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 islandsare still ravaged at intervals by the Moro pirates from the southernpart of the archipelago. Even worse are the losses to the commerce ofthe islands inflicted by the Dutch; their ships infest the seas aboutLuzón, and those of the Moluccas, in which region they are steadily andeven rapidly gaining foothold, and securing the best commerce of thoselands. Corruption in the management of the Spanish interests in theSpice Islands renders them an expensive and embarrassing possession;and the new governor, Fajardo, finds the same influence at work inthe Spanish colony itself, especially among the auditors and otherhigh officials. The colonial treasury is, as usual, short of funds, and can do little to defend the islands from the Dutch; the Madridgovernment is unwilling to spend much more on the Philippines, althoughbeset with importunities to save that colony, and Spanish commercegenerally, from the insolent Dutch. The usual building of ships in theislands has so harrassed and exhausted the unfortunate natives thatit is necessary to have ships built for the Philippines in India andother countries where timber and labor are more abundant. The trade ofthe colony with China is the object of much discussion, and proposalsare again made to restrict it, as well as that with Nueva España, inorder to protect the commercial interests of the mother-country. Inthe final document is a detailed statement, in vigorous language, of the abuses current in the administration of the islands--arbitraryand 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 afterSilva's death, writes to the king (August 10, 1617). The shipscould not go to Nueva España in 1616, because the Dutch were lyingin 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 theDutch. On April 14, 1617, this Spanish fleet has a battle with theDutch squadron at Playa Honda. After a long and fierce contest, theenemy take to flight, having lost several ships and much artillery, and many of their men being killed or wounded. As soon as possiblethereafter, 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 viaCape of Good Hope. He criticizes Geronimo de Silva for his harshnessand arrogance, already displayed in many ways. Alcaraz thanks theking for permitting him to resign his position as auditor and returnto Spain; and explains why he has not yet vacated his office. Hementions the Philippine officials who have merited special rewardsfrom the crown, especially those who were prominent in the battle ofPlaya Honda. Reënforcements of men have come from Spain, but with themwas no money; and the treasury of the islands is entirely empty. Itsdebts are heavy, and aid is urgently requested. Through sickness andabsence, there are no auditors of the Audiencia in active service, except Alcaraz himself. 

A document unsigned and undated [_ca. _ 1617] discusses the trade ofthe Spanish colonies with China and Japan. This trade advances theinterests of religion in those heathen lands. Its character, methods, and results are described in orderly array of interesting facts--firstin a general survey, then in details regarding each colony; and finallyin comparisons between the commerce of those colonies respectivelywith China and Japan. Eastern India depends on this trade for itsmaintenance and preservation; and the customs duties therefrom causelarger profits to the crown than do those from the other colonies. Thisincome will be greatly increased, for both Castilla and Portugal, ifNueva España and Filipinas be no longer allowed to trade with China andJapan. The writer (apparently one of the king's councilors) suggestsvarious expedients for attaining this end, and closes by urging theking to confine the Filipinas merchants to trade with Nueva España. 

The events of the year from June, 1617, to June, 1618, are chronicledby some unnamed writer (apparently one of the Jesuits in Manila). Thebattle of Playa Honda deals such a blow to the Dutch power in thearchipelago that the natives in some of the Malucas Islands rebelagainst it. A small English post is destroyed by the Dutch; and theirships that flee from Playa Honda go to Japan. Their adventures inthat country are detailed. Some Dutch ships come again to the coastof Luzón, and plunder the Chinese trading vessels as they appear;the Spaniards cannot prevent this, as their galleons are laid up forrepairs. A shipload of supplies for the garrison and the missions atTernate is sent from Manila; the master of the ship, taking advantageof the absence on shore of part of the passengers and men, steals awaywith the ship and its cargo. The Jesuits secure a new supply of foodfor their mission, by soliciting alms. The islands still suffer fromthe depredations of the Moro pirates. The writer describes the specialfestivities in honor of the Virgin Mary, and the martyrdom of somemissionaries in Japan. He then proceeds to relate the particulars ofthe murder of the Augustinian provincial, Vicente Sepulveda, by someof his own friars, and the punishment of the criminals. A postscriptto this letter states that the ships sent to Ternate with supplieshad been attacked by the Dutch; and part of the crew were killed andwounded, and much of the food lost. Other supplies, however, havebeen sent to Ternate from India. The prince of Tidore has becomehostile to the Dutch. One Sequeira makes an unsuccessful voyage, and dies in Cochin. The new governor of the Philippines arrives atManila in July, 1618. 

Of nearly the same date is a descriptive account of the PhilippineIslands, their inhabitants, government, products, etc. --including astatement of the number of Indian tributes in each island, which amountin all to 160, 000. The writer notes various matters relating to theinterests and social condition of the Spanish colony, especially theneed of vigorous measures to punish the Moro pirates, who continuallyharass the Pintados. 

Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish official in the Moluccas, furnishes to theking (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 andprestige in the Far East, together with rich profits, while theSpaniards have lost the best part of their former commerce there. Theking is urged to consider these matters, and take measures to remedythe present state of affairs. 

A former steward of the royal hospital at Manila memorializes theCouncil of the Indias (1618) regarding the losses incurred by thatinstitution through the mismanagement of its funds; and various ordersconducive to the improvement of the hospital are thereupon given bythe Council. 

Soon after his arrival in the islands the new governor, Alonso Fajardode Tenza, writes to the king (August 10, 1618) regarding the stateof affairs there. He finds the colony suffering from various recentdisasters, and much fear and uncertainty among the people. He imploresaid from the king to maintain the Philippine colony and defend it fromits enemies. He is endeavoring to make the most of his scanty navaltorce, in the face of news that hostile fleets are coming to attackthe islands; and has sent to Nueva España to ask for reënforcements andsupplies. 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 recommendsthat more care be taken to provide suitably for an _ad interim_government of the islands, when such shall occur; and declines certainperquisites of his office. Much resentment against the Audienciais felt among the people, since the best offices and incomes in theislands are appropriated by relatives and dependents of the auditors, who seem bent on exploiting the colony for their own profit, andoppress the inhabitants; and Fajardo asks the king to check theirselfishness and arrogance. He is trying to correct certain illegalproceedings by the auditors in their recent government _ad interim_, and asks the king to suspend his confirmation of these until hecan send further information thereon; he makes the same request inregard to other cases where certain persons are intriguing to obtainprofitable appointments. He asks for skilled clerks and galley-masters;and, after recounting the injuries caused to the Indians by thebuilding of galleys in the islands, he states that he will endeavorto procure vessels in Portuguese India. Some private persons in theislands are building ships, but the Indian labor employed thereonis paid and voluntary. Fajardo makes some suggestions for the bettermanagement of naval affairs. He also forwards the request of Manilacitizens that encomiendas be granted for three lives; and asks forrewards for certain brave military and naval officers. The Audienciafinally 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 concernMalucan affairs. Manuel Ribeyra, a Jesuit, states that the governorthere, Gaviria, has fortified the Spanish posts in his care, which arein unusually good condition; certain supplies, however, are needed forthem, as also a better class of subaltern officers. Gaviria is somewhatoverbearing in disposition, but Ribeyra commends his ability. Thatofficer himself writes to Fajardo, explaining why he cannot atpresent fill the governor's order for a quantity of cloves. TheDutch and English are contending with each other in the Moluccas;and the former, it is said, are intending to attack the Spanish fortsthere soon. Gaviria has but few men, and some of these are unfit forduty. He needs a few galleys, as he has "only one rotten galliot";also troops, money, and clothing. Gaviria thinks that the Dutch arebeing to some extent supplanted by the English; and that the latterwill gladly unite with the Spaniards against the common enemy. Herecommends the abandonment of the Spanish posts in Gilolo. A letterfrom the king of Tidore accompanies Gaviria's letter, in which thatruler demands that Fajardo succor the Spanish forts promptly. 

Letters from the king to Fajardo (December 19, 1618) give him ordersregarding certain matters in the administration of the Philippinegovernment. Offices shall be given to these citizens of the islandswho deserve rewards for meritorious services. The alarming expenses ofthe Maluco establishment are not counterbalanced by any returns fromthe spice-trade there, and it is openly declared that the Spanishofficials have embezzled what profits might have accrued therefromto the royal treasury. Fajardo is therefore ordered to investigatethis matter and punish those who may be guilty; and to take charge, for the present, of the conduct of the clove-trade at Ternate. Theforce of men there should be reduced, if practicable; and certain fortsin Maluco should be abandoned. In these and other ways expenses mustbe reduced. The governor and the archbishop must warn the religiousorders to cease their exactions upon the Indians. A separate letterwarns the governor that expenses must be reduced to the utmost; andthat he must maintain the colony on its own revenues, without aidfrom the government. He is advised to endeavor to open and work themines in the islands; but in doing so he must not molest or injure theIndians. 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 thePhilippines, and the necessity of opposing the progress that the Dutchare making in India, Japan, and the archipelago, so as to preserve forSpain the rich trade of the East. Another most important considerationis the need of maintaining these islands as a center for religiouslabors 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. Hebegins by describing various kinds of timber used for this purpose;then enumerates, the shipyards in the islands, and the wages paid tothe workmen. Fourteen hundred carpenters were formerly employed atone time in the Cavite shipyard alone; but half of them were killedor captured by the Moros in 1617, many have died from overwork, andmany others have fled to parts unknown because they had been unpaidfor 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 aday. Iron should be imported from Biscay, however, for some specialpurposes. Much useful information is given as to the material, quality, and prices of rigging and canvas. Pineda makes recommendations asto the shipment to Manila of various articles, showing how presentexpenses may be lessened, and waste avoided, in many ways. He statesthat the naval defense of the islands is quite inadequate, and theyare consequently in danger of being seized by the Dutch. But it isat present impossible to build in the islands the ships needed there;for the natives are exhausted by the labors and exactions imposed uponthem in previous years, and by the deaths of so many at the hands ofthe enemy or through the hardships of enforced naval service. Pinedarecommends that the ships needed for the islands be built in India orCochin, and that slaves be brought thence to serve on the Philippinegalleys. Many Filipino natives are migrating to Nueva España, whichshould be checked. One reason for this is the fact that these Filipinosdistil palm-wine, which will soon ruin the wine-trade of Spain in NuevaEspaña. The incursions of the Mindanao pirates have also been a seriousobstacle to shipbuilding in the Philippines; and they have rendered theuse of La Caldera, as a station for the Spanish vessels, impossible, while they welcome the Dutch to their shores. Pineda recommends thatthe king proclaim that any one who wishes may wage war upon and enslavethese Mindanao infidels, as thus only can they be subdued. He ends witha report on the measurements of the galleons in the islands in 1617. 

A royal decree dated February 19, 1619, confirms the ordinance enactedby the dean and cabildo of Manila cathedral, refusing benefices andecclesiastical dignities to religious who have been expelled fromtheir orders. 

The Dominican missionary Diego Aduarte proposes to the Council ofthe Indias (probably in May, 1619) a means to check the outflowof silver from Nueva España to the Philippines. Aduarte recommendsthat the trade of the islands with Nueva España be suppressed, andthat their inhabitants be allowed to trade with Japan, selling inthat country the silks that they buy from the Chinese. But the bulkof this trade is already in the hands of the Portuguese of Macao;in order that it may be monopolized by Manila, Aduarte advises thatMacao be abandoned, and its inhabitants transported to other cities ofIndia. This can be accomplished easily by a royal decree forbiddingthem to engage in the Japanese trade, which would compel them to goelsewhere. 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 vassalsof 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, theyhinder, by their evil example, the conversion of the Chinese natives. 

One of the Manila Jesuits writes (July 12, 1619) an account ofevents in the Philippines and in the neighboring countries during thepast year. The city of Bassein, near Bombay, has been destroyed bystorms and earthquakes. In China there has been a persecution of theChristians, and four Jesuits were expelled from the empire. Othersremain there, who are preaching the gospel wherever they can. Incertain inland districts, these missionaries have encountered a largecolony of Jews, and a people who worship the cross, although they areheathens. The Tartars have invaded Chinese territory, and our writercopies the text of a memorial regarding this invasion, sent by themandarins of Pekin to the ruler of China, detailing the defeats andmisfortunes suffered by the Chinese. They complain of his neglect ofpublic affairs, and his harsh treatment of a certain mandarin, andask him to take measures to drive back the Tartars, in Cochinchina therecently-begun missions of the Jesuits are prospering. For the Japanesemission are coming a large reënforcement of Jesuit missionaries; butaffairs there are so disturbed that they cannot enter the country atpresent. The writer recounts various omens and portents which are saidto have occurred in China and Japan. In the latter country, a fiercepersecution of the Christians serves but to display the steadfastnessand zeal of both the missionaries and their converts. Several navalencounters between the Dutch and the English and Portuguese arenarrated. Good news comes from the Moluccas: the petty king of Manados, with many of his chiefs, is converted to the Christian faith; Tidoreand Ternate are at war; and Maluco is well supplied. Both Dutch andSpaniards are building more forts in those islands. Other Europeannations also are acquiring a foothold in the archipelago. The writerdescribes two remarkable comets which have been visible in Manila. Aplague 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 departfrom the islands, perhaps overawed by the forces of ships and gunswhich 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 shipsto his aid. The bishop asks permission to resign his see, and moresalary as acting archbishop; recommends Pedro de Heredia to the king;asks that an _ad interim_ appointment in the cathedral may receiveroyal confirmation, and that the Cebú church may receive a grantfor repairs and further income. He requests that the ecclesiasticalcabildo of Manila may be authorized to rule the archbishopric, in case of the death of the archbishop. It is reported that theJesuits are endeavoring to oust the other orders from Japan, whichArce deprecates, advising the king to confirm the appointment of theFranciscan Luis Sotelo as bishop of eastern Japan. Arce's requestsregarding the archbishopric of Manila are seconded by various papersappended to his letter, embodying the opinions of the auditors androyal officials thereon, who support Arce's claims. 

A letter from Fajardo to the king (August 10, 1619) gives his report onvarious matters of importance. He has received certain reënforcementsand supplies from Mexico, but urges that these be sent every year. Hedescribes the last incursion of the Dutch in Philippine waters, and hismilitary preparations by which they were obliged to retreat thence. Hisresources for defense are small, and he cannot depend upon India foraid, as the Portuguese there are themselves in straits; accordingly, the king must send a fleet from Spain for the aid of the islands. Hehas aided Ternate to the best of his ability, and will send morewhen he can. The governor there has resigned his post, after manycomplaints of his rule; Fajardo has made a temporary appointment, and asks the king to provide further for this post. The Englishin the archipelago are engaged in conflicts with the Dutch, and itis rumored that the former would like to ally themselves with theSpaniards to fight their mutual foe. Fajardo is perplexed regardingthe king of Ternate, who is still held a prisoner at Manila; andasks for instructions. He makes various recommendations and requestsconcerning the appointment of certain subordinates, desiring to securepersons most fit therefor. He has attempted to correct abuses in thegovernment, which he recounts in detail. Fajardo has been annoyed byconstant quarrels in the Audiencia, but, with the somewhat reluctantaid of the old auditor Alcaraz, has been able to quiet them in part. Hehas found in both Alcaraz and the archbishop Serrano, most judiciousand helpful counselors; but the other auditors are on bad terms withhim, and one of them has a scandalous reputation, both public andprivate. A scandal has occurred in the seminary of Santa Potenciana, but the guilty have been punished. Conflicts of jurisdiction havearisen between Fajardo and the Audiencia, especially in regard to thetrials of soldiers and sailors for crimes. The governor complains thatretired officers refuse to serve in the regular companies; and asksthat extra pay be allowed them as an inducement for such service. Heasks for directions as to his sending the usual gifts to the emperorof Japan. The loyalty and bravery of the Spanish citizens of Manilaare warmly commended, especially in the case of Juan Ronquillo and someothers who are named. Certain intrigues and frauds have been detected, which are recounted. Fajardo recommends that more Jesuits be sent tothe islands; he complains that the Dominicans are too ready to leavetheir work, but commends the Augustinians. A short document appendedto Fajardo's letter concerns the relative merits of the routes toFilipinas via Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn respectively. 

A group of papers dated 1610-19 shows that an encomienda of Indianswas 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 andMarch, 1620, respectively--to the king by Hernando de los Rios Coronel, long procurator-general of the Filipinas, on "reforms needed" in theislands--of which he has been despatched by the citizens to informthe king. Accordingly, he writes (apparently at Madrid) a detailedstatement of the "matters that demand reform. " Serious losses oflife and property have been caused by the delays in despatching thetrading ships from Manila; the governors should be compelled to sendthem at the favorable season. The officials on these vessels shouldbe appointed from among the deserving citizens of the islands, and not be the relatives or servants of the governor or otherroyal officials. The citizens have been greatly defrauded in theassignment of lading on the galleons, and too much of this is grantedto charitable institutions. The trading ships should not be used forany other purposes. The Manila authorities buy ammunition and othersupplies in China, which, "in order not to anger the Portuguese inMacan, " they buy from them rather than from the natives, but thesupplies thus cost three times their value; the agent who buys themshould buy wherever he can do so to the best advantage, and directlyfrom the Chinese. The royal ships should be built in India, and theburden of enforced service in this work should be removed from theIndians. Commerce from Japan to Nueva España should be stopped; andSpaniards should not be allowed to man Japanese vessels. An enemycan close Manila harbor to all vessels desiring to enter; anotherroute to it should therefore be devised and made available. The Moropirates must be prevented from harassing the islands, and the bestmeans for this end is to proclaim that any one who will may captureand enslave those pirates. No royal official should be allowed toattend the session of the Audiencia in which a case concerning himis tried. When Filipino natives serve as soldiers, their familiesshould during their absence be relieved from tributes and otherimpositions. The ecclesiastical affairs of the Malucas should beunder the jurisdiction of Cebú, not of Goa. The commanders of thetrading ships should not be allowed to carry on the trade that theynow do; and the officials at Acapulco should be checked in makingextortionate charges. Ignorant and inefficient men should not beplaced in the ships as sailors. The common seamen therein (who areFilipino natives) are inhumanly treated, and many of them die fromhunger, thirst, or cold, on each voyage. Slave women are carried onthe ships, in spite of the royal prohibition; and thus arise "many actsoffensive to God, " and much cause for scandal. No sailor or passenger(unless a person of rank) should be allowed to take with him morethan one male slave. Numerous other abuses are mentioned, regardingthe traffic in slaves, the treatment of seamen, and the overloading ofships. The Chinese at Manila are oppressed by the royal officials--who, moreover, appropriate their own household supplies of food from theroyal storehouses at the lowest possible prices. Municipal officersand other leading citizens should not be compelled, as now, to live ontheir encomiendas. Flour, rigging, and many other supplies should beobtained in the islands, instead of being imported from Nueva España;a great saving of money would be thus effected. The oppressive actsof the friars toward the Indians should be checked; and no moreorders should be allowed to establish themselves in the islands. TheChinese immigrants in Luzón should be collected in one community, and induced to cultivate the soil. No relative or dependent of anyroyal official should be allowed to hold a seat in the cabildo ofManila, or to act as inspector of the Chinese trading vessels. Morereligious are needed in the missions. The Chinese residents shouldbe treated more justly, and relieved from burdensome exactions. TheJapanese who come to Manila should be compelled to return to theirown country. No more ships should be built by the natives, and theyshould be paid the arrearages which are due them. 

The other memorial by Rios Coronel (March, 1620) is additional andsupplementary to the former one. He asks that regidors of Manilabe chosen by the Audiencia, and allowed some compensation for theirservices; and that the governor be not allowed to compel the cabildoto meet in his house. He blames the friars for transferring Indiansfrom the encomiendas to settlements near Manila, where these nativesare kept merely for the profit of the friars, and, moreover, becomegreatly demoralized. The grant of licenses to Chinamen to reside inthe islands should be more carefully regulated; and they should inno case be allowed to sleep within the walls of Manila. The Japaneseare also an undesirable element of the population, and their comingto the islands should be restricted. The "commons, " or reservesupplies of rice, contributed by the Indians do them no good, for these are plundered by the Spanish officials; and the numberof these oppressors has been unduly increased. Other injuries areinflicted upon the natives, for whose protection the writer pleads;and these unjust acts are committed by both the officials and thereligious. Rios Coronel objects to the practice in vogue of giving theIndians military training; and to the traffic in slaves from Malacca, which brings to the Philippines dangerous and criminal blacks. Publicsuits should be tried and decided in the Audiencia, and not sent toMexico. The governors should not be allowed to treat the citizenswith insolence; and should be obliged to send the trading ships toMexico at the right season, in order to avoid the present frequentloss of property and lives in wrecked vessels. Another cause of theselosses is the culpable neglect and recklessness of royal officialsand governors. Various abuses in the equipment, lading, and managementof the trading vessels are pointed out, with the corrective measuresthat should be taken. The fertile and healthful province of NuevaSegovia is neglected, and its population is decreasing; this shouldbe remedied by the colonial authorities. Rios Coronel asks for theappointment of a competent and reliable shore-master to aid himin the equipment and despatch of the ships, and for more thoroughinspection of what is done by royal officials in the islands; forthe latter purpose he recommends a choice from several ecclesiasticswhom he names. The Moro pirates still ravage the islands, and the kingshould permit them to be enslaved by any one who may capture them. Thehead-hunting Zambales and Negrillos of Luzón continually harass thepeaceable Pampangos; and this can only be stopped by allowing thePampangos to enslave these foes when captured. The Filipino nativeshave been almost ruined by the exactions of forced labor imposed uponthem by the Spaniards, especially in the building and navigation ofvessels. Rios Coronel says: "As I have seen personally, and as all theinhabitants of that country know, the galleys of the Filipinas aretheir destruction. " Rios Coronel describes the sort of vessel whichshould be used in the islands (one of which he has built at his owncost), and asks that such be furnished for the use of the colony. Thegarrison at Manila is insufficient and demoralized; and the writermakes various recommendations for improving its status. Many personsin the artillery service are incompetent; the writer demands a sortof civil-service test for those appointed to such places. He alsoasks for a competent artillery-founder. Better provisions should bemade for the ecclesiastical government of the islands. He asks thatsilver bullion from Japan may be legalized as money in the Philippines;and concludes with the request that the religious and the officialsthere be compelled to treat the Indians more kindly. A letter by RiosCoronel, included in this document, is deferred to _Vol_. XIX. 

The EditorsAugust, 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 obtainedfrom 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 JamesA. 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 lastyear to Nueva España. Those ships were despatched to make the voyageby way of Yndia; but as the Dutch enemy was lying at the entrances ofthis bay with his ten warships, it was not possible for the ships toleave, for it would have been only to have fallen, beyond all doubt, into his hands. In them I inform your Majesty of everything occurringup to their date. In this I shall inform you of what is new. The comingof this enemy caused the anxiety which was the reason--inasmuch as wehad heard for a long time that he was coming; and that he would waitto seize the Chinese and Japanese ships, and prevent their entranceinto the city with food--that, in order to frustrate those designs, I, with the advice of the Audiencia and the council of war, resolved toprepare seven galleons and to equip them as thoroughly as possible, sothat they could go out to fight that enemy. When about to set this planafoot, obstacles began to arise, because there was not a single realin the royal treasury, on account of the non-arrival of the ships fromNueva España; and because the country was in great need, and had noincome except that collected from the licenses of the Sangleys. Thesewere collected with great effort and difficulty, but the sum was allspent in a few days in the repair of these galleons. When there wasnothing more to use, the ship expected from Nueva España arrived. Ithad put in at Japon, and brought more than eight hundred thousandpesos for the royal treasury and for the citizens. It was regardedas a great mercy of God that He should help this afflicted land insuch necessity and extremity, and that He should keep this ship fromfalling into the hands of that enemy. After this the repairs andpreparations of this fleet proceeded with great energy, and althoughinnumerable 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 wasalways 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 yourMajesty, and disturbers of the common peace. These joyous causesfurnished ecclesiastical and secular motive to request me, with loudand frequent acclamations of joy, to hasten as quickly as possible thepreparation of this fleet. Notwithstanding that it was detained, theysaid that it could go out; for they were assured that, since we hadso large galleons, that enemy would not dare to await it, and that theflagship and almiranta were alone sufficient to drive away that enemyand prevent the damages that were expected so close at hand. They saidthat the preparations that were intended to be made would be useless, for, when they were finished, then the enemy would have already goneto Terrenate, enriched with his booty from the Chinese ships; andthat damage would result from delay, while great expenses would haveto be met from the royal treasury. For my part, all these arguments, since they arose from loyal desires, without taking the trouble toshow the irreparable injuries that would result from that course ofaction, caused me no care. I constantly attended to the repairingand preparation of this fleet as well as possible, including in itwhatever your Majesty possesses in these islands. The reason thatobliged me to lay great stress upon that enemy was that--since heknew that Don Juan de Silva had gone to Sincapura with a fleet often galleons, four galleys, and one patache--he, without knowing ofthe governor's death, came to look for him with an equal number ofwarships. These were chosen from twenty-two vessels, and equipped withthe best artillery and men of arms and war in them all; and he daredto come within sight of our walls and very confidently was comingwith his great force. Consequently I considered it best to prepare anarmed fleet which, being such, might be able to fight with his. Notof less consideration was the fact that we are in the view of so manybarbarous nations, who esteem and extol him who conquers. Accordinglyit was necessary to consider carefully not to place our reputationand credit in any danger, but that we should have as superior a fleetto his as could be collected, to go out to measure strength with theenemy; 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 bestforces that could he assembled was the consideration that the enemyshould not go out victorious because your Majesty did not possess inthis land the means with which we could construct a fleet in manyyears; and if we drove the enemy's fleet away and punished him ashis boldness and arrogance merited, he would have to lay aside hisdesire for returning to these islands, and would leave them quiet andpeaceful, and free from the dangers that his coming threatened. Withthis 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 themwith the rowers that were needed, the citizens, Sangley Christians, and some Indians lent two hundred and twenty-three slaves. And as onehundred and fifty slaves were still wanting to man them sufficiently, and because there was so little revenue in the royal treasury, Imade efforts to have the Sangley infidels supply this deficiency, inasmuch as they were the most interested in avoiding the damagescaused by that enemy. They excused themselves from giving personsto serve in the galleys; but offered to give the money to pay thosehired rowers who were willing to go. For this purpose the Sangleysthemselves made a contribution of one peso apiece from all who hadany money, and gave five thousand pesos. This sum they deliveredto a regidor for the pay of any slave or freeman who was willingto serve on this occasion, to each one of whom twenty-five pesoswould be given. With this sum one hundred and forty-seven rowerswere gathered. Some new slaves were bought with this money and theothers were paid twenty-five pesos apiece. One thousand five hundredand 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 verymoderately--we needed one thousand infantrymen; but all the islandscould only furnish six hundred paid soldiers. In order to supplythis lack, three hundred and eighty men were provided from thecitizens of this city, and from captains, alférezes, and sergeantson half-pay--the captains numbering thirty-four, the alférezes onehundred and six, the sergeants eighty, and the common soldiers onehundred and sixty. These men showed a willingness to take service onthis occasion for honor. But to fulfil their obligations they had notthe means with which to buy any arms, or other supplies which werenecessary to them. The report spread that, if the money were not givento them so that they could equip themselves, they could not embark. Itwas necessary to find a remedy for the loss that might result fromthis condition, and the one that seemed most suitable so that theymight serve your Majesty with single-heartedness, was to assign as agratuity to each captain one hundred pesos, to each alférez fifty, toeach sergeant thirty-five, and to each common soldier twenty-five. Butinasmuch as the royal treasury had nothing wherefrom to supply thesegratuities, and they could not be avoided, thirty toneladas of thefreightage for Nueva España were distributed, and were divided amongthe 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 givenby the Sangleys, amount to seven thousand five hundred and forty-fivepesos. This money was given as a gratuity, with thirty-nine toneladasmore and six piezas; figuring this at twenty-five pesos a pieza, allthe help amounted to fifteen thousand five hundred pesos. This amountwas regulated by giving to each captain fifty pesos and two piezasof the cargo; to each alférez, twenty-five pesos, and one pieza ofthe 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 nomoney. For after having aided the paid infantry, not a single peso wasleft in the royal treasury. Forty-six of the citizens lent twenty-twothousand seven hundred pesos and the treasury of the probate court[_caxa de bienes de défuntos_] [3] lent four thousand. A moderateamount of aid was furnished to those men by that means. After that, naught more was left to be done toward the suitable preparation of theroyal fleet. May God be praised, who favored this cause so greatly, so that your Majesty might be better served. It can be thoroughlyunderstood that to attempt any of these three things would giveanxiety even to him who had considerable power of management; forthe departure of the fleet to fight with the enemy depended on verycareful management; while, on the contrary, it must remain in portif all the expenses incurred in its preparation had been carelesslyplanned. But it happened as we could have desired. When all necessaryarrangements had been made, the bishop of Zibu, who has charge of thisarchbishopric, gave his blessing to the royal fleet. The fleet tookas patroness the immaculate conception of our Lady, who was conceivedwithout the stain of original sin. It left the port of Cavite in chargeof Don Juan Rronquillo del Castillo, [4] on Saturday, on the eighthday of the month of April, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, to find the enemy, who was stationed at Playa Honda [5] with sixvessels. There, in the past year of six hundred and sixteen, he wasdefeated by Governor Don Juan de Silva. Three ships of the enemy werethirty leguas in advance, on the look-out for Chinese vessels, whilethe 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, withtwo Chinese vessels that they had pillaged. Those two vessels warecarrying about three hundred thousand pesos' worth of merchandise. Oneof them the enemy had begun to rob, although only slightly. It wasimpossible to attack them, for wind was lacking. Thereupon the enemyvery leisurely weighed anchor, but did not leave the Chinese shipsuntil the next day. Then as the two fleets were about to engage, they left their prizes, in order not to be hindered by them. Theyhad already been joined by two other vessels. Our royal flagship hadgot to windward. Near it, at eight in the morning, was the galleon"San Juan Bautista" under command of Admiral Pedro de Heredia (but hewas not admiral of the fleet). The other galleons were to leeward. Asthe enemy saw so good an opportunity, he maneuvered his six ships, placing them in good order. His flagship passed within musket-shot ofone side of the royal flagship and discharged its artillery. Answeringthem with another, as good and better, many volleys were firedwithout missing one shot, because the pieces were fired at so shorta distance. Another ship passed, with the same good order, giving andtaking its heavy volleys. The four other ships of those which I saidwere there, did the same. It was the greatest gallantry that I eversaw; for our galleon gave all those of the enemy so many volleys thatit displayed excellently its great strength--as well as the injuryreceived by the enemy, since he attempted nothing more on that day. Onour side five men were killed and eight wounded. The following day, Saturday, the fifteenth of the same month of April, the two fleetsgot ready to fight, and ours got to windward. Orders were given foreach galleon to grapple with one of the enemy--flagship with flagship, and the "San Juan Bautista" with the almiranta of the enemy; while thegalleon "San Lorenzo" and the patache were to aid whichever boat theysaw needed help; the galley flagship was to aid the royal flagship, and the other two galleys the galleon nearest them. The enemy wasawaiting us in excellent order; and, signaling the other vessels toattack him, our first galleon, named "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, "under Captain Juan Bautista de Molina, grappled; and then the royalflagship with that of the enemy; the galleon "San Juan Bautista" withtheir almiranta; the galleon "San Miguel, " commanded by Rodrigo deGuillestigui, with the ship that fell to its lot; the galleon "SanLorenço, " under Captain Juan de Acevedo, with another ship. As forthe galleon "San Marcos, " under Captain Don Juan de la Vega (one ofthe best ships of the fleet), and the galleon "San Phelipe, " underCaptain Sebastian de Madrid, these two did not grapple, althoughcommon report says that they could have done so had they made aneffort. They fought a very fierce battle. The galleon "Nuestra Señorade Guadalupe" defeated its opponent, being aided by the galley underCaptain Don Diego de Quiñones; and the enemy having shown a flag ofpeace, soldiers from our side entered it in token of victory. The royalflagship, after having been grappled for more than two hours--thebattle being fought with great gallantry on each side, each firingheavy volleys at the other, and the galley flagship aiding on itsside--was reported to be leaking badly from the effect of certainvolleys which it received at its water line. This forced it to throwoff the grappling-irons and go away; while the enemy's ship refusedto mind its helm, and, in a little more than half an hour, careenedon one side and sank, without any of its cargo being seen. Forty ormore men, among them the general, escaped in two lanchas. With greatefforts 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 hadstolen. The fire caught the main-sail, which was so quickly burnedthat the sail fell, on the yard, into the waist of the ship. The shipcontinued to burn so fiercely that it could not be quenched. All themen took to the sea, some in lanchas and others swimming, most of thelatter being drowned. This burning ship drifted to where our galleon"Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" was stationed. Near it was the capturedgalleon, and the burning vessel coming down upon the latter, set fireto it; and this one began to burn so furiously that the soldiers whohad 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. Thegalleon "San Juan Bautista" having almost captured the enemy'salmiranta, the burning vessel bore down upon them both. Throwing offtheir grappling-irons with considerable difficulty, the fire forcedthem to ungrapple; and at once they separated, so that the fire mightnot injure them. Thereupon victory was declared, and the three hostileships took to flight badly crippled. Their almiranta was so damagedthat our people thought that it would surely sink. Those three vesselswere pursued by the "San Marcos, " and "San Phelipe, " which were moreto the windward, and by all the rest of the fleet. However, inasmuchas 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 kepttogether, they did not do it, but each vessel acted by itself. Thegalleon "San Marcos" went to a place where two ships of the enemywere pillaging two other Chinese ships. When the enemy discovered it, one of his vessels went to reconnoiter it, while the other stayedbehind with the vessels that they were pillaging. They commencedto fight and the battle lasted more than three hours, at the endof which the Dutch vessel withdrew and joined the other ship. Nextday--that of San Marcos--the [Dutch] ship that had not fought came;it is understood that it was reënforced with men. Firing a quantity ofchain-shot, it did considerable damage to our rigging; and as our mainyard had fallen, our ship did not mind its helm well. Consequently, our galleon sustained serious injury at the stern, upon which itscommander came to a very imprudent resolution--namely, to go intoward shore and anchor in twelve brazas of water, and there fightwith the enemy. This was so carelessly executed that, upon throwingthe anchor, they could not find bottom, whereupon they groundedthe galleon in four brazas of water. The entire crew went ashoretaking some things with them. None of the enemy disembarked. As thecommander thought that the enemy could burn them with his lanchas, he made another decision as bad as the other, and set fire to hisvessel. Thereby was lost the hull of the ship, which was especiallygood. The artillery and anchors were all taken out and most of themare ashore. The commander appears to be very blameworthy; and theinvestigation to punish him according to his offense is now beingmade. This devolves upon Don Geronimo de Silva, castellan and governorof the forts of Terrenate, to whom your Majesty has granted the officeof captain-general because of the death of Governor Don Juan de Silva, until a proprietary governor is provided. All the rest of the fleetreturned to the port of Cavite. The bad treatment received by thegalleons from the many volleys, the sailors, soldiers, and artilleryaboard 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 honorand 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 thesenow, His Divine Majesty was pleased to destroy the greatest fleetfrom Olanda ever seen in these districts; and at a juncture when, ifthe fleet sent by your Majesty by way of the cape of Buena Esperançaarrives safely, strong hopes may be entertained that it will drivethat 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 thecannon were taken from his fortresses, and he will have difficultyin replacing them. Although three pataches were prepared to take theusual help to the forts of Terrenate, the enemy did not allow them tosail from the port of Cavite. Considering the need and stress thatthe forts were in, and that they had only sufficient food to lastuntil the end of September, as the castellan wrote, I ordered all thechampans possible to be collected and prepared with great haste inOton, eighty leguas from this city, and to be laden with rice, meat, wine, and other supplies. As champans are but insecure craft, and badlymanaged, inasmuch as they are manned by Sangleys, I sent some sailorsto serve as pilots. Eight champans were prepared, of which six reachedtheir destination, besides one despatched from Zebú. By all possiblemeans I managed to succor those forts. They were made very happy bythe help that reached them--for they were quite out of rice--and bythe hopes that I gave them of the speedy sailing of a ship laden withfood, clothing, and money. Thus the forts were provided sufficientlyto enable them to await the help that was to be sent in the ship. 

The viceroy of Nueva España despatched two advice-boats which reachedthese islands, early in February and in March. They brought yourMajesty's papers for Don Juan de Silva, which the royal Audienciareceived. They contained the title of master-of-camp for Don Geronimode Silva, knight of the Order of St. John, and castellan and governorof the soldiers of Terrenate; an order to Don Juan de Silva that theformer be given the title of captain-general of artillery, and anappointment [with instructions], so that, in case of the said DonJuan de Silva's death, it might be opened. On opening it, we foundyour Majesty's grant to Don Geronimo de Silva of an appointment ascaptain-general, on sea and land, in these islands and in Terrenate. Hewas at Terrenate engaged in his duties there, for Don Juan de Silva'sstatement to your Majesty, saying that he was ordering Don Geronimoto Manila to act as master-of-camp, and was sending Lucas de BergaraGabiria to Terrenate, had not been carried out. With all possiblehaste I sent a galley to advise him of the grace bestowed upon himby your Majesty. In the boat I sent ten thousand pesos in reals, four thousand five hundred pieces of cloth, and what wine and riceit could carry for their sustenance going and returning, besides aquantity of jars of powder. Within twenty days I despatched the threepataches that were at the port of Cavite, since the enemy had nowleft the entrances to this bay; and with them I sent Don Gaviria toserve in the offices held by Don Geronimo de Silva. They carried morethan three thousand baskets of rice, with wine, and meat; a quantityof clothing; six thousand pesos in reals; four eighteen-pounders, anda number of jars of powder; and balls, and many other things for thesustenance of those forts. The occupants of the forts have reportedthat that was the most substantial help that has been sent them formany years. May God be praised that He provided help for the greatnecessity of that presidio at a so needy time. Another royal decreewas also received, in which your Majesty orders that pilots be sent bymore than one way, so that they may go to await the royal fleet thatis to come by way of the cape of Buena Esperanza, and give the generalof it orders to go to Terrenate or to Manila--whichever place may bemore suitable for his effective despatch. Having called a council ofwar, it was decided, the Audiencia concurring, that the fleet shouldcome to Manila--because it would thus find accommodation in ports thatfurnish 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 ofMarch, a galliot and a patache were despatched in which two pilotssailed, those most experienced in navigation. They came from Españawith General Rrui Gonçalez de Sequeira, and had gone to the straitof 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 fifteenmonths. These islands enjoyed during that time the greatest peace andquiet for many years, except for the war of the enemy--as disinterestedpersons will relate, to whom credit must be given. I hope that theywill continue in that condition, and improve with the coming of thatcavalier. I find certain objections [to him] in accounts, emanatingfrom Terrenate, of the trouble experienced by the infantry becauseof the harshness of his temper and the ill-treatment that they havereceived in word and deed. During the first week after his arrival inthis city he has manifested the same disposition toward several personswho made the expedition, in depriving them of certain military postsin order to bestow them upon his followers and relatives, who saythat they are to be preferred to others. They feel so exalted overthis office [of Don Geronimo], with which he is willing to providethem government posts, that they desire all persons to call him"your Lordship. " And because the first day of his arrival, LicentiateMadrid y Luna, auditor of this royal Audiencia, did not call him so, Don Geronimo sent him a message saying that since the auditor washis friend he should honor him by calling him "your Lordship. " He hasnot broached this subject to me, for he knows that I do not considerit fitting to occupy myself with these matters, which are immaterialand confer no authority; and that the office itself possesses enoughdignity without trying to give it that which is not needful to itin order that your Majesty may be well served. He ordered an edictto be published that all the captains, army officers, and soldierswhose places have been abolished during the last ten years, shouldappear at the office of the royal accountant within a fortnight, underpenalty of six years' service in the galleys. That caused a greatuproar throughout the city; for they declared that they were not hissubjects. The captains--feeling angered because they were under no suchobligation, but employing the mild and expedient measures of courtesy, so that there might be peace and the people become quieted--as soonas the session began sent the governor a message by the clerk ofthe Audiencia, petitioning that he consider the edict and correct thecommotion caused by it. They requested that he would check future evilsby suspending the effect of the edict, for those included in it werein the jurisdiction of the government; and it concerned the Audiencianot to allow injury to be inflicted on anyone, especially since thisact was opposed to its authority. He replied that he was acting withinhis powers, and consequently he had ordered that measure. And althoughcertain religious have, by virtue of their office, represented tohim the difficulties that must result from the edict, as yet he hasgiven no signs of regarding it with the consideration and reflectionadvisable to the service of your Majesty, and the peace and quiet ofthis community. He thinks that it is to be governed according to hiswill, and places no check on his own inclinations. If this is to bedone, these islands will suffer until your Majesty shall provide suchremedy as is advisable for your royal service. This royal Audiencia, performing its duty with what authority it possesses, will do itsutmost; and it will not consent that he meddle in matters outside hisjurisdiction. 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 yourMajesty. In one of them you were pleased to grant me acceptance ofmy resignation as auditor of this royal Audiencia, and permissionto go to España. In another decree your Majesty orders the governorof these islands to give me accommodations in the vessels about tosail to Nueva España, in accordance with the quality of my person, and the offices that I have held. In the last decree your Majestyconcedes me one year's salary as a gratification for the many expensesthat I shall incur in so long a voyage. Immediately upon receivingthese royal decrees, I could have bid farewell to the Audiencia;but, considering that it was then in the midst of preparing thefleet, and since I had been employed in and had arranged what wasadvisable to your Majesty's service, I thought that it would be verywrong to retire on such an occasion and flee the danger, and liftmy hand from a matter of so great importance. After the expedition, I would have vacated my office and would have prepared to go to giveyour Majesty an account of many things of importance to your royalservice, but I have neglected to do so, because there are no judgesin the Audiencia. Licentiate Madrid y Luna is ready to go in one ofthe trading ships to serve in his position as alcalde of the court ofMexico. 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. Whenthey shall have arrived, it will necessarily take some days for themto understand the affairs of government and the form of procedure ofthe Audiencia. Since I think that I shall serve your Majesty in this, I shall delay here no longer than is absolutely necessary for theAudiencia to fulfil its obligations, and so that your Majesty may bebetter served. 

With the grace shown me by your Majesty in permitting me to go toEspaña, I shall not enjoy my salary as auditor from the day that Ishall cease to serve in this post. Consequently I shall not be ableto live in accordance with the quality of my person and the poststhat I have held. In remuneration of twenty-nine years of service(twenty-four of them in the Indias)--and no favors have been grantedme for the offices of president and captain-general, and the successfuloutcome of the difficulties that I experienced therein--I petition yourMajesty to grant me the reward of certain pensions equivalent to thesalary taken from me, or what reward your Majesty may be pleased toorder given me, which will be in excess of what my services can merit. 

The persons who have served best on this occasion, and who meritrewards from your Majesty, are: first, the general Don Juan Rronquillodel Castillo, who assisted at Cavite, from the first of November oflast year, in the repair and preparation of this fleet, until hesailed from the port with it and fought the flagship of the enemyand defeated and sank it--and, according to what the prisoners say, it will be incredible in Olanda that there is sufficient force in thePhilipinas to have defeated this galleon; next, Captain Don Diego deQuiñones, for the service rendered to your Majesty by him in resistingthe enemy--first, at his entrance to the town of Oton (where the Dutchdisembarked with six hundred men); then, after killing and woundingmany men with less than one hundred soldiers, and causing the enemyto retreat ignominiously after a stay of not more than twenty-fourhours in front of the said town, Don Diego came at my orders to serveon this occasion, leaning on a crutch--for he was not yet recoveredfrom a musket-ball that had passed through one thigh--and served ascommander of a galley. He found himself near the galleon "NuestraSeñora 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 attackedhim, and he received great damage from the artillery discharged uponhim, he refused to leave his prize until, after fighting with greatcourage and valor, the galleon to which he was grappled took fire, whereupon with great haste he ungrappled so that the fire should notdo him harm. The vessel that was burning was deserted by its men veryhastily, some of whom embarked in the lancha, while others jumpedinto the water; and, the fire reaching the powder, the ship went down. 

Captain Juan Bauptista de Molina, commander of the galleon "NuestraSeñora de Guadalupe, " was the first to grapple with a ship which, according to the prisoners who were in the battle, was in Piru, whereit and another vessel sunk our almiranta. He fought as a good soldieruntil the enemy surrendered after a hard fight. While a captainand soldiers from our side were in the said vessel, that ship ofthe enemy's that was coming down upon it afire, as the executor ofdivine justice, set fire to this one, and it was burned. That shipwas burned because His [Divine] Majesty did not choose that thereshould be more spoils from that victory than the memory of the justpunishment 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 itsartillery or musketry, the burning boat charged down upon the twogalleons and forced them to ungrapple for fear of the fire. Thereupontheir almiranta got away with some difficulty, because it had sofew men left to handle the sails. The men who escaped from the smallboat of the burning ship were taken aboard that vessel, so that theyhad sufficient men to retreat; and our galleon could not return toattack the said almiranta, which left so badly dismantled that it isthought that it must have sunk. The facts will be learned with thefirst advice that comes from Terrenate. 

