establishment of the holy gospel in place +of their idolatries, there is no better means than the teaching +of the Christian doctrine and the presence of its ministers. That +your Majesty may have a fuller report of it, I am sending an account +stating how many Indians are pacified, and acknowledge the royal name +of your Majesty in these said islands; the number of Christians and +infidels; and how many are taught and how many to be taught--not +only in the encomiendas under your royal crown but in the private +ones. Accordingly I beg your Majesty to be pleased to further this, +appointing each year, as usual, religious of exemplary life, so that +they may bring with more love and gentleness our holy Catholic faith +to the Indians; for certainly as much as a good minister edifies, +finding fault injures. With this goes the memorandum which your Majesty +ordered me to send, of the religious in these islands and those whom +it will be necessary to bring from Espana each year. Those who are +here are assigned as well as was possible, so as to give instruction +to all. The mission villages are in some confusion and the orders +somewhat mixed with one another. This could not be remedied as it +should have been, owing to the untimely death of the archbishop, +which occurred on the fourteenth of August of the said year of 1598. + +3. _That the bishop of Camarines has not come, and that the other two +arrived in the year 98, and did not bring bulls for the partition of +their bishoprics, and that they are getting along well._ + +The bishop of the province of Camarines [32] did not come, and +therefore it is being ecclesiastically governed by the chapter of the +cathedral of Manila, _sede vacante_, as has been done hitherto. The +bishops of the city of Nueva Segovia and of Cebu arrived in these +islands in the past year of 1598, as I wrote to your Majesty. They +did not bring bulls from his Holiness nor decrees from your Majesty, +directing the division of their bishoprics. Each one has therefore +taken what seemed best to him: he of Nueva Segovia took the territory +beyond the province of Pangasinan, and he of Cebu took possession +of the island of Panay, saying that his bishopric included all the +province of the Pintados. The chapter of this holy metropolitan church, +_sede vacante_, held otherwise, and the case was brought before this +royal Audiencia. Its decision left the bishop in possession, to avoid +disagreement, until your Majesty should command that the partition +be definitively made. He is at present in this city celebrating +confirmation in the place of the archbishop, and will officiate at +the obsequies of the king our lord, of glorious memory. The bishop of +Nueva Segovia is in his church. They are men of holy life and fulfil +their duties well. + +4. _That to finish the work on the great church entirely, there is +needed a tower and sacristy; and that these are not built, for lack +of money, which is being raised by various alms and grants._ + +The work on the great church of this city would have been completed +some time ago, but for the lack of money; and, with the tower and new +sacristy which are being built, it will be finished in all points. The +work is of stone, moderately elaborate; when the means are at hand +it will be continued to completion. I manage always to help it with +various alms and expedients, and at present I am assigning it two +toneladas for the chalices and ornaments, which sell at two hundred +pesos. That you may know how the fourteen thousand ducats which +your Majesty, in your royal instructions, ordered me to assign it, +has been spent in it, that sum was given toward the building and +ornaments; I have ordered that the accounts be rendered, and when +they are settled I shall inform your Majesty of their substance. + +5. _That, in accordance with a royal decree, inspection has been made +of the great church, and it has been found very poor in ornaments; +and that two prebends and two half-prebends have been erected._ + +In accordance with a royal decree of your Majesty, directed to the +archbishop and myself, your Majesty directed us to make a visitation of +the church, inspect the ornaments which it has, and give our opinion +regarding the dignities and prebendaries which it would be expedient +to have there, and with what stipend. The said visitation was made, +and we found the church very poor in ornaments; and your Majesty is +informed that for the time being it would be sufficiently supplied with +two prebends and two half-prebends, which we established--the prebends +with a stipend of two hundred pesos per year, and the half-prebends +with a hundred and fifty. I await your Majesty's approval. + +6. _That the hospitals are in good condition, and are being helped +with alms and grants; and there has been incorporated, in that for the +Spaniards, the Confraternity of La Misericordia; and that possession +has been taken of that for the natives and the accounts audited, +a sworn statement of which goes with this._ + +Your Majesty orders me, by a clause in your royal instructions, +to provide carefully for the hospitals. In fulfilment of this I +have inspected them, and have ordered the auditors to do the same +in their turn. They are in very good condition, each one having two +apartments of its building finished in stone, with its work-room, +stewards, nurses, and two Franciscan religious for each, who live +in the hospital. At the royal hospital for the Spaniards I have +incorporated the Confraternity of La Misericordia, which includes +the richest people of this country. It has more than a thousand eight +hundred and sixty pesos of income, and I am adding five hundred more +for eight years, making in all two thousand three hundred and sixty, +besides which they have a farm for raising cattle. The accounts of +these funds are kept, for the superintendent, by him who enters in his +place each year. The royal hospital for the Indians has five hundred +pesos of income, two hundred pieces of cloth from Ylocos, one thousand +five hundred fanegas of rice in the hull, one thousand five hundred +fowls (which your Majesty presents to them), and a farm for breeding +cattle. I am aiding both of them with various alms and grants, and, +as I have informed your Majesty, I regularly assign to that of the +Spaniards eight toneladas, which are worth eight hundred pesos each +year; and to that of the natives four, which are of proportionate +value. I took possession of that of the natives in your Majesty's +name, according to the royal patronage, and audited the accounts, +a sworn statement of which will go with this. + +7. _That the seminary for the training of girls is in good condition, +and the building finished; but it has little income, and will have +to be reduced to a convent of professed nuns, and its income somewhat +increased._ + +The Seminary of Santa Potenciana is in very good condition; for +not only has the church been finished for some years, but it has +a capacious building entirely of stone, in which some thirty women +are leading a religious life. Most of these are the maiden daughters +of honorable men; others are poor mestizas, and still others have +been left there who have husbands or fathers absent on your Majesty's +service; there are also a few older women. They have a superior who is +a woman of quality, and who lives a very exemplary and pious life. All +of them intend either to remain there in the service of God, or to +leave married, and in a bettered situation--as several have done and +are now doing (thanks to the good name which the institution has), +which is the holy intention of your Majesty. They have a director +and a confessor who do not live in the building, as no apartment has +been built for them. For two months past the holy sacrament has been +administered there. These women, thus secluded, celebrate the divine +offices with singing, and with as much veneration and as fittingly +as if it were a convent of nuns founded forty years ago. It has four +hundred pesos of perpetual income and as much more temporarily from a +shop in the Parian of the Sangleys; but this is not enough to maintain +it, and so they are in great need. I contrive to help it with alms +and various grants wherewith it may be supported. I have tried to +reduce it to a convent of professed nuns and have done my best with +the viceroy of Nueva Espana, to have him send me two religious women, +of pious life, from Mexico to found it. He answers me that there is +no one who dares to go to these islands, on account of the difficulty +of the journey and the inconvenience of the ships. I beseech your +Majesty that--as this work is so important to this commonwealth, +and in order to place in a better position here the daughters of +honorable men who have not the money to marry them, on account of +the depreciation of the encomiendas and property--you may be pleased +to order the viceroy to be diligent in coming to our aid by enabling +these religious to come; and that you will give to this seminary an +income adequate for its maintenance, or give me permission to apply +to it some repartimiento of Indians. + +8. _That Captain Don Luis Perez and the fathers of the Society are +establishing a seminary for the natives; that this had not been done +earlier because the income assigned to it has not been furnished; +and that the work should be furthered._ + +Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, according to an order which he had from +your Majesty, agreed with the fathers of the Society of Jesus that +they should establish a seminary for the natives, where they might be +taught civilized ways and instructed in religion; and that he should +give them the wherewithal to erect a building, and a thousand pesos +of income for its maintenance. To begin the work, he presented to the +said Society six hundred pesos, and the income was put in the treasury +of the fourths. When I arrived here I confirmed these negotiations, +according to the royal decree of your Majesty in which you gave me the +same orders; and likewise the royal Audiencia, being petitioned to +confirm them, did so. This work has ceased because enough money has +not been furnished for it, and because the income is not sufficient, +owing to the fact that the said treasury of the fourths is much +embarrassed. If it be your Majesty's pleasure, it would be well that +this holy intention of your Majesty be furthered, so that the Indians +may learn the Spanish language in an orderly manner, and in this way +be better instructed. For this it will be necessary to give the said +Society the means to build the said seminary, and the thousand pesos +of income each year in perpetuity, from the royal treasury of your +Majesty, or else a repartimiento of Indians, as soon as one becomes +vacant--your Majesty giving me permission to apply it in such wise +that, besides this instruction, education and a living may be given +there to a few poor students, who will be learning the language at +the same time. When they are ordained they will act as ministers of +instruction, and will make it unnecessary for so many ministers to +come out here at so great cost to your royal estate. + +9. _That measures have been taken for the execution of the royal +decree brought by the bishop of Nueva Segovia in regard to rendering +submission; that difficulties have begun to arise in its execution, +and that information concerning them is sent_. + +From the hand of the bishop of Nueva Segovia I received the royal +decree of your Majesty in which you ordered me, by the best and most +gentle methods possible, to compel the natives of these islands to +render submission to your Majesty (this ceremony having been neglected +at first), so that the tributes which they pay may be collected with +more justice. I was ordered to join with the archbishop, bishop, +and other prelates, the superiors of the orders, in its execution. I +acted accordingly, having the said royal decree read to them, and the +intention of your Majesty explained, for the greater peace of your +royal conscience. Havings conferred and consulted in regard to it, +the said committee came to a decision regarding the matter, which +your Majesty will order to be examined by the authorized copy which +I am sending. This is what has been done since then, in virtue of +their decision. Instructions and directions have been sent to the +alcaldes-mayor and to the religious in all the provinces, that by +the gracious methods which your Majesty directs, submission shall be +rendered to your Majesty. In the province of Ylocos, in the diocese of +the bishop of Nueva Segovia, this was very well done; and submission +was rendered to your Majesty. Likewise the whole district of Manila, a +mission of the Augustinian fathers, has rendered submission. La Laguna, +in charge of the Franciscan fathers, has not so easily yielded; for +the natives there have asked a year's time in which to answer; and I +have left La Laguna in this state, until I should give an account of +it to your Majesty, as you direct me. The same thing will be done in +the other provinces which ask delays. Thus far I am not informed of +what has been done. Things have always been as they are now, without +there being any scruples; and, when these islands were conquered +and subjected, they were placed in obedience to your Majesty with +just as many requirements as the other parts of the Yndias. Your +Majesty has lost here many troops and much money. It is more than +thirty-four years during which they have had the true knowledge of +God our Lord, and of His holy gospel law, by virtue of which your +Majesty has possessed this country and collected tribute from his +vassals--who have received great benefit in being such; for in the +time when they were heathens they were subjected to many tyrannies, +imposed upon them by the chieftains whose subjects they were, who +took from them their wives and property during their lives. Now they +are secure in all these things, and much benefited in spiritual and +temporal goods. They are in no wise oppressed by the collection of +the tribute; and if the effect of this royal decree must continue and +be in operation as provided therein, there will be many difficulties, +such as have already commenced with the seeking of delay. Your Majesty +will hold nothing securely, and for the same reason will have no +justification for possessing this land. I am sending your Majesty +a copy of the instruction and directions which are ordered for the +execution of these measures, and one of the answers by the natives +of La Laguna; so that, seeing these difficulties, your Majesty may be +pleased to order a review of this affair and a determination of what +is most expedient for the service of your Majesty. In the meantime +I shall put matters into the best state possible. + +10. _That two sermons have been preached on the bulls, and that very +little alms have resulted; that at present they are considering how +to preach to the Indians and that no doubt they will succeed, when +it will be necessary to send more bulls, according to the memorandum +of the treasurer_. + +Before I came to these islands the first preaching of the bulls +concerning the holy crusade had commenced; and last year occurred the +second, which is now in progress. I have written to your Majesty my +sentiments in this matter; and now I say again to your Majesty that, +although the bulls which are preached here and disposed of among the +Spaniards are very necessary for them, the alms proceeding from this +source, allotted to your Majesty, are of very little importance, +because there are not many people here--for the Spaniards do not +amount to two thousand, and