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 XXII, 1625-29

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

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXII

 Preface Documents of 1625

 Report of the Spanish Council of State on the appointment of a governor for the Philippines. Madrid, March 7. Royal decree granting income to the Society of Jesus. Felipe IV; Madrid, June 1. Letter from the archbishop of Manila to Felipe IV. Miguel García Serrano; July 25. Royal festivities at Manila. Diego de Rueda y Mendoza; Manila, August 1. Letter to Felipe IV. Fernando de Silva; Manila, August 4. 

 Documents of 1626

 Letter from the archbishop to Felipe IV. Miguel García Serrano; Manila, July 25. Letter to Felipe IV. Fernando de Silva; Manila, July 30. Letter from the sisters of St. Clare to Felipe IV. Jeronima de la Asunsion, and others; Manila, July 31. Petition for aid to the seminary of San Juan de Letran. Juan Geronimo de Guerrero; Manila, August 1. Royal decrees. Felipe IV; Madrid, June-October. Military affairs of the islands. [Unsigned]; Sevilla, 1626 (but written at Cebú)

 Documents of 1627

 Importance of the Philippines. Martin Castaño; [undated; 1627?] Relation of 1626. [Unsigned and undated; _ca. _ 1627] Letter to Tavora. Felipe IV; Madrid, September 3. Laws regarding the Sangleys. [From _Recopilación de leyes de las Indias_]; 1594-1627. Decrees regarding the religious. Felipe IV; Madrid, May-November. Decrees regarding the Chinese. Felipe IV; Madrid, September 10 and November 19. Inadvisability of a Spanish post on the island of Formosa. Juan Cevicos; Madrid, December 20. 

 Documents of 1628-1629

 Relation of 1627-28. [Unsigned]; Manila, July, 1628. Report of appointments made by the governor. Juan Niño de Tavora; Cavite, August 2, 1628. Letters to Felipe IV. Juan Niño de Tavora; August 4, 1628. Economic reasons for suppressing the silk trade of China in Spain and its colonies. Juan Velazquez Madrco; October 7, 1628. Decrees regarding the Chinese. Felipe IV; Madrid, June, 1628-March, 1629. Relations of 1628-29. Hernando Estrada, and others; Manila, etc. , 1628-29. 

 Bibliographical Data

ILLUSTRATIONS

 Autograph signature of Fernando de Silva; photographic facsimile from original MS. In Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. Plan of the city and port of Macao; photographic facsimile of engraving in Bellin's _Petit atlas maritime_ ([Paris], 1764) no. 57; from copy in the library of Wisconsin-Historical Society. 

PREFACE

The present volume covers (1625-29) the governorship of Fernandode Silva, and half of that of Juan Niño de Tavora. Besides thestaple topics of trade restrictions, conflicts between the civil andecclesiastical authorities, and hostilities with the Dutch, it containsmore than usual matter which sheds light on social conditions inManila and the internal affairs of the colony. A vivid and picturesquedescription of social life in Manila is furnished in the document on"Royal festivities;" and educational interests are represented inothers, regarding aid to the Jesuit college there, and a school fororphan boys. An order of nuns has for some time been established inManila, and they ask for more liberty to receive novices--a proceedingapparently objected to in that community: they receive liberal aid frommany persons, especially wealthy women. A solid bridge of stone hasbeen built across the Pasig River, facilitating intercourse and trafficamong the people. The Parián has been destroyed by fire, but is rebuiltin better and more extensive form than ever before. Special efforts aremade to protect the Chinese resident there, who are often wronged andill-treated by the Spaniards. In this volume is much concerning thepersecution of Christians in Japan, the proceedings of the Dutch inthe Eastern seas, affairs in China, and the raids of Moro pirates uponthe Pintados Islands. The limits of Spanish domination are somewhatextended by the establishment of a military post on Formosa Island;but many feel that this is an expensive and burdensome enterprise. 

The Spanish royal Council of State send to the king (March 7, 1625) areport on the appointment of a governor for the Philippines, in placeof Fajardo, who had in 1623 asked permission to return to Spain. Manycandidates for this office are enumerated, with the merits and servicesof each, and the number of votes given to each in the session of theCouncil; the whole is submitted to the king that he may choose fromthem. On June 1 of the same year Felipe grants to the Jesuit collegeat Manila an annual income for sixteen years. 

A letter from Archbishop Serrano to the king (July 25, 1625) reportsthe arrival of the new governor, Fernando de Silva, and the auspiciousbeginning of his rule. The persecution of the Christians in Japan isincreasing in severity, and Serrano therefore tries to prevent anyfurther passage of missionaries to that country; but the zeal of thefriars outruns their discretion, and some have gone to Japan. Serranoasks the king to interpose his authority, and restrain the friars. Thebishop of Nueva Segovia is dead, and Serrano has placed an ecclesiasticin charge of that diocese. The officials of the Philippine governmentshould be officially inspected, for which duty he recommends oneof his own subordinates, Juan Cevicos. He asks the king to aid theJesuit college at Manila. 

The accession of Felipe IV is celebrated at Manila (January, 1623) with"royal festivities"--bull-fights, games, decoration of the streets, etc. , which are described in picturesque and enthusiastic terms by acitizen of Manila. Fernando de Silva, appointed successor to Fajardo, notifies the king (August 4, 1625) of his arrival in the islands, and reports the condition of affairs there, and various events ofinterest. He complains that the Audiencia arrogates undue authorityto itself, and he has already annulled their action in assigningencomiendas. Gerónimo de Silva has been deposed by them from themilitary command, and some of them have made illegal appointments toarmy and navy offices; the governor has annulled these also. HostileDutch ships are menacing the rich trading vessels that ply to NuevaEspaña; Silva has taken measures of defense and precaution againstthem. A powerful Dutch fleet has already reached Ternate; he hopesto obtain some ships, provided by the missionaries, to defend theislands against the foe. The royal treasury and magazines are, however, empty; and he has had to send a cargo to Japan to buy supplies. But thepersecutions of Christians in that country lead to great restrictionson the commerce of Spaniards there; and the embassy sent from Manilawas not even received by the Japanese. The rebellion in Cagayanwill be punished as severely as possible; and Silva will endeavorto improve the condition of affairs in the Moluccas. He recommendsthat the captive Ternatan king be restored to his own country. Theattempt to work the Igorrote gold mines has been abandoned. Silvahas sold certain municipal offices, but recommends that hereafterthese be conferred on deserving citizens. The export duty on goodssent to Nueva España should be lowered. The governor complains ofthe lawless conduct of the religious, who pay no heed to the civilauthorities and do as they please with the Indians; and he asks formore authority to restrain them. More troops are needed in the islands;and Silva desires to check the Dutch who are getting a foothold inthe island of Formosa. Complaint is made that the treasury officialsof Mexico exceed their rights in auditing the accounts sent them fromManila. Silva closes by recommending to the royal favor certain ofthe Spanish citizens of Manila, and asking for his wife permissionto absent herself from the islands in case of his death. 

The archbishop of Manila writes to the king (July 25, 1626) aboutvarious ecclesiastical matters. He enumerates the salaries of thearchbishop and his prebendaries, and asks that these be increased. Thecathedral's income is very inadequate, and needs aid. Serranoenumerates the number of secular benefices in his diocese, and thenumber of convents and priests belonging to the respective orders, with the number of souls under their spiritual charge. The sameenumeration is made for the suffragan dioceses under his care. Thearchbishop then commends the government (_ad interim_) and procedureof Fernando de Silva, recounting various acts of the latter whichare beneficial to the colony. The new proprietary governor, JuanNiño de Tavora, has arrived at Manila. The Dutch have not made theirusual raids on the islands, and trade with China, India, and othernations has consequently been more flourishing, during the pastyear. Moro pirates have, however, inflicted considerable damage;and one of their fleets even assaulted Serrano and his company whileon an official visitation--the latter barely saving their livesby flight. Serrano commends the auditor Messa y Lugo, and asks forpromotion for him. Dominican religious have established a mission onthe island of Hermosa, where a Spanish post was recently formed. 

Fernando de Silva makes a final report to the king (July 31, 1626)of his government, up to the arrival of his successor, Juan Niño deTavora. Affairs in both the Moluccas and the Philippines are in a quietand safe condition; the royal magazines are well supplied, and theforts equipped with artillery. Silva has lessened the burdens imposedon the natives, and quieted the revolt in Cagayan; and he has punishedthe savage tribes who harassed the peaceful Indians. Barracks for thetroops, and a stone bridge over the Pasig, are improvements made atManila. The Spaniards are excluded from trade in Japan; and the Dutchhave built a fort on the island of Formosa. Silva sends an expeditionto that island, and establishes a Spanish post at its northern end. Heexplains the advantage of this in restoring to Manila the Chinesetrade, which has been injured by both the Dutch and the Portuguese;it will also be a point of vantage for the Japanese trade. Silvaconcludes by expressing his personal opinion of the characters of therespective auditors, and renewing his request that his wife may enjoypossession of her encomiendas in the islands, without residence there. 

In 1620 the order of Poor Clares had been established in thePhilippines; and, six years later, they write a letter to the king(July 31, 1626) asking that they be not restricted in the number ofwomen whom they may receive into their order. A seminary for orphanSpanish boys was opened, at nearly the same time, at Manila; itsfounder asks the king, in letters of 1626, to assist his enterprisewith money and other aid; in accordance with this request, thegovernment assigns an income to the school. A royal decree of June 19in that year orders that the religious (especially the Augustinians)in the islands shall cease to commit lawless acts in contraventionof the civil authorities. Another of the same date commands thatmunicipal court sessions be not hindered by treasury auction sales. Athird (dated October 16) orders Tavora to see that the hospitals inManila be suitably aided and conducted. 

The military affairs of the islands are related in an unsigned pamphlet(Sevilla, 1626). The Moros of Mindanao discontinue their plunderingexpeditions for a time, and ask aid from the Spaniards against otherMoros who are their enemies; this is promised, but hostile encounterssoon arise between them and the Spaniards, which are related indetail. The Dutch besiege the Portuguese settlement in Macao, butare repulsed with great loss. Captain Fernando de Silva conductsa Spanish expedition from Manila to relieve Macao. News has comethat he is in Siam, and in danger of attack from enemies there. InJapan the persecution of Christians increases, and all trade withthe Philippines is strictly prohibited. 

In an undated document (1627?), Martin Castaño, procurator of thePhilippine colony at the Spanish court, urges upon the king theimportance of keeping his possessions in the Far East, and not allowinghis enemies the Dutch to profit by the wealth therein. Castaño urgesthe duty of extending the Christian religion among the heathen, forwhich the Philippines offer the best opportunity in the world. Thisobject is being frustrated in Japan by the influence of the Dutchheretics, who also are monopolizing the trade of that country, andinjuring that of the Chinese with the Spaniards. If the Dutch gainFilipinas, they will soon conquer Portuguese India, and even harassthe Spanish colonies in America. Castaño calls attention to the naturalwealth of the islands in gold and cloves, and to their valuable tradewith Japan and China--all which sources of profit should be kept forthe Spanish crown. 

A. "relation of 1626" (actually covering part of 1627)--unsigned, but evidently by a Jesuit of Manila--recounts the leading events ofthose years in the countries of the Far East. In the Moluccas there hasbeen peace; but it is expected that, as soon as the wars in Flanderscease, the Dutch ships will again infest the eastern seas. The piratesof the Camucones have harried some of the islands, plundering andkilling; punitive expeditions are sent against them, but accomplishlittle. Better success, however, has attended an enterprise of thissort against the Mindanaos. A relief expedition is sent to Macao, under Captain Fernando de Silva. On his return, he is forced by astorm to land in Siam; and there is slain, with most of his men, in a fight with the Siamese and Japanese. Governor Fernando de Silvasends two Jesuits as ambassadors to Siam, to recover the property ofSpaniards that was in Captain Silva's ship; but most of it has beenplundered by the Siamese soldiers. One of the Jesuits remains there, and begins a mission. The settlement in Formosa has been successful, and the natives are now on friendly terms with the Spaniards. Tavorasends supplies for the troops there, which finally reach them afterlong delays from stormy weather. Trade from Manila to Japan is evenmore strictly prohibited than before. 

Felipe IV writes to Governor Tavora (September 3, 1627), in answerto his letters of the previous year. The king approves of hisestablishing a fort at the northern end of Celebes, promises to sendhim aid and arms, and gives him directions for procedure in variousmatters of detail. 

From _Recopilación de leyes de las Indias_ are translated a group oflaws (1594-1627) relating to the Chinese in the Philippines. It isdecreed that they shall be charged no fee for leaving Manila; thesale of their goods is regulated; no oppression or injury to themshall be permitted; they shall not be allowed to live in the housesof Spaniards; their suits shall come first before the governor of theParián, with appeal to the Audiencia, and that neither auditors normunicipal officials shall begin such suits; the Audiencia shall notmeddle with the affairs of the Parián, which shall be in charge of thegovernor of the islands; and assessments of fowls shall not be madeupon the Chinese. The governor is ordered to promote agriculture amongthem, and not to exact personal services; their number must be limitedto six thousand, and no bribes or fees for licenses may be exacted;they must be kept in due subjection, but always through mild and justmethods; provision is made regarding the fees for their licenses;Chinese converts are exempted for ten years from paying tributes; and alimit is placed to the assessment made upon them for the royal service. 

The king orders the Audiencia of Manila (May 21, 1627) to punishcertain Augustinians who have attacked a government official. On June11 following, he grants certain additional supplies to the Augustinianconvent at Manila. Later (November 4) the Council of the Indiasrecommend that a grant be made to the Recollects in the islands, ofa certain amount for medicines. In a decree of September 10, the kingorders that a protector for the Chinese be appointed, who shall not bethe royal fiscal; and that any balance in the fund that they maintainfor the royal service shall be left to their disposal, or credited onthe next year's assessment. Another decree, dated November 19, recitesthe oppression of the Chinese in the Parián in compelling their hairto be cut at baptism, and levying from them an extortionate tribute;and orders that both these vexations be abolished. 

Juan Cevicos, a resident of Manila who is at the Spanish court, writesa memorial (December 20, 1627) on "the inadvisability of a Spanish postin the island of Hermosa. " He thinks that the Dutch have establishedthemselves there not so much to pillage the Chinese merchant ships, as to establish a factory on Formosa, from which they can gain theChinese and Japanese trade. Their success in this would result in thedestruction of Macao and ruin the Japan trade for the Philippines;therefore they should be driven out of Formosa, and before theyhave time to lure the Chinese trade also from the Spaniards. But, even then, it is an expensive and undesirable enterprise for theSpaniards to maintain a fort there, as the island of Formosa is oflittle importance for its products, and there would be no advantage inmaking it a way-station for the Chinese trade. To attempt this wouldbut shift thither the scene of hostilities with the Dutch, and imposenew burdens on the already overtaxed people of the Philippines. It isuseless to keep the island as a port of refuge for the Spanish ships;there is danger that the Chinese will attack it; and even for theconversion of the heathen the king is not under obligations to domore than is required by his subjects in the Philippines. 

The Jesuit chronicle of events for 1627-28 has much of interest. InJuly and August, 1627, Tavora equips an expedition to expel theDutch from Formosa; but it sails too late, and is compelled bystorms to return to Cavite, some of the vessels being lost. One ofthe ships reaches the Spanish fort in Formosa, only to find that oneof its officers and some of his men have been slain by treacherousnatives. The ship supplies the garrison with the food of which theyare in need, and returns to Luzon. Soon afterward a richly-ladenPortuguese fleet sails from Manila to Macao, and two Spanish galleonsare sent with it as escort, to defend it from the Dutch. The galleons, on the return from Macao, pursue a semi-piratical career for severalmonths, capturing several Siamese vessels with valuable cargoes, by way of reprisal for the injuries inflicted on Spaniards in Siam;and taking other prizes, not all of which are regarded as lawful. 

The Christian religion is flourishing in China. The coasts ofthat country are infested by pirates, who even capture and destroytowns. The noted stone of Singanfu has been discovered, making knownthe early establishment of Christianity in China. The Manchu foeNoorhachu is dead. In Formosa the Chinese are making inquiries asto the Spanish occupation; and the commandant Carreño rescues themandarin envoy from hostile natives. The relief expedition to Ternateis attacked by a Dutch ship, the Spaniards losing two vessels. TheCamucones pirates are repulsed this year. Some strange people, probably from distant islands, are blown ashore on Cebú. A shipyardis established in Camarines; it is attacked and plundered by Joloanpirates. Accordingly a Spanish expedition is sent against them fromOton and Cebú; and the Joloans are heavily punished, their finest townbeing destroyed and their ships and supplies of rice burned. Therevolted province of Cagayan (Luzón), is also entered and laidwaste. Several destructive fires occur, among the losses being thatof the Parián at Manila--which is, however, rebuilt within four months. 