General Francisco Bravo de la Serna, who came aboard the flagship thatput in at Japon, gained the good will of the ruler where he put in, by his diligence, discretion, and sensible procedure, aided by themunificent presents that he gave to the king. Consequently the kingreceived him as hospitably as if he were in your Majesty's lands, giving him whatever he needed at moderate prices. When the generalwished to leave, the king gave him permission, without his havingreceived any ill treatment. That was considered a good outcome, and was all the more so because, when he reached these islands andlearned that the enemy had taken the passage in order to enter theport of Cavite, he took the flagship to the most hidden place thathe could find. Having made port in haste, he unloaded the silver andstored it inland; then, while anchored, he took ashore all the restof the cargo. That was the compensation of these islands and the fundwith which the fleet was prepared; and without it the galleons couldnot have been equipped. Therein is made evident the good service thatFrancisco Bravo rendered your Majesty. He also rendered service onthis expedition; for he embarked on the flagship, and took with himtwelve 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 generalhad. The latter declared the same to me, and that Bravo should behighly esteemed for the manner in which he distinguished himself inyour 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 whichI charged him. Last year, when that enemy came to this bay, he helpedto cast the artillery; and he worked at it day and night, until theyhad cast so many pieces that they sufficed to put the fort of Cavitein a state of defense. Two of his brothers and one cousin have died inthis land in your Majesty's service--one in the Sangley insurrection, and two on this noble occasion. One brother was commander of thegalleon "San Phelipe. " As soon as the battle began, he was wounded bya musket-shot and lived little more than one hour. It is consideredcertain that more would have been accomplished with this galleon;had not the said commander been killed. On that account, and for thegood accomplished by his services in this royal Audiencia, the saidLicentiate Madrid claims that your Majesty should grant him as a rewardpermission to marry some of his seven daughters and three sons inMexico. That is the greatest wealth that he takes from these islands. 

Captain Andrea Coello came from India in a patache in July lastyear with despatches from the viceroy. That enemy having come andtaken position in the entrances of this bay, he offered to serveas ordered, whether on land or on sea, with his person, patache, sailors, and soldiers; for his profession was to serve your Majestyin war. He remained until the royal fleet was ready to sail in searchof the enemy; and the said captain supported the sailors and soldierswith his patache and with the moderate aid given him. He took parton 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 thebishop of Nueva Segovia [6] and twenty-eight Augustinian friars; onehundred and forty soldiers and twenty convicts; one hundred quintalsof powder, one hundred muskets, and one hundred arquebuses. Sincethe country was at peace, that proved a tolerable reënforcement. Nomoney came for the royal treasury, which does not contain one singlepeso. From the money that is expected from Nueva España must be paidthe twenty-six thousand seven hundred pesos lent by the citizensand the probate court account; besides other twenty-three thousandpesos due to the captains and the Japanese and Chinese merchants, for cloth and war supplies which they have delivered to the royalmagazines. There is no royal revenue from which to satisfy thosedebts. The only revenue that can be collected now will be the proceedsof the Sangley licenses, and that will scarcely suffice for thevery ordinary expenses. There will be no money with which to paythe salaries of the Audiencia, royal officials, and other persons;the stipends of the bishops and prebends of the church, and thosegiven to the religious; the wages of the infantry of this camp andthat of Terrenate; and the aid that must be sent to those forts fortheir ordinary sustenance. And then this is increased by the delay ofthe fleet which your Majesty has ordered to come by way of the capeof Buena Esperança because of the great expenses that will be thusincurred, and by the repair of the galleons in Cavite. The latter mustnot be abandoned, and are without masts, for only their futtock-timberscan be of use. It is all very difficult when so many things come atthe same time, and there is no money with which to repair them. MayGod in His mercy provide a remedy for so many necessities. I shall dothe utmost that in me lies. Although there is considerable to provide, I shall attend to the most needful, so that things may be maintaineduntil the viceroy of Nueva España, upon learning of the wretchedcondition of these islands and those of Terrenate, may provide theaid that is necessary for their conservation. Accordingly I humblybeg your Majesty to send the viceroy orders that the succor askedfrom him be sent promptly. And should a case happen like the present, of no vessels going to Nueva España because they have to return indistress to these islands, [I beg you to order] that the viceroy donot neglect to send the money which is usually asked from him for thepayment of the expenses incurred in these islands. Those expenses, like those of the war which are of so great moment, cannot be suppliedif there is a lack of money, and it will not be well to fall againinto such straits as those that we suffer at present. 

The two auditors who were to come to this Audiencia, remained inMexico, as there was no accommodation in the ship to enable them tosail. Their absence causes a conspicuous deficiency; for I am the onlyjudge in the Audiencia, because the sickness of Doctor Juan Manuelde la Vega is of long duration, and few hopes are sustained of hisrecovery, according to the physicians' reports. Licentiate Manuelde Madrid y Luna has determined to go to serve in the position ofalcalde of the court in Mexico (which your Majesty has bestowed uponhim as a reward), notwithstanding that I did not allow him to quitthat of auditor of this Audiencia on account of the just reasonsfor serving therein--through the many affairs concurrent in it ofjustice and government, and through the great lack that all thesewould experience if they were in charge of only one person. Should ithappen that I were to die, there would be no Audiencia nor any one togovern these islands--irreparable injuries, for which it is advisableto prepare the remedy beforehand. And although, besides these things, Ipresented to him many considerations that should oblige him to postponehis departure; and notwithstanding the requests and protests that Ihave made to him regarding the present injuries and those that mighthappen on his account; all this has not sufficed to move him from hispurpose. He has answered me with the arguments which if your Majestypleases may be seen in the accompanying testimony. Manila. August10, 1617. 

_Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz_

[_Marginal note_: "Take particular account of what is stated abouthis services, in order to reward him as may be fitting, especiallyfor what he did on the occasions that he mentions which have been soadvantageous to the royal service and to the conservation of thoseislands, which results from achievements as great as were the defeatand punishment of the enemy. In what concerns the persons of whoseservices he gives information, let attention be given to them in theAudiencia; and have them summoned so that they may know what knowledgehis 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 withMacao and Japon_

Beyond a doubt Christian interests in Japon and China are sustainedand prospered, after the grace of God, through the trade which yourMajesty's vassals carry on with those kingdoms; for the heathen there, being avaricious, are much pleased with the gain they derive fromthe goods carried to them, and from those which they sell to theChristians. Therefore, they allow the religious of Europe in theircountries, because they know that, if they do not admit them, theywill not enjoy this trade; for they see that principally on accountof religion your Majesty's vassals come to them with their ships andgoods. This is shown by the experience of many years. 

Although this trade may be profitable to your Majesty's subjects and toyour royal exchequer, it ought to be so carried on that not only maythese interests be advanced, but also in such a way that Christianityshall not be injured. When any one of these interests is in danger, itis plain that it would be a less evil to lose something of the temporal[advantage from trade] than of the spiritual advantage resulting fromthe conversion of souls there. There is no doubt that your Majestywishes it thus, as do all of your ministers, who are so anxious forthe 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 thehands of the Portuguese; from Felipinas and Nueva España to China, byway 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 thereis considerable profit are carried to China. From Macao, which isa Chinese city, silks and gold, upon which profits are large, aretaken to Japon; while silver, which also yields profit, is takento China. From China, copper, silks, gold, and other articles aretransported to India. This trade is also remunerative. Since upon allthese things import and export duties are paid to your Majesty, thistrade is undoubtedly the means by which Eastern India is maintained;for through it are made possible the large expenditures for thefleets which the viceroys send each year against your Majesty'senemies. 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 lackof it there. Some other things are taken to Japon, among them silksbrought from China, but little else; for they have nothing in NuevaEspaña 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 whichthey buy in China, or which the Chincheos are accustomed to bring toManila, which is unquestionably the metropolis of Felipinas. 

From the trade of Nueva España and Felipinas with China and Japon lessin customs duties are paid to your Majesty than from that of EasternIndia with the same countries, because there is nothing upon whichto pay them except the silks. Thus this trade is not so advantageousas that of Eastern India. Indeed, your Majesty's profits will be muchgreater if this trade of Nueva España and Felipinas shall cease. Thiswill be experienced not only by the crown of Portugal, but even bythat of Castilla. 

By the crown of Portugal this will be experienced because, if thepeople of Eastern India alone were to sell goods and to buy thoseof the Chinese and Japonese, they would obviously gain more and beable to pay higher customs to your Majesty; for when the sellersand buyers are many and different, all is to the advantage of theChinese and Japonese, because then they sell and buy on their ownterms. Under such circumstances your Majesty's subjects have sustainedgreat injuries, and many times have sold their goods for prices farbelow what they had cost, in order not to carry them home. From thesecircumstances, too, quarrels have arisen in China and Japon betweenthe subjects of the two crowns--to the discredit of España and to theshame of Christians there who see discords among Christians and amongsubjects of the same king. The Portuguese, in order not to suffer theseinjuries, will abandon this trade: if they do so, Eastern India willbe in great danger, especially now, from those who go there from thenorth. And your Majesty will even come to lose it; and this throughnot having wherewith to maintain the fleet by means of which it isprotected and prospered, as has been shown by experience. In the sameway 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 incomeother than through this trade. 

This result will also be experienced by the crown of Castilla, becausethe trade of Nueva España with China serves only to carry thithersilver which ought to come to España, and to bring from China thesilks which might be sent from España. Whence great injuries to Españafollow, as is notorious, through the loss both of the silver of whichit is deprived, and of the duties and profits on its silks. The tradeof Nueva España with Japon is also unprofitable, because there are nogoods on which to secure gain either going or returning, except whatthey may get from the silks which they carry from China, to Japon, and from some iron, copper, cabinets [_escritorios_], and similararticles. Indeed, on account of the before-mentioned disadvantages, it is easier to lose than to gain in this trade; and if it shouldbe expanded your Majesty would suffer other disadvantages. This hasalready been seen on some occasions when it has been tried. 

The trade of Filipinas with China may be hurtful in so far as thesilver carried is concerned, because this might come to España. It istrue, the silk trade with China is of some profit to Filipinas as abasis of trade with Nueva España--which cannot be dispensed with--tosupply the things needed from there. But this silk trade might besubstituted by carrying some of the gold of Filipinas to Nueva Españato buy what is necessary from España, to which thereby would come moreadvantage; and by carrying also some of the silks which the peopleof Chincheo are wont to take to Manila. These are bought in this waymore advantageously than when the Filipinas merchants go to China tobuy, as has been seen during many years' experience with the formermethod. But it might even be well to put an end to the coming of thepeople 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 bemore carefully watched. To prevent the coming of the Chinese, yourMajesty might order the inhabitants of Macao to take to Manila thesilks, bronze, and other things needed in Filipinas which the peopleof Chincheo bring. And everything will be more secure, the profitwill be much greater, and all of it will accrue to your Majesty'ssubjects if it be ordered that the Chinese shall not sell anythingthat the inhabitants of Macao have to sell. 

The trade of Filipinas with Japon is very hurtful to your Majestyand to your subjects, since, as they carry in it nothing but silksfrom China, which the people of Eastern India and those of Macaoalso take to Japon, all the advantage lies with the Japonese; for, as they are in their own land, and have a larger number of articlesto 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 injuriousto your Majesty's subjects, and advantageous to that king to whom theypay so large customs duties. Sometimes the people of Felipinas andthose of Eastern India have returned without selling or buying, inorder not to suffer total loss. Thus results a great loss of customswhich ought to be paid to your Majesty. And not alone do you sufferin your exchequer but also in your reputation, because the Japonesedespise your Majesty's subjects when they see the disorders that theycreate; [7] and they lose [also] respect for your viceroys. When, inorder to correct this impression, certain embassies are sent to thosekings, they judge from this that your Majesty's subjects have greaterneed of them than they have of your Majesty or your viceroys. Thishas been observed during all these past years, especially amongthe Japonese--who, being arrogant, proud, and warlike, think thateverything depends upon them, and ask odds of no one. They, judgingby the great number who go to Japon from Felipinas that they arenecessary to the latter, have ever thought of making war upon theseislands in order to conquer them for themselves. [_In the margin_:"And now that the Northerners are there, it is possible for themtogether 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 soconducted that what is gained by one be not lost by the other. Youought also to consider which line of trade will profit you most, and should enforce this one and prohibit the other by decrees issuingfrom both crowns, enforcing them through your viceroys, and imposingsevere penalties upon violators of such decrees, and greater onesupon those who fail to require them to be kept. [_In the margin_:"This was ordained by the king, Don Felipe Second, grandfather ofyour Majesty, as the Council of Portugal will inform you. "]

From the foregoing it is easily seen that the trade of Eastern Indiais, from a temporal standpoint, the most profitable to your Majesty andfor your subjects; and from a spiritual standpoint, for the maintenanceand propagation of Christianity in China and Japon. This was provedin the years during which this plan was tried. [_In the margin_:"Conversion there has entirely ceased today because this plan has notbeen tried during recent years, and because of the severity of thepresent emperor of China, who even punished laymen for protecting thereligious who went from Felipinas to China contrary to his commands. "]

It is plain, therefore, that the trade of Nueva España and Felipinaswith Japon and China is unprofitable in comparison with that of EasternIndia, not to mention the marked injuries already pointed out which itinflicts upon España, and which must be repaired and corrected lestgreater ones be sustained. The trade always carried on with NuevaEspaña is fully sufficient to maintain Felipinas. In this they carrygold and some of the silks which the Chinese merchants carry fromChina to Manila to be sold; and they might bring silks from Macao, should your Majesty now order it. In return they bring from NuevaEspaña what they need for their own maintenance and growth (to makeit unnecessary to go to Japon and China for the same). In proportionas this plan has been observed the welfare of both the Eastern and theWestern Indias has been advanced; and the kingdoms of España have hadgreat profits from them, through their carrying silver and bringingback merchandise. Now that the Hollanders are so powerful there, it isnecessary 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 ISLANDSFROM THE MONTH OF JUNE, 617, UNTIL THE PRESENT DATE IN 618

Last year I informed you at length of the naval battle, and of thesignal victory which our Lord was pleased to give us over the enemy, the Hollanders, who came to these islands with the largest force thathas ever been here. They brought ten galleons well equipped with men, artillery, ammunition, and other implements of war. Of these tengalleons they lost three in the battle--one, the admiral's ship, was sunk, and two were burned. Four of the remaining seven fled toMaluco, badly damaged. So many of their men were killed and woundedthat, although they had set out with a large number, they arrivedwith scarcely one hundred. These were the messengers of an eventmost disastrous for them but fortunate for us. The other ships fledto Japon. 

Until now the natives of the Malucas Islands had greatly favoredthe heretics; but, loving novelty and seeing that the power ofthe Hollanders had declined, they began to plan a revolt. When theHollanders learned of this, they hanged in Machien, one of their beststrongholds, a chief whom, it was understood, the natives wishedto place at the head of the insurrection. But in other quartersthey could not so quickly effect a remedy. In the island of Siaothe people killed all the Hollanders who had seized their land, except three whom they handed over alive to our governor of Malucofor galley-slaves. The natives of the island of Vanda [Banda] dealtin the same manner with the Hollanders who were there, and gained theascendency. In Ambueno some of the natives revolted. The Hollanderstried to pacify them by force of arms, but we do not know how theaffair ended. All this, however, was not what most disturbed theHollanders, but it was rather the fact that they saw that English shipshad 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 thestrongholds of the Hollanders were about to fall; and that, if atthat time it had been possible to go with a fleet to the Malucas, a great exploit might have been performed. By this means, as wrotethe governor of Ternate, Lucas de Vergara Gabiria, everything might, perhaps, have turned in our favor. But it was not possible to do thisas was desired. 

As I informed you in my report of last year, two other galleons, called "Leon Rojo" and "Fregelingas, " had separated from the restof the fleet near the coast of Ilocos, a province of the island ofManila, in order to plunder, to more advantage and with less risk, theChinese who were accustomed to steer for that coast. For this reasonthey took no part in the naval battle. This was very fortunate forthem, since, without loss of men or of artillery, they plundered nine[many--_V. D. A. _ [9]] Chinese ships, laden with very valuable silkswhich the Chinese were bringing here to the city of Manila. When theselearned of the destruction of their fleet, they made haste to returnto Japon, where they arrived on the seventh of July, 617. On the waythey overtook two Chinese ships loaded with silks. They captured them, and, as their own were full of the plunder that they had taken, theyput seven men as a guard on each of the Chinese ships and took themthus 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 fromthe two of the Hollanders. It made port in the kingdom of Satsuma. Butthe authorities of this place, learning that the ship was a captive, and disapproving of a thing so foreign to civilized intercourse, wouldnot 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 fourdays the Chinese who came in the ships, about thirty-four in number, went ashore and secretly bought some catanas, arms peculiar to Japonand not very different from cutlasses. With these they embarked forFirando, another kingdom of Japon. One night they suddenly fell uponthe Hollanders [the seven who guarded the ship], and, in spite oftheir resistance, they beheaded them and threw them into the sea. TheChinese then loaded all their goods upon little fishing boats thatthey had provided for the purpose, and setting fire to their ship, fled with their property in different directions. In all of thisthey were very diligent and discreet. If they had not been so, theHollanders who reside in that kingdom undoubtedly would have takenthe ship away from them by legal process, because (as we shall seelater) the Hollanders have things much to their liking at the courtof the emperor. 

The two galleons, "Leon Rojo" and "Fregelingas, " and the other Chineseship, of which I spoke, arrived at Cochi [Kochi], a port of theisland 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. ThePortuguese who reside in Nangasaqui, learning of this design, wentto the governor of that city to complain of what the Hollanders wereplanning. He sent them at once to the Jeno [11] of Firando with anorder by which the Jeno was commanded not to allow any Dutch ship to goout in search of the ship of Macan commanded by the Portuguese. Thisprecaution, however, was unnecessary, because our Lord prevented, by other means, the accomplishment of their purpose. On the day ofthe blessed apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, a furious storm overtookthem while they were in the port of Cochi. The "Leon Rojo" ran agroundand filled with water; the "Fregelingas, " through loss of mainmastand rigging, was badly shattered. The Chinese ship also ran aground, and silks of great value were injured by water. With infinite laborand 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 sogreat 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 "SolViejo" ["Old Sun"], that fled from the battle of last year and wasconfidently believed to have foundered in the sea. In it, however, theDutch general, Juan Rodriguez Lam, [12] escaped. With only eighty men, who remained with him, he crossed to the coast of Camboja, and wentto the port of Champan [Champa _V. D. A. _] in order to repair the damagethat the ship had sustained here in the Felipinas. They were not ableto 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 ofartillery. The Dutch general had met these two ships on their wayfrom Bantan, where the Hollanders had another factory. The "LeonNegro" and the "Galeaça" had captured three Chinese vessels that weregoing to Bantan to trade with the Hollanders. To save the Chinese thetrouble, the Hollanders had loaded all the goods of the Chinese upontheir own ships, thus taking from them the great wealth of silk theywere carrying, and leaving them only the hulks of the ships. [_Inthe margin_: "Not the least compensation was made for such greatinjustice and injury. "] Sailing, then, by way of Hermosa Island, thesetwo ships had sighted the "Sol Viejo;" and, thinking that it was theship of Macan, they were much rejoiced, and prepared to seize it. Whenthey came a little nearer, however, they discovered that it was the"Sol Viejo, " in which was their own general, who had fled routed fromthe naval battle that took place in these islands. Distressed at thebad news [of their defeat in this battle], they together [with the"Sol Viejo"] directed their course to Nangasaqui, where they madeport the first of July, 617. While these three ships were anchoredwithin the bar of this port, news arrived that the ship of Macanwas eight or ten leguas at sea. The governor of Nangasaqui preparedand sent a message to the Portuguese to the effect that they couldenter 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 accountof the Hollanders, the ship did not enter his port, he commandedthat 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 beenassigned to them for trade with Japon. They disregarded this commandand replied that they had come to Japon with no other purpose than tolook for that ship, which they must take without fail. The governorresponded with a second notification, and so they thought it best toleave 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 ofManila eighteen Chinese ships, besides the two which on their returnto Japon they [the "Leon Rojo" and the "Fregelingas"] had carriedwith them as they were, loaded, and the three which the ships comingfrom Bantan [the "Leon Negro" and the "Galeaça"] had despoiled. Thisrobbery caused much commotion in Japon. The brother of the ruler ofFirando governed that state at this time, because of the absence ofthe latter, who had gone to court. He accordingly placed guards uponthe Dutch ships as soon as they arrived, and commanded that no oneshould go to them or buy anything from them until the emperor shouldknow of their arrival, which he reported immediately. The Hollanders, paying no attention to these orders, began to unload their clothuntil they filled the warehouses of their factory, leaving thesurplus in the ships. Much of this cloth was wet, because, as Isaid above, their vessels [the "Leon Rojo" and the "Fregelingas"]and that of the Chinese had been shipwrecked. As this was the rainyseason, it was impossible to dry it; and thus, to their great sorrow, much was lost. They secretly sold everything that they could beforethere should come from the court any order that might be to theirdisadvantage. They made a large sum of money, and then in all hastethey loaded a great number of the boxes of silk upon the "Leon Negro, "which they put in readiness for whatever might happen. They thendespatched their messengers to Macao [_sc_. Meaco], the court of theemperor, to whom they presented four fine pieces of bronze artillery, which he prized very highly. They sent also thirty thousand taesof silver, each one equal in weight to ten Spanish reals, and manypieces of various kinds of silk, with which they gained the goodwill of the emperor and of the courtiers upon whom their prosperityand security in Japon depended. As a result of this, they were soonvery successful in their negotiations, at which they were greatlypleased; for they were given permission to sell their spoils in thekingdom of Japon to whom and wherever they pleased, since they saidthat the Spaniards were their enemies and that the Chinese were goingto 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 Chinesethe hulk of the ship and some cloth of little value, which they hadgiven them because they had feared that they might not be successfulat court. And they did this in spite of the fact that the Chinese, with their good industry and hard labor, had drawn from the waterthe ship, which, as has been said, was stranded and submerged. TheHollanders carried this spoliation to such an extent that they tooktheir very clothes from their bodies. 

Having completed this very successful exploit, on the fifteenth ofOctober they despatched for Holanda the "Leon Negro" with sixteenhundred boxes of changeable silk. Each box contained two picos ofsilk (each pico equals five arrobas); besides this, they shippedthree hundred fardos of black and white mantas--all of which willyield 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. Theother two ships, the "Sol Viejo" and the "Galeaça, " warned us thatthey intended to come to the coast of Manila about April, in order toplunder at once the ships which come to this city at that season. Thishas really happened, because for almost two months two Dutch ships havebeen in the place [13] [where they seized the ships from China. Thishas caused much apprehension in this city--_V. D. A. _] which last yearfurnished so powerful a fleet; for then it had galleons with whichto defend itself. Now it has none, because six galleons were sentto other islands in order that the injuries that they had receivedin the late battle might be repaired. On the eleventh of October afurious hurricane overtook the ships and, [since they had been piercedby balls in the battle--_marginal note in MS. ; also in V. D. A_. ] theyparted in the middle and sank in the sea. The twenty-four pieces ofartillery which the galleons carried--four in each galleon--were lostwith the ships. They were, however, neither very large nor of muchvalue. 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 thestorm by means of the rafts perished from hunger out at sea, after thestorm subsided. In this event the justice of God was evident, becauseit is said that that many had embarked upon these galleons with theirconcubines, purposely to live with them in the holds of the ships, without fear of either God or man; therefore our Lord permitted men andgalleons to run aground. [Not only was the city deprived of these sixships, but] it must be added the information received from his Majestythat the fleet of galleons formed in Cadiz to come here, by way of thecape 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 thosethat it expected, resolved at once to build six galleons and somegalleys; this they are doing with all speed. But as these ships havenot yet been finished (and cannot be very soon) they were worthlessto oppose these two Dutch vessels that have been along the coast ofIlocos, a province of the island of Manila, and have plundered at willeverything within their reach. According to some, they have despoiledof silks and other merchandise twelve or thirteen ships. Thus onlythe smallest number escaped falling into their hands, and then onlyby 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 torelease the Chinese vessels that they had with them. Four of these, delighted at this good opportunity, resolved to flee, and as thewinds 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, ofthe loss of our galleons. With these spoils they returned, I think, toJapon, where they will again be received as they were last year. Andthe worst of it is that they will delight in coming [every year toinflict as much more damage; and therefore the Chinese will not dareto come--_V. D. A. _] to this city with their ships, and commerce willcease. Everything will then be lost, because the prosperity of theseislands depends solely upon trade with China. May God prevent thiswith his powerful hand. 

In the island of Oton a strange thing happened this year. The shipsthat usually go with supplies to aid the forces of Maluco weredespatched from the city of Manila. In one of the best of theseembarked Manuel Riveyro, a father of our Society from the house ofTernate. He had come here to solicit and collect the alms which hisMajesty orders to be given to the fathers who labor in the MalucasIslands. For many days, for years even, nothing had been given;and, as a result, Ours were suffering great privation. The fatherwas very successful and collected from the royal treasury a largesum of money. Part of this he spent for very rich ornaments andfor images for our churches; part for ship stores, and for giftswith which to aid the poor soldiers in those strongholds of Maluco, who suffer great want. These soldiers are materially assisted by ourfathers who reside there, to the great edification and gratitude ofthe soldiers. With these supplies the father embarked in one of theships, and arrived at Punta de Najo [Naso--_V. D. A. _], about eightleagues from the town of Arebalo, where the king's ships go to takeon rice and meat for the Malucas. At this town it was necessary forthe father of our Society, and other fathers of St. Francis, to goashore to obtain some things which they needed, in order to have themready when the ship should arrive. Therefore they disembarked to goby land, and the ship anchored off the point. One day the master, who was called Juan de Ochoa Sarape [? Lara--_V. D. A. _], brought itabout by deceit that the captain of the ship, Francisco Benitez, the pilot, and two soldiers who were not of his following, shoulddisembark. There were on board also two mariners, a Galician and aCastilian, neither of whom had sided with him in the treason that hehad planned with the others. He sent these down the hatchway for someropes, and then took a lock and fastened the hatchway. Thereupon thetraitors unsheathed their swords, drew their arquebuses and muskets, and lighted their fuses. Standing under arms, they cut the cables, andset sail, taking possession of the ship and of all the goods that itcarried for the king, for the governor of Maluco, and for the fathersof San Francisco and of our Society, all of which, they say, might beworth more than thirty thousand pesos. The captain and the pilot, whowitnessed this treason from land, embarked at once in a little vessel, and, coming near the ship, discharged three muskets, none of whichdid any damage. The traitors asked the pilot whether he wished to gowith them. Seeing that neither he nor the captain was so inclined, they took them to land, and in their ship changed their course toBorney and Macasar. This treason was committed by twelve Spaniards, eight of whom were Biscayans and four Castilians. They made captainthe master [of the ship] who was the author of the treason. Besidesthese [twelve Spaniards], there were on board this ship the othertwo Spaniards, whom, as I said, they were carrying as prisoners, as well as some Indians of this country who also were compelled togo. When Father Ribeiro considered how much labor it had cost him toget together the help he was carrying there for the fathers of Maluco, this disaster caused him some distress--all the greater when he thoughtof the hunger and need that they must suffer. But our Lord preventedthis. The father started out to beg alms from the inhabitants of thetown; 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 anecessity that had so moved them to pity. The father set, sail withall this in another ship, and we trust that, by God's help, he isalready in Maluco. This is the same vessel that had been despatchedthis year for Nueva España as almiranta. It left port so heavilyladen that it was necessary to put back into harbor to unload partof 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 suchviolent storms that, after sailing entirely around the island ofManila, losing the masts, and imperiling their lives, they returnedto Manila on the seventh of October, 617. Afterward the vessel wasutilized [for Ternate] in the manner indicated above. 

From the Mindanaos there came persistent rumors that they wereundertaking to set out with a large fleet to besiege the fort of Caragawhich was in the same island, Mindanao, and held in check a provinceof that island. Its inhabitants do not now engage in robberies andhostile incursions by sea, as has been their custom. [Upon receiptof this news] two galleys were despatched from the city of Manila, inorder that with the caracoas that were to be found in Zebu they mightgo to aid the fort. They left Zebu for Caraga, but before arrivingthere our fleet turned back, partly because notice was receivedthat the rumor had not been true, and partly because the winds hadarisen. These winds would have greatly endangered our ships upontheir entrance to and departure from that coast, which is very bold. 

But, although we have been free from these enemies this year, wehave had to deal with others, the Camucones, [14] a people who oweallegiance to the king of Burney, They are thieves who scour thesea, plundering everything within their reach. They are so cruelthat they never imprison, but kill all upon whom they can lay theirhands. These people came to the Filipinas this year with seven caracoasand seventeen _ajuangas_, vessels resembling large galleys, but notso strong; ordinarily they carry four hundred men at the oars. Theydid very little damage, however, for they must have heard that ourfleet was on the sea, and therefore they soon withdrew to their ownterritory. Their withdrawal was also due in no small degree to thefact that when they once landed upon an island the native Indians, sallying forth, killed some of their men and put their heads uponpoles along the coast in order to terrify the rest. It was the specialprovidence of our Lord that our father provincial did not fall intothe 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 remainsheltered in a small bay for more than fifteen days. Here the newsof these enemies came to them, and therefore the father retired toManila. It is certain that if that contrary wind had not arisen hewould have gone forward, and would have fallen into their hands. 

The devotion to the Immaculate Conception of the most sainted Virginhas greatly increased among all the people. As soon as the ship fromNueva España arrived, bringing the news of the elaborate demonstrationsthat had been made in all España in honor of this Lady, they began toplace on all the corners and upon the doors of churches notices thatread, "Praised be the most holy sacrament and the Immaculate Conceptionof the most holy Virgin, conceived without blot of original sin. " Therewas no lack of persons who tried to efface one of these notices thatwas on the door of the church of Santo Domingo, a fact which causedthe people to burn with greater devotion to this Lady. It was arrangedthat for two nights there should be a procession of masked figures. Init a banner with an image of the Immaculate Conception was displayed;lamps were placed throughout the city; the cathedral bells beganto chime; and the orders formed in line of march. One devout personplaced on the corners eighteen images of the Conception of our Lady, with a legend reading, "Without blot of original sin. " Other piouspeople adorned these images with gilded ornaments and lights that burnall night. The children continually recited before these images, inloud 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 deathof Daytusama, who was the chief cause of the expulsion of our fathers, [15] it was hoped that the persecution would cease or at least wouldabate. On the contrary it has increased under the new administration ofhis son, who is so hostile to the law of Christ our Lord that simplybecause of our holy faith he has martyred one religious from eachof the four orders there. These four religious, among many others, had gone about secretly, as in England, with great labor cultivatingthat vineyard. This event occasioned much rejoicing in the hearts ofall the people of this city, the laity as well as the religious. Theytalked of making fiestas and public rejoicings in thanksgiving thatour Lord had adorned the four orders that are in these islands withfour martyrs so distinguished. But in order not to further provoke towrath the ruler of Japon, who had ordered their death, and for otherreasons, it was thought best to suspend for the present all kinds offiestas. Among those who suffered this fortune or fate was a fatherof our Society named Juan Bautista Tavora, a native of the island ofTercera. He died in company with a father of San Francisco. Afterwardthey martyred two others, one of Santo Domingo, and the other of SanAgustin, and in order that respect might not be paid by the Christiansto their bodies, the heathen threw them into the sea. The bodies ofthe father of our Society and the father of Santo Domingo were placedtogether in one box; those of the two fathers of San Francisco and SanAgustin in another. These last were afterward found, but the firstwere not. The account of all that happened concerning this matter Iwill place in the relation of that province [Japon] where these mosthappy deaths will be related at length. 

I will conclude this account with one of the most singular eventsthat have ever happened in the world. Although it is discreditable tothe 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 theworld. When Fray Vicente de Sepulveda, [16] first cousin of FatherJuan Laurencio, rector of the College of Mexico, finished his term ofthree years as provincial, the fathers of St. Augustine met in chapterin a convent near the city of Manila, to elect a new provincial. Theychose Fray Geronimo de Salas, [17] not without dissensions and discordsbetween the two parties into which they are divided. This provincialdied twenty days after his election. He died, as some say (and thisopinion seems not without foundation, as we shall see further on), from poison that they gave him, and consequently his death was verysudden. By the death of this Fray Geronímo de Salas, Fray Vicente deSepulveda returned to the office of provincial, as their regulationsprovide. It seemed to some religious who were not of his party that itwas too much for him to govern three more years, so they planned tocut the thread of life for him--by means of poison, since this wouldnot betray them. They gave it to him more than eight times in hisfood and drink--in his chocolate, and even in the wine with whichhe was consecrated. The poison was ground glass, and it resultedin eruptions over his entire body and in illness for several days, but it did not produce death. When the conspirators saw that theirattempts so far had been unsuccessful, four of them planned to killhim with their own hands. The affair was so public that not only wasthe conspiracy noised about among the friars but also among the laityof Manila. Thus it came to the ears of the provincial himself, whohad not lived as prudently as he should have done for the safety ofhis person. After this, he was very careful about his food and drink;he locked himself in at night, and entrusted the key of the apartmentto 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 [theprovincial's] holy precept, he should not come into the convent ofManila, but that he should prepare to embark for Nueva España wherethey should take from him the cowl. Thereupon this individual, FrayJuan de Ocadiz--who was a native of Madrid, a priest, and one of longservice in his order--formed an agreement with three others, all youngmen about twenty years of age, who had been ordained to preach. Thesewere Fray Juan de Quintana and Fray Andres Encinas (both natives ofManila), and Fray Ignacio de Alcaraz, born in Nueva España in a placenear Acapulco, called I think, Quatulco. Fray Ignacio was companionand secretary to this provincial, and so he had the opportunity ofmaking a key to the apartment, by first making an impression of thekey in wax. On the thirty-first of July, 617, the day of our FatherIgnacio, at eleven o'clock at night, the four opened the door ofthe provincial's apartment with the key that had been preparedfor the purpose. The provincial heard the noise immediately, andsuspecting what it might be, rose from the bed, and went shouting tomeet them. At this juncture the three evangelists repented of whathad been begun, and talked of withdrawing from it. But Fray Juan deOcadiz, bolder than the rest, since he had already begun the work, told them that if they deserted he would have to stab them. Thereuponall four together attacked the provincial, threw him upon the bed, and held his mouth. The three evangelists held his arms and legsfirmly, and Fray Juan de Ocadiz, putting his knees upon his stomach, choked with his hands. While the friar was choking him, the provincialbegged 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, andfinished choking him. Then with diabolical cruelty, in order to bemore certain [that he was dead] they twisted his neck against the bedin such a way that they disjointed the bones, no that the head fellfrom one side to the other as if he had been a dead fowl. All thistragedy was committed in the dark, so they went for a light, cleansedthe 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. Theydid not take into consideration the many discolorations upon hisbody, or the twisted neck, that must soon give testimony of thehideous crime. Fray Andres Encinas took all the bloody clothing andthrew it into the closets. The others closed the door from within, with a cross bar, and jumped through a little window. Although theprovincial had given many loud cries, and other friars lived nearthe apartment, nothing was heard in the convent--a thing that seemsimpossible. After the crime was completed the bells rang for matins, for which it was now time. The murderers, or rather parricides, withgreat craftiness went to prayers. Morning came, and the hour arrivedat which the provincial was accustomed to open his apartment; but hedid not open it. They waited a little, but he did not come out. Theyknocked at the door, but he did not respond; they knocked louder, but in vain. The prior and the other friars, who were ignorant ofthe affair, determined to break down the doors. They did so, entered, and then beheld the crime, and saw that the provincial had been killedwith violence. The prior, a certain Fray del Rincon, [18] hastened tothe president of the royal Audiencia and to Don Geronimo de Sylva, captain-general, in order that they might give him help of which hewas destitute because there was so great a tumult in the convent. Theysoon came with men. First the president ordered that all the friarsshould go one by one to kiss the hand of the dead man, in order that hemight 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 Judasand in Heaven a Lucifer, and yet the other apostles and the angels didnot fall on this account. Reports of the affair were transmitted to thebishop of Zebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, of the Order of St. Augustine, and at that time governor of the archbishopric of Manila. He imprisonedsome and tortured others; and in a short time, and with little trouble, the criminals were discovered. He made all the investigations, preparedthe case, and handed it over to the _definitorio_, which, as theysaid, had by right jurisdiction in the matter. The definitorio, whichwas composed of nine of the most prominent friars of their order, advised with the other orders as to whether, without consultingthe pope, it could condemn the criminals to actual degradation anddeliver them over to the secular arm. The Society [of Jesus] avoided, as far as it could, giving its opinion upon an affair that was ofsuch moment, and that must create such a sensation. In the decisionof the affair, whether wise or unwise, it was best for us not tointerfere. The authors were examined, and upon the advice of wiseand learned men the definitorio resolved to give the sentence. It wasread to the criminals from the pulpit of the church of St. Augustine, on the nineteenth of September, 617, before all the people, who hadcongregated to witness a spectacle so extraordinary. Immediately theytook from him the cowl, and left them with only some short cassockssuch as are worn by clergymen. They delivered them to the bishop, who was already prepared for the degradation. He immediately began todegrade them, and then delivered them over to the secular arm. Theywere taken to jail by the strong guard of soldiers that had been in thechurch ever since the criminals had been removed from the prisons tohear the sentence. But it was possible to execute this sentence againstthree only, because Fray Andres Encinas had escaped the night before, in company with a lay brother who was guarding him. With chains andall, the lay brother removed him from the prison at twelve o'clock atnight, and, placing him upon his back, carried him along an unfinishedwall of the convent, with great danger to both of falling and killingthemselves. He took from him the chains and, together with anotherlay brother of their order, they jumped from the wall and fled ingreat haste. On the twenty-second of September of the same year, 617, the secular tribunal pronounced the sentence of death upon thethree. They were taken from the jail amid a great retinue of religiousof all orders, who were assisting, and of soldiers who were guardingthe prisoners. At ten o'clock in the morning they were hanged in thesquare before the largest assembly of people, I think, I have ever seenin my life. They died with suitable preparation. I am unwilling to omitthe account of a very peculiar circumstance. Twenty years ago they werehanging in Madrid that Augustinian friar because he wished to make apastry-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 causeof 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 thebodies of these three men who had been hanged, to the convent of SanAgustin for interment, where they will remain with their provincialuntil God calls them to judgment. The friars then very diligentlysearched for the one who had fled, in order to execute upon himthe same sentence. At first they did not find him. And afterward, although they might have captured him, they did not, because they didnot 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 deVides, a native of Mexico, who had been instructor of the novices;and Fray Pedro de Herrera, a native of Medina del Campo, who hadbeen professor of theology, and who now was prior of a convent. Asthese two were not so guilty as the others the friars took from themthe cowl, and sentenced them to six years at the galleys in Maluco;and to suspension [from mass] for one additional year, on account ofthe reverence that is due to so high and divine a mystery. They werehanded over to the secular tribunal, and were put upon galleys. Butin a few days they escaped, and embarked upon a small ship in companywith Fray Andres Encinas and the lay brother who had freed him fromprison. All four set out together upon the return to Malaca, in orderto go from that place to Goa, España, and finally to Rome. Such is theunfortunate event which was reported last year to the pope, the king, and all the world alike. This year report will be made of the justicemeted out to the malefactors. [19] And as more than four lies willbe written, I have thought it best that your Reverences should knowthe 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 somenews which I will add here. The aid that was sent from this city tothe Malucas Islands arrived, and those who carried it found in thepassage two Dutch ships awaiting them, to prevent their entrance toour fortifications, and even to take the supplies, if possible. Theymade an attack and our people thought best to withdraw; but aftersome days they returned by another route, to land the supplies ifthey could. They again found the Hollander in the road and, beingattacked 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 weresaved, but some the enemy killed with musket-shots, and some, who threwthemselves into the water, perished. Captain Alonso Martin Quirante, who was in our stronghold of Tidore, hurried out and prevented theenemy from taking anything from the ship. 

Many of the provisions that were in the ship were lost, among themalmost all of those that the father, as I mentioned above, was takingfor our fathers. In the thick of the battle this father was the firstto be wounded. He was struck on the arm by a splinter, but his woundwas of little consequence. The soldiers, however, will not because ofthis 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 sentsix galeotas of provisions from India. 

The above-mentioned captain, Alonso Martin Quirante, made anambuscade, in which he killed twenty-one Hollanders and capturedfour. Of the enemy, twenty-five Hollanders and many of the Indians oftheir following deserted to our fortifications. Although the king ofTidore has always been very favorable to us, the prince his son hasbeen very friendly and of much importance to the Hollanders. But ourLord has been pleased to destroy these friendly relations in thisway. The Hollanders, for what reason I do not understand, hangedone and drowned four of the people of Tidore. On account of thisthe prince has been so opposed to them that he has sworn to avengehimself, and to do them all the injury that he can. And he will dothis, without doubt, because he is very valiant. 

So much for the Malucas. To this may be added the fact that the admiralHeredia had made, at his own expense, a beautiful, though not verylarge, ship with which to serve his Majesty whenever occasion mightoffer. Just as soon as it was launched upon the sea, it was overtakenby a storm so severe that it foundered and was lost. 

I forgot to say that one [_Marginal note_--Sequeyra's ship] of the twoships that were despatched last year for Nueva España, but did notarrive there, was separated from the other. It must be known that acertain de Sequeira, a Portuguese of the Order of Christ [_del Habitode Christo_], went in it as captain. He had come as general of thefleet which five years ago the king sent by way of the cape of BuenaEsperanca, [21] and he carried a cédula from his Majesty to the effectthat they should send him back at once by the same route. Instead, they detained him four years in this city, much against his will. Atlast they sent him as captain of this ship in order that he might goto España by way of Nueva España. They loaded upon this ship goodsof high value, although not a great quantity of them, because thevessel was small. He began his voyage with favorable winds astern, and when he had reached the latitude of more than 30 degrees, hesaw that he might turn toward India; but, the brisas beginning tovex the ships, he ordered the return, and, arriving at these islands, disembarked some Castilians whom he carried but who did not wish to gowith 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 atMalaca 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 ofJuly. It was fortunate that the vendavals were very much delayed thisseason; for, if they had begun when they usually do, it would havebeen impossible for the ships to reach these islands this year. ButGod chose to bring to us the governor [22] who was so much desired. Agrand reception, with many costly triumphal arches, was prepared forhim 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 whenthey desired him to go out of the city again, in order that he mightenter with solemnity, he said that he did not wish them to carry himin 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 Philippinascomprises seven principal provinces, not to mention many otherislands and smaller provinces within its jurisdiction. Five of theseprincipal provinces are in the island of Luzon, which is four hundredand sixty leguas in periphery and extends about from the thirteenthto the twenty-first parallel. One can travel two hundred leguas in astraight line on this island, for it is even longer than this. Fromeast to west, between the Cape of Spiritu Santo (the first sighted whencoming 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 isone hundred and twenty leguas. The capital of Cagayan is the city ofNueba Segobia, which was settled by Governor Don Goncalo Ronquillo dePeñalosa in fifteen hundred and eighty-one. The shape of this islandof Luzon, taken as a whole, is more like a semi-quadrant than anythingelse, although there are many irregularities in places. Some partsare narrow, because of the numerous arms of the sea which bound andpenetrate the island; but in some parts, principally those on thenorth side, the island grows broader and more spacious, as I willshow in the proper place. In other parts it is rough, rugged, andnot a little mountainous. When the island is considered as shapedlike 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 littlemore than two leguas to the south. 

_Camarines_

The first, of the five provinces in the island of Luzon, beginning onthe eastern coast, is Camarines, which includes all the territory nearthe mouth of the channel of Capul. The capital of Camarines is thecity of Cazeres, sixty leguas from Manila. It was settled by DoctorFrancisco de Sande, governor of these islands, in fifteen hundred andseventy-four. He settled on the Vicor, a large and peaceful river, whose waters are very fresh and healthful, because it runs through manyveins of gold, as do most or all of the rivers of these islands. Thereare in Camarines as many as twenty encomiendas, counting the four intowhich the island of Catanduanes (which is included in this district)is divided. The largest of these encomiendas does not contain morethan fifteen hundred tributes; there are a few of one thousand; mostof them must have from seven to eight hundred; while some have fourhundred or even less. Among these peoples a great deal of gold wasformerly obtained from the mines or placers of Paracali and from theisland of Catanduanes. Camarines yields no rice, and it has not so gooda food supply as other parts of Luzon, owing to the fact that Luzonis very narrow here, and in many places is rough and mountainous. Itis believed that as much gold is mined now as usually, yet it seems asmall quantity; for, although the Indians in general have more moneythan formerly, obtained through their [various] sources of income, they keep back the gold to work up into chains and jewelry, withwhich they adorn and parade themselves freely. They pay tribute intin reals. The Camarines have become a very settled and tractablepeople through the religious instruction and careful teaching ofthe discalced Franciscan fathers, their ministers. They had been, of all the people of these islands, the most warlike and the mostfeared, as was shown by their resistance; indeed, one can hardlyassert that they were conquered. The number of the inhabitants ofthis province can be but roughly estimated, as it is difficult tocount them accurately. It is probable, however, that there are morethan one hundred and fifty [thousand], counting the intractable blackpeople who live in the interior of the country. Of this number someestimate that one-fourth are Christians. 

_Judicial offices of the province of Camarines_ [23]

With respect to royal jurisdiction, this province has these threeoffices:

The alcaldia-mayor of Caseres, which is ordinarily called thealcaldia-mayor of Camarines, because Caseres is the capital of theprovince, 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 alsonear the same channel mouth. 