of these there are very few who are not +exceedingly poor. The proceeds of the first preaching, when reckoned +up, do not reach two thousand pesos; and that these alms might be of +more importance, I have considered how the bulls might be preached +to the Indians. I have found that in the time of Don Luis Perez many +difficulties arose, as it was said that they are a people only partly +and newly converted, and that with the bull their present simple +mode of life would be ended. For this and other reasons I did not +resolve last year to have the crusade preached to the Indians. At +present I am considering this more seriously, and the preaching will +doubtless be begun at the pressing demand which the fiscal has made in +your Majesty's name, although with a small number of bulls, because +few have come from Mexico. I wrote to them to send more than usual, +and gave an account thereof to the royal Council of your Majesty for +the holy crusade. I am sending a memorial which will go with this, +concerning the bulls which are necessary, with their kind and value, +both for the Spanish people and for the natives, that your Majesty +may provide according to your pleasure. [33] + +11. _Establishment of the royal Audiencia_. + +Last year I wrote how this royal Audiencia was founded, and sent an +account of the reception of the royal seal; and how there were in the +Audiencia three auditors, Doctor Antonio de Morga, the licentiate +Telles Almasan, and the licentiate Alvaro Canbrano, the licentiate +Salasar as fiscal, the licentiate Padilla as reporter, and a clerk +of court; and how the licentiate Don Antonio de Ribera Maldonado, +the first auditor, had remained in Espana. + +12. _Death of the licentiate Cambrano on the fourteenth of March; +and in his place is proposed the name of the licentiate Salasar, +fiscal of this royal Audiencia, and for the office of fiscal the +licentiate Padilla, reporter._ + +On the fourteenth of March of 98 the licentiate Cambrano died, +from an attack of malignant fever. In him your Majesty lost a good +servant. Since his place must be filled, it will be well provided +for in the person of the licentiate Salasar, your fiscal in this +royal Audiencia, a person who, besides his broad and deep learning, +is worthy of whatever favor your Majesty may see fit to grant him; +and the office of fiscal will be well filled by the licentiate Padilla, +reporter of this royal Audiencia, who is a man of learning and justice, +and is diligent in your Majesty's service. + +13. _That the auditors remaining are doing well_. + +The two auditors who remain here are faithful subjects, and attend +punctually to the service of your Majesty. + +14. _That the auditor Maldonado has not come from Nueva Espana_. + +The licentiate Don Antonio de Rivera Maldonado, who was expected +this year, did not come. He wrote me that he had not received his +instructions. + +15. _That the ecclesiastical authority had usurped the royal +jurisdiction, and that this was corrected on the arrival of the +royal Audiencia_. + +Before this royal Audiencia was reestablished, the ecclesiastical +authority had usurped the royal jurisdiction; and I was several times +excommunicated for defending it by not allowing them to raise their +secular revenues, of which I had already given an account to your +Majesty; and so they were raising them everywhere without my being +able to help it. Since the coming of the royal Audiencia, several +acts have been passed for correcting this, which are effective. + +16. _That it is expedient to take the Parian from the Sangleys, +as it is injurious to the commonwealth_. + +Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, during the time of his governorship, founded +a Parian for the Sangleys within the limits of the city, so that of +those who come for commerce, a number of artisans of all trades might +remain in the country, for the service of the commonwealth. Gomez Perez +Dasmarinas, finding it too thickly peopled and with too many houses for +the security of the city, removed it outside, to the place where it now +stands. Its growth has increased to such an extent that more than three +hundred houses of wood and cane have been built, and in them are more +than three thousand Sangleys. This Parian is most injurious for this +commonwealth, because the people who live in it are of no use except +to raise prices in the community, all the provisions being consumed +there; and they commit many offenses against God our Lord. In it there +are many hucksters. There is no way to remedy all this except to be +rid of it altogether; for, besides what has been mentioned, it will +be a saving to this city of more than a hundred thousand pesos each +year, and the country will be more secure. For, having no buildings +in which to store the cloth, they will sell it through the streets +or in their ships, as they used to do before they had a Parian; and, +to get away quickly, they will offer it at more moderate prices. I +have considered this affair with the royal Audiencia; and, having +their opinion, you will do in regard to it what is most fitting for +the service of your Majesty and the maintenance of this country. + +17. _That, as there were no royal buildings, some good ones have been +built of stone, in which the Audiencia meet, and the president and +Doctor Morga reside._ + +When I arrived in this country the royal buildings were demolished, +and there was no place for the Audiencia to meet, nor for the residence +of your Majesty's servant who governs here. I therefore used all my +efforts to erect royal buildings which should be substantial, and they +have been built, and are at present finished off with hewn stone. There +are three suites of apartments: one toward the street, in which the +Audiencia meets, and where the royal seal is; a second toward the sea, +where I live; and the third is situated in the middle, where resides +Doctor Morga, auditor of this royal Audiencia. It will be expedient +to continue work on this building until it is made large enough for +the rest of the auditors and officials of the royal Audiencia to live +in. I assure your Majesty that they suffer inconveniences in coming +from their homes to the Audiencia and its sessions, in so intemperate +a climate; and if they lived together they could attend better to the +service of your Majesty. To put this work in the state in which it is, +ten thousand pesos, which was its cost, were borrowed, as there was +no money in the royal treasury, from the funds of the fourths; and I +wrote to Mexico to send me that amount in order to pay it back. This +has not been done, and I beg your Majesty to order the viceroy to +send that sum of ten thousand pesos, since it was spent in a work so +important for the service of your Majesty; and to send as much more +to continue the work, if that already used be considered well spent. + +18. _That houses of stone were built for the cabildo and in them was +placed the coat-of-arms which your Majesty granted to this city_. + +I also found this city without houses for the cabildo and that the +regidors with great inconvenience and little dignity were going about +seeking the houses of citizens for the meeting of the cabildo. At +the expense of the city funds I have built some good stone cabildo +buildings on the plaza here, and in them is placed the coat-of-arms +which your Majesty presented to this city. With these and other +buildings which have been built during the time I have been here, +or are now being erected, this city is much improved in appearance. + +19. _That the powder-house being too near and in an unsafe position, +a vault was made in the fort of Santiago, where it is now kept_. + +I found the powder-house in an unsafe place, and as it is so necessary +to guard and preserve the powder, I ordered a vault of stone to be +made in the fort on the point called Santiago, where it was put and +is now kept with entire safety. + +20. _That it is necessary to establish religious instruction in the +Ladrones; and, as it cannot be sent from here, I have written to +the viceroy asking him to order the officers of the ships from Nueva +Espana to leave ministers there_. + +As the royal instruction which I received had not been brought here +when I came to serve your Majesty in this government (as I have +before explained), what your Majesty ordered in one clause of it, +that on the passage by the island of Ladrones ministers for religious +instruction to those Indians should be left there--such persons as +I might select--has not been executed. Accordingly I have considered +it with the royal Audiencia here; and, together with their opinion, +the intention of your Majesty was communicated to the viceroy of Nueva +Espana, so that he might carry it out, by ordering the officers of +the ships which shall come in the year 600 to leave there a couple +of religious and ten soldiers as a guard. But as the ships arrived +here from a different direction, and the voyage was a difficult +one, the will of your Majesty has not been carried out. I believe +this will be a work very important for the service of God our Lord +and your Majesty; for in the year 1596 a religious of the Order +of St. Francis, with a sailor, who were passing by the islands of +Ladrones, disembarked from the almiranta "San Pablo" in the boats of +the Indians of those islands, more than three hundred skiffs having +come alongside of the said ship. The Indians took them on board and +carried them to land where they remained during the period of a year, +up to 1597--when, as the ships from Nueva Espana were again passing +on their way to these islands, having as commander Don Lope de Ulloa, +the said religious and soldiers [_sic_] arrived alongside the ships +in the boats of the Indians, and were received on board. When they +arrived here, the religious gave an account of what he had seen in +the islands of Ladrones, saying that there were many islands thickly +peopled with Indians, who are men of good stature, and strong. They +are a tractable and kindly people. They regaled him and his companion, +and showed them much respect. The land abounds in fish, rice, and +_camotes_. They are heathen; but if the religious would enter there +with love and tactfulness they would teach them. I hope in our Lord +that He and your Majesty will be served in bringing those heathen to +a true knowledge of God. + +21. _That farmers have not been brought from Nueva Espana for the +introduction of agriculture, and that the viceroy should be told to +send them._ + +For the reason mentioned in the preceding clause, I have not been +able to get farm-laborers from Nueva Espana, as your Majesty ordered +by a clause of his royal instruction, so that the cultivation of +the soil might be introduced into this country, by associating the +farmers with the natives, so that the latter may be instructed in +farming according to our usage. As soon as I understood the will of +your Majesty, I sent to ask farmers from the viceroy; and he answered +that he would send them another year. + +22. _That a demand has been made to have the horses and mares brought +over, as ordered, and that the viceroy has been remiss in this_. + +In the same way a demand has been sent to the viceroy regarding the +horses and mares which your Majesty also ordered brought from Mexico; +and I wrote to your Majesty that this was not done. + +23. _That rewards for services have been made in accordance with the +order of his Majesty in clause 17 of the royal instruction_. + +In the matter of rewards for services, I have tried to have them +given to the most worthy and capable citizens, in accordance with +clause 17 of the royal instruction of your Majesty (as you may see +if you so please by the account which I am sending), not only in +the encomiendas in repartimientos of Indians but in other offices +of importance. Although I have done this with all possible care and +justice, there are so many claimants, and so little material--and +each one expects to be, by right, the most favored--that there must +needs be complaints, which is one of the annoyances of this government. + +24. _That an account was sent of the Spaniards who serve in the +islands, giving their names and localities._ + +With this will go the report which your Majesty ordered to be sent +concerning the Spaniards who serve your Majesty in this country, +whether with or without encomiendas; and of their characters and ages, +and other details about them. + +25. _That two new ships have been built, of five hundred and one +hundred and fifty toneladas respectively; and that they departed in +good condition, and are at present making a voyage_. + +As there are not enough ships to ply between here and Nueva Espana I +have built two--one of five hundred toneladas, and the other of one +hundred and fifty--which were completed; and both are making voyages +this year to Nueva Espana. + +26. _That three ships came from Nueva Espana; and that one of them, +which belonged to his Majesty, was given to an administrator by the +viceroy, and that he sent a decree giving directions to the royal +Audiencia, under penalty._ + +Three ships came this year from Nueva Espana, two belonging to private +individuals and the other to your Majesty. Your Majesty's ship, +called the "Santa Margarita," was given to Joan Pardo de Losada, as +administrator, by the viceroy of Nueva Espana. Since the viceroy did +so, he may have had an order therefor from your Majesty. The royal +Audiencia considered the fact that the said Joan Pardo brought a +decree from the viceroy ordering the governor and the royal Audiencia, +under penalty, not to meddle in the affair which he had decreed; +and saying that the penalty would be that supplies would not come +as agreed. Accordingly the original was retained, in order to give +an account thereof to your Majesty; but, in so far as regards the +execution of his charge, he was not hindered. It seemed best to me +to give an account thereof to your Majesty, so that in the future +you may provide what may be most expedient in the matter. + +27. _That the viceroy of Nueva Espana kept back the money of citizens +of those islands to the great damage of this country, the licenses +being given to Peruvians._ + +Your Majesty has ordered that the viceroy of Nueva Espana should each +year give licenses to citizens of this state for five hundred thousand +pesos, the money to be brought here in return for their merchandise +which they export hence. It happened that this year's sale of the +goods that went over last year was profitable; and the said viceroy, +although he was under obligation to execute that order, did not do +so. He assigned to the citizens only two hundred thousand pesos in +licenses, and the balance, making the sum of five hundred thousand, +to Peruvians, on condition that they should become citizens in these +islands for a certain time--thus keeping back from the citizens +three hundred thousand pesos, which has brought about disastrous +injury. For not only were they prevented from availing themselves +of their own property, but the Peruvians to whom were given, in +their places, the said licenses, being wealthy people, came loaded +down with money to be registered--although the fiscal of your royal +Audiencia and another royal official, who went to inspect the ships, +could not find any proof, as the money had all been taken out before +they arrived at the fort. When they arrived here, finding much cloth +in the possession of the Chinese and not considering its price, they +spent their money. When the citizens came, as they could not lade the +share which had been assigned them, since no money had come therefor, +the Peruvians freighted the ships; and