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diff --git a/15564-8.txt b/15564-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf8986f --- /dev/null +++ b/15564-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9597 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume +XVIII, 1617-1620, by Various + +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 XVIII, 1617-1620 + 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 + +Author: Various + +Editor: E. H. Blair and James Alexander Robertson; Historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord Bourne + +Release Date: April 6, 2005 [EBook #15564] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS *** + + + + +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 XVIII, 1617-1620 + + + + Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson + with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord + Bourne. + + + + + + + + +CONTENTS OF VOLUME XVIII + + + Preface 9 + Documents of 1617-1618 + + Letter to Felipe III. Andrés de Alcaraz; + Manila, August 10, 1617. 31 + Trade between Nueva España and the Far + East. [Unsigned and undated; _ca._ 1617]. + 57 + Events in the Filipinas Islands, 1617-18 + [Unsigned; Manila], June, 1618. 65 + Description of the Philippinas + Islands. [Unsigned]; Manila, 1618. 93 + Dutch factories and posts in the Orient. [Pedro + de Heredia]; [1618?]. 107 + Memorial regarding Manila hospital. [Unsigned]; + Manila, 1618. 112 + Letter to Felipe III. Alonso Fajardo de Tenza; + Cavite, August 10, 1618. 116 + Letters to Fajardo. Felipe III; Madrid, + December 19, 1618. 150 + Filipinas menaced by Dutch. Joan de Ribera, + S.J.; Manila, December 20, 1618. 161 + + Documents of 1619-1620 + + Philippine ships and shipbuilding. Sebastian + de Pineda; [Mexico? 1619]. 169 + Royal decree regarding religious expelled + from their orders. Felipe III; Madrid, + February 19, 1619. 189 + Proposal to destroy Macao. Diego Aduarte, O.P.; + [Madrid? 1619]. 194 + Relation of events in the Filipinas Islands, + 1618-19. [Unsigned]; Manila, July 12, 1619. + 204 + Letter to Felipe III. Pedro de Arce; Manila, + July 30, 1619. 235 + Letter to Felipe III. Alonso Fajardo de Tenza; + Manila, August 10, 1619. 247 + Grant to seminary of Santa Potenciana. Juan + Oñez, and others; Manila, 1617-19. 282 + Reforms needed in Filipinas (to be + concluded). Hernando de los Rios Coronel; + [Madrid?], 1619-20. 289 + + Bibliographical Data. 345 + + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + Plan of the city of Goa and its environs; photographic + facsimile of engraving in Bellin's _Petit atlas maritime_ + ([Paris], 1764), no. 29, from copy in library of Wisconsin + Historical Society. 199 + View of the city of Manila; photographic facsimile of + engraving in Spilbergen and Le Maire's _Speculum orientalis + occidentalisque Indiæ navigationum_ (French edition, 1621), + no. 18, facing p. 86, from copy in Library of Congress. + 225 + Autograph signature of Fernando de Los Rios; photographic + facsimile from original MS. in Archivo general de Indias, + Sevilla. 343 + + + + +PREFACE + + +The scope of the present volume extends from 1617 to 1620. The islands +are still ravaged at intervals by the Moro pirates from the southern +part of the archipelago. Even worse are the losses to the commerce of +the islands inflicted by the Dutch; their ships infest the seas about +Luzón, and those of the Moluccas, in which region they are steadily and +even rapidly gaining foothold, and securing the best commerce of those +lands. Corruption in the management of the Spanish interests in the +Spice Islands renders them an expensive and embarrassing possession; +and the new governor, Fajardo, finds the same influence at work in +the Spanish colony itself, especially among the auditors and other +high officials. The colonial treasury is, as usual, short of funds, +and can do little to defend the islands from the Dutch; the Madrid +government is unwilling to spend much more on the Philippines, although +beset with importunities to save that colony, and Spanish commerce +generally, from the insolent Dutch. The usual building of ships in the +islands has so harrassed and exhausted the unfortunate natives that +it is necessary to have ships built for the Philippines in India and +other countries where timber and labor are more abundant. The trade of +the colony with China is the object of much discussion, and proposals +are again made to restrict it, as well as that with Nueva España, in +order to protect the commercial interests of the mother-country. In +the final document is a detailed statement, in vigorous language, +of the abuses current in the administration of the islands--arbitrary +and oppressive conduct of the auditors, corruption among officials, +extravagant expenditure of public funds, lax enforcement of laws, +burdensome exactions imposed upon the Indians, and Chinese, etc.; +for these the citizens demand redress, prevention, and relief. + +Andrés de Alcaraz, the auditor in charge of military affairs after +Silva's death, writes to the king (August 10, 1617). The ships +could not go to Nueva España in 1616, because the Dutch were lying +in wait for them; but the Acapulco galleon arrives safely at Manila, +and brings money to relieve the general distress. Alcaraz makes ready, +although in the midst of great difficulties, a fleet to drive away the +Dutch. On April 14, 1617, this Spanish fleet has a battle with the +Dutch squadron at Playa Honda. After a long and fierce contest, the +enemy take to flight, having lost several ships and much artillery, +and many of their men being killed or wounded. As soon as possible +thereafter, Alcaraz sends supplies to the Spanish forts in Ternate; +recalls Geronimo de Silva to Manila, to act as governor _ad interim_; +and despatches pilots to meet the fleet that is coming from Spain via +Cape of Good Hope. He criticizes Geronimo de Silva for his harshness +and arrogance, already displayed in many ways. Alcaraz thanks the +king for permitting him to resign his position as auditor and return +to Spain; and explains why he has not yet vacated his office. He +mentions the Philippine officials who have merited special rewards +from the crown, especially those who were prominent in the battle of +Playa Honda. Reënforcements of men have come from Spain, but with them +was no money; and the treasury of the islands is entirely empty. Its +debts are heavy, and aid is urgently requested. Through sickness and +absence, there are no auditors of the Audiencia in active service, +except Alcaraz himself. + +A document unsigned and undated [_ca._ 1617] discusses the trade of +the Spanish colonies with China and Japan. This trade advances the +interests of religion in those heathen lands. Its character, methods, +and results are described in orderly array of interesting facts--first +in a general survey, then in details regarding each colony; and finally +in comparisons between the commerce of those colonies respectively +with China and Japan. Eastern India depends on this trade for its +maintenance and preservation; and the customs duties therefrom cause +larger profits to the crown than do those from the other colonies. This +income will be greatly increased, for both Castilla and Portugal, if +Nueva España and Filipinas be no longer allowed to trade with China and +Japan. The writer (apparently one of the king's councilors) suggests +various expedients for attaining this end, and closes by urging the +king to confine the Filipinas merchants to trade with Nueva España. + +The events of the year from June, 1617, to June, 1618, are chronicled +by some unnamed writer (apparently one of the Jesuits in Manila). The +battle of Playa Honda deals such a blow to the Dutch power in the +archipelago that the natives in some of the Malucas Islands rebel +against it. A small English post is destroyed by the Dutch; and their +ships that flee from Playa Honda go to Japan. Their adventures in +that country are detailed. Some Dutch ships come again to the coast +of Luzón, and plunder the Chinese trading vessels as they appear; +the Spaniards cannot prevent this, as their galleons are laid up for +repairs. A shipload of supplies for the garrison and the missions at +Ternate is sent from Manila; the master of the ship, taking advantage +of the absence on shore of part of the passengers and men, steals away +with the ship and its cargo. The Jesuits secure a new supply of food +for their mission, by soliciting alms. The islands still suffer from +the depredations of the Moro pirates. The writer describes the special +festivities in honor of the Virgin Mary, and the martyrdom of some +missionaries in Japan. He then proceeds to relate the particulars of +the murder of the Augustinian provincial, Vicente Sepulveda, by some +of his own friars, and the punishment of the criminals. A postscript +to this letter states that the ships sent to Ternate with supplies +had been attacked by the Dutch; and part of the crew were killed and +wounded, and much of the food lost. Other supplies, however, have +been sent to Ternate from India. The prince of Tidore has become +hostile to the Dutch. One Sequeira makes an unsuccessful voyage, +and dies in Cochin. The new governor of the Philippines arrives at +Manila in July, 1618. + +Of nearly the same date is a descriptive account of the Philippine +Islands, their inhabitants, government, products, etc.--including a +statement of the number of Indian tributes in each island, which amount +in all to 160,000. The writer notes various matters relating to the +interests and social condition of the Spanish colony, especially the +need of vigorous measures to punish the Moro pirates, who continually +harass the Pintados. + +Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish official in the Moluccas, furnishes to the +king (1618) a list of the Dutch factories and forts in the Orient; +from this, and the value of the products annually exported thence, +it is evident that the Dutch have gained an extensive footing and +prestige in the Far East, together with rich profits, while the +Spaniards have lost the best part of their former commerce there. The +king is urged to consider these matters, and take measures to remedy +the present state of affairs. + +A former steward of the royal hospital at Manila memorializes the +Council of the Indias (1618) regarding the losses incurred by that +institution through the mismanagement of its funds; and various orders +conducive to the improvement of the hospital are thereupon given by +the Council. + +Soon after his arrival in the islands the new governor, Alonso Fajardo +de Tenza, writes to the king (August 10, 1618) regarding the state +of affairs there. He finds the colony suffering from various recent +disasters, and much fear and uncertainty among the people. He implores +aid from the king to maintain the Philippine colony and defend it from +its enemies. He is endeavoring to make the most of his scanty naval +torce, in the face of news that hostile fleets are coming to attack +the islands; and has sent to Nueva España to ask for reënforcements and +supplies. His predecessor, Geronimo de Silva, desires to go to Spain; +but the Audiencia orders an investigation of his official conduct, +especially in regard to the loss of the galleons. Fajardo recommends +that more care be taken to provide suitably for an _ad interim_ +government of the islands, when such shall occur; and declines certain +perquisites of his office. Much resentment against the Audiencia +is felt among the people, since the best offices and incomes in the +islands are appropriated by relatives and dependents of the auditors, +who seem bent on exploiting the colony for their own profit, and +oppress the inhabitants; and Fajardo asks the king to check their +selfishness and arrogance. He is trying to correct certain illegal +proceedings by the auditors in their recent government _ad interim_, +and asks the king to suspend his confirmation of these until he +can send further information thereon; he makes the same request in +regard to other cases where certain persons are intriguing to obtain +profitable appointments. He asks for skilled clerks and galley-masters; +and, after recounting the injuries caused to the Indians by the +building of galleys in the islands, he states that he will endeavor +to procure vessels in Portuguese India. Some private persons in the +islands are building ships, but the Indian labor employed thereon +is paid and voluntary. Fajardo makes some suggestions for the better +management of naval affairs. He also forwards the request of Manila +citizens that encomiendas be granted for three lives; and asks for +rewards for certain brave military and naval officers. The Audiencia +finally compel Geronimo de Silva to furnish his residencia in person, +and clear himself from charges made against him. + +To the governor's letter are appended several others, which concern +Malucan affairs. Manuel Ribeyra, a Jesuit, states that the governor +there, Gaviria, has fortified the Spanish posts in his care, which are +in unusually good condition; certain supplies, however, are needed for +them, as also a better class of subaltern officers. Gaviria is somewhat +overbearing in disposition, but Ribeyra commends his ability. That +officer himself writes to Fajardo, explaining why he cannot at +present fill the governor's order for a quantity of cloves. The +Dutch and English are contending with each other in the Moluccas; +and the former, it is said, are intending to attack the Spanish forts +there soon. Gaviria has but few men, and some of these are unfit for +duty. He needs a few galleys, as he has "only one rotten galliot"; +also troops, money, and clothing. Gaviria thinks that the Dutch are +being to some extent supplanted by the English; and that the latter +will gladly unite with the Spaniards against the common enemy. He +recommends the abandonment of the Spanish posts in Gilolo. A letter +from the king of Tidore accompanies Gaviria's letter, in which that +ruler demands that Fajardo succor the Spanish forts promptly. + +Letters from the king to Fajardo (December 19, 1618) give him orders +regarding certain matters in the administration of the Philippine +government. Offices shall be given to these citizens of the islands +who deserve rewards for meritorious services. The alarming expenses of +the Maluco establishment are not counterbalanced by any returns from +the spice-trade there, and it is openly declared that the Spanish +officials have embezzled what profits might have accrued therefrom +to the royal treasury. Fajardo is therefore ordered to investigate +this matter and punish those who may be guilty; and to take charge, +for the present, of the conduct of the clove-trade at Ternate. The +force of men there should be reduced, if practicable; and certain forts +in Maluco should be abandoned. In these and other ways expenses must +be reduced. The governor and the archbishop must warn the religious +orders to cease their exactions upon the Indians. A separate letter +warns the governor that expenses must be reduced to the utmost; and +that he must maintain the colony on its own revenues, without aid +from the government. He is advised to endeavor to open and work the +mines in the islands; but in doing so he must not molest or injure the +Indians. He should endeavor to enlist their aid in this undertaking, +and the missionaries should use their influence with the natives. + +The Jesuit Joan de Ribera writes to some high official in Spain +(December 20, 1618), urging the importance of Manila and the +Philippines, and the necessity of opposing the progress that the Dutch +are making in India, Japan, and the archipelago, so as to preserve for +Spain the rich trade of the East. Another most important consideration +is the need of maintaining these islands as a center for religious +labors among the heathen tribes. + +A naval officer, Sebastian de Pineda, sends from Nueva España (1619) +to the king a paper on ships and shipbuilding in the Philippines. He +begins by describing various kinds of timber used for this purpose; +then enumerates, the shipyards in the islands, and the wages paid to +the workmen. Fourteen hundred carpenters were formerly employed at +one time in the Cavite shipyard alone; but half of them were killed +or captured by the Moros in 1617, many have died from overwork, and +many others have fled to parts unknown because they had been unpaid +for five years. Iron is brought to Manila from China and Japan, +and wrought by the Chinese and Indian artisans; the Chinese smith +"works from midnight until sunset," and earns less than one real a +day. Iron should be imported from Biscay, however, for some special +purposes. Much useful information is given as to the material, quality, +and prices of rigging and canvas. Pineda makes recommendations as +to the shipment to Manila of various articles, showing how present +expenses may be lessened, and waste avoided, in many ways. He states +that the naval defense of the islands is quite inadequate, and they +are consequently in danger of being seized by the Dutch. But it is +at present impossible to build in the islands the ships needed there; +for the natives are exhausted by the labors and exactions imposed upon +them in previous years, and by the deaths of so many at the hands of +the enemy or through the hardships of enforced naval service. Pineda +recommends that the ships needed for the islands be built in India or +Cochin, and that slaves be brought thence to serve on the Philippine +galleys. Many Filipino natives are migrating to Nueva España, which +should be checked. One reason for this is the fact that these Filipinos +distil palm-wine, which will soon ruin the wine-trade of Spain in Nueva +España. The incursions of the Mindanao pirates have also been a serious +obstacle to shipbuilding in the Philippines; and they have rendered the +use of La Caldera, as a station for the Spanish vessels, impossible, +while they welcome the Dutch to their shores. Pineda recommends that +the king proclaim that any one who wishes may wage war upon and enslave +these Mindanao infidels, as thus only can they be subdued. He ends with +a report on the measurements of the galleons in the islands in 1617. + +A royal decree dated February 19, 1619, confirms the ordinance enacted +by the dean and cabildo of Manila cathedral, refusing benefices and +ecclesiastical dignities to religious who have been expelled from +their orders. + +The Dominican missionary Diego Aduarte proposes to the Council of +the Indias (probably in May, 1619) a means to check the outflow +of silver from Nueva España to the Philippines. Aduarte recommends +that the trade of the islands with Nueva España be suppressed, and +that their inhabitants be allowed to trade with Japan, selling in +that country the silks that they buy from the Chinese. But the bulk +of this trade is already in the hands of the Portuguese of Macao; +in order that it may be monopolized by Manila, Aduarte advises that +Macao be abandoned, and its inhabitants transported to other cities of +India. This can be accomplished easily by a royal decree forbidding +them to engage in the Japanese trade, which would compel them to go +elsewhere. He enumerates the beneficial results of this measure, +and declares that even without these Macao should be abandoned; +for its people are lawless and irreligious, and are not even vassals +of Spain, but of China. The Portuguese of Macao are needed in India, +which country would be benefited in many ways by the measure proposed, +as also would the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. Moreover, they +hinder, by their evil example, the conversion of the Chinese natives. + +One of the Manila Jesuits writes (July 12, 1619) an account of +events in the Philippines and in the neighboring countries during the +past year. The city of Bassein, near Bombay, has been destroyed by +storms and earthquakes. In China there has been a persecution of the +Christians, and four Jesuits were expelled from the empire. Others +remain there, who are preaching the gospel wherever they can. In +certain inland districts, these missionaries have encountered a large +colony of Jews, and a people who worship the cross, although they are +heathens. The Tartars have invaded Chinese territory, and our writer +copies the text of a memorial regarding this invasion, sent by the +mandarins of Pekin to the ruler of China, detailing the defeats and +misfortunes suffered by the Chinese. They complain of his neglect of +public affairs, and his harsh treatment of a certain mandarin, and +ask him to take measures to drive back the Tartars, in Cochinchina the +recently-begun missions of the Jesuits are prospering. For the Japanese +mission are coming a large reënforcement of Jesuit missionaries; but +affairs there are so disturbed that they cannot enter the country at +present. The writer recounts various omens and portents which are said +to have occurred in China and Japan. In the latter country, a fierce +persecution of the Christians serves but to display the steadfastness +and zeal of both the missionaries and their converts. Several naval +encounters between the Dutch and the English and Portuguese are +narrated. Good news comes from the Moluccas: the petty king of Manados, +with many of his chiefs, is converted to the Christian faith; Tidore +and Ternate are at war; and Maluco is well supplied. Both Dutch and +Spaniards are building more forts in those islands. Other European +nations also are acquiring a foothold in the archipelago. The writer +describes two remarkable comets which have been visible in Manila. A +plague of locusts is destroying the grain-crops. In October, 1618, +the Dutch again come to Luzón to plunder the Chinese merchant vessels; +but they do not attack Manila, and in the following spring they depart +from the islands, perhaps overawed by the forces of ships and guns +which the Spaniards collect. + +Pedro de Arce, bishop of Cebú, writes to the king (July 30, 1619); +he praises Governor Fajardo, and asks the king to send more ships +to his aid. The bishop asks permission to resign his see, and more +salary as acting archbishop; recommends Pedro de Heredia to the king; +asks that an _ad interim_ appointment in the cathedral may receive +royal confirmation, and that the Cebú church may receive a grant +for repairs and further income. He requests that the ecclesiastical +cabildo of Manila may be authorized to rule the archbishopric, +in case of the death of the archbishop. It is reported that the +Jesuits are endeavoring to oust the other orders from Japan, which +Arce deprecates, advising the king to confirm the appointment of the +Franciscan Luis Sotelo as bishop of eastern Japan. Arce's requests +regarding the archbishopric of Manila are seconded by various papers +appended to his letter, embodying the opinions of the auditors and +royal officials thereon, who support Arce's claims. + +A letter from Fajardo to the king (August 10, 1619) gives his report on +various matters of importance. He has received certain reënforcements +and supplies from Mexico, but urges that these be sent every year. He +describes the last incursion of the Dutch in Philippine waters, and his +military preparations by which they were obliged to retreat thence. His +resources for defense are small, and he cannot depend upon India for +aid, as the Portuguese there are themselves in straits; accordingly, +the king must send a fleet from Spain for the aid of the islands. He +has aided Ternate to the best of his ability, and will send more +when he can. The governor there has resigned his post, after many +complaints of his rule; Fajardo has made a temporary appointment, +and asks the king to provide further for this post. The English +in the archipelago are engaged in conflicts with the Dutch, and it +is rumored that the former would like to ally themselves with the +Spaniards to fight their mutual foe. Fajardo is perplexed regarding +the king of Ternate, who is still held a prisoner at Manila; and +asks for instructions. He makes various recommendations and requests +concerning the appointment of certain subordinates, desiring to secure +persons most fit therefor. He has attempted to correct abuses in the +government, which he recounts in detail. Fajardo has been annoyed by +constant quarrels in the Audiencia, but, with the somewhat reluctant +aid of the old auditor Alcaraz, has been able to quiet them in part. He +has found in both Alcaraz and the archbishop Serrano, most judicious +and helpful counselors; but the other auditors are on bad terms with +him, and one of them has a scandalous reputation, both public and +private. A scandal has occurred in the seminary of Santa Potenciana, +but the guilty have been punished. Conflicts of jurisdiction have +arisen between Fajardo and the Audiencia, especially in regard to the +trials of soldiers and sailors for crimes. The governor complains that +retired officers refuse to serve in the regular companies; and asks +that extra pay be allowed them as an inducement for such service. He +asks for directions as to his sending the usual gifts to the emperor +of Japan. The loyalty and bravery of the Spanish citizens of Manila +are warmly commended, especially in the case of Juan Ronquillo and some +others who are named. Certain intrigues and frauds have been detected, +which are recounted. Fajardo recommends that more Jesuits be sent to +the islands; he complains that the Dominicans are too ready to leave +their work, but commends the Augustinians. A short document appended +to Fajardo's letter concerns the relative merits of the routes to +Filipinas via Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn respectively. + +A group of papers dated 1610-19 shows that an encomienda of Indians +was granted to the seminary of Santa Potenciana for its support, +in consequence of the destitution suffered by its inmates. + +An important document is that sent--in two memorials, of 1619 and +March, 1620, respectively--to the king by Hernando de los Rios Coronel, +long procurator-general of the Filipinas, on "reforms needed" in the +islands--of which he has been despatched by the citizens to inform +the king. Accordingly, he writes (apparently at Madrid) a detailed +statement of the "matters that demand reform." Serious losses of +life and property have been caused by the delays in despatching the +trading ships from Manila; the governors should be compelled to send +them at the favorable season. The officials on these vessels should +be appointed from among the deserving citizens of the islands, +and not be the relatives or servants of the governor or other +royal officials. The citizens have been greatly defrauded in the +assignment of lading on the galleons, and too much of this is granted +to charitable institutions. The trading ships should not be used for +any other purposes. The Manila authorities buy ammunition and other +supplies in China, which, "in order not to anger the Portuguese in +Macan," they buy from them rather than from the natives, but the +supplies thus cost three times their value; the agent who buys them +should buy wherever he can do so to the best advantage, and directly +from the Chinese. The royal ships should be built in India, and the +burden of enforced service in this work should be removed from the +Indians. Commerce from Japan to Nueva España should be stopped; and +Spaniards should not be allowed to man Japanese vessels. An enemy +can close Manila harbor to all vessels desiring to enter; another +route to it should therefore be devised and made available. The Moro +pirates must be prevented from harassing the islands, and the best +means for this end is to proclaim that any one who will may capture +and enslave those pirates. No royal official should be allowed to +attend the session of the Audiencia in which a case concerning him +is tried. When Filipino natives serve as soldiers, their families +should during their absence be relieved from tributes and other +impositions. The ecclesiastical affairs of the Malucas should be +under the jurisdiction of Cebú, not of Goa. The commanders of the +trading ships should not be allowed to carry on the trade that they +now do; and the officials at Acapulco should be checked in making +extortionate charges. Ignorant and inefficient men should not be +placed in the ships as sailors. The common seamen therein (who are +Filipino natives) are inhumanly treated, and many of them die from +hunger, thirst, or cold, on each voyage. Slave women are carried on +the ships, in spite of the royal prohibition; and thus arise "many acts +offensive to God," and much cause for scandal. No sailor or passenger +(unless a person of rank) should be allowed to take with him more +than one male slave. Numerous other abuses are mentioned, regarding +the traffic in slaves, the treatment of seamen, and the overloading of +ships. The Chinese at Manila are oppressed by the royal officials--who, +moreover, appropriate their own household supplies of food from the +royal storehouses at the lowest possible prices. Municipal officers +and other leading citizens should not be compelled, as now, to live on +their encomiendas. Flour, rigging, and many other supplies should be +obtained in the islands, instead of being imported from Nueva España; +a great saving of money would be thus effected. The oppressive acts +of the friars toward the Indians should be checked; and no more +orders should be allowed to establish themselves in the islands. The +Chinese immigrants in Luzón should be collected in one community, +and induced to cultivate the soil. No relative or dependent of any +royal official should be allowed to hold a seat in the cabildo of +Manila, or to act as inspector of the Chinese trading vessels. More +religious are needed in the missions. The Chinese residents should +be treated more justly, and relieved from burdensome exactions. The +Japanese who come to Manila should be compelled to return to their +own country. No more ships should be built by the natives, and they +should be paid the arrearages which are due them. + +The other memorial by Rios Coronel (March, 1620) is additional and +supplementary to the former one. He asks that regidors of Manila +be chosen by the Audiencia, and allowed some compensation for their +services; and that the governor be not allowed to compel the cabildo +to meet in his house. He blames the friars for transferring Indians +from the encomiendas to settlements near Manila, where these natives +are kept merely for the profit of the friars, and, moreover, become +greatly demoralized. The grant of licenses to Chinamen to reside in +the islands should be more carefully regulated; and they should in +no case be allowed to sleep within the walls of Manila. The Japanese +are also an undesirable element of the population, and their coming +to the islands should be restricted. The "commons," or reserve +supplies of rice, contributed by the Indians do them no good, +for these are plundered by the Spanish officials; and the number +of these oppressors has been unduly increased. Other injuries are +inflicted upon the natives, for whose protection the writer pleads; +and these unjust acts are committed by both the officials and the +religious. Rios Coronel objects to the practice in vogue of giving the +Indians military training; and to the traffic in slaves from Malacca, +which brings to the Philippines dangerous and criminal blacks. Public +suits should be tried and decided in the Audiencia, and not sent to +Mexico. The governors should not be allowed to treat the citizens +with insolence; and should be obliged to send the trading ships to +Mexico at the right season, in order to avoid the present frequent +loss of property and lives in wrecked vessels. Another cause of these +losses is the culpable neglect and recklessness of royal officials +and governors. Various abuses in the equipment, lading, and management +of the trading vessels are pointed out, with the corrective measures +that should be taken. The fertile and healthful province of Nueva +Segovia is neglected, and its population is decreasing; this should +be remedied by the colonial authorities. Rios Coronel asks for the +appointment of a competent and reliable shore-master to aid him +in the equipment and despatch of the ships, and for more thorough +inspection of what is done by royal officials in the islands; for +the latter purpose he recommends a choice from several ecclesiastics +whom he names. The Moro pirates still ravage the islands, and the king +should permit them to be enslaved by any one who may capture them. The +head-hunting Zambales and Negrillos of Luzón continually harass the +peaceable Pampangos; and this can only be stopped by allowing the +Pampangos to enslave these foes when captured. The Filipino natives +have been almost ruined by the exactions of forced labor imposed upon +them by the Spaniards, especially in the building and navigation of +vessels. Rios Coronel says: "As I have seen personally, and as all the +inhabitants of that country know, the galleys of the Filipinas are +their destruction." Rios Coronel describes the sort of vessel which +should be used in the islands (one of which he has built at his own +cost), and asks that such be furnished for the use of the colony. The +garrison at Manila is insufficient and demoralized; and the writer +makes various recommendations for improving its status. Many persons +in the artillery service are incompetent; the writer demands a sort +of civil-service test for those appointed to such places. He also +asks for a competent artillery-founder. Better provisions should be +made for the ecclesiastical government of the islands. He asks that +silver bullion from Japan may be legalized as money in the Philippines; +and concludes with the request that the religious and the officials +there be compelled to treat the Indians more kindly. A letter by Rios +Coronel, included in this document, is deferred to _Vol_. XIX. + +The Editors +August, 1904. + + + + + +DOCUMENTS OF 1617-1618 + + + + Letter to Felipe III. Andrés de Alcaraz; August 10, 1617. + Trade between Nueva España and the Far East. [Unsigned and + undated; _ca_. 1617]. + Events in the Filipinas Islands, 1617-1618. [Unsigned]; + June, 1618. + Description of the Philippinas Islands. [Unsigned]; 1618. + Dutch factories and posts in the Orient. [Pedro de Heredia]; + [1618?]. + Memorial regarding Manila hospital. [Unsigned]; 1618. + Letter to Felipe III. Alonso Fajardo de Tenza; August 10, 1618. + Letters to Fajardo. Felipe III; December 19, 1618. + Filipinas menaced by Dutch. Joan de Ribera, S.J.; December + 20, 1618. + + + +_Sources_: The first, and last four, of these documents are obtained +from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; the remainder, +from MSS. in the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid. + +_Translations_: The first and seventh are translated by James +A. Robertson; the second, third, and fourth, by Herbert E. Bolton, +Ethel Z. Rather, and Mattie A. Austin, of the University of Texas; +the remainder, by Robert W. Haight. + + + + +LETTER FROM LICENTIATE ALCARAZ TO FELIPE III + + +Sire: + +The enclosed papers were taken from the ships that were going last +year to Nueva España. Those ships were despatched to make the voyage +by way of Yndia; but as the Dutch enemy was lying at the entrances of +this bay with his ten warships, it was not possible for the ships to +leave, for it would have been only to have fallen, beyond all doubt, +into his hands. In them I inform your Majesty of everything occurring +up to their date. In this I shall inform you of what is new. The coming +of this enemy caused the anxiety which was the reason--inasmuch as we +had heard for a long time that he was coming; and that he would wait +to seize the Chinese and Japanese ships, and prevent their entrance +into the city with food--that, in order to frustrate those designs, I, +with the advice of the Audiencia and the council of war, resolved to +prepare seven galleons and to equip them as thoroughly as possible, so +that they could go out to fight that enemy. When about to set this plan +afoot, obstacles began to arise, because there was not a single real +in the royal treasury, on account of the non-arrival of the ships from +Nueva España; and because the country was in great need, and had no +income except that collected from the licenses of the Sangleys. These +were collected with great effort and difficulty, but the sum was all +spent in a few days in the repair of these galleons. When there was +nothing more to use, the ship expected from Nueva España arrived. It +had put in at Japon, and brought more than eight hundred thousand +pesos for the royal treasury and for the citizens. It was regarded +as a great mercy of God that He should help this afflicted land in +such necessity and extremity, and that He should keep this ship from +falling into the hands of that enemy. After this the repairs and +preparations of this fleet proceeded with great energy, and although +innumerable obstacles continued to arise because the wood, rigging, +rice, and other things necessary had to be conveyed by long detours, +all difficulties were conquered by God's help. To Him recourse was +always had, through all the religious orders and the religious, +so that His [Divine] Majesty should be pleased to aid this [our] +cause against those rebels to His church and sacrament, and to your +Majesty, and disturbers of the common peace. These joyous causes +furnished ecclesiastical and secular motive to request me, with loud +and frequent acclamations of joy, to hasten as quickly as possible the +preparation of this fleet. Notwithstanding that it was detained, they +said that it could go out; for they were assured that, since we had +so large galleons, that enemy would not dare to await it, and that the +flagship and almiranta were alone sufficient to drive away that enemy +and prevent the damages that were expected so close at hand. They said +that the preparations that were intended to be made would be useless, +for, when they were finished, then the enemy would have already gone +to Terrenate, enriched with his booty from the Chinese ships; and +that damage would result from delay, while great expenses would have +to be met from the royal treasury. For my part, all these arguments, +since they arose from loyal desires, without taking the trouble to +show the irreparable injuries that would result from that course of +action, caused me no care. I constantly attended to the repairing +and preparation of this fleet as well as possible, including in it +whatever your Majesty possesses in these islands. The reason that +obliged me to lay great stress upon that enemy was that--since he +knew that Don Juan de Silva had gone to Sincapura with a fleet of +ten galleons, four galleys, and one patache--he, without knowing of +the governor's death, came to look for him with an equal number of +warships. These were chosen from twenty-two vessels, and equipped with +the best artillery and men of arms and war in them all; and he dared +to come within sight of our walls and very confidently was coming +with his great force. Consequently I considered it best to prepare an +armed fleet which, being such, might be able to fight with his. Not +of less consideration was the fact that we are in the view of so many +barbarous nations, who esteem and extol him who conquers. Accordingly +it was necessary to consider carefully not to place our reputation +and credit in any danger, but that we should have as superior a fleet +to his as could be collected, to go out to measure strength with the +enemy; for in this case what was once branded [1] could not be effaced. + +The final reason that caused me to arm those galleons with the best +forces that could he assembled was the consideration that the enemy +should not go out victorious because your Majesty did not possess in +this land the means with which we could construct a fleet in many +years; and if we drove the enemy's fleet away and punished him as +his boldness and arrogance merited, he would have to lay aside his +desire for returning to these islands, and would leave them quiet and +peaceful, and free from the dangers that his coming threatened. With +this resolution conquering great difficulties with the help of God, +who always favored this His cause, the fleet of seven galleons, +one patache, and three galleys was prepared. In order to man them +with the rowers that were needed, the citizens, Sangley Christians, +and some Indians lent two hundred and twenty-three slaves. And as one +hundred and fifty slaves were still wanting to man them sufficiently, +and because there was so little revenue in the royal treasury, I +made efforts to have the Sangley infidels supply this deficiency, +inasmuch as they were the most interested in avoiding the damages +caused by that enemy. They excused themselves from giving persons +to serve in the galleys; but offered to give the money to pay those +hired rowers who were willing to go. For this purpose the Sangleys +themselves made a contribution of one peso apiece from all who had +any money, and gave five thousand pesos. This sum they delivered +to a regidor for the pay of any slave or freeman who was willing +to serve on this occasion, to each one of whom twenty-five pesos +would be given. With this sum one hundred and forty-seven rowers +were gathered. Some new slaves were bought with this money and the +others were paid twenty-five pesos apiece. One thousand five hundred +and forty-five pesos of the five thousand pesos happened to be left, +and this amount was spent for another matter of equal importance. + +In order to equip these galleons and galleys--and that very +moderately--we needed one thousand infantrymen; but all the islands +could only furnish six hundred paid soldiers. In order to supply +this lack, three hundred and eighty men were provided from the +citizens of this city, and from captains, alférezes, and sergeants +on half-pay--the captains numbering thirty-four, the alférezes one +hundred and six, the sergeants eighty, and the common soldiers one +hundred and sixty. These men showed a willingness to take service on +this occasion for honor. But to fulfil their obligations they had not +the means with which to buy any arms, or other supplies which were +necessary to them. The report spread that, if the money were not given +to them so that they could equip themselves, they could not embark. It +was necessary to find a remedy for the loss that might result from +this condition, and the one that seemed most suitable so that they +might serve your Majesty with single-heartedness, was to assign as a +gratuity to each captain one hundred pesos, to each alférez fifty, to +each sergeant thirty-five, and to each common soldier twenty-five. But +inasmuch as the royal treasury had nothing wherefrom to supply these +gratuities, and they could not be avoided, thirty toneladas of the +freightage for Nueva España were distributed, and were divided among +the citizens who had capital. Each citizen was given one pieza [2] +for twenty-five pesos. In this way six thousand pesos were raised, +which, with the one thousand five hundred and forty-five pesos given +by the Sangleys, amount to seven thousand five hundred and forty-five +pesos. This money was given as a gratuity, with thirty-nine toneladas +more and six piezas; figuring this at twenty-five pesos a pieza, all +the help amounted to fifteen thousand five hundred pesos. This amount +was regulated by giving to each captain fifty pesos and two piezas +of the cargo; to each alférez, twenty-five pesos, and one pieza of +the cargo; to each sergeant, ten pesos and one pieza of the cargo, +and to each common soldier his twenty-five pesos. + +To aid the seamen, who are a discontented class, there was no +money. For after having aided the paid infantry, not a single peso was +left in the royal treasury. Forty-six of the citizens lent twenty-two +thousand seven hundred pesos and the treasury of the probate court +[_caxa de bienes de défuntos_] [3] lent four thousand. A moderate +amount of aid was furnished to those men by that means. After that, +naught more was left to be done toward the suitable preparation of the +royal fleet. May God be praised, who favored this cause so greatly, +so that your Majesty might be better served. It can be thoroughly +understood that to attempt any of these three things would give +anxiety even to him who had considerable power of management; for +the departure of the fleet to fight with the enemy depended on very +careful management; while, on the contrary, it must remain in port +if all the expenses incurred in its preparation had been carelessly +planned. But it happened as we could have desired. When all necessary +arrangements had been made, the bishop of Zibu, who has charge of this +archbishopric, gave his blessing to the royal fleet. The fleet took +as patroness the immaculate conception of our Lady, who was conceived +without the stain of original sin. It left the port of Cavite in charge +of Don Juan Rronquillo del Castillo, [4] on Saturday, on the eighth +day of the month of April, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, +to find the enemy, who was stationed at Playa Honda [5] with six +vessels. There, in the past year of six hundred and sixteen, he was +defeated by Governor Don Juan de Silva. Three ships of the enemy were +thirty leguas in advance, on the look-out for Chinese vessels, while +the last of his ten ships had been sent to Terrenate. On Thursday, +the thirteenth of the said month, our fleet sighted four vessels +[of the enemy's fleet]. They were lying by very carelessly, with +two Chinese vessels that they had pillaged. Those two vessels ware +carrying about three hundred thousand pesos' worth of merchandise. One +of them the enemy had begun to rob, although only slightly. It was +impossible to attack them, for wind was lacking. Thereupon the enemy +very leisurely weighed anchor, but did not leave the Chinese ships +until the next day. Then as the two fleets were about to engage, +they left their prizes, in order not to be hindered by them. They +had already been joined by two other vessels. Our royal flagship had +got to windward. Near it, at eight in the morning, was the galleon +"San Juan Bautista" under command of Admiral Pedro de Heredia (but he +was not admiral of the fleet). The other galleons were to leeward. As +the enemy saw so good an opportunity, he maneuvered his six ships, +placing them in good order. His flagship passed within musket-shot of +one side of the royal flagship and discharged its artillery. Answering +them with another, as good and better, many volleys were fired +without missing one shot, because the pieces were fired at so short +a distance. Another ship passed, with the same good order, giving and +taking its heavy volleys. The four other ships of those which I said +were there, did the same. It was the greatest gallantry that I ever +saw; for our galleon gave all those of the enemy so many volleys that +it displayed excellently its great strength--as well as the injury +received by the enemy, since he attempted nothing more on that day. On +our side five men were killed and eight wounded. The following day, +Saturday, the fifteenth of the same month of April, the two fleets +got ready to fight, and ours got to windward. Orders were given for +each galleon to grapple with one of the enemy--flagship with flagship, +and the "San Juan Bautista" with the almiranta of the enemy; while the +galleon "San Lorenzo" and the patache were to aid whichever boat they +saw needed help; the galley flagship was to aid the royal flagship, +and the other two galleys the galleon nearest them. The enemy was +awaiting us in excellent order; and, signaling the other vessels to +attack him, our first galleon, named "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe," +under Captain Juan Bautista de Molina, grappled; and then the royal +flagship with that of the enemy; the galleon "San Juan Bautista" with +their almiranta; the galleon "San Miguel," commanded by Rodrigo de +Guillestigui, with the ship that fell to its lot; the galleon "San +Lorenço," under Captain Juan de Acevedo, with another ship. As for +the galleon "San Marcos," under Captain Don Juan de la Vega (one of +the best ships of the fleet), and the galleon "San Phelipe," under +Captain Sebastian de Madrid, these two did not grapple, although +common report says that they could have done so had they made an +effort. They fought a very fierce battle. The galleon "Nuestra Señora +de Guadalupe" defeated its opponent, being aided by the galley under +Captain Don Diego de Quiñones; and the enemy having shown a flag of +peace, soldiers from our side entered it in token of victory. The royal +flagship, after having been grappled for more than two hours--the +battle being fought with great gallantry on each side, each firing +heavy volleys at the other, and the galley flagship aiding on its +side--was reported to be leaking badly from the effect of certain +volleys which it received at its water line. This forced it to throw +off the grappling-irons and go away; while the enemy's ship refused +to mind its helm, and, in a little more than half an hour, careened +on one side and sank, without any of its cargo being seen. Forty or +more men, among them the general, escaped in two lanchas. With great +efforts they reached one of their ships. The galleon "San Miguel," +after having fought with great courage, set fire to its opponent, +a vessel of eight hundred toneladas, laden with cloth which they had +stolen. The fire caught the main-sail, which was so quickly burned +that the sail fell, on the yard, into the waist of the ship. The ship +continued to burn so fiercely that it could not be quenched. All the +men took to the sea, some in lanchas and others swimming, most of the +latter being drowned. This burning ship drifted to where our galleon +"Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" was stationed. Near it was the captured +galleon, and the burning vessel coming down upon the latter, set fire +to it; and this one began to burn so furiously that the soldiers who +had entered it escaped with difficulty, while some were burned. And, +since our galley was not so near now, all, both Spaniards and Dutch, +were drowned or burned. Then the first burning ship passed on. The +galleon "San Juan Bautista" having almost captured the enemy's +almiranta, the burning vessel bore down upon them both. Throwing off +their grappling-irons with considerable difficulty, the fire forced +them to ungrapple; and at once they separated, so that the fire might +not injure them. Thereupon victory was declared, and the three hostile +ships took to flight badly crippled. Their almiranta was so damaged +that our people thought that it would surely sink. Those three vessels +were pursued by the "San Marcos," and "San Phelipe," which were more +to the windward, and by all the rest of the fleet. However, inasmuch +as the royal flagship, the "San Juan Bautista," and the "San Miguel" +and "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" were hardly used and leaking badly, +they turned shoreward after midnight. In the morning the "San Marcos" +and the "San Phelipe" found themselves alone, and somewhat separated, +and found no traces of the enemy. Although they should have kept +together, they did not do it, but each vessel acted by itself. The +galleon "San Marcos" went to a place where two ships of the enemy +were pillaging two other Chinese ships. When the enemy discovered it, +one of his vessels went to reconnoiter it, while the other stayed +behind with the vessels that they were pillaging. They commenced +to fight and the battle lasted more than three hours, at the end +of which the Dutch vessel withdrew and joined the other ship. Next +day--that of San Marcos--the [Dutch] ship that had not fought came; +it is understood that it was reënforced with men. Firing a quantity of +chain-shot, it did considerable damage to our rigging; and as our main +yard had fallen, our ship did not mind its helm well. Consequently, +our galleon sustained serious injury at the stern, upon which its +commander came to a very imprudent resolution--namely, to go in +toward shore and anchor in twelve brazas of water, and there fight +with the enemy. This was so carelessly executed that, upon throwing +the anchor, they could not find bottom, whereupon they grounded +the galleon in four brazas of water. The entire crew went ashore +taking some things with them. None of the enemy disembarked. As the +commander thought that the enemy could burn them with his lanchas, +he made another decision as bad as the other, and set fire to his +vessel. Thereby was lost the hull of the ship, which was especially +good. The artillery and anchors were all taken out and most of them +are ashore. The commander appears to be very blameworthy; and the +investigation to punish him according to his offense is now being +made. This devolves upon Don Geronimo de Silva, castellan and governor +of the forts of Terrenate, to whom your Majesty has granted the office +of captain-general because of the death of Governor Don Juan de Silva, +until a proprietary governor is provided. All the rest of the fleet +returned to the port of Cavite. The bad treatment received by the +galleons from the many volleys, the sailors, soldiers, and artillery +aboard them, and the dead and wounded, your Majesty can ascertain, +if so pleased, from the charts accompanying this letter. + +May God give your Majesty many most happy victories for His honor +and glory and the welfare of all Christianity. Such may be expected, +since in a land so destitute as this, and by means so weak as these +now, His Divine Majesty was pleased to destroy the greatest fleet +from Olanda ever seen in these districts; and at a juncture when, if +the fleet sent by your Majesty by way of the cape of Buena Esperança +arrives safely, strong hopes may be entertained that it will drive +that enemy from sea and land, because he has lost many men and ships, +and more than ninety pieces of artillery. The best and largest of the +cannon were taken from his fortresses, and he will have difficulty +in replacing them. Although three pataches were prepared to take the +usual help to the forts of Terrenate, the enemy did not allow them to +sail from the port of Cavite. Considering the need and stress that +the forts were in, and that they had only sufficient food to last +until the end of September, as the castellan wrote, I ordered all the +champans possible to be collected and prepared with great haste in +Oton, eighty leguas from this city, and to be laden with rice, meat, +wine, and other supplies. As champans are but insecure craft, and badly +managed, inasmuch as they are manned by Sangleys, I sent some sailors +to serve as pilots. Eight champans were prepared, of which six reached +their destination, besides one despatched from Zebú. By all possible +means I managed to succor those forts. They were made very happy by +the help that reached them--for they were quite out of rice--and by +the hopes that I gave them of the speedy sailing of a ship laden with +food, clothing, and money. Thus the forts were provided sufficiently +to enable them to await the help that was to be sent in the ship. + +The viceroy of Nueva España despatched two advice-boats which reached +these islands, early in February and in March. They brought your +Majesty's papers for Don Juan de Silva, which the royal Audiencia +received. They contained the title of master-of-camp for Don Geronimo +de Silva, knight of the Order of St. John, and castellan and governor +of the soldiers of Terrenate; an order to Don Juan de Silva that the +former be given the title of captain-general of artillery, and an +appointment [with instructions], so that, in case of the said Don +Juan de Silva's death, it might be opened. On opening it, we found +your Majesty's grant to Don Geronimo de Silva of an appointment as +captain-general, on sea and land, in these islands and in Terrenate. He +was at Terrenate engaged in his duties there, for Don Juan de Silva's +statement to your Majesty, saying that he was ordering Don Geronimo +to Manila to act as master-of-camp, and was sending Lucas de Bergara +Gabiria to Terrenate, had not been carried out. With all possible +haste I sent a galley to advise him of the grace bestowed upon him +by your Majesty. In the boat I sent ten thousand pesos in reals, +four thousand five hundred pieces of cloth, and what wine and rice +it could carry for their sustenance going and returning, besides a +quantity of jars of powder. Within twenty days I despatched the three +pataches that were at the port of Cavite, since the enemy had now +left the entrances to this bay; and with them I sent Don Gaviria to +serve in the offices held by Don Geronimo de Silva. They carried more +than three thousand baskets of rice, with wine, and meat; a quantity +of clothing; six thousand pesos in reals; four eighteen-pounders, and +a number of jars of powder; and balls, and many other things for the +sustenance of those forts. The occupants of the forts have reported +that that was the most substantial help that has been sent them for +many years. May God be praised that He provided help for the great +necessity of that presidio at a so needy time. Another royal decree +was also received, in which your Majesty orders that pilots be sent by +more than one way, so that they may go to await the royal fleet that +is to come by way of the cape of Buena Esperanza, and give the general +of it orders to go to Terrenate or to Manila--whichever place may be +more suitable for his effective despatch. Having called a council of +war, it was decided, the Audiencia concurring, that the fleet should +come to Manila--because it would thus find accommodation in ports that +furnish docking, shipyards, and materials--and join the galleons here; +and chiefly because there is the means here for their sustenance, +which cannot be had in Terrenate. Shortly after the twentieth of +March, a galliot and a patache were despatched in which two pilots +sailed, those most experienced in navigation. They came from España +with General Rrui Gonçalez de Sequeira, and had gone to the strait +of Sincapura with Don Juan de Silva, one of them as his chief pilot. + +The said Don Geronimo de Silva reached the port of Cavite May seven, +after I had had charge of the office of captain-general for fifteen +months. These islands enjoyed during that time the greatest peace and +quiet for many years, except for the war of the enemy--as disinterested +persons will relate, to whom credit must be given. I hope that they +will continue in that condition, and improve with the coming of that +cavalier. I find certain objections [to him] in accounts, emanating +from Terrenate, of the trouble experienced by the infantry because +of the harshness of his temper and the ill-treatment that they have +received in word and deed. During the first week after his arrival in +this city he has manifested the same disposition toward several persons +who made the expedition, in depriving them of certain military posts +in order to bestow them upon his followers and relatives, who say +that they are to be preferred to others. They feel so exalted over +this office [of Don Geronimo], with which he is willing to provide +them government posts, that they desire all persons to call him +"your Lordship." And because the first day of his arrival, Licentiate +Madrid y Luna, auditor of this royal Audiencia, did not call him so, +Don Geronimo sent him a message saying that since the auditor was +his friend he should honor him by calling him "your Lordship." He has +not broached this subject to me, for he knows that I do not consider +it fitting to occupy myself with these matters, which are immaterial +and confer no authority; and that the office itself possesses enough +dignity without trying to give it that which is not needful to it +in order that your Majesty may be well served. He ordered an edict +to be published that all the captains, army officers, and soldiers +whose places have been abolished during the last ten years, should +appear at the office of the royal accountant within a fortnight, under +penalty of six years' service in the galleys. That caused a great +uproar throughout the city; for they declared that they were not his +subjects. The captains--feeling angered because they were under no such +obligation, but employing the mild and expedient measures of courtesy, +so that there might be peace and the people become quieted--as soon +as the session began sent the governor a message by the clerk of +the Audiencia, petitioning that he consider the edict and correct the +commotion caused by it. They requested that he would check future evils +by suspending the effect of the edict, for those included in it were +in the jurisdiction of the government; and it concerned the Audiencia +not to allow injury to be inflicted on anyone, especially since this +act was opposed to its authority. He replied that he was acting within +his powers, and consequently he had ordered that measure. And although +certain religious have, by virtue of their office, represented to +him the difficulties that must result from the edict, as yet he has +given no signs of regarding it with the consideration and reflection +advisable to the service of your Majesty, and the peace and quiet of +this community. He thinks that it is to be governed according to his +will, and places no check on his own inclinations. If this is to be +done, these islands will suffer until your Majesty shall provide such +remedy as is advisable for your royal service. This royal Audiencia, +performing its duty with what authority it possesses, will do its +utmost; and it will not consent that he meddle in matters outside his +jurisdiction. But all this must be with grievances to the community, +and the people will live in disquiet and anxiety. + +By one of the said pataches, I received three decrees from your +Majesty. In one of them you were pleased to grant me acceptance of +my resignation as auditor of this royal Audiencia, and permission +to go to España. In another decree your Majesty orders the governor +of these islands to give me accommodations in the vessels about to +sail to Nueva España, in accordance with the quality of my person, +and the offices that I have held. In the last decree your Majesty +concedes me one year's salary as a gratification for the many expenses +that I shall incur in so long a voyage. Immediately upon receiving +these royal decrees, I could have bid farewell to the Audiencia; +but, considering that it was then in the midst of preparing the +fleet, and since I had been employed in and had arranged what was +advisable to your Majesty's service, I thought that it would be very +wrong to retire on such an occasion and flee the danger, and lift +my hand from a matter of so great importance. After the expedition, +I would have vacated my office and would have prepared to go to give +your Majesty an account of many things of importance to your royal +service, but I have neglected to do so, because there are no judges +in the Audiencia. Licentiate Madrid y Luna is ready to go in one of +the trading ships to serve in his position as alcalde of the court of +Mexico. Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega has been sick for four months, +and small hopes are had of his recovery. Two new auditors are expected +(who are known to be in Nueva España) on the ships of this year. When +they shall have arrived, it will necessarily take some days for them +to understand the affairs of government and the form of procedure of +the Audiencia. Since I think that I shall serve your Majesty in this, +I shall delay here no longer than is absolutely necessary for the +Audiencia to fulfil its obligations, and so that your Majesty may be +better served. + +With the grace shown me by your Majesty in permitting me to go to +España, I shall not enjoy my salary as auditor from the day that I +shall cease to serve in this post. Consequently I shall not be able +to live in accordance with the quality of my person and the posts +that I have held. In remuneration of twenty-nine years of service +(twenty-four of them in the Indias)--and no favors have been granted +me for the offices of president and captain-general, and the successful +outcome of the difficulties that I experienced therein--I petition your +Majesty to grant me the reward of certain pensions equivalent to the +salary taken from me, or what reward your Majesty may be pleased to +order given me, which will be in excess of what my services can merit. + +The persons who have served best on this occasion, and who merit +rewards from your Majesty, are: first, the general Don Juan Rronquillo +del Castillo, who assisted at Cavite, from the first of November of +last year, in the repair and preparation of this fleet, until he +sailed from the port with it and fought the flagship of the enemy +and defeated and sank it--and, according to what the prisoners say, +it will be incredible in Olanda that there is sufficient force in the +Philipinas to have defeated this galleon; next, Captain Don Diego de +Quiñones, for the service rendered to your Majesty by him in resisting +the enemy--first, at his entrance to the town of Oton (where the Dutch +disembarked with six hundred men); then, after killing and wounding +many men with less than one hundred soldiers, and causing the enemy +to retreat ignominiously after a stay of not more than twenty-four +hours in front of the said town, Don Diego came at my orders to serve +on this occasion, leaning on a crutch--for he was not yet recovered +from a musket-ball that had passed through one thigh--and served as +commander of a galley. He found himself near the galleon "Nuestra +Señora de Guadalupe," which was grappled to another of the enemy; +and, with his aid, the latter was defeated. + +Admiral Rodrigo de Guillestigui, commander of the galleon "San Miguel," +grappled with another of the enemy; and although another ship attacked +him, and he received great damage from the artillery discharged upon +him, he refused to leave his prize until, after fighting with great +courage and valor, the galleon to which he was grappled took fire, +whereupon with great haste he ungrappled so that the fire should not +do him harm. The vessel that was burning was deserted by its men very +hastily, some of whom embarked in the lancha, while others jumped +into the water; and, the fire reaching the powder, the ship went down. + +Captain Juan Bauptista de Molina, commander of the galleon "Nuestra +Señora de Guadalupe," was the first to grapple with a ship which, +according to the prisoners who were in the battle, was in Piru, where +it and another vessel sunk our almiranta. He fought as a good soldier +until the enemy surrendered after a hard fight. While a captain +and soldiers from our side were in the said vessel, that ship of +the enemy's that was coming down upon it afire, as the executor of +divine justice, set fire to this one, and it was burned. That ship +was burned because His [Divine] Majesty did not choose that there +should be more spoils from that victory than the memory of the just +punishment that He gave by His powerful hand. + +Admiral Pedro de Heredia, commander of the galley "San Juan Baptista," +grappled with the hostile almiranta; and after fighting valorously, +and having almost defeated it, because it was no longer serving its +artillery or musketry, the burning boat charged down upon the two +galleons and forced them to ungrapple for fear of the fire. Thereupon +their almiranta got away with some difficulty, because it had so +few men left to handle the sails. The men who escaped from the small +boat of the burning ship were taken aboard that vessel, so that they +had sufficient men to retreat; and our galleon could not return to +attack the said almiranta, which left so badly dismantled that it is +thought that it must have sunk. The facts will be learned with the +first advice that comes from Terrenate. + +General Francisco Bravo de la Serna, who came aboard the flagship that +put in at Japon, gained the good will of the ruler where he put in, +by his diligence, discretion, and sensible procedure, aided by the +munificent presents that he gave to the king. Consequently the king +received him as hospitably as if he were in your Majesty's lands, +giving him whatever he needed at moderate prices. When the general +wished to leave, the king gave him permission, without his having +received any ill treatment. That was considered a good outcome, +and was all the more so because, when he reached these islands and +learned that the enemy had taken the passage in order to enter the +port of Cavite, he took the flagship to the most hidden place that +he could find. Having made port in haste, he unloaded the silver and +stored it inland; then, while anchored, he took ashore all the rest +of the cargo. That was the compensation of these islands and the fund +with which the fleet was prepared; and without it the galleons could +not have been equipped. Therein is made evident the good service that +Francisco Bravo rendered your Majesty. He also rendered service on +this expedition; for he embarked on the flagship, and took with him +twelve men at his own cost. His presence proved of great importance, +for he attended to his orders with great energy, exactness, and labor, +while his advice and counsel were among the best that the general +had. The latter declared the same to me, and that Bravo should be +highly esteemed for the manner in which he distinguished himself in +your Majesty's service on this occasion. + +Licentiate Manuel de Madrid y Luna, auditor of this royal Audiencia, +has aided me in this campaign, accomplishing those things with which +I charged him. Last year, when that enemy came to this bay, he helped +to cast the artillery; and he worked at it day and night, until they +had cast so many pieces that they sufficed to put the fort of Cavite +in a state of defense. Two of his brothers and one cousin have died in +this land in your Majesty's service--one in the Sangley insurrection, +and two on this noble occasion. One brother was commander of the +galleon "San Phelipe." As soon as the battle began, he was wounded by +a musket-shot and lived little more than one hour. It is considered +certain that more would have been accomplished with this galleon; +had not the said commander been killed. On that account, and for the +good accomplished by his services in this royal Audiencia, the said +Licentiate Madrid claims that your Majesty should grant him as a reward +permission to marry some of his seven daughters and three sons in +Mexico. That is the greatest wealth that he takes from these islands. + +Captain Andrea Coello came from India in a patache in July last +year with despatches from the viceroy. That enemy having come and +taken position in the entrances of this bay, he offered to serve +as ordered, whether on land or on sea, with his person, patache, +sailors, and soldiers; for his profession was to serve your Majesty +in war. He remained until the royal fleet was ready to sail in search +of the enemy; and the said captain supported the sailors and soldiers +with his patache and with the moderate aid given him. He took part +on that occasion, and acted as an honorable and valiant soldier, +attending with exactness to all his orders. + +The viceroy of Nueva España sent a ship from the port of Acapulco, +which reached the port of Cavite on June twenty-six. Aboard it were the +bishop of Nueva Segovia [6] and twenty-eight Augustinian friars; one +hundred and forty soldiers and twenty convicts; one hundred quintals +of powder, one hundred muskets, and one hundred arquebuses. Since +the country was at peace, that proved a tolerable reënforcement. No +money came for the royal treasury, which does not contain one single +peso. From the money that is expected from Nueva España must be paid +the twenty-six thousand seven hundred pesos lent by the citizens +and the probate court account; besides other twenty-three thousand +pesos due to the captains and the Japanese and Chinese merchants, +for cloth and war supplies which they have delivered to the royal +magazines. There is no royal revenue from which to satisfy those +debts. The only revenue that can be collected now will be the proceeds +of the Sangley licenses, and that will scarcely suffice for the +very ordinary expenses. There will be no money with which to pay +the salaries of the Audiencia, royal officials, and other persons; +the stipends of the bishops and prebends of the church, and those +given to the religious; the wages of the infantry of this camp and +that of Terrenate; and the aid that must be sent to those forts for +their ordinary sustenance. And then this is increased by the delay of +the fleet which your Majesty has ordered to come by way of the cape +of Buena Esperança because of the great expenses that will be thus +incurred, and by the repair of the galleons in Cavite. The latter must +not be abandoned, and are without masts, for only their futtock-timbers +can be of use. It is all very difficult when so many things come at +the same time, and there is no money with which to repair them. May +God in His mercy provide a remedy for so many necessities. I shall do +the utmost that in me lies. Although there is considerable to provide, +I shall attend to the most needful, so that things may be maintained +until the viceroy of Nueva España, upon learning of the wretched +condition of these islands and those of Terrenate, may provide the +aid that is necessary for their conservation. Accordingly I humbly +beg your Majesty to send the viceroy orders that the succor asked +from him be sent promptly. And should a case happen like the present, +of no vessels going to Nueva España because they have to return in +distress to these islands, [I beg you to order] that the viceroy do +not neglect to send the money which is usually asked from him for the +payment of the expenses incurred in these islands. Those expenses, +like those of the war which are of so great moment, cannot be supplied +if there is a lack of money, and it will not be well to fall again +into such straits as those that we suffer at present. + +The two auditors who were to come to this Audiencia, remained in +Mexico, as there was no accommodation in the ship to enable them to +sail. Their absence causes a conspicuous deficiency; for I am the only +judge in the Audiencia, because the sickness of Doctor Juan Manuel +de la Vega is of long duration, and few hopes are sustained of his +recovery, according to the physicians' reports. Licentiate Manuel +de Madrid y Luna has determined to go to serve in the position of +alcalde of the court in Mexico (which your Majesty has bestowed upon +him as a reward), notwithstanding that I did not allow him to quit +that of auditor of this Audiencia on account of the just reasons +for serving therein--through the many affairs concurrent in it of +justice and government, and through the great lack that all these +would experience if they were in charge of only one person. Should it +happen that I were to die, there would be no Audiencia nor any one to +govern these islands--irreparable injuries, for which it is advisable +to prepare the remedy beforehand. And although, besides these things, I +presented to him many considerations that should oblige him to postpone +his departure; and notwithstanding the requests and protests that I +have made to him regarding the present injuries and those that might +happen on his account; all this has not sufficed to move him from his +purpose. He has answered me with the arguments which if your Majesty +pleases may be seen in the accompanying testimony. Manila. August +10, 1617. + + +_Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz_ + + +[_Marginal note_: "Take particular account of what is stated about +his services, in order to reward him as may be fitting, especially +for what he did on the occasions that he mentions which have been so +advantageous to the royal service and to the conservation of those +islands, which results from achievements as great as were the defeat +and punishment of the enemy. In what concerns the persons of whose +services he gives information, let attention be given to them in the +Audiencia; and have them summoned so that they may know what knowledge +his Majesty has of them, and what he has entrusted to their persons."] + + + +TRADE BETWEEN NUEVA ESPAÑA AND THE FAR EAST + + +_Of the Trade of Eastern India, Nueva España, and Filipinas with +Macao and Japon_ + +Beyond a doubt Christian interests in Japon and China are sustained +and prospered, after the grace of God, through the trade which your +Majesty's vassals carry on with those kingdoms; for the heathen there, +being avaricious, are much pleased with the gain they derive from +the goods carried to them, and from those which they sell to the +Christians. Therefore, they allow the religious of Europe in their +countries, because they know that, if they do not admit them, they +will not enjoy this trade; for they see that principally on account +of religion your Majesty's vassals come to them with their ships and +goods. This is shown by the experience of many years. + +Although this trade may be profitable to your Majesty's subjects and to +your royal exchequer, it ought to be so carried on that not only may +these interests be advanced, but also in such a way that Christianity +shall not be injured. When any one of these interests is in danger, it +is plain that it would be a less evil to lose something of the temporal +[advantage from trade] than of the spiritual advantage resulting from +the conversion of souls there. There is no doubt that your Majesty +wishes it thus, as do all of your ministers, who are so anxious for +the honor of God and for the progress of His holy Catholic faith. + +Trade with China and Japon is carried on as follows: from Eastern India +[to both countries] by way of the city of Macao, and entirely in the +hands of the Portuguese; from Felipinas and Nueva España to China, by +way of the same city of Macao; and [from Felipinas and Nueva España] +to Japon by way of the various Japonese cities, principally Nangasaqui. + +From Eastern India eight-real pieces and other things in which there +is considerable profit are carried to China. From Macao, which is +a Chinese city, silks and gold, upon which profits are large, are +taken to Japon; while silver, which also yields profit, is taken +to China. From China, copper, silks, gold, and other articles are +transported to India. This trade is also remunerative. Since upon all +these things import and export duties are paid to your Majesty, this +trade is undoubtedly the means by which Eastern India is maintained; +for through it are made possible the large expenditures for the +fleets which the viceroys send each year against your Majesty's +enemies. Indeed, without this trade little could be done, because the +[_a word lacking; MS. worn_] customs would yield little. + +From Nueva España silver is exported to China, but little more; +they do not carry silver thence to Japon, because there is no lack +of it there. Some other things are taken to Japon, among them silks +brought from China, but little else; for they have nothing in Nueva +España useful to Japon, except these few articles. + +From Felipinas they carry to China silver obtained in Nueva España, +but there is nothing else to carry. To Japon they take silks which +they buy in China, or which the Chincheos are accustomed to bring to +Manila, which is unquestionably the metropolis of Felipinas. + +From the trade of Nueva España and Felipinas with China and Japon less +in customs duties are paid to your Majesty than from that of Eastern +India with the same countries, because there is nothing upon which +to pay them except the silks. Thus this trade is not so advantageous +as that of Eastern India. Indeed, your Majesty's profits will be much +greater if this trade of Nueva España and Felipinas shall cease. This +will be experienced not only by the crown of Portugal, but even by +that of Castilla. + +By the crown of Portugal this will be experienced because, if the +people of Eastern India alone were to sell goods and to buy those +of the Chinese and Japonese, they would obviously gain more and be +able to pay higher customs to your Majesty; for when the sellers +and buyers are many and different, all is to the advantage of the +Chinese and Japonese, because then they sell and buy on their own +terms. Under such circumstances your Majesty's subjects have sustained +great injuries, and many times have sold their goods for prices far +below what they had cost, in order not to carry them home. From these +circumstances, too, quarrels have arisen in China and Japon between +the subjects of the two crowns--to the discredit of España and to the +shame of Christians there who see discords among Christians and among +subjects of the same king. The Portuguese, in order not to suffer these +injuries, will abandon this trade: if they do so, Eastern India will +be in great danger, especially now, from those who go there from the +north. And your Majesty will even come to lose it; and this through +not having wherewith to maintain the fleet by means of which it is +protected and prospered, as has been shown by experience. In the same +way your Majesty will lose the city of Macao which you have in China, +for as it is in the territory of the king of China, it has no income +other than through this trade. + +This result will also be experienced by the crown of Castilla, because +the trade of Nueva España with China serves only to carry thither +silver which ought to come to España, and to bring from China the +silks which might be sent from España. Whence great injuries to España +follow, as is notorious, through the loss both of the silver of which +it is deprived, and of the duties and profits on its silks. The trade +of Nueva España with Japon is also unprofitable, because there are no +goods on which to secure gain either going or returning, except what +they may get from the silks which they carry from China, to Japon, +and from some iron, copper, cabinets [_escritorios_], and similar +articles. Indeed, on account of the before-mentioned disadvantages, +it is easier to lose than to gain in this trade; and if it should +be expanded your Majesty would suffer other disadvantages. This has +already been seen on some occasions when it has been tried. + +The trade of Filipinas with China may be hurtful in so far as the +silver carried is concerned, because this might come to España. It is +true, the silk trade with China is of some profit to Filipinas as a +basis of trade with Nueva España--which cannot be dispensed with--to +supply the things needed from there. But this silk trade might be +substituted by carrying some of the gold of Filipinas to Nueva España +to buy what is necessary from España, to which thereby would come more +advantage; and by carrying also some of the silks which the people +of Chincheo are wont to take to Manila. These are bought in this way +more advantageously than when the Filipinas merchants go to China to +buy, as has been seen during many years' experience with the former +method. But it might even be well to put an end to the coming of the +people of Chincheo to Manila (many of whom live there by agreement), +because they have already attempted to take possession of the city; +and now, when the Hollanders are resorting thither, this should be +more carefully watched. To prevent the coming of the Chinese, your +Majesty might order the inhabitants of Macao to take to Manila the +silks, bronze, and other things needed in Filipinas which the people +of Chincheo bring. And everything will be more secure, the profit +will be much greater, and all of it will accrue to your Majesty's +subjects if it be ordered that the Chinese shall not sell anything +that the inhabitants of Macao have to sell. + +The trade of Filipinas with Japon is very hurtful to your Majesty +and to your subjects, since, as they carry in it nothing but silks +from China, which the people of Eastern India and those of Macao +also take to Japon, all the advantage lies with the Japonese; for, +as they are in their own land, and have a larger number of articles +to choose from, they buy where they wish and at their own figures, +and they sell their own goods in the same way. All this is injurious +to your Majesty's subjects, and advantageous to that king to whom they +pay so large customs duties. Sometimes the people of Felipinas and +those of Eastern India have returned without selling or buying, in +order not to suffer total loss. Thus results a great loss of customs +which ought to be paid to your Majesty. And not alone do you suffer +in your exchequer but also in your reputation, because the Japonese +despise your Majesty's subjects when they see the disorders that they +create; [7] and they lose [also] respect for your viceroys. When, in +order to correct this impression, certain embassies are sent to those +kings, they judge from this that your Majesty's subjects have greater +need of them than they have of your Majesty or your viceroys. This +has been observed during all these past years, especially among +the Japonese--who, being arrogant, proud, and warlike, think that +everything depends upon them, and ask odds of no one. They, judging +by the great number who go to Japon from Felipinas that they are +necessary to the latter, have ever thought of making war upon these +islands in order to conquer them for themselves. [_In the margin_: +"And now that the Northerners are there, it is possible for them +together to attack the forces."] + +From what has been said the plain inference is that your Majesty, +who is king of both realms, ought to order that the trade be so +conducted that what is gained by one be not lost by the other. You +ought also to consider which line of trade will profit you most, +and should enforce this one and prohibit the other by decrees issuing +from both crowns, enforcing them through your viceroys, and imposing +severe penalties upon violators of such decrees, and greater ones +upon those who fail to require them to be kept. [_In the margin_: +"This was ordained by the king, Don Felipe Second, grandfather of +your Majesty, as the Council of Portugal will inform you."] + +From the foregoing it is easily seen that the trade of Eastern India +is, from a temporal standpoint, the most profitable to your Majesty and +for your subjects; and from a spiritual standpoint, for the maintenance +and propagation of Christianity in China and Japon. This was proved +in the years during which this plan was tried. [_In the margin_: +"Conversion there has entirely ceased today because this plan has not +been tried during recent years, and because of the severity of the +present emperor of China, who even punished laymen for protecting the +religious who went from Felipinas to China contrary to his commands."] + +It is plain, therefore, that the trade of Nueva España and Felipinas +with Japon and China is unprofitable in comparison with that of Eastern +India, not to mention the marked injuries already pointed out which it +inflicts upon España, and which must be repaired and corrected lest +greater ones be sustained. The trade always carried on with Nueva +España is fully sufficient to maintain Felipinas. In this they carry +gold and some of the silks which the Chinese merchants carry from +China to Manila to be sold; and they might bring silks from Macao, +should your Majesty now order it. In return they bring from Nueva +España what they need for their own maintenance and growth (to make +it unnecessary to go to Japon and China for the same). In proportion +as this plan has been observed the welfare of both the Eastern and the +Western Indias has been advanced; and the kingdoms of España have had +great profits from them, through their carrying silver and bringing +back merchandise. Now that the Hollanders are so powerful there, it is +necessary that this be watched with the greatest care and vigilance, +in order that what your Majesty gets from there may not be lost. + + + +EVENTS IN THE FILIPINAS ISLANDS +FROM THE MONTH OF JUNE, 617, UNTIL THE PRESENT DATE IN 618 + + +Last year I informed you at length of the naval battle, and of the +signal victory which our Lord was pleased to give us over the enemy, +the Hollanders, who came to these islands with the largest force that +has ever been here. They brought ten galleons well equipped with men, +artillery, ammunition, and other implements of war. Of these ten +galleons they lost three in the battle--one, the admiral's ship, +was sunk, and two were burned. Four of the remaining seven fled to +Maluco, badly damaged. So many of their men were killed and wounded +that, although they had set out with a large number, they arrived +with scarcely one hundred. These were the messengers of an event +most disastrous for them but fortunate for us. The other ships fled +to Japon. + +Until now the natives of the Malucas Islands had greatly favored +the heretics; but, loving novelty and seeing that the power of +the Hollanders had declined, they began to plan a revolt. When the +Hollanders learned of this, they hanged in Machien, one of their best +strongholds, a chief whom, it was understood, the natives wished +to place at the head of the insurrection. But in other quarters +they could not so quickly effect a remedy. In the island of Siao +the people killed all the Hollanders who had seized their land, +except three whom they handed over alive to our governor of Maluco +for galley-slaves. The natives of the island of Vanda [Banda] dealt +in the same manner with the Hollanders who were there, and gained the +ascendency. In Ambueno some of the natives revolted. The Hollanders +tried to pacify them by force of arms, but we do not know how the +affair ended. All this, however, was not what most disturbed the +Hollanders, but it was rather the fact that they saw that English ships +had come and formed an excellent stronghold in Pullovay. [8] Thus, +when the Hollanders undertook to eject the English from that port, +the two nations were engaged in as bloody warfare with each other as +[each was] with us. From all these circumstances it seems that the +strongholds of the Hollanders were about to fall; and that, if at +that time it had been possible to go with a fleet to the Malucas, +a great exploit might have been performed. By this means, as wrote +the governor of Ternate, Lucas de Vergara Gabiria, everything might, +perhaps, have turned in our favor. But it was not possible to do this +as was desired. + +As I informed you in my report of last year, two other galleons, +called "Leon Rojo" and "Fregelingas," had separated from the rest +of the fleet near the coast of Ilocos, a province of the island of +Manila, in order to plunder, to more advantage and with less risk, the +Chinese who were accustomed to steer for that coast. For this reason +they took no part in the naval battle. This was very fortunate for +them, since, without loss of men or of artillery, they plundered nine +[many--_V.d.A._ [9]] Chinese ships, laden with very valuable silks +which the Chinese were bringing here to the city of Manila. When these +learned of the destruction of their fleet, they made haste to return +to Japon, where they arrived on the seventh of July, 617. On the way +they overtook two Chinese ships loaded with silks. They captured them, +and, as their own were full of the plunder that they had taken, they +put seven men as a guard on each of the Chinese ships and took them +thus to Japon. When in sight of Japon the ships were driven by a storm, +and one of the Chinese vessels was separated from the other and from +the two of the Hollanders. It made port in the kingdom of Satsuma. But +the authorities of this place, learning that the ship was a captive, +and disapproving of a thing so foreign to civilized intercourse, would +not consent that they should remain in the port longer than four days, +at the end of which time they forced them to leave. During these four +days the Chinese who came in the ships, about thirty-four in number, +went ashore and secretly bought some catanas, arms peculiar to Japon +and not very different from cutlasses. With these they embarked for +Firando, another kingdom of Japon. One night they suddenly fell upon +the Hollanders [the seven who guarded the ship], and, in spite of +their resistance, they beheaded them and threw them into the sea. The +Chinese then loaded all their goods upon little fishing boats that +they had provided for the purpose, and setting fire to their ship, +fled with their property in different directions. In all of this +they were very diligent and discreet. If they had not been so, the +Hollanders who reside in that kingdom undoubtedly would have taken +the ship away from them by legal process, because (as we shall see +later) the Hollanders have things much to their liking at the court +of the emperor. + +The two galleons, "Leon Rojo" and "Fregelingas," and the other Chinese +ship, of which I spoke, arrived at Cochi [Kochi], a port of the +island of Firando, one league from the port and city of Firando. [10] +Here they began in great haste to unload the galleon, "Leon Rojo," +with the purpose of going to look out for the ship of Macan. The +Portuguese who reside in Nangasaqui, learning of this design, went +to the governor of that city to complain of what the Hollanders were +planning. He sent them at once to the Jeno [11] of Firando with an +order by which the Jeno was commanded not to allow any Dutch ship to go +out in search of the ship of Macan commanded by the Portuguese. This +precaution, however, was unnecessary, because our Lord prevented, +by other means, the accomplishment of their purpose. On the day of +the blessed apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, a furious storm overtook +them while they were in the port of Cochi. The "Leon Rojo" ran aground +and filled with water; the "Fregelingas," through loss of mainmast +and rigging, was badly shattered. The Chinese ship also ran aground, +and silks of great value were injured by water. With infinite labor +and expense they hauled off the "Leon Rojo," and, as best they could, +they took it to the port of Firando. They were compelled, however, +to give it up and leave it here for lost, because the leak was so +great that it was impossible to stop it. They took the "Fregelingas" +also to Firando, where they quickly repaired it. + +There remains to be told the fate of another ship, called the "Sol +Viejo" ["Old Sun"], that fled from the battle of last year and was +confidently believed to have foundered in the sea. In it, however, the +Dutch general, Juan Rodriguez Lam, [12] escaped. With only eighty men, +who remained with him, he crossed to the coast of Camboja, and went +to the port of Champan [Champa _V.d.A._] in order to repair the damage +that the ship had sustained here in the Felipinas. They were not able +to go, as they wished, from there to Patam, where they had a factory, +because the vendavals, which were contrary, had now arisen. Therefore, +they were forced to put into Japon at the port of Nangasaqui, +where they entered with two other ships of theirs. One of these, the +"Leon Negro" ["Black Lion"], carried one hundred and fifty-five men, +and twenty-eight pieces of artillery, all of cast iron; the other, +the "Galeaça," carried ninety-five men and twenty-four pieces of +artillery. The Dutch general had met these two ships on their way +from Bantan, where the Hollanders had another factory. The "Leon +Negro" and the "Galeaça" had captured three Chinese vessels that were +going to Bantan to trade with the Hollanders. To save the Chinese the +trouble, the Hollanders had loaded all the goods of the Chinese upon +their own ships, thus taking from them the great wealth of silk they +were carrying, and leaving them only the hulks of the ships. [_In +the margin_: "Not the least compensation was made for such great +injustice and injury."] Sailing, then, by way of Hermosa Island, these +two ships had sighted the "Sol Viejo;" and, thinking that it was the +ship of Macan, they were much rejoiced, and prepared to seize it. When +they came a little nearer, however, they discovered that it was the +"Sol Viejo," in which was their own general, who had fled routed from +the naval battle that took place in these islands. Distressed at the +bad news [of their defeat in this battle], they together [with the +"Sol Viejo"] directed their course to Nangasaqui, where they made +port the first of July, 617. While these three ships were anchored +within the bar of this port, news arrived that the ship of Macan +was eight or ten leguas at sea. The governor of Nangasaqui prepared +and sent a message to the Portuguese to the effect that they could +enter the port without any fear whatever of the Hollanders. But, +not considering this safe, they withdrew to another port near by, +where they felt more secure. When the governor saw that, on account +of the Hollanders, the ship did not enter his port, he commanded +that notice be given to the Hollanders, in the name of the emperor, +that they should go at once to their port of Firando, which had been +assigned to them for trade with Japon. They disregarded this command +and replied that they had come to Japon with no other purpose than to +look for that ship, which they must take without fail. The governor +responded with a second notification, and so they thought it best to +leave unobstructed the entrance to Nangasaqui, and to go to Firando, +where they joined five Dutch vessels--including the "Leon Rojo," +which had been abandoned. + +As has been ascertained, these heretics plundered on the coast of +Manila eighteen Chinese ships, besides the two which on their return +to Japon they [the "Leon Rojo" and the "Fregelingas"] had carried +with them as they were, loaded, and the three which the ships coming +from Bantan [the "Leon Negro" and the "Galeaça"] had despoiled. This +robbery caused much commotion in Japon. The brother of the ruler of +Firando governed that state at this time, because of the absence of +the latter, who had gone to court. He accordingly placed guards upon +the Dutch ships as soon as they arrived, and commanded that no one +should go to them or buy anything from them until the emperor should +know of their arrival, which he reported immediately. The Hollanders, +paying no attention to these orders, began to unload their cloth +until they filled the warehouses of their factory, leaving the +surplus in the ships. Much of this cloth was wet, because, as I +said above, their vessels [the "Leon Rojo" and the "Fregelingas"] +and that of the Chinese had been shipwrecked. As this was the rainy +season, it was impossible to dry it; and thus, to their great sorrow, +much was lost. They secretly sold everything that they could before +there should come from the court any order that might be to their +disadvantage. They made a large sum of money, and then in all haste +they loaded a great number of the boxes of silk upon the "Leon Negro," +which they put in readiness for whatever might happen. They then +despatched their messengers to Macao [_sc_. Meaco], the court of the +emperor, to whom they presented four fine pieces of bronze artillery, +which he prized very highly. They sent also thirty thousand taes +of silver, each one equal in weight to ten Spanish reals, and many +pieces of various kinds of silk, with which they gained the good +will of the emperor and of the courtiers upon whom their prosperity +and security in Japon depended. As a result of this, they were soon +very successful in their negotiations, at which they were greatly +pleased; for they were given permission to sell their spoils in the +kingdom of Japon to whom and wherever they pleased, since they said +that the Spaniards were their enemies and that the Chinese were going +to trade with them [the Spaniards]. With the matter thus arranged, +they returned to Firando, and, as they found themselves in such favor, +the first thing that they did was to take back from the poor Chinese +the hulk of the ship and some cloth of little value, which they had +given them because they had feared that they might not be successful +at court. And they did this in spite of the fact that the Chinese, +with their good industry and hard labor, had drawn from the water +the ship, which, as has been said, was stranded and submerged. The +Hollanders carried this spoliation to such an extent that they took +their very clothes from their bodies. + +Having completed this very successful exploit, on the fifteenth of +October they despatched for Holanda the "Leon Negro" with sixteen +hundred boxes of changeable silk. Each box contained two picos of +silk (each pico equals five arrobas); besides this, they shipped +three hundred fardos of black and white mantas--all of which will +yield a great sum of money, if it reaches its destination. In the ship +"Fregelingas" the Dutch general returned to the strongholds of Maluco; +he carried with him a great quantity of timber to repair other ships, +and many provisions and munitions to supply their fortresses. The +other two ships, the "Sol Viejo" and the "Galeaça," warned us that +they intended to come to the coast of Manila about April, in order to +plunder at once the ships which come to this city at that season. This +has really happened, because for almost two months two Dutch ships have +been in the place [13] [where they seized the ships from China. This +has caused much apprehension in this city--_V.d.A._] which last year +furnished so powerful a fleet; for then it had galleons with which +to defend itself. Now it has none, because six galleons were sent +to other islands in order that the injuries that they had received +in the late battle might be repaired. On the eleventh of October a +furious hurricane overtook the ships and, [since they had been pierced +by balls in the battle--_marginal note in MS.; also in V.d.A_.] they +parted in the middle and sank in the sea. The twenty-four pieces of +artillery which the galleons carried--four in each galleon--were lost +with the ships. They were, however, neither very large nor of much +value. Most of the people escaped by swimming, or upon some rafts; +but as many as four hundred persons, including Spaniards, Indians, +and Chinese, were drowned. And some of those who had escaped from the +storm by means of the rafts perished from hunger out at sea, after the +storm subsided. In this event the justice of God was evident, because +it is said that that many had embarked upon these galleons with their +concubines, purposely to live with them in the holds of the ships, +without fear of either God or man; therefore our Lord permitted men and +galleons to run aground. [Not only was the city deprived of these six +ships, but] it must be added the information received from his Majesty +that the fleet of galleons formed in Cadiz to come here, by way of the +cape of Buena Esperança, had been sent toward Saboya [_i.e._, Savoy] +to impede the expedition of Count Mauricio to that dukedom. This city, +seeing itself thus deprived of the forces that it had and of those +that it expected, resolved at once to build six galleons and some +galleys; this they are doing with all speed. But as these ships have +not yet been finished (and cannot be very soon) they were worthless +to oppose these two Dutch vessels that have been along the coast of +Ilocos, a province of the island of Manila, and have plundered at will +everything within their reach. According to some, they have despoiled +of silks and other merchandise twelve or thirteen ships. Thus only +the smallest number escaped falling into their hands, and then only +by the merest chance. However, on the night of the eighteenth of May, +the Dutch ships were in danger of shipwreck. There arose a strong wind, +a vendaval, which obliged them to take care of their own ships and to +release the Chinese vessels that they had with them. Four of these, +delighted at this good opportunity, resolved to flee, and as the +winds were favorable, they set out on the return voyage to China. + +The Dutch carried on this pillaging with little risk, and without fear, +because they had learned, through some prisoners who had escaped, of +the loss of our galleons. With these spoils they returned, I think, to +Japon, where they will again be received as they were last year. And +the worst of it is that they will delight in coming [every year to +inflict as much more damage; and therefore the Chinese will not dare +to come--_V.d.A._] to this city with their ships, and commerce will +cease. Everything will then be lost, because the prosperity of these +islands depends solely upon trade with China. May God prevent this +with his powerful hand. + +In the island of Oton a strange thing happened this year. The ships +that usually go with supplies to aid the forces of Maluco were +despatched from the city of Manila. In one of the best of these +embarked Manuel Riveyro, a father of our Society from the house of +Ternate. He had come here to solicit and collect the alms which his +Majesty orders to be given to the fathers who labor in the Malucas +Islands. For many days, for years even, nothing had been given; +and, as a result, Ours were suffering great privation. The father +was very successful and collected from the royal treasury a large +sum of money. Part of this he spent for very rich ornaments and +for images for our churches; part for ship stores, and for gifts +with which to aid the poor soldiers in those strongholds of Maluco, +who suffer great want. These soldiers are materially assisted by our +fathers who reside there, to the great edification and gratitude of +the soldiers. With these supplies the father embarked in one of the +ships, and arrived at Punta de Najo [Naso--_V.d.A._], about eight +leagues from the town of Arebalo, where the king's ships go to take +on rice and meat for the Malucas. At this town it was necessary for +the father of our Society, and other fathers of St. Francis, to go +ashore to obtain some things which they needed, in order to have them +ready when the ship should arrive. Therefore they disembarked to go +by land, and the ship anchored off the point. One day the master, +who was called Juan de Ochoa Sarape [? Lara--_V.d.A._], brought it +about by deceit that the captain of the ship, Francisco Benitez, +the pilot, and two soldiers who were not of his following, should +disembark. There were on board also two mariners, a Galician and a +Castilian, neither of whom had sided with him in the treason that he +had planned with the others. He sent these down the hatchway for some +ropes, and then took a lock and fastened the hatchway. Thereupon the +traitors unsheathed their swords, drew their arquebuses and muskets, +and lighted their fuses. Standing under arms, they cut the cables, and +set sail, taking possession of the ship and of all the goods that it +carried for the king, for the governor of Maluco, and for the fathers +of San Francisco and of our Society, all of which, they say, might be +worth more than thirty thousand pesos. The captain and the pilot, who +witnessed this treason from land, embarked at once in a little vessel, +and, coming near the ship, discharged three muskets, none of which +did any damage. The traitors asked the pilot whether he wished to go +with them. Seeing that neither he nor the captain was so inclined, +they took them to land, and in their ship changed their course to +Borney and Macasar. This treason was committed by twelve Spaniards, +eight of whom were Biscayans and four Castilians. They made captain +the master [of the ship] who was the author of the treason. Besides +these [twelve Spaniards], there were on board this ship the other +two Spaniards, whom, as I said, they were carrying as prisoners, +as well as some Indians of this country who also were compelled to +go. When Father Ribeiro considered how much labor it had cost him to +get together the help he was carrying there for the fathers of Maluco, +this disaster caused him some distress--all the greater when he thought +of the hunger and need that they must suffer. But our Lord prevented +this. The father started out to beg alms from the inhabitants of the +town; and in a short time he got together an abundant supply of rice, +wine, and meat for one year, for all responded liberally to relieve a +necessity that had so moved them to pity. The father set, sail with +all this in another ship, and we trust that, by God's help, he is +already in Maluco. This is the same vessel that had been despatched +this year for Nueva España as almiranta. It left port so heavily +laden that it was necessary to put back into harbor to unload part +of the merchandise, so as to be able to make the voyage. This done, +they set out a second time from the port; but they encountered such +violent storms that, after sailing entirely around the island of +Manila, losing the masts, and imperiling their lives, they returned +to Manila on the seventh of October, 617. Afterward the vessel was +utilized [for Ternate] in the manner indicated above. + +From the Mindanaos there came persistent rumors that they were +undertaking to set out with a large fleet to besiege the fort of Caraga +which was in the same island, Mindanao, and held in check a province +of that island. Its inhabitants do not now engage in robberies and +hostile incursions by sea, as has been their custom. [Upon receipt +of this news] two galleys were despatched from the city of Manila, in +order that with the caracoas that were to be found in Zebu they might +go to aid the fort. They left Zebu for Caraga, but before arriving +there our fleet turned back, partly because notice was received +that the rumor had not been true, and partly because the winds had +arisen. These winds would have greatly endangered our ships upon +their entrance to and departure from that coast, which is very bold. + +But, although we have been free from these enemies this year, we +have had to deal with others, the Camucones, [14] a people who owe +allegiance to the king of Burney, They are thieves who scour the +sea, plundering everything within their reach. They are so cruel +that they never imprison, but kill all upon whom they can lay their +hands. These people came to the Filipinas this year with seven caracoas +and seventeen _ajuangas_, vessels resembling large galleys, but not +so strong; ordinarily they carry four hundred men at the oars. They +did very little damage, however, for they must have heard that our +fleet was on the sea, and therefore they soon withdrew to their own +territory. Their withdrawal was also due in no small degree to the +fact that when they once landed upon an island the native Indians, +sallying forth, killed some of their men and put their heads upon +poles along the coast in order to terrify the rest. It was the special +providence of our Lord that our father provincial did not fall into +the hands of these corsairs when he went to visit the Pintados Islands, +for when they [the father and his crew] were not far from the islands, +a strong wind came up ahead of them, which compelled them to remain +sheltered in a small bay for more than fifteen days. Here the news +of these enemies came to them, and therefore the father retired to +Manila. It is certain that if that contrary wind had not arisen he +would have gone forward, and would have fallen into their hands. + +The devotion to the Immaculate Conception of the most sainted Virgin +has greatly increased among all the people. As soon as the ship from +Nueva España arrived, bringing the news of the elaborate demonstrations +that had been made in all España in honor of this Lady, they began to +place on all the corners and upon the doors of churches notices that +read, "Praised be the most holy sacrament and the Immaculate Conception +of the most holy Virgin, conceived without blot of original sin." There +was no lack of persons who tried to efface one of these notices that +was on the door of the church of Santo Domingo, a fact which caused +the people to burn with greater devotion to this Lady. It was arranged +that for two nights there should be a procession of masked figures. In +it a banner with an image of the Immaculate Conception was displayed; +lamps were placed throughout the city; the cathedral bells began +to chime; and the orders formed in line of march. One devout person +placed on the corners eighteen images of the Conception of our Lady, +with a legend reading, "Without blot of original sin." Other pious +people adorned these images with gilded ornaments and lights that burn +all night. The children continually recited before these images, in +loud voices, various couplets in praise of the Immaculate Conception, +thus fulfilling that saying of David, _ex ore infantium e lactentium_ +["out of the mouths of babes and sucklings"], etc. + +Concerning the persecution in Japon, I can only say that with the death +of Daytusama, who was the chief cause of the expulsion of our fathers, +[15] it was hoped that the persecution would cease or at least would +abate. On the contrary it has increased under the new administration of +his son, who is so hostile to the law of Christ our Lord that simply +because of our holy faith he has martyred one religious from each +of the four orders there. These four religious, among many others, +had gone about secretly, as in England, with great labor cultivating +that vineyard. This event occasioned much rejoicing in the hearts of +all the people of this city, the laity as well as the religious. They +talked of making fiestas and public rejoicings in thanksgiving that +our Lord had adorned the four orders that are in these islands with +four martyrs so distinguished. But in order not to further provoke to +wrath the ruler of Japon, who had ordered their death, and for other +reasons, it was thought best to suspend for the present all kinds of +fiestas. Among those who suffered this fortune or fate was a father +of our Society named Juan Bautista Tavora, a native of the island of +Tercera. He died in company with a father of San Francisco. Afterward +they martyred two others, one of Santo Domingo, and the other of San +Agustin, and in order that respect might not be paid by the Christians +to their bodies, the heathen threw them into the sea. The bodies of +the father of our Society and the father of Santo Domingo were placed +together in one box; those of the two fathers of San Francisco and San +Agustin in another. These last were afterward found, but the first +were not. The account of all that happened concerning this matter I +will place in the relation of that province [Japon] where these most +happy deaths will be related at length. + +I will conclude this account with one of the most singular events +that have ever happened in the world. Although it is discreditable to +the Order of St. Augustine, it should be related here with all truth, +because it is so public and will be so noised about through all the +world. When Fray Vicente de Sepulveda, [16] first cousin of Father +Juan Laurencio, rector of the College of Mexico, finished his term of +three years as provincial, the fathers of St. Augustine met in chapter +in a convent near the city of Manila, to elect a new provincial. They +chose Fray Geronimo de Salas, [17] not without dissensions and discords +between the two parties into which they are divided. This provincial +died twenty days after his election. He died, as some say (and this +opinion seems not without foundation, as we shall see further on), +from poison that they gave him, and consequently his death was very +sudden. By the death of this Fray Geronímo de Salas, Fray Vicente de +Sepulveda returned to the office of provincial, as their regulations +provide. It seemed to some religious who were not of his party that it +was too much for him to govern three more years, so they planned to +cut the thread of life for him--by means of poison, since this would +not betray them. They gave it to him more than eight times in his +food and drink--in his chocolate, and even in the wine with which +he was consecrated. The poison was ground glass, and it resulted +in eruptions over his entire body and in illness for several days, +but it did not produce death. When the conspirators saw that their +attempts so far had been unsuccessful, four of them planned to kill +him with their own hands. The affair was so public that not only was +the conspiracy noised about among the friars but also among the laity +of Manila. Thus it came to the ears of the provincial himself, who +had not lived as prudently as he should have done for the safety of +his person. After this, he was very careful about his food and drink; +he locked himself in at night, and entrusted the key of the apartment +to only a few. He ordered one, who was the author of the treason +(and he was the one that was suspected), that in virtue of his [the +provincial's] holy precept, he should not come into the convent of +Manila, but that he should prepare to embark for Nueva España where +they should take from him the cowl. Thereupon this individual, Fray +Juan de Ocadiz--who was a native of Madrid, a priest, and one of long +service in his order--formed an agreement with three others, all young +men about twenty years of age, who had been ordained to preach. These +were Fray Juan de Quintana and Fray Andres Encinas (both natives of +Manila), and Fray Ignacio de Alcaraz, born in Nueva España in a place +near Acapulco, called I think, Quatulco. Fray Ignacio was companion +and secretary to this provincial, and so he had the opportunity of +making a key to the apartment, by first making an impression of the +key in wax. On the thirty-first of July, 617, the day of our Father +Ignacio, at eleven o'clock at night, the four opened the door of +the provincial's apartment with the key that had been prepared +for the purpose. The provincial heard the noise immediately, and +suspecting what it might be, rose from the bed, and went shouting to +meet them. At this juncture the three evangelists repented of what +had been begun, and talked of withdrawing from it. But Fray Juan de +Ocadiz, bolder than the rest, since he had already begun the work, +told them that if they deserted he would have to stab them. Thereupon +all four together attacked the provincial, threw him upon the bed, +and held his mouth. The three evangelists held his arms and legs +firmly, and Fray Juan de Ocadiz, putting his knees upon his stomach, +choked with his hands. While the friar was choking him, the provincial +begged for confession. Fray Juan said, "Father, repent of your sins, +and in token of this clasp my hand." The provincial took his hand, +and the murderer absolved him, adding, "Trust, Father, in our Lord, +who will pardon your sins." Upon this he seized his throat, and +finished choking him. Then with diabolical cruelty, in order to be +more certain [that he was dead] they twisted his neck against the bed +in such a way that they disjointed the bones, no that the head fell +from one side to the other as if he had been a dead fowl. All this +tragedy was committed in the dark, so they went for a light, cleansed +the provincial's body of the blood that had gushed from his mouth, +changed his bed-linen and garments, and set everything in good order, +that it might appear that he had died of some sudden accident. They +did not take into consideration the many discolorations upon his +body, or the twisted neck, that must soon give testimony of the +hideous crime. Fray Andres Encinas took all the bloody clothing and +threw it into the closets. The others closed the door from within, +with a cross bar, and jumped through a little window. Although the +provincial had given many loud cries, and other friars lived near +the apartment, nothing was heard in the convent--a thing that seems +impossible. After the crime was completed the bells rang for matins, +for which it was now time. The murderers, or rather parricides, with +great craftiness went to prayers. Morning came, and the hour arrived +at which the provincial was accustomed to open his apartment; but he +did not open it. They waited a little, but he did not come out. They +knocked at the door, but he did not respond; they knocked louder, +but in vain. The prior and the other friars, who were ignorant of +the affair, determined to break down the doors. They did so, entered, +and then beheld the crime, and saw that the provincial had been killed +with violence. The prior, a certain Fray del Rincon, [18] hastened to +the president of the royal Audiencia and to Don Geronimo de Sylva, +captain-general, in order that they might give him help of which he +was destitute because there was so great a tumult in the convent. They +soon came with men. First the president ordered that all the friars +should go one by one to kiss the hand of the dead man, in order that he +might note the countenance of each. Finally they buried the provincial, +and every one can well infer what would be said of the whole order; +for people will forget that in the apostolic college there was a Judas +and in Heaven a Lucifer, and yet the other apostles and the angels did +not fall on this account. Reports of the affair were transmitted to the +bishop of Zebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, of the Order of St. Augustine, +and at that time governor of the archbishopric of Manila. He imprisoned +some and tortured others; and in a short time, and with little trouble, +the criminals were discovered. He made all the investigations, prepared +the case, and handed it over to the _definitorio_, which, as they +said, had by right jurisdiction in the matter. The definitorio, which +was composed of nine of the most prominent friars of their order, +advised with the other orders as to whether, without consulting +the pope, it could condemn the criminals to actual degradation and +deliver them over to the secular arm. The Society [of Jesus] avoided, +as far as it could, giving its opinion upon an affair that was of +such moment, and that must create such a sensation. In the decision +of the affair, whether wise or unwise, it was best for us not to +interfere. The authors were examined, and upon the advice of wise +and learned men the definitorio resolved to give the sentence. It was +read to the criminals from the pulpit of the church of St. Augustine, +on the nineteenth of September, 617, before all the people, who had +congregated to witness a spectacle so extraordinary. Immediately they +took from him the cowl, and left them with only some short cassocks +such as are worn by clergymen. They delivered them to the bishop, +who was already prepared for the degradation. He immediately began to +degrade them, and then delivered them over to the secular arm. They +were taken to jail by the strong guard of soldiers that had been in the +church ever since the criminals had been removed from the prisons to +hear the sentence. But it was possible to execute this sentence against +three only, because Fray Andres Encinas had escaped the night before, +in company with a lay brother who was guarding him. With chains and +all, the lay brother removed him from the prison at twelve o'clock at +night, and, placing him upon his back, carried him along an unfinished +wall of the convent, with great danger to both of falling and killing +themselves. He took from him the chains and, together with another +lay brother of their order, they jumped from the wall and fled in +great haste. On the twenty-second of September of the same year, +617, the secular tribunal pronounced the sentence of death upon the +three. They were taken from the jail amid a great retinue of religious +of all orders, who were assisting, and of soldiers who were guarding +the prisoners. At ten o'clock in the morning they were hanged in the +square before the largest assembly of people, I think, I have ever seen +in my life. They died with suitable preparation. I am unwilling to omit +the account of a very peculiar circumstance. Twenty years ago they were +hanging in Madrid that Augustinian friar because he wished to make a +pastry-cook king of Portugal, and to marry him to Doña Ana de Austria, +the mother of Fray Juan de Ocadiz. She was watching the proceeding, +and all at once she began to scream and weep. When asked the cause +of this she replied that she fancied she saw on the gallows her son, +who was an Augustinian friar. Followed by a large crowd they took the +bodies of these three men who had been hanged, to the convent of San +Agustin for interment, where they will remain with their provincial +until God calls them to judgment. The friars then very diligently +searched for the one who had fled, in order to execute upon him +the same sentence. At first they did not find him. And afterward, +although they might have captured him, they did not, because they did +not feel obliged to revive the painful remembrances and cause to all, +and especially to his mother and the relatives whom he has here, +the grief and distress that the first three deaths occasioned. + +Besides these there were found guilty in the affair Fray Joseph de +Vides, a native of Mexico, who had been instructor of the novices; +and Fray Pedro de Herrera, a native of Medina del Campo, who had +been professor of theology, and who now was prior of a convent. As +these two were not so guilty as the others the friars took from them +the cowl, and sentenced them to six years at the galleys in Maluco; +and to suspension [from mass] for one additional year, on account of +the reverence that is due to so high and divine a mystery. They were +handed over to the secular tribunal, and were put upon galleys. But +in a few days they escaped, and embarked upon a small ship in company +with Fray Andres Encinas and the lay brother who had freed him from +prison. All four set out together upon the return to Malaca, in order +to go from that place to Goa, España, and finally to Rome. Such is the +unfortunate event which was reported last year to the pope, the king, +and all the world alike. This year report will be made of the justice +meted out to the malefactors. [19] And as more than four lies will +be written, I have thought it best that your Reverences should know +the affair just as it occurred, nothing being added or omitted. [20] + +_Events at Ternate_ + +Since this was written, advices came from Ternate that brought us some +news which I will add here. The aid that was sent from this city to +the Malucas Islands arrived, and those who carried it found in the +passage two Dutch ships awaiting them, to prevent their entrance to +our fortifications, and even to take the supplies, if possible. They +made an attack and our people thought best to withdraw; but after +some days they returned by another route, to land the supplies if +they could. They again found the Hollander in the road and, being +attacked a second time, they fought, made a great effort to pass, +and succeeded--although the enemy so pursued one ship, the admiral's, +that it ran aground in the island of Tidore. Most of the people were +saved, but some the enemy killed with musket-shots, and some, who threw +themselves into the water, perished. Captain Alonso Martin Quirante, +who was in our stronghold of Tidore, hurried out and prevented the +enemy from taking anything from the ship. + +Many of the provisions that were in the ship were lost, among them +almost all of those that the father, as I mentioned above, was taking +for our fathers. In the thick of the battle this father was the first +to be wounded. He was struck on the arm by a splinter, but his wound +was of little consequence. The soldiers, however, will not because of +this loss be in want this year; for the English went [to the Malucas] +with a shipload of rice to trade for cloves, and the viceroy sent +six galeotas of provisions from India. + +The above-mentioned captain, Alonso Martin Quirante, made an +ambuscade, in which he killed twenty-one Hollanders and captured +four. Of the enemy, twenty-five Hollanders and many of the Indians of +their following deserted to our fortifications. Although the king of +Tidore has always been very favorable to us, the prince his son has +been very friendly and of much importance to the Hollanders. But our +Lord has been pleased to destroy these friendly relations in this +way. The Hollanders, for what reason I do not understand, hanged +one and drowned four of the people of Tidore. On account of this +the prince has been so opposed to them that he has sworn to avenge +himself, and to do them all the injury that he can. And he will do +this, without doubt, because he is very valiant. + +So much for the Malucas. To this may be added the fact that the admiral +Heredia had made, at his own expense, a beautiful, though not very +large, ship with which to serve his Majesty whenever occasion might +offer. Just as soon as it was launched upon the sea, it was overtaken +by a storm so severe that it foundered and was lost. + +I forgot to say that one [_Marginal note_--Sequeyra's ship] of the two +ships that were despatched last year for Nueva España, but did not +arrive there, was separated from the other. It must be known that a +certain de Sequeira, a Portuguese of the Order of Christ [_del Habito +de Christo_], went in it as captain. He had come as general of the +fleet which five years ago the king sent by way of the cape of Buena +Esperanca, [21] and he carried a cédula from his Majesty to the effect +that they should send him back at once by the same route. Instead, +they detained him four years in this city, much against his will. At +last they sent him as captain of this ship in order that he might go +to España by way of Nueva España. They loaded upon this ship goods +of high value, although not a great quantity of them, because the +vessel was small. He began his voyage with favorable winds astern, +and when he had reached the latitude of more than 30 degrees, he +saw that he might turn toward India; but, the brisas beginning to +vex the ships, he ordered the return, and, arriving at these islands, +disembarked some Castilians whom he carried but who did not wish to go +with him. He steered for Malaca and India, in order to go, they say, +to España upon the voyage which his Majesty had ordered. He arrived at +Malaca and died, I think, in Cochin. Nothing more is known [of him], +nor [is it known] what will be done with the goods that he carried. + +The ships from Nueva España arrived very late, at the beginning of +July. It was fortunate that the vendavals were very much delayed this +season; for, if they had begun when they usually do, it would have +been impossible for the ships to reach these islands this year. But +God chose to bring to us the governor [22] who was so much desired. A +grand reception, with many costly triumphal arches, was prepared for +him in Manila. But he embarked from the port of Cabite in a galley, +and entered quietly into the palace through a postern gate near by, +and therefore the whole reception fiesta was a failure. And when +they desired him to go out of the city again, in order that he might +enter with solemnity, he said that he did not wish them to carry him +in procession as if he were a penitent, and so he remained there. + + + + +DESCRIPTION OF THE PHILIPPINAS ISLANDS + + +The governmental district of the islands commonly called Philippinas +comprises seven principal provinces, not to mention many other +islands and smaller provinces within its jurisdiction. Five of these +principal provinces are in the island of Luzon, which is four hundred +and sixty leguas in periphery and extends about from the thirteenth +to the twenty-first parallel. One can travel two hundred leguas in a +straight line on this island, for it is even longer than this. From +east to west, between the Cape of Spiritu Santo (the first sighted when +coming from Nueba España) and the bay of Manila, it is eighty leguas; +and from south to north, between the same bay and Cape Boseador, +in the province of Cagayan, which is opposite Japon and China, it is +one hundred and twenty leguas. The capital of Cagayan is the city of +Nueba Segobia, which was settled by Governor Don Goncalo Ronquillo de +Peñalosa in fifteen hundred and eighty-one. The shape of this island +of Luzon, taken as a whole, is more like a semi-quadrant than anything +else, although there are many irregularities in places. Some parts +are narrow, because of the numerous arms of the sea which bound and +penetrate the island; but in some parts, principally those on the +north side, the island grows broader and more spacious, as I will +show in the proper place. In other parts it is rough, rugged, and +not a little mountainous. When the island is considered as shaped +like a semi-quadrant, the great bay of Manila lies in the angle, +where the sides meet the city--which is in the center of the island, +near the entrance to the same bay; and has as a port Cavite, a little +more than two leguas to the south. + +_Camarines_ + +The first, of the five provinces in the island of Luzon, beginning on +the eastern coast, is Camarines, which includes all the territory near +the mouth of the channel of Capul. The capital of Camarines is the +city of Cazeres, sixty leguas from Manila. It was settled by Doctor +Francisco de Sande, governor of these islands, in fifteen hundred and +seventy-four. He settled on the Vicor, a large and peaceful river, +whose waters are very fresh and healthful, because it runs through many +veins of gold, as do most or all of the rivers of these islands. There +are in Camarines as many as twenty encomiendas, counting the four into +which the island of Catanduanes (which is included in this district) +is divided. The largest of these encomiendas does not contain more +than fifteen hundred tributes; there are a few of one thousand; most +of them must have from seven to eight hundred; while some have four +hundred or even less. Among these peoples a great deal of gold was +formerly obtained from the mines or placers of Paracali and from the +island of Catanduanes. Camarines yields no rice, and it has not so good +a food supply as other parts of Luzon, owing to the fact that Luzon +is very narrow here, and in many places is rough and mountainous. It +is believed that as much gold is mined now as usually, yet it seems a +small quantity; for, although the Indians in general have more money +than formerly, obtained through their [various] sources of income, +they keep back the gold to work up into chains and jewelry, with +which they adorn and parade themselves freely. They pay tribute in +tin reals. The Camarines have become a very settled and tractable +people through the religious instruction and careful teaching of +the discalced Franciscan fathers, their ministers. They had been, +of all the people of these islands, the most warlike and the most +feared, as was shown by their resistance; indeed, one can hardly +assert that they were conquered. The number of the inhabitants of +this province can be but roughly estimated, as it is difficult to +count them accurately. It is probable, however, that there are more +than one hundred and fifty [thousand], counting the intractable black +people who live in the interior of the country. Of this number some +estimate that one-fourth are Christians. + +_Judicial offices of the province of Camarines_ [23] + +With respect to royal jurisdiction, this province has these three +offices: + +The alcaldia-mayor of Caseres, which is ordinarily called the +alcaldia-mayor of Camarines, because Caseres is the capital of the +province, and has jurisdiction over the larger and better part of it; +the corregimiento of Ybalon, which is at the mouth of the channel; +and the corregimiento of the island of Catanduanes, which is also +near the same channel mouth. + +_The province of Manilla_ + +The second province [in the island of Luzon] and the principal one +in importance and wealth, because of its extensive commerce and of +the fact that it is in the center of the kingdom, is Manila. Within +its jurisdiction are included other smaller provinces. These are the +two lake provinces, Bonbon and Bay; and (the most important of all) +Panpanga, which, at the outside, is not more than twelve leguas from +Manila. This is an inundated valley, and yields a great amount of +rice, owing to the richness and location of its lands, as well as to +the wealth and superior character of its natives--among whom there +are at present many who have aided and served as faithful subjects +and friends, whenever opportunity has offered. In Panpanga your +Majesty has as many as six thousand tributes in the four governmental +districts and principal villages, among which are Betis, Lubao, Guagua, +Mexico, and other smaller places. All the neighboring country, and +particularly the royal magazines, secure their rice from this province +[of Pampanga]. There must be in the province of Manila forty thousand +tributes belonging to private individuals, and almost twenty thousand +belonging to your Majesty. There must be in all more than five hundred +thousand people, of whom one-fourth are Christians. In this, however, +estimates vary. The adelantado, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, settled the +important city of Manila in the year fifteen hundred and sixty-one, +[24] after having lived for six years in the islands of Zubu and Panay, +of which I shall speak more in detail in another place. + +_The judicial offices in the province of Manila_. + +The offices to which appointments are made in the province of Manila, +not to mention the judicial officers of greater or less importance +who are maintained by the city within its walls, are as follows: + +The alcaldia-mayor of the Parian or alcayzeria of the Chinese; the +alcaldia-mayor of the coast near this city, its capital being the +town of Tondo; the alcaldia-mayor of the Lake of Manila, ordinarily +called Laguna de Bay; the alcaldia-mayor of Bulacan and Calumpite, +one of the two alcaldias of Panpanga; the alcaldia-mayor of Panpanga, +which includes the rest of the province; the alcaldia-mayor of +Balayan