_The province of Manilla_

The second province [in the island of Luzon] and the principal onein importance and wealth, because of its extensive commerce and ofthe fact that it is in the center of the kingdom, is Manila. Withinits jurisdiction are included other smaller provinces. These are thetwo lake provinces, Bonbon and Bay; and (the most important of all)Panpanga, which, at the outside, is not more than twelve leguas fromManila. This is an inundated valley, and yields a great amount ofrice, owing to the richness and location of its lands, as well as tothe wealth and superior character of its natives--among whom thereare at present many who have aided and served as faithful subjectsand friends, whenever opportunity has offered. In Panpanga yourMajesty has as many as six thousand tributes in the four governmentaldistricts and principal villages, among which are Betis, Lubao, Guagua, Mexico, and other smaller places. All the neighboring country, andparticularly the royal magazines, secure their rice from this province[of Pampanga]. There must be in the province of Manila forty thousandtributes belonging to private individuals, and almost twenty thousandbelonging to your Majesty. There must be in all more than five hundredthousand people, of whom one-fourth are Christians. In this, however, estimates vary. The adelantado, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, settled theimportant 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 importancewho are maintained by the city within its walls, are as follows:

The alcaldia-mayor of the Parian or alcayzeria of the Chinese; thealcaldia-mayor of the coast near this city, its capital being thetown of Tondo; the alcaldia-mayor of the Lake of Manila, ordinarilycalled 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 ofBalayan and Bonbon, twenty leguas from Manila; the corregimiento ofMindoro and Baco, twenty-five leguas from Manila--which, althoughit is itself an island, is a division of this province for judicialand religious administration; the alcaldia-mayor of Calilaya, fortyleguas from Manila; the corregimiento of Masbate, an island fiftyleguas, 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 andPangasinan. This, although here considered as a separate province, is under the jurisdiction of Manila in judicial and religiousmatters. Its natives are chiefly those called Negrillos. They aremountain Indians and are either very tawny in color, or black. Theyare so restless, so warlike, and so averse to trade and communicationwith other people, that up to this time it has not been possible tosubdue them effectively. Although on different occasions they havebeen severely chastised, there is still no security from them. Theyare in the habit of making sudden assaults upon their neighbors, continually, and cutting off many heads. In this consists the wholehappiness of these barbarians. These Negrillos belong to the samerace of people as those who live farthest in the interior and in themost rugged parts of these islands. It is a very well established andcommon belief that they are the real aborigines; and that the restof the Indians are immigrants who conquered them, and compelled themto leave the shores and plains, and to retire to the most isolatedand rugged parts of the islands, where they now are. They are stillso brutal and so averse to civilization that they scarcely deservemore than the name of men; for they often cut off the heads of theirown fathers and brothers as a pastime, for no other reason thantheir natural cruelty and brutality. Very few of them have fixedsettlements, nor do they plant crops; but they live upon camotes(a kind of potato), other herbs and roots, and the game which theyhunt. They hardly ever come to the plains or coasts except to makeassaults and to cut off heads. The one who has cut off the greatestnumber of these is most feared and respected among them. The skullsthey keep in their huts as trophies, or to serve as jugs and cupsin their drinking-bouts. There is such abundance of wild game inthe province of Pangasinan that within a space of only twenty leguasover sixty thousand, and sometimes as many as eighty thousand, deerare killed every year. The Indians pay these deerskins as tributes;while trade in them is a source of great profit for Japon, becausethe Japonese make of them good leather for various purposes. 

_Ten thousand tributes_. There must be in Pangasinan between tenthousand and twelve thousand half-pacified tributes, two thousandbelonging to his Majesty, and the rest to private individuals. Thecapital of this province is a place called Binabatonga. Itformerly contained about three thousand houses, or, according toother estimates, a greater number; but it now has only about twothousand. The province has some good ports. One is that of Agoo, commonly called "the port of Japon, " because it was the first portwhich the Japonese occupied in these islands [when our people first sawthem here]. Another port is Bolinao, which is better than any other. 

_Judicial offices in Pangasinan_. There is only one judicial officein this province, namely, the alcaldia-mayor of Pangasinan. 

_The province of Ilocos_

Next after Pangasinan, toward the north, on the same coast, comesthe province of the llocos, a people on the whole more settled andtractable; 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 everyyear during February and a part of March, for at this time the windsare favorable for going from Ilocos to Manila and back again. Thecapital of this province is the town called Fernandina [now Vigan], which was settled by the master-of-camp Guido de Lavazares, whogoverned these islands in fifteen hundred and seventy-three, uponthe death of the adelantado, Legaspi. This province must nave betweenfourteen thousand and fifteen thousand tributes, which are collectedwithout resistance. Five thousand of them belong to his Majesty, and the rest to private individuals. There used to be in it, also, agreat quantity of gold but the Ygolotes Indians diminished the amountfor the reason given above. [25] This diminution is quite noticeable. 

_Judicial offices of the province of Ilocos_. There is in this provinceonly one judicial office, the alcaldia-mayor of Ilocos. 

_The province of Cagayan or Nueva Segobia_

After Ilocos comes the province of Cagayan, the northernmost portionof the island of Luzon, where there is a great deal of incompletelypacified country. It contains villages inhabited by a very strongand warlike people, who have given us much trouble. 

_Twelve thousand_ [_tributes_]. Between twelve thousand and thirteenthousand tributes are collected in the pacified portions of theprovince. 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 portof Nueba Segobia, opposite and facing China and Japon, one hundredand twenty leguas from Manila. It is so near China that from CapeBojeador, one of the points or promontories of Cagayan, it is notmore than a seventy leguas' journey to the nearest towns on the coastof Chincheo, a maritime province of that great kingdom. The greaterpart of the Sangleys who come to these islands are natives of thatplace. For this reason, and because of the natural restlessness ofthe people of Cagayan, there has been established in Nueba Segobia aregular garrison, sometimes with fifty, and sometimes with a hundred, or even more, soldiers, as necessity demands. Nueba Segobia containsthe cathedral church and is the capital of the archbishopric of theprovince of Cagayan, just as the city of Caseres is of Camarines. Thereare then, in the island of Luzon, not counting the archbishopric ofManila, which is the capital of the kingdom, the two archbishopricsabove mentioned. It must be noted that there are in this island manyraces and kinds of people, such as the Camarines, Camintanes, Tagalos, Panpangas, Sanbales, Ilocos, Cagayanes, and many others. They differnoticeably not only in language and in physical characteristics, but also in disposition and customs. But the Tagala dialect, that ofManila and the surrounding country, is a common language. It is spokenand understood everywhere, not only by the above-mentioned nativesof the island of Luzon, but by the natives of all the islands. Fromthis fact those who know something concerning the past of these peopleinfer that the other nations of the archipelago have long carried ontrade and commerce with Manila. Because the island is the center ofan infinite number of nations and barbarous people, some heathens andsome Mahometans; and because of its nearness to and trade with therich and powerful kingdoms of Japon and China, as well as for otherreasons that might be mentioned, Manila is considered of greaterimportance in this governmental district than can here be indicated. 

_Judicial offices of the province of Nueba Segobia_. There is only onejudicial 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 islandof Panay, situated in the Pintados, one hundred leguas south ofthe city of Manila. It is more fertile, and yields more rice andother provisions, than any other province of the kingdom exceptManila. Neither is there any province relatively more denselypopulated, for, although it is not eighty leguas in periphery, it contains thirty thousand of the most profitable and peaceabletributes in the whole kingdom. The capital of this island is the townof Arebalo, which was settled by the adelantado Legaspi in fifteenhundred and sixty-seven, and enlarged by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo infifteen hundred and eighty-two. It is near the village of Oton andthe port of Yloylo, the most southerly port of the governmentaldistrict. For this reason, and because of the fertility of thisprovince, it is better fitted than any other for provisioningand sending aid to the Malucas Islands and to the presidios ofTerrenate. This province is on the coast facing toward Mindanao, Maluco, and all the "islands of enemies, " as the islands to thesouth are designated. In religious instruction and ecclesiasticaljurisdiction, this province is included in the bishopric of Zubu. 

_Judicial offices in the island of Panay_. There are in Panay threejudicial offices. These are, the corregimiento of Panay and Aclan, the rivers and principal settlements of the island; the corregimientoof the island of Negros, which is included in the district of Panay;the alcaldia-mayor of the town of Arebalo (commonly called thealcaldia-mayor of Otong) and including the purveyorship--the bestand most important office of that province. 

_The Province of Subu and its jurisdiction_

Forty leguas eastward from Oton, and one hundred and twenty leguasfrom the bay of Manila, is the island of Zubu. The capital ofthis province, as well as of all the provinces of the Pintados, is the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jhesus--celebrated throughoutthe kingdom, not so much on account of its good harbor as becauseit was the first town to submit to his Majesty; and because it isthe first city which the adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi settledand pacified in these islands. It is also noted because it is buthalf a legua from the island of Matan, where the famous Magallanesdied fighting; and more than all else on account of the holy relic, [an image] of the child Jesus, which our fathers found there, whichis now at the capital city in the convent of San Agustin, and has beensignalized by some miracles that have occurred there. Zubu is a smallisland, and it yields but few provisions, because it is rugged andmountainous. But it has an abundance, of game, and secures sufficient[of other] provisions and supplies from the islands and provincesunder its jurisdiction. These are: Leyte, Çamar, Ybabao, Bohol, andmany other islands of lesser importance, besides that part of theisland of Mindanao opposite Zubu which was formerly at peace--thatis, all the country along the Butuan River, forty leguas from Zubu, and the coasts of Surigao, Dapitan, and Caragas, a little furtherfrom Zubu. Eight or ten years ago, all of these revolted from thisprovince. There are in the provinces of Zubu and its jurisdiction, according to some estimates, over twenty thousand, and according toothers, twenty-four thousand, very peaceable tributes. Three thousandof these belong to his Majesty and the rest to private individuals. Tothe two provinces of Zebu and Panay only is given the name Bisayas, but to all this group of islands taken together is given the namePintados. The Pintados are now giving more trouble than any othersin the whole governmental district; not because the inhabitants arerestless (for none are more peaceable or more useful), but becausethey are on the frontier toward the seas of Mindanao and Maluco. Thenatives of Mindanao and Maluco--principally the Mindanaos and otherallied tribes, the Sangiles, Joloans, and others of that region--havebeen emboldened by their great successes during the last ten yearsto infest the coasts of the islands (and especially of the Pintados, which are nearest to them), so frequently that they have kept theforces of the kingdom diverted [to that region]. They have been greatlyaided by the artifice and craft of Silongan, their principal chief, and most of all by the remissness of our fleets. For these reasonsthey have harassed and are now harassing all the Pintados, where theyhave at different times robbed many places, captured many thousandsof friendly Indians, burned and sacked the churches and barbarouslyprofaned sacred things. And yet for these excesses they have neithermade amends nor been punished, and since these Moros have power andcourage to continue the war, many evil consequences result; for inspite of the pretended treaties of peace, which they are alwayspromising but never keep, they persist in their offenses. [Forinstance], at the end of November, 1616, these Mahometan Indians, by the coming of the Dutch ships which reached this bay on the lastof October led to think that our forces would be engaged, improvedthe occasion like good strategists, and burned three of his Majesty'sships in the dockyards of Masbate. About twenty leguas from Manila, they burned some villages and captured many Spaniards; and what twogalleys did let some other person tell his Majesty. We know theirdesigns by experience, and the opinion grows that it would be well topunish them for once, with sufficient force to keep them sufficientlyunder restraint and subjection to make it possible to apportion theisland [in encomiendas], and to establish in it fortified posts. Thisis the true way to prevent their disturbances. Since Mindanao isdirectly opposite the Pintados, and so near to Matheo and Terrenate;since it has so many encomiendas to distribute (as it is over fourhundred leguas in extent); and since it yields gold, wax, cinnamon, and a great quantity of rice and other valuable products--greatbenefits would accrue to his Majesty by its pacification. 

_Judicial offices of the province of Zubu; three_. Returning to theprovince of Zubu, from which I have been diverted by a discussionof the affairs of Mindanao, I may say that there are three judicialoffices here. They are the alcaldia-mayor of Zubu, which is theprincipal office in the province; the corregimiento of the islandsof Leyte, Camar, and Babao; and the corregimiento of Botuan, whichis the portion of the island of Mindanao that used to be peaceful. 

Summary of the tributes--160, 000. Each tribute consists of a manand wife. 

I wrote this in Manila, in 1618, to give to Governor D. Pedro deBivero. 

DUTCH FACTORIES AND POSTS IN THE ORIENT

_Account of the factories, and the posts garrisoned with infantry andartillery, that the Dutch enemies maintain in the islands of the East. _

_Item_. From these factories are taken food and other provisions forMaluco, and a ship of a thousand toneladas of pepper every year. 

_Item_. In the island of Caramandel they maintain two factorieswithout 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. Thereis sent from these factories a shipload of a thousand toneladas ofpepper, gold, and jewels. 

_Item_. In Negapatan they have a factory, without a garrison; fromit 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 everyyear. A bare [_i. E. _, bahar] is known to contain 600 libras. 

_Item_. In Patane there is a factory, without a garrison; from it areshipped glazed earthenware, silk, and various drugs which come fromChina, 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. Thenceare sent gold, jewels, and camphor. 

_Item_. In Japon they have a factory, without a garrison. Thence areshipped military supplies and provisions for Maluco; and thus theDutch greatly hinder the progress of Christianity in that country. 

_Item_. In Macazar they had two factories; but have removed them thencebecause the king and the natives do not get along well with them. 

_Item_. In the island of Banda they have a garrison, with artilleryand troops. They gather there Masatrella nutmegs to the amount ofmore than 1, 600 bares each year. 

_Item_. In the island of Caramandel they have a fortress with agarrison and two factories, one called Masapotamia, [28] and the otherPetapulli; 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. Fromthis 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 about600 bares of cloves, of which half, or a little less, is secured bythe Dutch. 

_Item_. In the island of Terrenate they have two garrisoned fortresses, and his Majesty has one. The island yields each year more than 700bares of cloves; and the profitable part of it is gathered by theDutch, as they have friendly relations with the natives, while hisMajesty obtains never a pound--although it is true that the greaterpart is lost through war. 

From these islands--Bachan, Maquian, Motiel, Tidore, andTerrenate--which are the ones that Don Pedro de Acuña won back andleft in peace and quiet, with an amply sufficient garrison to maintainthem, the enemy enjoys and obtains each year nearly two million pesosin profit. The reason for this loss to us was that, on account of DonPedro's death, so many quarrels arose between his adherents and thoseof the Audiencia that they spent all the time in making war againsteach other with ink and paper. In the meantime the enemy fortifiedthemselves in Malayo, and took possession of the island of Maquian, and those of Motiel and Bachan, and the other ports which they nowhold, without its costing them a drop of blood. But this burnenedus with much ignominy; for we--being occupied in wasting paper andink in lawsuits, which have continued to this day--both by this lossand that other which first arose from the dismantling of a fort inMindanao which had been built in the port of La Caldera, have giventhe enemy an opportunity to take possession of so large a part ofthese islands. And the worst is, that these factions are lasting tothis very day, and are causing the many losses and the great expenseswhich 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 shouldhave it, and thence have come to this court reports so sinister. 

What is recounted in this relation is from the mouth of General PablosBlancar, who was our prisoner in Terrenate. Being grateful for thegood treatment which he had and received from my hand, he gave methis, assuring me that it was altogether true; and I even agree withwhat he said, for, being disgusted with his countrymen because theydid not help him, and feeling grateful for the friendship which hepersonally received in my house, he told me--as it were, in paymentfor that, and by way of vengeance on his own countrymen--all that Ihave recounted. As for the failures to serve your Majesty on the partof our people, I have restrained myself in many respects, for theyare more important than I can express; but I advised Señor Don Diegode Ybarra of them in the year 1617. I am certain of everything whichhappened there, as I was present there in person, and saw these thingswith 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, informinghim of the injuries and losses which, during the seven years thatI served as head brother in the royal hospital of his Majesty, wereascertained by me in that time, in order that they may be remedied inthe 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 stewardwho drew a salary of three hundred pesos, with a hundred fanegas ofrice, and two hundred fowls, and lodging in the hospital. 2. Anothersucceeded him, who died owing three hundred pesos, which could notbe collected. 3. The second was succeeded by the Confraternity ofLa Misericordia, and when they had left the administration thereremained a surplus of three thousand pesos. 4. To this third succeededa person who finally owed the hospital five or six thousand pesos. Ibelieve that they could not collect this sum, because he died atthat time; and God knows what evil the hospital suffered on accountof the funds thus withheld, as the hospital building was burnt twicein 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 thehospital might have a stock-farm. The price paid was four hundredpesos; but the horse was of no use for this purpose, and there was noneed of him for any other use, so the said hospital sold him for onehundred and fifty pesos. This steward remained in office two years;and three years passed without his rendering any accounts, and Ibelieve he never did so. He died, and may have rendered a good accountin heaven. 6. The fifth steward requested from the sixth a toneladafrom the hospital assignment of freight in the ships. He did not ladeit, 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 governorsgave to the royal hospital of Manila eight toneladas for provisionsand utilities. The city sold its toneladas at six hundred pesos, and sometimes more; and the hospital sold its space mostly at twohundred pesos, at twenty-five pesos a pieza. The hospital for Indianshas two toneladas, and sells them at more than six hundred pesos each. 

The hospitals which your Majesty has in the Filipinas Islands: theroyal 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 theDominican friars; another, by La Misericordia, for the mulattoes;another, at the hot springs, [30] by the Franciscan friars; anotherin Cagayan; another in Cebu; another in Maluco; and another forconvalescents, by the friars who are coming back from the Indias. Thebrothers of the blessed Juan de Dios will attend to the care ofthese hospitals, for they are greatly lacking in comforts for thesick. 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 theseclauses to the governor and Audiencia, so that they may name an auditoras inspector thereof; and let the senior auditor, if convenient, fill this office. He shall superintend and audit the accounts of thishospital, and bring its property into the most profitable condition. Asfor the customs and mode of life of the officials who are employedin this hospital work, if they have committed any unlawful actslet them be punished, if laymen, according to their guilt; and ifthey be ecclesiastics, let them be dismissed and sent to their ownjudge. Each year, one of the Audiencia shall be appointed, in turn, to take the hospital in his charge; and at Easter-tide, when thegeneral inspection of prisons is made, the governor shall, on the daywhich he shall consider most suitable, visit personally and examineinto the cleanliness and state of the bedding of this hospital andthe others, so that all may be encouraged to the greatest diligenceand charity. As for the appointment of a steward and other officials, they shall always be of the honorable and well-to-do persons of thecity; and the office of steward shall last two years. If any personsshall be found so suited to the position that it will be necessary tocompel him [to serve therein], this shall be done in the best possiblemanner, so that people may understand that, after the service of Godour Lord this it is that has most weight with his Majesty, in order toemploy them in other offices, according to the character and method oftheir management. Let there be placed upon the books of the accountsand 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 waspleased to allow us to anchor in this port of Cavite on the fifth ofthe past month. One could esteem it a good fortune that although theseason was so advanced there were as yet no vendavals in the channel[_el Embocadero_] of these islands; for we had suffered many lightwinds and even calms, and had waited for a ship that joined us, in order not to desert it, contrary to the advice of some. Thanksto His Divine Majesty who gave us so prosperous a voyage, not tenpersons dying in both ships. 

The events of which I found news here are indeed to be deplored. Notonly was the small almiranta from Nueva España wrecked at Japon(news of which was sent in the ship of last year), but its flagshipwas also destroyed, having been burned on this coast with two othervessels, fragatas, which were with it; and I learned of the loss ofthe galleon "San Marcos" and the burning of two other ships whichwere being built in the shipyards, to which the Mindanao enemy setfire, encouraged thereto by the Dutch. I found, also that, of thesquadron that was being sent to aid Terrenate, one boat was wrecked, while another mutinied--thereby casting shame on the Spanish nationand their loyalty, and even giving occasion for some to make commentsand to say that the needs of this place, their lack of confidence inits relief, and the departure for another region, could furnish somereason for a similar act of desperation. Inasmuch as the number ofpeople who have fled from here by divers routes, especially by that ofPortuguese Yndia, has greatly increased; and considering how this evilreport may harm, and how advisable it is to destroy it (although wenave a very pressing need of men), I have granted some licenses--thenumber I considered necessary and sufficient--so that it might beunderstood that they have left these islands, and so that the fearentertained by so many of coming hither might be dissipated. For thesame reason, I have given certain orders for the payment of necessaryobligations, giving two of these to the sailors who were here, andas they ire so few, the so small amount of money spent will create nodeficiency. After our aforesaid misfortunes the six galleons that wereto be fitted up at the shipyards were, while going there, overtaken bya hurricane, and were all wrecked, together with seven hundred personswhom, it is said, they were carrying--namely, natives, Sangleys, and Spanish sailors and shipbuilders, and some infantrymen--besidesthose who escaped, who were very few. Consequently, these islandswere left without any naval forces and with few enough on land, bythe above-mentioned disaster and the many private persons who diedon the expedition to Sincupura or Malaca. The result was very greatsorrow to the citizens, because of these troubles, and because GeneralRuy Gonzales de Sequeira carried an amount of property for them toPortuguese Yndia, where he died; while the enemy, coming unexpectedly, seized another very large quantity of property, which some say wasin excess of two hundred thousand pesos, and others of three hundredthousand pesos. It is certain that the enemy freighted with richestwo vessels, with which they came to this coast, lading them even totheir small boats; and the same with some Chinese craft, with what theypillaged from the Sangleys of that kingdom. Thus was that so heavy losscaused to this community, which with two such strokes might fear itstotal ruin; on that account there has been no allotment of the ladingspace for Nueva España this year, since that of last year, and thattrade is the harvest that sustains this country. Consequently it hasbecome very necessary to encourage the citizens, seeking innumerablemethods of consolation, and facilitating their protection for thefuture with what means we have. I am trying to notify and assurethem that your Majesty's reënforcements and protection will not failthem--adducing (and in good faith on my part) all possible reasonswhy we should promise ourselves and expect that relief, when yourMajesty learns into how great ruin this country has fallen. For onecannot believe that your Majesty will permit the risking of what it isso important to preserve, both for the continuation of the conversionof these souls and that of so many as one may hope will be reduced tothe pathway of salvation--a thing by which our Lord will be so wellserved; and for the reputation and even the profit of the treasury, which will not be slight, and which will follow by maintaining theseislands. For if we had a fleet sufficient to be able to pursue theenemy, they could not maintain themselves from that day on which wewould thus oblige them to divert their attention from their gains andtrading, in order to join together for defense. It is quite certainthat, in that case, there would be no one in this archipelago who woulddo anything to lessen respect for your Majesty's arms. By doing that, amillion 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 appearthat they might disturb the peace of Portuguese Yndia, and even ofsome portions of the Indias of Castilla [i. E. , the Spanish coloniesin America], and other places. That would give reason for anxiety, because of the so great wealth that the enemy would thus obtain. It isquite easy to prove this statement, since with only their plunderingand the profits from their business, and without their having anyright or dominion in anything of importance, the enemy repair theexpenses and losses of war, and make the gains that they are known tosecure. Will your Majesty please have this matter considered, and havean 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 toyour royal service. To that I shall attend with what forces I shallhave, whether many or few, as will be shown by their deeds--to whichI 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 isreduced, in my opinion, to three points: namely, the commerce of Chinaand Nueva España; the protection and preservation of the natives; andhaving the sword in the hand, so that one may achieve what is neededand make all things clear. Taking this last point as a basis, Don Juande Silva, my predecessor, must have built that fleet, for which hecontrived some ships that he would not have built had it not been sonecessary, as experience proved. For until his death, the enemy did notresolve to display the audaciousness that they have since shown here, nor even to conduct their commerce, except with great caution. IfI could construct another fleet like it, I would imitate him; buthe impoverished the wealth of these loyal vassals of your Majesty, the Spaniards, and of the wretched natives, to such an extent thatmany are now in the most dire need. Besides, the royal treasury isdeep in debt, so that nothing can be extracted from it or from them, which may be worth considering in the present needs. This and thelack of iron and other materials oblige me to reduce the buildingforce 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 alsoimportant in order that those ships which are to sail to Nueva Españain the coming year may be finished and equipped promptly. I would bevery glad were that work further advanced, in order to hasten workon one ship that can be of help to me, equipping it, together withthe flagship and another ship of your Majesty that is here, so thatI 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 placeto come here, and fourteen in another. Although it will be possiblefor all to come together, and let them be what they may, preparingmyself, I am ready with what resources I have for those that may come. 

News from Terrenate advises us that they have sufficient food thereto be able to await the reënforcements of food and money that Iam preparing, to send them when the weather is suitable. To thatthe friendship of their neighbor, the king of Macaçar, is of not alittle aid. With him friendship is being made, and I shall endeavor topreserve it, as I think it will prove of no possible harm but of gainnow for many things. Galleys are especially desired there, for they nowmiss the advantage which they gained when they had these, since theynow have but one small unarmed galliot. I think that from those that Ishall repair here, and from two or three smaller ones that I intend tobuild, I shall send them a couple of these vessels after the occasionfor which I am waiting; and besides that, I think it advisable for theservice of your Majesty. I shall do it with great pleasure, becauseI 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 whoseexcellent zeal and management I have very good reports, and am wellsatisfied with him, although there are some who complain of his temper. 

The vassals of the king of Mindanao who were formerly your Majesty'ssubjects have for some years back been acting very insolently, andhave been committing so many and so great depredations that alreadythey are causing considerable anxiety. Consequently, it is necessaryto undertake to restrain them, and to lay hands on them. I shallaccordingly try to do so as soon as possible, and for that purposeI 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 methe aid that he is wont to send other years, in the quantity nownecessary, and as is declared in a memorial signed with my signatureand those of the royal officials of these islands. I have asked thatthe money sent be the amount that was asked last year, since thatsent 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 abovementioned have arisen. 

Because of the short time since I arrived here, and the manyoccupations that I have had in overcoming the hindrance of despatches, in arrears, and in attending to the preparation for many necessitiesthat demanded it, and to the furnishing of these ships that are beingdespatched now to Nueva España--in which there were very many thingsto do, to which no beginning had been made--I have not been able toascertain with certainty who is to blame for the wreck of the sixgalleons, and why they did not sail out to drive from the coast theenemy who were pillaging along it. Consequently, I shall leave thatreport to your Majesty for another occasion. However, I can sendwith this letter an information regarding this matter, the takingof which I entrusted to Auditor Geronimo de Legaspi, on the adviceof the Audiencia. The Audiencia gave it so that it might be madesecretly, on the occasion of a petition that was presented againstDon Geronimo de Silva. That petition declared also that neither I norany one else could be judge without a special commission from yourMajesty; but that it was necessary to make the said investigation, in order to see by it whether it was advisable or not to prevent thesaid Don Geronimo from going hence to España, as he wishes and isresolutely undertaking to do. For that he assigns as a reason thathe considers it a disgrace that one who has governed in this country, in the position and post with which your Majesty honored him, shouldremain here, removed from his office, and liable to ruin, and in dangerof uncivil treatment--which one can fear who has so many rivals as heconfesses that he has, because of having exercised his duties withintegrity. I am trying to deliver him from that inconvenience. Heinsists on his intention, justifying it with these and many otherarguments. As yet the writ has not been examined, and consequentlyI 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'sCouncil, written by the parties to whom that loss may be attributed;and that, if such should be the case, what each one would write againstthe other would disclose sufficient reason for need of your Majesty'sroyal 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 whois entirely free from that blame. For Don Hieronimo de Silva blamesthe government, by arraigning Licentiate Alcaraz--who, he says, hadcharge of everything; while the latter blames Don Hieronimo. At timesone of them blames the royal officials, and some of the people blamethem all, opinions being divided. My own opinion is that, wheneverthe government is divided, very great dissensions and evil resultsmust happen. Consequently, I would consider it less troublesome, when there is no proprietary governor, for everything to be managedby the Audiencia; for even in affairs of war (which are those ofwhich they can have least knowledge), if they were in charge ofthese they would endeavor to secure the advice of the military men, who would be best qualified to give it. But it would be far betterand more expedient for your Majesty to retain in this camp and in thecastle of Manila two military men of such standing and ability that, when the governor and captain-general is absent, they might succeedto those duties, and to those of the presidency, since no governmentcan be worse than one divided. The exemplification of this can be seenin what has occurred here, if no others offer. On that account, andbecause of its importance to your Majesty's service, I petition youthat, if Don Hieronimo de Silva should go, you will please give thisarmy a master-of-camp such as is advisable, appointing him from thepersons whom I proposed for it at Cadiz, on the eve of my departurefor Nueva España. 

I have been told that Licentiate Fernando de los Rios Coronel, wholeft this country with power to negotiate its affairs, was, amongother things, to petition your Majesty that a certain portion of ladingspace be given and assigned to the governor of these islands. AlthoughI might be inclined to embarrass myself in this trade, in order tofulfil my obligations to your Majesty's service, I would petition--asI do--that no opportunity or occasion be given, so that such governormay be humiliated and declared to be a merchant. For with a limitedpermission of lading space that may be given him, one can fear thatthe governor might stretch out his hand farther, and make that hischief occupation--since even without that permission the governor hassometimes cherished that covetous vice too much; and, by whatever paththat vice comes and is allowed scope, it tarnishes all the other goodqualities that a governor may have, and almost always hinders theiruse. But if, notwithstanding, your Majesty think it not a considerableobstacle, let it be conceded to him who shall succeed me, or to suchothers as you may please to give it. Thereat I will rejoice greatly, to have advantages added to this office which will oblige more personsof high standing to covet it, although I would not be satisfied withthose whom this opportunity would incite. 

In the Audiencia and assembly the question has been debated of writingto your Majesty about certain points, which have not all seemed soadvisable to me as to those who proposed them. Particularly so is thatof increasing the number of auditors to five, under pretext that weare generally in need of judges because of the auditors' occupationsor illnesses. But the reason appears but little sufficient to me, forthe suits entered here can be despatched in a few days when the courtis assembled, if the time is not wasted. I have seen much time lostin the court by striving to wreak their passions, with which theseunfortunate inhabitants are greatly intimidated. This your Majestywill have learned by what, I am told, has been written by justicesand regidors, and men of all estates, concerning this matter of theAudiencia; and some of them have petitioned me to write another oflike tenor. They say that the reasons that move them to such a stepare 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 thosewho 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 otherswho speak to me have represented their desire of living without somuch encumbrance, esteeming it as thoroughly intolerable. Nor doesit afford the advantage, mildness and suavity that are found in othertribunals and councils that are under the eyes of your Majesty, whereone obtains strict justice, administered by upright and holy men--thepeople here considering that those who are farthest from meriting thatname are those who are farthest from the presence of your Majesty andyour royal counselors, because of the extent to which they forget to behuman in their endeavor to be paid divine honors. Will your Majesty bepleased to have the arguments examined which are given on this matterby those who write and discuss it, and provide what is most fittingto your service. In what pertains to me, I do not petition you foranything in this matter, since in no respect can it be ill for me tohave someone to consult, and who will relieve me in matters of justice. 

During its government, the Audiencia appointed men to many poststhat became vacant, and several offices for life to those to whomthey gave them; besides many encomiendas--partly to those deservingthem, and partly to some who do not deserve them so much as doothers who, after serving well, were left without any reward. I donot understand how such a thing could be done, for in order to makethose appointments needs not only the title of proprietary governorwith that of captain-general and president, but also a special decreefrom your Majesty, such as I have and as other governors had. AlthoughI am carefully gathering information of what was done in this matter(which all do not approve), and although I shall carefully do what ismost advisable for the service of your Majesty, in accordance withjustice and your royal decrees, yet I petition your Majesty to bepleased to declare your royal will--as was done in what provisionswere made by the Audiencia of Nueva España, although they were madeby many auditors and not by one alone, as here--so that we may allregulate ourselves thereby, without exceeding in any particular whatpertains to it and what can be done. 

Among other offices provided in the above manner was that of secretaryof the registers, which is an office of importance. I entreat thatyour Majesty will be pleased not to confirm its concession, nor thatof others of the same date, until you can be informed of the prosand cons regarding it; for it will either be advisable to sell thoseoffices for the relief of necessities here (although I do not thinkthat such sale would go far toward that), or else let the mattertake its course as hitherto, so that there be certain offices withwhich men who have served may be, with these employments, rewardedand gratified. Well can your Majesty believe that I shall lose nooccasion 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 fillingthe office of treasurer of the royal revenues here, one thousand twohundred Indians in encomienda (or a few more or less), and a pensionof two hundred pesos as a gratification to another deserving man. Withthat the former will have received a goodly part of the income thatyour Majesty orders me, by a royal decree that he presented to me, togive him in unassigned Indians or in those of an encomienda which maybecome vacant. I could well wish that there were more Indians vacantthan there are, in order to fulfil all that your Majesty orders me, and which the said Luis de Contreras merits by his character andgood qualities. 

Having seen the exactness with which I fulfilled the above, I am toldthat many are going about looking for decrees and trying to procurethem now from your Majesty, in order to obtain like encomiendas andother posts. I entreat your Majesty to postpone granting those favorsuntil you shall first be informed by your governor of these islandsand your Audiencia; for not all of them will be so well employed asis the aforesaid, if I may judge from the methods by which I haveheard that they are seeking them, as they procure papers by means ofwitnesses presented on their part, which make much of what in itselfis nothing. Although the fiscal intervenes in the matter, it is tobe noted that no one attempts to make investigations unless in somecase when he regards the fiscal as quite on his side. 

I am told that some persons here are trying to obtain the office oftreasurer. Besides, that the present holder of it has not left it, I donot as yet know many who could fill the place to be left vacant by himin this charge, because of the many qualifications necessary--namely, trustworthiness, accuracy, system, and other qualities. Although I donot 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 shouldbe chosen for this post, to be sure of it. 

One of the things that your Majesty needs most in this county isintelligent clerks for the efficient administration of the royalrevenues. 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 havebeen reared in a good school. Your Majesty should not neglect toorder the supervisor-general, Tomas de Ybio Calderon, to despatchone; and I trust that the person whom he would furnish may not beunsuitable. For authority to serve in the more important officesof this profession which should become vacant here, the inspectorDiego de Castro Lizon would be quite suitable, and the two brothers, the accountant Francisco Beltran de Manurga and the inspector MatiasBeltran de Manurga. Either of them is, in my opinion, a person ascapable as is necessary for the said offices, as well as for thingsof more importance. I entreat your Majesty to pardon my prolixity inmatters in which you have not asked my advice; for my zeal and desirefor 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 havedone--to send me Admiral Jusephe de Mena with the reënforcementsthat are possible, or that you please, whether few or many; for inhis person alone I shall have one who can help me very well. Galleysare of great importance to these islands, and not less for those ofTerrenate and Mindanao, according to what I have as yet been ableto ascertain. Although they are almost past use, I shall endeavorto place them in the condition and number advisable. But so thatthey may be of greater service, I need that your Majesty command tohave sent to me a dozen good men, who understand galleys thoroughly, who may serve as captains, boatswains, and masters, who may teachthose who shall serve in those posts to be proficient. For no onehere thoroughly understands that calling except Captain FranciscoRemanico, who I am told has labored very diligently in this matter, as well as in other affairs of your Majesty's service. I also needtwo or three oar-makers who are good workmen. 

The shipbuilding carried on in these islands on your Majesty's accountis 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 thecultivation of their lands and fields--whereby the abundance of thefoods and fruits of the country is destroyed--many of them die fromsevere labor and harsh treatment. Joined to this is another evil, namely, that every Indian who takes part in the shipbuilding isaided by all the neighborhood where he lives with a certain numberof pesos, on account of the small pay that is given them in behalfof your Majesty. Hence many are being harassed and worn out bythese methods, and a great expense is being caused to your Majesty'sroyal treasury. For although the cost of employing the natives seemsmoderate, their decrease is a very great detriment; while the planking, sheathing, and masts are so poor that they must all be renewed everytwo years, and sometimes oftener, when the only still useful partsare the futtock-timbers. But all the above can be found and made somuch better in Portuguese Yndia that, considering the avoidance ofthe above wrongs and the bettering and more satisfactory price ofthe work, I shall try my utmost to avoid building ships here--sendingto Cochin to have them built, or to buy them ready built; or sendingwherever they may be found better and cheaper in those regions. If, when this should be negotiated, there should be some cloves to sendon your Majesty's account, the purchase of vessels, as well as thatof slaves for the galleys, would be made very comfortably. 

In the construction of ships that private persons are trying tobuild in these islands, about which the Audiencia is writing toyour Majesty, I do not find so great an obstacle; for they take noIndian forcibly from his house and land for this task, and no Indianworks at it unless he consents of his own accord to do so. That isdone without oppression, and the Indian is wholly paid for his work, without the others having to contribute for it. For the smaller-sizedships some better woods are found, which, because they are small, cannot answer for the necessary uses to which they are put in thelarger ships. Since I do not find any noticeable difficulty in this, I would consider it as very advantageous that leave be granted forthe building of those ships, and for navigation among the islandsand coasts of this archipelago, so long as they do not extend theirvoyages to Nueva España and Piru. From that it will result that theinhabitants will get some profit, and it will not be necessary to holdall the trade with Nueva España. It will not be unprofitable for yourMajesty's service to keep some ships here, so that, if need shouldarise, they might be employed and made useful with the seamen bywhom they shall have been manned. Since it is necessary that whoevershould have a vessel have paid and well-treated sailors, your Majestywould come to have all that at no more expense than that of the timewhile you would employ them; and these your vassals, the natives ofthis country, would have more relief from the burden; and surely itis pitiful to see the burdens that they carry, and what they endure. 

The city has requested me to petition your Majesty to concede thatthe encomiendas be for three lives in direct descent, that is, to the grandchildren; and if not, that there be a succession fortwo lives, in the manner that is requested in their name; and alsothat they be excused from the necessity of getting confirmations ofsuch encomiendas from the court there [_i. E. _, in España], as thatis a matter of great effort and expense to them. What I can informyour Majesty in regard to it is that I have heard that they haveresponded with very great love and loyalty, as excellent vassals, on all opportunities that have offered for your royal service. Atpresent the encomiendas are liable to become vacant more quickly thanin the past, even though they are granted for more lives, because ofthe danger of losing their lives through the more continuous occasionsfor war--to which nearly all of them go, each one according to hisability. Consequently, for this reason not only do I petition yourMajesty to make them this concession, but also to honor some citizenswho have been soldiers, and always are soldiers ready to risk theirpersons and spend their possessions in your Majesty's service. Thismany have done, most especially Admiral Rodrigo de Guillestegui, whohas responded to that and to all the needs that have arisen in theroyal service. This relation has been substantiated by public rumorand reputation, without any dissenting voice. Since it seems just thatservices be rewarded, and advisable that those who render them shouldbe honored, so that others may be encouraged, with such an example, to try to merit a like reward, I petition your Majesty to be pleasedto have this matter considered, and to have him conceded a [military]habit that, he has told me, he wishes for his eldest son. By thatit will be evident that services rendered here are also esteemed andrewarded by your Majesty with your free and generous hand. Inasmuchas 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 DonAntonio de Leoz, while Captain Juan Baptista de Molina--who hasalready served in that capacity before, and who has been castellan ofthe fort of this port--fills the post of admiral. They are men whohave rendered much service to your Majesty; and for many years pastthey have been enrolled as citizens in this country, so that all theinhabitants here have applauded their choice. 

It has not yet been possible to conclude the suits that I founddocketed against Don Juan Ronquillo, commander of the galleons thatlast fought at Playa Onda, and against Don Juan de la Vega, upon andregarding occurrences in the fleet; consequently, I shall be unableto inform your Majesty of this matter until a later opportunity. 

The departure of Don Hieronimo de Silva has been suspended, becausecertain witnesses, whom he calls his rivals, have accused him in theinvestigation that I said was being made in regard to him, in suchmanner that we have been compelled to come to this resolution. He iscompelled to clear himself; and although he desires to do so, andto challenge the witnesses by making a counter-charge against themin 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 areligious of the holy order of St. John, and that all those who enterand take part in anything against him are excommunicated. He is seekingfor this matter a judge conservator who may punish with censures; andyesterday the provincial of the Dominicans came to me to say that DonHieronimo had nominated him. We are now halting at this point. Willyour Majesty cause decision to be made as to what it is advisableto do; and whether the residencia of the said Don Hieronimo must betaken here, and who shall take it; and if possible to excuse me fromit, I petition your Majesty to commit it to another, inasmuch as Ihave as yet done nothing touching residencia because I had not yourMajesty's license or order for it. Those who are plaintiffs againstthe said Don Hieronimo are complaining that I might do more for theirsatisfaction. He is also complaining and is angry because he is notto go now to España. Truly I have done what I could without failingin my duty to justice, and have endeavored to pacify each party. Had Inot done that, they would have brought incriminating documents againstone another, each one tarnishing the other's reputation--as is wont tohappen whenever there is any passion, even though it be with littlecause. I confess that, in order to be surer of the relief for theseobstacles, I would rejoice if there were some way so that Don Hieronimomay go; but the best means for it should be sought. In everything Ishall 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. Havingconsidered the reasons that he gives--and that, even if there wereno other than his residing here in the gaze of so many pagan nationsand those of different sects, as the representative of the greatestecclesiastical dignity--his desire for the means to discharge so manyobligations as he has seems as just, for this reason and for theothers regarding the archbishopric, as would be unjust my neglectto petition your Majesty for the same on my part, because of myever-present obligations to represent to you whatever I think to beadvisable for your royal service. 

With this letter I send your Majesty the declaration of a notarywho was prisoner among the Dutch, and a document written to me bya father of the Society, which came together day before yesterdayfrom Terrenate; and also two copies of letters from Lucas de VergaraGaviria, governor of those forts, and from the king of Tidore, whichwere 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 nowable to set sail, and will do so (God willing), when the weather isfavorable. They go well equipped for the voyage, and the lading welladjusted--more so than has yet been usual here. They carry excellentcrews, artillery, sufficient arms, and good rigging, and a greatquantity of that, in order to spare your Majesty the expense thatis incurred in Nueva España--where each quintal [of rigging] costs, delivered in Acapulco, about fifty pesos; while here it costs onlyone-tenth as much. As great preparation has been made in the candlesfor the lanterns, [31] and other things, for the same purpose oflessening the expense. And, while discussing this matter, I cannotrefrain from again petitioning your Majesty, in order to fulfilmy obligations and my desire for your royal service, to order thatthe clerks and the treasury employees that I have requested for thisplace be sent to me; for they are very necessary in order to aid moreefficiently the service of your Majesty, whose Catholic person mayour Lord preserve, as is necessary to Christendom. In this port ofCavite, 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 ofopinion that they will not be lost, and that our Lord will guide andconvey them with all safety. It has seemed best to the Audiencia thata certain report be sent to your Majesty in this letter, of whichit took charge, made against Don Hieronimo de Silva; consequentlyI am sending it in accordance with their opinion, since they arelawyers. Nevertheless, my opinion was that it should be suspendeduntil the trial of the said Don Hieronimo, and the truth were knownwith certainty; and not to discredit him beforehand with depositionsof certain persons, by whom he has been accused, without allowinghim 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 inone foot, I have not gone to pay my respects to your Lordship andto welcome you, in accordance with my obligations, to these islands, whither in a time of so great need our Lord has brought you for therelief of all of them. I give a thousand thanks to your Lordship forthe so signal grace that you do me in ordering me to advise you brieflyof 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 howtheir 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 complywith what your Lordship orders, I declare, sir:

That the forts of Terrenate, Tidore, Gilolo, Tafongo, and Payagi (whichare all that the king our sovereign possesses in the Maiucas Islands)are in the best condition in which they have ever been; because fora year past, since Master-of-camp Lucas de Bergara Gaviria has beengoverning them, he has labored at their fortification, so that allare in an excellent state of defense. At present there is no cavalierin Maluco that is not built of stone, although until now many werebuilt of fascines, and whenever it rained heavily they were washeddown, 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. Thusit is in security, and he has also enclosed and surrounded the twotowns in the respective islands of Tidore and Terrenate, which wereoutside our forts, with two curtains of rampart which are very goodand very strong. 

Although our forts in Maluco have at present the artillery necessaryfor their defense, still that does not prevent the very great needthat 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 arethe three forts that we have on the three channels where the hostileships generally enter and leave, without our being able as yet to dothem any damage. 

Not less necessary do I consider it that we should always have galleysin Terrenate; for lack of them our reënforcements this year were sohindered, 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 verylittle, they are in great need. Accordingly it appears, advisablefor your Lordship to aid them liberally, since they merit it. 

In order that the soldiers in Maluco may not become desperate, andso that one may find men there who will offer to serve your Lordshipin that camp willingly and gladly, it will be very advantageous foryou 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 entranceinto the country, we have seen by experience that it is a very greatcause of trouble to give there the dignity of captain to those whoentered as soldiers; for the natives do not esteem them as is right, and continually lose respect for them. Not only are all those whoare now there of that class, but there are some among them of whomthe Moros say--of one, that they have little acquaintance with him, and that in the markets, when he was buying fowls and all the otherthings used at his master's house; of another, that they know thatthey insulted him. Thence arose the saying of the king of Tidore, that he wondered that such men were made captains of the king ofEspaña. To all this is added the fact that little dependence can beplaced on them for any occasion where honor is concerned. Consequently, I judge that after accommodating such men here, it is advisable togive those posts to new captains. 

In Maluco are many old and deserving alferezes, whom it seems thatyour Lordship should summon and grant favors here. 

