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 XX, 1621-1624

 Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord								Bourne. 

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XX

	Preface	Documents of 1621

			News from the province of Filipinas. Alonso			Roman; Manila, [July?]. 			Death of Doña Catalina Zambrano. [Unsigned];			Manila, July. 			Letter to the king. Alonso Fajardo de Tenca;			Manila, July 21. 			Letter from the archbishop of Manila to the			king. Miguel Garcia Serrano, O. S. A. ; Manila, 			July 30. 			Letter to the king. Geronimo de Silva; Manila, 			August 1. 			Affairs in the Franciscan province. Pedro			de Sant Pablo, O. S. F. , and others; Manila, 			1620-21. 			Letter to the king. Alonso Fajardo de Tenca;			Manila, December 10. 

	Documents of 1622

			Letters to the king. Alvaro Messa y Lugo;			Manila, 1621 and July 30, 1622. 			Letters from the archbishop of Manila to			the king. Miguel García Serrano; Manila, 			1621-22. 			Royal decrees regarding the religious. Felipe			IV; Madrid, December 31. 

	Documents of 1623-1624

			Letter to Fajardo. Felipe IV; Madrid, October			9, 1623. 			Royal permission for the Dominican college			in Manila. Felipe IV; Madrid, November			27, 1623. 			Expedition to the mines of the			Igorrotes. Alonso Martin Quirante; Alingayen, 			June 5, 1624. 

	Bibliographical Data. 

ILLUSTRATIONS

	Autograph signatures of Valerio de Ledesma and Alonso Roman;	photographic facsimiles from tracings in the Ventura del	Arco MS. 	Weapons of the Igorrotes; photograph of weapons in the Colegio	de Agustinos Filipinos, Valladolid. 	Weapons of the natives of North Luzón; photograph of weapons	in the Museo-Biblioteca de Ultramar, Madrid. 

PREFACE

The years 1621-24, although not marked by great battles, conquests, or calamities, contain much that is of interest in the internaldevelopment of the Philippine colony; and these documents vividlyillustrate the ceaseless play and interaction of human interestsand passions--especially in the romantic but tragic love-affairof Fajardo's wife, in which is material for a brilliant novel. Theusual conflicts occur between the civil authorities and the friars, and between the governor and the Audiencia; but the records of thesecontroversies furnish an unusual revelation of human nature and itscomplicated phenomena. The alliance between the Dutch and the Englishmenaces this far Oriental Spanish colony with even more dangers thanit has already experienced; and its feeble defenses and insufficientequipment of arms and men keep its people in constant dread andanxiety. For defense against the expected attacks of the hereticsagainst Manila more ships and fortifications are constructed; but thisimposes additional burdens on the poor Indians, which the governortries to mitigate by endeavors to protect them from the oppressionthat they endure from the Spaniards. Controversies arise between thevarious orders, and within that of St Francis, which are settled by theintervention of the bishop and governor. Reports made by the ordersshow that over half a million of the natives are receiving religiousinstruction; but the bishop deprecates the favorite missionary policyof gathering the converts into "reductions, " and advises that all themissions should be placed under the supervision of the bishops. Theforeign population of Manila still increases beyond the safety-line, and spasmodic efforts are made to restrict it; but corrupt and laxofficials render these of little use. The difficulties involved inthe Chinese trade and its economic effects on the Spanish coloniesare still discussed, but without any satisfactory solution to theproblem. The gold mines in northern Luzón are explored and tested, but with meager results. 

A Jesuit at Manila, Alonso Roman, gives the "news from Filipinas"for 1621. He recounts the persecution of Christians that is stillcontinuing in Japan, with many martyrdoms. Various encounters betweenthe Dutch and English occur until, an alliance being concluded betweenHolland and England, their ships unite to prey on the commerce ofChina, Portuguese India, and the Philippines. The writer relatesseveral naval encounters, and captures of trading ships. In one ofthese the Chinese, pouring melted sugar on the enemy, "sent fourteenof the Dutch in a conserve to hell. " Roman concludes his letter withan account of the tragedy in which Governor Fajardo slays his wife andher lover (May 11, 1621)--the latter being a renegade Jesuit, namedJoan de Messa. Another account of this affair adds some minor details. 

Fajardo sends his annual despatches to the king (July 21, 1621). Hedescribes his measures for the prompter despatch of the trading-fleetto Nueva España, and the recent hostile demonstration made by the Dutchand English at Manila Bay. He takes all precautions for defense againstthem, but is unable to attack them, owing to his lack of troops--adeficiency which he proceeds to explain. Thus far, the enemy have donelittle harm, especially as Fajardo promptly warned the Chinese, andother trading countries near by, of their arrival. He learns of otherhostile fleets that are preparing to attack the islands, and takesall possible precautions for their defense. He asks that, until theaffairs of the islands are in better condition, the Audiencia of Manilamay be discontinued, as the auditors embarrass and hinder his efforts, and are not competent to fulfil their duties. The religious also makethe governor's duties a burden; and their exactions from the Indiansprevent the latter from serving the crown. The Dutch know bettershow to deal with the natives; they exempt the latter from tributes, personal services, and religious instruction. Little has been done inopening the Igorrote mines--a task which Fajardo is warned to pushforward. He has sent troops and supplies safely to Ternate. He ishaving much trouble in regard to the residencia of his predecessor, the late Juan de Silva; and complains of the shelter and countenancegiven to Auditor Messa by the Dominicans. Fajardo recounts variousmatters of government and his procedure therein; also the annoyancesand hindrances which he experiences from the friars. He commends, however, the Jesuits and their work, suggesting that more of themshould be sent to the islands. He is perplexed and hindered by thelack of soldiers, but is doing his best with his small forces. TheCouncil orders the viceroy of Nueva España to send every year toFilipinas all the reenforcements in his power. 

The archbishop of Manila sends to the king (July 30, 1621) anaccount of ecclesiastical and some other affairs in his diocese. Heasks permission to hold an ecclesiastical council, and to hold thefeast of Corpus Christi at some other and more convenient date thanit has on the calendar. He complains of the poverty of the Manilacathedral, and asks for aid; also of the governor's failure to consulthim regarding appointments to prebends, and of the incapacity forcanonical offices of certain royal appointees. Serrano commends themembers of his chapter, some of them individually and by name. Thetwo colleges in Manila are training so many students that theycannot find positions in the church, and the archbishop is greatlypained by their consequent poverty and humiliation. He asks for morecompetent bishops to be sent to the islands; and for authority to begiven to religious ministers there to grant absolution for certainimpediments to marriage which render divorces among the natives tooeasy. The friars who have charge of instructing the natives ought tobe subject to inspection by the bishops, and thus various abuses wouldbe corrected. Affairs in Japan are in great confusion, on account ofthe persecution of the Christians; and Serrano recommends that FraySotelo be not allowed to go thither as bishop of Japan. He details acontroversy that has arisen between the Jesuits and the Dominicans inManila over the refusal of confession to the dying Juan de Messa; thearchbishop is obliged to call an ecclesiastical council to settle thematter, and they decide in favor of the Jesuits. Trouble arises in theFranciscan order over the appointment of a visitor, which is quelledby similar action on Serrano's part, and the governor's interferencein the matter. More laborers are needed for the Jesuit missions, as well as for those conducted by the friars. Serrano urges thatthe hospital order of St. John of God be established in the islands, as the hospitals there need better care than they are receiving fromthe Franciscans. He complains that the officials of the orders giveletters of recommendation too easily; that the Audiencia are lax intheir attendance at church feasts; that the ships are sent too lateto Nueva España, and also return too late to the Philippines: thatworkmen in government employ in the islands are defrauded of theirpay; that the city of Manila is overrun with Chinese and Japanese, far beyond the numbers allowed by royal edicts or regard for the safetyof the Spanish citizens there; and that private persons, by collusionwith the officials, illegally secure for themselves the best of thePhilippine trade with Malacca and other adjacent regions. At the endof Serrano's letter is the papal bull changing the date on which thefeast of Corpus Christi may be celebrated in Oriental regions. 

A letter from Gerónimo de Silva to the king (August 1, 1621) statesthat one of the ships to Nueva España has been forced back to Manilaby adverse weather, which has caused great distress in the islands. Theannual relief for Ternate has been sent; attacks on Luzon by the Dutchand English are expected, but result in the enemy capturing onlya few Chinese vessels. Silva mentions the pitiably small forces ofthe colony for defense, and urges that reenforcements and other aidbe sent for this purpose. Undesirable inhabitants of the country arebeing sent away, especially the Japanese, who are more dangerous thanthe Chinese. Silva refers to the difficulties between the governorand auditors, and asserts that these are due to the existence of theAudiencia there, which is a costly and useless burden on the colony, and a hindrance to the administration of justice and to the fulfilmentof the governor's duties. 

Affairs in the Franciscan province of the Philippines are inunsatisfactory condition; an account of them is sent to the king(July 31, 1620) by the provincial of that order, Pedro de San Pablo, in behalf of the province. He states that a visitor has been sentto it from Nueva España who is not one of the discalced, and istherefore _persona non grata_ to these (of whom are the Franciscansof Filipinas); also that other friars "of the cloth" have slipped inamong the discalced, simply to gain admission to the regions of theEast. Hence arise factions, dissensions, and loss to their religiousinterests and work; and these intruders seek to rule the others. SanPablo asks the king to issue such decrees that only one branchor the other of the order may send religious to the islands; thus"there will be peace. " The intruding Observantines have attempted todeprive the discalced of the Japan missions and of the convent of SanFrancisco del Monte, near Manila; and the royal authority is invokedto restrain their encroachments. This letter is accompanied by another(July 20, 1621) signed by San Pablo and other officials of his order, further entreating relief and redress for their province; and by stillanother letter of similar tenor (dated only 1621), complaining ofAuditors Messa and Rodriguez for their unjust and arbitrary actionin the case of the unwelcome visitor sent to the Franciscans, andurging the king to furnish redress therein and rebuke the auditors. 

A letter from Fajardo to the king (December 10, 1621) concerns variousmatters of administration and business. He explains the late departureof the ships for Nueva España, and the consequent mortality reportedon one of them. He discusses the question of diminishing the drain ofsilver from Nueva España to the Orient, and recommends that the exportof silks and other fabrics to that country from the Philippines beprohibited; but he remonstrates against the proposed abandonment ofMacao, which would surrender the Chinese trade at once to the Dutchand English, and thus ruin the Philippine colony. Fajardo suggeststhat only vessels of moderate size be allowed on the Nueva España line, and that more definite measures be postponed until the subject of thistrade can be more thoroughly investigated. He denies the assertionsthat he is interested in the shipments of goods to that country, and places upon the auditors the fault of certain matters in whichhe, as governor, has incurred blame. He also accuses the Dominicanfriars of aiding and sheltering his enemies. A royal decree of 1610has placed most of the appointments of subordinates in the hands ofthe auditors and fiscals, rather than (as formerly) those of viceroysand governors; and preference is given therein to the descendantsof conquistadors and settlers. Fajardo remonstrates against this, adducing various arguments to show how this decree hampers the effortsand authority of the governor, creates difficulties between him andthe auditors, disturbs the course of administration in the islands, and injuries the public service. Fajardo seconds the demand of thecitizens of Manila that the Audiencia be suppressed, alleging that itdoes more harm than good. He has sent the usual supplies to Ternate, and has despatched a small troop of Spaniards to Celebes to fortifya post there, with some Franciscan missionaries to minister to thenatives. He has secured the release of certain Spanish prisoners, andis building two ships. Some of the natives have revolted, and troopshave been sent to chastise them; Fajardo tries to keep the Indians indue subjection, yet to treat them with justice and kindness, and hecomplains that his efforts to do so are hindered by the oppressive andharsh conduct of the friars (especially of the Dominicans) toward thenatives, and by their ambition to rule in all matters. The governoris exerting every effort to maintain the fortifications at Caviteand Oton, and to repair and equip the few vessels at his disposal;he has news that Dutch and English fleets are coming to harass theSpaniards and their Chinese trade. 

Fajardo's chief enemy in the Audiencia, Alvaro Messa y Lugo, writesto the king (apparently in 1621), complaining of the governor'sofficial conduct as ruining the country. Messa accuses him of recklessexpenditures of public funds; of using these to invest for his ownprofit in the Mexican trade; of allowing Indian claims for wages tobe sold at a third of their value, and cashed in full; of issuing toomany licenses to Chinese residents, and using these fees for himself;and of neglecting to audit the accounts of the government. Accordingto Messa, Fajardo intimidates the Audiencia, interrupts the course ofjustice, recklessly liberates criminals, persecutes citizens who differfrom him, neglects to observe the royal decrees, threatens even theclergy and friars, and tyrannizes over the entire community. It may benoted that Messa bases most of these accusations on report and hearsay, without citing any definite authority for his statements. Messa accusesthe governor of neglecting his duties, and failing to provide for thedefense of the country, while spending the royal revenues lavishly;and even assails Fajardo's personal character. He relates, in tediousdetail, various difficulties between himself and the governor, andarbitrary acts of Fajardo against him; and recounts his deliverancefrom prison through a miracle wrought for him at the intercession ofthe Virgin Mary. Messa has taken refuge in the Dominican convent, andentreats the king to redress his wrongs and punish the governor and hisabettors. He recounts at much length the reasons for which he supposesthe governor arrested him. In this connection Messa relates his versionof Fajardo's killing his unfaithful wife, adding much gossip of thetown that is uncomplimentary to the governor. He also states that theAudiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high courtin which justice may be sought. Messa urges the king to send a newgovernor, and gives his advice as to the character of him who should besent. He intimates that Fajardo has illegally obtained wealth to thevalue of perhaps almost a million pesos, and that even this sum willnot repay the claims held against him. Messa gives account of certainresidencias entrusted to him, and claims that all his efforts to dothis work have been blocked by the governor, especially in the caseof Juan de Silva. He complains that the authority of the governor andthat of the Audiencia conflict, especially in time of war; and that theformer has too wide a jurisdiction in that he may try cases broughtagainst the auditors. Messa recommends that aid for the Philippinecolony be sent in the form of men and money, and that the necessaryships and artillery be constructed in the islands. He complains thatthe Chinese traders are illegally compelled to pay assessments, from which the fiscal, who is nominally their protector, receivesadditional pay. Messa asks for honors and promotion for himself, by way of atonement for the ill-treatment that he has received fromthe governor; and closes with the request that Fajardo's property inMexico be sequestered. 

With this letter is another by the same writer, dated July 30, 1622--a postscript to a duplicate of the preceding letter. He relateshow Fajardo has summoned him to resume his duties as auditor; but hehas no confidence in the governor's sincerity. He accuses the latterof various illegal and crafty acts, among them sending contrabandgold and jewels to Mexico. Messa recounts the proceedings in theSanta Potenciana scandal, blaming the governor's course therein. Atthe end is a letter from the Audiencia advising the king to refusean increase of salary to the archbishop of Manila, with a note byFajardo recommending such increase. 

The archbishop of Manila, Miguel Garcia Serrano, writes (1621) a reportfor the first year of his term of office--which, however, he doesnot send until 1622. He has been occupied in official visitations, mainly in the city of Manila. Among the clergy therein he finds nooffenses, save that a few have gambled in public; these are promptlydisciplined. The cathedral is the only Spanish parochial church;it cares for two thousand four hundred souls. Another curate is incharge of the Indians and slaves of Manila, who number one thousandsix hundred and forty and one thousand nine hundred and seventyrespectively; but many of these confess at the convents of the variousorders. The Indians should have a suitable church of their own, and Serrano recommends that the king provide one for them. At theport of Cavite is a parochial church, which ministers to over threethousand souls. The Indians in the archdiocese of Manila are mainlyin charge of the religious orders, as follows: Of the Augustinians, ninety thousand souls; Franciscans, forty-eight thousand four hundred;Dominicans, twenty-eight thousand; Jesuits, ten thousand six hundred;Recollects, eight thousand. Besides these, twenty thousand Indiansare under the care of secular priests--making a total of two hundredand five thousand. Serrano describes the method of government andadministration that is followed in the missions; the natives couldbe more easily reached and instructed in a few large villages, butthe effort to collect them in these "reductions" has proved to beneither satisfactory nor profitable, in the Philippines as well as inNueva España. Chinese converts residing in the outskirts of Manilanumber one thousand five hundred souls, in charge of the Dominicansand Franciscans. Among the Japanese who are in the islands there aremore than one thousand five hundred Christians. In the bishopric ofCebú are two hundred Spaniards; the Indians and other people underinstruction amount to one hundred and nineteen thousand six hundredand fifty. Of these about sixteen thousand are in the care of secularpriests; nearly fifty thousand, of the Augustinians; and fifty-fourthousand, of the Jesuits. In the bishopric of Cagayán (in northernLuzon), there are but seventy Spaniards; the Augustinians instructfifty-eight thousand, and the Dominicans seventy thousand, Indiannatives. The bishopric of Camarines (in eastern Luzon) has only somefifty Spaniards; eight thousand six hundred natives are cared forby secular priests, forty-five thousand by Franciscans, and threethousand two hundred by Jesuits. The total number of souls of nativesunder religious instruction in the islands amounts to over half amillion--apparently not counting therein the children. But the greatnumber of Indians still unconverted demands many more missionaries, whom the king is urged to send. The archbishop gives some accountof the hospitals and their management; he recommends that they beplaced in care of the hospital order of St. John of God. He alsoenumerates the various religious and benevolent confraternitiesin Manila, with their purposes and revenues; of these the chief isthat of La Misericordia. Serrano describes the character and presentcondition of the two colleges in Manila, San José and Santo Tomás, and of the seminary for girls, Santa Potenciana; for the former herequests faculty for granting decrees to their students, and forthe latter substantial pecuniary aid. He states that, in general, the Indians are well treated by their religious teachers; but herecommends that more power over these ministers be given to thePhilippine bishops. The constant menace of the islands by the Dutchenemy, however, lays cruel burdens upon the Indians, in ship-buildingand in other preparations for war which they are compelled to makeby the royal officials. Serrano closes by answering certain questionsabout prebends, curacies, etc. 

A royal decree (December 31, 1622) orders the Dominicans in thePhilippines not to meddle in affairs of government. Another of thesame date confirms and enforces a previous decree (1603) of Felipe II, ordering that all religious who are missionaries to the Indians beexamined as to their competency for such work, especially in theirknowledge of the native language, by the archbishop or some personappointed by him. A letter from the king (October 9, 1623) directsFajardo to push the exploration of the Igorrote mining region, andto send nutmeg from the islands to Nueva España. Various mattersmentioned by the governor receive perfunctory and formal answers. OnNovember 27 following, Felipe IV confirms the permission given by thegovernor and archbishop to the Dominicans to found a college at Manila. 

At the close of the year 1623, an expedition is sent to explore andpacify the province of the Igorrotes (in northern Luzon), alreadyfamous for its rich gold mines. The report of this enterprise, furnished (June 5, 1624) by its leader, Alonso Martin Quirante, narrates its progress from day to day, the plan of the campaign, theencounters between the Spaniards and the Igorrotes, and the success ofthe former in repulsing the attacks of the natives and obtaining orefrom the mines. Martin describes the country through which he passes;the native tribes, their customs, and their methods of obtaining gold;the mines, and the ore secured from them. He considers the generalidea of the richness of these mines incorrect and exaggerated; heexamines them, however, carefully, and obtains specimens of the orefrom each. Then follows a report of the various tests and assays madethereon, from which the results are not very satisfactory; a tableshowing the values of the metal obtained in each of the assays; andthe action of the Audiencia of Manila thereon--they deciding to abandonfurther attempts to explore or work the Igorrote mines, and to send toNueva España for further test the ores brought by Martin to Manila;moreover, the men now at the mines are to be sent to Nueva Segovia, to subdue the revolted Indians there. 

_The Editors_September, 1904. 

DOCUMENTS OF 1621

	News from the province of Filipinas. Alonso Roman; [July?]. 	Death of Doña Catalina Zambrano. [Unsigned]; July. 	Letter to the king. Alonso Fajardo de Tença; July 21. 	Letter from the archbishop of Manila to the king. Miguel	Garcia Serrano, O. S. A. , July 30. 	Letter to the king. Geronimo de Silva; August 1. 	Affairs in the Franciscan province. Pedro de Sant Pablo, 	O. S. F. , and others; 1620-21. 	Letter to the king. Alonso Fajardo de Tença; December 10. 

_Sources_: The first of these documents is obtained from a MS. Inthe Real Academia de Historia, Madrid; the second, from the Venturadel Arco MSS. (Ayer Library), i, pp. 509-514; the remainder, fromMSS. In the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. 

_Translations_: The first of these documents is translated by ArthurB. Myrick, of Harvard University; the second, fourth, fifth, andsixth, by James A. Robertson--except the Latin bull in the fourth, translated by Rev. T. C. Middleton, O. S. A. ; the third and seventh, by Robert W. Haight. 

News from the Province of Filipinas, This Year, 1621

By letters which we have received from Japon this January, 1621, we heard how bitterly the persecution of God's religion is carriedon in Boxu, the country of Masamune, [1] who has been accustomedto send embassies to Spain in past years. The spread of the holygospel and uninterrupted preaching went on until the return of theambassador. Hitherto Masamune had dissimulated for reasons of state, hoping that he would be allowed to send one ship from his kingdoms toNueva España, where he had large interests. Seeing that this wouldnot be conceded, he commenced to persecute Christians openly andsecretly. On the twentieth of September, 1620, he ordered prohibitionsand edicts to be issued in various places, in which it was orderedthat no one should receive the religion of God; and that all thosewho had adopted it should abandon it, under penalty of being deprivedof the property and incomes which the chiefs of equal rank hold fromthe tono [_i. E. _, daimio], while in the case of the common people, the plebeians, they should be put to death. He also commanded thatany person having any knowledge of any Christian should denouncehim; and that all preachers of the holy gospel should leave hiskingdom and state. In case that they would not abandon the religionwhich they preached, the officials of Masamune commenced to executetheir orders. Many were therefore banished and dispossessed of theirproperty, others abandoned the faith, and to six fell the best lotof all in giving up their lives, being beheaded for this reason. 

In the city of Nangasaqui, as all its people are Christians, thepersecution is directed not so much against the Christians, for thatwould utterly destroy the place, as against those who conceal thereligious who are under penalty of death. 

On the seventeenth of December, they arrested two religious ofSt. Francis, one a priest named Fray Pedro de Avila, [2] and anothera layman, Fray Vicente. On the twelfth of February they beheaded twoleading natives for their faith. On the thirteenth of the same monththey bound to the stake, in order to burn alive, a man who had tworeligious in his house. On account of his anxiety to escape the fire, he confessed; and leaping from it (they say) he begged them not tokill him, saying that [_illegible in MS_. ]. They cut him to pieces, however, without mercy, and he was sent to the Lord. 

At this same time they seized in Nangasaqui a servant of the fatherprovincial, Matheo Couros, who was washing his clothes. When he wasthus recognized, they inflicted sharp torments upon him, to makehim disclose what he knew; but he, although mangled, bravely gave uphis life in the torture rather than betray the father. There are atpresent in Japanese prisons [_MS. Torn_] of religious and Christians:of the Order of St Francis there are five; of that of St. Dominic, three or four; of the Jesuits one, Father Carlos de Espinola. Therewere three, but one was burned alive for his faith; and the other, who was a Portuguese brother, [died] [3] with the hardships of theprison, and it is thought to be certain that [his death was hastened]by poison. 

The Dutch and English seized, on board a Japanese ship which sailedfrom Manila for Japan, two religious--one a Dominican, and theother an Augustinian--who were identified by letters and papersthat they had with them. [4] The letters [_MS. Torn_] nevertheless, presented at court, for it was not considered wrong for them to have[_MS. Torn_] a ship of Japanese, who extended them a kindly welcometo their kingdom. They jointly presented a petition, stating to theemperor that until [_MS. Torn_] destroy Manila and Macan, there wouldbe no lack of religious in his [empire]; and that they should deliverover to them in orderly manner two or three thousand Japanese, who[_MS. Torn_] will destroy these two cities. This petition was notgranted them; instead, decrees were issued in which the emperorordered the governor of [Nan]gasaqui to notify the tonos of Firandoand other places that under pain of [_MS. Torn_] they should allow noJapanese to embark with the Dutch and English. [_MS. Torn_] It wasobserved and carried out even against the wishes of the heretics, who wished to assist [_MS. Torn_] of them against us. 

On the twenty-sixth of July there arrived at the port of Firando, twoDutch [vessels] with some of their men wounded and their masts piercedby shots; [_MS. Torn_] they had fought in the Philipinas with theships that had come from Nueva España, and had sunk one of them. Thetruth of the affair was afterward found out, that [_MS. Torn_] foughtwith ours, and it is presumed that one was sunk. [_MS. Torn_] Not morethan two arrived at Firando, to the great pleasure of the Christiansof Japan when they heard the truth and the evil deed of the enemy. 

A Dutch ship and patache sailed from Japan in February, 1620, withthe intention of lying in wait for the Chinese ships that were goingfrom Manila, laden with the silver which they had received for thegoods which they had sold, but during a heavy storm the vessel withall its cargo was wrecked on Hermosa Island. Six of the Dutch weredrowned. Those who escaped seized two boats that they found on theshore, and robbed three Chinese ships of more than three hundredthousand pesos. The patache was never seen again, and there is notmuch doubt that it was lost with all hands on board. They sent anotherlarge ship to Bantan, where they have a factory. This vessel, loadedwith supplies, went ashore and was lost; and one hundred and twentyJapanese and three Dutchmen were drowned. 

The English and Dutch being on the point of settling their quarrel byfighting a pitched battle off Bantan near China in which both partiesmust have been destroyed, chance would have it that two despatch-boatsarrived, one from Ynglaterra and the other from Olanda, bringingthe news of the confederation which had been formed between thosetwo states, [5] so that their quarrel was converted to rejoicing andmerriment. Then they sent off sixteen English vessels and ten Dutchships. One English ship was lost on the coast of China, as a resultof trying to capture a Portuguese vessel which was on its way fromIndia to Macan. Nothing was ever heard of three of the Dutch ships;but the others came to lie in wait for the Portuguese galliots loadedwith silks which the Portuguese import into Japan. They followedthese as far as Nangasaqui without being able to chase one of them, because they were too light, whereupon the enemy took shelter in theirport of Firando. The agreement of the confederation was as follows:In order to avoid dissensions on both sides, they were all to comeinto the English Company, and they should render accounts of whateither side had lost in the wars that they had waged; and whatever wasover and above, the other side was to pay. _Item_, that both partiescould alike enter the regions conquered by them, with ships, men, and supplies; and that anything that they should acquire by conquestshould remain in the form in which the said States [of Holland] andthe English Company had there agreed. _Item_, that the spice tradeshould be equally divided, each loading as many ships as the other, and that they should go shares in their seizures; finally, that anEnglish captain was to be commander of the whole fleet this firstyear, and the next a Dutchman, and so on alternately in succeedingyears. This is their plan, which meanwhile is to redound to our injury, since they intend to make themselves masters of the Philipinas, theMalucas Islands, India, and the whole of this archipelago. There iscause for alarm when they bring one hundred and ten ships into theseseas without any means of resistance on our part. 

These pirates were fitting out an armada in great haste in Japan. Thereport was current that they were going to attack Macan, whileothers said that they were coming to the Philipinas, of which wehad information. The people at Macan were also warned that tripEnglish and Dutch allies were coming to attack them, whereuponthey set about providing supplies, and dug some trenches, which theChinese quickly dismantled, fearing lest that fortification was madeagainst themselves; for they have never consented to wall the city, cast artillery, or make other preparations for war. The Portuguese, seeing themselves ill-prepared for defense, decided to send out aship with Father Geronimo Rodriguez of the Society of Jesus, who hadbeen rector in the college at Macan, to ask our lord governor for someheavy guns for their defense. He arrived at Manila toward the end ofDecember. He explained his errand, and the lord governor gave him sixpieces of artillery--one thirty-pounder, three twenty-five pounders, and two eighteen-pounders--together with a good ship to convey themthere. It was sent away on the last of January. When they sailed outof the bay they caught sight of the enemy's fleet, which was headedfor these islands. One of the enemy's ships followed it, but seeingthat they could not overtake it they retired; and our ship continuedits voyage, and in a short time arrived at Macan. 

The assistance which went this year to Maluco, arrived within sightof our forts, where three Dutch ships were waiting to seize it orcut off their passage; but the captain of one of the largest ofour ships approached the enemy to keep him busy fighting, while thereenforcements entered under the fire of our artillery. He foughtfor three hours, at the end of which time, having seen our ships insafety, he squared away and left the enemy tricked, because he hada very fast vessel. 

We had some trouble with the Tidorans, who have been our friends andthe enemies of the Dutch; whereupon they poisoned a well where the mencame to drink. The crime was immediately discovered, and so no harm wasdone. We have made friends with them again, and we continue as before. 

With six galleons the Dutch came to the Solor Islands, which arenear the Malucas, where the Portuguese have a fort. They landed morethan six hundred of their men and more than one thousand Moros of thecountry, who also came in their ships. The Portuguese, who numberedperhaps thirty soldiers, defended themselves so well that they killedover seventy Dutch and many Moros, while many were wounded. 

Another Portuguese captain, who went out to sea with some vessels, captured some of the little galliots of the Moros and some Dutchlanchas. They retired at this loss, the Portuguese remainingvictorious. 

A Dutch ship went aground on a shoal on the island of Jolos, nearthese Philipinas Islands. Being seen by the Indians and natives ofthat land, the latter attacked them, and put them all to the sword, leaving only the captain alive for the ransom that they can get forhim. For two years there have been such droughts in the Malucas Islandsthat many clove-trees have been destroyed, causing a great famine. 

In the beginning of February of this year, 621, nine hostile shipsarrived in the bay of Manila, five Dutch and four English, who seizedthe passage by which enter the ships of all these islands from Japan, China, Macan, Maluco, and India. The commander of this fleet was anEnglishman, according to the agreement between them. They sighted ourforts and saw how few ships we had to oppose to them; thereupon theysailed in as if on their own seas and in a safe port. The greatestresistance which could be made against this enemy was to take carethat they did not seize any of the China ships aboard of which much ofour wealth comes to these islands. So two ships were despatched withall haste to the coast of China, in order to inform them of the enemy, and warn them not to sail at such a time that they would fall into thehands of the enemy. They did not arrive in time, so that some of thevessels had sailed, three of which were captured by the enemy. Thesewere of little value, but two of some importance were taken. Oneof them was sighted by a small patache belonging to the Dutch, whowere under difficulties in attacking it, because the Chinese aftertheir manner of fighting--with caldrons of melted sugar, and stones, and clubs--defended themselves so well that with their boiling sugarthey sent fourteen of the Dutch in a conserve to hell. Finally it wassurrendered, after the death of one hundred and twenty Chinese. TheEnglish commander ordered the other ship, which was the fifth, to beset afire, because of quarrels between the Dutch and English over thecapture and division, so that their booty was diminished. The enemy, as I have said, being masters of the sea, and the inward passage, God chose to allow an entrance to our fathers (who were coming to ameeting of the congregation), by permitting them to come. Scarcelyhad they entered when the enemy returned to occupy his position. Thesame thing happened after the meeting, and the return of the fathers, a remarkable providence of the lord. 

A few days after, three galliots arrived from Macan, laden witha rich cargo of silks and other merchandise. They entered withoutfinding any obstruction, because the enemy had gone out to sea; andthe four hours of their absence were enough to enable the galliotsto enter. They had news of it, and returned at dawn the next dayto see if it was true; and were furious at seeing them anchored inour harbors. At this same time the king's ship arrived which hadcarried to Macan artillery for the defense of that city, and itbrought back a cargo of silks. Being informed that the enemy werelying off the entrance to the port of Manila, they rowed over to anisland near here, and collected a quantity of green boughs and trees, putting bunches of palm-leaves on the tops of the trees, so that theyseemed to be cocoa-palms, of which there is a great abundance on thatisland. The stratagem worked, because the ships went about from onetack to the other without being seen by the Dutch. In the same way, another Portuguese galliot, also of Macan, escaped, although it cutdown its masts. The Dutch, having seen that they were likely to getlittle booty on this coast, made sail for that of Macan, to lie inwait, as we understood, for ships from India. 

Last year two ships sailed from these islands for Nueva España. Thealmiranta, while sailing out of a strait where these islands cometo an end, encountered seven hurricanes, so furious that it seemedas if the sea would swallow it up; and those who were aboard gavethemselves up a thousand times for lost. They tried to make port inJapon, but it was impossible; and they finally arrived at Manila, rounding Cabo del Bojeador. The men arrived in very bad condition, and many of them blinded with the salt water which had dashed intotheir eyes. Three days before these tempests commenced they sightedthe capitana, but never saw her again. We do not know here what becameof her, whether she was lost or arrived safely in Nueva España. 

At nine o'clock in the evening on the eleventh of May, there was anoccurrence in this city as pitiable as it was unfortunate, the causeof it being a man who had been expelled from our Society. After havingbeen a member of it for seven years, he left the Society, and wasmarried three times, although he was not yet thirty years old. OurLord often brought him back, warned by bitter experience of troublesand remorse of conscience; so that for a long time he did not dareto go to sleep without first confessing himself--especially on thelong trip from Nueva España to these islands, where he was wrecked ona ship which was on its way with silver and other wealth belongingto these islands. The vessel escaped miraculously, with sails tornby shots from three Dutch vessels, which they took for one of theirown. They ran aground, but all the silver was saved. Among others Joande Messa (the name of the outcast of whom I have just spoken) removedall the silver and goods, to the value of thirty thousand pesos ormore, belonging to people in Mexico. It had been entrusted to him, and he kept it, as was done by all, in a house and church of one ofour residences, situated where the ship happened to halt. While hewas there he proceeded as if he were a religious, both in exampleand in frequenting the sacrament, until he came to this city ofManila--where, with certain curious articles, he obtained entranceto and communication with the wife of the governor of these islands, Doña Catalina Sambrano, who had little care for what her positionand her dignity demanded. Their sin began on Holy Thursday, with solittle secrecy and so bad an example, that the affair was beginning toleak out. So badly did it appear that certain persons came to one ofour fathers, advising him to warn Joan de Messa that they would killhim. The father did, but Messa took no notice of it. The governor, meanwhile, was informed of his wife's evil conduct; and, wishing todetect them, he pretended to go down to the harbor and fort of Cavite, situated two leguas from here. He had been wont to do this on otheroccasions, because the enemy with nine ships was within sight of thefort. He retraced his steps, leaving his entire retinue about a leguafrom here. He entered the city with the intention of accomplishingthe deed (which he did later) in his own house; but before enteringit he was informed by a page that his wife had gone, disguised as aman, to the house of Joan de Messa, where she had often gone in thesame dress. After receiving this information, he sought his retinue, taking counsel with his servant and three captains, whom he placedin four streets in order to let no one pass. The governor alonearrived at the house at the very moment that his wife entered, and was going upstairs with Joan de Messa, and behind them a verynoted pilot, on account of whom the ship that I mentioned above wascelebrated. The governor attacked him and pierced him with a mortalthrust. With that he rushed out of the house, calling for confession;but, those who guarded the street, not giving him time for that, put him to death. Immediately Messa went up the stairs, and safelyreached a large room where two candles were burning on a buffet. Ifthese had been extinguished, he might have escaped. He drew his swordand defended himself for some time. As the governor perceived that hewas clad in armor, he aimed at Messa's face and pierced him throughthe neck, so that he fell down stairs, where he who guarded the doortried to finish him; but as Messa was well-armed he could not do soreadily until he wounded him in the face. During all this time Messawas not heard to ask confession or even say "Jesus, " or any otherwords, except: "Whoever you are, do not kill me; consider the honorof your lady. " While this was going on in the street, the governorfound his wife in hiding. After wounding her three times, she askedconfession; and he, as a knight and a Christian, went out to look fora confessor, and brought one. He resigned her to the priest, urgingher to confess herself well and truly, which she did for some time, until the confessor absolved her. With three or four more wounds, andthe words with which he aided her to die, he finished with her. Thethree dead bodies remained there until seven or eight o'clock inthe morning before anyone dared to remove them. The master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Sylva, who had been governor of Maluco, and wasa knight of St. John, had the body of the governor's wife removedto her house, to wrap it in a shroud; and that night she receivedsolemn burial by the Recollects of St. Augustine. The two bodies ofJoan de Messa and the pilot remained in the street all day, whilea multitude of people, of the various nations who are in this city, collected to gaze at them, manifesting awe at seeing a spectacle sonew to them, and one never seen before in these regions. At night, some members of La Misericordia carried them away, without clergy, lights, or funeral ceremony. They carried the two bodies together onsome litters, and buried them both in the same grave. This was thedisastrous end of a poor young fellow, upon whom our Lord lavished manyand most gracious gifts--although he knew not how to profit by them, but offended Him who had granted them. Those who will feel it mostare the owners of the property [confided to him]; for God knows whenthey will collect it, because it is sequestrated. Will your Reverencecommunicate this to Brother Juan de Alcazar. 

_Alonso Roman_

Death of Dona Catalina Zambrano

May 12, 1621, occurred the unfortunate death of the governor's wife, which I intend to relate here, as it is a peculiar case. The governorof these Filipinas Islands, Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenza, suspectedthat his wife, called Doña Catalina Zambrano, was not living aswas fitting for such a personage. One afternoon, that of May 12, hepretended that he was going to the port of Cavite, where he generallywent because the Dutch enemy were in this bay with their fleet. Thegovernor went, but, leaving all the men who accompanied him, returnedalone. Entering the city secretly, he concealed himself in a house, where a captain in his confidence brought him a young page who wasin the service of his wife--the one who carried the messages, andknew everything that went on. The governor placed a dagger to hisbreast in order to get him to tell what he knew of his wife. The pageopenly confessed that she was maintaining a sinful alliance with aclerk, an ordinary person, called Juan de Messa Suero, who had beena member of the Society of Jesus for some years at Coimbra; and thathis wife was dressing in the garb of a man, in order to go outside ofthe palace, as she had done at other times. Juan de Messa came with avery eminent pilot. The governor's wife left the palace clad as a man, with her cloak and sword and all went together to the square. Thencethey began to walk toward a house of Juan de Messa. The governor, with three other men who accompanied him, went on ahead of them, andawaited them near the door of the said house, hidden in a recess. Thegovernor's wife entered first, then Juan de Messa. Then the pilotstopped to shut the door. Thereupon the governor attacked him alone, and giving a violent push on the door, opened it. He entered, andfound himself with the pilot alone, for the other man, Juan de Messa, with the governor's wife, on hearing the noise, fled up the stairs. Itappears that the governor stabbed the pilot in the breast. The latterleft the portal of the house, whereupon those who accompanied thegovernor and had remained to guard the door, attacked and killedhim there. The governor went upstairs and found Juan de Messa in thehall. He chased the latter around a table that held two lights. Thegovernor made a strong thrust at him, which almost knocked him down;but showed that he was clad in armor. By the force that the governorexerted in the thrust, he felt that he himself was wounded in thehand. Apparently the pilot had given him that wound, and he had notfelt it before that. The governor's sword began to grow weak, and hesaid: "Ha, traitor, thou hast wounded me. " Juan de Messa lost hishead, and ran down stairs, thinking that his safety lay there. Thegovernor attacked him, and on the way down stabbed him in the neck, with such force that he tripped and fell down. Below, the governorand the guard finished killing him. The governor would have been ingreat peril, both with the pilot and upstairs with Juan de Massa, hadnot the miserable man lost his head. Had he at least extinguished thecandles, and stationed himself on the stairway, which was narrow, hecould have prevented the governor from ascending, and could even havekilled him. The latter went immediately to look for his wife, and foundher hidden in an attic, hanging to a beam. He stabbed her from beneath, and passed half of his sword through her body, and at that the poorlady fell. She requested confession. The governor restrained himself, and said that it was a timely request. Leaving the three men whomhe brought with him as a guard, he in person going to the Franciscanconvent, which was near by, to summon a confessor, met a secular prieston the way, who had left his house at the disturbance. He took thelatter with him and told him to confess "that person. " He confessedher very slowly, delaying more than half an hour. The governor, inthe meanwhile, was walking up and down. When the father had finished, he stabbed his wife, telling her to repent of her sins and to confessto God who would pardon her. This happened at nine o'clock at night. Alarge crowd gathered immediately, and the alcaldes made investigationof what was passing. The dead bodies of the two men were guarded untilnext day, for justice to do its duty. That of the governor's wiferemained there until eight in the morning, when the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silva, of the habit of St. John, ordered it to betaken up and carried to his house, in order to have it buried fromthere, according to the rank of her person, and not according to the sodisgraceful event and death that had happened. They buried her body inthe Recollect convent, with the greatest pomp possible. Then the twobodies of the men were buried, carrying them together from the streetto the grave. The royal Audiencia took charge of the matter. Theyfound almost two hundred notes from the governor's wife in Juan deMessa's possession, and in hers a great number from him. A reportwas made of all and sent to his Majesty. It was the first instancein which a so common person had an alliance with so powerful a lady, who was here as is the queen in España. [6]

Manila, July, 1621. 

Letter from Fajardo to the King

Sire:

Although at present, up to the nineteenth of June, the ship "SantAndres, " the capitana, has not arrived from Nueva España, even atthis late date, which is the one that I despatched last year tothat province, and I have no letters from your Majesty to answer, I am making a beginning of this one in order to gain time in thedespatching of those ships, so that it may be somewhat earlier thanusual in past years--although at present, having the war on our handswhich we have, and as the ships are later from China than is usual, and there are very few that come for fear of the war, there willbe more difficulty and labor in the despatch. [_In the margin_:"Council; examined. "]

According to the despatch which the said ship carried, measures wereto be taken to secure its preparation and departure from Acapulcofor this country without waiting into the month of April, or withoutdelaying more than two or three days in that month; and it was not todepart later because of the danger of encountering contrary winds inits voyage here, or being forced into the ports of Japon--and likewisebecause this was the best, considering the course which it must steerto make the port it was ordered to; for it was understood that theenemy were coming back again, as they did last year, to Cape SpirituSanto, with a larger force of ships. This route was decided uponwith the advice of the pilots and other persons of most experienceon these seas, each one giving and signing his opinion separately, without any one of them knowing that of the others, or any one of themknowing which one I chose. This order I gave secretly and sealed, andit was to be opened seventy leguas before arriving at the said port;in which manner I have taken the precaution and preliminary steps inso far as I have been able for its reception and protection. Hithertothis plan has not been made known here, which has been of no smallimportance in order that the enemy should not be aware of it. [_Inthe margin_: "This is well, and the course which he has marked outfor these vessels has appeared good; accordingly let him exercisein the future the care which he has shown in this, in order tokeep informed of the design of the enemies; as for the departure ofthe ships, have a letter written to the viceroy directing him notto let it run into April, as he says. " _In another hand_: "Have aletter written to the viceroy of Nueva España to the effect that thedespatch of the ships for the Filipinas shall be accomplished in anyevent by the end of March, so that it shall not run on into April, on account of the great importance of their arriving thus early, and not having them go with those despatched later--thus compellingthem to take refuge in other ports, or be wrecked. "]

In command of these ships is placed Don Fernando Centeno Maldonado, who has served in the position of commander of the galleys both thereand here, and has served many years in these islands (most of thetime in the Maluco Islands); his services are of high repute, as arehis merits and good qualities. I am sure that your Majesty has beeninformed of them, on account of the favors which he has received fromyour royal hand; and in the same way I am certain that you know ofthe good qualities of Captain Francisco de Salazar, who is fillingthe office of admiral on the said ships. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

Besides what I wrote your Majesty last year by way of Nueva España, with the duplicate which I send by way of India, I have added whatoccurred to me in the despatch which I sent with Captain Gregorio deVidaña, regidor of this city, having decided to do so on account ofthe accounts and news which I receive, and which your Majesty willalready have learned--of all which I now send another copy withthis. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

The news of the confederation of the Dutch and the English provedto be correct; and on the second of February they arrived on thesecoasts, with nine ships of war--seven large and two of moderatesize, five of them being Dutch and four English--with the number ofa thousand to twelve hundred men of both nations, exclusive of theservants and Japanese; they carried between forty and forty-fourpieces of artillery, in each of the large ships, and the otherseach according to its capacity. It has been learned that this istrue from the depositions of two prisoners, and from Chinese whowere in their ships; from Japanese who, while coming from their landwith provisions and supplies for this country, passed by the enemy, saw them, and entered their vessels; and likewise from the adviceswhich I have received from Japon. 