Another relation for the same period contains some additionalinformation. An earthquake occurs in northern Luzón. Two Spanishgalleys enter and reconnoiter the Dutch port on Formosa; then a stormdrives them back to Luzón, and finally destroys them. The old kingof Ternate, who has been captive at Manila for many years, at lastdies there. 

In conformity to the royal commands, Tavora sends to the king (August2, 1628) a report on the appointments made by him, with their salaries, revenues, etc. ; he also recounts the merits or services of each, for which such appointment was made. This list includes grants ofencomiendas, and appointments to offices of justice and war. 

Two days later, the governor sends a full annual reportof administration in the islands--judicial, financial, andgovernmental. Under the first, he refers to the king certain legaldifficulties that have arisen in the courts of the islands. Theserelate to the possession of two encomiendas by married persons, thedecision of Indian lawsuits, the jurisdiction of the Audiencia inaffairs concerning the Chinese, and the privileges of the governor'soffice. Tavora takes especial pains to describe the character of theChinese, and the power that they have secured over the Spaniards amongwhom they live, through their control of all trades and of commerce. Headvises that they be tried and punished by the methods in vogue intheir own country, and not allowed to appeal to the Audiencia. 

In the letter relating to affairs of the treasury, Tavora makessome explanations regarding his relations with the royal officialsat Manila. He finds it necessary to supervise their drafts on theroyal treasury, since its funds are so low; and he has taken chargeof the business of issuing licenses to the Chinese who remain inthe islands. Tavora is endeavoring to reduce expenses and secureeconomy in the necessary expenditures of government. He asks thatnotarial offices be not sold, but filled by appointment, and changedannually. In regard to the question whether the Indians shouldpay their tributes in kind or in money, he urges that the formerbe required, as otherwise the natives will not, through laziness, produce food supplies. The treasury of the islands is heavily indebted, on account of unusual expenses arising, with scanty receipts fromthe revenues. The soldiers suffer great hardships, and some aredeserting. The viceroy of Nueva España must aid the Philippines moreliberally; and the governor of the islands must know on what aid hecan depend, Tavora asks to be relieved from his present office unlessthe means necessary for carrying on the government can be supplied. 

A third letter relates to general affairs of government, in which hereports that peace and harmony exist among the various departments. Thebridge across the river Pasig is being constructed. The Parián atManila was destroyed by fire in January, but has been rebuilt inbetter style; and other destructive fires are mentioned. The ricecrop has been abundant, and agriculture is improving. In conjunctionwith the other royal officials, Tavora has allowed the citizens tosend goods this year to Mexico without the usual restrictions, onaccount of the impoverished condition of the islands. He finds theIndians much harassed by the exactions made upon them for the publicservice, and, with the consent of all interested--the royal officials, the encomenderos, and the ecclesiastics--prepares new instructionsand ordinances, which are designed to relieve the natives from alloppression, and provide fair wages for their labor on public works. Theroyal officials are endeavoring to secure more satisfactory methods ofgovernment for the Chinese who are in the islands, both residents andtransients. Tavora asks for a printed copy of all the royal decreesthat apply to his government. He has done all in his power to aidthe seminary for orphan boys at Manila, but it needs more; and heasks the king to grant an encomienda in support of this charity. Heis doing what he can for the hospitals, but asks that brethren froma hospital order be sent to manage them. The ships from Mexico weresent late this year, and were almost lost through storms; Tavoraurges that this be not allowed to occur, as the very existence ofthe Philippine colony is thus imperiled. 

A document dated October 7, 1628, presents (apparently to the Councilof the Indias) various arguments for suppressing the silk trade ofChina in Spain and its colonies. The old complaint is reiterated, that the silver coin of Nueva España is being drained away intoChina; besides, this trade deprives Spain of all this money, and thecustoms duties are greatly decreased from what they might amountto. Large quantities of contraband goods are, moreover, carriedto the South American colonies, thus injuring the exports from themother country. The Chinese wares are apparently cheap, but theirpoor quality, and their depreciating effect on the values of Spanishgoods, diminish the real profits of the Chinese trade. The necessityof protecting the silk industry in the kingdom of Granada is usedas a strong argument against allowing the Chinese silk trade in theSpanish colonies, as the former adds greatly to the revenues of thecrown. If Chinese silks were prohibited, those of Granada (the saleof which is much diminished) would be in much greater demand; andthe producers there could meet their obligations, while the royalrevenues would increase accordingly. 

Some decrees are issued by Felipe IV for the protection of theChinese. One (dated June 8, 1628) orders the governor of thePhilippines to protect them from extortion and oppression in thematter of tributes and that of permissions granted them to travel inthe islands; another (August 17) refers to him the demand that allChinese except the married Christians be strictly confined within theParián. On March 7, 1629, the king orders him to ascertain whether theChinese need a protector; and, if so, to send him a list of personsfrom whom such official may be chosen by the Council of the Indias. 

The Jesuit annals are continued for 1628-29; there are two relationsfor this year, one of which consists of letters from various fathersof the Society, merely strung together. Hernando Estrada relatesthe success of a Spanish fleet from Oton in punishing the Joloanpirates. Pedro de Prado writes of the raids made by the Camuzones, other pirates, and the dangers encountered by the missionaries; anddescribes the animals and products of the country. Another letter(unsigned) states that the Dutch have been driven out of theirestablishments in Eastern India. 

A second general relation (but unsigned) for the same year containsmention of various events both ecclesiastical and secular. On the nightof November 25 the Jesuit church falls in ruins, for the third time;it is being rebuilt. The monstrance and host kept in the cathedralare stolen by sacrilegious hands, (an occurrence which causes thedeath of Archbishop Serrano). An image of the Virgin Mary is seen toweep, as if lamenting the ravages made by pirates in the Pintados. Inthese raids several of the Jesuit missionaries have narrowly escapeddeath. The Dutch in Java have been attacked by the natives, and aremenaced by the Portuguese there and elsewhere. The Spaniards go toCamboja for lumber, and Dominican missionaries go with them to laboramong the heathen. Affairs with Siam are not yet restored to a peacefulcondition. The missions in Cochinchina and Tonkin are doing well. TheChinese, at war with the Tartars, borrow aid from the Portuguese atMacao. In Japan the Christians are being exterminated by torture anddeath. There was talk of expelling the Dutch from that country; butnews arrives there of the destruction of a Japanese ship off Siam bythe Spaniards, and the Japanese begin to talk of uniting with the Dutchto attack the Spaniards in Formosa and even Manila. "The PhilipinasIslands are at present in a ruinous condition. " A postscript to thisrelation describes an encounter between a small Spanish ship fromIndia and a large English ship, at Fayal, in which the former savesitself, after inflicting much damage on its opponent. 

The Editors

October, 1904. 

DOCUMENTS OF 1625

 Report of the Spanish Council of State on the appointment of a governor for the Philippines. March 7. Royal decree granting income to the Society of Jesus. Felipe IV; June 1. Letter from the archbishop of Manila to Felipe IV. Miguel Garcia Serrano; July 25. Royal festivities at Manila. Diego de Rueda y Mendosa; August 1. Letter to Felipe IV. Fernando de Silva; August 4. 

_Sources_: The first, third, and fifth of these documents are fromMSS. In the Archive general de Indias, Sevilla; the second, fromPastells's edition of Colin's _Labor evangélica_, iii, pp. 754-755;the fourth, from a pamphlet, _Toros y cañas_ (Barcelona, 1903). 

_Translations_: These are all made by James A. Robertson. 

REPORT OF THE SPANISH COUNCIL OF STATE ON APPOINTMENT OF A GOVERNORFOR THE PHILIPPINES

Sire:

On the occasion of a letter written to your Majesty by Don AlonsoFajardo de Tenzá, governor and captain-general of the FilipinasIslands, and president of the royal Audiencia established therein, on the seventeenth of August of the past year 623, petitioning amongother things for permission to come to España, the Council advisedyour Majesty of what occurred to them with regard to the appointmentto that office. Your Majesty was pleased to order that personsbe proposed for it, and that a relation be made, in the report ofthe Council, of the pretensions of Don Alonso; and that action beimmediate, so that he whom your Majesty should appoint might sailin the trading-fleet bound for Nueva España--or, if he should be inthe Yndias, that he might be advised so that he could sail in Marchof the coming year for Filipinas. [Your Majesty also ordered] thatDon Alonso's pay should run until his departure thence in the firstvessel, and one year longer, in order that he might come here. Infulfilment of your Majesty's orders, it appears that the demands ofDon Alonso Fajardo are reduced to a better office in reward for hisservices and those of his father and forbears; and that your Majesty, by providing what you deem best, make good his pay during all the timewhile he should be detained there without power to embark, and oneyear longer, to enable him to come to these kingdoms, offering hisperson to serve in this interim at the order of his successor. DonJuan Fajardo, his brother, wrote to me, the president, in a letterof November 4 of the past year that, since Don Alonso desires leaveto go to España, it must be after there has been time to concludethe inspection that was ordered to be made of him and the Audiencia, and after your Majesty has assigned him a post in the Council of Warwith an adequate salary. In accordance with the charges against him, Don Juan petitions that the permission be revoked until he himselfshall return from the expedition of Brazil and come to this court. Willyour Majesty show him the favor that may be your pleasure. 

The Council having examined personally the services and merits thatfollow for this office (which carries a salary of eight thousandpesos de minas, of four hundred and fifty maravedis apiece), thosewho are considered most fitting to receive that office--which mustbe held for eight years, in accordance with the order given regardingit--are proposed to your Majesty. The first two have seven votes. 

Don Geronimo Agustin, of the habit of Calatrava, who has served fromthe year 88. In that of 89, the duke of Terra Nova, while governorof Milan, assigned him a Spanish infantry company of arquebusiers inthe regiment of Lombardia. The same year he went to Flandes, where, at different periods, he served for ten years with appointmentsand infantry companies; and the last three years as captain andsargento-mayor of the regiments of the masters-of-camp, Don Yñigode Borja, Don Alvaro Huaser, Don Fernando Giron, and Don Alonso deLeyla. He commanded some of the regiments; and for special servicesthat he performed, the king our sovereign (may he rest in peace), your Majesty's father, granted him four hundred reals [1] incomein Milan. In the year 60-[?] he was appointed master-of-camp ofa regiment of men in the fleet of the Ocean Sea, in which he hasserved. Embarking with his regiment, he went to the Terceras torelieve three ships of Yndia which had arrived there in a dilapidatedcondition; and afterward went with the marquis of Santa Cruz to theundertaking of Alarache. Thence he went to the Mediterranean Sea untilhe sighted Tunez [_i. E. _, Tunis], in whose bay were burned twenty-twopirate ships and one galliot. [2] On his return from the expedition, he took part in the expulsion of the Moriscos [3] from Valencia, Aragon, and Murcia. Finally, he went with his regiment to La Mamora, and was in full command of all the companies in which served theseigniors and cities of Andalucia and three hundred soldiers of thecoast of Granada. Through his determination, the men whom he headedwere landed; and they gained and occupied those positions, respondingwith great courage to their defense and to the fortifications. Inconsideration of that, he was in the former year of 617 considered forthe offices of governor and captain-general of the province of Panamaand those of Chile, and as president of the royal Audiencia of thoseprovinces. On account of your Majesty's assurance in his person andservices, you granted him the office of viceroy of Mallorca, whichhe holds at present. 

Don Gaspar Ruiz de Pereda, of the habit of San Tiago, has servedfor more than thirty-six years in the Terceras, in the expeditionto Ynglaterra, in the States of Flandes, and in the fleet of theOcean Sea, where considerable pay and appointments were grantedhim. Afterward he served in Bretaña; and the Council of State entrustedto him matters touching the right of the infanta to that state. [4]He was corregidor and war-captain of the four towns of the seacoast. Heattended to the preparation and building of ships and the despatch offleets satisfactorily. At the conclusion of his office, he returnedto that coast, and became superintendent of it all from La Raya ofPortugal to Francia. The king our sovereign (may he rest in peace)granted him the government of Habana, which he exercised for nineyears. In the residencia taken from him he was regarded as free fromblame; and, on his arrival at these kingdoms, was appointed corregidorof Malaga. Later, on account of the satisfaction given by his person, your Majesty appointed him inspector-general in the States of Flandes. 

The following three have five votes apiece. 

Don Juan Nino de Tavora, who, having been gentleman of the bed chamberto the archduke Alberto, and cavalry captain in the States of Flandes, is at present master-of-camp of Spanish infantry there. With hisservices and capacity there is entire satisfaction. He is the sonof Don Gabriel Nino, formerly chief master-of-camp of the king oursovereign who is in glory. 

General Don Juan de Venavides, of the habit of San Tiago, is the sonof the marquis of Jaralquinto. He has been in the service for the pasttwenty-two years, seven of them with additional pay under the marquisof Santa Cruz in the galleys of the kingdom of Portugal, and thirteenyears with the pay of thirty reals [_sc. _ ducados?] per month in thetrade-route to the Yndias. He made five voyages, in that of 610 goingas captain of one of the infantry companies of the trading-fleet ofTierra Firme. That same year, the flagship of the galleons havingbeen lost at the departure from Buen Aire, he, having escaped naked, stayed to rescue the men of the ship; and having done this, took themin a patache to Cartagena. In the year 613 he went as admiral of thetrading-fleet of Nueva España. On the return trip some ships of thefleet were lost in a storm. He was carrying in his ship more than onemillion [pesos] of silver belonging to your Majesty and to privatepersons. The masts and the rudder were snapped in twain; the shipbegan to leak at the bow; and yet he repaired it and anchored in theport of San Lucar without having thrown anything overboard. In 615he again filled the same office of admiral, and, the flagship fromHonduras having been wrecked, he saved many of its crew. In 617 hewas recommended as commander of the trading-fleet of Nueva España, and was granted the office of its admiral. Finally, he was twiceproposed as commander of the Filipinas fleet. On January 13, 620, he was appointed commander of the trading-fleet of Nueva España, fromwhich post he came with good reputation and fame. Licentiate Pedro deVergara Gaviria, in a letter that he wrote to your Majesty from VeraCruz, where he was inspecting the royal officials, declares that hehas seen in his person an excellent zeal and a manner of procedurequite different from what is said there of other commanders, andaccordingly he is obliged to give account of it; and that the honorsand rewards that your Majesty would be pleased to bestow on him willbe well employed. In the year 623, he was for the second time grantedthe office of commander of the said trading-fleet of Nueba España(whence he had come the year before); he took the fleet and broughtit in safety. While at the port of Vera Cruz, the Mexican Audienciacommitted to him, on the occasion of the rebellion of that city, thefort of San Juan de Ulua, and appointed him as its commandant, and asmilitary captain of all that coast. He served in that capacity untilhe returned to España, desiring to obtain the quiet and peace of thatkingdom. In the residencias that have been taken of the appointmentsas commander that he has held, he has been declared a good official, and worthy of greater honors and emoluments. This present year hewas proposed for the office of commander of the trading-fleet ofNueba España. 

The master-of-camp, Don Francisco Zapata Ossorio, knight of thehabit of Santiago, has served for twenty-two years, sixteen inFlandes, at fifty reals [_sc. _ ducados?] pay. He was later captainof a Spanish infantry company, with which he took part as occasionoffered. He, went to Napoles and was there governor and militarycaptain of the province of Calabria. In the residencia taken of thatoffice, he was exonerated. He commanded the galley of the Napolessquadron at the appointment of Cardinal Çapata, in the absence of theregularly-appointed commander, with pay of one hundred and fifty reals[_sc. _ ducados?] per month. In the year of 622 the said cardinalappointed him master-of-camp of the seven companies of Spanishinfantry that went to the state of Milan, and captain of one ofthem, namely, the one that belongs to him as master-of-camp. He camewith the permission of the duke of Alva, who wrote to your Majestyrecommending him and mentions the said Don Francisco. Your Majestyhas ordered him to go to visit the duke of Lorena; also that, goingto Flandes, he be given there the first regiment that falls vacant, and that in the meanwhile he enjoy the salary of master-of-camp ofhalberdiers--namely, one hundred and sixteen ducados per month. Hisfather served more than fifty years, and was in the battle of Lepanto, in the States of Flandes, the war with Portugal, the Terceras Islands, and the expedition to Ynglaterra; he served twice in the inspection ofmany men in the department of Sevylla, and served in the governmentof Alcantara, and as corregidor of Joro, and lastly in that ofCordoba. His uncle, Don Juan Çapata Ossorio, was bishop of Çamora;and his other ancestors, paternal and maternal, died in the service. 