All the infantry was giving as a whole great satisfaction, andthroughout this year not one has gone over to the enemy, althoughthat was formerly very common, and although the captains andother persons complain or the temper and harshness with which themaster-of-camp, Lucas de Bergara Gaviria, treats them. I affirm, sir, that even so zealous a servant of the king ought to show sometoleration; and, moreover, that can be remedied with a word from yourLordship. I remember also that last year, by his going to Terrenate, he resuscitated that country, and since then until now the soldiershave had food, obtaining all that is sent them from Manila. This, sir, is what I can briefly say of the condition of Maluco, whichthrough His Divine Majesty, I hope is to make progress since thehappy arrival of your Lordship, whose person may God, our Lord, preserve to us for long years, as He can do, and as is necessary tous. 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, Governorof Terrenate_

On the eleventh of the present month I despatched the ship "San BuenaVentura, " in which I informed your Lordship of occurrences here. Thatsame night the ship "Santa Margarita" reached this port from Manadoswith the cargo brought by the fragata "San Miguel, " which returned tothose islands. This ship brought the orders that its commander sayswere given him by Francisco Rosales, master of the "San Miguel, " inwhich your Lordship orders a quantity of cloves to be prepared to sendto Eastern Yndia, in order that it may be exchanged for the suppliesnecessary for the fleet; and that two thousand three hundred pieces ofChincheo cotton are sent for it. I answer that I have them, and assertthat your Lordship ought to have that master punished; for he did notgive those orders to the accountant, Pedro de Almansa, when he left theship 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 havebeen done when they arrived. At that time the selling had alreadybeen finished, and the Spaniards who lived there had a great quantityof 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 beexecuted. However, these four months no cloves can be traded; foruntil the end of that time the trees will not bear. Consequently, although great efforts be made, we shall not be able to send to Yndiauntil next December or January. Besides that, there would be greatdelay in buying forty-five bares [32] of cloves with cotton alone, which would be the amount at the prices current this year. In orderthat this may be done more quickly, it has been decided to put withthem other kinds of cloth bought in Yndia, since these Moros wishto have a choice, some asking for one kind of cloth, and others foranother. 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 hadheard sure news from the Ternatans that the natives of the islandsof Vanda, together with the English who have a fortress there, hadgiven 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 aboutthere, and had put the Englishmen in the galleys; and that the Dutchfleet is coming to these islands to the number of eighteen ships andtwo galleys. He also said that the fort of Ambueno was burned, wherethat fleet has stopped until it can be rebuilt; but that they considerit certain from what they write that they will be here sometime in themonth of July next. I am putting these forts into as good a conditionof defense as is possible with the few men that I have. For neverwere there fewer Spaniards in these islands; since, if occasion shouldarise, 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 inthe two companies of this year have come forty-six. A like number ofsick and crippled men have gone to that city [of Manila]; while thereare others here who have died; and many are sick, who with more reasonwould be occupying the hospital than the sentry-boxes, were not thenecessity so pressing. Although, thanks to God, as they are providedwith food, they get along reasonably well on the little clothing thathas come, yet I am continually having their garments patched. Thuseverything possible is being done to encourage and please them, andI think they are in that condition. I have, glory to God, as I wroteto your Lordship, rice in the magazines to last until the end of nextApril, with the precautions that I am taking, making use of that whichcame from Macasar. My greatest cause for anxiety at present is my lackof a galley or two in order to oppose to those that they say that theenemy is bringing; for I have nothing but one rotten galliot--and thatwithout crew, as I have written--which is the vessel that I seizedfrom Pedro Alvarez de Abreo. I am repairing it, in order to do what ispossible with it, and to attend to the communication with these forts, which are situated at points so dangerous. Will your Lordship send mea galley or two as quickly as possible, in order that I may do thisbetter, and work what harm I may to the enemy (for these boats are thenecessary things in this island, as your Lordship knows; and the enemy, knowing this, are not afraid of us). I need also some money and clothesfor 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 accountof his Majesty; and some men, since they are so necessary. Thereforewith what the galley or galleys that may come can bring, since Ihave rice for the time above stated your Lordship will not need tobe in haste to send me help in defective vessels. But then I hope, God helping, that the fleet will have arrived from Castilla, andthat it and that of those regions will come, even though somewhatlate, both to bring that aid safely and to achieve the results thathis Majesty desires, since these Dutchmen are quite stripped of men;and although they have many ships, and those from Olanda, they do notexpect reënforcements as abundant as hitherto. It appears that allthe natives are already turning against them, and are continuallysupporting the English in these regions with greater forces. Thelatter are so very hostile to the Dutch, that they will hasten toprofit by a very good opportunity. [34] I regard it as certain, thatin case that we wish to avail ourselves of the forces of the English, if our own are insufficient to destroy these Dutchmen, they willaid us in it very willingly, by short agreements that might be madewith 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 ifwe wish to bring this about, his nation will do it. I advise yourLordship go that should necessity, perchance, compel us to undertakethis, you may know what we are doing here about it. 

His Majesty's two fortresses in Gilolo, as your Lordship knows, serveonly as garrisons for eighty soldiers, sixty of them Spanish. Theyare continually dying and falling sick, and because of our lack ofmen in these forts, which are of importance, those men would provevery advantageous here, while there they are of no use. Whenever theenemy may attack them in force, they cannot be succored by eithersea or land. Consequently, I think, for these and other reasons, that it would be wise to withdraw them before the enemy oblige us byforce to do so. Will your Lordship order this to be considered, andordain 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, alay brother of St. Francis, is here, who attends to this with charity, willingness, and great skill; and because the former has certaindefects or excesses that are not suitable for a country so short ofthe sort of thing that he specially cares about, and of which eventhe sick are in want. Consequently, he would do better in Panay orLa Pampanga, and his Majesty would save six hundred pesos of salary. 

Just now I learned from the king of Tidore that many Dutchmen werekilled at the burning of the fort of Ambueno. Yesterday a ship arrivedat the forts of Malayo from the Sunda. I suspect that it does notbring altogether pleasant news, for it entered very silently. Allsay that the fleet in Ambueno will come. However, it is said that thecommander Lorenço el Real and other captains were killed in that fire, besides other prominent people. Consequently there are three of theenemy's ships here now. 

The ship "San Antonio el Chico" [_i. E. _, "the little"] is going withthis despatch, and the "Santa Margarita" will remain here. Furthernothing else offers at present of which to advise your Lordship, whommay 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 givingyour Lordship a long account of the condition of affairs in theseislands, 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 greatafflictions of these islands. Never have they been seen in such acondition, both because of the disastrous loss of the fleet of vesselsthat was expected here this year with a great force, and because noteven one galley was sent, from three or four that are cruising aboutthere, although it is known that some islands and forts cannot havecommunication with others except by means of galleys. For they are oursuccor from dangers, and protection to the besieged, not consideringthat one galliot here now is such that, rather for reputation andostentation than for use, the governor preserves it. For that reason, the scarcity of succor, and the news of the loss of the fleet, thecourage of all has been greatly moderated, while that of the enemyhas been strengthened. And so when they heard of it, they were veryglad and went out to collect their ships in order to attack thesestrongholds of his Majesty and my land. Although they come, as theyhave published, with fifteen or twenty warships and two galleys, I am very confident that they will accomplish nothing; because weare so well fortified and supplied with provisions which come fromMacaçar and from those parts that the governor has protected. By thehelp of God's favor, I am at present making an effort in this my cityto resist the enemy by all ways. But it may be understood meanwhilethat your Lordship should succor these forts promptly, with greatliberality and urgency; for otherwise, if any thing be lost (may Godforbid), let it be known that I have done my duty, since for manyyears I have advised this, and from now I give notice that this isnot to be charged to my account. For since, when we were expectinga great force, not only it did not come, but only this little succorwas sent, this people did not take it well; for they considered thefailure as indicating rather the little power of the Spanish kingthan 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 exceptthis, may our Lord preserve your Lordship for many long years, as Idesire. Tidore, May seventeen, one thousand six hundred and eighteen. 

I, Pedro Muñoz de Herrera, who exercise the office of court clerkof 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 thestates of Flandes, governor and captain-general of these said islands, and president of the royal Audiencia therein, had this copy madefrom an original letter. It appears to be signed by a character inletters said to be of Terrenate and of the king of Tidore. It is likeothers from the said king that I have seen. It is a true and faithfulcopy, and was corrected and collated with the said original letter, which his Lordship the governor said that the said king of Tidore hadwritten to the governor of these islands. In order that that may beapparent, I gave, at the said order, this copy in the city of Manila, July twenty-eight, one thousand six hundred and eighteen. Witnesses atits 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 Muñozde Herrera, by whom this copy is authorized, enjoys and exercisesthe office of court clerk of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleríaof these Philipinas Islands; and is held and considered as faithfuland accurate; and entire faith and credit has been and is given tothe acts and other despatches that have passed and pass before him, both in and out of court. Given in Manila, July twenty-eight, onethousand six hundred and eighteen. 

_Alonso Gomez_, royal notary. _Joan de Iya_ Marin, notary public. _Bartolome de Quesada_, royalnotary. 

LETTERS FROM FELIPE III TO FAJARDO

The King: To Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor andcaptain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of myroyal Audiencia there. You already know that the preservation andmaintenance of those islands in all peace and prosperity consistsprincipally in the good government of him who has them in charge, by the equitable administration of justice, the furtherance of thepublic welfare, and the increase of my royal exchequer. Owing to mygreat desire that this should be secured, in such manner that whathas been deficient there in the past may be supplied and the affairsof the islands more successfully managed in the future, it has seemedbest to advise you that, since the citizens and inhabitants of thoseislands have suffered so many hardships and calamities, having beenharassed by enemies, and on this account their property having beengreatly reduced, you will exercise the greatest care in endeavoringto have them rewarded with the offices and other positions that aredistributed in those islands, in accordance with their merits andservices, so that in this way they may be consoled and encouraged. Youwill likewise see to it that the natives are well treated, so thatthey may not be annoyed or molested with new services and requirements. 

The most important thing that presents itself is the great andexcessive expenditure which is incurred by my royal exchequer inthe islands of Maluco, for, according to information received, it amounts to two hundred and twenty thousand pesos; while I havenot any profit in all those islands, for the Dutch enemies buy allthe cloves and other drugs at a much lower cost, whence they derivegreat profits--as is evident from the forces which they use to getpossession and make themselves masters of those islands. And it is thegeneral opinion of zealous, unbiased, and trustworthy persons thatmy servants, captains, and other officials who have governed thoseislands, with a commission for their own profits and investments, have taken advantage of the opportunities and trade which they shouldhave maintained and secured for my royal exchequer's increase, andhave charged to it all the expenses, they alone having received theprofits, without considering that a large part of what the enemy gainsis lost to my treasury through lack of faithful service. As this matteris so worthy of correction, and so necessary for the preservation ofthose islands and the aid of their expenses, I command you to apply tothis evil the remedy which I may expect from your loyal zeal, showingyourself entirely disinterested in whatever concerns yourself and yoursenator, so that you may be an example for the rest. You are free toinvestigate the offense which any servant of mine may have committedin this matter, and this I order you to do. You will proceed againstsuch persons in conformity with justice, and will punish them withgreat severity, applying to my royal exchequer all that may resultfrom the fines that you may impose. You will exercise especial careand judgment in all ways and means that are practical and possible, tointroduce the greatest possible profit and benefit that can be obtainedfrom 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 mostconvenient. If for this purpose it be necessary to provide money orcloth, you will do so as shall be expedient, conferring in regard toeverything with the Audiencia, the royal officials, and other personsof experience, choosing the best and soundest course advised. For allthis is necessary, and is undertaken in order to direct our energiesto the defense of the islands, and to try to extirpate the enemy fromthem. If the latter end cannot for the present be accomplished byforce of arms, yet this communication, trade, and bartering of cloveswith the natives, and the employment of gentle but necessary meansto secure their obedience, will diminish the strength of the enemy, which consists solely in the advantages that they possess. All this ishoped from your prudence, although in my royal Council of the Yndiasthe expediency of a factory or administration is being considered, and of one person who should have the management and responsibility ofall 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 ofTerrenate besides the two hundred Pampangos who are also in servicethere, seems more than is necessary for its defense, considering thatthey do not go out into battle, you will take under advice whether thisbody can not be reduced to a smaller number at a less expense, withoutbeing greatly crippled. For the principal thing to be aimed at is thepreservation and defense of that fort, and after that the sparing ofmy royal exchequer. You will order that the supplies and money for thesoldiers be at your own disposal, with the sworn statement of a notary, for there is no royal official there; thus, as these troops will beeffective, they will not be defrauded as they have been in the past. You will likewise try to abolish all the superfluous strongholds, bothin those islands and in Terrenate; for those named in the memorialwhich accompanies this, signed by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, are notconsidered necessary. You will advise me when you have done this. 

Considering the great expenses incurred for the reënforcements that areevery year sent from Nueva España, and the great importance of avoidingthe cost and adding to the funds of the exchequer, you will refrain, so far as possible, from demanding articles that can be found in thoseislands--namely, the products of either nature or industry there--orwhat can be brought from other regions with greater economy. For itis understood that in the past there has not been the reflection andgood 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 knowledgeof them, and it has been learned by experience that if these powersbe 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 asis necessary for good government and administration of justice, sothat the improvement thus brought about may be recognized and becomeevident, to the satisfaction of those concerned; for the remedy thatmay be expedient will be applied in another way. 

It has also been understood that the officials of my royal exchequer inthose islands, in complying with an order of mine to the effect that inany emergency when it would be imperatively necessary to incur some newexpenditure they should join with the governor and Audiencia there anddiscuss the matter, and the result of the voting by majority should becarried out, advising me thereof--with this opportunity many expenseshave been incurred, and salaries and stipends increased unnecessarily, for private ends of individuals. Accordingly, I command you to seethat the expenses be not incurred except in sudden cases of invasionby enemies, since otherwise results so much loss to my royal exchequer. 

It has also been understood that the religious orders resident inthose islands live and comport themselves with more freedom and libertythan is proper, conformably to their profession and regulations, andparticularly so the Augustinians. It is also stated that occasionalfees and dues that they levy for masses, burials, and suffrages[for departed souls] are excessive; and likewise that they erectbuildings and church edifices and their own houses, although theyhave no authority to do so except with my express permission, or byasking it from the governor of those islands, and then only in case ofurgent necessity. Under this pretense and others, they make allotments[of service] and new imposts, on merely their own authority, upon theIndians, who are distressed and overburdened. For the remedy of this, it has seemed best to charge you to maintain all the authority thatyou can, to prevent this from being done. For this purpose you willjoin with the archbishop, and both will summon the provincials; and, telling them the information that I have of this matter, you willcharge them to make the reformation which is in every way obligatoryupon them, since it is so greatly to the service of God our Lord andthe 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 andcaptain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royalAudiencia there. You were advised by a letter of mine, of the samedate as this, of the arrival of your letters written at the portof Acapulco; and we answer this separately because the matter isa more serious one than can be treated of in connection with yourgovernment. It has seemed best to advise you of the state of affairs, and of what, as now appears, will be the only possible remedy forthe preservation of all those regions. 

You are well aware, through the information that you carried fromEspaña, of the embarrassed condition of my royal inheritance, wasted inthe defense of our holy faith, and unavoidable expenditures to opposeits enemy and others who have attempted to cause its decline--whomit has been necessary to oppose, in order to preserve the faith, thuscausing enormous expenses. As aid for the conservation of my kingdoms, it has been necessary and unavoidable to use the wealth brought bythe people of Nueva España; but the supplies and expenditures drawnfrom my royal exchequer for those islands are so consuming and reducingthat 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 whatis carried in exchange for the quicksilver [35] is revenue derivedfrom the same merchandise that was sent, while the receipts from thebulls for the crusade are (as you know) but moderately successful, you are accordingly informed of this in such detail, so that you mayunderstand how assured is the loss that is set forth to you. Thisloss would become greater if the account were measured by the demandsthat are sent from Filipinas; for then the proceeds of neither thequicksilver, nor the crusades, nor anything else would be enough evenfor the maintenance of those islands and those of Terrenate, accordingto our experience thus far. The result is that we are compelled bynecessity to choose [as we do] in order not to allow affairs here togo to ruin for lack of money, which is not to be thought of. For youare aware of what importance this is, being the essence and substanceof the rest; and it neither ought nor can be supposed that we shouldnot heed the expenditures for Filipinas that have been made frommy royal inheritance, which amount to more than seven millions, ashas been proved. If there were no other consideration than the mereprotection 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 themore in this state of affairs, as it means the continual remittanceand expenditure of money, and all things cannot be attended to. Thematter has given us anxiety, as you will understand, regarding thiscondition; and, after consideration of it, the following measuresare proposed to you. 

Since the income from the revenues which belong to me in thoseislands is considerable, you will try so to apportion it, and withsuch prudence, care, and system, that they may be maintained and madecomfortable by it, since nothing more can be done than, by resigningany profit from them, to appropriate all the proceeds from thatcountry to the islands themselves, without any profits whatsoever toanother country. As for the measures to be pursued in executing thishenceforth, no other rule can be given you more explicit than what you, the Audiencia, and the royal officials shall find it practicable andproper to apply. 

It is likewise understood from thoroughly reliable persons who havecome from those islands--religious, and others who have brought lettersrecommending them--that there are in those lands many well-known minesof gold and other metals, which, if they were sought out, would be ofgreat utility and value; and that, if they were worked, their proceedswould be sufficient not only for the expenses there, but even for theaid of those here. These persons say that the reason why the mineshave not been operated has been a lack of energy and diligence for thebenefit and increase of the royal exchequer; and the fact that theyhad the treasury of Nueva España as a protection, and so accessiblefor all the expenses that have arisen. Accordingly I charge you veryparticularly that, with the fidelity and promptness that is requisitefor so urgent a necessity, you will take measures to investigate thismatter, and obtain from it as much profit as you can; for the peacefulproducts of the soil will always be certain, and it would be a greatpity to lose what might aid in so urgent a need. For this purpose youwill make an examination of all the mines that are or may be known, offering rewards and other advantages, honors, and gratuities as mayappear expedient to you, in order that the mines may be discoveredand worked, as they should be, making the diligent endeavors that arenecessary 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, signedby Juan Ruiz de Contreras, so that you can examine and consider themwith attention and careful consideration, in order that your modeof procedure may be assured, since the facts in the case are alreadyso. As the most important point that you will have to guard is thatthe Indians be not troubled or annoyed, and that no sort of injury, or service, or annoyance be inflicted upon them, you will avoid so faras possible these difficulties; and by prudent and cautious measureswill try to gain their good-will, until you have acquired suitableknowledge of the situation and richness of the mines. It is also amatter of great importance that the religious who give instructionshall aid, as is explained in these papers--to which effect lettersare being written to the provincials of the orders of St. Dominic andSt. Augustine, which were sent to you with a copy of each, which theyare to receive from your hand. You will talk with them at the sametime, availing yourself of all means which may appear to you of useto 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 ofaffairs, and aid the public cause. You must see that this is the mostimportant part of your government, as if you were sent there for thisand for nothing else. For greater satisfaction and surer success, I command you that as soon as you have received these letters youshall--with the aid of the notary-public of the royal officials, or ofyour secretary, as may appear best to you--compile a book, in which, after you have inserted these letters and other documents, you willenter the orders that you may give, and the decisions that you maymake. Accordingly, there will be evident from them both the time thatis gained or lost in the execution of your orders, so that with thisguide you may govern to better advantage; likewise, exactly what hasoccurred in every matter will be clear to me. It would also be wellif all the documents, letters, and other papers that you may havein relation to this subject were placed in separate files. In thisbook recapitulate the papers briefly, referring to the originals;and as you are aware of the importance of good counsel, you willtry to avail yourself of the persons whom you may think most capableof 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 advisednot only of the importance of this matter, but likewise of the bestmeans available for this country, so that, with your prudence, youmay choose the most useful, and avail yourself of whatever benefitsor 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, onvarious matters. "]

FILIPINAS MENACED BY DUTCH

As I think that this will be a service to the Divine Majesty andto the human, and a benefit to this new world--in the west, to thePhilipinas; and in the east, to Yndia (whither I went some years ago onan embassy for Don Joan de Silva and this commonwealth of Manila, andtook note of its temporal and spiritual condition)--I am resolved towrite this letter to your Lordship, in whose hands our Lord has placedthe preservation of this kingdom, and consequently the conversion ofnumberless souls; perhaps our Lord will choose that in this way may beattained that which numerous letters from these islands to the royalCouncil of the Yndias have failed to accomplish. Your most illustriousLordship may rest assured that if his Majesty does not actually senda great reënforcement of military aid to these islands, they must belost; and, besides, the royal crown of España will meet the necessityof defending itself, with greater expenses, from the nations who willmake war against it from this direction. Although I am no prophet, Idare to assert that in these seas we shall see the bloodiest battlesthat have been fought for many years, and that they must result ingreat injury to the kingdoms of Nueva España [and España]. 

This discourse of mine is based on a syllogism. All nations of theworld are moved by interest, which is the loadstone of hearts. We seemen going down, as they have gone, into the depths of hell for silverand gold; no one can doubt this axiom, and it has no need of proof. Theminor 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 courseover this wide sea of India as far as Maluco, where they find thatbrown gold that they call cloves, and the white silk of China. Theybarter for or rob persons of the cloves, as well as mace, cinnamon, pepper, and other drugs, which, when carried to their own country, areso much gold-dust. The silks and wealth from China they seize here atthe passage to Manila, from various unarmed vessels; and from a peoplewho let their hair grow long, like women, and know not how to defendthemselves, so that those robbers have here a sure booty and prize. 

I shall presently tell you of the great value of these things, whencarried to their own countries; I am now proceeding with my accountfrom the proposition that the greatest source of gain in the worldlies in these islands. All the nations know well that they need notgo to Nueva España to conquer it, or to plunder the silver in themountain of Potosi, or to the islands of Salomon--which, althoughthey were at one time famed for riches of gold, have proved to beenchanted. [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. Youmay turn the needle to every point on the globe, and you will findthat there is no place capable of so much profit as are these islands. 

In order to reach them the foreigners have throughout all Yndia theports of the heathen kings, which are more numerous than our own. TheDutch have factories in Currate [_i. E. _, Surat], in Paliacate onthe coast of Malavar, in the Jabas, and in Sunda, Achen, Macasar, and Maluco, where they are establishing themselves and obtaining afoothold. Above all, they have one in Japon, where they find all thesupplies necessary for their voyages. 

I shall tell you now of the culmination and result of their commerce. Asingle ship that arrives from these islands with cloves, mace, drugs, silks, etc. , yields an immense amount of money; for they carry thegoods that are shipped from these islands and from Eastern Indiathrough all the northern countries, and the kings give them freepassage for their goods and remit duties. They have factories orcorrespondents 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 ourkingdoms inland from Sevilla. This was stated by the Dutch GeneralBlancorte [_i. E. _, van Caerden], whom we held prisoner here. 

From all this, the conclusion of the argument is that, as all thenations are moved by interest, and as the gains from these islands areso great, we shall have all the nations here; and indeed we have--notonly the Dutch, but the English, who are a people of more abilitythan 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, toreënforce us? For twenty years we have been hoping for the coming ofa fleet and galleons, and none have come save a few small caravelsbrought by Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra to open up a way for tradeto Sevilla; and eight galleons that were made ready for our aid, which put into Gibraltar, so that no aid has come for us. In themean time the Dutch have new galleons every year, and the islandsare already in the worst of straits. Your Lordship may believe thatthe governors--now, it may be, to show themselves better servants ofhis Majesty; again, to keep themselves longer in the government--havepromised more than the land could raise. The truth is that the islandsare utterly drained by the wars and the loss of the six galleonswhich Don Juan de Silva had built, and with other misfortunes thathave been written to the king our lord at greater length. It is amarvel that Don Alonso de Faxardo has not died or become grievouslyill with pain at finding these states so weakened, and his honor andthat of the crown of España so jeopardized. If any one thinks thatEastern India can aid us, I have seen, and Don Geronimo de Azevedo, viceroy of India, assured me, when he gave me four galleons withfive hundred infantry and ninety-two pieces of artillery, that he wasgiving all he had to give. And this was true, for he dismantled theforts to arm the galleons, and the latter were burned by the Dutchin the year one thousand six hundred and sixteen; so that we dependupon España alone for our aid. Although the great advantages thathave been enumerated should be enough to cause this aid to be given, yet for the pious and so Christian heart of your Lordship I thinkit better to set forth the multitude of souls converted--who in thetime of Don Francisco Tello, governor of these islands, numbered sixhundred 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 isencompassed as is the center of a circle by its circumference. Ifyour Lordship have any interest in its preservation, I hope, throughthe divine Majesty, that it will be kept, for the honor of the Lordhimself. May He protect your Lordship for many years, according to thedesire 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 forexamination. "]

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. Inthe Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; the fourth is taken from aMS. In the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid. 

_Translations_: All these documents save one are translated by JamesA. 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 tothe Filipinas Islands_--_both the building of galleons, pataches, and galleys, and other means of defense; and various things regardingthe preservation and safety of the said islands_. [37]

Sire:

In those islands is found a wood called _maria_, [38] which isused to make all the futtock-timbers of all the galleons, galleys, and pataches; and all the knees and compass-timbers, of all sizesrequired. 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 isnow 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 ofthe prows of vessels and the snatch-cleats for the wales, are alsomade from that wood. That said wood is very durable, and is of suchquality that once a nail is hammered into it, it is impossible towithdraw it without breaking it; and when a nail is hammered intothat wood it does not hole or chip. If a ball be fired into it ofthe size of eight libras or less, it does not pierce the wood; andif the ball is large, the wood is not splintered. On the contrary, the hole is stopped up at its entrance and egress with the chipsforced 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 strongand heavy. It is a certain very tall and very straight tree, like thepine. From it are made the keels, beams, false keels, wales, mast heads[_calçetes_], and pumps, of whatever size required; for that tree, asabove 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 allthe planking and sheathing with which the galleons and galleys areplanked. From those trees are made the masts, topmasts, and yardsof the galleons and galleys. The said tree grows very straight andthick, so that the flagship galleon has its mainmast from one, thatis 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 thesheathing of the ships is one palmo thick and three or four wide, andthe shortest is twelve brazas long. These planks last a long time underwater, as the ship-worms do not hole them; but above water they warpand rot, so that they do not last more than two years--and especiallyon the decks, if they are not calked during the winter. The greatestdanger 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 thatis done, it lasts much longer. For of all the vessels built during theterm of Don Juan de Silva, the galley which was longest in buildingdid not take six months; and all the timber for them was hewn and putin place when green, for the vessels were being built while the woodwas cutting. 

There is another wood from which is made planking for the galleys, which is called _banaba_. [42] It is a certain short tree, aboutfour brazas in height. The galleys are sheathed with it, for theship-worm bores into it but little. The planks are one and one-halfpalmos broad. There are but few of these trees, and consequently theyare used only for the above purpose. 

There is another wood called _maria de Monteguas_, [43] whichdiffers 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 saidgalleys. 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, chocksof the bowsprit, coamings of the hatchways, strakes and stanchionsfor the decks. If all these woods are cut at the conjunction anddecrease 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, forthey are rotten. Likewise the planks along the sides must be changed, with the exception of the futtock-timbers and top-timbers made ofthe 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 abovepurposes. [46]

The shipyards of the galleons built during Don Juan de Silva's termwere thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, and eighty leguas fromthe city of Manila, in different places: namely, on the islandof Marinduque, where the galleon "San Juan Bautista" was built, which is forty leguas from Manila; in the province of Camarines atDalupaes were built "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, " and the "Angel dela 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 thegalleon "San Juan Bautista, " fifty leguas from Manila; in Marinduquewas built the almiranta "San Marcos, " forty leguas from Manila;in Masbate was built the royal flagship "Salbador, " seventy leguasfrom Manila; in Cavite were built the "Espiritu Santo" and the "SanMiguel, " 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 areIndian natives of the said islands. They are carpenters, who arecalled _cagallanes_ or _pandais_ in their language. Those Indians whoare no more than woodcutters, and serve only as hewers and planersof wood, are paid each seven or eight reals a month, and are givendaily rations of one-half celemin of rice. Those of better trades thanthe latter generally earn ten or twelve reals a month. Those who aremasters--the ones who lay out, prepare, round; and make the masts, yards, and topmasts are each paid three or four pesos of eight realsa month, and double rations. 

When a fleet was being prepared in Cavite there were generally onethousand four hundred of these carpenters there. Just now there arevery few, for when the Mindanao enemies burned one galleon and twopataches in the past year, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, which were being built in the shipyard of Pantao, sixty leguas from thecity of Manila, they captured more than four hundred of the workmen, and killed more than two hundred others; while many have died throughthe severe work in the building. And because, they have been paid forfive 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 andport of Manila last year, six hundred and eighteen, there were nottwo hundred of those Indians in Cabite. [47]

The iron used in the construction of these ships and galleys is broughtfrom China and Japon to the city of Manila. Don Juan de Silva sentpatterns of all the nails, and excellently made ones were brought, and cost your Majesty but eight reals per arroba. Iron is broughtin the rough and is wrought in Cabite, and costs your Majesty buttwenty-four reals per quintal of five arrobas. There all the nails andbolts are wrought, as well as _estoperoles_, [48] tacks [_tachuelas_], and everything else needed. The native Indians who act as smiths arepaid twelve reals per month, and the Angley [_i. E. _, Sangley] Chinesesmiths twenty-eight reals per month, and their ration of rice, which isequivalent to one-half a Spanish celemin. Each of these Chinese worksone arroba of rough iron into nails daily, and is paid only the saidtwenty-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 costyour Majesty, delivered in the city of Manila, more than twenty realsof eight per quintal, while there they are made, as above stated. Butnotwithstanding the above, I assert that it is necessary to shipannually from Nueva España to the said islands two hundred quintalsof rough and sheet and rod iron for some necessary articles, suchas borers for the artillery cast in Manila, and rudder-pintles andrudder-gudgeons for the ships and galleys; for the iron of Bizcayais more ductile than that of those regions [_i. E_. , China and Japon]because it is as strong as steel. The other iron things above mentionedthat are sent from Nueva España to the said islands are unnecessary, for their cost per quintal, when delivered in Manila, will buy fourquintals in the said islands. The said two hundred quintals could beshipped on your Majesty's account from Sevilla where it costs threeor four ducados per quintal, and be carried by the flagships andalmirantas; 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 leadat Manila, which would obviate careening them every year. Don Juan deSilva neglected to do that, because he was always in haste to resistand attack the enemy. 

Lead is also shipped from Nueva España to the said islands. More [thanthat amount] is shipped [however], because it is brought from China andJapon at cheaper rates. It can be worked in Cabite in order to lead theships, and in that way your Majesty will save many ducados every year. 

The rigging in the said Filipinas Islands is of two kinds: one, whichwas formerly used, is made from the palm called _gamu_, [49] today usedonly 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 Piruand Tierra Firme called _bihau_. Abaca is much stronger than hemp andis used white and unpitched. This abaca costs twenty-four reals perquintal, and is made into rigging in Cabite by the Indian natives, inthe sizes and diameter required. These Indian ropemakers are furnished, in repartimiento [50] in neighboring villages, and your Majesty paysthem eight reals per month and a ration of one-half celemín of ricedaily. A task is assigned to them, for they work from midnight anduntil the close of the next day. 

The total cost per quintal of this native rigging is about fiftyreals. That shipped from Nueva España, which is bought in Beta Cruz anddelivered in the port of Acapulco, costs your Majesty two hundred realsper quintal. It generally reaches the said Filipinas Islands rotten, and is of no use. If your Majesty will order the ships to sail fromManila 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 saidislands 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 ofcotton cloth] from the province of Ylocos, for the natives of thatprovince manufacture nothing else, and pay your Majesty their tributein them. They are one tercia [_i. E. _, one-third of a vara] wide, and asthick as canvas [_angeo_]. They are doubled, and quilted with thread ofthe same cotton. They last much longer than those of España. One varaof this cloth [_lienço_] costs less than one-half real. The threadof the same cotton with which they are sewed costs twenty reals perarroba. The cloth brought from Nueva España costs your Majesty, whenset down in the city of Manila, six reals per vara. Also the threadshipped from Nueva España to sew the sails costs, set down there, sixreals per libra. The thread made of hemp when used with cotton canvas[_lienço_] is of no use, and does not well endure transportation. Theships sailing from Manila to Nueva España carry sails for the returnvoyage and nevertheless have to make others in the port of Acapulco. 

It is also the custom to ship pikes with their iron heads from NuevaEspaña to the said Filipinas Islands. Delivered in the city of Manila, they cost your Majesty more than thirty-two reals apiece; but, withthirty-two reals, they can make forty pikes in the city of Manila. Itis a weapon that is worthless in those islands, and it is not usedin them. And even if they were used, there are shafts in the forestsof those islands, and the native Indian smiths can make the heads. 

A number of old pipe-staves and iron hoops are also shipped fromNueva España to the said Filipinas Islands. Delivered in the cityof Manila they cost your Majesty a considerable sum of ducados. Thatexpense can be avoided; for, when those staves arrive there, they arefull of holes and rotten, and quite useless. The hoops alone servein Manila to make nails and bolts from them, which thus come to costfifty ducados per quintal. They can be made there for thirty-threereals. It is sufficient to carry those pipes that hold the water andwine in the ships. 

For the ships' supply of water, they generally make vats when the shipsleave there [_i. E. , _ Manila], each of which carries thirty pipes ofwater. Further, there are many earthen jars, which are brought fromChina 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 FilipinasIslands, which they say is for making hosts. That is unnecessary, for the said islands have an abundance of flour, which is shippedfrom Japon and China so cheaply, that it costs sixteen reals perquintal in the city of Manila. That shipped from Nueva España costsyour Majesty, delivered in the said city of Manila, more than eightyreals per quintal. 

From Nueva España to the said Filipinas Islands are also transportedin the [ships], _habas, garbanzos, _" [51] and lentils, which are forthe provision of hospitals, fleets, and convents. It serves no otherpurpose than to arrive at Manila rotten; and if any arrives in goodcondition, it does not seem so. For the provision of the fleets, a grain [_semilla_] is grown in that land [_i. E. _, Filipinas] whichresembles beans, and is very cheap. Consequently it is unnecessaryfor the ships to carry more than what they need for their voyage whenthey leave Acapulco. 

A quantity of _gerguetas_ [52] are also shipped from Nueva España tothe said Filipinas Islands. They are said to be for the use of thesoldiers, but that is unnecessary, for that land has other kinds ofcloth--both those that are produced there, and others that come fromChina--which are better and cheaper. If your Majesty will order thatto be stopped, it will be of much importance to your royal treasury, and will increase it by many ducados; while it will benefit greatlythe soldiers who serve your Majesty in those islands, for, when thiscloth is delivered there, they are obliged to take it. 

In the former year of six hundred and sixteen, seven galleons werestationed 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 serviceof your Majesty. The other six were built in the time of Don Juan deSilva, and Don Juan Ronquillo [54] took them all when he sailed inpursuit of the enemy at Playa Honda. These said galleys were in thegreatest need of being repaired--one because it was very badly usedup in the fight, and another because its decks had not been changedfor two years; while most of them were holed along the sides byseaworms and leaked badly, and all their masts, yards, and topmastswere rotten. Consequently, Don Geronimo de Silva, captain-general ofthose islands, was preparing to send them to be repaired (except three)to the island of Marinduque, forty leguas from Manila, in order toavoid the expense of hauling the wood, while awaiting the arrival ofthe ships from Nueva España in which Don Alonso Fajardo came last year(one thousand six hundred and eighteen), in order to repair the saidgalleys with that money [brought by those ships]. He also intendedto hold them in readiness, in order to comply with your Majesty'sorders, sent by a despatch-boat, to keep them so prepared that theymight join the fleet that was about to sail with reënforcements byway of the cape of Buena Esperança, to make the journey to the MalucasIslands and drive the enemy from them. 

It was necessary to equip two of the said seven galleys so that theycould come to Nueba España last year, six hundred and eighteen, withthe usual merchandise. Consequently only five were left--or rathersix, with that in which Don Alonso Fajardo arrived. Since the saidDon Alonso Fajardo has reached Manila and finds himselt with onlysix galleons, it becomes necessary to build some more; for, if thefleet from España has not sailed and the enemy learn that Manila hasbut six galleons, they will go to the mouth of the port and repeattheir 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 Fajardoto devise immediate means for building galleons and to repair the sixat Manila. I regard the present building of ships in that countryas impossible. For with the former ships and fleets, and with thedepredations and deaths caused by the enemy in those districts thenatives are quite exhausted; for, as I said above, in the formeryear of six hundred and seventeen the Mindanao enemy captured fourhundred native carpenters and killed more than two hundred others. Theyear before that, six hundred and sixteen, in the expedition made byDon Juan de Silva to the strait of Cincapura, where he died, it wasfound from lists that more than seven hundred Indians, of those takenas common seamen (of whom more than two hundred were carpenters), died on that expedition. Before that, in the year six hundred andfourteen, the said Mindanao enemy captured in the islands of Pintadosnine hundred odd Indians, of whom but few have been ransomed. In theshipbuilding and in the hauling of wood many have died. Consequently, on account of all combined, there is a lack of natives for the aboveworks. Therefore your Majesty must order the said Don Alonso Fajardo, governor and captain-general of the said islands, that in case galleonsare 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 otherbecause of the lack in that land of natives (occurring through theabove-mentioned causes, and because those natives in the islands areserving in the fleets as common seamen and carpenters). 

In order that, those islands might have and keep ships that last thirtyyears and cost the same as in Manila, or less, your Majesty mustorder the governor to order them built in Yndia in Cochim; for theycan be built there very strong, and at less cost if the said governorsends men for it from Manila--both masters and other persons, who knowthe art of having them built. When built, they can bring a cargo ofmilitary supplies, lumber, and slaves from Cochin to Manila for thegalleys of Manila, for the said slaves are valued at very little inCochin. As common seamen the men used in navigating in those regionswill serve, namely, the Lascars; and a ship of six hundred toneladasdoes not carry sixteen Spanish sailors, but negroes and Lascars (whoare a Mahometan race), with whom navigation is performed throughoutthose islands and kingdoms. 

Those islands have so few natives, that if your Majesty does notexpressly order no vessels to be constructed in them, not any of theirpeople will be left, for as a result the events that have happened inthose islands for the last eight years, both murders and captivities, many of those who have been left, who are constantly coming to NuevaEspaña, every year as common seamen in the vessels that regularly sail, remain in Nueva España. In the galleon "Espiritu Santo" which came lastyear, six hundred and eighteen, were seventy-five native Indians ascommon seamen, but not more than five of the entire number returnedin the said galley. If your Majesty does not have that corrected, the same thing will occur every year, and should your Majesty notcorrect it, the following things will occur. The first is the greatoffense committed against our Lord, for many (indeed most) of thosenative Indians of the Filipinas Islands who come as common seamenare married in those said islands; and, inasmuch as they are unknownin Nueva España, they remarry here. Another wrong follows which isvery much to the disservice of your Majesty and your royal treasury, which is caused by the said Indian natives of the Filipinas Islandswho come as common seamen and remain in Nueva España; and if itis not checked in time, it will cause considerable injury to thesekingdoms. This consists in the fact that there are in Nueva Españaso many of those Indians who come from the Filipinas Islands whohave engaged in making palm wine along the other seacoast, that ofthe South Sea, and which they make with stills, as in Filipinas, that it will in time become a part reason for the natives of NuevaEspaña, who now use the wine that comes from Castilla, to drink noneexcept what the Filipinos make. For since the natives of Nueva Españaare a race inclined to drink and intoxication, and the wine made bythe Filipinos is distilled and as strong as brandy, they crave itrather than the wine from España. Consequently, it will happen thatthe trading fleets [from Spain] will bring less wine every year, and what is brought will be more valuable every year. So great isthe traffic in this [palm wine] at present on the coast at Navidad, among the Apusabalcos, and throughout Colima, that they load beastsof burden with this wine in the same way as in España. By postponingthe speedy remedy that this demands, the same thing might also happento the vineyards of Piru. It can be averted, provided all the Indiannatives of the said Filipinas Islands are shipped and returned tothem, that the palm groves and vessels with which that wine is madebe burnt, the palm-trees felled, and severe penalties imposed onwhomever remains or returns to make that wine. 

Incited by their greed in that traffic, all the Indians who have chargeof making that wine go to the port of Acapulco when the ships reachthere from Manila, and lead away with them all the Indians who comeas common seamen. For that reason, and the others above mentioned, scarcely any of them return to the said Filipinas Islands. From that italso results that your Majesty loses the royal revenues derived fromthose 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 thanone hundred leguas long. It is very densely populated by its natives, who are exceeding great pirates and hostile to all the other nativesof all those islands subject to your Majesty. And chiefly to theSpaniards. They generally go in a certain kind of boat called caracoaon piratical expeditions, in which they commit signal depredations inall the ports and along all the coasts of those islands, killing andcapturing the people of them, and burning and ruining the country. Theyhave done that on many occasions, particularly in the former yearsix hundred and seventeen, when they allied themselves with the Dutchenemy, who came that said year with ten galleons to attack the cityand port of Manila. The said Mindanao enemy came at the same timewith ninety caracoas to the aid of the Dutch, and destroyed andburned many places along those coasts, and took many of their peoplecaptives. Among other things they arrived at the shipyard of Pantaowith their fleet, where at your Majesty's orders a galleon and twopataches were being built. These were more than half built, and theMindanaos burned them and captured more than four hundred persons, besides killing more than two hundred others. After burning all themilitary stores, they proceeded on their voyage toward Manila, andwent to within ten leguas of the port of Cavite, whence they returnedupon learning that the Dutch fleet had gone on ahead. 

Consequently, not only for the said reasons, but because of the lackof men among the natives in the said Filipinas Islands, it willbe highly important for the conservation of the islands for yourMajesty to order that no ships be built in them, since there are somany 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 theabove-mentioned island [i. E. , Mindanao], called La Caldera. There theboats put in to get water and wood. Formerly, before the alliancebetween the natives there and the Dutch enemy, the vessels, ships, and galleys put in there and went to get fresh supplies, both goingand coming. Now not only are they not permitted to obtain the saidsupplies, but the vessel, galley, or patache, that puts in thereto get water, is surrounded by their caracoas, and its crew killedand captured. 

On the contrary, they give the Dutch enemy so friendly a reception thatthe latter always keep their ships there, lying there in wait untilthose 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'sroyal treasury, it needs only your Majesty's orders to make slaves ofthe said Mindanao natives of that island--since they are infidels;and they have profaned the temples and committed many cruelties inyour Majesty's settlements along the coasts of those islands whichthey have captured--and your Majesty's permission that all who desiremay take up arms against them, both the natives of the said islands, and the Spaniards, at their own cost. Only with that will the saidisland be conquered and subdued, and the so many injuries resultingtherefrom to all the said islands and to the. Malucas will be checked. 

_A report on the measurements of the galleons in the Filipinas Islandsin the former year 1617 is as follows_. 

The royal flagship, called "Salvador" measures 60 codos along thekeel, 12 in floor, 82 from stem to stern [i. E. , length over all], depth of hold 19, extreme breadth 26, sternpost transom 12; lowerdeck 15 codos, upper deck 19, with the space between of 4 codos. 

The galleon "Espiritu Santo" (the one in which Don Alonso Fajardocame last year 1618) measures 50 codos along the keel, 10 in floor, 70 length over all, 17 depth of hold, 23 extreme breadth, 10 sternposttransom; lower deck 13 and one-half codos, and upper deck 17. 