This matter found me well advanced in the preparation, because I hadso anticipated the news that, although they entered the bay and portat Cavite with their fleet, they did not dare--as I had caused to bemade several trenches with stockades, and bastions with batteries ofartillery, which appeared to me sufficient; and had placed sufficientartillery in the two vessels which were fit to receive it--to resolveto do anything against either the ships or the land; and when theyfound out that these defenses were there, and had seen them, theywent out of the bay with all their boats. Having come back to it afew days later, and seen that the preparation of the capitana andalmiranta galleons was in good condition; and that we had also amoderate-sized ship, another smaller, two galleys, and another onwhich the work was more backward (which are the vessels that canbe made ready), they went out again--going now along the coast, and now in the mouth of this bay, without separating or dividing thefleet so as to be out of sight of one another. If they had done thiswithout guarding against encounters, I would have engaged him withthe capitana and almiranta galleons, which are the ships that couldbe manned, although with difficulty on account of the few men whom Ihave here; for I had to leave the maimed and sick, and some as guardfor the gates of the city, which takes as many as are necessary forall the vessels. Even if they were not divided, I should have triedmy fortune with him, but having made all preparations and efforts, and issued proclamations to assemble the Spaniards who could be foundfor this purpose, those who gathered in Cavite, aside from the paidsoldiers, would not number seventy; nor were there more than fourhundred soldiers outside of the maimed and sick, and one company anda detachment from another--amounting to about a hundred men, moreor less, who remained in this city, prepared also to embark. Thesehad been brought as detachments of the companies from Nueva Segovia, Cibu, and Oton--all of which will appear by the depositions of paidofficers and the secretary of the governor, which accompany this, withthe papers referring to the above mentioned matter. [_In the margin_:"The matters contained in this clause are the concern of the Junta, and have been examined there. " "Examined; the Junta is taking care tosend reenforcements; and let him be careful to maintain what he hasthere in so good condition as may serve for whatever occasion mayarise there, as is expected from him. Have a letter written to theviceroy of Nueva España, telling him to send all the best part ofthe troops which he can, considering that the governor writes thatin past years so few troops have gone there that he is now almostwithout any in the service; and accordingly he should decree that itbe such which he sends. Advise Don Alonso of what is written to theviceroy of Nueva España. "]

The reason for there being so few troops is, that after the year onethousand six hundred and sixteen, when a ship called the "Angel de laGuarda" came, in the following year, sixteen hundred and seventeen, there came no reenforcements of infantry, but only a patache calledthe "Sant Geronimo, " with the archbishop Don Fray Miguel Garcia, and a number of friars; and in that year there died in the engagementwhich Don Juan Ronquillo had with the enemy, and were drowned in thesix galleons, more Spaniards than I brought in the year one thousandsix hundred and eighteen. Since my arrival I have sent almost fourhundred soldiers to Terrenate, and this number has not come in the tworeenforcements from Nueva España which arrived in the past years ofnineteen and twenty. Then besides these--and a number who have leftwith good cause and permission (although these are few), and otherswho have managed to flee without permission, and others who have turnedfriars--there are so many who have died in the hospital and outside ofit, that it may be said that all the soldiers in the country are foundin this jurisdiction [of Manila. ]. I have wished to give your Majestyan account of this so that it might be fully understood, and that youmay learn the truth of it; and that you may know how great is the lackof men here, as I say. That of vessels is not so great as some peoplehere say, who know nothing of this matter, or who desire to build them, on account of the money which they usually obtain from this work, orwhich is paid to them--without considering the loss to the natives, or whether the work is necessary or not. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

The enemy having seen that the equipment of the vessels which hesaw in Cavite was making progress, and not having separated hisvessels, or despatched them to get booty--on account, moreover, of the warnings that I gave in various parts of this archipelagowhence vessels came to this place, and particularly at Macan andseveral ports of China--thus far, thanks be to God, he has takennothing more than five Sangley ships from that country. One of thesedisappeared with the guard which he had placed on it, and they havenot been able to find it again, and another of them was burned, sothat he has not taken more than three, and two of them of almost novalue, and the other not very valuable; for the rich ones remain inChina, and those that made bold to come kept to the course which Imarked out for them, and have arrived safely, making ports in thisisland. Even if they arrived here, which is possible, this will beof importance, in order to make merchandise cheaper; nevertheless, even if no goods arrive on the ships which have come from Macan, there is more cloth than money in the country to buy it; and, besidesthem, we are expecting others from Camboja and Sian, and from Yndia, which, if God bring them in safety, will also be of importance. [_Inthe margin_: "Examined. It is hoped in God that this and other worsethings will have happened to the enemy; and let him take the greatestcare to advise the Chinese and other merchant ships which go there, marking out the course which appears safest for them, according tothe information which they have, so that in regard to them the enemymay fare as they have been doing, according to this statement. "]

The fleet of the enemy left the place where they last halted, and camein sight day before yesterday in the morning. Some vessels were sentin pursuit, in order to bring me word of the course which they steer, and whether they are together or separate, [_In the margin_: "This iswell, and let him take good care until the news from them be known. "]

I have received a letter from Malaca, which Antonio Pinto de Fonsecasays that he received from your Majesty, with notice and order togive it to me, to the effect that there and in these regions theconfederated Dutch and English were about to come with fifty-oneships--sixteen of which had already left, and thirty-five were intwo squadrons which were being equipped. Of these the sixteen whichhad left Holland have already arrived at their factories in Sunda, whence, likewise, it was learned that they say they are expecting thisyear the remainder. Fadrique Lopez de Soysa, commandant of that city[_i. E. _, Malaca], gave me almost the same information. Conformablyto this, and to several advices which I have had from Japon, and toothers which I have been able to secure through my own investigations, it appears that these enemies are considering carrying on this warin earnest and with energy; for with these ships which have arrived, those which are expected, and more than sixty which I wrote to yourMajesty in the last despatch that I understood they had, those ofboth nations amount to more than a hundred, without counting thosewhich the French have. If I had the eighth part of that number, andsufficient men to man them, and to keep this city and the importantposts and forts of this island garrisoned, it would not trouble memuch to see them involved in the cost and expense of such a fleet;for if I had the means with which to withstand their first attack, or to inflict upon them some severe blow; or if they did not know myposition, and I could cause them anxiety or divert them from theirobject--there is no doubt that their fleet itself would be disarmed anddestroyed. But since I lack such resources, and the time is passingin which I expected the aid which your Majesty has offered to theseislands--having sent the pilots to Malaca to guide and bring themhere from there--I shall be obliged to make the best of the littlewhich I have, and to take the best precautions that I can. I amraising and fortifying a few stretches of wall which are necessary, expelling the Japanese, and lessening the number of the Sangleys--who, although there appear to be a great many of them, will certainly, by the proper management of the licenses, and care in obliging theSangleys to secure them, be much fewer than I found here, and thanhave been here for many years, on account of those who have died andleft the country and the few who have come in my time. In every way Ishall do my best to drive out as many as I well can so that the countrymay be less burdened with suspicious people; and shall likewise takeother necessary precautions which may be in my power. In these effortsI feel sadly the lack of money; but in times of such need I have beenobliged to try to obtain it in the most guarded and cautious ways. Iam not a little glad to have with me at such a time Master-of-campDon Hieronimo de Silva, both on account of his good counsel and aid, and likewise because if I should fail in this country there wouldbe someone to defend it; and your Majesty may be certain that hewill do this with the favor of God, and that with this everythingwill turn out well. I beseech your Majesty that, confident of this, you will continue sending the said reenforcement, and will hasten itscoming by way of Nueva España to Panama--sending infantry and money, the things which cannot be supplied here. [_In the margin_: "This iswell; and let thanks be given him for the excellent courage which heshows. As for the information that he gives, he has learned the reasonfor the fleet not leaving, and the accident which happened to it;accordingly, let him exercise all care to take what precautionarymeasures are there necessary, as he is expected to do. As for theJapanese and other nations that are there, let him decree what shallseem most expedient to him for the service of God and his Majesty, andthe good of the commonwealth, as well as its guard and preservation. "]

As we have to carry on the war in this way, so that the expense andlabor may bring the best results, I beg your Majesty that while itshall last you may be pleased to discontinue the Audiencia here, asit is this that most hinders and opposes the administration and thegovernment, as will appear by several depositions which accompanythis. This is the enemy which most afflicts this commonwealth, andmost causes dissensions, parties, factions, and hatreds between thecitizens--each auditor persecuting those citizens who are not wholly ofhis own faction, especially those who extend aid and good-will towardthe governor, against whom, as it seems, they show themselves alwaysin league. They always make declarations of grievances [against him], because they are not each one given, as used to be and is the customhere, whatever they may ask for their sons, relatives, and servants;and they habitually discredit the governor by launching through secretchannels false and malicious reports, and afterward securing witnessesof their publicity. They even, as I have written to your Majesty, manage to have religious and preachers publish these reports--to whichend, and for his own security, each one of the auditors has formed analliance with the religious order which receives him best. As I havegiven your Majesty an account of this matter and of the actions ofthe said auditors--which in God and my conscience I know to be true, and which will be evident by the depositions and papers which I havesent and am today sending with a letter and relation giving particularsregarding this matter--I shall not go more into detail thereon in thisletter; I refer you for its substantiation to the said documents, andto the fact that I consider this government much more difficult, withthe auditors of this Audiencia, than it is or would be even if therewere more war, for that war which they cause within its boundariesappears beyond remedy, on account of their abilities and rank. If yourMajesty be not pleased to withdraw them from here I beg you, as I oweit to your royal service, that you will take measures so that in noway and at no time shall they be able to succeed to the governmentof this land; for I hold it beyond a doubt that they will bring itto ruin, and destroy it in a very short time, even though there cameto it no more enemies than that of their own tendencies. If I wroteto your Majesty, in the first days after my arrival here, that theauditors were not necessary except for the Audiencia sessions, I begnow that more be added. It appeared to me that for the citizens andfor the affairs of these islands, those who were here were sufficient;at present I am of the opinion that if the presence of this tribunalmust be continued, more members are necessary, in order to avoidthe difficulty which has been found to result from the alliance ofDoctors Don Alvaro de Mesa, and Don Antonio Rodriguez, for neither morenor less justice can be secured than they choose, and they are evendisturbing the government and good order which ought to prevail. Evenif I should not attain and enjoy the benefit of this improvement, Ibeseech your Majesty that, if more auditors are to be sent, they maybe persons of tried experience in Audiencia duties--to whom it wouldbe well to give senior rank therein, for those who are in it now aretotally ignorant of its procedure, never having had any experiencein so responsible positions, so that they could know how to act. Ifthey had only been able to learn from the licentiate Alcaraz, whowas experienced and very prudent! but they were estranged from him, or rather they estranged themselves with their singular behavior--sothat, a long time before he died, he took an oath not to return tothe Audiencia, and kept it. And I myself, if I could, would do thesame, for the reasons I have given and for many others, which make medesire to merit that your Majesty would be pleased to use me in someother way, away from this country. To such a point has it gone, thatif this country were not involved in the perils of war as it has been, and as they are still threatening it, I should beseech your Majesty toplace it in charge of some other person, who would be more interestedin documents. But may God not choose that I should be relieved fromthe service of your Majesty, in which from the age of fifteen years Ihave been engaged; and I offer this so heartily that if your Majestywere pleased to send another governor who should labor somewhat, and I might aid and assist him some little time, I would do so withthe greatest good-will. It would be no little pleasure to me to beemployed in naval and military affairs, and other things in which, with my counsel and my personal aid, I might be able to help; and toknow that the matter of auditors and their demands, their rivalries, and their faultfinding, should concern another, and that he would haveto oppose and resist those things, which would be not a little. Norwould there be overmuch time to satisfy, quiet, and render content themany religious--which is another labor and servitude, with which thereis no way to deal; for it is without remedy, since each one wishesto be the sole distributer of goods and favors, the moderator andjudge of punishments, and the governor of the governor, or else hispersecutor. [_In the margin_: "Not to be read in the Junta. Join withit the letters which the auditors write against Don Alonzo Faxardo. "]

In so far as concerns the Indians, no more help can be drawn fromthem for the service of your Majesty, on account of what the fathersdemand. Nor can they be exempted from labors and penalties if thelatter need their services, or wish to punish them; and may God willthat this bring not loss some day. For one of the ways with whichthe enemy best succeeds in winning over the natives is that, besidesexempting them from tributes and personal services, they will not haveto support religious instruction or ministers. Although there are manygood Christians, not all are so forward in this matter. In the samemanner in which I have already stated this, I can declare, and assureyour Majesty, that there are in all these religious orders men of mostholy and exemplary life, who have gathered a great harvest of souls, [_In the margin_: "If there are several papers on this matter, letthem be joined together and brought in. "]

In the prosecution of the work of pacifying, reducing, and subduingthe Indians who are called Ygolotes, and gaining thorough knowledge ofthe mines of gold that are in those countries, the riches and profitthat might be obtained from there could not be secured this year, after the death of Captain Garcia de Aldana, who understood thesematters and had them in charge. This is due both to the loss of hispersonal supervision, and to the lack of troops at this time, when theenemy's fleet were so near; but, if it be possible, nothing shall belost. [_In the margin_: "He was written to concerning this last year, as far as the matter was examined; at present let him again be chargedto continue all the care which he has been taking in the working ofthese mines, and, since he sees the importance which lies in this, let him do all in his power to find persons in every way satisfactoryto go there. Let him inform us every year of what he may be doing;for he knows in what great straits the royal estate is, and how much isbeing spent in those regions, without there being any results from it, while so much profit lies in those mines, as we have been informed, and as has been written to him. And let him again be charged to takethe care which is expected of him that this may have the result; letit be known what he has done in cultivating and improving a matterof so much importance. "]

On account of word that I had of the distress in which the city ofMacan was, with the news that had been received there that the Dutchand English were about to sack the place, and as they sent from thereto ask me to help them with six large pieces of artillery, I sent it, and the aid reached them. The people of that city have shown themselvesgrateful for this, and send in return the value of the said pieces, invested in useful and necessary articles for the service of yourMajesty, which have already been received. Immediately upon sendingthe guns I had six other larger ones cast, for from twenty-five tothirty-pound balls, and incomparably better. For we are continuallybecoming more skillful in foundry-work and in working the metals;so that, of almost forty pieces which have been cast in my time, withthe assistance and care of Don Hieronimo de Silva, commander of theartillery, only one has been a failure. [_In the margin_: "Let himbe thanked for what he mentions here, and let him continue to actthus when occasion may arise. As for what he says of the artillery, it has seemed very satisfactory; and let him continue to cast piecesas he may have need of them, as he says he is doing. "]

The reenforcements which this year went to Terrenate arrived theresafely, thanks be to God; and a small ship which routed the enemy withtwo or three large ships of war, which he keeps there at the entranceto those forts, came back thence with Captain Antonio Gomez, who hadthe responsibility of conveying the succor, and collected and madeit ready very well with one galley. [_In the margin_: "This is well, and let him always try to send to these places as much as he can, bothof troops and other things which are ordinarily sent; for he knows howimportant a thing it is to keep the forts there in proper condition. "]

With this was sent the ordinary quantity of rice and provisions, andeven considerably more; and likewise arms, munitions, clothes, cloth, and money, and more than a hundred and twenty Spanish soldiers, whoare to remain there. This year I shall try to send more and betterrelief than I was able to this time--and earlier than ordinary, for then it will run less danger from the enemy. 

The master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, writes me from those partsthat he has news of many vessels of the enemy, and that he has putthose places into the best state of defense that he could--althoughthere was not much that he could do, because they were in goodcondition before, and never so well supplied with troops, money, and other necessary things as they have been at this time. [_In themargin_: "Examined. "]

He told me of nothing else of any importance except that he gave thepresent or gratuity which is usually given in your Majesty's name tothe king of Tidore and his son, and that they are quite peaceful andwell disposed. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

He also tells me that he has negotiated and agreed with the Dutch forthe ransom of Martin de Sosa de San Pago, governor and commandant ofFernanbuco, and Doña Angela Benegas, his wife, and their children;of Captain Sequera y Miranda, and a father of the Augustinian order;and of other prisoners, soldiers, and sailors, in exchange for someof theirs, whom we had in our power. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

The purchase of cloves which was ordered was made in thoseislands--which, according to the hopes that have been held out to me, must have amounted to even more than two hundred and fifty barasof six hundred and forty libras each. I am told that it could notbe secured in so great a quantity as I wished to send your Majesty, on account of a crop failure, and small harvest; and the little whichwas bought was used for the needs of those forts, and to have means tosatisfy and confer favors on the Portuguese--who, with their galliots, aid our people with rice and other things. [_In the margin_: "What hesays here is well; and as he has already been told at various timeshow important it is that this [_i. E. _, the cloves] should be broughthere, let him again be charged to continue the endeavors that he hasexercised, in such manner that he may bring this about, since it isso important a matter; and let him charge the governor of Terrenateto maintain this [trade], so that it will not there be applied as hesays it is. Let him use all possible care in this, and advise us ofwhat he does. "]

I shall take care that the accounts of Governor Lucas de VergaraGaviria shall be ready; and no more has been possible on account ofthe many things which I wrote in regard to this matter, as will appearto your Majesty by the copy which is brought by Captain Don Jacinto deQuesada Figueroa. [_In the margin_: "This is well; let him advise usof what he is doing, and tell him that those papers have not arrived. "]

Of the residencias which are entrusted by your Majesty's orders tothe auditor, Don Alvaro de Mesa, he has just finished despatching thatof the fiscal, Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte. Unreasonable demandshave been made upon the latter, and he has suffered more than I cantell--for as it were, behind enmities and oppositions Don Alvaro hastaken him under his jurisdiction, and has given him very good causefor merits. [_In the margin_: "It is well. "]

As for the residencia of Governor Don Juan de Silva, my predecessor, I have not wished [Don Alvaro] to undertake or begin it, because thatbusiness would prevent him from going out to inspect this country; and, as this is very necessary, I had assigned that duty to him, in orderthat he might accomplish it. For this reason, and for others arisingfrom his fearful and obstinate temper, his behavior became so furiousthat one session day, the last before Palm Sunday, he drove me to suchan extremity that, losing somewhat my self-control and moderation, we might both have ruined ourselves. But God held me in His hand, and I am satisfied, in so far as that matter concerned me, with theremonstrance and sufficient correction which was necessary for hispresumption, leaving it for a later time to write of it, and begin aprocess in the matter, conjointly with the alcaldes-in-ordinary, asyour Majesty commands. This is being done, although in his absenceand with his opposition; for he broke from his imprisonment inthe buildings of the cabildo of the city, in which he resided, andretired to the convent of St. Dominic, where he has been joined by acertain Pedro de Lussarra and another named Pedro Alvarez, who wasin that of St. Francis--who were also absent, as I have written toyour Majesty in other letters. All three are there sowing discord, stirring up feeling, and trying to make people envious of me, andwrite down their envious complaints; and for this end they employmeans which ought not even to be written. They also avail themselvesof the religious of St. Dominic, and likewise in order to make andforward such papers and despatches from the shelter and covert ofthe tribunal of the Holy Office, the commissary of which here belongsto this religious order. It is not hard to accomplish it in this waybecause they have always done so, and lately with Don Joan de Silva, my predecessor--against whom, among other despatches, they made onewith full and authenticated documents, which a friar of their order, named Fray Francisco de Sant Joseph--who was carrying the papers, and whom they considered a holy man--being at the point of death, andhaving scruples of conscience, ordered to be thrown into the sea. AsI am making, in another letter, a longer report to your Majesty inthe matter above mentioned, referring to the auditor Don Alvaro, I shall add nothing more in this, except to say that his case mustbe dropped, and the Audiencia will be obliged to do so, through itsneed of judges. The auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez has not been presentat it for a long time, although I have warned and commanded him to doso. He gives as his excuse that he is in ill health; but it is certainthat that does not fail him for being present almost regularly forthe documents and councils made by the said doctor Don Alvaro, andwith the same intention and wish, influenced by their alliance--whichis known certainly by an investigation which I have made for yourMajesty's information, and send with this, concerning his trading andtrafficking in merchandise, with so much greediness and meanness ofspirit that that and other things which are told about him, and aresaid to be well authenticated, would appear to besmirch the honor thatthe robe and insignia of his office carry with them, which makes himunworthy of it. But, as you wish me to tell what is true, I promisemyself honors and favors from your Majesty, and punishment to him whodares to write or to say what is not true. This does not give me somuch trouble as the preparation and disposal of military affairs, andother obligations of my office, which I could not fulfil if I had to goabout conjecturing what ill-affected persons do and write against me, as in this case; and in verifying the facts time would be lost. I donot know whether he will leave, even if nothing else should be done, [_In the margin_: "Have the letters and documents in regard to thismatter joined together. "]

As there is a lack of money in the royal treasury, and great needthereof for the maintenance of all the paid sailors and troops, measures to supply this need were decided upon in the session ofthe Audiencia, for this and other objects for the service of yourMajesty--to the effect that thirty thousand pesos could be drawnfrom the treasury of estates of deceased persons, lent for thispurpose. Although the orders and documents proper and sufficientfor this were despatched, the auditor Don Alvaro, judge for thesaid estates, would not transact the business which pertainedto his office, and what he is under obligation to do for thispurpose. Accordingly it was necessary that the lock (of which heheld the key) be broken open. Of the acts and measures taken in thiscase a copy is sent in this despatch. It is understood and likewisesaid that the opposition shown by the said doctor Don Alvaro in thecase referred to, was because he was indebted for some deficiency, to be placed in the said funds, of what should have been therein, or had been taken from it--a thing which I do not assert, and whichindeed I do not believe (although appearances indicate it), until Iam more certainly informed. [_In the margin_: "See whether there aredocuments in regard to this, and have them brought. "]

The documents that are drawn up commanding that, for the present, the license fees of Sangleys who are baptized without cutting theirhair should be paid, I send with this, as I offered to do in the lastletter to your Majesty, that you may be pleased to command that what isthe most just action in this matter shall be decided upon. I likewisesend a sworn statement of the money which various people have imported, and that all of it has been carefully placed in the royal treasury, [_In the margin_: "Have these papers joined and brought. "]

On account of my continual occupations at various times, and otherdelays due to the obstacles made by the auditors to whom this dutybelongs, whom I appointed for the council on accounts, some time haspassed since I have been able to audit the accounts. Together withthe work done thereon by the accountant and inspector of them, theywere despatched in the last session of the council up to the accountsfor the year past, nineteen. They are sent sealed with this despatchto Nueva España. [_In the margin_: "It is well; and let him continuethis diligence, always sending the accounts to Mexico, as usual. "]

The office of clerk of the court is about to be sold, having beenplaced at fifteen hundred pesos. He who served in it during the lasteleven years, since the death of the proprietary incumbent, had beentreasurer and chief official of the said office since the time theAudiencia was founded, and was the most competent and best fittedperson for it who is known in these islands, as well as a settler ofthirty years' standing here. After months of bidding, during whichthere was no one who would pay the price set on it, a man obtained itwho was incapable, and lacking in talent and knowledge of the law;wherefore he has been indicted and accused, as will be seen by thedocuments of the case, which I shall try to send with this. At onestroke the price was raised to eight thousand pesos, with the aid andencouragement of the auditors, wherein each one of them personallyaided him, in order to hold the new clerk on his side, and to driveout from the Audiencia a man of integrity and faithfulness. Althoughthe trouble which will result to them from transacting their businesswith such a man as is he whom they are trying to place there will beenough punishment for such guilt, yet looking more to the serviceof your Majesty and the prompt despatch of the administration ofhis royal justice, I did not interfere in the matter; but rather Ithink that, if there is no other more competent person, it should begiven by purchase to him who was serving in it, even though it werenot at so high a price, because his competency and knowledge of thelaw for the service of your Majesty will be very much greater. Withthis object in view, he has been continually paid his salary fromthe judicial expenses. [_In the margin_: "Let this clause be takento the fiscal. This has been done. "]

The income which your Majesty orders me to give to Don Miguel deLegaspi, grandson of the former Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, I have nowgiven him, assigning him an encomienda with what appeared to be asufficient number of Indians. [_In the margin_: "It is well. "]

For some time past I have withheld the appointment to severalencomiendas which have been vacated, not only for the aid whichresulted from their tributes to the expenses of the royal treasury, but particularly because their number was not sufficient to satisfyand render content so many claimants as there are here--some of themdeserving, and others with a backing of auditors, ecclesiastics, andreligious. These latter are the ones whose demands are most pressing, and who make the most outcry with their claims and complaints--goingso far as to murmur and consider it unjust that such rewards are givento those who have not been here so long--although the services of thelatter were rendered in Terrenate, under such hardships and duringwar--desiring that their longer residence in this city should bepreferred to the services of the others. [_In the margin_: "Let himdeal out justice as seems most fitting to him. "]

The bishop of Camarines, Don Fray Diego de Guevara, died in hisbishopric. He had ardently desired, as he explained and told memany times, to leave it and go to España to beseech your Majesty toapprove his departure from this country--for it appeared to him thatno bishop was necessary in that region [of Camarines], nor so manyin so small a country as are these islands--if it were not that thedisagreements and difficulties which he had with the friars of thatprovince obliged him to remain. There was lost in his person one ofthe most zealous for the service of your Majesty that were here; andone who labored for it with most affection, good sense, and integrity, without aiming at private ends or his own aggrandizement. [_In themargin_: "There is already a person appointed in his place. "]

The bishop of Cebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, is likewise little or notat all desirous of greater honors. On the contrary, according to hisown words, he desires the quiet of a cell, with scant alms from yourMajesty, for the repose of his old age; and we all believe this, forwe regard him, as he is generally reputed, as a holy man, as humbleas the latest novice of his order. [_In the margin_: "It is well. "]

The archbishop of this city, Don Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano, showinghis zeal for the service of your Majesty and for procuring theassistance and welfare of these islands, planned and offered himselfto go to that court [of España], laying aside his own repose forthe hardships of so long a voyage. In this matter, I think that theofficials of his church did not divert him from the exercise of hisoffice--this being my opinion, and that of many others--in order toleave themselves freed from so much domination and authority as thisoffice entails, and with more free will, as they were wont to be before[he came]; and for this reason I will not say that they were makingillegal use of that office--although they have discussed my affairsin an unfriendly way, at the instance of someone who induced themto do so; but, on the other hand, they have acted with great virtueand as very good ecclesiastics. When I had consulted the Audiencia, in their session, about the purpose of this voyage, it appeared thatit was not quite necessary, and that your Majesty therefore might notapprove of it; accordingly, this opinion was stated to the archbishop, with many thanks for his zeal and his kind offer. According to whatI have heard, he was hurt by it; so it appears that he would haveliked better that his desires should be realized. [_In the margin_:"Examined. "]

I wrote to your Majesty concerning the auditor, Hieronimo de Legaspi, immediately upon arriving here and making his acquaintance, whatI heard and saw of his proceedings; I will therefore dispense withrepeating that, since I am fulfilling my obligation by what I havealready written concerning him to your Majesty, and what I am doinghere, on my own part, and shall do, to curb him in his way of lifeand his lawless acts. And I do not repeat what might be added, as it is almost all of the same sort as those of which I havewritten--being the effects of a depraved character, as is evident, for his will is governed by unfitting motives. He has, moreover, a son who is accustomed to argue with him, increasing his covetousdisposition, although there is no need for that. [_In the margin_:"Let the papers in regard to this matter be examined. "]

[In accordance with] what your Majesty has commanded that thearchbishop and I should do, calling together the provincials of theorders resident in these islands, notice has been given them concerningthe things which your Majesty mentions concerning their methods ofprocedure, and the incidental exactions and excessive fees which someof them levy upon the Indians--for masses, burials, and suffrages;[7] for the building of vessels, and of churches and their houses;and for repartimientos and new impositions with which they wereloading down and harassing the natives; and charging them with thereformation of this. It did not seem necessary to the archbishop, but for my part I shall nevertheless carry it out, informing each oneof the provincials separately, and trying to further the royal will ofyour Majesty, without allowing scandal to result by making this public, and difficulties from such things becoming known. I would alreadyhave done so if I were not waiting for an opportune occasion when Ishould be free from the occupations that I have had--encounters withenemies, the equipment of vessels, procuring supplies, and the manyother things for the service of your Majesty. These can be attendedto only with great difficulty, lacking the favor of the religiousorders, [which much be considered] in order not to annoy them; formost of them are very easily irritated, especially those of the Orderof St. Dominic. For, even when they have no cause for displeasure, there is no one who can bring them to reason, since it appears thatthey regard it as their vocation to be opposed to the governmentand to the governors, as they have done since their establishmentin these islands, without a single exception--unless only it be DonLuis Perez Dasmariñas, whom, with the asperity on which they pridethemselves, and their tyrannical ways they subjected in such mannerthat they ruled him. In order that those who succeed me may continueattending to the service of your Majesty without the difficultiesand quarrels which we, the former governors and I, have experienced, it will be expedient that your Majesty order them not to interfere somuch in the government, and that they must restrain their audaciousand insolent mode [of speech]. For this is so uncurbed and terriblethat any honorable man would fear it on account of what the friarscast at him, to the prejudice of anyone who acts contrary to theirwishes; and this they do not only through the pulpits, but by variousother means, as I have said they did with the past governors--andparticularly with Don Juan de Silva, my predecessor--and which Ialso have sufficiently experienced and suffered. [_In the margin_:"Let him exercise care to do what is ordered in this matter, and haveit done at the first opportunity. " _In another hand_: "Write a letterto the provincial of St. Dominic, telling him that the insolencewhich his friars display is known, and what Don Alonso says here, and accordingly the provincial must convene and reprimand them, obliging them to look after the affairs of their order alone, and theconversion of souls, as is their duty (which is the principal reasonwhy they went there); and let them not mix in government affairs, or any others not concerning their order; and have him advise us ofwhat he shall do. " _In another hand_: "Write to Don Alonso that sucha letter has been sent to the provincial of St. Dominic, that he maybe aware of it. "]

None of these things of which I have informed your Majesty and havejust written about are meant to comprehend, nor can they concern, thefathers of the Society of Jesus; for they are judicious, prudent, andmoderate men, and, without in the least failing in their obligation tothe service of your Majesty, they attend to those of their vocation, and to the protection of their Indians, so that each of them issuitably occupied. To spare what I might write concerning theirwell-ordered procedure, I will say that these fathers who are hereare of the same [character] as those who are under the inspection ofyour Majesty and that of the supreme pontiff. They are religious whoreap a great harvest among souls in this newly-christianized land. Itwould be expedient for your Majesty to order their general to send[more of] his men here, increasing the number of them; for they aregreatly needed for the mission villages that these fathers have intheir charge, and the work which they accomplish therein, and theother duties of their office. Nor is there anyone of that order whotalks of going back to those kingdoms without the most urgent reasonmaking it necessary. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

I have understood that several auditors of this Audiencia, meetingoutside of the sessions and by themselves, have written to yourMajesty, and have caused various persons to write by different methodsand routes, things against me, [accusing me of acts] unworthy of myoffice, and even incredible of my character. Perhaps [they do this]on account of what I have written to your Majesty concerning theiractions, and to satisfy their unjust resentment, uniting [against me]for this reason and to justify themselves. As it would not be justthat, relying upon the great distance and the long time which isnecessary to clear up the truth, and on the changes and innovationswhich in the course of time usually occur, any one should dareto write letters not true of persons like myself, and especiallyto your Majesty, I beseech you humbly to be pleased to entrust myresidencia and those of the said auditors to a person who would takeit from all of us, with authority to prove the facts and inflict suchpunishment as shall be necessary. Copies of what has been writtenagainst me, and of what I have written, should be produced, so thatwhoever shall not prove his statements may be punished as the crimedeserves, for informing your Majesty maliciously against other people'sreputation. On account of the importance of this, whoever is to takethe residencias should be a person not belonging to this country, and who will not have to remain here, living with these auditors, or the auditors with him. Whether he shall find me with much or withlittle property, I pledge whatever I have; whatever may be lackingfor it will oblige me to pay the cost of an inspection, and thecondemnation of the guilty. But I have no more than what I inherit, tied up with so many debts from this voyage that I have not beenable to pay them, nor even to acquit myself of the two-thirds of my[first year's] salary which I owe to your Majesty, as I was forced tomake use of it for my living. Although all will not be pleased at theinspection, I assure you that, if it could be general for all classes, there would be found plenty of things to be regulated, and much more inthe man who thinks that he is the one most secure therefrom. With thisI will end this letter, leaving it in this state until it is time toseal it, in case anything should occur to be added. [_In the margin_:"Have this clause taken to the fiscal. " "It has been done. "]

When I had written this, and the despatch of these vessels was so faralong that they would, with the help of God, pursue their way whenmoon and weather should favor the voyage, His Divine Majesty (to whombe thanks!) was pleased to rejoice and encourage this land by bringingsafely to a port of this country, near the point of Balinao, in thisneighborhood, the capitana "San Andres" which was expected from NuevaEspaña. Although thus far we do not know how much money comes in her onyour Majesty's account for the maintenance of affairs here, with it inthis country, however little it may be, things will go much better thanwithout it, and with the anxiety over its delay. [_In the margin_: "Itis well, and we thank our Lord for this news, and hope in His DivineMajesty that we shall have other and better news from those islands. "]

The reenforcement of soldiers is so scant that, even if all went toTerrenate, there would not be many; for the enlistments of those whocame in two companies do not amount to a hundred and ten, besidesseventy convicts [_forcados_] who come for service, and I know nothow many galley-slaves. The number of those who die here ordinarilyis very great, as I have already explained, whereby the lack oftroops--which is what we most suffer from here, and can least besupplied--becomes every day greater; and in the same degree my laborand anxiety increase, adding to this and my obligations the fulfilmentof so many duties as this government entails, with so little meansto carry them out, and with so much as must be done to carry onwar with so many enemies as there are in these regions. With this, and the knowledge of the misfortune and loss of the fleet whichwas coming to help us, we have already ceased to consider what wemay have to bear. But nevertheless, with the help of God, I hopethat the enemy, when they come here as they have hitherto done, maylose more than they gain. In the meantime we will exercise skill, care, and vigilance in this matter, until the reenforcements whichI am expecting are added to our forces here, to punish the enemy, and better results are obtained than in the past. I will nor repeatagain the many things which are necessary, as I have already done sosufficiently; nor again state the better facilities for sending aidregularly by way of Panama, which is the most important thing. Thismust have been already examined and considered, if the letters in whichI discussed it at length have not been lost. I beseech your Majestyto be pleased to have executed immediately what is most expedient forthe royal service in this matter. [_In the margin_: "Write to theviceroy of Nueva España, sending a copy of this clause, so that hemay see how few troops are being sent to the governor; accordingly, let him be charged to reenforce him with all the soldiers that he can, since he can see how important it is that that country be fortifiedand have troops; and entrust it to his care and zeal that this yearthere shall be sent sufficient help, as has been written to him, and let him continue this every year. "]

The letters of your Majesty have not arrived, but we are waiting forthem and hope that in time they will come, and that these ships willnot lose the favorable weather necessary for their voyage, on accountof the great importance of securing it. If they should come with thepromptness with which I charged the person whom I sent for them, Ishall answer them in the most important matters. If not, I shall do soas soon as possible, as befits the importance of what is contained inthem, and the service of your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

I have ordered in the session, several times, that careful abstractsshould be made of the enactments made therein of which it is desirablethat an account should be given your Majesty. Thus far it has notbeen possible to carry this out, in which matter I did not choose, merely in order to avoid trouble with them, to employ any repressivemeasure, which might increase their ill-humor; and likewise becauseI do not know that anything more has happened than what I write toyour Majesty. The reason for the auditors neglecting this matteris well known to be that the definite account which we must maketo your Majesty from this Audiencia may not clash with that whichthe auditors who met together separately have made to your Majestyand your ministers. This leads me, every time when I speak of it, torepeat my supplication to your Majesty, as I now humbly do, that thismay not go on without the inquiry of residencia which I have requested, and the punishment due each one. May God protect the Catholic personof your Majesty in accordance with the needs of Christendom. Manila, July 21, 1621. 

_Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca_

[_In the margin_: "Examined. "]

[_Endorsed_: "Examined and decreed within on the margin, that whichconcerns both the Council and the Junta. On September 22, 622. "]

Letter from Archbishop Miguel Garcia Serrano to the King

_Condition of the archbishopric of Manila in regard to the affairsof ecclesiastical and secular government. _

Sire:

Although I am writing to your Majesty at length informing you ofthe condition of these islands regarding the enemies who come toinfest them, I cannot refrain from writing this letter apart, in which I inform your Majesty of matters that, in my opinion, your Majesty needs and ought to know. For, although I have writtenconcerning many of them these three years past, I must--inasmuch asI have had no answer from your Majesty, not even of their receipt inthe Council--repeat what I have written, again and again, until I amcertain that my letters have reached that royal Council. Knowing that, my mind will be at rest, and I shall be content with what your Majestyshall be pleased to order to be done in all things. 

From the time of the establishment of the faith in these islands, no ecclesiastical council [8] has been held in them; [but this is] amatter that is urgently recommended by the holy general councils, forthe correction of abuses and the reform of morals. It is most necessaryin this archbishopric, in order to establish the administration ofthe sacraments with uniformity of ceremonies, the celebration ofholy days, and for unusual and peculiar cases that occur in thisnew world. Therefore, I petition your Majesty to be pleased tosend me permission so that I, with my three suffragans, may holda council as soon as they reach these islands. [_Marginal note_:"That a letter has already been sent to him regarding this matter;and he is to follow its directions. "]

The devotion, sire, to the most holy sacrament had greatly falleninto disuse in this city, just as if we who are its residents had notcome from the Christian country of España. Consequently, as soon asI entered upon the government of this church, I endeavored to promotethis observance, and exerted all my effort and strength--so that, bythe goodness of God, this devotion is being introduced in good earnest, being aided by the indulgences that our most holy father [_i. E. _, probably Pope Paul V] conceded at the instance of your Majesty;and there are few persons who do not have those indulgences in theirhouses, through an edition that I caused to be printed in order thatall might receive the benefit of them. [_Marginal note_: "That itis well, and that thanks are given him for his care in this matter;and that he continue thus, since it is a matter that is so important. "]

The principal feast [_i. E. _, Corpus Christi] of this revered andadmirable sacrament cannot be held at its season, as the universalChurch has ordained, because then the rainy or winter season beginsin these regions. Consequently, but seldom has the weather givenopportunity to hold the procession in the streets, nor can thestreets be draped or adorned. It would be a very great consolation, if your Majesty would be pleased to obtain a brief from his Holiness, in which he concedes us authority in these islands to anticipate thefeast of the most holy sacrament, [celebrating it] on the Thursdayafter the octave of Easter; or otherwise, that this feast may comelater--as his Holiness conceded for all of Yndia, in order to hold itat the most convenient season, since its own time came during the rainyseason; in both regions the same reasons and obstacles occur so thatthe feast cannot be celebrated with due and proper observance. I amenclosing to your Majesty a copy of the brief cited. [_Marginal note_:"Have a letter sent to the ambassador at Roma, giving him an accountof this section, and sending him a copy of the brief here cited, inorder that he may petition it from his Holiness; for it is a matterthat should be solemnized with so great propriety. Send a letter tothe archbishop, telling him that a request to this effect has alreadybeen made, and that he will be advised of the answer. "]

The poverty of this cathedral is so great that it has had no revenuewith which to furnish not only a reredos, or the necessary ornamentsas regards the colors of the seasons, but also a veil to cover thealtar during Lent. On Palm Sunday the two prebendaries who accompaniedme as assistants, when I performed the pontifical office on that day, wore cloaks of different color from what they should have worn, as wedid not have the right ones in the church. For as the church has nota single real of income, nor has had hitherto any other aid than thealms that the inhabitants have given it, it suffers the need of whichI speak. The royal Audiencia has investigated this matter, on petitionof the cabildo, in order to refer it to that royal council. I humblypetition your Majesty to be pleased to consider that this city is ageneral place of concourse for all the nations of the world; that itseems a necessary obligation that--since it is impossible to celebratethe divine offices in the other churches of Manila with due propriety, because of their great poverty--at least these peoples may see thatit will be done in the cathedral, the metropolitan of all the others;since we do not act as we ought toward so great a Lord, yet as we can, and with more propriety than in other regions. [_Marginal note_:"Have a copy of this section sent to the governor and Audiencia, and let them assist in a matter so necessary. They shall plan howthis may be done with due propriety, and shall advise us of theiraction. Have a letter sent to the archbishop, enclosing a copy ofwhat is written to them, so that he may understand it. "]

The cabildo of this holy church at present, through the goodness ofGod and your Majesty's care in filling the prebends with such persons, consists of excellent persons. If the reason advanced to your Majesty, by means of which a special brief was obtained from his Holinessfor the senior bishop to govern this church--[which has been done]through three vacancies in the see--had any justification at that time, surely, Sire, that justification has now ceased, as the cabildo is nowfilled by entirely satisfactory men. Hence your Majesty can certainlybe served by not having this government leave the cabildo in the twovacancies that will follow hereafter; for, in truth, during the fewdays while they governed in the last vacant see, before the arrivalof the senior bishop from his bishopric, they so disposed affairsthat the said bishop simply retained what they had decided, and didnot change anything that he found established. [_Marginal note_:"Observe the custom. "]

Great annoyances result because the governor does not communicate withthe archbishop as to the persons whom he presents for the dignidadesand prebends of this church, who are appointed until your Majestyshall fill the places. For if it proves that the person is incapable orunworthy--either because of any secret reason known to the archbishop, or for any suit that he has pending or for any other reason--theremedy is more easy in its beginning, by first conferring togetherabout the case. Your Majesty seems to have so ordered, as appears fromthe presentations made by Governors Don Pedro de Acuña and Don Juan deSilba, which read as follows: "Having communicated with the archbishop, and having observed the order and decree of his Majesty, I presentSo-and-so, " etc. There it appears that your Majesty has ordered inthis matter that consultation be held thereon. It would be well toorder this again; for the governor says that he has not seen such adecree, nor do I find it in the book of decrees. [_Marginal note_:"Have this decree found and brought. Let them observe the decreesregarding this. Let the governor report on what the archbishop asks. "]

Two appointments from your Majesty came last year to this metropolitanchurch of Manila. One was to the deanship, of Santiago de Castro, a sick man who has not left his house for more than three years. Heis sick and old, and so deaf that he can hold no intercourse orcommunication with men. Consequently, he is expecting death daily, and he may therefore be numbered among the dead, as far as humanintercourse is concerned. This alone could hinder the execution ofhis appointment, for in other things he has excellent qualificationsfor the dignity. Since his condition renders him unfit for service, and since the dean must necessarily take upon himself the managementand headship of the cabildo, much consideration should be given tothis appointment--especially as another appointment (as archdean)came for Canon Thomas de Guimarano, an unlettered man, to whom someyears ago they did not dare to grant permission to hear confessionson the galleys, where he was chaplain. Therefore, Archbishop DonFray Miguel de Benavides wrote these words to your Majesty in theyear 604, the copy of which is in my possession. "Don Pedro de Acuñagave a chaplaincy in the seminary of Santa Potenciana to one of hisfollowers, who lives in his palace, one Thomas de Guimarano--a manof so little capacity that the said archdean and commissary of theHoly Office examined him at my order, in order that he might hearconfessions in the galley, whose chaplain he was, and did not find himcapable of doing it. " Such are the words of the said archbishop as tohis ignorance. He has almost no capacity for management. If he wereseen in this dignity people would greatly blame him who should haveconferred it on him without having first notified your Majesty of hisunfitness. This is the reason why I have kept the two appointments ofthe said Guimarano and Santiago de Castro sealed, as they came, andguarded with all secrecy, until your Majesty could be advised. Yourroyal will, I am sure, is that these appointments be not given to them, thereby entailing so much loss of prestige to the Church, and scandalto the city. On the other hand, there is no lack, the office of deanbeing filled by Licentiate Don Francisco Gomez de Arellano, a man ofgood conduct and of exemplary life, in approbation of whom lettershave been written to your Majesty at various times. [_Marginal note_:"Provision has already been made herein. "]

Inasmuch as your Majesty's appointment, and the favor that you werepleased to grant him in conferring on him the dignity of treasurer ofthis holy church, came for Licentiate Don Miguel Garcetas (of whosegood qualities I have written during these last years); and inasmuchas, by his taking possession of that office, that of precentor fellvacant, which he was filling _ad interim_: the governor presented forit Don Juan Cevicos, a priest of good education, very great austerityand exemplary life, and zealous for the general welfare. In him arealso found many other very excellent qualities; and he is a verysuitable man for your Majesty to confer upon him the dignity that heholds, or what should afterward become vacant in this church, and evenof anything of greater importance. He has not been graduated; for sincethe permission that is expected for the foundation of a university(which is the intention of the college of the Society of Jesus)has not yet reached this city, he has not yet had the opportunity toreceive a degree. I have employed him in the capacity of my provisor[9] and vicar-general where he is of great help, for he is a man ofconsiderable business capacity. [_Marginal note_: "Seen. "]

About seven months ago the governor presented Juan de Miranda for a_ración_ that was vacant. He is a good ecclesiastic and necessary forthat ministry; for setting aside his virtue, example, and good life, he is an excellent singer, and has been reared from childhood in thischurch. Accordingly I gave him the office very willingly. I petitionyour Majesty to be pleased to confirm it. [_Marginal note_: "Seen. "]

It often happens that certain individuals, depending on their favor atcourt, try to obtain prebends and dignities from your Majesty whichthey do not merit. They are of such a sort that I am told of personswho even do not know Latin. They hope to be preferred to those whohave spent all their lives in study. It would be of great importancefor the prelate and cabildo of the district of the said ecclesiasticsto inform your Majesty for these appointments, so that, having thatinformation, the most advisable measures for the service of God andthat of your Majesty may be taken. [_Marginal note_: "Seen. "]

During the month of last December, an ecclesiastic named Don PatricioArcaya de Guevara, a native of Murcia, left this country for thoseregions [of Europe] via India. The governor was accompanied by himwhen he came here, and presented him for the treasurership of thisholy church; and in fact he served therein _ad interim_, althoughthe governor did not know then that he had been expelled from theOrder of St. Augustine in the province of Andalucia, and that he wasliving in this country incontinently and with reproach, and with lessdiscretion than was fitting. I inform your Majesty, for, according tohis resolve, he was going to ask for a dignity in this or some otherchurch of the Yndias, for which he is not fit. [_Marginal note_:"It is well. Attention will be given to this in the office, if thepapers regarding this man are sent. "]

The wretchedness and misery suffered by my poor ecclesiastics inthis my archbishopric is very great, because of their number havingincreased rapidly in these latter years, on account of the collegeand seminary of the Society of Jesus, and the care that has beentaken therein to maintain its studies--teaching in the classes Latin, the arts, and theology; besides the students who are being rearedin the college of Santo Thomas, founded about two years ago by theOrder of St. Dominic. As I say, they suffer so great poverty that Iam assured that some cannot leave their houses because they have nocassocks to wear--and that, too, in a country where cloth is generallyso cheap. This is a matter that is breaking my heart. I have nothingwith which to employ them, since the ministries are all managed bythe religious. The poor ecclesiastics have only eight benefices ofIndians to administer, besides two Spanish curacies--namely that ofthis city, which is administered by two parish priests [_curas_];and that of Santiago, outside the walls--and one other which has incharge the Indians and slaves of Manila. Within the last few days twoecclesiastics, theologues, competed for a sacristy in the benefice ofNuestra Señora de Guia, which has a salary of only ninety pesos. Oneof them had taken four years of theology, and is an excellent student, and not so fitting for other things. They competed for it only in orderto get a morsel of food, so they would not have to beg it from doorto door. Will your Majesty be pleased to have provided what is mostsuitable for the service of God and your own. [_Marginal note_: "Sincehe has the case in hand, let him take what measures are advisable. "]

News reached this city in the month of January last of this year, ofthe death of the bishop of Nueva Cáceres, Fray Diego de Guevara, of theOrder of St. Augustine; he died while visiting his bishopric. Inasmuchas that church has no cabildo, the task of its government devolvedupon me, as does likewise that of Nueva Segovia. As the bishop of thelatter church, Don Juan de Renteria, has not arrived, I petition yourMajesty to be pleased to have notice taken that greater competency isrequired for these bishoprics that are so distant from Manila--in whichcounsel can [not] easily be taken on the troubles that confront theministry at every step, and the bishop, like him who holds the officeof magistrate, must alone determine these doubts of fuerza--than forthe very large bishoprics of España. Will your Majesty please takethe advisable measures. [_Marginal note_: "Seen and provided. "]