Don Garcia Giron has four votes. He has served since the expeditionto Ynglaterra. He was lieutenant of the cavalry captain, Don FernandoGiron, his brother, in Lengua-doc [_i. E. _, Languedoc], whence he wentto Bretaña as arquebusier captain. He took part in all the sieges andin all the reënforcements that occurred during his time, many timeshaving in charge convoys. When the said his brother took two thousandinfantrymen for the fleet, he served on it. The adelantado-mayor ofCastilla gave him command of a galleon, and later the command of twentycompanies when coming from Vigo. When some thirty companies went toYtalia with the count of Fuentes, he took charge of them by order ofthe duke of Medina-Sidonia. On those occasions and in Flandes, whileserving as captain and sargento-mayor, he gave an excellent account ofhis person and served with satisfaction to his superiors. In the yearof 610, his Majesty who is in glory bestowed upon him the governmentof Cartagena, I mean of Benezuela. At the expiration of the time forwhich he was appointed, he was granted the government of Cartagena, and now he has been given that of Habana. 

The following seven have each one vote. 

Don Antonio Sarmiento, son of Count Gondomar. After having servedon various occasions, your Majesty bestowed upon him a post in theCouncil of the Treasury, in which he serves with approval. 

Don Sancho de Zeyba, of whose capacity and of the services of hisforbears and his own, your Majesty has full notice. 

General Don Geronimo Gomez de Sandoval, of the habit of Santiago, captain of a company of men-of-arms in the guards of Castilla, whohas served for twenty-three years past on various occasions. In 602, the city of Cartagena appointed him to raise one hundred and fiftyinfantrymen who were embarked in the galleys of España. He went on theexpedition of Argel with appointment as Spanish infantry captain. Inthe year of 604, his Majesty who is in heaven granted him twenty-fiveducados pay, which was later increased to thirty. His father beingappointed governor and captain-general of Ysla Española [_i. E. _, Hayti], and president of that Audiencia, Don Geronimo went with him, having been appointed commandant of the fort of Santo Domingo. Atthe order of the Audiencia, he took command of the ships of the fleetthere for its defense for more than four years. As commander of them, he sailed out at various times to clear that entire coast of enemies, engaging them with great valor. Once he captured two lanchas, andon another occasion a ship, while he sank another. His services wereheld as very considerable at that time. Having come to this coast torequest the office of commander of some fleet, he was granted the postof admiral of that of Nueba España, which came in 621. On that voyage, he helped the ships that were unmasted and unrigged, both going andcoming. By his great diligence he helped to withdraw one that wasburning in the port of San Juan de Ulua from among all the fleet, by which act the greater part of the fleet escaped the fire. Itwas a great peril, for all the silver and merchandise was embarkedfor the voyage. In respect to that service, the prior and consuls, as those interested in it, petitioned, in a letter to your Majesty, that you be pleased to give him the place of commander of the fleetin the following year. Having consulted in regard to it, your Majestywas pleased to grant him that of admiral for the good account thathe had given of the offices which he had had in charge. Your Majestywill have an account of his person. On this voyage he served withespecial approval as an excellent and careful mariner, and is fittedfor employment in any command of importance of this kind. Accordingly, he was proposed for the place of captain-general of the trading-fleetthat is to go to Nueba España this year, which your Majesty bestowedupon Don Lope de Hou y Cordova; and now your Majesty has bestowedupon him that of Tierra Firme. He is the son, as above stated, ofDon Diego Gomez de Sandoval (whose capacity is very well known), who, having served more than forty years in various offices, died in thepast year of 623, as governor and captain-general of Ysla Española, where he was for five years. The Audiencia, the archbishop, and thesecular cabildo of Santo Domingo wrote in a letter to your Majesty howwell he served in governmental affairs, and in those of war, justice, and peace. He left many debtors because he had conducted his governmentuprightly; and his property was not able to pay them. They considerDon Geronimo, his son and successor, as capable and worthy of whatyour Majesty pleases to do for him and what charge you may give him. 

Don Rodrigo de Vivero, who, having come to these kingdoms from NuevaEspaña, where he was born, and having served Queen Doña Ana, your wife, who is in heaven, as a page, returned to that country. There he wasappointed from his youth to the most important duties by the viceroys, for they knew his ability and good qualities. That being known tothe king our sovereign who is in glory, your Majesty's grandfather, he appointed him governor and captain-general of the provinces ofNueha Vizcaya, where with great valor, continuous toil, and at hisown cost, he made war upon the rebel Indians, until he had reducedmore than sixty towns, and brought down many men from the mountains, where they were committing great depredations. By those means theywere able to discontinue several presidios, and save the great expensethat these occasioned to the royal revenues. Having been attacked bya serious illness that was induced by the hardships of the war, hewas forced to return to Mexico, where the viceroy, Marquis de Salinas, his uncle, appointed him governor and captain-general of the FilipinasIslands, because of the arrival at that juncture of news of the deathof Don Pedro de Acuña. Without stopping to consider the discomfort andlack that he was causing his family, and the short time in which hissuccessor would arrive, he accepted and went to take charge of the saidduties. During the period of his government, he made peace with theMindanaos, and reënforced the kingdom of Maluco, then besieged by theDutch, besides performing other special services. Don Juan de Silva, his successor, having arrived, and he having embarked to return tohis home, a storm overtook him that forced him to put in at the coastof Japon. There the ship foundered and many of those aboard it weredrowned. He escaped on a plank, and was captured with the others whowere rescued. That emperor afterward treated them well, gave them aship and passage, and lent money to Don Rodrigo. He asked the latterto make a treaty with the king, our sovereign (may he rest in peace), in his name, in regard to certain matters touching trade and commercewith Nueba España. He granted passage to those who wished to return toFilipinas. Everything was well directed on account of Don Rodrigo'senergy. The viceroys, and finally the marquis of Guadalcazar, havegiven very approving relation of the good qualities that concur in hisperson, and of his character, prudence, and good management. Thereby itis learned that they are thoroughly satisfied of his person by theirtreatment. In consideration of that, he was in the former year of 620elected governor and captain-general and president of the Audienciaof Tierra Firme, which office he at present holds. 

Don Diego de Cardenas, of the habit of Santiago, brother of thecount of La Puebla de Llesena, has served ten years, six of themin the States of Flandes, on all the occasions that offered in histime, especially at the siege of Ostende for thirty months, wherehe was wounded by an arquebus-shot in the face and a pike-thrust inthe arm. Through the satisfaction that Archduke Alebrto had in hisperson and services, he was given command of a company of Spanishpike infantry, which he had at the victories of Alinguin, Aldoncel, and Arinverque, and at the capture and relief of Grol, and in thatof Bolduque, Obstrat, and Gave. After the conclusion of the war, he came to España, by the permission of his Highness; and his wife, infanta Doña Isavel, wrote to the king, our sovereign who is in glory, your Majesty's father, recommending him. The marquis of Espinoladid the same, and in the year 609 granted him a permit to raisetwo hundred and fifty infantrymen, whom he led to the expulsion ofthe Moriscos from the kingdom of Valencia. Having been retired onhalf-pay, he went with the marquis de la Ynojosa on the expeditionof Alarache. Lastly, he was in that of La Mamora, serving at his owncost. In the year of 620, your Majesty rewarded him with the officeof governor and captain-general of the province of Yucatan, which heis filling with approval, and with especial attention [to his duties], which he exhibited in the gift that that province sent to your Majesty. 

Don Juan de Velasco Castañeda, of the habit of San Tiago, has servedfor thirty-eight years, commencing his service on the expeditionto Ynglaterra. Thence he went to the States of Flandes. There hewas given thirty ducados pay to serve near the person of the dukeof Parma. He was present at many sieges, captures, and reliefs. Hecame to these kingdoms in the year 96 to the relief of Cadiz, withDon Pedro de Velasco, who gave him command of an infantry company;and in the year of 593 the adelantado-mayor of Castilla gave himanother. With it, he returned to the said States, taking under hischarge a troop of ten companies. He continued his services on alloccasions that offered, fighting and proving himself therein asa gallant gentleman and a valiant soldier, until the year of 609, when he took part in the expulsion of the Moriscos from Andalucia andthe kingdom of Granada. Later he was at Milan where the constable ofCastilla employed him in commissions very important to the serviceof your Majesty. In the year of 617 he was granted the government ofCremona, and afterward made lieutenant of the captain-general of thesoldiers of the kingdom of Aragon, having in charge the castle ofXaca; in those places he has served three years with much approval, valor, and prudence, and, in order to preserve his jurisdictionand preëminences, has often risked his life. For that your Majestyhas considered yourself well served, and ordered him rewarded forit. Because of the satisfaction that the Council found in his person, they proposed him to your Majesty for the government of the provinceof Cartagena, to which your Majesty was pleased to appoint him; but ashe did not choose to accept it, your Majesty gave it to another person. 

Don Geronimo de Silva, knight of the Order of St. John--to whom afterhaving served on various occasions, the king our sovereign who is inheaven, your Majesty's grandfather, granted him title as captain inthe year 89. He raised two hundred and fifty men for the defense ofPortugal. In the year 92, Don Alonso de Bargas gave him a company inthe Aragon expedition, where his Majesty ordered him to go to servewith twenty-five ducados pay per month. Having gone to Flandes, he continued with his company in the assaults of Durlans, and inthe captures of Chatelet and Cambray, always acting as a valiant andrespected gentleman. There he was grievously wounded. In the year 96the duke of Medina-Sidonia appointed him captain and sargento-mayorof the infantry that he was sending to Portugal. That same year, hisMajesty granted him one of the ordinary companies of light cavalry ofthe state of Milan. In consideration of that, in the year 609 he wasgiven the place of commandant of the forces of Terrenate, and governorof the soldiers of that presidio, which he served until the year 616, when he was promoted to the post of master-of-camp of the militaryforces of the Filipinas Islands, which he is serving, notwithstandingthat the Council has received certain letters condemning his actions. 

Will your Majesty appoint one or other of these, according to yourpleasure. Madrid, March 7, 1625. 

ROYAL DECREE GRANTING INCOME TO THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

Don Juan Niño de Tavora, knight of the Order of Calatraba, comendador of Puerto Llano, whom I have appointed as my governor andcaptain-general of the Philipinas Islands, or the person or personsin whose charge is or shall be the government of the said islands:Father Francisco Crespo, [5] procurator-general of the Society ofJesus, of the Yndias, in the name of the college of his order inthe city of Manila, of the said islands, has reported to me thatthe church and house of the residence, inasmuch as it was builtby the fathers who first went there, is very old, and that it isfalling down, on account of the earthquakes that have happened, sothat only the house has remained standing, which is in danger offalling also; and that grammar, the arts, and theology have beenstudied there for more than the last thirty years, from which hasfollowed the benefit that is well known. In respect to its needs, and the expenses that have been incurred in treating the sick, sinceits alms are very few, and its income very slight, they do not havethe wherewithal with which to support the religious who live there, inasmuch as they do not ask any alms for their sacrifices [_i. E. _, masses], or for building their church or house. Although the church iscommenced, the building cannot be continued. In consideration of that, he petitions me to concede them there the sixteen thousand ducados, of which concession was made in the sum of one thousand ducados everyyear for sixteen years to the convent of St. Augustine, of the saidcity, in tributes of vacant Indians of the said islands, so that withthis grant they might continue the erection of the said church, andbuild a comfortable house in which the religious may live, and applythemselves to the said branches, and where missionaries may be trainedwith whom to attend to the conversion of the Indians and the preachingof the holy gospel. After having examined what your predecessor andthe archbishop of the said city reported to me in my royal Councilof the Indias, and after they consulted with me, I have consideredit advisable to concede to the college of the Society of Jesus inthe said city of Manila, for the present, for each of ten years, one thousand ducados, which amount to three hundred and seventy-fivethousand maravedis, in Indians of whom the encomienda shall be vacant, or shall first become vacant, in the said Philipinas Islands, justin the same way as the concession was made to the said convent of theOrder of St. Augustine of the said city for its buildings. Accordingly, I command you to assign to the said college of the Society of Jesus inthe said city of Manila, the said one thousand ducados in tributes ofthe Indians whose encomienda shall be vacant, or shall first becomevacant, in the said islands, so that this sum may be paid to them ineach one of ten years, as above said. You shall give the necessarydespatch to this, so that those fathers may be assisted with it forthe said purpose. I order the officials of my treasury of the saidFilipinas Islands to obey what you shall order by virtue of this mydecree; and they shall not place any obstacle to it, notwithstandinganything provided to the contrary. Given in Madrid, June first, one thousand six hundred and twenty-five. 

_I The King_

Countersigned by Don Francisco Ruis de Contreras, and signed by themembers of the Council. 

LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP TO FELIPE IV

I have informed your Majesty fully of the condition of these FilipinasIslands in all the despatches that have left them, in what concernsboth ecclesiastical and secular affairs. As I am certain that myletters have been received in that royal Council, I am now onlyadvising you of the arrival of Governor Don Fernando de Silva, knightof the habit of Sanctiago, who left these islands for those kingdomsin the former year 21, and returned to govern them about twenty daysago, with the appointment given him by the viceroy of Nueva España, marques de Cerralvo. [6] The choice of Don Fernando has seemed a goodone, and he is governing well, as one who knows the country and hasexperience in it, and of the merits of his subordinates; and I seethese inhabitants universally contented, [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

I find it very unadvisable for religious of any order to go for thepresent to the kingdom of Japon, and until God shall open the eyes ofthe emperor--either so that he may receive the holy gospel, or at leastnot persecute so cruelly those who preach and obey it. His severityis such that he is not satisfied with martyring its preachers withexquisite and extraordinary forms of martyrdoms--as well as thosewho have received the preachers into their houses and districts, even though ignorant of their identity; but he has issued an edictthat no one, under penalty of death, may receive them into hisship. What may cause greater anxiety is the fact that, a number ofJapanese being angered by the Dutch, who make port in their kingdom, it will be easy enough both to place these islands in danger, and, what is more, to extinguish the spark of the Catholic faith in theseregions. Because of that I called a meeting of the provincials ofthe orders, so that they should refrain from sending their religious[to Japon] without the governor's orders and mine. Having seen thegreat difficulties [thus occasioned], and although, convinced of it, they promised compliance, yet their zeal for the saving of soulsis so great that, without informing us, they actually sent fourreligious. I fear great danger from that action, and am powerless toavert the continuation of this, unless your Majesty interpose yourpowerful hand by ordering absolutely that which, according to this, is most advisable for the service of our Lord and your service. 

[_In the margin_: "Let what he says be carefully heeded. "]

Our Lord took Doctor Don Juan de Renteria, bishop of Nueva Segovia, to himself on November 4 of last year, 24, while he was coming fromhis bishopric to this city of Manila. His loss has been deeply feltin this country, as he was a man of so eminent qualities. Because ofthe lack of a cabildo in that bishopric I sent a man to govern it, and there is as yet nothing new of moment there of which to informyour Majesty. The inspection of this royal Audiencia and the royalofficials, which your Majesty entrusted to the said bishop, wasnot effected because of his death. Consequently, I am bound by myobligations to your Majesty's service to remind you of what I said inregard to this matter in my letter to that royal Council in the monthof August of the former year of 23, which is as follows. "Personsentirely trustworthy and zealous for your Majesty's royal servicehave informed me of the need of inspecting this royal treasury. Ifyour Majesty be pleased to make choice of the person of Don JuanCevicos who is at that court attending to affairs of this church, for this matter and for other matters of inspection, I regard it ascertain that your Majesty will be well served, as he is one of themost intelligent persons in the Yndias. He also has experience withpapers and accounts, so that many people in this city were wont tosend such to him; and, even though most complicated, they were veryeasy for him. Also, since the person mentioned is at that royal court, your Majesty may test his abilities, so that he may serve you thereinin like matters of your royal service. These islands have the sameneed of inspection, especially the cabildo of this city of Manila. " Iadd to the above that no person can be found in that kingdom, nor isthere anyone who may go to those kingdoms of the Yndias, more fittedfor this employment, nor one, to my way of thinking, of greater zeal. 

[_Marginal note_: "Seen. "]. 

The Society of Jesus in these regions need the favor and grace ofyour Majesty to continue the work of the church of their collegein this city of Manila, which they began, trusting to the alms ofthe faithful. Since those alms have failed, as the country has beenand is very much exhausted, and since they are without any aid fromyour Majesty, it is impossible for them to continue and finish it, as has happened in the building of San Agustin and other churches onwhich your Majesty has been kind enough to lay your royal hand. Theconcession that your Majesty was pleased to make to the Society ofthe passage from the Parián or alcaicería of the Chinese to theirlands on the other side of the river has been of vast importance tothem. But they fear lest the hospital of the said Chinese is about topetition your Majesty, not only for confirmation of the passage thatthey have to the door of the said hospital, but for a limit of distancein which is included the said passage from the lands of the Society, which are two arquebus-shots apart. I inform your Majesty of this, so that, considering the need of the said college, you may order whatmay be most advisable for your royal service. May our Lord preservethe very Catholic person of your Majesty to us, with increase of yourkingdoms, as is necessary for Christendom. Manila, July 25, 1625. 

_Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano_, archbishop of Manila. 

[_In the margin_: "That we are advised of this; have this clausefiled with what the Society petitions. " "This clause was copied. "]

[_Endorsed_: "Satisfied. Examined and decreed July 13, 626. "]

ROYAL FESTIVITIES AT MANILA

On the fourth day of January, one thousand six hundred andtwenty-three, other royal festivities occurred, [7] in which twelvebulls were fought; and four matches of cañas were played, each ofthem between two gentlemen, in accordance with the inclination ofthe country. The wealth, embroideries, holiday attire, liveries, and ornaments, were so abundant, so sightly, and of so great priceand splendor, of so many floral decorations and of so many differentshades, that they surpassed those of our España in beauty and splendor. 

The square was adorned with rich hangings of great value and price, of gold, silk, and variegated cloths, so that one cannot describe sogreat a variety of colors, the curious adornments in the windows, the great beauty of the women, the richness of their ornamentsand clothing, and the concourse of so many conspicuous people; forall the assembly appeared to be a priceless cluster of jewels, andeverything by itself a precious gem set in the cluster. And as thecountry contains so many and so beautiful women--who have, as a rule, faces so angelic--and since the festivities were of so great splendor, and for so great a personage, the like of which were never seen, they eclipsed everything else, and the whole scene formed a sight ofbeauty and an agreeable garden. About three o'clock in the afternoon, a trumpet began to sound, immediately after which appeared a number ofhorsemen on fine horses caparisoned and equipped with many beautifultrappings, liveries, and wealth of bands, necklaces, plumes, jewels, and ornaments of gold, precious gems, enamel, and things of greatrarity. The ministers of justice followed, and the mace-bearersof the city, besides the magistrates and alcaldes-in-ordinary, who were then Doctor Juan Fernández de Ledo--a personage worthy ofattaining to great heights because of his great modesty, learning, andcapacity--and Captain Miguel de Arnalto, an influential citizen, anda man of great virtue. Shortly behind them came the governor's guard, the royal Audiencia, and a number of pages and servants in beautifuland elegant livery. After they had gone the round of the square, the royal Audiencia went to its place, which was located very nearthe city hall in which are the halls of the regidors and alcaldes, where there are very rich and beautiful balconies. 

Each one having taken his seat, two companies of Spanish infantry camein through the square, and formed a guard, one company on one side, and the other on the other side. The arquebusiers and musketeers, firing many shots, discharged their pieces many times against oneanother in a sham battle that was made, one troop from one companycharging on one troop of the other, and the other company doingthe same. And as this city is a Salamanca [8] in arms, the soldiersare very skilful and well-disciplined. As the master-of-camp, DonGerónimo de Silva, holds the soldiers under so good discipline, themilitia in these regions is very efficient. When troops have becomehabituated to work and application, they give great delight; and whenthe officers are firm, and represent splendor and gravity, they holdtheir subordinates well in restraint and submissive--in which ScipioAfricanus, Don Alonso, first king of Naples, and the Great Captain, [9] were marvels. After having spent a little more than half an hour inthe military exercise--which caused great pleasure to the spectators, and aroused a furious courage in the ministers of Mars--the soldiersbegan again to march, some on one side and some on another, passingbefore the governor and the Audiencia; while the alférezes loweredtheir banners in salute to their captain-general, and the captains madea profound bow and courtesy, which with the many gala dresses, scarfs, and plumes, made many foolish persons desirous of imitating them. 

After the infantry had left the square, those delegated fromit--namely, General Don Fernando de Ayala, Captain Don Luis Enriquezde Guzmán, alcalde-in-ordinary, Captain Martín de Esquivel, chiefcourt constable, and Captain José de Naveda, royal alférez--wentout to make preparations for the cañas match. They were very finegallants, and had considerable gala livery. Don Fernando de Ayalabestrode a bay horse, with gilded stirrups, bit, buckles, and all thetrappings of the same; he wore black hose of Milan buckram, whiteboots, amber-colored doublet, and jacket of the same cloth as thehose. For a shoulder-sash he wore a heavy chain of gold; and he hada golden plume of great value, and a heavy tuft of heron feathers, also a gilded sword-hilt, and spurs of the same. Captain Don LuisEnriquez bestrode a black Cuatreño horse, with a saddle embroideredwith gold and silver edging, a tuft of black and gray feathers, longand very costly hose lined with Milan cloth, jacket of the same, anembroidered doublet, of the workmanship of the hose, black boots, witha chain for a shoulder-sash; a hatband set with rubies, and a plumeof great value, consisting of many heron feathers; sword and daggerwith gilded furnishings, and sword-belt and waistband embroideredand edged with gold. Captain Martín de Esquivel bestrode a chestnutroadster and was adorned with a plume of many heron feathers, longblack hose, black boots, a doublet corresponding to the hose, anda cloth jacket; a gold chain and gilded sword-hilt and dagger andspurs of the same. Captain José Naveda was carried by a bay horse, with black tail and mane well combed and long; an embroidered saddle, stirrups, bit, and spurs, gilded and silvered, very beautiful andof great value; a crest of unusually elegant feathers, the one thathe carried on Banner day; [10] white boots, red shoulder-sash, long hose of red buckram, jacket embroidered with cloth of gold, an amber-colored doublet with rich gold buttons, a gold sword anddagger of great value; and still more precious were the diamond bandand the plume of his hat. All came riding with their gilded staffs, and were followed by many servants and pages, clad in costly andgay livery. They commenced, some on one side, and some on another, to clear the square of the crowd that had gathered to see these royalfestivities, and who filled all parts of the square. 

Some gentlemen went into the square with their _rejons_. [11] Aboutfour in the afternoon, a wild and active bull was turned loose. In twoor three light bounds, it made the round of the square, making itselfmaster of it all, with which it made all the people afraid. Thereseveral lance-thrusts were given it by the people on foot and thosemounted, until, the bull having been overcome, they opened the gateof the square, and delivered it to the secular arm of the infantry, who in quick order gave a good account of it, as was desirable. Afterthree or four bulls had been run, about half past four, the gentlemenwho were to engage in the cañas [12] matches thought that it was hightime to begin them. Accordingly, they went to dress for their entrance, which was made in the following order: One clarion-player went ahead, being followed after a short interval by trumpeters, minstrels, anddrummers, all mounted, and clad in livery of different colors. Behindthem were two mules, laden with bundles of lances for the cañas; onemule bore a covering with the arms of Governor Don Alonso Fajardo, and the other a covering with the arms of the master-of-camp, DonGerónimo de Silva--both coverings being of velvet, and the arms ofeach person being embroidered on them in gold and silver. They wereaccompanied by lackeys clad in livery, while others led the horses bythe bridle. Then followed thirty-two horses with sixteen gentlemen, besides those who led them in. They formed two files, and came fromtwo opposite positions. The saddlebows of the horses were hung on theoutside with the shields of their owners, with enigmas and devicespainted on them, and covered with scarfs and tassels. The horses hadtheir breast-leathers covered with hawk's-bells, and all had rich, rare, and costly harnesses and headstalls of gold and silver coveredwith precious stones, plumes, and sashes, in the utmost profusion. 

They entered by a gate of the square and, after making a turn aboutit, they went out again. When the horses had left, the gentlemencame in on the run two by two, forming eight couples, with theirliveries, and lances in hand. Brandishing the latter in their hands, it looked as if the butt ends of the lances of some of the gentlemenwere joined with the points [of others]. The horses, spurred on bycries and wounded by the sharp spurs, seemed to fly. 

Governor Don Alonso Fajardo made his appearance, in the placeassigned to the city, taking as his companion Captain Don JuanClaudio de Verástegui. They were clad in robes of tawny-coloredsatin embroidered with gold and silver edging. For his cipher thegovernor had an "S" crowned with palms at the sides, and with scrollsat the foot. On his shield was a blue band, and on that a heart thattwo hands were opening, with a device as follows: "Well broken, butill requited. " His cap was embroidered, and bore in cipher an "S"of pearls, rubies, and diamonds, so beautiful, costly, and elegant, that it attracted the eyes of the people, as a thing beyond all price;while above his cap was a great tuft of rich feathers, blue, tawny, white, and straw-colored. He was mounted on a grayish horse, of noblebearing, that had a band of very fine cloth covered with pearls andsilver embroidery, an embroidered saddle, and gilded stirrups andbit. The furnishings of his sword and dagger were of wrought gold, and formed ornaments of considerable value. His companion had a bandof tawny-colored taffeta on his shield, with an "M" as cipher. 

Then followed General Don Luis Fajardo, the governor's brother, anenergetic youth, whose judgment and talent at a so tender age promisegreat hopes; and he was very splendidly dressed. His companion wasCaptain Don Juan Alonso de Sosa, regidor of this city, well knownfor his worth and good qualities. Their livery was of blue satin andgold, embroidered in outline through its field, and many flowers;as cipher they had a "J" while there was a blue band on the shieldwith letters of gold, that read: "For my king;" and on the streamerof the lance others that read, "Philipus, " which was surmounted by agolden crown. Their caps and flying ornaments were very beautiful, and had many feathers and silver embroidery. They were followed bymany servants clad in the same livery. 

Behind them went Captain Pedro de Chaves, regidor of Manila, son ofthe master-of-camp, Pedro de Chaves; and as his companion, AlférezDon Mateo de Avila, now captain of infantry. Their livery consistedof straw-colored satin embroidered in rose color, with ornaments ofsilver. On their shields were bands of rose colored taffeta, bearingin cipher the name of "Isabel, " in silver. On the streamers of thelances were the respective ciphers "Isabel" and "Maria, " in lettersof gold. They bore ornaments of gilded swords and daggers, and greattufts of feathers. The bands of the horses were of taffeta gilded andembroidered in gold. Their boots were silvered, their caps embroidered, and they had many more ornaments. Behind them were Sargento-mayorPedro de Cuenca Montalvo and his companion Don Diego Maldonado, cladin livery of blue and yellow satin, embroidered in orange color, withmany fringes of gold and silver, and as a cipher an "A" surmounted bya golden crown. On the shield was a yellow band, that read in lettersof gold: "Steadfast unto death. " On the streamers of the lances werethese words: "I will be steadfast, " and some very green palms. 

Captains Diego Lorenzo de Trezo and Luis Alonso de Roa followed inblue livery, which was adorned with many fleurs-de-lis made of silver, edged with wavy lines, and very bright and beautiful. On the shieldwas a blue band with silver letters that read, "Long live King PhilipeFourth, " and on the streamers of the lances was the word, in silverletters, "Philipus. " Behind them entered Admiral Don Pedro de Zárate, a prudent youth, and one of great good sense. His companion was CaptainJuan Rodriguez del Castillo. Their livery was green, embroideredwith gold and silver, and on the shields were tawny-colored bands. Onone part of the shield of Captain Juan Rodriguez del Castillo was atower, and on another a castle, with a chain that encircled both;on one part of the streamers of the lances were the royal arms, and on the other those of the city. 

They were followed by Captain Mateo de Heredia, ex-factor of theroyal treasury, and Captain Silvestre de Aybar, regidor of this city, both worthy of being promoted to higher places by their talent andability. They wore livery of violet velvet embroidered with manyknots of gold and silver, with figures and designs in black and gray, orange, and green, which made an agreeable and very beautiful sight, because of the fine livery and its brilliancy. Their shields had greenbands with silver letters that read: "My hopes are the highest. " On thestreamers of the lances, in illuminated golden letters, was the cipherof the name of "Dorotea. " Their caps and the bands of the horses, their boots, and the other ornaments and liveries of the servantswere beautiful, and so costly that their value cannot be reckoned. 

Lastly went the master-of-camp, Don Gerónimo de Silva, so gallanta trooper and so great a gentleman that with reason one may awardhim the laurel, both for valor and gallantry, and for his wealth andcourage, as will yet be made known. The robe that he wore was of yellowsatin embroidered in black with palm-trees, with clusters of fruiton them. His shield had a field of solid silver plates edged withgold. His lance was of ebony, and twenty palmos long; and instead ofan iron head, a colic-stone, [13] so splendid to the sight and so wellmade that, however beautiful may be that of a painter, it cannot equalit. It was enclosed in a case of solid gold, a thing of inestimablevalue for its efficacy and its so brilliant beauty. On the banner was apalm-tree crowned, tassels, a red ribbon with large silver letters thatread: "Alas for the delay, if it liveth in thee; but how well livesthe faith that thou placedst in me. " He wore a cap embroidered withdiamonds, rubies, and large pearls, which formed a knot and ornamentwith a great quantity of seedpearls interwoven with some feathers, and an especially beautiful plume which gleamed among all. He hadsword and dagger with furnishings of solid gold. His sword-belt wasembroidered with gold of Milán; and his stirrups and spurs, buckles, and all the bolts of the bit and saddlebows were of solid gold. Hebestrode a grayish horse, a fine goer, of magnificent spirit andbody. He had an embroidered saddle of great value. The band on thehorse was set with many pearls and rich embroidery; so that the valueof the wealth that he bore was, in the judgment of experienced persons, estimated at nine or ten thousand pesos. In front were lackeys, whilebehind were his pages, all clad in very showy livery of yellow andblack. All had feathers that beautified and glorified the festival. Notof less value and price were the jewels and ornaments of the governorestimated, because of the many diamonds, rubies, topazes, pearls, and other precious gems that he wore; and one could not estimate thevalue of those of the other gentlemen who engaged in the canas matches. 

The charge of this pertained to the master-of-camp, who took as hiscompanion Captain Don Juan Ezquerra, son of General Juan Ezquerra, a prudent and well-inclined gentleman. The latter went out clad inthe same livery and habit, and was very splendid and showy. 

Some erudite person will say what Apelles said to a painter who hadpainted the picture of Queen Elena richly decked in finery, jewels, gold, and precious stones: "Since thou didst not know how to paint herbeautiful, thou didst paint her rich. " But I adhere to and declarethe truth, and I even curtail in this relation what I might say ofit. Although I confess that this relation has not been designedlyembellished, it is written rich in truth (which is the greatestbeauty and splendor that can be given a history), with which itsdefects will be supplied, since there is nothing in this life thatcan be said not to possess some defect. 

The gentlemen who were to take part in the play made their entrancein the above manner with great dexterity. They paraded through bothsides of the square, couple by couple, in excellent order. 

After the entrance, they changed horses; the places were assignedin divisions of fours, and they took their spears. They engagedin a well-concerted play, one division against another, two andtwo. From that post went out another division against the one thatwas advancing. It lasted more than an hour, with great gallantry, without any misfortune or disaster happening, until from the plazathe deputies entered their midst and separated them. At that juncturea fiery bull was let out. The gentlemen made very skilful movementsagainst this bull with their rejons, and against others that were run, until the sun's light retired to illuminate the antipodes; and thegentlemen and ladies left the square, and the balconies and galleries[_miradors_], to return to reoccupy them on another occasion one weekthereafter, when the same cañas matches were played, and bulls wererun for four days in succession. [14] At this second cañas match, Don Fernando Galindo, a gentleman of Ecija, and at present infantrycaptain in this camp, entered instead of Don Diego Maldonado. On thisoccasion, the governor had another livery of blue cloth and silver, entirely covered with ornaments. The entrance was made as on thefirst day, and the play was in the same manner--thereby causinggeneral rejoicing because the game had been so skilfully played, and has been so few times seen in this city. 