The galleon "San Felipe, " 50 codos along the keel, 10 in floor, 70length over all, 15 depth of hold, 22 and one-half extreme breadth;lower deck 11 and one-half codos, upper deck 15, and sternpost transom11 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 "SanFelipe" 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 lowerdeck 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 yearsago, measures keel 46 codos, over all 60, 12 codos depth of hold, 19extreme 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 Majestyconfirms the statute made by the dean and cabildo of the metropolitanchurch of Manila, in the Philipinas, in regard to the expelledprofessed 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 andcabildo of the metropolitan church of the city of Manila of thePhilipinas Islands, that in respect to my having ordered that ministersof instruction be men of good life and morals, as such is necessaryfor the good of Christianity, several religious who had been expelledfrom the orders were admitted as ministers of instruction because ofthe need in those islands for such ministers; and that as experiencehas since demonstrated the unsuitability of those men for the saidministry, they have refrained from employing such; and that, in orderthat the remedy may be efficacious and obviate the negotiations andmethods of such persons to procure the benefices, they made a statutewhose tenor is as follows: "In the city of Manila, on the eighteenthof August, one thousand six hundred and seventeen, while assembled andcongregated in meeting, to wit, Bishop Don Fray Pedro Arce, bishopof the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jesus and its bishopric, andgovernor of this archbishopric, and the dean and cabildo Don FranciscoGomez Arellano, dean, and Commissary-subdelegate Gabriel de la SantaCruçada, Archdeacon Don Juan de Aguilar, Precentor Santiago de Castro, School-master Don Rodrigo Diaz Giralthe, and Keeper of Relics Don Luisde Herrera Sandoval; Canons Tomas de Gimarano, Don Miguel Garçetas, Juan de la Cruz, and Alonso Garcia de Leon: Racionero Don Franciscode Baldes, and Medios Racioneros [57] Tomas de Vega and Pedro FloresBenegas--the said bishop proposed with conclusive and sufficientarguments the great hindrances that, as the proved experience of allhas shown, follow to all this kingdom from admitting to dignidades, canonries, and benefices professed religious who have been expelledfrom the holy religious orders as a penalty and punishment for theiroffenses, inasmuch as the abovesaid was prohibited by law and sacredcanons established in a most Christianlike manner by the provincialMexican Council. That council enacted a special decree expresslyforbidding such appointments, and mentioning the many just reasonsfor their action, and the state of affairs in the Yndias demandingit, inasmuch as the prelates and venerable fathers who attended thecouncil were very well acquainted with the Yndias. It is not theleast consideration that the said expelled religious cannot reap aharvest in a century. Nor can they derive any advantages which willresult in a real adjustment of their difficulties, so that thus withgreater ease they, returning to their senses, may aspire to regaintheir habit and order which they before professed. [Such proceedingby the ecclesiastical authorities] will restrain the diligence andeffort that other religious might employ in deserting their ordersif they saw the said expelled religious given posts as dignidades. Asthey saw, and considered as assured, the great service they would bedoing to God our Lord and to his Catholic Majesty who is incurringso heavy expenses to his royal patrimony in bringing each of the saidreligious to the Yndias--and these are the greatest consolations thathe sends to these so remote islands, a plant which, because of itstenderness and newness in the faith, is shocked at the change thatis seen in the habits [i. E. , robes] of the expelled religious. Thisfurnished a reason to his Majesty, Carlos Fifth, our sovereign ofglorious memory, for the same prohibition; and he ordered that, assoon 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 allunanimously and fully in accord resolved to enact a statute in thisarchbishopric in the following form and manner: 'We ordain that, now and henceforth, no one of the professed religious expelled fromthe religious orders now, or hereafter to be, established--whetherfrom the religious orders now established in the Church of God, orfrom those which shall be established later--or the professed membersof the fourth vow [58] of the Society of Jesus, shall be admitted orappointed to dignidades, canonries, or curacies, of Spaniards or ofIndians, throughout this archbishopric. Those expelled from the saidSociety 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 theedification and welfare of souls, be admitted by the prelate, now orhereafter, to the benefices which are curacies of the Indians--butonly outside of this city; and not to the said canonries, dignidades, or curacies of Spaniards or Indians within this city. And inasmuchas this holy Church recognizes that it is under obligations for manyreasons to his royal and Catholic Majesty, the king our sovereign, as being his foundation, and that it will not be proper to enactor make any statute without his pleasure and order, they determinedto go before his royal person and entreat him humbly to confirm thepresent, and consider it fitting, as a matter of so great importanceto 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 bythe present I do confirm, and approve it. And I request and charge thearchbishop of the said metropolitan of the city of Manila--the one nowin 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 suchto be my will. Given in Madrid, February nineteen, one thousand sixhundred 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 preventconsiderable amounts of silver being sent to the Philipinas fromNueva Spaña; but those methods have been without result, as experiencehas 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 supportthan commerce, and in the shelter of their trade is sustained allthat church which now numbers so many faithful that it already has anarchbishop and three suffragan bishops for its government. Inasmuchas that trade has hitherto consisted of Chinese merchandise with NuevaEspaña, it has been, and is, necessary to obtain from that country thevalue of the merchandise in money, and to take the money there in orderto make the investment of the following year. Trade is there [_i. E. _, in the islands] like sowing in order to reap; and consequently, if thedoor were to be partly closed to this trade, the said inconveniencewould cease. The door might be shut without any harm to the saidislands, if another door were to be opened to them, which would bealso as remunerative as the other, and would not be with his Majesty'scountries. In this way his money would not be taken away, for theycould engage in that trade with Japon. In this same manner as theinhabitants of Manila lade the silks that they buy in that city fromthe Chinese, and send them to Nueva España, they should lade them tosend to Japon, where there is a great consumption of these goods andmuch excellent silver with which to buy them. This would be a verygood thing for the people of Manila; for, although the profits forany year might be less than those of Nueva España, still they wouldbe more sure, because of the much greater frequency and shortness ofthe voyage. Furthermore, they would enjoy the entire proceeds fromthe returns for their goods. Of the returns from Nueva Spaña theyenjoy only to the sum of five hundred thousand pesos--the amount thathis Majesty allows to be sent annually to the Philipinas, and no more, although the value of the goods in Mexico amounts to much more. Besidesthat, this relationship with Japon would prove very beneficial to thePhilipinas for their security; because the Japanese are those who aremore feared in the islands than all the other neighboring nations, for they are very courageous and arrogant. Consequently they wouldprove excellent friends to oppose the Dutch, who are navigatingthose 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 bereëstablished the trade of the Indias with Spaña, from which so manyprofits would follow if that drain of money to the Philipinas werestopped; and it would be without hurt to those islands. 

This trade between Manila and Japon has already been usual for manyyears, although in ships of small burden. It has been demonstratedby experience that if all the trade to Japon were theirs, all thatcountry [_i. E. _, the Philippines] could be very easily sustainedwithout needing anything further from Nueva Spaña and Spaña thansoldiers and the products of those countries. Consequently it would besufficient for two small vessels to sail in that route of the SouthSea. That would cost but little and that expense might even be metfrom 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 fromJapon 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, thatthat town be abandoned, and that its inhabitants go to live in othercities of India. They can do that without much injury to their goods, since they carry them all by sea; and anywhere they have trade byway of the sea. In order to dismantle that town, it is sufficientfor his Majesty to order that nothing be freighted thence to Japon, but only from Manila. Thereupon all the inhabitants would immediatelypull up stakes [59] and leave that place. 

Although such a thing appears harsh, and seems like falling outwith one saint to placate another, still it will seem an easy andvery advisable measure to those who have seen that town, or knowit close at hand--and there are several such persons here in thiscourt. And even if it were not evident that the good results abovementioned would follow from it, this step should be taken as a policyof good government, as such a course is advisable for the service ofGod. For his name is blasphemed by the people of that kingdom of Chinabecause 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 thecontrol of his Majesty, for the dwellers in that town are not hisvassals, but those of the king of China. They pay tribute to him, and are subject to his mandarins, but not to others. Consequentlyhis Majesty does not derive one maravedi's profit from it, while heincurs considerable expense; for he supports all its ecclesiasticsout of his royal treasury of Malaca, for the honor of the Portuguesenation. For there they are so subject to those mandarins that, unlessthey kneel on the ground with both knees, they cannot talk to them; norcan they build one palmo of a wall, even in their own house, withoutthe mandarin's license, while [they practice, ] besides, innumerableinfamies. [The transfer of] those people will be for the welfare ofthe state of Yndia, because its fortresses are without soldiers, byreason of the lack of dwellers in their ports. For the Portuguese, being so eager for liberty, go to live in the lands where there ismost liberty, as in that land of China and that of Vengala. Therego most and the best of the soldiers of Yndia, who take service withinfidel kings and fight in their wars. Thence it follows that Indiais lost, land and sea, while the Dutch have become masters of it;and through their efforts much of the commerce between certain portshas ceased. The consequence of that is that the public storehouses[at Macao?] have become very poor, on account of the deficiencyin their usual supplies; and they do not possess the means to bearthe expenses, either in war or in peace, for the food of laymen orecclesiastics--nearly all of whom live on what is paid to them bythe king. Consequently, were that town of Macan dismantled, at leastthat protection would cease; and they would settle in his Majesty'slands, as is just, since the majority of them have gone to Yndiaat the cost of his royal treasury. That would also be a matter ofimportance for the welfare of the kingdom of Portugal, since thatcountry gains so much in having a quantity of silver sent to Spañafrom the Indias, because of the large amount of it that oozes fromthe latter country into Portugal; and just so much more would flowthither as less is drawn off from Spain to other parts. Portugaldoes not enjoy one single maravedi of the fruits of the trade ofthat town, all of which are consumed in it and in China, where it issituated. Besides for the maintenance of Portugal's state of Yndia, the helpful proximity of the Philipinas is of much more importance toit 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 Philipinasto cope with the common enemy of both states, namely, the Dutch. Thoseforces have been sufficient to defeat the Dutch more than once. Sincemoney is what enables war to be carried on, it is advisable for bothstates that Philipinas have considerable of it, at so little expenseto the state of Yndia as the possession of a town--at least, one ofthe importance and advantage which we have mentioned--and also atlittle expense to the treasury of his Majesty and of his kingdoms. 

Only two objections can be opposed to this, but they are only apparentobjections. The first is that two ships are wont to ply between Goaand China every year for cargoes of silk, which are afterward consumedin India. That is the chief trade of the Portuguese in India. Thosevessels anchor at the city of Macan, and thus it seems as if [theabandonment of] that city would cause the lack, [of a port] therefor this trade. But I answer that this is not so; for the Chinesewould not deny the port to the Portuguese, since they do not denyit to many other nations who trade in their country without having atown of their own there. On the other hand, the Chinese use that townof Macan so harshly, that were it not for the large amounts that itsinhabitants owe them for the goods that the Chinese have supplied tothem on credit, the latter would already have driven the inhabitantsof Macan out of their country. But the Chinese act thus toward thePortuguese, and treat them like negroes, so that they should go away[of their own accord]. That town is rather a very great injury to thePortuguese merchants who sail from Goa in the said ships--so much so, that they avoid trading with its inhabitants, who generally sell thegoods that they have bought from the Chinese during the year, to theGoa merchants at higher prices than the Chinese themselves ask. Forseveral years, the merchants in that region have been wont to go withall their silver twenty leguas up stream in small boats to the city ofCanton, in order to trade with its natives, leaving their vessels inthe port of Macan--the inhabitants of which are mocked and disappointedin the profit that they expected from the coming of the ships. 

The second objection is that, were that town abandoned, all hopesfor the conversion of that great kingdom--which seems to have made abeginning through Macao--would be crushed. But to that I answer, thatMacao is rather the great hindrance to the conversion; for the infidelsonly see in that town evil examples. It is a great inconvenienceto have the Portuguese so prominently before the Chinese, for thelatter judge from them that all other Christians must be like thosewhom they see there. Besides the ministers of the gospel, who wouldhave to conduct the conversion, cannot enter the interior of thecountry unless in native costume--as is done there by some fathersof the Society--and under protection of certain natives who concealthem. That can also be managed from Manila, in the return voyage ofthe Chinese ships, as well as from Macan. 

Consequently, the suppression of that town by taking away its tradeinvolves no injury, but rather the said advantages. And, if therewere any difficulty, one should reflect which is the greater--toabandon a church like that of the Philipinas, with so great a numberof the faithful, from which so much more may be expected, since thereis hope that from the Philipinas it could extend to all that world(which is, beyond comparison, much more densely populated than thisworld of our Europa); or, in order to preserve the church, to use thelands of his Majesty so greatly to their injury; or to order threehundred inhabitants to settle in another region, and to abandon thatlocation. May God give understanding to him who shall have to decidethis matter. I pass over any other better opinion. I am of the aboveopinion, and affix thereto my signature. At Santo Thomas, etc. 

_Fray Diego Auduarte_

[_Endorsed_: "Have this sent to Don Alonso Fajardo, so that afterexamining the contents of this paper--which was furnished by acompetent person, who has spent considerable time in those islands--hemay use what portion of it seems most advisable, in accordance withthe present condition of affairs. The Council; May 26, 619. "]

RELATION OF THE EVENTS IN THE FILIPINAS ISLANDSAND IN NEIGHBORING PROVINCES AND REALMS, FROM JULY, 1618, TO THEPRESENT DATE IN 1619

These Philipinas Islands are surrounded by so many and variousneighboring countries that they are like the center of a very beautifulcircumference composed of cities, kingdoms and provinces. The conditionof this district depends so much upon that of other places that itwill not be inappropriate to relate briefly what has occurred thisyear in these other places, in order better to understand the presentstate of affairs here. And if the description of any places should notfulfil this purpose, it will at least serve to give an interestingnotice of countries so far away. All that is written here is takenfrom relations and letters which our fathers have sent from variousplaces, 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 occurredin India is the destruction of the city of Baçani, a very beautifulcity, and important as containing many Portuguese hidalgos. It wassituated on the north coast, opposite the Mogors, with whom thePortuguese carry on war. [60] It was very well built of stone, withseven good monasteries of various orders; but its great strengthwas not sufficient to defend it from the powerful hand of God, whochose to raze it to the ground. To accomplish this, He employed allfour of the elements: the water, which fell in a great deluge fromthe heavens; the air, which broke loose in the most horrible andfurious winds ever known; the earth, which trembled terribly; andfire, which, wishing to serve its Creator in no uncertain manner, shot out its tremendous bolts into the air and discharged them overthe miserable city. With such powerful enemies all the buildingsfell down--not one stone remaining upon another--except a chapel ofour Lady of Health [_Nuestra Señora de la Salud_], and part of theconvent of St. Francis, where some people took refuge. There werelost, in the river more than sixty vessels loaded with provisions, bound for Goa; and two others from Ormuz, one coming and the othergoing. This destruction took place on the seventeenth of May, 1618. Thereason for it only God, with His unbounded wisdom, knows. All that wehere can understand is that the sins of the city provoked His wrath, and that for two years past interdictions and censures upon it havebeen continuous. Even the day before this disaster occurred, God tookfrom it (as He did another [?]) Father Rodrigo, of the Society, whowas one of His zealous servants, and transported him to another anda better life. When news of this reached Goa, great demonstrationswere made there to appease the wrath of God, that He might not afflictthat city as He had afflicted Baçani. 

_Of Great China_

In China, within recent years, a very severe persecution of Christiansbroke out; and on account of the enmity of a mandarin, who was thecause of this storm, four fathers were ejected from the residencesof Sanguin and Paquin [_i. E. _, Pekin]. One of them was Father DiegoPantoja, [61] a native of Toledo, a noted religious, one of themost noted men who have been in China, and one who has learned mostof the Chinese letters, sciences, and language. Upon reaching Macanfrom his exile, this father passed from this to a better life. Therestill remained in China eight fathers of our Society. These, withsome others, are cultivating the vineyard of the Lord, maintainingin the faith those already converted, and bringing into it others, who, forsaking the false belief of idolatry, receive the water ofholy baptism. In short, these fathers are promulgating the holygospel. They write that they found, in one of the many provinces ofthat extensive realm, a people who worship the holy cross, and whoare called Christians--although they are so only in name, for theyare in truth heathen. They also found a synagogue of more than twelvethousand jews who live under the law of Moses. [62]

The Tartars, who usually are at war with the Chinese, this year invadedChina on the north side by way of the border province of Lona [_sc. _Liao?]. [63] They routed the Chinese armies, made a great slaughteramong them, took some cities, and destroyed many villages; and then, because the winter is so cold, they retired to their own countryto remain till another year, when, they say, they will come with agreat force. And although they fear that they are not possessed ofeverything necessary for this invasion, yet a short time before, [64]a violent storm demolished for them that famous and strong wall, sixhundred leguas long, which separated China from Tartaria. The eventsof this war and the state of the kingdom of China will be set forthin a petition, or memorial, which the mandarins presented to theirking. Our fathers of Macan sent it to us, saying that the Christiansof 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 inthe 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 memorialfor the defense [of the kingdom] against the Tartars, who enteredby the north walls. He humbly begs of you, my king, that you giveattention to this matter, and quickly open your treasuries in supportof this war to raise soldiers and to collect supplies. The factsof the situation are, as I just now heard from the mandarins whoare in the province of the north walls, that the Tartars assembledwith the determination to seize this country of China. They say thaton the day selected for battle they entered through the walls andcaptured some people, whom they sacrificed and burned at two in themorning before the pitched battle; and, while they were burning thesacrifice, great bombs and ingenious fireworks were discharged. Theyraised flags on the hills and proclaimed their own king as king ofPaquin. Of soldiers who bear arms and other people there are thousandsof thousands--they are indeed, innumerable. Each soldier carriesseveral weapons. They entered by force of arms through the wallscalled Humbre. The mandarins entrusted with the defense of this partof the walls collected two armies [_companias_], ninety-six captains, and three hundred thousand men, and came to blows eleven times. Inthe first encounter our captain-general and thirty-seven captainsordinary were killed. Our captain called Chun entered valiantly onhorseback into the ranks of the Tartars, killed five of them, andwas then himself killed and mutilated on the spot. Countless numbersof our men died in these actions; some thousands were captured; and, in retreating from the battle, amid the confusion and tumult, morethan a thousand more were killed. The victorious Tartar raised hisflag aloft and his men cried out, "Our king of Paquin comes to takepossession of Great China, which dared to resist him. " The Tartars, following up the victory, killed in various encounters more than sixhundred captains and soldiers of repute. The inhabitants of the citiesand towns deserted them and fled to the forests with their women andchildren. On the same day the Tartars took three cities. 

When I heard this news I met with the _Colao_ and the mandarins ofthe court to take counsel as to what should be done. And truly itseems that Heaven is assisting the Tartars, for how else could theykill 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 othercalamities that are being suffered. For example, it did not rain duringthe whole of last year in the province of Paquin, and so the peoplewent about almost dead. In the province of Xanto the hunger was sogreat that they ate human flesh, for which there was a public market. Agreat multitude of rats crossed the river. The fires of heaven burnedall 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 besidethese occurred. We saw that man called Chanchain enter the palace tokill the prince, in which event the mandarin [_illegible in MS. _]wishing to speak to you, my king, in a rather loud voice, in orderto 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, andsentenced to death, on the charge of having disturbed the soul ofyour mother, who had recently died. We, the mandarins, wishing [toaid?] him, beg you that you may be pleased to pardon him; becauseit would certainly be a great pity to treat as a rebel a faithfulmandarin, who merely showed his love for you. 

Moreover, the viceroys and the _Chaiery_ of each province several timessent you memorials advising you of the calamities of the people, andbegging that you be pleased to diminish the customs and impositions, a matter worthy of careful consideration. In the same way, all themandarins of the court have often implored you, by means of memorials, that you should go out _incognito_ to hear complaints for the goodof the government of the kingdom, and to bring it into harmony withthe will of Heaven. If you had done this, we would now find ourselvesin a very peaceful condition, and our empire would last a thousandcenturies; but oh king, as you neither listened to nor examined intowhat was proposed to you, it appears, rather, that you are sleeping atyour ease in your palace. You act as if you did not notice what youclearly see with your eyes. Hence for a long time the mandarins havebeen very much troubled. We have seen rivers running with blood. Arenot all these matters of evil portent? There are indeed, otherdisasters than the falling of the walls on the Tartar frontier. Weoften sent memorials asking you to order that they be rebuilt; and atlast you sent two mandarins with two hundred thousand men to repairthem. They went out last year in the ninth moon. While on the way, forsome unknown reason, a quarrel arose among the men at midnight; andin less than two hours more than eighty boats and over seven hundredmen were burned, besides the many who were drowned. All this auguredevil. And thus we sent you a memorial asking that you should giveaudience on matters concerning the good government of the kingdom, according to the will of Heaven. You answered, "Now it is cold, nowhot; I am indisposed and unable to do it; I shall choose another dayto go out, or you may choose it. " We the mandarins, together, chosethe 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 thirdmoon, 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 withouta government, although he has ruled a long time. He is always asleepin his palace, wherefore the kingdom is about to be lost. The menof the people must perish of hunger, and the great captains must dieby the sword and the lance. " With this he disappeared. The viceroy, Chaien, and the mandarins were greatly terrified, and made vigorousefforts 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, whenfrom all of them we hear news of the great famine being experienced, and when we see that many renowned mandarins, captains, and soldiershave been killed in this war, we are well able to understand that thisman 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 sounless you have several millions of men, and thousands of thousandsof wagon-loads of supplies. We humbly beg that you undertake torelease the above mentioned mandarin, who is so unjustly detained inprison. We also beg that you shall be pleased to open the treasuriesto 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 enduredgreat hardships, is now prosperous, and there are good prospects thata splendid Christian community will grow up in that realm. [67] Thepeople there, induced by their false priests, had rebelled against ourfathers, saying superstitiously that it had failed to rain because ofthe presence of preachers of the holy gospel. In this way they forcedthe king, against his will, to order the fathers out of the country fora time. But the fathers, in obedience to an order from their superior, did not leave until they had almost completely christianized a Japanesesettlement which is there; and they so subdued these Japanese that, although formerly they had been very rebellious and had given muchtrouble to the king, they now became peaceable. The king was so pleasedwith this that he recalled the fathers with the same benevolence thathe had formerly shown, and he gave them license to erect a church andresidence at his court. Heaven assisted at the same time in behalf ofthe mission by sending abundant rain, thus leaving the superstitionof the heathens confounded and mendacious, and the king despicablefor this persecution. Two fathers of the mission and a lay brotherwent to a port of the same kingdom, Cochinchina, called Pullocambi, about fifty leagues from the court, at the request of the heathengovernor there. He offered to satisfy them, and treated them so wellthat a beginning was made in that port of another residencia of theSociety. It may be possible to build up a large Christian communityin that place, since it is more quiet than Cochinchina, through itsbeing less cursed by traffic and by people of various nationalitiescoming to trade. Thus there are six of the Society residing there, teaching those whom they have converted, and with much diligencelearning the language of the land, without which they would not beable to accomplish much. 

_Of Japan_

In treating of the affairs in Japon one would wish to begin withthe coming of Fray Luis Sotelo, who, as soon as he arrived here, began to attempt so many things that he succeeded with none. Hesaid to the bishop of Zebu (who is governor of this archbishopric)that he had secured bulls from his Holiness authorizing him to bebishop of half of Japon, [68] but as they remained in the Councilthey 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 manyof them ordained, with what right or authority we do not know. Overthis matter there was much contention. He had a church built for thisseminary, and also took possession of various places, particularly ina suburb of this city of Manila. One day he quietly took possession ofa house, placed a bell upon it, and said mass. Soon the governor andthe bishop came and asked him what he might be doing. He respondedthat a smith puts his forge wherever he can in order to work at histrade, 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 DiegoValente, [69] of our Society, native of Lisboa, and formerly headof the professed house at Villaviciosa. They say that with him arecoming the procurators of Japon, Father Graviel de Martos and FatherPedro de Morejon; the father procurate of China, Nicolas Trigaucio;and a goodly number of members of the Society, who will have to waitin some other place because the condition of affairs in Japon is suchthat they cannot go there at present. 

This year in Japon a great number of supernatural occurrences have beennoted, particularly in the city of Yendo, [70] which is the court ofthe emperor. First, in the river at Yendo they saw some very beautifulships 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 seenan animal larger than an ox and smaller than an elephant, whose speciesnone could tell, as they had never seen such an animal before. Theytried to kill it with arquebuses and arrows, but it disappeared. Third, in a hall of the same palace a large greyhound was found howlingpitifully. This the Japanese took for a bad sign. They asked whohad brought such a dog there, but no one could find out, becausethe guards had been at the door all the time. They tried to catchthe animal and put it out, but it became invisible to them. Fourth, in the quarter [_vario_, for _barrio_] of the Daimones, [71] who arethe nobles who serve at the court, there was heard a great clatter ofarms, just as if a very bloody civil war were going on. They called toarms in the city, and every one responded. They went to the _vario_, but found everything perfectly quiet. Fifth, on the top of a hillnear by the city they discovered some flags in the trees. They wentto see what they were, but found nothing. Finally, when the emperorwas about to go to Meaco, a comet like a handled catana [_i. E. _, sword], with a very beautiful cross in its head, appeared above hisfortress of Yendo. This caused him so much fear and consternationthat he gave up his journey entirely. Many of these things will notbe readily believed. Some of them I did not see, but credible personsfrom where they occurred report them as well authenticated. 

The persecution of Christians in Japon is more bloody than it hasever been before, and has become as bad as could be imagined. Itwill suffice to say that in the city of Nangacaqui thirty bars ofsilver, each one containing about four ducados, are publicly offeredto whomsoever may discover a religious. But just as tender plants, because of the cold of winter, take deeper root in the soil, thesereligious, because of their difficulties, plant themselves more firmlyin the faith and bear more plentiful fruit. This has already beendemonstrated. Indeed, during the last year more than fifty Japanesehave nobly given their lives to the service of Jesus Christ; andalmost two thousand adults have for the first time received the waterof holy baptism, through the efforts of our fathers alone. Thesefathers, like good pilots, have not been dismayed by this greattempest On the contrary, there have been thirty-two members [of theSociety] distributed throughout Japon, holding fast to the helm ofthis little craft, toiling lest the sea should swallow it up in sofurious and destructive a tempest. Not less valor has been shown inthis matter by the chief pilot, Father Francisco de Vera, whom ourfather general sent as visitor of Japon from one of the provinces ofIndia. When he reached Macan and learned how cruel the persecution was, he determined--in spite of being almost seventy years old and afflictedby many infirmities--to go this year to Japon, to console and encouragethe Christians and our brethren who so commendably labored with themthere. His life has been a great source of edification and consolationto all. In order that his presence there should do no harm, he wentvery secretly and without company. He wears secular dress. The goodfather goes from house to house, under a thousand inconveniences anddangers, such as the other fathers also endure. What he has sufferedand 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 thevineyard of the Lord. Some went to Japon this year, but the majority ofthem have not succeeded in this design, because most of the Japaneseboatmen, although Christians, have been afraid to carry them. For theemperor issued a very stringent order that any boat which should carryreligious should be burned with all its goods, and that those goingin it should be put to death. Nevertheless, some Franciscan friarshave gone, very secretly. Some time ago, in the city of Fixoxuna, Father Antonio and Brother Leonardo, both Japanese, were imprisonedfor the faith. For this also, on August 16, 1618, they beheaded in thecity 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 thepublic jail, where, in spite of the hard labor and bad treatment towhich he was subjected, he continued to preach our holy faith to theheathen 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, BrotherAmbrosio Fernandez. The same night they seized two other fathers, Dominicans, two of four who went to Japon last year. The other tworeturned to these islands. On the twenty-fifth of March, 1619, theyseized the provincial and the prior of the Dominicans, Fray FranciscoMorales and Fray Alonso de Mena. One of these Dominican fathers diedin the jail. Thereupon the rest of the religious concealed themselvesso effectively that the Portuguese traders in the country could notfind any one to whom they might make their Lenten confessions. 

Last year I wrote how one of the ships which were despatched fromthis city to aid Maluco resorted to treason, and took possession ofeverything. Thenceforth, as is well known, it went from one countryto another and from one place to another. Finally it sailed, almostshipwrecked, to an island of Japon. When the Portuguese commandantlearned of this, he sent to the ruler of the island to demand thoserobbers who had mutinied on one of the king's ships. The ruler sent tothe commandant, proposing to hang them; but some religious forbadeit, 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 islandsthe ships that came from China, returned to Japon, after havingloaded up with many silks which they had seized. They took with themthree Chinese ships with rich cargoes, placing on each one a guardof Hollanders. But in a storm the Chinese fled with their ships, carrying with them the Hollanders that were on board, on whom theyretaliated 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 hadcaptured in Maluco from the English, and on which there remained someEnglish, badly wounded. They reported that the Hollanders had takentwo ships from the English, and had cut off the noses and ears of allwhom they had found alive. Upon hearing this, the English who were inJapon were exceedingly angry; and, as they were in good standing at thecourt, they went to complain to the emperor. The Japanese merchantsalso complained that because of the robberies which the Hollandershad committed during the last two years on the coast of Manila, theyhad lost the profit which they had usually drawn from the trade withPhilipinas. They said that not only were the Hollanders of no advantageto Japon, but that rather they were very injurious, since they tookfrom the kingdom large quantities of munitions and provisions fortheir fleets, and thus made everything dearer. It may be hoped thatfrom these complaints will result the expulsion of the Hollandersfrom Japon, which will be very injurious to them, but very good for us. 

The Hollanders felt keenly the loss of one of their large patacheswhich was coming from Olanda to Japon with thirty men, good artillery, more than fifty thousand pesos in money, and very rich jewels intendedas presents to bribe the magnates of Japon. On the way, the patacheencountered four Portuguese galliots which were coming from Macanloaded with goods. The Hollanders attacked the Portuguese, intendingto seize a galliot; but fortune changed, and in the fight their shipwas run down by one of the Portuguese vessels. When the Hollanders sawthat they were lost, they themselves set fire to the powder; and thoseon board were hurled into the water, where they were despatched withpikes. 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 inhabitedby Mahometan and heathen people, who make fierce war upon us. Theysally out with their little fleets, repeatedly plunder the towns, desolate the fields, capture many Indians, and even Spaniards, andkill a great number of people. This year the Lord has been pleasedthat they should not be able to sally forth as usual, as they havebeen very much occupied in civil wars. And if the Hollanders werenot so constantly engaging our attention, and we were to go there, they might be destroyed--as is asserted by a Franciscan friar whohas been a captive among them for a long time, and has recently comefrom there. [74] But we leave it to God; for He, with His most loftyprovidence, knows how to govern in His own way. 

_Of the Malucas_

To begin with spiritual affairs, a wide door to the holy gospel hasopened 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 afather of our Society, named Father Cosme Prieto, is there. The fathersof Portugal, to whom the Malucas Islands belong, plan to send morelaborers there. The king has been converted, as well as nearly all theprinces 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. Theyare engaged in war, and every day there are deaths on one side or theother. These circumstances are very advantageous for us, because theTerrenatans are warm friends of the Dutch and enemies to us. 

All the aid sent last year from this place reached Maluco, withoutsuffering 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 fiveships went laden with supplies, and with fifteen thousand pesos topay the infantry. Hence our forces there are, for the present, welland even abundantly supplied, although there is some lack of men, because many have died of _bebes_, which is a disease of the legsvery common in those islands. [75]

In 1619, ships went to Olanda loaded with cloves and drugs andother things of various values; we fear, therefore, that the powerof these Hollanders will increase in these parts, because what theycarry enriches them and enables them to send large fleets here. Theenemy, the Hollander, built another fortress besides the ones that hehad in the islands of Ternate; and we also built another in Tidore, and are building still another. We may thus be able to inflict muchinjury upon our enemies. 

In Nambrino it happened that in a drunken revel of the Hollanders thepowder took fire, and a large part of the fortification was blown up;but they have already repaired it. They say that in this accidentnearly two hundred men were burned. The inhabitants of the islandof Vanda are much of the time at war with the Hollanders, of whomthey have killed many--notable among them the commander-in-chief--bypoisoning the water that they used. It is said that they do not likethe Hollanders, but prefer the Portuguese, with whom they have beenfriendly for many years. A Portuguese just now arrived from Maluca, fleeing from the Hollanders who had held him prisoner more than threeyears, and with whom he had been in various places. People say thatat present the Hollanders are on very bad terms with the nationswhere they have factories. It is also said that there have come tothem from Olanda six ships and a new governor. 

With oil of cloves and drugs people go to the Malucas from almostall over the world; it is therefore believed that in these seas theremust 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 encounteriron. [76]

The French have a factory there. [77] Three of their ships came andfought with the Hollanders, who took away one; the other two were sentto France with cargoes. Some galleons have also come from the English, who, according to report, now have fourteen. It is said that theyhave had a fight with the Hollanders, from whom they took away twoships. These two nations are unfriendly because of the above-mentionedinjury which the English received from the Hollanders, and also becausethey are rivals. It is said that the English have an order from theirking to the effect that if the Hollanders should be stronger thanthemselves they must join with us and harass them on all sides. 

The Hollanders have seen that in their battles with us they havereceived much damage from our galleys; therefore they built twovessels of this class to bring with their fleet to these islands. Butour Lord was pleased so to order it that, when coming from Amb[o]inoto Ternate, one galley sank with all the people, and the other ranaground, 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, wassilver-colored, with a slightly ashen tinge, and had an extraordinaryform. At first it was like a trumpet, and then like a catan (which is aweapon peculiar to Japon, resembling the cutlass), with the edge towardthe southwest; and at the end it appeared palm-shaped. The declination[78] of the southwestern end was twenty degrees south. At first itslength was equal to the whole of the sign of Libra, with which itrose. Eight days afterward, the declination of the southwestern endwas twenty-four degrees and thirty minutes south. At this time the headwas 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. Onthe twenty-fourth of November another tailed comet appeared, evenmore beautiful and resplendent than the first. At its head [_al pie_]was a burning star. It appeared in the east. It had a declinationof eight degrees, and it pointed southwestward to the sign of theScorpion, which is the sign of Manila. These two comets lasted somethree months. They write from Japon, Maluco, and India that they wereseen in those places. 

The devotion of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin hasbeen notable in this city. This year great eight-day fiestas, withmasks and illuminations, have been celebrated with much solemnity inthe cathedral church and in that of St. Francis. It is feared thatthere will be much hunger in the islands during the present year, because the locusts are so numerous that they cover the fields anddestroy the grain. May God help us!

In September, 1618, a ship was despatched from these islands forMacan primarily to carry needed munitions, although it did notneglect to take a quantity of money belonging to private persons, to be invested in merchandise. A few days after setting sail it wasovertaken by a storm severe enough to drive it to the coast of thisisland of Manila; but, although the hulk was lost, the people and cargowere saved. Afterward another ship was sent on the same errand. Itis known to have reached Macan and to be trading successfully ineverything, particularly in the purchase of an excellent galleon thatthe Portuguese have there, and that we need for the fleet which mustbe prepared to oppose the enemy next year. 

The Hollanders came to these islands with their fleet of five galleonsto plunder the Chinese ships, as they have done in former years. Thefleet entered the bay of Manila on the twelfth of October, 1618, and afterward continued coming and going. It went back and forthon these seas just as if it were at home. But its appearance causedso little disturbance that everything remained as quiet as before, which illustrates the force of habit; for being accustomed to seeingthe fleet every year has brought it to pass that its advent now causesno 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. Onour side, only three galleons and four galleys were ready for usein the port of Cavique [_sic_], because not more than two yearsago two of our finest galleons went to the bottom in this sea in afurious storm. What caused more anxiety was the shipyard where othergalleons were being built. It was feared lest the enemy should gothere to burn them. To prevent this, a little fort was constructed, and a large force of good infantry and heavy artillery was placedthere to guard the construction. Therefore they said that there wasno need to fear anything, or to doubt that if the enemy should cometo the shipyard he would fail in his design to burn the ships. He didnot attempt it, perhaps because he knew of the thorough preparationsthat 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 theisland of Manila, it learned that the enemy was in the passage throughwhich it must go to reach, this city. But as it carried a _chapa_, or license, from the Japanese emperor it feared nothing. For theHollanders respect the emperor's license in so far as it concernsthem, and they give free passage in every part of these seas to allJapanese ships bearing it. So the ship continued on its way here tillit met the Hollander, with whom it remained two or three days. TheHollander inquired if it carried munitions, which would be contraryto his wish. Although in fact the ship had on board a large quantityof munitions underneath a great number of sacks of flour, the questionwas answered in the negative. Thereupon the general allowed it to pass, and gave it an arrogant message for the governor. In this he said thathis Lordship might well be preparing his fleet little by little, whichhe [the Dutch general] would await a long time; that he just now hadlearned that galleons were being built in the shipyards, but that thegovernor 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 mostdesired, as he had strong hopes of victory, which would be gloriousin proportion to his Lordship's nobility; and that he therefore wouldwelcome the governor's coming. This message the Hollanders sent withthe 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 thecity. A Portuguese ship coming from Macan did the same, and thus theenemy captured nothing. 

Four Ternatan slaves fled to the enemy, at which the latter were muchelated. When the slaves reached them the Hollanders were seen fromthis 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, likehouse-thieves, they might spy out the land. Information had just comethat the enemy were accustomed to disembark in that neighborhood, sotwo companies were sent to lie in ambush to deal them some blow. Theslaves landed, and our men seeing them, attacked them, killed two, and captured the other two alive. From these we learned in detail theforces which the enemy had. When the latter saw that his scouts didnot return with the information, he was afraid to disembark. If hehad landed, he might well have expected us to have won a very signalvictory. In the shipyard feverish efforts were made to finish atleast one vessel in time for service this year. Nearly three thousandmen--Spaniards, Indians, Chinese, and others--were employed in thisconstruction. From this may be gathered what our missions must havesuffered in the Pintados Islands, in the midst of which the ship wasbeing built, since almost all the Indians who worked there were fromour doctrinas. So large was the equipment, and so great was the zealshown in the work, that early in March a very beautiful galleon wasfinished, which would mount forty pieces. Then the difficulty arose, where they could enter to join the other galleons and galleys in theport of Cabique, for the enemy remained stubbornly in the mouth ofthe bay. But as soon as he drew aside a little, notice was quicklygiven in order that they might bring in the galleon, and it enteredon the twenty-fifth of April, with four galleys which had gone outto accompany it in. 

On another occasion two other ships came to the enemy with provisionsfrom the kingdom of Japon. They also carried a goodly number ofJapanese, who left their country secretly. They say that if they [theJapanese authorities?] had known it they would have killed these men, because they came to attack us in company with the Hollanders. Thesenow found themselves with seven warships, or rather with six, sincethey left one outside in order to plunder any ship that might comealong. They entered this bay with great ostentation and pomp on thefirst of March, the second day of the Easter festival. The governorordered that the galleys and the three galleons which were there(the fourth, the one from the shipyard, had not yet arrived) shouldwith many pennants and streamers draw a little apart from the fort ofCabique. When the Hollander turned about to go out he noticed that ourfleet was at hand, with all this bravery. Then he also displayed manypennants, and came again, signaling that he wished to fight, and thenslowly departed. He went toward the coast of Ilocos, the place to whichthey come to attack the ships on their way from China. Now the galleonfrom the shipyard entered the bay, and the preparation of the entirefleet was completed. It consisted of four galleys very well manned, and four very handsome galleons. The flagship mounted more than fortypieces, the almiranta more than thirty, the third galleon an equalnumber, and the fourth as many as twenty. In addition to these therewere 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. Thenews brought back by the spies was that the Hollanders had reacheda village of Indians on the coast of Ilocos. They entered the churchand committed a thousand sacrileges, particularly that of cutting offthe nose of a figure of Christ. They found a large quantity of wine, delivered themselves up to it, and became veritable wine-sacks. Theysay that if twenty soldiers had been there at the time, they mighthave played grand havoc with the enemy. The Hollanders finally setfire to the place and withdrew to their ships. Only one remained onshore to sleep off his intoxication. When he awakened and saw that theships had already set sail, he cast himself into the water--of whichhe had need, in order to water the great quantity of wine he had castinto his stomach. He saw that the ships were far away, and in ordernot to drown he was forced to return to land. Here the Indians caughthim and took him to Manila. The Dutch ships put to sea and never againappeared. On news of this the excitement of the fleet ceased, althoughthere 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 saidon good ground, others (and a majority) said that whether the enemywere fleeing very opportunely or not, it was better for us to remainquiet with such a fleet as we had; that our fleet would be increasedby the galleon expected from Macan, and by those which were beingbuilt in these islands, all of which ships combined would be forceenough for next year; and besides this, the enemy had gained nothing, but rather had lost, through the expenses which he had incurred inmaintaining a fleet so many months without recompense. This opinionprevailed, whereupon the matter was dropped and the fleet became idle;when, behold, mere goes forth a false report that the enemy is inthese islands plundering the ships that come from China. Everythingis again in commotion; the fleet again prepares itself, and goes outin 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 thefact that the enemy went toward the coast of China to plunder, andone day encountering a Chinese ship going to Japon, robbed it. TheChinese vessel came to these islands to seek aid; and at once arisesthe outcry that it must have been robbed in the Philipinas, and thatthere must be enemies here. The truth is confirmed by the fact thatat this time a Portuguese ship came from Macan, but in all this coastencountered not a single Hollander. 

It may be considered as certain that the enemy lost a large vesselwith people and cargo in a severe storm. The foundation for thisopinion is the fact that some days ago a mass of wreckage, such asmaintop-sails, rigging, masts, etc. , was found in the place wherethe Hollanders have been. 

A ship came from China and reported that one day, after havingleft that country, it encountered four ships which pursued it; andthat early in the evening one of them was gaining on it. The Chinesecaptain, who knew of some shoals near by, steered toward them, in orderto go around them. The Hollanders, thinking that the captain was tryingto escape to leeward, also steered in that direction, and at nightfallran 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 AlonsoFajardo, attends with great assiduity to whatever concerns the serviceof his Majesty; and he has gained experience by the construction ofthe ships that he has built from the time of his arrival in thoseislands, so that the enemy has not dared await him. If he were to beaided with some fleet sent to him, very good results would follow_. "]

Sire:

Don Alonso Fajardo, governor of these islands, will relate fullyto your Majesty the present condition of their temporal affairs. Heattends with peculiar care to whatever concerns the service of yourMajesty, as has been seen in the construction of the ships that he hasbuilt since his arrival in these islands. Had he not been so assiduousin that, the enemy who came to this bay and coast of Manila would havecommitted very great depredations. But since the enemy saw that thegovernor was getting ready very promptly, they thought it best to goaway and not wait. He is a gentleman very zealous for the service ofyour Majesty, and one who serves your Majesty with special and verydisinterested love and affection. I think that, if your Majesty willaid him with some fleet, he will, with that and what he has here, accomplish great results in your Majesty's service. But the fleet hereis insufficient to root out the enemy. Will your Majesty be pleased tosend 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 thespiritual and the temporal. 

[_In the margin_: "It is well. "]

[_Marginal note_: "He asks that his resignation of that bishopric beaccepted, and that a certain income be granted him on which to live. "]

Last year I wrote your Majesty requesting you to be pleased to acceptmy resignation from my bishopric, and I send the same request in thisletter to your Majesty; for I am worn out, and it is advisable forthe security of my conscience--your Majesty granting me the favor togive me the means for my support, so far as that may not be in yourroyal treasury, because of the great difficulty of collecting fromit. [_In the margin_: "It is provided for. "]

[_Marginal note_: "That Admiral Pedro de Eredia is coming to thiscourt to report on the condition of those islands; and, since he isone who knows them thoroughly by experience, and is zealous in yourMajesty's service, credit can be given to what he says. "]

Admiral Pedro de Heredia is going to that court of your Majestyto report the affairs of these islands. He is a person on whoseword your Majesty can rely, as he is a man of great integrity andgreatly devoted to your Majesty's service. He is experienced by seaand by land in these islands and in the Malucas, where he has servedyour Majesty a long time. He was the one who captured General PabloBrancal [_i. E. _, van Caerden], in those same Malucas Islands. He burnedanother of the enemy's ships in Playa Honda, and defeated the enemy'salmiranta in the expedition made by Don Juan de Silba; while in DonJuan 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 yourMajesty may entrust any undertaking of importance, because of his greatcourage and his devotion to your Majesty's service. He is deservingof 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 wasprecentor of the church of Manila, the governor appointed Don MiguelGarcetas to that prebend, who by his qualities deserves to have theappointment confirmed. "]

Because of the death of Don Juan de Aguilar, who was precentor of thisholy church of Manila, the governor appointed Licentiate Don MiguelGarcetas to the same prebend. He came to these islands many yearsago, and has held appointments of honor in them. He was treasurerof the holy church of Zebu, the chief church of that bishopric, andcanon of this church of Manila; and is a man of good qualities andof good morals. He merits your Majesty's granting him as a favor theappointment 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 ChristovalRamires de Cartagena, who of the many years since he came to theseregions has been several minister in the islands of Pintados. For manyyears he has been chaplain of the royal Audiencia. While a laymanhe served your Majesty in the army; and since becoming a priest hehas done the same. He merits honor from your Majesty, and favors inremuneration for his many services, [_In the margin_: "It is well. "]

[_Marginal note_: "That the church of Cebu is in great need ofornaments and of repairs. He asks that your Majesty grant it someincome, as has been requested at other times; and a cabildo withincome, or some chaplains to serve it, for the divine offices arenot suitably celebrated there. "]

I have often petitioned your Majesty to have the goodness to grantsome income to the church of Zebu for ornaments and repairs, of whichit has daily need; and to give it a cabildo with income; and if thereshould be no occasion for that, to supply it with some chaplains toserve it, for it lacks everything. The divine offices are celebratedvery unsuitably, which the natives, both Christians and infidels, cannot fail to observe. May your Majesty for the love of God remedythis. [_In the margin_: "Have the governor, Audiencia, and royalofficials investigate. "]

[_Marginal note_: "That it is advisable to show favor to this cabildoof Manila, so that in case of the death of the prelate, it may govern;as it contains competent persons; and because inconveniences resultfrom the senior bishop coming to do this, as has been represented onother occasions. "]

I have also advised your Majesty--perceiving it, and, knowing byexperience--that it is advisable to concede to this cabildo of Manilathat it shall govern in case the prelate die; because it has personsof sufficient rank and ability for the said government. Besides, many difficulties exist in the senior bishop coming to govern, as hehas no person to leave who is competent to direct his bishopric--asI have experienced at this time, while I have been governing thisarchbishopric of Manila, by brief of his Holiness and your Majesty'sdecree. 

[_In the margin_: "It is well, and what is advisable will beprovided. "]

[_Marginal note_: "That it has been heard that the fathers of theSociety are urging that the orders in Japon shall depart thence;but that it is not advisable that this be done, because of the greatharvest of souls that they have gathered, and are now obtaining, through their instruction. [He also says] that it will be to ourLord's service to have the consecration of father Fray Luis Otelo takeeffect, since the bishop of the western part is already consecrated;and since the king of Boso, although an infidel, is well affected tothe Christians, and the two bishops are widely separated. "]

It has been heard here that the fathers of the Society are makingstrenuous efforts to have the orders leave Japon. That is not at alladvisable, because of the very abundant harvest of souls that they havegathered, 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, forthereby will your Majesty perform the greatest service to our Lord. Ithink it will also be to His service if the consecration of fatherFray Luis Sotelo take effect, since the other bishop, the one ofthe western part, is now consecrated. I am moved to say this becausethe king of Bozo, [80] although an infidel, is well affected to theChristian religious, and has some in his kingdom. That kingdom isvery distant from those regions where the other bishop lives. It willbe advantageous to this community of Manila, for they will be able totrade and traffic in those districts, and get food and other necessarysupplies from them for your Majesty's fleets. Nothing else occurs tome of which to advise your Majesty, except that may our Lord preservefor many long years the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty forthe 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 hemay investigate it. What is advisable in the other matters willbe 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 wardepartments of these Philipinas Islands for the king our sovereign, docertify truthfully to all who may see this present that, in a generalmeeting held by the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia andChancillería of these islands for the government, together with thefiscal of his Majesty and the judicial officials of the royal treasuryof the islands, on the fifth of this present month and year of thedate of this present, among certain matters and questions discussedand determined in the said meeting, was the following. 