The facility of these natives in going to law about marriage is verygreat. In fact, they achieve their purpose by alleging obstaclesarising from their own illicit intercourse, before the marriage, with the relatives of their wives. Often they maliciously concealthis obstacle and are silent until, the wives after experiencing withthe lapse of time, during their married life, not so good treatmentas they expected from their husbands, and the husbands havingless pleasure in the marriage than they had promised themselves, they advance their obstacles, and petition for the annulment of themarriage. With the ease with which they find witnesses for any purpose, they succeed in carrying their desires into effect--with the liability, if what they have alleged and proved is false, of living throughoutlife in the sin that they have committed to the wrong of marriage;and if true, as they say, of having been unscrupulous in not havingdeclared the obstacle. In order to avoid these troubles, it would beof great importance for your Majesty to be pleased to obtain from hisHoliness power for the ministers in these islands to give absolutionfor all the secret obstacles of these neophytes when they come to bemarried, in order to contract the said marriage. In this way it willbe managed with less offense and with more ease to the consciencethan now. [_Marginal note_: "Have the ambassador at Roma notified topropose this matter to his Holiness; and if it be not unadvisable, to petition him to concede it. After doing this, advise and notifythe archbishop that the matter has been sent to Roma, and that hewill be notified of the result. "]

Your Majesty ordered by a decree, twice issued (the second datedat San Lorenço, November, 603), that the bishops should inspectthe religious who give instruction, in regard to their duty of thecare of souls. It would be very advisable for so holy a decree tobe executed now, without more delay; for although the orders containmany who attend most earnestly to the service of our Lord, there arecertain persons who allow themselves to be too easily led by theirinclinations, and who do not labor in their ministry with the devotionand fidelity requisite. Besides the bad example thus furnished tothese natives, the latter are wronged, and without any remedy, becausethere is no superior to whom they can go for vindication--for theprovincials, sometimes for private reasons, generally sustain suchsubordinates. That would cease with the visit of the bishops, andthe provincials would find themselves obliged, or the bishops wouldoblige them, always to station in the missions ministers of learning, virtue, and exemplary life. That would bring a cessation of suchtroubles. The friars then could not assert that they would leave theministries, as they did when there were no secular clergy, since thatis clearly impossible; for there are now so many seculars that theyare sufficient to administer what the orders would abandon. [_Marginalnote_: "Have the decree in regard to this sent to him, and have himobserve the order, as declared in the said decree. Despatch decreesto the archbishop and his suffragans, in accordance with those alreadydespatched to the archbishop of Mexico and his suffragan bishops. "]

The kingdom of Xapon is in such an upheaval, and the persecutionagainst Christians so bloody, that it seems rash for religious to gothere. However, those who go there from the orders, guided by thespirit of the Lord, go clad as merchants, and go about at Manilain the same way, some days before their passage, in order to havethe Japanese get to know them and take them for men who are going totheir country to trade. Any other method would be rash, as I say, ifthey went openly as religious. Further, as Fray Luis Sotelo, of theOrder of St. Francis, tried to go with the name of bishop of Xapon, delegate of the pope, and commissary-general (a thing prohibited byyour Majesty), and as the bulls for it have been detained by your royalCouncil; and as your Council has declared that its opinion is that, if there were an open door, there would be many things to consideras to whether Fray Luis Sotelo should go [to Xapon], because of themany reasons that constrain them to prevent his passage; therefore, it is expedient for your Majesty to order that quickly; and that theyrecall the said Sotelo and take him from these islands, so that hemay not go to Xapon. [_Marginal note_: "Have what was ordered in thismatter brought. "]

Having to speak of the orders in particular, I feel obliged to informyour Majesty of occurrences in this city between that of St. Dominicand the Society. It was on an occasion of the death of a man in thiscity by stabbing, who begged loudly for confession. It was not grantedto him, because a father of St. Dominic said that absolution oughtnot to be given him, although the bystanders said that he had calledfor confession. A father of the Society stating that absolution oughtto have been given him, there arose between the two orders a veryserious and violent controversy; for the Dominican fathers printedcertain conclusions, in which they declared that it was a rash idea, and in practice a grave and sacrilegious offense to absolve onewho, only by the report of bystanders had begged for confession, but was deprived of the power of speech. The fathers of the Societyof Jesus drew up other printed conclusions, in which they declaredthat it was not a rash or sacrilegious idea but a very pious one toabsolve such a penitent. They persuaded the people and the ordersand so inflamed the controversy that I ordered them by a decree toput an end to both contentions. Both orders agreeing to dispute inmy presence, I assigned judges from my cabildo, and from the ordersof St. Augustine and St. Francis, and learned persons of the city, to be present at the disputation, and consider the arguments on eachside. This was done, and the result was that, having assembled theother day, all the judges declared, _nemine discrepante_ [_i. E. _, "no one dissenting"], that the opinion of the Society was pious andreasonable, and could be followed. The reverend Dominican fathersgreatly resented this decision, and tried to carry their point bypersuading the people to accept their conclusions. I thought it amatter of scandal to condemn ministers, in an affair of the sacraments, by asserting that they were committing sacrilege. I issued a censure, and ordered that no one should agree to their conclusions, and that theDominicans should not hold them. Upon this second decree they electeda judge-conservator who accepted the office, but did not continuein it; so the cause was suspended, and the parties intended to haverecourse to Roma regarding the case. At this juncture the ritual ofour very holy father Paul V, with a bull of his Holiness, dated Roma, June 17, 1614, came to my hands, in which they order absolution tosuch a penitent, who asks for confession after losing his power ofspeech, if he shall give signs, in person or through others, of hisdesire. Upon seeing the said ritual, I ordered it to be published, and it was done on the day of Sts. Peter and Paul, in our church ofManila, this year of 621. A judicial record was made of all of thismatter, and authentic papers with the arguments of each party. Thatalone is being sent to your Majesty as a report, in order to informyou of everything, as is my duty. [_Marginal note_: "Seen. "]

The Order of St. Francis in these islands is discalced. Thereis generally a visitor from the commissaries, who is sent bythe commissary-general of Nueva España, who must be of the samediscalced. This year one came, who was not received by the provincialand his definitors because he did not come in the way required by therules and privileges of this their province. Although the Audienciatried to admit the one from Nueva España, matters came to such a passand so menacing a condition that by way of authority, and in orderto avoid scandals, Don Alonso Faxardo, governor of these islands, determined to suspend the commission, after first having conferredwith me. What I did was to assemble the orders and learned persons ofmy cabildo. I found: first, that the commissary was not discalced, although he must be so by virtue of a bull and express privilege, which he carries in order to visit this province, or to exercisean act of jurisdiction. The authorization borne by him was veryextraordinary and had a great excess of the ordinary warrants. Therewas added a very forcible argument of administration, which is thattwenty or more of the leading friars had been sworn witnesses inthe present contention, while the commissary had given testimonycontrary to theirs, so that no good administration was looked for, but only numerous scandals and dissensions. Then affairs almostreached the point where the province was in hostile array, one sideagainst another. Accordingly, all those of the council, without anydissenting voice, resolved that it was inexpedient for the commissaryto enter on the administration. That resolution was followed, andthe provincial proceeded with his duties in peace. Therefore, thosein Nueva España will be informed from here to send hereafter onlypersons of the discalced religious and of their profession, and theywill be peaceably received. For if they are of the cloth [_paño_], [10] the discalced religious fear that they are trying to introducethemselves into this province and into that of Xapon, and to drivethe discalced from here; this has been attempted, contrary to whatthis city has requested your Majesty several times to order--namely, that no friars of the cloth come to these islands, but only discalced, with whom the province has always been established. [_Marginal note_:"Seen. "]

The great service which the Society of Jesus is performing for Godand your Majesty in the conversion of souls is well known. But theycannot continue to prosecute what has hitherto been done in thisprovince because of their lack of workers; for many have succumbedto the hardships of their ministry, while others are crippled andincapacitated from helping in the missions. Consequently there isneed of a goodly shipment of these servants of God to be sent, whoso edify and instruct by their good example and learning. For thispurpose, the order is sending Father Francisco Gutierrez as theirprocurator-general. I humbly petition your Majesty to be pleased toorder that he be despatched here, so that this so urgent need may besupplied. [_Marginal note:_ "Have us reminded of this at the time, if the Society should request it. "]

The other orders, those of St. Augustine, St. Dominic, and St. Francis, experience the same lack of religious. They have their procuratorsat that court. Will your Majesty be pleased to have them givena goodly number of religious, so that they may attend to theirministries. [_Marginal note_: "Have us reminded in due season. "]

The hospitals--of which I am informing your Majesty in a separateletter--need the efforts of the brethren of [St. ] John of God, so thatthe sick may be treated as is fitting, and which is the chief objectof those brethren. Hitherto the discalced Franciscan religious of thisprovince have had charge of their spiritual matters. As that is notone of their vows, and they do not have charge of temporal matters, the sick have suffered greatly. Accordingly, should your Majestybe pleased to send some of those brethren from that country, and toorder them to take charge of the administration of these hospitals, it would be a very great service to our Lord. [_Marginal note_:"Observe what is decreed regarding this matter. "]

The official investigations that are made in the royal Audienciaare made with so little secrecy that the parties interested knowthe witnesses and their depositions. The same occurs in the lettersof recommendation that are obtained from the cabildos and from someorders--which the interested party takes to them, made out as theydesire, and only asks for their signatures. These are obtained easily, whence follow the sinister reports that they give your Majesty, tothe harm of the public welfare. [_Marginal note_: "It is well. Letus be advised of this on the occasions that arise. "]

Although this royal Audiencia by right should attend the principalfeasts at the cathedral, they have not done so; nor have I seen themattend in a body since I took up the government of this church--nowupwards of a year--except once only. That was on St. Andrew's day, when a prayer was made for the coming of the ships from Mexico. I donot know whether the reason has been the want of harmony between thegovernor and the auditors, or because the governor's wife took a seatbeside her husband--a thing that has never been practiced in this cityin the time of the former governors. Will your Majesty decide whatshould be done in this matter, as the governor's wife must be placatedin it; and whether the position to be occupied by her is to be beforeor behind that of the Audiencia. [_Marginal note_: "Have the Audienciainformed that they must not miss one of the prescribed days, andare to report on the other matters. Write to the archbishop that theAudiencia has already been notified to attend on the prescribed days. "]

Your Majesty has already provided by your royal decrees that theships should set sail for Nueva España from this port, under anycircumstances, during the month of June, because of their peril ofhaving to make some port in distress, or of being wrecked, if they saillater. It would be expedient to apply a more constraining remedy, in order that this be executed; for were your Majesty's decreesobserved in these islands, as I have many times said, there wouldbe no errors made in what pertains to the service of our Lord andthat of your Majesty, the welfare of these islands, and the profitof their inhabitants. But, Sire, as they are not obeyed, and thereis no execution of them, there is general error in what could withso great facility be done aright. [_Marginal note_: "Have a letterwritten to the governor, telling him that we have heard that thoseships that sail to Nueva España sail very late, and that consequentlythey suffer in the tempests and hardships that are known; and thatnow and henceforth he shall see that they sail as was the custombefore and as is ordered. "]

When the city of Manila petitioned your Majesty to be pleased to havethe governors of these Filipinas make the appointments to the officesof the ships which are despatched hence to Nueva España, from thatof commander to the least office, it was to obviate one disadvantage, according to their opinion (and in truth not a slight one), by whichthe said offices were given by the viceroys to their relatives andretainers, thus depriving this country's inhabitants of them. Thatdisadvantage not only has not been corrected by this expedient--sincethe governors, not heeding more than their own private interests, give the said offices to their own followers--but has even given riseto a greater disadvantage, respecting the return of the ships to theseislands. For, since the viceroys do not appoint to the said offices asthey did before, the result is usually a lack in the reenforcementsthat are sent from there [_i. E. _, Nueva España]; and there is lesscare bestowed on the despatch of the said ships for the return thanis fitting. Consequently, they arrive so late that already the seasonof the vendavals, the contrary winds of these islands, has set in;and therefore the ships have been compelled to put in at Xapon, ashappened in the year 17, and last year. On that account they ran arisk of being captured by the Dutch; for since the viceroys are notinterested, even in making those provisions, the ships sail laterthan they would be permitted if the persons who have charge of theships were appointed by him, in whose good success would be also hisshare of reputation, or the contrary. Will your Majesty be pleasedto order this to be noted, and take what measures may be most to yourroyal pleasure. [_Marginal note_: "Obey the ordinances. "]

One could not believe the injury that is done to the soldiers andsailors, and to all the wage-earners, by not paying the vouchers earnedby their labor and sweat; and on the other hand, by buying these formuch less than their face value. For, being rendered desperate, theysell vouchers valued at one thousand pesos for one hundred, and thelamentable thing is that, if they did not sell them, they would neverbe paid. Scarcely have they sold the vouchers when they are immediatelypaid, and the purchasers even take the poor wretches to the office ofaccounts, so that they may be present at the payment, and that it mayappear justified, by their saying that they did it of their own accord, for which they give a receipt. As it is the price of blood, and theysee that others take that price, it is a grief and sorrow that cries toheaven for redress, and petitions your Majesty to be pleased to havea very effective and rigorous correction applied. [_Marginal note_:"Have a letter written to the governor that this has been learned;and that he accordingly must correct it immediately, if there is needtherefor, and advise us of what shall be done. "]

There are at present more than sixteen thousand Chinese in thiscity of Manila, who have received license to stay in the country. Inaddition about one-third as many generally remain without having alicense, so that, on good computation, there are now more Chinesein the country than there were sixteen and a half years ago, whenthey revolted and made war on us--without reckoning a great numberof Japanese, whose number I have been unable to ascertain, although Iam told that it exceeds three thousand. Accordingly, in a council ofall the estates called by the governor about two months ago, in whichhe asked whether it would be advisable or not to go out to fight theenemy then in the mouths of this bay--who had seized them with ninevery strongly armed ships, while the governor had four ships (two ofthem powerful galleons) and four galleys--the city forbade him to goout under any circumstances. Among other reasons it was said that ifthe governor went out, he would leave the city of Manila unprotected inhis absence, and exposed to the will of so great a number of enemies, composed of Chinese and Japanese. That argument was not the one ofleast weight in the council in determining that our fleet shouldnot sail against the enemy. I think that there has been neglect andlaxity in the matter of not driving out the Japanese. But, in thecase of the Chinese [it is] the greed for the eight pesos that eachone pays for the license to remain in the country, and the excessiveprofits gained by the numerous agents of justice whom the governorshave introduced, unnecessarily and in violation of what your Majestyhas so piously ruled and ordained--namely, that only those remain whocannot be spared for the service of the country, and it is certain thatwe cannot live without them. If your Majesty's decrees were observed, all would be well managed, and we would live more comfortably and inless fear of them than we now have. I do not know, Sire, what expedientcan be adopted in this. I know only that it is advisable to executethe orders of your Majesty's royal decrees, for that was the careand anxiety of the former archbishops and of the entire community, who always petitioned for this same thing. Hence I am surprisedthat your Majesty has not ordered that what restraint you are ableto place should be imposed, so that your royal decrees be obeyed. Ido not know for what reason (since all or nearly all of them concernthe good government and advantage of these wretched inhabitants) theyare directed either against the governors, the Audiencia, or theiragents, tying their hands with their prohibitions. Since they are theexecutors of the decrees, it results that nothing is done. Even thecity is very much interested in this matter of the Chinese remaining, in order to get their profits and rents in their alcaicerías. Hence Ido not think that it would be worth while to petition for [limitationof] the number of the Chinese, unless your Majesty assign thatnumber. Truly, with four or five thousand Chinese, the communitywould be well served and the country free from danger. [_Marginalnote_: "Have a letter sent to the governor, telling him of this, but not the writer; and that since he has charge of so important amatter, he must see that the decrees and orders that have been issuedregarding this be obeyed. He shall advise us of what shall be done, so that the Council may understand the matter. "]

There have been many complaints, in regard to the allotment ofencomiendas, from the old and worthy soldiers who have spent theirlives and blood in your Majesty's service. It has already been enactedin this matter, by royal decrees, what must be done. The relief thatI find is for your Majesty to be pleased to order strictly thatthe regulations made in regard to it be obeyed. [_Marginal note_:"Have the governor notified to obey what is decreed regarding this. "]

For the last two years it has been customary in these islands forprivate persons residing here who have money and protection to despatchtheir own small ships both to Macan and to Malaca, Sian, Camboja, and other parts of this archipelago. Since they have the authority, they send the best sailors that we have here in those ships. Thusit occurs that we can get no hands, nor even the best soldiers, whenit is necessary to prepare them and fleets for the occasion of yourMajesty's service; for fleeing from the annoyances and ill treatmentthat they experience, many absent themselves on such occasions. Verily, there is not a leech that sucks out the blood from the body more thanthese little ships do this camp of men. It would be very expedient foryour Majesty to order what measure is most fitting for your service;for ¡f we weaken the body by our own hands, so that it will have butlittle strength in time of need, and if this land is exhausted of men, how can the enemy be resisted when they attack us? In truth, Sire, I understand that the neighboring kingdoms of Macan, Japon, Malaca, Sian, Camboja, and all the other lands, have so many Spaniards thata great troop for your Majesty's service could be formed from themalone. [_Marginal note_: "Have sent to the governor a relation ofthis, and that he accordingly take upon himself the remedy for it, since it is so important a matter that the soldiers that he shallhave do not leave there; and that he advise us of what shall be done. "]

Lastly, I petition your Majesty to be pleased to have an answer writtento me regarding the matters of this letter that require a reply. Forsince some of them concern the common welfare of the ministry, othersthe special welfare of this church, and others that of this city, I shall necessarily be forced to repeat them on all occasions untilI am certain that they have come to the notice of that royal Councilof your Majesty--whose very Catholic person may our Lord preservefor the welfare of your kingdoms with the increase of many others, as we your humble chaplains desire. Manila, July 30, 1621. 

_Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano_, archbishop of Manila. 

[_Endorsed_: "Seen and decreed within. In the Council, September30, 622. "]

[The bull mentioned in the first part of the above letter follows:]

_Copy well and faithfully drawn of the bull in which his Holinessconcedes that the feast of Corpus Christi in Eastern Yndia and theregions subject to the crown of Portugal, be anticipated or transferredto another and more suitable day, besides other favors and privileges. _

Antonius, by the divine mercy cardinal priest of the holy _QuatuorCoronati_, [11] to the illustrious the most serene king of Portugaleand Algarbes, health in the Lord. According to the pledge of loyaltyenjoined upon us by the apostolic see, we willingly charge ourselveswith those matters whereby divine worship may everywhere be advanced, the devotion of the faithful of Christ increased, and fitting regardpaid to the safety of their souls in the Lord. 

In truth, the petition presented to us not long ago concerning yourinterests stated that, since in the regions of the Indias, Ethiopia, Arabia, and Persia (through favor of the divine clemency lately broughtunder our rule), by reason of the difference of the seasons in thosecountries, the day whereon the solemn feast of the sacrament of CorpusChristi is celebrated, falls, according to ordinance of the universalChurch, in the winter time, wherefore it cannot be celebrated at thatseason with due ceremonies and solemnity--[the faithful] are desirousthat the same feast be transferred to some other season outside ofwinter, that it may be kept more fittingly and with greater honor. 

Moreover, since the said countries are very far away from your kingdomof Portugal, the cities and towns and provinces therein being alsoat great distances from one another, it is therefore difficult forany Catholic prelate either to pass thither from your said kingdomof Portugal, or, if resident there, to go from one region to another, and therein bless whatever things be needed for divine worship, as wellas purify the churches themselves, with their burial-places, that mayhave been defiled through the shedding of human blood or seed; again, since the holy oils, which everywhere are to be consecrated each year, cannot because of the difficulty of the voyage thither be carried fromyour said kingdom of Portugal, wherefore you are unable to have themrenewed according to church ordinance; again, as in cases of apostasyfrom the orthodox faith of persons who subsequently, through divineinspiration, are moved to return, as well as in regard to the manyTurks and Mahometans, or followers of other misbeliefs whatsoever, who are desirous to embrace the same faith, there is no recoursepossible to the apostolic see, or to others in your said kingdom ofPortugal who are especially delegated therefor: hence do you humblypetition the same see mercifully to make due provision therein foryourselves and the peoples of the said countries under your care, to the effect that all and singular the rectors of churches in thosecountries may be granted full and free power to bless newly erectedchurches and burial-places, to purify them when defiled, as well asto use holy oils brought from Portugal, or consecrated by any prelatein those countries, even five years previous; that moreover the samerectors of churches in those countries also be empowered to reconcileapostates from the faith, absolve them, and restore them to theirformer state in all things, and through all. 

Therefore, while commending in the Lord your praiseworthy desiresin this regard, being inclined also to favor you as in duty bound, through the gracious authority of our lord the pope, whose chargewe fill as penitentiary, as well as through his special and expresscommand given us therein _viva voce_, we hereby do grant to alland singular the venerable fathers in Christ, by the grace of Godbishops in those countries, as well as to you [and] your successorsrespectively now and for the time being, or their vicars-general inspirituals now and for the time being, the following powers, to wit:

That with the council of their respective clergy and people they beempowered to transfer the said feast of the most holy Body of Christto another season of the year, outside of winter, when it may becelebrated with due solemnities and ceremonies. That whosoever shalltake part in the celebration of the feast thus transferred may gain, all and singular, the indulgences and graces which they would otherwisegain were they present on the day set by the universal Church. That intheir respective churches, all and singular, the rectors of churchesand districts for the time, being may bless vestments, crosses, images, or other church ornaments whatsoever that are needed or properin divine worship--not, however, chalices and patens. Moreover, thatwherever there is not present a Catholic prelate who is a bishop, theymay purify and bless the churches themselves, with their chapels andburial-places, should they be defiled through the shedding of humanblood or seed, or any other things that have been blessed by anybishop, or, in the absence of a bishop, by any person constituted inchurch dignity, or by a rector of any parish church actually holdingthe care of souls, provided they duly employ the proper rites usuallyobserved in such matters. Again, that they may use the holy oil broughtfrom Portugal within the previous five years, and, if consecrated byany Catholic prelate in those countries, when it is three years old. 

Besides, with regard to such persons as, having once received holybaptism with the true faith of Christ, have fallen away therefrom, but are now desirous to return, we grant full and free leave andpower to absolve the same from the heresy that they subsequently haveincurred, as often as in any manner they may have fallen therein, as well as from whatsoever other faults and spots wherewith by reasonof human frailty they may be stained and marked; and to receive thesame back to the bosom of holy mother Church, and to restore them totheir former state in all things and through all, with the fulfilment, however, of salutary penance for their fault--provided, however, thatthese things are to be done by a bishop as often as one is present, in the places where there is a bishop. 

[These things are granted] notwithstanding any apostolic, provincial orsynodal decrees, or customs, or constitutions and ordinances of generalor particular councils, or other things whatsoever, to the contrary. 

Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the seal of office of thepenitentiary, the XV Kalends of July in the third year of thepontificate of our lord Paul III. 

I, Gabriel de Muxica Buitran, secretary of his Excellency, Don FrayMiguel Garcia Serrano, archbishop of the Filipinas and member of hisMajesty's council, and notary-public of the ecclesiastical court ofthis archbishopric, attest and witness truly that this copy was drawnfrom another that appears to have been authorized by the bishop ofMalaca, Don Goncalo de Silva, signed with his signature and sealedwith a seal, which appears to be that of his arms. This is a certainand true copy, and has been corrected, revised, and collated withthe said original copy from which it was drawn. For its validity, Don Juan de Cevicos, precentor in the holy metropolitan church ofthis city of Manila, and judge-provisor and vicar-general in it andits archbishopric for the said his Excellency, affixed his signature, interposing his judicial authority and decree. It is sealed with thesmaller seal of the aforesaid. As witnesses at its correction andrevision were Father Thomas Saravia, secular priest, and Luis Mendesde Leon, gospel priest, citizens and residents of this said city, on July last, one thousand six hundred and twenty-one. 

_Don Juan Cevicos_

In witness of truth:_Gabriel de Muxica Buitran_

Letter to the King from Geronimo de Silva

Sire:

A detailed relation of the condition and affairs of these islandshaving been sent to your Majesty in the vessels despatched to NuevaEspaña in August of last year, God was pleased that, after somemonths of navigation, the almiranta should put back in distress on thethirteenth of November, mastless and badly racked, because of the manyhurricanes and the bad weather that it met on the high seas. That wasa most severe loss for this city, since the chief sinew of its supportat present is nothing but the trade of those two ships; for as thetimes go, there is now no other recourse. It is considered as certainthat the flagship made the voyage, although there is no more certaintythan trust that God has taken it to safety; for since it was alreadyso late, and the monsoon of the vendavals had set in, it has not asyet returned from Nueva España, nor has any other advice come. That isno little cause for anxiety to this wretched city, in addition to theravages of enemies and other disasters that ordinarily afflict it. MayGod in His mercy ordain what is most advisable for His holy service. 

Governor Don Alonsso Fajardo, having despatched the vessels ofCastilla, began to undertake the aid for Terrenate; and attemptedto send it earlier than formerly, in order to guard against theenemy, who continually await the ship at the entrance of thoseforts. Notwithstanding the small amount of money and other suppliesthat could be taken hence, because the misery here had become asextreme as one can imagine, yet what was sent in men, food, andwar-supplies, was the most abundant that has entered those forts for aconsiderable number of years--as the governor, being the one in chargeof all those matters, will fully inform your Majesty. With that reliefa present was also sent to the king of Macazar in your Majesty'sname, in recognition of the friendly reception and entertainmentfound in his country by your Majesty's [_word illegible in MS. _]vassals, and for the great importance of preserving his friendship, as I have stated in other letters. 

Governor Don Alonso Fajardo heard by way of Japon--through an entirelytrustworthy person, who is accustomed always to give information ofvery important matters--that the Dutch enemy had allied themselveswith the English, and that both nations had made an alliance to cometo pillage these coasts, and that they had prepared and well equippedfor that purpose a squadron of twelve large ships belonging to bothnations. That news caused keen anxiety in this city, inasmuch as twoso powerful nations were seen to be allied for its destruction andruin. The most anxious was the governor, not so much because the remedydepended upon him, as because he found himself with so few forces, and it was impossible to be able to prevent so serious injury as wasexpected. Before anything else he tried to inform your Majesty of thatalliance, sending a despatch for that purpose by way of PortugueseIndia, so that it might reach your Majesty's royal hands with thepromptness that so important a matter demanded. 

Notwithstanding that there were not wanting some here who doubtedthe truth of those despatches from Japon, yet the governor, being soanxious for your Majesty's service, began to prepare and furnish allthat was necessary for the repair of the vessels stationed in theport of Cavite, and many other things that had need of repair. Atthat time, on the second of February, he heard that the enemy wereon the coast. In a very few days they entered by the mouth of thisbay with nine vessels, seven of them of great burden, and the othertwo of medium size. As commander of that squadron came the Englishmanwith four well-equipped vessels of his nation; and, as admiral, theDutchman with five vessels, no less adequately equipped and armed thanthe English. They sighted the port of Cavite in order to reconnoiterthe strength of the fleet stationed there. Everything was placed inthe best state of defense that time allowed, so that any attack of theenemy could be repulsed. But the enemy took a better resolve, namely, to anchor in the mouths of this bay and await there the Chinese ships, while they sent two vessels to run along the coast, in order thatthose vessels that should anchor along it might not escape them. 

At this juncture a vessel arrived at this city with a special embassyfrom Macan to beg the governor to aid them with some large piecesof artillery; for, as they were advised from Japon, they were hourlyawaiting that same squadron--for, as the rumor ran, they were aboutto attack that city. Notwithstanding that the necessity here was moreurgent, yet it was resolved, after having called a special council ofthe treasury and war, to send six large pieces of the best castingfor the defense of that city--as the governor, to whom I refer, will inform your Majesty more minutely. 

The depredations and prizes made by the enemy in all that time havenot been of great importance, since as yet it is not known that theyhave captured more than five Chinese vessels, which according to thereport of the Sangleys in them were not those of the wealthy men (whoare here called Anayes). [12] Consequently, with the pillage of thisyear, they will not be able to meet their obligations in Japon, forwhich thanks are due our Lord. What I can affirm to your Majesty isthat all possible efforts were made, both in sending advices to Chinaand in carefully watching through outposts this entire coast, whichwas partly the reason why the enemy failed to cause greater damage. 

The founding of the artillery made here hitherto cost so much labor, and it resulted so unsatisfactorily, that we were all in the greatestperplexity because we could not determine where the defect lay. But, after many different experiments in alloying the metals, it has beenGod's pleasure that we hit upon it. I can also assure your Majesty thatthe artillery that is cast now is as good and safe as that of Pirú, and costs much less in metal and labor than the pieces formerly cast. 

One cannot help reflecting how great and distressing would be theanxiety and uneasiness of the governor if the enemy should attack himand he were without possibility of collecting the forces with which todrive him from these islands. But for all that might happen, and incase the enemy should divide his fleet, in order to be able to makeuse of any good opportunity, the governor placed in order two goodgalleons--a flagship and an almiranta--two other quite small ships, and two galleys. That represents the total strength of your Majesty'sfleet in this port and all the islands. In order to equip them withmen, the governor withdrew as many men as possible from the presidiosof Oton, Cibu, and Nueva Segovia. He sent edicts to all the provincesto assemble the wandering Indians therein. Although the greatest rigorwas employed for this purpose, those collected amounted to so few, that their number did not reach seventy persons. It is a pitiful thingto see how few men your Majesty has for service in these islands, asI can certify, since the army is in my charge. For the paid infantrydoes not exceed four hundred in actual service, outside of the crippledand sick in the hospital, where they are continually dying. Many ofthose who are not on pay escape to India and other regions, withoutany possibility of avoiding it. Consequently, Sire, this matter remainsin the above condition, and demands very speedy betterment, which yourMajesty should furnish by sending a number of men and the other thingsneeded for the conservation of all this land. For by doing otherwise, a well-known danger is invited, as your Majesty will learn more fullyfrom the relation that the governor will send, to which I refer. 

On the thirteenth of the month of last June, a ship from Malacaanchored in this port, bearing news of the advices that your Majestyordered to be sent to Portuguese Yndia, in regard to the alliancebetween the states of Olanda and Ynglaterra, and their purpose toattack these regions with the huge fleet that was thought to havecome for that purpose. It also brought news that sixteen Dutchships had already arrived at La Sunda, and that the rest of thefleet was on the way. May God, in His infinite goodness, bring theirevil plans to naught, since we here are so in need of human forcesto frustrate them. I can assure your Majesty that we will alwaysexercise the requisite care and vigilance here, if your Majestywill send and provide the most important and necessary things;this the governor has begun to do, especially in his cleansing thecountry of so many people that occupy it, with whom there is verylittle security. Especially is that true of the Japanese, who areseditious and arrogant, with whom the enemy hold so intimate tradeand intercourse in their own country. For these reasons we keepstrict and careful watch over them, since the suspicions conceivedof them have been often verified. The number of Sangleys whom it isadvisable to allow to remain in this city is also being lessened, and only those sufficient for its service are left. By that means, I trust in our Lord that we can withstand our enemies' designs. Thosedesigns, as we have heard, are to besiege this city, or the forts ofTerrenate, or to establish themselves in Otton in your Majesty's forton the point of Ylo Ylo. I trust in His Divine Majesty that they willnot succeed in their attempt, for, although we have so few forces, we will resist to the utmost until your Majesty shall furnish thoseforces advisable for greater results in your royal service. 

All of these things, although so considerable, could be endured, ifthe royal treasury had the sum requisite for affairs so difficult. ButI can assure your Majesty with entire truth that the need of yourtreasury is so pressing now that it is incomparable. Not less so isthe barrenness of this country, which was formerly and usually thelast resource. Consequently there is so universal misery that nowords could exaggerate it to your Majesty. 

During the month of last April occurred a somewhat sharp encounterbetween Governor Don Alonso Fajardo and Auditor Don Alvaro de Mesa yLugo, on going into the assembly hall--in which, according to report, the auditor was somewhat lavish of words. For that reason the governorhad him arrested and imprisoned in the cabildo's halls, where he waskept a few days, until he left his prison and retired into the conventof St. Dominic of this city, where he still is--as your Majesty willlearn more fully by the judicial reports that were sent you in regardto this matter, and to which I refer. 

All these exhibitions of temper and anger result from what I havepointed out to your Majesty in many other letters. They will existas long as there is an Audiencia and auditors in this city. I basethis assertion on the arguments and reasons that my experienceduring the time of my residence in these islands has shown me. Againreferring to several of those reasons, I shall mention here onlythree to your Majesty: first, that the auditors have so few causesto judge that there are no more than those of four Indians in regardto their houseplots and lands--in which they finally spend more incosts than the principal over which they are litigating; the secondbecause the auditors are stubbornly opposed to the governors, forwhich reason the latter cannot attain success in many things, andyour Majesty's service suffers. The aim of the auditors is naughtelse than to get all the posts for their relatives, intimates, andcomrades; but with these many retired captains can be recompensed, who have served and serve your Majesty here whenever necessary, without return or pay. When their requests are not granted, these menwithdraw to their homes, which causes the country to be divided intofactions and parties. The third reason is the number of pesos thatyour Majesty would save from the salaries of the auditors and otherofficials of the Audiencia. With that sum, twice as much infantrycould be maintained as that which your Majesty has here. That, inthe light of present conditions, is the most important thing for thenecessary maintenance and defense of these islands. I have dared torelate this to your Majesty because of my zeal as a loyal vassal, and as one who looks at things dispassionately. Will your Majestydecide as is most advisable to your royal service. 

In all the letters that I have written to your Majesty in the past, I have made a full report of the services that I have tried toperform for your Majesty in more than forty consecutive years, notonly in these regions, but in the States of Flandes, and in Ytalia, and in other lands, of which your Majesty already has information. Atpresent I only beg your Majesty to be pleased to consider that my ageis over sixty, and, although I might thereby be somewhat hindered, still I will appreciate it more than I can express, to finish theremainder of my life in the service of your Majesty, employed in thepost and grant that your Majesty may be pleased to confer upon me, according to the capacity and talent found in me, as I hope from theroyal hand of your Majesty. 

When I was about to seal this packet, news reached this city of thehappy arrival at these islands of the ship "San Andres, " which wasexpected from Nueva España. That news has caused a quite universalhappiness to this wretched community. The ship has anchored in theprovince of Ylocos, eighty leguas from here, as the weather does notpermit it to come to this port. Your Majesty's letters have not yetreached this port, and, as the vessels which are being despatched areon the point of sailing, it will not be possible to answer them, asthe governor will more fully inform your Majesty--whose Catholic androyal person may our Lord preserve for many years, as is necessaryto Christendom, etc. Manila, August first, 1621. Your Majesty'shumble servant, _Don Hieronimo de Silva_

Affairs in the Franciscan Province

Sire:

I, Fray Pedro de Sant Pablo, [13] preacher and minister provincial ofthis province of Sant Gregorio of the Philipinas Islands of the orderof the discalced religious of our seraphic father St. Francis, and sonof the province of Sant Joseph of the same order, who minister in theconvent of La Purissima Concepcion [_i. E. _, "the most pure conception"]in the town of Barajas, and the least vassal of your Majesty, andyour humble and unworthy chaplain, give your Majesty in the presentan account of the unhappy condition of the province, in my own behalfand in the name of all this province. I declare that for the last fewyears the province has become restless, factional, and divided intoparties, which it is a pity to see. It is one thing to see it, andanother to bear it. On account of its condition, I have often resolvedto resign my office as its head, as I was unable to remedy these ills;but I have refrained from doing so, as I think that I am doing someservice to God our Lord therein, from whom I await the remedy. Thecause of all these troubles is the coming to this province of yourMajesty--which was established in so great discalcedness, [14] strictobservance, and poverty--of religious not discalced, or reared on thatgood milk, but belonging to the cloth in those [Spanish] kingdoms, of religious reared (although under a rule) with different principlesand mode of life. So different are these that under no considerationcan there be the remedy that they will accommodate their way to ours, or we conform to theirs. Some of us appeal to Paul and others to Zefas[_i. E. _, Cephas] [15]--a most lamentable and injurious condition ofaffairs, and the destruction of this conversion, and of our own peacewithin and without. In order not to weary your Majesty, I shall notdwell longer upon this, or spend time setting forth our losses. Butalthough peace--the essential thing--has fled, it has been preserved[here] in the reform, separation from the world, poverty, and strictmode of life which are observed among the discalced religious of thosekingdoms of España; and I think that, in poverty, this province evenexceeds [the practice of] that virtue in those kingdoms. To Indiansthat appears a miraculous thing, beyond what is either acquired ornatural. To God be the thanks!

This province was established and has been preserved with holyreligious, sons of the provinces of the discalced in España;and at present about two-thirds of these religious are from thesaid provinces. But little by little, religious of the cloth havecome among them, clad as discalced religious only in order to gainadmission to these regions. So many of them have gathered here thatthey are sufficient to form parties and divisions by themselves, aidedby some of our discalced religious who join their party. What mostencourages this is, that as our fathers-general, commissaries-general, and other superiors are those who govern us, they try to favor those ofthe provinces of the cloth with offices as superiors and commissaries, and with other privileges, whereby they are advantaged and plant thefoot of superiority above others much more deserving and worthy thanthey; consequently they plant their feet upon all in order to attaintheir ends. In this way do they destroy the peace of one and all ofus, so that I am fain to be able to express my grief to your sacredand royal Majesty. 

This would be checked provided our said father superiors wouldobserve and place in execution an order and royal command, whichit is said that your Majesty gave long ago, ordering that the saidfathers of the Observance should not come to these islands, but onlythe professed religious of the discalced branch. But this they do, thinking that they comply with your Majesty's said order by clothingthose said religious of the cloth in the shabby habit of the discalcedreligious, in order to pass over here--whereby your Majesty's royalwill is defrauded and your royal officials at your ports deceived. 

Therefore I petition your Majesty, by the blood of Christ our Lord, to provide the remedy. That consists in one of two alternatives:namely, either that your Majesty order that, since there are so manyfriars, no religious who has not made profession in the provincesof the discalced religious of España shall take passage henceforthfor these islands and for Japon, and that religious who come to theseislands and provinces must go from those provinces [of the discalced], and not from the provinces of the cloth, for the said fathers haveso many and so extensive conversions in which to employ themselves;or that, on the contrary, no discalced religious may take passage, but that all be of the cloth. For in this manner the one class willdecrease and the others will increase, and all will soon belong tothe one class; and, by the help of God our Lord, there will be peace. 

The condition of Japon is as follows. About two years ago (that is, in 1618), brother [_sc. _ father] Fray Luis Sotelo came here withletters from our most reverend father Fray Juan de Vivanco, confirmedby the nuncio of those kingdoms and by our father commissary-generalof Nueva España. Entrance was gained for us by him to Japon, buthe was taken away from us by fuerza; [16] and this year, 1620, ourfather commissary-general of Nueva España, Fray Diego de Otalora, sent another in his place, a son of the province of Santiago inEspaña, of the cloth. We also had a letter from our most reverendfather, Fray Juan de Venido, commissary of court, dated at thatcourt in the year 1619. According to one clause of it, the patentof brother Fray Luis de Sotelo, and that of Fray Francisco Ximenez, whom they but lately sent as commissary for the said Japon, wererevoked. This province, having taken depositions in regard to it, with the aid of the said letter, adjudged Japon accordingly. Bothof them were notified, heard the act, and asked for copies. In thiscondition the affair (which is all litigation) remains; for, althoughthe province remains thus, the pending suit still encumbers it. Forthe love of our Lord Jesus Christ, I humbly petition your Majesty, prostrate at your royal feet, to aid us in this, so that the matter maybe confirmed in favor of the said province; for Japon belongs to it, and was founded and planted by it, and God has watered that land withthe blood of our sons. For it is impossible by any manner or method, or by any way or expedient, that authority can be given to pass tothat province of Japon, or that it can be preserved, except by this;for in these two years while its condition has been as described, this province has furnished both religious and other supplies. Besidesthis, they are depriving us of a house and shrine of this province, called Sant Francisco del Monte, used for the training of novitiates;and they have deprived us of it, together with the said province ofJapon. Besides, there are many other troubles that they have caused us(of which the procurator of this province will inform your Majesty)in order that the discalced branch should not proceed with the saidconversion, which has hitherto cost it so much. 

For that reason has arisen in this province the resentment thatis just, and it is commended to our Lord with many fastings anddisciplines. Will your Majesty examine this matter with those royaleyes, so void of passion, and set it right, as I have here petitioned, for thus will it be expedient for the royal service of His DivineMajesty and that of your Majesty. May His Divine Majesty augment, keep, and preserve you, as we, all these your faithful vassals, desire--who(and I, the most wretched of them) prostrate ourselves before theroyal feet of your Majesty, which we kiss a thousand times. Given inSant Francisco in Manila, July 31, 1620, and by your royal Majesty'smost unworthy servant, _Fray Pedro de San Pablo_, minister provincial. 

We, the provincial and definitors of the province of Sant Gregorioof the Philipinas Islands, of the order of the discalced religiousof our seraphic father St. Francis, the humble and loyal vassalsof your Majesty, declare that, inasmuch as our Lord God took toHimself and allowed to die the first fathers and founders who hadcome hither, with great virtue and sanctity, from the provinces ofthe discalced religious of the kingdom of Castilla, those who werein this province set about appointing some heads from the religiousreared in this country. Because of that, this holy province beganto be divided into great factions some few years ago; and it hasbeen so divided that it would break the heart of one who knew it[as it was] before. The sole cause of fomenting these factions isthat the fathers of the Observance have passed to this province andthese islands, in violation of a royal decree of your Majesty, anddwell among us wearing the habits of discalced religious, fomentingthese factions and divisions, to the great loss and ruin of all goodand reform. Those troubles are prevailing in this province becausethe latter is directly governed by the father commissary-generalof Nueva España, who is of the same observance and not a discalcedreligious. We are suffering great detriment at present, and manyscandals have arisen, to the great loss of our credit and the welfareof these conversions. This is especially true of that of the kingdomsof Xapon, which the said father commissary-general of Nueva Españahas attempted to wrest from us with great violence, although that isgreatly to the disservice of His Divine Majesty, and that of yourMajesty. Such also would be the case if our holy order cannot beestablished in that and other fields of conversion--discalced, poor, and reformed, and with as great admiration as that with which it hasbeen hitherto established and preserved amid all these nations. 

The remedy for the avoidance of these evils lies in your Majesty againordering that not any of the said fathers of the Observance shallcome to these regions, as they are wont to come, feigning by theirhabits to be discalced religious; and in your assigning us a residentcommissary-general, subject forever to a province of the discalcedbranch of Castilla, so that the said reform may be preserved, and thathe may govern the province better, as having been reared in the saiddiscalced branch, of which this province has more experience. If thisbe impossible, then we petition your Majesty to be pleased to orderthat we may be freed from obligation to the father commissary-generalof Nueva España, and to allow this province to be immediately underthe government of one of our fathers-general, a commissary-generalof all the Yndias resident in your court, as thus it is advisable. 

This we humbly petition and supplicate from your Majesty. In casethat be impossible, then we petition your Majesty to hand theseconversions over to the said fathers of the Observance; for, being aunit and being harmonious, they will attend better to the ministryof souls. If the said fathers come to attend to these conversions, will your Majesty be pleased to give permission and equipment to allof us discalced religious who have come from Castilla to return to ourprovince. Confiding in the accustomed largess and kindness of yourMajesty, we shall say no more. May His Divine Majesty preserve andaugment your Majesty, as we, these unworthy chaplains of your Majesty, petition and desire in our prayers and sacrifices, etc. Given in thisconvent of your Majesty of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, of Manila, July 20, 1621. 

_Fray Pedro de San Pablo_, minister provincial. _Fray Andres del Sacramento_, [17] definitor. _Fray Agustín de Tordesilla_, [18] definitor. _Fray Christoval de Santa Ana_, definitor. _Fray Antonio de Nombela_, definitor. 

[_Notes at beginning_: "The minister provincial and the definitorsof the province of San Gregorio in Manila, of the Order of St. Francis. 

"They mention the extortions committed on that province by someauditors of the Audiencia, which compelled them to receive fatherFray Francisco Ximinez in your Majesty's name, although in violationof a brief of his Holiness. It is petitioned that a remonstrance besent to them, so that they may not exercise similar violence on anyother occasion. "]

Sire:

We, the provincial and definitors of the province of Sant Gregorioof the Philipinas Islands of the order of the discalced religiousof our seraphic Father St. Francis, your Majesty's loyal vassalsand humble chaplains, declare that this province has been signallyinjured and aggrieved, with great detriment to its general credit andgood name, and the opinion of all our order, and in particular thatof the said province, by Licentiate Hieronimo del Gaspi Chabarria, Doctor Don Albaro de Mesa y Lugo, and Doctor Don Antonio Rodriguezde Villegas, auditors of your royal Audiencia of these islands, by reason of their having granted your royal aid to Fray FranciscoXimenez, an Observantine religious. The latter came to this provincewith a commission granted by the father commissary-general of ourorder in Nueva España, ordering us to receive him--although he oughtnot to be received, as it was in violation of the general rule ofgovernment in our order; and in violation of a brief of his Holiness, Gregory Thirteenth. Moreover, such action tends to the destructionof the discalced religious, and of the reform and common welfare ofthis province, and of the conversions in these new kingdoms of yourMajesty--especially when the said auditors compel this province toreceive him in your royal name, making an ill use of your name andof the royal authority, and insulting it--and he does that, who, under pretext of such name, practices injustices and extortions, and who does not observe the terms of laws and ordinances; and muchmore, when they are practiced against an order and province that yourMajesty has always esteemed and esteems so highly. Thus, nominally byyour royal authority, we have suffered great violence and scandals, and it is certain that had this occurred nearer to your Majesty's piouseyes, a most signal and exemplary chastisement would have followed. Butin these so remote regions, where redress arrives late, it is usual, and almost necessary for us chaplains of your Majesty and the ordersto suffer these extortions; and if they did not result in detrimentto virtue and to the public welfare, by bearing them patiently wewould not lose, but rather gain much. 