the profit which, through your +Majesty's gracious aid, the citizens of these islands should have +had, was enjoyed by the Peruvians. May your Majesty order this to be +investigated, and direct in regard to it what may be best for your +royal service and for the maintenance of this country. As the licenses +to lade their cloth in the ships which are going to Mexico--being one +of the profits and rewards which we have in this country to give to +deserving citizens--is a matter which always gives rise to complaint, +no matter how justly the distribution is made, in order to avoid this +and to proceed as justly and satisfactorily as is generally possible, +I have ordered during the whole time I have spent here that, first of +all, the ship should be gauged for its tonnage by persons chosen by +the city--men who are intelligent, conscientious, and disinterested, +and otherwise competent for the said gauging. The allotment has been +and is still made as justly as possible. + +28. _That the persons appointed to lade the ships did not keep the +order which was given them, breaking it to the injury of citizens, +and were arrested_. + +This year were appointed, to direct the lading of the new ship "Santo +Toma," Captain Gaspar Perez, the alcalde-ordinary, Captain Juan de +Arsega, and Captain Christoval de Asqueta, a regidor of this city. They +were given the usual order to lade according to a list, beginning +first with the men who are most deserving and have been longest in +the country. As they did not keep the order which was given them, +and laded after their own fashion, I have arrested them. The citizens +of this city have brought in complaints of them and many claims have +been filed against them. I am receiving testimony thereof, in order to +punish them according to their crimes. I have always tried, from the +day I entered, to govern as your Majesty was pleased to command me, +and to protect this commonwealth and the poor in it, even with my +own property; and it is well known in these parts that I have done +this so far as lay in my power. + +29. _That a port called El Pinar, has been opened at Canton, where +Spanish ships may go with safety to trade with China, for which there +is a chapa [i.e., "passport"]._ + +By clause 21 of the instruction for my government, your Majesty gives +permission for certain citizens of this island to trade--if that +seem best to me, and with the consent of the royal Audiencia--in the +neighboring kingdoms where trade and traffic with these islands is +permitted. With this basis, and the knowledge that the Chinese do +not resist the coming of the Spaniards as they have hitherto done, +and considering the importance of the opening of this port in that +country, so that the preaching of the holy gospel might enter there, +which is your Majesty's desire, I determined last year to give a +license to Don Juan de Camudio to go (in his own vessel, at his own +expense) to the province of Canton, and establish in the best way +possible his enterprise; and to bring certain metals and other articles +which we were lacking, for the royal stores of these islands. He made +the voyage and carried out this mission. Besides this, he opened at +Canton a port for the Spaniards in China, which is called El Pinar, +although he was greatly opposed by the Portuguese of Macao; and the +Spaniards were left there to go to trade in Canton--a house being +given them inside the city, and a chapa to come back and settle there +whenever they might wish to. With this despatch and some merchandise, +the said Don Juan came back to these islands well content. + +30. _That a ship is being sent to Canton, to follow up the good +beginning made there by the Spaniards_. + +This year, in continuation of the beginning which Don Juan Camudio has +made in China, I have agreed with the opinion of the royal Audiencia +that it was therefore best to send another ship, well equipped with +artillery and arms. This vessel will sail very soon, and has for +captain Joan Tello y Aguirre; and it will cause no expense to the +royal exchequer. I hope in our Lord that a way is about to be opened +up for what is desired for so great and powerful realms. + +31. _That the king of Sian, desiring trade for his realms with the +Spaniards, sent an embassy to them, which was well received; and +that he treated Joan Tello very well, and opened a port at the city +of Odia_. + +After my arrival in this government I received a letter from the +king of Sian, a copy of which will go with this. In it he told me +of his desire for commerce and trade with these islands of your +Majesty. Seeing how well disposed this king was, in the year past +(1598) I despatched Captain Joan Tello with an embassy for the king +in answer to his, indicating great esteem for the friendship which +he offers me, and for his desire for the trade of the Spaniards in +his kingdom. I offered him in the name of your Majesty the closest +friendship. Captain Joan Tello made the voyage, and, having fulfilled +his embassy, made an agreement also that a port should be left open +for trade, so that the Spaniards could go there and settle freely, +and be exempt from taxes. They brought in their ship ivory, benzoin, +and stone for the citizens of this city. He came back here with the +response of the king of Sian, a copy of which will go with this. I +have understood, indeed, from Captain Joan Tello that the king of +Sian has in his house a religious of the Order of St. Dominic, who +was sent from Malaca to administer the sacraments to the Christians +who come there from India on their commercial voyages. Seeing what a +good opportunity and opening there was to begin preaching the holy +gospel in that kingdom, I sent another ship this year, very well +supplied, having as captain Joan de Mendoca, with an embassy to the +king beseeching him to consent to have sent from here four religious +of the said order, for if they also were with the one who was residing +there, it would further much the end which was sought; and asking that +he would admit these religious. Once settled there, they will succeed +in obtaining good results. Captain Joan de Mendoca is now expected, +and whatever news he brings on his arrival I shall communicate to your +Majesty. May God further these affairs, as they are especially for +His service and for the advantage of the royal crown of your Majesty. + +32. _That the city of Cebu sent a ship to Castilla, in the year 1597, +which was lost on the sea_. + +Your Majesty having granted the city of Cebu authority to despatch +a ship to Mexico, it did so; and the ship left Cebu about two years +ago, carrying merchandise both for the citizens of that city and of +Manila, which was considered best; but, from the time when it left +until now, there has been no word of it. It is thought that it was +lost, which is no slight matter for this country, coming in addition +to the loss of the ship "San Phelipe"--with which, and the retention +of their money which the citizens of Manila have suffered, and other +hardships, this commonwealth is hard smitten, as is the courage of its +people. If there is any way in which to resuscitate it, it will be for +your Majesty to give permission for the citizens thereof to despatch +a ship of three hundred toneladas to Peru every two or three years, +with the products of this country; they will not undertake to carry +anything more than flagstones, ivory, and other things which are not +carried from Espana, and this will not cause any loss to the royal +customs duties of your Majesty. + +33. _That it brings much damage upon this colony that the officers +on the voyages are appointed by the viceroy of Mexico_. + +I have already advised your Majesty of the irreparable injury resulting +to this commonwealth from the appointment of the officers of the ships +on this voyage by the viceroy of Nueva Espana; for they come here +provided with money on commission, and when they have arrived here they +invest it; nor is there any way to prevent them from lading the ships +as soon as they have left the port. This they effect by placing their +cloth in small vessels six or seven leguas away; and then they take +from the ship the cloth belonging to the citizens, and lade their own, +from which results great injury to this country. This was done even +by Don Antonio Maldonado, son of the licentiate Maldonado, auditor of +Mexico, who unloaded on a beach a great deal of cloth belonging to +citizens here. This would not happen if the officers were appointed +here; because those appointed would give bonds before they left, +and, as they must come back and render an account, they would not +commit these evil acts. Your Majesty will be pleased to order what +is most expedient. + +34. _That a sworn statement is being sent of the execution and +fulfilment of the decrees_. + +I am sending your Majesty a sworn statement of the decrees which have +been put into execution, besides those which are being carried out; +and the same will be sent next year. + +35. _That it is customary on feast-days that the city banner should +be brought out, and that the royal Audiencia should be present, and +the standard-bearer should walk at the left hand of the president; +and that this custom was opposed by an auditor_. + +One of the principal feast-days which is kept in this city is that +of the apostle St. Andrew, in memory of the victory which was on +that day won against the Chinese pirate Limahon, driving him from +the land when he had already hemmed this city in. On that day the +city brings out its banner, and goes to vespers and mass at Santa +Potenciana. In the time of the former royal Audiencia, they used +to go with the pennant to the royal houses with the city officers, +and from there the president and auditors set out to the festival; +and the president had the standard-bearer at his left hand, and the +senior auditor at his right. I am informed that the same thing is done +in the city of Lima and that of Mexico. I have had this custom observed +here; but the licentiate Almazan, auditor of this royal Audiencia, +has denied that the standard-bearer or any other person should be +stationed with the royal Audiencia without special permission from +your Majesty, whom I beg to be pleased to command in this what shall +be done. In the meantime, it will be continued as hitherto. + +36. _That public feast-days are celebrated with veneration and +dignity_. + +I assure your Majesty that the other public feast-days, such as Corpus +Christi, that of the patrons of the city, and the like, are celebrated +with the utmost veneration and dignity in this land, where we are in +the sight of so many heathen. + +37. _That it is expedient that the Indians be punished with some +moderate fine of money, and not in rice._ + +Your Majesty has ordered that the Indians shall not be punished +in money fines; but as they all, in their perverseness and evil +disposition, are more afraid of the punishment of taking from them a +real than of a hundred floggings, the desired results do not follow, +and they do not plant, raise animals, and do other things tending to +the production of supplies, and to the common good. It would be well +for your Majesty to give permission for the imposition of moderate +fines in money. It is particularly unfitting that the chiefs should +be flogged, and in regard to this the royal Audiencia has commenced +to take some action. May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your +Majesty through many happy years. Manila, July 12, 1599. + +_Francisco Tello_ + +_An account of the religious orders which are in these Philipinas +Islands; the provinces, houses, and religious contained in them; +and the ministers whom it is necessary that his Majesty should have +sent, in order that there may be sufficient religious instruction in +the islands_. + +_St. Augustine--60 houses; they have 163 religious, and ask for 20 +each year_. The Order of St. Augustine has occupied the provinces of +Tagalos, Pampanga, Ylocos, and Pintados. Being the first established in +these regions, they occupy the whole country. They have in the islands +sixty houses, which contain from two to three religious each--one +hundred and eight being priests, and fifty-three lay brethren. They +will have to establish more houses--not only for the newly-entered +countries, but that there may be sufficient religious instruction +in these islands. For this it is necessary that your Majesty send +each year twenty religious. These might be brought at a less cost +to the royal estate from Nueva Espana, where there are many of them; +and they would do very well, as they are used to instructing Indians, +and have already come half the way. + +_St. Francis--40 houses; they have 120 religious, and need 50_. The +Order of St. Francis has occupied the province of Camarines, and has +there forty houses, and one hundred and twenty religious--ninety-seven +being preachers and priests, and twenty-three lay brethren. They need +fifty religious. + +_The Society of Jesus has 12 houses and 43 religious_. The Society +has twelve houses, and occupies the province of Pintados, in Leite +and Ibabao. In them are forty-three religious--twenty-three of +these priests, and the rest lay brethren. They will occupy many +houses. Religious of the Society have gone to the pacification of +Mindanao, where they will administer instruction and establish more +houses. They have need of fifty religious. + +_St. Dominic--12 houses; they have 71 religious, and need 50_. The +Order of St. Dominic has occupied the province of Cagayan, where +there are twelve houses and seventy-one religious. They need fifty +religious, in order that there may be sufficient instruction in the +province of Cagayan, where they must occupy a number of houses. Those +sent should be priests, because all the lay brethren that are necessary +are being received in the islands. + +In all these four orders there are persons of much learning and many +accomplishments, and good linguists who instruct the natives, among +whom they have achieved great results. In the houses of the Society of +Jesus there are two colleges--one at Manila and the other in the city +of Santisimo Nombre de Jhesus--in which religious of very exemplary +life teach Latin to the Spaniards and give instruction to the natives. + +_Copy of a letter written in the past year (1598) concerning the +erection of prebends and half-prebends of the cathedral church at +Manila. Cited in clause 7 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_. + +Sire: + +In accordance with what your Majesty orders me in his royal +instruction, we, the archbishop and myself, made a visitation +of the cathedral church, which is greatly lacking in all +necessaries, and particularly in chaplains, which is noticeable +on feast-days. Accordingly it seemed advisable to institute two +prebendaries, each with a stipend of two hundred pesos per year; and +two half-prebendaries, with a hundred and fifty pesos of stipend each +per year--to be paid in the same manner as the other canons. I beg your +Majesty to have this approved, since it has been done in conformity +with your Majesty's order to provide whatever was necessary. We are +considering from what source the other necessaries can be provided, as, +outside of the royal exchequer of your Majesty, there is at present +no other fund; and the royal treasury is in great need, between the +mortality of the natives and the taxations of Don Luis Perez de las +Marinas; the yearly income has diminished by more than fifteen thousand +pesos. We shall try our best to order affairs in the best possible +way. May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your Majesty, as we +your servants and