and Bonbon, twenty leguas from Manila; the corregimiento of +Mindoro and Baco, twenty-five leguas from Manila--which, although +it is itself an island, is a division of this province for judicial +and religious administration; the alcaldia-mayor of Calilaya, forty +leguas from Manila; the corregimiento of Masbate, an island fifty +leguas, or a little more, from Manila, between this island [of Luzon] +and the Pintados. + +_Pangassina_ + +Next after Panpanga comes the district comprising all of Sambales and +Pangasinan. This, although here considered as a separate province, +is under the jurisdiction of Manila in judicial and religious +matters. Its natives are chiefly those called Negrillos. They are +mountain Indians and are either very tawny in color, or black. They +are so restless, so warlike, and so averse to trade and communication +with other people, that up to this time it has not been possible to +subdue them effectively. Although on different occasions they have +been severely chastised, there is still no security from them. They +are in the habit of making sudden assaults upon their neighbors, +continually, and cutting off many heads. In this consists the whole +happiness of these barbarians. These Negrillos belong to the same +race of people as those who live farthest in the interior and in the +most rugged parts of these islands. It is a very well established and +common belief that they are the real aborigines; and that the rest +of the Indians are immigrants who conquered them, and compelled them +to leave the shores and plains, and to retire to the most isolated +and rugged parts of the islands, where they now are. They are still +so brutal and so averse to civilization that they scarcely deserve +more than the name of men; for they often cut off the heads of their +own fathers and brothers as a pastime, for no other reason than +their natural cruelty and brutality. Very few of them have fixed +settlements, nor do they plant crops; but they live upon camotes +(a kind of potato), other herbs and roots, and the game which they +hunt. They hardly ever come to the plains or coasts except to make +assaults and to cut off heads. The one who has cut off the greatest +number of these is most feared and respected among them. The skulls +they keep in their huts as trophies, or to serve as jugs and cups +in their drinking-bouts. There is such abundance of wild game in +the province of Pangasinan that within a space of only twenty leguas +over sixty thousand, and sometimes as many as eighty thousand, deer +are killed every year. The Indians pay these deerskins as tributes; +while trade in them is a source of great profit for Japon, because +the Japonese make of them good leather for various purposes. + +_Ten thousand tributes_. There must be in Pangasinan between ten +thousand and twelve thousand half-pacified tributes, two thousand +belonging to his Majesty, and the rest to private individuals. The +capital of this province is a place called Binabatonga. It +formerly contained about three thousand houses, or, according to +other estimates, a greater number; but it now has only about two +thousand. The province has some good ports. One is that of Agoo, +commonly called "the port of Japon," because it was the first port +which the Japonese occupied in these islands [when our people first saw +them here]. Another port is Bolinao, which is better than any other. + +_Judicial offices in Pangasinan_. There is only one judicial office +in this province, namely, the alcaldia-mayor of Pangasinan. + +_The province of Ilocos_ + +Next after Pangasinan, toward the north, on the same coast, comes +the province of the llocos, a people on the whole more settled and +tractable; and although there have been some disturbances among them, +they are now very peaceable. They are well supplied with provisions, +especially with rice--a great quantity of which comes to Manila every +year during February and a part of March, for at this time the winds +are favorable for going from Ilocos to Manila and back again. The +capital of this province is the town called Fernandina [now Vigan], +which was settled by the master-of-camp Guido de Lavazares, who +governed these islands in fifteen hundred and seventy-three, upon +the death of the adelantado, Legaspi. This province must nave between +fourteen thousand and fifteen thousand tributes, which are collected +without resistance. Five thousand of them belong to his Majesty, +and the rest to private individuals. There used to be in it, also, a +great quantity of gold but the Ygolotes Indians diminished the amount +for the reason given above. [25] This diminution is quite noticeable. + +_Judicial offices of the province of Ilocos_. There is in this province +only one judicial office, the alcaldia-mayor of Ilocos. + +_The province of Cagayan or Nueva Segobia_ + +After Ilocos comes the province of Cagayan, the northernmost portion +of the island of Luzon, where there is a great deal of incompletely +pacified country. It contains villages inhabited by a very strong +and warlike people, who have given us much trouble. + +_Twelve thousand_ [_tributes_]. Between twelve thousand and thirteen +thousand tributes are collected in the pacified portions of the +province. Fifteen hundred, or a little more, belong to his Majesty, +and the rest to private individuals. + +The capital of this province is, as has been said, the city and port +of Nueba Segobia, opposite and facing China and Japon, one hundred +and twenty leguas from Manila. It is so near China that from Cape +Bojeador, one of the points or promontories of Cagayan, it is not +more than a seventy leguas' journey to the nearest towns on the coast +of Chincheo, a maritime province of that great kingdom. The greater +part of the Sangleys who come to these islands are natives of that +place. For this reason, and because of the natural restlessness of +the people of Cagayan, there has been established in Nueba Segobia a +regular garrison, sometimes with fifty, and sometimes with a hundred, +or even more, soldiers, as necessity demands. Nueba Segobia contains +the cathedral church and is the capital of the archbishopric of the +province of Cagayan, just as the city of Caseres is of Camarines. There +are then, in the island of Luzon, not counting the archbishopric of +Manila, which is the capital of the kingdom, the two archbishoprics +above mentioned. It must be noted that there are in this island many +races and kinds of people, such as the Camarines, Camintanes, Tagalos, +Panpangas, Sanbales, Ilocos, Cagayanes, and many others. They differ +noticeably not only in language and in physical characteristics, +but also in disposition and customs. But the Tagala dialect, that of +Manila and the surrounding country, is a common language. It is spoken +and understood everywhere, not only by the above-mentioned natives +of the island of Luzon, but by the natives of all the islands. From +this fact those who know something concerning the past of these people +infer that the other nations of the archipelago have long carried on +trade and commerce with Manila. Because the island is the center of +an infinite number of nations and barbarous people, some heathens and +some Mahometans; and because of its nearness to and trade with the +rich and powerful kingdoms of Japon and China, as well as for other +reasons that might be mentioned, Manila is considered of greater +importance in this governmental district than can here be indicated. + +_Judicial offices of the province of Nueba Segobia_. There is only one +judicial office in Cagayan, the alcaldia-mayor of the entire province. + +_Province of Panay in the Pintados_ + +The sixth province, one of those outside of Luzon, is the island +of Panay, situated in the Pintados, one hundred leguas south of +the city of Manila. It is more fertile, and yields more rice and +other provisions, than any other province of the kingdom except +Manila. Neither is there any province relatively more densely +populated, for, although it is not eighty leguas in periphery, +it contains thirty thousand of the most profitable and peaceable +tributes in the whole kingdom. The capital of this island is the town +of Arebalo, which was settled by the adelantado Legaspi in fifteen +hundred and sixty-seven, and enlarged by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo in +fifteen hundred and eighty-two. It is near the village of Oton and +the port of Yloylo, the most southerly port of the governmental +district. For this reason, and because of the fertility of this +province, it is better fitted than any other for provisioning +and sending aid to the Malucas Islands and to the presidios of +Terrenate. This province is on the coast facing toward Mindanao, +Maluco, and all the "islands of enemies," as the islands to the +south are designated. In religious instruction and ecclesiastical +jurisdiction, this province is included in the bishopric of Zubu. + +_Judicial offices in the island of Panay_. There are in Panay three +judicial offices. These are, the corregimiento of Panay and Aclan, +the rivers and principal settlements of the island; the corregimiento +of the island of Negros, which is included in the district of Panay; +the alcaldia-mayor of the town of Arebalo (commonly called the +alcaldia-mayor of Otong) and including the purveyorship--the best +and most important office of that province. + +_The Province of Subu and its jurisdiction_ + +Forty leguas eastward from Oton, and one hundred and twenty leguas +from the bay of Manila, is the island of Zubu. The capital of +this province, as well as of all the provinces of the Pintados, +is the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jhesus--celebrated throughout +the kingdom, not so much on account of its good harbor as because +it was the first town to submit to his Majesty; and because it is +the first city which the adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi settled +and pacified in these islands. It is also noted because it is but +half a legua from the island of Matan, where the famous Magallanes +died fighting; and more than all else on account of the holy relic, +[an image] of the child Jesus, which our fathers found there, which +is now at the capital city in the convent of San Agustin, and has been +signalized by some miracles that have occurred there. Zubu is a small +island, and it yields but few provisions, because it is rugged and +mountainous. But it has an abundance, of game, and secures sufficient +[of other] provisions and supplies from the islands and provinces +under its jurisdiction. These are: Leyte, Çamar, Ybabao, Bohol, and +many other islands of lesser importance, besides that part of the +island of Mindanao opposite Zubu which was formerly at peace--that +is, all the country along the Butuan River, forty leguas from Zubu, +and the coasts of Surigao, Dapitan, and Caragas, a little further +from Zubu. Eight or ten years ago, all of these revolted from this +province. There are in the provinces of Zubu and its jurisdiction, +according to some estimates, over twenty thousand, and according to +others, twenty-four thousand, very peaceable tributes. Three thousand +of these belong to his Majesty and the rest to private individuals. To +the two provinces of Zebu and Panay only is given the name Bisayas, +but to all this group of islands taken together is given the name +Pintados. The Pintados are now giving more trouble than any others +in the whole governmental district; not because the inhabitants are +restless (for none are more peaceable or more useful), but because +they are on the frontier toward the seas of Mindanao and Maluco. The +natives of Mindanao and Maluco--principally the Mindanaos and other +allied tribes, the Sangiles, Joloans, and others of that region--have +been emboldened by their great successes during the last ten years +to infest the coasts of the islands (and especially of the Pintados, +which are nearest to them), so frequently that they have kept the +forces of the kingdom diverted [to that region]. They have been greatly +aided by the artifice and craft of Silongan, their principal chief, +and most of all by the remissness of our fleets. For these reasons +they have harassed and are now harassing all the Pintados, where they +have at different times robbed many places, captured many thousands +of friendly Indians, burned and sacked the churches and barbarously +profaned sacred things. And yet for these excesses they have neither +made amends nor been punished, and since these Moros have power and +courage to continue the war, many evil consequences result; for in +spite of the pretended treaties of peace, which they are always +promising but never keep, they persist in their offenses. [For +instance], at the end of November, 1616, these Mahometan Indians, +by the coming of the Dutch ships which reached this bay on the last +of October led to think that our forces would be engaged, improved +the occasion like good strategists, and burned three of his Majesty's +ships in the dockyards of Masbate. About twenty leguas from Manila, +they burned some villages and captured many Spaniards; and what two +galleys did let some other person tell his Majesty. We know their +designs by experience, and the opinion grows that it would be well to +punish them for once, with sufficient force to keep them sufficiently +under restraint and subjection to make it possible to apportion the +island [in encomiendas], and to establish in it fortified posts. This +is the true way to prevent their disturbances. Since Mindanao is +directly opposite the Pintados, and so near to Matheo and Terrenate; +since it has so many encomiendas to distribute (as it is over four +hundred leguas in extent); and since it yields gold, wax, cinnamon, +and a great quantity of rice and other valuable products--great +benefits would accrue to his Majesty by its pacification. + +_Judicial offices of the province of Zubu; three_. Returning to the +province of Zubu, from which I have been diverted by a discussion +of the affairs of Mindanao, I may say that there are three judicial +offices here. They are the alcaldia-mayor of Zubu, which is the +principal office in the province; the corregimiento of the islands +of Leyte, Camar, and Babao; and the corregimiento of Botuan, which +is the portion of the island of Mindanao that used to be peaceful. + +Summary of the tributes--160,000. Each tribute consists of a man +and wife. + +I wrote this in Manila, in 1618, to give to Governor D. Pedro de +Bivero. + + + +DUTCH FACTORIES AND POSTS IN THE ORIENT + + +_Account of the factories, and the posts garrisoned with infantry and +artillery, that the Dutch enemies maintain in the islands of the East._ + +_Item_. From these factories are taken food and other provisions for +Maluco, and a ship of a thousand toneladas of pepper every year. + +_Item_. In the island of Caramandel they maintain two factories +without a garrison. One of them is in the port and country of Achen, +[26] and the other in the same island, which is called Chambi. There +is sent from these factories a shipload of a thousand toneladas of +pepper, gold, and jewels. + +_Item_. In Negapatan they have a factory, without a garrison; from +it are carried cloths, which the Terrenate Indians of Maluco wear. + +_Item_. In the island of Jor [27] there is at present one factory, +without a garrison; and 400 bares of pepper are shipped from it every +year. A bare [_i.e._, bahar] is known to contain 600 libras. + +_Item_. In Patane there is a factory, without a garrison; from it are +shipped glazed earthenware, silk, and various drugs which come from +China, and one shipload of more than 600 toneladas of pepper each year. + +_Item_. In Cian [_i.e._, Siam] they have a factory, without a garrison; +from it are carried jewels and various drugs of much value. + +_Item_. In Borneo they have a factory, without a garrison. Thence +are sent gold, jewels, and camphor. + +_Item_. In Japon they have a factory, without a garrison. Thence are +shipped military supplies and provisions for Maluco; and thus the +Dutch greatly hinder the progress of Christianity in that country. + +_Item_. In Macazar they had two factories; but have removed them thence +because the king and the natives do not get along well with them. + +_Item_. In the island of Banda they have a garrison, with artillery +and troops. They gather there Masatrella nutmegs to the amount of +more than 1,600 bares each year. + +_Item_. In the island of Caramandel they have a fortress with a +garrison and two factories, one called Masapotamia, [28] and the other +Petapulli; from them is carried cloth to trade and barter in Maluco. + +_Item_. In the island of Bachan they have a garrisoned fortress; +more than a hundred bares of cloves are shipped thence each year. + +_Item_. In the island of Maquian they have three garrisoned fortresses; +and 1,200 bares of cloves are gathered there each year. + +_Item_. In the island of Mutiel they have a garrisoned fortress. From +this island they ship more than 350 bares of cloves each year. + +_Item_. In the island of Tidore they have a garrisoned fortress, +and his Majesty has another. The whole island yields each year about +600 bares of cloves, of which half, or a little less, is secured by +the Dutch. + +_Item_. In the island of Terrenate they have two garrisoned fortresses, +and his Majesty has one. The island yields each year more than 700 +bares of cloves; and the profitable part of it is gathered by the +Dutch, as they have friendly relations with the natives, while his +Majesty obtains never a pound--although it is true that the greater +part is lost through war. + +From these islands--Bachan, Maquian, Motiel, Tidore, and +Terrenate--which are the ones that Don Pedro de Acuña won back and +left in peace and quiet, with an amply sufficient garrison to maintain +them, the enemy enjoys and obtains each year nearly two million pesos +in profit. The reason for this loss to us was that, on account of Don +Pedro's death, so many quarrels arose between his adherents and those +of the Audiencia that they spent all the time in making war against +each other with ink and paper. In the meantime the enemy fortified +themselves in Malayo, and took possession of the island of Maquian, +and those of Motiel and Bachan, and the other ports which they now +hold, without its costing them a drop of blood. But this burnened +us with much ignominy; for we--being occupied in wasting paper and +ink in lawsuits, which have continued to this day--both by this loss +and that other which first arose from the dismantling of a fort in +Mindanao which had been built in the port of La Caldera, have given +the enemy an opportunity to take possession of so large a part of +these islands. And the worst is, that these factions are lasting to +this very day, and are causing the many losses and the great expenses +which your Majesty now incurs; and these hatreds will not be lacking, +for they are so deeply rooted. It is for us to apply a check to them, +for from them has sprung the loss of respect to whomsoever should +have it, and thence have come to this court reports so sinister. + +What is recounted in this relation is from the mouth of General Pablos +Blancar, who was our prisoner in Terrenate. Being grateful for the +good treatment which he had and received from my hand, he gave me +this, assuring me that it was altogether true; and I even agree with +what he said, for, being disgusted with his countrymen because they +did not help him, and feeling grateful for the friendship which he +personally received in my house, he told me--as it were, in payment +for that, and by way of vengeance on his own countrymen--all that I +have recounted. As for the failures to serve your Majesty on the part +of our people, I have restrained myself in many respects, for they +are more important than I can express; but I advised Señor Don Diego +de Ybarra of them in the year 1617. I am certain of everything which +happened there, as I was present there in person, and saw these things +with my own eyes, being in those islands as captain and sargento-mayor, +and governing them in the absence of Don Jeronimo de Silva. [29] + + + +MEMORIAL REGARDING MANILA HOSPITAL + + +Manila, 1618. Memorial for his Lordship Señor Don Fernando Canillo, +president of the Council of the Indias for his Majesty, informing +him of the injuries and losses which, during the seven years that +I served as head brother in the royal hospital of his Majesty, were +ascertained by me in that time, in order that they may be remedied in +the city of Manila; and of the good which the brothers of John of God, +are accomplishing in these regions. + +1. In the time of Governor Don Francisco Tello, there was a steward +who drew a salary of three hundred pesos, with a hundred fanegas of +rice, and two hundred fowls, and lodging in the hospital. 2. Another +succeeded him, who died owing three hundred pesos, which could not +be collected. 3. The second was succeeded by the Confraternity of +La Misericordia, and when they had left the administration there +remained a surplus of three thousand pesos. 4. To this third succeeded +a person who finally owed the hospital five or six thousand pesos. I +believe that they could not collect this sum, because he died at +that time; and God knows what evil the hospital suffered on account +of the funds thus withheld, as the hospital building was burnt twice +in one year. 5. The fifth successor, who was the owner of a horse, +sold it to the hospital as a breed horse for the mares, so that the +hospital might have a stock-farm. The price paid was four hundred +pesos; but the horse was of no use for this purpose, and there was no +need of him for any other use, so the said hospital sold him for one +hundred and fifty pesos. This steward remained in office two years; +and three years passed without his rendering any accounts, and I +believe he never did so. He died, and may have rendered a good account +in heaven. 6. The fifth steward requested from the sixth a tonelada +from the hospital assignment of freight in the ships. He did not lade +it, not having the means to do so; he sold it for six hundred pesos, +and paid the hospital two hundred pesos. During my time the governors +gave to the royal hospital of Manila eight toneladas for provisions +and utilities. The city sold its toneladas at six hundred pesos, +and sometimes more; and the hospital sold its space mostly at two +hundred pesos, at twenty-five pesos a pieza. The hospital for Indians +has two toneladas, and sells them at more than six hundred pesos each. + +The hospitals which your Majesty has in the Filipinas Islands: the +royal hospital, where the soldiers are treated; another in Gavite, +where the sailors are treated; another for the Indian natives, +[conducted by] the Franciscan friars; another for Sangleys, by the +Dominican friars; another, by La Misericordia, for the mulattoes; +another, at the hot springs, [30] by the Franciscan friars; another +in Cagayan; another in Cebu; another in Maluco; and another for +convalescents, by the friars who are coming back from the Indias. The +brothers of the blessed Juan de Dios will attend to the care of +these hospitals, for they are greatly lacking in comforts for the +sick. They will save all these losses to the treasury of his Majesty, +and obviate the offenses which are committed against God. + + + To the steward as salary 500 pesos + Collected from the encomiendas 200 pesos + 200 more from the stock farm 200 pesos + From the collector of fowls 200 pesos + + 1100 pesos + + +[_Endorsed_: "The royal hospital at Manila. Send a copy of these +clauses to the governor and Audiencia, so that they may name an auditor +as inspector thereof; and let the senior auditor, if convenient, +fill this office. He shall superintend and audit the accounts of this +hospital, and bring its property into the most profitable condition. As +for the customs and mode of life of the officials who are employed +in this hospital work, if they have committed any unlawful acts +let them be punished, if laymen, according to their guilt; and if +they be ecclesiastics, let them be dismissed and sent to their own +judge. Each year, one of the Audiencia shall be appointed, in turn, +to take the hospital in his charge; and at Easter-tide, when the +general inspection of prisons is made, the governor shall, on the day +which he shall consider most suitable, visit personally and examine +into the cleanliness and state of the bedding of this hospital and +the others, so that all may be encouraged to the greatest diligence +and charity. As for the appointment of a steward and other officials, +they shall always be of the honorable and well-to-do persons of the +city; and the office of steward shall last two years. If any persons +shall be found so suited to the position that it will be necessary to +compel him [to serve therein], this shall be done in the best possible +manner, so that people may understand that, after the service of God +our Lord this it is that has most weight with his Majesty, in order to +employ them in other offices, according to the character and method of +their management. Let there be placed upon the books of the accounts +and proceedings of the hospital a copy of this decree. The Council, +November 16, 618."] + + + + +LETTER TO FELIPE III FROM ALONSO FAJARDO DE TENZA + + +Sire: + +Having left the port of Acapulco on April second with the two ships, +men, and other things, as I wrote your Majesty from there, God was +pleased to allow us to anchor in this port of Cavite on the fifth of +the past month. One could esteem it a good fortune that although the +season was so advanced there were as yet no vendavals in the channel +[_el Embocadero_] of these islands; for we had suffered many light +winds and even calms, and had waited for a ship that joined us, +in order not to desert it, contrary to the advice of some. Thanks +to His Divine Majesty who gave us so prosperous a voyage, not ten +persons dying in both ships. + +The events of which I found news here are indeed to be deplored. Not +only was the small almiranta from Nueva España wrecked at Japon +(news of which was sent in the ship of last year), but its flagship +was also destroyed, having been burned on this coast with two other +vessels, fragatas, which were with it; and I learned of the loss of +the galleon "San Marcos" and the burning of two other ships which +were being built in the shipyards, to which the Mindanao enemy set +fire, encouraged thereto by the Dutch. I found, also that, of the +squadron that was being sent to aid Terrenate, one boat was wrecked, +while another mutinied--thereby casting shame on the Spanish nation +and their loyalty, and even giving occasion for some to make comments +and to say that the needs of this place, their lack of confidence in +its relief, and the departure for another region, could furnish some +reason for a similar act of desperation. Inasmuch as the number of +people who have fled from here by divers routes, especially by that of +Portuguese Yndia, has greatly increased; and considering how this evil +report may harm, and how advisable it is to destroy it (although we +nave a very pressing need of men), I have granted some licenses--the +number I considered necessary and sufficient--so that it might be +understood that they have left these islands, and so that the fear +entertained by so many of coming hither might be dissipated. For the +same reason, I have given certain orders for the payment of necessary +obligations, giving two of these to the sailors who were here, and +as they ire so few, the so small amount of money spent will create no +deficiency. After our aforesaid misfortunes the six galleons that were +to be fitted up at the shipyards were, while going there, overtaken by +a hurricane, and were all wrecked, together with seven hundred persons +whom, it is said, they were carrying--namely, natives, Sangleys, +and Spanish sailors and shipbuilders, and some infantrymen--besides +those who escaped, who were very few. Consequently, these islands +were left without any naval forces and with few enough on land, by +the above-mentioned disaster and the many private persons who died +on the expedition to Sincupura or Malaca. The result was very great +sorrow to the citizens, because of these troubles, and because General +Ruy Gonzales de Sequeira carried an amount of property for them to +Portuguese Yndia, where he died; while the enemy, coming unexpectedly, +seized another very large quantity of property, which some say was +in excess of two hundred thousand pesos, and others of three hundred +thousand pesos. It is certain that the enemy freighted with riches +two vessels, with which they came to this coast, lading them even to +their small boats; and the same with some Chinese craft, with what they +pillaged from the Sangleys of that kingdom. Thus was that so heavy loss +caused to this community, which with two such strokes might fear its +total ruin; on that account there has been no allotment of the lading +space for Nueva España this year, since that of last year, and that +trade is the harvest that sustains this country. Consequently it has +become very necessary to encourage the citizens, seeking innumerable +methods of consolation, and facilitating their protection for the +future with what means we have. I am trying to notify and assure +them that your Majesty's reënforcements and protection will not fail +them--adducing (and in good faith on my part) all possible reasons +why we should promise ourselves and expect that relief, when your +Majesty learns into how great ruin this country has fallen. For one +cannot believe that your Majesty will permit the risking of what it is +so important to preserve, both for the continuation of the conversion +of these souls and that of so many as one may hope will be reduced to +the pathway of salvation--a thing by which our Lord will be so well +served; and for the reputation and even the profit of the treasury, +which will not be slight, and which will follow by maintaining these +islands. For if we had a fleet sufficient to be able to pursue the +enemy, they could not maintain themselves from that day on which we +would thus oblige them to divert their attention from their gains and +trading, in order to join together for defense. It is quite certain +that, in that case, there would be no one in this archipelago who would +do anything to lessen respect for your Majesty's arms. By doing that, a +million per cent would be gained over what was spent on it. Otherwise, +if the enemy enjoy in any quiet what they claim here, it would appear +that they might disturb the peace of Portuguese Yndia, and even of +some portions of the Indias of Castilla [i.e., the Spanish colonies +in America], and other places. That would give reason for anxiety, +because of the so great wealth that the enemy would thus obtain. It is +quite easy to prove this statement, since with only their plundering +and the profits from their business, and without their having any +right or dominion in anything of importance, the enemy repair the +expenses and losses of war, and make the gains that they are known to +secure. Will your Majesty please have this matter considered, and have +an efficient reënforcement of seamen and soldiers sent--all at once, +or as soon as may be possible--so that having their arms in one fleet, +aid may be thus given where and how it is considered most advisable to +your royal service. To that I shall attend with what forces I shall +have, whether many or few, as will be shown by their deeds--to which +I refer, without promising more than the fulfilment of my obligations, +with God's help. In order to do thus, I have represented all the above, +concluding with what is of most importance to this government, which is +reduced, in my opinion, to three points: namely, the commerce of China +and Nueva España; the protection and preservation of the natives; and +having the sword in the hand, so that one may achieve what is needed +and make all things clear. Taking this last point as a basis, Don Juan +de Silva, my predecessor, must have built that fleet, for which he +contrived some ships that he would not have built had it not been so +necessary, as experience proved. For until his death, the enemy did not +resolve to display the audaciousness that they have since shown here, +nor even to conduct their commerce, except with great caution. If +I could construct another fleet like it, I would imitate him; but +he impoverished the wealth of these loyal vassals of your Majesty, +the Spaniards, and of the wretched natives, to such an extent that +many are now in the most dire need. Besides, the royal treasury is +deep in debt, so that nothing can be extracted from it or from them, +which may be worth considering in the present needs. This and the +lack of iron and other materials oblige me to reduce the building +force for five ships, that, I found, had been ordered to be built, +to three, so that I should not run out of the necessary materials, +and all of them be left unfinished. Then, in case that I have enough, +those men could also build the other two. Besides, that is also +important in order that those ships which are to sail to Nueva España +in the coming year may be finished and equipped promptly. I would be +very glad were that work further advanced, in order to hasten work +on one ship that can be of help to me, equipping it, together with +the flagship and another ship of your Majesty that is here, so that +I may oppose the enemy, whom we are expecting, with three galleys, +which can be manned by availing myself of borrowed slaves. However, +according to the news received from the king of Tidore and from Yndia, +there are eighteen ships which they say are being prepared in one place +to come here, and fourteen in another. Although it will be possible +for all to come together, and let them be what they may, preparing +myself, I am ready with what resources I have for those that may come. + +News from Terrenate advises us that they have sufficient food there +to be able to await the reënforcements of food and money that I +am preparing, to send them when the weather is suitable. To that +the friendship of their neighbor, the king of Macaçar, is of not a +little aid. With him friendship is being made, and I shall endeavor to +preserve it, as I think it will prove of no possible harm but of gain +now for many things. Galleys are especially desired there, for they now +miss the advantage which they gained when they had these, since they +now have but one small unarmed galliot. I think that from those that I +shall repair here, and from two or three smaller ones that I intend to +build, I shall send them a couple of these vessels after the occasion +for which I am waiting; and besides that, I think it advisable for the +service of your Majesty. I shall do it with great pleasure, because +I hope that all the aid sent to those forts will make a brave show, +for they are entrusted to Governor Lucas de Vergara Gaviria, of whose +excellent zeal and management I have very good reports, and am well +satisfied with him, although there are some who complain of his temper. + +The vassals of the king of Mindanao who were formerly your Majesty's +subjects have for some years back been acting very insolently, and +have been committing so many and so great depredations that already +they are causing considerable anxiety. Consequently, it is necessary +to undertake to restrain them, and to lay hands on them. I shall +accordingly try to do so as soon as possible, and for that purpose +I shall use the galliots which I have said that I intend to build. + +I am writing to the viceroy of Nueva España, asking him to send me +the aid that he is wont to send other years, in the quantity now +necessary, and as is declared in a memorial signed with my signature +and those of the royal officials of these islands. I have asked that +the money sent be the amount that was asked last year, since that +sent then did not amount to the sum generally sent in other years; +while the occasion that obliged us to ask for it has not ceased, +but rather the necessities caused by the disasters and losses above +mentioned have arisen. + +Because of the short time since I arrived here, and the many +occupations that I have had in overcoming the hindrance of despatches, +in arrears, and in attending to the preparation for many necessities +that demanded it, and to the furnishing of these ships that are being +despatched now to Nueva España--in which there were very many things +to do, to which no beginning had been made--I have not been able to +ascertain with certainty who is to blame for the wreck of the six +galleons, and why they did not sail out to drive from the coast the +enemy who were pillaging along it. Consequently, I shall leave that +report to your Majesty for another occasion. However, I can send +with this letter an information regarding this matter, the taking +of which I entrusted to Auditor Geronimo de Legaspi, on the advice +of the Audiencia. The Audiencia gave it so that it might be made +secretly, on the occasion of a petition that was presented against +Don Geronimo de Silva. That petition declared also that neither I nor +any one else could be judge without a special commission from your +Majesty; but that it was necessary to make the said investigation, +in order to see by it whether it was advisable or not to prevent the +said Don Geronimo from going hence to España, as he wishes and is +resolutely undertaking to do. For that he assigns as a reason that +he considers it a disgrace that one who has governed in this country, +in the position and post with which your Majesty honored him, should +remain here, removed from his office, and liable to ruin, and in danger +of uncivil treatment--which one can fear who has so many rivals as he +confesses that he has, because of having exercised his duties with +integrity. I am trying to deliver him from that inconvenience. He +insists on his intention, justifying it with these and many other +arguments. As yet the writ has not been examined, and consequently +I can not say whether he will go or stay. + +Returning to the matter of the fault for the loss of the said galleons, +I hold it certain that documents will be presented in your Majesty's +Council, written by the parties to whom that loss may be attributed; +and that, if such should be the case, what each one would write against +the other would disclose sufficient reason for need of your Majesty's +royal clemency. I confess that, as yet, with what I have heard, +I would not dare to decide who is entirely to blame for it, or who +is entirely free from that blame. For Don Hieronimo de Silva blames +the government, by arraigning Licentiate Alcaraz--who, he says, had +charge of everything; while the latter blames Don Hieronimo. At times +one of them blames the royal officials, and some of the people blame +them all, opinions being divided. My own opinion is that, whenever +the government is divided, very great dissensions and evil results +must happen. Consequently, I would consider it less troublesome, +when there is no proprietary governor, for everything to be managed +by the Audiencia; for even in affairs of war (which are those of +which they can have least knowledge), if they were in charge of +these they would endeavor to secure the advice of the military men, +who would be best qualified to give it. But it would be far better +and more expedient for your Majesty to retain in this camp and in the +castle of Manila two military men of such standing and ability that, +when the governor and captain-general is absent, they might succeed +to those duties, and to those of the presidency, since no government +can be worse than one divided. The exemplification of this can be seen +in what has occurred here, if no others offer. On that account, and +because of its importance to your Majesty's service, I petition you +that, if Don Hieronimo de Silva should go, you will please give this +army a master-of-camp such as is advisable, appointing him from the +persons whom I proposed for it at Cadiz, on the eve of my departure +for Nueva España. + +I have been told that Licentiate Fernando de los Rios Coronel, who +left this country with power to negotiate its affairs, was, among +other things, to petition your Majesty that a certain portion of lading +space be given and assigned to the governor of these islands. Although +I might be inclined to embarrass myself in this trade, in order to +fulfil my obligations to your Majesty's service, I would petition--as +I do--that no opportunity or occasion be given, so that such governor +may be humiliated and declared to be a merchant. For with a limited +permission of lading space that may be given him, one can fear that +the governor might stretch out his hand farther, and make that his +chief occupation--since even without that permission the governor has +sometimes cherished that covetous vice too much; and, by whatever path +that vice comes and is allowed scope, it tarnishes all the other good +qualities that a governor may have, and almost always hinders their +use. But if, notwithstanding, your Majesty think it not a considerable +obstacle, let it be conceded to him who shall succeed me, or to such +others as you may please to give it. Thereat I will rejoice greatly, +to have advantages added to this office which will oblige more persons +of high standing to covet it, although I would not be satisfied with +those whom this opportunity would incite. + +In the Audiencia and assembly the question has been debated of writing +to your Majesty about certain points, which have not all seemed so +advisable to me as to those who proposed them. Particularly so is that +of increasing the number of auditors to five, under pretext that we +are generally in need of judges because of the auditors' occupations +or illnesses. But the reason appears but little sufficient to me, for +the suits entered here can be despatched in a few days when the court +is assembled, if the time is not wasted. I have seen much time lost +in the court by striving to wreak their passions, with which these +unfortunate inhabitants are greatly intimidated. This your Majesty +will have learned by what, I am told, has been written by justices +and regidors, and men of all estates, concerning this matter of the +Audiencia; and some of them have petitioned me to write another of +like tenor. They say that the reasons that move them to such a step +are the oppression caused by the multitude of relatives and followers +[of the auditors]; their appropriation of the offices and emoluments, +to the injury of the meritorious; their hatred and hostility to those +who unfortunately fall out with them; their trading and trafficking, +although it be by an intermediary, since they, being men of influence, +buy the goods at wholesale, and protect their agents. Many others +who speak to me have represented their desire of living without so +much encumbrance, esteeming it as thoroughly intolerable. Nor does +it afford the advantage, mildness and suavity that are found in other +tribunals and councils that are under the eyes of your Majesty, where +one obtains strict justice, administered by upright and holy men--the +people here considering that those who are farthest from meriting that +name are those who are farthest from the presence of your Majesty and +your royal counselors, because of the extent to which they forget to be +human in their endeavor to be paid divine honors. Will your Majesty be +pleased to have the arguments examined which are given on this matter +by those who write and discuss it, and provide what is most fitting +to your service. In what pertains to me, I do not petition you for +anything in this matter, since in no respect can it be ill for me to +have someone to consult, and who will relieve me in matters of justice. + +During its government, the Audiencia appointed men to many posts +that became vacant, and several offices for life to those to whom +they gave them; besides many encomiendas--partly to those deserving +them, and partly to some who do not deserve them so much as do +others who, after serving well, were left without any reward. I do +not understand how such a thing could be done, for in order to make +those appointments needs not only the title of proprietary governor +with that of captain-general and president, but also a special decree +from your Majesty, such as I have and as other governors had. Although +I am carefully gathering information of what was done in this matter +(which all do not approve), and although I shall carefully do what is +most advisable for the service of your Majesty, in accordance with +justice and your royal decrees, yet I petition your Majesty to be +pleased to declare your royal will--as was done in what provisions +were made by the Audiencia of Nueva España, although they were made +by many auditors and not by one alone, as here--so that we may all +regulate ourselves thereby, without exceeding in any particular what +pertains to it and what can be done. + +Among other offices provided in the above manner was that of secretary +of the registers, which is an office of importance. I entreat that +your Majesty will be pleased not to confirm its concession, nor that +of others of the same date, until you can be informed of the pros +and cons regarding it; for it will either be advisable to sell those +offices for the relief of necessities here (although I do not think +that such sale would go far toward that), or else let the matter +take its course as hitherto, so that there be certain offices with +which men who have served may be, with these employments, rewarded +and gratified. Well can your Majesty believe that I shall lose no +occasion to do what I understand to be advisable for your service, +both in this and in whatever else falls to me, and is in my power. + +I shall now give Captain Luis de Contreras, whom I found filling +the office of treasurer of the royal revenues here, one thousand two +hundred Indians in encomienda (or a few more or less), and a pension +of two hundred pesos as a gratification to another deserving man. With +that the former will have received a goodly part of the income that +your Majesty orders me, by a royal decree that he presented to me, to +give him in unassigned Indians or in those of an encomienda which may +become vacant. I could well wish that there were more Indians vacant +than there are, in order to fulfil all that your Majesty orders me, +and which the said Luis de Contreras merits by his character and +good qualities. + +Having seen the exactness with which I fulfilled the above, I am told +that many are going about looking for decrees and trying to procure +them now from your Majesty, in order to obtain like encomiendas and +other posts. I entreat your Majesty to postpone granting those favors +until you shall first be informed by your governor of these islands +and your Audiencia; for not all of them will be so well employed as +is the aforesaid, if I may judge from the methods by which I have +heard that they are seeking them, as they procure papers by means of +witnesses presented on their part, which make much of what in itself +is nothing. Although the fiscal intervenes in the matter, it is to +be noted that no one attempts to make investigations unless in some +case when he regards the fiscal as quite on his side. + +I am told that some persons here are trying to obtain the office of +treasurer. Besides, that the present holder of it has not left it, I do +not as yet know many who could fill the place to be left vacant by him +in this charge, because of the many qualifications necessary--namely, +trustworthiness, accuracy, system, and other qualities. Although I do +not think that there is lack of a person in whom these will be found, +still I think it necessary to consider carefully the one who should +be chosen for this post, to be sure of it. + +One of the things that your Majesty needs most in this county is +intelligent clerks for the efficient administration of the royal +revenues. And because it is certain that much would be gained by it, +I petition your Majesty to send half a dozen of them, who shall have +been reared in a good school. Your Majesty should not neglect to +order the supervisor-general, Tomas de Ybio Calderon, to despatch +one; and I trust that the person whom he would furnish may not be +unsuitable. For authority to serve in the more important offices +of this profession which should become vacant here, the inspector +Diego de Castro Lizon would be quite suitable, and the two brothers, +the accountant Francisco Beltran de Manurga and the inspector Matias +Beltran de Manurga. Either of them is, in my opinion, a person as +capable as is necessary for the said offices, as well as for things +of more importance. I entreat your Majesty to pardon my prolixity in +matters in which you have not asked my advice; for my zeal and desire +for your royal service, and also for some one who may aid me therein, +obliges me to do it. + +Moved by the same cause, I again petition your Majesty--as I have +done--to send me Admiral Jusephe de Mena with the reënforcements +that are possible, or that you please, whether few or many; for in +his person alone I shall have one who can help me very well. Galleys +are of great importance to these islands, and not less for those of +Terrenate and Mindanao, according to what I have as yet been able +to ascertain. Although they are almost past use, I shall endeavor +to place them in the condition and number advisable. But so that +they may be of greater service, I need that your Majesty command to +have sent to me a dozen good men, who understand galleys thoroughly, +who may serve as captains, boatswains, and masters, who may teach +those who shall serve in those posts to be proficient. For no one +here thoroughly understands that calling except Captain Francisco +Remanico, who I am told has labored very diligently in this matter, +as well as in other affairs of your Majesty's service. I also need +two or three oar-makers who are good workmen. + +The shipbuilding carried on in these islands on your Majesty's account +is the total ruin and death of these natives, as all tell me. For, +in addition to the damage caused by it in withdrawing them from the +cultivation of their lands and fields--whereby the abundance of the +foods and fruits of the country is destroyed--many of them die from +severe labor and harsh treatment. Joined to this is another evil, +namely, that every Indian who takes part in the shipbuilding is +aided by all the neighborhood where he lives with a certain number +of pesos, on account of the small pay that is given them in behalf +of your Majesty. Hence many are being harassed and worn out by +these methods, and a great expense is being caused to your Majesty's +royal treasury. For although the cost of employing the natives seems +moderate, their decrease is a very great detriment; while the planking, +sheathing, and masts are so poor that they must all be renewed every +two years, and sometimes oftener, when the only still useful parts +are the futtock-timbers. But all the above can be found and made so +much better in Portuguese Yndia that, considering the avoidance of +the above wrongs and the bettering and more satisfactory price of +the work, I shall try my utmost to avoid building ships here--sending +to Cochin to have them built, or to buy them ready built; or sending +wherever they may be found better and cheaper in those regions. If, +when this should be negotiated, there should be some cloves to send +on your Majesty's account, the purchase of vessels, as well as that +of slaves for the galleys, would be made very comfortably. + +In the construction of ships that private persons are trying to +build in these islands, about which the Audiencia is writing to +your Majesty, I do not find so great an obstacle; for they take no +Indian forcibly from his house and land for this task, and no Indian +works at it unless he consents of his own accord to do so. That is +done without oppression, and the Indian is wholly paid for his work, +without the others having to contribute for it. For the smaller-sized +ships some better woods are found, which, because they are small, +cannot answer for the necessary uses to which they are put in the +larger ships. Since I do not find any noticeable difficulty in this, +I would consider it as very advantageous that leave be granted for +the building of those ships, and for navigation among the islands +and coasts of this archipelago, so long as they do not extend their +voyages to Nueva España and Piru. From that it will result that the +inhabitants will get some profit, and it will not be necessary to hold +all the trade with Nueva España. It will not be unprofitable for your +Majesty's service to keep some ships here, so that, if need should +arise, they might be employed and made useful with the seamen by +whom they shall have been manned. Since it is necessary that whoever +should have a vessel have paid and well-treated sailors, your Majesty +would come to have all that at no more expense than that of the time +while you would employ them; and these your vassals, the natives of +this country, would have more relief from the burden; and surely it +is pitiful to see the burdens that they carry, and what they endure. + +The city has requested me to petition your Majesty to concede that +the encomiendas be for three lives in direct descent, that is, +to the grandchildren; and if not, that there be a succession for +two lives, in the manner that is requested in their name; and also +that they be excused from the necessity of getting confirmations of +such encomiendas from the court there [_i.e._, in España], as that +is a matter of great effort and expense to them. What I can inform +your Majesty in regard to it is that I have heard that they have +responded with very great love and loyalty, as excellent vassals, +on all opportunities that have offered for your royal service. At +present the encomiendas are liable to become vacant more quickly than +in the past, even though they are granted for more lives, because of +the danger of losing their lives through the more continuous occasions +for war--to which nearly all of them go, each one according to his +ability. Consequently, for this reason not only do I petition your +Majesty to make them this concession, but also to honor some citizens +who have been soldiers, and always are soldiers ready to risk their +persons and spend their possessions in your Majesty's service. This +many have done, most especially Admiral Rodrigo de Guillestegui, who +has responded to that and to all the needs that have arisen in the +royal service. This relation has been substantiated by public rumor +and reputation, without any dissenting voice. Since it seems just that +services be rewarded, and advisable that those who render them should +be honored, so that others may be encouraged, with such an example, +to try to merit a like reward, I petition your Majesty to be pleased +to have this matter considered, and to have him conceded a [military] +habit that, he has told me, he wishes for his eldest son. By that +it will be evident that services rendered here are also esteemed and +rewarded by your Majesty with your free and generous hand. Inasmuch +as I think that I am serving him in this I petition this for him. + +He who goes as commander or head of the flagship this year is Don +Antonio de Leoz, while Captain Juan Baptista de Molina--who has +already served in that capacity before, and who has been castellan of +the fort of this port--fills the post of admiral. They are men who +have rendered much service to your Majesty; and for many years past +they have been enrolled as citizens in this country, so that all the +inhabitants here have applauded their choice. + +It has not yet been possible to conclude the suits that I found +docketed against Don Juan Ronquillo, commander of the galleons that +last fought at Playa Onda, and against Don Juan de la Vega, upon and +regarding occurrences in the fleet; consequently, I shall be unable +to inform your Majesty of this matter until a later opportunity. + +The departure of Don Hieronimo de Silva has been suspended, because +certain witnesses, whom he calls his rivals, have accused him in the +investigation that I said was being made in regard to him, in such +manner that we have been compelled to come to this resolution. He is +compelled to clear himself; and although he desires to do so, and +to challenge the witnesses by making a counter-charge against them +in such manner as he can, I do not know how he will manage it. For, +on the one hand, he wishes a judge to try and admit his pleas; and, +as for what he does not answer so suitably, he says that he is a +religious of the holy order of St. John, and that all those who enter +and take part in anything against him are excommunicated. He is seeking +for this matter a judge conservator who may punish with censures; and +yesterday the provincial of the Dominicans came to me to say that Don +Hieronimo had nominated him. We are now halting at this point. Will +your Majesty cause decision to be made as to what it is advisable +to do; and whether the residencia of the said Don Hieronimo must be +taken here, and who shall take it; and if possible to excuse me from +it, I petition your Majesty to commit it to another, inasmuch as I +have as yet done nothing touching residencia because I had not your +Majesty's license or order for it. Those who are plaintiffs against +the said Don Hieronimo are complaining that I might do more for their +satisfaction. He is also complaining and is angry because he is not +to go now to España. Truly I have done what I could without failing +in my duty to justice, and have endeavored to pacify each party. Had I +not done that, they would have brought incriminating documents against +one another, each one tarnishing the other's reputation--as is wont to +happen whenever there is any passion, even though it be with little +cause. I confess that, in order to be surer of the relief for these +obstacles, I would rejoice if there were some way so that Don Hieronimo +may go; but the best means for it should be sought. In everything I +shall proceed as I think is most advisable to your Majesty's service. + +The archbishop of Manila, I am told, is writing to your Majesty, +petitioning you to command that his stipend be increased. Having +considered the reasons that he gives--and that, even if there were +no other than his residing here in the gaze of so many pagan nations +and those of different sects, as the representative of the greatest +ecclesiastical dignity--his desire for the means to discharge so many +obligations as he has seems as just, for this reason and for the +others regarding the archbishopric, as would be unjust my neglect +to petition your Majesty for the same on my part, because of my +ever-present obligations to represent to you whatever I think to be +advisable for your royal service. + +With this letter I send your Majesty the declaration of a notary +who was prisoner among the Dutch, and a document written to me by +a father of the Society, which came together day before yesterday +from Terrenate; and also two copies of letters from Lucas de Vergara +Gaviria, governor of those forts, and from the king of Tidore, which +were received a few days before. Will your Majesty have them examined, +for they contain the latest news from Maluco. + +The two vessels that are being despatched to Nueva España are now +able to set sail, and will do so (God willing), when the weather is +favorable. They go well equipped for the voyage, and the lading well +adjusted--more so than has yet been usual here. They carry excellent +crews, artillery, sufficient arms, and good rigging, and a great +quantity of that, in order to spare your Majesty the expense that +is incurred in Nueva España--where each quintal [of rigging] costs, +delivered in Acapulco, about fifty pesos; while here it costs only +one-tenth as much. As great preparation has been made in the candles +for the lanterns, [31] and other things, for the same purpose of +lessening the expense. And, while discussing this matter, I cannot +refrain from again petitioning your Majesty, in order to fulfil +my obligations and my desire for your royal service, to order that +the clerks and the treasury employees that I have requested for this +place be sent to me; for they are very necessary in order to aid more +efficiently the service of your Majesty, whose Catholic person may +our Lord preserve, as is necessary to Christendom. In this port of +Cavite, and bay of Manila, August 10, 1618. + +Already on this day (the above date) the ships are to leave this bay, +because of the favorable weather that has come. All the pilots are of +opinion that they will not be lost, and that our Lord will guide and +convey them with all safety. It has seemed best to the Audiencia that +a certain report be sent to your Majesty in this letter, of which +it took charge, made against Don Hieronimo de Silva; consequently +I am sending it in accordance with their opinion, since they are +lawyers. Nevertheless, my opinion was that it should be suspended +until the trial of the said Don Hieronimo, and the truth were known +with certainty; and not to discredit him beforehand with depositions +of certain persons, by whom he has been accused, without allowing +him any opportunity to defend himself. + +_Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença_ + +[Appended to the letter are the following letters on Moluccan affairs, +mentioned by Fajardo.] + +_Letter from Manuel Ribeyra, S.J._ + +As I arrived from this voyage from Maluco ailing and crippled in +one foot, I have not gone to pay my respects to your Lordship and +to welcome you, in accordance with my obligations, to these islands, +whither in a time of so great need our Lord has brought you for the +relief of all of them. I give a thousand thanks to your Lordship for +the so signal grace that you do me in ordering me to advise you briefly +of the condition of Maluco, and of whatever I deem in need of reform, +trusting that I shall only pay attention in this to the question how +their two Majesties, the Divine and the human, may be better served; +and that I shall proceed throughout truthfully and with integrity, +as a religious of the Society, which I am. In order that I may comply +with what your Lordship orders, I declare, sir: + +That the forts of Terrenate, Tidore, Gilolo, Tafongo, and Payagi (which +are all that the king our sovereign possesses in the Maiucas Islands) +are in the best condition in which they have ever been; because for +a year past, since Master-of-camp Lucas de Bergara Gaviria has been +governing them, he has labored at their fortification, so that all +are in an excellent state of defense. At present there is no cavalier +in Maluco that is not built of stone, although until now many were +built of fascines, and whenever it rained heavily they were washed +down, and at times with the death of those in them. Besides that, +he has had the island of Tidore and the post of Socanora fortified; +this is very important, as the enemy try so hard to take them. Thus +it is in security, and he has also enclosed and surrounded the two +towns in the respective islands of Tidore and Terrenate, which were +outside our forts, with two curtains of rampart which are very good +and very strong. + +Although our forts in Maluco have at present the artillery necessary +for their defense, still that does not prevent the very great need +that is experienced there for three or four good pieces of long range, +so that they may be placed in Tidore, Don Gil, and Tomanira. Those are +the three forts that we have on the three channels where the hostile +ships generally enter and leave, without our being able as yet to do +them any damage. + +Not less necessary do I consider it that we should always have galleys +in Terrenate; for lack of them our reënforcements this year were so +hindered, and the flagship was lost. + +Since no pay has been given the soldiers in Maluco for many years, +and since all the food and clothing that is sent from Manila is very +little, they are in great need. Accordingly it appears, advisable +for your Lordship to aid them liberally, since they merit it. + +In order that the soldiers in Maluco may not become desperate, and +so that one may find men there who will offer to serve your Lordship +in that camp willingly and gladly, it will be very advantageous for +you to send one or two new captains with their companies every year, +and to withdraw a like number. + +Since operations in the forts of Terrenate arc carried on among Moros, +and they know very well the dignity which each one has on his entrance +into the country, we have seen by experience that it is a very great +cause of trouble to give there the dignity of captain to those who +entered as soldiers; for the natives do not esteem them as is right, +and continually lose respect for them. Not only are all those who +are now there of that class, but there are some among them of whom +the Moros say--of one, that they have little acquaintance with him, +and that in the markets, when he was buying fowls and all the other +things used at his master's house; of another, that they know that +they insulted him. Thence arose the saying of the king of Tidore, +that he wondered that such men were made captains of the king of +España. To all this is added the fact that little dependence can be +placed on them for any occasion where honor is concerned. Consequently, +I judge that after accommodating such men here, it is advisable to +give those posts to new captains. + +In Maluco are many old and deserving alferezes, whom it seems that +your Lordship should summon and grant favors here. + +All the infantry was giving as a whole great satisfaction, and +throughout this year not one has gone over to the enemy, although +that was formerly very common, and although the captains and +other persons complain or the temper and harshness with which the +master-of-camp, Lucas de Bergara Gaviria, treats them. I affirm, +sir, that even so zealous a servant of the king ought to show some +toleration; and, moreover, that can be remedied with a word from your +Lordship. I remember also that last year, by his going to Terrenate, +he resuscitated that country, and since then until now the soldiers +have had food, obtaining all that is sent them from Manila. This, +sir, is what I can briefly say of the condition of Maluco, which +through His Divine Majesty, I hope is to make progress since the +happy arrival of your Lordship, whose person may God, our Lord, +preserve to us for long years, as He can do, and as is necessary to +us. From this house of the Society of Jesus at Cavite, August 10, 1618. + +The humble chaplain of your Lordship, + + +_Father Manuel Ribeyra_ + + +_Copy of a letter written by Lucas de Vergara Gaviria, Governor +of Terrenate_ + +On the eleventh of the present month I despatched the ship "San Buena +Ventura," in which I informed your Lordship of occurrences here. That +same night the ship "Santa Margarita" reached this port from Manados +with the cargo brought by the fragata "San Miguel," which returned to +those islands. This ship brought the orders that its commander says +were given him by Francisco Rosales, master of the "San Miguel," in +which your Lordship orders a quantity of cloves to be prepared to send +to Eastern Yndia, in order that it may be exchanged for the supplies +necessary for the fleet; and that two thousand three hundred pieces of +Chincheo cotton are sent for it. I answer that I have them, and assert +that your Lordship ought to have that master punished; for he did not +give those orders to the accountant, Pedro de Almansa, when he left the +ship at Manados to come here. Had he done so, there would have been, +notwithstanding the season, some cloves which could have been bought, +although not all the quantity ordered, and although it could not have +been done when they arrived. At that time the selling had already +been finished, and the Spaniards who lived there had a great quantity +of goods in their houses on account of the scant supply of cloves; +for the harvest was not so great as was expected. Consequently, +as soon as I received the order sent me, I ordered a factory [i.e., +trading post] to be established, and your Lordship's orders to be +executed. However, these four months no cloves can be traded; for +until the end of that time the trees will not bear. Consequently, +although great efforts be made, we shall not be able to send to Yndia +until next December or January. Besides that, there would be great +delay in buying forty-five bares [32] of cloves with cotton alone, +which would be the amount at the prices current this year. In order +that this may be done more quickly, it has been decided to put with +them other kinds of cloth bought in Yndia, since these Moros wish +to have a choice, some asking for one kind of cloth, and others for +another. Thus all manner of care possible will be given