Therefore we petition and supplicate your Majesty to examine thiscause with your own eyes, and provide redress for the injuriesreceived--annulling these acts of violence and rebuking your saidauditors, so that it may serve them as a correction, and others asan example and warning; and so that the ministers of the gospel andthe orders in these islands may not be annoyed or injured by theevil example furnished to the newly converted, whereby they wouldesteem the ecclesiastical estate and divine worship less. For suchis not the will of your Majesty. In this respect, there is in theseregions a great deficiency in all your officials; consequently theecclesiastical class need to have your Majesty renew your decreesthat give injunctions to your agents. By so doing your Majesty willrender a great service to His Divine Majesty, favor to all of us, and good to these new plants. May God our Lord preserve your Majestyfor years, as we desire, and augment your happy state, as we yourleast and unworthy chaplains desire, etc. Given in this convent ofyour Majesty, Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, Manila, in 1621. 

_Fray Pedro de San Pablo_, minister provincial. _Fray Agustin de Tordesillas_, [_MS. Uncertain_] [19] and definitor. _Fray Andres del Sacremento_, definitor. _Fray Antonio de Nombela_, definitor. _Fray Christoval de Santa Ana_, [20] definitor. 

Letter from Fajardo to the King

Sire:

In the ships which left here this year for Nueva Spaña I gave yourMajesty a long account of everything which, up to that time, could berelated, or which occurred to me, with duplicates of different letters, therefore the most that I have to add today is the reception of yourMajesty's letter and your royal decrees. I have not done this before asI had not sufficient leisure to examine them, or do so in the intervalallowed by the season. What I have to say at present concerning theircontents is, that I shall act in all respects, and carry out what yourMajesty orders therein, according to my ability, and as best I can, and as is most expedient for your Majesty's service. In conformitytherewith and in due form, acts of obedience were rendered; and, insome points which appear to me to demand more detailed explanationthan was given in that general answer, I will furnish it. 

As to what your Majesty wrote to the Marques de Guadalcaxar, [21]former viceroy of Nueva Spaña, in regard to [the statement] that onthe ship "San Nicolas" three hundred and thirty persons died on accountof its late departure from these islands, all that I can say is that, since a person of his position and character undertook to write it, he should certainly have first informed himself thoroughly in thematter. Although I was present at the despatching of this ship andwent out with it well outside of Cavite, it did not appear to me that, in regard to the people who were going, the ship was carrying half [ofits quota]; for at most there are accustomed to go with the officersusually seventy seamen and gunners, more or less, according to thetonnage of the ships, although the number mentioned is for a shipof very large tonnage. With these there usually go as many more, Indians from this country, as common seamen, and some slaves thatthe said officers and the passengers are allowed to take with themfor their service, paying the duties which are usually paid to yourMajesty. The passengers are usually kept down to as small a number aspossible; and if so many died as is affirmed in the supposed relation, they were not Spaniards, because of these not many died. They musthave been negroes and slaves, who were hidden after embarkation bythose who took them aboard, with an eye to the great gain which thereusually is in this, by saving the cost and the duties that they owe, when the royal officials at Acapulco are friends of theirs, or thosewho thus convey slaves are of the household of the viceroy. [22]

In so far as concerns their departure, the regulation of that isnot at present in the power of the governor of these islands; forthe enemy are accustomed to come hither, as has been evident duringthe little more than three years while I have been here; they havecome twice, and I am likewise expecting them now--and always withat least twice the fleet and troops that we have. Every day they aregaining more strength, as is seen by the presence of so many of themon this coast. The ships from China do not come, and it is with theirmerchandise that our ships must go to Nueva Spaña. We are, moreover, obliged to keep the small vessels which can be manned, ready for war, in order to compel the enemy not to divide their forces and thusinflict the damage which, without this check, they would accomplish;and in order to fight with them, offering them an opportunity to doso even though they might obtain from us some advantage, which mightbe made up by the gain [of keeping them in check]. As we had to attendto this and then direct our efforts to fitting up the ships for NuevaSpaña--shutting up the gun-ports, and changing the vessels so that theyare suitable for merchant ships, and even at times enlarging them andincreasing the conveniences within, and waiting until the amount of themerchandise has been completed, so that they may carry it--we could notget them off so quickly as was wished, nor upon an appointed day asbefore, when there was no war, and when at Christmas we used to havethirty or forty ships from China. The viceroy can inform you of this, for he too can ascertain this through the relations, as well as I. 

As for the memorial which your Majesty orders me to send touching thediminution of the quantity of silver which comes from Nueva Spaña tothese islands, having looked into the matter it appears to me thatnot only is this design a proper one, but that it is very necessaryto bring about this result; for I judge that only with the utmostdifficulty can the drain of so much silver every year from thatcountry and those mines be continued. They, too, are being exhaustedlike those of other countries, and the natives are diminishing; sothat the silver is obtained in the most costly and scanty fashion, to be carried hither and go away to lie in the treasure-house of theking of China. I did not neglect to consider this when I proposed toyour Majesty that the trade of these islands with Nueva Spaña shouldbe exclusive of silk and woven goods, except linen and other productsof this country, which are not of great importance; for although thecoming of silver from there would not thus be altogether stopped, there is no doubt that it would be less, and we would avoid thedrain from España by the French, English, and Flemish, of what theyare accustomed to take away [in payment] for the linens which theycarry thither to sell, and this saving would pass to the Yndias, asI have explained more at length in the letter which treats of this, a copy of which accompanies the present. If this is done, there willundoubtedly be more trade with Xapon, with the opportunity given by thesilk trade; and in this manner we might continue establishing a tradeso that the linen trade with Nueva Spaña might also be restricted, if linens for Indias could be more advantageously provided by someother part of España. 

Although in the memorial there is a matter which demands somuch attention as the depopulation of a town like Macan, and thedifficulties are set forth arising from its occupation by the Dutchor English, and their admission [to trade] by the Chinese--who, with their greediness, would seek the profit which they formerlygained from the Portuguese, thus destroying, at a single stroke, thecommerce of this country with Nueva Spaña, which is the means wherebyall who reside here support themselves--to do so would appear a matterof the most difficulty. It would seem necessary and requisite for the[preservation of the] Japanese trade to transport some or the greaterpart of those people [of Macao] to the province of Nueva Segovia, or to the island of Hermosa, getting a foothold there whence we mightbetter continue and carry on the navigation from China to that placeand from there to Xapon, and not from here; for silks are alreadyas high in this city as in Nangasaqui, on account of the danger fromenemies which the Chinese risk in coming here. It has appeared bestto me not to make any hasty decision in this matter without informingmyself more thoroughly and considering it, so that I may be betterable to state my judgment to your Majesty by the first ships whichshall be despatched, by the favor of God. While my opinion is that, in the meantime, no more definite plan or decision should be adopted, there is no more effective remedy for limiting the drain from NuevaSpaña through this country than to regulate the capacity and cargoes ofthe ships which go from here; because if they are large they are boundto be filled, even though it be with clothing and useful articles forhouseholds, and they must bring back the price of these things, costwhat they may. But if they are smaller vessels they cannot take on solarge cargoes, and accordingly what is bought to be carried in them, as less has to be bought for this purpose, is cheaper, and, as notso much is carried, it brings a higher price in Nueva Spaña; in thismanner, therefore, the investment of ten is worth as much as that oftwenty going in large ships, and it is rather profit than loss for thecitizens here, and likewise for the service of your Majesty--althoughthe citizens of the city of Mexico who have correspondents and secretfactors here will be affected by it, because they will not obtain solarge a portion of the investment and the cheap cargo, as the peoplehere will need all that the ships can carry. This is all I can sayregarding this at present. 

As for what your Majesty writes me concerning the factor and inspector, Diego de Castro Lisson, in the matter of this office of accounts, in which relation your Majesty orders me to appoint to the office ofaccountant thereof someone who is a fit person, I will say that youmay have information as to what the said Diego de Castro Lisson is, as he was already in your service when I arrived here. I do not findhim, but in his place Luis de Vera Encalada, a person who for thisoffice or any other of this profession, or one of trust, ought notto be preferred to Juan de Messa Suero, if the latter were not dead(as I have explained to your Majesty in another letter). As for yourMajesty making the choice and appointment of this office, there willbe no other difficulty than that the salary must be larger--as theauthority will be, if the appointment is from the royal hand of yourMajesty--and the business is of so little importance and no profit;for although he is called accountant of accounts, in my opinionhe is coming to be the director thereof, since the examination anddecision of difficulties or additions is made by us, the president, two auditors, and a fiscal. 

The offices which, being vacant, are filled in the interim until yourMajesty shall grant the appointment and favor thereof have been inmy term merely for half the salary, without the person who served inthem in this way having received any allowance for expenses, in anymanner whatsoever; nor is there anything here with which to make suchallowance, and I have understood that this has always been the case. 

The memorial of the pilot Gaspar Conquero, which treats of theexploring of the island of Oro, which is here called Rica de Oro, has been examined; and as soon as he makes this port, or there is anyother person suitable for conducting this exploration, and to be giventhe island as an encomienda, I shall do so as your Majesty orders. 

As for what your Majesty orders to the effect that I should informyou of the wound which was given Captain Matheo des Villerias, allI can say is that on the night when it was given I sent to tell theauditor, Don Alvaro de Messa, that he should conduct the investigation, and take the proper measures; but he did not do so, although therewas no reason which should hinder him; accordingly, not to lose anytime in this, the auditor Hieronimo de Legaspi undertook the work, and before him the case was tried. No guilt was charged against anyone, although the wounded man said that he conjectured that it wasCaptain Silvestre de Aybar. Afterward his suspicion was changed, andhe told me personally that he suspected Admiral Don Luis de Cordova;and, although we could not be sure that it was he, the presumption wasstronger since it was learned that Captain Villerias had spoken veryill of matters which concerned the viceroy Marques de Guadalcacar, to whose party the said Don Luis de Cordova belongs. Villerias hadanother quarrel of this sort with the latter, after which they werequite friendly. This is not the first trouble which has happened toVillerias on account of having talked and interfered too much, but hehas had other and more important ones. This would not be any too smallto be worth judicial consideration if the matter could be clearedup, and if the occasion which, it is said, he gave for his wound byspeaking thus concerning the said marques, could be ascertained. 

I have not been able to learn in these islands that there are anyJerominian, Benedictine, Carmelite, Trinitarian, or Victorian friarshere, although I have tried to exercise the care which your Majestydirects in this regard. 

In accordance with the contents of another decree of August 25, ofthe past year 620, it appears that your Majesty has been informed thatthe reason why the ships left these islands for Nueva Spaña later thanin past years was because the president and auditors were interested, and principal shippers therein. The truth is, that their not leavingearlier was due to the coming of the enemy with large fleets to thesecoasts, and to the fact that the ships which bring the merchandise forthese shipments [to Nueva Spaña] were late or did not come for fearof the enemy (as I have already written to you more at length and indetail), and likewise on account of negotiations and agreements betweenthe auditors and the present president. I will swear to it that thereport which has been made to your Majesty on this point is untrue, because I was not brought up in the households or under the instructionof merchants, but in the good way of military exercises, as were myancestors. It must be evident to your Majesty, as the property thatI possess could well attest, that it would be very well for me if itwere increased by the amounts that are lacking and pledged. 

As for the property of deceased persons, this treasury has a judge, on which account I have less knowledge of its administration--althoughwhenever opportunity offers and it is expedient to take any actionregarding it, I do so according to my duty, and before your Majestyorders it, as he does order in the decree which treats of this. I madestrenuous efforts not to have individual depositaries appointed forthis property; but not only in this but likewise in the court fines, and other condemnations and various deposits which ought to enter intothe said treasury, and into the royal treasury and general depositaryin each case where it is concerned, there has been no way of forcingthe auditor Hieronimo de Legaspi to cease making the deposits withvarious persons that they might have the profit thereof. For it isplain and well known that as my occupation keeps me most of the timeencumbered with duties outside of the Audiencia, and often outsideof the city, in my absence these things are done, and others whichshould not be. I attempt to correct them, although I do not hope foramendment from the licentiate Legaspi in this matter of money andother very unlawful things, ill-befitting his office and his age, the illegal character of his acts eliciting many complaints which Ihave received. I have received a memorial, a copy of which I sendwith this, containing more than forty separate heads against him, and offering proof of them--which, although they are not unknownor secret things, it will be no little matter to prove against anauditor while holding his office. Since I have given your Majesty atother times an account of this person, although summarily, I shall notsay any more of him in this letter; yet more may be said concerningboth him and the auditor Alvaro de Messa. The latter is still in[the convent of] Ssancto Domingo, stirring up trouble and revolution, as is his nature, and making people jealous of me--sowing discord anduntrue and evil words to this end, and to destroy my reputation andrender null my services; and afterward to go back and gather them upin sworn statements and depositions in documents, as a public matter, without considering that this act of his is insubordination. With this, and as he has gone so far as to seek false depositions against me--asis evident from the true ones which I have sent your Majesty--I donot think that anything further can be said concerning a professingChristian. Nor can we live in safety and honor where such infernalactions are committed, if they be not punished and corrected by yourMajesty's just and powerful hand--by ordering that with him shall alsobe rebuked the friars of that convent, who not only keep the saiddoctor in their house and aid him in his actions against my personand office, but also give refuge with the same object to a certainPedro de Lussara and one Pedro Alvarez, his men, who are working inhis cause. I have given your Majesty other reports of this; but theyinterfere so much in this government and in the desire to command, that at times I have been in fear lest it was not the affairs of theirmissions and the Sangleys for which they wish to do everything, andlest some disturbance should arise that would demand punishment. Ifthey could be relieved from some of the excessive ardor that they have, and the desire to go out into secular life with their own lawsuitsand quarrels, seeking to have every one fear them and esteem theirfriendship, in other respects they would be the best friars which Ihave seen in the Indias. 

As for the review of accounts which the said factor and inspectorDiego de Castro Lisson had in charge, I refer you to the reportwhich he will make or has made, as he has told me, giving thereasons why he has not continued therein. In the second place, Ihave learned that it is a matter of no little importance that thisshould be done quite thoroughly and fully--if not for the propertythat might be taken from him, yet to put into better condition thedocuments and despatches of his department, by which a great amountwill be gained at once forever. It is also equally necessary that theintelligence and energy of him who comes for this purpose should begreater [than that of the said factor]; and the inspector-general, Thomas de Yvio Calderon, is not a person of sufficient prominence, nor is he discreet enough, for an affair of the greatest importanceto the service of your Majesty--although his standing is not a poorone, and if a higher position were conferred on him, with the honorsand favors that your Majesty might give him, everything might bewell arranged. I dare say that I have information of no other personwho is more suitable, by his abilities and qualifications, which arewell known and have been shown in the service of your Majesty; and Ihave such information concerning his conduct of affairs that I shouldconsider him very good for you to approve for this commission. If yourMajesty shall decide to send anyone to do this work, I warn you, inorder that he may fulfil his duties with exactness, as is due to theservice of your Majesty, that he should not come as subordinate to ordependent upon the Audiencia or the governor, if it can be avoided;but his only business should be to separate entanglements and untiethe knots. It will be no less unadvisable to have him remain herewith an office or allowance; for in such case he would not wish tooffend many persons, but would conciliate their good-will. If yourMajesty will accept mine, you will pardon me for being longer in theanswer than was the question. 

As for several points mentioned in the royal decree of your Majestyof the twelfth of December, one thousand six hundred and ten--bywhich persons who come with the viceroys, governors, presidents, captains-general, auditors, and royal officials, are prohibitedand incapacitated from receiving the favors and rewards of offices, encomiendas, and other things which are usually given to those whoserve and labor; and preference over other claimants is given to thesons and descendants of conquistadors, and likewise of the settlers;and it is directed that for the distribution of the said favors orrewards the new order and form should be followed which your Majestyordains in the said decree, taking away the power from those whobefore held it in this matter, and giving what was held by them to theauditors and fiscals--it has seemed best to me to inform your Majestyof what presents itself to me in this regard, so that concerning allthis you may provide and command what is most suitable for your royalservice, and for the divine service, in behalf of which the formeris conducted. 

This country is most distant from España of any which is known inthe world and it, with the persons who inhabit and maintain it, are today the most borne down with troubles of all the Indias; forhere is the force of the war which is not felt there, and betweenso many nations as are our neighbors, who can wage and maintain it;it seems, therefore, as if no person who is free to do what he will, and who aspires to honor and fortune, would come here to serve, without expectation of those rewards, if he were able to do itnearer the eye of your Majesty and of his fatherland. For if it istrue that hitherto there have been many of this kind who have come, it has been in the hope that after three years they could leave, entering the honored or profitable occupations which they mighthave merited. The official persons with whom they came, or to whoseland they belonged, and who were friendly, or appreciative of theirabilities and qualifications, would help them, nor did it appearthat favor would be extended unjustly. All the more now, when onevery hand is barred any one of this class of persons who woulddesire to come; only those come whom some misdeed or ill-fortunedrives into this land, and those who legally come to trade and liveas merchants, and those whom the royal Audiencia of Mexico sends byway of condemnation, besides the people for our defense, and who arelevied in companies in the markets and fairs of that city. And withthese people there would come no noblemen of good parts and honoredcharacter, or many accomplished soldiers with merits acquired in war, such as the viceroys, governors, and other officers of this sort whocome to serve your Majesty are accustomed to bring with them--withoutany suspicion that they ought not to do so, for the importance ofhaving such men is already known, and is all the greater on accountof the more occasions for war and other emergencies. I assure yourMajesty that it is a well-known and evident fact that there are inthis city honored knights and persons of excellent qualities, merits, and abilities, worthy of esteem. I assure you that it is also truethat almost all of them came attached to the persons who filledthe said offices, and attracted by their promises and expectations, whereby this country was greatly distinguished. This could not havebeen said if such persons had not come here, but we would already bevery destitute of nobility without them, and would even have forgottenthe way to carry on and fulfil their duties. 

That the sons and descendants of conquistadors and original settlersshould be preferred to those who are more recent and have not renderedgreater services is a just and holy thing, especially in the peacefulcountries of the Indias. But if this preeminence in life and in thefavor of your Majesty is granted to them in consideration of theservices which their ancestors have rendered in their conquests andpacifications, and on occasions of wars which were there carried on, it also appears just that present services which are being renderedin this land on occasions of war here and upon these seas, oughtnot to take their position behind those of the ancestors. For it iscertain that the services of today are more important, on accountof the greater need which there is for them, and because the creolesons and descendants of conquistadors or colonists claim the favorsentirely in consideration of this (although there are not many whoshow their deserts by continuing their services), going so far as todemand that those who served Terrenate should have no recognition ingranting the favors and encomiendas of this country, as if there wereanything to provide them with in those islands. I beseech your Majestyto command that your royal will be declared in this matter--although, for my part, I have understood that it is those whose services arethe greater, whether in the present or the past, who should have thefirst or greater reward, considering the quality of those services, the rank of the persons, and their abilities and character. 

In the distribution of the offices, encomiendas, and other rewardsand favors which are given in the name of your Majesty to those whoserve who deserve them, the auditors and fiscals hold the authority, and the viceroys, governors, and captains-general lose what theyused to possess. There will surely be great difficulties from this, and much greater in this country where there is so much war, andin others where war shall arise, than in the other parts of theIndias, which are tranquil and quiet and enjoy peace. For if inthem all the offices and occupations are of advantage and utility, and for that reason sought through different methods, and on thisaccount there are many worthy persons to receive them, among whomto choose, therefore this new order ought to be put into operation[there]. In this country it is different, because most of them areengaged in the exercise and labor of war, and there are by no meanstoo many men for the needs thereof; it thus necessarily results that, as certain offices are demanded for them, those who appoint to theseare importuned; but here it has to be the governor who importunes, and who is under obligation to the persons of ability and services, who are charged with matters which are important. And if beside this, and besides employing them in dangerous affairs and commissions (liableto result in an unfortunate end and the loss of life and reputationthrough the mutations of fortune which they encounter), if, when theyhave carried these out well, the governor cannot be satisfied withthis for them, nor with good will, being under obligation to rewardthem, if they do not hold from him the other said offices whichbelong to the Audiencia (which is almost always ill-disposed towardthe governor), it will bring about great trouble, not only for thosewho seek to toil and win merit, but likewise for the governors, who, without the aid of such men, could not fulfil their obligations. Andas these services and merits are for the most part acquired in war, almost always most of these men are counting on rewards, and uponbinding in this manner their captain-general, without having recourseto submissions or other negotiations. It will be seldom that thereis not some ill-feeling in the Audiencia--now for having proceededin the said manner, and again for not having complied with the claimsof every leader and proprietor--but only to the governor. If, on theone hand, there is this annoyance, and the familiar entrance into hishouse in order to seek the offices and rewards; and, on the other, the entrance into those of the auditors and other persons mentionedin the said decree--it would necessarily be here, where there is notmuch from which to choose, that we would have to give assistance tothose who, on account of their low condition or incapacity, are notesteemed or well known. 

Besides the above arguments, I wish to furnish the latest exampleof the difficulty which was experienced here is the previous yearof 617, as there were so many who had to decide the allotment ofoffices. This was when Don Joan Ronquillo, with that great fleet, went out and fought the one that the enemy maintained along thesecoasts. As each one of them [_i. E. _, the auditors and fiscal] soughtthe best galleon and the most prominent post for his relative orfavorite, the galleons were divided among these, ignoring personswho could manage them better than some of those who were chosen. Noadmiral was appointed for the fleet, from which resulted no advantage, but rather injury--and there might have been more if the commanderof the fleet had died, as might have happened, and each one wouldhave sought to take his place, as this was not specified. This[same defect] was found in the ordinances which the Audiencia ofMexico issued, with so many opinions, when the government was in itscharge, that your Majesty ordered them to be repealed and amended, as they were so insufficient for such emergencies; and because itwas so evident and certain (as it likewise is to my knowledge) thatthrough the power which appoints those who serve, and punishes themwhen they are in the wrong, they ought to be rewarded when they areright. For otherwise the governor and captain-general would be theman who persuades or compels them to serve and labor, and it wouldbe the auditors who must reward them; for it is in their power to saywho are competent and who not, without its remaining in the power ofthe governor to do more than make a proposition in their favor--whichwould be of no force if two auditors joined against his opinion, as they almost always do. Such persons, therefore, would very seldomsucceed in obtaining the reward of their services; and this officeof governor and captain-general would become the most down-trodden, wearisome, and undignified of all that your Majesty has in his payand service--and it should be well considered that the office todayis one of the most laborious and least profitable, when it is servedas it should be, considering its importance. Your Majesty will makesuitable provision, adding to these observations the fact that theprestige of España has been greatly endangered by the lack of troopsand money in parts so distant from aid, and in a country which has somany enemies--the worst in this respect being those who are nearest, and who are able to make the most cruel thrusts at our honor, directedand guided by the auditors, without their heeding truth or conscience, and of which I have already often complained to your Majesty. If thesaid auditors are to be given still greater authority, whether it befor conferring benefits or taking them away, your Majesty will see howthey will treat his president and those who are helping him. Moreover, if authority be taken away from him, in place of being given to himfor his greater honor and so that he may be able to carry on betterthe labors and duties of this office [it may be doubted whether]persons of the ability that is needed for that position will bewilling to risk inconveniences and losses so obvious--it being certainthat a man is necessary here of integrity and accomplishments and ofexcellent abilities; he must also be proficient in various professionsand functions for which occasions continually arise here, so thathe must practice and exercise them. Then in regard to property thegreatest difficulty of all is touched--that is, to need it and notto have it; for it is necessary to spend all the year and all one'slife in contriving. In regard to war it is the same thing, sincethere are so many occasions for it here, and the forces and means toenable him to carry out what he would undertake are lacking; nor canhe show who is at the head of the enterprise and has in charge whatmeans are available for his purposes. He must also be accomplishedwith weapons, and experienced in the preparation and management ofmarine affairs and artillery, for here the governor must be almostalways, and in most affairs of these islands, the head master; forit is not the same as in España, where each office has its own man, but in the affairs of government it is certain that this is the mostdifficult office that is known. For the greater the obligation, andthe less the means for fulfilling it, so much greater is the labor andso many more are the demands; and the less there is to give them, themore captious and more numerous are the complaints and discontents, which they both utter and write, that they have never seen a worsegovernor. Nor are there lacking friars to help them, who preach thesame thing with great effect--all the more if by chance somethingwhich the friars have asked for has been denied them. 

Other reasons beside those that I have given could be added to thiseffect, which I do not set down, as the city are doing it on theirown part. I beg your Majesty to have all these matters examinedand considered, and to decree what is most fitting for your royalservice--in attention to which it has seemed to me just, fitting, and proper to make this representation and supplication. 

I once more beg your Majesty to have examined and considered whatthis city so often requested from you, for a long time before Icame here, in regard to releasing them from the Audiencia--although, as I have said in other letters, I shall not enjoy this relief fromthe burden which is resting upon and is, in every way, irksome toall the people. I shall refrain from bringing forward this claimagain, but I assure your Majesty that the Audiencia does more harmthan good, as is manifest from the many arguments adduced in regardto this matter; and there is justice there for no one, except whenit suits the pleasure or convenience of some auditor or auditors, because the more care is exercised to make them administer justice, the more they pervert it when they wish to, using the freedom to votewhich belongs to them. On the occasion of the unfortunate event whichhappened to me on the night of the twelfth of May past [23]--and itwas so important and serious an affair, as your Majesty already knows, or will learn by the judicial record and papers regarding the matter, which I despatched by way of Nueva Spaña and am now despatching viaIndia--they made (although I am their president) no more demonstrationagainst the agents, go-betweens, and apologists who were guilty inthis affair than if it had concerned the most wretched and degradedof the Chinamen who go about here. As it was my own case, and as Iwas satisfied in regard to the principal matter that concerned me(thanks be to God), I did not wish to exercise my authority in thecase; but it may be seen to what lengths the blindness of theirdesires and passions leads them. 

I have already despatched the supplies to Terrenate, and to the islandof Panay. The larger ships of this expedition will carry the cargothat is to be brought thence, and the smaller vessels will go tojoin the larger ones with the supplies from here inside of two days, with the aid of God; may He convey in safety the relief for thoseplaces. It is quite sufficient, and is sent earlier than in formeryears--although there are not many soldiers for it, on account ofthe number which I have sent in past years, and because we have herea very small force. I have had good news from those forts that, forthe present, they have no enemies, according to what they write fromthere, thanks to His Divine Majesty. 

In the principal island of the Celeves, otherwise known as that ofMatheo, and by still others as that of Macazar, [24] as the chief manof that island is lord of that region, there is, at a certain pointof it, a strait which makes an islet. This waterway was recentlydiscovered, and by it there is a better route to Terrenate thanwas formerly followed. According to the information given me a postcan be occupied there, whereby this passage (which is very narrow)can be guarded, and the enemy be prevented from using it. Likewiseyour Majesty will have shelter for his vessels, and a footholdin that country, which abounds with meat and rice. This would bevery useful and convenient for sending supplies thence to Terrenate, during the whole year. During most seasons of the year the voyage fromMacazar to the islands of Panay and the Pintados, or to this island, can be made. As there have been some Spaniards and friars there, and this was pleasing to those Indians and their master; and as theyare receiving the water of holy baptism in considerable numbers, andhave now shown signs that they are troubled at the lack of religious;and as the Spaniards have retired by the order of Master-of-campDon Luis de Bracamonte--it has appeared best to me to send againsome men and a couple of religious of the Order of St. Francis, together with Captain Francisco Melendez Marques, who has been verywell received and is much liked by the said Indians. I ordered himthat, through friendship, or in whatever way he could best do it, he should strive to win their good-will, so that they might notonly consent to give us a place where fortifications might be built, which would be a sufficient foundation for greater works, but thatthey should also aid in that labor; and that he should use and takepossession of the site as soon as it should be conceded to him, oras soon and as fully as possible. Or having examined and chosen thespot, he should leave it until I should be able to send the troopsand what was necessary therefor. For the said purpose he took nearlya thousand pesos in money, or in stuffs and other articles which aremost valued there. I take it that this is a thing more than expedient;and, if I had been informed of it before, I would have tried to dothis earlier. I shall be glad if your Majesty is satisfied and pleasedwith it, as in all I desire to win your approval. 

The chief captain of Ffernanbuc, [25] Martin Dessosa de San Pago, and his wife and three children, who were prisoners in the hands ofthe Dutch, I have had exchanged for prisoners whom I held here. Heand his household are going with their goods in the galliots whichare now leaving this city for Yndia. 

I also freed from the same captivity Captain Miguel de SequeiraSañudo, who also has already set out for Yndia, by the "Aura" [_i. E. _, "Breeze"], of Macan. As for the stuffs and merchandise which remainedto be got out of the ship called "Nuestra Señora de La Vida, " which waswrecked, a great deal more of its cargo has been unloaded than what Iinformed your Majesty of in the last despatch which I sent by way ofNueva Spaña. All the artillery that was in it was likewise taken out;and I have ordered it to be conveyed to a shipyard in this island, where two ships are being built, which were already necessary tosupply the place of the old ones. There is no anxiety about raisingmoney for the future when the Indians are helping with a good will, as they are doing now; and this work is being paid for, as well asthat on some galliots or little galleys, of seventeen benches each, which also I am having built, as I save in that way half the crew, and they are sufficient for this country and its coasts. There are noother vessels belonging to the enemy that can secure any advantageover them, for our vessels, to aid in fighting, can carry verygood artillery; and, as for going about where occasion arises topunish or intimidate the Indians, they are excellent--although forattacking the vessels with which those called Mindanaos, Xoloans, and Camucones (who are bad neighbors of ours) usually sally out, weneed other boats like theirs. But if we had a fourth of their number, and a couple of these galliots, they would not dare to await attack, even though as many of their ships as could be found in their islandswere assembled, as has lately been seen; for some of these tribeshaving recently been tardy [in their payment of tributes], when wesent a galley with four or five smaller boats from here we could findno more of them, although the sargento-mayor Don Fernando de Silva, who went out for this purpose, is even now in search of them. 

In the last few days, news has come from the province of NuevaSegovia that some Indians on four or six of the encomiendas therehad fled to the woods, driving away the religious and burningthe churches. Although it is not a thing to create much anxiety, I thought best to despatch immediately, without losing an hour oftime, Admiral Joan Baptista de Molina, with a sufficient number ofsoldiers--some Spaniards, and some from the province of Panpanga--fortheir pacification and the punishment of the leaders and the guiltyones, for it is well to quench the fire, however small it may be, before it extends and increases. On the other hand the enemy'sgreatest desire is to see these natives disaffected toward us, anddisposed to favor them, as they have intimated to some who were intheir power, and whom afterward they set free--[telling them] thatthey levy no tributes from them, nor have they any friars to flog theIndians, nor any religious teaching; on this they base their hopesof limiting our power in this land, which without this means theycannot expect. It is necessary on the one hand to punish severely thepresumption of these natives, and on the other not to afflict them ormake them desperate. It is very certain, thanks be to God, that formy own part I have kept them all contented, favored, and well paid, without consenting that, even for the service of your Majesty, theyshould suffer any oppression; and they prove this by the contentmentin which they live and with which they aid [me] in every way, as iswell known. There must be in that court [of España] enough persons, both religious and laymen, who have gone from here who can tellyou this. But all this is not enough, nor even holding in checkthe alcaldes-mayor, encomenderos, and collectors, if the ministersin the missions will not treat them well. For it is not sufficientto protect them from the oppressions of the passing Spaniards, whowill be forgotten, if on the other hand they are liable--on accountof their service, or for some displeasure, or for gain, or becausethey do not know as much theology as the others--to be flogged orput in the stocks, and to suffer other hardships, which they feel, even though they are Indians. These fathers of St. Dominic are nottheir least oppressors, although I do not know whether they takefrom them anything which is of importance; and they favor them muchand even at times in a manner not very honorable. The friars serve asprotectors to them and inspire them to boldness; and now by this pathof protection, and again by that of punishment, the Indians are allbeing brought to recognize them as powerful lords, in both spiritualand temporal matters. So far has this gone that, if the alcalde-mayororders anything, even though it be just and necessary and for theservice of your Majesty, if the friar orders something else, it mustbe as the latter desires, at least for the time being, until a moreurgent order is issued. Your Majesty will be pleased to consider whatis best to decree in regard to this for the future, as I am applyingthe most gentle and expedient means and correctives for the present. 

According to the distribution of licenses to Sangleys, it appears thatthe care which I took to reduce the number of those here has had agood effect, and that they have gone back to their own country. For, as strict measures were taken to the effect that all those in thiscountry should not remain here without securing licenses, a muchsmaller number of these have been issued this year than last. Likewisea large part of the Japanese have been expelled, so that for a longtime there have not been so few of them here as now. I sent an orderand what was necessary for the fortification at Oton, and had thatport put in a state of defense. The same thing is being done withthe fort at Cavite, as I wrote to your Majesty. 

In the same way we are steadily engaged in repairing and equipping theships, not only the capitana and the almiranta, but the ship whichthis year came from Nueva Spaña, and another small ship and threegalleys. I do not know whether they can be manned, but everythingis being prepared for any emergency that may arise. What we cannotmake is money and Spaniards, the lack of the latter being the mostserious; and I have many times represented to your Majesty that theaid from Nueva Spaña has come in scanty measure, as if from one whowas not obliged to give an account of this matter. The infantry, ofwhom a very small number have come, are in such a state that I wouldbe glad if most of them had remained there; and, in short, countingthem all--aside from those who are crippled, and those housed in theforts here and at Cavite--they do not amount to seven hundred andfifty in all these companies, as appears from the certified officialstatements which I send with this. Deducting those who are usually leftin the ports, and the number who are ordinarily sick in the hospital, there will be barely enough to defend the capitana and almiranta, two galleys, and a patache (or another galley in its place), if theyare also accompanied by some respectable citizens and persons who areanxious to serve and merit reward. There are not yet here, however, the usual number of unpaid soldiers--who are here called "irregulars"[_extravagantes_] because nearly all of them are so, and serve in thesecompanies; but now, when there are not many troops, they are thusfar well provided and paid, and are content, thanks be to God. Withtheir help, when occasion arises, I hope that the soldiers will dotheir duty very well; and for such time I shall collect all that I canof those whom I have mentioned who are off duty, and likewise thosewho are to return to carry on their work in the mines of the Indianswho are called Igolotes, the neighbors of those in Pangasinan. Withthe help which has been offered me by Doctor Don Juan de Rrenteria, bishop of Nueva Segovia and of that region, who displays a zeal forthe service of your Majesty conformable to his obligations, my hopeshave increased for the good results which I desire in this. May Godour Lord, for whom it is done, grant us this and all other things, and protect the Catholic person of your Majesty, according to theneeds of Christendom. Manila, December 10, 1621. 

With the arrival of a ship which has come from Xapon to the island ofMariveles, at the mouth of this bay (whence I do not know where itwent), I received the letters which came for me. I learned by themthat nine armed ships were ready to sail from that country to joinon this coast two others which came out earlier to cruise along thecoast of China. It appears, however, that they certainly have leftXapon, as this was made known and affirmed by a Dutch factor, whofled from them in Malayo. His declaration accompanies this letter, to the effect that this fleet is already equipped, and that it hasbeen detached merely to come to these coasts to rob the ships fromChina, and to bring about an encounter with those from Nueva Spaña, keeping a place to retire to and fit up in some Japanese ports. Iam not surprised if this also is true, as it has been learned frommany besides this factor that the Flemish and English nations havea hundred vessels and more in these parts, besides those that areexpected, and are said to be coming. But God is before and aboveall. Your Majesty will arrange and decree what is most suitable;meantime, while I live, and remain here, I shall do what I can, and, with the divine favor, I expect no evil result. 

_Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca_

[_Endorsed_: "See whether this letter is a duplicate, for it is old. "]

DOCUMENTS OF 1622

	Letter to the king. Alvaro Messa y Lugo; 1621 and July 30, 	1622. 	Letters from the archbishop of Manila to the King. Miguel	García Serrano, O. S. A. ; 1621-22. 	Royal decrees regarding the religious. Felipe IV; December 31. 

_Source_: These documents are obtained from MSS. In the Archivogeneral de Indias, Sevilla. 

_Translations_: All these are made by James A. Robertson. 

Letters from Auditor Messa y Lugo to the King

Sire:

Immediately upon my arrival in this country, I informed your Majesty, at the first opportunity, of everything possible, both of the conditionin which I found affairs here, and of what I could conjecture in thebeginning made by the new governor, Don Alonso Fajardo--of whom Iimmediately conceived suspicions and fears--and in the little that Isaw of the beginnings of his government, by which he would not satisfythe need of the country for justice and [good] administration. Then inmy next despatch, [26] [I informed you how this idea was confirmed]by the demonstrations which may be called want of prudence; then, atintervals, I continued to add to my letters whatever occurred that wasmore intimately connected with this particular. Thus have I been doingon all the other occasions when ships have sailed from this country, both for Mexico and via Yndia, in addition to what the Audiencia haswritten to your Majesty. Although it has been impossible to informyour Majesty so minutely of everything, because it must be done withall possible caution and secrecy, in order to escape the violence andforce of the governor--who with extraordinary vigilance and solicitudeexamines the mails, in order to seize the letters--and this obstaclehas been aided by the multitude of affairs, still less, Sire, can thatbe attempted now when they have an exact number. But the extravaganceof the governor's actions seems to be in excess of human capacity, and of such sort that, although it be morally impossible to pointthem out, it is more impossible, even when inadequately described, tobelieve them; for in my opinion it is incredible when spoken or heard, and scarce will be believed when seen, at least to men who recognizethe loyalty that they owe to their God and their king. Accordingly, and as it is so necessary, in order to fulfil the obligations of myconscience, to inform my king, continuing the account that I have givenhitherto of the wretched condition to which the governor has reducedthe country (and this cannot be specific and particular, because ofthe multitude of his reckless acts or excesses, as above stated), Ishall relate, as succinctly as possible, some little that will serveas an indication of what I shall leave unsaid. Hence, Sire, I saythat, from what we see here, what the governor is doing is to expendyour Majesty's royal revenues on the one hand, uselessly, without thecareful consideration of facts which is necessary to obtain resultsfor the service of your Majesty, and with very indolent attention; andon the other hand, contriving to secure with them his own advantage, under color of service to your Majesty, by sending your Majesty'sships to Yndia, Macan, and other regions for his own negotiations, under pretext of sending them for military stores and other thingsfor the royal service. In this way he defrauds your Majesty of avast sum of ducados, a thing that could be given another name. Instill another direction [he acts unjustly], by giving warrants topay due-bills, and that not to the owners of those bills, but topersons who buy them at one-third and less [of their face value]. Tosuch persons does he open the doors to pay them, while they are shuton the wretched owners without recourse. [That is done] perhaps, inorder to make them sell their claims; for of the two-thirds or moreremaining from the face value of the due-bill for their service ofwealth, a great share of profit falls to the governor, as is openlymuttered. This is affirmed by many conjectures, and especially bythe fact that it all passes through the hands of his retainers andpartisans, and those of his household. All this is done to the neglectof building ships and preparing the supplies necessary for the defenseand conservation of the country. 

The governor is also managing to make vast profits from consignmentsof goods; and--as is hinted, and even affirmed, however secretly heattempts to keep his affairs--a great part of the consignments aresupplied by the royal treasury of your Majesty, and the royal incomefrom the licenses given to the Chinese to remain in the countryaids him not a little. That sum amounts nearly every year to onehundred and thirty thousand pesos, for many of the Chinese remain, thus incurring the risk of another insurrection, notwithstanding theso strict decrees in which your Majesty orders the very opposite, and prohibits their remaining. That money was formerly collectedand placed in the treasury through the intervention of the royalofficials. The governor has ordered it to be collected by one of hisservants and paid whenever the latter chooses, so that vast sums arealways due to the treasury. I have been assured that forty thousandpesos are still owing this year, which it is said that the governor isusing for his trading, as well as even the salary which is generallygiven the collectors. For that reason, when the servant receivesthe money that the Chinese pay for their licenses, it is weighed, and if it is under weight, he demands two or three reals more;but when he delivers that part of it which he chooses to pay intothe treasury, as I have said, he does not deliver it by weight, butby count, and thus keeps the profit of the two or three reals. Thatamounts to about four thousand pesos. It is sometimes even said thatwhat he delivers into the treasury on the principal account he paysin warrants bought by the schemes and channels above mentioned. Somany of these things are attributed to his master, the governor, that I am ashamed to relate them, for I do not believe them--or atleast I suspect that they are exaggerated. For it is even said thatthat servant gives false licenses instead of the true ones, whichhe distributes to the Chinese at the same price as the good ones, and keeps the money for them. It is said that the governor has moneytaken from the royal treasury secretly at night. Thus do they say, and attribute things to the governor by so many and so diverse roads, that one is scandalized on hearing them--both about the royal revenuesand about other particular things in the matter of profit. What I knowfor certain is that the governor does not have the accounts auditedannually in January, as your Majesty orders, by the president and twoauditors. On the contrary, the accounts for years before he assumedthe government are so far behind that they have not yet come tothose of his government, although he has been here three years. Inthose accounts preceding--although I am one of the two auditorswhom your Majesty orders to audit the accounts together with thepresident; and although I say many things about his negligence--Ihave not been sufficient, for he is the one who has to take actiontherein. I believe that he has not attended to this matter, but ratherhas utterly neglected it; for I am persuaded that, in reaching theaccounts of his own term, he has to keep things very private for theabove-mentioned reasons. I do not know whether he fears to have theaccounts made public; and besides that I should be the judge of them, for he knows that many worlds could not, through God's mercy, moveme one jot from my strict observance of your Majesty's service. 

Also the governor tries to violate justice, and to prohibit thepunishment of evildoers, [at the same time] prosecuting and punishingthe good and innocent; for he protects the former and abhors thelatter, inasmuch as the one class do his will, while the others noteand hate the evil things that he does. To them he offers insults, and to the others he gives offices and honors. In suits there must benothing done but his pleasure, even though the suits be pending in theAudiencia, especially if they belong to persons devoted to him, or tothose whom he hates; and he acts therein with so great violence that, when his desires are not carried out, he stops the course of the suitsand takes them to his own house, so that the Audiencia may not passany sentence contrary to his will. No one dares to demand justicefrom him, or any clerk to notify him of the vote of the Audiencia, while the parties to the suit call out to God in the streets. Whenit suits his pleasure, he takes charge of the criminal causes, andsays that he does not wish a case to be prosecuted further, or thatsuch a person be punished. Consequently, the number of the evildoers(and it is for them that he acts thus) increases so greatly that thescandal arising from it is pitiful. Malefactors also are more numerousbecause, when the whim takes him to forsake the other methods, thegovernor orders the warden of the prison to let the prisoners go, even when they are imprisoned for serious crimes; or he does thissecretly, so that no one should know it, and under pretext thatthey are needed for war or your Majesty's service. But he does thevery opposite if it is a matter not to his taste, even though theprisoners be guiltless. His actions are still more objectionable whenhe goes to inspect the general prison, where he prevents the auditorsfrom having any vote, and they are allowed to do only what he wishes;while he threatens them that he will dash out their brains with a club, and other serious things. 

The governor also makes a practice of neglecting and not observingthe decrees and orders of your Majesty, interpreting them to his ownsatisfaction, or pretending that he has not got them, when he doesnot wish them to be known, even though he should be plainly toldof them; and even if he knows it, he regards everything accordingto his own pleasure and preference. If any one murmurs or says aword, he is prosecuted, and his innocence is punished with violentimprisonment. The governor even takes away his natural defense sothat he cannot appeal or demand justice; and the governor searchesfor contrivances to annoy those who do not approve his doings. 

The governor also makes a practice of being so absolute in everything, that he does not only what is mentioned above so summarily and ingeneral terms--for, as I have stated to your Majesty in the beginning, it appears difficult in each of these subjects to enumerate the thingsthat he does (even, in my judgment, only the weighty and more seriousones)--but also in regard to various other matters does he act andproceed in the same manner. Consequently, I believe that there is noman who will not affirm that from the time that the governor enteredthis country, he has done no good thing, but all in disservice ofyour Majesty, at least in the regular procedure. For if he callstreasury meetings, if he sometimes attends the Audiencia and sessions, or does any other act by reason of his office, there is no one whodoes not understand that the ends and objects of his acts are hisown conveniences, vengeance, and passions or the conduct of his ownaffairs and those of all his following--as has been apparent to meat many times, on occasions when I have been able to be present byvirtue of my office. Yet he neither wishes the auditors to counsel oradvise or influence him, nor that a word be said about his actions. On, the contrary he manages to get all his affairs approved especially bythose persons holding office, such as regidors, royal officials, andothers, and not only laymen but ecclesiastical persons. Consequentlyhe seeks with most strenuous efforts the life of those laymen who donot approve his acts, both in public and in private. He threatens toproceed against them, either personally or through intermediaries, for the most remote and trifling irregularity that can be imagined;and he brings suits without hesitating, when he finds no witnesses, to secure others, even though they be false. To them he furnishesoffices and other accommodations for that service, as many dare tosay; and there is no longer any redress or protection, or at leastthat which is usually a safeguard destroys them. Consequently theyendeavor to please him, without considering what he asks or what theydo. Hence it results that neither the royal officials nor the regidors, nor any other persons whatever whom he may need--either that they maygive him their approval, or that they may suit his pleasure--whetherin violation of ordinance or decree of your Majesty or for whatever hemight desire, exercise their offices with freedom. Thus outraged andtyrannized over is all this community--so much so, that I have beentold secretly that the regidors have sent your Majesty a chart of acertain victory which they pretend that the governor has gained fromthe Dutch enemy who generally frequent these coasts, in which theypretend that the governor burned and put to flight their ships by hisplans and arrangements. God knows the truth, and whether that is so;but I can never persuade myself of so great corruption; for such athing never happened, and the governor has here a sufficiently wretchedreputation. In this matter, and regarding a matter of such gravity, it was told me that when a regidor who privately told it was askedhow they had done such a thing, he had answered by asking what theywould have done if a traitor had come to govern them. Although that isnot public, but was told in private, your Majesty will learn it thereby its effects if that chart has reached you. But what is public isthat the governor says that your Majesty should have patience; andsince you sent him here he will conduct affairs according to his ownpleasure. He either threatens ecclesiastical persons, even thoughthey are friars, that if they do not act the same as the laymen, he will take from them the stipends given them by your Majesty, orhe does not pay them; and he has oppressed them so that not evendo the preachers dare to utter truths in the pulpit, both by histhreats and because he dishonors them, and says that they are livingin concubinage, and that he will have them stabbed. However, thechief reason why they have ceased to preach, as I have been told, isbecause all conclude that it is a matter that has no remedy, and that, since they attain no results, they do not care to ruin themselves;and so they abandon it as a matter already adjudged. By these acts ofviolence on the one hand, and with the flattery of some on the other, he obtained a guaranty to your Majesty in order, as is understood, toscreen by it, or at least to moderate, the enormity of his acts. Healso avails himself, for this purpose, of threats to the notaries, of nothing less than the galleys and their ruin; or they are givento understand that they must not give official statements of anythingrequested from them, especially to persons who he thinks will write toyour Majesty. He has under his influence one Pedro Muñoz de Herrera, who is clerk of court for the Audiencia, with whom he negotiatesthose statements that he wishes; and there is even a very evilrumor that the latter will give them even though they are not true, and that he gives them from the official records as demanded, evenwhen these are defective--not only by what is known of the person ofeach one, but because the governor has favored, protected, and placedhim by force in the Audiencia. [This has been done] both in a murderthat the governor committed on the person of his wife, and in manyother matters. Finally in violation of your Majesty's decrees whichorder that the offices be sold, he has, after having granted somegratuitously for his own objects, without selling them, refused toadjudge the office of secretary held by Pedro Muñoz to one Diego deRueda, who bid eight thousand pesos for it, in order that Pedro Muñozmight not be deprived of it; while he gave it to the latter for onethousand five hundred pesos, which the said Muñoz had bid for it, andthat sum was paid in purchased pay-warrants, in order to give it tohim gratis, as is well known. He manages the clergy in the same way;and, as he suspected that the cabildo of the church wrote a letterto your Majesty last year, they have, since he learned somethingof this matter, endured a little tempest until they have been able, by certain paths that they have learned, to watch him. This presentyear I fear that they will not write, in view of the extraordinarycare with which they see that the governor seizes the letters thatare sent to your Majesty. The whole country is so fearful of suchinterference that each one, I think, will seek an extraordinary wayin order to save his letters. Some are thinking of putting them inboxes of merchandise, for which reason I fear that some will be left;and, as I have said, it might be that these will be the letters ofthe cabildo of the church--not only because of the aforesaid reason, but because, although I see that the archbishop is annoyed at the actsof the governor, and as I understand, those affairs cause him internalanxiety through his desire of remedying them, there is among outsidersconsiderable grumbling because he flatters the governor and humorshim in many ways (which leads people to think that the cause for it iscertain accommodations for his servants and relatives that the governorgives him); and because of certain injuries which they think could atleast be abated with less compliance [on the archbishop's part]. ButI do not agree with that, notwithstanding that I might commend [more]effort [by the archbishop]; for I know the governor's temper. 