LETTER FROM FERNANDO DE SILVA TO FELIPE IV

Sire:

I advised your Majesty that I left Capulco April 6. That is one ofthe latest dates on which the ships have set sail, and we were fearfullest we would not make the coasts of these islands, as the weather wascontrary--although one can reach them in a voyage of three months, which is the usual duration. When we started, the wind was so lightthat my fear increased because we did not sail one hundred leguasin thirteen days. During that time I found that my almiranta wassailing very slowly, so that I was obliged to resolve, in order notto risk everything, to leave it, with a goodly supply of food for alonger voyage. Considering how easily the almiranta could be wrecked, and that the enemy would be waiting in the strait for a prize of sogreat profit; and that if once they sighted the almiranta, escape wasimpossible, while I could not be of any aid, as I was quite withoutresources: I thought it advisable for your Majesty's service to takeout all your silver and that of private persons, trusting that Iwould not have the enemy any more to windward as had been the casewhile I was coming. This seems to have been the proper course, forI made the port of Cavite July eight. I arrived at so opportune aseason, that I believe the islands were never in so great need of anew government and such aid. For the Audiencia having objected to thedirections sent them in your name by the marquis de Yelbes [_i. E. , _Gelves], ordering them not to interpret doubtfully the decree inwhich your Majesty gave him authority to do so, although he cited inthose decrees your Majesty's own signature, and that of the notarybefore whom it was drawn, retained the government for itself, and byits own authority gave the title of captain-general to Don Geronimode Ssilba. Thus did the obstacle that your Majesty has experiencedat other times of like government remain in the greatest force andvigor. According to what I have heard, the matter came to such a passthat most of the citizens of Manila were only waiting to abandon thiscity, [that depending on] whether or not the aid should arrive fromNueba España; for they were exhausted with the extortions and badtreatment of the Audiencia. Their first action was to dismiss thosewhom Don Alonso Fajardo had lawfully appointed to offices of justice, without allowing them to complete their first year. [_In the margin_:"Seen. "]

Their second--the auditors being dissatisfied with the honesty ofLicentiate Don Alvaro de Mesa y Lugo, their associate, who as thesenior auditor presided over them--was to admit Licentiate Geronimo deLegaspi into the assembly hall by a secret postern. He had been removedfrom office a long time before by act of the said Don Alonso Fajardo, a measure taken in virtue of your Majesty's decree which was sent, totake his residencia; this was confirmed by all the Audiencia. Althoughit was advisable to remedy that matter, the little time that I havehad since my arrival until now, and my heavy press of unfinishedbusiness, and what has happened in regard to forced aid sent tovarious provinces, with the despatch of the vessels to Nueva España, and the ordinary transaction of business, have not permitted it. Ishall ask for the documents, and after examining them, and aftermature deliberation, I shall do what shall seem expedient for theservice of your Majesty and the quiet of this community, as I mayfind it. My course is hastened by the return of the said LicentiateLegaspi to his post, as it is without your Majesty's order, and as, when he is there, he heeds only his own interests. [_In the margin:_"See what has been decreed in this particular. Have it brought. "]

From the day of my arrival until now, there have been dissensionsand quarrels among the members [of the Audiencia], because they didnot agree in the division of offices. That was a matter of no slightimportance, because not all the appointments had been given to them, as well as the encomiendas. And although your Majesty, seeing thisdanger before, prohibits it by your royal decrees, they apportionedsome of the latter. I have regarded such encomiendas as vacant, ordering that their tributes be placed in the royal treasury. [_Inthe margin:_ "It is well. Advise the new governor that this decisionis approved, and that he shall put it into practice accordingly. "]

The auditors of this Audiencia are all at odds. Some among them arecontinually refusing to act, influenced by the confidants, and evenabetting these. As a result, in the sessions of the court there isnothing to be observed except dissensions; and thus the despatch ofbusiness is delayed, by the rehearings [of cases] that proceed from thetie-votes [of the auditors]. Thus they accept the salaries for theirposts without serving them, so far as their judicature is concerned, which is a wrong that urgently needs remedy, for the litigants. [_Inthe margin_: "Seen. "] The Dutch enemy came to this coast with a fleetof three large vessels and two small ones, while your Majesty had atthe port of Cavite two galleons of very heavy burden, three of fivehundred or six hundred toneladas of the northern sea, one patache ofmore than two hundred and fifty toneladas, and two galleys, togetherwith many good soldiers and sailors and a goodly abundance of heavyartillery. Within forty days or thereabout, they were all ready tosail, and in charge of the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba. Heencountered the enemy, but did not fight, after an expense in preparingthat fleet, of many more ducados than the condition of the treasurycould warrant; I found the treasury pledged to about one hundred andten thousand pesos, while the infantry and substitutes were loaded withvouchers against it, because of the lack of reënforcements for morethan a year back. The matter is so serious that the captain-general, Don Geronimo de Ssilva, having been arrested, by the Audiencia, anddeposed from his office, appealed the cause to me, and I do not darewrite more minutely concerning it, because of the short time. Theverbal process is made, and, the said Don Geronimo's depositionhaving been taken, both he and the commanders of the other shipswill be prosecuted. All claim that they will be cleared; each onethrowing the burden of guilt on the other. When the matter assumesa proper condition I shall remit an account of it to your Majesty, so that you may take the measures advisable. [_In the margin_: "File. "]

Under pretext of the arrest and removal of Don Geronimo de Silva, Licentiate Legaspi, not heeding the second nomination from theships, exercised the office of captain-general, carrying the staffof office and making them lower the banners to him, and addresshim as "your Lordship, " and his wife as "my lady. " He immediatelyappointed his elder son to the post of sargento-mayor of this camp, and his younger son to a company, while another company was assignedto a relative of Auditor Don Matias Flores y Cassila. Others wereassigned to brothers of the said Don Matias, the fiscal, and otherauditors, except Don Albaro, who refused to have anything given tohis household. Upon seeing the illegality of those appointments, I issued an act declaring them vacant and restoring those posts tothose who had held them before. 

I did the same in regard to the posts that I found filled for theships which I am despatching now to Nueva España, as those appointmentswere not made to suitable persons. Such were holding them with theirfollowers by illegal means and had no services or qualifications, although there are persons of excellent abilities, as are those whonow hold them. 

The ships are the best and most suitable that have sailed hencefor a number of years past, and are of five hundred or six hundredtons burden apiece. They are well equipped with artillery and othernecessities. They are heavily laden, for, although the enemy was alongthe coasts in smaller craft than other years, this year the Chinesecame and have brought the Portuguese from Macan. Regarding the dangerthat might be feared on the coast of Nueba España from a Dutch fleetwhich we heard would pass through the strait of Magallanes, I left theviceroy warned, so that when those ships can reach that coast, he willhave a sentinel and lookout at the island of Cedros, in front of thegulf of California--where they are ordered to reconnoiter the enemy'scondition, and where the foe never expect them--and with a port towindward of the cape of Corrientes, which is the place where they maybe awaited; with that I trust, God helping, that they will be secure. 

Eleven of the fourteen Dutch ships that passed [the strait] thisyear went to Capulco; they were those which the pirate took fromOlanda. Seven of them were large ships, and four small; three of themwere captured in Pirú. They reached Terrenate with all of them, andwith eight hundred men aboard. Accordingly I believe that they willcome here in a few months; and as this state and its conservationdepends on maritime forces (as does that of all the islands of theworld); and as the building of three ships of the size of thesetwo (which, as it could not be avoided, are going to Nueva España)resulted, I hope from the willingness with which the fathers of theSociety offer to make two ships for me in the province of Leyte(where they have their missions), and the Franciscans another inthose of Camarines, that they will be provided for me. The conditionof the royal treasury and your Majesty's heavy expenses on the pointof Cavite require that very urgently. 

Having found the magazines so empty of everything needed (whichsupplies, it seems, have been stolen from them), I was accordinglyforced to send a ship to Japon with products that are esteemed there, in order to exchange them for things needed here. [_In the margin_:"Seen. "]

Affairs in that kingdom are so bloody because of the matter ofreligion, that it is a lamentable thing. Ships are sent with greatdanger because of the close scrutiny that the Japanese make, in theirfear lest religious are conveyed in them. The embassy returned, afterso heavy expenses, without those barbarians having been willing toreceive it. It sailed very late, since it gave the Dutch opportunity tobelieve, and to give that emperor to understand, that your Majesty'svassals were entering under pretense of religion to despoil them oftheir kingdoms. 

Sargento-mayor Don Fernando de Silba, who returned with thereënforcements that he took to Macan, put in at the kingdom ofSian with one of your Majesty's ships, some artillery, and seventySpaniards. As I have been informed, endeavor was made to carry matterswith so high a hand that the natives, aided by Japanese, decapitatedhim and most of his men; while about thirty of them are in prison, and most of the property of your Lordship from this place, quite alarge amount, is in the power of that king. I shall endeavor with allmy power to collect them peaceably; for the enemy, since they are onthe lookout for us, give no opportunity to punish the deed. 

We have heard that Nun Albaros Botello has had good results in twobattles in East India with the Dutch, over Ormus; and that he expectedthe recovery of those forts. However, I doubt it, because of the scantobedience of the Portuguese to the officers who commanded them in war, [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The province of Cagayan has continued in revolt. I shall immediatelyprovide a remedy, and hope to obtain one, by ordering those troopsfor its conquest not to leave it, as they have done hitherto, butto fortify and maintain themselves; for by their leaving the nativestheir fields and palm plantations, two consecutive years are necessaryto reduce them. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The bishop of that province, Don Juan de Rrenteria, to whom yourMajesty committed the general inspection of this royal Audiencia, diedNovember 4 of last year. If your Majesty should decide to send anotherperson for this place rather than for another place, it is necessary, as also that he be one who has experience, and is disinterested andconscientious. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The forts of Terrenate are garrisoned with soldiers and necessarysupplies, although all, as I have heard, are quite discontented withtheir governor, Pedro de Heredia, because of his trade and intercoursewith the enemy, of which they accuse him, and his usurpation of theduties from the export of cloves and other things. I shall investigatethe truth and advise your Majesty of the result, and in the meantimeI shall correct the matter. The enemy have dismantled the fortsof Calomatas and Motil, and are, as I believe, somewhat weakenedin those districts. I shall send the usual expedition early, withwhat is asked from me from there; and shall endeavor to secure veryfriendly intercourse with the king of Macassar, who proves himselfever a most zealous servitor of your Majesty, which is of importancefor Maluco affairs. [_In the margin_: "File. "]

The Ternatans beg urgently for this king whom we are keeping here inprison, and offer to make treaties of peace--although it would meanno more than to divide them between father and son, and to join thepowerful Chile, for all are hostile. It would surely be advisable, for if what they offer were not obtained, the king is nothing morethan an old and worn-out Moro, who remains here to no purpose, consuming your Majesty's revenues. [_In the margin_: "See whetherprovision has been made in this matter. Discuss it in a letter toDon Juan Niño de Tabora. "]

Your Majesty orders me to advise you of the mines of the Ygolotes, [15]and the success of the nutmeg of La Laguna. The latter is considered aswild nutmeg, and now as of no importance. I shall endeavor to ascertainwhether it may be cultivated, and shall attempt to do so. More thanfifty thousand pesos were spent in the mines, but nothing was foundat last. A quantity of rocks were sent to Nueba España, in orderto be assayed there, as we had no one here who understood it; and, the soldiers having been withdrawn, that exploration was abandoned, as a matter that did not have the desired result. 

[_In the margin_: "Seen; have Don Juan Niño de Tabora inform me moreminutely of this. "]

I found this city without regidors, because the Audiencia had removedthose who held that office. By virtue of a decree of your Majesty, the observance of which was demanded by the fiscal, those offices wereoffered at auction; but only two of them were sold. The purchasers werepersons whose standing did your Majesty but know, you would surelynot consider yourself served that [these offices should be sold] forso small a price as is two thousand pesos for each--and one thousandpesos of that sum was paid in due-bills. They should be discontinued, to be conceded to the persons of highest standing in this community, who because of their good character will attend more carefully toyour Majesty's service, and the conservation and increase of thecommunity, than do those who buy them; for the latter generally try toget from the community the sum that the offices cost them. However, I am ordering the proclamations to be continued; and if there are nopersons to buy the offices, after the time-limit has expired I shallappoint the most suitable persons to them, with the guarantee that, if your Majesty shall not consider this satisfactory, they shall payto the treasury the maximum price for which any of the offices shallhave been sold. " [16] [_In the margin_: "Gather what has been decreedand bring it here for all the councilors. Bring the general decreewhich was despatched ordering those offices to be sold. Inform thegovernor and Audiencia that there must be no innovation. "]

Some years [_illegible words in MS. _] in the additional two per centduty that your Majesty ordered to be paid on the goods sent to NuebaEspaña from here, attentive to the petition that they presented. Iassure your Majesty that the trade has so greatly decreased, andthe succors that the inhabitants here furnish to the royal treasuryare so great, that even if the continual personal service with whichthey generally serve your Majesty did not deserve such a favor, thisadditional duty should be remitted; for I consider it impossiblethat at the price goods are bought here they can pay the duty. Willyour Majesty decide what is most advisable, and order what is yourpleasure. [_In the margin_: "Let those [papers] necessary be brought. "]

Your Majesty has no need so pressing in any part of the world as thatyour governors should have authority to remove or promote religiousmissionaries to the natives from the districts where they are, becauseof their lawless and loose mode of life. That has come to such a passthat they have lost respect, by their deeds, for the alcaldes-mayor, and the said religious do not pay any attention to their jurisdictionor to the royal patronage. The Augustinians, who are more exorbitantthan others, are very owners of the wills of the Indians, and giveout that the quiet or disobedience of the latter hinges on them. Forwhen the alcalde-mayor of Balayan tried to restrain the excessesthat he saw, they entered his house armed, and bound and flogged him;that was during the government of the Audiencia. But lately anotheralcalde-mayor, in Bulacan, having arrested two Indians, seamen ona ship of your Majesty's fleet, so that they might serve at theirposts, the religious at that place took them out of prison. Even moreoppressive acts occur daily, which need a severe remedy. I petitionyour Majesty to have sent to me the decree which was sent to NuebaEspaña this past year, with more definite restrictions, so that theymay not have any ground for opposing it, and so that their generals, especially he of St. Augustine, may order them to restrain themselves, and so that his Holiness may do the same, the briefs or patents beingpassed by the Council and everything being sent to me. So great hasteis necessary in order not to fall out with them. [_In the margin_:"Send that decree, and write to the governor and archbishop to summonthe provincial of the Augustinians and tell him how advisable it isto punish that religious, and those who act so; and have them advisedthat no mission shall under any consideration be granted to religiousagainst whom such accusations are made. Have them advise us of whatis done. " "This decree was carried out. "]

I am quartering the infantry, and am surprised that it has not beendone in so many years. It is not causing any expense to the royaltreasury. For, besides that it is impossible that the soldiers bewell disciplined in any other way--three-fourths living, as they do, outside the city--I trust that by this means a much smaller numberwill die, and that many offenses against God will be avoided. 

Although your Majesty has often been petitioned from this country toaid these islands with a fleet, my experience in sailing to Indiaby way of the cape of Buena Esperança, and outside the island ofSan Lorenço, causes me to desist from that request, as I consider itimpossible. But considering that the forces here are for naught elsethan defensive war, and how important it would be to dislodge theenemy from the Malucas Islands, it seems to me an easier and moreadvisable method for your Majesty to send the soldiers and sailorswho could be a reënforcement, at the account of Philipinas, in themerchant vessels of the trading-fleets [from España], so that in duetime they might be taken from San Juan de Ulua, together with the menraised in Nueva España, to the port of Acapulco. For if sufficientmoney be sent from Nueba España, better ships can be built no-wherethan here; and thereby could be attained what I doubt greatly couldbe secured in any other way. 

Don Bernardino del Castillo, castellan of this fort of Santiago, hasdied. I have appointed in his place, and I trust that your Majestywill confirm it, or appoint him to that post, Governor Lucas deVergara Gavira, who has been governor of the forces of Terrenate, and who served your Majesty with approval in Flandes and in theseregions for many years. 

The island of Ermossa lies between Great China and the provinceof Ylocos, which is situated in these islands. There is so shorta distance from one part to the other that one can cross over inone night. Although my predecessor, Don Alonso Fajardo, was advisedthat the Dutch were thinking of fortifying themselves there, and howimportant it was to these islands to gain the position, he did not doso, perhaps because the enemy were more powerful. Now the latter have afort with four ramparts (two of stone), which will soon be completed, for the Chinese subjects of that kingdom are helping them. The islandhas no port for large ships; but the Dutch, together with Japanese, did considerable damage with small craft--so much, in fact, thatthe past year they captured a vessel with thirty thousand pesos. Iftime and opportunity permit, I shall endeavor to gain a foothold inanother port, in order to drive out the Dutch in the future from whatthey have there now. If your Majesty would establish a factory there, it would result in the complete restoration of this country to itsold-time luster, and with greater prosperity. 

The treasury accountants of the City of Mexico have this year exceededtheir authority, contrary to the provisions of section 24 of the lastordinances which your Majesty gave to the said treasury accountants, and ordered them to observe, in the year 609. For the ordinances ofthis royal Audiencia made in the year 1596 are in force--sections67 and 69 of which treat of the manner in which the accounts of theroyal officials are to be audited; and section 29, of the powersgiven to them for the exercise of their offices--and section 22 ofthose given to the said accountants in the year of the foundationof that tribunal, which was the year 1609; and the said section 24, lastly, rules that after auditing the accounts in this Audiencia, theyshall be sent to Mexico, so that, having been examined, the officialsthere may inform your Majesty of their opinion. Not heeding that, they have, by extending their jurisdiction, rendered decisions againstthe royal officials of this treasury in the review of their accounts, and have added things to these, which [these royal officials], as theydo not bear them in mind, judge to be unnecessary. It can easily beunderstood that since your Majesty, by the said section 24, orderedthese accounts to be audited here by the president, two auditors, andthe fiscal, because of the long distance to Mexico, they are not againto be judged by an inferior tribunal; since these ministers are not tobe accused twice for one cause, nor even are additions to be lodgedagainst them, as those in Mexico do. Will your Majesty order them torefrain from sending such despatches through their tribunals, withouthaving your Majesty's new commission for it, thus annulling the saidordinances and sections. I assure your Majesty of what I can testify, that the royal officials in few regions serve with greater fidelityand trust than those here, with continual aid in the documents andother things in their charge. [_In the margin_: "Have what the royalofficials write about this matter brought. " "This section was copied. "]

Your Majesty orders me to give you information as to how GeneralRodrigo de Guillestegui, who is commander of the vessels that sailto Nueva España this year, may be granted reward. According to hisgood service here and his great capability, the future succession[to the command] of this fort, or that to the post of master-of-camp, will be very well entrusted to him. 