In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of August, onethousand six hundred and sixteen, Licentiate Andres de Alcarez, seniorauditor of the royal Audiencia of these islands, who exercises theduties of president and captain-general of them, while in the houseswhere the Audiencia resides, called a treasury meeting to discussmatters advisable for the service of his Majesty. Licentiate Manuelde Madrid y Luna, Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte, auditor and fiscal[respectively], in the royal Audiencia, and the royal officials ofthe 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, bishopof the city of Zibu, and governor of this archbishopric, which wasof the following tenor. "Most potent Sire: I, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Sanctisimo Nombre de Jesus, and governor of thisarchbishopric 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 thecommon welfare of this archbishopric, I have come to this capital, and have left the comfort of a house that I had built, in the saidcity of Zebu, and have established myself with greater obligationsfor expenses in house and servants, in order to sustain some littleof the greatness due the honor of the archiepiscopal dignity. Irepresent, as is well known to your Highness, that the expenses ofthis capital are excessive, for the rent of a moderate-sized housecosts more than three hundred pesos and the ordinary food is verydear. For these reasons and others, well known to your Highness, and because the duties of the ministry are not lessened by the saidgovernment, it is in accord with justice that, since I bear the weightand obligations of archbishop, I be granted the salary assigned to hisperson. Therefore, I beg and petition your Highness to have the saidgrace conceded to me, in fulfilment of the said will of his Holinessand 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, anddiscussed and conferred as to what should be done, all unanimouslyand in accord, with one determination and sentiment, resolved, inrespect to what the said bishop Don Fray Pedro de Arce petitions, that, inasmuch as he must reside in this city and archbishopric, if he fulfilhis obligations to govern it, and must have a house and servants, andthe other things required by his dignity; and inasmuch as he cannotdo this with the salary of five hundred thousand maravedis that hereceives in his bishopric: therefore the third part of the salaryreceived and enjoyed by the archbishop Don Diego Vazquez de Mercadoshall be assigned to him. He shall enjoy it from the day when he shallshow by authentic testimony that he took possession in this city of thegovernment of the said archbishopric. The official judges of the royaltreasury shall grant warrants for, and pay to him, the third of thesaid salary, according to and as it was paid to the said archbishop, during the full time of his governorship of this archbishopric. Thatshall be received from them and placed on the accounts of the saidroyal official judges. Licentiate Andres de Alcazar, LicentiateManuel de Madrid y Luna, Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte, Pedro de Caldiernos de Mariaca, Juan Saez de Hegoen, and Alonso deEspinosa Saravia affixed their signatures. Before me:

_Gaspar Alvares_

According as is manifest by the abovesaid and as appears by thesaid original meeting, which is in the book of minutes and meetingsof the treasury, which is in my office, and on leaves one hundredand eighteen and one hundred and nineteen of it, to which I refer, and by petition of his Lordship, the said bishop, I gave the presentin Manila, August eleven, one thousand six hundred and sixteen. Aswitness at its drawing and revision were Christoval Martin Francoand Joan Vazquez de Mercado, citizens of this said city. 

_Gaspar Alvares_

As is manifest and appears from the original testimony, that remainedin the possession of the reverend Don Fray Pedro de Arce, with whichit was corrected and collated, and is issued actually and reallycorrected and collated, and on petition of the said reverend person, I gave the present in the city of Manila, on the twenty-fifth day ofthe month of August, one thousand six hundred and sixteen, witnessesbeing 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 whomthis testimony seems to be sealed and signed, is a notary-public of thenumber [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 havepassed, 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 andnamed canons and dignidades, although without any stipend, to servein his cathedral church, without your Majesty's order. By his deaththe said canons and dignidades claimed the right to govern in thevacant see of the said bishopric; while the archbishop of Manila alsoclaimed the right to place a government there himself. Since manyopposing ideas have been expressed among the theologians regardingthis matter, I supplicate your Majesty to have the goodness to orderwhat procedure must be observed in this, and whether such canons anddignidades constitute and hold the force of a cabildo, or not, sothat, at any event, suits and dissensions may be avoided; and it willreceive favor. [_In the margin_: "Have all the documents that bearupon 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 werebrought to him. So far as can be judged from this statement alone, those who are referred to as canons and dignidades are not such, norcan they be such. In order to determine what further measures it itadvisable to take, it is necessary that the governor and archbishopof Manila investigate the matter. Madrid, May 28, 1619. 

As the fiscal says, and until they investigate, let a decree be framedordering what the bishops must observe in appointing the canons, when they are not appointed by his Majesty and a cabildo is notformed. June first, 619. 

Sire:

Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Cibu, in the FilipinasIslands, declares that, at your Majesty's order, and for the welfareof his Lord, he came to govern the archbishopric of Manila becauseof the death of the archbishop, Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado; andinasmuch as the stipend given us by your Majesty is slight, and wehave to keep a house and servants in that city with suitable dignityand propriety, he laid a petition before your royal Audiencia of thoseislands, which was then governing, asking that he be given the stipendgiven to the archbishop. Having called a meeting of the treasury, asyour 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 Majestyto grant him the grace, because of his many expenses there, to confirmthat action, so that the royal officials who shall pay it shall notbe 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 ofthe treasury could not do this, and although they petitioned it, they ought to declare that it was to be understood if confirmed bythe Council. Their motive may be found just; and did it appear so tothe Council, then they might approve and confirm it. Madrid, May 28, 1619. [_In the margin_: "Let a decree be despatched in accordancewith 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 lastyear on the tenth of August, I informed your Majesty of my voyageand arrival, and of the condition in which I found this country. Byway 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 toGod, the said ships reached here on the return voyage on the third ofthis month, after a long trip of three and one-half months--and on theoutward trip, the smaller ship spent less than four months, and thelarger seven days more [than four months]. They have been among themost fortunate ships seen here. Glory be to His Divine Majesty foreverything. These ships have brought two companies with one hundredand twenty-four volunteer soldiers together, thirty-four sentencedby justice to serve in these districts, thirty-two convicts for thegalleys, three hundred and seventy-eight thousand five hundred andeighty-six eight-real pesos, in reals and in bars of silver, also arms, military stores, and other necessary supplies for the use of thesestrongholds and warehouses. Although the troops and money do not equalwhat was asked from here--nor what is extremely necessary, because ofthe very stringent need here of both men and money--according to whatI have heard of the difficulty in collecting this aid, and the laborthat 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 himurged in vigorous terms, saying that you consider yourself servedthereby, and to order him to continue it, doing the utmost possiblein the reënforcements asked from here. He should also be asked tofurnish those reënforcements in the same manner, in those years whenships do not reach Acapulco from these islands because of having toput back into port in distress, or from any other forced cause thatprevents their voyage; for it is certain that even if no ship arrivethere, 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 andnecessary. However much the viceroy be urged on, this country willnot have what it needs, until your Majesty be pleased to have senthere the reënforcement of the fleet that was promised--adding to themen and ordering it to be provided with sufficient money for theirsustenance and the execution of what must be done with the fleet. Itrust in our Lord that, if it reach here safely, it will give us verygood results. I offer on my part to procure those good results withits aid, as far as possible. I shall not again mention in detail thereasons existing as to why your Majesty should send us this aid, asthey have been written so often by so many men, and are so evidentand well known; and in order to conquer or conserve, or to make warin any manner, that reënforcement and money are needed. As there isso great a need of both these things and of small boats, as I wroteyour Majesty in those letters that you acknowledged, I heard thatthe rebels of Olanda were coming to these islands with fourteen shipsand a number of caracoas. These latter are the craft of our enemiesof Mindanao, and they do the most harm to these natives. Althoughit appeared impossible to make sufficient preparation to resist themand prevent the depredations which were to be feared from so large asquadron, I resolved to exert my utmost efforts in order to attend toour defense, notwithstanding my lack of all things necessary for itthat should have been sent me. Almost at the same time as the news, arrived the rebels. They had only five ships with high freeboard, towhich were added two others, also large ones, a part of four vesselsthat we heard were to come from Japon--according to what was learnedfrom that kingdom through the fathers of the Society, and by way ofTerrenate, and from some prisoners captured along this coast, not farfrom here. The latter, landing in order to reconnoiter the country, so that they might land some Dutchmen on it, fell into the handsof a company that I had placed in ambush with the great desire togather information and learn the designs of the enemy. In short, itwas 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 committhe depredations of former years, but also to await the vessels fromNueva España, in order at once to conclude and finish everything. Thatobliged me to make the night day with my continual toil, so thatthe Spaniards who were scattered throughout these islands might beprepared and collected; and artillery cast, which was lacking tome for what was necessary (even a place where I could get the metaland the alloy). Then the workmen on two ships, the construction ofwhich had been ordered, had to be urged to greater haste and all thatwas necessary supplied, so that either one or both of them could befinished in time to serve on the occasion then presented; and a shipof moderate size, which was the only one I found in this bay when Ientered it, had to be repaired. The latter was so old that it wasnecessary almost to rebuild it. Also I did the same with a smallpatache and the galleon in which I came, and the Japanese vesselwhich also came with me from Nueva España. It needed not a littlerepair, and gave me a great deal of trouble with its owners, so thatthey should lend it. But finally they lent it, and now I have had itbought at a very cheap price. With it, and one of the new ones whichwere finished in time (which is the one now about to sail to NuevaEspaña), and those above mentioned, and another new patache which Ihad finished from the bottom up--all together, they comprised twolarge vessels, two moderate-sized vessels, two pataches, and fourgalleys. They were repaired, and manned in great part with borrowedslaves and Dutch prisoners (for the Dutch inflict upon the Spaniardsthe worst of treatment). While this fleet was so far advanced thatit could sail and fight in a few days afterward, the rebels enteredfor the last time into this bay, a thing which they had done eighttimes before. After staying a long time in the mouth of the bay, and seeing it prepared, and some craft ready and filled with men, itappears that they did not choose to try our arms or tempt fortune;for they sailed away and left their position, and went farther upthe coast, until they passed the cape of Bolinao [82]--a districtwhere they thought they would be safe from us, because we could notgo there at that season without evident danger of being unable toreturn to this bay, because of having no longer a port to leeward, save those of Japon, where they have their factories. As soon asthey left here, I sent some light craft after their ships, in orderto ascertain where they were going, and to return to me with theinformation, being resolved to go in pursuit of them, and finishingmy preparations for it. The news which was soon brought me was that, after taking the open sea, a storm struck them. According to thatnews, 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 oftheir largest ships on that coast. These Chinese met them on theirway to Japon, so that they abandoned the islands. Although I shouldbe better satisfied had my toil and ardent desire been employed infighting and attaining some good result, with God's help, still I havealso enjoyed great happiness and give His Divine Majesty many thanksbecause our vessels have arrived here, and those of the Dutch havereceived less gain than loss, and have caused no considerable loss[to us]. Likewise the despatches that I sent to China were importantfor 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 toMacan to buy a ship of more than medium size, which was there, fromthe chief commandant of that city. According to the letters in which Ihave been answered, the ship can arrive here soon. With it, those thatI 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 onepatache which are about to sail to Nueva España, which can direct agood artillery fire. To them I shall add some artillery recast fromburst 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 shallendeavor to get ready as soon as possible, for whatever time the enemymay come, or for whatever decision may be made, according to advicesthat we shall have of the enemy, and the measures that shall appearto be most advisable for your Majesty's service. The viceroy of Yndiasent me the urca above mentioned, after I had sent him a despatch withthe letters that should be sent your Majesty from there, begging him tosend 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 sentmoney and an order that, if any good or suitable ship be found, it bebought; or that they should contract to have one or two built wherevermost convenient--or in Cochin, because the wood is harder than that ofthis island. Don Diego Christino, chief commandant of that city, wascharged 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 hasmade me of the affairs of Yndia, it seems that that state is in needof reinforcements and special aid, as are we in this state of ours;only we, although few, are living in comfort, God be thanked, andif not with many forces, we are prepared and alert. Accordingly hereturned with the said urca which the viceroy gave him. The lattersent me many offers of friendly offices in what might occur, andsuch as should be possible for him, with expressions of very greatgoodwill. 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 imaginethat the inhabitants of that state would put difficulties in the wayof it. That has already been demonstrated by experience. Accordingto the little that can be hoped from India, and of what they writefrom Nueva España regarding the exhaustion of that country, and theimpossibility of getting from it any of the reënforcements necessaryin this country--as is evident from the so meager aid that has comehere--the sending by your Majesty of the fleet that you have offeredto these islands becomes unavoidable. You should see that the infantrycontingent be in excess of two thousand men; that the contingent ofsailors and artillerymen reach nine hundred--embarking them in suchvessels as can come with comfort. It should be noted that ships forthese regions and for the journey from España must not be less thanfive hundred toneladas, nor much greater than six hundred. Vessels ofthis burden, if new and strong, will be of very great service bothfor war and for trade and commerce with Nueva España; and each onewill be assigned to the use most fitting to it, in accordance with itsbuild. And if they carry efficient troops and artillery, a quantity ofanchors and cables, capable commanders and sailors, and an order thatthe money for their sustenance be provided, they will be very welcome, whatever may be their fashion and build, as the restoration of thiscountry will be certain. This is the only remedy hoped for. I havesent reënforcements of food, money, and other things, to the forts ofTerrenate, with which, according to the advices received from thatisland, they are sufficiently provided until the regular time comesagain to send them help, as it is the usual custom to do. When thattime expires, which now is just the opposite of this voyage [i. E. ToNueva España], I shall try, with God's help, to send, together with theordinary help, two companies of infantry, with some other soldiers ofthose who have come this year from Nueva España. If I can increase itto a greater number, I shall do so, by changing some of the soldierswho have been there so many years, and leaving those that shall benecessary for the defense of those forts. I shall also try to sendtwo galleys, as galleys are more important among those islands thanamong any other parts of the islands of this region. I would alreadyhave sent those soldiers, if the season had not hindered, after theDutch had left here; and until then it was impossible to divide theforces which were being collected to oppose them. 

I have had many loud complaints from the forts of Terrenate, writtenby religious and laymen, of the governor there, Lucas de BergaraGaviria--not only of his asperity and harsh government, but of his lackof balance in other things. Since these complaints were so numerous, I was obliged to get the opinion and resolution of the members ofthis royal Audiencía; but at the same time came letters from Lucas deBergara Gaviria, asking permission to resign his post. ConsequentlyI was forced to seek some one to go there. After nominating forthat post the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba, as one to whomyour Majesty had entrusted that government, he excused himself fromgoing there, with arguments that he advanced for it. Accordinglythe master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, was appointed in hisstead. 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 becausehe goes with little desire to stay there (as he shows), and becausethe choice of the one who must go to those islands will be very muchbetter if made by your Majesty's Council--I beg you to be pleased tohave the choice made, and to order that the person appointed for itgo immediately to discharge his duties. 

I do not altogether believe what is said and written about Lucas deBergara Gaviria, as this is a country where accusation is practicedconsiderably, and even the giving of false testimonies; and in thisway some men make themselves feared. Such men have even obtained inthat way what they have not merited by other and lawful means. Andnotwithstanding that in the long time that elapses before the truthis established, the rival suffers, there is no one who will not[finally] bear the stigma [of his wrongdoing], and especially if anyreligious are dissatisfied. In such cases, there is nothing to do butkeep patient, and to pray God for a remedy, for it is the most cruelpersecution that is suffered. Seldom is a man so fortunate that withbut little to give he can satisfy many claimants. As each one triesto favor his own client or clients, they all resent any other beingpreferred to them; and their eagerness or partiality does not allowthe advantage of merits to be recognized, even if it be known. Agood example of this was seen during the term of the good governor, Don Juan de Silba, who was discussed quite differently in writingand in the pulpits than he deserved. Consequently, by having heardthese reports, I have resolved not to believe those which have beenwritten of Bergara; but when the investigation that I ordered to bemade comes, I shall advise your Majesty of what shall be consideredas 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 mayaffirm it. However, those items that are considered most certain are, that the Dutch have a great number of ships, and although not more thanenough men, they still have sufficient for them; and the number of mencannot be small if they can man the ships after leaving the necessarymen in their forts and factories. Of this and other details of theirand our forts, a long relation is given by Captain and Sargento-mayorAlonso Martin Quirante (who is one of the most trustworthy soldiersand one of the most experienced in those regions), so that it may besent to your Majesty with this letter. 

The English who go within range of the Flemish factories arehaving fierce engagements and wars with them, according to the newsreceived. It has been learned from some that they [i. E. , the English]wish to ally themselves with us, so that we may together attack theFlemish. Although I am not in relations with those people, they pledgethat those who do not confederate with them they will not fail toregard as enemies. Meanwhile, there is no permission from your Majestyto trade here; nor do they render the submission due, and which shouldbe assigned to them. Still, so that we may proceed in the service ofyour Majesty with greater certainty, I entreat that you will have sentto me the order that I am to observe in this, as well as toward someDutch prisoners who are here; it does not seem proper for me to putthem to death, as that would be in so cold blood, and it is even lessso 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 expenseto 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 owncountry, than that which his son is causing us, who possesses thecountry and has allied himself with the Dutch. On the other hand, the king might cause revolt among themselves and their vassals, ifhe tried to dispossess his son of the government, since the king isso offended and so angered as he is with the ill-treatment that hehas experienced from his son. Will your Majesty ascertain what ismost to your service in this, and order me accordingly. 

I have been unable to make any investigation in the loss of the sixgalleons that had occurred when I reached this country, of which Iimmediately informed your Majesty. For, as Don Geronimo de Silba wouldhave to be blamed for it, as the one who was captain-general on seaand land, and in the event of his acquittal, the blame must fall uponanother, or he would remain guilty; and inasmuch as he is protected bythe judge conservator with bulls from his order (that of St. John), to which likewise is joined the assertion that an order from yourMajesty is necessary to make that investigation: for that reason, Ihave been unable to investigate it fully and specifically, but 1 shallfulfil whatever your Majesty shall command, on the arrival of thoseorders. If now I should try to make any investigation I could not doso, as I have heard so much different talk about it. In my opinionsuch and greater disasters may happen, without any blame restingon those who give the orders, or on those who execute them. Manysuch disasters have been seen to occur, thus in the sea, when it isexcited 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 officeof captain-general of the artillery, with the officials and assignmentthat it has in other districts. That has been refused him, inasmuch asthere is nothing here for which or with which to add that expense. IfI gave him the title, it was rather to fulfil your Majesty's decreeordering it, than by any necessity of there being such an office. Heis also talking of a journey to that court, if your Majesty will bepleased 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 tothis government, if a person for that should be lacking, and to thepresidency, in case that your Majesty does not now wish the Audienciato succeed to everything; for if they always avoid having more thanone head, your Majesty's service will fare better--and of that we havealready had experience here, as in other regions. For the same reasonsit would be advisable for such a person to be governor of Terrenate, and even the castellan of this castle; even if he should not haveto serve for more than his duties there, and with his counsels, your Majesty would be excellently served. With that intention I haveproposed to your Majesty the persons whom I know, in my opinion, to be suitable. Likewise other persons should be sent me for otherpurposes, chiefly for clerkships [_officios de la pluma_] and for theadministration of the royal treasury. They should have been reared ina good school and have exhibited good qualities; and they should be ofno other [than the clerical] class, because of the great importanceof efficient care, method, and system in the handling of papers andaccounts. That care and system signifies much in such employment, and even more when it is lacking, since a deficiency therein is moregrievous. Inasmuch as the accountant, Francisco Lopez Tamayo, left thedepartment of accounts because of his advanced age and his ill-health, I appointed Pedro de Lensarra as accountant in his stead. He camein the caravels with Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra. I appointed him herefor this purpose for I thought him a man just and intelligent inthe matter, according to what I have hitherto been able to learn;and I made more of his good qualities than of the jealousy exhibitedtoward him by some, who call him a criminal and blasphemer--but Iam not surprised that it is rather unusual here to praise any personvery highly. What I can say of him is that the way in which he fillshis office has not as yet displeased me. On account of his report tome and that of the royal officials, in response to an order of mineissued for the correction of certain abuses, which I shall mentionbelow, 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 holdtheir offices). In that meeting reasons were given, with precedentsand instances, that were deemed sufficient for them to resolve todistribute among themselves and other officials of the Audiencia, and the archbishop of this church, three thousand five hundred fanegasof rice, at the price at which the grain is furnished as tributes toyour Majesty. Since I saw that there was no royal order for it fromyou, and that no approbation of the resolution had come in so long aninterval; and considering that that quantity, and much more which isadded to it, is bought on the account of the royal treasury for theordinary expenses and rations furnished by the royal treasury, whichmakes an assessment among the Indians in order to get it, and thatyour Majesty pays for what we take, at the rate of four reals, andat 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 losssuffered by them--who, in order to comply with the assessment, haveto buy at much dearer rates--not only resulted the harm in the loss ofthe money, but sometimes loss of liberty to some, as they have becomeslaves 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 Majestyshall order otherwise. [84] I have enacted the same in regard tofour hundred pesos that were ordered to be given to the governmentsecretary every year, by a similar meeting of the royal treasury, and excusing him from securing your Majesty's confirmation. Sincehis office is such that he bought it for seventeen thousand pesosat a time when it had no more perquisites than now, and not so many, consequently, that increased salary will cease and the money withdrawnon this account from the royal treasury will be returned to it. I haveordered that the money which is generally removed from the division ofthe accounts of probated estates [_bienes de difuntos_] here to thatof Mexico, without any benefit from their property for the souls ofthe deceased or for the heirs, when distributed or invested by orderof the judge of those estates [i. E. , probate judge] shall be placedin this royal treasury. The necessary vouchers shall be given, sothat an amount equal thereto may be delivered to the division of theaccounts of probated property in that city from the money that hasto be sent from the treasury of Mexico on your Majesty's account tothis treasury here. Thus will be avoided the expense of carrying thatmoney to the port and the danger of the sea, while it has even greaterconveniences, without any hurt to the heirs. And although it appearsso just, as will be learned from it, persons have not been lacking toresent the limiting and lessening of the handling of the money. Inregard to the accounts of the alms from the bulls I would do thesame, 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 thiscommunity, by obviating the investment of this money and the spacethat it occupies in the vessels that carry it to Nueva España. Willyour Majesty be pleased to ascertain whatever is most to your service, and that orders be given to me accordingly. In this matter, as inthose 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 leavefor Nueva España, but has deferred his departure both because ofhis ill-health, from which he is recovering, and because I insistedstrenuously that he do not leave this Audiencia until the otherauditors of it become used to the despatch and customs of theiroffices, and until they are more in harmony among themselves; forsince they are new men, and each one is self-confident in his owncapacity and sufficiency, they have had differences of opinion, and partisans. Consequently for a year back there has been morewrangling here, in suits in the Audiencia, than from the time it wasestablished. There would have been many more, had not LicentiateAlcaraz, notwithstanding his many excuses and his advanced age, been urged to attend it whenever possible, in order to avoid thatwrangling and the scandal resulting from it. He has endeavored tobring them to agreement, a matter that caused him no little trouble, and excused me from much, for finally the displeasure of those whofound 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 sensiblejudges in your service; and less than his going to take part in whathe deserves and in what can commend him to your Majesty's eyes, couldnot console me at seeing him separated from me. For I do not know howone who wishes to rule aright can have anything more to his taste thansuch a counselor and one of so great experience in matters--such anone whom, until now, I have been unable to have. And since I was soassured of his good qualities, when I was about to embark in the fleetto fight the Dutch fleet, I persuaded the said licentiate Alcaraz, that if I died on that occasion, under no considerations was he toforsake this country and the Audiencia until your Majesty shouldhave taken measures for all things. Although I gave clear reasonsfor it, namely the long experience of the said licentiate Alcarazand other reasons, without thus touching on my distrust of the goodgovernment of the other two auditors--although I could perhaps givesome different reason, if it were necessary--such was the spite thatthose two exhibited toward us, that Licentiate Alcaraz tried to avoidthe charge of the government. At the end he conquered me and convincedme to have Don Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano, archbishop elect of thiscity, summoned to aid him in it; he was then absent from the city. Thelatter is one in whom, besides his qualifications of devotion, virtue, and learning, combine other qualities so good that they cancommend him for governments more important than this. Accordingly hecame to me at my request, and at the same entreaty he is staying, and is daily putting me under new obligations to him, the greatestof which is my seeing him so intent on and inclined to the serviceof your Majesty, both in whatever pertains to his own office andin what can aid me in mine. To conclude the account of what ensuedwith the auditors--Licentiate Geronimo de Legaspi y Echabarria andDoctor Don Albaro de Messa y Lugo--I shall say that whether for thecauses here written, or because of restraining them and trying toreduce them to harmony and a desirable moderation; or because thecorrection 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 mesince I have come from outside--although I have been careful to goto their houses oftener than was sufficient. Neither do their wivesvisit mine. Will your Majesty be pleased to have them advised thatwhat 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 fittingmildness and delicacy, so that we all may proceed very conformably tothe service of your Majesty. I hope for this, for on my part there isthe desire and on theirs so many obligations. Very soon they will makea trial of the obligations that they have in their offices. In ordernot to neglect the fulfilment of my obligations and the dischargeof my conscience, I assure your Majesty that I do not consider itadvisable for your royal service that the present order be executed, ruling that he who shall be senior auditor shall exercise the officeof captain-general because of the death of the governor; but [Irecommend] that, in case your Majesty should have appointed no personfor that purpose, the whole Audiencia, together with the archbishop, shall appoint him, and the appointee shall remain subordinate to theAudiencia, as are other captains-general, in the royal council of war:Thus may be avoided the existence of two heads, which occurs with thedivision of the departments of war and peace of the government, andthe great inconveniences that usually result from it. And accordingto what I, as a Christian, believe, the inconveniences that couldbe feared, were Licentiate Geronimo de Legazpi to take this office(who in the event of the absence of Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz willbe senior auditor), would not be few; for as yet he is a person whohas not exhibited the capacity and qualities required for it. On thecontrary a certain incontinence has been noted in his morals. Withthe scandal and bad example of that and certain inclinations in theadministration of justice, and complaints from persons to whom hehas failed to return money which he received from them to invest inmerchandise or to pay to them here, he has become as disreputableas in other matters of his own private affairs. Since he allows oneof 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 ismaking amends for the fault of his son's bad rearing. He endures fromhis son much disrespect, even fearing him and following his will inunjust things. Hence it can be inferred that he who cannot governhis own son will illy govern so many others. Further, with such acounterpoise, and since this matter is so worthy of consideration, and so important to the service of your Majesty, and since it isnot 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 youmay take those measures most suitable to your royal service. 

Auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez de Villegas has just arrived in thatship from Nueva España, but he is in so poor health that he cannotattend the Audiencia except in any necessary case when LicentiateLegazpi and Don Albaro must have a third person. At such times he isrequested to attend so that certain business may not be delayed. Hehas given many signs of prudence, wisdom, and good intentions. That iswhat hitherto we have been able to understand of him; and I promisemyself that his person will be of great service to your Majesty fromhis 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 nativesand Sangleys of these islands, for eleven years, and, as I have thusfar understood, with great satisfaction and ability. He has everattended with peculiar care to the advancement of the preparation ofthe fleets that have been prepared during that time, and to all othermatters of war and administration that have arisen. And according tomy good opinion of him, I would entrust to him even many more thingsin matters touching your Majesty's service, and also with my ownaffairs. As certain reports were made to me upon my arrival at theseislands last year, that were opposed to his method of procedure, I endeavored to investigate them secretly and cautiously, and toascertain the truth concerning them. And although his duties are sofitting and proper for the breeding of ill-will in those querulouspersons against whom he has prosecuted cases, or in his subordinates, I have not found anything of importance that contradicts his rectitudeand integrity. Those are the qualities most to be esteemed in theministers of the Yndias. Consequently in consideration of his goodqualities, capacity, and skill, I regard him as deserving the gracethat your Majesty may be pleased to show him outside this Audienciain that of Mexico or Lima, in which I think that your Majesty willbe very well served. 

A few days ago while I was in Cavite attending to the fleet whichI prepared for the purpose that I have related to your Majesty, DonFray Pedro de Arçe, bishop of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, and governor of this archbishopric, advised me that he heard thatcertain persons were losing the respect due the college of SantaPotenciana, of which your Majesty is patron. I replied to him thatI would immediately come to this city to procure the most suitableremedy. Although I did so immediately without loss of time, I foundthat Licentiate Legazpi, resolving quickly upon such notice as hehad, entered the said college and began to make investigations. Heexamined witnesses on whom he used tortures. Upon seeing this casealready in this state, and considering the scandal and dishonor ofthat royal house and of the guilty persons, it was judged necessaryfor want of another remedy more honorable and private, to punish thecriminals 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 CaptainJuan 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 lackof the time necessary for it. The case of another, namely, CaptainDon Fernando Becerra, against whom there is apparently less proof, has not yet been sentenced by the said master-of-camp, for he isyet hearing evidence in it. From the investigations of this, guiltis found against Don Juan Manuel de la Vega, ex-commander of theships 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 anynecessity, for this [severity], to collect the evidence in the suitbrought against him for the loss of the galleon "San Marcos. " Hewas commander of that vessel when Don Juan Ronquillo fought with thefleet of these islands against that of the Dutch at Playa Honda. Heappealed from this sentence to the royal Audiencia, where the case isnow proceeding--very slowly, because of the superfluous justificationthat he is presenting. This has been an affair where it is desirable tomanifest great rigor; for otherwise the other correction that I havetried to apply for the honor and defense of this royal house will notbe sufficient. On the contrary it would be a damaging precedent, sothat others might follow similar acts of audacity. In what pertainsto me I shall always endeavor to do justice, although, with theseappeals, it is impossible to do it in time, or with the energy thatis necessary. Especially in war, and as is customary in it, is rigorat times necessary, and without any delays. Much more is it needed inthis land than in others, as dissimulation and failure to punish areso usual in it. Thence result many acts of lawlessness, disobedience, and crime, which inflict great injuries. To restrict them, punishmentis necessary, and without it no good government can result, even inpeace, 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'sdecrees which treats of those doubts, which was issued at El Pardo, November seventeen, six hundred and seventeen. In it your Majestyorders that the master-of-camp try all causes, both criminal andmilitary, that touch the soldiers of the presidios, and the ordinarypay of these islands; and also of the others who may not be ordinarysoldiers, if they shall have been levied for any purpose and have takenarms in their hands. The appeals of all are to go to the governorand captain-general. The Audiencia thinks that that should only beunderstood in regard to those who may be levied and assigned pay(as if, having that, there would be any difference between the recentand the oldest levies), and not in regard to citizens when (becauseof the absence of the regular infantry) they take up arms for theguard of the city, or to go out in emergencies, as many are wont todo. But I can not see how they could be ordered or how they would obeywith the punctuality that war demands, if the punishment of offenses, disobedience, and other acts that are criminal in soldiers, were notin charge of the military judges. In Ytalia and Flandes, the Spanishsoldiers have only one judge, namely, the commander of the army; foralthough the masters-of-camp judge in the first instance in cases, thatis only exercised by them when away from the commander-in-chief. Willyour Majesty please order this matter to be examined and declare yourpleasure therein; also in what pertains to the soldiers of forts andthe other paid men in them, for I do not know whether your Majestyhas hitherto given the jurisdiction in the first instance to thecastellans by special decree. Likewise I do not know whether it hasbeen declared as to whom pertains the trial in the first instance ofthe men in the galleys who have a general or lieutenant, or of theirsoldiers; or to whom pertains the trial of those who are generallyadded 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 thesailors and officers of ships, and those who work at ship-trades, inasmuch as they have no commander or admiral, nor any lieutenantof mine, in such charge, to whom it is committed by any decree ofyour Majesty. The same doubt exists in regard to the artillerymen, who now have a general of the artillery, as your Majesty has orderedone 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 inthe lieutenant or captain of the artillery, as it was before. Ihave written this so long and specific relation to your Majesty, as I desire that you may in each and every thing order what is mostsuitable for your service. [85]

I have found introduced here the custom that retired officers, uponfinding themselves without office, even though it be that of sergeant, will not serve in the regular companies. Thence results a decidedinconvenience, for when a soldier has once become skilful and knownas a good man, and when he is admitted to greater obligations and madean officer, upon leaving that office, not only are his services lost, but even his person likewise, and he becomes corrupted, when outside ofmilitary discipline. Consequently instead of the companies continuingto increase their number of well-disciplined and old soldiers, those who by excelling most and being the best soldiers have beenappointed officers, are daily leaving them, and there is a continuallack of those particular persons who are the masters and patterns inthe companies for the new soldiers, of those who are trustworthy formatters of importance and opportunity, and of those who are generallythe cause of the best results and the avoidance of ill. As causes fornot continuing their services in the regular companies, they assignthe fact that those retired are not given any preferments here, asin other districts. Will your Majesty have considered the question ofwhether it will be proper to give the usual additional pay in excessof ordinary pay to retired officers who shall have served in theiroffices in Flandes; and, before having those offices, the time set bythe ordinance that treats of it--even though it be not the additionalpay of Flandes, but that of España. By this method excellent soldierswill be kept and your Majesty will be very well served. 

It has been the custom to send presents and gifts at your Majesty'scost from this place to the king of Japon and to certain privatepersons, great vassals, and lords of the ports of that kingdom, everyyear when a ship was sent to that country for the necessary commerce, and the provisions which it sends to this country--inasmuch as itis the fashion not to deliver an embassy or message without taking apresent. For some few years back we have neglected to send any. Somereligious persons zealous for the service of God our Lord, and for theconversion of that nation and the salvation of its souls, and likewisefor the welfare of these islands, desiring to have them as our bestfriends in all this archipelago, have considered and even say that itis well known that those Japanese have considered the decrease of thecommerce, and attributed it to a disrespect for their friendship; andthat consequently they were bound by treaty to prefer now that of theDutch--whom they loved not a little, because they gave and continueto give them rich presents from what they plunder, since these donot cost them much. Having considered this matter and that there arecertain 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 liableto put it in distress on both the outward and return trips when obligedby contrary weather as has been already seen and experienced--and onsuch occasions it has been important not to have them as enemies, forthen the Japanese have given the crews of our ships a good supply ofnecessities, and have shown them a positive proof of good treatment innot seizing the so great profits and wealth carried on the said ships;likewise having considered the friendship that they have establishedwith the Dutch, and the persecution there indicted on Christians andtheir ministers, the Spanish priests, who preach the holy gospel:I have esteemed it advisable to give a report of the matter to yourMajesty, so that you may have it examined and considered, togetherwith the written reports of certain religious, experienced in thoseregions, as well as that of the fiscal of this Audiencia, who also, I am told, discusses it. Will you order the procedure most advisablefor your royal service. 

I would not be fulfilling my obligations to the service of yourMajesty and to this land, unless I reported as to the faithfulnessof your Majesty's vassals here. For although it is true that thisregion is a place of concourse, or a halting-place, for men ofdifferent natures, qualities, and characteristics, who come here forvarious purposes, many of which are not good, or are brought here, and who leave their impress (and that not little) in extending theirvices--still there are, on the other hand, highly honorable and loyalvassals, who attend to your Majesty's service with so great love andwillingness; and since the former comprise but the very least part ofthe citizens of this city, who in all number less than five hundred, not only did I find many who offered themselves and their servants totake part in your royal service on the past occasion when the enemycame here, but also they loaned me their slaves for the galleys, and one hundred and ninety-five thousand pesos. With that I havemet the expenses of this camp for most of this year and of the othertroops whom your Majesty sustains in your pay. I also built new orrepaired the ships, both large and small, and galleys, and from themcollected a fleet. The enemy upon seeing that fleet in the port, although it was not completely ready, did not choose to await it, asabove written to your Majesty--not even for the profits to be derivedfrom the ships that they were awaiting from China and Nueva España, which would have meant no little blessing to them and no little harmto us, if they had returned for it. All that relief resulted fromthe aid of so good vassals, who, although paid from the money--aswere the Indian natives also, who have worked and given the suppliesapportioned to them for the above purpose--are even very deservingof 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 delCastillo. By his intelligence, assiduity, and labor, I was able tomake the preparations that I did; and I do not think that it couldhave been done without him so well, with so incredible rapidity. Willyour Majesty be pleased to have this considered in his behalf, on the occasions that arise for showing him honor and favor. Thatfavor that I petitioned your Majesty to show Admiral Rodrigo deGuilleztegui last year, will be very well extended, for the reasonsthen advanced. Don Fernando Centeno Maldonado, who is serving inthese galleys as commander of them, is a man who, by the honorablerank of his birth, has personal merits and good qualities--so thatyour Majesty may make use of him in his profession as soldier, orin any other thing, even though it be a position of great labor. Heis the man for it, and one who will well use any honor that yourMajesty may be pleased to bestow upon him. Many judicial inquiries[_informaciones_] are made here of merits and services; and althoughthere are some among them of men who have merits, and who have notobtained 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 majorityconsist of the inquiries of men who are or could be ashamed. Of themwhat they claim might be advanced as a reason for their not deservingeven what has been given them. Although it is always to be believedthat the auditors, to whom the inquiries are entrusted, ought tomake them, not only as judges, but as interested parties, so thatsinister inquiries should not be sent to your Majesty's royal Councilto defraud your royal treasury and the merits of those who have servedwell, I assure your Majesty that I have heard that many inquiries havebeen made with less justification than might be advisable. Moreover, I am an eye-witness of the evidence taken so earnestly by Auditor DonAlbaro 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 hewished regarding [the reward] that we informed your Majesty could begiven him, he refused to affix his signature after the opinion thathe there gave in favor of Captain Alonso Estever, a valiant man whohas served and serves very well. I do not know whether he has signedin his opinion of Captain Antonio de Esquibel, which he also gaveto him at that time. In order that your Majesty may know with whatpassions they proceed in this, and on what this was based, and maysee how little was the justification of this protegé of Don Albaro, namely, the said Juan de Herrera (who it is said came here as theservant of the factor Juan Saenz de Quen [86]--of which I am not atall certain, since he has been a soldier here, and even a collector oftributes and encomiendas, and once alcalde-mayor, when the Audienciawas governing; and after his services in these employments, he wasfound deserving of an encomienda of two thousand tributes, of beingappointed 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 lessjustifiable inquiries, for there was an excellent notary, named GonçaloVelazquez de Lara, who forged many inquiries and other papers; andwho recently forged my signature, in order to defraud your Majestyof the fees from the licenses of the Sangley Chinese. I sentencedhim to be hanged yesterday, so that he may do it no more, and thatothers might be warned. 

The fathers of the Society of Jesus say that they need more religiousof their order than are here. They have asked me to petition yourMajesty to grant them the accustomed grace in this matter. What I cancertify is that whatever aid and concession your Majesty may grant themwill be well employed, for they are men who bear considerable fruit, and not as many of them return [to Nueva España] as of the otherorders, particularly that of St. Dominic. Of the latter I have heardthat more of them than I would wish have left the order, " [87] for theyare well regulated men and furnish a good example. Although they denyit, I have come to believe that it is not because of the strictnessof their life, and that they can all endure it, if your Majestywill order something to prevent it. Of the Order of St. Augustine, I can tell your Majesty that I have heard that they have alwaysapplied themselves very earnestly to their charge of facilitatingand executing all that has been, and is, necessary to be done inyour royal service. In what I have experienced hitherto, I am underobligations to them to confess it, and of especial indebtedness andgratefulness to the provincial, namely, Fray Alonso Barahona, [88]and to the definitors; and inasmuch as it is a matter that concernsthe service of your Majesty, I have wished in this letter to mentionit to you. I shall close at this point, acknowledging the receiptof only one letter that has come to me from your Majesty in thesevessels that have just arrived. It is dated El Pardo, November twenty, one thousand six hundred and seventeen. Consequently with what I havewritten, I have nothing more to reply to it than that I shall do allin my power, as I ought and as I am obliged to do in fulfilment ofits commands, and in all that concerns your Majesty's service. MayGod preserve the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty, as isneeded by Christendom. Manila, August 10, 1619. 

_Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença_

[Appended to this letter is the following, to which the clause of theletter speaking of the fleet to be sent from Spain evidently refers. ]

On August third, one thousand six hundred and nineteen, Secretary JuanRuiz de Contreras ordered that Licentiate Antonio Moreno, cosmographer, and Captain Juan Media, be summoned to confer with Pedro Miguel, aliasDubal, a pilot, sent by his Highness, the most serene Archduke Alberto, [89] to make a voyage to the Filipinas Islands in his Majesty'sservice by way of the cape of Buena Esperanza or by the new straitof Mayre. [90] In the presence of Don Lorenzo de Cracola, commanderof the fleet, he was asked which of the two routes seemed the mostsuitable for the voyage of which they were conferring. He answeredthat that by the cape of Buena Esperanza was most suitable, if thevoyage were to be made at the end of this year, because it could notbe made by the new strait, as it was now very late in the year. Hesaid that the season most suitable for that was any time in May; andthat although, in accordance with the voyages that he has made, theDutch sail from their country during any time of the year, he thoughtthat this fleet should sail during the month of March, notwithstandingthat he offered to make the voyage by sailing the last of November orthe first of December, as above stated. He supposes that by making away-station in the regions, and in the manner that the Dutch do, theywould spend thirteen or fourteen months; and they would not make thetime at all shorter by not having made the voyage by the open sea. Heasserts 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 madethe 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 ofthe cape of Buena Esperanza. He affixed his signature in presenceof the above-mentioned persons and of Cornelio Smout (who cameto 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 cityby order of King Don Filippe, our sovereign and the father of yourMajesty, four classes of persons are sheltered: the daughters of oldconquerors and soldiers of these islands, who, as these have nothingto leave them, are left unprotected; the illegitimate daughters ofSpaniards and Indian women (and they are numerous), every one of whomis ruined if she is not sheltered here, because of the great laxity [ofmorals] in the country; and all are taught and instructed until theydepart married. Some married women who quarrel with their husbands arealso sheltered there, until the trouble is smoothed over; and there aresome poor widows. It is a work of great charity, and one that preventsgreat offenses to God. But it receives so little aid that the girls arein need. They are barefoot and almost naked, have wretched food, andlive 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. Therearing of the girls suffers great injury from their being mingledwith the married women, for there is no money with which to buildthem separate quarters. All of these things are causes that preventthem from living acceptably, and keep them under forcible restraint;while from growing up amid so great poverty and destitution of allthings, they do not attract the attention of Spaniards, and lowerthemselves by marrying Indians. Consequently, all the good endssought in their rearing are frustrated, and among those ends, thegrowth of the Spanish population in these regions. I consider myselfas 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 stateof affairs. It can be corrected by giving the institution somemore Indians in encomienda; by adding three more toneladas, in thedistribution of the cargo, to the three that are given annually; byraising to thirty its twelve Indians of service, who bring it waterand wood; and by ordering that ornaments be given to its church fromthe royal treasury, as is done to the other churches, and from theroyal hospital the necessary medicines, at the written request ofthe physician and the rectoress. And at present, for enlarging andfitting up the house, your Majesty could give some alms. For its goodmanagement, your Majesty might aid the pious intent of LicentiateHernando de los Rios, procurator of this city, to bring nuns to founda convent in this city, from which nuns might be sent every threeyears to govern this seminary; for through lack of persons who canbe placed in charge of it, and who are suitable for that post, it isand has been managed by only one woman, although four are needed. Ifyour Majesty wishes a more detailed relation of these and other thingsof this your house, Licentiate Hernando de los Rios will give it toyou, for he is well informed of everything. Consequently I finishby entreating your Majesty to have pity on these poor creatures, who all continually pray for your Majesty's health, which may ourLord preserve for many years. Manila, July 15, 617. 

_Juan Oñez_

_Petition_

Very Potent Sir:

I, Diego de Castro, administrator of the seminary of Sancta Potencianaof this city, and its majordomo, declare that the encomienda ofIndians was granted to the said seminary, as appears by the decreeI present under oath, both to send before the king our sovereign forits 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 withthe judicial comment of his Majesty's fiscal, for the purpose abovementioned; and to return the original for a warrant to the saidseminary, 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 Augustthree, one thousand six hundred and seventeen. Give it to him, ashe asks. 

_Pedro Muñoz de Herrera_

I declare that I was summoned in Manila, August twelve, one thousandsix hundred and seventeen. 

_Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte_

And I, Christoval Martin Franco, chief clerk of the government andmilitary office of these Philipinas Islands, declare that I do nowdespatch this matter because Gaspar Alvarez is prevented from doing it. 

I ordered to be drawn, and drew, the copy requested by the abovepetition from the original concession which was presented for thispurpose by Diego de Castro, majordomo (and so at present) of the saidseminary 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 andcaptain-general in these islands; and president of the royal Audienciaand Chancillería resident therein, etc. Inasmuch as the native townsof Guas and Libon in the province of Camarines have been declaredvacant, because of the expiration of the period granted to General DonJuan Tello de Guzman, who held and possessed them, and his failureto establish a colony, as he was obliged; and since they are to begiven in encomienda as his Majesty commands: therefore, consideringthe same, I place the said encomienda of Guas and Libon under theroyal crown, together with their subjects, tingues, and mountains, according to and in the form and manner that the said general Don JuanTello held and enjoyed it, so that the retreat of Sancta Potencianamay enjoy and collect forever the products and profits of the saidencomienda. The pension of five hundred pesos received annually fromthe gambling-houses of this camp by the said retreat is repealed andsuppressed, provided it be paid the amount due therefrom up to the dayof this concession. In respect to the collection of the tributes ofthe said natives, the appraisement last made for that province must beobserved, and it shall not be exceeded under any consideration, underpenalty of the ordinances, decrees, and provisions of his Majesty, made for the Yndias. It shall be seen to that the said natives arewell treated, and instructed in the matters of our holy Catholicfaith; and in regard to that, it is charged upon the consciences [ofthe directors of the seminary] and taken from that of his Majesty, and from mine in his royal name. The Indians shall not be harassedor 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 therecord-book of royal decrees and other papers of this accountancyof Manila. Given in that city, April twenty-eight, one thousand sixhundred and eleven. 