to this matter. + +Today when I was with the king of Tidore, he told me that he had +heard sure news from the Ternatans that the natives of the islands +of Vanda, together with the English who have a fortress there, had +given poison to the Dutch who live there, from which many had died; +[33] that their commander Lorenço el Real, was very much reduced; +that the Dutch had taken two English ships which were cruising about +there, and had put the Englishmen in the galleys; and that the Dutch +fleet is coming to these islands to the number of eighteen ships and +two galleys. He also said that the fort of Ambueno was burned, where +that fleet has stopped until it can be rebuilt; but that they consider +it certain from what they write that they will be here sometime in the +month of July next. I am putting these forts into as good a condition +of defense as is possible with the few men that I have. For never +were there fewer Spaniards in these islands; since, if occasion should +arise, I have not twenty men with whom I could reënforce any fortress, +without creating a notable scarcity in the others. It cannot be less, +since last year only thirty soldiers came, whom I brought; while in +the two companies of this year have come forty-six. A like number of +sick and crippled men have gone to that city [of Manila]; while there +are others here who have died; and many are sick, who with more reason +would be occupying the hospital than the sentry-boxes, were not the +necessity so pressing. Although, thanks to God, as they are provided +with food, they get along reasonably well on the little clothing that +has come, yet I am continually having their garments patched. Thus +everything possible is being done to encourage and please them, and +I think they are in that condition. I have, glory to God, as I wrote +to your Lordship, rice in the magazines to last until the end of next +April, with the precautions that I am taking, making use of that which +came from Macasar. My greatest cause for anxiety at present is my lack +of a galley or two in order to oppose to those that they say that the +enemy is bringing; for I have nothing but one rotten galliot--and that +without crew, as I have written--which is the vessel that I seized +from Pedro Alvarez de Abreo. I am repairing it, in order to do what is +possible with it, and to attend to the communication with these forts, +which are situated at points so dangerous. Will your Lordship send me +a galley or two as quickly as possible, in order that I may do this +better, and work what harm I may to the enemy (for these boats are the +necessary things in this island, as your Lordship knows; and the enemy, +knowing this, are not afraid of us). I need also some money and clothes +for these poor soldiers; and some cloth from Yndia, if there is any, +in order to put it in the factories as agreed upon, at the account +of his Majesty; and some men, since they are so necessary. Therefore +with what the galley or galleys that may come can bring, since I +have rice for the time above stated your Lordship will not need to +be in haste to send me help in defective vessels. But then I hope, +God helping, that the fleet will have arrived from Castilla, and +that it and that of those regions will come, even though somewhat +late, both to bring that aid safely and to achieve the results that +his Majesty desires, since these Dutchmen are quite stripped of men; +and although they have many ships, and those from Olanda, they do not +expect reënforcements as abundant as hitherto. It appears that all +the natives are already turning against them, and are continually +supporting the English in these regions with greater forces. The +latter are so very hostile to the Dutch, that they will hasten to +profit by a very good opportunity. [34] I regard it as certain, that +in case that we wish to avail ourselves of the forces of the English, +if our own are insufficient to destroy these Dutchmen, they will +aid us in it very willingly, by short agreements that might be made +with them. I know that this cannot be a bad thing for his Majesty, +but very good. This English captain who is here has told me that if +we wish to bring this about, his nation will do it. I advise your +Lordship go that should necessity, perchance, compel us to undertake +this, you may know what we are doing here about it. + +His Majesty's two fortresses in Gilolo, as your Lordship knows, serve +only as garrisons for eighty soldiers, sixty of them Spanish. They +are continually dying and falling sick, and because of our lack of +men in these forts, which are of importance, those men would prove +very advantageous here, while there they are of no use. Whenever the +enemy may attack them in force, they cannot be succored by either +sea or land. Consequently, I think, for these and other reasons, +that it would be wise to withdraw them before the enemy oblige us by +force to do so. Will your Lordship order this to be considered, and +ordain what is most advisable. At present the enemy have two ships, +as I wrote in my previous letters. + +The surgeon sent by your Lordship for this hospital I am sending back, +as he is useless here--both because father Fray Juan de Santamaria, a +lay brother of St. Francis, is here, who attends to this with charity, +willingness, and great skill; and because the former has certain +defects or excesses that are not suitable for a country so short of +the sort of thing that he specially cares about, and of which even +the sick are in want. Consequently, he would do better in Panay or +La Pampanga, and his Majesty would save six hundred pesos of salary. + +Just now I learned from the king of Tidore that many Dutchmen were +killed at the burning of the fort of Ambueno. Yesterday a ship arrived +at the forts of Malayo from the Sunda. I suspect that it does not +bring altogether pleasant news, for it entered very silently. All +say that the fleet in Ambueno will come. However, it is said that the +commander Lorenço el Real and other captains were killed in that fire, +besides other prominent people. Consequently there are three of the +enemy's ships here now. + +The ship "San Antonio el Chico" [_i.e._, "the little"] is going with +this despatch, and the "Santa Margarita" will remain here. Further +nothing else offers at present of which to advise your Lordship, whom +may our Lord preserve with all possible prosperous estate. Tidore, +June 30, 1618. + + +_Lucas de Bergara Gaviria_ + + + +As I have heard that Governor Lucas de Vergara Gaviria is giving +your Lordship a long account of the condition of affairs in these +islands, I shall not say more in this than to refer to his letter, +and only to greet you in my own name, and tell you of the so great +afflictions of these islands. Never have they been seen in such a +condition, both because of the disastrous loss of the fleet of vessels +that was expected here this year with a great force, and because not +even one galley was sent, from three or four that are cruising about +there, although it is known that some islands and forts cannot have +communication with others except by means of galleys. For they are our +succor from dangers, and protection to the besieged, not considering +that one galliot here now is such that, rather for reputation and +ostentation than for use, the governor preserves it. For that reason, +the scarcity of succor, and the news of the loss of the fleet, the +courage of all has been greatly moderated, while that of the enemy +has been strengthened. And so when they heard of it, they were very +glad and went out to collect their ships in order to attack these +strongholds of his Majesty and my land. Although they come, as they +have published, with fifteen or twenty warships and two galleys, +I am very confident that they will accomplish nothing; because we +are so well fortified and supplied with provisions which come from +Macaçar and from those parts that the governor has protected. By the +help of God's favor, I am at present making an effort in this my city +to resist the enemy by all ways. But it may be understood meanwhile +that your Lordship should succor these forts promptly, with great +liberality and urgency; for otherwise, if any thing be lost (may God +forbid), let it be known that I have done my duty, since for many +years I have advised this, and from now I give notice that this is +not to be charged to my account. For since, when we were expecting +a great force, not only it did not come, but only this little succor +was sent, this people did not take it well; for they considered the +failure as indicating rather the little power of the Spanish king +than the present need of those islands. + +I have received the chain and stuffs, although these were wet, +and value them as is fitting. There is nothing else to say except +this, may our Lord preserve your Lordship for many long years, as I +desire. Tidore, May seventeen, one thousand six hundred and eighteen. + +I, Pedro Muñoz de Herrera, who exercise the office of court clerk +of the royal Audiencia and Cnancillería of the Philipinas Islands, +at the order of Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença, comendador of Castilla, +of the Order of Alcántara, member of his Majesty's council in the +states of Flandes, governor and captain-general of these said islands, +and president of the royal Audiencia therein, had this copy made +from an original letter. It appears to be signed by a character in +letters said to be of Terrenate and of the king of Tidore. It is like +others from the said king that I have seen. It is a true and faithful +copy, and was corrected and collated with the said original letter, +which his Lordship the governor said that the said king of Tidore had +written to the governor of these islands. In order that that may be +apparent, I gave, at the said order, this copy in the city of Manila, +July twenty-eight, one thousand six hundred and eighteen. Witnesses at +its transcription, correction, and collation were Ambrosio del Corral, +Pedro de Belber, and Pedro Muñoz de Herrera, junior. + + +_Pedro Muñoz de Herrera_ + + +We, the undersigned notaries, certify and attest that Pedro Muñoz +de Herrera, by whom this copy is authorized, enjoys and exercises +the office of court clerk of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería +of these Philipinas Islands; and is held and considered as faithful +and accurate; and entire faith and credit has been and is given to +the acts and other despatches that have passed and pass before him, +both in and out of court. Given in Manila, July twenty-eight, one +thousand six hundred and eighteen. + + +_Alonso Gomez_, royal notary. +_Joan de Iya_ Marin, notary public. _Bartolome de Quesada_, royal +notary. + + + + +LETTERS FROM FELIPE III TO FAJARDO + + +The King: To Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor and +captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my +royal Audiencia there. You already know that the preservation and +maintenance of those islands in all peace and prosperity consists +principally in the good government of him who has them in charge, +by the equitable administration of justice, the furtherance of the +public welfare, and the increase of my royal exchequer. Owing to my +great desire that this should be secured, in such manner that what +has been deficient there in the past may be supplied and the affairs +of the islands more successfully managed in the future, it has seemed +best to advise you that, since the citizens and inhabitants of those +islands have suffered so many hardships and calamities, having been +harassed by enemies, and on this account their property having been +greatly reduced, you will exercise the greatest care in endeavoring +to have them rewarded with the offices and other positions that are +distributed in those islands, in accordance with their merits and +services, so that in this way they may be consoled and encouraged. You +will likewise see to it that the natives are well treated, so that +they may not be annoyed or molested with new services and requirements. + +The most important thing that presents itself is the great and +excessive expenditure which is incurred by my royal exchequer in +the islands of Maluco, for, according to information received, +it amounts to two hundred and twenty thousand pesos; while I have +not any profit in all those islands, for the Dutch enemies buy all +the cloves and other drugs at a much lower cost, whence they derive +great profits--as is evident from the forces which they use to get +possession and make themselves masters of those islands. And it is the +general opinion of zealous, unbiased, and trustworthy persons that +my servants, captains, and other officials who have governed those +islands, with a commission for their own profits and investments, +have taken advantage of the opportunities and trade which they should +have maintained and secured for my royal exchequer's increase, and +have charged to it all the expenses, they alone having received the +profits, without considering that a large part of what the enemy gains +is lost to my treasury through lack of faithful service. As this matter +is so worthy of correction, and so necessary for the preservation of +those islands and the aid of their expenses, I command you to apply to +this evil the remedy which I may expect from your loyal zeal, showing +yourself entirely disinterested in whatever concerns yourself and your +senator, so that you may be an example for the rest. You are free to +investigate the offense which any servant of mine may have committed +in this matter, and this I order you to do. You will proceed against +such persons in conformity with justice, and will punish them with +great severity, applying to my royal exchequer all that may result +from the fines that you may impose. You will exercise especial care +and judgment in all ways and means that are practical and possible, to +introduce the greatest possible profit and benefit that can be obtained +from the trade in cloves, by such measures as may appear to you best, +buying the spice for money or cloth, or in whatever way may be most +convenient. If for this purpose it be necessary to provide money or +cloth, you will do so as shall be expedient, conferring in regard to +everything with the Audiencia, the royal officials, and other persons +of experience, choosing the best and soundest course advised. For all +this is necessary, and is undertaken in order to direct our energies +to the defense of the islands, and to try to extirpate the enemy from +them. If the latter end cannot for the present be accomplished by +force of arms, yet this communication, trade, and bartering of cloves +with the natives, and the employment of gentle but necessary means +to secure their obedience, will diminish the strength of the enemy, +which consists solely in the advantages that they possess. All this is +hoped from your prudence, although in my royal Council of the Yndias +the expediency of a factory or administration is being considered, +and of one person who should have the management and responsibility of +all in Terrenate, as may be best for the benefit of my royal exchequer. + +As the number of six hundred infantry for the garrison of the fort of +Terrenate besides the two hundred Pampangos who are also in service +there, seems more than is necessary for its defense, considering that +they do not go out into battle, you will take under advice whether this +body can not be reduced to a smaller number at a less expense, without +being greatly crippled. For the principal thing to be aimed at is the +preservation and defense of that fort, and after that the sparing of +my royal exchequer. You will order that the supplies and money for the +soldiers be at your own disposal, with the sworn statement of a notary, +for there is no royal official there; thus, as these troops will be +effective, they will not be defrauded as they have been in the past. +You will likewise try to abolish all the superfluous strongholds, both +in those islands and in Terrenate; for those named in the memorial +which accompanies this, signed by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, are not +considered necessary. You will advise me when you have done this. + +Considering the great expenses incurred for the reënforcements that are +every year sent from Nueva España, and the great importance of avoiding +the cost and adding to the funds of the exchequer, you will refrain, +so far as possible, from demanding articles that can be found in those +islands--namely, the products of either nature or industry there--or +what can be brought from other regions with greater economy. For it +is understood that in the past there has not been the reflection and +good judgment in this matter that is right; but, on the contrary, +the officials and ministers have made a profit from it. And since, +by one of my decrees, it concerns you, by virtue of your office, +to decide the affairs of war and government so as to have knowledge +of them, and it has been learned by experience that if these powers +be not rightly used much loss and trouble has resulted therefrom, +I charge you implicitly that the decisions which you shall make, +in the matters which may arise, be as reasonable and moderate as +is necessary for good government and administration of justice, so +that the improvement thus brought about may be recognized and become +evident, to the satisfaction of those concerned; for the remedy that +may be expedient will be applied in another way. + +It has also been understood that the officials of my royal exchequer in +those islands, in complying with an order of mine to the effect that in +any emergency when it would be imperatively necessary to incur some new +expenditure they should join with the governor and Audiencia there and +discuss the matter, and the result of the voting by majority should be +carried out, advising me thereof--with this opportunity many expenses +have been incurred, and salaries and stipends increased unnecessarily, +for private ends of individuals. Accordingly, I command you to see +that the expenses be not incurred except in sudden cases of invasion +by enemies, since otherwise results so much loss to my royal exchequer. + +It has also been understood that the religious orders resident in +those islands live and comport themselves with more freedom and liberty +than is proper, conformably to their profession and regulations, and +particularly so the Augustinians. It is also stated that occasional +fees and dues that they levy for masses, burials, and suffrages +[for departed souls] are excessive; and likewise that they erect +buildings and church edifices and their own houses, although they +have no authority to do so except with my express permission, or by +asking it from the governor of those islands, and then only in case of +urgent necessity. Under this pretense and others, they make allotments +[of service] and new imposts, on merely their own authority, upon the +Indians, who are distressed and overburdened. For the remedy of this, +it has seemed best to charge you to maintain all the authority that +you can, to prevent this from being done. For this purpose you will +join with the archbishop, and both will summon the provincials; and, +telling them the information that I have of this matter, you will +charge them to make the reformation which is in every way obligatory +upon them, since it is so greatly to the service of God our Lord and +the public good, as may be seen. Madrid, December 19, 1618. + + +_I The King_ + +By the command of the king our lord: +_Juan Ruiz De Contreras_ +Signed by the members of the Council. + + + +The King: To Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor and +captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal +Audiencia there. You were advised by a letter of mine, of the same +date as this, of the arrival of your letters written at the port +of Acapulco; and we answer this separately because the matter is +a more serious one than can be treated of in connection with your +government. It has seemed best to advise you of the state of affairs, +and of what, as now appears, will be the only possible remedy for +the preservation of all those regions. + +You are well aware, through the information that you carried from +España, of the embarrassed condition of my royal inheritance, wasted in +the defense of our holy faith, and unavoidable expenditures to oppose +its enemy and others who have attempted to cause its decline--whom +it has been necessary to oppose, in order to preserve the faith, thus +causing enormous expenses. As aid for the conservation of my kingdoms, +it has been necessary and unavoidable to use the wealth brought by +the people of Nueva España; but the supplies and expenditures drawn +from my royal exchequer for those islands are so consuming and reducing +that account and fund, to such an extent, and with so injurious effect, +that it hardly comes in but it must be paid out. Considering that what +is carried in exchange for the quicksilver [35] is revenue derived +from the same merchandise that was sent, while the receipts from the +bulls for the crusade are (as you know) but moderately successful, +you are accordingly informed of this in such detail, so that you may +understand how assured is the loss that is set forth to you. This +loss would become greater if the account were measured by the demands +that are sent from Filipinas; for then the proceeds of neither the +quicksilver, nor the crusades, nor anything else would be enough even +for the maintenance of those islands and those of Terrenate, according +to our experience thus far. The result is that we are compelled by +necessity to choose [as we do] in order not to allow affairs here to +go to ruin for lack of money, which is not to be thought of. For you +are aware of what importance this is, being the essence and substance +of the rest; and it neither ought nor can be supposed that we should +not heed the expenditures for Filipinas that have been made from +my royal inheritance, which amount to more than seven millions, as +has been proved. If there were no other consideration than the mere +protection of religion and of the persons who live in those islands, +it would oblige us to consider the expense; but we must do so all the +more in this state of affairs, as it means the continual remittance +and expenditure of money, and all things cannot be attended to. The +matter has given us anxiety, as you will understand, regarding this +condition; and, after consideration of it, the following measures +are proposed to you. + +Since the income from the revenues which belong to me in those +islands is considerable, you will try so to apportion it, and with +such prudence, care, and system, that they may be maintained and made +comfortable by it, since nothing more can be done than, by resigning +any profit from them, to appropriate all the proceeds from that +country to the islands themselves, without any profits whatsoever to +another country. As for the measures to be pursued in executing this +henceforth, no other rule can be given you more explicit than what you, +the Audiencia, and the royal officials shall find it practicable and +proper to apply. + +It is likewise understood from thoroughly reliable persons who have +come from those islands--religious, and others who have brought letters +recommending them--that there are in those lands many well-known mines +of gold and other metals, which, if they were sought out, would be of +great utility and value; and that, if they were worked, their proceeds +would be sufficient not only for the expenses there, but even for the +aid of those here. These persons say that the reason why the mines +have not been operated has been a lack of energy and diligence for the +benefit and increase of the royal exchequer; and the fact that they +had the treasury of Nueva España as a protection, and so accessible +for all the expenses that have arisen. Accordingly I charge you very +particularly that, with the fidelity and promptness that is requisite +for so urgent a necessity, you will take measures to investigate this +matter, and obtain from it as much profit as you can; for the peaceful +products of the soil will always be certain, and it would be a great +pity to lose what might aid in so urgent a need. For this purpose you +will make an examination of all the mines that are or may be known, +offering rewards and other advantages, honors, and gratuities as may +appear expedient to you, in order that the mines may be discovered +and worked, as they should be, making the diligent endeavors that are +necessary in such an affair. In order that you may better manage it, +it has seemed well to me to send you the two papers inclosed, signed +by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, so that you can examine and consider them +with attention and careful consideration, in order that your mode +of procedure may be assured, since the facts in the case are already +so. As the most important point that you will have to guard is that +the Indians be not troubled or annoyed, and that no sort of injury, +or service, or annoyance be inflicted upon them, you will avoid so far +as possible these difficulties; and by prudent and cautious measures +will try to gain their good-will, until you have acquired suitable +knowledge of the situation and richness of the mines. It is also a +matter of great importance that the religious who give instruction +shall aid, as is explained in these papers--to which effect letters +are being written to the provincials of the orders of St. Dominic and +St. Augustine, which were sent to you with a copy of each, which they +are to receive from your hand. You will talk with them at the same +time, availing yourself of all means which may appear to you of use +to persuade them that they will thus do a great service to our Lord; +and that by so pious a work they will better the present condition of +affairs, and aid the public cause. You must see that this is the most +important part of your government, as if you were sent there for this +and for nothing else. For greater satisfaction and surer success, +I command you that as soon as you have received these letters you +shall--with the aid of the notary-public of the royal officials, or of +your secretary, as may appear best to you--compile a book, in which, +after you have inserted these letters and other documents, you will +enter the orders that you may give, and the decisions that you may +make. Accordingly, there will be evident from them both the time that +is gained or lost in the execution of your orders, so that with this +guide you may govern to better advantage; likewise, exactly what has +occurred in every matter will be clear to me. It would also be well +if all the documents, letters, and other papers that you may have +in relation to this subject were placed in separate files. In this +book recapitulate the papers briefly, referring to the originals; +and as you are aware of the importance of good counsel, you will +try to avail yourself of the persons whom you may think most capable +of giving it to you. If you think it well to convene any assembly, +you will do so whenever expedient. In this way you may be advised +not only of the importance of this matter, but likewise of the best +means available for this country, so that, with your prudence, you +may choose the most useful, and avail yourself of whatever benefits +or funds may be secured from them. Madrid, December 19, 1618. + + +_I The King_ + +By command of the king our lord: +_Juan Ruiz De Contreras_ + +Signed by the members of the Council. + +[_Each letter is endorsed_: "To the governor of the Filipinas, on +various matters."] + + + +FILIPINAS MENACED BY DUTCH + + +As I think that this will be a service to the Divine Majesty and +to the human, and a benefit to this new world--in the west, to the +Philipinas; and in the east, to Yndia (whither I went some years ago on +an embassy for Don Joan de Silva and this commonwealth of Manila, and +took note of its temporal and spiritual condition)--I am resolved to +write this letter to your Lordship, in whose hands our Lord has placed +the preservation of this kingdom, and consequently the conversion of +numberless souls; perhaps our Lord will choose that in this way may be +attained that which numerous letters from these islands to the royal +Council of the Yndias have failed to accomplish. Your most illustrious +Lordship may rest assured that if his Majesty does not actually send +a great reënforcement of military aid to these islands, they must be +lost; and, besides, the royal crown of España will meet the necessity +of defending itself, with greater expenses, from the nations who will +make war against it from this direction. Although I am no prophet, I +dare to assert that in these seas we shall see the bloodiest battles +that have been fought for many years, and that they must result in +great injury to the kingdoms of Nueva España [and España]. + +This discourse of mine is based on a syllogism. All nations of the +world are moved by interest, which is the loadstone of hearts. We see +men going down, as they have gone, into the depths of hell for silver +and gold; no one can doubt this axiom, and it has no need of proof. The +minor premise is this, founded on experimental knowledge--namely, +that the greatest source of profit that has been known in our times, +the best proved and the most certain, is this of Maluco and Philipinas, +whither come the nations of the north, and all other nations who course +over this wide sea of India as far as Maluco, where they find that +brown gold that they call cloves, and the white silk of China. They +barter for or rob persons of the cloves, as well as mace, cinnamon, +pepper, and other drugs, which, when carried to their own country, are +so much gold-dust. The silks and wealth from China they seize here at +the passage to Manila, from various unarmed vessels; and from a people +who let their hair grow long, like women, and know not how to defend +themselves, so that those robbers have here a sure booty and prize. + +I shall presently tell you of the great value of these things, when +carried to their own countries; I am now proceeding with my account +from the proposition that the greatest source of gain in the world +lies in these islands. All the nations know well that they need not +go to Nueva España to conquer it, or to plunder the silver in the +mountain of Potosi, or to the islands of Salomon--which, although +they were at one time famed for riches of gold, have proved to be +enchanted. [36] Florida, that it cost the French so dear to enter, +is already deserted as useless; from Brasil no profits are obtained; +from the wars of Flandes men gain nothing but bullets and glory. You +may turn the needle to every point on the globe, and you will find +that there is no place capable of so much profit as are these islands. + +In order to reach them the foreigners have throughout all Yndia the +ports of the heathen kings, which are more numerous than our own. The +Dutch have factories in Currate [_i.e._, Surat], in Paliacate on +the coast of Malavar, in the Jabas, and in Sunda, Achen, Macasar, +and Maluco, where they are establishing themselves and obtaining a +foothold. Above all, they have one in Japon, where they find all the +supplies necessary for their voyages. + +I shall tell you now of the culmination and result of their commerce. A +single ship that arrives from these islands with cloves, mace, drugs, +silks, etc., yields an immense amount of money; for they carry the +goods that are shipped from these islands and from Eastern India +through all the northern countries, and the kings give them free +passage for their goods and remit duties. They have factories or +correspondents in Olanda, Zelanda, Escocia, Ynglaterra, Yrlanda, +Dinamarca, Norvega, Francia, Alemania, Alta and Baja Germania, Colonia, +Baviera, Austria, Ungria, Boemia, as far as Transilvania, and in our +kingdoms inland from Sevilla. This was stated by the Dutch General +Blancorte [_i.e._, van Caerden], whom we held prisoner here. + +From all this, the conclusion of the argument is that, as all the +nations are moved by interest, and as the gains from these islands are +so great, we shall have all the nations here; and indeed we have--not +only the Dutch, but the English, who are a people of more ability +than the Dutch have; and all these seas are open to the French, +and to all other nations. + +Who doubts that it costs the king dearly, in course of time, to +reënforce us? For twenty years we have been hoping for the coming of +a fleet and galleons, and none have come save a few small caravels +brought by Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra to open up a way for trade +to Sevilla; and eight galleons that were made ready for our aid, +which put into Gibraltar, so that no aid has come for us. In the +mean time the Dutch have new galleons every year, and the islands +are already in the worst of straits. Your Lordship may believe that +the governors--now, it may be, to show themselves better servants of +his Majesty; again, to keep themselves longer in the government--have +promised more than the land could raise. The truth is that the islands +are utterly drained by the wars and the loss of the six galleons +which Don Juan de Silva had built, and with other misfortunes that +have been written to the king our lord at greater length. It is a +marvel that Don Alonso de Faxardo has not died or become grievously +ill with pain at finding these states so weakened, and his honor and +that of the crown of España so jeopardized. If any one thinks that +Eastern India can aid us, I have seen, and Don Geronimo de Azevedo, +viceroy of India, assured me, when he gave me four galleons with +five hundred infantry and ninety-two pieces of artillery, that he was +giving all he had to give. And this was true, for he dismantled the +forts to arm the galleons, and the latter were burned by the Dutch +in the year one thousand six hundred and sixteen; so that we depend +upon España alone for our aid. Although the great advantages that +have been enumerated should be enough to cause this aid to be given, +yet for the pious and so Christian heart of your Lordship I think +it better to set forth the multitude of souls converted--who in the +time of Don Francisco Tello, governor of these islands, numbered six +hundred thousand baptized; and this city of Manila, small as it is, +is the key to such great kingdoms as Japón, Coria, Great China, Sian, +Patan, Camboja, the Xavas, Sunda, and Maluco, with which Manila is +encompassed as is the center of a circle by its circumference. If +your Lordship have any interest in its preservation, I hope, through +the divine Majesty, that it will be kept, for the honor of the Lord +himself. May He protect your Lordship for many years, according to the +desire of your humble servant and chaplain. Manila, December 20, 1618. + + +_Joan de Ribera_, +rector of the college of the Society of Jesus at Manila. + + +[_Endorsed_: "Madrid, November 20, 621. To the Council for +examination."] + + + +DOCUMENTS OF 1619-1620 + + + + Philippine ships and shipbuilding. Sebastian de Pineda; [1619]. + Royal decree regarding religious expelled from their + orders. Felipe III; February 19, 1619. + Proposal to destroy Macao. Diego Aduarte, O.P.; [1619]. + Relation of events in the Filipinas Islands, + 1618-19. [Unsigned]; July 12, 1619. + Letter to Felipe III. Pedro de Arce; July 30, 1619. + Letter to Felipe III. Alonso Fajardo de Tenza; August 10, 1619. + Grant to seminary of Santa Potenciana. Juan Oñez, and others; + 1617-19. + Reforms needed in Filipinas (to be concluded). Hernando de + los Rios Coronel; 1619-1620. + + + +_Sources_: All these documents save one are obtained from MSS. in +the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; the fourth is taken from a +MS. in the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid. + +_Translations_: All these documents save one are translated by James +A. Robertson; the fourth, by Herbert E. Bolton, Ethel Z. Rather, +and Mattie A. Austin, of the University of Texas. + + + + +PHILIPPINE SHIPS AND SHIPBUILDING + + +_Relation by Captain Sebastian de Pineda, on matters relating to +the Filipinas Islands_--_both the building of galleons, pataches, +and galleys, and other means of defense; and various things regarding +the preservation and safety of the said islands_. [37] + +Sire: + +In those islands is found a wood called _maria_, [38] which is +used to make all the futtock-timbers of all the galleons, galleys, +and pataches; and all the knees and compass-timbers, of all sizes +required. There is much of this timber from which to select, although, +because of the ships built by Don Juan de Silva, the supply of it is +now obtained from a distance. That wood is used only for this purpose, +for the tree is short and not straight. Capstans of one piece, gears, +and some stringer-plates [_trancaniles_] for the curved parts of +the prows of vessels and the snatch-cleats for the wales, are also +made from that wood. That said wood is very durable, and is of such +quality that once a nail is hammered into it, it is impossible to +withdraw it without breaking it; and when a nail is hammered into +that wood it does not hole or chip. If a ball be fired into it of +the size of eight libras or less, it does not pierce the wood; and +if the ball is large, the wood is not splintered. On the contrary, +the hole is stopped up at its entrance and egress with the chips +forced out by the ball in its passage. That wood is very light, +and has a very poor grain for working. + +There is another wood called _arguijo_, [39] which is very strong +and heavy. It is a certain very tall and very straight tree, like the +pine. From it are made the keels, beams, false keels, wales, mast heads +[_calçetes_], and pumps, of whatever size required; for that tree, as +above stated, grows very tall and straight. Gun-stocks, gun-carriages, +and wheels for the artillery are also made from that wood. + +There is another wood called _laguan_. [40] From it is made all +the planking and sheathing with which the galleons and galleys are +planked. From those trees are made the masts, topmasts, and yards +of the galleons and galleys. The said tree grows very straight and +thick, so that the flagship galleon has its mainmast from one, that +is seventy-two _codos_ [41] long and fifteen palmos in circumference, +all in one piece. + +The sheathing and planking hewn from the above-named trees for the +sheathing of the ships is one palmo thick and three or four wide, and +the shortest is twelve brazas long. These planks last a long time under +water, as the ship-worms do not hole them; but above water they warp +and rot, so that they do not last more than two years--and especially +on the decks, if they are not calked during the winter. The greatest +danger is that, on account of the haste used in their construction, +time is not allowed to cut the wood at the conjunction [of the moon], +and to leave it during a year to season, as is required; for if that +is done, it lasts much longer. For of all the vessels built during the +term of Don Juan de Silva, the galley which was longest in building +did not take six months; and all the timber for them was hewn and put +in place when green, for the vessels were being built while the wood +was cutting. + +There is another wood from which is made planking for the galleys, +which is called _banaba_. [42] It is a certain short tree, about +four brazas in height. The galleys are sheathed with it, for the +ship-worm bores into it but little. The planks are one and one-half +palmos broad. There are but few of these trees, and consequently they +are used only for the above purpose. + +There is another wood called _maria de Monteguas_, [43] which +differs from the first wood of that name. From it are made timbers +[_latas_] for the decks of the galleys, as well as oars for the said +galleys. The latter are also made from another wood called _guijo_, +[44] but these are much heavier than those made from the wood _maria_, +and last a long time. + +There is another wood called _dongon_, [45] which is very strong, +and of a yellowish color. From it are made stringer-plates, chocks +of the bowsprit, coamings of the hatchways, strakes and stanchions +for the decks. If all these woods are cut at the conjunction and +decrease of the moon, and seasoned, as above stated, for one year, +the ship will last much longer; for if they are cut and not seasoned, +one must tear up the decks every two years and put down new ones, for +they are rotten. Likewise the planks along the sides must be changed, +with the exception of the futtock-timbers and top-timbers made of +the wood _maria_; for that wood, although cut and not seasoned, +never rots, because it is always durable, in one way, without rotting. + +There are many other kinds of woods which are also used for the above +purposes. [46] + +The shipyards of the galleons built during Don Juan de Silva's term +were thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, and eighty leguas from +the city of Manila, in different places: namely, on the island +of Marinduque, where the galleon "San Juan Bautista" was built, +which is forty leguas from Manila; in the province of Camarines at +Dalupaes were built "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe," and the "Angel de +la Guardia" [_i.e._, "Guardian Angel"], fifty leguas from Manila; +in the province of Ybalon at Bagatan were built "San Felipe" and +"Santiago," eighty leguas from Manila; in Mindoro was built the +galleon "San Juan Bautista," fifty leguas from Manila; in Marinduque +was built the almiranta "San Marcos," forty leguas from Manila; +in Masbate was built the royal flagship "Salbador," seventy leguas +from Manila; in Cavite were built the "Espiritu Santo" and the "San +Miguel," two leguas from Manila, in the port where the fleets anchor; +in the port of Cabite, six galleys; in the city of Manila, two. + +Those who cut these woods and build these ships and galleys are +Indian natives of the said islands. They are carpenters, who are +called _cagallanes_ or _pandais_ in their language. Those Indians who +are no more than woodcutters, and serve only as hewers and planers +of wood, are paid each seven or eight reals a month, and are given +daily rations of one-half celemin of rice. Those of better trades than +the latter generally earn ten or twelve reals a month. Those who are +masters--the ones who lay out, prepare, round; and make the masts, +yards, and topmasts are each paid three or four pesos of eight reals +a month, and double rations. + +When a fleet was being prepared in Cavite there were generally one +thousand four hundred of these carpenters there. Just now there are +very few, for when the Mindanao enemies burned one galleon and two +pataches in the past year, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, +which were being built in the shipyard of Pantao, sixty leguas from the +city of Manila, they captured more than four hundred of the workmen, +and killed more than two hundred others; while many have died through +the severe work in the building. And because, they have been paid for +five years nothing except a little aid, many have fled from the land; +and so few remain that when the last ships sailed from the city and +port of Manila last year, six hundred and eighteen, there were not +two hundred of those Indians in Cabite. [47] + +The iron used in the construction of these ships and galleys is brought +from China and Japon to the city of Manila. Don Juan de Silva sent +patterns of all the nails, and excellently made ones were brought, +and cost your Majesty but eight reals per arroba. Iron is brought +in the rough and is wrought in Cabite, and costs your Majesty but +twenty-four reals per quintal of five arrobas. There all the nails and +bolts are wrought, as well as _estoperoles_, [48] tacks [_tachuelas_], +and everything else needed. The native Indians who act as smiths are +paid twelve reals per month, and the Angley [_i.e._, Sangley] Chinese +smiths twenty-eight reals per month, and their ration of rice, which is +equivalent to one-half a Spanish celemin. Each of these Chinese works +one arroba of rough iron into nails daily, and is paid only the said +twenty-eight reals per month. That does not amount to one real per day, +and they work from midnight until sunset, which is their workday. + +The nails and iron shipped to the said islands from Nueva España cost +your Majesty, delivered in the city of Manila, more than twenty reals +of eight per quintal, while there they are made, as above stated. But +notwithstanding the above, I assert that it is necessary to ship +annually from Nueva España to the said islands two hundred quintals +of rough and sheet and rod iron for some necessary articles, such +as borers for the artillery cast in Manila, and rudder-pintles and +rudder-gudgeons for the ships and galleys; for the iron of Bizcaya +is more ductile than that of those regions [_i.e_., China and Japon] +because it is as strong as steel. The other iron things above mentioned +that are sent from Nueva España to the said islands are unnecessary, +for their cost per quintal, when delivered in Manila, will buy four +quintals in the said islands. The said two hundred quintals could be +shipped on your Majesty's account from Sevilla where it costs three +or four ducados per quintal, and be carried by the flagships and +almirantas; thus it would not be necessary to buy it in Bera Cruz, +at nineteen ducados per quintal. + +It would be of the highest importance to cover the ships with lead +at Manila, which would obviate careening them every year. Don Juan de +Silva neglected to do that, because he was always in haste to resist +and attack the enemy. + +Lead is also shipped from Nueva España to the said islands. More [than +that amount] is shipped [however], because it is brought from China and +Japon at cheaper rates. It can be worked in Cabite in order to lead the +ships, and in that way your Majesty will save many ducados every year. + +The rigging in the said Filipinas Islands is of two kinds: one, which +was formerly used, is made from the palm called _gamu_, [49] today used +only to make cables, stays, and shrouds; the other is called _abacá_, +and is a kind of hemp, which is sowed and reaped like a plant in Piru +and Tierra Firme called _bihau_. Abaca is much stronger than hemp and +is used white and unpitched. This abaca costs twenty-four reals per +quintal, and is made into rigging in Cabite by the Indian natives, in +the sizes and diameter required. These Indian ropemakers are furnished, +in repartimiento [50] in neighboring villages, and your Majesty pays +them eight reals per month and a ration of one-half celemín of rice +daily. A task is assigned to them, for they work from midnight and +until the close of the next day. + +The total cost per quintal of this native rigging is about fifty +reals. That shipped from Nueva España, which is bought in Beta Cruz and +delivered in the port of Acapulco, costs your Majesty two hundred reals +per quintal. It generally reaches the said Filipinas Islands rotten, +and is of no use. If your Majesty will order the ships to sail from +Manila furnished [with rigging] for the return voyage, that would, +in the first year, put a stop to shipping any [rigging to Manila]. + +The canvas [_lienço_] from which the sails are made in the said +islands is excellent, and much better than what is shipped from España, +because it is made from cotton. They are certain cloths [_lienços_] +which are called _mantas_ [_i.e._, literally blankets or strips of +cotton cloth] from the province of Ylocos, for the natives of that +province manufacture nothing else, and pay your Majesty their tribute +in them. They are one tercia [_i.e._, one-third of a vara] wide, and as +thick as canvas [_angeo_]. They are doubled, and quilted with thread of +the same cotton. They last much longer than those of España. One vara +of this cloth [_lienço_] costs less than one-half real. The thread +of the same cotton with which they are sewed costs twenty reals per +arroba. The cloth brought from Nueva España costs your Majesty, when +set down in the city of Manila, six reals per vara. Also the thread +shipped from Nueva España to sew the sails costs, set down there, six +reals per libra. The thread made of hemp when used with cotton canvas +[_lienço_] is of no use, and does not well endure transportation. The +ships sailing from Manila to Nueva España carry sails for the return +voyage and nevertheless have to make others in the port of Acapulco. + +It is also the custom to ship pikes with their iron heads from Nueva +España to the said Filipinas Islands. Delivered in the city of Manila, +they cost your Majesty more than thirty-two reals apiece; but, with +thirty-two reals, they can make forty pikes in the city of Manila. It +is a weapon that is worthless in those islands, and it is not used +in them. And even if they were used, there are shafts in the forests +of those islands, and the native Indian smiths can make the heads. + +A number of old pipe-staves and iron hoops are also shipped from +Nueva España to the said Filipinas Islands. Delivered in the city +of Manila they cost your Majesty a considerable sum of ducados. That +expense can be avoided; for, when those staves arrive there, they are +full of holes and rotten, and quite useless. The hoops alone serve +in Manila to make nails and bolts from them, which thus come to cost +fifty ducados per quintal. They can be made there for thirty-three +reals. It is sufficient to carry those pipes that hold the water and +wine in the ships. + +For the ships' supply of water, they generally make vats when the ships +leave there [_i.e.,_ Manila], each of which carries thirty pipes of +water. Further, there are many earthen jars, which are brought from +China and Japon. Consequently, one can make the above articles there, +and more cheaply, for much less money than what is paid there. + +Flour is also shipped in pipes from Nueva España to the said Filipinas +Islands, which they say is for making hosts. That is unnecessary, +for the said islands have an abundance of flour, which is shipped +from Japon and China so cheaply, that it costs sixteen reals per +quintal in the city of Manila. That shipped from Nueva España costs +your Majesty, delivered in the said city of Manila, more than eighty +reals per quintal. + +From Nueva España to the said Filipinas Islands are also transported +in the [ships], _habas, garbanzos,_" [51] and lentils, which are for +the provision of hospitals, fleets, and convents. It serves no other +purpose than to arrive at Manila rotten; and if any arrives in good +condition, it does not seem so. For the provision of the fleets, +a grain [_semilla_] is grown in that land [_i.e._, Filipinas] which +resembles beans, and is very cheap. Consequently it is unnecessary +for the ships to carry more than what they need for their voyage when +they leave Acapulco. + +A quantity of _gerguetas_ [52] are also shipped from Nueva España to +the said Filipinas Islands. They are said to be for the use of the +soldiers, but that is unnecessary, for that land has other kinds of +cloth--both those that are produced there, and others that come from +China--which are better and cheaper. If your Majesty will order that +to be stopped, it will be of much importance to your royal treasury, +and will increase it by many ducados; while it will benefit greatly +the soldiers who serve your Majesty in those islands, for, when this +cloth is delivered there, they are obliged to take it. + +In the former year of six hundred and sixteen, seven galleons were +stationed at the city of Manila and the port of Cabite, one of which +[53] came built from Yndia, and was bought in Pinacan for the service +of your Majesty. The other six were built in the time of Don Juan de +Silva, and Don Juan Ronquillo [54] took them all when he sailed in +pursuit of the enemy at Playa Honda. These said galleys were in the +greatest need of being repaired--one because it was very badly used +up in the fight, and another because its decks had not been changed +for two years; while most of them were holed along the sides by +seaworms and leaked badly, and all their masts, yards, and topmasts +were rotten. Consequently, Don Geronimo de Silva, captain-general of +those islands, was preparing to send them to be repaired (except three) +to the island of Marinduque, forty leguas from Manila, in order to +avoid the expense of hauling the wood, while awaiting the arrival of +the ships from Nueva España in which Don Alonso Fajardo came last year +(one thousand six hundred and eighteen), in order to repair the said +galleys with that money [brought by those ships]. He also intended +to hold them in readiness, in order to comply with your Majesty's +orders, sent by a despatch-boat, to keep them so prepared that they +might join the fleet that was about to sail with reënforcements by +way of the cape of Buena Esperança, to make the journey to the Malucas +Islands and drive the enemy from them. + +It was necessary to equip two of the said seven galleys so that they +could come to Nueba España last year, six hundred and eighteen, with +the usual merchandise. Consequently only five were left--or rather +six, with that in which Don Alonso Fajardo arrived. Since the said +Don Alonso Fajardo has reached Manila and finds himselt with only +six galleons, it becomes necessary to build some more; for, if the +fleet from España has not sailed and the enemy learn that Manila has +but six galleons, they will go to the mouth of the port and repeat +their performance of last year, unless they go to El Embocadero +[55] to await the ships from Nueva España with the reënforcements, +for, in order that the loss of Manila and Maluco may be completed, +nothing else is wanting. + +As above stated, it will be necessary for Governor Don Alonso Fajardo +to devise immediate means for building galleons and to repair the six +at Manila. I regard the present building of ships in that country +as impossible. For with the former ships and fleets, and with the +depredations and deaths caused by the enemy in those districts the +natives are quite exhausted; for, as I said above, in the former +year of six hundred and seventeen the Mindanao enemy captured four +hundred native carpenters and killed more than two hundred others. The +year before that, six hundred and sixteen, in the expedition made by +Don Juan de Silva to the strait of Cincapura, where he died, it was +found from lists that more than seven hundred Indians, of those taken +as common seamen (of whom more than two hundred were carpenters), +died on that expedition. Before that, in the year six hundred and +fourteen, the said Mindanao enemy captured in the islands of Pintados +nine hundred odd Indians, of whom but few have been ransomed. In the +shipbuilding and in the hauling of wood many have died. Consequently, +on account of all combined, there is a lack of natives for the above +works. Therefore your Majesty must order the said Don Alonso Fajardo, +governor and captain-general of the said islands, that in case galleons +are to be built, it should not be in the islands--on the one hand, +on account of the short time that those woods last, and on the other +because of the lack in that land of natives (occurring through the +above-mentioned causes, and because those natives in the islands are +serving in the fleets as common seamen and carpenters). + +In order that, those islands might have and keep ships that last thirty +years and cost the same as in Manila, or less, your Majesty must +order the governor to order them built in Yndia in Cochim; for they +can be built there very strong, and at less cost if the said governor +sends men for it from Manila--both masters and other persons, who know +the art of having them built. When built, they can bring a cargo of +military supplies, lumber, and slaves from Cochin to Manila for the +galleys of Manila, for the said slaves are valued at very little in +Cochin. As common seamen the men used in navigating in those regions +will serve, namely, the Lascars; and a ship of six hundred toneladas +does not carry sixteen Spanish sailors, but negroes and Lascars (who +are a Mahometan race), with whom navigation is performed throughout +those islands and kingdoms. + +Those islands have so few natives, that if your Majesty does not +expressly order no vessels to be constructed in them, not any of their +people will be left, for as a result the events that have happened in +those islands for the last eight years, both murders and captivities, +many of those who have been left, who are constantly coming to Nueva +España, every year as common seamen in the vessels that regularly sail, +remain in Nueva España. In the galleon "Espiritu Santo" which came last +year, six hundred and eighteen, were seventy-five native Indians as +common seamen, but not more than five of the entire number returned +in the said galley. If your Majesty does not have that corrected, +the same thing will occur every year, and should your Majesty not +correct it, the following things will occur. The first is the great +offense committed against our Lord, for many (indeed most) of those +native Indians of the Filipinas Islands who come as common seamen +are married in those said islands; and, inasmuch as they are unknown +in Nueva España, they remarry here. Another wrong follows which is +very much to the disservice of your Majesty and your royal treasury, +which is caused by the said Indian natives of the Filipinas Islands +who come as common seamen and remain in Nueva España; and if it +is not checked in time, it will cause considerable injury to these +kingdoms. This consists in the fact that there are in Nueva España +so many of those Indians who come from the Filipinas Islands who +have engaged in making palm wine along the other seacoast, that of +the South Sea, and which they make with stills, as in Filipinas, +that it will in time become a part reason for the natives of Nueva +España, who now use the wine that comes from Castilla, to drink none +except what the Filipinos make. For since the natives of Nueva España +are a race inclined to drink and intoxication, and the wine made by +the Filipinos is distilled and as strong as brandy, they crave it +rather than the wine from España. Consequently, it will happen that +the trading fleets [from Spain] will bring less wine every year, +and what is brought will be more valuable every year. So great is +the traffic in this [palm wine] at present on the coast at Navidad, +among the Apusabalcos, and throughout Colima, that they load beasts +of burden with this wine in the same way as in España. By postponing +the speedy remedy that this demands, the same thing might also happen +to the vineyards of Piru. It can be averted, provided all the Indian +natives of the said Filipinas Islands are shipped and returned to +them, that the palm groves and vessels with which that wine is made +be burnt, the palm-trees felled, and severe penalties imposed on +whomever remains or returns to make that wine. + +Incited by their greed in that traffic, all the Indians who have charge +of making that wine go to the port of Acapulco when the ships reach +there from Manila, and lead away with them all the Indians who come +as common seamen. For that reason, and the others above mentioned, +scarcely any of them return to the said Filipinas Islands. From that it +also results that your Majesty loses the royal revenues derived from +those islands, inasmuch as all those Indians are tributarios there, +and when absent pay nothing. + +Among those Filipinas Islands is one called Mindanao which is more than +one hundred leguas long. It is very densely populated by its natives, +who are exceeding great pirates and hostile to all the other natives +of all those islands subject to your Majesty. and chiefly to the +Spaniards. They generally go in a certain kind of boat called caracoa +on piratical expeditions, in which they commit signal depredations in +all the ports and along all the coasts of those islands, killing and +capturing the people of them, and burning and ruining the country. They +have done that on many occasions, particularly in the former year +six hundred and seventeen, when they allied themselves with the Dutch +enemy, who came that said year with ten galleons to attack the city +and port of Manila. The said Mindanao enemy came at the same time +with ninety caracoas to the aid of the Dutch, and destroyed and +burned many places along those coasts, and took many of their people +captives. Among other things they arrived at the shipyard of Pantao +with their fleet, where at your Majesty's orders a galleon and two +pataches were being built. These were more than half built, and the +Mindanaos burned them and captured more than four hundred persons, +besides killing more than two hundred others. After burning all the +military stores, they proceeded on their voyage toward Manila, and +went to within ten leguas of the port of Cavite, whence they returned +upon learning that the Dutch fleet had gone on ahead. + +Consequently, not only for the said reasons, but because of the lack +of men among the natives in the said Filipinas Islands, it will +be highly important for the conservation of the islands for your +Majesty to order that no ships be built in them, since there are so +many places, so well provided in everything, as have been proposed, +to enable them to be built in Yndia. + +On the route between Manila and the Malucas Islands is a port of the +above-mentioned island [i.e., Mindanao], called La Caldera. There the +boats put in to get water and wood. Formerly, before the alliance +between the natives there and the Dutch enemy, the vessels, ships, +and galleys put in there and went to get fresh supplies, both going +and coming. Now not only are they not permitted to obtain the said +supplies, but the vessel, galley, or patache, that puts in there +to get water, is surrounded by their caracoas, and its crew killed +and captured. + +On the contrary, they give the Dutch enemy so friendly a reception that +the latter always keep their ships there, lying there in wait until +those of his Majesty, that carry the aid to the said Malucas, pass by. + +In order to destroy that said island of Mindanao and its pirates, +without the necessity of spending for it anything from your Majesty's +royal treasury, it needs only your Majesty's orders to make slaves of +the said Mindanao natives of that island--since they are infidels; +and they have profaned the temples and committed many cruelties in +your Majesty's settlements along the coasts of those islands which +they have captured--and your Majesty's permission that all who desire +may take up arms against them, both the natives of the said islands, +and the Spaniards, at their own cost. Only with that will the said +island be conquered and subdued, and the so many injuries resulting +therefrom to all the said islands and to the. Malucas will be checked. + +_A report on the measurements of the galleons in the Filipinas Islands +in the former year 1617 is as follows_. + +The royal flagship, called "Salvador" measures 60 codos along the +keel, 12 in floor, 82 from stem to stern [i.e., length over all], +depth of hold 19, extreme breadth 26, sternpost transom 12; lower +deck 15 codos, upper deck 19, with the space between of 4 codos. + +The galleon "Espiritu Santo" (the one in which Don Alonso Fajardo +came last year 1618) measures 50 codos along the keel, 10 in floor, +70 length over all, 17 depth of hold, 23 extreme breadth, 10 sternpost +transom; lower deck 13 and one-half codos, and upper deck 17. + +The galleon "San Felipe," 50 codos along the keel, 10 in floor, 70 +length over all, 15 depth of hold, 22 and one-half extreme breadth; +lower deck 11 and one-half codos, upper deck 15, and sternpost transom +11 codos. + +The galleon "Santiago" has the same measurements of keel, floor, +over all, depth of hold, extreme breadth, and sternpost transom, +and the same space between decks. + +The galleon "San Juan Bautista" has the same measurements as "San +Felipe" and "Santiago." + +The galleon "San Miguel," 49 codos keel, 10 in floor, 68 over all, +18 depth of hold, 23 extreme breadth, 11 sternpost transom; the lower +deck 14 codos, upper deck 18. + +"Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe," 46 codos keel, 9 in floor, 64 over all, +13 depth of hold, 21 extreme breadth; lower deck 9 and one-half codos, +upper deck 13, sternpost transom 10 codos. + +The ship [_nao_] "San Laurencio," which was built in Yndia 23 years +ago, measures keel 46 codos, over all 60, 12 codos depth of hold, 19 +extreme breadth; and it has three decks, quarter-deck, and forecastle +[_castillo_]. + +[_Endorsed_: "Captain Sebastian de Pineda. To Don Alonso Fajardo, +a duplicate, of the same remaining here. The council, May 26, 619."] + + + + +ROYAL DECREE REGARDING RELIGIOUS EXPELLED FROM THEIR ORDERS + + +[_Note at beginning of document_: "Church of Manila. Your Majesty +confirms the statute made by the dean and cabildo of the metropolitan +church of Manila, in the Philipinas, in regard to the expelled +professed religious, of the orders not being admitted to _dignidades_, +[56] canonries, or curacies of Indians or Spaniards in those islands."] + +The King: Report has been made to me in the name of the dean and +cabildo of the metropolitan church of the city of Manila of the +Philipinas Islands, that in respect to my having ordered that ministers +of instruction be men of good life and morals, as such is necessary +for the good of Christianity, several religious who had been expelled +from the orders were admitted as ministers of instruction because of +the need in those islands for such ministers; and that as experience +has since demonstrated the unsuitability of those men for the said +ministry, they have refrained from employing such; and that, in order +that the remedy may be efficacious and obviate the negotiations and +methods of such persons to procure the benefices, they made a statute +whose tenor is as follows: "In the city of Manila, on the eighteenth +of August, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, while assembled and +congregated in meeting, to wit, Bishop Don Fray Pedro Arce, bishop +of the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jesus and its bishopric, and +governor of this archbishopric, and the dean and cabildo Don Francisco +Gomez Arellano, dean, and Commissary-subdelegate Gabriel de la Santa +Cruçada, Archdeacon Don Juan de Aguilar, Precentor Santiago de Castro, +School-master Don Rodrigo Diaz Giralthe, and Keeper of Relics Don Luis +de Herrera Sandoval; Canons Tomas de Gimarano, Don Miguel Garçetas, +Juan de la Cruz, and Alonso Garcia de Leon: Racionero Don Francisco +de Baldes, and Medios Racioneros [57] Tomas de Vega and Pedro Flores +Benegas--the said bishop proposed with conclusive and sufficient +arguments the great hindrances that, as the proved experience of all +has shown, follow to all this kingdom from admitting to dignidades, +canonries, and benefices professed religious who have been expelled +from the holy religious orders as a penalty and punishment for their +offenses, inasmuch as the abovesaid was prohibited by law and sacred +canons established in a most Christianlike manner by the provincial +Mexican Council. That council enacted a special decree expressly +forbidding such appointments, and mentioning the many just reasons +for their action, and the state of affairs in the Yndias demanding +it, inasmuch as the prelates and venerable fathers who attended the +council were very well acquainted with the Yndias. It is not the +least consideration that the said expelled religious cannot reap a +harvest in a century. Nor can they derive any advantages which will +result in a real adjustment of their difficulties, so that thus with +greater ease they, returning to their senses, may aspire to regain +their habit and order which they before professed. [Such proceeding +by the ecclesiastical authorities] will restrain the diligence and +effort that other religious might employ in deserting their orders +if they saw the said expelled religious given posts as dignidades. As +they saw, and considered as assured, the great service they would be +doing to God our Lord and to his Catholic Majesty who is incurring +so heavy expenses to his royal patrimony in bringing each of the said +religious to the Yndias--and these are the greatest consolations that +he sends to these so remote islands, a plant which, because of its +tenderness and newness in the faith, is shocked at the change that +is seen in the habits [i.e., robes] of the expelled religious. This +furnished a reason to his Majesty, Carlos Fifth, our sovereign of +glorious memory, for the same prohibition; and he ordered that, as +soon as the said religious were expelled from their holy orders, +they be put aboard ship and sent to the kingdoms of Castilla, +and not be allowed to remain or live