The governor also makes a practice of neglecting and sleeping overaffairs of good government, a policy that is fitting [27] for theconservation of the country in peace and in the service of God; andhe lives in a profound slumber, and neglects taking any precautionswhatever--although the enemy so frequently invades these coasts, with new forces each day on the sea; while on the land are greatnumbers of Chinese Sangleys and Japanese. This has long caused manymen of loyalty and high standing to be anxious with the memory of thepast insurrection of the Sangleys; and not less is the anxiety causedby the Japanese, for they are numerous and are an extremely warlikerace. [28] And although the governor has orders and decrees from yourMajesty that only the number who would be necessary for the ordinaryservice of the trades of the country shall remain here; and althoughthe facts are well known to him, besides that he has been often toldof this, both in and out of official meetings: yet he does not discussits remedy, but only talks of making outside demonstrations by whichhe will accomplish much. But one would believe that he means that hewill do much evil. May God in His mercy keep that evil far away. Thegovernor does the same in what concerns the enemy on the sea; fornot only does he not discuss, nor has he discussed, the buildingof ships in order to be prepared, as did Don Juan de Silva, to goto meet the enemy, but on the contrary, when he reached this land, although the galleons built by Don Juan de Silva had been wrecked, and although the Audiencia which was then governing had ordered, notwithstanding that the treasury did not contain a single real, some ships to be built, so that they might be finished in place ofthose which had been wrecked, yet the governor, on finding them onthe stocks at his arrival, ordered all work to cease, and only twoships were finished. He ordered even those vessels to be reducedin size, whereat there are not wanting those who grumbled that hedid it in order to have trading-ships instead of warships. [29] Hehas not built any others during all these three years, although theemployees in the accountancy of the royal treasury assure me, and it iswithout doubt so, that he has spent three millions [of pesos] of yourMajesty's royal incomes from these regions, and of the funds broughtfrom Nueva España, during three years. That is a very great pity here, for it is to be presumed that he has spent a great portion of that sumin paying due-bills bought at one-third and less [their face value], as I have said above. The employees of the accountancy have assuredme that five hundred thousand pesos were paid in that way last year, and that fact is very well known. It is also known that the due-billsoutstanding have been exhausted, so that now they are being soughtvery anxiously in the same districts, but cannot be found. 

Although we generally have six or seven months' sure notice fromXapon before the coming of the enemy, that they are going to come, thegovernor makes no preparation, small or large, nor does he build anyvessels, but allows the time to pass as if he had no such warning. Whenthe enemy arrive at the coast, the governor, without any intentionof going to meet them--as is known publicly and generally, and isknown by the results, as he has already spent the money--lays handson the inhabitants and mainly by force gets a loan of one hundredthousand pesos from them, or what he thinks best, and has the shipsin the port repaired. Those vessels often do not exceed three, and hespends on them a vast sum of ducados, even loading them with food andwar-supplies of all that is needed. He troubles the soldiers in makingthem go and come to and from Cavite, and even making them embark. Hesays with show of great courage that he is going out, although heis told that such a thing is impossible with the ships that he has, for the enemy have many. Having spent all the money and exhausted themiserable inhabitants whom he has thus burdened, he calls a councilat this juncture, and asks whether it is advisable to go out. Sincethe enemy are so superior they cannot tell him to go out, and inaddition they see little gain in it; accordingly it is resolved thatit is not advisable to go out. Your Majesty's royal treasury thusremains depleted, and the enemy are left to pillage the vessels thatthey seize from those who come to this city, especially those fromChina. It is even asserted, although I do not know whether it is true, that he makes underhanded efforts in the midst of all these braveries, by the hands of certain persons who are masters of his secrets, so thatthe city may come out and disapprove of, and protest against, his going[against the enemy], and may inform many of the council of the dangerif they should say that he should go out. And it is said that thus, inthe matters above related and in many things left unsaid, the governorwastes his time--which he ought to spend in pleasing God our Lord, andin imploring His mercy, so that He might aid us in the conservationof the country, in succeeding in serving our king, and in preparingmatters for his royal service--in many feasts and games, parties, weddings, christenings, and entertainments with women, even while theenemy are along the coasts, and often even anchored inside the bay;for I believe, and it is understood, that the Japanese inform the enemyof the slight preparations of the country. As a result, the governorhas acquired a wretched reputation and character, even among theChinese Sangleys and the Japanese of the country (who are infidels), not only for sensuality and lasciviousness, but for other and worsedoings. We have the country in the most wretched condition that canbe imagined. Never has it been so wretched, as is affirmed openly bythe oldest residents here, as well as by me. They bewail Don Juan deSilva, for, although they say that he was covetous and revengeful, yethe was moderate in these faults; besides, he was prudent, and watchfulof your Majesty's service, and of the preservation [of the country]and credit in war, and of the honor of your Spanish nation. Manyof them fear, and I with them, some great chastisement from heaven, because of the publicity and multitude of the sins of us who live here. 

In the particulars of the above matters [your Majesty's revenues]have been and are being wasted during the time of this government, and I fear greatly that it will continue in the same way until theend of it; and I do not know that it can become worse. For I assureyour Majesty that I am talking with some caution, although I couldenlarge on this subject--because when I talk with my king, I amtalking with God, for the satisfaction and security of my conscience;and because from my entrance into this Audiencia, I thought that Iwould not be fulfilling my obligations unless I endeavored to do myduty in what concerns me, and in the rest what I could, so that theservice of God our Lord and that of your Majesty might be furthered. Ithought that if evil beginnings be looked on with fear they could notincrease. I always endeavored to furnish a good example in the matterof any actions and life, and at the same time to persuade and advisethe governor of what I deemed worthy of reform, so that reason andnot inclination might rule. I avoided conforming to his will in allthings that came to my hands by reason of my office which were not tothe service of your Majesty. By deed, example, and advice, or at leastby efficient warnings, I exerted myself, so that only your Majesty'sservice should be striven for, and I am persevering in this course. Idesire and am endeavoring to be on my guard respecting matters whichconcern his inclination and not his reason. For in fact, althoughthe governor has done what he wished in many things, because he doesnot know how to conduct negotiations otherwise, at least he did notso act with me; and because of me and the openness of my nature, heceased to attempt and to do other things--I persevering in my purpose, and he in his; and, although disabusing his mind of the idea that Iwould surrender myself to an evil thing, humoring him and giving himpleasure in all that I could freely. Inasmuch as that was so littleand the matter of justice so great, because your Majesty's royaltreasury and other most important things enter into it, he readilyabandoned the path of perverting me. He said, with promises, thathe would esteem my compliance more highly than that of all others, or than a great sum of money, besides other exaggerations (from whichI think that he did not ill judge me), and changed the course thathe had pursued by means of insults and injuries. [As an instance ofthe latter], after talking to me with his usual harshness while inhis house--that which your Majesty assigns and gives to the president[of the Audiencia] by an order that you have given to the effect thatthere be houses for the president and auditors--one of the houses ofone of the auditors having become vacant because Licentiate Alcarazleft it, the governor (although it pertained to me by my seniority, because Licentiate Legaspi already had a house) took it from me, movedinto it, and left his own under pretext that he wished to demolish it, because it was falling down. He has lived in both houses (for one isnear the other) for two years, although there have been most furiouswinds and storms, which makes his object evident. Besides, since yourMajesty assigns a house to the president and auditors, if mine shouldcollapse, I would rent a house which he could not seize afterward;and since by the mercy of God, I trust in His Divine Majesty, that allthe world could not divorce me from the service of my king, I enduredand concealed the annoyance of his having deprived me of my house. Ithink that the scope of his pretensions must have increased, and that, when I censured him more, he tried to drive me from the Audiencia bydifferent methods that he attempted. One was to send me to inspect thecountry (where one goes mostly by sea, because of the multitude of theislands, the great distance, and the fact that the roads pass throughthe territory of the insurgent Indians) while the enemy was along thecoast; yet an order was given to all the Spaniards who were livingon their encomiendas, and others who are the chiefs--against whom, and not the poor common Indians, the inspection is aimed--to come toreside in this city because of the presence of the enemy. Besides, that inspection did not pertain to me, since I was neither the oldestnor the most recent auditor. Notwithstanding that the Audienciaresisted, saying that it was not advisable to make that visit then, he tried to have it done by his appointment alone, and without theconcurrence of the Audiencia, having attempted to do that last yearas well as at the present time. In order to constrain and annoy memore, he ordered me to go out in Holy Week, notwithstanding that Ireplied to him that I would go (although it did not pertain to me)if the Audiencia concurred in it, but that without that concurrence Icould not go. In consequence, it appears that the governor desistedfor the time, but did not abandon his project; on the contrary, hewas more set on it. When the Christmas season came, the time for thedistribution of offices, in accordance with your Majesty's ordinances, that of probate judge fell to me in my turn. But this so annoyed himthat he tried to avoid giving it, withholding the commission signedby the entire Audiencia, for more than two months, I believe, with acertain scandal to the city; for litigants did not know to what judgethey could have recourse, as my predecessor's time had expired. Afterhe had delivered me the commission, when I commenced to exercise theoffice--with no greater pleasure than that of serving your Majesty, although others solicit those offices--the death of Licentiate Andresde Alcaraz happened, without his leaving a will. As judge, I set aboutcollecting his property with much diligence, involving considerablehardship. That caused me certain fevers, for as he died in the countryoutside this city in a garden his property was in great peril. Of thisI gave your Majesty an account after the property was collected andplaced in order, with the precautions that I had taken--by which, notwithstanding the suits that had succeeded, I would continueto retain and reserve the property in case that your Majesty werepleased to send [some one to take] the said auditor's inspection orresidencia. In conformity with that I had sent documents both to theprobate court of Mexico and to the House of Trade at Sevilla, so thatthe property that the said auditor possessed there might be collected, and that your Majesty might be advised. Finally, I continuing in myoffice and the governor in his purpose--which was stimulated by hisinability to reduce me to what I can morally believe, besides thepublic rumor and report--and he being most desirous of taking fromme my office of probate judge, especially after the property hadbeen entered in the accounts of the probate court; and I had begunthe administration of the property of Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz:for certain purposes, which I do not dare to state, although they arereported, for I do not dare believe them, still by this and by manyother reasons, and more because he had seized certain of the lettersthat I have written to inform your Majesty (for which, as persons inhis confidence assure me, with whom he has communicated the matter, he has felt, and still feels, special anger and fury against me), he resolved to remove me, even though it should be by arbitrary act, from the Audiencia. Of that I am morally persuaded, and it is wellknown. Seeking occasion for this, but not finding it, and weariedperhaps in waiting for it, it happened one session that, whileLicentiate Legaspi and Don Juan de Valderrama, auditor and fiscal, were at the door of the hall of his house, a message came in which DonAntonio Rodriguez de Villegas excused himself on the grounds of illhealth. As the governor never attends the sessions of the Audienciaexcept for his private ends, under pretext of your Majesty's service, he was very angry that Don Antonio should excuse himself that day; forhe was trying to secure the passage of a resolution [by the Audiencia]that I should go out to make the inspection--always persisting, asI have said, in his purpose; and also because it was understood thathe had on his part managed to get the consent of Licentiate Legaspito it. On hearing the message, he said very angrily that Don AntonioRodriguez and I were always excusing ourselves from your Majesty'sservice by feigning to be sick. [That he said] in the presence of manypeople who were there, besides other quite unreasonable language. Forthat reason I was forced to ask him why, if your Majesty gave credit toan auditor when he excused himself, did not he have to do the same, allthis with the intention to calm and satisfy him. He abandoned himselfto a flow of words, somewhat disconnected, to which I replied, sayingthat your Majesty did not order a president to treat the auditors so;and that I served your Majesty punctually, and did not excuse myselfwhen I was well. If I remember correctly, I think that I made witnessesof all; for he also came to me after all that, and told me that I lied, and I think that he said "villain. " However, I do not believe that anybesides Licentiate Legaspi and the fiscal heard that, And inasmuch ashe told me to keep still and not reply, threatening me with execrationsand oaths, I said to him with the greatest calmness, as is my custom:"If your Lordship tells us what is not so, are we not to remonstrateand answer you?" Thereupon he went to the meeting, where he told methat I was the worst Christian in the world, and that I took communionlike Judas, besides other insults of like import, before LicentiateLegaspi and the fiscal. I was silent under everything, for I only toldhim that in the matter of sins I could confess many omissions; but Iwarned him that witnesses heard that, just as they had also heard athis house the other things that he said. Although he went ahead he mayperhaps have thought that I persisted in silence, and did not answerhim, in order that he might be led on to commit some imprudent act;thereupon he must have thought that there was now much to fear, andthat he was not to find a justifiable opportunity, [for] he caughtat that word, and said that I had intended to give him the lie, asif transgressions in thought were to be fought over--the more so, Sire, as I did not speak another word to him; for if I had spokenanother word, I am not the man who would deny that to your Majestyor any one else. On account of that, the governor determined to makeme the object of a lawsuit, and received his witnesses. To them hedid not fail to tell what had happened, but not the words that I hadspoken. When some wished to tell more, it is said that he insulted andthreatened them. However, he did not do that with Licentiate Legaspiand Don Juan de Valderrama, the auditor and fiscal, whom he alsoreceived as witnesses, and whom I warned beforehand to give witnessof everything that had passed; still, they said no more than whatthe governor wished, by which I am insulted, ashamed, and surprisedbeyond manner. Notwithstanding their great friendship with him, andthat they know how to gratify him and be gratified by him (of whichwould to God there were not so much to murmur at in the community, because of the great aid they render him in ruining it), still I amconsoled, and I praise God for everything. With this and, as has beendeclared publicly, with the advice of an advocate, to whom he gave anappointment so that he might be made judge of vagabonds--and who was, as is said, urged and even persuaded for it, that such action was notto arrest me, but only to intimidate me--the governor issued a warrantfor arrest, and seized me. This was done while all the Audiencia wasin a body, near the chapel where mass was being said, and about togo on general prison inspection, on Palm Saturday--although he had nosufficient reasons, as I told him so that he should not do it, as wellas to the rest of the Audiencia so that they might discuss it. He sentme to the cabildo quarters, which are in the public prison, where heset over me seven soldiers of the guard and a corporal, with ordersnot to let me talk with any layman, especially any scrivener, andnot to let me have paper and ink to write. Besides that guard, he setother soldiers in the street, so that I might not escape through thewindows, as I believe. I am also told that the corporal had orders tokill me if I tried to escape, although I do not know what truth thereis in that statement. But none of the orders given were more than oral, for the governor did not want them set on the records. Imprisoned inthe above manner--on Palm Saturday, when [even] highwaymen are setfree--he kept me prisoner during all of Holy Week and Easter, andtwo whole months--with the greatest scandal that, as I have heard, this community has ever had--until many religious, servants of God, and the archbishop, went to him to persuade him, and to undeceive himas to the gravity of the act that he had committed. But they obtainedno beneficial result from it; on the contrary, considering as wellfounded the fears that they inspired in him, and thinking to justifyhis crime, he began to take a residencia of all my life. That lastedalmost two months, and he summoned witnesses, and many of them, whotold all that they knew about me. In order to persuade them to gointo details, perhaps, as to what he desired, he proclaimed that Iwas not to be set free or to be an auditor any longer in the country;but that, on the contrary, he was going to place me aboard ship. Bythose efforts, and others--not only by demands on the one hand, butby fears that he inculcated through third parties, as has been toldme, on the other--he obtained a great number of witnesses. However, he discharged many of these, in anger at them because they toldhim, with forcible arguments, that they were Christians, andthat he should not involve them in matters with which they wereunacquainted. Others of them, who tried to say, as was thought, many things that appeared to be in my favor, were not allowed to saythese. All that took place under the efficient management of PedroMuñoz, court scrivener of the Audiencia, with whom the governor washand in glove, as I have said. For, in order to do it, I am told thathe suppressed the heading of the process which he had before made onaccount of only that word, and substituted another in its place whichcomprehended in it scope all the discourses in the life of a man--sothat it might not be understood, as I believe, that he had made sogreat a mistake at the beginning, and for other objects that thegovernor will know. Notwithstanding that, and his cruelty, violence, and force, and the fears of the witnesses, I trust in our Lord thatHe will not have permitted them to give false testimonies againstme, although the outrageous manner in which the governor proceeds, and the so mortal fear that all have of him, makes that much tobe dreaded. Finally, at the end of the two months of so seriousand scandalous an imprisonment, our Lord was pleased to perform amiracle for me, through the intercession of the Virgin, our Lady, to whom I attribute it (and that miracle is not the first that shehas performed for men as unworthy as I). It occurred thus: One dayI dressed myself in my usual manner for going to the Audiencia; andat ten I went out among all the soldiers who were posted there, andwent down the steps at my usual gait. In the same way, while in theprison, many people were round about, and in the public place whereone goes out of the prison were many more; but I passed through themidst of them all to the college of Sancto Thomas. Next day I wentthence to [the convent of] St. Dominic, which is on the other sideof the wall, where I remain a refugee. [30] The convent is quitefar from the prison, and no man spoke to me at all; on the contrary, those in the square accompanied me. Afterward the soldiers and guard(whom God was pleased to stop, I know not how) must have returned totheir senses; and they came after me, when I was already near thechurch. Ascertaining what had happened, some went to the church, and the governor arrested others. He, as I have been told, orderedall the camp of soldiers called to arms, as if it were for the Dutch, with the intention, it is said, of taking me out by force, even ifhe should destroy the college. However, he restrained himself tosending two companies. It is even said, further, that all that dayand night they surrounded the college, under orders not to allowentrance or exit to friar or anyone else, or the entrance of food, until the archbishop, at the instance of the friars, persuaded thegovernor to withdraw the soldiers. I consider as a miracle also whathappened with him. Since I have been in [the convent of] St. Dominic, I have heard from several persons that the governor was quietly tryingto have me killed by a certain agreement, which would have been veryeasy for him had not God prevented it. However, although that isnot very well known, nor do I believe it all, yet it could be fearedfrom him, and from his great desire to be free from my witnessing hisacts on occasions of defending the justice and service of my king, since he could not reduce me to take a path contrary thereto. For thatreason, I have tried with peculiar care to have God's zealous servantscommend him to God, and petition Him for the governor's reformationand prudent action, so that he may not fall into the deeper abyss ofmiseries. Then the governor ordered my property to be sequestered, and they went to my house and took an inventory of all my books andthe other treasures that I possessed, even to the very clothes of mywife, and my salaries--just as if I were a private citizen and not next[in authority] to your Majesty and the royal council, as I am; as ifI had committed some crime, and he had authority to proceed againstand punish me, he saying that he is the aggrieved and proper party;and as if, besides, he could be judge with so great violence. Hehad me summoned by edicts and proclaimed through the public streets, an action that has scandalized this community. But, notwithstandinghis hostile demonstrations, he cannot satisfy himself, for all ofwhich I have tried to give many thanks to God, considering that Iam suffering thus for [the sake of] justice, and for defending theservice of God and of my king. In regard to that it must be consideredthat, although all those lawless acts, insults, and violences to theprivate person of Don Alvaro de Messa I consider as referred to God, nevertheless it is a serious and intolerable matter to persecute aminister for being loyal to his king. For the sake of the respectand royal authority of your Majesty which is so offended by thosequalities in your minister, on account of the public scandal, andfor the conservation of justice and the security of the country, and in order to avoid disservice to God and your Majesty--all whichis attained by the punishment of the guilty, by which the good wouldbe encouraged and those who are not good would fear--an exemplarypunishment seems very necessary for the governor, and for me areward and honor for the affronts and hardships that I have suffered, especially in this country, where, because of the absolute procedureof the governor, no attention is paid to your Majesty's royal orders, and one trembles to displease the governor, without more reason thanthat the latter desires such and such a thing. And because for manyyears this has continued to increase, very justly may one fear that, if it be not punished, it may reach such a point that the remedywill be difficult and ever miraculous. To moderate the enormity ofthe circumstances of my imprisonment and the grave scandal existinghitherto throughout the community (and I think that it will existuntil satisfaction can be made for it), his guardian angels--oneof whom is Don Juan de Alvarado, who has been fiscal and whom yourMajesty ordered to be banished hence; and who was irritated because Ihad not cloaked his residencia, about which I am writing your Majestyin a separate letter--and others who are of the same sort, advisedthe governor to make use of an ordinance which is one of those ofthis Audiencia, never used and not even remembered for a long time, and which is as follows:

"_Item_: I order that my president of the said Audienciatry the criminal causes of its auditors, together with thealcaldes-in-ordinary, notwithstanding the ordinance that rulesthe contrary. " [31] He availed himself of this to summon thealcaldes-in-ordinary and to cause them to sign all that he decreed, for they were present at nothing else than the signing of what hewas violating--both with witnesses and without them, when they werenot persons who were mere creatures of his; for, when persons areelected into the cabildo, nothing but what the governor wishes isvoted. Further than this, if they were persons of greater obligations, and more exemplary in life and conscience, I think that they would dothe same, although it might even be in a matter of greater weight;for, as I have told your Majesty, the more than violence and forcethat the governor holds over their minds and wills is incredible, although evident. Not all dare to resist at the peril of their securityand life, and of being imprisoned, as I was, for the service of yourMajesty. They, hastily judging, differentiate between the future hurt, which may not come to them, and the punishment which they regard asa present hurt, namely, to suffer for God and their king. Besides, as they also are in the deal, they have their advantages, by whichthey are all blinded. For to whoever can see, and to him who desiresthe light of heaven that he may succeed, not only is the ordinancenot obscure, as they say, but quite clear, since it does not giveauthority or contain words for arrest or process; nor does it inany way alter the law. Therefore, those nearest [to your Majesty], as are the auditors, cannot be imprisoned or proceeded against exceptby your Majesty or the royal Council, or by your order. Nevertheless, the president, in virtue of his superintendency over the Audiencia, may ordain to the auditors what may be just and reasonable in mattersthat pertain to the government and its conservation; and even, inthe heated arguments that are wont to arise between the auditors, has authority, in case the nature of the affair might require it, toretire each auditor to his own house, until they make up the quarrel;and, should he deem it advisable, he may inform your Majesty. For theordinance does not say that the president and alcaldes shall proceed, arrest, sentence, and execute justice in criminal causes affectingthe auditors. All that, in my opinion, was meant to amend the expressprivilege of law as contained substantially in the _corpus juris_[_civilis_]; [32] and even then serious causes would have to beunderstood by criminal causes; _ultra multa cum tiberº farsnaci eregni col. 9, ttº 4, pº. 3. _ [33] But it says only that the governorshall try criminal causes, which means that, in crimes that arenot such by reason of the office, but personal and serious crimesof the auditors, he shall investigate, together with the alcaldes, and advise your Majesty; and the word "try, " instead of meaning toarrest and execute justice and other equivalent things, only denotessimple jurisdiction which belongs to civil cases, and not authority, either pure or mixed. [34] Otherwise your Majesty could avoid thevisits and residencia which you send to the Audiencia. Accordingly, to try criminal cases means that they be treated civilly withoutallowing them to be [cases for either] pure or mixed authority, by arresting or proceeding; but only to investigate and advise yourMajesty, except in capital causes that have the capital penalty. Insuch cases it would be advisable for the Audiencia, and even for thepresident alone, to secure the criminals, if they should be auditorsand nearest [to the king], but not by virtue of the ordinance, but by virtue of the ordinary authority of law, and the privilegesof public protection--citing [the paragraph] _ne delicta_, etc. , in case that it was unable, because of the crime and the person, to be secure in any other way than by imprisonment which befits thecrime, and in accordance with the teaching of the law _divi fratresf fin ff de poen. _ [35] Therefore the Audiencia ought to arrest thegovernor for four murders that he has lately committed (and which willbe told later), solely to assure and advise your Majesty, with judicialconsideration, so that you might decree your pleasure in respect to hisperson. But [they ought] to punish his accomplices, who were numerous, and who are not near [to the king], but most of them men who, withoutthat crime, deserve to be severely punished for others; but they areall passed by, in virtue of peace and harmony, by Licentiate Hieronimode Legaspi and Don Juan de Valderrama, the auditor and fiscal, who areon good terms with the governor. [Indeed, these men] now constitutethe Audiencia, because Don Antonio Rodriguez has retired to his house, and is sick because of the insults cast upon him by the governor ata meeting (which I shall relate later); while I was arrested when ithappened, and am now in refuge in the sanctuary. In order that all thatmay be done well, the governor arrests me and insults me--although, I am, by the mercy of God, guiltless of any crime, capital, moderate, or the least, and even without the slightest dispute in the Audiencia;but only because my character and the obligations of my conscience donot allow me to lack one jot in my service to my king--under pretextthat by not consenting to the things that the governor imputed to me, I told him that what he was saying to me was not so. Had I shown anywant of prudence in my defense--which I could have done, and which Ithink another would have done, who would not have endured it as didI--I would have been excused, and he would have been guilty in makinghimself the judge of his own cause--the more, as there was no faultor injury; or, even if there were any, it was not to the tribunalor to his dignity. I do not know, Sire, [of a case] even with fullauthority from your Majesty in regard to visit and residencia, whenone has ever seen an auditor arrested and proclaimed, even though hehad committed many serious crimes; and when, as has been told me, they shuddered with horror at the men who did it. However, I wouldbetter leave this matter now, and put a stop to this particular, ratherreproaching myself at having digressed to discuss these private details(although with so great limitation), since I am talking with so exalteda tribunal, and to so many grandees and to so gifted men. For thatreason, I do not dare allege rights or continue, but only to petitionyour Majesty to be pleased to have your royal provision issued withthe gravest penalties (nevertheless, I fear that those penalties willnot be sufficient, from what I know and what the community knows ofthe governor), so that the governor may release me; and ordering himnot to molest me with any processes or causes whatsoever, so that Imay attend to the affairs of my office as auditor, freely, as well asto those which your Majesty has assigned to me. [I also ask] that theroyal officials pay me all my salaries, [36] for the time while thegovernor has prevented and kept me by force from exercising my office;that the governor restore to me my property that he has sequestered;that, if it be sold, I be paid for it; that the governor leave myhouse that he has occupied for two years, pay me the rent for it, and go to his own house, since your Majesty has assigned it to meand the other to him; and that, if the governor should have drawnup any acts, they be sent to the Council immediately. For I have notbeen able to get them from him, nor is there any one who can get anytestimonial from him of anything. On the contrary the governor has, since I have been in [the convent of] St. Dominic, seized certainpetitions presented in the Audiencia before Licentiate Legaspi, whois there alone, a thing which before could not have been possible;and has refused to return them under any circumstances, in accordancewith his usual custom in such things. I trust, God helping, that if thegovernor sends the testimonies by themselves alone; without consideringhis own inability to do it, his violence, and the judicial substance, your Majesty, if so pleased, will find in them a disposition to punishhim severely, and to condemn him and the alcaldes; and to order meto be paid many damages and costs which have been imposed on me, rewarding me and granting me great favors and honor. For without anyother investigation or information from me, or from others, I thinkthat you will see very clearly the reasons and objects that, as Ihave said, have moved the governor to commit so atrocious an act ashe did in my imprisonment. However, it is also well known that thefollowing reasons have influenced him. 

First, the governor, as above stated, was angered because, when I wasjudge of the probate court, it should happen that I should collectthat property of Licentiate Andres de Alcazar, because of the latter'sdeath. Licentiate Legaspi was angered for the same reason. For both ofthem, as is very well known in this community, would have liked thatto have happened when Licentiate Legaspi should be judge, and theyknow why. I dare only judge what is said, and what I see and hearoutside, although there is so much grumbling at their objects, andat the wealth that they have retained for this, that it scandalizesme. However, I do not dare to believe it, in order to say whetherit be true that the reputation and envy of each one of those twomen that exists in this community, obliges everyone to form his ownopinion of it. Desiring that the care of the fund and the office passto better hands than mine, they thought that it would be done well ifI were arrested. Accordingly, the governor took this as his guide foraction, so that, while I was a prisoner, the care of the fund mightbe transferred to Licentiate Legaspi. The governor alone appointedthe latter as probate judge, although I still had one year to serve, and at the fulfilment of that time it pertained in turn to Don AntonioRodriguez; and then all the Audiencia exercises it and not he solely, by virtue of express orders and commands of your Majesty. Thereupon, the governor, in one way or another, together with Licentiate Legaspi, although no layman spoke to me in prison, permitted me to be notifiedto deliver the keys and the property. But I, fearing, as a man, whatothers feared, said that I had to give an account of that property, and that since I was a prisoner, I could not do so; and that he shouldfree me, so that I could attend to my office and fulfil the commissionswith which your Majesty had charged me--namely, the residencias ofDon Juan de Silva and Don Juan de Alvarado--since I had committed nocrime for which I should be arrested; and adduced other reasons whyI could not deliver the key because of the risk that that propertywould be running should the key pass through other hands. As he thoughtthat that was insufficient to obtain his will, they immediately addedanother reason according to which it was advisable to borrow from thatfund thirty thousand pesos for your Majesty's service, under pretextthat it was to be used for the despatch of the fleet then preparingto sail. [But this was done] in violation of a decree of your Majestyordering that the president and governor shall take no money, in smallor large quantity, from the fund of the probate court, for any causewhatever. By the report of that fund your Majesty has been informedthat they are wont to draw that money for their trading and personaladvantage, as is murmured openly. That occurred in this instance, for with the above-said and with other formalities, the governor[broke] the lock of the chest, ordering thirty thousand pesos tobe extracted from it and the rest delivered to Licentiate Legaspi, probate judge, whom the governor had appointed. They went to my houseto do it. They left a guard of six or seven soldiers under a corporal, day and night, to guard the rest of the property, namely, a greatquantity of gold and jewels. Consequently, my wife was compelled toleave her house that night, and went to the house of the widow ofDoctor Juan Manuel de la Bega, until she found a house and moved intoit, leaving the house to the governor. I think that the latter'sinsults and discourtesy even produced considerable anger in thenegroes. Even yet, a period of four months, the soldiers are guardingthe chest, and will not allow me to do my duty, and do not deliver itto Licentiate Legaspi; for as is well known, they are keeping it fora better opportunity. This affair has much surprised this community, and the litigants in the court are calling out, although they areassured that it is not without foundation; for they cannot wishto have news taken in these ships that the chest was handed over, and that they did with it what is suspected, which will be seenlater. The thirty thousand pesos were not intended for the fleet, for the fleet did not sail, nor is it expected that it will ever sailduring the governor's life. Neither was it used as a means of helpfor the infantry, who go complaining through the streets. IndeedI cannot tell whether any one can say with certainty what has beendone with that sum; although it is said that another very large sum, which the governor obtained from the citizens almost by a forced loan, was spent in the preparation of the ships in the port--but which didnot sail, as has been said. However, some assert that the governordivided them, he himself taking thirteen or fourteen thousand pesoson the account of future salary; and that in like manner he shared itwith Licentiate Legaspi and the fiscal. God showed me especially greatfavor in my being able to keep the account-book of the fund in my ownhands through the efforts of a good Christian, the defender of probatedproperty, for my security of what had been placed in and what had beendisbursed from the fund. For nothing is placed in or spent from it, except by notary's authority, and the presence as witnesses of thosewho guard the fund. If they were to seize the book from me, I doubtnot, Sire, that they would do me signal harm, and because, as I havesaid above to your Majesty, the governor can do whatever he wishes. 

Another reason alleged for my arrest is because it is affirmed that, the governor planning as he did to kill his wife, my presence in theAudiencia would be a decidedly great inconvenience. For it is known, notwithstanding the few successes and works [that I have accomplished], through certain good desires that will have been recognized in me, that since I have been in the Audiencia, I endeavor as much as possibleto see that affairs are managed with due regard for law; and that, had I been present in that so serious matter, I would have done myutmost; and what I ought to do, as would be fitting for the serviceof God and of your Majesty. That incident--which, I think, I cannotavoid relating, as one having accurate information--was as follows:

Having arrested me with the haste above mentioned, it happened thatthe governor--having planned, so says common rumor, the death of hiswife--circulated the report one afternoon that he was going out oftown to a place called Cavite. Departing that afternoon, he returnedat night. Having notified the guards and soldiers to that effect, he climbed over the wall by means of a ladder, and went to the houseof one of the companions who went with him (for many of his adherentswent with him, and some who were hired). Going with them from thishouse, he stationed men at the place where he had planned that hiswife would come with a young boy whom she sheltered at her house, andin whom she had confidence. This boy persuaded her to go out dressedas a gallant (a very wrong act, although she had been persuaded bythe certainty that her husband had gone to Cavite), to the house of aman named Juan de Messa, who had been brought as chief clerk by thefactor, Dionisio de Castro Licon, and whom the governor suspectedof adultery with his wife. Arrived at the place above mentioned, the governor saw her coming with two men, one of whom is said tohave been Juan de Messa, and the other his friend. Advised by theyoung lad that it was she, for he accompanied her in the street forsome time, where he left her with her companion and went to giveaccount of it to the governor, the latter went behind her with theretinue above mentioned. Arrived at Juan de Messa's door, which isquite distant from that of the governor, he let them enter, but wentin behind them before they shut the door. Mounting the stairs withsome of his men behind Juan de Messa and his wife, who had ascended, and leaving the others below with the other friend who had come ascompanion to Juan de Messa, the death of his wife followed, as didthat of Juan de Messa and of the latter's escort, a pilot who hadcome from Castilla last year. They were killed up stairs and down, as I have said, and because the governor had taken possession of thestreets, and stationed soldiers there with orders to allow no one topass. The soldiers killed a young lad who tried to pass, or woundedhim so severely that it is said that he died. Notwithstanding theunseemly hour, the people came running out at the outcry and clamorespecially those from the nearest houses. They saw and noted everythingwith fairness, and consequently it has been published that the chiefmurderers were those whom the governor took with him, both those ofhis wife and of the others. That has seemed in this community to bea very lamentable occurrence. Then the governor went to his houseafter the event and the matter was immediately known throughoutthe city. Thereupon Licentiate Legaspi and Don Antonio Rodriguezproceeded to make investigations. What they began to do was, it issaid, to furnish proofs of adultery. They have managed to do thisby great efforts, and that with the criminals free, and with thepower of the governor. And I am told that the governor ordained whathad to be done, namely, to make no investigations against the deadwoman. What is understood is, that many fine things have been donein the records, for they say that they have expunged, erased, andcopied things according to their pleasure, the notary in the causebeing the governor's most devoted follower, Pedro Muñoz, secretaryof the Audiencia court, as above stated. In everything has alwaysbeen done what the governor has ordered and commanded--especiallyby Licentiate Legaspi, for Don Antonio withdrew then and refusedto do anything further, at seeing how the governor flinched fromeverything. All the criminals go about and take their pleasure, thusoccasioning much reproach. Will your Majesty consider what you shallbe pleased to order done in this matter; for there is much talk ofthe hatred and great and long-standing enmity of the governor to hiswife, and of the evil life that he led her. It is said that he hadalready given her poison three or four times, from which she escapedby antidotes that she took; and that one of her women, to whom shegave the remainder of a little chocolate [37] in which the poisonswere administered to her, died within two days or so, because she didnot take the antidote, while his wife escaped because she had done so. 

Another reason alleged for my arrest is, that there might be nooccasion or opportunity of [my] giving information to your Majesty, and that that accounts for the hastiness of the imprisonment; and thatthey would not allow me to touch pen to paper, having been warned ofthe letters that I wrote to your Majesty--which, as above stated, wereseized from me. These have incited him to cruelty, and increased in methe suspicion that was told me after my arrival at [the convent of]St. Dominic, namely, that he tried to plan my murder there. That isthe fear with which I have written, and in which are all those whogive information to your Majesty, because of the vigilant measurestaken to seize the letters. 

Another reason alleged is, that I might not push forward the residenciaof the fiscal, and send it to your Majesty; for, as considered bythem, it must have been expedient for them that I should not sendit to your Majesty; and because I had not taken that of Don Juan deSilva to his taste, awaiting an occasion for it when he should notbe present and when he should have left this city sometime, for ifhe were present it would be impossible to take it. 

Another reason is because, as he has seen your Majesty has beenpleased to show me the favor to commit that residencia to me, andhis conscience accuses him, he fears (as is reported) that it orthe visit is near; and fearing that your Majesty would show me thefavor to commit it to me, and fearing justice, because I am not aperson who could overlook matters against your Majesty's service, it has seemed to him, on the one hand, that if I were arrested andnot in the Audiencia, it would be easy by active efforts to get holdof the letters and seize and conceal the decrees. On the other hand, he thought by means of the acts of violence and insult that he hasused to disqualify me for such a responsibility with your Majesty, for which effect it is understood that he has also designedly madeand procured my arrest. With what has been stated above (in which Icould go into further details without charging my conscience), thecase can be duly estimated by mentioning the particulars of one point, concerning which I have to say the following. 

This country is at present in the most wretched conditionimaginable. Moreover the governor has recently obtained his desires, namely, to be without an Audiencia, for Licentiate Legaspi is theonly one in it. For, besides having driven me from it, it seems thathe has also removed Don Antonio Rodriguez by treating him very illand by grossly insulting him, because the latter petitioned that theacts by which the governor had arrested an auditor in the mannerin which he had arrested me, be placed before the Audiencia. Butthe governor refused to give them; on the contrary, he has takenaway every one of several petitions presented in the Audiencia, not wishing them to be seen publicly, for which arbitrary actredress was demanded. The governor recognizes neither justice norking, but only his own absolute will and pleasure. For that reason, shortly after my imprisonment until now, Don Antonio has been and isquite unwell, and has less hope of going to the Audiencia for a longtime. Don Antonio does not deserve that, for in many matters and onmany occasions have I recognized in him very good desires and worksfor the service of your Majesty. Consequently, even if LicentiateLegaspi remains, that means to have no Audiencia, when one considersthe close relations that exist between these two strong arguments, the disposition of the governor, and the way in which he treats theservice of your Majesty. For the people generally say of him thatit would be a miracle if another worse than he could be found. Itis said of Licentiate Legaspi that he is the worst official thatyour Majesty has. The same has been said of Don Juan de Alvarado, ex-fiscal, and that is known throughout the country as a publicmatter. All three are so great friends that some call them "the unionof the saints, " so that, of a truth, as the people understand, notone tittle more than the governor wishes ever happens. Consequently, a number of litigants are holding back their suits until there shallbe an Audiencia. There is much outcry at there being no one from whomto demand justice for the insults cast on them by the governor, for, finally, if there were men to defend the service of your Majesty, the governor would not do whatever he wished, although they wouldsuffer and endure many insults for it. The fact is that if all menhad a desire and resolution to suffer hardships and even to die forjustice and the service of their king, the community would suffer lesshurt today, for the governor would not be so daring. And he would notin that case have dared to arrest me, had not he had the consent ofLicentiate Legaspi in his grasp; and whenever he needs it he is quitesure of it, in exchange for the advantages that, as everyone knows, thegovernor has given to him and his sons and retainers--from which I havetried many times to divert him, constraining him by the fidelity dueto his king, so that he take strength and write your Majesty. AlthoughI have brought him over on some occasions, my effect has lasted lesstime than it would last if I had the opportunity and occasion thatsuch things have when one goes straight to God. On the contrary, Ithink he gets along better without me in the Audiencia, both he andDon Juan de Valderrama--to whom I said what I could say to a brotheras soon as he arrived here, because I saw the state of affairs andthought to better them somewhat. But I have indeed done little. 

My conscience has made me write at such length, and although there ismuch to make me continue, I think that I shall have performed my dutywith the above, so that all may be considered, provided your Majestybe pleased to send us redress with the haste that so serious mattersas these require, by sending us a leader who is a good Christianand one very zealous for God's service, and who will only strive toobtain that and to serve his king, and not the contrary. For withthat the Audiencia will have its due place, and the auditors willattend strictly to their duties, and will conduct it for the peaceand conservation of the country, and for your Majesty's service. Itis also important that your Majesty send an inspector here, inasmuchas the country is so full of schemes, tricks, and contrivances todestroy it and finish its ruin; and since your Majesty, as so holy aking, cannot abandon it, after having planted therein the holy gospel, and consequently, having sent the so great fruit of so many souls toheaven. Besides this, if it has peace and is free from enemies, andreligiously governed, it will give the greatest wealth and grandeur toyour Majesty that can be imagined. It is advisable that such a one bea picked man, and that he be such a person as is necessary, as I havewritten your Majesty at other times: that he be entirely disinterested, and a good lawyer, with clean hands; that he have great authority inregard to war and peace, and over high officials in both, and powerto suspend, in case he deem it advisable, the most serious penaltiesfor your service for long periods, in order to investigate the truth, so that he may understand and learn the tricks, crimes, and criminals, and that he may know the persons in whom he can trust--not only ashis agents, but also so that he can ascertain how your Majesty canbest provide suitable measures [for reform]. For in no other way canthe holy desires of your Majesty, which are those of God, who rewardsthe good and punishes the evil, be obtained. If he be not such, hewill be confused during his inspection by schemes, impositions, andcovetousness, but if he be such, he will be the consolation of thiscountry, as I trust in God, and your Majesty will hold it securely inorder and justice, in peace and true obedience, and with renown. YourMajesty will then know the evil and the good men, and the excessesof many, and mine. You will obtain great possessions for the royalexchequer and render great service for God our Lord. But otherwise, if he be not such a person, he will serve as a help to the ruin of thecountry, and as an encouragement to future officials, especially thegovernors, so that they may act worse. And since thin country has gonefrom bad to worse because of the officials that it has had, especiallythe governors, until its present condition has been reached, if yourMajesty does not visit an exemplary punishment on those officials, in accordance with each one's guilt, it is quite clear that those whoshall govern in the future will complete its ruin. For the security ofthat, I think it will aid much for your Majesty to send a stringentorder to Mexico and to Sevilla, so that the property sent by thegovernor, and what he has sent by third persons under various heads, be investigated, which can be ascertained with reasonable efforts;and that it be secured by levying an attachment on it, or at leastby placing it in a depositary; or as your Majesty may deem best toorder it, for it is understood that such property is in very greatquantity. Although I do not dare to affirm this, there are some whowith the information and even more that they have of the coming andgoing of these things relating to the governor are persuaded thatthe sum [thus sent away] will amount to little less than one million[pesos], and at least to a great sum. I think that all that sum will benecessary, if his inspection or residencia be well made, and that muchmore will not suffice for the pecuniary part. To do it your Majestywill have sufficient grounds by reason of the advices, letters, andreport that have already reached and will reach you concerning hisaffairs. Will your Majesty decree what is most to your royal service. 

I began to take the residencia of Don Juan de Alvarado, as soon as Ireceived your Majesty's decree, and I give account of it in a separateletter that I am sending to your Majesty with it. 