vassals have need. Manila, the twelfth of July, 1598. + +[_Francisco Tello_] + +_Statement of the accounts received from the director of the hospital +for the natives. Cited in clause 8 of the letter of the governor of +July 12, 1599._ + +The accounts which the lord president, governor, and captain-general of +these islands, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, +ordered me, the accountant Bartolome de Rrenteria, to audit from the +seventeenth of September of the year ninety-eight, when the said lord +president was at the royal hospital for natives of these islands. He +inspected and took possession thereof in the name of your Majesty; +and ordered me, the said accountant, to make in his presence an +inventory of the income and property belonging to the said hospital, +and I did so, as follows: + +It was found that the said hospital has, through the bounty of +your Majesty, five hundred ducats each year, paid from the fund set +aside for such purposes by the royal exchequer; one thousand five +hundred fanegas of rice in the hull, one thousand five hundred fowls, +and two hundred pieces of cloth from Ylocos; and a further grant of +four toneladas, to be sent each year in the ships of your Majesty or +others, without duties or freight charges. Likewise there was found, as +property of the said hospital, a farm for cattle, with a thousand head; +ten mares, four colts, and one horse; six men slaves with five married +slave women, and three other unmarried women and two unmarried men; +and four hundred pesos, in coin. Besides this, Antonio Valerio, steward +of the said hospital, has put in charge of me, the said accountant, +a quantity of money received from various persons. The said Antonio +Valerio has also rendered an itemized account of the whole thereof, +from the first of September of the said year ninety-eight to the end +of December of the same, and the expenses in that time amount to five +hundred and thirty-seven pesos and one tomin; he likewise rendered +another account in this year of ninety-nine, from the first of January +to the end of April thereof, and the itemized expense account amounted +to seven hundred and fifteen pesos and four tomins, as appears by the +book which is in my possession. Besides, all necessary provision was +made for divine worship in the said hospital. The said hospital has +a house of stone, amply adequate, with three halls and apartments, +and everything necessary and pertaining thereto. The said steward +has no further account to give, because by command of his Lordship +the accounts are audited every four months, and he will give what is +lacking at the end of August of this year. That this matter may be +understood, I have given this, at Manila, on the second of July in +the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine. + +_Bartolome de Rrenteria_ + +_Copy of the instruction given to the alcaldes-mayor of the provinces +and to the religious, for the Indians to render submission to the +king our lord, and the measures taken in La Laguna. Cited in clause +10 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_. + +The King: To Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, my +governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president +of my royal Audiencia, which I have ordered reestablished in the +city of Manila in the said islands; or to the person or persons in +whose charge the government of them may be. Fray Miguel de Venavides +of the Order of St. Dominic, bishop of Nueva Segovia in those said +islands, has given me certain memorials and accounts of affairs, and +of measures suitable for their improvement, and for the security of +the consciences of the confessors, of the encomenderos and soldiers, +and of other persons, particularly in regard to what affects the +spiritual good of the Indians, and the obligation which rests upon +me to further it. As these are matters important to conscience and +reduced to two points, I directed that, for the consideration of them, +certain theologians, grave and eminent persons, should meet with the +president and members of my Council of the Yndias. What they agreed +upon was reported to me, and I now give you its substance and the +conclusion which has been reached. The first difficulty was whether +the faith must be preached to the heathen by poor preachers, provided +only with the support of God according to the gospel, and what has +been provided by the ordinances concerning discoveries; or whether +the said preachers must enter escorted by soldiers bearing arms. And +the question on the second point was, whether tribute should be levied +upon the infidels who are not opposed to the preaching of the gospel +and are not enemies; nor is there any other just cause for waging war +against them, except solely to maintain the Spaniards. "Supposing that +these tributes are imposed and levied primarily with the obligation of +giving instruction, and maintaining justice to those who are subjected, +they should not be levied on those who are not subjects and have not +received the faith." Having examined the said ordinances, it appears +that what is provided in them is in conformity with the precepts +of the gospel and with the justice necessary to the service of +our Lord, and to the promulgation of His faith in newly-discovered +countries. The bishop admits this, merely complaining of the lax +execution of the decree, and the great liberty which the captains +and soldiers take in interfering with the Indians and taking from +them their liberty and property. Since my will has always been and is +that the said ordinances should be observed, and whoever has violated +or acted contrary to them in the past has displeased me, I order +you that from now on you shall see to it that they be observed and +carried out, inviolably. And to this end I have ordered to be sent +to you--printed, and on separate sheets--the clauses which treat of +the order to be observed in preaching in newly-entered countries, and +how the tributes are to be levied; and the care with which, in both +matters, you are to proceed--all being directed toward the good and +contentment of the Indians, and their best condition, preservation, +and civilization. And this you shall again cause to be published, +adding penalty of death, perpetual banishment, or confiscation of +property to any or all transgressors, according to the degree of +their guilt. This you will execute inexorably, under penalty that, +besides considering you lax in your duty, I shall have you punished +with all rigor--and this infallibly, since you know my wish; and in +these scrupulous matters the peace of my conscience rests upon your +discharge of duty. In order that proper means may be taken in these +matters you will meet with the archbishop and the newly-appointed +bishops, and the superiors of the orders; and you will consider the +measures to be taken to satisfy the injuries inflicted, and whether the +tributes collected from the infidels contrary to the said ordinances +can conveniently be restored. And if this cannot be done without +great difficulty you will advise me thereof; and in the interval while +advising me and while I am providing what appears to me to be best, +everything shall remain in the same condition, with the peace and +propriety with which I hope that you are governing both spiritually +and temporally--as I charge you all to do, each in what concerns +him. Likewise you will confer with the said superiors and religious, +and bring it about that they shall undertake to remedy by love all +which shall be found to have been done through force and fear; for, +according to what the bishop tells me of these Indians, they are well +disposed (not only in spiritual but in temporal matters), freely to +render me submission. Done at Madrid, on the eighth day of the month +of February in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven. + +_I The King_ + +By order of the king our lord: + +_Joan de Ybarra_ + +In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of August in the +year one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the above-contained +decree was proclaimed by Francisco Rodriguez, public crier, in a loud +and clear voice, many persons being present, at the regular session +of the Audiencia. I certify this. + +_Gaspar de Acebo_ + +In the city of Manila, on the fourth day of the month of August in +the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the governor +and captain-general of these islands, Don Francisco Tello, in +accordance with the royal decree of his Majesty, dated at Madrid, +the eighth of February of the year one thousand five hundred and +ninety-seven--which treats of certain difficulties suggested by +the bishop of Cagayan [34] in the Council of the Yndias and to the +royal person--assembled at the royal buildings the bishops of these +islands and the provincials and superiors of the orders thereof, +in consultation upon the said decree. The said governor having read +to them the said royal decree, and certain ordinances treating of +discoveries and pacification, exactly as is contained in the said +decree, and they having heard what his Majesty orders, and having +consulted thereon, a decision was reached in the said meeting as to +what the governor and captain-general should command in regard to the +ordinances which his Majesty sent him, and which were publicly read, +as hereinbefore stated, with the heavy penalties which the aforesaid +decree provides against transgressors. For the future they understand +that our Lord's service demands that, by peaceful means of love, +all the Indians should render voluntary and free submission to his +Majesty the king of Castilla, our lord; and they offered that by +themselves and the religious, and the other ministers under their +control, all efforts should be made that this might be accomplished in +a short time. As regards restitution for the past, it seems best to +them that what can be easily effected by pious works and other means +should be done; and as for the rest this means would be taken, that +the religious should gain over the Indians by love and gentleness, +and that they should grant the natives freedom from tributes, which +were levied in times past, while they were infidels. Therefore the +following persons have affixed their signatures. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ +_Archbishop of Manila_ +_Fray Miguel_, Bishop of Nueva Segovia. +_Fray Pedro_, [35] Bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus. +_Fray Bernardo de Santa Catalina_, provincial. +_Raymundo de Prado_, vice-provincial. +_Fray Joan de San Pedro Martir_ +_Joan de Rivera_ + +Before me: _Gaspar de Acebo_ + +This agrees with the original, which remains in my office: + +_Roque Loino de Caceres_ + +In the village of Lumban, province of La Laguna de Bay, on the +thirteenth day of the month of June of the year one thousand five +hundred and ninety-nine, by command of the alferez Gregorio Ponce +de Leon, deputy of the alcalde-mayor of the said provinces for the +king our lord, and father Fray Antonio de Nombela, definitor of the +Order of St. Francis in the said islands, and guardian of the said +convent and village--before me, notary-public of the said provinces +for his Majesty, were gathered all the governors, chiefs, headmen, +and lords of barangay, and most of the timaguas and common people of +all the villages of said provinces, whose names are as here follow. + +Don Hernando Larogajon, governor; Don Francisco Volor, Don Phelipe +Paguilagan, Don Mateo Umanguil, Miguel Manaycon, Simon Panica, +Phelipe Damian, Don Gaspar Culiao, Bartolome Maconan, Bartolome +Parahan, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay of the village of Bay, +and several of their timaguas. Governor Don Juan Halimao, Don Diego +Caya, Domingo Sati, chiefs and lords of barangay of the village of +Tableco, and several of their timaguas. Lieutenant-governor Domingo +Labaulon, Don Francisco Meglilo, Don Antonio Tobantahel, Don Joan +Lagban, Miguel Bati, headmen and lords of barangay of the village of +Pila la Grande, and other chiefs, with common people, and several of +their timaguas. The governor of the village of Nacarlandos, Marcos +Brigilon; his lieutenant, Lorenco Manile; Domingo Pasdeyaen, Lucas +Mandig, Don Pablo Caranblin, Joan Manglas, Domingo Malapas, Mateo +Madhanay, Nicolas Magpisie, Antonio Magsibo, Fruian Lionan, chiefs, +headmen, and lords of barangay of the said village, and many other +chiefs and timaguas. The governor of the village of Mehay, Don Joan +de Mendoca; Don Esteban Luvas, Don Pablo Magbres, Don Diego Magpalo, +Damian Paoaviandes, Laramas, Don Antonio Dato, Diego Malapeg, Don +Lucas Tunuguli, Jusepe Vale, chiefs, headmen and lords of barangay, +and other chiefs and timaguas of the said village. The governor of the +village of Saloanij Guilinguilin; Don Juan Puhaban; the lieutenant, +Don Francisco Caraguen; Don Francisco Bala, Don Pedro Banguig, Don +Diego Limetig, Don Alonso Goor, Don Joan Pile, Don Diego Bagnor, +Don Bentura Ulay, Don Christoval Rarac, Don Christoval Banguis, +Don Diego Daolor, Don Antonio Quilala, Don Joan Ligno, Don Pedro +Alimango, Don Francisco Dales, Don Francisco Danga, Don Luis Guinton, +Venito Laquer, Marcos Abal, chiefs, head men and lords of barangay, and +other chiefs, and timaguas and common people of the said village. The +lieutenant-governor of the village of Panguil, Don Miguel Boag; Don +Andres Talamindor, Francisco Valor, Don Juan Mabaylo, Don Agustin +Labrian, Don Francisco Laguin, Don Pedro Pazhan, Don Andres Guilla, +Don Andres Ama, Don Luis Lanvan, Don Lorenco Apon, Don Phelipe +Panindo, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay, and other chiefs and +timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of Paoil, +Don Joan Lagary; his lieutenant, Don Miguel Manduga; Domingo Pansas, +Sebastian Palangan, Don Joan Valoban, Don Alonso Bulanvel, chiefs, +lords, and heads of the said barangay, and other chiefs, common people, +and timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of +Sampablo, Don Lorenco Lansapao; Don Agustin Magapan, Joan Masquiles, +Don Antonio Calapar, Luis Lapipir, Pablo Mandol, Ventura Pilapan, +Pablo Casyl, Joan Moage, Francisco Mayas, Pablo Caylo, chiefs, lords, +heads of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of +the said village. The lieutenant-governor of the village of Santa +Cruz, Joan Abalasaval; Gaspar Tosol, Joan Bago, chiefs and lords, +heads of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of +the said village. The governor of the village of Pililla, Don Joan +Yavi, Don Luis Abalo, Don Phelipe Bognor, Don Agustin Magcanayon, +Don Pedro Canayon, Miguel Togui, Antonio Mabanta, Lorenco Lagasia, +Bernardo Sampaga, Diego Manira, Martin Cosso, Juan Tangui, Lucas +Ayog, Don Luys Calyas, Clemente Lagnig, chiefs and lords, heads of +barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of the said +village. The governor of the village of Moran, Don Francisco Laquiao; +Don Luis Limetig, Don Pablo Sosil, Don Francisco Baro, chiefs and +head men, lords of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and +timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of Lunban, +Don Juan Burlon; his lieutenant, Don Joan Alaman; Don Agustin Mamija, +Don Marco Ral, Don Rodrigo Pananbo, Don Phelipe Tangui, Don Ventura +Marlangaley, Don Alonso Bineg, Don Alonso Posolan, Don Agustin Asum, +Don Alonso Tindig, Luis Aveij, Don Diego Laval, Don Diego Gaddola, +Goncalo Lima, Don Francisco Pirangaran, Don Pablo Caliox, Alonso +Paraorao, Don Diego Lahacan, Don Goncalo Magcoli, Antonio Puragti +Habanpoli, Don Juan Bambin, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay, +and