in the Yndias. Therefore, +having thoroughly examined, conferred over, and considered, they all +unanimously and fully in accord resolved to enact a statute in this +archbishopric in the following form and manner: 'We ordain that, +now and henceforth, no one of the professed religious expelled from +the religious orders now, or hereafter to be, established--whether +from the religious orders now established in the Church of God, or +from those which shall be established later--or the professed members +of the fourth vow [58] of the Society of Jesus, shall be admitted or +appointed to dignidades, canonries, or curacies, of Spaniards or of +Indians, throughout this archbishopric. Those expelled from the said +Society of Jesus, and who shall not have taken the fourth vow, may, +three years after their expulsion and dismissal from the said order, +if they have given therein a good example in their lives and morals, +and if they are of such stamp that they may be of advantage for the +edification and welfare of souls, be admitted by the prelate, now or +hereafter, to the benefices which are curacies of the Indians--but +only outside of this city; and not to the said canonries, dignidades, +or curacies of Spaniards or Indians within this city. And inasmuch +as this holy Church recognizes that it is under obligations for many +reasons to his royal and Catholic Majesty, the king our sovereign, +as being his foundation, and that it will not be proper to enact +or make any statute without his pleasure and order, they determined +to go before his royal person and entreat him humbly to confirm the +present, and consider it fitting, as a matter of so great importance +to the service of God our Lord, and to that of his royal Majesty, +and to the increase of this holy Church. + +_Fray Pedro_, +bishop of Santissimo Nombre de Jesus. +_Dean Arellano_ +The archdeacon of Manila. +The schoolmaster of Manila. +_Precentor Sanctiago de Castro_ +The treasurer of Manila. +_Canon Tomas Gimarano_ +_Canon Garçetas_ +_Canon Juan de la Cruz_ +_Canon Alonso Garcia de Leon_ +_Racionero Don Francisco de Caldes_ +_Racionero Tomas de Bega_ +_Racionero Pedro Flores Benegas_ + +Before me: + +_Alonso Ramirez_, secretary of cabildo." + +And my royal Council of the Indias having examined the said statute, +I have considered it advisable to have it confirmed and approved, as by +the present I do confirm, and approve it. And I request and charge the +archbishop of the said metropolitan of the city of Manila--the one now +in office, and those who shall be archbishops hereafter--to observe, +fulfil, and execute it, and cause it to be observed, fulfilled, +and executed, completely, according to its contents. I declare such +to be my will. Given in Madrid, February nineteen, one thousand six +hundred and nineteen. + +_I The King_ + +Countersigned by Juan Ruiz de Contreras; and signed by the council + + + +PROPOSAL TO DESTROY MACAO + + +The royal Council of the Indias has tried many methods to prevent +considerable amounts of silver being sent to the Philipinas from +Nueva Spaña; but those methods have been without result, as experience +has demonstrated. One has occurred to me, and I think, God helping, +that it will have good results. It is as follows: + +The inhabitants of the said islands have no other means of support +than commerce, and in the shelter of their trade is sustained all +that church which now numbers so many faithful that it already has an +archbishop and three suffragan bishops for its government. Inasmuch +as that trade has hitherto consisted of Chinese merchandise with Nueva +España, it has been, and is, necessary to obtain from that country the +value of the merchandise in money, and to take the money there in order +to make the investment of the following year. Trade is there [_i.e._, +in the islands] like sowing in order to reap; and consequently, if the +door were to be partly closed to this trade, the said inconvenience +would cease. The door might be shut without any harm to the said +islands, if another door were to be opened to them, which would be +also as remunerative as the other, and would not be with his Majesty's +countries. In this way his money would not be taken away, for they +could engage in that trade with Japon. In this same manner as the +inhabitants of Manila lade the silks that they buy in that city from +the Chinese, and send them to Nueva España, they should lade them to +send to Japon, where there is a great consumption of these goods and +much excellent silver with which to buy them. This would be a very +good thing for the people of Manila; for, although the profits for +any year might be less than those of Nueva España, still they would +be more sure, because of the much greater frequency and shortness of +the voyage. Furthermore, they would enjoy the entire proceeds from +the returns for their goods. Of the returns from Nueva Spaña they +enjoy only to the sum of five hundred thousand pesos--the amount that +his Majesty allows to be sent annually to the Philipinas, and no more, +although the value of the goods in Mexico amounts to much more. Besides +that, this relationship with Japon would prove very beneficial to the +Philipinas for their security; because the Japanese are those who are +more feared in the islands than all the other neighboring nations, +for they are very courageous and arrogant. Consequently they would +prove excellent friends to oppose the Dutch, who are navigating +those seas. Also by means of this trade the church of that kingdom, +which is now so disturbed, would be made safe. By it would also be +reëstablished the trade of the Indias with Spaña, from which so many +profits would follow if that drain of money to the Philipinas were +stopped; and it would be without hurt to those islands. + +This trade between Manila and Japon has already been usual for many +years, although in ships of small burden. It has been demonstrated +by experience that if all the trade to Japon were theirs, all that +country [_i.e._, the Philippines] could be very easily sustained +without needing anything further from Nueva Spaña and Spaña than +soldiers and the products of those countries. Consequently it would be +sufficient for two small vessels to sail in that route of the South +Sea. That would cost but little and that expense might even be met +from the royal treasury of Manila. + +But the greatest bulk of this trade is from the Portuguese of Macan, +a town on the Chinese coast, which is about the same distance from +Japon as Manila. All its inhabitants, in number about three hundred, +support themselves by that trade; for, although they have other trade, +it is of slight importance. + +Therefore, it is advisable, in order to attain the said trade, that +that town be abandoned, and that its inhabitants go to live in other +cities of India. They can do that without much injury to their goods, +since they carry them all by sea; and anywhere they have trade by +way of the sea. In order to dismantle that town, it is sufficient +for his Majesty to order that nothing be freighted thence to Japon, +but only from Manila. Thereupon all the inhabitants would immediately +pull up stakes [59] and leave that place. + +Although such a thing appears harsh, and seems like falling out +with one saint to placate another, still it will seem an easy and +very advisable measure to those who have seen that town, or know +it close at hand--and there are several such persons here in this +court. And even if it were not evident that the good results above +mentioned would follow from it, this step should be taken as a policy +of good government, as such a course is advisable for the service of +God. For his name is blasphemed by the people of that kingdom of China +because of that town of Macao--such are the deeds of its inhabitants; +for they live as a people without any master, and are not under the +control of his Majesty, for the dwellers in that town are not his +vassals, but those of the king of China. They pay tribute to him, +and are subject to his mandarins, but not to others. Consequently +his Majesty does not derive one maravedi's profit from it, while he +incurs considerable expense; for he supports all its ecclesiastics +out of his royal treasury of Malaca, for the honor of the Portuguese +nation. For there they are so subject to those mandarins that, unless +they kneel on the ground with both knees, they cannot talk to them; nor +can they build one palmo of a wall, even in their own house, without +the mandarin's license, while [they practice,] besides, innumerable +infamies. [The transfer of] those people will be for the welfare of +the state of Yndia, because its fortresses are without soldiers, by +reason of the lack of dwellers in their ports. For the Portuguese, +being so eager for liberty, go to live in the lands where there is +most liberty, as in that land of China and that of Vengala. There +go most and the best of the soldiers of Yndia, who take service with +infidel kings and fight in their wars. Thence it follows that India +is lost, land and sea, while the Dutch have become masters of it; +and through their efforts much of the commerce between certain ports +has ceased. The consequence of that is that the public storehouses +[at Macao?] have become very poor, on account of the deficiency +in their usual supplies; and they do not possess the means to bear +the expenses, either in war or in peace, for the food of laymen or +ecclesiastics--nearly all of whom live on what is paid to them by +the king. Consequently, were that town of Macan dismantled, at least +that protection would cease; and they would settle in his Majesty's +lands, as is just, since the majority of them have gone to Yndia +at the cost of his royal treasury. That would also be a matter of +importance for the welfare of the kingdom of Portugal, since that +country gains so much in having a quantity of silver sent to Spaña +from the Indias, because of the large amount of it that oozes from +the latter country into Portugal; and just so much more would flow +thither as less is drawn off from Spain to other parts. Portugal +does not enjoy one single maravedi of the fruits of the trade of +that town, all of which are consumed in it and in China, where it is +situated. Besides for the maintenance of Portugal's state of Yndia, +the helpful proximity of the Philipinas is of much more importance to +it than one or two towns of that state, for it has been very evident, +for some years past, how important are the forces of the Philipinas +to cope with the common enemy of both states, namely, the Dutch. Those +forces have been sufficient to defeat the Dutch more than once. Since +money is what enables war to be carried on, it is advisable for both +states that Philipinas have considerable of it, at so little expense +to the state of Yndia as the possession of a town--at least, one of +the importance and advantage which we have mentioned--and also at +little expense to the treasury of his Majesty and of his kingdoms. + +Only two objections can be opposed to this, but they are only apparent +objections. The first is that two ships are wont to ply between Goa +and China every year for cargoes of silk, which are afterward consumed +in India. That is the chief trade of the Portuguese in India. Those +vessels anchor at the city of Macan, and thus it seems as if [the +abandonment of] that city would cause the lack, [of a port] there +for this trade. But I answer that this is not so; for the Chinese +would not deny the port to the Portuguese, since they do not deny +it to many other nations who trade in their country without having a +town of their own there. On the other hand, the Chinese use that town +of Macan so harshly, that were it not for the large amounts that its +inhabitants owe them for the goods that the Chinese have supplied to +them on credit, the latter would already have driven the inhabitants +of Macan out of their country. But the Chinese act thus toward the +Portuguese, and treat them like negroes, so that they should go away +[of their own accord]. That town is rather a very great injury to the +Portuguese merchants who sail from Goa in the said ships--so much so, +that they avoid trading with its inhabitants, who generally sell the +goods that they have bought from the Chinese during the year, to the +Goa merchants at higher prices than the Chinese themselves ask. For +several years, the merchants in that region have been wont to go with +all their silver twenty leguas up stream in small boats to the city of +Canton, in order to trade with its natives, leaving their vessels in +the port of Macan--the inhabitants of which are mocked and disappointed +in the profit that they expected from the coming of the ships. + +The second objection is that, were that town abandoned, all hopes +for the conversion of that great kingdom--which seems to have made a +beginning through Macao--would be crushed. But to that I answer, that +Macao is rather the great hindrance to the conversion; for the infidels +only see in that town evil examples. It is a great inconvenience +to have the Portuguese so prominently before the Chinese, for the +latter judge from them that all other Christians must be like those +whom they see there. Besides the ministers of the gospel, who would +have to conduct the conversion, cannot enter the interior of the +country unless in native costume--as is done there by some fathers +of the Society--and under protection of certain natives who conceal +them. That can also be managed from Manila, in the return voyage of +the Chinese ships, as well as from Macan. + +Consequently, the suppression of that town by taking away its trade +involves no injury, but rather the said advantages. And, if there +were any difficulty, one should reflect which is the greater--to +abandon a church like that of the Philipinas, with so great a number +of the faithful, from which so much more may be expected, since there +is hope that from the Philipinas it could extend to all that world +(which is, beyond comparison, much more densely populated than this +world of our Europa); or, in order to preserve the church, to use the +lands of his Majesty so greatly to their injury; or to order three +hundred inhabitants to settle in another region, and to abandon that +location. May God give understanding to him who shall have to decide +this matter. I pass over any other better opinion. I am of the above +opinion, and affix thereto my signature. At Santo Thomas, etc. + +_Fray Diego Auduarte_ + +[_Endorsed_: "Have this sent to Don Alonso Fajardo, so that after +examining the contents of this paper--which was furnished by a +competent person, who has spent considerable time in those islands--he +may use what portion of it seems most advisable, in accordance with +the present condition of affairs. The Council; May 26, 619."] + + + +RELATION OF THE EVENTS IN THE FILIPINAS ISLANDS +AND IN NEIGHBORING PROVINCES AND REALMS, FROM JULY, 1618, TO THE +PRESENT DATE IN 1619 + + +These Philipinas Islands are surrounded by so many and various +neighboring countries that they are like the center of a very beautiful +circumference composed of cities, kingdoms and provinces. The condition +of this district depends so much upon that of other places that it +will not be inappropriate to relate briefly what has occurred this +year in these other places, in order better to understand the present +state of affairs here. And if the description of any places should not +fulfil this purpose, it will at least serve to give an interesting +notice of countries so far away. All that is written here is taken +from relations and letters which our fathers have sent from various +places, and from what I have seen this year in this country. + +_Of Eastern India_ + +To begin with, the most notable of the events that have occurred +in India is the destruction of the city of Baçani, a very beautiful +city, and important as containing many Portuguese hidalgos. It was +situated on the north coast, opposite the Mogors, with whom the +Portuguese carry on war. [60] It was very well built of stone, with +seven good monasteries of various orders; but its great strength +was not sufficient to defend it from the powerful hand of God, who +chose to raze it to the ground. To accomplish this, He employed all +four of the elements: the water, which fell in a great deluge from +the heavens; the air, which broke loose in the most horrible and +furious winds ever known; the earth, which trembled terribly; and +fire, which, wishing to serve its Creator in no uncertain manner, +shot out its tremendous bolts into the air and discharged them over +the miserable city. With such powerful enemies all the buildings +fell down--not one stone remaining upon another--except a chapel of +our Lady of Health [_Nuestra Señora de la Salud_], and part of the +convent of St. Francis, where some people took refuge. There were +lost, in the river more than sixty vessels loaded with provisions, +bound for Goa; and two others from Ormuz, one coming and the other +going. This destruction took place on the seventeenth of May, 1618. The +reason for it only God, with His unbounded wisdom, knows. All that we +here can understand is that the sins of the city provoked His wrath, +and that for two years past interdictions and censures upon it have +been continuous. Even the day before this disaster occurred, God took +from it (as He did another [?]) Father Rodrigo, of the Society, who +was one of His zealous servants, and transported him to another and +a better life. When news of this reached Goa, great demonstrations +were made there to appease the wrath of God, that He might not afflict +that city as He had afflicted Baçani. + + +_Of Great China_ + +In China, within recent years, a very severe persecution of Christians +broke out; and on account of the enmity of a mandarin, who was the +cause of this storm, four fathers were ejected from the residences +of Sanguin and Paquin [_i.e._, Pekin]. One of them was Father Diego +Pantoja, [61] a native of Toledo, a noted religious, one of the +most noted men who have been in China, and one who has learned most +of the Chinese letters, sciences, and language. Upon reaching Macan +from his exile, this father passed from this to a better life. There +still remained in China eight fathers of our Society. These, with +some others, are cultivating the vineyard of the Lord, maintaining +in the faith those already converted, and bringing into it others, +who, forsaking the false belief of idolatry, receive the water of +holy baptism. In short, these fathers are promulgating the holy +gospel. They write that they found, in one of the many provinces of +that extensive realm, a people who worship the holy cross, and who +are called Christians--although they are so only in name, for they +are in truth heathen. They also found a synagogue of more than twelve +thousand jews who live under the law of Moses. [62] + +The Tartars, who usually are at war with the Chinese, this year invaded +China on the north side by way of the border province of Lona [_sc._ +Liao?]. [63] They routed the Chinese armies, made a great slaughter +among them, took some cities, and destroyed many villages; and then, +because the winter is so cold, they retired to their own country +to remain till another year, when, they say, they will come with a +great force. And although they fear that they are not possessed of +everything necessary for this invasion, yet a short time before, [64] +a violent storm demolished for them that famous and strong wall, six +hundred leguas long, which separated China from Tartaria. The events +of this war and the state of the kingdom of China will be set forth +in a petition, or memorial, which the mandarins presented to their +king. Our fathers of Macan sent it to us, saying that the Christians +of Paquin had sent it to them. The fathers put it into Portuguese; +translated into Spanish, it reads as follows: + + +_Memorial which the mandarins of Paquin sent to the king of China in +the year 1618, when the Tartars invaded that kingdom._ + +This year, 1618, in the sixth moon, which is the month of August, +the president of the council of war presented to the king a memorial +for the defense [of the kingdom] against the Tartars, who entered +by the north walls. He humbly begs of you, my king, that you give +attention to this matter, and quickly open your treasuries in support +of this war to raise soldiers and to collect supplies. The facts +of the situation are, as I just now heard from the mandarins who +are in the province of the north walls, that the Tartars assembled +with the determination to seize this country of China. They say that +on the day selected for battle they entered through the walls and +captured some people, whom they sacrificed and burned at two in the +morning before the pitched battle; and, while they were burning the +sacrifice, great bombs and ingenious fireworks were discharged. They +raised flags on the hills and proclaimed their own king as king of +Paquin. Of soldiers who bear arms and other people there are thousands +of thousands--they are indeed, innumerable. Each soldier carries +several weapons. They entered by force of arms through the walls +called Humbre. The mandarins entrusted with the defense of this part +of the walls collected two armies [_companias_], ninety-six captains, +and three hundred thousand men, and came to blows eleven times. In +the first encounter our captain-general and thirty-seven captains +ordinary were killed. Our captain called Chun entered valiantly on +horseback into the ranks of the Tartars, killed five of them, and +was then himself killed and mutilated on the spot. Countless numbers +of our men died in these actions; some thousands were captured; and, +in retreating from the battle, amid the confusion and tumult, more +than a thousand more were killed. The victorious Tartar raised his +flag aloft and his men cried out, "Our king of Paquin comes to take +possession of Great China, which dared to resist him." The Tartars, +following up the victory, killed in various encounters more than six +hundred captains and soldiers of repute. The inhabitants of the cities +and towns deserted them and fled to the forests with their women and +children. On the same day the Tartars took three cities. + +When I heard this news I met with the _Colao_ and the mandarins of +the court to take counsel as to what should be done. And truly it +seems that Heaven is assisting the Tartars, for how else could they +kill so many thousands of men and take three cities in one day? [65] +We all say that this is a punishment from Heaven, like so many other +calamities that are being suffered. For example, it did not rain during +the whole of last year in the province of Paquin, and so the people +went about almost dead. In the province of Xanto the hunger was so +great that they ate human flesh, for which there was a public market. A +great multitude of rats crossed the river. The fires of heaven burned +all the royal palaces. A gale blew down the five towers. There were, +also, in the heavens two suns, one swallowing the other--an occurrence, +certainly, of dire portent. Another very extraordinary thing beside +these occurred. We saw that man called Chanchain enter the palace to +kill the prince, in which event the mandarin [_illegible in MS._] +wishing to speak to you, my king, in a rather loud voice, in order +to show his fidelity. But you did not choose to listen to him, and, +instead, you ordered him to be put in the jail, and in fetters, and +sentenced to death, on the charge of having disturbed the soul of +your mother, who had recently died. We, the mandarins, wishing [to +aid?] him, beg you that you may be pleased to pardon him; because +it would certainly be a great pity to treat as a rebel a faithful +mandarin, who merely showed his love for you. + +Moreover, the viceroys and the _Chaiery_ of each province several times +sent you memorials advising you of the calamities of the people, and +begging that you be pleased to diminish the customs and impositions, +a matter worthy of careful consideration. In the same way, all the +mandarins of the court have often implored you, by means of memorials, +that you should go out _incognito_ to hear complaints for the good +of the government of the kingdom, and to bring it into harmony with +the will of Heaven. If you had done this, we would now find ourselves +in a very peaceful condition, and our empire would last a thousand +centuries; but oh king, as you neither listened to nor examined into +what was proposed to you, it appears, rather, that you are sleeping at +your ease in your palace. You act as if you did not notice what you +clearly see with your eyes. Hence for a long time the mandarins have +been very much troubled. We have seen rivers running with blood. Are +not all these matters of evil portent? There are indeed, other +disasters than the falling of the walls on the Tartar frontier. We +often sent memorials asking you to order that they be rebuilt; and at +last you sent two mandarins with two hundred thousand men to repair +them. They went out last year in the ninth moon. While on the way, for +some unknown reason, a quarrel arose among the men at midnight; and +in less than two hours more than eighty boats and over seven hundred +men were burned, besides the many who were drowned. All this augured +evil. And thus we sent you a memorial asking that you should give +audience on matters concerning the good government of the kingdom, +according to the will of Heaven. You answered, "Now it is cold, now +hot; I am indisposed and unable to do it; I shall choose another day +to go out, or you may choose it." We the mandarins, together, chose +the seventh day of the same moon, which was convenient. You, however, +did not answer favorably, but instead threw the memorial into the fire. + +Furthermore, we learned from the province of Xansinque, this third +moon, that a man suddenly appeared dressed in yellow, with a green cap +[_bonete_], and a little fan of feathers in his hand. He called out, +"Vanlle (which is the name of the king here) [66] is a king without +a government, although he has ruled a long time. He is always asleep +in his palace, wherefore the kingdom is about to be lost. The men +of the people must perish of hunger, and the great captains must die +by the sword and the lance." With this he disappeared. The viceroy, +Chaien, and the mandarins were greatly terrified, and made vigorous +efforts to find him and to learn who he was and where he lived, +but they never found further trace of him. + +And now, when we learn of the calamities of all the provinces, when +from all of them we hear news of the great famine being experienced, +and when we see that many renowned mandarins, captains, and soldiers +have been killed in this war, we are well able to understand that this +man was an omen from Heaven, and the whole affair causes fear. If you, +our king, wish to go forth to encounter the Tartars you cannot do so +unless you have several millions of men, and thousands of thousands +of wagon-loads of supplies. We humbly beg that you undertake to +release the above mentioned mandarin, who is so unjustly detained in +prison. We also beg that you shall be pleased to open the treasuries +to raise an army. If you do so, much of the trouble will be removed. + + +_Of Cochinchina_ + +The new mission of Cochinchina, near China, where they formerly endured +great hardships, is now prosperous, and there are good prospects that +a splendid Christian community will grow up in that realm. [67] The +people there, induced by their false priests, had rebelled against our +fathers, saying superstitiously that it had failed to rain because of +the presence of preachers of the holy gospel. In this way they forced +the king, against his will, to order the fathers out of the country for +a time. But the fathers, in obedience to an order from their superior, +did not leave until they had almost completely christianized a Japanese +settlement which is there; and they so subdued these Japanese that, +although formerly they had been very rebellious and had given much +trouble to the king, they now became peaceable. The king was so pleased +with this that he recalled the fathers with the same benevolence that +he had formerly shown, and he gave them license to erect a church and +residence at his court. Heaven assisted at the same time in behalf of +the mission by sending abundant rain, thus leaving the superstition +of the heathens confounded and mendacious, and the king despicable +for this persecution. Two fathers of the mission and a lay brother +went to a port of the same kingdom, Cochinchina, called Pullocambi, +about fifty leagues from the court, at the request of the heathen +governor there. He offered to satisfy them, and treated them so well +that a beginning was made in that port of another residencia of the +Society. It may be possible to build up a large Christian community +in that place, since it is more quiet than Cochinchina, through its +being less cursed by traffic and by people of various nationalities +coming to trade. Thus there are six of the Society residing there, +teaching those whom they have converted, and with much diligence +learning the language of the land, without which they would not be +able to accomplish much. + + +_Of Japan_ + +In treating of the affairs in Japon one would wish to begin with +the coming of Fray Luis Sotelo, who, as soon as he arrived here, +began to attempt so many things that he succeeded with none. He +said to the bishop of Zebu (who is governor of this archbishopric) +that he had secured bulls from his Holiness authorizing him to be +bishop of half of Japon, [68] but as they remained in the Council +they were worthless. They even say (about which I am not certain) +that he attempted to consecrate himself here, but he did not succeed. + +Then he planned to establish a seminary of Japanese, and had many +of them ordained, with what right or authority we do not know. Over +this matter there was much contention. He had a church built for this +seminary, and also took possession of various places, particularly in +a suburb of this city of Manila. One day he quietly took possession of +a house, placed a bell upon it, and said mass. Soon the governor and +the bishop came and asked him what he might be doing. He responded +that a smith puts his forge wherever he can in order to work at his +trade, and that he was doing likewise. They drove him away from there, +and now he is in one of his convents. + +They are expecting in Malaca the bishop of Japon, Father Don Diego +Valente, [69] of our Society, native of Lisboa, and formerly head +of the professed house at Villaviciosa. They say that with him are +coming the procurators of Japon, Father Graviel de Martos and Father +Pedro de Morejon; the father procurate of China, Nicolas Trigaucio; +and a goodly number of members of the Society, who will have to wait +in some other place because the condition of affairs in Japon is such +that they cannot go there at present. + +This year in Japon a great number of supernatural occurrences have been +noted, particularly in the city of Yendo, [70] which is the court of +the emperor. First, in the river at Yendo they saw some very beautiful +ships sailing against the current, a thing never seen there before, +for the river is small, and navigable only by very small boats. Second, +in the _patio_ [i.e., courtyard] of the palace, one day there was seen +an animal larger than an ox and smaller than an elephant, whose species +none could tell, as they had never seen such an animal before. They +tried to kill it with arquebuses and arrows, but it disappeared. Third, +in a hall of the same palace a large greyhound was found howling +pitifully. This the Japanese took for a bad sign. They asked who +had brought such a dog there, but no one could find out, because +the guards had been at the door all the time. They tried to catch +the animal and put it out, but it became invisible to them. Fourth, +in the quarter [_vario_, for _barrio_] of the Daimones, [71] who are +the nobles who serve at the court, there was heard a great clatter of +arms, just as if a very bloody civil war were going on. They called to +arms in the city, and every one responded. They went to the _vario_, +but found everything perfectly quiet. Fifth, on the top of a hill +near by the city they discovered some flags in the trees. They went +to see what they were, but found nothing. Finally, when the emperor +was about to go to Meaco, a comet like a handled catana [_i.e._, +sword], with a very beautiful cross in its head, appeared above his +fortress of Yendo. This caused him so much fear and consternation +that he gave up his journey entirely. Many of these things will not +be readily believed. Some of them I did not see, but credible persons +from where they occurred report them as well authenticated. + +The persecution of Christians in Japon is more bloody than it has +ever been before, and has become as bad as could be imagined. It +will suffice to say that in the city of Nangacaqui thirty bars of +silver, each one containing about four ducados, are publicly offered +to whomsoever may discover a religious. But just as tender plants, +because of the cold of winter, take deeper root in the soil, these +religious, because of their difficulties, plant themselves more firmly +in the faith and bear more plentiful fruit. This has already been +demonstrated. Indeed, during the last year more than fifty Japanese +have nobly given their lives to the service of Jesus Christ; and +almost two thousand adults have for the first time received the water +of holy baptism, through the efforts of our fathers alone. These +fathers, like good pilots, have not been dismayed by this great +tempest On the contrary, there have been thirty-two members [of the +Society] distributed throughout Japon, holding fast to the helm of +this little craft, toiling lest the sea should swallow it up in so +furious and destructive a tempest. Not less valor has been shown in +this matter by the chief pilot, Father Francisco de Vera, whom our +father general sent as visitor of Japon from one of the provinces of +India. When he reached Macan and learned how cruel the persecution was, +he determined--in spite of being almost seventy years old and afflicted +by many infirmities--to go this year to Japon, to console and encourage +the Christians and our brethren who so commendably labored with them +there. His life has been a great source of edification and consolation +to all. In order that his presence there should do no harm, he went +very secretly and without company. He wears secular dress. The good +father goes from house to house, under a thousand inconveniences and +dangers, such as the other fathers also endure. What he has suffered +and is still suffering in this way is very pitiful. + +Some religious (although only a few) from the orders of St. Dominic, +St. Francis, and St. Augustine, are also working laudably in the +vineyard of the Lord. Some went to Japon this year, but the majority of +them have not succeeded in this design, because most of the Japanese +boatmen, although Christians, have been afraid to carry them. For the +emperor issued a very stringent order that any boat which should carry +religious should be burned with all its goods, and that those going +in it should be put to death. Nevertheless, some Franciscan friars +have gone, very secretly. Some time ago, in the city of Fixoxuna, +Father Antonio and Brother Leonardo, both Japanese, were imprisoned +for the faith. For this also, on August 16, 1618, they beheaded in the +city of Meaco Fray Juan de Santa Marta, of the Order of St. Francis, +and a native of Cataluña. He had been imprisoned three years in the +public jail, where, in spite of the hard labor and bad treatment to +which he was subjected, he continued to preach our holy faith to the +heathen prisoners, some of whom received it and died in it. [72] + +At midnight on December 13, 1618, they seized Father Carlos Espinola, +procurator of the province of Japon, and his companion, Brother +Ambrosio Fernandez. The same night they seized two other fathers, +Dominicans, two of four who went to Japon last year. The other two +returned to these islands. On the twenty-fifth of March, 1619, they +seized the provincial and the prior of the Dominicans, Fray Francisco +Morales and Fray Alonso de Mena. One of these Dominican fathers died +in the jail. Thereupon the rest of the religious concealed themselves +so effectively that the Portuguese traders in the country could not +find any one to whom they might make their Lenten confessions. + +Last year I wrote how one of the ships which were despatched from +this city to aid Maluco resorted to treason, and took possession of +everything. Thenceforth, as is well known, it went from one country +to another and from one place to another. Finally it sailed, almost +shipwrecked, to an island of Japon. When the Portuguese commandant +learned of this, he sent to the ruler of the island to demand those +robbers who had mutinied on one of the king's ships. The ruler sent to +the commandant, proposing to hang them; but some religious forbade +it, whereupon he sent them prisoners to Macan, where, they say, +the mutineers were punished. + +The two Dutch ships which last year were plundering in these islands +the ships that came from China, returned to Japon, after having +loaded up with many silks which they had seized. They took with them +three Chinese ships with rich cargoes, placing on each one a guard +of Hollanders. But in a storm the Chinese fled with their ships, +carrying with them the Hollanders that were on board, on whom they +retaliated by drowning them in the sea. Thus the spoil [of the Dutch] +was not so rich as was expected. + +This year there went to Japon a patache which the Hollanders had +captured in Maluco from the English, and on which there remained some +English, badly wounded. They reported that the Hollanders had taken +two ships from the English, and had cut off the noses and ears of all +whom they had found alive. Upon hearing this, the English who were in +Japon were exceedingly angry; and, as they were in good standing at the +court, they went to complain to the emperor. The Japanese merchants +also complained that because of the robberies which the Hollanders +had committed during the last two years on the coast of Manila, they +had lost the profit which they had usually drawn from the trade with +Philipinas. They said that not only were the Hollanders of no advantage +to Japon, but that rather they were very injurious, since they took +from the kingdom large quantities of munitions and provisions for +their fleets, and thus made everything dearer. It may be hoped that +from these complaints will result the expulsion of the Hollanders +from Japon, which will be very injurious to them, but very good for us. + +The Hollanders felt keenly the loss of one of their large pataches +which was coming from Olanda to Japon with thirty men, good artillery, +more than fifty thousand pesos in money, and very rich jewels intended +as presents to bribe the magnates of Japon. On the way, the patache +encountered four Portuguese galliots which were coming from Macan +loaded with goods. The Hollanders attacked the Portuguese, intending +to seize a galliot; but fortune changed, and in the fight their ship +was run down by one of the Portuguese vessels. When the Hollanders saw +that they were lost, they themselves set fire to the powder; and those +on board were hurled into the water, where they were despatched with +pikes. The Portuguese rescued only a Japanese who had been to Olanda, +and was on the ship coming back with the Hollanders. [73] + + +_Of Mindanao_ + +The island of Mindanao is one of these Philipinas; it is inhabited +by Mahometan and heathen people, who make fierce war upon us. They +sally out with their little fleets, repeatedly plunder the towns, +desolate the fields, capture many Indians, and even Spaniards, and +kill a great number of people. This year the Lord has been pleased +that they should not be able to sally forth as usual, as they have +been very much occupied in civil wars. And if the Hollanders were +not so constantly engaging our attention, and we were to go there, +they might be destroyed--as is asserted by a Franciscan friar who +has been a captive among them for a long time, and has recently come +from there. [74] But we leave it to God; for He, with His most lofty +providence, knows how to govern in His own way. + + +_Of the Malucas_ + +To begin with spiritual affairs, a wide door to the holy gospel has +opened in the island of Manados, which borders upon that of Macacar; +and it is hoped that through it will come a rich harvest. At present a +father of our Society, named Father Cosme Prieto, is there. The fathers +of Portugal, to whom the Malucas Islands belong, plan to send more +laborers there. The king has been converted, as well as nearly all the +princes of the kingdom; and only the queen persists in her heathenism. + +The people of the island of Tidore, who long have been our friends, +and through whom we are able to maintain ourselves in the Malucas, +broke the treaties which they had made with the Terrenatans. They +are engaged in war, and every day there are deaths on one side or the +other. These circumstances are very advantageous for us, because the +Terrenatans are warm friends of the Dutch and enemies to us. + +All the aid sent last year from this place reached Maluco, without +suffering any loss on the way, either from the sea or from the enemy, +as has usually been the case other years. To furnish this aid five +ships went laden with supplies, and with fifteen thousand pesos to +pay the infantry. Hence our forces there are, for the present, well +and even abundantly supplied, although there is some lack of men, +because many have died of _bebes_, which is a disease of the legs +very common in those islands. [75] + +In 1619, ships went to Olanda loaded with cloves and drugs and +other things of various values; we fear, therefore, that the power +of these Hollanders will increase in these parts, because what they +carry enriches them and enables them to send large fleets here. The +enemy, the Hollander, built another fortress besides the ones that he +had in the islands of Ternate; and we also built another in Tidore, +and are building still another. We may thus be able to inflict much +injury upon our enemies. + +In Nambrino it happened that in a drunken revel of the Hollanders the +powder took fire, and a large part of the fortification was blown up; +but they have already repaired it. They say that in this accident +nearly two hundred men were burned. The inhabitants of the island +of Vanda are much of the time at war with the Hollanders, of whom +they have killed many--notable among them the commander-in-chief--by +poisoning the water that they used. It is said that they do not like +the Hollanders, but prefer the Portuguese, with whom they have been +friendly for many years. A Portuguese just now arrived from Maluca, +fleeing from the Hollanders who had held him prisoner more than three +years, and with whom he had been in various places. People say that +at present the Hollanders are on very bad terms with the nations +where they have factories. It is also said that there have come to +them from Olanda six ships and a new governor. + +With oil of cloves and drugs people go to the Malucas from almost +all over the world; it is therefore believed that in these seas there +must be for a long time to come some of the hardest battles ever seen, +and that many in attempting to trade in cloves will have to encounter +iron. [76] + +The French have a factory there. [77] Three of their ships came and +fought with the Hollanders, who took away one; the other two were sent +to France with cargoes. Some galleons have also come from the English, +who, according to report, now have fourteen. It is said that they +have had a fight with the Hollanders, from whom they took away two +ships. These two nations are unfriendly because of the above-mentioned +injury which the English received from the Hollanders, and also because +they are rivals. It is said that the English have an order from their +king to the effect that if the Hollanders should be stronger than +themselves they must join with us and harass them on all sides. + +The Hollanders have seen that in their battles with us they have +received much damage from our galleys; therefore they built two +vessels of this class to bring with their fleet to these islands. But +our Lord was pleased so to order it that, when coming from Amb[o]ino +to Ternate, one galley sank with all the people, and the other ran +aground, although the people were saved. + + +_Of the Philipinas Islands_ + +On the eleventh of November, 1618, at three o'clock in the morning, +a comet was seen from this city of Manila. It had a tail, was +silver-colored, with a slightly ashen tinge, and had an extraordinary +form. At first it was like a trumpet, and then like a catan (which is a +weapon peculiar to Japon, resembling the cutlass), with the edge toward +the southwest; and at the end it appeared palm-shaped. The declination +[78] of the southwestern end was twenty degrees south. At first its +length was equal to the whole of the sign of Libra, with which it +rose. Eight days afterward, the declination of the southwestern end +was twenty-four degrees and thirty minutes south. At this time the head +was thirty-one degrees south, and the lower point, or end of the tail, +eight degrees from the star called Spica Virginia. No star exhalation +[79] was seen, although some say that they saw a very small one. On +the twenty-fourth of November another tailed comet appeared, even +more beautiful and resplendent than the first. At its head [_al pie_] +was a burning star. It appeared in the east. It had a declination +of eight degrees, and it pointed southwestward to the sign of the +Scorpion, which is the sign of Manila. These two comets lasted some +three months. They write from Japon, Maluco, and India that they were +seen in those places. + +The devotion of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin has +been notable in this city. This year great eight-day fiestas, with +masks and illuminations, have been celebrated with much solemnity in +the cathedral church and in that of St. Francis. It is feared that +there will be much hunger in the islands during the present year, +because the locusts are so numerous that they cover the fields and +destroy the grain. May God help us! + +In September, 1618, a ship was despatched from these islands for +Macan primarily to carry needed munitions, although it did not +neglect to take a quantity of money belonging to private persons, +to be invested in merchandise. A few days after setting sail it was +overtaken by a storm severe enough to drive it to the coast of this +island of Manila; but, although the hulk was lost, the people and cargo +were saved. Afterward another ship was sent on the same errand. It +is known to have reached Macan and to be trading successfully in +everything, particularly in the purchase of an excellent galleon that +the Portuguese have there, and that we need for the fleet which must +be prepared to oppose the enemy next year. + +The Hollanders came to these islands with their fleet of five galleons +to plunder the Chinese ships, as they have done in former years. The +fleet entered the bay of Manila on the twelfth of October, 1618, +and afterward continued coming and going. It went back and forth +on these seas just as if it were at home. But its appearance caused +so little disturbance that everything remained as quiet as before, +which illustrates the force of habit; for being accustomed to seeing +the fleet every year has brought it to pass that its advent now causes +no uneasiness. Nevertheless, sentinels were placed on all the coasts, +and the country was very well prepared. Thus there was nothing to fear; +besides, the enemy does not wish to have us at too close range. On +our side, only three galleons and four galleys were ready for use +in the port of Cavique [_sic_], because not more than two years +ago two of our finest galleons went to the bottom in this sea in a +furious storm. What caused more anxiety was the shipyard where other +galleons were being built. It was feared lest the enemy should go +there to burn them. To prevent this, a little fort was constructed, +and a large force of good infantry and heavy artillery was placed +there to guard the construction. Therefore they said that there was +no need to fear anything, or to doubt that if the enemy should come +to the shipyard he would fail in his design to burn the ships. He did +not attempt it, perhaps because he knew of the thorough preparations +that had been made. + +Early in November, when the enemy was in the mouth of the bay, +a Japanese ship came here. When it reached Ilocos, a port of the +island of Manila, it learned that the enemy was in the passage through +which it must go to reach, this city. But as it carried a _chapa_, +or license, from the Japanese emperor it feared nothing. For the +Hollanders respect the emperor's license in so far as it concerns +them, and they give free passage in every part of these seas to all +Japanese ships bearing it. So the ship continued on its way here till +it met the Hollander, with whom it remained two or three days. The +Hollander inquired if it carried munitions, which would be contrary +to his wish. Although in fact the ship had on board a large quantity +of munitions underneath a great number of sacks of flour, the question +was answered in the negative. Thereupon the general allowed it to pass, +and gave it an arrogant message for the governor. In this he said that +his Lordship might well be preparing his fleet little by little, which +he [the Dutch general] would await a long time; that he just now had +learned that galleons were being built in the shipyards, but that the +governor should not be disturbed; that, indeed, if it were necessary, +he would go with his men to aid in finishing and launching them, +just for the opportunity of fighting them; that this was what he most +desired, as he had strong hopes of victory, which would be glorious +in proportion to his Lordship's nobility; and that he therefore would +welcome the governor's coming. This message the Hollanders sent with +the Japanese ship. Later on, another Japanese ship came along; and, +as it carried a _chapa_, it was able to enter. Then a Spanish ship, +which likewise came from Japon, arrived; but, as it carried no license, +it came by a different route, to avoid falling into the enemy's hands, +and took shelter in another port of the islands before coming to the +city. A Portuguese ship coming from Macan did the same, and thus the +enemy captured nothing. + +Four Ternatan slaves fled to the enemy, at which the latter were much +elated. When the slaves reached them the Hollanders were seen from +this city to discharge some pieces of artillery. One morning later on, +when the Hollanders wished to land upon a beach not far from Manila, +to take some recreation, they sent these slaves ahead that, like +house-thieves, they might spy out the land. Information had just come +that the enemy were accustomed to disembark in that neighborhood, so +two companies were sent to lie in ambush to deal them some blow. The +slaves landed, and our men seeing them, attacked them, killed two, +and captured the other two alive. From these we learned in detail the +forces which the enemy had. When the latter saw that his scouts did +not return with the information, he was afraid to disembark. If he +had landed, he might well have expected us to have won a very signal +victory. In the shipyard feverish efforts were made to finish at +least one vessel in time for service this year. Nearly three thousand +men--Spaniards, Indians, Chinese, and others--were employed in this +construction. From this may be gathered what our missions must have +suffered in the Pintados Islands, in the midst of which the ship was +being built, since almost all the Indians who worked there were from +our doctrinas. So large was the equipment, and so great was the zeal +shown in the work, that early in March a very beautiful galleon was +finished, which would mount forty pieces. Then the difficulty arose, +where they could enter to join the other galleons and galleys in the +port of Cabique, for the enemy remained stubbornly in the mouth of +the bay. But as soon as he drew aside a little, notice was quickly +given in order that they might bring in the galleon, and it entered +on the twenty-fifth of April, with four galleys which had gone out +to accompany it in. + +On another occasion two other ships came to the enemy with provisions +from the kingdom of Japon. They also carried a goodly number of +Japanese, who left their country secretly. They say that if they [the +Japanese authorities?] had known it they would have killed these men, +because they came to attack us in company with the Hollanders. These +now found themselves with seven warships, or rather with six, since +they left one outside in order to plunder any ship that might come +along. They entered this bay with great ostentation and pomp on the +first of March, the second day of the Easter festival. The governor +ordered that the galleys and the three galleons which were there +(the fourth, the one from the shipyard, had not yet arrived) should +with many pennants and streamers draw a little apart from the fort of +Cabique. When the Hollander turned about to go out he noticed that our +fleet was at hand, with all this bravery. Then he also displayed many +pennants, and came again, signaling that he wished to fight, and then +slowly departed. He went toward the coast of Ilocos, the place to which +they come to attack the ships on their way from China. Now the galleon +from the shipyard entered the bay, and the preparation of the entire +fleet was completed. It consisted of four galleys very well manned, +and four very handsome galleons. The flagship mounted more than forty +pieces, the almiranta more than thirty, the third galleon an equal +number, and the fourth as many as twenty. In addition to these there +were two pataches, each with as many as a dozen small pieces. + +While our armada, thus prepared, was daily in readiness to set sail, +the governor sent out in two directions to reconnoiter the enemy. The +news brought back by the spies was that the Hollanders had reached +a village of Indians on the coast of Ilocos. They entered the church +and committed a thousand sacrileges, particularly that of cutting off +the nose of a figure of Christ. They found a large quantity of wine, +delivered themselves up to it, and became veritable wine-sacks. They +say that if twenty soldiers had been there at the time, they might +have played grand havoc with the enemy. The Hollanders finally set +fire to the place and withdrew to their ships. Only one remained on +shore to sleep off his intoxication. When he awakened and saw that the +ships had already set sail, he cast himself into the water--of which +he had need, in order to water the great quantity of wine he had cast +into his stomach. He saw that the ships were far away, and in order +not to drown he was forced to return to land. Here the Indians caught +him and took him to Manila. The Dutch ships put to sea and never again +appeared. On news of this the excitement of the fleet ceased, although +there was no lack of opinion that it would be well to pursue the enemy, +because he was fleeing to China to plunder. Although all this was said +on good ground, others (and a majority) said that whether the enemy +were fleeing very opportunely or not, it was better for us to remain +quiet with such a fleet as we had; that our fleet would be increased +by the galleon expected from Macan, and by those which were being +built in these islands, all of which ships combined would be force +enough for next year; and besides this, the enemy had gained nothing, +but rather had lost, through the expenses which he had incurred in +maintaining a fleet so many months without recompense. This opinion +prevailed, whereupon the matter was dropped and the fleet became idle; +when, behold, mere goes forth a false report that the enemy is in +these islands plundering the ships that come from China. Everything +is again in commotion; the fleet again prepares itself, and goes out +in the morning; but the truth becomes known that there is no enemy, +and the fleet is quiet again. The basis of this false rumor was the +fact that the enemy went toward the coast of China to plunder, and +one day encountering a Chinese ship going to Japon, robbed it. The +Chinese vessel came to these islands to seek aid; and at once arises +the outcry that it must have been robbed in the Philipinas, and that +there must be enemies here. The truth is confirmed by the fact that +at this time a Portuguese ship came from Macan, but in all this coast +encountered not a single Hollander. + +It may be considered as certain that the enemy lost a large vessel +with people and cargo in a severe storm. The foundation for this +opinion is the fact that some days ago a mass of wreckage, such as +maintop-sails, rigging, masts, etc., was found in the place where +the Hollanders have been. + +A ship came from China and reported that one day, after having +left that country, it encountered four ships which pursued it; and +that early in the evening one of them was gaining on it. The Chinese +captain, who knew of some shoals near by, steered toward them, in order +to go around them. The Hollanders, thinking that the captain was trying +to escape to leeward, also steered in that direction, and at nightfall +ran aground on the shoals. The Chinese heard many guns fired; but, +without seeing or knowing more, came to Philipinas and gave the news. + +Dated at Manila, July 12, 1619. + + + + +LETTER FROM PEDRO DE ARCE TO FELIPE III + + +[_Marginal note at beginning_: "_That the governor there, Don Alonso +Fajardo, attends with great assiduity to whatever concerns the service +of his Majesty; and he has gained experience by the construction of +the ships that he has built from the time of his arrival in those +islands, so that the enemy has not dared await him. If he were to be +aided with some fleet sent to him, very good results would follow_."] + +Sire: + +Don Alonso Fajardo, governor of these islands, will relate fully +to your Majesty the present condition of their temporal affairs. He +attends with peculiar care to whatever concerns the service of your +Majesty, as has been seen in the construction of the ships that he has +built since his arrival in these islands. Had he not been so assiduous +in that, the enemy who came to this bay and coast of Manila would have +committed very great depredations. But since the enemy saw that the +governor was getting ready very promptly, they thought it best to go +away and not wait. He is a gentleman very zealous for the service of +your Majesty, and one who serves your Majesty with special and very +disinterested love and affection. I think that, if your Majesty will +aid him with some fleet, he will, with that and what he has here, +accomplish great results in your Majesty's service. But the fleet here +is insufficient to root out the enemy. Will your Majesty be pleased to +send the aid which has for so many years been asked from your Majesty; +for the profit that will accrue to your Majesty is vast in both the +spiritual and the temporal. + +[_In the margin_: "It is well."] + +[_Marginal note_: "He asks that his resignation of that bishopric be +accepted, and that a certain income be granted him on which to live."] + +Last year I wrote your Majesty requesting you to be pleased to accept +my resignation from my bishopric, and I send the same request in this +letter to your Majesty; for I am worn out, and it is advisable for +the security of my conscience--your Majesty granting me the favor to +give me the means for my support, so far as that may not be in your +royal treasury, because of the great difficulty of collecting from +it. [_In the margin_: "It is provided for."] + +[_Marginal note_: "That Admiral Pedro de Eredia is coming to this +court to report on the condition of those islands; and, since he is +one who knows them thoroughly by experience, and is zealous in your +Majesty's service, credit can be given to what he says."] + +Admiral Pedro de Heredia is going to that court of your Majesty +to report the affairs of these islands. He is a person on whose +word your Majesty can rely, as he is a man of great integrity and +greatly devoted to your Majesty's service. He is experienced by sea +and by land in these islands and in the Malucas, where he has served +your Majesty a long time. He was the one who captured General Pablo +Brancal [_i.e._, van Caerden], in those same Malucas Islands. He burned +another of the enemy's ships in Playa Honda, and defeated the enemy's +almiranta in the expedition made by Don Juan de Silba; while in Don +Juan Ronquillo's expedition he captured the almiranta, but let it go, +in order that his own ship might not be burnt. He is one to whom your +Majesty may entrust any undertaking of importance, because of his great +courage and his devotion to your Majesty's service. He is deserving +of whatever favor your Majesty may be pleased to bestow upon him. + +[_In the margin_: "It is well."] + +[_Marginal note_: "That by the death of Don Juan de Aguilar, who was +precentor of the church of Manila, the governor appointed Don Miguel +Garcetas to that prebend, who by his qualities deserves to have the +appointment confirmed."] + +Because of the death of Don Juan de Aguilar, who was precentor of this +holy church of Manila, the governor appointed Licentiate Don Miguel +Garcetas to the same prebend. He came to these islands many years +ago, and has held appointments of honor in them. He was treasurer +of the holy church of Zebu, the chief church of that bishopric, and +canon of this church of Manila; and is a man of good qualities and +of good morals. He merits your Majesty's granting him as a favor the +appointment he now holds, and greater favors. + +[_In the margin_: "It is well."] + +[_Marginal note_: "In approbation of Christoval Ramires de Cartagena, +chaplain of the Audiencia."] + +In this city of Manila lives a respectable ecclesiastic, one Christoval +Ramires de Cartagena, who of the many years since he came to these +regions has been several minister in the islands of Pintados. For many +years he has been chaplain of the royal Audiencia. While a layman +he served your Majesty in the army; and since becoming a priest he +has done the same. He merits honor from your Majesty, and favors in +remuneration for his many services, + +[_In the margin_: "It is well."] + +[_Marginal note_: "That the church of Cebu is in great need of +ornaments and of repairs. He asks that your Majesty grant it some +income, as has been requested at other times; and a cabildo with +income, or some chaplains to serve it, for the divine offices are +not suitably celebrated there."] + +I have often petitioned your Majesty to have the goodness to grant +some income to the church of Zebu for ornaments and repairs, of which +it has daily need; and to give it a cabildo with income; and if there +should be no occasion for that, to supply it with some chaplains to +serve it, for it lacks everything. The divine offices are celebrated +very unsuitably, which the natives, both Christians and infidels, +cannot fail to observe. May your Majesty for the love of God remedy +this. [_In the margin_: "Have the governor, Audiencia, and royal +officials investigate."] + +[_Marginal note_: "That it is advisable to show favor to this cabildo +of Manila, so that in case of the death of the prelate, it may govern; +as it contains competent persons; and because inconveniences result +from the senior bishop coming to do this, as has been represented on +other occasions."] + +I have also advised your Majesty--perceiving it, and, knowing by +experience--that it is advisable to concede to this cabildo of Manila +that it shall govern in case the prelate die; because it has persons +of sufficient rank and ability for the said government. Besides, +many difficulties exist in the senior bishop coming to govern, as he +has no person to leave who is competent to direct his bishopric--as +I have experienced at this time, while I have been governing this +archbishopric of Manila, by brief of his Holiness and your Majesty's +decree. + +[_In the margin_: "It is well, and what is advisable will be +provided."] + +[_Marginal note_: "That it has been heard that the fathers of the +Society are urging that the orders in Japon shall depart thence; +but that it is not advisable that this be done, because of the great +harvest of souls that they have gathered, and are now obtaining, +through their instruction. [He also says] that it will be to our +Lord's service to have the consecration of father Fray Luis Otelo take +effect, since the bishop of the western part is already consecrated; +and since the king of Boso, although an infidel, is well affected to +the Christians, and the two bishops are widely separated."] + +It has been heard here that the fathers of the Society are making +strenuous efforts to have the orders leave Japon. That is not at all +advisable, because of the very abundant harvest of souls that they have +gathered, and are gathering, through their instruction and example, +even giving their lives for the welfare of these souls. Accordingly, +I think it advisable for your Majesty to protect this cause, for +thereby will your Majesty perform the greatest service to our Lord. I +think it will also be to His service if the consecration of father +Fray Luis Sotelo take effect, since the other bishop, the one of +the western part, is now consecrated. I am moved to say this because +the king of Bozo, [80] although an infidel, is well affected to the +Christian religious, and has some in his kingdom. That kingdom is +very distant from those regions where the other bishop lives. It will +be advantageous to this community of Manila, for they will be able to +trade and traffic in those districts, and get food and other necessary +supplies from them for your Majesty's fleets. Nothing else occurs to +me of which to advise your Majesty, except that may our Lord preserve +for many long years the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty for +the defense and protection of His holy Church. Manila, July 30, 1619 +[_sic._] + +_Fray Pedro_, bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus. + +[_Endorsed on back_: "Seen and decreed within."] + +[_In the margin_: "Have a copy of this clause sent to the governor, +as to what pertains to the religious leaving Japon, so that he +may investigate it. What is advisable in the other matters will +be provided."] + +[Appended to this document is the following:] + +_Testimony of the resolution by the royal officials Ordinance._ +I, Gaspar Alvarez, scrivener-in-chief of the administrative and war +departments of these Philipinas Islands for the king our sovereign, do +certify truthfully to all who may see this present that, in a general +meeting held by the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and +Chancillería of these islands for the government, together with the +fiscal of his Majesty and the judicial officials of the royal treasury +of the islands, on the fifth of this present month and year of the +date of this present, among certain matters and questions discussed +and determined in the said meeting, was the following. + +In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of August, one +thousand six hundred and sixteen, Licentiate Andres de Alcarez, senior +auditor of the royal Audiencia of these islands, who exercises the +duties of president and captain-general of them, while in the houses +where the Audiencia resides, called a treasury meeting to discuss +matters advisable for the service of his Majesty. Licentiate Manuel +de Madrid y Luna, Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte, auditor and fiscal +[respectively], in the royal Audiencia, and the royal officials of +the royal treasury--namely, Captain Pedro de Saldiernos Demariaca, +factor; Juan Saez de Hegoen, inspector; and Alonso de Espinosa Saravia, +accountant--having attended it, and being thus assembled before me, +the present scrivener of the administrative and war departments, +he proposed the following. + +_Petition._ A petition was read from Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop +of the city of Zibu, and governor of this archbishopric, which was +of the following tenor. "Most potent Sire: I, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, +bishop of the city of Sanctisimo Nombre de Jesus, and governor of this +archbishopric by virtue of a brief of our very holy Father Paul Fifth, +and a decree of the royal person of your Highness, declare that, +in order to obey the said orders and fulfil my obligations in the +common welfare of this archbishopric, I have come to this capital, +and