_Thomas Montero_

The above copy is faithful, and is accurately corrected and collatedwith the said original concession, which was returned to the people, and I refer to that. And the said petition and order I gave thepresent, witnesses being Juan Vazquez de Miranda and Don FranciscoVeltran, citizens of Manila, where this is given on the fourteenthof 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 yourMajesty has had the kindness to order the poor unmarried daughtersof conquerors to be sheltered, and which your Majesty sustains andfounded, declares that your governor Don Juan de Silva took fromit a pension that it possessed for the aid of its support in thesaid city, and in its place, applied the products of the encomiendaof Guas and Libon in the province of Camarines, and apportioned thesaid encomienda to your royal crown for the support of the girls andfor divine worship. The seminary petitions your Majesty to concedeit the grace of confirming that favor, since its service to God andto your Majesty is so great. 

[_Addressed_: "To Secretary Santiago Florez. "]

[_Endorsed_: "The Council ordered, September 9, 1619, that the fiscalexamine the matter. "]

The fiscal declares that this confirmation is not asked for withinthe four years, although the patent of the governor does not assignany period for obtaining the confirmation; neither does it statethat a confirmation must be obtained. The work appears charitableand advisable, and consequently the Council can grant it what favorit pleases. Madrid, September 10, 1619. 

On the 23d of November, 619, the Council, after consideration, orderedthe governor and Audiencia, at the summons of his Majesty's fiscal, to report on the value and advisability [of such grant]; and that forthat purpose a decree of investigation be given in legal form. Theyshall cite especially what charitable works have been strengthened byother encomiendas; the disadvantages or benefits that may result fromthis; 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 FilipinasIslands and of all their estates, declares that, inasmuch as allthat community insisted that he come to inform your Majesty of thedistressed condition which it has reached, and of what was advisableboth for the service of your Majesty and that community's conservationand advancement, he has come, for that reason, at the risk of his life, after suffering so great hardships, to serve your Majesty and thoseislands, for both of which services he has made this memorial of themost necessary matters that demand reform. Although he thinks thatyour governor, Don Alonso Fajardo, will remedy many of these things(inasmuch as that whole community writes that he is proceeding as itsfather), yet, since men are so liable to the possibility of death thatmost often the good lasts but a short time, and (as we all know byexperience, for our sins), another may succeed who will inflict manyinjuries; and since before the complaints could reach your Majestythrough so long a distance and the relief be sent, the men concernedmight be dead: it is necessary to prevent the wrongs ere they come tobe irremediable, as have been all those that have placed that countryin so wretched a condition. He petitions your Majesty to examinethis memorial with great consideration, for in [heeding] it consiststhe welfare and conservation of all the kingdom; for that country, being so far away, has no other remedy for its protection except yourroyal decrees. The first ten articles of the memorial were approvedby your royal Audiencia, so that you may have no doubt of them. Hedid not inform the Audiencia of the others for just considerations, as was advisable--the city having given him instructions for most ofthem, which are those that he presents. In the authority that he haspresented to your royal Council, the great trust reposed in his personhas been evident; for he has served your Majesty and that communityfor more than thirty years, with so great a desire of acting rightlyas 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 Majestysome years ago (while acting in this capital as procurator-generalof the kingdom), with regard to the trading-ships, ordering that yourgovernor and captain-general despatch them some time in the month ofJune, as the greater part of their success in the voyage consists inthat, and as that country has no other fruits and harvests except thatcommerce, for its conservation and increase, and also for the increaseof your royal treasury: not only have they not kept the said decreesbut have even done the very opposite. Thence have followed very manygreat wrongs and annoyances; and that community is greatly exhaustedfor that reason, and your royal treasury deeply in debt. [This affectsthe community] not only in material possessions, but also in the lossof your vassals, many citizens and sailors having perished for thatreason. 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 sogood beginnings, still, as he is mortal, and as a person may succeedhim who may not attend to this--as others of his predecessors havefailed to do, as has been seen hitherto:

He petitions your Majesty to order that this command be observedinviolate. The most efficacious expedient would appear to be to placethe governors under a heavy penalty, which they would incur wheneverthey did not observe it, and that it be made an important clause intheir residencias. 

2. _Item_: That your Majesty issued a decree in the year 605, grantingfavor to the citizens of that community, and ordering your governorsthat the posts in the trading-ships be given to the deserving citizensfor their profit, and that many be rewarded with this. Inasmuch asthis is very advantageous to your Majesty's service and to the profitof trade, and inasmuch as the ex-governor always gave them to hisrelatives, and thus enriched them greatly, and the latter becamevery arrogant; and since, as this was the affair of the governor, no one dared to bring suit against them; and since this is greatlyto the harm of the royal treasury, because they lade quantities ofmerchandise without registering it, and commit many illegal acts, andwill continue always to commit them, for no one dares to speak plainly:

He petitions your Majesty to order the observance of the said decreeby ordering the officials of your royal treasury, that should thegovernor appoint to such offices other persons than those whom yourMajesty has ordered, no account be made of it in the royal books, thatno salary be granted them, and that those appointed to these officeshave 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 toneladasof the said trading-ships, and that your governors allot these, to each one according to his rank and wealth. The citizens havebeen greatly injured in this, as happened in the year 613, when thegovernor despatched two small ships, and did not give the citizens onesingle tonelada; and under pretext of granting gratuities to retiredofficers, the citizens were obliged to buy space for their freightfrom those officers, at exorbitant prices. Further, he apportionsa considerable number of toneladas to charitable institutions, sothat they may sell the space and use, and the price obtained forit; and thus these toneladas are given to the great injury of thecommon welfare. The further disadvantage follows from this (besidesdefrauding the citizens of the reward given them by your Majesty)that the toneladas are sold to whomever will pay most for them, andthey are bought for this reason by merchants who have companies inMexico. Consequently, it is quite common for such men to own a greatpart of the said merchandise of the ships, and thus the citizens aredeprived of the profits with which your Majesty has rewarded them. 

He petitions your Majesty to order that these be not distributed atwill, but that the orders given in this regard by your royal decreesbe obeyed, and that the violation of your royal will in this be made aclause of the residencia, with the penalty that may be assigned to it. 

4. _Item_: That your Majesty has ordered that four vessels be builtfor the trade, of 200 toneladas' burden; and that two of them makevoyages each year, while the other two remain in port getting readyfor the next year. 

He petitions your Majesty that they be not employed in other mattersby your governors, unless it be an urgent necessity, as happened lastyear, when they went out to drive off the Dutch enemy who had besiegedus. In such case the citizens themselves shall go out in them to defendthe city, since the profit of the citizens is so necessary in orderthat that community may be settled, and have the sinews with whichto defend and preserve itself. They shall not be sent to Maluco orany other district, since thus your Majesty is no less defrauded ofyour royal duties. 

6. _Item_: It happens that your governor and captain-general has tosend to Great China for ammunition and other articles very necessaryfor your royal service. In order not to anger the Portuguese of thecity of Macan, the ships go to its port, although they could go toanother. 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 excessiverates. 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 royaltreasury. That happened in my presence when Don Juan de Silva sentCaptain Francisco Lopez de Toledo for that purpose. He broughtback the supplies at prices more than thrice their value. While Iwas acting as the said procurator in China, I bought nails for lessthan sixteen reals per pico, or five arrobas, and Toledo brought themhither at fifty-six; and other things after this manner, because thePortuguese compelled him to buy through them. 

He petitions your Majesty to issue a royal decree, so that the personssent on a similar commission by your governor may buy freely; and, where they cannot buy freely, they may make another port, where theycan trade with the Chinese; and that the governor send an experiencedand practiced person on this errand. 

7. _Item_: Inasmuch as the ships built in the Filipinas cause yourMajesty great expense, and have ruined and exhausted the natives;and inasmuch as your Majesty owes them a great sum of money from thetime of Don Juan de Silva, for their personal services and thingsthat he took by force from them: it is very advisable, not only foryour royal service, but also for your royal conscience, to relievethem from so great oppression. 

He petitions your Majesty to order your governors that they beprohibited from doing this, and that they send to Yndia to have thesaid ships built; for besides their incomparably greater cheapnessthere, one built there lasts as long as ten built in Filipinas, becausethe woods in Yndia are incorruptible. In this your Majesty will savea great sum of ducados, and the natives will be relieved of so muchhardship. For that a decree from your royal Council of Portugal isneeded, and it should be charged upon the governor of Filipinas to dothis with the mildness and prudence advisable. If it is desired it canbe easily effected, and it is of great importance. Of all this he hasmore 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 theviceroy of Nueva España [91] not to allow a vessel to go thither fromJapon (which is a most serious evil), and to order that gate to beclosed; and, inasmuch as the Japanese do not know how to navigatewithout a Spanish pilot and sailors, to have an edict publishedforbidding such persons under severe penalties (which he [_i. E. _, Coronel] does not declare, because he is a priest) from sailing insuch ships to Nueva España. For that, in another guise, means to teacha barbarous nation how to navigate, and is rash, and opens the gateto many evils, for which afterward there will be no remedy. It willeven 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 willfurther it. 

9. _Item_: There is no entrance to the city of Manila except by themouth 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 ingreat straits. But it may be presumed that this can be remedied byopening up two rivers--one in Zambales, called the river of Tarla;and the other in Laguna de Bombon, where it was resolved in the formeryear of 17 that some one should go to examine it, because of theirgreat need--although this was not effected on account of the successobtained in driving away the enemy. 

He petitions your Majesty, for the reasons here stated, to order thegovernors to consider that matter and examine this matter, and tocharge 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 andskill that is advisable, without injuries to, or extortions on, thenatives; and that they send for that purpose a prudent and competentperson. For, if the Spaniards possess these routes, the enemy cando no harm to the city, nor prevent it from being supplied with allnecessaries. Besides, this is of the highest importance for the serviceand accommodation of the mines that have been ordered to be opened;and it will avoid the loss of many Spanish and native vessels thatare continually being lost. [92]

15. _Item_: Inasmuch as the Indians of the islands of Mindanao andothers near by are declared enemies and are in insurrection, andhave embraced the religion of Mahomet; and inasmuch as they haveconfederated with the Dutch, and committed incredible depredationson the vassals of your Majesty, both Spaniards and natives, and thereis no security there:

He petitions your Majesty to charge your governor straitly to try topunish them, and to attend to that carefully, since it is of so greatimportance; and inasmuch as it will be of great help in facilitatingthis, to declare those people to be the slaves of whomever capturesthem in war, since through the greed of gain the natives will helpwillingly, and the soldiers will go much more eagerly. He petitionsthat you have your governor proclaim them as such, establishing theabove facts with sufficient investigation, and justice on the partof your Majesty to order it; and that this be done quickly, since itis so advisable to your royal service and the security of your vassals. 

16. _item_: That whenever any cause that concerns the governor orany of your auditors or the fiscal is to be voted on in the sessionsof your royal Audiencia, he petitions your Majesty to order that suchpersons shall not be present at the meeting; for their presence is veryundesirable, and the execution of your royal justice is obstructed. Inregard to this, many disorderly acts have followed, as has happenedwhen opponents have left the session, and even offensive words havebeen bandied. 

17. _Item_: That your Majesty order that neither governors norauditors 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 soldiersin Maluco and other regions--who, as we know by experience, serve veryfaithfully; and so long as they are at the war, they cannot attend totheir fields and sustain their households. And in the repartimientoswhich are generally made by the governors, both in personal servicesand in food, the chiefs and cabezas [de barangay], through whom theapportionment is made, practice great cruelty on the wives of thosesoldiers upon whom they make the said repartimientos, thus givingoccasion for the women to sell their children, or to take to evil ways. 

He therefore petitions your Majesty that such repartimientos be notmade on women whose husbands are thus engaged in the war in yourMajesty's service, and that they pay no tribute until their husbandsreturn--also making this concession to those whose husbands shallhave died in the war; for not only will this be a service to yourMajesty and to our Lord, but the natives will thus be encouraged togo to service willingly, and many wrongs will be avoided. 

19. _Item_: That the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical affairs in theislands of Maluco is subject to Eastern India. Innumerable troublesresult 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 thisjurisdiction be subject to the bishop of Cibu, who is the nearestone, 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 NuevaEspaña and the numerous things worthy of reform (which is advisableboth for the royal treasury of your Majesty and for the community, and for the avoidance of many death of the seamen), that which it isadvisable straitly to charge and order your governor is the following:

That the accommodations given the commander be moderated, conformingto the capacity of the ships. We have seen them during those yearsladen by the commanders with a third of the cargo, because they arerelatives of the governor, under pretext of having a dispensation oftaking 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, chargeexcessive prices for the guards of the boxes, barrels, and otherarticles of merchandise, without anything being due them; and thesefees were not formerly charged, because their office is given to themfor that purpose, and that duty [of guarding freight] is annexed toit. He petitions your Majesty to order the royal Audiencia of Manila, or the governor, to set the price that they can charge; and, if theyexceed that price, those aggrieved can make claim in the residencia. 

21. _Item_: That your Majesty be pleased to order your governor tobe careful, in the muster-roll of sailors and common seamen made outby the royal officials, that all such be efficient; for it happensthat a ship may take sixty sailors, thirty of whom are men whohave 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, whichshould 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 inthe said ships, who are always Indian natives, be all men of thatcoast, who are instructed how to navigate; and that they be made towear 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 Indianswho live in the interior, and who do not know the art of sailing, and as they are a wretched people, they are embarked without clothesto protect them against the cold, so that when each new dawn comesthere are three or four dead men (a matter that is breaking his heart);besides, they are treated inhumanly and are not given the necessariesof life, but are killed with hunger and thirst. If he were to tellin detail the evil that is done to them, it would fill many pages. Hepetitions your Majesty to charge your governor straitly to remedy this. 

_Item_: That inasmuch as the kitchens where the food is cooked arenot located in the first part of the forecastle, as is seen in [shipson] these seas, but in the waist; and inasmuch as at the first stormthe sea carries them away, after which each one cooks his food inhis messroom where he can make a fire (and it is a miracle from Godthat the ships are not burned)--he petitions your Majesty to orderyour governor to remedy that, since he is so excellent a sailor. Thereason for that abuse is that the officials appropriate the largeststorerooms of the ships. 

23. _Item_: That slave women be not conveyed in the ships, by whichmany acts offensive to God will be avoided. Although that is prohibitedby your royal decree, and it is also entrusted to the archbishop toplace 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 asconcubines. He knew a certain prominent official who carried with himfifteen 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 ofrank, be allowed to take more than one male slave; for they load theships with slaves who eat the provisions, and steal whatever they layhands on, besides the risk that is run of a plague being started bythem. He also petitions your Majesty that the fifty pesos paid as dutyon each slave be moderated, and that these imposts be paid accordingto the tariff in España; and that these duties be paid in the portof Capulco--where by selling the slaves, their owners may have thewherewithal to pay the imposts; for it is a great inconvenience topay them in Manila. For that reason, great deceits are practicedon the royal treasury now; for they take the slaves without beingregistered, because of the high amount of the duties, and are allowedto take them off at the port [of Acapulco] for twenty pesos. If thesaid duties were moderated, and paid in the port, no one would takethem without registering them, especially since the said slaves serveand aid the sailors in their necessities, and your Majesty gives themno allowance of either food or water. Consequently in no part of theIndias is so large a duty paid. 

25. _Item_: Inasmuch as the good treatment of the sailors is soimportant, in order that they may be inclined to go there, sincethere is so great need of them, he petitions your Majesty to orderthat good treatment be shown them, and they be given leave to takeaway their boxes in which they carry their clothing and certain smallwares freely, without having to open them. For in this matter theguards practice many extortions on them, and take away their littlepossessions, and harass them so that many refuse to return, and manyacts of oppression are practiced. 

26. _Item_: Inasmuch as the officials of the vessels, such ascommander, master, boatswain, etc. , lade a quantity of merchandisebeyond the share given them, and overload the ships by occupyingthe place of the ship's stores in the storerooms and magazines; andinasmuch as this cannot be checked, as has been seen: there is noother remedy unless your Majesty order the clerk of the register notto receive on the register more than only the allotment of sharesthat your governor makes; for he proportions the cargo which thevessel can carry, in accordance with its need, and anything more onlyoverloads the ship. But if these goods were not admitted to register, the officials would not dare to lade them, because of the great riskof their being seized as smuggled goods. Consequently great losseswould be avoided by proceeding in the above manner. 

_Item_: That neither your governor nor auditors and fiscal be allowedto act as godfathers to the citizens; for that involves very greatannoyances, as that kingdom is so new, and as all make claims. 

27. _Item_: That it is the practice or abuse that fowls are given toyour governor, auditors, and other officials of the royal Audiencia atlower prices than are current; and that the governor of the Chineseis 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 certainlow price, and he who does not give them is punished and fined. Theworst thing is that on this occasion the governor of the Chinesesteals 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, thesefowls amount by the end of the year to more than twenty thousand. Inthis 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. Itresults 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 mentionedthis 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 theirencomiendas in the Pintados Islands and other districts, and as thegovernors, in order to annoy them, command them to go to live on theencomiendas, thus obliging them to leave their offices, to their owngreat loss and inconvenience; and as that is even the cause of theirbeing unable to exercise their offices with freedom, in order not toanger the governor: he petitions your Majesty that, if your governorthus urge a regidor to go to live [there] in person, he may maintain inthe 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. Thesame 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 seato the other alone amounted to a vast sum of money, and the riggingarrived at the islands rotten and useless. For ten thousand pesos, theIndians would make twice as much as what cost fifty thousand pesos. Hesent for damask for the flag to the sea of Damascus; and six varas ofit 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. Thosethings can be provided in the Filipinas with great advantages; andwhere your Majesty spends one thousand, they can be bought therefor one hundred. And, as above stated, there are many other articlesbesides those I have mentioned--such as flour for the hosts, whichin the islands costs less per quintal than does the freight alone forcarrying it from the port of Capulco. He sends for preserves for thesick, 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 beprovided there. Your Majesty would have saved in these last eightyears more than five hundred thousand ducados; for those who havethe handling of most of those things profit greatly from them. 

29 [_sic_]. _Item_: Inasmuch as some religious commit great excesses inmaking repartimientos among the Indians for works that they invent forthe natives; and also take from them their fowls, swine, and otherfood at a less price and inflict on the Indians great injuries andvexations, not only in regard to food, but also to increase theirown profits:

He petitions your Majesty to order your governor, as protector [ofthe 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 couldbe told here. It is extremely important that this evil be stopped, and that the religious be not served by the Indians, unless they paythe latter their just wage; and that, unless they have permissionfrom 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 thoseislands--those of St. Dominic, St Francis, and St. Augustine, andthe Society of Jesus--and they are well known there. On account ofthe trouble caused by other orders going there, and the necessity ofhaving to make new allotments for mission work, he petitions yourMajesty that no other orders may go there--even though they be thesame orders in name, under pretext that they are of another modeof living; for Fray Luis Sotelo endeavored to introduce there thecalced friars in the Order of St. Francis, while the people are wellcontented with the discalced friars. And the other orders should bemade to understand that the land is very new, and does not need somany different kinds of religious. [95]

31. _Item_: Many Chinese marry native Indian women, and becomeChristians and live near the city of Manila. Their only occupation isas retailers of goods. If they were to be gathered into one place, ina location that should be given them where they could build a town, in order to cultivate the land and sow it (for they are excellentfarmers, and there is so much fallow land that might be given them), not only would they be very useful to the community, but numeroustroubles that follow, because they are hucksters and retail the food, would be avoided. This is especially desirable because in this mannerthey will become more domestic and peaceable; and, since the numberof those born is thus increasing, the city will not have so muchsecurity as if they were collected together, nor can this be donehereafter so easily as now. He petitions your Majesty to charge yourgovernor to do this, by the best plan that offers. 

32. Great difficulty arises from the governors placing in the citymagistracy relatives or dependents of his household, or those ofthe auditors. Because a certain ex-governor did that, nothing wasenacted in the cabildo that he did not know, and of which he was notinformed. Consequently the cabildo does not proceed with any liberty, nor does any one dare talk with Christian freedom, or defend thecommunity in grave cases. He petitions your Majesty to order thatsuch persons be disqualified to act as regidors, or as alcaldes orscriveners of cabildo (which has resulted in the same difficulty). 

_Item_: Your Majesty granted favor to those islands and theirinhabitants, so that they might be encouraged to work gold mines ofwhich only the tenth part of the product should be paid for twentyyears, which time is about at an end. He petitions your Majestyto grant that country favor for another twenty years, so that theoperation of the mines may be better established. 

33. In regard to the inspection of the Chinese vessels, when they comewith their merchandise, your governor appoints an inspector. Theex-governor was wont to appoint a member of his household. Onthat account notable wrongs have been committed; but no one hasdared to demand justice against the inspectors, because they aresuch persons. He petitions your Majesty to order that this post befilled by one of the alcaldis-in-ordinary--who, inasmuch as theyunderstand the great importance of conserving that trade, and as itis a matter that grieves them, will show the Chinese good treatment, since it is incumbent upon those officials to consider the interestsof their community. 

34. _Item_: That the trading-ships that navigate to Nueva España havesometimes not been despatched, for personal purposes of the formergovernors, which is to the great injury of your royal treasury and ofthe citizens, since those ships are the sinews of that community. Hepetitions your Majesty to order your governor to prevent such a thing, so that, unless compelled by a very great necessity, the annualdespatch be not neglected. 

35. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to order your governor not toexclude the regidors of the city from appointments in accordance withtheir 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 thatreligious be provided, belonging to the orders there, for there isgreat need of them

37. _Item_: The maintenance of commerce with the Chinese, and the goodtreatment of those from that nation who dwell in those islands, are ofso great importance that that community cannot be maintained withoutthem (as they practice all the trades needed by a city), and it isadvisable to treat them well. But your governor, Don Juan de Silva, after having levied upon them so great a tax as the annual paymentof nine reals of eight for permission to remain in the country (whichmeant, however, to impose this tax on the citizens, since because ofit all prices were raised), besides this made them render personalservices, by which they were sorely vexed. He therefore petitionsyour Majesty to order your governor to treat the Chinese as well aspossible, and to exempt them from those personal services, which area 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 equitywhich should be extended toward foreigners for their conversion, inasmuch as the miracles which in those regions secure conversionare good examples. 

38. _Item_: That about two thousand Japanese generally reside inthat city; and that, as trading ships come annually, many Japaneseremain there. But they are not only of no use to the community, buta signal danger, since they have three or four times placed the cityin danger of being ruined. In this last encounter with the Dutch, Japanese went to them who gave them information; and on the day ofthe battle a company of them who fled from Manila went to help theenemy. He petitions your Majesty to show that kingdom the favor toorder straitly that no Japanese remain there; but that those who gothere every year must return to their own country. 

39. _Item_: Inasmuch as the Indian natives have been so ruined bythe past shipbuilding, and your Majesty is indebted to them, forpersonal services and things taken from them by Don Juan de Silva foryour royal service, more than one million [pesos]: he petitions yourMajesty to order your governors that now and henceforth they shallendeavor most carefully to avoid, as far as possible, harassing theIndians; and that they shall also avoid the building of galleons, since, as stated in another memorial, these can be brought from Indiaat a much less cost to your Majesty; and that an effort be made toremunerate the natives for a part of the debt due them. 

40. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to command that a copy of thecommercial decrees be given him, that he obtained formerly when hewas in this court in this same office; for the last governor tookpossession of the decrees when the packet in which they were sentto the city fell into his hands, and refused to give them up, butkept them. 

Most potent sire:

The procurator of the Filipinas declares that, having to descant uponthe matters of that kingdom that need remedy and reform, both forthe service of your Highness and for the welfare of that kingdom; andas he had considered and discussed them before leaving that kingdom;and considering his many years of experience, which best demonstrateswhat is needful for that kingdom's prosperity: the first thing thatoccurs to him is the following. 

First: That the cabildo of the city of Manila, inasmuch as certain ofthe regidors are appointed by the governor and at times from his ownhousehold, suffers very great troubles because they are unable, whendiscussing the common welfare in the said cabildo, to do it freely, or to advise your Highness of what is expedient, because those personstell it to your governor. And, as is often necessary, if they have towrite 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 hassometimes occurred; and he has even arrested them, and has spokento them roughly and harshly. Inasmuch as the said governor is thesoul of that community, and the one who must reward their services, and is even the cause that nothing but what he wishes is done andwritten; and inasmuch as many times certain prominent persons andleading men refuse to act as regidors, and those persons who wouldbe very desirable to retain therein have left the cabildo:

I petition and supplicate your Highness that those who enter thesaid cabildo because of the absence or death of those who are nowmembers be appointed by the entire royal Audiencia. Those appointedshall be nominated by the said cabildo and the said royal Audienciashall select one of the two who shall be nominated; and your governorshall be unable to remove him, just as if he were appointed by yourHighness. By this method this trouble will end, and a confirmationof this request should be sent. 

_Item_: Inasmuch as the said regidors do not have any profits, andas, on that account, those who it is important should be regidorsrefuse to act: if they were assigned some just reward they would beeager to defend their community. This reward could take the shape ofone-half tonelada for each regidor, in addition to his allotment ineach ship. Consequently, they would be encouraged to work and wouldoppose the difficulties that arise. 

_Item_: Will your Highness please grant me a royal decree thatthe governor may not compel the said cabildo to go to his house tohold their meetings; but that they always hold them, as is usualand customary, in the said city hall, so that they may freelydiscuss what is advisable for your Highness's service and that ofyour community. For sometimes the governor has ordered the regidorsto meet in his house to hold a session of cabildo, contrary to theprivileges of the city. 

Further, I petition your Highness to give me also a duplicate of theroyal decrees which have been drawn for the last ten years in favorof that kingdom, so that, having them in its possession, they may beexecuted when expedient. 

_Item_: When the insurrection of the Sangleys occurred, there weremany houses near the walls, whence they did us much mischief untilthese were destroyed. Your governor, Don Pedro de Acuña, ordered thatno edifice be built within three hundred paces of the wall. Will yourHighness please to have the ordinance of your governor confirmed forthe city's perpetual defense. 

_Item_; That the orders and monasteries have established severalsettlements about Manila, so that they can keep Indians in servicefor their own works, causing the said Indians to be reserved frompersonal services. For this purpose they depopulate the encomiendas, and bring the people to Manila, and those settlements become densof thieves and vagabonds, and of hucksters and retailers who buyprovisions at wholesale for their retail trade, and enhance theircost; and commit many offenses against God. I petition and supplicateyour Highness to order that those settlements be broken up, that theIndians go to their own districts, and that only one dozen Indiansremain for each monastery. 

_Item_: Inasmuch as the care and vigilance that should be exercisedtoward foreigners is of great importance for the security ofthat kingdom, so that it may not again suffer a disaster like thelast--especially toward the Chinese nation, with whom more risk is run, since they are very greedy and cunning, and are bribers who easilycorrupt the judges with bribes and gifts: therefore, in order toremedy 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 countryand giving licenses to those Chinese who are to stay, and he shall beaccompanied by a regidor. Inasmuch as, were the appointment of suchperson in charge of the governor alone, it might, as it is an officeof profit and honor, be given to some of his servants or followers, or as an investment, it is necessary that the selection of such personbe 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 ofthat community. Since so many will take part in the election, theywill cast their eyes on a person who is suitable for this post. Tosuch person the most ample commission must be given, and he shallproceed as is the custom in war against criminals; for in any otherway, were opportunity given for appeals and suits, he would accomplishno good. I know that from my own experience, as a person who had thatduty in charge for four years, and who labored arduously in it. 

_Item_: That your Highness order straitly that no person keepSangleys in his house or allow them to sleep inside the city underany consideration (for in that matter I accept no person of thatcommunity); and that the said judge may punish such transgressorswith heavy penalties, without any one being able to prevent him. 

_Item_: It is fully as advisable that no Japanese be [allowed in thecity], which is a great cause of trouble. For they are, on the onehand, a warlike race, and easily come to blows with the Spaniards, forthey will not suffer ill-treatment. Consequently they have sometimesrisen against us, and have seized arms. This has occurred becausesome soldiers have desired to harm or injure them, whereupon they, to revenge themselves, seize certain cutlasses that they carry, andbegin to assemble together. They may place us in exceeding greatdanger. On the other hand, if we are careless in permitting them, many Japanese will come. We are in great danger, besides, lest sometake to the highways, for among those who come from those kingdomsof Japon are many who have fled for crimes, and who have no right toreturn to their country. Likewise [it is advisable to restrict theircoming] in order to preserve the friendship of the emperor; since, if we do not retain them in that kingdom, there will be no occasionfor any event of treachery that should force us to break friendshipwith him. I petition your Highness to order this straitly, and thatthe 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 fanegaof rice at the annual harvest season. Those commons were ordainedwith the object and purpose that they might serve the said nativesin time of need, by relieving the poor and lending to other needypersons, who return it at the harvest. The plan would have been ofgreat importance had that end been secured; but what actually occursis, that the alcaldes-mayor sell the rice, or appropriate and loanit, and never return it. And between the stewards and the religiousfor feasts of the village (for they are those who have charge of theIndians of the missions), at the end of the year all the rice has beenused, so that the needs of the poor Indians are not succored. Thatwaste can well be avoided; and they regard it as another very largetribute. Therefore, it is advisable for the service of God and thewelfare of those poor natives that your Highness order the said commonsto be suppressed. If it be necessary to keep them, it is advisablethat the governor of the Filipinas order that there be one reliablesteward in each one, who shall have charge of the said depository; thatno 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 intoexecution, it would be of great importance, according to an opinionthat I expressed on this matter in the Filipinas. If the above planwere observed in the commons round about Manila, some forty in number, there might be, as a result, one hundred thousand fanegas of riceor more on the occasion of any sudden need, which could be placedwithin 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 besecure, and at the same time the Indians would be fed and aided intheir needs. When it was expected to place this plan in execution, the said governor sent three of his servants, with a salary of seventyreals to be paid by the commons. Those men, who consisted of judge, alguacil-mayor, and clerk, remained at each commons, balancingaccounts and making investigations until all the contents were usedup on their said salaries. Consequently, they established order oragreement in nothing, and all remained as before. For this reason, then, affairs are going to pieces; for men are not sought for theoffices, but offices to accommodate whomever the governor desires. 

_Item_: That many posts for alcaldes and corregidors have beencreated by making two such districts out of what was formerly one, so that the governor could accommodate persons to whom he was underobligations. That is much to the cost of the Indians, and [an offense]to God and to my conscience; for the multiplication of those officesmeans the multiplication of those who destroy the Indians and inflictinnumerable injuries upon them. I petition and supplicate your Highnessto order the said corregidors' and alcaldes' districts remade as theyformerly were. 

_Item_: That the governor be warned to endeavor to avoid, as far aspossible, the injuries inflicted upon the natives in the cutting ofwood and in personal services; for they sometimes draft them in theplanting season or at harvest, so that they lose their fields, as Ihave seen. In addition to this, many times they do not pay the Indians, because there is no money in the treasury, which is continually shortof funds. This often arises from the fact that they do not estimateand consider the needs of the Indians with the amount of money that isavailable; and consequently all the Indians complain. Finally, whenthe said Indians are paid, it is done by the hand of the chiefs orcabezas de barangay, who generally keep the money. Will your Highnessbe pleased to order the governor and royal officials to avoid theabove grievances as much as possible; and when it is necessary forthe Indians to perform any personal labor, which consists generallyin the cutting of wood, to see that it be when they are not busiedin their fields--for that can generally be avoided--and that they bepaid the just wage, and that promptly. For acting in any other wayburdens your royal conscience, since those who perform such serviceare very poor, and do not dare to ask for their pay, if it is notgiven them. Consequently they very often do not receive it. In thisway are they much burdened by personal services. 

_Item_: Considering the nature of the Indians, who are generallyindolent and lazy--inasmuch as the religious have always forbiddenthem to pay the tributes in kind, insisting that they be allowed tochoose for themselves in what they wish to pay it, consequently therate of living has risen greatly. The country is steadily going to ruinbecause the Indians are not compelled to pay in kind; for they refuseto plant or cultivate, and all engage in mercantile pursuits, seeingthat they can easily gain the ten reals which is the amount of theirtribute. Although the effort has been made to remedy this by anotherway--namely, by official visits from the alcaldes-mayor, in order thatthey may rear fowls and plant fields, the result of that has been tostrip them of their possessions. For when the alcaldes-mayor go toinspect them (that is, every four months), and do not find the fowlsthat they have ordered the Indians to rear, they sentence them to apecuniary fine. Such is the Indian that he does not take warning fromthat, nor will he work unless he knows that he must pay the tributein kind. Moreover, it often occurs that the justices themselves takefrom the Indian the fowls that he has reared; and then when they goto visit him and he does not have them, they punish him with stripesand fines. Thus they practice many injustices against the Indian;but, if he knew that he had to pay in kind, he would rear the fowlsas formerly. 

_Item_: There is one abuse very worthy of correction, which is, thatthe religious and alcaldes-mayor keep certain Indians in service, whom the village grants weekly, and who are called _tanores_. ThoseIndians have to serve for nothing, which is contrary to justice andtheir rights. This was introduced from the custom in Nueva España. Willyour Highness be pleased to order that the said _tamores_ [_sic_]be suppressed, or that they be paid for their toil. For they make useof such Indians, and manage to be well served at others' expense. Itis also the custom to give fish freely on Friday, at the cost of thevillage, to the alcaldes-mayor and also to the religious. 

_Item_: That the royal Audiencia shall not try the suits of theIndians in the first instance; for all the cases are brought before theAudiencia, and the Indians spend all their substance with lawyers andattorneys, and even go into debt, for they are fond of litigation. Andsince suits conducted by audiencias last so long, the Indians spendall their substance, which means the ruin of the country. Since yourHighness 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 maygive sentence therein, and despatch the suits quickly. 

_Item_: That, although your Highness has ordered that the Indians benot fined pecuniarily, your order is disregarded, especially by certainofficials of the doctrinas [_i. E. _, missions]. There is considerableabuse in this matter that deserves remedy. In some districts, also, very large fees are collected. Will your Highness be pleased to orderthis remedied, I mean the taking in some districts of these fees byofficials of the doctrinas. [96]

_Item_: The governors have appointed captains, masters-of-camp, andall sorts of military officers among the natives. They allow themto have company colors, and finally are teaching them how to fightafter our manner. That means, even if we should need the Indians, naught else than to awaken one who sleeps, until what he has practicedbecomes his purpose. 

_Item_: The Portuguese of Malaca carry to the islands manyslaves--negroes, for the most part. Those are generally the worst onesthat they have, and they are drunkards, thieves, and fugitives, whotake to highway robbery; and they endanger the country considerably, because of their number. Will your Highness be pleased to order thatno one of the said negroes or slaves be carried thither, when twelveyears old or over, under penalty of confiscation; and that that orderbe rigorously executed. 

_Item_: That when the governor or auditors leave their offices theygive their residencias in person; for this is of great importance, so that they may have fear in giving the residencia. [97] It it alsoadvisable that public suits, both civil and criminal, be prosecuted andconcluded in course of appeal and petition in the royal Chancilleríaof Manila; for it disheartens all to have to come so many thousands ofleguas, or to send with so great expense and hardship. Consequentlytheir grievances continue; and many, although they seek redress, have not the means to obtain it. The said governors, inasmuch as theyrepresent your Highness, should treat the citizens with respect, andnot use abusive language to them, nor insult and affront them--as theyhave often done, so that certain men have all but died of grief. Thegovernors have even exposed the citizens to great danger, by nottreating them well by word of mouth. Will your Highness please orderthe 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 despatchof business to have one or two more notaries-public. 

In regard to the prompt despatch and equipment necessary for yourHighness's two vessels that sail on that line with the trade andmerchandise of that kingdom for Nueva España (which involves the mostimportant affairs of that kingdom), the reform and careful managementrequired by that despatch are very necessary and worthy of greatconsideration; for during the last ten years they have managed thatjust as they pleased, most often despatching the ships beyond thetime when they were formerly despatched, and often poorly equippedand overladen. Consequently many vessels were wrecked with a greatamount of property, in which your Highness has also lost much. And thecitizens of Manila, when they might be very prosperous and wealthy, are, thanks to him who has despatched the vessels, very needy andpoor--so much so, that they could not collect a gratuity to giveme. Since it is a matter of so great importance, if your Highness bepleased to order the observance of the plan that I shall set forthin these articles, as a person who has so great experience in it, and which has been for some time in my charge, the necessary remedywill be applied in the following manner. 

First, that the ships be despatched by the middle of June, and thatthis be an inviolable law; that a fine of six thousand pesos beimposed on the governor, to which your Highness shall immediatelycondemn him if he do not despatch them then. The reason why thisis so necessary is because the vendavals generally set in at sometime in the month of June; and if they catch the ship in the port, it cannot sail until that first monsoon passes. That usually lastsfifteen or twenty days, or one month. If they are caught outsideduring this weather, they can sail until they reach the districtand altitude where they find the usual winds, with which they canmake 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 caughtinside the bay, as a general thing another wind, the brisa, begins toblow, so that they are detained. Consequently, when they make the saidvoyage, and reach the neighborhood of Japon, it is already Septemberor October. Accordingly it is necessary to run great risks, and theymust suffer many storms, with which the ships lose their rigging, are wrecked, or have to put into port in distress. If they proceedon their course, inasmuch as they encounter the rigor of winter, andbecause of their high altitude and their departure from a warm land, many men die; their gums decay and their teeth fall out. [98] If sogreat severity is not exercised, this matter will not be remedied. 

_Item_: The ships sail very unevenly, and heavily laden, so thatone-half the ship's stores are left above decks; and as the sailors areunable 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 themen left without necessary food, especially live fowls, which meanstheir very life. On account of their heavy cargoes they are unableto set all sail or to resist squalls, so that they founder, put intoport in distress, are wrecked, or are long delayed on the voyage. 

Again they often sail poorly repaired, because of the fault of theshore-master [_patron de ribera_] who has charge of them. It isnecessary to remove him from that post; but, although the city hastried 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 andfour, carried rotten timbers throughout; and in it were drowned overthree hundred persons. That said year of six hundred and four, GeneralDon Diego de Mendoça made port in distress, and gave the informationof which I present a copy here; he said that he was carrying rottenmasts. Inasmuch as this matter is very long, it will not be discussedhere; for, as I am a priest, it is not advisable for me to do so. Inorder that the neglect that there has been in this matter may be seen, never have the governors or royal officials investigated who has beenthe cause, or why the ships have put back in distress or have beenwrecked; for that would mean to make a report against themselves. Morethan four of them would have been punished rigorously had they madereports, and had your Highness known the culprits. 

_Item_: Inasmuch as the said ships sail so unevenly laden, the seamendo not have protection from water and cold. Consequently, theyfall sick, and it has even occurred that they die and are frozen, which is great inhumanity. It is very pitiful to see what occurs inthat navigation. 

_Item_: The fireplaces in which the food is cooked are left abovedeck, open to water and air, where the first storm carries themoff. It becomes necessary after that to make a fire in earthen jarsin various parts of the ship, at a very great risk of all perishingand the ship burning--besides the fact that if it rains they cannotcook their food. For all this it is necessary for your Highnessto order that the ships of the said line that shall be built shallcarry the fireplaces under the forecastle, and as is the custom inthis line of the Yndias; and that the storerooms of the officers ofthe ship do not occupy that space. The officers sell the storeroomsto 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 containbe stowed in the first hold, and that between decks shall be only theship's stores, the chests of the sailors, the messrooms, rigging, sails, and all necessary supplies. They should carry even riggingfor the port of Acapulco, since there is rigging at Manila which isvery cheap; and then your Highness will not have to spend vast sumsin taking it from San Juan de Lua to Acapulco overland, which is onehundred and fifty leguas. 

_Item_: That all the passengers who shall come from Filipinas toNueva España in the said ships should pay a fare of two hundred pesosif they have a berth or messroom under deck, and those who do not sohave berth or messroom, one hundred pesos, as an aid in the expensesof 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 onechest of goods, of the size assigned by the governor; for there is theutmost confusion in this regard, and the sailors are allowed to carrytwo or three very large chests, larger than common. They overload andembarrass the ship; and, under pretext that they are carrying theirclothes, they take those chests full of merchandise. 

_Item_: That all the passengers shall carry swords and bucklersand arquebuses; and that the royal officials shall place on shiparquebuses, muskets, and lances for the sailors. Those weapons arecheap in Manila; and with them, and the artillery carried by theships, the latter will be well defended. They need no soldiers forthe return trip [to Nueva España], for rather the ships then carrytoo many people. 

_Item_: No passengers or sailors shall carry with them slave women, a practice which gives rise to very great offenses against God. Suchshall be regarded as confiscated in the port of Acapulco. This is veryadvisable, for many persons carry these women as concubines--not onlythe owners of them, but others in the ships. It is not right that therebe any occasion for angering God when there is so great risk in thevoyage, as I dare to affirm; and it is certain that, in the last tenyears, while this has been so prevalent, many disasters have happened. 

_Item_: That there has been great disorder in regard to lading theships because it has been entrusted at times to very greedy persons, who, having but slight fear of God, sell the toneladas to, and ladefor, whomsoever they wish. Thence it generally results that the goodsof the poorest and most needy are left ashore, after the poor haveinvested their capital; and, after they have paid the duties to yourHighness, they are left ruined. Consequently, the ships sail ladenmore with the curses of the poor than with merchandise. That is thegreatest pity, and this evil is worthy of reform. Never has that beenpunished. The reform that can be established is, that the overseerswho shall be appointed to assist in the said lading, be appointed byopen cabildo; and should such persons refuse the post, they shall becompelled to accept it. If they are chosen in this manner, a mistakecannot be made in the election, since all are known. The governorshall confirm the choice, and he will thus be exempted from troubleand 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 hewishes to advantage, who are at times his own servants. 

_Item_: That the said ships are very ill provided with the ship-storesnecessary for the sailors; and on that account the poor sailors spendtheir wages in buying provisions for the voyage. That is a greatabuse, and for that reason the ships are also overladen. Likewisethey should carry some fowls for those who fall sick, especially theIndian common seamen, who are treated like dogs. The Spanish sailorsare more accustomed to provide such things for themselves. Inasmuchas that voyage is so long, and no fresh provisions can be obtained onthe 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 innin the middle of their way, just as the Portuguese in their voyagehave one at the island of Santa Elena, where they get fresh food. Thatisland, which I call Rica de Plata, is large, and over one hundredleguas in circumference. Although some ships sight it in passing, inasmuch as its ports are unknown, no one dares to get fresh foodthere. It is thought to be inhabited, for some signs of habitationhave been seen. It is very necessary that a small vessel sail fromManila to explore it, and that it look there for a good port, so thatthe ships can get water and wood, and reprovision. The explorationof it may be of the highest importance. It is necessary also becausenear that region the ships generally lose their rigging in storms, andthey can be refitted and repaired there, and can continue their voyagewithout having to put back to Manila. I advised your Highness of thatsome years ago, as it is so important for that voyage I believe that adecree 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, sothat he may display the prudence and make the exploration requisite, in accordance with the art and science of hydrography; and likewiseso that he may live in Manila and examine the pilots of that line, and make faithful and accurate sea-charts. For that purpose I shallgive him considerable enlightenment by giving him the documents onthe demarcations, and the information that I possess, on which Ihave labored much in order to serve your Highness. Nowhere does yourHighness need a cosmographer so much as in that land, for many thingsthat arise and may arise. 

_Item_: A plan occurs to me whereby the ships that have to sail in thatline may cost your Highness less than half, and a vessel last twiceas long, compared with those that are built in Filipinas. Likewisethe Indian natives would be saved many hardships and annoyances inthe cutting of timber, which they have to do for the building of theships. This consists in the governor going from Manila to Vengalaand Cuchin in India to buy the ships; for they sell them there madefrom an incorruptible wood together with a quantity of extra riggingmade of _cayro_, [101] which is better than that of hemp. With therigging alone that can be imported from there, the cost of the shipcan be saved. Thence Lascar sailors can be brought, who are cheaperand are very good seamen. All the Portuguese of those parts usethem in navigating, and they are very needful in the Filipinas. Theywill come very willingly and will save your Highness a considerablesum. For that it is necessary to send orders to your viceroy of Goa, and to the chief commandant of Malaca, to protect the Lascars whoshall go thither, and not to harm them. 

_Item_: Your Highness granted a concession to the city of Manila ofa decree ordering your governor Don Pedro de Acuña to assign to thecabildo of the said city seats in the cathedral, as was befittingthe chief municipal body of that kingdom. As yet these have not beenassigned, because the wives of the auditors sit inside the principalchapel, where the said cabildo generally sat--that is, opposite theseats of the auditors and governor. 

I petition your Highness to have the said seats assigned, and to orderthe wives of the said auditors to sit elsewhere, since in none of theYndias do the latter sit in the principal chapel, thus depriving thesaid cabildo of their seats. 

_Item_: The royal magazines have very few muskets and arquebuses forthe defense of that kingdom. I petition your Highness to be pleasedto have a quantity of arms sent, and also to order that they bedistributed among the citizens; and that the latter pay those whogive them those muskets and arquebuses the price that your Highnessshall have paid for them there, and the costs [of transportation]. 

_Item_: The province of Nueva Segovia, the most northern province ofthe island of Manila, which is very near China, is a very good andfertile land. It is becoming entirely pacified and quieted. Therethe Order of St. Dominic is in charge, and they are gathering muchfruit. It is the best land in the islands and the most fertile. There, inasmuch as the climate is temperate, the products of this countrycan be produced, such as wheat, fruits, and other food. It lies in anexcellent 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 desertit. Will your Highness be pleased to order the said encomenderos tolive in the said city, and your governor to make efforts to settleit, especially with people who will cultivate and sow the land, sothat that district may retain its excellence. For that purpose it isvery needful that the said governor appoint an alcalde-mayor for thatdistrict, who shall be a lieutenant-governor, and who shall keep hisoffice for three-years; for [the usual] appointments as alcalde arefor but one year, and one can learn to know the country but little inso short a time. It is necessary that the judge that shall go there(and so that an influential and satisfactory man might be able togo there) be given a good salary; and that that province and that ofYlocos, which lies next to Nueva Segovia, be subject to him. That isvery necessary for the welfare of those two provinces, which are veryfar from Manila. 