Of that of Don Juan de Silva, which your Majesty also ordered me totake, I have informed your Majesty in other letters, that that orderreached me jointly with that of the fiscal, and that for certainreasons of convenience I deemed it best to take that of the fiscal, and afterward to enter upon that of Don Juan de Silva. The country hasbeen so scandalized by what occurred in that of the fiscal, Don Juan deAlvarado, because of the violent demonstrations made by the governor infavor of the fiscal, that many witnesses of those who swore, came to meto ask me not to take Don Juan de Silva's residencia, because there wasnot one man who would tell anything that he knew when summoned. Some ofthe witnesses they tried to kill at night, and others fled the city, having been threatened, it is said, by order of the governor, afterthe charges against the fiscal were published, until which time he andthe governor thought that there could be no witness who would dare [sayanything]. On that account the demonstrations that arose were greater, and I was requested, considering the condition of the affairs of thecountry and the many objects of the governor, to do the same in theresidencia of Don Juan de Silva. [This was desired] on account notonly of the many connections that it must necessarily have with manycases related to it, with which he has had connection during the timewhile he has been here; but of other private persons, his friends, who are involved in the residencia, especially one Josephe de NavedaAlvarado, a relative of the fiscal, who was secretary to Don Juan deSilva, and also served him in other offices of great danger. It iswell known that this man, for Don Juan's sake, has committed the mostdangerous and insolent acts that one can imagine, during that timeand at present. He is also secretary to this governor, whose especialfavor he enjoys. Whence I am persuaded beyond all doubt that nothinggood will be done, for what the governor would not do through Josephede Naveda and the others is much more than what he would do throughthe fiscal. It is not many months since, because of a royal decreethat your Majesty sent to the Audiencia ordering the investigationof the property of Don Juan de Silva and its sequestration, I found, on attending to it, a process where it appeared that this Naveda owedDon Juan de Silva eight thousand pesos. On taking it to the Audienciato have justice done there and to have it paid, notwithstandingyour Majesty's decree, the governor seized the process and kept it, forbidding us, with frightful demonstrations [of anger], to discussit longer. Consequently, I thought it best to postpone taking theresidencia until I could see whether matters would mend, which Godis wont to bring about by methods unthought of--notwithstandingthat the governor, under pretext of service to your Majesty, told meoften to take the residencia, for, in the presence of the greatestand most serious offenses, both he and his associates would come outas if they were angels. This was the motive of the pressure that hebrought to bear; and, even though he should have more crimes than thesea has sands, yet because of him nothing would be said against theothers. That would mean not to take the residencia, and for me notto obey your Majesty's will, with the loss of great sums, and muchdetriment, to the royal exchequer; for it is certain, Sire, that thosewho would come out as if angels--and some of them, especially Naveda, according to the report and outcry of the country--would not pay whatthey owe with many lives and with many hangings. For such are thedevices that the governors have used here for the destruction both ofthe royal treasury of your Majesty and of this country. However, withthe lapse of time and hoping for opportunity, I made investigationsas secretly as possible with most of the notaries in this city, inasmuch as two or three others that remain are of the governor'shousehold--to the end, as I have told your Majesty, that they mayserve his purposes. They (and if there were others, it would allbe miraculous) [38] and given with the greatest fear in the world;with which your Majesty will see that not even in secret and underoath do men dare to speak. Then continuing, the time came in which thegovernor arrested me, without considering what I had in charge at yourMajesty's command. Consequently everything is at a standstill, untilGod shall remedy it. Hence, Sire, as I have said, the obligation ofconscience makes me give account to your Majesty; and I think, for aconclusion of this matter, that I am not excused from some particulars. 

The first is the news that has reached this city, by way of India, thatthe enemy is sending reenforcements of fifty-five warships. Becausethe governor's disposition during this time is so worthy of resentment, as above related, it is stated publicly that, on receiving this news, the archbishop told the governor to try to prepare some warships, towhom he responded that he would gladly sell the few that he had. Henceit is feared that the enemy will have been informed of that as soonas they reached this country; and that with this opportunity, theywould write, and they thought it good to come if it is true. 

Secondly, that the government of this country has more need of a manwho is a servant of God, of mature age and prudence, rather than simplya soldier; if there should not be readily found, a man thoroughlyqualified for the warfare of this country, the least influentialcitizens here understand it. There are some men of great courage, and thus when the Audiencia was governing, it has had excellentsuccesses. Consequently, such a man would cost your Majesty two-thirdsless than the governor costs you. It is certain, and I consider itassured, that all the mishaps that the affairs of this country haveexperienced--both in this land, and in the fleets and succors thatyour Majesty has tried to send to it from those regions--have happenedbecause of the multitude of offenses to God that have been committedhere in other times and are even now being committed; and that allare derived from the disorderly lives of the governors. 

Thirdly, that great damages result because of the division ofjurisdiction between the Audiencia and captain-general. For theAudiencia tries civil cases of the soldiers and the general thecriminal; but with authority as captain-general, as he is governorand president, he extends that jurisdiction as far as he pleases. Heinterprets the decrees that your Majesty has issued for this purpose, [to apply] even to the citizens of Manila; and when the infantryleave this city and the citizens are stationed as guards, they aremade to assume the condition of the other soldiers. The Audiencia isleft without any jurisdiction, while the captain-general gets it all, notwithstanding the many offenses to God which are committed--for manywicked men are protected by the war at this time, and in a few days goout to commit greater crimes. Since the Audiencia tries civil causesof the soldiers with the plenary jurisdiction that it enjoys overthe citizens (and the soldiers are citizens), on the other hand itappears most fitting that it try cases of the soldiers like those ofthe citizens; and that, as appeal is made from the ordinary judges, appeal be made to the Audiencia by the soldiers in cases civil andcriminal--at least while the soldiers are not actually fighting, or in pursuit of the enemy. For, besides the service to God and toyour Majesty that will result from such a course, the Audiencia, when there is one, will be respected; and the soldiers will not be sodisregardful of what their captain-general says to them in times ofpeace, even though the latter be one who razes a convent to the ground. 

Fourthly, that among the ordinances of this Audiencia is one (towhich I referred above) ordering the president to try the criminalcauses of the auditors With that the governor has endeavored to makea pretext for my imprisonment. As I do not see the original signedby your Majesty, I doubt the truth of that decree, as occasion forit was given by people who pay little heed to conscience. With thatdecree, if the governor wished to destroy [39] the country, and ifthe auditor did not agree with him, he could move a question in regardto its being cloudy and there being no sun. If an auditor should saythat he thought the sun was shining, the governor would say that theauditor meant to call him a liar, as he said to me. By that means, and by similar methods used toward the others, he would, destroy them, and would keep them imprisoned three or four years, until relief camefrom your Majesty; and sometimes it would be impossible to send thatrelief for the damages that this country thus receives. Consequently, Sire, it is very necessary for your Majesty to revoke that decree, and to give the Audiencia the authority and the superiority that ithas enjoyed in other times; for by doing otherwise the Audiencia canbe very well dispensed with, as it amounts to no Audiencia. This istruer, since it is six thousand leguas' distance to your Majesty, and since it might happen that relief may not arrive in threeyears--especially since, in strictness of law, your Majesty doesnot give them the authority that they arrogate to themselves; and, to him who cherishes malice, a slight occasion is sufficient. 

Fifthly, that although it is true that it was decided to be advisablefor your Majesty to send aid to this country, as I understand that ithas been petitioned in the manner and form of reenforcement, I greatlydoubt whether it is more suitable for your Majesty to send ships byway of the cape of Buena Esperanza; for the artillery founded here isthe best in the world, as are the ships built here, as I have beenwell informed. Besides, the artillery and ships of the quality andsize necessary here cannot be sent from that country, for it has beenfound that war is made more securely here and the enemy frightened moreby the very large galleons (much larger than those sent from there), which will withstand heavy artillery, such as those built by Don Juande Silva. Further, the woods [used here] resist the balls better;and the ships are built with special strength and by the best masterin the world, as I have been told. With money and care, the rapiditywith which those ships can be built is remarkable. Consequently, I think that if what is spent on the fleet be sent in money, andsoldiers, and sailors, by way of Nueva España in trading fleets, and by way of India in the ships that sail from Lisboa, it would bemore expedient--notwithstanding that it is said that the infantrythat come by way of Nueva España desert at their arrival there; forwith good judgment and care that difficulty would be remedied. Willyour Majesty decide what is most advisable. 

Sixthly, that the fiscal of this Audiencia fills the office ofprotector of the Indian natives, and of the Chinese Sangleys whocome from China to this country, for their advantage and trade, by virtue of a decree issued by your Majesty. Your Majesty assignshim no salary, for it seems to be your intention to have him attendto that duty with his salary as fiscal. The governors here, in orderto control the fiscals, so that the latter may not oppose the thingsthat the former wish when these are in violation of your Majesty'sservice, assign them an annual salary of eight hundred pesos at thecost of the Chinese Sangleys. For that purpose a communal fund hasbeen established, and each Chinese is obliged to deposit, I believe, two reals apiece annually in that fund, and from that fund is assignedthe salary of the fiscal as protector. As the Chinese are so numerous, the sum amounts to considerable, although it it not all paid to thefiscal. In the collection and method used, considerable annoyancesare experienced. Besides, there is no authority to levy that money, for your Majesty has not assigned it, nor is the governor able to doit, although he give your Majesty a pretext for it. The worst thingis that that sum has never served, nor does it serve, other purposethan to flay the Sangleys, for besides that it seems incompatible forone to be a protector on the one hand, and one who seeks to act asprosecutor on the other, it seems that the true protector is the goodjudge, the Audiencia [or] the good governor. But as with the protectorthey never escape from spending their money, but rather, I think, spendmore, and the most who have suits, waste their poor resources on theprocurators and lawyers, it seems to be a matter worthy of reform, and that the Sangleys either should have no protector who is not aprotection to them, but a trouble (or at least for most of them), or that your Majesty order that he perform the duties of the officewith his salary as fiscal; for I certify that many offenses to Godwill cease. And since they claim that it is not an office of honor, there is a mystery therein, especially since I, having charged againstDon Juan de Alvarado that he was taking that salary without ordersfrom your Majesty, the succeeding fiscal knowing that, and Don Juande Silva having revoked that communal tax, the preceding fiscal hasagreed with the present governor that the communal tax on the Chinesebe again established, and that the salary be assigned from it. Thatis a very flimsy pretext, so that the fiscals may not perform theirduties faithfully against the governor. Will your Majesty order whatshall be most suitable for this particular, and for whatever else ismentioned herein. 

Lastly, I have made known by other letters to your Majesty that frommy arrival in this country, although I keep about, I have ever beenill and a sufferer from sickness, besides which I have had severaldangerous illnesses in bed, so that I cannot serve your Majestyhere as I desire. I trust, God willing, that I shall have better andbetter occasions to serve your Majesty in another place, for whichreason I petition your Majesty to be pleased not to consider my slightservices, but only my good desires by promoting me to the occupationof greater favors and honors, and especially to satisfy me for theinsults that the governor has cast on me in your Majesty's service, and for the many dangers through which I have passed in my endeavorsto have your Majesty served and obeyed loyally and as is fitting. 

As to what pertains to the seizure above mentioned of the greatquantity of property that the governor is said to possess inMexico, I must warn you that, in addition to what was said, thereport originated publicly, in the beginning, in this city that thegovernor was to go in a ship that he was intending to despatch by wayof the cape of Buena Esperanza, with a quantity of cloves which he wasexpecting from Terrenate. That was founded on what they say about hisknowledge of how serious are the things that he has done, and that, fearful of punishment from your Majesty, he did not intend to awaitit; and also because this year he has sent whatever he could to NuevaEspaña in the ships that sailed, lessening even his number of horses, as is said; and [it was rumored] that he was about to go by way ofthe cape of Buena Esperanza with the cloves that he was awaitingfrom Terrenate. But inasmuch as the cloves from Terrenate did notcome, it is now said that he is not sending the ship, and that hemust have taken new counsel. Consequently although the flagship ofthe two ships that were going to Nueva España was wrecked, still inthe advice-ship that he despatched later the governor sent a hugequantity of goods. He sent in the almiranta which got away safelyand took the lead, a person to look after and care for everything, namely, Don Fernando Falcon, whom he made captain of infantry, andto whom he gave great profits for that purpose. It is said that hehad orders to look after everything, and to ship as much as possibleto Castilla; as also, because he must fear that it will be possible, on account of his great offenses, for your Majesty to be informedof the great wealth that he has sent and his conscience will accusehim. Will your Majesty order those goods to be sequestered--as is saidhere, all that [he has], without taking account of the one hundredand thirty or so boxes, which, as is notorious in this city, he lostin the flagship. This is added new to the letter that I sent in theships of Nueva España, of which this letter is a copy, and which Iam sending by way of Yndia. Will your Majesty provide, etc. 

_Licentiate Don Alvaro Messa y Lugo_

Sire:

The letters that will accompany this letter are duplicates of lastyear, both of what I wrote via Mexico and via Yndia; and although atthat time I wrote as I did in them many more and better things can besaid now. For besides the fact that lawless acts are so prevalent, they are increasing with the presence of their master, who, to beexplicit, is the governor. It is advisable for the honor and respect ofyour Majesty, to put a stop to as much as possible. For that reason, I shall merely touch upon the following particulars of what is new, with all possible brevity; for in order to satisfy your Majesty somethings are requisite. Hence, Sire:

1. First, after fifteen months of imprisonment and retreat, while I wasvery heedless, and distrustful that the governor would take such action(although very confident in the mercy of God), the governor sent anorder to me at St. Dominic to come out and assume my duties. AlthoughI hesitated considerably about going out on account of the great perilin which I was placing myself, the force of your Majesty's service drewme out, a fortnight or thereabout before the arrival of the ships fromAcapulco. I was encouraged considerably by the religious who assuredme that the whole town was clamoring for me to go out, except certainpersons who hate justice. Consequently I persuaded myself that I wouldbe doing your Majesty a service, and for that I did not think thatI was doing much in endangering myself, since I shall do my duty inlosing my life. It seems miraculous, and there are few who understandhow the governor came to do this, for, although it is true that he fellout with Licentiate Legaspi, on finding that the latter while enjoyingso great friendship with him, had written against him; and because ofthe great friendship between Licentiate Legaspi and Licentiate Juande Baiderrama the governor's displeasure was also extended toward thesaid Licentiate Baiderrama: still they maintained friendly relations, although the governor ceased to extend to him the accommodations andprofits of former times. Although it is reported that the governormade numerous investigations, I have not heard from one who knew thewhole truth that he did it with violence, but with great mildness, giving the witness liberty to make his deposition. On the contrary Ihave always understood, Sire, that he made no further investigations, nor has he wished to do so; and I even believe that it was done forreasons of state, in order not to irritate Licentiate Legaspi toomuch, in case that the latter should take part in his residencia, for the governor must consider him as a revengeful and hot-headedperson. But Licentiate Legaspi, fearing that the governor intended toarrest him, withdrew into the [convent of] the Society of Jesus. Itis said that on that account he allowed me to come out. All personsof good judgment are not sorry for it, especially since they know theinclination of the governor, who, it is feared, would not lose muchpleasure if all the world were destroyed--although in his falling outwith Licentiate Legaspi, a matter that began some four or five monthsago, it is understood that that has aided considerably in his havingrepented of my imprisonment and the affronts that he put upon me; forit is understood that his chief counselor and instigator was the saidLicentiate Legaspi under pretext of desiring, and advising him of, his welfare, as to an associate in the matter of his duty. For thatreason he did not wish me to be present, as I would be a considerablehindrance, as I write your Majesty in the duplicates. The same is saidof Don Juan de Balderrama, although it is also understood that he didit with moderation; for all does not seem sufficient for the governor'srelenting toward me. Consequently I consider it more correct to ascribeeverything to the great goodness of the Lord, who well knows how toplan all things. What I can say, Sire, is that notwithstanding all theabove, I do not believe the governor's intention a sincere one, becauseof what is known concerning him. I have never seen him do anything, although a good act, that did not have a private aim. Consequently Ithink that if he took me from prison it was for his own end. The sameis true of the investigations concerning, and his falling out with, Licentiate Legaspi, notwithstanding that he says he is zealous foryour Majesty's service in it, and although it is true that the deedsof Licentiate Legaspi are many and very serious. 

2. Secondly, that although the governor, while I was in the Audiencia, tried to deprive the Audiencia of all authority, and the auditors gavehim considerable opportunity for it (with the exception of me only, andas such he expelled me), however, during the time of my absence, he hasgained such foothold and influence over everything, that scarcely hasone liberty to live in the Audiencia. This is especially so in regardto myself; for although I desire and try to secure your Majesty'sservice, I cannot feign or dissimulate in the things in which I amunable to secure your service, although I try to flee any occasionof dispute with him, with extraordinary endeavor. Consequently, formy part, Sire, I declare that in many offenses that concern him, the punishment is deferred, with great regret, until your Majestysend a remedy; besides, there are many other criminals whom he hassent from here, so that they should not harm him. 

3. The third, which is of the manner of the above, namely, that itis said that one Gregorio de Vidaña, whom the governor despatchedto Yndia during that time on his private business at the expense ofyour Majesty's authority--for, in violation of your royal will andyour royal decrees that prohibit the sale of offices, the governorgave Vidaña an appointment as regidor gratuitously, in order that thecabildo might appoint him as procurator (for which he schemed) andthat they give him a considerable number of ducados--obtained or stolein Yndia certain letters written to your Majesty by the Audienciaand despatched via Yndia in the time of Don Antonio Rodriguez, which were the duplicates of others written via Nueva España. Hedirected them to this city, together with other letters written bythe inhabitants and religious. The governor opened and read them, with so little fear and respect that one of his adherents went aboutthe streets publicly reading to private persons the letters that theAudiencia wrote to your Majesty. Consequently he has taken occasionto write to your Majesty with tricks and cunning, as is said. 

4. The fourth is that, in consequence of this and other things, occasion was given for it to be said very openly, this year, that heopened the packets from your Majesty, which were handed to him first, and extracted whatever he wanted, if they contained anything thatanswered his purpose; and then resealed them and ordered the personwho bore them (and whom he sent for them) to return very secretly ashe had entered, and to enter a second time publicly with the packetsdamp, so that it could not be seen that they had been opened. In thistoo was involved your Majesty's new seal which they said would befound in one of the packets, but it does not appear. Therefore theycharge the governor with concealing it; and all that is without theaid of authority to make investigation. 

5. The fifth is that your Majesty orders by a decree that came to theAudiencia this year that the vessels that sail hence to Acapulco benot despatched late. The fact of the matter in this is, Sire, that theAudiencia is powerless to remedy that, beyond the repeated telling ofit to the governor. If they should do more, besides not being obeyedby a single man, at the least little thing, the governor would seizethe auditor who said it and clap him into prison; and, as he is thesole and absolute ruler, he is, notwithstanding what has been said tohim this year, despatching the vessels when he wishes, and answersthat he is attending to it very well and is doing his duty. It issaid that, this year as in others, he has made a great cargo by theschemes and methods mentioned in the duplicates. Others say that hehas done it, because it is common talk that news came to him that inAcapulco a small casket of gold in bars, and jewels and pearls, hadbeen confiscated from him as contraband goods, although the officialsdid not know the owner of it; and that one Don Fernando Falcon, who took under his charge a considerable amount of the governor'sproperty last year, went to Piru from Acapulco with most of it, andthe governor is obliged to claim compensation. Because of awaitingships from Macan to make chests, the ships are not yet despatched, and it is the thirtieth of July; nor does anyone imagine that theywill leave the islands even by the fifteenth of August. That, thegovernor says, is because of the enemy. Thus and with other schemes, although certain new pretenses are alleged, and with absolute power, does the governor act just as he pleases. It is impossible to remedymatters unless the governor be a man who fears God and your Majesty;for if he wishes to send depositions that the sun gives no light, as one might say, [he can do it]. What occurs to me, Sire, is that, since it is sufficient for the good sailing of the ships that theysail by the middle of July, if unable to sail before, your Majestyshould set a time-limit by ordering that they sail between themiddle of June and the middle of July, if they cannot sail before;and that they shall not sail after that. In that way, since it willbe known that they have to sail, all those interested in the cargo, even though it be the most influential persons, the governors, willhave their despatches ready. But they will not do it in any otherway, for although your Majesty says that they shall not sail late, the governors do what they wish in this matter. Will your Majesty bepleased to order your pleasure. 

6. The sixth is that your Majesty orders the Audiencia to send arelation of what occurred in certain crimes at Santa Potenciana. Sincethe Audiencia writes it through its president, namely, the governor, scarcely could he refrain from telling the truth in order notto lie. Consequently I think it advisable to answer that in thisletter. What passes, Sire, and it is the truth, is that the seminarycalled Santa Potenciana is a house of retreat, not for religion butfor single or married women, and almost without retirement, as it hasrelaxed considerably. For that reason it is a cause for wonder thatthere are men who some years are willing to leave their wives thereduring their absence. Consequently, the majority of women there aremestizas. It happened perchance that Lucas de Vergara Gaviria left hiswife there when he went to Terrenate as governor, as did another whowent later, namely, Sargento-mayor Antonio Carreño de Baldes. It wassaid (and not covertly, but quite openly) that the governor solicitedthe wife of Lucas de Bergara, but that he was angered at her purityand virtue. Also it was said that the same thing occurred with thewife of Carreño de Baldes, although she is not considered a person ofso great virtue as the other woman. And this being so, they say thatLicentiate Hieronimo de Legaspi, while I was on that occasion in bedindisposed, proceeded against one Juan de Mohedano, because it was saidthat he had entered Santa Potenciana to hold carnal communication witha married woman. Upon my recovery, and when I went to the Audiencia, Ifound that Juan de Mohedano was presenting a petition challenging theirjurisdiction by saying that he was a soldier. When I learned the cause, I wondered, for the woman was married and one of the chief women here, namely, the wife of the said Antonio Carreño de Baldes, who was inTerrenate. I resolved to investigate the matter, as it was only verbal, so that it might not become public. The Audiencia had made a judicialwrit and secret information and merits, by a secret and outside method, without arresting Mohedano in order to exile and punish him, so that itmight not be known; for by any other way it would have been contraryto law, and would have meant the irreparable loss and deprivationof the honor of an influential woman and to the blamelessness ofher husband if perchance she has secretly committed certain actsof imprudence, or written papers, or made pretensions, and I do notknow whether such were more than indications. At that juncture thegovernor took up the matter, by whom it is said Mohedano was persuadedto challenge the jurisdiction [of the Audiencia], by promises to freehim; he did it, as was seen, thus deceiving him in order to avengehimself, as it is said, as soon as he had the woman with him. Thusthe governor came to the session, and, with his usual heat, causedthe case to be remitted to him without greater justification, as hewas the captain-general. Licentiate Legaspi and Licentiate Alcazardid it through compulsion, but I, Sire, for the reason above stated, did not agree to it, and so voted in the meeting. Being then, Sire, the leader in the cause against Mohedano and that wretched woman, he proceeded therein, as well as in another that he began againstone Don Fernando Becerra for the same thing. This he did with analcalde-in-ordinary, or with Don Hieronimo de Silva, or with both, going and coming to and from Santa Potenciana with soldiers and thetorture-rack, besides indulging in other demonstrations, as theyaffirm, that scandalized the city--where, as this city is but small, everything was instantly divulged. And as evil men are not wanting, there was one who gave notice of a certain slander against General DonJuan de la Vega, son of Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega, ex-auditor ofthis Audiencia. There was a certain report of meetings with the wifeof Lucas de Vergara, auditor of Terrenate. Since the governor wasalso angered by her said purity and virtue, which truly are great, it is said that he considered it a good opportunity for vengeance. Hehimself, seeing the door opened by Licentiate Legaspi in the case ofthe other woman, conducted the cause. In the case of Mohedano and DonFernando Bezerra, there was dispute; while that of Don Juan de la Vegacame on appeal to the Audiencia. Since this is so small a place, andwas so scandalized, and these households were ruined (for the matterwas all immediately made known publicly), the Audiencia thought, since only the husband can take action in an adultery suit, and sinceall that had been done was illegal, because the women were immediatelypublished, together with the investigations and intent [_yntencion_], that also in consequence of that, and the lack of proof, and becauseof other considerations, it would be advisable, besides doing justicein what came to their hand, to repair the honor of those influentialmen and women. Consequently the Audiencia acquitted Juan de la Vega, whereat the whole city rejoiced, for all were persuaded that suchaccusations were lies. However, as this matter is so serious, when thehusbands learned of it upon their arrival, they refused to live withtheir wives or to enter an adultery suit, for the adultery could notbe proved. Consequently, even with such an effort by the Audiencia, those families are ruined; although it is quite true that, if thegovernor had executed the sentence, it is regarded as certain thatthey would have killed their wives. This is the truth, Sire, and itcould not be written in the Audiencia's letter. If other things havebeen written to your Majesty by the governor, they must be a part ofhis schemes to bleed himself safely, under pretext of your Majesty'sservice, as all see that he is doing. 

The residencia of Licentiate Don Juan de Saavedra for the period ofhis fiscalship, which your Majesty orders me to take, has come to myhands. I am resolved to take it on the departure of the ships, for thisresidencia does not have the troubles of that of Don Juan de Silva andof Don Hieronimo de Silva, as these duplicates of the letters of thepast year which I wrote your Majesty and which will be in these lettersthat I am writing [will relate]. In those residencias I shall make, asI say in the duplicates, efforts to take them, proceeding throughout asin duty bound, looking to the greater service of God and that of yourMajesty. Thefts committed by the soldiers because they are not paid, and many other calamities of the country, I shall not relate becauseof what I have promised, and as that would be impossible. And alsobecause that aids in putting an end to sorrow and just resentment, will your Majesty give what orders you please in everything. 

I petition your Majesty for God's sake to please give me satisfactionfor the insults and injuries that I have received from the governorfor your Majesty's service, and also to withdraw me from this country, honoring me and showing me favor, for I have no strength to serveyour Majesty here. May God preserve the Catholic person of yourMajesty. Manila, July 30, 1622. 

_Licentiate Don Alvaro Messa y Lugo_

Sire:

The archbishop of these islands presented a petition in this royalAudiencia, in which he requested that depositions be acceptedfor him, by order and officially, in which he claims that yourMajesty conceded to him an increase of his salary of three thousandCastilian ducados per year, in order that he may be able to supporthimself for the reasons that he alleges. Having officially receivedthe depositions, what seems to have resulted from it, in brief, isthat if the archbishop would regulate himself in the ostentation andauthority that he exercises in imitation of others, his predecessors, he could live on his salary of three thousand ducados. Neverthelessthey [_i. E. _, those making depositions] consider the said ostentationand authority as suitable to what is due the archiepiscopal dignity;and that, in order to sustain that dignity that he exercises andenjoys, an increase of his salary will be necessary, because theprices of articles for the sustenance of human life have increased, as appears by the said deposition, which, if your Majesty please, you will order to be examined. 

On considering the above and other reasons of your Majesty's service, this Audiencia believes that, if your Majesty wish, you may avoid theincrease of the said salary. May God preserve the Catholic person ofyour Majesty. August 14, 622. 

_Licentiate Don Alvaro Messa y Lugo__Licentiate Don Juan de Saavedra Valderrama_

[_Endorsed_: "The Audiencia of Manila in regard to the pretensionsof the archbishop of that island. "]

For the same reasons that move the Audiencia to present informationthat it will be just to increase the salary of the prebendaries ofthis church, the governor thinks it proper to increase that of thearchbishop to the sum that your Majesty may be pleased; and not inthe last place, since his obligations are in the first place. 

_Don Alonso Fajardo de Tença_

Letters from the Archbishop of Manila to the King

Sire:

In compliance with what your Majesty ordered in your royal decreeof May eighteen, 619, countersigned by your secretary, Juan Ruizde Contreras, I shall inform your Majesty in this letter [40]of the matters pertaining to the ecclesiastical government of thisarchbishopric, that are mentioned in the said royal decree, and I shallanswer and satisfy each section in the same order as set forth therein. 

_Possession of the archbishopric and residence therein_. [41] I tookpossession, Sire, of this archbishopric, July 23, 620, and I havealways resided therein without having absented myself therefrom. 

_Visitation of the ecclesiastical cabildo, clergy of Manila, and province of Pampanga_. From the said day on which I tookpossession of this archbishopric, I have busied myself in this cityof Manila, its metropolis, visiting my cabildo, clergy, hospitals, and confraternities, and bestowing confirmation and attending to otherduties in my charge, until April 20, 621, when I set out to visitthe province of Pampanga. In that and in administering the sacramentof confirmation, I was busied somewhat more than one month. Then Ireturned to Manila, where I have resided until now, without havinggone to visit the rest of my diocese, because of nine Dutch vesselsthat were in the mouth of the bay, and because of other events whichhave hindered me. I shall do so, God willing, as soon as the vesselsabout to go to Nueva España have set sail. 

Thanks to God, the inspection of my cabildo resulted in not finding anyoffense for which charges ought to be brought against any prebend; noragainst the other clergy of this city was anything proved that meritedpunishment, except that three or four had gambled with some publicity, for which they were punished. Some cases of open concubinage of laypersons have caused and are causing remark in this city; and as thiscity is so small, they cannot be very well hidden. In order that suchmight be avoided, I have made and am making all the efforts possible. 

_Parochial church of Manila and number of souls under itsdirection_. Inside the walls of Manila there is only one Spanishparochial church, namely, the cathedral. Hitherto it has had butone curate; and inasmuch as I found the curacy vacant, and thoughtit advisable for the better administration of the parishioners, Idiscussed with the governor the matter of having two. He agreed to it, and consequently a proclamation was published and the appointmentsgiven by competition to two virtuous and learned clerics, who todayserve in the said curacy. In that parochial church are directed inconfession two thousand four hundred Spaniards, both men and women, among whom are to be counted a few mestizos. One thousand are maleinhabitants and transients, eight hundred and sixteen regular soldiers, and five hundred and eighty-four women. In the above number neitherthe religious, priests, nor children, are included. 

_Curacy of Indians and slaves inside Manila_. There is also one curatewho has charge of the Indian natives of this city and the slaves andfreedmen living within the city. He ministers to about one thousand sixhundred and forty Indians who make confession; and one thousand ninehundred and seventy slaves, among whom are some few freedmen. Althoughthat seems considerable for only one curate, he can comfortably takecare of them, for the majority of them confess in the convents ofSt. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Augustinian Recollects, and the college of the Society of Jesus of this city. The said Indiansare ministered to, although with much inconvenience, in a chapel ofthe royal Spanish hospital, and are buried in the church or cemeteryof the cathedral. If your Majesty so wish, they can have a church oftheir own, and the expenses therefor can be secured from the royaltreasury, as is done in the villages outside Manila, where tributeis collected, since they and the freedmen pay it to your Majesty. 

_Parochial church of Santiago, a suburb of Manila, and the souls caredfor therein_. In the village of Bagumbaya, which is a suburb of thiscity, is the parochial church of Santiago, in charge of a beneficedsecular priest. There one hundred and fifty Spaniards (one hundred andtwenty of whom are men), besides another hundred and fifty mestizosand freedmen, and four hundred Indians and slaves are ministered to. 

_Parochial church of the port of Cavite and the souls directedtherein_. In the port of Cavite, three leguas from Manila, there isa parochial church in charge of a beneficed secular priest. In itfour hundred and thirty Spaniards are cared for; fifty of these aresoldiers of the fort, fifty women, and all the others sailors, someof whom are mestizos. The said beneficed priest also ministers to twothousand four hundred Indians and some slaves and people of variousnations, who number about four hundred. The religious of St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and the Augustinian Recollects, who own convents in the said port, assist him. 

_Benefices, and mission villages of Indian natives in the diocese ofthe archbishopric of Manila both in charge of the secular priests andof religious; and the number of souls cared for in the archbishopric_. 

The missions of the Indian natives of all this archbishopric arein charge of secular priests and of religious of St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and AugustinianRecollects. 

Those of the secular priests are divided into twelve benefices, among which are the three above-mentioned, namely, Manila, Bagumbaya, and Cavite. Altogether, twenty thousand souls of the said nativesare ministered to. 

_Order of St. Augustine_. The Order of St. Augustine has thirty-twoconvents, all of which contain together fifty-six priests, who ministerto ninety thousand souls. 

_Order of St. Francis_. The Order of St. Francis has thirty-eightconvents of _guardianías_ [42] and presidencies, in which areforty-seven priests, who all together minister to forty-eight thousandfour hundred souls. 

[_Order of St. Dominic_. ] The Order of St. Dominic has threeconvents. They minister to three thousand souls and have fivereligious. The rest of their religious are stationed in the bishopricof Nueva Segovia. In the province of Pangasinan, the Order ofSt. Dominic has ten convents, with sixteen priests, who minister totwenty-five thousand souls. [43]

_The Society of Jesus_. The Society of Jesus has three residences, with eight priests, who minister to ten thousand six hundred souls. 

_Augustinian Recollects_. The religious of the Augustinian Recollectshave three convents with six priests, who minister to eight thousandsouls. 

Consequently the number of souls of the natives alone, who are caredfor in the territory of this archbishopric of Manila, amounts to twohundred and one thousand six hundred. [44]

_Method of administration and direction of the villages andmissions_. The benefices of secular priests, and the convents andresidences of religious, above mentioned, are directed and instructedas follows. Some have only one village; while for others--the mostcommon--besides the capital or principal village, there are two, three, four, or five small villages, and in some even more, all ofwhich attend the church of the capital, when they are near it andin a place suitable for that--which is generally the case, as thedistance is short, and can be traversed by waterways of lakes andrivers. But when the distance is great, in the said villages (or insome of them) there are churches where the priests go to celebratemass, on holy days and other days, from the capitals when there aretwo or more priests; and they teach and administer the sacraments. Butwhen there is only one priest, as in the benefices of the secularsand some of the orders, he says one mass in his capital, and anotherin another village or visita of his district where all or almost allof the people of it are gathered. In some districts, inasmuch as thedistance is considerable, the minister lives two or three months inone village of his district and two or three in another, and in thisway goes the round of his benefice. 

The orders have their distinct districts assigned in provinces, and thus by their contiguity those of each order are a mutual aidamong themselves. 

Although it is impossible to deny that the natives would be betterinstructed and would live in more orderly ways if the small villageswere to be reduced to the capital, making one or two settlements ofeach benefice, they consider it such an affliction to leave theirlittle houses where they were born and have been reared, their fields, and their other comforts of life, that it could only be attained withdifficulty, and little fruit would result therefrom. Thus has theexperience of assembling the people into communities in Nueva Españaproved, and so has what little of it has been attempted here. However, in the visit that I shall make in this archbishopric, I shall try toreduce them to as few settlements as possible. 

Inasmuch as I deem it greater prolixity than is advisable for whatyour Majesty desires to know about the missions of the Indians, if Iset down the name and number of their settlements, I have refrainedfrom doing so. 

_Sangley missions of the diocese of the archbishopric of Manila, andthe number of souls directed in them_. Besides the said missions to thenatives, the Order of St. Dominic has in the town of Binondo, whichis near Manila on the other side of the river, Christian Sangleys, most of whom are married to Indian women of this island, while othersare married with women of other nations. At present they number fivehundred Sangley mestizo inhabitants, who are cared for in their ownlanguage in the convent of the above-mentioned order in the said town. 

Besides the said Sangleys of Binondo--who cannot return to their owncountry, because they are married, and have no cues, and have becomeresidents here--some have been baptized these last four years whohave retained their long cues, without binding them not to returnto their own country. Some of these are ministered to in a churchin charge of the Order of St. Dominic, near the Parián; and othersin two other churches almost in the suburbs of Manila, and in oneother somewhat farther away--all three of which are in charge ofthe Order of St. Francis, and number about one thousand Sangleys, who are directed in their own language. 

_Japanese missions, and the number of souls ministered to therein_. Inthe parochial church of Santiago, and in the villages of Dilao andSan Miguel, which are suburbs of Manila, and in the part of Cavite, most of the Japanese in these islands are instructed. Some of themare married, and although, because they are a people who go to andfro to their own country, they have no fixed number, at present thereare more than fifteen hundred Christians. 

And now, Sire, I have given your Majesty a report of the soulsministered to in the territory of this archbishopric, as exactly, accurately, and clearly as I have been able. Inasmuch as your Majestywill be pleased to have me report likewise on the three bishopricsof these islands that are suffragan to this archbishopric of Manila, although that report be summary, a brief relation of it is hereappended, which has been abstracted from the reports given to me bythe provincials of the orders and other persons. 

_Benefices and missions of the bishopric of Zibu, and the number ofsouls ministered to_. 

In the bishopric of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in the city of Zebu--theresidence of the bishop--there is one Spanish parochial church, namely, the cathedral, whose benefice is served by one secular priest. Heministers to one hundred Spaniards (fifty of whom are soldiers, andtwenty are women), and to two hundred and fifty Malucans, Ambuenos, and those of other nations. 

In the same city of Zebu is one other benefice, also served by asecular priest, where one thousand six hundred souls, counting Indianinhabitants, wandering Indians, and Sangleys, are directed. Theyare attended to by the convent of St. Augustine, and the residence[_colegio_] of the Society of Jesus in that city. 

In the city of Arebalo, which is situated in the province of Oton, and which belongs to the same bishopric, is a parochial church forSpaniards, who, counting the women, number about one hundred. In theisland of Caraga are fifty Spanish soldiers, to whom, together withfour hundred Indian natives, one secular priest ministers. 

Besides the said benefices of Zebu, Villa de Arebalo, and the islandof Caraga, that bishopric has twelve secular benefices which ministerto fifteen thousand four hundred souls. The Order of St. Augustineminister to forty-eight thousand souls of the Indian natives inthe fifteen convents with their visitas that they maintain in thatbishopric. The Society of Jesus minister to fifty-four thousand soulsin their residences. They give the name of residence to the collegeor chief place to which the fathers of that district, who have otherhouses and churches of their own where they live, are subject. 

Thus the souls of the Indian natives ministered to in the bishopric ofZebu total one hundred and nineteen thousand six hundred and fifty, including the few Malucans, Ambuenos, and those of other nations, as above stated. 

_Missions of the bishopric of Cagayan, and the number of souls caredfor therein_. 

The bishopric of Cagayan, whose capital is the city of Nueva Segovia, has twenty Spanish inhabitants and fifty soldiers in the said city. 

There is not a single secular benefice in all that bishopric, and itis administered by the orders of St. Augustine and St. Dominic. 

The Order of St. Augustine has fifteen convents, in which fifty-eightthousand souls of Indian natives are cared for. 

The souls of the natives ministered to in the said bishopric ofCagayan amount to one hundred and twenty-eight thousand. 

_Benefices and missions of the bishopric of Camarines, and the numberof souls instructed therein_. 

In the bishopric of Camarines, whose seat is in the city of Caceres, there are at present only twelve or fifteen Spanish inhabitants, the alcalde-mayor, some few soldiers whom he takes with him, and thecollectors of tribute for that province, all of whom do not numberfifty men. They are ministered to in the cathedral by one secularpriest, who has in charge two small villages near by, where live twohundred souls of the natives. 

That bishopric has five secular benefices, where eight thousand fourhundred souls of natives are ministered to. 

The Order of St. Francis owns twenty-four convents with guardianíasand presidencies, and ministers to forty-five thousand souls. 

The Society of Jesus has one residence, where they minister to threethousand two hundred souls. Hence the souls of the natives caredfor in the said bishopric of Camarines amount to fifty-six thousandeight hundred. 

_The number of souls of Indian natives ministered to in the FilipinasIslands_. According to the evidence of this relation, the soulsof Indian natives ministered to in this archbishopric and in itssuffragans, the three above-mentioned bishoprics, amount to fivehundred and six thousand. [45]

_The need of ministers, which explains why many souls of Indiannatives remain to be converted to our holy religion_. The numberwould be far greater, Sire, were there more ministers. Through lackof them a considerable number of those already pacified and who paytribute remain to be converted. There are some of these even amongthe Indians who are Christians, especially in the bishoprics of Zibuand Cagayan; while even in the bishopric of Camarines there are somepagans, but not so many, and those of this archbishopric of Manilaare still fewer. Consequently it will be very advisable that religiousof the said orders come to these islands, so that they may attend tothis instruction and conversion, for all the islands are in pressingneed of them. 

_The arduous work of the ministers in the conversion of theIndians_. One would not believe how arduously the ministers to theIndians in these islands work, and how they should be esteemed; fornot only do they attend to their baptisms, confessions, communions, marriages, and burials, but also--and this is of far greater labor, work, and occupation--to the daily instruction of all in the church(even though they be the children and grandchildren of Christians)in the prayers and whatever is necessary so that they may know andunderstand our holy faith, in order that the holy sacraments may beadministered to them. 

_Hospitals_

_Royal hospital of Manila, where Spaniards are treated_. There is, Sire, within the city of Manila, the royal Spanish hospital, whereall the ailments of only the Spanish men are treated. It is maintainedfrom your Majesty's royal treasury, the medicines, delicacies, wine, and some other things being brought from Nueva España, while the restare bought here. There are generally from seventy to one hundred sickmen, most of them soldiers of this camp. As the needs of the royaltreasury have been so great these years, the sick have so littlecomfort that for lack of it many of them die. The hospital is incharge of a steward appointed by the governor, and has its physician, surgeon, apothecary, barber, and other paid helpers. The Order ofSt. Francis administer the sacraments to the sick. One or two priestsof that order live in the hospital, and two others, lay brethren, act as nurses. It would seem advisable that that hospital and theothers be placed under the charge of the brothers of St. John of God(who have the care of hospitals as an object of their profession), if a sufficient number of them came from España. 

_Hospital of La Misericordia, where slaves and Spanish women aretreated_. In another hospital, called that of La Misericordia, [46] also inside the walls of Manila, sick slaves are treated forall ailments--both men and women, in separate quarters. There aregenerally from eighty to one hundred sick persons in it. It has oneseparate room where poor Spanish women are treated, which generallyhas from twelve to twenty women. That hospital is in charge of theConfraternity of La Misericordia ["mercy"], which bears all theexpenses and keeps the hospital very well supplied with medicine anddelicacies. It is administered by religious of St. Francis. 

_Hospital of the natives_. Five hundred paces from the wall of Manilastands the hospital of the native Indians, where only Indian menand women are treated (in distinct rooms), for all ailments. It hasgenerally from about one hundred to one hundred and fifty sick. Fivehundred ducados are given to it annually from the royal treasury bythe order of your Majesty, besides one thousand five hundred fanegasof uncleaned rice, one thousand five hundred fowls, and two hundredblankets [_mantas_] from Ylocos, while the medicines brought fromNueva España are shared with them. With the above and four toneladasof the cargo which are given in the ships that ply to and from NuevaEspaña (which are sold), some income that it possesses from the rentof certain lands, and a farm for large stock, there is enough for thetreatment and care of the sick. However, at present the hospital isshort, because the toneladas of the cargo have been worthless duringthese last years; and because of the needs of the royal treasury thefive hundred ducados have been owing for more than three consecutiveyears. The hospital is in charge of a steward appointed by thegovernor, and is administered by the Order of St. Francis. 

_Hospital of the Sangleys_. In the town of Binondo, which lies nearManila on the other side of the river, is the hospital of San Gabriel, where the Sangleys, both Christian and pagan, are treated. Although thesick who go thither are very few when compared with the so great numberof that nation in these islands, since the sick generally do not exceedthirty in number--and perhaps quite naturally, for since they have nohospitals in their country, they shun and despise them--yet very greatresults are obtained there; for very few or none at all die withoutthe water of baptism, while of those cured the most become converts, thanks to the preparation of the usual and familiar conversationand intercourse that they hold with the religious of the Order ofSt. Dominic, who minister to the said hospital, and endeavor mostearnestly to convert them. That hospital is sufficiently maintainedby the money collected from the tolls of the Sangleys themselves, who pass from one district to the other opposite the Parián, [47]and with some income that it possesses. Although the said tollsare collected from the Indian natives of these islands, it would bejust to allow the latter to pass freely, as do the Spanish, slaves, freedmen, and those of other nations; for the natives ought not tobe, in this matter, placed on a worse footing [than the others], especially since the money so obtained from them is only convertedto the benefit of the Sangleys who are treated in the said hospital. 

_Hospital of Los Vaños_ [_i. E. _, "the baths"]. On the shore of theLaguna de Bay, twelve miles up stream from Manila, stands a hospitalcalled Los Vaños. It was established there a few years ago, as itwas found by trial that the hot water that bubbles up from certainsprings was good for those having humors, buboes, and colds. Hencemany Spaniards, natives, and those of other nations, both men andwomen (who have separate quarters), are treated in that hospital, for the said ailments. Most of what is expended there is derived fromthe royal treasury and royal magazines, but because of the scarcityof funds in these times it is not as well looked after now as itwas some years ago. Consequently, it is in debt and suffers greatneed. The steward who has charge of it is appointed by the governor, and religious of the Order of St. Francis conduct it. 

_Confraternities of Manila_

The confraternities, Sire, in this city of Manila are as follows:

_Of the most Holy Sacrament_ [_Santisimo Sacramento_]. TheConfraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, in the cathedral; with onlythirty pesos income, which, with the alms procured by the brethrenand others, is spent for wax. 

_Of the Souls_ [_Las Animas_]. That of the Souls in Purgatory, in thesame cathedral. It has an income of one hundred and ten pesos. Withthis and the alms that are collected, they furnish the solemn massand its responses Monday of each week, and perform other suffragesand anniversary masses. 

_Of the most Holy Name of Jesus_ [_Santisimo Nombre de Jesus_]; _theNazarenes_ [_Los Nazarinos_]; _and the Solitude_ [_La Soledad_]. Theconfraternities of the most Holy Name of Jesus, of the Nazarenes, and of the Solitude of our Lady, are established in the convents ofSt. Augustine, the Recollects, and St. Dominic. They have no incomes, except alms that the brethren gather. That is spent in wax andornaments by the said convents, each convent buying one day every weekduring Lent the wax for the sermons that are preached, and the floatsof the passion that are carried in the processions of the disciplineduring Holy Week, in which the brethren and others take part. 

_Of the Rosary_ [_El Rosario_]. The Confraternity of the Rosary ofour Lady, which was founded in the convent of St. Dominic, has someincome bequeathed it by pious persons, from which, together with thealms gathered by the brethren, four or six orphan girls are marriedyearly, to each of whom three hundred pesos are given as a dowry. 

_Brotherhood of the Confraternity of La Misericordia_ ["mercy"]. Inthe year five hundred and ninety-three, the Confraternity of LaMisericordia was started in this city. It has continued to increasedaily to greater estate, until now it is of the utmost importance inthe city, because of the many needs that it succors and relieves, andthe charitable works that it undertakes. It was founded with the samerules and for the same end as that of the city of Lisboa, and othersthat were begun in imitation of the latter in Portuguese India--whenceit must have been introduced here on account of its nearness to, and communication with, these islands. It has two hundred brethren, and every year twelve of these are chosen, who are called "brethren ofthe bureau of accounts. " They, together with one brother, who is theirchief, have charge of the government of the said confraternity. Theybeg alms two days of every week and collect whatever they get fromthis source and from the bequests left by most of the dying. Theyspend annually on the average more than twelve thousand pesos, whichincludes three thousand six hundred of income that they now possess, that was bequeathed them by certain persons. That sum they use for thegeneral support and relief of self-respecting poor men and women wholive uprightly; on the poor of the prison, whose suits they urge;on helping many of the girls sheltered in the seminary of SantaPotenciana; on the support of certain collegiates who study in theconvent of Santo Thomas of the Order of St. Dominic, and in that ofSan Joseph of the Society of Jesus; in marrying girls and orphans; onthe support of the hospital built by them where slaves are treated, and which I mentioned above; on the alms for masses, and for othersimilar purposes. Many of the dying appoint the brethren of the bureauof accounts as their executors, and they carry out the terms of thewills with great strictness. They attend to the burial of the poor, and of the bones of those who are hanged, which duty they see to onceeach year. 