other chiefs, common people, and all the timaguas of the said +village and government. Don Agustin Baticio, Don Marcos Manalo, Don +Agustin Sandi, Pedro Cabasao, Dionisio Magsubey, Don Tomas Bagsit, +Alonso Sancabo, chiefs of barangay of the said province. + +And all having assembled and come together thus, both the chiefs and +the timaguas, with the said Franciscan father guardian, Fray Antonio +de Nombela, as interpreter, they were given to understand why they +had been called together and were assembled. They were told how God +our Lord had granted them great kindness and grace in keeping them +under the evangelical faith, which remains in His holy church, in the +apostle St. Peter and his successors, who are the pontiffs, bishops, +and confessors who in His name administer instruction and point out +the way to heaven. Our Lord had liberated them from the blindness +and tyranny in which they were as subjects of the devil--who not only +caused the damnation of their immortal souls, which are to be cared +for, but likewise harassed their bodies and consumed their lives. + +What is still more weighty, the most cursed and perverse sect of +Mahoma had begun, through its followers and disciples, to spread and +scatter through some of the islands of this archipelago its pestilent +and abominable creed; but the true God was pleased at that time to +bring the Spanish people into these islands, which was a cure and +remedy for the mortal sickness which the said Mahometan sect has +already commenced to cause in them. Besides this, the Spaniards had +freed them from the tyranny with which their kings and lords were +possessing themselves of their wives and goods, which was the greatest +injury which could be inflicted upon them. They were also reminded +of the great favor that God our Lord had granted them in giving +them for their king and natural lord the Catholic king Don Phelipe, +our sovereign, to maintain them and keep them in peace and justice, +with much gentleness and love. Our lord might have deferred the +conquest of these islands, and it would have been made by other kings +who are not so Catholic, as a punishment for the idolatry which they +practiced; then they would have fallen into greater blindness and sin +than before, and they would not have been so rich and well-provided +as they are, nor would their property have been so safe. All this +is greater advantage than they had in olden days, while they were +infidels. All this was declared to the above-named persons, so that, +in conformity with his will and pleasure they might render submission +to his Majesty, and acknowledge him as such king and natural lord; and +this, notwithstanding what they may have given by word or deed, for +the greater justification of the tributes enjoyed and being enjoyed, +which they have given and paid, and henceforth may give and pay, both +to his Majesty and to his vassals. And this writing is evidence in +all times that of their own will and pleasure they have rendered the +said submission and acknowledgment to their said king and lord. All +the said governors and chiefs, lords of barangay, and their timaguas +who are present, having understood through the interpreter the address +which has been made to them in the name of his Majesty, said together +and unanimously--and not only for themselves but for their subjects, +descendants, and successors in the dominion and lordship of their +barangays--that they recognized and held themselves fortunate in +having recognized our lord; and this because he has granted them the +favors mentioned, and greater ones, since the king our lord is more +Catholic and Christian than other kings of the world, and under his +temporal laws they have lived and are living in great security of +life and property, comfort, and peace, and with more liberty than +they ever thought to have, since they are free at present from all +the tyrannies to which they were subject in the time when they were +infidels. Therefore, in answer to what was asked them, as it was of +so great importance they sought for a delay, as the time is so short, +and they had not conferred and communicated with all the chiefs, +nor informed those of their villages of the resolution; and so they +separated, saying that there would be enough time from now until the +departure of the ships in the coming year, one thousand six hundred, +and that information about this negotiation could be sent then to his +Majesty. This they declared, and those who could do so signed their +names, also the said father definitor and guardian, and the said +lieutenant, as I certify. The witnesses were father Fray de Ponto, +guardian of the convent of Mahayhay; father Fray Tomas de Miranda, +father Fray Bartolome Ruiz, father Fray Alonso de Santana, Fray +Bernardo de Asincion, Don Francisco Bagua, Don Heronimo Aroppora, +Francisco de Nombela, Gregorio Ponce de Leon. + +Before me: + +_Joan de Ribera_, notary-public + +_Copy of the letter from the king of Camboxa to the governor of +Manila. Cited in clause 27 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_. + +_Copy of a letter from the king of Sian_.--I received the embassy of +your Lordship with the greatest pleasure, and for a long time past +I have desired to have a firm and true friendship between us. From +now on I beg that your Lordship will keep this, and this kingdom of +mine shall stand by it. And your kingdom and this kingdom shall be +friends, and particularly your city of Manilha. This shall be my duty +and yours for I have always looked to and upon you to keep the firm +friendship. The king of Portugal alone will take arms in his hands, +for in these times there are some troubles arising from the captain of +Malaca, Daroca Fiaon. For this I have pledged my word to the renewed +friendship, as before. As for the Portuguese, whatever your Lordship +asks or orders shall be done in this country. I am very fond of you, +and this leads me to keep for you all those who may wish to live +in this my kingdom; I shall permit it, for I shall receive all as +I have been seen to receive these, and as Captain Juan Tello said +that ... I have received what your Lordship sent me; and by the same +person I will send a ring to your Lordship ... which your Lordship +will value. At Acibi Pacos, outside of my city. May 5, 1598. + +_Statement regarding the fulfilment of the decree of his Majesty. Cited +in clause 31 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_. + +I, Gaspar de Acebo, notary-public of the government of these +Filipinas Islands for the king our lord, certify to those who may +see these presents that the governor and captain-general of these +islands, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, in +fulfilment of the decrees and instructions of the king our lord, +which the aforesaid Don Francisco holds for the good government of +these islands, has been fulfilling and executing them in so far as +was expedient and for the service of the king our lord. The decree +which arrived here relating to the pancada [_i.e._, purchase in gross] +of the merchandise and cloth which come from China, directing that +it should be bought by one person, and that six persons should go +with it and dispose of the goods in Nueva Espana for the citizens +of these islands--being put into execution by the said governor, was +carried to the royal Audiencia of these islands in course of appeal +by the citizens thereof, in which court the suit is in progress. + +Likewise the said governor, by virtue of his instruction, inspected +the cathedral church of this city, conjointly with the archbishop Don +Fray Ygnacio (whom may God keep); and in the presence of me, the said +secretary, inspected the ornaments of the said church, the plate, +and other articles of the service of divine worship. They ordered +the treasurer of the said church and the former stewards of the said +cathedral to render accounts, so that the property and income of the +said church might be known. + +_Item_: By virtue of a royal decree, obtained by the petition of +the late bishop of these islands, Don Fray Domingo de Salazar, when +any canonry or prebend in these islands was vacated, the governor +might, as these islands are so remote from the kingdom of Espana, +present the person who should to him appear fitting for such canonry +or prebend. This has been carried out and executed thus far by the +said governor. + +_Item_: The royal decree is being carried out and put into operation +which directs the establishment of schools in which to teach the +natives the Spanish language. The said schools are in charge of the +fathers of the Society of Jesus. + +_Item_: By virtue of a decree of the king our lord, dated in Madrid +the eighth of February of the past year of ninety-seven, in which is +directed the order to be followed in bringing the natives of these +islands to render submission to the royal crown, and in publishing +the ordinances for newly-discovered countries, these were published +in this city; and the order to be observed in bringing the natives +to render submission was provided for by the archbishop (whom may +God keep), Don Fray Ygnacio de Santibanez, and the other bishops and +provincials of these islands, conjointly with the said governor. They +have begun to carry this out in several provinces of these islands. + +_Item_: The said governor has ordered to be fulfilled and executed the +clause of the instruction which directs that duties shall not be levied +upon the Chinese or other nations in the neighborhood of these islands, +as they bring provisions and military stores to provide this camp. + +Likewise, in fulfilment of another clause of the instruction, the +said governor took possession, in the name of and for the lord our +king, of the hospital for natives which is situated in this city, +and ordered accounts to be rendered of the property and income of +the said hospital. + +_Item_: In accordance with a royal decree which deals with the fact +that the chiefs of these islands are being employed in governorships, +and directs that they be honored and favored by the magistrates, +this has been done and is being done by the said governor, Don +Francisco Tello. + +_Item_: In regard to clause twenty-seven of his instructions, +by which the said governor is ordered and commanded to reduce the +number of encomiendas and villages, and ordains that they be in +places convenient for the administration of the holy sacraments to +the natives, this is being carried out without harshness, in those +regions which are at present prepared for it. + +_Item_: Likewise some of the royal decrees and clauses of instruction +which were given to the said governor Don Francisco Tello have not +been carried out. In these it is ordered and commanded that certain +things are to be done for the good government of these islands, +conjointly with the archbishop thereof. As the latter died soon after +his arrival in this city, they were suspended, without any action +or consideration being taken of them, because the said governor was +commanded to communicate and act with the said archbishop. + +In proof of the truth of what is here related, by the request and +command of Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, +governor and captain-general of these islands, I have given the +present, dated in the city of Manila, on the fourteenth day of the +month of July of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine. I +have therefore set my seal hereto in witness of the truth. + +_Gaspar de Acebo_ + +We, the notaries-public and royal who sign here, certify and bear +witness that Gaspar de Acebo, by whom this instrument is signed and +sealed, is secretary of the government of these islands; and to the +instruments and documents which are drawn before him entire faith and +credit is given, in and out of court. That this may appear we have +given the present in the city of Manila, in the Filipinas Islands, +on the fourteenth day of the month of July, of the year one thousand +five hundred and ninety-nine. + +_Francisco de Valencia_, notary-public. +_Joan Paez de Sotomayor_, notary royal. +_Juan Estebes_, notary for his Majesty. + + + + +Ordinances Enacted by the Audiencia of Manila + + +_An act decreeing that the Sangleys who are arrested shall pay their +creditors within six days, or have their services sold for debt_. + +In the city of Manila, on the thirteenth of June, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the members of this court, the president and +auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas +Islands, while inspecting the prison, declared that, whereas, both +in the royal prison of this court and in that of the jurisdiction of +the alcaiceria [Chinese market] many Sangley prisoners are arrested +for debts of long standing, who, by not having the means to pay, +or for their own purposes, being thus assured of their sustenance, +allow themselves to remain in the said prisons, without making any +payment: therefore, since it is advisable to remedy this evil, on +account of the great expense incurred by the Confraternity of La +Sancta Misericordia for the sustenance of the aforesaid prisoners, +and in order that the creditors may be paid, they ordered, and they +did so order, that the said Sangleys imprisoned for debts past due +be notified that they must pay their creditors within six days, +being warned that, if they do not, their services will be sold to +anyone who will give enough to satisfy and pay the creditors, and +to the amount of their debt; but if they cannot be sold, or if the +creditors wish to take them to the amount of the debt, they shall be +delivered to the latter in chains, in order to serve out the amount +of the debt. If the said creditors refuse to receive the prisoners, +they shall be notified to give them food in the said prisons at their +own expense; and, on failure to do so, the prisoners will be set at +liberty. Thus they voted, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that notaries, whether public or royal, shall be +present at the review of charges against prisoners._ + +In the city of Manila, on the thirteenth of June, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, while making a general review +of the charges against prisoners in the royal prison of this court, +ordered, and they did so order, in consideration of the fact that the +notaries, both public and royal, were not present at the said review +with the records of the suits against the prisoners, for which reason +the review was hindered, that the notaries should all be notified, +collectively and singly, to be present at such review of charges, with +the suits that they shall have, in order to report upon them--under +penalty of a fine of four pesos for the first offense, to be given +to the poor of the said prison. For the second offense they shall be +rigorously punished. Thus they voted, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that the prison warden shall maintain a stricter +watch over the prisoners_. + +In the city of Manila, on the twentieth of June, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, on the occasion of a review +of charges against prisoners, declared that, whereas it has come to +their knowledge that many of the prisoners in the said prison leave it +to eat and sleep, and go to their houses and about their business, +and that those who are ordered to imprison them fail to do so, +so that from the aforesaid there has been, and is, a great deal of +disorder, and that the warden thereof does not fulfil and observe his +obligations: therefore, as it is advisable to remedy the aforesaid +evil, they ordered, and they did so order, that Baltasar Martin, +warden