have left the comfort of a house that I had built, in the said +city of Zebu, and have established myself with greater obligations +for expenses in house and servants, in order to sustain some little +of the greatness due the honor of the archiepiscopal dignity. I +represent, as is well known to your Highness, that the expenses of +this capital are excessive, for the rent of a moderate-sized house +costs more than three hundred pesos and the ordinary food is very +dear. For these reasons and others, well known to your Highness, +and because the duties of the ministry are not lessened by the said +government, it is in accord with justice that, since I bear the weight +and obligations of archbishop, I be granted the salary assigned to his +person. Therefore, I beg and petition your Highness to have the said +grace conceded to me, in fulfilment of the said will of his Holiness +and the royal person of your Highness. I ask for justice. + +_Fray Pedro_, bishop of Sanctisimo Nombre de Jesus." + +_Resolution._ Having heard and examined the said proposition, and +discussed and conferred as to what should be done, all unanimously +and in accord, with one determination and sentiment, resolved, in +respect to what the said bishop Don Fray Pedro de Arce petitions, that, +inasmuch as he must reside in this city and archbishopric, if he fulfil +his obligations to govern it, and must have a house and servants, and +the other things required by his dignity; and inasmuch as he cannot +do this with the salary of five hundred thousand maravedis that he +receives in his bishopric: therefore the third part of the salary +received and enjoyed by the archbishop Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado +shall be assigned to him. He shall enjoy it from the day when he shall +show by authentic testimony that he took possession in this city of the +government of the said archbishopric. The official judges of the royal +treasury shall grant warrants for, and pay to him, the third of the +said salary, according to and as it was paid to the said archbishop, +during the full time of his governorship of this archbishopric. That +shall be received from them and placed on the accounts of the said +royal official judges. Licentiate Andres de Alcazar, Licentiate +Manuel de Madrid y Luna, Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte, +Pedro de Caldiernos de Mariaca, Juan Saez de Hegoen, and Alonso de +Espinosa Saravia affixed their signatures. Before me: + +_Gaspar Alvares_ + +According as is manifest by the abovesaid and as appears by the +said original meeting, which is in the book of minutes and meetings +of the treasury, which is in my office, and on leaves one hundred +and eighteen and one hundred and nineteen of it, to which I refer, +and by petition of his Lordship, the said bishop, I gave the present +in Manila, August eleven, one thousand six hundred and sixteen. As +witness at its drawing and revision were Christoval Martin Franco +and Joan Vazquez de Mercado, citizens of this said city. + +_Gaspar Alvares_ + +As is manifest and appears from the original testimony, that remained +in the possession of the reverend Don Fray Pedro de Arce, with which +it was corrected and collated, and is issued actually and really +corrected and collated, and on petition of the said reverend person, +I gave the present in the city of Manila, on the twenty-fifth day of +the month of August, one thousand six hundred and sixteen, witnesses +being Christoval de Saavedra, Blas de Rrosales, and Andres Estevan, +citizens and residents of Manila. + +Therefore I affixed my seal in testimony of right. Gratis. + +_Pedro de Valdes_, notary-public. + +We, the undersigned notaries, testify that Pedro de Valdes, by whom +this testimony seems to be sealed and signed, is a notary-public of the +number [81] of this city of Manila, and that entire credence has been, +and is, given, in and out of court, to the writs and acts that have +passed, and pass, before him. Given in Manila, August twenty-five, +one thousand six hundred and sixteen. + + +_Diego de Rueda_, notary. +_Juan de Cabrera_, royal notary. +_Sebastian Samer_, his Majesty's notary. + + +Sire: + +Don Pedro de Arce, bishop of Cibu, declares that his predecessor, +Don Pedro de Agurto, first bishop of that province, appointed and +named canons and dignidades, although without any stipend, to serve +in his cathedral church, without your Majesty's order. By his death +the said canons and dignidades claimed the right to govern in the +vacant see of the said bishopric; while the archbishop of Manila also +claimed the right to place a government there himself. Since many +opposing ideas have been expressed among the theologians regarding +this matter, I supplicate your Majesty to have the goodness to order +what procedure must be observed in this, and whether such canons and +dignidades constitute and hold the force of a cabildo, or not, so +that, at any event, suits and dissensions may be avoided; and it will +receive favor. [_In the margin_: "Have all the documents that bear +upon this argument collected, and have the fiscal examine them all, +and let action be taken according to his declaration. May 4, 619."] + +The fiscal declares that no other papers than this petition were +brought to him. So far as can be judged from this statement alone, +those who are referred to as canons and dignidades are not such, nor +can they be such. In order to determine what further measures it it +advisable to take, it is necessary that the governor and archbishop +of Manila investigate the matter. Madrid, May 28, 1619. + +As the fiscal says, and until they investigate, let a decree be framed +ordering what the bishops must observe in appointing the canons, +when they are not appointed by his Majesty and a cabildo is not +formed. June first, 619. + +Sire: + +Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Cibu, in the Filipinas +Islands, declares that, at your Majesty's order, and for the welfare +of his Lord, he came to govern the archbishopric of Manila because +of the death of the archbishop, Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado; and +inasmuch as the stipend given us by your Majesty is slight, and we +have to keep a house and servants in that city with suitable dignity +and propriety, he laid a petition before your royal Audiencia of those +islands, which was then governing, asking that he be given the stipend +given to the archbishop. Having called a meeting of the treasury, as +your Majesty commands by your royal decrees, they voted to give him, +as a gratification, the third part of the salary given the archbishop, +as appears by the testimony that he presents. He petitions your Majesty +to grant him the grace, because of his many expenses there, to confirm +that action, so that the royal officials who shall pay it shall not +be responsible for those expenses; and thereby he will receive favor. + +[_Endorsed:_ "Have the fiscal examine it. May 4, 1619."] + +The fiscal declares that, although the Audiencia and council of +the treasury could not do this, and although they petitioned it, +they ought to declare that it was to be understood if confirmed by +the Council. Their motive may be found just; and did it appear so to +the Council, then they might approve and confirm it. Madrid, May 28, +1619. [_In the margin_: "Let a decree be despatched in accordance +with the fiscal's declaration. June first, 1619."] + + + + +LETTER FROM ALONSO FAJARDO DE TENZA TO FELIPE III + + +Sire: + +In the vessels that I despatched from this bay to Nueva España last +year on the tenth of August, I informed your Majesty of my voyage +and arrival, and of the condition in which I found this country. By +way of Portuguese Yndia I did the same in December of the said year, +adding then what was new. What news I can now give is that, thanks to +God, the said ships reached here on the return voyage on the third of +this month, after a long trip of three and one-half months--and on the +outward trip, the smaller ship spent less than four months, and the +larger seven days more [than four months]. They have been among the +most fortunate ships seen here. Glory be to His Divine Majesty for +everything. These ships have brought two companies with one hundred +and twenty-four volunteer soldiers together, thirty-four sentenced +by justice to serve in these districts, thirty-two convicts for the +galleys, three hundred and seventy-eight thousand five hundred and +eighty-six eight-real pesos, in reals and in bars of silver, also arms, +military stores, and other necessary supplies for the use of these +strongholds and warehouses. Although the troops and money do not equal +what was asked from here--nor what is extremely necessary, because of +the very stringent need here of both men and money--according to what +I have heard of the difficulty in collecting this aid, and the labor +that it cost the viceroy of those provinces to expedite and send it, +he is greatly to be praised for it. I am under obligations to him; +but I find myself also obliged to entreat your Majesty to have him +urged in vigorous terms, saying that you consider yourself served +thereby, and to order him to continue it, doing the utmost possible +in the reënforcements asked from here. He should also be asked to +furnish those reënforcements in the same manner, in those years when +ships do not reach Acapulco from these islands because of having to +put back into port in distress, or from any other forced cause that +prevents their voyage; for it is certain that even if no ship arrive +there, the despatch [from Nueva España] should not be discontinued, +because of its vast importance for the welfare of this community, +and in order to bring provisions and reënforcements, as is usual and +necessary. However much the viceroy be urged on, this country will +not have what it needs, until your Majesty be pleased to have sent +here the reënforcement of the fleet that was promised--adding to the +men and ordering it to be provided with sufficient money for their +sustenance and the execution of what must be done with the fleet. I +trust in our Lord that, if it reach here safely, it will give us very +good results. I offer on my part to procure those good results with +its aid, as far as possible. I shall not again mention in detail the +reasons existing as to why your Majesty should send us this aid, as +they have been written so often by so many men, and are so evident +and well known; and in order to conquer or conserve, or to make war +in any manner, that reënforcement and money are needed. As there is +so great a need of both these things and of small boats, as I wrote +your Majesty in those letters that you acknowledged, I heard that +the rebels of Olanda were coming to these islands with fourteen ships +and a number of caracoas. These latter are the craft of our enemies +of Mindanao, and they do the most harm to these natives. Although +it appeared impossible to make sufficient preparation to resist them +and prevent the depredations which were to be feared from so large a +squadron, I resolved to exert my utmost efforts in order to attend to +our defense, notwithstanding my lack of all things necessary for it +that should have been sent me. Almost at the same time as the news, +arrived the rebels. They had only five ships with high freeboard, to +which were added two others, also large ones, a part of four vessels +that we heard were to come from Japon--according to what was learned +from that kingdom through the fathers of the Society, and by way of +Terrenate, and from some prisoners captured along this coast, not far +from here. The latter, landing in order to reconnoiter the country, +so that they might land some Dutchmen on it, fell into the hands +of a company that I had placed in ambush with the great desire to +gather information and learn the designs of the enemy. In short, it +was learned from those advices, and especially from those from Japon, +that not only was it their intention to pillage the ships from China +(whence proceeds the commerce that sustains this island) and commit +the depredations of former years, but also to await the vessels from +Nueva España, in order at once to conclude and finish everything. That +obliged me to make the night day with my continual toil, so that +the Spaniards who were scattered throughout these islands might be +prepared and collected; and artillery cast, which was lacking to +me for what was necessary (even a place where I could get the metal +and the alloy). Then the workmen on two ships, the construction of +which had been ordered, had to be urged to greater haste and all that +was necessary supplied, so that either one or both of them could be +finished in time to serve on the occasion then presented; and a ship +of moderate size, which was the only one I found in this bay when I +entered it, had to be repaired. The latter was so old that it was +necessary almost to rebuild it. Also I did the same with a small +patache and the galleon in which I came, and the Japanese vessel +which also came with me from Nueva España. It needed not a little +repair, and gave me a great deal of trouble with its owners, so that +they should lend it. But finally they lent it, and now I have had it +bought at a very cheap price. With it, and one of the new ones which +were finished in time (which is the one now about to sail to Nueva +España), and those above mentioned, and another new patache which I +had finished from the bottom up--all together, they comprised two +large vessels, two moderate-sized vessels, two pataches, and four +galleys. They were repaired, and manned in great part with borrowed +slaves and Dutch prisoners (for the Dutch inflict upon the Spaniards +the worst of treatment). While this fleet was so far advanced that +it could sail and fight in a few days afterward, the rebels entered +for the last time into this bay, a thing which they had done eight +times before. After staying a long time in the mouth of the bay, +and seeing it prepared, and some craft ready and filled with men, it +appears that they did not choose to try our arms or tempt fortune; +for they sailed away and left their position, and went farther up +the coast, until they passed the cape of Bolinao [82]--a district +where they thought they would be safe from us, because we could not +go there at that season without evident danger of being unable to +return to this bay, because of having no longer a port to leeward, +save those of Japon, where they have their factories. As soon as +they left here, I sent some light craft after their ships, in order +to ascertain where they were going, and to return to me with the +information, being resolved to go in pursuit of them, and finishing +my preparations for it. The news which was soon brought me was that, +after taking the open sea, a storm struck them. According to that +news, and the report by some Chinese of a junk that was plundered, +and signs that were seen along the said coast, the enemy lost one of +their largest ships on that coast. These Chinese met them on their +way to Japon, so that they abandoned the islands. Although I should +be better satisfied had my toil and ardent desire been employed in +fighting and attaining some good result, with God's help, still I have +also enjoyed great happiness and give His Divine Majesty many thanks +because our vessels have arrived here, and those of the Dutch have +received less gain than loss, and have caused no considerable loss +[to us]. Likewise the despatches that I sent to China were important +for that, in which I advised the Sangleys when and where not to come, +and when and where they could come. I also sent an order and money to +Macan to buy a ship of more than medium size, which was there, from +the chief commandant of that city. According to the letters in which I +have been answered, the ship can arrive here soon. With it, those that +I have here, the other new one (which is now finished), and an _urca_ +[83] sent me by the viceroy of Yndia, I shall have seven vessels, +counting larger and medium-sized ones, besides the large one and one +patache which are about to sail to Nueva España, which can direct a +good artillery fire. To them I shall add some artillery recast from +burst pieces which, for lack of alloy that I sent to buy at Malaca, +and which has now arrived, were not cast before. With this, I shall +endeavor to get ready as soon as possible, for whatever time the enemy +may come, or for whatever decision may be made, according to advices +that we shall have of the enemy, and the measures that shall appear +to be most advisable for your Majesty's service. The viceroy of Yndia +sent me the urca above mentioned, after I had sent him a despatch with +the letters that should be sent your Majesty from there, begging him to +send me for next year, and for the occasion that can be expected in it, +some ships with sailors and soldiers, equipped and manned. I also sent +money and an order that, if any good or suitable ship be found, it be +bought; or that they should contract to have one or two built wherever +most convenient--or in Cochin, because the wood is harder than that of +this island. Don Diego Christino, chief commandant of that city, was +charged with it. According to the reply of Captain Gregorio de Vidaño, +whom I sent for that purpose, brought to me in the report that he has +made me of the affairs of Yndia, it seems that that state is in need +of reinforcements and special aid, as are we in this state of ours; +only we, although few, are living in comfort, God be thanked, and +if not with many forces, we are prepared and alert. Accordingly he +returned with the said urca which the viceroy gave him. The latter +sent me many offers of friendly offices in what might occur, and +such as should be possible for him, with expressions of very great +goodwill. I have believed them, for he is so gallant a gentleman, +as is currently reported. However, I doubt their practical results, +and would not like to find his aid necessary; for one can imagine +that the inhabitants of that state would put difficulties in the way +of it. That has already been demonstrated by experience. According +to the little that can be hoped from India, and of what they write +from Nueva España regarding the exhaustion of that country, and the +impossibility of getting from it any of the reënforcements necessary +in this country--as is evident from the so meager aid that has come +here--the sending by your Majesty of the fleet that you have offered +to these islands becomes unavoidable. You should see that the infantry +contingent be in excess of two thousand men; that the contingent of +sailors and artillerymen reach nine hundred--embarking them in such +vessels as can come with comfort. It should be noted that ships for +these regions and for the journey from España must not be less than +five hundred toneladas, nor much greater than six hundred. Vessels of +this burden, if new and strong, will be of very great service both +for war and for trade and commerce with Nueva España; and each one +will be assigned to the use most fitting to it, in accordance with its +build. And if they carry efficient troops and artillery, a quantity of +anchors and cables, capable commanders and sailors, and an order that +the money for their sustenance be provided, they will be very welcome, +whatever may be their fashion and build, as the restoration of this +country will be certain. This is the only remedy hoped for. I have +sent reënforcements of food, money, and other things, to the forts of +Terrenate, with which, according to the advices received from that +island, they are sufficiently provided until the regular time comes +again to send them help, as it is the usual custom to do. When that +time expires, which now is just the opposite of this voyage [i.e. to +Nueva España], I shall try, with God's help, to send, together with the +ordinary help, two companies of infantry, with some other soldiers of +those who have come this year from Nueva España. If I can increase it +to a greater number, I shall do so, by changing some of the soldiers +who have been there so many years, and leaving those that shall be +necessary for the defense of those forts. I shall also try to send +two galleys, as galleys are more important among those islands than +among any other parts of the islands of this region. I would already +have sent those soldiers, if the season had not hindered, after the +Dutch had left here; and until then it was impossible to divide the +forces which were being collected to oppose them. + +I have had many loud complaints from the forts of Terrenate, written +by religious and laymen, of the governor there, Lucas de Bergara +Gaviria--not only of his asperity and harsh government, but of his lack +of balance in other things. Since these complaints were so numerous, +I was obliged to get the opinion and resolution of the members of +this royal Audiencía; but at the same time came letters from Lucas de +Bergara Gaviria, asking permission to resign his post. Consequently +I was forced to seek some one to go there. After nominating for +that post the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba, as one to whom +your Majesty had entrusted that government, he excused himself from +going there, with arguments that he advanced for it. Accordingly +the master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, was appointed in his +stead. Although I consider the latter a man of so good qualities, +that I know of no one here who is better than he, still--both because +he goes with little desire to stay there (as he shows), and because +the choice of the one who must go to those islands will be very much +better if made by your Majesty's Council--I beg you to be pleased to +have the choice made, and to order that the person appointed for it +go immediately to discharge his duties. + +I do not altogether believe what is said and written about Lucas de +Bergara Gaviria, as this is a country where accusation is practiced +considerably, and even the giving of false testimonies; and in this +way some men make themselves feared. Such men have even obtained in +that way what they have not merited by other and lawful means. And +notwithstanding that in the long time that elapses before the truth +is established, the rival suffers, there is no one who will not +[finally] bear the stigma [of his wrongdoing], and especially if any +religious are dissatisfied. In such cases, there is nothing to do but +keep patient, and to pray God for a remedy, for it is the most cruel +persecution that is suffered. Seldom is a man so fortunate that with +but little to give he can satisfy many claimants. As each one tries +to favor his own client or clients, they all resent any other being +preferred to them; and their eagerness or partiality does not allow +the advantage of merits to be recognized, even if it be known. A +good example of this was seen during the term of the good governor, +Don Juan de Silba, who was discussed quite differently in writing +and in the pulpits than he deserved. Consequently, by having heard +these reports, I have resolved not to believe those which have been +written of Bergara; but when the investigation that I ordered to be +made comes, I shall advise your Majesty of what shall be considered +as true, so that you may enact what is most fitting for your service. + +I have not heard other Maluco news with the certainty that I may +affirm it. However, those items that are considered most certain are, +that the Dutch have a great number of ships, and although not more than +enough men, they still have sufficient for them; and the number of men +cannot be small if they can man the ships after leaving the necessary +men in their forts and factories. Of this and other details of their +and our forts, a long relation is given by Captain and Sargento-mayor +Alonso Martin Quirante (who is one of the most trustworthy soldiers +and one of the most experienced in those regions), so that it may be +sent to your Majesty with this letter. + +The English who go within range of the Flemish factories are +having fierce engagements and wars with them, according to the news +received. It has been learned from some that they [i.e., the English] +wish to ally themselves with us, so that we may together attack the +Flemish. Although I am not in relations with those people, they pledge +that those who do not confederate with them they will not fail to +regard as enemies. Meanwhile, there is no permission from your Majesty +to trade here; nor do they render the submission due, and which should +be assigned to them. Still, so that we may proceed in the service of +your Majesty with greater certainty, I entreat that you will have sent +to me the order that I am to observe in this, as well as toward some +Dutch prisoners who are here; it does not seem proper for me to put +them to death, as that would be in so cold blood, and it is even less +so to trust in those who desire liberty for themselves and evil for us. + +The king of Terrenate is also a prisoner here, and is causing expense +to your Majesty, and anxiety to those who guard him. In my opinion, +I do not know whether he can do us more harm, if he was in his own +country, than that which his son is causing us, who possesses the +country and has allied himself with the Dutch. On the other hand, +the king might cause revolt among themselves and their vassals, if +he tried to dispossess his son of the government, since the king is +so offended and so angered as he is with the ill-treatment that he +has experienced from his son. Will your Majesty ascertain what is +most to your service in this, and order me accordingly. + +I have been unable to make any investigation in the loss of the six +galleons that had occurred when I reached this country, of which I +immediately informed your Majesty. For, as Don Geronimo de Silba would +have to be blamed for it, as the one who was captain-general on sea +and land, and in the event of his acquittal, the blame must fall upon +another, or he would remain guilty; and inasmuch as he is protected by +the judge conservator with bulls from his order (that of St. John), +to which likewise is joined the assertion that an order from your +Majesty is necessary to make that investigation: for that reason, I +have been unable to investigate it fully and specifically, but 1 shall +fulfil whatever your Majesty shall command, on the arrival of those +orders. If now I should try to make any investigation I could not do +so, as I have heard so much different talk about it. In my opinion +such and greater disasters may happen, without any blame resting +on those who give the orders, or on those who execute them. Many +such disasters have been seen to occur, thus in the sea, when it is +excited by any violent storm--and more, since it is among islands, +where there is no place for the ships to run free. + +Don Geronimo de Silba has petitioned me to appoint him to the office +of captain-general of the artillery, with the officials and assignment +that it has in other districts. That has been refused him, inasmuch as +there is nothing here for which or with which to add that expense. If +I gave him the title, it was rather to fulfil your Majesty's decree +ordering it, than by any necessity of there being such an office. He +is also talking of a journey to that court, if your Majesty will be +pleased to grant him permission. + +I petition your Majesty to appoint, for the third person who serves, +one of such qualities and characteristics that he can succeed to +this government, if a person for that should be lacking, and to the +presidency, in case that your Majesty does not now wish the Audiencia +to succeed to everything; for if they always avoid having more than +one head, your Majesty's service will fare better--and of that we have +already had experience here, as in other regions. For the same reasons +it would be advisable for such a person to be governor of Terrenate, +and even the castellan of this castle; even if he should not have +to serve for more than his duties there, and with his counsels, +your Majesty would be excellently served. With that intention I have +proposed to your Majesty the persons whom I know, in my opinion, +to be suitable. Likewise other persons should be sent me for other +purposes, chiefly for clerkships [_officios de la pluma_] and for the +administration of the royal treasury. They should have been reared in +a good school and have exhibited good qualities; and they should be of +no other [than the clerical] class, because of the great importance +of efficient care, method, and system in the handling of papers and +accounts. That care and system signifies much in such employment, +and even more when it is lacking, since a deficiency therein is more +grievous. Inasmuch as the accountant, Francisco Lopez Tamayo, left the +department of accounts because of his advanced age and his ill-health, +I appointed Pedro de Lensarra as accountant in his stead. He came +in the caravels with Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra. I appointed him here +for this purpose for I thought him a man just and intelligent in +the matter, according to what I have hitherto been able to learn; +and I made more of his good qualities than of the jealousy exhibited +toward him by some, who call him a criminal and blasphemer--but I +am not surprised that it is rather unusual here to praise any person +very highly. What I can say of him is that the way in which he fills +his office has not as yet displeased me. On account of his report to +me and that of the royal officials, in response to an order of mine +issued for the correction of certain abuses, which I shall mention +below, I instituted a reform in them as follows. + +During the term of my predecessor a meeting was held by the president, +auditors, and royal officials then in office (some of whom still hold +their offices). In that meeting reasons were given, with precedents +and instances, that were deemed sufficient for them to resolve to +distribute among themselves and other officials of the Audiencia, +and the archbishop of this church, three thousand five hundred fanegas +of rice, at the price at which the grain is furnished as tributes to +your Majesty. Since I saw that there was no royal order for it from +you, and that no approbation of the resolution had come in so long an +interval; and considering that that quantity, and much more which is +added to it, is bought on the account of the royal treasury for the +ordinary expenses and rations furnished by the royal treasury, which +makes an assessment among the Indians in order to get it, and that +your Majesty pays for what we take, at the rate of four reals, and +at times four pesos--but more often without paying the poor Indians, +because [the treasury] has not the wherewithal; [and considering that] +for that reason of not giving those Indians the money and of the loss +suffered by them--who, in order to comply with the assessment, have +to buy at much dearer rates--not only resulted the harm in the loss of +the money, but sometimes loss of liberty to some, as they have become +slaves because of it: therefore, in order to reform so great an evil, +I have enacted that this rice should not continue to be given to us, +and that what has been received be restored, unless your Majesty +shall order otherwise. [84] I have enacted the same in regard to +four hundred pesos that were ordered to be given to the government +secretary every year, by a similar meeting of the royal treasury, +and excusing him from securing your Majesty's confirmation. Since +his office is such that he bought it for seventeen thousand pesos +at a time when it had no more perquisites than now, and not so many, +consequently, that increased salary will cease and the money withdrawn +on this account from the royal treasury will be returned to it. I have +ordered that the money which is generally removed from the division of +the accounts of probated estates [_bienes de difuntos_] here to that +of Mexico, without any benefit from their property for the souls of +the deceased or for the heirs, when distributed or invested by order +of the judge of those estates [i.e., probate judge] shall be placed +in this royal treasury. The necessary vouchers shall be given, so +that an amount equal thereto may be delivered to the division of the +accounts of probated property in that city from the money that has +to be sent from the treasury of Mexico on your Majesty's account to +this treasury here. Thus will be avoided the expense of carrying that +money to the port and the danger of the sea, while it has even greater +conveniences, without any hurt to the heirs. And although it appears +so just, as will be learned from it, persons have not been lacking to +resent the limiting and lessening of the handling of the money. In +regard to the accounts of the alms from the bulls I would do the +same, if the agreements and conditions of their collection allowed, +as it would have the same convenience as the aforesaid procedure, +and would prove a very great blessing to the inhabitants of this +community, by obviating the investment of this money and the space +that it occupies in the vessels that carry it to Nueva España. Will +your Majesty be pleased to ascertain whatever is most to your service, +and that orders be given to me accordingly. In this matter, as in +those above, there are not wanting some to oppose it. + +Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz, senior auditor of this royal Audiencia, +intended to depart this year with the vessels now about to leave +for Nueva España, but has deferred his departure both because of +his ill-health, from which he is recovering, and because I insisted +strenuously that he do not leave this Audiencia until the other +auditors of it become used to the despatch and customs of their +offices, and until they are more in harmony among themselves; for +since they are new men, and each one is self-confident in his own +capacity and sufficiency, they have had differences of opinion, +and partisans. Consequently for a year back there has been more +wrangling here, in suits in the Audiencia, than from the time it was +established. There would have been many more, had not Licentiate +Alcaraz, notwithstanding his many excuses and his advanced age, +been urged to attend it whenever possible, in order to avoid that +wrangling and the scandal resulting from it. He has endeavored to +bring them to agreement, a matter that caused him no little trouble, +and excused me from much, for finally the displeasure of those who +found that they could not do just as they wished, as it was not just, +has been shared between me and Licentiate Alcaraz. Concerning him, +I assure your Majesty that he is one of the discreet and sensible +judges in your service; and less than his going to take part in what +he deserves and in what can commend him to your Majesty's eyes, could +not console me at seeing him separated from me. For I do not know how +one who wishes to rule aright can have anything more to his taste than +such a counselor and one of so great experience in matters--such an +one whom, until now, I have been unable to have. And since I was so +assured of his good qualities, when I was about to embark in the fleet +to fight the Dutch fleet, I persuaded the said licentiate Alcaraz, +that if I died on that occasion, under no considerations was he to +forsake this country and the Audiencia until your Majesty should +have taken measures for all things. Although I gave clear reasons +for it, namely the long experience of the said licentiate Alcaraz +and other reasons, without thus touching on my distrust of the good +government of the other two auditors--although I could perhaps give +some different reason, if it were necessary--such was the spite that +those two exhibited toward us, that Licentiate Alcaraz tried to avoid +the charge of the government. At the end he conquered me and convinced +me to have Don Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano, archbishop elect of this +city, summoned to aid him in it; he was then absent from the city. The +latter is one in whom, besides his qualifications of devotion, +virtue, and learning, combine other qualities so good that they can +commend him for governments more important than this. Accordingly he +came to me at my request, and at the same entreaty he is staying, +and is daily putting me under new obligations to him, the greatest +of which is my seeing him so intent on and inclined to the service +of your Majesty, both in whatever pertains to his own office and +in what can aid me in mine. To conclude the account of what ensued +with the auditors--Licentiate Geronimo de Legaspi y Echabarria and +Doctor Don Albaro de Messa y Lugo--I shall say that whether for the +causes here written, or because of restraining them and trying to +reduce them to harmony and a desirable moderation; or because the +correction of justice is also overtaking the members of their families +(a matter on which I could debate by writing more); or, finally, +whether it be by deductions from these things (which I know not), +the two have so grudged their courtesies that they do not visit me +since I have come from outside--although I have been careful to go +to their houses oftener than was sufficient. Neither do their wives +visit mine. Will your Majesty be pleased to have them advised that +what they ought to do in this matter to another president than to me, +be not lacking to me. In other things, I shall manage with the fitting +mildness and delicacy, so that we all may proceed very conformably to +the service of your Majesty. I hope for this, for on my part there is +the desire and on theirs so many obligations. Very soon they will make +a trial of the obligations that they have in their offices. In order +not to neglect the fulfilment of my obligations and the discharge +of my conscience, I assure your Majesty that I do not consider it +advisable for your royal service that the present order be executed, +ruling that he who shall be senior auditor shall exercise the office +of captain-general because of the death of the governor; but [I +recommend] that, in case your Majesty should have appointed no person +for that purpose, the whole Audiencia, together with the archbishop, +shall appoint him, and the appointee shall remain subordinate to the +Audiencia, as are other captains-general, in the royal council of war: +Thus may be avoided the existence of two heads, which occurs with the +division of the departments of war and peace of the government, and +the great inconveniences that usually result from it. And according +to what I, as a Christian, believe, the inconveniences that could +be feared, were Licentiate Geronimo de Legazpi to take this office +(who in the event of the absence of Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz will +be senior auditor), would not be few; for as yet he is a person who +has not exhibited the capacity and qualities required for it. On the +contrary a certain incontinence has been noted in his morals. With +the scandal and bad example of that and certain inclinations in the +administration of justice, and complaints from persons to whom he +has failed to return money which he received from them to invest in +merchandise or to pay to them here, he has become as disreputable +as in other matters of his own private affairs. Since he allows one +of his sons, the eldest one here, called Don Atanasió de Legazpi, +to live so licentious a life, it is said of him that his father is +making amends for the fault of his son's bad rearing. He endures from +his son much disrespect, even fearing him and following his will in +unjust things. Hence it can be inferred that he who cannot govern +his own son will illy govern so many others. Further, with such a +counterpoise, and since this matter is so worthy of consideration, +and so important to the service of your Majesty, and since it is +not a matter on which I can take action here or which I can remedy, +I could not neglect reporting it to your Majesty, in order that you +may take those measures most suitable to your royal service. + +Auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez de Villegas has just arrived in that +ship from Nueva España, but he is in so poor health that he cannot +attend the Audiencia except in any necessary case when Licentiate +Legazpi and Don Albaro must have a third person. At such times he is +requested to attend so that certain business may not be delayed. He +has given many signs of prudence, wisdom, and good intentions. That is +what hitherto we have been able to understand of him; and I promise +myself that his person will be of great service to your Majesty from +his good beginnings and the many good qualities that are found in him. + +Licentiate Don Juan de Albarado Bracamonte, fiscal of this Audiencia, +has served in it and in the office of protector-general of the natives +and Sangleys of these islands, for eleven years, and, as I have thus +far understood, with great satisfaction and ability. He has ever +attended with peculiar care to the advancement of the preparation of +the fleets that have been prepared during that time, and to all other +matters of war and administration that have arisen. And according to +my good opinion of him, I would entrust to him even many more things +in matters touching your Majesty's service, and also with my own +affairs. As certain reports were made to me upon my arrival at these +islands last year, that were opposed to his method of procedure, +I endeavored to investigate them secretly and cautiously, and to +ascertain the truth concerning them. And although his duties are so +fitting and proper for the breeding of ill-will in those querulous +persons against whom he has prosecuted cases, or in his subordinates, +I have not found anything of importance that contradicts his rectitude +and integrity. Those are the qualities most to be esteemed in the +ministers of the Yndias. Consequently in consideration of his good +qualities, capacity, and skill, I regard him as deserving the grace +that your Majesty may be pleased to show him outside this Audiencia +in that of Mexico or Lima, in which I think that your Majesty will +be very well served. + +A few days ago while I was in Cavite attending to the fleet which +I prepared for the purpose that I have related to your Majesty, Don +Fray Pedro de Arçe, bishop of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, +and governor of this archbishopric, advised me that he heard that +certain persons were losing the respect due the college of Santa +Potenciana, of which your Majesty is patron. I replied to him that +I would immediately come to this city to procure the most suitable +remedy. Although I did so immediately without loss of time, I found +that Licentiate Legazpi, resolving quickly upon such notice as he +had, entered the said college and began to make investigations. He +examined witnesses on whom he used tortures. Upon seeing this case +already in this state, and considering the scandal and dishonor of +that royal house and of the guilty persons, it was judged necessary +for want of another remedy more honorable and private, to punish the +criminals as an example. Accordingly, by employing great diligence, +I had them arrested; and the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba, +having judged one of them in the first instance, by name Captain +Juan Lemoedano, and sentenced him to the gallows, he appealed to me; +but I have not been able as yet to examine his case because of lack +of the time necessary for it. The case of another, namely, Captain +Don Fernando Becerra, against whom there is apparently less proof, +has not yet been sentenced by the said master-of-camp, for he is +yet hearing evidence in it. From the investigations of this, guilt +is found against Don Juan Manuel de la Vega, ex-commander of the +ships of this line to Nueva España (son of Doctor Manuel de la Vega, +ex-auditor of this Audiencia), whom, according to the sufficient proof, +I ought and do condemn to be beheaded and his head exposed to [public] +view, and to the loss of one-half of his property. Nor is there any +necessity, for this [severity], to collect the evidence in the suit +brought against him for the loss of the galleon "San Marcos." He +was commander of that vessel when Don Juan Ronquillo fought with the +fleet of these islands against that of the Dutch at Playa Honda. He +appealed from this sentence to the royal Audiencia, where the case is +now proceeding--very slowly, because of the superfluous justification +that he is presenting. This has been an affair where it is desirable to +manifest great rigor; for otherwise the other correction that I have +tried to apply for the honor and defense of this royal house will not +be sufficient. On the contrary it would be a damaging precedent, so +that others might follow similar acts of audacity. In what pertains +to me I shall always endeavor to do justice, although, with these +appeals, it is impossible to do it in time, or with the energy that +is necessary. Especially in war, and as is customary in it, is rigor +at times necessary, and without any delays. Much more is it needed in +this land than in others, as dissimulation and failure to punish are +so usual in it. Thence result many acts of lawlessness, disobedience, +and crime, which inflict great injuries. To restrict them, punishment +is necessary, and without it no good government can result, even in +peace, much less in war. + +Certain doubts are wont to arise in the matter of jurisdictions, +and the Audiencia and I understand differently one of your Majesty's +decrees which treats of those doubts, which was issued at El Pardo, +November seventeen, six hundred and seventeen. In it your Majesty +orders that the master-of-camp try all causes, both criminal and +military, that touch the soldiers of the presidios, and the ordinary +pay of these islands; and also of the others who may not be ordinary +soldiers, if they shall have been levied for any purpose and have taken +arms in their hands. The appeals of all are to go to the governor +and captain-general. The Audiencia thinks that that should only be +understood in regard to those who may be levied and assigned pay +(as if, having that, there would be any difference between the recent +and the oldest levies), and not in regard to citizens when (because +of the absence of the regular infantry) they take up arms for the +guard of the city, or to go out in emergencies, as many are wont to +do. But I can not see how they could be ordered or how they would obey +with the punctuality that war demands, if the punishment of offenses, +disobedience, and other acts that are criminal in soldiers, were not +in charge of the military judges. In Ytalia and Flandes, the Spanish +soldiers have only one judge, namely, the commander of the army; for +although the masters-of-camp judge in the first instance in cases, that +is only exercised by them when away from the commander-in-chief. Will +your Majesty please order this matter to be examined and declare your +pleasure therein; also in what pertains to the soldiers of forts and +the other paid men in them, for I do not know whether your Majesty +has hitherto given the jurisdiction in the first instance to the +castellans by special decree. Likewise I do not know whether it has +been declared as to whom pertains the trial in the first instance of +the men in the galleys who have a general or lieutenant, or of their +soldiers; or to whom pertains the trial of those who are generally +added to and embarked on the galleys from the companies of this camp. + +It is also necessary to know who shall try in the first instance the +sailors and officers of ships, and those who work at ship-trades, +inasmuch as they have no commander or admiral, nor any lieutenant +of mine, in such charge, to whom it is committed by any decree of +your Majesty. The same doubt exists in regard to the artillerymen, +who now have a general of the artillery, as your Majesty has ordered +one to be appointed; and if, when that office is lacking or suspended, +it [_i.e._, the right of trial in the first instance] is vested in +the lieutenant or captain of the artillery, as it was before. I +have written this so long and specific relation to your Majesty, +as I desire that you may in each and every thing order what is most +suitable for your service. [85] + +I have found introduced here the custom that retired officers, upon +finding themselves without office, even though it be that of sergeant, +will not serve in the regular companies. Thence results a decided +inconvenience, for when a soldier has once become skilful and known +as a good man, and when he is admitted to greater obligations and made +an officer, upon leaving that office, not only are his services lost, +but even his person likewise, and he becomes corrupted, when outside of +military discipline. Consequently instead of the companies continuing +to increase their number of well-disciplined and old soldiers, +those who by excelling most and being the best soldiers have been +appointed officers, are daily leaving them, and there is a continual +lack of those particular persons who are the masters and patterns in +the companies for the new soldiers, of those who are trustworthy for +matters of importance and opportunity, and of those who are generally +the cause of the best results and the avoidance of ill. As causes for +not continuing their services in the regular companies, they assign +the fact that those retired are not given any preferments here, as +in other districts. Will your Majesty have considered the question of +whether it will be proper to give the usual additional pay in excess +of ordinary pay to retired officers who shall have served in their +offices in Flandes; and, before having those offices, the time set by +the ordinance that treats of it--even though it be not the additional +pay of Flandes, but that of España. By this method excellent soldiers +will be kept and your Majesty will be very well served. + +It has been the custom to send presents and gifts at your Majesty's +cost from this place to the king of Japon and to certain private +persons, great vassals, and lords of the ports of that kingdom, every +year when a ship was sent to that country for the necessary commerce, +and the provisions which it sends to this country--inasmuch as it +is the fashion not to deliver an embassy or message without taking a +present. For some few years back we have neglected to send any. Some +religious persons zealous for the service of God our Lord, and for the +conversion of that nation and the salvation of its souls, and likewise +for the welfare of these islands, desiring to have them as our best +friends in all this archipelago, have considered and even say that it +is well known that those Japanese have considered the decrease of the +commerce, and attributed it to a disrespect for their friendship; and +that consequently they were bound by treaty to prefer now that of the +Dutch--whom they loved not a little, because they gave and continue +to give them rich presents from what they plunder, since these do +not cost them much. Having considered this matter and that there are +certain conveniences in having friendly relations with that country, +which has and gives to this country many necessary and useful things, +and where our ships which ply between here and Nueva España are liable +to put it in distress on both the outward and return trips when obliged +by contrary weather as has been already seen and experienced--and on +such occasions it has been important not to have them as enemies, for +then the Japanese have given the crews of our ships a good supply of +necessities, and have shown them a positive proof of good treatment in +not seizing the so great profits and wealth carried on the said ships; +likewise having considered the friendship that they have established +with the Dutch, and the persecution there indicted on Christians and +their ministers, the Spanish priests, who preach the holy gospel: +I have esteemed it advisable to give a report of the matter to your +Majesty, so that you may have it examined and considered, together +with the written reports of certain religious, experienced in those +regions, as well as that of the fiscal of this Audiencia, who also, +I am told, discusses it. Will you order the procedure most advisable +for your royal service. + +I would not be fulfilling my obligations to the service of your +Majesty and to this land, unless I reported as to the faithfulness +of your Majesty's vassals here. For although it is true that this +region is a place of concourse, or a halting-place, for men of +different natures, qualities, and characteristics, who come here for +various purposes, many of which are not good, or are brought here, +and who leave their impress (and that not little) in extending their +vices--still there are, on the other hand, highly honorable and loyal +vassals, who attend to your Majesty's service with so great love and +willingness; and since the former comprise but the very least part of +the citizens of this city, who in all number less than five hundred, +not only did I find many who offered themselves and their servants to +take part in your royal service on the past occasion when the enemy +came here, but also they loaned me their slaves for the galleys, +and one hundred and ninety-five thousand pesos. With that I have +met the expenses of this camp for most of this year and of the other +troops whom your Majesty sustains in your pay. I also built new or +repaired the ships, both large and small, and galleys, and from them +collected a fleet. The enemy upon seeing that fleet in the port, +although it was not completely ready, did not choose to await it, as +above written to your Majesty--not even for the profits to be derived +from the ships that they were awaiting from China and Nueva España, +which would have meant no little blessing to them and no little harm +to us, if they had returned for it. All that relief resulted from +the aid of so good vassals, who, although paid from the money--as +were the Indian natives also, who have worked and given the supplies +apportioned to them for the above purpose--are even very deserving +of reward from your Majesty, if you esteem their service. + +In the above campaign, the most aid furnished me, by his person, +followers, and servants, was from General Don Juan Ronquillo del +Castillo. By his intelligence, assiduity, and labor, I was able to +make the preparations that I did; and I do not think that it could +have been done without him so well, with so incredible rapidity. Will +your Majesty be pleased to have this considered in his behalf, +on the occasions that arise for showing him honor and favor. That +favor that I petitioned your Majesty to show Admiral Rodrigo de +Guilleztegui last year, will be very well extended, for the reasons +then advanced. Don Fernando Centeno Maldonado, who is serving in +these galleys as commander of them, is a man who, by the honorable +rank of his birth, has personal merits and good qualities--so that +your Majesty may make use of him in his profession as soldier, or +in any other thing, even though it be a position of great labor. He +is the man for it, and one who will well use any honor that your +Majesty may be pleased to bestow upon him. Many judicial inquiries +[_informaciones_] are made here of merits and services; and although +there are some among them of men who have merits, and who have not +obtained their reward because of a lack in means to give it to them, +or in the failure of their said inquiry to obtain it, the majority +consist of the inquiries of men who are or could be ashamed. Of them +what they claim might be advanced as a reason for their not deserving +even what has been given them. Although it is always to be believed +that the auditors, to whom the inquiries are entrusted, ought to +make them, not only as judges, but as interested parties, so that +sinister inquiries should not be sent to your Majesty's royal Council +to defraud your royal treasury and the merits of those who have served +well, I assure your Majesty that I have heard that many inquiries have +been made with less justification than might be advisable. Moreover, +I am an eye-witness of the evidence taken so earnestly by Auditor Don +Albaro de Messa in the assembly in the case of one Juan de Herrera, +whose inquiry he had made. Because we did not detail so fully as he +wished regarding [the reward] that we informed your Majesty could be +given him, he refused to affix his signature after the opinion that +he there gave in favor of Captain Alonso Estever, a valiant man who +has served and serves very well. I do not know whether he has signed +in his opinion of Captain Antonio de Esquibel, which he also gave +to him at that time. In order that your Majesty may know with what +passions they proceed in this, and on what this was based, and may +see how little was the justification of this protegé of Don Albaro, +namely, the said Juan de Herrera (who it is said came here as the +servant of the factor Juan Saenz de Quen [86]--of which I am not at +all certain, since he has been a soldier here, and even a collector of +tributes and encomiendas, and once alcalde-mayor, when the Audiencia +was governing; and after his services in these employments, he was +found deserving of an encomienda of two thousand tributes, of being +appointed commander in the Nueva España line, and of an allowance); +because cognizance was not taken of this in its order, in the report, +Don Albaro was made especially angry. There are also other and less +justifiable inquiries, for there was an excellent notary, named Gonçalo +Velazquez de Lara, who forged many inquiries and other papers; and +who recently forged my signature, in order to defraud your Majesty +of the fees from the licenses of the Sangley Chinese. I sentenced +him to be hanged yesterday, so that he may do it no more, and that +others might be warned. + +The fathers of the Society of Jesus say that they need more religious +of their order than are here. They have asked me to petition your +Majesty to grant them the accustomed grace in this matter. What I can +certify is that whatever aid and concession your Majesty may grant them +will be well employed, for they are men who bear considerable fruit, +and not as many of them return [to Nueva España] as of the other +orders, particularly that of St. Dominic. Of the latter I have heard +that more of them than I would wish have left the order," [87] for they +are well regulated men and furnish a good example. Although they deny +it, I have come to believe that it is not because of the strictness +of their life, and that they can all endure it, if your Majesty +will order something to prevent it. Of the Order of St. Augustine, +I can tell your Majesty that I have heard that they have always +applied themselves very earnestly to their charge of facilitating +and executing all that has been, and is, necessary to be done in +your royal service. In what I have experienced hitherto, I am under +obligations to them to confess it, and of especial indebtedness and +gratefulness to the provincial, namely, Fray Alonso Barahona, [88] +and to the definitors; and inasmuch as it is a matter that concerns +the service of your Majesty, I have wished in this letter to mention +it to you. I shall close at this point, acknowledging the receipt +of only one letter that has come to me from your Majesty in these +vessels that have just arrived. It is dated El Pardo, November twenty, +one thousand six hundred and seventeen. Consequently with what I have +written, I have nothing more to reply to it than that I shall do all +in my power, as I ought and as I am obliged to do in fulfilment of +its commands, and in all that concerns your Majesty's service. May +God preserve the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty, as is +needed by Christendom. Manila, August 10, 1619. + +_Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença_ + +[Appended to this letter is the following, to which the clause of the +letter speaking of the fleet to be sent from Spain evidently refers.] + +On August third, one thousand six hundred and nineteen, Secretary Juan +Ruiz de Contreras ordered that Licentiate Antonio Moreno, cosmographer, +and Captain Juan Media, be summoned to confer with Pedro Miguel, alias +Dubal, a pilot, sent by his Highness, the most serene Archduke Alberto, +[89] to make a voyage to the Filipinas Islands in his Majesty's +service by way of the cape of Buena Esperanza or by the new strait +of Mayre. [90] In the presence of Don Lorenzo de Cracola, commander +of the fleet, he was asked which of the two routes seemed the most +suitable for the voyage of which they were conferring. He answered +that that by the cape of Buena Esperanza was most suitable, if the +voyage were to be made at the end of this year, because it could not +be made by the new strait, as it was now very late in the year. He +said that the season most suitable for that was any time in May; and +that although, in accordance with the voyages that he has made, the +Dutch sail from their country during any time of the year, he thought +that this fleet should sail during the month of March, notwithstanding +that he offered to make the voyage by sailing the last of November or +the first of December, as above stated. He supposes that by making a +way-station in the regions, and in the manner that the Dutch do, they +would spend thirteen or fourteen months; and they would not make the +time at all shorter by not having made the voyage by the open sea. He +asserts that the voyage by way of the new strait is much longer, +by at least one thousand leguas. He knows this as one who has made +the voyage by both routes, and the last time by that of Magallanes, +although not by that newly-discovered way called the strait of Mayre; +and because he has gone to Filipinas and Terrenate twice by way of +the cape of Buena Esperanza. He affixed his signature in presence +of the above-mentioned persons and of Cornelio Smout (who came +to España with the said pilot, having been sent by his Highness), +and by Henrrique Serbaer, an inhabitant of this city of Sevilla, +who served him as interpreter. + + +_Cornelio Smout_ +_Pedro Miguel_, _alias_ _Dubal_ +_Henrrique Servaer_ + + + + +GRANT TO SEMINARY OF SANTA POTENCIANA + + +In the seminary for orphan girls, which was founded in this city +by order of King Don Filippe, our sovereign and the father of your +Majesty, four classes of persons are sheltered: the daughters of old +conquerors and soldiers of these islands, who, as these have nothing +to leave them, are left unprotected; the illegitimate daughters of +Spaniards and Indian women (and they are numerous), every one of whom +is ruined if she is not sheltered here, because of the great laxity [of +morals] in the country; and all are taught and instructed until they +depart married. Some married women who quarrel with their husbands are +also sheltered there, until the trouble is smoothed over; and there are +some poor widows. It is a work of great charity, and one that prevents +great offenses to God. But it receives so little aid that the girls are +in need. They are barefoot and almost naked, have wretched food, and +live in very narrow, obscure, and damp, and consequently unhealthy, +quarters. They are treated at the hospital. They have a church, +so poor that it has no one to give it a shred as an ornament. The +rearing of the girls suffers great injury from their being mingled +with the married women, for there is no money with which to build +them separate quarters. All of these things are causes that prevent +them from living acceptably, and keep them under forcible restraint; +while from growing up amid so great poverty and destitution of all +things, they do not attract the attention of Spaniards, and lower +themselves by marrying Indians. Consequently, all the good ends +sought in their rearing are frustrated, and among those ends, the +growth of the Spanish population in these regions. I consider myself +as the chaplain of this seminary to advise your Majesty of all this +(for I think that it is contrary to your royal pleasure and purpose), +so that, as its author and only patron, you may correct that state +of affairs. It can be corrected by giving the institution some +more Indians in encomienda; by adding three more toneladas, in the +distribution of the cargo, to the three that are given annually; by +raising to thirty its twelve Indians of service, who bring it water +and wood; and by ordering that ornaments be given to its church from +the royal treasury, as is done to the other churches, and from the +royal hospital the necessary medicines, at the written request of +the physician and the rectoress. And at present, for enlarging and +fitting up the house, your Majesty could give some alms. For its good +management, your Majesty might aid the pious intent of Licentiate +Hernando de los Rios, procurator of this city, to bring nuns to found +a convent in this city, from which nuns might be sent every three +years to govern this seminary; for through lack of persons who can +be placed in charge of it, and who are suitable for that post, it is +and has been managed by only one woman, although four are needed. If +your Majesty wishes a more detailed relation of these and other things +of this your house, Licentiate Hernando de los Rios will give it to +you, for he is well informed of everything. Consequently I finish +by entreating your Majesty to have pity on these poor creatures, +who all continually pray for your Majesty's health, which may our +Lord preserve for many years. Manila, July 15, 617. + +_Juan Oñez_ + +_Petition_ + +Very Potent Sir: + +I, Diego de Castro, administrator of the seminary of Sancta Potenciana +of this city, and its majordomo, declare that the encomienda of +Indians was granted to the said seminary, as appears by the decree +I present under oath, both to send before the king our sovereign for +its confirmation, and to present to his royal Council of the Indias. + +I beg and supplicate your Majesty [sic; apparently error for +"Lordship"] to give me one copy or more of the said concession with +the judicial comment of his Majesty's fiscal, for the purpose above +mentioned; and to return the original for a warrant to the said +seminary, and for the sanction of the law in the whole matter. + +_Diego de Castro_ + +In the city of Manila, in public session of the Audiencia, on August +three, one thousand six hundred and seventeen. Give it to him, as +he asks. + +_Pedro Muñoz de Herrera_ + +I declare that I was summoned in Manila, August twelve, one thousand +six hundred and seventeen. + +_Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte_ + +And I, Christoval Martin Franco, chief clerk of the government and +military office of these Philipinas Islands, declare that I do now +despatch this matter because Gaspar Alvarez is prevented from doing it. + +I ordered to be drawn, and drew, the copy requested by the above +petition from the original concession which was presented for this +purpose by Diego de Castro, majordomo (and so at present) of the said +seminary of Santa Potenciana, and it is literally as follows: + +[_Marginal note_: "Concession of encomienda."] + +Don Juan de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and +captain-general in these islands; and president of the royal Audiencia +and Chancillería resident therein, etc. Inasmuch as the native towns +of Guas and Libon in the province of Camarines have been declared +vacant, because of the expiration of the period granted to General Don +Juan Tello de Guzman, who held and possessed them, and his failure +to establish a colony, as he was obliged; and since they are to be +given in encomienda as his Majesty commands: therefore, considering +the same, I place the said encomienda of Guas and Libon under the +royal crown, together with their subjects, tingues, and mountains, +according to and in the form and manner that the said general Don Juan +Tello held and enjoyed it, so that the retreat of Sancta Potenciana +may enjoy and collect forever the products and profits of the said +encomienda. The pension of five hundred pesos received annually from +the gambling-houses of this camp by the said retreat is repealed and +suppressed, provided it be paid the amount due therefrom up to the day +of this concession. In respect to the collection of the tributes of +the said natives, the appraisement last made for that province must be +observed, and it shall not be exceeded under any consideration, under +penalty of the ordinances, decrees, and provisions of his Majesty, +made for the Yndias. It shall be seen to that the said natives are +well treated, and instructed in the matters of our holy Catholic +faith; and in regard to that, it is charged upon the consciences [of +the directors of the seminary] and taken from that of his Majesty, +and from mine in his royal name. The Indians shall not be harassed +or injured by the collectors