_Colleges of Students_

_College of the Society of Jesus, called San Joseph_. There are twocolleges for students. One was founded by Captain Estevan Rodriguezde Figueroa, and is named San Joseph. It is in charge of the Societyof Jesus, and the collegiates go to attend lectures at the residence[_colegio_] of the same Society (which is close by) in grammar, philosophy, and ecclesiastical and moral theology. At present it hastwenty collegiates who wear the _beca_. [48] Some of them pay theirtuition, but others are aided by the Confraternity of La Misericordia;for the income of the founder falls somewhat short now of sustainingthe college, because of expenses in erecting the buildings of thesaid college. 

_College of Santo Thomas, which is in charge of the Order ofSt. Dominic. _ The college is called Santo Thomas de Aquino. Itis in charge of the Order of St. Dominic, and is very near theirconvent. For two years it has had collegiates. It was founded by thealms of deceased persons and by other contributions from the living, which the fathers have procured and collected. It has some income andis continuing to increase. At present it also has twenty collegiateswho wear the beca, some of whom also pay their tuition, and othersare supported by the Confraternity of La Misericordia and certainpersons. They take lectures in grammar, philosophy, and theology inthe same college, where they have a rector and masters belonging tothe Order of St. Dominic. 

These two colleges aggrandize the city greatly and the sons of theinhabitants of these islands are being reared in them in culture, virtue, and learning. It will be of the utmost importance to thecity's progress for your Majesty to honor them by granting themauthority to give degrees in the branches that they teach. 

_Seminary of Santa Potenciana. _ Many years ago the seminary of SantaPotenciana was founded in this city at your Majesty's command, inorder to maintain in it poor girls, both Spaniards and mestizas, who being reared there in a safe retreat and under good teachingmight leave it virtuous, and as such be sought as wives. It hasbeen supported hitherto by an income of one thousand pesos that itpossesses, and with eight hundred pesos which is about the value ofan encomienda granted it by your Majesty, besides three toneladasof the cargo given it annually by allotment in the ships despatchedhence to Nueva España, and certain alms bequeathed to it by certaindying persons. For some few years past the seminary has been greatlyin debt, both because of increasing the number of their girls, and because the toneladas of the cargo have had no value, and onaccount of the greatly increased cost of living; and it is sufferingso great need that it has not enough for the ordinary maintenanceof the fifty girls who are there at present, some of whom are aidedby the Confraternity of La Misericordia. It will be advisable, sincethe work is so consecrated to the service of God and so suitable tothat of your Majesty, whose royal person is patron of that seminary, for you to order the governor to aid it from the royal treasury, or--and this would be more secure--apportion to it more Indians, sothat a work so holy and necessary in this community may continue toadvance, since it is served by slave women and has never been servedby Spanish women. It is certain that if this retreat, from which thegirls go out married, were to fail, they would perish and be lost. 

_How the Indians are treated by the curates and ministers. _ TheIndians, Sire, of this archbishopric are generally treated withmildness, love, and zeal for their salvation, by the priests andministers who instruct them. Whenever the contrary is heard fromanyone, he is corrected, admonished, and punished--by myself if he is asecular. If he is a religious, his superior does it, when he deems itbest; for I (even though the case be one of the ministry and care ofsouls) alone have power to warn and ask his superior to remedy it. Inregard to that, it would be greatly advisable that the bishops of thePhilipinas have more power over the ministers of souls in their charge, and that the latter be obliged to give account. But, however this maybe, it is not a matter from which results any considerable annoyanceor harm to the Indians, except that of the bad example which theymight derive from it, if they saw their priest and teacher do thecontrary of what he teaches them and censures them for by word ofmouth. The most powerful cause, then, that destroys and consumes theIndians of Philipinas is the same one that has destroyed and consumedthe Spaniards. All have been ruined by the continual and large fleetswith which the Dutch enemy persecute us, and because our forces areso few to oppose them, as I have represented in other letters thatI am writing to your Majesty. It is impossible to prevent us allfrom suffering, and even perishing very speedily, if your Majesty'smost powerful hand does not help and defend us. Consequently, Sire, I consider as inexcusable the vexations that have come and are comingupon the Indians in the building of ships and the making of otherpreparations to defend us; for these would be very much less if theIndians were paid for their work as your Majesty orders, if theywere placed in charge of disinterested persons, and if compassionwere shown them. 

_Preachers for the Indian natives. _ There are as many preachers forthe Indians as there are priests who minister to them; for althoughthe chief and most important instruction which can be preached to themis to make the Indians understand the ministers of our holy religion, and for the minister that he know the language thoroughly, there isno difficulty in preaching to them, if one does it (and thus it isadvisable) simply and plainly. 

_Preachers for Spaniards. _ There is not any lack of preachers for theSpaniards either, for generally each of the convents of St Augustine, St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and the AugustinianRecollects of this city have two preachers, who are erudite fathersand of exemplary life. Besides, there are certain others, who byreason of living in the convents and surrounding missions attend tothe preaching of several sermons during the year. These with holyzeal reprehend vices with thorough modesty and prudence, and tellus what is suitable for our salvation. But your Majesty is assuredthat the chief preacher and teaching for the inhabitants of Manila, and the best method of banishing public sins from it, is the goodexample and life of the governors. With that, and with the affabilityand love that they would exercise toward the virtuous, and with thedispleasure and asperity with which they would treat the vicious, there would result, at least in the exterior court, the good orevil conduct of the inhabitants of this community. Inasmuch as thecommunity is small, and all its inhabitants need the governor andare watching him, they will try to imitate him. 

_In regard to sending a relation of the persons worthy andcapable of being appointed prelates. _ Your Majesty ordered me inthe said royal decree to send a separate and very secret relationof those persons most worthy and capable in this archbishopric ofbeing appointed to prelacies--recounting their virtue, morals, andexample, character, prudence, age, and modesty; and of the intellect, learning, degrees, and governing ability of such persons, besidesother circumstances. Obeying the commands of your Majesty, I reportall that in a separate letter, and I shall continue to do so in theform and manner in which your Majesty may advise me. 

_Whether there are vacant prebends or benefices. _ At present, Sire, there is no vacant prebend in the cathedral of this city, althoughsome are being filled by appointments by the governor until yourMajesty shall confirm them or shall appoint to these posts personswho are pleasing to you. In regard to that, I refer to what Iam writing to your Majesty in a separate letter. The beneficesare appointed by competition as soon as they become vacant, inthe manner prescribed by the holy council of Trent, in accordancewith the royal patronage and last royal decree of your Majesty thattreats of this matter. Consequently, throughout this diocese thereis no vacant prebend or benefice. As soon as any become vacant, I shall take care to provide for them as speedily as possible, asyour Majesty so piously orders me. 

_Regarding the number of curacies and missions, and of the personswho administer them. _ In regard to the relation and report that yourMajesty orders me to make of the curacies and missions of this diocese(both of Spaniards and of Indians); of the persons who serve them, andthe manner of their presentation, whether of seculars or of friars, and of what orders; the age of each, and his length of service inthose curacies and missions; and whether he serves with the good-will, humility, unworldliness, and good example to which he is bound;as well as of other things contained in the section that treats ofthis. I refer to what I have said in my letter, without going intoparticulars regarding the names and ages of the ministers; for thatappears to be less necessary, since the benefices at present held byseculars in these islands are so limited in stipends and obventionsthat nearly all of them are compelled to beg for these, in order not todesert their benefices. In the missions in charge of the religious, thesame persons do not live continuously, for their provincials remove andchange them from one to another, according as they deem most advisable. 

_That this relation shall be continued on all occasions. _ I shallhave the care that your Majesty orders, in sending duplicates ofthis relation until I am advised that your Majesty has received it, and I shall add to it whatever occurs later. When I learn that yourMajesty has received it, I shall observe the order given me, to referto what I shall have written in what may not be new matter, increasedand corrected by the past relations as far as may be advisable. Ishall continue to do that without awaiting any new order for it fromyour Majesty, whose very Catholic person may our Lord preserve forthe increase of new kingdoms and the prosperity of those which youpossess, as is necessary to Christendom, and as we your Majesty'shumble chaplains desire. Manila, August, 1621. 

This, Sire, is the relation of that I wrote to your Majesty in the pastyear of 1621. I found nothing to correct except the section treatingof the number of the convents in charge of the Order of St. Dominic, which is amended in its place in the margin. Manila, July last, 1622. 

_Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano_, archbishop of Manila. 

Royal Decrees Regarding the Religious

Ordering the Dominicans Not To Meddle in Government Affairs

The King. Venerable and devout father provincial of the Order ofSt. Dominic of the Philipinas Islands: I have been informed thatthe religious of your order are living with great lack of restraint, and are meddling in the government of those islands, from which haveresulted and are resulting very great difficulties. Moreover, thehonor and procedure of those who have been men of those islands havesuffered; for, both in the pulpit and in other ways, the religiousare trying to sully the reputation of those persons when they are notacceptable to them. Now inasmuch as that is unworthy of any personwhatever, and more so of religious who have to furnish an example toall by their retirement from the world and their method of procedure;and inasmuch as it is very advisable to reform that efficaciously:therefore after examination of the matter by my Council of theIndias, it has been deemed best to charge and order you, as I do, to summon immediately all the religious of your order. By the bestmethod that you shall deem advisable you shall censure them for theirirregularities, and represent these to them; and warn them to engageonly in their devotions and the conversion of souls according to theirobligations--which is the main purpose for which they went there--andthat they shall not meddle in government matters, or in any othermatter that does not concern their order. You shall advise me of whatyou shall do in this matter. Given at Madrid, December thirty-one, one thousand six hundred and twenty-two. [49]

_I The King_

By order of the king, our sovereign:_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_Signed by the Council. 

[_Endorsed_: "To the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic ofthe Philipinias Islands, ordering him to summon the religious ofhis order, and censure them for their irregularities, warning themto engage only in their devotions and conversion of souls, withoutmeddling in government matters or in any other matter that does notconcern their order. "]

Ordering the Archbishop of Manila To Examine Religious

The King. Very reverend father in Christ, the archbishop of themetropolitan church of the city of Manila of the Philipinas Islands, and member of my Council: The king, my sovereign and father--mayhe rest in peace--by his decree dated November fourteen of the pastyear, six hundred and three, charged the archbishop then governingthat church [_i. E. _, Benavides], that in accordance with the rulesand ordinances he should not permit or allow any religious in themissions in charge of the orders to enter upon or exercise the dutiesof a priest [_cura_] unless he had first been examined and approvedby the said archbishop or by the person appointed for that purpose, so that such religious should have the necessary competency, and knowthe language of the Indians whom he should have to instruct--as iscontained more minutely in the said cedula, which is of the followingtenor. 

"The King. Very reverend in Christ, the father archbishop of themetropolitan church of the city of Manila of the Philippinas Islandsand member of my Council: Although it has been stringently ordered thatthe ministers appointed to the missions of the Indians, both secularsand friars, must know the language of the Indians whom they are toinstruct and teach; that they be possessed of the qualities requiredfor the office of priest [_cura_] which they are to exercise; andthat the teachers among the religious, in so far as they are priests[_curas_] be visited by the secular prelates: I have been informed thatthose orders have not been observed as is needful; that you prelatesdo not exercise the fitting care in examining the said religiousteachers in order to be assured of their competency and thoroughknowledge of the language of those whom they are going to instruct;and that in the visitations many of their omissions and irregular actsin the administration of the sacraments and in the exercise of theirduties as priest are not remedied. That is a matter of considerableannoyance. And because the Indians suffer greatly, in the spiritualand temporal, from those appointed by their superiors, both in thisand in the choice of persons less careful than they should be; andbecause it is advisable for the service of God our Lord, and for ourservice, and for the welfare of the Indians, that the ministers ofinstruction be such as are required for that ministry, and that theyknow the language of the Indians: therefore I charge you straitly, in accordance with the rules and ordinances, not to permit or allowany religious to enter upon or exercise the duties of the office ofpriest in the missions in charge of the religious in the district ofthat archbishopric, unless he first be examined and approved by youor the person whom you shall appoint therefor, in order to satisfyyourself that he has the necessary competency, and that he knows thelanguage of the Indians whom he is to instruct. In the visitationsthat you shall make you shall remove those whom you shall find tobe incompetent, or lacking in the ability and good morals that arerequisite, and those who do not know sufficiently the language ofthe Indians whom they instruct; and you shall advise their superiorsof it, so that they may appoint others who shall have the requisitequalifications, in which they are also to be examined. You shalladvise me of whatever is done in the matter. Given in San Lorenzo, November fourteen, one thousand six hundred and three. 

_I The King_

By order of the king, our sovereign:_Juan de Ybarra_. "

And inasmuch as my intention and will is that the orders andcommands on the said subject be obeyed and executed exactly, Irequest and charge you to examine the said decree, above inserted, and to observe and obey it _in toto_, exactly as is contained anddeclared therein. Such is my will, notwithstanding that, in the courseof time and with the claims of the prelates, any other custom mayhave been tolerated or introduced. That shall not be allowed, underany consideration whatever. In order that the above order may havemore complete effect, I am having the Audiencia there ordered, byanother decree of the same date with this, to give you the necessaryprotection and aid for it. You shall advise me of all that is donein this matter. Given at Madrid, December thirty-one, one thousandsix hundred and twenty-two. 

_I The King_

By order of the king, our sovereign:_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_Signed by the Council. 

[_Endorsed_: "To the archbishop of Manila, that he observe the decreeabove inserted, so that the religious of the missions shall be examinedin the language of the Indians. "]

[_Endorsed_: "_Id. _ To the bishop of Nueva Segovia inPhilipinas. " "_Id. _ To the bishop of Nueva Cáceres. " "_Id. _ To thebishop of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesús. "]

DOCUMENTS OF 1623-1624

	Letter to Fajardo. Felipe IV; October 9, 1623. 	Royal permission for the Dominican college in Manila. Felipe	IV; November 27, 1623. 	Expedition to the mines of the Igorrotes. Alonso Martin	Quirante; June 5, 1624. 

_Sources_: The first of these documents is obtained from the "CedularioIndico" in the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; the second, from_Algunos documentos relat. Univ. De Manila_, p. 21, and Pastells'sedition of Colin's _Labor evangélica_, iii, p. 565; the third, froma MS. In the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. 

_Translations_: All these are made by James A. Robertson. 

Letter from Felipe IV to Fajardo

The King. Don Alonso de Tenza, knight of the Order of Alcantara, mygovernor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and presidentof my royal Audiencia thereof: The letter which you wrote me on August20, 1622, containing information regarding the state of those islands, has been received; and in my royal Council of the Indias the pointsthat belong to their province have been considered, and you will befurnished with the resolutions adopted thereon. 

You mention the revolt and retreat to the hills of certain nativesof the provinces of Pintados, Nueva Segovia, and Cambales, and thereason which you think they had for it. I appreciate the care whichyou have exercised in that matter, since on other occasions whenyou have been directed to see that the Indians be treated as wellas possible, you have endeavored to have my orders carried out, forin this way they will be preserved as we desire. Again I charge youthat you inform the superiors of the convents, and religious who arebusied in the conversion and teaching of the Indians, how importantit is to treat them well. 

Since you were unable to attend to the mines of the province ofPangasinan, in the mountains and the lands of the Ygolotes, on accountof the press of business which you have had, you will now carry ontheir exploration, since you see that it is desirable to accomplishthis enterprise. [50] As for the efforts that you have made to discovercertain fruits of the land, and your assertion that a considerablequantity of nutmeg [51] has been discovered similar to that fromthe Malucas Islands, you will make the necessary investigationsto ascertain this accurately. I also charge you to continue whatyou have begun, and to send a quantity of the said nutmeg to theofficers of my royal exchequer in the City of Mexico in Nueva España, so that they may send it to these kingdoms; and there also shall theinvestigation be made, according to the orders sent in my decree. 

As regards your remarks concerning the Licentiate Geronimo de Legaspi, auditor of that Audiencia, you will execute your orders in the matter, and I shall await the result. What you write in response to my decree, which was sent you on June 8, 1621, that you should investigate themode of life of the wives of the auditors and other officials thereinmentioned, is noted; and all this is placed in your charge and on yourconscience. You are to correct the abuses which you find existing, no matter whom they concern, and shall read this section in theAudiencia, so that they may know my will. 

I am advised of what you say, and have often represented, as to thenecessity that the persons who are appointed to that Audiencia shallbe well-known and approved. I am also advised as to what you say ofthe person of Don Geronimo de Silva, and the assistance which you havehad from him. The embassy for Japan--with a gift, which shall not seeman acknowledgment--you say, could not be sent off last year, whichis well. In the future, you will execute your orders in this matter. 

All the other sections which your letter contains have been considered, and now nothing remains but to make suitable provisions regardingthem. [Madrid, October 9, 1623. ]

_I The King_

By order of the king, our lord:_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_

Royal Permission for the Dominican College in Manila

By license of the ordinary and the governor of the Filipinas Islands, and the consent of our royal Audiencia therein, the religious ofthe Order of St. Dominic in the city of Manila founded a college, where grammar, the arts, and theology, are taught. In it theyestablished two religious for each subject, and they have twentysecular collegiates. From this has resulted and now is resulting agreat advantage to the youth, to the preaching of the holy gospel, and to the instruction of the sons of the inhabitants. We order thatnow, and until we order otherwise, the said religious make use of thesaid license given them by the governor to found the college, and tostudy the said branches. This is and shall be understood to be withoutderogation or prejudice to any decrees concerning like foundations, inorder that they may not be established and begun without our expresspermission, which must be observed throughout our Indias, withoutany exception. [Given in Madrid, November 27, 1623, by Felipe IV. ]

The King. Inasmuch as Fray Matheo de la Villa, procurator-generalof the Order of St. Dominic in the Philipinas Islands, has reportedto me that a college was founded in certain houses that they held astheirs in that city, by the license of the ordinary and of Don AlonsoFaxardo de Tenca, my governor and captain-general of those islands, where grammar, the arts, and theology are taught; and that there aretwo religious of each department in it for that purpose, and twentysecular collegiates; and that from it has resulted, and is resulting, great advantage to the youth, the preaching of the holy gospel, and the instruction of the sons of the citizens: and petitioning me, in consideration of the above, and of the fact that the license whichwas conceded to them was on condition that they obtain my confirmationof it, if I should be pleased to give it; and the matter having beenconsidered in my royal Council of the Yndias, I have considered itadvisable to give the present. By it I order that for the present, and until I order otherwise, the said religious of the Order ofSt. Dominic enjoy the license that the said my governor gave them tofound the said college and to teach in it the said branches; and suchis my will. Given in Madrid, November twenty-seven, one thousand sixhundred and twenty-three. 

_I The King_

Countersigned by Juan Ruiz de Contreras, and signed by the membersof the Council. 

Expedition to the Mines of the Igorrotes

_Relation of the discovery of the mines and of the pacification ofthe Ygolotes in the province of Pangasinan_

Relation of the voyage and entrance that I, Captain and Sargento-mayorAlonso Martin Quirante, made by order of the governor andcaptain-general, Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenca, during this presentyear, one thousand six hundred and twenty-four, to the province andmines of the Ygolotes; and the tests or assays made of the metalsthere by various miners; the nature of the country, and what I wasable to learn of its inhabitants. 

First, I left the city of Manila by order of the said governor andcaptain-general, to attain the said entrance, on December twenty-two, one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and went overland to theprovince of Pangasinan. I reached that province on January first, six hundred and twenty-four, and took over the offices of justice andwar from Captain and Sargento-mayor Antonio Carreño de Valdes. As henotified me of the royal decree ordering his residencia to be taken, in fulfilment thereof I took it, and sent him to the said city onthe fifth of the following February. 

On the eleventh of the said month of January, the champan which wasdespatched at my departure from the said city, laden with the infantry, ammunition, and other war-stores necessary for the said entrance, reached the port and storehouses of Arrimguey. 

From the said day, January first, until the eleventh of the followingFebruary, when I reached the said town and storehouses of Arriguey[_sic_] I collected and gathered provisions and everything elseimportant for the success of the said expedition. Likewise, togetherwith the preparation that I made of food in the said time, in the saidmonth of February, I caused to be collected, in addition to the seventySpanish soldiers and officers of my company, fourteen adventurers[_extravagantes_] or substitutes [_sobresalientes_], besides twosailors (one of them a miner), two Japanese miners, and one armorer;a clerk [_tenedor_] and notary; eleven of his Majesty's negro slaves, and nine Indians imprisoned for crimes; forty-seven Sangley carpenters, smiths, and sawyers; and one thousand seven hundred and forty-eightother Indians--eight hundred and ninety-three from the province ofYlocos, formed into twelve companies; and eight hundred and fifty-fivefrom the province of Pangasinan, formed into ten other companies--whoin all totaled one thousand nine hundred and three rations. FatherFray Raymundo Beger [52] of the Order of Preachers, and LicentiateAugustin Tabuyo Baldecañas, who was supplied by the bishop of NuevaSegovia, also went with us as our curas and vicars for the successof the said expedition. 

On the fourteenth of the said month, I made a muster and enrolmentof the said men. The next day rations were given to all of them fora fortnight, and I began to despatch them by troops in the mannerand order following. On the sixteenth of the said month of February, I despatched Adjutant Andres Tamayo with twenty soldiers and twohundred Pangasinan Indians, a chosen and light troop, in order thatbeing unencumbered or discommoded by their rations, arms, and toolsthey might open and clear the road, arranging camping-places along itduring the assigned marches. They were given orders to stop in thosequarters only over night, so that afterward and without joining themthe second troop who were to follow could occupy the same. On thenext day, the seventeenth, after having formed three divisions fromthe other men, with eighteen soldiers in charge of my sargento and ofa corporal, I despatched five hundred and sixteen of the Indians ofeach province--all except their officers with their packs--with ordersto follow the first divisions. They were to make the same marches, but were not to unite with the first troop, nor with the followingone. This was in order to avoid the confusion and obstacles thatmight arise from both troops, since they were men of so little reason, both in camp and in marching; since they had to go by only one path, where because of its narrowness and poor condition they had to go insingle file. 

I despatched the third troop consisting of a like number of nativeswith seventeen Spanish soldiers, on the eighteenth of February, incharge of another corporal, ordering them to follow the other twopreceding divisions, in the same order and marches. 

The next day, February nineteen, having assigned eight soldiers undera half-pay alférez, and twenty-five Pangasinan Indians under theircaptain, as a guard to the said storehouses--and having despatchedthe master-of-camp of the province of Ylocos for more men, in orderto exchange them after a month with those who had gone out before, who, I feared, were already beginning to desert in part--I startedwith the rest of the men that were left. I went to pass the night atthe place called San Juan, two leguas along the road, where, at thefoot of a cross set up there, I found a letter from the troop ahead, announcing that they had found the quarters burned to the ground, and that they did not know who had set the fire, but suspected itwas the Ygolotes. 

I left the above place on the twentieth, and went to pass the nightwith the said last division at the site of Duplas, located about fourleguas along the road. I also found the camp and the country roundabout burning, the said Ygolotes having set it afire only a shorttime before. 

Next day, Wednesday, the twenty-first of the said month, afterthe conclusion of sprinkling ashes on all the soldiers, I left thesaid place and went to pass the night at another place called SanFrancisco. On that day not more than one and one-half leguas couldbe made, because of the many rivers. 

On Thursday, the twenty-second, at noon, after another one and one-halfleguas made as above, my said division and I reached Buena Vista, where I found all three divisions had halted because the YgoloteIndians had occupied the road; and they were building forts at anarrow passage on it, with a stockade, where, when the said adjutanttried to pass ahead, they wounded him and some of the other Spaniards, and some Indians who accompanied him. 

Next day, the twenty-third, I went out with thirty soldiers and aboutone hundred and fifty Indians to the said pass that the Ygolotes weredefending; and although they resisted for some time, and killed somesoldiers and natives, I gained the pass and destroyed the fort, sothat the enemy could not remain in it longer or make any other sortie, as it was all unsheltered. 

Saturday, the twenty-fourth, I left the said place of Buena Vista, and went with all my troops united to pass the night at Los Pinos, a march of three leguas. That distance was made with some difficultyas the roads in some parts are very closely grown with reed-grass;and in the bad passes are fallen trees which form the best defensethat the Ygolotes can have, so that if we were perceived they couldattack us in safety or could shelter themselves. 

Sunday, the twenty-fifth, I went to pass the night, on account ofthe convenient supply of water, at Rio Frio [_i. E. _, "Cold River"]with my said men, marching through the extremely hot sun for oneand one-half leguas. Next day, Monday, February twenty-six, aboutone o'clock, I reached the new mines called Galan by their natives, located about three leguas from Rio Frio. As the Ygolotes had learnedof our approach, or had seen us about to set fire to some houses--abouttwo hundred which they had located in various places about the saidmines and hill--they sought shelter without leaving anything exceptsome small heaps of metal which they were digging in order to work. 

Next day, the twenty-seventh, having reconnoitered the said place, and having seen that it was suitable and secure, and that withina stone's throw on the same elevation were the mines and veins ofmost importance that are yet known to exist among the said Ygolotes, according to the information given by men who already had experienceof them before, I determined to establish a camp and fortify myselfin them. That I did, locating in a place where in no direction couldwe fail to succor and overlook all the paths and ravines where anydanger could be feared, or any difficulty of getting food and waterclose at hand and in the quantity desired. In the course of the saidmarch, I saw and noted that from the time of my departure from the saidvillage of Arringuey, we were always going from one peak to another, until we reached that of Los Pinos, from which other higher oneswere discovered; while some small streams were passed on the way, not of great volume, but to some extent shut in with mountains andlands full of reed-grass. 

Up on the said peak the mountains were almost everywhere destituteof forests; for except in the very damp ravines, reed-grass does notgrow, or any tree except pines. For that reason, wherever one looksfrom the height, very many mountains are to be seen, so jagged, steep, and near together that it seems impossible for men or any other livingthing to exist on them. 

The climate of those mountains is cold rather than temperate, andless healthful than sickly. The winds that usually prevail are northand south, and the south winds generally bring rain, accompaniedby extremely violent thunder-storms. Dense fogs always prevail, and generally make the country very damp. 

Certain streamlets of water issue from the springs of those mountains, from which people drink; and these waters are so cold and thin that, ifone does not eat sufficient, they do him much harm. For that reason itmust be that birds do not breed there; for, since the first is lackingto them, those that can escape do not await their destruction. Onlycertain little birds like linnets are seen, and at times some crows, which must be foreign to them. 

None of the most common useful and fruit trees, which abound in allthe neighboring provinces, are found there; and less any of new orold España; nor any other that yields either known or wild fruits: sothat the mountains are covered only with a great quantity of pines, whose roots do not penetrate the ground more than half a vara. Theground to that depth is black, but below that red and so hard [53]that the roots, not being able to penetrate it, are very easily torn upat any violent wind. All the said peaks are so cleared and despoiledof trees that they do not hinder one from noticing and seeing, fora great distance below the pines, whatever preparations are being made. 

The houses in which those Ygolotes protect themselves from theinclemencies of the weather--which is intolerable, both because ofthe sun when it shines, and from the rains and cold--are very small, built of straw and short wood. They have no walls, for the roofs serveas everything, extending from above even to the ground. They sleephigh up, on some boards or planks roughly put together. The doors oftheir houses, which are very small, are so low that one must get downon hands and knees in order to enter them. 

Their settlements are established on the peaks of the mountains, andon the roughest of them, whence afar off they can see all the paths, so that no one can approach them without being seen by their sentinels, who always guard their posts day and night. If there is any danger, they can easily retire without being seen, leaving behind nothingmore than their miserable huts; and, not fearing whether any go toseek them, they defend themselves as they may by hurling down hugerocks which they have suitably placed, sharp-pointed reeds, [54] andstones; and especially do they seek the sure and convenient site. Inthe rainy season they fear firearms but little, for they know thatthey are of less effect than none at all. 

The usual dress and clothing of that people is a loose shock ofdisheveled hair that reaches below the ears, and certain bandsabout one _jeme_ [55] wide made from the bark of trees. Having woundthese about the waist, they twist them so that they cover the privyparts. They call these _bahaques_, and they are worn by all classes ofpeople, men and women. Besides the said bahaque, the chiefs wear Ilocanblankets, which they have inherited from their ancestors; this garmentis crossed from the shoulder to the waist, where they knot it. Thusdo they go, without any other clothes or shoes. [56] The chiefs ofthose natives are not differentiated from the rest of the people inother things than in the possession of more bones of animals that theyhave killed in their feasts, more clothes, and greater age. There aremore chiefs than in other nations, for there is one in every ten ortwelve houses, who is head of his kinsfolk. They inherit from fatherto children, or by blood, and do not recognize one as greater thanthe other. Those chiefs generally insert gold in the teeth, which isso well fitted that it does not hinder their talking or eating at all. 

The Ygolotes are in general a very active people, bold, wellbuilt, and feared by the other nations surrounding them. As theyhave discovered that, and that others, even when numerous, alwaysrun from them, the Ygolotes attack with but few men. Whenever theykill anyone, scarcely has he fallen before his head is cut off. Onthat account they make many feasts, and at night light many fireson many peaks. They make cups of the skulls, from which they drinkin their feasts and revelries; and leave them as household effectsto their heirs. If any of them are killed, and they can conceal it, they endeavor to do so; for they grieve greatly and consider it asa very great insult if the bodies of their dead are not carried away. 

The arms used by them consist of a pointed lance one-third of a varalong, which they generally carry, well polished, and set in a handleof strong wood more than one braza long. They have others with whichthey usually fight, made from heavy green poles, larger than theabove. At the head they insert a bamboo knot, with its point wellsharpened into two edges. They cover themselves with their shields, which consist of certain short and very light boards, about four orfive palmos long and two or more wide. They use many sharp-pointedstakes with which they sow the ground, particularly about their haunts, and wherever harm might come to them. [57]

The Ygolotes are an idolatrous race. They say that their god isthe sky, whom they call Cabunian; and they offer and sacrifice tohim, in their banquets and feasts, swine and carabaos, but under noconsideration cows or bulls. The method of sacrifice practiced by themis [as follows]. Having tied all the animals not prohibited about thehouse of the sacrificer, after the ceremony an old man or old woman, having placed on the ground a painted cloth that resembles a surplice, and which they call _salili_, they continue to kill the animals, andmake a great feast. They keep that up for two or three days until theyhave finished eating what they have, when their feast or _magunito_also finishes. He who keeps up such entertainment longest and killsmost of the said animals is most respected. 

Their sages or philosophers are the oldest men and women, whom theyrespect and obey in an extraordinary manner, and most when they areoccupied in the said feasts; for they say that then and even ordinarilythose persons are wont to talk with the devil, who keeps them blinded. 

That race lacks all good natural reasoning power. They cannot read, nor do they know what day, month, or year, or the increase and declineof the moon, signify. They govern themselves by one star that rises inthe west, which they call _gaganayan_, while they call the natives oftheir neighborhood by the same name. On seeing that star they attend tothe planting of their waste and wretched fields in order to sow themwith yams and camotes, which form their usual and natural food. Theydo not have to plow or dig, or perform any other cultivation thanthat of clearing the land where they are to plant. 

When any one of those barbarians dies, they do not bury him for manydays, for, as they say, they pass one month, during which period theyamass quantities of food about the deceased, to whom they give hisshare as well as the others. Then they continue to prick the body, and, as they say, they draw off or suck out the humors until the bodyis left dry. When that time comes they wrap it in their blankets, andfasten buyos and other things about the waist for the journey. Some areburied in a sitting posture and placed with their backs against theirshields, in caves under the rocks, the mouths of which are stoppedwith stones. Others they set in the trees, and they carry food forso many days after having left them in either one of those places. 

It is not very easy to ascertain the number of those people, who arescattered, for they are so intractable, and do not let themselvesbe seen, moving from one place to another on slight pretext, withoutany hindrance; for their houses, to provide which would be the chiefcause of anxiety, they easily build anywhere, with a bundle of hay, while they move their fields of yams or camotes (on which they livewell) from one place to another without much effort, pulling themup by the roots--for, because of the dampness of the country, thesetake root wherever they are placed. In the same manner, they carrytheir ornaments or bones; [58] and since their arms and clothes arebut little or nothing, they are not embarrassed, because they alwayscarry these with them. Yet it is known that, if those called Ygolotesreach one thousand men, that is a great number. They can scarcelygather in one body or live on friendly terms with one another. Forthose of Banaco and those of Atindao, villages of the same mountains, have little or no communication with them, as neither do those of Aytuyand Panaquy, villages on the other side of the said mountain-range--towhom it is said that they pay tribute or a sort of recognition; butboth are hostile to those of Alrade, Vigan, and Oyrraya, so that, allthose Ygolotes being so separated, cautious, malicious and treacherous, no message or despatch can at all be sent them. For if it be donewith few Indians, they secure and kill them; and if there are many, they fight them, and will not listen to or believe them. If Spaniardsgo with an interpreter to talk to them, as I have sometimes attemptedto do, they anticipate them on seeing them and no one remains in hishouse, but they flee from the Spaniards. Then, if perchance they hearsome arguments that are shouted out to them, they laugh, and answerthat we are deceiving them, and that they will not trust us; thatthey know us for people of bad faith; and that we must lay aside ourfirearms if we wish them to approach. And if we did that, they wouldemploy their usual treachery and evil methods, as they generally do. 

In the rainy season, that wretched race, most of whom are miners, unite with their wives and children to wash the sand of the streamletsthat flow from the mountains, where with less work than in their mines, by avoiding the digging and crushing of the metal, they get some gold, although very little. [59] With what all of them get in one way oranother, they go down peacefully to the villages nearest to them, to trade for certain animals or cattle. They do not trade the goldby weight, but by sight. Those cattle are the ones that they eat, with the solemnity above described, in a general assembly; for theydo not breed any kind of cattle or any other living thing for theirfeast or sustenance, except certain small and very wretched dogswhich we have often had a chance to see. 

It is not easy for us or even for them to ascertain the strata, veins, or ores whence that product is yielded, since it is wellknown that it does not originate or form in the sand, which does notcontain nurseries for it, since so many streamlets descend from somany ravines and slopes. For it is not yet known that, moving aboutordinarily and having signs of that product, without ascertainingor knowing any other in all the country, the natives have discoveredmore than five elevations or hills within a distance of five or sixleguas, which they have worked during the dry season, in order tosupport themselves so wretchedly as is known. Besides, those Ygolotesare indebted to the natives of the villages who are our friends, and are unable to pay those who give them credit; the wealth and witof both peoples being so small and restricted that, although thosepeople have no other kind of expenses, or other thing to attend to, than the product of their mines, they are very generally in debt--asure proof of the mistake made in believing that the gain is much, or the said mines of much importance, as has been and is demonstratedby experience. 

On one of the five elevations which I have said that the Ygolotesworked, namely, the said new one called Galan (it being the chiefone, as I have said), I camped, and built the fort of Santiago, under whose advocacy [_i. E. _, of Santiago or St. James] they sayit was before. Retaining with myself about two hundred natives fromboth provinces [_i. E. _, Pampanga and Ilocos], with the Sangleys andprisoners whom I took with me, I sent back all the others with thirtysoldiers on the twenty-eighth of the month of February, to get moreprovisions, ammunition, and other necessary things, at the villageand storehouses of Arrimguey, although afterward some Ylocos Indiansdeserted in the one month and six days while I occupied that place, the natives having returned by a third path. In all three months, their provisions amounted to two thousand and eighty-seven basketsof rice, each of fifteen gantas; and for the rations of all the menfrom January sixteen (when food began to be issued at my account)until March twenty-four following, were consumed two thousand andninety-four baskets. These rations were given to all the said natives, and to seven hundred and sixty others besides, who were broughtfrom Ylocos by the said master-of-camp in order to exchange withthe first, as has been said. On the said day, March twenty-four, I mustered all the men, and paid and despatched them, except aboutone hundred and twenty from both provinces, thirty-one Sangleys, and about five adventurers [_estravagantes_] and substitutes whoremained with me to aid and accompany us. 

Having despatched the said men, I ordered the lieutenant of theprovince of Pagasinam not to advise me of anything unless it were amatter of great importance until the fifteenth of May, when he shouldsend me four hundred other natives [from Pangasinan] and one hundredfrom the said province of Ylocos, all laden with beans and other thingsnecessary for the sustenance of the men of the said presidio. That wasdone in order that I might more freely attend to the investigation ofthe mines of the said Ygolotes and what substance they contained. Forthat purpose I immediately ordered Martin de Vergara, my alférez, Rodrigo Lopez Orduña, Juan de Mugaburu, Graviel Molinero, and Diegode Tovar, soldiers of my company and all miners, and other personswho understood something [of mines] to investigate and reconnoiterthe said new mines where the said Ygolotes were working. The mouthsof those mines are in the northern part [of the ridge], about astone's throw from the said fort, and the mine discovered extendsfrom above downward in the manner of a horizontal vein or shell forthe distance of a musket-shot from northwest to southeast, and thentwists about for another equal distance to the direction that lookstoward the northwest and west, until it disappears into the depthsof a ravine or watercourse where there is but little sun. That isnot the case with the one that extends northwest and southeast, for it is flooded with sunlight most of the day. When I reached thatplace the Ygolotes were working the said mines through many mouths orpassages that they had opened, following the metal of one large vein, from which they were taking out the ore that was softest and easiestto dig, although it contained blue iron pyrites that contain antimony. 

Having investigated and examined the above-mentioned, I judged it bestto open a trial place or mouth high up, and in the middle of all themine works that the said Ygolotes were carrying on, in order to get allthe body of the metal from the top which is more than one braza wide, and from the crust of the earth. On the fifth of March following, we began to open it, and, following the opening for ten estados, weencountered the said mines that the Ygolotes were working, by whichour field of work was enlarged much more on the level, at the sides, and vertically; and we continued to get metal for assaying. 

The second hill or mine is that called Arisey and Bugayona, which isbut little more than three leguas from the new one above. It issuesfrom the same ridge or elevation, where the old fort Del Rosario[_i. E. _, "of the rosary"] was established, which was destroyedby fire in November of the past year one thousand six hundred andtwenty-three. It is on the slope facing west, and the sun floods itfrom nine until four. It has a descent of one-half legua that is verytroublesome as it is very steep, with two divisions and ravines at theside, and precipices along both slopes and also in front; for it isvery steep, with a hollow in the middle, in which a spring of water isenclosed, that rises near the place where the said fort stood. [Thereis] a slope which is at the foot of the work where the natives washed[gold], and gathered certain small stones known to them, which theycrushed for their profit; for in no other way is there any known orconstant source from which to obtain the metal--but only loose dirtwith certain ores, and those of the said red metal, which traverse thesoil--without digging down to the bottom. Nor can this dirt be workedwithout danger of caving in, as was the case in all the veins and worksthat were on that elevation. Nothing more of these remained than onlythe indications of having been opened and worked from the verticalwithin the elevation; for they do not follow the level and centeras that has been found to be of no benefit. From that one is led tobelieve that the mines were abandoned long ago. Yet from the mouthsof those sunken mines, inasmuch as no other place was found whenceone might get ore, about fifteen small baskets of ore were obtainedby the said miners, Alférez Martin de Bergara, Rodrigo Lopez Orduña, Juan de Mugaburu, and Diego de Tovar, from that which appeared bestfor assaying and examining its nature or the benefit that could bederived from it. 

The third elevation and mine is that called Baranaban, which is aboutone legua from the said fort and mine of Arisey, on a barren hillthat faces south, which is flooded by the sun all day long. Throughit runs a vein about one vara wide, extending east and west forsome distance. There are some works and openings there, narrow, and distinct one from the other. Thence were taken fifteen basketsof gravel and dirt, which has the color of coal, in order to assayit. One can get a quantity of it from the said vein, although withlittle security from the earth caving in unless the works be proppedup; for all of them are of shifting dirt, which is easily undermined, for which reason the said works have caved in, and bear the aspectrather of neglect than of having been worked. 

The fourth hill or mine is that of Antamog, which is perhaps more thantwo leguas from the said old fort and mine of Arisey, and five andone-half from our fort of Santiago, which faces south from a largehill whose peak extends east and west, the said elevation havingbeen undermined by one of its springs, and traversed by very narrowsmall threads of white and yellow metal; while all the elevation istraversed by and filled with passages, which are found intermixed, opened sidewise from the vertical and inward, and dipping downwardscarcely at all, as the threads of the metal are not deep. In orderthat these may not cave in, they are propped up with stakes and boards;for otherwise, inasmuch as the dirt is so loose, they would not remainat all secure, as has happened to those unpropped, since we saw somethat were blocked up and caved in. The said works are very narrow, and all were examined without finding metal, because of the high level, or sides, or any kind of vein, except at the entrance of the openingswhence they were drawn. 

From the said threads they obtained a kind of brass-colored and lessdirty earth, in order to wash it in another large placer, that theyhad at one side of the said elevation, with a small stream that riseson top of the elevation, where they had a small settlement. Theycould, to all appearances, obtain but little profit, and with greatdifficulty, even with the community so near by. According to the signs, it was a long time since those workings and mines had been worked, and they were more neglected than the others; yet they produced thebest (or the best-appearing) ore that could be found. Twenty basketsof it were obtained by the said miners to assay and investigate itsnature, and determine what it might be. 

The fifth and last elevation, hill, or mine is that called Conog, which is about one-half legua from the preceding and located in thesame chain. It is flooded by the sun all day long, as is the other. Thesaid elevation, turning, extends toward the north. In it are to beseen five or six openings or passages, that differ but little fromthose of Antamog. No considerable or fundamental vein was found, but only brass-colored earth that contained some small bits of bluemetal containing iron pyrites, all of them very soft. In one passagethat was lower was found on the level a small stream of clear waterwhich empties through another opening lower down than it, both of thoseopenings having been made for one excavation. To all appearances thosemines were abandoned long ago; and although they were not being worked, and were seen to be so neglected, they contained the best-appearingmetal that was seen. The said miners got about ten small baskets ofit to assay. 

The tools with which those Ygolotes worked, or work, their mines arecertain stakes of heavy wood fashioned like pickaxes, with the knotof the said stake larger at the end of it, where, having piercedit, they fit into it a small narrow bit of iron about one palmolong. Then seated in the passages or works, as the veins prove, they pick out and remove the ore, which having been crushed by astout rock in certain large receptacles fixed firmly in the ground, and with other smaller stones by hand, and having reduced the ore topowder, they carry it to the washing-places. For that purpose theyhave some small streamlets near at hand, with two or three hollowsin their beds. There passing the said ore from one to the otheruntil they clean away the mud from it, by means of the sunlight, which floods everything, they discover and collect some dust orgrains of gold. Then they again crush the large grains of ore, andwash and rewash it, until, having passed through the said basins, what remains at last is entirely useless. To judge by the tools thathave been seen and which the said Ygolotes have, as above said, themost usual and only working that they give their ores is the above, and nothing further. With their little ability for discovering these, if nature and poverty--which reduces them to subjection without anyexpense--did not compel them, they would vainly spend their time, in one way or another, in searching for something to eat, which theydo not possess or produce. 

All the hills and elevations, mines, passages, veins, and works abovementioned have been examined and entered by the said miners. They haveobtained and assayed metals with the greatest care possible. Eachassay is set down separately so that it will stand as a testimonyand token of service, with the day, month, and year, just as theyhave been made, in the following manner. 

_Refinement_ [_of metals_]. 1. First, on Palm Saturday, on the nightof the thirtieth of March, one thousand six hundred and twenty-four, a refining fire was made by the said Alférez Martin de Vergara andthe other miners. Upon it and seventeen libras of lead was fed thedust and sediment of one-half quintal of ore that was obtained fromthe hole which I have said was opened in the veins and new mines ofGalan, at a depth of ten estados. A grain of the appearance of silver, and weighing as much as one real, was obtained. 

_Quicksilver_. 2. On the said day, April six, of the said year, threequintals of ore from the same hole and veins were incorporated withthree libras of quicksilver and compounded with salt. On the tenth ofthe said month it was washed, and a small grain of gold was obtainedthat weighed one-half real. In the said assay ten onzas of quicksilverwere lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 3. On the said day, April six, three libras ofquicksilver were incorporated with three quintals of ore from thesaid hole and vein, which was obtained at a depth of ten estados;and the mixture was compounded with salt. It was washed on the tenthof the said month, and a small grain of gold of the weight of one-halfreal was obtained. Eleven onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 4. On Sunday, April seven, two quintals of the sameore from the said hole and vein were incorporated with two librasof quicksilver, having roasted the ore while in the form of stone, before crushing it. On the eleventh it was washed, and a small grainof gold of the weight of one-half real was obtained. Six onzas ofquicksilver were lost. 

[5. ] That day, the eleventh of the said month, in a second refinement, the dust and sediment that remained from a quintal of the same orewas put on the fire. On being fused with twenty-three libras of lead, nothing was obtained from the said assay. 