of the said prison, be notified that, now and henceforth, +he shall under no consideration permit any prisoner in his charge, +during the time of his imprisonment, to leave the said prison for +eating, sleeping, or any other matter outside of it. Prisoners who +are ordered to be imprisoned shall not be released except by order and +command of the judges by whose orders they are arrested. The aforesaid +warden shall observe the obligations of his office, being warned that, +if he shall act contrary thereto, he will be proceeded against with +the full rigor of the law; in addition to which, the penalties for +not exercising his said office in accordance with his bond and pledge +shall be executed against him. Thus they voted, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that there shall be no hucksters_. + +In the city of Manila, on the twenty-fifth of June, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors assembled +in this royal Audiencia and Chancilleria declared that, whereas +in this said city of Manila all sorts of provisions have become +very dear, on account of the disorder that has existed, and does +exist, through having allowed many Sangleys and native Indians to +go through this city and five leagues round about it, trading and +bartering the said provisions--as, for instance, rice, wine, fowls, +swine, cows, buffalo, game, eggs, geese, kids, cocoanuts, bananas, +pullets, capons, fish, olive-oil, vinegar, and other provisions that +are gathered and raised within the five leagues, or are bought from +outside from the other provinces, islands, villages, and hamlets--and +act as hucksters and retailers of these provisions: therefore, +as it is advisable to provide the necessary remedy in this matter, +in order that the said disorder be avoided, they ordered, and they +did so order, that no person--Spaniard, Sangley, native, or of any +other nation, quality, and rank whatever--shall trade or barter, +now and henceforth, in the said provisions, or in any of them, in +this said city or within the five leagues of its jurisdiction. No +huckster shall buy or retail for his own trade or profit any of the +above things, under any condition, under penalty of confiscation of +everything thus found in his possession which he has bought or traded +for--half to be applied to his Majesty's treasury, and the other half +to go to the informer or constable who exposes him, or to the judge +who gives sentence. Besides this, any person who shall be discovered +not to have fulfilled this obligation shall, if he be a Spaniard, +for the first offense be imprisoned twenty days in the common jail; +and for the second he shall be banished for six months from this +city and the five-league circuit of this court, to a prescribed +residence. If he be a Sangley or an Indian, he shall for the first +offense be given one hundred lashes; and for the second shall serve in +his Majesty's galleys, or at the forge, or in the powder-house, for a +period of two years without pay. Those who obtain the said provisions +by cultivation and labor within a circuit of five leagues, or who bring +them from outside this city to sell them therein, may sell and bring +them freely, so that it be not to the said hucksters or retailers; and +provided that they bring them first to the public square of this city, +or up the river in their vessels, in order that the inhabitants and +dwellers in this city may be provided with whatever they may need, +for the time and space of two natural days. These being passed, +whatever they cannot sell they may carry away, and sell in the other +towns within the said five leagues. Likewise, they ordered that no +person shall go by way of the sea or the river or by highways whence +come the said provisions, to take or buy them from those who should +be bringing them, before the arrival of the latter with them in this +city, within the five leagues, under penalty of one hundred lashes; +and that the alcaldes-in-ordinary, the regidors, and other officials +of this city, and the alcaldes-mayor of Tondo and Bulacan and their +assistants, shall take especial care for the execution and enforcement +of this act in their districts, being warned that they will be punished +at their residencias, and will be charged therewith; and warning will +be given to those who take their residencias that their punishment +be executed. Thus they voted, ordered, and decreed over their names, +and that this act be proclaimed in this city and the suburb of Tondo. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: _Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that no one shall embark for the purpose of leaving +these islands, without permission_. + +In the city of Manila, on the first of July, one thousand five hundred +and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia +and Chancilleria of the said islands, being assembled, and considering +a petition presented by the licentiate Geronimo Salazar y Salzedo, +his Majesty's fiscal in the said royal Audiencia, declared that, +whereas many people who go unpunished by the royal justice for +murders and other crimes that they have committed, and others for +owing money to the royal exchequer, and for bringing suits against +the royal treasurer, and who have other legitimate reasons for not +being able to leave this city, absent themselves from it in order not +to be punished, or to pay what they owe, and go to Nueva Espana and +other places, favored and assisted by generals, admirals, captains, +masters, and other officers and persons of the ships sailing from +these islands, whence results much harm and trouble; therefore, in +order that the aforesaid evils be remedied, and that this may not be +so henceforth, they ordered, and they did so order, that no general, +admiral, captain, master, or any other officer or person, on whatever +vessel sailing from these islands, for Nueva Espana or any other places +whatever, shall receive, assist, protect, or conceal, in any manner, +any person of any rank or condition whatever, so that he may embark +on such ship or ships--even though he may go thereon as captain, +master, pilot, sailor, or in any other capacity--without securing +permission in writing from the governor and captain-general of these +islands, drawn up with the necessary conditions, and in the usual +form. If it should happen that the said person or persons embark so +secretly that they do not allow themselves to be seen by the officers +of the said ship on which they are, until it is under sail, as soon +as they allow themselves to be seen, the captain of said ship shall +be informed thereof, in order that he may make investigation of it, +ascertaining and assuring himself how and in what manner, and when +and how, they embarked and where; who helped and protected them +therein, and who saw them embark; and for what reason they secretly +embarked. The said officers shall arrest the person or persons who +shall have embarked, together with those who shall have given their +favor or assistance. They shall be found guilty in conformity with the +aforesaid, and placed in irons, so that at the first port where they +arrive, they may be handed over, with a copy of the investigations +which shall have been made, to the justice thereof, who shall keep +them prisoners. On the first occasion of the sailing of any ship, he +shall send them as prisoners to this city under a sufficient guard, +to the royal prison of this court, delivering them to the warden +thereof, and taking his testimony in the matter, delivering also +the original of the said investigation. They shall send a complete +and authentic copy of all the above to the fiscal of the said royal +Audiencia, in order that such persons may be punished as their offenses +demand. They ordered unanimously that no person, of whatever rank or +condition, for any cause or reason whatever, shall leave this city, +to go beyond these islands, or to leave them for Nueva Espana, +or any other places unless he has permission in writing from the +said governor, with the necessary conditions. Likewise, it shall +be understood by the captains, masters, pilots, sailors, and other +workmen on any ships whatever, in the manner aforesaid. In order that +this act be exactly enforced, it shall be publicly proclaimed in this +city and the port of Cavite. Copies shall be made of it and affixed +to the doors of the royal houses, so that it may come to the notice +of everyone, and no one may plead ignorance of it, so that one and +all may observe it in the manner aforesaid--under penalty of a fine +of five hundred pesos of common gold, to be applied to the use of the +royal treasury and the interests of the royal exchequer, to which +sum they hold them condemned as soon as they disobey this decree, +besides the deprivation of their offices. This penalty is to be +executed without any favor. Thus they decreed, ordered, and ordained. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ + +_An act decreeing that one of the auditors shall have charge of +reviewing the charges against prisoners every two months_. + +In the city of Manila, on the fifth of August, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, being assembled, declared that, +whereas there are many prisoners in the royal prison of this court, +whose numbers are constantly increasing, on account of arrests for +vagabondage and other criminal charges: therefore, in order that the +cases of such prisoners be settled and despatched with all promptness, +the charges against them reviewed during the week, and their cases +substantiated and decided, and that the order and system requisite to +the quick and efficient despatch of their affairs may be observed, +they ordered, and they did so order, that now and henceforth, an +auditor of this royal Audiencia shall, during the months assigned to +him, review the charges against prisoners, at such times and in such +wise as he may deem proper. The cases of such prisoners as are in the +prison must be definitely substantiated and concluded, without any +prisoner being able to escape, or any case to go unsettled. He shall +then refer them to the court of this royal Audiencia, in order that +they may be examined and decided therein. In the aforesaid examination, +he shall take particular care to follow the established practice, +so that there may be suitable method and system, in order to avoid +long imprisonments and delays in the cases. To execute the above, +full authority and power was delegated in due legal form. They ordered +the licentiate Christoval Tellez de Almacan, auditor of this royal +Audiencia, to begin his months from today; then, consecutively, the +other members of the Audiencia. Thus they voted, and ordered it to +be registered as an act, and signed the same. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act relating to the breeding of fowls_. + +In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas in the +instructions which have been given to the alcaldes-mayor of the +provinces of these islands, the latter have been charged and ordered +to take particular care that the natives thereof shall raise fowls, +in order both to pay their tribute, and to keep the land supplied with +necessary food; they are, however, informed that, although the said +alcaldes-mayor take particular care in the execution and enforcement +of the said instructions, the said natives do not breed the said +fowls, because no pecuniary penalties are exacted from them--whence +it results that they have none wherewith to pay their tribute; +and there is a very considerable lack and scarcity of them in this +city, so that they are worth three or four reals apiece, and then +scarcely to be found; therefore, to remedy this loss, they ordered, +and they did so order, the said alcaldes-mayor, now and henceforth, +to reward any of the said natives who raises the number of fowls +that is called for by the said instructions. The Indians who will +not raise them can be and shall be fined one toston, which is to be +applied equally to the support of the two hospitals in this city, +those for the Spaniards and for the natives; but no other fines or +costs are to be collected from them. They shall keep a book with an +account and a report, in which they shall enter the said condemnations +in legal form--wherein they shall take great care and diligence, so +that the provisions of this act may be better enforced. In order that +the said natives may not pretend ignorance, the said alcaldes-mayor, +upon receipt of a copy of this act, authorized by the present notary, +shall have it proclaimed in the villages under their jurisdiction, with +the number of fowls that must be raised, so that the said penalties +may be imposed with more rectitude and justification. By this act, +they so voted, ordered, and decreed, and they ordained that this act +be inscribed in the book of this royal Audiencia. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act relating to slavery_. + +In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand five +hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas Islands declared that, +whereas they had been informed that in the province of Pampanga +were many native slaves, divided among many masters--one slave often +serving ten masters, more or less--whence resulted great disservice +to God our Lord, on account of the vexations, troubles, and great +injuries received by the said slaves in serving so many masters; +and whereas they had ordered Benito de Mendiola, alcalde-mayor of the +said province, to inform himself regarding what should be done in this +matter in order to repair such wrongs; and whereas the latter, in a +petition, presented before the aforesaid Audiencia, has informed them +that no satisfactory division of the slaves is made among the heirs, +and that on this account they may be appraised at the common value and +appraisal, and when they are sold the purchase-price should be divided +among the heirs; and, if after being appraised, one of them retains +a slave, he should pay the other heirs for their share: therefore, +because the said opinion seemed a fair method of procedure, they +ordered, and they did so order, the said alcalde-mayor of Pampanga, +now and henceforth, to take particular care in such cases to observe +the said plan--so that such slaves shall not have so many owners, +nor endure, or be vexed with, the service of so many masters, whom +they cannot serve without considerable trouble. It often happens +that they run away from their masters, or are ill-treated and not +supplied with food and other things necessary to their life. The said +alcalde-mayor shall be advised to execute and enforce the tenor of this +act, being warned that, if he shall not do so, vigorous proceedings +will be instituted against him. By this act, they so voted, ordered, +and decreed, providing that this act be entered in the books of this +royal Audiencia. + +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing a proper regulation of supplies_. + +In the city of Manila, on the fifteenth day of the month of October, +one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors +of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, being assembled, +declared that at present there is a great lack of provisions in this +city, and that those that are to be had are so high-priced, that there +is general suffering. It is thought that, unless this be regulated, +the trouble will increase in the future. + +_Buffalo meat_. Therefore they ordered that a contract should be made +with ten Indian arquebusiers, from among those who have permission to +hunt, so that what buffaloes they kill shall be brought for public +sale at the city slaughter-house; and