who go to collect the said tributes, +nor by any other person. Given in Manila, December twenty-seven, +one thousand six hundred and ten. + +_Don Juan De Silva_ + +By order of the governor: + +_Gaspar Alvarez_ + +The account of the concession of this other part was taken from the +record-book of royal decrees and other papers of this accountancy +of Manila. Given in that city, April twenty-eight, one thousand six +hundred and eleven. + +_Thomas Montero_ + +The above copy is faithful, and is accurately corrected and collated +with the said original concession, which was returned to the people, +and I refer to that. And the said petition and order I gave the +present, witnesses being Juan Vazquez de Miranda and Don Francisco +Veltran, citizens of Manila, where this is given on the fourteenth +of the month of August, one thousand six hundred and seventeen. + +_Christoval Martin Franco_ + +Corrected. + +Sire: + +The seminary of Santa Potenciana of the city of Manila, where your +Majesty has had the kindness to order the poor unmarried daughters +of conquerors to be sheltered, and which your Majesty sustains and +founded, declares that your governor Don Juan de Silva took from +it a pension that it possessed for the aid of its support in the +said city, and in its place, applied the products of the encomienda +of Guas and Libon in the province of Camarines, and apportioned the +said encomienda to your royal crown for the support of the girls and +for divine worship. The seminary petitions your Majesty to concede +it the grace of confirming that favor, since its service to God and +to your Majesty is so great. + +[_Addressed_: "To Secretary Santiago Florez."] + +[_Endorsed_: "The Council ordered, September 9, 1619, that the fiscal +examine the matter."] + +The fiscal declares that this confirmation is not asked for within +the four years, although the patent of the governor does not assign +any period for obtaining the confirmation; neither does it state +that a confirmation must be obtained. The work appears charitable +and advisable, and consequently the Council can grant it what favor +it pleases. Madrid, September 10, 1619. + +On the 23d of November, 619, the Council, after consideration, ordered +the governor and Audiencia, at the summons of his Majesty's fiscal, +to report on the value and advisability [of such grant]; and that for +that purpose a decree of investigation be given in legal form. They +shall cite especially what charitable works have been strengthened by +other encomiendas; the disadvantages or benefits that may result from +this; whether it is an estate that continues to increase or decrease; +and what harm may result to the royal patrimony. + + + + +REFORMS NEEDED IN THE FILIPINAS + + +Sire: + +Fernando de los Rios Coronel, procurator-general of the Filipinas +Islands and of all their estates, declares that, inasmuch as all +that community insisted that he come to inform your Majesty of the +distressed condition which it has reached, and of what was advisable +both for the service of your Majesty and that community's conservation +and advancement, he has come, for that reason, at the risk of his life, +after suffering so great hardships, to serve your Majesty and those +islands, for both of which services he has made this memorial of the +most necessary matters that demand reform. Although he thinks that +your governor, Don Alonso Fajardo, will remedy many of these things +(inasmuch as that whole community writes that he is proceeding as its +father), yet, since men are so liable to the possibility of death that +most often the good lasts but a short time, and (as we all know by +experience, for our sins), another may succeed who will inflict many +injuries; and since before the complaints could reach your Majesty +through so long a distance and the relief be sent, the men concerned +might be dead: it is necessary to prevent the wrongs ere they come to +be irremediable, as have been all those that have placed that country +in so wretched a condition. He petitions your Majesty to examine +this memorial with great consideration, for in [heeding] it consists +the welfare and conservation of all the kingdom; for that country, +being so far away, has no other remedy for its protection except your +royal decrees. The first ten articles of the memorial were approved +by your royal Audiencia, so that you may have no doubt of them. He +did not inform the Audiencia of the others for just considerations, +as was advisable--the city having given him instructions for most of +them, which are those that he presents. In the authority that he has +presented to your royal Council, the great trust reposed in his person +has been evident; for he has served your Majesty and that community +for more than thirty years, with so great a desire of acting rightly +as is well known, and has never tried to further his own interests, +as all [are wont to] do. + +1. He declares that having obtained two decrees from your Majesty +some years ago (while acting in this capital as procurator-general +of the kingdom), with regard to the trading-ships, ordering that your +governor and captain-general despatch them some time in the month of +June, as the greater part of their success in the voyage consists in +that, and as that country has no other fruits and harvests except that +commerce, for its conservation and increase, and also for the increase +of your royal treasury: not only have they not kept the said decrees +but have even done the very opposite. Thence have followed very many +great wrongs and annoyances; and that community is greatly exhausted +for that reason, and your royal treasury deeply in debt. [This affects +the community] not only in material possessions, but also in the loss +of your vassals, many citizens and sailors having perished for that +reason. Although it is believed that your governor and captain-general, +Don Alonso Faxardo, will (as is judged by his method of proceeding), +correct this matter, because he has entered upon his office with so +good beginnings, still, as he is mortal, and as a person may succeed +him who may not attend to this--as others of his predecessors have +failed to do, as has been seen hitherto: + +He petitions your Majesty to order that this command be observed +inviolate. The most efficacious expedient would appear to be to place +the governors under a heavy penalty, which they would incur whenever +they did not observe it, and that it be made an important clause in +their residencias. + +2. _Item_: That your Majesty issued a decree in the year 605, granting +favor to the citizens of that community, and ordering your governors +that the posts in the trading-ships be given to the deserving citizens +for their profit, and that many be rewarded with this. Inasmuch as +this is very advantageous to your Majesty's service and to the profit +of trade, and inasmuch as the ex-governor always gave them to his +relatives, and thus enriched them greatly, and the latter became +very arrogant; and since, as this was the affair of the governor, +no one dared to bring suit against them; and since this is greatly +to the harm of the royal treasury, because they lade quantities of +merchandise without registering it, and commit many illegal acts, and +will continue always to commit them, for no one dares to speak plainly: + +He petitions your Majesty to order the observance of the said decree +by ordering the officials of your royal treasury, that should the +governor appoint to such offices other persons than those whom your +Majesty has ordered, no account be made of it in the royal books, that +no salary be granted them, and that those appointed to these offices +have their residencias taken at the end of the voyage; and that, +until these shall be taken, they cannot be appointed to other posts. + +3. _Item_: That your Majesty has granted to the citizens the toneladas +of the said trading-ships, and that your governors allot these, +to each one according to his rank and wealth. The citizens have +been greatly injured in this, as happened in the year 613, when the +governor despatched two small ships, and did not give the citizens one +single tonelada; and under pretext of granting gratuities to retired +officers, the citizens were obliged to buy space for their freight +from those officers, at exorbitant prices. Further, he apportions +a considerable number of toneladas to charitable institutions, so +that they may sell the space and use, and the price obtained for +it; and thus these toneladas are given to the great injury of the +common welfare. The further disadvantage follows from this (besides +defrauding the citizens of the reward given them by your Majesty) +that the toneladas are sold to whomever will pay most for them, and +they are bought for this reason by merchants who have companies in +Mexico. Consequently, it is quite common for such men to own a great +part of the said merchandise of the ships, and thus the citizens are +deprived of the profits with which your Majesty has rewarded them. + +He petitions your Majesty to order that these be not distributed at +will, but that the orders given in this regard by your royal decrees +be obeyed, and that the violation of your royal will in this be made a +clause of the residencia, with the penalty that may be assigned to it. + +4. _Item_: That your Majesty has ordered that four vessels be built +for the trade, of 200 toneladas' burden; and that two of them make +voyages each year, while the other two remain in port getting ready +for the next year. + +He petitions your Majesty that they be not employed in other matters +by your governors, unless it be an urgent necessity, as happened last +year, when they went out to drive off the Dutch enemy who had besieged +us. In such case the citizens themselves shall go out in them to defend +the city, since the profit of the citizens is so necessary in order +that that community may be settled, and have the sinews with which +to defend and preserve itself. They shall not be sent to Maluco or +any other district, since thus your Majesty is no less defrauded of +your royal duties. + +6. _Item_: It happens that your governor and captain-general has to +send to Great China for ammunition and other articles very necessary +for your royal service. In order not to anger the Portuguese of the +city of Macan, the ships go to its port, although they could go to +another. There they are compelled to buy through the Portuguese, +and are not allowed to buy from the Chinese in the city of Canton, +the Portuguese alleging that the Chinese would charge them excessive +rates. But they, as we have experienced, buy the articles needed, +and afterward oblige our agents to take them at excessive rates, +reselling them to your Majesty to the great prejudice of your royal +treasury. That happened in my presence when Don Juan de Silva sent +Captain Francisco Lopez de Toledo for that purpose. He brought +back the supplies at prices more than thrice their value. While I +was acting as the said procurator in China, I bought nails for less +than sixteen reals per pico, or five arrobas, and Toledo brought them +hither at fifty-six; and other things after this manner, because the +Portuguese compelled him to buy through them. + +He petitions your Majesty to issue a royal decree, so that the persons +sent on a similar commission by your governor may buy freely; and, +where they cannot buy freely, they may make another port, where they +can trade with the Chinese; and that the governor send an experienced +and practiced person on this errand. + +7. _Item_: Inasmuch as the ships built in the Filipinas cause your +Majesty great expense, and have ruined and exhausted the natives; +and inasmuch as your Majesty owes them a great sum of money from the +time of Don Juan de Silva, for their personal services and things +that he took by force from them: it is very advisable, not only for +your royal service, but also for your royal conscience, to relieve +them from so great oppression. + +He petitions your Majesty to order your governors that they be +prohibited from doing this, and that they send to Yndia to have the +said ships built; for besides their incomparably greater cheapness +there, one built there lasts as long as ten built in Filipinas, because +the woods in Yndia are incorruptible. In this your Majesty will save +a great sum of ducados, and the natives will be relieved of so much +hardship. For that a decree from your royal Council of Portugal is +needed, and it should be charged upon the governor of Filipinas to do +this with the mildness and prudence advisable. If it is desired it can +be easily effected, and it is of great importance. Of all this he has +more minutely treated in clause 7 (which corresponds to this clause) +in the memorial which he brings approved from Filipinas. + +8. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to do him the favor to order the +viceroy of Nueva España [91] not to allow a vessel to go thither from +Japon (which is a most serious evil), and to order that gate to be +closed; and, inasmuch as the Japanese do not know how to navigate +without a Spanish pilot and sailors, to have an edict published +forbidding such persons under severe penalties (which he [_i.e._, +Coronel] does not declare, because he is a priest) from sailing in +such ships to Nueva España. For that, in another guise, means to teach +a barbarous nation how to navigate, and is rash, and opens the gate +to many evils, for which afterward there will be no remedy. It will +even be advisable to order father Fray Luis Sotelo not to go to Japon, +for he was the one who began this, and it may be feared that he will +further it. + +9. _Item_: There is no entrance to the city of Manila except by the +mouth of the bay, and the Dutch enemy is wont to seize that mouth, +and not allow any ship to enter or leave--as has happened thrice, +namely, the years of 10, 15, and 17--thereby placing the city in +great straits. But it may be presumed that this can be remedied by +opening up two rivers--one in Zambales, called the river of Tarla; +and the other in Laguna de Bombon, where it was resolved in the former +year of 17 that some one should go to examine it, because of their +great need--although this was not effected on account of the success +obtained in driving away the enemy. + +He petitions your Majesty, for the reasons here stated, to order the +governors to consider that matter and examine this matter, and to +charge themselves with it, as it is a thing of so great importance; +and, if it be feasible, to put it into execution with the mildness and +skill that is advisable, without injuries to, or extortions on, the +natives; and that they send for that purpose a prudent and competent +person. For, if the Spaniards possess these routes, the enemy can +do no harm to the city, nor prevent it from being supplied with all +necessaries. Besides, this is of the highest importance for the service +and accommodation of the mines that have been ordered to be opened; +and it will avoid the loss of many Spanish and native vessels that +are continually being lost. [92] + +15. _Item_: Inasmuch as the Indians of the islands of Mindanao and +others near by are declared enemies and are in insurrection, and +have embraced the religion of Mahomet; and inasmuch as they have +confederated with the Dutch, and committed incredible depredations +on the vassals of your Majesty, both Spaniards and natives, and there +is no security there: + +He petitions your Majesty to charge your governor straitly to try to +punish them, and to attend to that carefully, since it is of so great +importance; and inasmuch as it will be of great help in facilitating +this, to declare those people to be the slaves of whomever captures +them in war, since through the greed of gain the natives will help +willingly, and the soldiers will go much more eagerly. He petitions +that you have your governor proclaim them as such, establishing the +above facts with sufficient investigation, and justice on the part +of your Majesty to order it; and that this be done quickly, since it +is so advisable to your royal service and the security of your vassals. + +16. _item_: That whenever any cause that concerns the governor or +any of your auditors or the fiscal is to be voted on in the sessions +of your royal Audiencia, he petitions your Majesty to order that such +persons shall not be present at the meeting; for their presence is very +undesirable, and the execution of your royal justice is obstructed. In +regard to this, many disorderly acts have followed, as has happened +when opponents have left the session, and even offensive words have +been bandied. + +17. _Item_: That your Majesty order that neither governors nor +auditors send people thence to this court. That is very annoying, +as has been seen in the one sent by Don Juan de Silva. + +18. _Item_: Your Majesty is served by the Indian natives as soldiers +in Maluco and other regions--who, as we know by experience, serve very +faithfully; and so long as they are at the war, they cannot attend to +their fields and sustain their households. And in the repartimientos +which are generally made by the governors, both in personal services +and in food, the chiefs and cabezas [de barangay], through whom the +apportionment is made, practice great cruelty on the wives of those +soldiers upon whom they make the said repartimientos, thus giving +occasion for the women to sell their children, or to take to evil ways. + +He therefore petitions your Majesty that such repartimientos be not +made on women whose husbands are thus engaged in the war in your +Majesty's service, and that they pay no tribute until their husbands +return--also making this concession to those whose husbands shall +have died in the war; for not only will this be a service to your +Majesty and to our Lord, but the natives will thus be encouraged to +go to service willingly, and many wrongs will be avoided. + +19. _Item_: That the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical affairs in the +islands of Maluco is subject to Eastern India. Innumerable troubles +result from the archbishop of Goa having to place ministers there, +who, being of another nation and under another prelate, act very badly. + +He petitions your Majesty to grant him the favor to decide that this +jurisdiction be subject to the bishop of Cibu, who is the nearest +one, and that ministers be provided thence--which can be done easily, +as it is so near, while it is done very inadequately from India. + +20. _Item_: In regard to the trading-ships between Filipinas and Nueva +España and the numerous things worthy of reform (which is advisable +both for the royal treasury of your Majesty and for the community, +and for the avoidance of many death of the seamen), that which it is +advisable straitly to charge and order your governor is the following: + +That the accommodations given the commander be moderated, conforming +to the capacity of the ships. We have seen them during those years +laden by the commanders with a third of the cargo, because they are +relatives of the governor, under pretext of having a dispensation of +taking the space of fifty toneladas. + +20 [_sic_]. _Item_: That the said commanders, admirals, and masters, +give the residencia for their posts before being appointed to others, +which your Majesty has ordered by a decree of the year 604. + +_Item_: That the masters in the port of Capulco [_i.e._, Acapulco], +in addition to the duties that are paid to your Majesty, charge +excessive prices for the guards of the boxes, barrels, and other +articles of merchandise, without anything being due them; and these +fees were not formerly charged, because their office is given to them +for that purpose, and that duty [of guarding freight] is annexed to +it. He petitions your Majesty to order the royal Audiencia of Manila, +or the governor, to set the price that they can charge; and, if they +exceed that price, those aggrieved can make claim in the residencia. + +21. _Item_: That your Majesty be pleased to order your governor to +be careful, in the muster-roll of sailors and common seamen made out +by the royal officials, that all such be efficient; for it happens +that a ship may take sixty sailors, thirty of whom are men who +have been named as sailors without any knowledge of their duties, +but only by favor. Then in times of need there are not any to work, +and the few who do understand it cannot attend to the work, which +should be divided among so many. Consequently there is signal danger, +because the voyage is so long and difficult. + +22. _Item_: That it be ordered that the common seamen who serve in +the said ships, who are always Indian natives, be all men of that +coast, who are instructed how to navigate; and that they be made to +wear clothes, with which to shelter themselves from the cold; for, +because they do not, most of them die in high latitudes, of which he +[the writer] is a witness. Inasmuch as the factor enrolls other Indians +who live in the interior, and who do not know the art of sailing, +and as they are a wretched people, they are embarked without clothes +to protect them against the cold, so that when each new dawn comes +there are three or four dead men (a matter that is breaking his heart); +besides, they are treated inhumanly and are not given the necessaries +of life, but are killed with hunger and thirst. If he were to tell +in detail the evil that is done to them, it would fill many pages. He +petitions your Majesty to charge your governor straitly to remedy this. + +_Item_: That inasmuch as the kitchens where the food is cooked are +not located in the first part of the forecastle, as is seen in [ships +on] these seas, but in the waist; and inasmuch as at the first storm +the sea carries them away, after which each one cooks his food in +his messroom where he can make a fire (and it is a miracle from God +that the ships are not burned)--he petitions your Majesty to order +your governor to remedy that, since he is so excellent a sailor. The +reason for that abuse is that the officials appropriate the largest +storerooms of the ships. + +23. _Item_: That slave women be not conveyed in the ships, by which +many acts offensive to God will be avoided. Although that is prohibited +by your royal decree, and it is also entrusted to the archbishop to +place upon them the penalty of excommunication and to punish them, +this evil has not been checked; and many sailors--and even others, +who should furnish a good example--take slave women and keep them as +concubines. He knew a certain prominent official who carried with him +fifteen of these women; and some were delivered of children by him, +while others were pregnant, which made a great scandal. + +24. _Item_: That no sailor, and no passenger unless he be a person of +rank, be allowed to take more than one male slave; for they load the +ships with slaves who eat the provisions, and steal whatever they lay +hands on, besides the risk that is run of a plague being started by +them. He also petitions your Majesty that the fifty pesos paid as duty +on each slave be moderated, and that these imposts be paid according +to the tariff in España; and that these duties be paid in the port +of Capulco--where by selling the slaves, their owners may have the +wherewithal to pay the imposts; for it is a great inconvenience to +pay them in Manila. For that reason, great deceits are practiced +on the royal treasury now; for they take the slaves without being +registered, because of the high amount of the duties, and are allowed +to take them off at the port [of Acapulco] for twenty pesos. If the +said duties were moderated, and paid in the port, no one would take +them without registering them, especially since the said slaves serve +and aid the sailors in their necessities, and your Majesty gives them +no allowance of either food or water. Consequently in no part of the +Indias is so large a duty paid. + +25. _Item_: Inasmuch as the good treatment of the sailors is so +important, in order that they may be inclined to go there, since +there is so great need of them, he petitions your Majesty to order +that good treatment be shown them, and they be given leave to take +away their boxes in which they carry their clothing and certain small +wares freely, without having to open them. For in this matter the +guards practice many extortions on them, and take away their little +possessions, and harass them so that many refuse to return, and many +acts of oppression are practiced. + +26. _Item_: Inasmuch as the officials of the vessels, such as +commander, master, boatswain, etc., lade a quantity of merchandise +beyond the share given them, and overload the ships by occupying +the place of the ship's stores in the storerooms and magazines; and +inasmuch as this cannot be checked, as has been seen: there is no +other remedy unless your Majesty order the clerk of the register not +to receive on the register more than only the allotment of shares +that your governor makes; for he proportions the cargo which the +vessel can carry, in accordance with its need, and anything more only +overloads the ship. But if these goods were not admitted to register, +the officials would not dare to lade them, because of the great risk +of their being seized as smuggled goods. Consequently great losses +would be avoided by proceeding in the above manner. + +_Item_: That neither your governor nor auditors and fiscal be allowed +to act as godfathers to the citizens; for that involves very great +annoyances, as that kingdom is so new, and as all make claims. + +27. _Item_: That it is the practice or abuse that fowls are given to +your governor, auditors, and other officials of the royal Audiencia at +lower prices than are current; and that the governor of the Chinese +is ordered for that purpose to allot the share of all [the Chinese], +and each one is obliged to give weekly so many fowls at a certain +low price, and he who does not give them is punished and fined. The +worst thing is that on this occasion the governor of the Chinese +steals as many more, at the same price. That amounts to a vast sum; +for, since there is no other flesh eaten except beef and pork, these +fowls amount by the end of the year to more than twenty thousand. In +this way signal injury is done to the Chinese. + +They also provide their houses with rice, which is the usual bread; +and they take it as well as other things from your royal storehouses, +at the prices for which they are given to your Majesty as tributes. It +results that your Majesty's treasury, in the course of the year, +encounters a deficiency of supplies, on account of the great expense, +and these must be bought afterward at very high rates. He mentioned +this so that your Majesty should provide what may be deemed advisable; +for it is a pity to see your Majesty's treasury poorly administered, +since it is so necessary there. [93] + +28. _Item_: Inasmuch as certain regidors of the city have their +encomiendas in the Pintados Islands and other districts, and as the +governors, in order to annoy them, command them to go to live on the +encomiendas, thus obliging them to leave their offices, to their own +great loss and inconvenience; and as that is even the cause of their +being unable to exercise their offices with freedom, in order not to +anger the governor: he petitions your Majesty that, if your governor +thus urge a regidor to go to live [there] in person, he may maintain in +the said encomienda a soldier in his stead, since it is the same thing; +and it shall be understood that he is under no further obligation. The +same also is to be understood with the leading citizens of Manila. + +29. _Item_: That your governor of Filipinas, in recent years, +requested from your viceroy of Nueva España many kinds of supplies, +such as rigging. One year they carried him fifty thousand pesos' +worth of it; but the freight charged for carrying it from one sea +to the other alone amounted to a vast sum of money, and the rigging +arrived at the islands rotten and useless. For ten thousand pesos, the +Indians would make twice as much as what cost fifty thousand pesos. He +sent for damask for the flag to the sea of Damascus; and six varas of +it cost less than one in Nueva España. He sends for garbanzos, habas, +biscuit, soap, and many other things, which cost their weight in money; +and when they reach the islands, they are rotten and useless. Those +things can be provided in the Filipinas with great advantages; and +where your Majesty spends one thousand, they can be bought there +for one hundred. And, as above stated, there are many other articles +besides those I have mentioned--such as flour for the hosts, which +in the islands costs less per quintal than does the freight alone for +carrying it from the port of Capulco. He sends for preserves for the +sick, who never taste them. All the above can be very well avoided, +and it is enough to send money, and to order that these articles be +provided there. Your Majesty would have saved in these last eight +years more than five hundred thousand ducados; for those who have +the handling of most of those things profit greatly from them. + +29 [_sic_]. _Item_: Inasmuch as some religious commit great excesses in +making repartimientos among the Indians for works that they invent for +the natives; and also take from them their fowls, swine, and other +food at a less price and inflict on the Indians great injuries and +vexations, not only in regard to food, but also to increase their +own profits: + +He petitions your Majesty to order your governor, as protector [of +the Indians], to check those excesses--and the archbishop as well, +since he may have in this respect a better opportunity to check them; +for some of the religious cause more injury to the natives than could +be told here. It is extremely important that this evil be stopped, +and that the religious be not served by the Indians, unless they pay +the latter their just wage; and that, unless they have permission +from your governor, they shall not make repartimientos on the Indians, +nor make them serve on their works. [94] + +30. _Item_: That there are four orders of religious in those +islands--those of St. Dominic, St Francis, and St. Augustine, and +the Society of Jesus--and they are well known there. On account of +the trouble caused by other orders going there, and the necessity of +having to make new allotments for mission work, he petitions your +Majesty that no other orders may go there--even though they be the +same orders in name, under pretext that they are of another mode +of living; for Fray Luis Sotelo endeavored to introduce there the +calced friars in the Order of St. Francis, while the people are well +contented with the discalced friars. And the other orders should be +made to understand that the land is very new, and does not need so +many different kinds of religious. [95] + +31. _Item_: Many Chinese marry native Indian women, and become +Christians and live near the city of Manila. Their only occupation is +as retailers of goods. If they were to be gathered into one place, in +a location that should be given them where they could build a town, +in order to cultivate the land and sow it (for they are excellent +farmers, and there is so much fallow land that might be given them), +not only would they be very useful to the community, but numerous +troubles that follow, because they are hucksters and retail the food, +would be avoided. This is especially desirable because in this manner +they will become more domestic and peaceable; and, since the number +of those born is thus increasing, the city will not have so much +security as if they were collected together, nor can this be done +hereafter so easily as now. He petitions your Majesty to charge your +governor to do this, by the best plan that offers. + +32. Great difficulty arises from the governors placing in the city +magistracy relatives or dependents of his household, or those of +the auditors. Because a certain ex-governor did that, nothing was +enacted in the cabildo that he did not know, and of which he was not +informed. Consequently the cabildo does not proceed with any liberty, +nor does any one dare talk with Christian freedom, or defend the +community in grave cases. He petitions your Majesty to order that +such persons be disqualified to act as regidors, or as alcaldes or +scriveners of cabildo (which has resulted in the same difficulty). + +_Item_: Your Majesty granted favor to those islands and their +inhabitants, so that they might be encouraged to work gold mines of +which only the tenth part of the product should be paid for twenty +years, which time is about at an end. He petitions your Majesty +to grant that country favor for another twenty years, so that the +operation of the mines may be better established. + +33. In regard to the inspection of the Chinese vessels, when they come +with their merchandise, your governor appoints an inspector. The +ex-governor was wont to appoint a member of his household. On +that account notable wrongs have been committed; but no one has +dared to demand justice against the inspectors, because they are +such persons. He petitions your Majesty to order that this post be +filled by one of the alcaldis-in-ordinary--who, inasmuch as they +understand the great importance of conserving that trade, and as it +is a matter that grieves them, will show the Chinese good treatment, +since it is incumbent upon those officials to consider the interests +of their community. + +34. _Item_: That the trading-ships that navigate to Nueva España have +sometimes not been despatched, for personal purposes of the former +governors, which is to the great injury of your royal treasury and of +the citizens, since those ships are the sinews of that community. He +petitions your Majesty to order your governor to prevent such a thing, +so that, unless compelled by a very great necessity, the annual +despatch be not neglected. + +35. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to order your governor not to +exclude the regidors of the city from appointments in accordance with +their merits, since they derive no profit from the city magistracy, +and are serving the community. + +36. _Item_: He petitions that your Majesty be pleased to order that +religious be provided, belonging to the orders there, for there is +great need of them + +37. _Item_: The maintenance of commerce with the Chinese, and the good +treatment of those from that nation who dwell in those islands, are of +so great importance that that community cannot be maintained without +them (as they practice all the trades needed by a city), and it is +advisable to treat them well. But your governor, Don Juan de Silva, +after having levied upon them so great a tax as the annual payment +of nine reals of eight for permission to remain in the country (which +meant, however, to impose this tax on the citizens, since because of +it all prices were raised), besides this made them render personal +services, by which they were sorely vexed. He therefore petitions +your Majesty to order your governor to treat the Chinese as well as +possible, and to exempt them from those personal services, which are +a greater burden on them than are the licenses. This should be done, +also, since they are foreigners, and remain voluntarily; and, moreover, +since there is so great need of the kind and just treatment and equity +which should be extended toward foreigners for their conversion, +inasmuch as the miracles which in those regions secure conversion +are good examples. + +38. _Item_: That about two thousand Japanese generally reside in +that city; and that, as trading ships come annually, many Japanese +remain there. But they are not only of no use to the community, but +a signal danger, since they have three or four times placed the city +in danger of being ruined. In this last encounter with the Dutch, +Japanese went to them who gave them information; and on the day of +the battle a company of them who fled from Manila went to help the +enemy. He petitions your Majesty to show that kingdom the favor to +order straitly that no Japanese remain there; but that those who go +there every year must return to their own country. + +39. _Item_: Inasmuch as the Indian natives have been so ruined by +the past shipbuilding, and your Majesty is indebted to them, for +personal services and things taken from them by Don Juan de Silva for +your royal service, more than one million [pesos]: he petitions your +Majesty to order your governors that now and henceforth they shall +endeavor most carefully to avoid, as far as possible, harassing the +Indians; and that they shall also avoid the building of galleons, +since, as stated in another memorial, these can be brought from India +at a much less cost to your Majesty; and that an effort be made to +remunerate the natives for a part of the debt due them. + +40. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to command that a copy of the +commercial decrees be given him, that he obtained formerly when he +was in this court in this same office; for the last governor took +possession of the decrees when the packet in which they were sent +to the city fell into his hands, and refused to give them up, but +kept them. + + +Most potent sire: + +The procurator of the Filipinas declares that, having to descant upon +the matters of that kingdom that need remedy and reform, both for +the service of your Highness and for the welfare of that kingdom; and +as he had considered and discussed them before leaving that kingdom; +and considering his many years of experience, which best demonstrates +what is needful for that kingdom's prosperity: the first thing that +occurs to him is the following. + +First: That the cabildo of the city of Manila, inasmuch as certain of +the regidors are appointed by the governor and at times from his own +household, suffers very great troubles because they are unable, when +discussing the common welfare in the said cabildo, to do it freely, +or to advise your Highness of what is expedient, because those persons +tell it to your governor. And, as is often necessary, if they have to +write the truth of what is occurring, if it is against the governor, +they know that he will hear of it, and will be angry at them, as has +sometimes occurred; and he has even arrested them, and has spoken +to them roughly and harshly. Inasmuch as the said governor is the +soul of that community, and the one who must reward their services, +and is even the cause that nothing but what he wishes is done and +written; and inasmuch as many times certain prominent persons and +leading men refuse to act as regidors, and those persons who would +be very desirable to retain therein have left the cabildo: + +I petition and supplicate your Highness that those who enter the +said cabildo because of the absence or death of those who are now +members be appointed by the entire royal Audiencia. Those appointed +shall be nominated by the said cabildo and the said royal Audiencia +shall select one of the two who shall be nominated; and your governor +shall be unable to remove him, just as if he were appointed by your +Highness. By this method this trouble will end, and a confirmation +of this request should be sent. + +_Item_: Inasmuch as the said regidors do not have any profits, and +as, on that account, those who it is important should be regidors +refuse to act: if they were assigned some just reward they would be +eager to defend their community. This reward could take the shape of +one-half tonelada for each regidor, in addition to his allotment in +each ship. Consequently, they would be encouraged to work and would +oppose the difficulties that arise. + +_Item_: Will your Highness please grant me a royal decree that +the governor may not compel the said cabildo to go to his house to +hold their meetings; but that they always hold them, as is usual +and customary, in the said city hall, so that they may freely +discuss what is advisable for your Highness's service and that of +your community. For sometimes the governor has ordered the regidors +to meet in his house to hold a session of cabildo, contrary to the +privileges of the city. + +Further, I petition your Highness to give me also a duplicate of the +royal decrees which have been drawn for the last ten years in favor +of that kingdom, so that, having them in its possession, they may be +executed when expedient. + +_Item_: When the insurrection of the Sangleys occurred, there were +many houses near the walls, whence they did us much mischief until +these were destroyed. Your governor, Don Pedro de Acuña, ordered that +no edifice be built within three hundred paces of the wall. Will your +Highness please to have the ordinance of your governor confirmed for +the city's perpetual defense. + +_Item_; That the orders and monasteries have established several +settlements about Manila, so that they can keep Indians in service +for their own works, causing the said Indians to be reserved from +personal services. For this purpose they depopulate the encomiendas, +and bring the people to Manila, and those settlements become dens +of thieves and vagabonds, and of hucksters and retailers who buy +provisions at wholesale for their retail trade, and enhance their +cost; and commit many offenses against God. I petition and supplicate +your Highness to order that those settlements be broken up, that the +Indians go to their own districts, and that only one dozen Indians +remain for each monastery. + +_Item_: Inasmuch as the care and vigilance that should be exercised +toward foreigners is of great importance for the security of +that kingdom, so that it may not again suffer a disaster like the +last--especially toward the Chinese nation, with whom more risk is run, +since they are very greedy and cunning, and are bribers who easily +corrupt the judges with bribes and gifts: therefore, in order to +remedy this now and henceforth, it is advisable that a competent, +energetic, and disinterested person be chosen in that community, +who shall have under his charge that duty of cleansing the country +and giving licenses to those Chinese who are to stay, and he shall be +accompanied by a regidor. Inasmuch as, were the appointment of such +person in charge of the governor alone, it might, as it is an office +of profit and honor, be given to some of his servants or followers, +or as an investment, it is necessary that the selection of such person +be made by the entire royal Audiencia and the cabildo of the city; +since it is of so great importance, as it is the weightiest affair of +that community. Since so many will take part in the election, they +will cast their eyes on a person who is suitable for this post. To +such person the most ample commission must be given, and he shall +proceed as is the custom in war against criminals; for in any other +way, were opportunity given for appeals and suits, he would accomplish +no good. I know that from my own experience, as a person who had that +duty in charge for four years, and who labored arduously in it. + +_Item_: That your Highness order straitly that no person keep +Sangleys in his house or allow them to sleep inside the city under +any consideration (for in that matter I accept no person of that +community); and that the said judge may punish such transgressors +with heavy penalties, without any one being able to prevent him. + +_Item_: It is fully as advisable that no Japanese be [allowed in the +city], which is a great cause of trouble. For they are, on the one +hand, a warlike race, and easily come to blows with the Spaniards, for +they will not suffer ill-treatment. Consequently they have sometimes +risen against us, and have seized arms. This has occurred because +some soldiers have desired to harm or injure them, whereupon they, +to revenge themselves, seize certain cutlasses that they carry, and +begin to assemble together. They may place us in exceeding great +danger. On the other hand, if we are careless in permitting them, +many Japanese will come. We are in great danger, besides, lest some +take to the highways, for among those who come from those kingdoms +of Japon are many who have fled for crimes, and who have no right to +return to their country. Likewise [it is advisable to restrict their +coming] in order to preserve the friendship of the emperor; since, +if we do not retain them in that kingdom, there will be no occasion +for any event of treachery that should force us to break friendship +with him. I petition your Highness to order this straitly, and that +the said judge also have it in charge. + +_Item_: There are certain depositories in the said islands called +"commons" [_comunidades_], in which each Indian places one-half fanega +of rice at the annual harvest season. Those commons were ordained +with the object and purpose that they might serve the said natives +in time of need, by relieving the poor and lending to other needy +persons, who return it at the harvest. The plan would have been of +great importance had that end been secured; but what actually occurs +is, that the alcaldes-mayor sell the rice, or appropriate and loan +it, and never return it. And between the stewards and the religious +for feasts of the village (for they are those who have charge of the +Indians of the missions), at the end of the year all the rice has been +used, so that the needs of the poor Indians are not succored. That +waste can well be avoided; and they regard it as another very large +tribute. Therefore, it is advisable for the service of God and the +welfare of those poor natives that your Highness order the said commons +to be suppressed. If it be necessary to keep them, it is advisable +that the governor of the Filipinas order that there be one reliable +steward in each one, who shall have charge of the said depository; that +no magistrate or religious put into or take out of the said commons; +and that during any time of necessity the rice be lent to the poor; +and at the harvest it be paid in kind. If this were to be put into +execution, it would be of great importance, according to an opinion +that I expressed on this matter in the Filipinas. If the above plan +were observed in the commons round about Manila, some forty in number, +there might be, as a result, one hundred thousand fanegas of rice +or more on the occasion of any sudden need, which could be placed +within the city very speedily; for, as the city has no depository, +the greatest danger of the Spaniards, in case any enemy besiege them, +lies in their capture through famine. With this the remedy would be +secure, and at the same time the Indians would be fed and aided in +their needs. When it was expected to place this plan in execution, +the said governor sent three of his servants, with a salary of seventy +reals to be paid by the commons. Those men, who consisted of judge, +alguacil-mayor, and clerk, remained at each commons, balancing +accounts and making investigations until all the contents were used +up on their said salaries. Consequently, they established order or +agreement in nothing, and all remained as before. For this reason, +then, affairs are going to pieces; for men are not sought for the +offices, but offices to accommodate whomever the governor desires. + +_Item_: That many posts for alcaldes and corregidors have been +created by making two such districts out of what was formerly one, +so that the governor could accommodate persons to whom he was under +obligations. That is much to the cost of the Indians, and [an offense] +to God and to my conscience; for the multiplication of those offices +means the multiplication of those who destroy the Indians and inflict +innumerable injuries upon them. I petition and supplicate your Highness +to order the said corregidors' and alcaldes' districts remade as they +formerly were. + +_Item_: That the governor be warned to endeavor to avoid, as far as +possible, the injuries inflicted upon the natives in the cutting of +wood and in personal services; for they sometimes draft them in the +planting season or at harvest, so that they lose their fields, as I +have seen. In addition to this, many times they do not pay the Indians, +because there is no money in the treasury, which is continually short +of funds. This often arises from the fact that they do not estimate +and consider the needs of the Indians with the amount of money that is +available; and consequently all the Indians complain. Finally, when +the said Indians are paid, it is done by the hand of the chiefs or +cabezas de barangay, who generally keep the money. Will your Highness +be pleased to order the governor and royal officials to avoid the +above grievances as much as possible; and when it is necessary for +the Indians to perform any personal labor, which consists generally +in the cutting of wood, to see that it be when they are not busied +in their fields--for that can generally be avoided--and that they be +paid the just wage, and that promptly. For acting in any other way +burdens your royal conscience, since those who perform such service +are very poor, and do not dare to ask for their pay, if it is not +given them. Consequently they very often do not receive it. In this +way are they much burdened by personal services. + +_Item_: Considering the nature of the Indians, who are generally +indolent and lazy--inasmuch as the religious have always forbidden +them to pay the tributes in kind, insisting that they be allowed to +choose for themselves in what they wish to pay it, consequently the +rate of living has risen greatly. The country is steadily going to ruin +because the Indians are not compelled to pay in kind; for they refuse +to plant or cultivate, and all engage in mercantile pursuits, seeing +that they can easily gain the ten reals which is the amount of their +tribute. Although the effort has been made to remedy this by another +way--namely, by official visits from the alcaldes-mayor, in order that +they may rear fowls and plant fields, the result of that has been to +strip them of their possessions. For when the alcaldes-mayor go to +inspect them (that is, every four months), and do not find the fowls +that they have ordered the Indians to rear, they sentence them to a +pecuniary fine. Such is the Indian that he does not take warning from +that, nor will he work unless he knows that he must pay the tribute +in kind. Moreover, it often occurs that the justices themselves take +from the Indian the fowls that he has reared; and then when they go +to visit him and he does not have them, they punish him with stripes +and fines. Thus they practice many injustices against the Indian; +but, if he knew that he had to pay in kind, he would rear the fowls +as formerly. + +_Item_: There is one abuse very worthy of correction, which is, that +the religious and alcaldes-mayor keep certain Indians in service, +whom the village grants weekly, and who are called _tanores_. Those +Indians have to serve for nothing, which is contrary to justice and +their rights. This was introduced from the custom in Nueva España. Will +your Highness be pleased to order that the said _tamores_ [_sic_] +be suppressed, or that they be paid for their toil. For they make use +of such Indians, and manage to be well served at others' expense. It +is also the custom to give fish freely on Friday, at the cost of the +village, to the alcaldes-mayor and also to the religious. + +_Item_: That the royal Audiencia shall not try the suits of the +Indians in the first instance; for all the cases are brought before the +Audiencia, and the Indians spend all their substance with lawyers and +attorneys, and even go into debt, for they are fond of litigation. And +since suits conducted by audiencias last so long, the Indians spend +all their substance, which means the ruin of the country. Since your +Highness has ordered that such suits be tried summarily and orally, +will your Highness be pleased to order that that decree be observed; +and that the alcaldes-mayor and justices try in the first instance, +and in the second in a case fully proven, so that the Audiencia may +give sentence therein, and despatch the suits quickly. + +_Item_: That, although your Highness has ordered that the Indians be +not fined pecuniarily, your order is disregarded, especially by certain +officials of the doctrinas [_i.e._, missions]. There is considerable +abuse in this matter that deserves remedy. In some districts, also, +very large fees are collected. Will your Highness be pleased to order +this remedied, I mean the taking in some districts of these fees by +officials of the doctrinas. [96] + +_Item_: The governors have appointed captains, masters-of-camp, and +all sorts of military officers among the natives. They allow them +to have company colors, and finally are teaching them how to fight +after our manner. That means, even if we should need the Indians, +naught else than to awaken one who sleeps, until what he has practiced +becomes his purpose. + +_Item_: The Portuguese of Malaca carry to the islands many +slaves--negroes, for the most part. Those are generally the worst ones +that they have, and they are drunkards, thieves, and fugitives, who +take to highway robbery; and they endanger the country considerably, +because of their number. Will your Highness be pleased to order that +no one of the said negroes or slaves be carried thither, when twelve +years old or over, under penalty of confiscation; and that that order +be rigorously executed. + +_Item_: That when the governor or auditors leave their offices they +give their residencias in person; for this is of great importance, +so that they may have fear in giving the residencia. [97] It it also +advisable that public suits, both civil and criminal, be prosecuted and +concluded in course of appeal and petition in the royal Chancillería +of Manila; for it disheartens all to have to come so many thousands of +leguas, or to send with so great expense and hardship. Consequently +their grievances continue; and many, although they seek redress, +have not the means to obtain it. The said governors, inasmuch as they +represent your Highness, should treat the citizens with respect, and +not use abusive language to them, nor insult and affront them--as they +have often done, so that certain men have all but died of grief. The +governors have even exposed the citizens to great danger, by not +treating them well by word of mouth. Will your Highness please order +the said governors to be very restrained; and, should any merit it, +that he be punished as your Highness has ordered by your laws. + +_Item_: Because of the increase of business in the city of Manila, +and the number of inhabitants, it is necessary for the proper despatch +of business to have one or two more notaries-public. + +In regard to the prompt despatch and equipment necessary for your +Highness's two vessels that sail on that line with the trade and +merchandise of that kingdom for Nueva España (which involves the most +important affairs of that kingdom), the reform and careful management +required by that despatch are very necessary and worthy of great +consideration; for during the last ten years they have managed that +just as they pleased, most often despatching the ships beyond the +time when they were formerly despatched, and often poorly equipped +and overladen. Consequently many vessels were wrecked with a great +amount of property, in which your Highness has also lost much. And the +citizens of Manila, when they might be very prosperous and wealthy, +are, thanks to him who has despatched the vessels, very needy and +poor--so much so, that they could not collect a gratuity to give +me. Since it is a matter of so great importance, if your Highness be +pleased to order the observance of the plan that I shall set forth +in these articles, as a person who has so great experience in it, +and which has been for some time in my charge, the necessary remedy +will be applied in the following manner. + +First, that the ships be despatched by the middle of June, and that +this be an inviolable law; that a fine of six thousand pesos be +imposed on the governor, to which your Highness shall immediately +condemn him if he do not despatch them then. The reason why this +is so necessary is because the vendavals generally set in at some +time in the month of June; and if they catch the ship in the port, +it cannot sail until that first monsoon passes. That usually lasts +fifteen or twenty days, or one month. If they are caught outside +during this weather, they can sail until they reach the district +and altitude where they find the usual winds, with which they can +make their said voyage easily. Consequently, they will pass Japon, +which is the point where all the difficulties of the said voyage lie, +with good weather. If the said monsoon ceases, and the ships are caught +inside the bay, as a general thing another wind, the brisa, begins to +blow, so that they are detained. Consequently, when they make the said +voyage, and reach the neighborhood of Japon, it is already September +or October. Accordingly it is necessary to run great risks, and they +must suffer many storms, with which the ships lose their rigging, +are wrecked, or have to put into port in distress. If they proceed +on their course, inasmuch as they encounter the rigor of winter, and +because of their high altitude and their departure from a warm land, +many men die; their gums decay and their teeth fall out. [98] If so +great severity is not exercised, this matter will not be remedied. + +_Item_: The ships sail very unevenly, and heavily laden, so that +one-half the ship's stores are left above decks; and as the sailors are +unable to attend to necessary duties or to move about in the ships, +in the first storm the stores are all carried into the sea; and the +men left without necessary food, especially live fowls, which means +their very life. On account of their heavy cargoes they are unable +to set all sail or to resist squalls, so that they founder, put into +port in distress, are wrecked, or are long delayed on the voyage. + +Again they often sail poorly repaired, because of the fault of the +shore-master [_patron de ribera_] who has charge of them. It is +necessary to remove him from that post; but, although the city has +tried to do so, it has been unable to secure redress. Thus, it is said, +the ship "San Antonio," which was wrecked in the year six hundred and +four, carried rotten timbers throughout; and in it were drowned over +three hundred persons. That said year of six hundred and four, General +Don Diego de Mendoça made port in distress, and gave the information +of which I present a copy here; he said that he was carrying rotten +masts. Inasmuch as this matter is very long, it will not be discussed +here; for, as I am a priest, it is not advisable for me to do so. In +order that the neglect that there has been in this matter may be seen, +never have the governors or royal officials investigated who has been +the cause, or why the ships have put back in distress or have been +wrecked; for that would mean to make a report against themselves. More +than four of them would have been punished rigorously had they made +reports, and had your Highness known the culprits. + +_Item_: Inasmuch as the said ships sail so unevenly laden, the seamen +do not have protection from water and cold. Consequently, they +fall sick, and it has even occurred that they die and are frozen, +which is great inhumanity. It is very pitiful to see what occurs in +that navigation. + +_Item_: The fireplaces in which the food is cooked are left above +deck, open to water and air, where the first storm carries them +off. It becomes necessary after that to make a fire in earthen jars +in various parts of the ship, at a very great risk of all perishing +and the ship burning--besides the fact that if it rains they cannot +cook their food. For all this it is necessary for your Highness +to order that the ships of the said line that shall be built shall +carry the fireplaces under the forecastle, and as is the custom in +this line of the Yndias; and that the storerooms of the officers of +the ship do not occupy that space. The officers sell the storerooms +to the passengers for considerable money, and stow goods in them, +which is not among the least of all the troubles. + +_Item_: That the freight and cargo that the said ships must contain +be stowed in the first hold, and that between decks shall be only the +ship's stores, the chests of the sailors, the messrooms, rigging, +sails, and all necessary supplies. They should carry even rigging +for the port of Acapulco, since there is rigging at Manila which is +very cheap; and then your Highness will not have to spend vast sums +in taking it from San Juan de Lua to Acapulco overland, which is one +hundred and fifty leguas. + +_Item_: That all the passengers who shall come from Filipinas to +Nueva España in the said ships should pay a fare of two hundred pesos +if they have a berth or messroom under deck, and those who do not so +have berth or messroom, one hundred pesos, as an aid in the expenses +of the ships. This should be understood not on the outward trip +[to the islands] but on the return trip. [99] + +_Item_: That the sailors be not allowed to take aboard more than one +chest of goods, of the size assigned by the governor; for there is the +utmost confusion in this regard, and the sailors are allowed to carry +two or three very large chests, larger than common. They overload and +embarrass the ship; and, under pretext that they are carrying their +clothes, they take those chests full of merchandise. + +_Item_: That all the passengers shall carry swords and bucklers +and arquebuses; and that the royal officials shall place on ship +arquebuses, muskets, and lances for the sailors. Those weapons are +cheap in Manila; and with them, and the artillery carried by the +ships, the latter will be well defended. They need no soldiers for +the return trip [to Nueva España], for rather the ships then carry +too many people. + +_Item_: No passengers or sailors shall carry with them slave women, +a practice which gives rise to very great offenses against God. Such +shall be regarded as confiscated in the port of Acapulco. This is very +advisable, for many persons carry these women as concubines--not only +the owners of them, but others in the ships. It is not right that there +be any occasion for angering God when there is so great risk in the +voyage, as I dare to affirm; and it is certain that, in the last ten +years, while this has been so prevalent, many disasters have happened. + +_Item_: That there has been great disorder in regard to lading the +ships because it has been entrusted at times to very greedy persons, +who, having but slight fear of God, sell the toneladas to, and lade +for, whomsoever they wish. Thence it generally results that the goods +of the poorest and most needy are left ashore, after the poor have +invested their capital; and, after they have paid the duties to your +Highness, they are left ruined. Consequently, the ships sail laden +more with the curses of the poor than with merchandise. That is the +greatest pity, and this evil is worthy of reform. Never has that been +punished. The reform that can be established is, that the overseers +who shall be appointed to assist in the said lading, be appointed by +open cabildo; and should such persons refuse the post, they shall be +compelled to accept it. If they are chosen in this manner, a mistake +cannot be made in the election, since all are known. The governor +shall confirm the choice, and he will thus be exempted from trouble +and will be freed by this from the complaints that he generally incurs, +because the blame is always laid on him. Certainly it belongs to him, +since, he does not appoint those that he should, but whomever he +wishes to advantage, who are at times his own servants. + +_Item_: That the said ships are very ill provided with the ship-stores +necessary for the sailors; and on that account the poor sailors spend +their wages in buying provisions for the voyage. That is a great +abuse, and for that reason the ships are also overladen. Likewise +they should carry some fowls for those who fall sick, especially the +Indian common seamen, who are treated like dogs. The Spanish sailors +are more accustomed to provide such things for themselves. Inasmuch +as that voyage is so long, and no fresh provisions can be obtained on +the way, very many fall sick. For a remedy to that, God has placed, +midway in the sea and on the voyage, an island that serves as an inn +in the middle of their way, just as the Portuguese in their voyage +have one at the island of Santa Elena, where they get fresh food. That +island, which I call Rica de Plata, is large, and over one hundred +leguas in circumference. Although some ships sight it in passing, +inasmuch as its ports are unknown, no one dares to get fresh food +there. It is thought to be inhabited, for some signs of habitation +have been seen. It is very necessary that a small vessel sail from +Manila to explore it, and that it look there for a good port, so that +the ships can get water and wood, and reprovision. The exploration +of it may be of the highest importance. It is necessary also because +near that region the ships generally lose their rigging in storms, and +they can be refitted and repaired there, and can continue their voyage +without having to put back to Manila. I advised your Highness of that +some years ago, as it is so important for that voyage I believe that a +decree was sent to the governor in a former year [100] to explore it; +but that must be ordered again. A man of experience should be sent, so +that he may display the prudence and make the exploration requisite, +in accordance with the art and science of hydrography; and likewise +so that he may live in Manila and examine the pilots of that line, +and make faithful and accurate sea-charts. For that purpose I shall +give him considerable enlightenment by giving him the documents on +the demarcations, and the information that I possess, on which I +have labored much in order to serve your Highness. Nowhere does your +Highness need a cosmographer so much as in that land, for many things +that arise and may arise. + +_Item_: A plan occurs to me whereby the ships that have to sail in that +line may cost your Highness less than half, and a vessel last twice +as long, compared with those that are built in Filipinas. Likewise +the Indian natives would be saved many hardships and annoyances in +the cutting of timber, which they have to do for the building of the +ships. This consists in the governor going from Manila to Vengala +and Cuchin in India to buy the ships; for they sell them there made +from an incorruptible wood together with a quantity of extra rigging +made of _cayro_, [101] which is better than that of hemp. With the +rigging alone that can be imported from there, the cost of the ship +can be saved. Thence Lascar sailors can be brought, who are cheaper +and are very good seamen. All the Portuguese of those parts use +them in navigating, and they are very needful in the Filipinas. They +will come very willingly and will save your Highness a considerable +sum. For that it is necessary to send orders to your viceroy of Goa, +and to the chief commandant of Malaca, to protect the Lascars who +shall go thither, and not to harm them. + +_Item_: Your Highness granted a concession to the city of Manila of +a decree ordering your governor Don Pedro de Acuña to assign to the +cabildo of the said city seats in the cathedral, as was befitting +the chief municipal body of that kingdom. As yet these have not been +assigned, because the wives of the auditors sit inside the principal +chapel, where the said cabildo generally sat--that is, opposite the +seats of the auditors and governor. + +I petition your Highness to have the said seats assigned, and to order +the wives of the said auditors to sit elsewhere, since in none of the +Yndias do the latter sit in the principal chapel, thus depriving the +said cabildo of their seats. + +_Item_: The royal magazines have very few muskets and arquebuses for +the defense of that kingdom. I petition your Highness to be pleased +to have a quantity of arms sent, and also to order that they be +distributed among the citizens; and that the latter pay those who +give them those muskets and arquebuses the price that your Highness +shall have paid for them there, and the costs [of transportation]. + +_Item_: The province of Nueva Segovia, the most northern province of +the island of Manila, which is very near China, is a very good and +fertile land. It is becoming entirely pacified and quieted. There +the Order of St. Dominic is in charge, and they are gathering much +fruit. It is the best land in the islands and the most fertile. There, +inasmuch as the climate is temperate, the products of this country +can be produced, such as wheat, fruits, and other food. It lies in an +excellent region, and has there a Spanish city, called Nueva Segovia, +which gives name to the said province. It has but few inhabitants now, +because the encomenderos of that district