I knew the master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, in Flandes, all thetime while he was in those states. He served there for seven years ina most satisfactory manner, when he came to these islands with pay ofeighty escudos. With that pay, he served in the government of Terrenateuntil your Majesty appointed a person to that office. He is poor andout of employment. I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to show himhonor and to reward him, since his rank and services deserve it. 

Your Majesty also has here one Captain Don Antonio de Vera, captain inthis camp, who has served for many years, of which I can testify asan eyewitness from the States of Flandes. He desires your Majesty toreward him with a habit; and beyond doubt that will be well bestowed, and a great encouragement to those who are serving here. 

I found Admiral Don Cristoval de Lugo i Montalbo here, a man of verywell-known character, and who has rendered excellent service in Milan, and in the wars of Saboya and Piamonte [_i. E. _, Savoy and Piedmont]. Ihave busied him in the post of chief commandant of Pintados, and asmy lieutenant in military matters of that province. He deserves honorand reward from your Majesty. 

Your Majesty conceded for another lifetime to my wife, Doña Maria deSsalaçar (whose parents and grandparents served your Majesty well inthese regions), the encomiendas that her mother possessed. Inasmuch asI am so liable to die at any occasion in your Majesty's service thatmay arise, which desired end I shall endeavor to attain; and sinceshe cannot remain decently as a widow in this country: I petitionyour Majesty, in consideration of all my services and those of herfather and grandfather, to reward her, and to concede to her, forthe time while she holds it, absence from the said encomiendas, thatshe may enjoy them wherever she pleases to dwell. For that will notresult in any harm to a third party, nor can the personal presenceof a woman be of any service to your Majesty. This reward can notserve as a precedent, while there are many other precedents in otherparts of the Indias to private persons (and they not of my position)[that render it possible]. 

The almiranta arrived July 29, and its being able to get here seemsmiraculous, as this is the season when there are no vendavals. I amgiving employment to all the paid substitutes possible, in order tostop to some extent the so great waste of the royal treasury, whichsuch men use up without any profit. 

I found the deanship of this holy church vacant because of the deathof Don Francisco Gomez de Arrellano. On the twenty-eighth of thepast month the archdeanship fell vacant because of the death ofSsantiago de Castro. I have made presentations in the followingdignities in your Majesty's name, for your royal patronage, _adinterim_, and I trust that your Majesty will confirm them: dean, precentor, schoolmaster, archdean, one canon for the precentorship, one cura for the schoolmaster, canon, one racionero, in the rationof Lorenzo Rramirez--all persons of proved virtue and deserving ofthese rewards. May God preserve your Majesty. Manila, August 4, 1625. 

_Fernando de Silva_

DOCUMENTS OF 1626

 Letter from the archbishop to Felipe IV. Miguel Garcia Serrano; July 25. Letter to Felipe IV. Fernando de Silva; July 30. Letter from the sisters of St. Clare to Felipe IV. Jeronima de la Asunsion, and others; July 31. Petition for aid to the seminary of San Juan Letran. Juan Geronimo de Guerrero; August 1. Royal decrees. Felipe IV; June-October. Military affairs of the islands. [Unsigned]; 1626. 

_Sources_: Most of these documents are obtained from MSS. In theArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The last two of the "Royal decrees"are from MSS. In the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; and thesixth document is from a rare pamphlet in the British Museum, London. 

_Translations_: These are all made by James A. Robertson, except thesecond, by Robert W. Haight. 

LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP SERRANO TO FELIPE IV

Sire:

In the ships that came from Nueva España to these islands this lastmonth of June, I received a decree of your Majesty dated Madrid, December six of the former year six hundred and twenty-four, witha copy of the one that your Majesty wrote to the governor of theseislands, in respect to the gold mines of the Ygolotes. I shall discussit with the said governor, as your Majesty orders, as soon as thisdespatch shall be made, which will be at the end of this month. Ishall exert all the effort possible, so far as I am concerned, sothat your Majesty may be well served in everything. I believe thatGovernor Don Juan Niño de Tavora will not be lacking in the same, for he shows very earnest desires to employ himself in your Majesty'sservice. [_In the margin_: "That it is well. "]

I received two other decrees, of the fourteenth and thirtieth ofAugust, of the same year, in which your Majesty is pleased to lay downthe form that must be observed in the visitation of the missionaryreligious; and ordering that the latter may not make arrests or employstocks or prisons, or fiscals or constables who make arrests, besidesthose whom the archbishop or bishop shall assign, or who shall havethe latter's authority to do so in cases permitted by law--all of whichwill be observed and obeyed as your Majesty orders, [_In the margin_:"Seen. "]

In another decree, of June twenty of the past year twenty-five, your Majesty also orders me to inform you, with the distinctness andclearness necessary for the better understanding of what you desire, of the annual incomes and values of the benefices and revenues of thisarchbishopric of Manila, and what sum pertains to the dignidades, canonries, and prebends, both of this church and of the others ofmy diocese. [Your Majesty also asks for] the number in each church;how many beneficed curacies there are in each district, and theirincome; the number of missions, their value, and whether they are incharge of seculars or religious of the orders. I gave your Majestya long account of that in a letter that I wrote the former year ofsix hundred and twenty-one on the twenty-fifth of July, to which Ihave had answer from that royal Council that it was received in thefollowing year of six hundred and twenty-two. I only neglected to placein that letter the incomes of the archbishopric and the prebends ofthis church--taking that for granted, as a matter very well known, since your Majesty sustains both the archbishop and the dignidades, canonries, and prebends from your royal treasury, because there isno other source, and the tithes are not sufficient. The latter areplaced in the said treasury, and are collected at the account ofyour Majesty. They amount to a very small sum, since, from what Ihave experienced, only the stock farms of the larger cattle of theSpaniards pay tithes to your Majesty, and that has not, as yet, been practiced with the Indians. Consequently your Majesty paysthe archbishop a salary of three thousand ducados of eleven realseach; the dean, six hundred pesos of eight-real pieces; the fourdignities of archdean, precentor, schoolmaster, and treasurer, fivehundred pesos; four canons, four hundred pesos; two racions, threehundred pesos; two media-racions, each two hundred pesos--all paid inthirds. Consequently both the archbishop and his prebendaries sufferabundant misery; and, because of that, your Majesty is petitioned tofavor us by increasing these salaries, since they hardly suffice to paytheir house-rent, and support them very moderately. [_In the margin_:"Set down everything in the books that have been ordered to be made. "]

This cathedral church has no other revenue than the alms receivedfrom burials; and if it were not for the four hundred pesos that yourMajesty has granted it for a limited time, it would have nothing forthe wine, wax, and flour for divine worship. With this and with someallotment of cargo (although little) that the city generally gives it, the band of musicians, who come to serve on their feast days in thesame church, is maintained. 

What seculars administer in this archbishopric is divided into ninebenefices, besides the three curacies of Spaniards in Manila, Santiago(which is in Manila's suburbs), and the port of Cavite. Twenty thousandsouls are ministered to in the said benefices. [_In the margin_:"_Idem_. "] [17]

The Order of St. Augustine has thirty-two convents, in all of whichare fifty-six priests, who have in charge ninety thousand souls. 

The Order of St. Francis has thirty-eight convents, with guardianiasand presidencies, in which are forty-seven priests. In all of themforty-eight thousand four hundred souls are ministered to. 

The Order of St. Dominic has three convents in this archbishopric. Itministers to three thousand souls, and has five religious. 

The Society of Jesus has eight priests in three residences, andministers to ten thousand six hundred souls. 

The discalced Augustinians have three convents in which are sixpriests. They minister to eight thousand souls. 

Consequently, the souls of the natives alone who are ministered toin the district of this archbishopric of Manila amount to two hundredand one thousand, six hundred souls. 

The bishopric of Nueva Segovia has four secular benefices, two ofthem for Spaniards, one in the said city of Nueva Segovia, and theother in Villa Fernandina. The other two benefices are for Indians. 

The Order of St. Augustine has fifteen convents in this bishopric, and they minister to fifty-eight thousand souls there. 

The Order of St. Dominic has twenty-five convents in the saidbishopric, in the province of Cagayan and that of Pangasinan. Theyminister to seventy thousand souls in these. 

Consequently the number of souls of the natives ministered to inthe said bishopric of Nueva Segovia is one hundred and twenty-eightthousand. 

There are six secular benefices in the bishopric of Camarines, whoseseat is in the city of Caceres. They minister to ten thousand sixhundred souls. 

The Order of St. Francis has twenty-four convents, with guardianiasand presidencies, in this bishopric, and minister to forty-fivethousand souls. 

All the souls ministered to in the said bishopric of Camarines amountto fifty-six thousand eight hundred. 

These two churches of Caceres and Nueva Segovia (and the bishopof Zibu gives account of the church there to your Majesty) have noprebendaries; and there is no one besides the cura, who serves thesaid church and ministers to the few Spaniards there. 

Each of the secular beneficiaries in these islands has an annualstipend of one hundred and ninety pesos, which are paid fromyour Majesty's royal treasury to those who minister to your royaltributarios. The same sum is paid to the religious, except that theninety pesos are given in rice. To both classes is given one arrobaof Castilian wine, and flour for the mass. The other encomenderosgive the same to the ministers of their encomiendas. 

Now then I have satisfied what your Majesty orders me by the aforesaidroyal decree, as clearly as possible. If I have not named the villagesand chief places of the benefices, the reason is that I believe myselfexcused from that labor. 

The government of Don Fernando de Silva, knight of the habitof Sanctiago, during this interim in these islands has been verysuccessful; and he has proceeded as prudently as if he had exercisedthe government for many years. He has secured peace both with theroyal Audiencia and with all the other corporations. 

He has occupied a port of the island of Hermosa--the best or only goodone--which was so recommended and ordered to be occupied by his MajestyPhillippo Second, your Majesty's grandfather, in the instructionsordered given to Governor Don Francisco Tello; of its importance, timewill tell. It has seemed a desirable thing, at least in the present, so that the Dutch shall not have the opportunity that they desirefor taking the silk from China and transporting it to Europa and toJapon. That brought them very great wealth; for, selling it for thebars of silver with which the latter kingdom abounds, the Dutch hadmoney enough to continue the trade with China. They shortened thevoyage every year to that country. Don Fernando de Silva also built agalleon that is now in the port of Cavite. He built some small roomsor quarters of stone for the soldiers in the Plaza de Armas, whereinthree hundred men may be lodged, without the expenditure of a singlepeso from your Majesty's royal treasury. He is a calm and prudent man, one of good example, fearful of God, and zealous for your Majesty'sservice and the increase of your royal treasury. He has abilitiesfor governing, and if your Majesty occupies him in other governments, you will be as well served as you have been during the time while hehas had this charge. [_In the margin_: "That we are advised of whathe says. "]

Governor Don Juan Niño de Tavora, who just arrived in these ships thatcame from Nueva España with reënforcements, shows excellent valor andzeal for the service of your Majesty; and if God grants him life toexecute the good purposes that he evidently possesses, I doubt notthat these islands will not only lift their head, but that they willreturn to their former grandeur. He has entered on his government witha secure foothold, since he finds them free from the Dutch enemy--whohave allowed us to breathe this year, and have given opportunity formore ships to come from China than for several years past. The same hasbeen true of the ships from Goa, India, and Macan. All of them haveentered the port of Cavite; so that already this community appearsanother and a very different one from what it was before. I trust, with the help of His Divine Majesty, that the governor will aid it, for the proofs that he has hitherto given are those of an excellentgovernor and Christian, and one fearful of his conscience. 

Although we have had no Dutch enemies this past year, powerfulenemies of the inhabitants about these islands have not been wantingto disturb the natives and those whom they capture suddenly in thevillages of the coast. It is a thing that I have experienced myself, suffering so great anguish that I thought I should lose my life in it;for I found myself surrounded by thirty-four caracoas and galeotas ofMahometan enemies--Borneans, Joloans, Camucones, and Mindanaos--aboutone hundred leguas from this city of Manila, while going to visit mydistrict at a village called Cabotagan. They assaulted me at five inthe morning, while I and all my retinue were asleep. We awoke at theclamors, and had no other resolution or opportunity to take than toflee to the mountain; for we were abed, as I have stated. I securedmy habit and girdle, which was a not slight act of mercy from theLord, because of what I afterward suffered in the mountain, until thenecessary clothing and food were brought to me and my followers fromManila. Although Governor Fernando de Silva exerted himself by sendingmen and several vessels in different directions after the enemy, hedid not have the good luck to fall in with them. The new governor, Don Juan Niño de Tavora, tells me that he will make every effort tochastise those barbarians and assure the coasts. I trust thoroughlythat he will succeed in his holy purpose, because he has so wellunderstood that it is greatly to the service of our Lord and of yourMajesty. [_In the margin_: "Thank him for his care in visiting hisbishopric, and say that we are assured of his zeal, and trust thatthe same will be exercised in the future--in consideration of which, account will be taken of his person as opportunity offers, so thathe may be promoted. Have a letter sent to Don Juan Niño, telling himwhat the archbishop writes of him; thank him, and let him advise usof what has been done. "]

Doctor Don Alvaro de Mesa y Lugo, auditor of this royal Audiencia, is one of the persons who most evidently excel in your Majesty'sroyal service, and who most firmly defend everything touching it, in both matters of justice and of revenue. He has ever been so keena defender of your Majesty's interests that he has suffered for thatmany and very great annoyances and troubles. Thus has he shown by hisactions that he has a very upright conscience. From this it resultsthat he suffers great necessity, because he has not allowed or openedthe door even to the gratuities that seem lawful to others not sowell regulated in conscience. In short, his actions are such that Iam obliged to continue in this letter, as in others, to inform yourMajesty of his good and praiseworthy qualities. Will your Majesty, uponknowing them, be pleased to promote him and advance him to other postsof greater importance. I find him sufficiently capable and deservingof much better posts; for, wherever it please your Majesty to rewardhim, your Majesty will be well served, and he will be free from thesickness and the lack of health with which he lives in this country, to employ himself much better in your Majesty's service. [_In themargin_: "At hand. "]

I was expecting the bishop of Nueva Caçeres this year, according toletters sent me last year. Not only has he not come, but also noteven have I had any letter from him. Consequently I am appointing agovernor of that bishopric for the good and necessary expedition ofthe ecclesiastical causes, which are falling behind for lack of thejudge of appeals. Although those appeals could go to the tribunal ofthe bishopric of Zibu, it is necessary to conclude definitively thatthere be a third tribunal, according to the brief obtained by yourMajesty regarding appeals. Consequently, it is necessary to providenow and henceforth for the government of the bishopric of NuevaSegovia, until the arrival of the rightfully-appointed bishop whomyour Majesty may be pleased to send to that church. [_In the margin_:"That it is well, and that the necessary provision has been made inthis, and the viceroy directed to make him embark. "]

Because we have settled in the island of Hermosa, our obligations tosend ministers to those heathen nations who inhabit it, and are withoutthe light of the holy gospel, are increased. The conquest or settlementhas been effected by the energy of Fray Bartolome Martinez of theOrder of St. Dominic, the present provincial of this province. Tohim is due the excellent success that it has hitherto had; for hehimself, with other three or four associates, and no other order, went to explore it. They remained there and sent one religious hereto Manila to report what had been done, and to get an order from thegovernor for what was to be done in the future. The island is denselypopulated, as they will relate to your Majesty. It will be a pity forthose peoples to remain in the obscurity of their blindness, withoutthe light of our holy Catholic faith, for lack of ministers. Since thefathers of St Dominic have taken that conquest in charge, it will bevery advisable for the present to settle it with religious of thatorder, if your Majesty be pleased to have a goodly consignment ofreligious sent to them; for, although eighteen or twenty of them camein these ships, the need of this province was so great, because ofthe many who have died, that scarcely are there sufficient for theirministries, even if they did not have the island of Hermosa, as Ihave said. [_In the margin_: "They have been given to them already. "]

Governor Don Juan Niño will report on the other matters touching thiscommunity. Consequently I shall not relate them in this letter to yourMajesty, whose very Catholic person may our Lord preserve, with theincrease of great kingdoms, as is necessary to Christendom. Manila, July 25, 1626. 