_Item_: Will your Highness be pleased to give me a good mastershipbuilder, or authority to look for one, and another intelligentperson as shore-master, to assist in the despatch and repairs ofships. He should be a Spaniard and not a foreigner, like the onethere now; for in former times, when Doctor Antonio de Morga, yourauditor, sailed out against a Dutchman who went to those islands, while two ships were being prepared to attack the Dutch, two holeswere bored in one of them one night, and it began to sink, and thesails were taken out and hid in the woods. It was not discoveredwho did it, nor was any investigation even made. But one may readilypresume that some enemy to us did it; and indeed we can not settleour suspicions on anyone. In order to investigate these and many otheractions worthy of punishment or correction which have occurred therein these matters, and in others--for instance, that in other parts ofthose islands they gave that same Dutchman food, and there was someperson who communicated with him; while it is even said that theyshowed him how to get out of a harbor that he had entered, and fromwhich we considered it impossible for him to sail--and finally thereare many things to correct and reform, and burdens to be removedfrom the Indian natives: for all these it is necessary for yourHighness to appoint a person there to make official visits throughthe country. It is as necessary as the inspection itself that suchshore-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 Highnessbe pleased to appoint such an one, there are ecclesiastical persons inthe Filipinas, as for instance the bishops, especially he of Çibu, FrayPedro de Agurto, who is a saintly man; an ecclesiastic, the archdeaconof Manila, called Licentiate Don Francisco Gomez de Arellano, a mostzealous servant of God, and a father of that community--one who seeksno money, but rather gives all his income in alms; also a Dominicanfriar, the commissary of the Holy Office, who is an excellent man;and another friar of the Order of St. Francis, called Fray JuanBaptista. These men, besides having experience in the country, and knowing what demands reform, are men disinterested and whollycompetent 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, andother neighboring islands, have become emboldened and have gonebeyond bounds. They are Mahometans, and have ruined those FilipinasIslands--pillaging and capturing the natives, burning the churches andimages, and cutting the images with knives and destroying them, to thegreat injury of our holy Catholic faith. This has reached so shamelessand bold a pass that no one--not only natives but Spaniards--dares togo among the said islands. Those enemies have rendered the said nativesvery liable to revolt, by coming daily to plunder them, and to carryoff their possessions, and their wives and children captive; and infact 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 theircountry. 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 royaldecrees, such men [_i. E. , _ the Moros] cannot be slaves. As they area race from whom the soldiers can get no other booty, because theMoros do not possess it, they fight unwillingly. If the soldierscould make captives of them, they would become very eager, and thatwould be a great incentive for the soldiers to destroy them. There isless 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 theireagerness to possess slaves to cultivate their fields. Therefore, willyour Highness be pleased to order that those people be made slaves, since their enslavement is so justifiable and of so great serviceto God; or that this matter be committed to the royal Audiencia andarchbishop and bishops to determine, inasmuch as they have the matterin hand. 

_Item_: There are two other nations in the island of Manilacalled Zambales and Negrillos. They are a people who live in themountains. They go naked, and are highwaymen; and their only ambitionis to cut off heads, in order to swallow the brains. He is most valiantand influential who has cut off most heads. No woman will marry any onewho has not cut off some heads. They are so inhuman and churlish a racethat they do not care whether those whom they kill are women, children, or men. They obstruct the most needed road in the island, and occupythe best land. They are near the province of La Pampanga, which isinhabited by an agricultural people, who support Manila. They preventthe latter from cultivating their fields, for seldom can the Indians, whether men or women, go out to cultivate their fields, without theirheads being cut off. Although the governors have often sent soldiersto punish them, scarcely have the latter ever killed one of them. Forthey run like deer, and have no village or fixed abode. They do notsow grain, but live on wild fruits and game. The most efficaciousremedy will be for your Highness to order that they be made slavesof the natives of the province of La Pampanga; for with this, throughtheir greed to capture these enemies so as to cultivate their fields, the Pampangos will subdue the country in a very short time, at theirown cost. I petition your Highness to commit this matter, as abovestated, to the Audiencia, archbishop, and bishops. This is a matterof great importance. Slavery, as practiced among the natives, is suchthat they are almost not slaves at all; and the system is of greatbenefit to the country. If this matter be not remedied by the abovemethod, the many depredations that are committed will have no check. 

Also, the reason why the enemies have become emboldened beyondtheir wont is for the lack in those regions of ships fit for thatwarfare. For that, it must be known that those people use certain lightcraft called caracoas. Those craft are short and undecked. They haveone palmo, more or less, of freeboard; and they carry eighty or onehundred Indians who act as rowers, who use certain oars one vara inlength. Each of these vessels carries ten or twelve fighting Indians, no more. They cannot take the open sea, except when it is very calmweather, nor do they carry provisions for even one fortnight. Whenwe Spaniards used those craft, and others called vireys, whichresemble them, they greatly feared us; for, since those craft wereas light as their own, we made great havoc among those people. Andfinally--although at great cost to the natives who were drafted asrowers--those ships made the country safe; for they fought afterthe manner of those people. Those vessels are not used so muchnow, for in truth they cause great injuries to the natives. I donot know whether I can say that they even care any longer for thedamage inflicted by the enemies, one reason being that they arebadly paid and badly treated, while their wives and children areleft to starve to death, and their crops go to ruin. The governorsof the Filipinas, in their effort to avoid that trouble [_i. E. _, of hostile raids] have built galleys there since the time of DoctorFrancisco de Sande until now. As I have seen personally, and as allthe inhabitants of that country know, the galleys of the Filipinas aretheir 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 werebest supplied--that the crew have continued to row a galley for sixhours, and that two convicts fell dead, while the others stretchedthemselves on the deck exhausted; and even if the overseers killedthem, they could not make them move. For that reason, and because theseas 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 thanthe enemy's vessels, when the former try to make land they can causeno injury. Another reason is that the galleys are generally anchoredin the river of Manila, and, when any necessity arises, before theycan leave the port they have to get provisions for the crew. Oftenit is necessary to seek contributions of food from house to house, because there is none in the royal magazines. If the wind is onlyslightly contrary, which is generally the case, the ships cannot move, and when they finally begin to look for the enemy, the latter areat home, and laughing at us. Another reason is that the galleys arean intolerable burden, which it is impossible to sustain. They haveso consumed the supplies, and so endangered the royal treasury, thatother very necessary things cannot be attended to. Further, they causethe ships of the line, to be short of necessities and poorly equipped, because in attending to the construction of the galleys, they neglectthe ships. And since there are many ship-worms there in the river, which eat the ships, it is necessary to rebuild them every year, andto be continually repairing them. Further, they are dens of thieves, who are always assaulting and plundering the Indians. In short, theyare the destruction of that community; and hitherto have accomplishednothing, either good or bad, that is of any importance. Further, your Highness is under great expense with them in paying their manysalaries. Consequently, as there is little cloth in the Filipinaswith which to clothe so many, everything is, of necessity, going toruin, where the expenses are not measured by the revenues. All theabove evils can be corrected by ordering ships made according to theplan and model that I left with the governor at my departure; for, considering the said wrongs, and wishing to remedy them, I made aship at my own cost, which has the following peculiarities, of whichI 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 costyour Highness two hundred and fifty ducados to build; and willwith two-thirds as many or even fewer rowers, carry twice asmany soldiers as do the caracoas. The men are protected from sunand shower in excellent quarters which neither the caracoas nor thegalleys have. They carry food for six months, a thing which thoseother vessels cannot do. They are very swift sailers, so that thereis no ship that can pass them when there is not a contrary windthat prohibits sailing. They respond so readily to the oar, thatwhile testing that ship before the governor and all Manila, againstthe swiftest galley of all, I left the galley more than half-waybehind. They carry sufficient artillery to destroy the vessels ofall the enemies that we have there, except those of pirates when suchshould go there. For the latter it is necessary to have large ships;and it would be advisable to keep there a couple of fragatas likethose built in Habana by Pedro Melendes. 

Those ships above mentioned are not only useful for war, but cansave your Highness many expenses in ships, in carrying food and thetributes; for, in the time while I had it, about two months, untilafter I had given it to the governor, it alone accomplished more thandid all the other vessels. Consequently, a vast sum can be saved, and the soldiers will be more eager, if they find themselves in soadvantageous a vessel. Also the natives will be spared injuries;and innumerable other benefits will follow, which, in order to avoidprolixity, I shall refrain from mentioning. Your viceroy of NuevaEspaña had me make a model of the said vessel for the exploration ofthe sea of California in Mexico. 

_Item_: The garrison soldiers of Manila are a cause [of the ruin ofthe country], for many are killed, and they are lessened in numbers;and they commit many vile acts, by which the Spanish nation suffersgreat loss of reputation among those pagans. Inasmuch as they arepaid there in three yearly installments, the result is that, as soonas they have received their money, most of them gamble it away intheir quarters, and then go about barefoot and naked. Many sell theirarquebuses to the natives, which is a great evil. They have to goabout begging alms and commit innumerable acts of meanness among thepagans themselves--who, in contempt, call them "soldiers. " Further, will your Highness be pleased to order your viceroy of Nueva Españanot to allow any mestizos or mulattoes to be admitted among the mensent as reënforcements to the Filipinas; for such men give themselvesup to intoxication, and injure us greatly. 

It is possible to remedy the needs of the soldiers in this manner. YourHighness has imposed a situado of two reals on all the tributes ofthose islands, in order to pay one and one-half reals to the soldiersand one-half real to the prebendaries of the church. This amount ispaid 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 tenmonths or one year are wont to pass without the soldiers receiving anypay; consequently, one can imagine their sufferings. It will be veryimportant to have that situado placed in a separate fund. Since thereare three royal officials and in the said treasury two are sufficientif one of them performs two duties (as has often been done), the thirdofficial could take charge of that situado. He could purchase food atthe harvests which would be cheap, and every week he could give thesoldiers a ration of rice--the ordinary bread of that country--orwheat, which is also produced there, besides giving them in moneyone real per day. The amount still remaining could be paid to themevery four months in order that they might clothe themselves. Iftheir 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 morecostly to your Highness. If your Highness is not willing to have theroyal official to whose charge that duty must fall perform it there, a rich and very intelligent citizen should be charged with it; andin cases of need he should have to supply what will be often necessary. 

_Item_: Manila lacks artillerymen--I mean men who understandartillery when need arises; for men are not lacking to take thepay of artillerymen, some of whom have never heard a gun fired alltheir life, but only enjoy that salary as a favor. Consequently yourHighness's revenues are spent uselessly, for such men are artillerymenonly in name. I petition your Highness that artillerymen be made topass an examination, or that on demand they furnish a certificateof examination; and that whoever shall pay their salary or orderit to be paid [to incompetent men] shall incur a severe penalty;and that any person who shall apply for a position in the artilleryservice when one becomes vacant, shall, if a capable artilleryman, be preferred to the others, and that no posts shall be granted byfavor to those who do not understand artillery. 

_Item_: That camp needs a founder of artillery, who must be anefficient and good workman; for during the last fourteen years nothingelse has been done than to spend your Highness's royal revenues insalaries and making estimates of cost, and they have accomplishednothing useful. There is a good supply of metals and everything elsenecessary. It is extremely advisable that those islands have someone 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, itis necessary for the good government of spiritual affairs, accordingto the customary method in Yndia, that, in case of the decease of thearchbishop of Manila, his successor be appointed there; or that atleast the senior bishop, or whoever your Highness may choose, shallgovern the archbishopric. For, the first time when the archbishopricwas vacant, that city was seven years without a prelate; and the secondtime, three or four years. In this matter, I must tell your Highnessthat you could avoid having so many bishops there--especially thoseof Caceres and Nueva Segovia, who are in that same island of Manila;for they have no churches of importance, nor even any place whereinsuitably to keep the most holy sacrament. Neither do the bishopsdo more than to confirm, and for that a bishop _in partibus_ [102]would be sufficient. Considering that the royal treasury is poor andcannot attend to many other necessary things, it is very inadvisable toincrease those expenses in other ways. And considering the future--forthere might happen to be persons in those bishoprics who do not thinkof or profess the poverty and bareness now maintained by those whoare there--that would be a great burden on the Indian natives, andof 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 toManila; for Japon has quantities of silver, and many rich mines havebeen discovered. The said silver is of the quality required by law, its fifth is taken, and the Japanese emperor's duties are paid as theyare here paid to your Highness. Inasmuch as silver money is used inthose kingdoms and districts only by weight--and thus the citizens ofManila receive it, while the same is usual in Piru and Nueva España, wherever there are mines, in buying and selling with pieces of silvermarked by weight instead of being coined; and inasmuch as this is veryuseful to the citizens of Manila, since, if this trade increases as itis increasing now, it will not be necessary to trade at all with thecoined money of Nueva España: therefore I petition your Highness tobe 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 withoutnew 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 especiallythose of the province of La Pampanga, fought with great valor againstthe Sangleys, and aided us with great loyalty and willingness. Itwas at a juncture when, had they joined the side of the enemies, theFilipinas would have been ruined. Will your Highness be pleased toorder the governor to thank them for it in your Highness's name. Theywill greatly esteem that, especially certain chiefs--as, for instance, Don Guillermo, who on that occasion was master-of-camp of thePampanga Indians; and Don Ventura, master-of-camp of those of Bay. Ialso request that the governor be commanded to order the religiouswho have missions under their charge to treat the Indians well; forthey are wont to lash the natives for slight causes, and equally withthem even the chief Indian women. This is very necessary, both forthe conversion and for good example, and in order to incline them tous and make them devoted to us. For they are a race, who, with littleeffort on our part and with reasonable treatment, will do whatever wedesire. The same thing should be ordered to the alcaldes-mayor; andyour Highness should order the royal Audiencia to have any injuriescommitted on the Indians rigorously punished--for, inasmuch as thesehave 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 theArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla; their pressmarks are as follows:

1. _Letter from Alcaraz_. --"Audiencia de Mexico; expedientes sobreel apresto de la armada que salio de Nueva España para las islasFilipinas; años 1612 á 1617; est 96, caj. 1, leg. 22. "

2. _Memorial regarding hospital_. --"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia deFilipinas; cartas y expedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistosen 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 deoficios; reales ordenes dirigidas á las autoridades del distrito dela Audiencia; años 1597 á 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1. "

5. _Filipinas menaced_. --"Simancas--Secular; cartas y expedientesdel 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 deFilipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas seculares vistos en elConsejo; 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 deFilipinas; 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 deFilipinas; 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 elConsejo; años 1570 á 1640; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 27. " Three documentsare combined in this one; of these the first is in the original aprinted pamphlet with MS. Additions. 

The following are obtained from MSS. In the Real Academia de laHistoria, 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 witha hot iron; that is, a defeat on the part of the Spaniards would bean irremediable damage to their reputation. 

[2] See _Vol_. XIV, p. 314, note 53. 

[3] The property of deceased persons was carefully guarded by law, asnumerous decrees show; see _Recopilación de leyes_, lib. Ix, tit. Xiv, which contains twenty-five ordinances, devoted to "the propertyof persons who have died in the Indias, and its administration andaccounts in the House of Trade at Sevilla;" and lib. Ii, tit. Xxxii, with seventy ordinances regarding "the courts in charge of suchproperty, and its administration and accounts in the Indias, and onvessels of war or trade. " Two of these laws (ley xxii in the formergroup, and ley lix in the latter) give definite and unqualifiedcommand that the funds in the probate treasury shall not be usedfor any purpose whatsoever, even for the needs of the royal service;and another (ley lx, second group), dated December 13, 1620, commandsthat the proceeds of estates left by persons dying in the Philippinesshall be accounted for and paid (to the heirs) at the royal treasuryin the city of Mexico. 

[4] Juan Ronquillo was a relative of Gonzalo Ronquillo dePeñalosa. After the death of Rodríguez de Figueroa, he conductedan expedition to Mindanao in 1597 at Governor Tello's order (seedescription of that expedition, _Vol_. XV). In 1617 he defeated theDutch at Playa Honda, as above described. 

[5] Playa Honda (signifying "a low beach") is the name of an extensiveplain in Batalan or Botolan mountain, 1, 847 feet high, on the coastof Zambales province, Luzón, to the northwest of Manila. In the text, this name is applied to a road or anchorage on that coast; its earlyname was Paynauén. 

[6] This was Miguel García Serrano; he made his profession as anAugustinian friar in 1592, at Agreda, Spain. Three years later, he arrived in the Philippines, where he was minister in severalnative villages, and held various important offices in his order, being provincial in 1611. Then he went to Spain and Rome; and, whenthe see of Nueva Segovia became vacant, Serrano was appointed toit. 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, andthe 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 slavetraders, and thousands of Japanese were bought and sold, and shippedto Macao, in China, and to the Philippines. Hidéyoshi repeatedlyissued decrees threatening with death these slave-traders, and eventhe purchasers. The seaports of Hirado and Nagasaki were the resortof the lowest class of adventurers from all European Nations, and theresult was a continual series of uproars, broils, and murders amongthe foreigners, requiring ever and anon the intervention of the nativeauthorities to keep the peace. " (Griffis's _Mikado's Empire_, p. 254. )

[8] A small island--the name meaning "Vay Island, " Pulo being simplythe Malay word for "island"--situated near the island of Banda. TheEnglish post thereon which is mentioned in the text was of littleconsequence, 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 ofthe _Diary_, E. M. Thompson, cites (p. 269) mention of this event in_Purchas His Pilgrimes_. The name Pulovay is also applied to a smallisland north of Achen, Sumatra. 

[9] This document is also contained in the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayerlibrary), i, pp. 443-471. Certain variations occur therein from thetext we follow, which is transcribed from the original MS. In the RealAcademia de Historia, Madrid; and that of Ventura del Arco purports tobe taken from the same MS. This apparent discrepancy probably arisesfrom the two transcriptions being made from different copies of thesame document. In the collection of the Real Academia more than onecopy exists, in the case of certain documents; and there may be morethan one copy of the one here presented. It should be remembered, in this connection, that in the religious houses in Europe manuscriptcopies of letters from distant lands were largely circulated, at thatperiod, for the edification of their members (as we have before noted);and these copies were often not verbatim, the transcriber sometimesmaking slight changes, or omissions, or adding information whichhe had received later or by other channels. Our own text has beencollated with that of Ventura del Arco, and variations or additionsfound in the latter are indicated as above, in brackets, followed by"_V. D. A. _"--omitting, however, some typographical and other slightvariations, which are unimportant. In the Ventura del Arco transcriptthere are considerable omissions of matter contained in the MS. Thatwe follow. 

[10] For account of the arrival of these vessels in Japan, and variousdetails 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. Theruler of Firando (the local form of Hirado, as it is more correctlywritten) was then Takanobu, who became daimio--"king, " in the Englishand Spanish writers; but equivalent to "baron"--of that island. Thename Tono Sama, applied to the daimio, is not a personal name, buta 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 recountedby Satow (_ut supra_, pp. Xliv-li). 

[12] This commander is mentioned by Cocks as John Derickson Lamb. Theship called "Galeaça" in our text is "Gallias" in that of Cocks. 

[13] Evidently Ilocos, as is shown by another mention near the endof this paragraph. 

[14] Name of the Moro pirates who inhabit the little islands ofthe Sulu group east of Tawi-tawi, and the islands between these andBorneo; but on the last the name Tirones is also conferred--derivedfrom the province of Tiron in Borneo, to which these islands areadjacent. 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 longsuspected, viz. , the existence of a plot on the part of the nativeconverts and the foreign emissaries to reduce Japan to the position ofa subject state. .. Iyéyasu now put forth strenuous measures to rootout utterly what he believed to be a pestilent breeder of seditionand 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 forceon board junks, and sent out of the country. " (Griffis's _Mikado'sEmpire_, 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 theAugustinian order in that province; he was a religious of greatattainments in knowledge and virtue. He arrived in the Philippines in1606, became very proficient in the language of the Pampangos, andwas a missionary among them for five years. In 1614 he was electedprovincial of his order in the islands. "Thoroughly inflexible incharacter, he undertook to secure the most rigorous observance ofthe decrees and mandates of the latest father-visitor, on whichaccount he incurred the great displeasure and resentment of many. By the death of Father Jerónimo de Salas, Father Sepúlveda became asecond time the ruler of the province, as rector provincial; but hedid not change in the least his harsh and rigid mode of government. Alamentable and unexpected event put an end to his already harassedlife, on August 21, 1617. " (Pérez's _Catálogo_, p. 76. )

[17] Jerónimo de Salas made his profession in the Augustinianconvent at Madrid, in 1590, and reached the Philippines in 1595. Hewas a missionary to the Indians for some fifteen years, and wasafterward elected to high positions in his order. "So exceptionalwas the executive ability of which he gave proof in the dischargeof these offices that in the provincial chapter held in 1617 he wasunanimously elected prior provincial. Most unfortunately, when somuch was hoped from the eminent abilities of this very judicious andlearned religious, an acute illness ended his valuable life; he diedat Manila on May 17 of the same year. " (Perez's _Catálogo_, p. 49. )

[18] Alonso Rincon was one of the Augustinians arriving in thePhilippines in 1606. He was minister in various Indian villages until1617, when he was appointed prior of the Manila convent. He was sentas procurator to Spain and Rome in 1618, and returned to Manila fouryears afterward. He died there in 1631. 

[19] The Ventura del Arco transcript ends here; but it is followedby a note, thus:

_Note by the transcriber_: "The court of Rome was greatly offendedat the just and proper procedure of the definitorio of the Order, giving them to understand that they should have concealed the crimeand the criminals; but that, besides being against all morality andthe necessity of making a public example of offenders, would havebeen impossible in this case, so notorious in Manila from the hourwhen the crime and the delinquents were discovered. "

[20] Cf. The brief account of this tragic occurrence given by theAugustinian 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 hadcome from Cadiz via the Cape of Good Hope; they were commanded byRuy Gonzalez Sequeira, and brought reënforcements of nearly sixhundred men. 

[22] This was Alonso Fajardó y Tenza; for sketch of his career asgovernor, see appendix at end of _Vol_. XVII. 

[23] These italic sidebeads represent marginal notes in the MS. Fromwhich 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 Jambiis a state in the northeast part of the same island. Sumatra isthe principal source of the black pepper of commerce. See articles"Sumatra, " "Jambi, " and "Pepper, " in Crawfurd's _Dictionary of IndianIslands_. Negapatan is on the eastern coast of Hindustan, not farfrom Cape Comorin. 

[27] Better known by its modern name of Johor; it is the Malay state atthe southern end of the Malayan peninsula, and the British territoryof Malacca and the Malay state of Pahang lie north of it. The townof Johor was founded in 1511, by the Malays who were then expelledfrom Malacca by the Portuguese. Johor was not an island, but partof the mainland: the text probably refers to one of the islands offits coast on which a Dutch post may have been located; some of theseislands are still possessed by the Dutch. 

[28] Apparently a corruption of the name Masulipatam, a city on theCoromandel 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 posthe mentions in the last sentence, and captured the Dutch commandervan 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, withmore than one wick, or a union of three or four candles, which wasused for the lanterns. 

[32] The bahar (from _bahara_, a word of Sanscrit origin) has long beenin 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 forweighing cloves, other spices, etc. ; and the small bahar, about 150kilos or 400 pounds avoirdupois, used for weighing quicksilver, variousmetals, certain drugs, etc. John Saris, writing of the commerce ofBantam, says: "A sacke is called a Timbang, and two Timbanges is onePeecull, three Peeculls is a small bahar, and foure Peeculls and anhalfe a great Bahar, which is foure hundred fortie fiue Cattees andan halfe. "

At Malacca and Achen, the great bahar is said by an old Dutchvoyageur to contain 200 cates, each cate containing 26 taïels or 381/2 Portuguese ounces, weak; the small bahar, also 200 cates, but eachcate of only 22 taïels or 32 1/2 ounces, strong; while in China thebahar contained 300 cates, which were equivalent to the 200 cates ofMalacca. Instructions to François Wittert, commissary at Bantam, givesthe following table for weights: 1 picol = 2 Basouts or Basauts = 100catis; 1 hare = 9 basauts = 4 1/2 picols--which should have amountedto 600 Dutch pounds, but in the equivalent then rendered was only 540pounds. Dutch annals also give equivalents in Dutch pounds as 380, 525, 550, and 625. Modern English equivalents in pounds avoirdupois forvarious 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 Saristo 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 yearbetween the Dutch and English at Pulovay, a small island near Banda(see _ante_, note 8). See list of Dutch forts in 1612-1613 in theMoluccas, in _Voyage of John Saris_. 

[34] A court minute of the English East India Company, dated November12, 1614, has the following in regard to Dutch opposition to theEnglish in the East Indies: "Yett he [_i. E. _, John Saris] found theDutch very opposite to hinder the English in their proceedings allthat ever they might, as well by vndersellinge, contrarye to theirpromyse, at [_sic_] by all other means of discouradgement, makeingeshewe of waunte without any occasion. "

(See _Voyage of John Saris_, p. Lxiv. ) Regarding the competition andhostility between the Dutch and English in the trade of the Indies, which often led to open warfare (as at Banda in 1617-1618), see _Voyageof 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 withSpain lend some color to the proposed English-Spanish alliance inthe Moluccas. 

[35] Apparently referring to the importation of quicksilver (viaManila) 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 aconquest, and their location became so doubtful that many geographersdisbelieved their existence, and even removed them from the maps. Theseislands were not rediscovered until late in the eighteenth century. Seethe Hakluyt Society's publication of the narratives of Mendaña andothers, _Discovery of the Solomon Islands_ (London, 1901), witheditorial comments by Lord Amherst of Hackney and Basil Thomson. 

[37] From internal evidence it is apparent that this relation iswritten from Nueva España, a thing which the reader must constantlykeep in mind; also that it was written in 1619--probably in Januaryor 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 referredto in the text. While generally a tree of ordinary size, it is saidto grow to huge dimensions in Mindanao. Besides its use as abovementioned, an oil or balsam is distilled from the leaves, or obtainedfrom the trunk, which has valuable medicinal uses, in both externaland internal application. This oil sometimes serves to give light, but the light is dim, and to anoint the hoofs of horses. It bloomsin November, the flowers growing in bunches of seven or nine each;and its leaf is oval and tapering. The wood is light, exceedinglytough, and reddish in color. It is very plentiful in the Visayas, and generally grows close to the water. It is known by a number ofdifferent names, among them being bitanhol or bitanjol, and dincalin. 

[39] Perhaps the guijo (also spelt guiso or guisoc; _Dipterocarpusguiso_--Bl. ), a wood of red color, which is strong, durable, tough, and elastic; it produces logs 75 feet long by 24 inches square, and isnow used in Hongkong for wharf-decks and flooring, but in Manila forcarriage shafts (_U. S. Gazetteer of Philippine Islands_). Blanco saysthat this tree is much esteemed for carriage-wheels, and is also usedfor topmasts and keels. The Indians call it guiso, but the Spaniardshave corruptly called it guijo. It is common in Mindoro. 

[40] Probably the lauan (also called lauaan and sándana; _Dipterocarpusthurifera_--Linn. ), a reddish white or ashy wood with brown spots, used chiefly in the construction of canoes, and producing logs 75 feetlong by 24 inches square (_U. S. Gazetteer_). Blanco says that thistree yields a fragrant, hard, white resin, which is used instead ofincense in the churches. San Agustin, quoted by Blanco, says that theplanks of the sides of the ancient galleys were of lauaan, for ballsdo not chip this wood. Delgado mentions two species: lauaan mulato, in color almost dark red; and lauaan blanco (white), which was usedas planking for boats. 

[41] That is, the cubit; a measure of length equal to the distancefrom the elbow to the end of the middle finger. The _codo real_, or royal cubit, is three fingers longer than the ordinary codo. Thegeometrical codo is equivalent to 418 mm. , and the codo real to 574mm. 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 tofifty feet, and varies in color from reddish white to dull red. Itsflowers are red and very beautiful, and bloom in March. The tree isvery common and used for many things, especially for ship and houseconstruction, particularly the red variety. It is strong and resiststhe elements well. See _U. S. Gazetteer_ and Blanco's _Flora_. 

[43] Perhaps a colloquial name given by the Spaniards, or a corruptionof 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 reddishin color, and is used for roof-timbers and the keels of vessels. Itis strong but does not resist the seaworms. It blooms in March andDecember. See _ut supra_. 

[46] _U. S. Gazetteer_ mentions the various woods used for shipbuildingas follows: Yacal or saplungan (_Dipterocarpus plagatus_--Bl. ), betis (_Azaola betis_--Bl. ), dúngon, and ípil or ypil (_Eperuadecandra_--Bl. ), for keels and stern-posts; antipolo (_Artocarpusincisa_--Linn. ), for keels and outside planking; molave (_Vitexgeniculata_--Bl. ), for futtock-timbers and stem-crooks for frame-work;banabá, for outside planking and beams; _guijo_, for beams, masts, andyards; batitinan (_Lagerstroemia batitinan_), for keelsons and clamps;mangachapuy or mangachapoi (_Dipterocarpus mangachapoi_--Bl. ), forwater-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 shipswould seem, from the following law, to have been a sinecure in theislands. This law is taken from _Recopilación de leyes_, lib. V, tit. Xv, ley viii. "The governors of Filipinas appoint persons to buildthe galleons or boats, who are wont to cause great thefts and injuriesto our royal treasury, and on the Indians. For their occupation theyare given ten or more toneladas of cargo in the trading ships, onaccount of being relatives or followers of the governors. Some havehad as many as forty toneladas, and have filled them with gold at fortyreals per tae, or seven and one-half castellanos--forcibly seizing itfrom the Indians at an unjust price, in order afterward to sell it atninety-six reals per tae. Inasmuch as they are persons of influence, their residencia is never taken. We order that the residencias of suchbuilders, and of the others who shall have received and had money fromthe royal treasury for shipbuilding or any other sea or land expense, shall be taken, at the same time as those of the presidents andministers who are obliged to give them. In respect to the governorsnot employing their relatives and kinsmen, servants, or followers, or those of the auditors, in these matters or in any others, theyshall 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 fibersthat are long, black, and very strong; the cordage made from them isvery durable, resisting even salt water. This is evidently the productelsewhere 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 villagesfor public works--nominally for wages paid them, but in reality, as this document alone would show, kept in a condition of practicalslavery. 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 coarsecloth. 

[53] Our transcript reads at this point: "_quedaron en la ciudadde manila y puerto de cabite siete galeones los seis el uno de losquales. _" 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 prebendsof canonries; or, the incumbents thereof. 

[57] The racionero and medio racionero are prebendaries of Spanishcathedrals, ranking in the order named. 

[58] The fourth vow of the Jesuits binds to implicit obedience in goingwherever the pope orders them to go for the salvation of souls. Theother 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'spublications, London, 1887-88), ii, pp. 256, 257: "When one is makinga voyage from Goa, one says to which quarter one is going, whetherto the south or the north coast. 'The north' is from Goa to Cambaye, 'the south' from Goa to the Cape of Comori. .. . From Bassains [Baçaniof our text; the modern Bassein] comes all the timber for buildinghouses and vessels; indeed, most of the ships are built there. Italso supplies a very fine and hard free stone, like granite; . .. Allthe magnificent churches and palaces at Goa and the other towns arebuilt of this stone. " The editors of the _Voyage_ add: "Bassein, twenty-six miles north of Bombay, was ceded to the Portuguese in1536. It became the favorite resort of the wealthier Portuguese, the place being noted for handsome villas and pretty gardens. Itwas taken by the Mahrattas in 1739, after a siege of three months, in which the Portuguese, for the last time in India, fought withstubborn courage. " Bassein was captured by the British in 1780. Theterm "Mogors" in the text refers to some of the kings who were vassalsof the Great Mogul (_Vol_. XVII, p. 252). 

[61] Diego de Pantoja, born in 1571, became a novice in the Jesuitorder at the age of eighteen. Seven years later he embarked tojoin the mission in Japan; but on reaching Macao he was assigned ascompanion to the noted Jesuit missionary, Mateo Ricci, and the twofounded the mission of Pekin. Being later expelled from the kingdom, Pantoja died at Macao in January, 1618 (Sommervogel). Ricci died atPekin in May, 1610. In the archives not only of Spain, but of Italy, France, and England, are many and voluminous documents referring tothe Catholic missions in China. The Jesuit missions there are veryfully 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. Regardingthe Jews in China, see _ut supra_, pp. Lxxx, 225, 341, 497, 533. 

[63] In 1618 the Manchu leader Noorhachu invaded the province ofLiaotung--now a division of the province of Sheng-King, and lying onthe northern coast of the Korean Gulf; its southern extremity forms along, narrow peninsula which terminates at the entrance of the Gulfof Pe-chili, and on it are the fortified posts of Dalny and PortArthur, important strategic points commanding the entrance to thatgulf, and prominent in the present war (May, 1904) between Russia andJapan. In Liaotung are also the important towns of Mukden and Niuchuang(Newchwang). In 1621 Noorhachu captured Mukden, and soon conqueredthe rest of the province; and, about twenty-five years later, hissuccessors completed the conquest of China, expelling the Ming dynasty(which had begun in 1368), and establishing that of the Manchus, whichstill rules in China. For a detailed description of this conquest, seeBoulger's _History of China_ (London and New York, 1900), pp. 97-125. 

[64] There is an apparent hiatus here; perhaps it should read "beforethe last invasion. "--_Trans_. 

[65] Boulger says (_History of China_, p. 107): "During this campaignit was computed that the total losses of the Chinese amounted to 310general officers and 45, 000 private soldiers. " Noorhachu defeatedthree Chinese armies, and captured the towns of Fooshun, Tsingho, and Kaiyuen. 

[66] A phonetic rendering of Wanleh (_Vol_. III, p. 228). See accountof his reign in Boulger's _History of China_, pp. 97-107. 

[67] The Christian religion was first introduced into Cochinchina (akingdom founded in 1570, by a Tonquin chief) by Spanish Franciscans, in 1583; but little was accomplished for the conversion of theheathen until 1615, when both Franciscans and Jesuits entered uponthat work. See Crawfurd's account of the country, in his _Dictionaryof 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 builtin 1456-57, was the abode of the Tokugawa Shôguns from 1591--when itwas assigned to Iyéyasu, who greatly enlarged it--until the close ofthat dynasty in 1868. See historical and descriptive account of thisedifice, by T. R. H. McClatchie, in _Transactions_ of Asiatic Societyof Japan, vol. Vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888), pp. 119-154. 

[71] The daimiôs constituted, under the old feudal organization ofJapan, a class of territorial nobility, who numbered about two hundredand fifty. Under Iyemidzu (1623-51) the daimiôs were obliged to livein Yedo half the time with their families; and, before this, thosenobles had been in the habit of visiting the reigning monarch at thecapital. 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 thesuppression of that religion there, with the causes of that actionon the part of Japan's rulers--Iyéyasu, Hidetada, and Iyemidzu, 1600-1650--see Rein's _Japan_, pp. 304-311; Griffis's _Mikado'sEmpire_, pp. 252-259; and J. H. Gubbins's "Introduction of Christianityinto China and Japan, " in _Transactions_ of Asiatic Society of Japan, vol. Vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888); pp. 1-38--with supplementary informationthereon by E. M. Satow (who reproduces Iyéyasu's celebrated proclamationof 1614), pp. 43-62. 

[73] Cf. The account of these episodes (the maltreatment of Englishmenby the Dutch, and the loss of the Dutch ship) given by Richard Cocksin his _Diary_, pp. 51-76. 

[74] Probably alluding to one of the two Franciscans captured by theMoros nearly two years before (Montero y Vidal's _Hist. Piratería_, i, p. 154), but afterward ransomed by the Spaniards--Fray Domingo delos Mártires and Fray Alonso de la Soledad. 

[75] Apparently a reference to the beri-beri, a disease common inIndia and other lands of Southern Asia. A similar or identical disease, prevalent in Japan, is there known as _kak'ké_; see William Anderson'saccount of this disease in _Transactions_ of the Asiatic Society ofJapan, vol. Vi (Tokyo, ed. 1888), pp. 155-181. 

[76] In the text this is a curious double play upon words, which cannotbe exactly reproduced in translation. The Spanish reads, _y que multospor dar en el clavo an de dar en la herradura_--literally, "many instriking 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 Frenchships at Bantam in 1617. 

[78] Spanish, _amplitud ortiva_, meaning an angle measured on theeastern horizon. The term amplitude, thus used (by English writersalso), is an old one in astronomical terminology. In the descriptionof the second comet, _al pie_ refers apparently to the head of thecomet, which is here called its foot because sometimes this pointwas nearer to the horizon. --_Rev. Jose Algue_, S. J. (director ofManila Observatory). 

[79] Referring to the ancient astronomical notion that a comet was anexhalation. --_Harry T. Benedict_ (professor of astronomy, Universityof Texas). 

[80] "Evidently the modern province of Awa or Boshiû (its Chinesename), 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 allowedto 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 tothe rations of rice: "Inasmuch as the presidents and auditors of theAudiencia of the Filipinas Islands, and the officials of our royaltreasury are accustomed to divide among themselves all the tributes ofrice 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 procedureis very prejudicial to our royal treasury: therefore we order thepresident and royal officials to avoid it and stop so pernicious acustom, 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 Indiaswith the same pressmark as Fajardo's letter (see Bibliographical Data, _post_), was probably ordered to be copied as a help toward solvingthese doubts. 

The King: To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia of theFilipinas Islands. I have heard that, [the command of] a company ofinfantry having become vacant because of the death of Don Tomas Brabo, and my governor and captain-general of those islands, Don Pedro deAcuña, having appointed to it Captain Juan de Billaçon--who in orderthat he would accept had to be urged by the said Don Pedro, bothbecause he was a very worthy and deserving man and one who had donemany services, and because there was no one else to select, and becauseit was an occasion when a great number of boats were expected fromChina which it had been rumored were to come to attack the islands, to revenge the Sangleys who had been killed in the insurrection of theyear six hundred and three--you issued an act, in which you orderedthat the said governor should appoint the said company in conformity tothe ordinance, and that in the meantime there should be no innovationin anything--just as if such a matter were the chief that should beattended to then, since it was an occasion in which the governor wastoiling so arduously in fortifying districts and strongholds of thoseislands, raising ramparts, and making ditches in order to be as readyas possible for the awaiting of so great a multitude of men as rumorsaid were to attack those islands. Inasmuch as it is proper thatmatters pertaining to war be solely in the charge and care of thesaid my governor and captain-general, I have, after examination ofthe matter by my royal Council of the Indias, considered it fittingto issue the present, by which I order you not to interfere andoppose the said governor in anything pertaining to war and governmentmatters; and when any case arises, in which any doubt may exist asto the form and execution of it, it is my will that the orders ofthe said my governor be followed and obeyed, and that you advise me, through my said Council, of the doubt, and what shall be your opinionregarding it; so that after my Council has examined it, the measuresmost advisable to my service may be ordered and commanded. GivenVentocilla, 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 theassembly of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of the PhilipinasIslands, had this copy drawn and drew it from the original royal decreewhich is in my possession, by order of Don Alonso Faxardo de Tença, comendador of the redoubt in the order of Alcantara, governor andcaptain-general of these Philipinas Islands, and president of thisroyal Audiencia. It is a certified copy and is thoroughly revised andcollated with its original. In the city of Manila, on the twentiethday 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 Saenzde Hegoen. 

[87] The original if read strictly requires the above translation. Itreads "_porque son gente de mucho fruto y no se buelven tantos delloscomo de otras Religiones y particularmente la de Santo Domingo quee entendido sean ydo delta mas de los que yo quissiera_. " "_Della_"should refer then to "_la_" and thence back to "_religiones_. " Butthe meaning cannot be that the religious left the order, butrather their brethren in the islands and returned to Nueva Españaor Spain. Fajardo's language throughout this letter is loose andcomplicated, and it is possible that, "_della_" refers to the word"_tierra_" ("country") understood, in which case the translationwould be "have left the country. "

[88] Alonso Baraona was a native of Quintanario, of the province ofBargos. 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 inDumangas (1608), Batan (1609), Jaro (1616), Aclán (1613), and Passi(1614); and became definitor ami prior provincial in 1617. In 1623he was at Bay, and died, in 1626. See Perez's _Catálogo_. 

[89] The cardinal archduke Albert of Austria was the sixth son ofMaximilian II and Maria of Austria, and was born in Austria November13, 1559. In 1570 he was sent to Spain, where he rose rapidly inPhilip's favor. In 1577 he received the cardinal's hat from the popeand was made archbishop of Toledo by Philip in 1594. He was viceroyof Portugal from 1584-1595, when Philip, thinking to appease thepeople of the Low Countries, made him commander or regent there, anddetermined to marry him to his daughter Isabel. The sovereignty of allthe Netherlands was to be left jointly to them and their heirs, and, in case of no issue, to revert to the Spanish crown. Philip formallyabdicated his authority over the Low Countries, May 6, 1598, and theirmarriage was solemnized jointly with that of Philip III, April 13, 1599, after Albert had renounced his cardinalate and archbishopric. Hedied July 13, 1621, after ruling his provinces humanely and generously, although unable to stem the current toward Dutch independence. SeeMoreri's _Dictionnaire_. 

[90] Jacques (Jakob) le Maire (Lemaire), the Dutch navigator, andthe first to double Cape Horn, was born at Egmond, and died at sea, December 31, 1616. His expedition to the South Seas was undertaken atthe 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 otherroute. The two vessels were placed in command of Wilhelm van Schouten, and Le Maire was chosen director-general. The ships were equipped atthe port of Hoorn, and set sail June 14, 1615, from the Texel. Passingby the south-eastern corner of Tierra del Fuego, they entered andpassed through the strait that now bears Le Maire's name January24-26, 1616. Between January 27 and 31, they doubled the Horn, whichthey named for the port of Hoorn. October 28 of the same year aftervarious adventures among the East Indian Islands, they cast anchorat Jacatra in Java, where the "Concorde, " the only vessel left, wassequestered as not having been sent by the Dutch East India Company;while van Schouten and Le Maire were sent to Holland to be tried, LeMaire dying as above stated. A relation of the expedition was writtenby one of the participants. See vol. Iv, pp. 531-618, _Recueil desvoyages . .. De la Compagnie des Indes Orientales_ (Amsterdam, 1725). 

[91] The viceroy of Nueva España at this time was Diego Fernandez deCórdoba, 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 someduplications and other peculiarities in numbering, are precisely asin 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 probablyissued in consequence of this section of Los Rios's letter, and whichwill appear in _Vol_. XIX. 

[95] See the various letters relating to the controversy betweenthe 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 Islandsall the notaries and officials entitled to them shall collect theirfees, according to, and in the quantity provided and ordained for ourAudiencia of Méjico, so far as it shall not have been altered by thelaws of this book. " [Felipe II; Toledo, May 25, 1596, ordinance 61. ]

[97] The residencia of the governor was later ordered to be takenin accordance with the following law, found in _Recopilación deleyes, _ lib. V, tit. Xv, ley v: "The governor and captain-generalof the Filipinas appointed by us, shall, as soon as he enters uponthe exercise of his duties, take the residencia of his proprietarypredecessor, or his predecessor _ad interim_, even should he not holdour special commission. But shall he have been so entrusted by us, he shall proceed by virtue of it, in accordance with law. In eithercase, he shall send a report of the residencia to the Council, as isusual. " [Felipe IV; Madrid, December 4, 1630. ]

[98] See descriptions of the disease called scurvy, in Pyrard deLaval'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 deLaval (_Voyage_, ii, pp. 180-214) of the Portuguese trading vesselson the India line (_naus de carreira_), practically the same as theSpanish vessels described by Rios Coronel; and of their construction, equipment, crews, lading, management, etc. On p. 214 is an engravingof 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 fiberis 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 auxiliaryor suffragan, bishop. The Academy's dictionary adds: "To these bishopsthe pontiff assigns one of the churches formerly owned by them, butnow in the power of heathen. " Consequently the _de anillo_ becomesequivalent to _in partibus infidelium_. A bishop _in partibus_ isone consecrated to a see which formerly existed, but which has been, chiefly through the devastations of the followers of Mahomet, lost toChristendom. The creation of such bishops exists from the time of LeoX; but they existed _de facto_ from the time when the first Christiansee became vacant from hostile inroad or through the action of ahostile government. The Moorish conquest in Spain resulted in manyof such bishops fleeing to the still unconquered parts, where theywandered from place to place, with no particular duty, but officiatingas opportunity offered. This state of affairs led to great abuses, for a bishop whose see was _in partibus_ would often enter some remoteportion 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 havepromoted to priests' orders often received through the agency ofthese wandering bishops the ordination which they desired. A decreeof the Council of Trent forbade that abuse. The title _in partibus_was often given in Protestant countries, where to appoint a bishopto a local see would have aroused hostility. Besides the vicarsapostolic in a non-Catholic country, the vicars of cardinal-bishops, auxiliary bishops in countries where it is usual to appoint them, andpapal nuncios, usually have their sees _in partibus infidelium_. Theycan attend general councils, and, since they are considered as trulywedded to the churches of which they bear the titles, they cannotbe appointed to other sees except upon the conditions common toall episcopal translations. By a decree of the Propaganda, February28, 1882, the formula _in partibus infidelium_ was abolished, andnon-resident bishops are to be known as "titular" bishops of theirsees. See Addis and Arnold's _Catholic Dictionary_.