go to Manila and desert +it. Will your Highness be pleased to order the said encomenderos to +live in the said city, and your governor to make efforts to settle +it, especially with people who will cultivate and sow the land, so +that that district may retain its excellence. For that purpose it is +very needful that the said governor appoint an alcalde-mayor for that +district, who shall be a lieutenant-governor, and who shall keep his +office for three-years; for [the usual] appointments as alcalde are +for but one year, and one can learn to know the country but little in +so short a time. It is necessary that the judge that shall go there +(and so that an influential and satisfactory man might be able to +go there) be given a good salary; and that that province and that of +Ylocos, which lies next to Nueva Segovia, be subject to him. That is +very necessary for the welfare of those two provinces, which are very +far from Manila. + +_Item_: Will your Highness be pleased to give me a good master +shipbuilder, or authority to look for one, and another intelligent +person as shore-master, to assist in the despatch and repairs of +ships. He should be a Spaniard and not a foreigner, like the one +there now; for in former times, when Doctor Antonio de Morga, your +auditor, sailed out against a Dutchman who went to those islands, +while two ships were being prepared to attack the Dutch, two holes +were bored in one of them one night, and it began to sink, and the +sails were taken out and hid in the woods. It was not discovered +who did it, nor was any investigation even made. But one may readily +presume that some enemy to us did it; and indeed we can not settle +our suspicions on anyone. In order to investigate these and many other +actions worthy of punishment or correction which have occurred there +in these matters, and in others--for instance, that in other parts of +those islands they gave that same Dutchman food, and there was some +person who communicated with him; while it is even said that they +showed him how to get out of a harbor that he had entered, and from +which we considered it impossible for him to sail--and finally there +are many things to correct and reform, and burdens to be removed +from the Indian natives: for all these it is necessary for your +Highness to appoint a person there to make official visits through +the country. It is as necessary as the inspection itself that such +shore-master be a disinterested person and a resident of that country; +for if he is after money, he will do no good. Hence, if your Highness +be pleased to appoint such an one, there are ecclesiastical persons in +the Filipinas, as for instance the bishops, especially he of Çibu, Fray +Pedro de Agurto, who is a saintly man; an ecclesiastic, the archdeacon +of Manila, called Licentiate Don Francisco Gomez de Arellano, a most +zealous servant of God, and a father of that community--one who seeks +no money, but rather gives all his income in alms; also a Dominican +friar, the commissary of the Holy Office, who is an excellent man; +and another friar of the Order of St. Francis, called Fray Juan +Baptista. These men, besides having experience in the country, +and knowing what demands reform, are men disinterested and wholly +competent and capable. Entire faith can be given to any one of them, +with assurance. If the visitor be not one of the inhabitants there, +it is inadvisable to send him, nor is it my intent to ask for him. + +_Item_: For some years past, some Indians living near by, +and our enemies, of the islands of Mindanao, Jolo, Burney, and +other neighboring islands, have become emboldened and have gone +beyond bounds. They are Mahometans, and have ruined those Filipinas +Islands--pillaging and capturing the natives, burning the churches and +images, and cutting the images with knives and destroying them, to the +great injury of our holy Catholic faith. This has reached so shameless +and bold a pass that no one--not only natives but Spaniards--dares to +go among the said islands. Those enemies have rendered the said natives +very liable to revolt, by coming daily to plunder them, and to carry +off their possessions, and their wives and children captive; and in +fact they have revolted several times, and taken to the mountains, +saying that since the Spaniards do not provide for their defense, +they will not pay tribute. Some, who are more loyal, say that, +if they are allowed to carry arms as before, they will defend their +country. After examining the cause of these troubles with great care, +the following considerations have presented themselves. + +First, that, according to the command of one of your Highness's royal +decrees, such men [_i.e.,_ the Moros] cannot be slaves. As they are +a race from whom the soldiers can get no other booty, because the +Moros do not possess it, they fight unwillingly. If the soldiers +could make captives of them, they would become very eager, and that +would be a great incentive for the soldiers to destroy them. There is +less incentive for them to capture those people than to kill them, +as they do now. Again it would be very useful to the said islands, +for the natives would also be encouraged to go to war because of their +eagerness to possess slaves to cultivate their fields. Therefore, will +your Highness be pleased to order that those people be made slaves, +since their enslavement is so justifiable and of so great service +to God; or that this matter be committed to the royal Audiencia and +archbishop and bishops to determine, inasmuch as they have the matter +in hand. + +_Item_: There are two other nations in the island of Manila +called Zambales and Negrillos. They are a people who live in the +mountains. They go naked, and are highwaymen; and their only ambition +is to cut off heads, in order to swallow the brains. He is most valiant +and influential who has cut off most heads. No woman will marry any one +who has not cut off some heads. They are so inhuman and churlish a race +that they do not care whether those whom they kill are women, children, +or men. They obstruct the most needed road in the island, and occupy +the best land. They are near the province of La Pampanga, which is +inhabited by an agricultural people, who support Manila. They prevent +the latter from cultivating their fields, for seldom can the Indians, +whether men or women, go out to cultivate their fields, without their +heads being cut off. Although the governors have often sent soldiers +to punish them, scarcely have the latter ever killed one of them. For +they run like deer, and have no village or fixed abode. They do not +sow grain, but live on wild fruits and game. The most efficacious +remedy will be for your Highness to order that they be made slaves +of the natives of the province of La Pampanga; for with this, through +their greed to capture these enemies so as to cultivate their fields, +the Pampangos will subdue the country in a very short time, at their +own cost. I petition your Highness to commit this matter, as above +stated, to the Audiencia, archbishop, and bishops. This is a matter +of great importance. Slavery, as practiced among the natives, is such +that they are almost not slaves at all; and the system is of great +benefit to the country. If this matter be not remedied by the above +method, the many depredations that are committed will have no check. + +Also, the reason why the enemies have become emboldened beyond +their wont is for the lack in those regions of ships fit for that +warfare. For that, it must be known that those people use certain light +craft called caracoas. Those craft are short and undecked. They have +one palmo, more or less, of freeboard; and they carry eighty or one +hundred Indians who act as rowers, who use certain oars one vara in +length. Each of these vessels carries ten or twelve fighting Indians, +no more. They cannot take the open sea, except when it is very calm +weather, nor do they carry provisions for even one fortnight. When +we Spaniards used those craft, and others called vireys, which +resemble them, they greatly feared us; for, since those craft were +as light as their own, we made great havoc among those people. And +finally--although at great cost to the natives who were drafted as +rowers--those ships made the country safe; for they fought after +the manner of those people. Those vessels are not used so much +now, for in truth they cause great injuries to the natives. I do +not know whether I can say that they even care any longer for the +damage inflicted by the enemies, one reason being that they are +badly paid and badly treated, while their wives and children are +left to starve to death, and their crops go to ruin. The governors +of the Filipinas, in their effort to avoid that trouble [_i.e._, +of hostile raids] have built galleys there since the time of Doctor +Francisco de Sande until now. As I have seen personally, and as all +the inhabitants of that country know, the galleys of the Filipinas are +their destruction. The reason is that the rowers are a weak people, +and their food is not very nourishing. Accordingly, it has happened, +even lately--during Don Pedro de Acuña's term, when the galleys were +best supplied--that the crew have continued to row a galley for six +hours, and that two convicts fell dead, while the others stretched +themselves on the deck exhausted; and even if the overseers killed +them, they could not make them move. For that reason, and because the +seas have strong currents between those islands, and continual winds, +the galleys are of little use. + +Another reason is that, since the galleys draw much more water than +the enemy's vessels, when the former try to make land they can cause +no injury. Another reason is that the galleys are generally anchored +in the river of Manila, and, when any necessity arises, before they +can leave the port they have to get provisions for the crew. Often +it is necessary to seek contributions of food from house to house, +because there is none in the royal magazines. If the wind is only +slightly contrary, which is generally the case, the ships cannot move, +and when they finally begin to look for the enemy, the latter are +at home, and laughing at us. Another reason is that the galleys are +an intolerable burden, which it is impossible to sustain. They have +so consumed the supplies, and so endangered the royal treasury, that +other very necessary things cannot be attended to. Further, they cause +the ships of the line, to be short of necessities and poorly equipped, +because in attending to the construction of the galleys, they neglect +the ships. And since there are many ship-worms there in the river, +which eat the ships, it is necessary to rebuild them every year, and +to be continually repairing them. Further, they are dens of thieves, +who are always assaulting and plundering the Indians. In short, they +are the destruction of that community; and hitherto have accomplished +nothing, either good or bad, that is of any importance. Further, +your Highness is under great expense with them in paying their many +salaries. Consequently, as there is little cloth in the Filipinas +with which to clothe so many, everything is, of necessity, going to +ruin, where the expenses are not measured by the revenues. All the +above evils can be corrected by ordering ships made according to the +plan and model that I left with the governor at my departure; for, +considering the said wrongs, and wishing to remedy them, I made a +ship at my own cost, which has the following peculiarities, of which +I give a description. + +They are vessels that carry no more than seven oars to a bench, +although larger or smaller ones can be made. Each one will cost +your Highness two hundred and fifty ducados to build; and will +with two-thirds as many or even fewer rowers, carry twice as +many soldiers as do the caracoas. The men are protected from sun +and shower in excellent quarters which neither the caracoas nor the +galleys have. They carry food for six months, a thing which those +other vessels cannot do. They are very swift sailers, so that there +is no ship that can pass them when there is not a contrary wind +that prohibits sailing. They respond so readily to the oar, that +while testing that ship before the governor and all Manila, against +the swiftest galley of all, I left the galley more than half-way +behind. They carry sufficient artillery to destroy the vessels of +all the enemies that we have there, except those of pirates when such +should go there. For the latter it is necessary to have large ships; +and it would be advisable to keep there a couple of fragatas like +those built in Habana by Pedro Melendes. + +Those ships above mentioned are not only useful for war, but can +save your Highness many expenses in ships, in carrying food and the +tributes; for, in the time while I had it, about two months, until +after I had given it to the governor, it alone accomplished more than +did all the other vessels. Consequently, a vast sum can be saved, +and the soldiers will be more eager, if they find themselves in so +advantageous a vessel. Also the natives will be spared injuries; +and innumerable other benefits will follow, which, in order to avoid +prolixity, I shall refrain from mentioning. Your viceroy of Nueva +España had me make a model of the said vessel for the exploration of +the sea of California in Mexico. + +_Item_: The garrison soldiers of Manila are a cause [of the ruin of +the country], for many are killed, and they are lessened in numbers; +and they commit many vile acts, by which the Spanish nation suffers +great loss of reputation among those pagans. Inasmuch as they are +paid there in three yearly installments, the result is that, as soon +as they have received their money, most of them gamble it away in +their quarters, and then go about barefoot and naked. Many sell their +arquebuses to the natives, which is a great evil. They have to go +about begging alms and commit innumerable acts of meanness among the +pagans themselves--who, in contempt, call them "soldiers." Further, +will your Highness be pleased to order your viceroy of Nueva España +not to allow any mestizos or mulattoes to be admitted among the men +sent as reënforcements to the Filipinas; for such men give themselves +up to intoxication, and injure us greatly. + +It is possible to remedy the needs of the soldiers in this manner. Your +Highness has imposed a situado of two reals on all the tributes of +those islands, in order to pay one and one-half reals to the soldiers +and one-half real to the prebendaries of the church. This amount is +paid into the royal treasury. As the treasury always falls short, +and the Audiencia has to be preferred in the payment of its salaries; +and as the galleys and many other things cause a shortage, eight or ten +months or one year are wont to pass without the soldiers receiving any +pay; consequently, one can imagine their sufferings. It will be very +important to have that situado placed in a separate fund. Since there +are three royal officials and in the said treasury two are sufficient +if one of them performs two duties (as has often been done), the third +official could take charge of that situado. He could purchase food at +the harvests which would be cheap, and every week he could give the +soldiers a ration of rice--the ordinary bread of that country--or +wheat, which is also produced there, besides giving them in money +one real per day. The amount still remaining could be paid to them +every four months in order that they might clothe themselves. If +their pay were increased by eight reals more, they could live well; +and one-half of those who die now would not die, which is much more +costly to your Highness. If your Highness is not willing to have the +royal official to whose charge that duty must fall perform it there, +a rich and very intelligent citizen should be charged with it; and +in cases of need he should have to supply what will be often necessary. + +_Item_: Manila lacks artillerymen--I mean men who understand +artillery when need arises; for men are not lacking to take the +pay of artillerymen, some of whom have never heard a gun fired all +their life, but only enjoy that salary as a favor. Consequently your +Highness's revenues are spent uselessly, for such men are artillerymen +only in name. I petition your Highness that artillerymen be made to +pass an examination, or that on demand they furnish a certificate +of examination; and that whoever shall pay their salary or order +it to be paid [to incompetent men] shall incur a severe penalty; +and that any person who shall apply for a position in the artillery +service when one becomes vacant, shall, if a capable artilleryman, +be preferred to the others, and that no posts shall be granted by +favor to those who do not understand artillery. + +_Item_: That camp needs a founder of artillery, who must be an +efficient and good workman; for during the last fourteen years nothing +else has been done than to spend your Highness's royal revenues in +salaries and making estimates of cost, and they have accomplished +nothing useful. There is a good supply of metals and everything else +necessary. It is extremely advisable that those islands have some +one who understands founding artillery, in order to fortify the city. + +_Item_: Inasmuch as that city is so far from your Highness's eyes, +and where journeys to and fro are made with so great difficulty, it +is necessary for the good government of spiritual affairs, according +to the customary method in Yndia, that, in case of the decease of the +archbishop of Manila, his successor be appointed there; or that at +least the senior bishop, or whoever your Highness may choose, shall +govern the archbishopric. For, the first time when the archbishopric +was vacant, that city was seven years without a prelate; and the second +time, three or four years. In this matter, I must tell your Highness +that you could avoid having so many bishops there--especially those +of Caceres and Nueva Segovia, who are in that same island of Manila; +for they have no churches of importance, nor even any place wherein +suitably to keep the most holy sacrament. Neither do the bishops +do more than to confirm, and for that a bishop _in partibus_ [102] +would be sufficient. Considering that the royal treasury is poor and +cannot attend to many other necessary things, it is very inadvisable to +increase those expenses in other ways. And considering the future--for +there might happen to be persons in those bishoprics who do not think +of or profess the poverty and bareness now maintained by those who +are there--that would be a great burden on the Indian natives, and +of no use. + +_Item_: That in the trade of the Filipinas with the kingdom of Japon, +in exchange for the merchandise shipped there they carry silver to +Manila; for Japon has quantities of silver, and many rich mines have +been discovered. The said silver is of the quality required by law, +its fifth is taken, and the Japanese emperor's duties are paid as they +are here paid to your Highness. Inasmuch as silver money is used in +those kingdoms and districts only by weight--and thus the citizens of +Manila receive it, while the same is usual in Piru and Nueva España, +wherever there are mines, in buying and selling with pieces of silver +marked by weight instead of being coined; and inasmuch as this is very +useful to the citizens of Manila, since, if this trade increases as it +is increasing now, it will not be necessary to trade at all with the +coined money of Nueva España: therefore I petition your Highness to +be pleased to allow the said silver to pass as it has always passed; +and that table service and other articles may be made of it without +new duties being demanded, since these are not due. + +_Item_: That during the war with the Sangleys, when they revolted, +the Indian natives about Manila and La Laguna de Bay, and especially +those of the province of La Pampanga, fought with great valor against +the Sangleys, and aided us with great loyalty and willingness. It +was at a juncture when, had they joined the side of the enemies, the +Filipinas would have been ruined. Will your Highness be pleased to +order the governor to thank them for it in your Highness's name. They +will greatly esteem that, especially certain chiefs--as, for instance, +Don Guillermo, who on that occasion was master-of-camp of the +Pampanga Indians; and Don Ventura, master-of-camp of those of Bay. I +also request that the governor be commanded to order the religious +who have missions under their charge to treat the Indians well; for +they are wont to lash the natives for slight causes, and equally with +them even the chief Indian women. This is very necessary, both for +the conversion and for good example, and in order to incline them to +us and make them devoted to us. For they are a race, who, with little +effort on our part and with reasonable treatment, will do whatever we +desire. The same thing should be ordered to the alcaldes-mayor; and +your Highness should order the royal Audiencia to have any injuries +committed on the Indians rigorously punished--for, inasmuch as these +have not been so punished, many troubles have happened. + +_Fernando de los Rios Coronel_ + +(_To be concluded_) + + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA + + +Most of the documents in this volume are obtained from MSS. in the +Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; their pressmarks are as follows: + +1. _Letter from Alcaraz_.--"Audiencia de Mexico; expedientes sobre +el apresto de la armada que salio de Nueva España para las islas +Filipinas; años 1612 á 1617; est 96, caj. 1, leg. 22." + +2. _Memorial regarding hospital_.--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de +Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistos +en el Consejo; años de 1600 á 1628; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 7." + +3. _Letter from Tenza_.--The same as No. 2. + +4. _Letters to Fajardo_.--"Audiencia de Filipinas; registros de +oficios; reales ordenes dirigidas á las autoridades del distrito de +la Audiencia; años 1597 á 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1." + +5. _Filipinas menaced_.--"Simancas--Secular; cartas y expedientes +del presidente y oidores de dicha Audiencia vistos en el Consejo; +años 1607 á 1626; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 20." + +6. _Philippine shipbuilding_.--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de +Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas seculares vistos en el +Consejo; años 1619 á 1621; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 38." + +7. _Decree regarding religious expelled_.--The same as No. 4--save +"años 1605 á 1645," and "leg. 12." + +8. _Proposal to destroy Macao_.--"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audiencia de +Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas eclesiasticas de Filipinas; +años 1609 á 1644; est. 68, caj. i, leg. 43." + +9. _Letter from Pedro de Arce_.--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de +Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de los obispos sufraganeos de Manila; +años de 1579 á 1679; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 34." + +10. _Letter from Fajardo_.--The same as No. 2. + +11. _Grant to seminary_.--The same as No. 6. + +12. _Reforms needed_.--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas; +cartas y expedientes del cabildo secular de Manila vistos en el +Consejo; años 1570 á 1640; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 27." Three documents +are combined in this one; of these the first is in the original a +printed pamphlet with MS. additions. + +The following are obtained from MSS. in the Real Academia de la +Historia, Madrid; all are in the collection "Papeles de los Jesuitas:" + +13. _Trade with the Far East_.--"Tomo 15, no. 19." + +14. _Relation of 1617-18_.--"Tomo 84, no. 7." + +15. _Description of islands_.--"Tomo 84, no. 22." + +16. _Dutch factories_.--"Tomo 135, no. 34." + +17. _Relation of 1618-19_.--"Tomo 112, no. 55." + + + + + + +NOTES + + +[1] Spanish, _se hierra_; an allusion to the branding of convicts with +a hot iron; that is, a defeat on the part of the Spaniards would be +an irremediable damage to their reputation. + +[2] See _Vol_. XIV, p. 314, note 53. + +[3] The property of deceased persons was carefully guarded by law, as +numerous decrees show; see _Recopilación de leyes_, lib. ix, tit. xiv, +which contains twenty-five ordinances, devoted to "the property +of persons who have died in the Indias, and its administration and +accounts in the House of Trade at Sevilla;" and lib. ii, tit. xxxii, +with seventy ordinances regarding "the courts in charge of such +property, and its administration and accounts in the Indias, and on +vessels of war or trade." Two of these laws (ley xxii in the former +group, and ley lix in the latter) give definite and unqualified +command that the funds in the probate treasury shall not be used +for any purpose whatsoever, even for the needs of the royal service; +and another (ley lx, second group), dated December 13, 1620, commands +that the proceeds of estates left by persons dying in the Philippines +shall be accounted for and paid (to the heirs) at the royal treasury +in the city of Mexico. + +[4] Juan Ronquillo was a relative of Gonzalo Ronquillo de +Peñalosa. After the death of Rodríguez de Figueroa, he conducted +an expedition to Mindanao in 1597 at Governor Tello's order (see +description of that expedition, _Vol_. XV). In 1617 he defeated the +Dutch at Playa Honda, as above described. + +[5] Playa Honda (signifying "a low beach") is the name of an extensive +plain in Batalan or Botolan mountain, 1,847 feet high, on the coast +of Zambales province, Luzón, to the northwest of Manila. In the text, +this name is applied to a road or anchorage on that coast; its early +name was Paynauén. + +[6] This was Miguel García Serrano; he made his profession as an +Augustinian friar in 1592, at Agreda, Spain. Three years later, +he arrived in the Philippines, where he was minister in several +native villages, and held various important offices in his order, +being provincial in 1611. Then he went to Spain and Rome; and, when +the see of Nueva Segovia became vacant, Serrano was appointed to +it. After ruling this bishopric for two years (June, 1617-August, +1619) he became archbishop of Manila. His death occurred in June, 1629. + +[7] "At this time (i.e., late in the sixteenth century], also, +political and religious war was almost universal in Europe, and +the quarrels of the various nationalities followed the buccaneers, +pirates, traders, and missionaries to the distant seas of Japan +.... All foreigners, but especially Portuguese, were then slave +traders, and thousands of Japanese were bought and sold, and shipped +to Macao, in China, and to the Philippines. Hidéyoshi repeatedly +issued decrees threatening with death these slave-traders, and even +the purchasers. The seaports of Hirado and Nagasaki were the resort +of the lowest class of adventurers from all European Nations, and the +result was a continual series of uproars, broils, and murders among +the foreigners, requiring ever and anon the intervention of the native +authorities to keep the peace." (Griffis's _Mikado's Empire_, p. 254.) + +[8] A small island--the name meaning "Vay Island," Pulo being simply +the Malay word for "island"--situated near the island of Banda. The +English post thereon which is mentioned in the text was of little +consequence, according to Richard Cocks--see his _Diary, 1615-22_ +(Hakluyt Society's publications, London, 1883), i, pp. 269, 274, 275, +292; he states that there were "5 or 7 English men in that iland," +and that they were slain by the Dutch and the natives. The editor of +the _Diary_, E.M. Thompson, cites (p. 269) mention of this event in +_Purchas His Pilgrimes_. The name Pulovay is also applied to a small +island north of Achen, Sumatra. + +[9] This document is also contained in the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer +library), i, pp. 443-471. Certain variations occur therein from the +text we follow, which is transcribed from the original MS. in the Real +Academia de Historia, Madrid; and that of Ventura del Arco purports to +be taken from the same MS. This apparent discrepancy probably arises +from the two transcriptions being made from different copies of the +same document. In the collection of the Real Academia more than one +copy exists, in the case of certain documents; and there may be more +than one copy of the one here presented. It should be remembered, +in this connection, that in the religious houses in Europe manuscript +copies of letters from distant lands were largely circulated, at that +period, for the edification of their members (as we have before noted); +and these copies were often not verbatim, the transcriber sometimes +making slight changes, or omissions, or adding information which +he had received later or by other channels. Our own text has been +collated with that of Ventura del Arco, and variations or additions +found in the latter are indicated as above, in brackets, followed by +"_V.d.A._"--omitting, however, some typographical and other slight +variations, which are unimportant. In the Ventura del Arco transcript +there are considerable omissions of matter contained in the MS. that +we follow. + +[10] For account of the arrival of these vessels in Japan, and various +details regarding their exploits in the Philippines, see Cocks's +_Diary_, i, pp. 259-281. The name "Leon Rojo" signifies "Red Lion;" +and "Fregelingas" is apparently a Spanish corruption of "Vlissingue" +("Flushing"). + +[11] This word is written Tono in the Ventura del Arco transcript. The +ruler of Firando (the local form of Hirado, as it is more correctly +written) was then Takanobu, who became daimio--"king," in the English +and Spanish writers; but equivalent to "baron"--of that island. The +name Tono Sama, applied to the daimio, is not a personal name, but +a polite form, equivalent to "your Lordship." See Satow's notes on +_Voyage of Saris_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, London, 1900), +p. 79. Cocks speaks of this ruler as Figen Sama. + +The "history of Hirado as a commercial port" up to 1611 is recounted +by Satow (_ut supra_, pp. xliv-li). + +[12] This commander is mentioned by Cocks as John Derickson Lamb. The +ship called "Galeaça" in our text is "Gallias" in that of Cocks. + +[13] Evidently Ilocos, as is shown by another mention near the end +of this paragraph. + +[14] Name of the Moro pirates who inhabit the little islands of +the Sulu group east of Tawi-tawi, and the islands between these and +Borneo; but on the last the name Tirones is also conferred--derived +from the province of Tiron in Borneo, to which these islands are +adjacent. See Blumentritt's list of Philippine tribes and languages +(Mason's translation), in _Smithsonian Report_, 1899. pp. 527-547. + +[15] "In 1611, Iyéyasu obtained documentary proof of what he had long +suspected, viz., the existence of a plot on the part of the native +converts and the foreign emissaries to reduce Japan to the position of +a subject state... Iyéyasu now put forth strenuous measures to root +out utterly what he believed to be a pestilent breeder of sedition +and war. Fresh edicts were issued, and in 1614 twenty-two Franciscan, +Dominican, and Augustinian friars, one hundred and seventeen Jesuits, +and hundreds of native priests and catechists, were embarked by force +on board junks, and sent out of the country." (Griffis's _Mikado's +Empire_, p. 256.) + +The priests mentioned in our text were put to death in June, 1617, +at Omura (Cocks's _Diary_, i, pp. 256, 258). + +[16] Vicente Sepúlveda was a native of Castilla, and entered the +Augustinian order in that province; he was a religious of great +attainments in knowledge and virtue. He arrived in the Philippines in +1606, became very proficient in the language of the Pampangos, and +was a missionary among them for five years. In 1614 he was elected +provincial of his order in the islands. "Thoroughly inflexible in +character, he undertook to secure the most rigorous observance of +the decrees and mandates of the latest father-visitor, on which +account he incurred the great displeasure and resentment of many. +By the death of Father Jerónimo de Salas, Father Sepúlveda became a +second time the ruler of the province, as rector provincial; but he +did not change in the least his harsh and rigid mode of government. A +lamentable and unexpected event put an end to his already harassed +life, on August 21, 1617." (Pérez's _Catálogo_, p. 76.) + +[17] Jerónimo de Salas made his profession in the Augustinian +convent at Madrid, in 1590, and reached the Philippines in 1595. He +was a missionary to the Indians for some fifteen years, and was +afterward elected to high positions in his order. "So exceptional +was the executive ability of which he gave proof in the discharge +of these offices that in the provincial chapter held in 1617 he was +unanimously elected prior provincial. Most unfortunately, when so +much was hoped from the eminent abilities of this very judicious and +learned religious, an acute illness ended his valuable life; he died +at Manila on May 17 of the same year." (Perez's _Catálogo_, p. 49.) + +[18] Alonso Rincon was one of the Augustinians arriving in the +Philippines in 1606. He was minister in various Indian villages until +1617, when he was appointed prior of the Manila convent. He was sent +as procurator to Spain and Rome in 1618, and returned to Manila four +years afterward. He died there in 1631. + +[19] The Ventura del Arco transcript ends here; but it is followed +by a note, thus: + +_Note by the transcriber_: "The court of Rome was greatly offended +at the just and proper procedure of the definitorio of the Order, +giving them to understand that they should have concealed the crime +and the criminals; but that, besides being against all morality and +the necessity of making a public example of offenders, would have +been impossible in this case, so notorious in Manila from the hour +when the crime and the delinquents were discovered." + +[20] Cf. the brief account of this tragic occurrence given by the +Augustinian chronicler Juan de Medina, in his _Historia_ (1630), +which will be presented in a later volume of this series. + +[21] A fleet of five caravels arrived at Manila in 1612, which had +come from Cadiz via the Cape of Good Hope; they were commanded by +Ruy Gonzalez Sequeira, and brought reënforcements of nearly six +hundred men. + +[22] This was Alonso Fajardó y Tenza; for sketch of his career as +governor, see appendix at end of _Vol_. XVII. + +[23] These italic sidebeads represent marginal notes in the MS. from +which this document is translated. + +[24] So in the transcription, but apparently a copyist's error of +_sesenta_ ("sixty") for _setenta_ ("seventy "). See _Vol_. III, p. 153. + +[25] Evidently referring to the statement above (under the heading +"Camarines") as to the use of gold by the Indians for their ornaments. + +[26] Achen is at the northwest extremity of Sumatra, and Jambi +is a state in the northeast part of the same island. Sumatra is +the principal source of the black pepper of commerce. See articles +"Sumatra," "Jambi," and "Pepper," in Crawfurd's _Dictionary of Indian +Islands_. Negapatan is on the eastern coast of Hindustan, not far +from Cape Comorin. + +[27] Better known by its modern name of Johor; it is the Malay state at +the southern end of the Malayan peninsula, and the British territory +of Malacca and the Malay state of Pahang lie north of it. The town +of Johor was founded in 1511, by the Malays who were then expelled +from Malacca by the Portuguese. Johor was not an island, but part +of the mainland: the text probably refers to one of the islands off +its coast on which a Dutch post may have been located; some of these +islands are still possessed by the Dutch. + +[28] Apparently a corruption of the name Masulipatam, a city on the +Coromandel coast of India--not, as Heredia calls it, an island. + +[29] This last paragraph decides the authorship of this document, +plainly indicating that of Pedro de Heredia, who filled the post +he mentions in the last sentence, and captured the Dutch commander +van Caerden. + +[30] Evidently a reference to the hospital at Los Baños (see +_Vol_. XIV, p. 211). + +[31] _Achotes [hachotes] para los faroles_: A large wax candle, with +more than one wick, or a union of three or four candles, which was +used for the lanterns. + +[32] The bahar (from _bahara_, a word of Sanscrit origin) has long been +in quite general use in the East. The word is found variously spelled, +"bahare," "bare," and "vare." Its value varies in different localities, +there being two distinct weights--one, the great bahar, used for +weighing cloves, other spices, etc.; and the small bahar, about 150 +kilos or 400 pounds avoirdupois, used for weighing quicksilver, various +metals, certain drugs, etc. John Saris, writing of the commerce of +Bantam, says: "A sacke is called a Timbang, and two Timbanges is one +Peecull, three Peeculls is a small bahar, and foure Peeculls and an +halfe a great Bahar, which is foure hundred fortie fiue Cattees and +an halfe." + +At Malacca and Achen, the great bahar is said by an old Dutch +voyageur to contain 200 cates, each cate containing 26 taïels or 38 +1/2 Portuguese ounces, weak; the small bahar, also 200 cates, but each +cate of only 22 taïels or 32 1/2 ounces, strong; while in China the +bahar contained 300 cates, which were equivalent to the 200 cates of +Malacca. Instructions to François Wittert, commissary at Bantam, gives +the following table for weights: 1 picol = 2 Basouts or Basauts = 100 +catis; 1 hare = 9 basauts = 4 1/2 picols--which should have amounted +to 600 Dutch pounds, but in the equivalent then rendered was only 540 +pounds. Dutch annals also give equivalents in Dutch pounds as 380, +525, 550, and 625. Modern English equivalents in pounds avoirdupois for +various places are: Amboyna, 597.607; Arabia--(Bet-el-falsi), 815.625, +(Jidda), 183.008, (Mocha), 450; Bantam--(ordinary) 396, (for pepper) +406.780; Batavia, 610.170. See Satow's notes on _Voyage of John Saris +to Japan_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, London, 1900), pp. 212, +213; _Recueil des voyages_ (Amsterdam, 1725); and Clarke's _Weights, +Measures, and Money_ (N.Y., 1888). + +[33] Apparently referring to the hostilities in the preceding year +between the Dutch and English at Pulovay, a small island near Banda +(see _ante_, note 8). See list of Dutch forts in 1612-1613 in the +Moluccas, in _Voyage of John Saris_. + +[34] A court minute of the English East India Company, dated November +12, 1614, has the following in regard to Dutch opposition to the +English in the East Indies: "Yett he [_i.e._, John Saris] found the +Dutch very opposite to hinder the English in their proceedings all +that ever they might, as well by vndersellinge, contrarye to their +promyse, at [_sic_] by all other means of discouradgement, makeinge +shewe of waunte without any occasion." + +(See _Voyage of John Saris_, p. lxiv.) Regarding the competition and +hostility between the Dutch and English in the trade of the Indies, +which often led to open warfare (as at Banda in 1617-1618), see _Voyage +of Sir Henry Middleton_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, London 1855), +and Kerr's _Collection of Travels and Voyages_ (Edinburgh, 1824), +viii and ix. The attempts of James I of England to win alliance with +Spain lend some color to the proposed English-Spanish alliance in +the Moluccas. + +[35] Apparently referring to the importation of quicksilver (via +Manila) from China to Nueva España. (Sec _Vol_. XVII, p. 237.) + +[36] These islands were discovered in 1568 by Alvaro de Mendaña; +but for various reasons nothing was done to make them available as a +conquest, and their location became so doubtful that many geographers +disbelieved their existence, and even removed them from the maps. These +islands were not rediscovered until late in the eighteenth century. See +the Hakluyt Society's publication of the narratives of Mendaña and +others, _Discovery of the Solomon Islands_ (London, 1901), with +editorial comments by Lord Amherst of Hackney and Basil Thomson. + +[37] From internal evidence it is apparent that this relation is +written from Nueva España, a thing which the reader must constantly +keep in mind; also that it was written in 1619--probably in January +or February, as it was considered by the Council in May of that year. + +[38] Delgado (_Historia_, pp. 418, 419) and Blanco (_Flora_, +pp. 428-429) describe a tree called _dangcalan_, or _palo maría_ +(_calophyllum inophyllum_--Linn.), which is probably the tree referred +to in the text. While generally a tree of ordinary size, it is said +to grow to huge dimensions in Mindanao. Besides its use as above +mentioned, an oil or balsam is distilled from the leaves, or obtained +from the trunk, which has valuable medicinal uses, in both external +and internal application. This oil sometimes serves to give light, +but the light is dim, and to anoint the hoofs of horses. It blooms +in November, the flowers growing in bunches of seven or nine each; +and its leaf is oval and tapering. The wood is light, exceedingly +tough, and reddish in color. It is very plentiful in the Visayas, +and generally grows close to the water. It is known by a number of +different names, among them being bitanhol or bitanjol, and dincalin. + +[39] Perhaps the guijo (also spelt guiso or guisoc; _Dipterocarpus +guiso_--Bl.), a wood of red color, which is strong, durable, tough, +and elastic; it produces logs 75 feet long by 24 inches square, and is +now used in Hongkong for wharf-decks and flooring, but in Manila for +carriage shafts (_U.S. Gazetteer of Philippine Islands_). Blanco says +that this tree is much esteemed for carriage-wheels, and is also used +for topmasts and keels. The Indians call it guiso, but the Spaniards +have corruptly called it guijo. It is common in Mindoro. + +[40] Probably the lauan (also called lauaan and sándana; _Dipterocarpus +thurifera_--Linn.), a reddish white or ashy wood with brown spots, +used chiefly in the construction of canoes, and producing logs 75 feet +long by 24 inches square (_U.S. Gazetteer_). Blanco says that this +tree yields a fragrant, hard, white resin, which is used instead of +incense in the churches. San Agustin, quoted by Blanco, says that the +planks of the sides of the ancient galleys were of lauaan, for balls +do not chip this wood. Delgado mentions two species: lauaan mulato, +in color almost dark red; and lauaan blanco (white), which was used +as planking for boats. + +[41] That is, the cubit; a measure of length equal to the distance +from the elbow to the end of the middle finger. The _codo real_, +or royal cubit, is three fingers longer than the ordinary codo. The +geometrical codo is equivalent to 418 mm., and the codo real to 574 +mm. See Velásquez: _New Dictionary of Spanish language_ (New York, +1902). + +[42] The banabá (_Lagerstroemia speciosa_--Pers.; _Munchausia speciosa; +Lagerstroemia flos reginæ_--Retz.) grows to a height of thirty to +fifty feet, and varies in color from reddish white to dull red. Its +flowers are red and very beautiful, and bloom in March. The tree is +very common and used for many things, especially for ship and house +construction, particularly the red variety. It is strong and resists +the elements well. See _U.S. Gazetteer_ and Blanco's _Flora_. + +[43] Perhaps a colloquial name given by the Spaniards, or a corruption +of the native name. + +[44] See _ante_, note 39. + +[45] Also called the dúngol and dungon (_Sterculia cimbriformis_; +D.C.). It yields logs 50 feet by 20 inches square. It is pale reddish +in color, and is used for roof-timbers and the keels of vessels. It +is strong but does not resist the seaworms. It blooms in March and +December. See _ut supra_. + +[46] _U.S. Gazetteer_ mentions the various woods used for shipbuilding +as follows: Yacal or saplungan (_Dipterocarpus plagatus_--Bl.), +betis (_Azaola betis_--Bl.), dúngon, and ípil or ypil (_Eperua +decandra_--Bl.), for keels and stern-posts; antipolo (_Artocarpus +incisa_--Linn.), for keels and outside planking; molave (_Vitex +geniculata_--Bl.), for futtock-timbers and stem-crooks for frame-work; +banabá, for outside planking and beams; _guijo_, for beams, masts, and +yards; batitinan (_Lagerstroemia batitinan_), for keelsons and clamps; +mangachapuy or mangachapoi (_Dipterocarpus mangachapoi_--Bl.), for +water-ways and decktimbers; amuguis (_Cyrtocarpa quinquestila_--Bl.), +for upper works and partitions; palo-maria, for futtock-timbers, +masts and yards. + +[47] The offices of those in charge of the building of ships +would seem, from the following law, to have been a sinecure in the +islands. This law is taken from _Recopilación de leyes_, lib. v, +tit. xv, ley viii. "The governors of Filipinas appoint persons to build +the galleons or boats, who are wont to cause great thefts and injuries +to our royal treasury, and on the Indians. For their occupation they +are given ten or more toneladas of cargo in the trading ships, on +account of being relatives or followers of the governors. Some have +had as many as forty toneladas, and have filled them with gold at forty +reals per tae, or seven and one-half castellanos--forcibly seizing it +from the Indians at an unjust price, in order afterward to sell it at +ninety-six reals per tae. Inasmuch as they are persons of influence, +their residencia is never taken. We order that the residencias of such +builders, and of the others who shall have received and had money from +the royal treasury for shipbuilding or any other sea or land expense, +shall be taken, at the same time as those of the presidents and +ministers who are obliged to give them. In respect to the governors +not employing their relatives and kinsmen, servants, or followers, +or those of the auditors, in these matters or in any others, they +shall keep the rules and ordinances." Felipe IV, August 19, 1621. + +[48] Short, round-headed tarpauling nails. + +[49] Apparently another name for the palm-tree called by the Tagáls +_cauong_ (_Arenga saccharifera_--Labill.; _Caryota onusta_--Bl.), +also known as _negro cabo_ ("black head"). The leaf yields fibers +that are long, black, and very strong; the cordage made from them is +very durable, resisting even salt water. This is evidently the product +elsewhere mentioned as "black cordage." See _U.S. Gazetteer_, p. 72; +Blanco's _Flora_, p. 511. Concerning the abacá, see _Vol_. III, p. 263. + +[50] That is, the natives were drafted from their respective villages +for public works--nominally for wages paid them, but in reality, +as this document alone would show, kept in a condition of practical +slavery. Cf. the royal decree of May 26, 1609 (_Vol_. XVII, p. 79), +regulating the services of the Indians. + +[51] _Habas_: a species of bean. _Garbanzos_: see _Vol_. XII, p. 88, +note 17. + +[52] _Gerguetas_, for _jerguetas_: a coarse frieze or other coarse +cloth. + +[53] Our transcript reads at this point: "_quedaron en la ciudad +de manila y puerto de cabite siete galeones los seis el uno de los +quales._" We omit translation of the words "_los seis_," "the six," +as being apparently a _lapsus calami_. + +[54] See description of this naval contest _ante_, p. 37. + +[55] See _Vol_. XVI, p. 272, _note_. + +[56] The prebends of Spanish cathedrals directly above the prebends +of canonries; or, the incumbents thereof. + +[57] The racionero and medio racionero are prebendaries of Spanish +cathedrals, ranking in the order named. + +[58] The fourth vow of the Jesuits binds to implicit obedience in going +wherever the pope orders them to go for the salvation of souls. The +other three vows are the same as those professed by other religious. + +[59] The original is "_todos alçaran luego de eras_," literally +"all will immediately finish their harvesting of grain." + +[60] Pyrard de Laval says--in his _Voyage_ (Hakluyt Society's +publications, London, 1887-88), ii, pp. 256, 257: "When one is making +a voyage from Goa, one says to which quarter one is going, whether +to the south or the north coast. 'The north' is from Goa to Cambaye, +'the south' from Goa to the Cape of Comori.... From Bassains [Baçani +of our text; the modern Bassein] comes all the timber for building +houses and vessels; indeed, most of the ships are built there. It +also supplies a very fine and hard free stone, like granite; ... All +the magnificent churches and palaces at Goa and the other towns are +built of this stone." The editors of the _Voyage_ add: "Bassein, +twenty-six miles north of Bombay, was ceded to the Portuguese in +1536. It became the favorite resort of the wealthier Portuguese, +the place being noted for handsome villas and pretty gardens. It +was taken by the Mahrattas in 1739, after a siege of three months, +in which the Portuguese, for the last time in India, fought with +stubborn courage." Bassein was captured by the British in 1780. The +term "Mogors" in the text refers to some of the kings who were vassals +of the Great Mogul (_Vol_. XVII, p. 252). + +[61] Diego de Pantoja, born in 1571, became a novice in the Jesuit +order at the age of eighteen. Seven years later he embarked to +join the mission in Japan; but on reaching Macao he was assigned as +companion to the noted Jesuit missionary, Mateo Ricci, and the two +founded the mission of Pekin. Being later expelled from the kingdom, +Pantoja died at Macao in January, 1618 (Sommervogel). Ricci died at +Pekin in May, 1610. In the archives not only of Spain, but of Italy, +France, and England, are many and voluminous documents referring to +the Catholic missions in China. The Jesuit missions there are very +fully recounted in _Lettres édifiántes_. + +[62] See Henry Yule's account of "Nestorian Christianity in China," +in his _Cathay and the Way Thither_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, +London, 1866), pp. lxxxviii-ci; cf. pp. clxxxi-iii, and 497. Regarding +the Jews in China, see _ut supra_, pp. lxxx, 225, 341, 497, 533. + +[63] In 1618 the Manchu leader Noorhachu invaded the province of +Liaotung--now a division of the province of Sheng-King, and lying on +the northern coast of the Korean Gulf; its southern extremity forms a +long, narrow peninsula which terminates at the entrance of the Gulf +of Pe-chili, and on it are the fortified posts of Dalny and Port +Arthur, important strategic points commanding the entrance to that +gulf, and prominent in the present war (May, 1904) between Russia and +Japan. In Liaotung are also the important towns of Mukden and Niuchuang +(Newchwang). In 1621 Noorhachu captured Mukden, and soon conquered +the rest of the province; and, about twenty-five years later, his +successors completed the conquest of China, expelling the Ming dynasty +(which had begun in 1368), and establishing that of the Manchus, which +still rules in China. For a detailed description of this conquest, see +Boulger's _History of China_ (London and New York, 1900), pp. 97-125. + +[64] There is an apparent hiatus here; perhaps it should read "before +the last invasion."--_Trans_. + +[65] Boulger says (_History of China_, p. 107): "During this campaign +it was computed that the total losses of the Chinese amounted to 310 +general officers and 45,000 private soldiers." Noorhachu defeated +three Chinese armies, and captured the towns of Fooshun, Tsingho, +and Kaiyuen. + +[66] A phonetic rendering of Wanleh (_Vol_. III, p. 228). See account +of his reign in Boulger's _History of China_, pp. 97-107. + +[67] The Christian religion was first introduced into Cochinchina (a +kingdom founded in 1570, by a Tonquin chief) by Spanish Franciscans, +in 1583; but little was accomplished for the conversion of the +heathen until 1615, when both Franciscans and Jesuits entered upon +that work. See Crawfurd's account of the country, in his _Dictionary +of Indian Islands_, pp. 105-112. + +[68] See letter by Bishop Arce, _post_. + +[69] This name is not to be found in Sommervogel. + +[70] That is, Yedo; then, as now (but with the modern name Tokiô), +the capital of the Japanese empire. The Castle of Yedo, first built +in 1456-57, was the abode of the Tokugawa Shôguns from 1591--when it +was assigned to Iyéyasu, who greatly enlarged it--until the close of +that dynasty in 1868. See historical and descriptive account of this +edifice, by T.R.H. McClatchie, in _Transactions_ of Asiatic Society +of Japan, vol. vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888), pp. 119-154. + +[71] The daimiôs constituted, under the old feudal organization of +Japan, a class of territorial nobility, who numbered about two hundred +and fifty. Under Iyemidzu (1623-51) the daimiôs were obliged to live +in Yedo half the time with their families; and, before this, those +nobles had been in the habit of visiting the reigning monarch at the +capital. For account of the daimiôs and their vassals, the samurai, +see Rein's _Japan_, pp. 318-328; and Griffis's _Mikado's Empire_, +pp. 217, 321, 322. + +[72] For a narrative of the persecutions of Christians in Japan and the +suppression of that religion there, with the causes of that action +on the part of Japan's rulers--Iyéyasu, Hidetada, and Iyemidzu, +1600-1650--see Rein's _Japan_, pp. 304-311; Griffis's _Mikado's +Empire_, pp. 252-259; and J.H. Gubbins's "Introduction of Christianity +into China and Japan," in _Transactions_ of Asiatic Society of Japan, +vol. vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888); pp. 1-38--with supplementary information +thereon by E.M. Satow (who reproduces Iyéyasu's celebrated proclamation +of 1614), pp. 43-62. + +[73] Cf. the account of these episodes (the maltreatment of Englishmen +by the Dutch, and the loss of the Dutch ship) given by Richard Cocks +in his _Diary_, pp. 51-76. + +[74] Probably alluding to one of the two Franciscans captured by the +Moros nearly two years before (Montero y Vidal's _Hist. piratería_, +i, p. 154), but afterward ransomed by the Spaniards--Fray Domingo de +los Mártires and Fray Alonso de la Soledad. + +[75] Apparently a reference to the beri-beri, a disease common in +India and other lands of Southern Asia. A similar or identical disease, +prevalent in Japan, is there known as _kak'ké_; see William Anderson's +account of this disease in _Transactions_ of the Asiatic Society of +Japan, vol. vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888), pp. 155-181. + +[76] In the text this is a curious double play upon words, which cannot +be exactly reproduced in translation. The Spanish reads, _y que multos +por dar en el clavo an de dar en la herradura_--literally, "many in +striking the nail will strike the horseshoe," _clavo_ meaning both +"nail" and "clove."--_Trans_. + +[77] Cocks mentions in his _Diary_ (i, p. 268) the arrival of French +ships at Bantam in 1617. + +[78] Spanish, _amplitud ortiva_, meaning an angle measured on the +eastern horizon. The term amplitude, thus used (by English writers +also), is an old one in astronomical terminology. In the description +of the second comet, _al pie_ refers apparently to the head of the +comet, which is here called its foot because sometimes this point +was nearer to the horizon.--_Rev. Jose Algue_, S.J. (director of +Manila Observatory). + +[79] Referring to the ancient astronomical notion that a comet was an +exhalation.--_Harry T. Benedict_ (professor of astronomy, University +of Texas). + +[80] "Evidently the modern province of Awa or Boshiû (its Chinese +name), which is situated in the eastern part of Shikoku Island, +in Tôkaidô or "the eastern sea-road." See J.J. Rein's _Japan_, p. 9. + +[81] That is, one of the fixed number of notaries assigned or allowed +to Manila. + +[82] See _Vol_. x, p. 230, note 30. + +[83] See _Vol_. xvii, p. 145, note 44. + +[84] _Recopilación de leyes_ contains the following law in regard to +the rations of rice: "Inasmuch as the presidents and auditors of the +Audiencia of the Filipinas Islands, and the officials of our royal +treasury are accustomed to divide among themselves all the tributes of +rice belonging to us in La Pampanga for the expense of their houses, +taking it at the price at which the tributarios give it at the harvest, +whence it happens that the rations given on our account are lacking, +and that they must be bought at excessive rates; and as such procedure +is very prejudicial to our royal treasury: therefore we order the +president and royal officials to avoid it and stop so pernicious a +custom, for thus is it advisable for our royal service." [Felipe III, +Madrid, December 19, 1618 --lib. ii, tit. xvi, ley lxxii.] + +[85] The following document, preserved in Archivo general de Indias +with the same pressmark as Fajardo's letter (see Bibliographical Data, +_post_), was probably ordered to be copied as a help toward solving +these doubts. + +The King: To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia of the +Filipinas Islands. I have heard that, [the command of] a company of +infantry having become vacant because of the death of Don Tomas Brabo, +and my governor and captain-general of those islands, Don Pedro de +Acuña, having appointed to it Captain Juan de Billaçon--who in order +that he would accept had to be urged by the said Don Pedro, both +because he was a very worthy and deserving man and one who had done +many services, and because there was no one else to select, and because +it was an occasion when a great number of boats were expected from +China which it had been rumored were to come to attack the islands, +to revenge the Sangleys who had been killed in the insurrection of the +year six hundred and three--you issued an act, in which you ordered +that the said governor should appoint the said company in conformity to +the ordinance, and that in the meantime there should be no innovation +in anything--just as if such a matter were the chief that should be +attended to then, since it was an occasion in which the governor was +toiling so arduously in fortifying districts and strongholds of those +islands, raising ramparts, and making ditches in order to be as ready +as possible for the awaiting of so great a multitude of men as rumor +said were to attack those islands. Inasmuch as it is proper that +matters pertaining to war be solely in the charge and care of the +said my governor and captain-general, I have, after examination of +the matter by my royal Council of the Indias, considered it fitting +to issue the present, by which I order you not to interfere and +oppose the said governor in anything pertaining to war and government +matters; and when any case arises, in which any doubt may exist as +to the form and execution of it, it is my will that the orders of +the said my governor be followed and obeyed, and that you advise me, +through my said Council, of the doubt, and what shall be your opinion +regarding it; so that after my Council has examined it, the measures +most advisable to my service may be ordered and commanded. Given +Ventocilla, November four, one thousand six hundred and six years. + +_I The King_ + +By order of the king, our sovereign: + +_Juan de Civica_ + +I, Pedro Muño de Herrera, who exercise the office of scrivener of the +assembly of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas +Islands, had this copy drawn and drew it from the original royal decree +which is in my possession, by order of Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença, +comendador of the redoubt in the order of Alcantara, governor and +captain-general of these Philipinas Islands, and president of this +royal Audiencia. It is a certified copy and is thoroughly revised and +collated with its original. In the city of Manila, on the twentieth +day of the month of August, one thousand six hundred and twenty, +witnesses being Ambrosio Corrales and Pedro Muñoz de Herrera, junior. + +_Pedro Munoz de Herrera_ + +[86] In the preceding document, this name appears as Juan Saenz +de Hegoen. + +[87] The original if read strictly requires the above translation. It +reads "_porque son gente de mucho fruto y no se buelven tantos dellos +como de otras Religiones y particularmente la de Santo Domingo que +e entendido sean ydo delta mas de los que yo quissiera_." "_Della_" +should refer then to "_la_" and thence back to "_religiones_." But +the meaning cannot be that the religious left the order, but +rather their brethren in the islands and returned to Nueva España +or Spain. Fajardo's language throughout this letter is loose and +complicated, and it is possible that, "_della_" refers to the word +"_tierra_" ("country") understood, in which case the translation +would be "have left the country." + +[88] Alonso Baraona was a native of Quintanario, of the province of +Bargos. He took his vows in the Augustinian college of Burgos in 1596, +and was prior of the college of Santo Niño in 1607. He ministered in +Dumangas (1608), Batan (1609), Jaro (1616), Aclán (1613), and Passi +(1614); and became definitor ami prior provincial in 1617. In 1623 +he was at Bay, and died, in 1626. See Perez's _Catálogo_. + +[89] The cardinal archduke Albert of Austria was the sixth son of +Maximilian II and Maria of Austria, and was born in Austria November +13, 1559. In 1570 he was sent to Spain, where he rose rapidly in +Philip's favor. In 1577 he received the cardinal's hat from the pope +and was made archbishop of Toledo by Philip in 1594. He was viceroy +of Portugal from 1584-1595, when Philip, thinking to appease the +people of the Low Countries, made him commander or regent there, and +determined to marry him to his daughter Isabel. The sovereignty of all +the Netherlands was to be left jointly to them and their heirs, and, +in case of no issue, to revert to the Spanish crown. Philip formally +abdicated his authority over the Low Countries, May 6, 1598, and their +marriage was solemnized jointly with that of Philip III, April 13, +1599, after Albert had renounced his cardinalate and archbishopric. He +died July 13, 1621, after ruling his provinces humanely and generously, +although unable to stem the current toward Dutch independence. See +Moreri's _Dictionnaire_. + +[90] Jacques (Jakob) le Maire (Lemaire), the Dutch navigator, and +the first to double Cape Horn, was born at Egmond, and died at sea, +December 31, 1616. His expedition to the South Seas was undertaken at +the instigation of his father, Isaac le Maire, a well-known merchant, +and the ships were to reach the South Seas by Magalháes's or any other +route. The two vessels were placed in command of Wilhelm van Schouten, +and Le Maire was chosen director-general. The ships were equipped at +the port of Hoorn, and set sail June 14, 1615, from the Texel. Passing +by the south-eastern corner of Tierra del Fuego, they entered and +passed through the strait that now bears Le Maire's name January +24-26, 1616. Between January 27 and 31, they doubled the Horn, which +they named for the port of Hoorn. October 28 of the same year after +various adventures among the East Indian Islands, they cast anchor +at Jacatra in Java, where the "Concorde," the only vessel left, was +sequestered as not having been sent by the Dutch East India Company; +while van Schouten and Le Maire were sent to Holland to be tried, Le +Maire dying as above stated. A relation of the expedition was written +by one of the participants. See vol. iv, pp. 531-618, _Recueil des +voyages ... de la Compagnie des Indes Orientales_ (Amsterdam, 1725). + +[91] The viceroy of Nueva España at this time was Diego Fernandez de +Córdoba, marqués de Guadalcázar. He began his term October 28, 1612, +and in 1621 was appointed viceroy of Peru. + +[92] The lacuna at this point--sections 10 to 14 inclusive--with some +duplications and other peculiarities in numbering, are precisely as +in the original document. + +[93] See the letter written to the king by Fajardo, August 10, 1619, +_ante_. where this same abuse is mentioned. + +[94] See the royal decree following this document, which was probably +issued in consequence of this section of Los Rios's letter, and which +will appear in _Vol_. XIX. + +[95] See the various letters relating to the controversy between +the calced and discalced religious of the Order of St. Francis, +in _Vol_. XX of this series. + +[96] An early law of _Recopilación de leyes_ (lib. v, tit. viii, +ley xxix) thus rules the taking of fees: "In the Filipinas Islands +all the notaries and officials entitled to them shall collect their +fees, according to, and in the quantity provided and ordained for our +Audiencia of Méjico, so far as it shall not have been altered by the +laws of this book." [Felipe II; Toledo, May 25, 1596, ordinance 61.] + +[97] The residencia of the governor was later ordered to be taken +in accordance with the following law, found in _Recopilación de +leyes,_ lib. v, tit. xv, ley v: "The governor and captain-general +of the Filipinas appointed by us, shall, as soon as he enters upon +the exercise of his duties, take the residencia of his proprietary +predecessor, or his predecessor _ad interim_, even should he not hold +our special commission. But shall he have been so entrusted by us, +he shall proceed by virtue of it, in accordance with law. In either +case, he shall send a report of the residencia to the Council, as is +usual." [Felipe IV; Madrid, December 4, 1630.] + +[98] See descriptions of the disease called scurvy, in Pyrard de +Laval's _Voyage_ (Hakluyt Society's translation, London, 1890), +ii, pp. 390-392; and _Jesuit Relations_ (Cleveland reissue), iii, +pp. 51, 53. + +[99] See the full and interesting description given by Pyrard de +Laval (_Voyage_, ii, pp. 180-214) of the Portuguese trading vessels +on the India line (_naus de carreira_), practically the same as the +Spanish vessels described by Rios Coronel; and of their construction, +equipment, crews, lading, management, etc. On p. 214 is an engraving +of one of these great ships. + +[100] See decrees relating to this in _Vol_. XIV, pp. 182, 270. + +[101] This is the fiber obtained from the husk of the cocoanut; +the word is of Indian origin, and from it is derived the English +"coir." See, with description of the manner in which this fiber +is manufactured into rope in India, Pyrard de Laval's _Voyage_, i, +pp. 250, 285: ii. pp. 374, 443. + +[102] _Obispo de anillo_: a bishop _in partibus_ (see _Vol_. VIII, +p. 68). The Spanish dictionaries define _obispo de anillo_ as auxiliary +or suffragan, bishop. The Academy's dictionary adds: "To these bishops +the pontiff assigns one of the churches formerly owned by them, but +now in the power of heathen." Consequently the _de anillo_ becomes +equivalent to _in partibus infidelium_. A bishop _in partibus_ is +one consecrated to a see which formerly existed, but which has been, +chiefly through the devastations of the followers of Mahomet, lost to +Christendom. The creation of such bishops exists from the time of Leo +X; but they existed _de facto_ from the time when the first Christian +see became vacant from hostile inroad or through the action of a +hostile government. The Moorish conquest in Spain resulted in many +of such bishops fleeing to the still unconquered parts, where they +wandered from place to place, with no particular duty, but officiating +as opportunity offered. This state of affairs led to great abuses, +for a bishop whose see was _in partibus_ would often enter some remote +portion of the diocese of a more fortunate brother, and there exercise, +in various ways, without the permission of the bishop of the diocese, +his episcopal office. Clerks whom their own bishop would not have +promoted to priests' orders often received through the agency of +these wandering bishops the ordination which they desired. A decree +of the Council of Trent forbade that abuse. The title _in partibus_ +was often given in Protestant countries, where to appoint a bishop +to a local see would have aroused hostility. Besides the vicars +apostolic in a non-Catholic country, the vicars of cardinal-bishops, +auxiliary bishops in countries where it is usual to appoint them, and +papal nuncios, usually have their sees _in partibus infidelium_. They +can attend general councils, and, since they are considered as truly +wedded to the churches of which they bear the titles, they cannot +be appointed to other sees except upon the conditions common to +all episcopal translations. By a decree of the Propaganda, February +28, 1882, the formula _in partibus infidelium_ was abolished, and +non-resident bishops are to be known as "titular" bishops of their +sees. See Addis and Arnold's _Catholic Dictionary_. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: +Volume XVIII, 1617-1620, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS *** + +***** This file should be named 15564-8.txt or 15564-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/6/15564/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the PG Distributed Proofreaders Team + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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