_Fray Miguel_, archbishop of Manila. 

[_Endorsed:_ "Manila. To his Majesty; 1626. The archbishop of Manila, [_MS. Holed_] of July. Seen and decreed within, July 30, 627. "]

LETTER FROM FERNANDO DE SILVA TO FELIPE IV

Sire:

Last year I advised your Majesty of the state in which I found theseislands; and now I could tell you that they have not been in bettercondition for thirty years past. I kiss your Majesty's hand for thegreat favor which you do me in sending as my successor Don Juan Niñode Tabora, a person who, I am confident, will carry out whatever isordered there for the service of your Majesty; for my part I shallaid him as much as I can, without heeding trifles. 

As the despatch of last year was made early, the ships arrived atNueva España in less than six months, and returned to this city on thetwenty-eighth of June, the day on which the governor took possessionof these offices. 

The commander of the Terrenate relief expedition arrived, and welearn from those forts that all the aid reached them, as it was sentearly--which could not have been accomplished if it had been eightdays later. They are in peace and well provisioned, since the peopleof Terrenate and Tidore are friendly. They likewise inform us thatthe fort of Calomata, which the enemy dismantled, which is half alegua from Malayo, has been fortified, because it was understoodthat the Dutch were about to come back again; and that the nativeskilled two hundred men of the enemy, who had arrived to punish themwith fifteen ships, which seem few for those seas. 

This year there has been peace everywhere in this commonwealth, andI have maintained it with the Audiencia--being patient with them whennecessary, and at times administering rebuke, whereby your Majesty'sservice was furthered. Commodities nave been cheap, and all necessarysupplies have been procured without our having felt the much-fearedfailure of iron, bronze, and tin from Japon. Through my diligence, there is abundance in the warehouses, with which we could constructand cast [cannon for] fifty moulds which I have had made for morethan four months, whereby the islands are fully supplied with thenecessary artillery. 

Of the ships which I informed you were being built, one is in Cavite, and the other, it is supposed, can be completed by Christmas, eachof them of a thousand toneladas of the North Sea. Two galleys arelikewise being finished, which makes a sufficient fleet for anythingwhich may happen here. By the way, I inform your Majesty that findingno remedy for the thefts of rigging, on account of the many foreignships that arrive here, I have had a black thread put in the riggingbelonging to your Majesty, so that it can be recognized and this losswill be obviated. 

I found the natives of these islands exhausted by the harshrepartimiento which obtained of personal services, from which therich and powerful chiefs were exempted, and the wretched people soburdened that they had not enough with four pesos a year for eachIndian, and now they have it with four reals. 

The affairs of the province of Cagaian are in a better state, forwith the entry made by the two companies which I sent, more than athousand of the rebels were reduced, with a considerable quantityof silver recovered which they had taken from the churches; and, under a general pardon, more of them are continually becoming peaceful. 

For the punishment of the Camucones, a people who are accustomedto rob these coasts in vessels so light that they rely upon thesealone, I sent a captain who has had experience in their islands(which extend from Paragua to Borney), with fifty-five Spaniards andmore than six hundred Indians. They found none of the people, as theyhad all retired from that kingdom to the island of Mindanao and thecoast of Caraga. An entry was made, whereby more than five thousandtributarios were reduced to peace. Here in the neighborhood of Manila agreat many Negrillos from the mountains have been reduced and settled, who used to inflict great injury on the neighboring villages. 

Of the quarters which I informed you were being built for the infantry, three are finished, the best which I have seen, where about threehundred men can be lodged. I believe that the governor will continueso beneficial a work. I have brought all the troops inside the city, whereby it and its suburbs have been in peace, without a wounded manhaving been under care for eight months, where so many used to bekilled every month. 

The city had decided to build a stone bridge over the main river. Itis begun, and, if it is finished, it will much increase the value ofproperty, and be of the highest benefit to the community and to thepersons who hold property on the other bank. 

The ship which I despatched to Japon for military supplies arrivedat Nanguaciqui, where they took precautionary measures until theemperor was informed. This resulted in their being notified a fewdays later that they must return without trading at all, and makeit known that no vessel should go from these islands under pain ofdeath, on account of the religious which they conveyed from here;accordingly, it is impossible to enter that country alive. The shipreturned, and this year goes as the admiral's ship to Nueva España, of which the new governor will inform you. 

In the provincial chapter of the Augustinians held on the first ofMay I was present, at their instance; for they were divided intotwo parties by their usual passion. They were presided over by themost serious friar of their order, but the bold acts of the youthfulfriars at every juncture violated the rules of obedience, which theycertainly are subverting. I proceeded with the utmost moderation, sometimes denying the aid which was asked from me, and restrainingthem by threats that I would appoint secular ecclesiastics to themissions. They were finally quieted by this, for otherwise the provincewould have been divided, as they threatened. Not a little blame isdue to the fiscal, who attempted by means of his negotiations to makehimself master even of these elections. 

I have received advices from Macan by six galleotas, which have arrivedwith goods; they are demanding that a check be given to the progressthat the enemy are making in their fort on the island of Hermosa. [18]They say that it is finished, and made of stone, sand-banks, and brick, having six bastions and at the edge of the water a platform with sixcannon. The bay is eight leguas around, and an anchoring-place is onthe north side. The fresh water is below a redoubt two leguas fromthe fort. The bar is thirteen feet under water with reefs, so thelarge ships remain outside. There is much to be gained in all kinds oftrade with the natives, in purchases of deer-hides and merchandise forJapon. This port is in twenty-two degrees. Their object in fortifyingit now was that this place commanded the passage of the ships fromChincheo to this city. They have accomplished their end through thepresents which they have given to the mandarins, and the threats torob them, as hitherto--namely, to secure the silks and carry them toJapon and Holland, as they are now doing, and take them away from thiscountry, in this way ruining it, for there is nothing of importanceexcept this commerce. This loss is clearly shown, for in fifty shipswhich have arrived at these islands, there were not forty picos ofsilk brought, while the enemy had nine hundred, excluding the wovengoods; and, if it were not for what has come from Macan, the ships[for Nueva España] would have nothing to carry. 

This trade of the Portuguese is most injurious, not only on accountof their unfriendly attitude, but because they have raised the pricesof goods, securing the profit thereon, and draining the wealth ofthe citizens here. Considering this, then, and what your Majesty hasordered regarding the pacification of the Hermosa Islands (which mypredecessor so desired), after I had used all possible diligence, as in a matter of so great importance, and found that the securityand rehabilitation of these islands depended upon having a portto windward from that of the enemy--as this city besought me to do, since that was its only refuge--I made ready in all secrecy, and at solittle expense that, although I found the treasury embarrassed with adebt of three thousand pesos, it remained with less than twenty-fivethousand of debt, which was borrowed from citizens. I despatchedfrom here Sargento-mayor Antonio Carreño de Valdes, with all thenecessary supplies and two galleys. He is a person remarkably fitfor this purpose, and an excellent servant of your Majesty. He leftCagaian on the fifth of May and arrived on the eleventh at the placewhere his instructions directed, which is at the head of the island, at twenty-five degrees north. He explored the bottom and anchoredwith all his fleet in the best port imaginable, a remarkable favorfrom heaven, if those of Japon are closed to him [_MS. Holed_]. It isdistant from the mainland of China eighteen leguas, and has a depthat the entrance of eighteen brazas, and a capacity of five hundredships. The site if the fortification is naturally very strong, all ofwhich appears by his plan which accompanies this. He found a villageof fifteen hundred houses built of fragrant woods, with a people like[_MS. Defective_] somewhat lighter in color and differing in language[19] [_MS. Holed_] thanks be to God. The fortification was underway and in the despatch[-boat] which he sent me with the informationthere were a hundred and twenty picos of iron pikes and two hundredand thirteen arrobas of sulphur, which is brought from Castillafor the powder. They have supplies for a year; and the enterprise isalready proving advantageous. It is most expedient that this should befurthered, on account of the great advantages which will result fromthis post being in the vicinity of China; in that locality there areexcellent water, Castilian fruits, and partridges, although these havenot red beaks. Since some evil-intentioned person has tried to makethe governor think, as he is new in the knowledge of this country, that this will commence a new war, I shall tell him what I think, leaving to time the results. Let it not appear that I am praising myown cares, because I seek no other reward for my services except thatof rendering them to so great a king. 

In the first place, the trade of the enemy is established and thatfrom this country has stopped; but, as this is without the knowledgeof the king of China, he will, as soon as his attention is calledto it, take rigorous measures to prevent the Dutch trade. By themeasures which I have set on foot, this object could be securedby the galley, which could patrol the coast. For fifty years they[_i. E. _, the Chinese] have had proved the steadiness of our trade andthe abundance of our silver, and they have desired nothing furtherthan to see us with a post where they can seek us without danger, as they will do at present; for in so short a distance, and with sostrong currents [in the sea] the enemy cannot disturb our post--fromwhich will result the dismantling of his fort, for he will be outsidethe line of traffic and on the coast opposite. On the other hand theJapanese, who cannot dispense with silks, must come for them to ourport, bringing us silver. We are the masters of all their traffic asfar as Sian, Cochinchina, and Camboja, as they have to pass throughthis strait; and accordingly our friendship will be valued, and adoor will be opened for the conversion [of the heathen], which isthe principal aim of your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Let this clauseand the one which follows it be read word for word. "]

Although there have been persons who thought an armed fleet necessaryto bring over the goods from the island to this city, this doubt isunfounded, because that route can be navigated during nine monthsin the year among the islands and currents, without any port on theeastern side. During the northern monsoons it is impossible for avessel to hold its own in that locality while they blow, for they arefollowing winds for us; it is therefore certain that the enemy willnot be able to trouble us. Even in case the fleet were necessary, itremains in port rotting, and the men are causing the same expense;and it would be better for it to go for goods that are sure andbought at very low prices, the duties and freight charges on whichwould equal the expense of going out to drive the enemy from thecoast after he has robbed it, without profit to your Majesty, or thecitizens here, or those in Nueva España. It is not a bad port whereships from Castilla may put in, being as safe as is that of SantisimaTrinidad. [20] The fleets which have gone out from here in my timehave not dared, for lack of such a port, to follow the enemy or toleave the coast, for they could not make it again if they enteredthe vendavals; this was one of the excuses for the last retreatwhich Don Geronimo de Silva made. In his lawsuit and that of thecommanders of the "San Yldefonso" and "San Rimundo, " the governorfound for an abandonment of proceedings, pronouncing sentence, Iassure your Majesty, without favor or prejudice. The master-of-campdied on the same day when my successor arrived here; and, a few daysbefore, Factor Diego de Castro Lison, a good servant I appointed inhis place in the interim Captain Christoval de Mercado--a personwho is so fit for the position that I sought him out; and who hasserved almost all the offices of justice which exist in the islands, whereby he has gained knowledge of the commodities that the provincescan furnish. He has left these with a good, clean reputation, andpersonally appears to be well qualified. I shall appreciate it ifyour Majesty will confirm this. I will say the same of the warder, Pedro Sotelo de Morales, appointed to Fort Santiago without salary, as your Majesty has commanded, in place of Lucas de Bergara, deceased. 

Considering the great importance of effective collection for theexchequer of your Majesty, and the auditing of the accounts thatare in arrears, I have accomplished as much as I could this year, and they have been audited from the year 18 to that of 23. 

For the unburdening of my conscience I will, now that my presidency isover, tell your Majesty incidentally what I think of the officers ofthis Audiencia, whose inspection is awaited; and if, as is desirable, your Majesty send it, that will tell you better. Don Alvaro de Lugoy Messa is an upright judge, and zealous in the service of yourMajesty. Geronimo de Legaspi does what his two sons wish, whom, onaccount of their reckless lives, the governors cannot employ, andthus are unable to satisfy their father, who is not contented exceptwith favors. Don Juan de Valderrama does as his wife says; and DonMatias Flores, although a young man, is less harmful; when he is so, it is owing to his passions or affections. He makes all the profithe can from the office, and on the whole is not acceptable to thecommunity, which is always disturbed by him. I consider his officeincompatible with that of protector; but, although your Majesty hadissued a decree directing that this should not be, they annulled it. Ido not wish to annoy your Majesty any further, for there are personswho will write this from a sense of duty; and I refer, for informationregarding my earnest desires for the service of your Majesty, to whatall classes of people will write. Since coming to serve you in theseislands I have undergone so many expenses that I am poor and in debt aspresident. I beg your Majesty to remember me by giving me the favor ofthe presidency of Panama, or the future succession to it [_MS. Holed_]realm or governorship of Guatemala, whichever may first be vacant; forI have not property enough remaining to go and claim it in your court. 

I likewise requested your Majesty last year not to allow my wife, sinceshe is such, and cannot remain here as a private citizen, to lose theencomiendas which she inherited from her father and grandfather, whoserved so long in these islands; and that you would command a decreeto be despatched so that she might enjoy them wherever you might choosethat she and her daughter should live, as the latter is the last heir;and this I beg, for the reasons which I have mentioned to your Majesty. 

At the proper time, I despatched to Sian a private ship, in orderto avoid the cost of carrying the troops, goods, and supplies whichremain there by the death of Don Fernando de Silva. [21] Everythingwent well. I also sent a father of the Society, a man of greatexperience, to get under way the collection from all that comesfrom Yndia and other parts. Don Juan Niño will inform your Majestyof it. May our Lord protect your royal person according to the needsof Christendom. Manila, July 30, 626. 

_Don Fernando de Silva_

[_On the back of this letter_: "The original descriptions of theisland Hermosa and the relation concerning all those localities, are in the possession of Señor Don Andres de Rozas. "]

LETTER FROM THE SISTERS OF ST. CLARE TO FELIPE IV

_Jesus, Mary_

May all empires and kingdoms be made subject to your royal Majesty. Wewere sent here by the great king, Don Felipe, our sovereign (mayhe rest in peace), by his royal decree and favor he ordering thegovernor and royal Audiencia to receive us under his royal protectionas nuns of the first rule of St. Clare, [22] so that the daughtersof the conquistadors who do not have the means for marriage may beaided; and [it was ordered] that, when the provincial of our ordershould be present they should make regulations according to ourrule and profession--his royal Majesty ordering the above with theearnestness that is made evident in his decree. We have found in thiskingdom so friendly a disposition and so great abundance of what isnecessary (with which we are supplied in the city), that althoughat present we number only thirty-three sisters, seventy could besupported on the alms that are bestowed upon us every week in smallcontributions--besides those given in quantity by private persons andbequeathed to us in wills; and those from women who are admitted tothe order, who have wealth for this purpose. 

Our rule declares that we may not solicit the property of those whoenter to become nuns, and we are not to be careful of aught elsethan their virtues; but that if any one of these wishes to givesome alms of her own freewill, we may receive it, as from any otherperson. Consequently, having observed faithfully this rule--I mean, in not desiring or striving for any more than the said benefit (andwe exercise great care in this)--our Lord moves hearts, so that onewoman alone has given us fourteen thousand pesos. With that thework on the convent is progressing. Other women who are about tomake profession say that they will give the same amount that theywould give their husbands if they married; and that, since God istheir spouse, they wish to give it to Him so that a convent capableof sustaining many nuns may be built, so that they may serve hisMajesty. Some have as their dowry only the spiritual wealth thatthe rule requires. Consequently, there are liable to be many orphangirls who serve God, daughters and granddaughters of conquistadors, who are calling aloud, and they refuse to allow them to enter. It isa pity to see so pious desires disappointed. I petition your Majestyto send me a royal decree that no limit shall be set to the number ofnuns that the convent may contain. The rule does not limit the number, nor does any other convent throughout all these kingdoms. The city isvery rich, and food so cheap that fourteen libras of beef cost onereal; another real buys eight libras of fish; six libras of sugar, one real; and fowls, salt pork, and all other things in the sameproportion; of salt alone, they have given us, on this last arrivalof the ships, three hundred and seventy baras [i. E. , bahars]; alsoa goodly supply of wine for the mass; and linen, which is very cheap. 