there shall be there every +day the meat of at least one buffalo, which is to be weighed out and +distributed to the citizens. + +_The natives and Sangleys must raise fowl and swine. Item_: They voted +and ordered that, now and henceforth, all the natives of these islands, +and the Sangley gardeners who reside therein, shall raise fowl and +swine, as they are ordered, under penalty of a fine of four reals +apiece--three of these to be applied to the use of the hospitals +of this city, and one to the alguazil-mayor or judge who executes +this decree. To that end, the necessary orders shall be despatched, +directed to the magistrates, charging them with the enforcement +thereof, and warning them that especial attention will be paid to +their observance of them, when their residencias are taken. + +_That the natives shall bring their provisions for sale to this +city_. Likewise, they ordered the said alcaldes-mayor and magistrates +to be charged and ordered to procure and give orders, each one in his +jurisdiction, to the Indians to come to this city with fowl, swine, +wine, rice, olive-oil, vinegar, and other provisions which they may +have, to sell in this city, for the provision thereof. They are to come +directed to the president, so that he may have some one commissioned to +distribute the provisions without injury to their owners, and at their +full value. Especial care is to be taken in the execution of this. + +_That pork shall be sold in the public square at a counter, by weight +and assize_. Further, they ordered that, neither in this city nor +its suburbs, nor in the Sangley and native settlements, shall any +person offer for sale or sell, a dead hog or parts thereof, in the +streets or in their houses, unless it is brought to the square or +the Parian, or any other place that shall be assigned therefor by +the magistrate. There it shall be sold publicly at a counter, by +weight and at fixed rates, under penalty of confiscation of whatever +is found on sale in any other way--which shall go to the alguazil or +judge executing this decree--and twenty lashes applied to the seller. + +_Price at which hens, chickens, and capons shall be bought and +sold. Item_: In order that the dearness of the price of fowls may cease +(for they are the principal sustenance of this land), and because it +is just that there shall be a common and general price for all, they +ordered that no person--Spanish, Sangley, native, or other, of any +quality, rank, or condition whatever--may sell or cause to be sold in +this city, or within a radius of five leagues thereof, hens, capons, +and chickens, whether of their own breeding, or of their income, +profit, or property, in any way whatsoever, at a higher price than +the following: a laying Sangley hen, two and one-half reals; a Moro +hen, two reals; a male chicken, one real; a pullet, one and one-half +reals; a Sangley capon, three and one-half reals--under this penalty, +that whoever shall be found selling at a higher price shall lose the +fowls which are thus sold, which shall be divided into three parts, +among the hospitals of this city, and the informer or the judge who +shall execute this decree. At this price those who have fowls shall be +obliged to give them to anyone who would buy. The justices are charged +and ordered to take care to have this scale observed and enforced in +their jurisdictions, with the utmost strictness. It shall be proclaimed +and published therein, that no one may plead ignorance thereof. + +_That provisions shall be allowed to be sold freely._ Further, they +ordered that all provisions shall be freely offered, and those who +bring them shall sell them at their pleasure and free will: and no +person in this city, or its suburbs and settlements, shall dare to +take by force, or against their will, from the Indians or Sangleys, +what they bring to sell, or cause them any injury or molestation +therein, under penalty of being severely punished. + +_That those who sell fish and other provisions shall maintain the +fixed rates_. They also ordered that those who sell fish and other +provisions, shall abide by the fixed rates which are established, +under the penalties imposed for the violation of them. This act +shall be publicly proclaimed in this city, and in the Sangley Parian, +and in the settlements of Tondo, in order that all may know of it. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almazan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act relating to the importation to this city, from the neighboring +provinces, of fowls, swine, and eggs, for the ordinary allotment_. + +In the city of Manila, on the seventh day of the month of December, +one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors +of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria residing in the said city, +examined the petition of the protector of the natives of these +islands, presented in the name of the inhabitants of Tondo and its +district, in regard to their ordering that this city of Manila should +be provided with the fowls and swine necessary for its sustenance, +from all the provinces and villages of this neighborhood, allotting +among them equitably what each one is obliged to furnish, so that no +one be overburdened; but, since all this has been thus done until now, +the said village and tributes of his Majesty are being depopulated and +growing smaller. The said Audiencia having likewise seen the want and +necessity which has existed, and exists at present, of the said fowls, +swine, and eggs, for the sustenance of this city--although, to remedy +the difficulty, the said president and auditors have enacted other +ordinances and acts--they declared that, in order that the provisions +of the said act may be better fulfilled, and with greater ease and +convenience, and less vexation to the natives, since the inhabitants +of each one of the villages of these environs know what assistance +they owe, they [the Audiencia] ought to order, and they did so order, +that, now and henceforth, the alcaldes-mayor of these environs of +Manila--namely, those of Tondo, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Mindoro, +Balayan--shall be under the obligation of providing this city from +their said districts with the fowls, swine, and eggs necessary for +its sustenance, at the time and in the quantity and order following. + +First, the year shall be apportioned and divided as follows for +each alcalde-mayor: That of Tondo, the first three months of the +year--January, February, and March. That of Pampanga, the next three +months--April, May, and June. That of Bulacan, the next two months--for +the inhabitants of Bulacan, July and August. That of Laguna, the next +two months--for the inhabitants of Laguna, September and October. That +of Mindoro and Balayan, the next two months--November and December. + +They are charged and ordered to take particular care to be punctual +in entering upon their months without awaiting any other orders, +and to send to this city each week, until their term is finished, to +the person who shall be nominated and appointed, three hundred laying +hens--the fourth or third part of them pullets, at the rate of four +small ones or two large ones for one laying fowl--and likewise two +thousand eggs, and the number of swine that he may consider proper, +and that can be produced. And the said person, as soon as he shall +receive them, shall distribute them all in due order and form, to those +persons and in the manner ordained and ordered, paying immediately +those who brought them, according to the scale imposed by this royal +Audiencia--advising the natives that during Lent, in place of fowls, +they must send eggs. + +In order that this act may be better enforced, and that nothing may +arise to obstruct or hinder its fulfilment (inasmuch as it has been +ordered, by other acts, that all the natives shall raise the said +fowls and swine, under certain penalties), the said alcaldes-mayor are +again charged to exert all care in this matter, so that the natives may +easily furnish what is assigned to and ordered from them. Furthermore, +there shall be no Sangleys (whether infidels or Christians), or native +chiefs or timaguas, excused from undertaking the said breeding, and +furnishing the said allotment, since it is important for their own +welfare, utility, and profit. The said reservation shall be observed +in regard to everything else therein contained; and they ordered all +the said alcaldes-mayor to issue letters and royal decrees, with this +act inserted therein, in order that the provisions herein contained +may begin to be observed from the first of January of the coming +year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, beginning with +Tondo and continuing with the other places in the said order. And +the said alcaldes-mayor shall be notified that, just as care will +be taken to reward them for the care and diligence that they shall +exert in its fulfilment, in like manner those who do not observe it +will be punished; and orders will be given to take especial account +in their residencias of the carelessness or neglect observed by them +in this. Thus they decreed and ordered, and affixed their signatures. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act ordering the auditor last appointed to audit the accounts of +this city for the past year XCVIII_. + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the king +our sovereign, by one of his royal ordinances, ordains and orders the +aforesaid, that one auditor of this his royal Audiencia shall each +year audit the accounts of this city; and that they shall commence +with the last elected, and that each year they shall continue with the +rest of the auditors in their turn: therefore, in conformity with the +said royal ordinance, and in order exactly to enforce its provisions, +they ordered, and they did so order, that the licentiate Albaro +Cambrano, auditor of this royal Audiencia, beginning the aforesaid, +shall immediately audit the said accounts of this city for the past +year of ninety-eight, ordering and providing therefor whatever is +necessary. To that end, and for any act connected with and concerning +it, they gave him power and full commission, as far as is required by +law. In future years the other members, in their turn, shall continue +to audit the said accounts annually, as is here declared. Thus they +voted, and ordered it to be registered as an act, and signed the same. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that the residencias of the faithful administrators +of this city shall be taken every two months._ + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the king +our sovereign, in one of his royal ordinances, ordains and commands +that the said president and auditors shall take a residencia every +two months of the faithful administrators of the city in which this +his royal Audiencia shall reside: therefore, in order that the said +royal ordinance may be exactly enforced, and his Majesty's royal +will observed and enforced in everything, they ordered, and they +did so order, that from the first day of January of the coming year, +one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, and thenceforth, the said +decree shall take effect. They appointed therefor the licentiate Albaro +Cambrano, auditor of this royal Audiencia, to take the said residencia +of the said regidors and faithful administrators who have filled the +said offices, and to take from them an account of how they employed +their time in the past, and up to the said day. This shall be done in +due form, and in conformity with the law. And they gave him power and +full commission therefor, as far as the law required. In the future, +the said residencia shall continue to be taken every two months by +the said auditors--the licentiate Tellez Almacan, and Doctor Antonio +de Morga, each in his turn, and in the aforesaid manner, to succeed +the licentiate Albaro Cambrano. By this act they so provided, ordered, +and appointed. + +_Don Francisco Tello_ +_Doctor Antonio de Morga_ +The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_ +The licentiate _Albaro Cambrano_ + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +An act decreeing that the auditors shall keep a +record of the suits concerning the royal exchequer. + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the +royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas +the king our sovereign, in one of his royal ordinances, orders and +commands the aforesaid to keep a record of the suits and affairs of +the royal exchequer; and that on Thursday of each week the senior +auditor, his Majesty's fiscal, the royal officials, and the notary +of the royal treasury shall hold a meeting: therefore, in order that +the provisions of the said ordinance may be strictly enforced, they +ordered, and they did so order, that the said record be made. And +considering that Thursdays are days for judicial decisions, and that +on this account they cannot attend to the aforesaid matter, the said +meetings shall be on Tuesday afternoons in the royal offices--at +which shall be present Doctor Antonio de Morga, the senior auditor of +this royal Audiencia, his Majesty's fiscal, and the royal judicial +officers, together with the notary of the royal treasury, according +as the king our sovereign orders and commands in the said ordinance, +exercising in everything requisite and necessary care and expedition +for the increase and preservation of the said royal exchequer. By +this act they so declared, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: _Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that an account of the resources of his Majesty's +exchequer in these islands be sent to the royal Council of the Indias_. + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas Islands declared that, +whereas the king our sovereign in one of his royal ordinances, orders +and commands the aforesaid president and auditors that the official +judges of his Majesty's exchequer shall send in account to his royal +Council of the resources of his exchequer in these islands, with their +signatures affixed, together with those of the aforesaid president +and auditors: therefore, in conformity with the said royal ordinance, +and in order that its provisions may be strictly enforced, they +ordered, and they did so order, that the said official judges shall +be notified to give orders immediately to have a true report made, +with entire clearness, and without any reservation, of the resources +of his Majesty's estate in these islands, and under their charge, +and of their disbursements and expenses. As soon as the said report +is made, copies in duplicate shall be sent to the king our sovereign, +in his royal Council of the Indias, by the first ships sailing from +these islands for Nueva Espana, in the form that his Majesty orders +and commands. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that a book shall be prepared in which are registered +the citizens of these islands, with their merits and services_. + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal +Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas Islands declared that, +whereas the king our sovereign, in one of his ordinances, orders and +commands the aforesaid president and auditors to prepare a book wherein +to register the inhabitants and dwellers in these islands, and inscribe +their merits and services, and the rewards and remunerations which +have been given them in recompense--a copy of which shall be sent +him in his royal Council of the Indias, so that, when they ask for +rewards, they shall be given what they deserve: therefore, in order +that the royal will of the king our sovereign be strictly observed, +enforced, and fulfilled, they ordered, and they did so order, the +said book, for the said purpose, to be made immediately; and when all +that his Majesty orders and commands in the said royal ordinance is +finished and completed, copies shall be made in duplicate and sent on +the first ships leaving these islands for Nueva Espana, to the king +our sovereign in his said royal Council. By this act they so voted, +ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: + +_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + +_An act decreeing that the treasurer of the royal exchequer shall +collect all the fines that are in any wise imposed by this royal +Audiencia_. + +In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand +five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the +royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the +king our sovereign, in one of his ordinances, orders and commands the +said Audiencia, that the treasurer of his Majesty's royal exchequer +in these islands shall collect all the fines that are in any wise +imposed by this royal Audiencia, which are to be applied both to +the use of the royal treasury, and to the courts and other judicial +expenses; that the chief alguazil of this court shall have charge of +executing them; that whatever the said treasurer collects, he is to +present immediately to the officials of the royal exchequer; that +the aforesaid officials shall place it in the chest with the three +keys; that they shall enter in a book all that they may collect from +such fines, placing on one side the fines for the royal treasury, +and on the other those of the courts; that the aforesaid officials +shall take care that charge of them is given to the said treasurer; +that the latter, at the end of each year, shall audit the said fines; +and that then a succinct report of them shall be sent to the royal +Council of the Indias, signed with his name and the names of the +other officials, together with the certification of the court notary +of this royal Audiencia, of the fines that shall have been imposed: +therefore, in conformity with the said royal ordinance, and in +order that its provisions may be strictly enforced, they ordered, +and they did so order, that the official judges of his Majesty's +royal exchequer in these islands be notified to observe and enforce +thoroughly the provisions of the said royal ordinance of which mention +is here made, _in toto_, without failing in any point, each one in +matters concerning him, just as is here declared. Nor shall the said +fines be expended, under any consideration, otherwise than shall be +specified by this royal Audiencia, under penalty that whoever shall +order them otherwise disbursed shall repay the amount from his own +pocket. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed. + +Before me: _Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_ + + + + + +_Bibliographical Data_ + + +All documents in this volume--translated from either the originals or +transcriptions thereof--are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general +de Indias, Sevilla; their pressmarks are indicated as follows: + +1. _Letter from Morga_, June 30, 1597--"Simancas-Secular; Audiencia +de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del presidente y oidores de dicha +Audiencia vistos en el Consejo; anos 1583 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, +leg. 18." + +2. _Administration of hospital._--The same as No. 1. + +3. _Letters from Tello_, 1597.--The same as No. 1--except letter of +June 22, "Simancas-Secular; cartas y espedientes del gobernador de +Filipinas vistos en el Consejo; anos 1567 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, +leg. 6." + +4. _Letter from Ronquillo_.--The same as No. 1. + +5. _Report by Morga_.--The same as No. 1. + +6. _Recommendations as to reforms_.--"Simancas-Secular; Audiencia +de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes de personas seculares de dicha +Audiencia vistos en el Consejo; ano's de 1565 a 1594; est. 67, caj. 6, +leg. 34." + +7. _Reception of royal seal_.--The same as No. 1--except "Anos de 1600 +a 1612; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 19." The dates would indicate that this +MS. is misplaced in the archives. + +8. _Letters from the archbishop_, 1598.--"Simancas-Secular; Audiencia +de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del arzobispo de Manila vistos en +el Consejo; anos de 1579 a 1679; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 32." + +9. _Letters from Benavides_.--"Simancas-Secular; Audiencia de +Filipinas; cartas y espedientes de los obispos sufraganeos de Manila; +1598 a 1698; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 34." + +10. _Letters from Tello_, 1598--The same as No. 3 (June 22). + +11. _Report of the Audiencia_.--The same as No. 1. + +12. _Letter to the archbishop_.-"Audiencia de Filipinas; registros +de oficio; reales ordenes dirigidas a las autoridades del distrito +de la Audiencia; anos de 1597 a 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1." + +13. _Missions of the religious orders_.--"Simancas-Filipinas; +descubrimientos, descripciones y poblaciones de las Islas Filipinas; +anos de 1582 a 1606; est. 1, caj. 1, leg. 3|25." + +14. _Letters from Tello_, 1599.--The same as No. 3 (June 22). + +15. _Ordinances by the Audiencia_. The same as No. 1. + + + + + + + +NOTES + +[1] See Morga's account of the martyrdom of the Franciscans, in +his _Sucesos_ (Hakluyt Soc. trans.), pp. 78-84; and that by Santa +Ines, in his _Cronica_, ii, pp. 273-581, 621-644. The latter writer +furnishes also biographical sketches of the martyrs (among whom was +Pedro Baptista). They were canonized in 1862. + +Taiko-sama was a name adopted by Hideyoshi in 1591, when he made a +partial abdication of his power in favor of an adopted son. He died +in September, 1598. + +[2] This confraternity was founded (1594) at Manila by a priest +named Juan Fernandez de Leon, who came to the islands in 1591. The +association was planned in imitation of that at Lisboa, and included +prominent members of all the orders, as well as secular persons. Its +first presiding officer was Luis Perez Dasmarinas. In conjunction +with the Franciscans, the Confraternity of La Misericordia ("mercy") +administered the hospital for many years. See Santa Ines's _Cronica_, +ii, pp. 200-215. + +[3] This was Fray Martin de Leon, according to Santa Ines (_Cronica_, +ii, p. 270). + +[4] Food prepared from the sago-palm (see _Vol_. IV, p. 276). + +[5] Husk of the cocoa-nut (Retana's edition of Zuniga's _Estadismo_, +ii, p. 449*). + +[6] _Ketchil_, a Malay word signifying "little, young;" hence a +young man of distinction, a son or brother of the Molucca princes: +in Amboina it is the designation of the heir-apparent. Marsden's +_Dictionary_, cited by Stanley, in his translation of Morga (Hakluyt +Soc. publications), p. 59. + +[7] The salambao is a raft of reeds or bamboo; on which is erected an +apparatus not unlike the mast and yard of a square-rigged ship. To +one end of the yard is attached a net which may be raised from and +lowered into the water. This contrivance is called by the natives +_timba_. See full description of the salambao, and of other native +modes of fishing, in Zuniga's _Estadismo_ (Retana's ed.), i, pp. 199, +200; and illustration of this apparatus in F. Jagor's _Travels in +the Philippines_ (London, 1875), p. 47. + +[8] "The black people or Caffares of the land of Mozambique, and +all the coast of Ethiopia and within the land to the Cape de Bona +Speranza." ... "The Portingales do make a living by buying and selling +of them" (Linschoten's _Voyage_ (Hakluyt Soc. trans., London, 1885), +vol. i, pp. 269, 277). + +[9] _Blanca_: half a maravedi, equivalent to nearly one mill in +U.S. money. + +[10] A law dated 1556 provides that jettisons are to be reckoned as +risks in common, and to be distributed among ship, freight-money, +and cargo. See _Recop. leyes Indias_ (ed. 1841), lib. ix, tit. xxxix, +ley x. + +[11] Apparently referring to Fray Marcelo de Rivadeneira, one of the +Franciscans who went to Japan with Pedro Baptista. Rivadeneira wrote +a book, _Historia de las islas del Archipielago_, etc. (Barcelona, +M.DC.I), which describes the countries of Eastern Asia, and relates +the history of Franciscan missions therein. + +[12] In the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla, is a document which +contains the following statement: "I, Captain Joan de Bustamante, +accountant and official judge of the royal exchequer of the Filipinas +islands, certify that, according to the books, accounts, and papers of +the office and records of the said royal exchequer, it is not, since +the past year of fifteen hundred and eighty-one, when the cathedral +church of this city was founded by Don Fray Domingo de Salazar, first +bishop of these islands, up to the present year of fifteen hundred +and ninety-nine, evident nor apparent that there have been given from +the royal exchequer to the said church any bells, images, ornaments, +chalices, candelabra, missals, or choir-books for the service thereof; +nor has there been paid over for that purpose any coins of gold, as +appears by the said books and papers to which I refer. In certification +whereof, and that this may be apparent, I have, on the petition of the +dean and chapter, _sede vacante_, given these presents in Manila on the +fifth of July of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine." + +[13] _Vosotros_: the familiar form of the second person plural of +the personal pronoun; its use in this case was a mark of contempt +for his audience. + +[14] The convent of San Francisco del Monte was situated at +somewhat more than a league from Manila; and an estate was granted +to the Franciscan order by Santiago de Vera, for the support of the +convent. See Santa Ines's _Cronica_, i, pp. 531-534, for full account +of its foundation. + +[15] This dignitary was Fray Miguel Benavides, of the Dominican order; +see _Vol_. VII, p. 234. + +[16] Morga says of this affair, in his _Sucesos_ (Hakluyt Soc. trans.), +p. 62: "Ronquillo was set at liberty on showing a private letter +from the governor, which he had sent him separately with the first +instructions, ordering him in any case to come to Manila with all his +forces, because he wanted them for other necessities of the islands; +and Don Juan said that on the strength of that letter he had not +waited for second instructions." + +[17] According to Morga, this chief was killed by some of his own +followers, to gain the reward offered by the Spaniards. + +[18] Span., _negros cambales_. It is possible that _y_ was omitted by +some error; or it may mean the blacks who lived in the hill-country +of the Zambales district. The Zambales were a Malay tribe; but, as +we have already seen (_Vol_. VIII, p. 218), their revolt against the +Spaniards in 1591-92 was in association with the Negritos of that +region. As will be remembered, the Zambales surviving that revolt +were placed in new settlements in other districts. + +[19] Another corruption of Kuwambaku, the official appellation of +Hideyoshi, then ruler of Japan (see _Vol_. VIII, p. 262, and note 42). + +[20] Morga states that Navarrete, after sending the letter to Tello +died at Nangasaki. + +[21] Gaspar de Zuniga y Acebedo, Conde de Monterey, was viceroy of +Nueva Espana from September 18, 1595, to September, 1603, when he +became viceroy of Peru; he died in March, 1606, while in the latter +office. + +[22] This statement is somewhat blindly worded; but Tello apparently +means that the viceroy, to save expense to the royal treasury, sends +government supplies to the Philippines on private ships; and, instead +of paying the owners freight thereon, he permits them, contrary to +the royal decrees, to carry money to the islands for investment, +on which they make enormous profits. + +[23] This letter was addressed to Felipe II; but of course its +writer had not then received news of the king's death, which occurred +September 13, 1598; he was succeeded by his son, Felipe III (_Vol_. 1, +p. 353). + +[24] See list of encomiendas existing in 1591 (_Vol_. VIII); this +encomienda is there named Passi. + +[25] These italic paragraphs are a part of the letter itself. The +matter included in brackets and preceded by the words "_In the margin_" +is remarks written in Spain. + +[26] The letters or words in brackets are conjectural readings, the +original being illegible or worn in many places. When no conjectural +reading is given, the break is indicated by leaders. + +[27] A sort of vessel with lateen-rigged sails, used in the Levant +trade; the name is of Arabic origin. + +[28] Thus in original--apparently a misnumbering of paragraphs. + +[29] See La Concepcion's account of Dasmarinas's unfortunate expedition +(_Hist. de Philipinas_, iii, pp. 231-277). + +[30] Bolinao is the name of a cape at the northwest extremity of the +peninsula of Zambales, Luzon; also applied to a narrow channel between +that cape and the small island of Santiago. The submarine cable from +Hongkong formerly landed here, but now reaches Manila direct. + +[31] The paragraphs in italics which accompany the sections of Tello's +letter are apparently brief summaries thereof, made by some clerk +for the use of the Council of the Indias. + +[32] Referring to the diocese of Nueva Caceres (also known as +Camarines). It was offered successively to three Franciscans, two of +whom declined the honor; the third, Fray Pedro Bautista, was already +a martyr in Japan when the royal decree arrived at Manila. The office +was finally conferred (1600) upon Francisco de Ortega, O.S.A. Benavides +was the first bishop of Nueva Segovia, and Agurto of Cebu. + +[33] A grant of graces, indulgences, and dispensations awarded by +the Holy See to the faithful of either sex, inhabitants of Spain, +Portugal, their colonies, and the kingdom of Naples. The condition +requisite for the enjoyment of these favors is the contribution yearly +of a small alms for the support of divine worship and maintenance of +institutions of beneficence, as hospitals, asylums, and the like. Among +the privileges granted are absolution from reserved cases, commutation +of vows, exemption from abstinence and fasts, and so on. In former ages +the alms thus contributed were employed in battles against infidels and +heretics. The document empowering the recipient of the above favors +to make use of them must be printed on stamped paper, and sealed and +signed by the commissary-general apostolic delegated therefor by the +Holy See. The dispensation must be renewed yearly. Moroni--_Dizionario_ +(Venezia, 1840), v, 283-285--states that, from the revenue thus +received from the Crusade sales annually, the following amounts are +turned over to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Vatican, +for its support, viz.: by Spain, $12,000; by Portugal, $4,000; by +Brazil, $2,000; by Naples, about $700. (See Ferraris--_Bibliotheca_, +art. "Bulla Cruciatae.")--_Rev. T.C. Middleton_, O.S.A. + +[34] Another appellation of the diocese of Nueva Segovia, which +comprised the province of Cagayan. + +[35] This was Fray Pedro de Agurto, bishop of Cebu; his official +appellation in the text is derived from the name of the capital city +of Cebu. Agurto was a native of Mexico; he became a friar in the +Augustinian order, in which he filled many important posts. He took +possession of his diocese of Cebu on October 14, 1598, and died at +Cebu on the tenth anniversary of that day (1608). + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, by E. H. 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