_Quicksilver_. 6. Saturday, the thirteenth of the said month of April, one libra of quicksilver was incorporated with two and one-halfarrobas of ore obtained from certain excavations found below theearth inside a little hut, near our fort and the said mine, which wasburned by the Igolotes. On the eighteenth of the month it was washed, and a grain of gold weighing one real was obtained; and three onzasof quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 7. Tuesday, the sixteenth, four libras of quicksilverwere incorporated with four quintals of ore obtained at a depth often or eleven estados in the said mine and hole. Having made thatassay in a stove, on the twenty-second of the said month of Aprilthey washed the said four quintals of ore, and obtained a grain ofgold of the weight of one real. Two onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 8. Wednesday, the seventeenth, one libra of quicksilverwas incorporated with one quintal of the said ore, obtained at a depthof eleven estados. Having been treated in a reverberating furnace, onthe twenty-second of the said month it was washed and a small grainof gold of barely the weight of half a real was obtained. Three andone-half onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 9. Thursday, April eighteen, they recrushed and washedthe sweepings and residue of the first three quintals of ore whichhad been compounded with quicksilver. With the one quintal thatresulted therefrom, they incorporated on the said day one libra ofquicksilver. On the twenty-second it was washed, and for the secondtime a small grain of gold was obtained of the weight of one-quarterreal. Two and one-half onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 10. Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of the said month ofApril, four libras of quicksilver were incorporated with four quintalsof ore, obtained from a passage or opening carefully concealed inthe bed of the streamlet, almost at the end of the said vein, and atthe end of the other openings in it on the northwest side, where itobtains but very little sun and considerable dampness. It is an orethat contains a quantity of antimony, and one can obtain much of it, to judge from the works that the Ygolotes had, and those that we weremaking, as it seemed an ore of fairly good appearance. Compoundingthe assay of the said four quintals with salt and magistral, [60] thecompound was washed on the second of May following, and a grain of goldof one-half real weight obtained. Two onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 11. On the twenty-ninth of April, three libras ofquicksilver were incorporated with three quintals of ore obtainedfrom a washing-place made by the Ygolotes below the openings, and nearthe preceding place. The compound was washed on the fifth of May, anda grain of gold weighing one and one-half reals was obtained. Eightonzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 12. On the third of the said month of May, one libraof quicksilver was incorporated with one quintal of ore obtained fromthe said hole and vein as the four preceding assays. Having beencrushed and burned in the openings before being incorporated withthe said quicksilver, it was washed on the sixth; a small grain ofgold, weighing less than one-half real, was obtained from that assay, while three onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 13. April twenty-nine, one libra of quicksilver wasincorporated with one quintal of ore obtained from the old mines, of which I have made mention, called Baranaban. On May sixteen itwas washed, and a small grain of gold obtained of one-quarter realweight. Three onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Arisus. Quicksilver. _ 14. Tuesday, April thirty, one libra ofquicksilver was incorporated with another quintal of ore obtainedfrom the said old mines called Arisey and Bugayona. On May sevenfollowing it was washed, and a small grain of gold, weighing lessthan one-quarter real, obtained. Two and one-half onzas of quicksilverwere lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 15. The first of the said month of May, one libra ofquicksilver was incorporated with one quintal of ore obtained fromthe said old mines and from those called Antamo. On the eighth of thesaid month it was washed, and a small grain of gold about as largeas the head of a pin, which could not be weighed, obtained. Six onzasof quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 16. The said day, May first, one libra of quicksilverwas incorporated with one quintal of ore obtained from the said oldmines--from the one called Conog. On the eighth of the said month itwas washed, and another small grain of gold obtained, of the samesize as the preceding. Four onzas of quicksilver were lost in thesaid assay. 

_Quicksilver_. 17. May two, one-half libra of quicksilver wasincorporated with two arrobas of ore obtained from the vein and worksof the streamlet at the new mine mentioned above as being near our fortof Santiago. Compounding that assay and calcination with magistral, nothing was obtained. Three onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 18. The said day, May two, another one-half libra ofquicksilver was incorporated with another half libra, I mean one-halfquintal, of ore obtained from the preceding opening and vein. Itwas washed on the sixth of the said month, as also was the precedingassay. Only a small grain of gold weighing one-fourth real was obtainedfrom that [mass] which was only compounded with quicksilver. Two andone-half onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 19. On the fifth of the same month of May three librasof quicksilver were incorporated with three quintals of ore from thefirst hole and mouth opened near our fort, as above stated. On thetwelfth of the said month it was washed, and a grain of gold weighingscarcely one real obtained. Two onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 20. Saturday, May eleven, one-half libra of quicksilverwas incorporated with two arrobas of ore obtained from an enclosurefound at one-half legua's distance from our fort and the new mine, onthe edge of a river. It was washed on the sixteenth of the said month, but nothing was found in it. One and one-half onzas of quicksilverwere lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 21. On the fourteenth of the said month one libra ofquicksilver was incorporated with one quintal of ore obtained from apassage which was discovered to have been worked by the Ygolotes in thesame vein and new mine, in its western part of which mention has beenmade. The said vein extends to the southwest. The mixture was washed onthe eighteenth of the said month, and a small grain of gold, weighingone-half real, was obtained. One-half onza of quicksilver was lost. 

_Quicksilver_. 22. On Thursday, May nine, three libras of quicksilverwere incorporated with three quintals of ore obtained from the firsthole and vein of the new mine, of which mention has been made. Maynineteen it was washed, and a small grain of gold, of one-third realweight, obtained. Twelve onzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Smelting_. 23. Monday, the twentieth of the said month, anotherassay was made by fusing one quintal of litharge [61] and two of oreobtained from the said hole and vein preceding. From the said mixture, although they tried it several times, it was impossible to fuse or meltthe said ore. On the contrary, there was a loss of the lead consumedwith the said litharge, and the mixture continued to be consumed;so that having been exhausted and the oven having become clogged, it was necessary to stop without succeeding with the said assay. Theyattributed that to the said ore being unfit for smelting. 

_Quicksilver_. 24. Thursday, May twenty, two libras of quicksilverwere incorporated with one and one-half quintals of ore obtained froma depth of fourteen estados in the said vein and hole which was openedas above stated. On the twenty-fifth of the said month it was washed, and a small grain of gold, weighing one-half real, was obtained. Twoonzas of quicksilver were lost. 

_Smelting_. 25. Sunday, May twenty-six, a second assay by smeltingwas made with three quintals of litharge and one of _tesmiquitate_, [62] refined; both were fluxed with three quintals of ore obtained fromthe second hole or passage above mentioned as being near the level ofthe streamlet in the said vein and new mine. That was a second anddifferent compound and was made by smelting and with the said flux;but they were unable to fuse the ore, although many efforts wereexerted. It was useless because of the poor quality that the minersascribed to the said ore. Finding that there was considerable lossand waste of the lead, they had to desist. 

_Smelting_. 26. Monday, May twenty-six, a third assay was made byrefining or smelting, by feeding the dust that was left from onequintal of ore, obtained at a depth of fourteen or more estados fromthe first vein and hole which, I have said, was opened in the saidnew mine. Having consumed twenty-five libras of lead, upon which themetal melted, a grain resulted that resembles silver, and weighs oneand one-half reals. [63]

The said tests or assays having been made and finished, the layof the land, and its natives and mines, having been examined, andhaving obtained a quantity of ore from all the mines, I left thesaid presidio and fort of Santiago well fortified with a garrison offifty-six Spaniards and fifty Indians--twenty-five from the province ofPangasinan and twenty-five from that of Ylocos--eleven galley negroes, and one armorer, with food and all other things necessary for morethan fifteen months. Then, with the said last division of the saidfive hundred Indians, who, as I have made mention, were to be sent meby a lieutenant by the twenty-fourth of May, I set about my descent, carrying with me, by the end of the said month, one hundred quintals ofthe said ore; this I am sending to the city of Manila in four hundredsmall rice-baskets, each numbered with the mine whence it was taken, so that proof may be made there of the efforts mentioned above;since it is the self-same ore, the governor and captain-general, the royal Audiencia, and the royal officials can confirm it anew andmake the tests again, so that, understanding the said mines fully, they may report to his Majesty, and resolve upon the measures thatthey deem fitting in regard to the holding of the said presidio ina land of so little or no profit as is that land. 

_Alonzo Martin Quirante_

_Act_. In the camp of new mines and the fort of Santiago of theYgolotes, on the twenty-ninth day of the month of March, one thousandsix hundred and twenty-four, Captain and Sargento-mayor Alonso MartinQuirante, chief magistrate of the province of Pangasinan and militarycommandant of that province and of that of Ylocos, in whose charge isthe conquest or pacification of the Ygolote Indians, and the discovery, working, and opening of their mines, declared that inasmuch as he wasordered by Governor and Captain-general Don Alonso Fajardo de Tença, he has come for the said purpose of the said conquest, pacification, and discovery of the said mines. And inasmuch as he had been informedby experienced men that the productive mines, to which the said nativesare giving most attention at the present time, are the new ones amongthem called Galan, he has located and planted upon them the said campand fort of Santiago, so that, having made a fort among them andplaced in safety his men, food supply, and other military stores, he might make expeditions and explore the other mines of which hehas or may have information that the said Ygolotes have profitablyworked, or can work, throughout all this region. He declared that itshould be ascertained what ore could be obtained from those mines, and the amount of metal that should result from them, and the loss ofmaterials that should be allotted for their treatment. He ordered me, the present scribe, to make and prepare a blank book in which to setdown as evidence, with the day, month, and year, the assays of thesaid ores obtained from such mines, and the materials used in theirtreatment; and that this act be placed at the head of such evidence, which should therefore be given, in the said manner, so that it mightbe seen for all time. Thus did he decree and order, and he affixedhis signature. I, the said scribe of this said camp of mines andforces of Santiago, attest it. 

_Alonso Martin Quirante_

Before me:

_Alonso Callexas_

_Attestation_. 1. I, Alonso Callexas, scribe of these new mines ofSantiago of the Ygolotes, in fulfilment of the order given me by thesaid act above declared, having made this blank book, do hereby attestfaithfully and truly, that today, Saturday, at ten o'clock at night, or thereabout, the thirtieth of this current month of March, onethousand six hundred and twenty-four, the first assay was finishedby Alférez Martin de Vergara, of the company of the said captainand sargento-mayor Alonso Martin Quirante, in the presence of Juande Mugaburu, Rodrigo Lopez Orduña, Grabiel Molinero, and Diego deTovar, all miners. The assay was for one-half quintal of ore whichwas obtained from a hole made in these new mines from the crust ofthe earth to the openings and veins whence the said Ygolote Indiansevidently had been and were obtaining it, and when we had dug downabout ten estados. The said assay was made by refining, by feeding[the dust of the ore] upon sixteen libras of lead. From it wasobtained a grain that resembled silver, which, having been weighedby me, weighed a trifle more than one real. In order that that maybe evident, I gave the present at the petition of the said captainand sargento-mayor, who, together with the said alférez, affixedhis signature. Witnesses were Licentiate Augustin Tabuyo Baldicañas, cura and vicar in this said camp and fort, Adjutant Andres Tamayo, Alférez Don Joseph de Renteria, and many others who were present atthis royal camp and fort of Santiago, where this is dated on the saidSaturday, March thirty, one-thousand six hundred and twenty-four. 

_Alonso Martin Quirante_

_Martin de Vergara_

Before me: _Alonso Callejas_, scribe. 

[Twenty-five other attestations, one for every following assay afterthe first, all similar to the above, follow. The document continues:]

_Attestation_. 27. I, Alonso Callejas, scribe of these said new minesand fort of Santiago among the Ygolotes, attest and witness trulythat the twenty-six assays contained in these six leaves and in thisform, are of the mines and ores declared therein; and that from thesaid mines, in my presence, of which I give attestation, one hundredquintals of ore, besides that used in the said assays, were taken byorder of Captain and Sargento-mayor Alonso Martin Quirante, in orderto send them to the city of Manila, by Alférez Martin de Vergara, Juanes de Mugaburu, Graviel Molinero, Rodrigo Lopez Orduña, and Diegode Tovar, all miners. Accordingly that ore, having been weighed byme, is being carried in four hundred small rice-baskets of an arrobaapiece--so that, since they are from the same ores as those from whichthe said assays have been made, the governor and captain-general, DonAlonso Faxardo de Tença, and the royal officials may have the assaysmade again in the said city; and so that, with verification of theefforts that have been made in these mines, they may understand andsee the truth concerning and the possibilities of the mines of theYgolotes of which we have as yet had notice, and that have been workedor may be worked all about this said camp and for some leguas aboutit. And so that it may be evident, I gave the present at the petitionof Captain and Sargento-mayor Alonso Martin Quirante, who affixedhis signature together with the above mentioned miners. Witnesseswere Licentiate Agustin Tabuyo Baldecañas, Captain Joan de Salinas, and Adjutant Andres Tamayo, while in this camp of new mines and thefort of Santiago, where this is dated on the twenty-seventh day ofthe month of May, one thousand six hundred and twenty-four. 

_Alonso Martin Quirante__Martin de Vergara__Juanes de Mugaburu__Rodrigo Lopez Orduña__Diego de Tovar__Graviel Molinero_

Before me:

_Alonso Callejas_, scribe. 

By order of the captain and sargento-mayor, Alonso Martin Quirante, chief justice of this province of Pangasinan and military commandantof it and of the province of Ylocos, I, the present scribe, orderedto be drawn and drew this copy of the original attestations andinvestigations which were made for the said purpose. It is a trueand faithful copy, and has been collated and revised with the saidoriginals which were sent to the said governor and captain-generalof these islands, Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenga. In the copy, for itsgreater validity, the said captain and sargento-mayor interposed hisauthority and judicial decree in due form, and so that it might becredited in and out of court. And he affixed his signature, witnessesbeing Alférez Alonso Tellez de Prado, Sargento Domingo Ruiz, andCaptain Joan de Salinas, who were present in this village of Alingayen, where this is given on the fifth day of the month of June, one thousandsix hundred and twenty-four. 

_Alonso Martin Quirante_

I sealed it in testimony of truth:

_Gaspar de Los Reyes_, notary-public. 

_Quicksilver that was lost_

No. 1. It is silver. 

10. No. 2. It weighed scarce one maes, or nine diezmos, of the finenessof eighteen or nineteen carats, alloyed with silver. It is worth onthis occasion four reals. [64]

11. No. 3. It weighs two and one-half diezmos. Ten diezmos make onemaes of the same gold of the above standard. It is worth one andone-half reals. 

6. No. 4. It weighs one and one-half diezmos of the same fineness asthe first. It is worth twenty-four maravedis. 

3. No. 6. It weighs one maes and one diezmo of gold of twenty caratsfine. It is worth five and one-half reals. 

12. No. 7. The gold weighs one maes two diezmos of eighteen or nineteencarats fine. It is worth five and one-half reals. 

3. No. 8. The gold weighs five and one-half diezmos of eighteen caratsfine. It is worth two reals and twenty-four maravedis. 

2. No. 9. 

32. No. 10. The gold weighs six and one-half diezmos of sixteen caratsfine. It is worth three reals. 

8. No. 11. The gold weighs two maes four diezmos of twenty-two caratsfine. It is worth thirteen reals twenty-four maravedis. 

3. No. 12. It weighs two diezmos of sixteen carats fine. It is worthone real. 

3. No. 13. It weighs two large diezmos of eighteen carats fine. Itis worth one real. 

2 1/2. No. 14. It weighs one large diezmo of eighteen or nineteencarats fine. It is worth twenty-four maravedis. 

6. No. 15. It weighs a scant one-half diezmo of eighteen caratsfine. It is worth six maravedis. 

4. No. 16. It weighs a scant one-half diezmo of eighteen caratsfine. It is worth six maravedis. 

3. No. 17. 

2 1/2. No. 18. It weighs one diezmo of eighteen carats fine. It isworth one-half real. 

2. No. 19. It weighs nine and one-half diezmos of sixteen caratsfine. It is worth three reals twenty-four maravedis. 

1. No. 21. It weighs four diezmos of eighteen or nineteen caratsfine. It is worth two reals. 

1/2. No. 22. It weighs three diezmos of fourteen carats fine. It isworth one real. 

2. No. 24. It weighs six and one-half diezmos of metal [but of a]very base alloy; to judge by its points, there is no standard withwhich to compare it. All the rest is copper. 

No. 26. It is silver. Pelayo Hernandez. All of it is worth 5 pesos6 tomins. 

In the city of Manila, on the thirteenth of July, one thousand sixhundred and twenty-four, while Doctor Don Alvaro de Mesa y Lugo ofhis Majesty's council and his auditor in the said royal Audiencia, who exercises the office of its president; and Don Geronimo de Silva, captain-general on sea and land and of the artillery of these islands;Licentiate Juan de Saavedra Balderramas, Licentiate Don MatthiasFlores, and Licentiate Zapata de Galvez, auditors and fiscals ofthe said royal Audiencia; and the judicial officials of the royalrevenues, Diego de Castro Lizon, factor and overseer, and Martin Ruizde Salazar, accountant--were in the hall of the Audiencia; and whilethey were thus assembled: the said president declared that inasmuch asa quantity of ores had been brought from the mines of the Ygolotes, so that the tests might be made here, in order to ascertain whetherthey conformed to those made there, of which Sargento-mayor AlonsoMartin Quirante, chief magistrate and commandant of the provinceof Pangasinan, sent a relation and attestation, it was advisable todiscuss it and determine whether it would be advisable to send theore brought thence to Nueva España in the ships which are next to besent thither. Inasmuch as there are many persons skilled in mines andassay of ore in that kingdom, they might perhaps be able to furnishthe accurate tests there that had not been arrived at here. If theydid not succeed in ascertaining its quality there, that would be agreater proof of the disillusion that is talked of here. He trustedthat what might be done in this matter be most expedient for theservice of the king our sovereign. The assembly having discussedand conferred upon the question put by the said president, all wereunanimously and harmoniously of one accord and opinion. They declaredand voted that for the present the expenses and costs that are beingincurred in the working of the mines of the Ygolotes be curtailed;that the officials and workmen there be withdrawn and disbanded; thatthe one hundred _chiculetes_ [_sc. _ quintals] of ore and dirt whichare in this city, together with the gold obtained, from the assaysand tests which were made there, be sent in those vessels next to bedespatched to Nueva España, to the royal officials of the City ofMexico; and that the matter be entrusted to the royal officials ofthis city--not only to attend to it, but to send a relation of allthat has taken place and of the efforts expended in the working ofthose mines, and the results thereof. Thus they may there prove it, and attempt to make new efforts to know whether the greatest profithas been obtained from what was got here--for it is understood thatthere are persons there of greater experience in that art--so thatadvice of it may be given to the royal Council of the Indias, andmay also be sent to the said royal officials of this city. 

The president also declared that the infantry stationed in the cityof Nueva Segovia are very needy and destitute, as it is many dayssince any aid has been sent to them from this city; and, as thegreater part of that province has revolted, his Majesty does notpossess in it any royal revenues with which to be able to sustainthe soldiers. [Accordingly, it should be considered] whether itwould be advisable that the infantry established in the presidio atthe mines be assigned to the province of Nueva Segovia, so that, with greater forces, our purpose to subdue the natives who haverevolted there might be attained, since the said mines are in themiddle of the path. He also declared that, above all, the said menpresent at the meeting should give their opinion, so that whatevermight be voted be carried out as might be most advisable for hisMajesty's service. The said men in the assembly having discussedand conferred concerning the proposition of the said president, allwere unanimously and uniformly of one mind and opinion. They declaredthat four installments of pay be sent to the infantry established inthe presido at the city of Nueva Segovia; and that the royal judgesand officials send directions for the order that must be observed inrelieving them. In what pertains to the infantry established in thepresidio of the mines being taken to the city of Nueva Segovia, theydeclared that that be referred to the captain-general, so that he maytake what measures are most expedient for his Majesty's service. Theygave their opinion in writing, and affixed their signatures. 

_Doctor Don Alvaro de Mesa y Lugo__Don Geronimo de Silva__Licentiate Don Juan de Saavedra Balderrama__Licentiate Don Mathias Delgado Flores__Licentiate Marcos Zapota de Galvez__Diego de Castro Lizon__Martin Ruiz de Salazar_

Before me: _Pedro Alvarez_

Collated with the original minute: _Pedro Alvarez_

Between lines are: "me;" "in;" "they find;" "that was brought fromthe old mines called;" "corrected;" "me;" "who;" "should be worth;""erased;" "Ygolotes;" "in-[_des_];" "ten;" "it is not worth. "

Revised with a copy of the originals that is in this royal accountancy, to which we refer. Manila, August eleven, one thousand six hundredand twenty-four. 

_Diego de Castro Lison__Joan Perez Descalona__Martin Ruiz de Salazar_

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA

The following documents are obtained from MSS. In the Archivo generalde Indias, Sevilla, the pressmark of each being thus indicated:

1. _Letter by Fajardo_ (July 21). --"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia deFilipinas; cartas y expedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistosen el Consejo; años 1600 á 1628; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 7. "

2. _Letter by Serrano_ (1621). --"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audienciade Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del arzobispo de Manila vistos enel Consejo; años 1579 á 1679; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 32. "

3. _Affairs in Franciscan province_. --"Simancas--Eclesiastico;Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de religiosos misionerosde Filipinas vistos en el Consejo; años 1617 á 1642; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 38. "

4. _Letter by Silva_. --"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas;cartas y expedientes del presidente y oydores de dicha Audienciavistos en el Consejo; años 1607 á 1626; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 20. "

5. _Letter by Fajardo_ (December 10). --The same as No. 1. 

6. _Letters by Messa y Lugo_--The same as No. 4. 

7. _Letters by Serrano_ (1622). --The same as No. 2. 

8. _Decrees regarding religious_. --"Audiencia de Filipinas; registrode oficio; reales ordenes dirigidos á las autoridades del distritode la Audiencia; años 1597 á 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1. "

9. _Expedition to Igorrotes mines_. --"Simancas--Secular; Audienciade Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de los oficiales reales de Manilavistos en el Consejo; años 1623 á 1641; est. 67, caj. 16, leg. 30. "

The following is from a MS. In the collection "Papeles de losJesuitas, " in the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid:

10. _News from province of Filipinas_. --"Tomo 87, n_o_ 48. "

The following is taken from the "Cedulario Indico" of the ArchivoHistorico Nacional, Madrid:

11. _Letter by Felipe IV_. --"Tomo 40, fol. 7, verso, n_o_ 15. "

The following is found in the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library):

12. _Death of Doña Catalina_. --In vol. I, pp. 509-514. 

The following document includes two, as thus indicated:

13. _Royal permission for Dominican college_. --From _Algunos documentosrelat. Univ. De Manila_ (Madrid, 1892), p. 21; and Pastells's editionof Colin's _Labor evangélica_, iii, p. 565. 

NOTES

[1] According to the _Diary_ of Richard Cocks, this prince was thefather-in-law of Calsa Sama, the youngest son of the shogun Hidétada. 

[2] Pedro de Avila joined the Franciscan missions in the Philippinesin 1616, and immediately requested from his superiors permission togo to Japan. This was finally granted; he went there in 1619, but wasimprisoned for preaching the faith, in 1620, and, after nearly twoyears of most painful and wretched imprisonment, was burned at thestake at Nangasaqui, on September 10, 1622, at the age of thirty years. 

[3] The original MS. Of this document is badly worn, in places;and the words enclosed in brackets, in the two following paragraphs, indicate the conjectures of the transcriber. 

[4] These priests were Pedro de Zuñiga, an Augustinian, and LuisFlores, a Dominican. In 1622, they, with the Japanese captain ofthe vessel, were burned to death by a slow fire, and the crew werebeheaded. The Japanese shogun appropriated the cargo of the ship, leaving only the empty hull for the Dutch and English. (See Cocks's_Diary_, i, pp. Xxxvi and xxxvii. )

[5] As a result of this alliance, the English and the Dutch East IndiaCompanies were united; "a combined fleet of English and Dutch ships, sailing under the modest name of the Fleet of Defence, was equippedfor the purpose of endamaging the common enemy and diverting thetrade of China from the Philippine Islands to the Dutch and Englishsettlements; in other words, to blockade the Spanish and Portugueseports and seize as many of the Chinese trading junks as possible. Inthe two expeditions to the Philippines undertaken by the fleet beforethe English and Dutch again separated, they captured many prizes. " (SeeE. M. Thompson's preface to Cocks's _Diary_, i, pp. Xxxi-xxxvi. )

[6] La Concepción (v, pp. 106, 107), in reporting this incident saysthat the amour of the governor's wife was with a "distinguished subjectof this community, " that is, Manila, and that the latter was not killedbut escaped across seas. Montero y Vidal (_Historia_, i, pp. 177, 179), who had evidently not seen the documents of the text, and partiallyfollowing La Conceptión's error and improving on it, lays the time ofFajardo's vengeance in 1624, and says that the paramour was unknownand escaped by jumping from a window, later probably finding means toget to America. Montero y Vidal is usually more careful of his dates. 

[7] _i. E. _, for prayers or works for the benefit of the souls inpurgatory. 

[8] Serrano apparently overlooks the diocesan council convened in 1600by Bishop Agurto at Cibú (see _Vol_. XIII, pp. 133-135). Addis andArnold's _Catholic Dictionary_ says (p. 46): "Provincial councils, owing to the difficulties of the times, have been less frequent inrecent times than formerly; but, by the Council of Trent, metropolitansare bound to convene them, every three years. "

[9] The ecclesiastical judge to whom the bishop delegates his authorityand jurisdiction for the determination of the suits and causespertaining to his jurisdiction; and hence a synonym for vicar-general. 

Rev. T. C. Middleton, in a recent communication, says that the term"provisor" was apparently used only by the Spanish and Spanishcolonies. It is not to be found in Ferrario, Moroni, or Soglia, and has no legal equivalent in English. It generally appears linkedwith another term as "provisor y vicario capitular" or "provisor yvicario general. " An archbishop or bishop usually had his "provisor"whose powers were apparently the same as a vicar-general's or avicar-capitular's. The nomination, or creation, of a vicar-general isin the hands of an archbishop or bishop; whereas a vicar-capitularis chosen only when a see becomes vacant, the cathedral chapternaming the person, who is to rule (during the said vacancy) withtitle of "vicar-capitular. " In the United States, since there areno cathedral chapters, there are in consequence no vicars-capitular, their place, etc. , being taken by an administrator, who is chosen bythe metropolitan, unless already named by the former occupant of thevacant see. 

[10] The discalced Franciscans were founded by St. Francis ofAssisi, under the name Friars Minor, and the rule was very bindingand strict. Under the immediate successor of St. Francis, Elias ofCortona, sprang up a branch of the order, made up of former memberswho wished a less strict rule, and those who wished to preserve thestrict rule were persecuted. The members of the relaxed branch becameknown as "Conventuals" or "Minors Conventual" in contradistinction tothe Friars Minor (or Minorites), who are known also as "Observants"or "Observantines. " Three great branches sprang later from theFriars Minor: Reformed Minors, founded in 1419, by St. Bernardino ofSiena; the Recollects, founded in 1500, by John of Guadalupe; andthe Alcantarines, founded in 1555, by St. Peter of Alcantára--butall under one head or chief superior, termed minister-general. TheAlcantarines wore a white habit, the others brown, except in Englandand Spanish countries, where they wear gray. In 1897, Pope Leo XIII, by his Bull _Felicitate quadam_ ordered the Observants, Reformed, Discalced, or Alcantarines, and the Recollects, to unite under thesame general superior, to use the same constitutions, to wear the samehabit, and to bear the same name, viz. , "Friars Minor. " The Conventualsand Capuchins were to remain distinct orders as heretofore. The term_paño_ in the text refers to the Conventuals, the less strict branchof the Franciscans, who were wont to dress in what one might call"fine raiment"--habits of cloth, as distinguished from the coarseserge-like stuff of the others. Cf. Addis and Arnold's _CatholicDictionary_. --_Rev. T. C. Middleton_. 

[11] Referring to the church and convent of Santi Quattro Incoronati(one of the titular churches of Rome), which was founded by Honorius I(A. D. 622), on the site of a temple of Diana, in honor of four paintersand five sculptors who all were martyred for refusing to paint andcarve idols for Diocletian. See historical and descriptive accountof it in A. J. C. Hare's _Walks in Rome_, pp. 230-232. 

[12] Argensola (_Conquista_), p. 317, mentions the Anhayes merchants, and speaks of them as coming from Chincheo. See _Vol_. XII of thisseries, pp. 155, 277; the word is there spelled _avay_ and auhay, because thus written in the Spanish transcription from the original. 

[13] Pedro de San Pablo made his profession in the Franciscanprovince of San José, and in 1606 went to the Philippines, wherehe was appointed conventual preacher of Naga. In 1609 he went toManila as preacher, and at the same time had charge of Santa Ana deSepa. October 29, 1611, he was elected definitor, and in 1616 ministerof Santa Ana de Sepa once more. He became provincial August 3, 1619, and held that office until March 15, 1622, when he embarked for Mexico, but died at sea. See Huerta's _Estado_. 

[14] Spanish, _descalces_; literally, "barefootedness;" a termapplied to monastic organizations whose members are not permitted towear shoes. 

[15] A reference to I Cor. I, 12, and possibly to iii, 22. 

[16] Huerta says of Sotelo (p. 393): "As the preparations for hisjourney to Japan were not made so promptly as he desired, he retiredto our convent of San Francisco del Monte, where he occupied himselfin the practice of all kinds of virtues until the year 1622, whenhe succeeded in reaching Japan. " Fuerza here apparently refers toecclesiastical interference with Sotelo's plans, to which referencehas been several times made in preceding volumes. 

[17] Andres del Sacramento was a native of a small village in thevalley of Sayago. He made profession in the province of San Pablo, and reached the Philippines in 1611. In October of that year he wasassigned to the village of Ligmauan, whence he went to Tacboan. At thechapter held August 3, 1619, he was elected definitor. He afterwardministered at Manila, Minalabag, Polangui, and again at Minalabag. Hebecame provincial November 18, 1628, and held that office until January17, 1632. In that time he projected and partly executed the opening ofa navigable canal from Nueva Cáceres to the port of Pasacao. After 1632he ministered in several villages, and was elected provincial for thesecond time September 16, 1639, holding the office until January 17, 1643. He died in the convent at Manila in 1644. See Huerta's _Estado_. 

[18] Agustin de Tordesillas was born in Tordesillas in 1528, andin his childhood served as acolyte in the parochial church, wherehe learned to play the organ. In 1558 he took the Franciscan habitas a lay brother, and made profession in the Observantine provinceof La Concepcion in 1559. He was finally ordained a priest, andbecame a confessor. He afterward joined the province of San José, and arrived with the first Franciscans at Manila in 1577, and wasappointed first president of the convent there. On May 20, 1579, hewent to China, returning thence at the beginning of 1580. That yearhe was appointed first master of novitiates, first chaplain of theroyal hospital of Manila, and vicar-general of all the archipelago, which last office he held until the arrival of Bishop Salazar in1581. In 1582 he went to China again, whence he went to Siam in1583, via Macao. Returning to Macao he was appointed guardian of theconvent there, but returned to Manila in 1586. There he labored in thehospital until he was elected definitor at the chapter of September15, 1594, after that being guardian one or more times of the conventsat Manila, San Francisco del Monte, and Cavite, besides having chargeof Sampaloc. He lived to the age of one hundred and one years, dyingin the Manila convent, having been the last one of the first missionto die. He wrote a relation of the expedition of the Franciscans toChina. See _ut supra_, and _Vol_. VI, p. 131. Note 31. 

[19] In the MS. At this point the text apparently reads _pol_ destapos; but it is uncertain what these words refer to, especially asTordesillas was not at the time provincial of the Franciscan province, but was probably minister at Sampaloc, near Manila (Huerta, p. 504). 

[20] Huerta's lists contain no one of this name; but he gives a sketchof Alonso de Santa Ana, missionary in the Philippines from 1594 untilhis death in 1630. This priest, however, was absent in Mexico andEurope from 1617 until 1621, when he returned to Manila. 

[21] Diego Fernandez de Córdoba, marques de Guadalcázar, was viceroyfrom 1612 to 1620. The Audiencia of Mexico then assumed rule, whichlasted until the arrival (August, 1621) of the new viceroy, DiegoCarrillo de Mendoza y Pimentel, marques de Gelves. He was a just, stern, and efficient ruler, who reformed many abuses and protectedthe poor and the Indians; but he thus incurred the enmity of corruptmen in high position, and even that of the archbishop, Juan Perezde la Serna. In consequence, Gelves was excommunicated by Serna(January, 1624), and soon afterward deposed by popular clamor andriots; the Audiencia then governed until the following October, whena new viceroy came, the marques de Cerralvo. By his efforts, Gelveswas vindicated in every respect, and honorably returned to Spain. 

[22] Bancroft (_History of Mexico_, iii, pp. 28, 38) characterizesthe viceroy Guadalcázar as a weak and somewhat indolent ruler, inwhose term corruption flourished; but of Gelves he says: "He brokeup effectually the trade in contraband goods between Acapulco andPeru. .. . He removed the royal officials having charge of the suppliesfor the Philippines, putting clean-handed men in their places; andin consequence the amount of supplies sent to that colony was greaterthan ever before. .. . [_Note_:] In 1622 the value of these supplies wasnine hundred thousand dollars, and in the following year two-thirdsof that amount. "

[23] Alluding to the death, by Fajardo's own hand, of his unfaithfulwife and her lover; see the first two documents of the present volume. 

[24] Celebes was long almost unknown to Europeans, and its deepindentations by gulfs led to the notion, long entertained, that itwas a group of islands, rather than one. It has an estimated areaof some 57, 000 square miles, but its soil is generally poor, and itspopulation thin and scanty. The two leading and more civilized peopleof Celebes are the Macassars and Bugis, who inhabit its southwesternpeninsula. The Macassar nation (in their own language, Mangkasara)conquered the Bugis in the sixteenth century, and became convertsto Mahometanism early in the seventeenth. They were conquered by theDutch in 1669, and the latter nation has since then been nominal rulerof Celebes Island. By the name Macassar is commonly meant the Dutchfortified town of Rotterdam, on the western shore of the peninsulaabove mentioned; the Dutch made it a free port in 1847. See the fulldescriptive and historical account of Celebes by Valentyn, _Oud enNieuw Oost-Indien_, part iii, book ii, pp. 128-235. 

[25] Pernambuco, one of the most important of the Portuguese coloniesin Brazil, was founded early in the sixteenth century. It was capturedand plundered in 1593 by the English, under Sir James Lancaster, and again seized by the Dutch in 1630; but the Portuguese drove outthe Dutch in 1654, after which time Brazil remained in possessionof Portugal, until the peaceful revolution of that colony, and theformation of the present republic. 

[26] In the original, the order of these two letters is the reverse ofthat given here. Although the letter presented here first is undated, sufficient internal evidence attests that its date is earlier thanthe other letter, and that it is the duplicate of a letter sent bythe ships of an earlier year. 

[27] So in original; evidently an ironical comment. 

[28] Our transcript reads "_gente Religiosissima_, " "a most religiousrace, " which is evidently intended for "_gente Belicosissima_. "

[29] Colin, _Labor evangélica_, p. 159, in discussing the events ofFajardo's government of the islands says: "And inasmuch as there weremany complaints of the annoyances imposed upon the Indians during DonJuan de Silva's term, because of the construction of so many and sogreat galleons, he was charged to moderate that, and to endeavor togive relief to the natives; in consequence of which, as soon as he hadentered by the strait of San Bernardino, he ordered two galleons whichhe found on the stocks there to be reduced in size. During his entiregovernment he was very favorable to the Indians, and relieved as manyof their burdens as possible. Therefore they loved him as a father. Healso favored particularly the progress of the Spanish community, endeavoring to get worthy soldiers to become citizens there--to whom, for that purpose, he granted encomiendas and offices. By that meansthe soldiers were reformed, and many daughters of Spaniards who werewithout protection were married. "

[30] _Retraido_: one who has taken refuge in a sacred place. 

[31] See this and other regulations concerning suits that affectauditors, in "Foundation of the Audiencia, " _Vol_. V of this series. 

[32] The reading of this and following legal quotations of thisdocument are due to the kindly cooperation of Dr. Munroe Smith, ofthe School of Political Science of Columbia University; Mr. JosephFitzGerald, of Mamaroneck, New York; and Rev. José Algué, S. J. , of the Manila Observatory. The passages allow for the most part, of only conjecture, while some portions are unintelligible. 

[33] Mr. FitzGerald conjectures that _ultra multa cum tiber farsnaci_is equivalent to "many [passages, texts, authorities?] besides inTiberius Farsnaci. "

_Regni col[lectio]. _ Possibly the citation is from the _NuevaRecopilación_ of 1567. In some contemporary Latin commentariesthe _Nueva Recopilación_ is described as _Regiæ Constitutiones_;in others as _Collectio legum Hispania_. Book 9, title 4 of the_Nueva Recopilación_ deals with "_los officiales de la Contaduriamayor_. " _Regni collectio_ would naturally refer to the Castilianlaw. Possibly, however, the reference is to some collection oflaws for the colonies. The _Recopilación de las leyes de Indias_was not published till 1680; but, according to Antequera (_Hist. Dela Legislacion_, p. 564), a previous collection of the colonial laws, down to 1596, was made "_en cuatro tomos impresos_;" also, early in theseventeenth century, "_Se publicó como provisional el libro titulado'Sumarios de la Recopilación' general de leyes_. "--_Munroe Smith_. 

[34] _No ymperio, ni mero, ni misto. Imperio mero_ [_i. E. , _ pureauthority], the authority that resides in the sovereign, and byhis appointment in certain magistrates, to impose penalties on theguilty, with the trying of the cause; _imperio mixto_ [_i. E. _, mixedauthority], the authority that belongs to judges to decide civil cases, and to carry their sentences into effect. See _Novísimo Diccionariode la Lengua Cast_. (Paris, 1897). 

[35] ff = Digest (ff was a Lombard form of D), and the reference is toJustinian's _Digest_, book 48, tit. 19 (_de poenis_) fragment 27, whichbegins "_Divi fratres_. " The last paragraph of this fragment empowersthe Roman governor (_præses_) to arrest and imprison any of the leadingcitizens (_principales_) who have committed felonies. It is cited asa precedent in favor of the Spanish president. --_Munroe Smith_. 

[36] At this point the following citation occurs in the margin: _ultraplures cum Cobb lib. 3, variar, c. 13, nº 6. Bartol alias ex conductoet item cumquidam ff locat e inl c et divus ff de uauj e ex trah iegruti p. Totum maxime n° 15 luias De penia in l i c de principallib. 12_. Much of this is unintelligible and there have evidentlybeen many errors in transcription due to the illegibility of theoriginal MS. The following conjectures and information, however, clear up certain portions of the passage. 

Mr. FitzGerald conjectures _ultra plures_ to be "several [authors]besides. " _Cobb. _ is read _Codieibus_ by Father José Algué, S. J. 

_Ex conducto et item cumquidam ff locat_. The reference is toJustinian's Digest, book 19, tit. 2 (_locati conducti_), fr. 15, whichbegins "_ex conducto_" and especially to the passage in the middle offr. 15 (§ 3 of modern editions) which begins "_cum quidam_. " It reads:"When a certain person alleged a conflagration on the (leased) landand desired a remission (of the rent), the following rescript is sentto him: 'If you have tilled the soil, relief may not undeservedly begiven you on account of the accident of a sudden conflagration. '" Thetranscription of the following reference to the Digest: _Divusff_: is too hopelessly muddled to identify. Before these is areference to Bartolus, and at the end a reference possibly to Cujas(Cujacius). Bartolus was the leading civilian of the fourteenthcentury; Cujacius of the sixteenth. --_Munroe Smith_. 

_In l_ is for _in loco_, and _l i c_ for _loco ibi citato_. --_JoseAlgue_, S. J. 

[37] Chocolate was at that time supplied to the Philippines from NuevaEspaña; but the cultivation of the cacao-tree (_Theobroma cacao_), of which chocolate is a product, was introduced into the islandsabout 1665 by the governor Diego Salcedo, at the instance of theJesuit Juan de Avila, according to Delgado (_Hist. De Filipinas_, p. 535). Blanco says (_Flora, _ p. 420), citing Gaspar de San Agustin, that this honor belongs to a pilot named Pedro Brabo de Lagunas, who brought cacao plants to Manila in 1670. 

[38] There is evidently a slip of some sort here, due either tomistranscription or to a slip between Messa's hand and brain. Thesense seems to require some such phrase as "depositions were givenwith great fear. "

[39] There is a probable play on words here, the original reading_asolar_, literally, "destroy;" but the writer may have used it in thesense of "to deprive the earth of the sun, " in view of the succeedingremark, _sol_ being the word for "sun. "

[40] This letter is published, in an abridged form, by Rev. PabloPastells, in his edition of Colin's _Labor evangélica_, ii, pp. 688, 689; but he there dates the letter July 25, while the Sevilla MS. (herefollowed) makes it August, in 1621. 

[41] The italic side heads and center heads throughout this letterappear in the margin of the original, and were made either by thearchbishop himself or by a government clerk. 

[42] _i. E. _, guardianship: the district allowed to each convent inwhich to beg. 

[43] This last sentence is evidently the correction in the marginnoted by the archbishop in the last clause of the present letter. 

[44] The numbers given in the text (all written out in words, notfigures) amount to 205, 000. 

[45] The numbers given in the text, for the various bishoprics, amount to 509, 450. 

[46] Conducted by the confraternity of that name; see letter ofAudiencia regarding the objects and work of this association, in_Vol_. XIV, pp. 208-313. See also Dasmariñas's account of the royalhospital, in _Vol_. X, pp. 28-40. 

[47] At that period the (new) Parián, as shown by a plan of 1641, was opposite the city of Manila on the other side of the PasigRiver. Evidently, then, the Chinese and Indians were obliged to paytolls for crossing the river to the city. 

[48] See _Vol_. XIII, p. 185, note 33. _Beca_ is most suitablytranslated "sleeves. "

[49] A decree of like tenor was sent to the Audiencia on the samedate. It is quite probable that similar decrees were sent to allthe orders. 

[50] Regarding this, Fajardo wrote thus to the king, on August 17, 1623 (a letter found in the Sevilla archives): "The expedition totake possession of the gold mines of the Ygolotes, which border onpeaceful lands of this island, has been accomplished, although ithas entailed some expense, not a little labor, and some bloodshed;for those barbarians are so indomitable, and occupy fortifications, in which are Spaniards and Indians belonging to the peaceful vassalsof your Majesty. The indications of the mines, the disposition ofthe ridges, and the quality of the earth where they were, promisemore richness than do the trials which have been made thus far bywashing and separating the gold. Until all the tests which are usedfor this purpose have been made, it can not be certainly said whattheir value, will be--although it appears to me that that cannotbe small, considering the large amount of gold which these nativestake from the mines and barter with the friendly Indians. Even if theprofit is not large enough to make it expedient to administer it onyour Majesty's account, in pacifying and reducing to obedience theseYgolotes Indians there will be no little advantage, besides the taxes, from reducing them to the vassalage of your Majesty, and to instructionin our holy Catholic faith, which they have never received. "

[51] "The nutmeg [_Myristica fragrans_] grows naturally in Cebu and inLaguna province, and will grow in all parts of the islands cultivated"(_Report_ of U. S. Philippine Commission, 1900, iii, p. 271). 

Delgado states (_Historia_, p. 537) that in 1737 he found the nutmeggrowing wild in Leyte, a native of the Visayas Islands. He adds:"It could be cultivated in these islands, if the natives would applythemselves to this work--or at least if the alcaldes-mayor wouldcompel them to do so, as they do now in La Laguna of Manila, fromwhich results to the people of the islands no little benefit. "

[52] Probably the same as Ramón Beguer, who arrived in the islandsin 1615, and ministered in various missions in Pangasinan. Finallyhe retired to the Dominican convent in Manila, where he died in 1661(_Reseña biog. Sant. Rosario_, i, p. 348). 

[53] George F. Becker in his "Report on Geology of the PhilippineIslands"--in _Twenty-first Annual Report_ of U. S. Geological Survey(Washington, 1901), part iii, pp. 487-625--cites (p. 622; cf. Alsop. 517) the geologist R. Von Drasche thus: "Layers of tuff [or tufa--avolcanic rock formed of agglutinated volcanic earth or scoria]are also exposed (_Fragmente zu einer Geologie der Insel Luzón_, pp. 29-31) at many points between Aringay and Benguet, but thesetuffs toward the interior, even at Galiano, are 'no longer earthy, but quite hard, crystalline, and sandstone like. '" This probablyexplains Martin's description of the hard ground. 

Ariñgay is located on the northwestern coast of Luzón, at the mouthof Ariñgay River, in the province, of Unión. 

[54] Bacacayes; see description of these weapons in _Vol_. XVI, p. 55, note 26. 

[55] The distance from the end of the thumb to the end of theforefinger (both extended)--about equivalent to the English span. 

[56] For the dress of the Igorrotes, see Sawyer's _Inhabitants of thePhilippines_, pp. 254, 255, and the names of their various articlesof dress, p. 264. 

Concerning the Igorrotes, Bulletin No. I, of the _Census ofthe Philippine Islands: 1903_, "Population of the Philippines"(Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census: 1904)contains the following (p. 6): "Of the other wild tribes in thePhilippine Islands, one of the most important is the Igorot, whichinhabits the central Cordillera from the extreme north of Luzónsouth to the plains of Pangasinán and Nueva Ecija. Under this generalname there are various subgroup designations, such as the Gaddans, Dadayags, or Mayoyao. Another branch of the Igorot tribe is theKalinga, along the Cagayán river, near Ilagan, in the province ofIsabela. To the westward, in the sub-province of Bontoc, is anotherbranch of the Igorot people, who are said to be the most famous ofthe head-hunters. Another branch is the Tinguian, inhabiting theprovinces of Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, Lepanto-Bontoc, and Abra. "

[57] See Sawyer, _ut supra_, p. 263. The spear described is probablythe _say-aug_. The sharp-pointed stakes are of bamboo, and are called_sayac_ or _dayac_. 

[58] That is, the bones of the animals that they had killed fortheir feasts, and which they hung up in their houses as ornamentsand display. 

[59] See Becker's account of the gold-producing districts in Luzón, their geological conditions, and the native methods of mining(_Twenty-first Annual Report_ of U. S. Geological Survey, part iii, pp. 576-580). He states that the Igorrotes have always refused, even to the present day, to allow any outsiders, of any race, tovisit the quartz mines in their country. 

[60] "Roasted and powdered copper pyrites added to ores of silver whenreduced to the state of a magma [_i. E. _, a thin paste], in order toreduce the horn silver; formerly so called at the Spanish mines ofMexico and South America" (Webster's _Dictionary_). 

"The _magistral_ is a mixture of pyritous copper and sulphuretted salt, roasted for some hours in a reverberating oven, and slowly cooled"(Humboldt's _New Spain_, Black's trans. , iii, p. 260). 

[61] Spanish, _greta_, an old word used for _almártaga_; oxide oflead in the form of small scales, and lustrous; commonly called"litharge of silver, " or "of gold, " as it resembles those metals. 

[62] Also written _temesquitato_; a Mexican word, applied to thedross from the surface of lead into which pulverized silver oreis introduced. 

[63] See Humboldt's account of the mining methods and processes invogue in Nueva España, in his _New Spain_ (Black's trans. ), iii, pp. 231-280. 

Various laws and ordinances concerning the discovery and operationof mines in the Spanish colonies may be found in _Recopilación deleyes_. Mainly in lib. Iv, tit. Xix, xx, and lib. Viii, tit. Xi. 

[64] The first figure refers to the number of onzas loss ofquicksilver, and the second to the number of the assay. Thus tenonzas of quicksilver were lost in the second assay.