Consequently we, these least important vassals of your Majesty, donot need human aid, but the divine. That aid we have entreated fromthe royal favor, so that no restriction be laid on the nuns that theconvent shall contain. It is a great pity to see how they hinder thesouls who serve God in so great perfection as those women who arehere, the natives of these kingdoms. I consider beyond any doubtthat they will be most devoted servants of God, who works marvelsin all those whom He shrives, and all set themselves to observe thewarnings of the gospel. An infinite number of little girls and olderorphans come weeping, with their widowed mothers, begging us for thelove of God to give them the habit. Since the king, our sovereign, sent them so great a spiritual and temporal consolation, and sincetheir parents gained it for them by conquering this country at thecost of their own lives, we all are so bounden. Beseeching our Lord toprosper your royal Majesty, spiritually and temporally, with infiniteincrease; and may He subject to the royal power of your royal Majestyall empires and kingdoms that He has created for the greater honor, glory, and increase of the faithful, and the exaltation of the holyCatholic faith. Manila, July 31. Given in this convent of La Concepcionof the discalced nuns of St. Clare, in the year 1626. 

The most humble vassals of your royal and sacred Majesty, _Jeronima de la Asunsion_, [23]

abbess, and her sisters, _Ana de Christo Bicaria__Leonor [de] San Francisco__Leonor de Sant Buena Bentura__Lüysa de Jesús__Magdalena de Christo__Juana de San Antonio__Maria de los Angeles__Maria Magdalena__Ana de Jesus__Ana de Christo Bicaria_

PETITION FOR AID TO THE SEMINARY OF SAN JUAN DE LETRAN

Sire:

Brother Juan Gerónimo Guerrero, [24] who has charge of the seminary ofSant Juan de Letran for orphan boys in the city of Manila, declaresthat in consideration of the general welfare of the said children, and their education and teaching, your Majesty was pleased to orderDon Fernando de Silva, governor of those islands, by your royal decreeof July 16, 623, to aid the said seminary with some taxes, so thatthe boys in it might be reared and supported. But, as no taxes werefound, the said royal decree has had no effect; and to this day notmore than the small sum of three hundred pesos has been assigned to theseminary--an amount so small that it does not suffice to provide shoesfor the boys who are now there. The number there is daily increasing, and the expenses incurred are very considerable and the alms butlittle. With what they have they cannot be supported. In order thatso pious a work may continue, and so that those orphan boys may besuitably assisted with the necessaries of life, and not be ruined:

He petitions your Majesty that, favoring by your sovereign mercy a workso greatly to the service of our Lord, you will be pleased to orderthat some encomienda of Indians, or a pension from those that shallbe allotted, may be set aside for the said seminary--or in any othermanner which your Majesty pleases, and for the period that your royalwill deems best. [I ask this] because from it will follow considerableprofit for your royal service; for the boys reared there incline tobecome soldiers, and up to the present time forty of them have gone outto serve your Majesty in that employ, while five have become friars, and twelve are studying. And, in order that they may learn the art ofnavigation, will your Majesty be pleased to command an examined pilotto come to the said seminary to teach it to them. Will your Majestyalso be pleased to order that, inasmuch as there are many childrenof Spaniards among the Indian women of these islands, conceived bythe latter, these children may be taken from them and brought to bereared in the said seminary, so that they may not become idolaterslike the Indian women, when they are grown. Our Lord will be servedby that, and will receive especial blessing and favor. 

[_Endorsed:_ "The seminary of Sant Juan de Letran for orphan boys inthe city of Manila. "]

[_Instructions:_ "Señor Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras: Let a decreebe issued for them that, in the same manner as the other three hundredpesos, I set aside for them, from the taxes that I shall possess there, the further sum of three hundred ducados. As for the other thingsthat he requests, refer them to the governor, so that he may takewhat measures are advisable in everything, in order that the serviceof God our Lord and of his Majesty may be attended to. November 18. "]

[_In the margin_: "In regard to what is asked in this section, hisMajesty issued a decree, that the governor of Philipinas shall assignthe said seminary three hundred ducados in taxes that do not belongto the treasury, as another three hundred pesos were assigned. Allthe other things requested are referred to the governor, so that hemay provide everything advisable, in order that they may attend tothe service of God and that of his Majesty. "]

Sire:

Since the beginning of the so firm foundation of this seminary ofSan Juan de Letran, I have made known to your Majesty by faithfulrelations the great fruit obtained for God our Lord and for the serviceof your Majesty, in protecting and sheltering in the seminary so manyorphan boys, the sons of old Spanish soldiers, who [without it] wouldevidently be ruined for lack of instruction and good morals. So goodresults have been achieved in this, as experience has shown by thosewho have left this seminary--forty for the service of your Majesty, toserve as soldiers, six others as religious, and six who serve in thiscathedral church as acolytes. There are now in the seminary more thanfifty boys. Your Majesty, having examined the despatches, was pleasedto send me a royal decree, ordering the governors of these islands toprotect and favor this seminary with incomes. In these islands revenuesare so few, that Governor Don Fernando de Silva assigned three hundredpesos in chattels--namely, certain small shops, which are suppressedtoday and opened to-morrow. In order that this enterprise may go onincreasing for the service of God and of your Majesty, will you orderthat an encomienda be given to us. With it and my feeble efforts wecould support ourselves, and so great a work as this is would not fail. 

I beseech your Majesty, for the love of God, that when my life is over, [the Confraternity of] La Misericordia may take charge of the seminary, with the brothers of the third order; and that a boy who has beenvery long in this college may remain to shelter them, so that thiswork, that is so acceptable to God our Lord, may continue to increaseand not to diminish. May God preserve your Majesty for many years, as Christendom desires and as is necessary. Manila, August first, one thousand six hundred and twenty-six. 

Your Majesty's humble vassal, _Brother Juan Geronimo Guerrero_

[_Instructions:_ "Let the governor be again charged to observe whathas been ordered him. May 11, 628. "]

ROYAL DECREES

_Ordering the correction of abuses by the Augustinians_

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tavora, member of my Council of War, my governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, andpresident of the royal Audiencia therein: In a letter written tome by Don Fernando de Silva, in whose charge that government was_ad interim_, dated August four of the past year one thousand sixhundred and twenty-five, he declares that there is not so great needanywhere else as in those islands for the governors to have authorityto remove or promote religious teachers because of their unbridledor steady lives; and that the religious have come to lose respect, bytheir deeds, for the alcaldes-mayor, and pay no attention to the royaljurisdiction and patronage--especially the Augustinians who are moreextravagant than the others. They are entirely masters of the willsof the Indians, and give out that in them consists the quietness ordisobedience of the Indians. Inasmuch as the alcalde-mayor of Bayabantried to moderate the excesses that were being committed, the religiousentered his house, attacked him, and beat him. Another alcalde-mayor, who resides in Bulacan, having arrested two Indian seamen of my royalfleet so that they should go to serve in their places, the religiousthere took them from him; and every day more dangerous incidents areoccurring, in which they need some intervention. It would therefore beadvisable to send them the decree that was issued in the former year ofsix hundred and twenty-four for Nueva España, ordering that the headsof the religious, especially he of St. Augustine, order the religiousto restrain themselves. Notwithstanding that the said decree has beensent already to those islands, and now goes in duplicate, I orderyou to summon the provincial of the Augustinians and tell him thatit is greatly advisable to punish that religious; and that he shallaccordingly do so. You are hereby advised that under no considerationshall a mission be granted to those religious who shall be guilty ofsuch offenses, and you shall advise me of what you shall do. Madrid, June nineteen, one thousand six hundred and twenty-six. 

_I The King_

Countersigned by Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras, and signed by themembers of the Council. 

[_Endorsed:_ "To the governor of Philipinas, ordering him to summon theprovincial of the Augustinians, and command him to punish a certainreligious, a missionary, for the excess of which he has been guilty;and that he see that those religious who should be guilty be notadmitted to a mission. "]

_Concerning the courts of the alcaldes-in-ordinary_

The King: To the president and auditors of my Audiencia of the city ofManila in the Filipinas Islands. Martin Castaño, procurator-general ofthe islands, has made me a report, stating that the auctions of whatis sold and leased from my royal estate, at which one auditor and thefiscal of that Audiencia are present, are held by the royal officialsin the cabildo houses of the said city, where the alcaldes-in-ordinaryhold their court to administer justice; and that, although the hallwhere the aforesaid officials hold the said auctions is distinct andseparate from that of the alcaldes, you have now lately ordered that, when the said auctions are to be held, if the said alcaldes should bepresent in the said hall, they suspend court, although it is necessaryfor them to conduct their hearings at the accustomed hours. He haspetitioned me that, since the court of the said alcaldes does notdisturb or hinder the auctions, but rather is the cause of morepeople resorting thither, I be pleased to order you not to make anyinnovation in the aforesaid practice. The matter having been examinedin my royal Council of the Indias, I have considered it expedient, and accordingly I order you, to allow the said alcaldes-in-ordinaryto call their courts in the said cabildo houses where they hold theircourt, at the usual hours, even though the said auctions happen tobe held even at the same time. Madrid, June 19, 1626. 

_I The King_By order of the king our sovereign:_Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras_

_Regarding the hospitals_

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tabora, knight of the habit of Calatrava, member of my Council of War, my governor and captain-general of thePhilipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia therein:In a letter written to me by that city on August 13, of the formeryear 1624, it mentions that in the hospitals there the sick enduregreat hardships, and that the hospitals are not administered withthe care that is advisable, which causes many to die (and thosechiefly soldiers); and that it would be very advisable for thebrothers of [St. ] John of God to take charge of their administrationand service. Having been examined by my Council of the Indias, I orderyou, as it is a pious matter and one suitable for your office, on yourpart to have all care so that the poor have the best accommodationpossible, and be aided, as I expect from you; for besides fulfillingyour obligations in this you will serve me. Madrid, October 16, 1626. 

_I The King_By order of the king our sovereign:_Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras_

MILITARY AFFAIRS OF THE ISLANDS

_Most authentic relation, in which is narrated the present conditionof the wars against the Dutch in the Filipinas and the kingdoms ofJapon; and the famous deeds of Don Fernando de Silva, sargento-mayor, together with the great victories of the Spaniards, who destroyedfour hundred Dutchmen. The year 1626_. 

I shall relate what things are new in these remote districts. I shallgive a brief narrative both of the island of Mindanao, whose conquestis being made at present, and of Don Fernando de Silva, captain andcommander of the soldiers, who went to China. The island of Mindanao isone of the largest that are seen in this archipelago. It has quantitiesof cinnamon, and is very rich, through the trade that they carry onwith all the nations and with these islands. Its natives are givenover to the vile worship of Mahoma to a degree not reached by the Moors[i. E. , those of Spain] themselves. That worship holds them so tightlyin its abominations that it rears them with extreme hatred towardChristians, both Spaniards and Indians. The disposition of the peopleis vile but bold, and they are given to insults and robbery. Theymake raids through the islands that are instructed by the Society ofJesus, plundering, robbing, and capturing many. But having recognizedthe valor of the Spaniards on various occasions when the latter havescattered and destroyed their fleets of small vessels, they recentlymade treaties of peace, and sent ambassadors to Manila to the governorwith captives and presents--requesting an alliance, and soldiers, in order that these make a settlement in their lands, and aid themagainst others who are their enemies, inhabitants of the same island, with whom they wage civil war. They were well received by the governor, and given a valiant captain with five hundred soldiers; and the fatherprovincial of the Society of Jesus gave two fathers from his residence, to instruct them. All assembled at the town of Arevalo, where the chiefcommandant of these provinces lives, one Juan Claudio de Verastigui, who was ordered to set out immediately for Mindanao with his fleet, whither he himself is going in person with his ships. The alcalde-mayorof this city [25] is going to aid with fifty other soldiers for thesaid purpose. A good result is hoped from it, and that either byfriendship of by force they will get a piece of artillery and someammunition from the Mindanaos that they took one year ago from thegovernor. The latter ordered Don Juan Claudio not to return without it. 

The occasion for that piece belonging to his Majesty remainingin Mindanao was that Cachil Coralat, the natural lord of Mindanao, seeing himself pressed by a tyrant in his kingdom, and seeing himselfconquered in a battle that they fought with him, hastened to this cityof Zebu to ask the Spaniards for help, sending one of his captains forit. The latter was well entertained, and the piece was given to himamong other presents, twelve Spaniards and some ammunition being alsofurnished with it. After the twelve Spaniards had been there for sometime, they were withdrawn, some say through fault of the Mindanaos, and others that of the Spaniards. Consequently, as they left in haste, the piece of artillery remained in Coralat's possession. At thistime, the Mindanaos from Manila having reached Octong, the piece wasrequested from them in his Majesty's name, or satisfaction for it. TheSpaniards took from them some gold and equivalent articles in exchange, and tried to capture some of them by means of an alferez, adjutant, and soldiers. The Mindanaos, however, put themselves on the defensiveso courageously, and with so great wrath (or rather barbarity), thattheir chief, one Salin--in the midst of the Spanish force and arms, and in front of a fort that his Majesty has there--drawing a dagger, plunged it into the adjutant through his groin and left him stretchedout. The officer next to the alferez--who was a fine soldier, and, like the other, was on the inner guard in the Sangley ship on whichthey had come--defended himself as well as he could, but was finallykilled by a stroke of a campilan (a Mindanao weapon); and they tookaway his sword and dagger. Seeing our soldiers, who were in theirguardship unprepared, the Mindanaos threw them overboard, and, cutting the cable, made off with the ship. However, when that wasseen by our men, they quickly prepared boats and pursued them with agoodly number of soldiers and killed them with arquebus-shots. Salin, wounded in the breast, fell into the water, but did not loose hishold on his campilan. There, while struggling with the waves, he sawa Spaniard who had fallen overboard in the fray, hanging on to a ropefrom a pirogue, who, as he could not swim, was being carried along, thus held fast. Salin made for him, and, wounded as he was, gavehim in his fury so severe a blow with his campilan that he split theSpaniard's head, from which blow he died. Of the Spaniards, three menwere killed; and, of the Mindanaos, three were wounded and six killed, besides two wounded who were taken prisoners. 

At this time, Don Fernando de Silva, who came as sargento-mayor of thepresent governor, [26] has always given proofs of so great [ability as]a captain that he was sent as commander of two hundred Spaniards whowent to aid the city of Macam, which the Portuguese have in China. ADutch fleet arrived at the city of Macam on this occasion and besiegedit, landing four hundred men. But the inhabitants of Macam issuedforth in their orderly array and concert, and attacked the Dutchso courageously that they destroyed all the four hundred in theircamp. Then the Portuguese, ascertaining that the Dutch were gatheringforce once more to avenge that injury, begged for aid from the governorof Manila. On that so honorable occasion Captain Don Fernando de Silvawent out with his two hundred chosen Spaniards. There were very welcometo the Portuguese, and he was always highly esteemed by them becauseof his gracious manner. The Portuguese delivered to him a ship ladenwith merchandise, the profits to be shared by all. He took it to thekingdom of Siam and ascended the river for thirty leguas, unladedhis goods, and disposed of them as well as possible, for they wereinjured by the water. The Japanese, many of whom live there, tried, in their greed, to attack the Spaniards; but Don Fernando de Silvaunderstood them, and resisted them with his infantry. The Dutch, who have their factory there, notified others near there to come totheir aid, in order to attack the ship with its three hundred persons, which is supplied with arms and force sufficiently abundant for itsdefense. Some evil outcome is feared, for the ship cannot leave thebar without unlading its goods. 

The persecution in Japon is even more bloody, for they returnedhis present to the ambassador from Macan, and ordered him to returnhome. A governor was sent down with orders to kill the Christiansand the captive religious whom he should find. In short, the orderhas gone forth to suppress trade with Macan and Filipinas, and thatno ships be received from, or leave Japon for, these regions. 

It has been learned by way of Macan that the Chinese seized from theDutch their almiranta. 

With the severe persecution of Japon, we are advised that four hundredCatholics have been slain for the faith. While two cavaliers werepresent at the martyrdom _irruit spiritus Domini_, [27] and theywent forth in public, crying out: "Surely this is a good faith thatteaches so lofty things. Salvation cometh only by it, as is provenby so many dying in order not to abandon it. " Thus crying out andacting, they went running into the fire, where they were burned, leaving the bystanders amazed, and all the world marveling at sowonderful an example. 

It is rumored that beyond doubt the emperor of Japon will orderNangazaqui to be razed, and all the Europeans driven out andexiled--commanding that they depart with their children and wives;but that, if the wives are Japanese, they as well as their daughtersmust be given up, and the sons be taken away. 

_Laus Deo_

Printed with permission of Don Luys Remirez de Arellano, deputy-mayorof Sevilla. 

Printed in Sevilla by Juan de Cabrera, opposite the post-office. Theyear 1626. 

DOCUMENTS OF 1627

 Importance of the Philippines. Martin Castaño; [undated; 1627?]. Relation of 1626. [Unsigned and undated; _ca. _ 1627]. Letter to Tavora. Felipe IV; September 3. Laws regarding the Sangleys. [From _Recopilacion de leyes de las Indias_]; 1594-1627. Decrees regarding the religious. Felipe IV; May-November. Decrees regarding the Chinese. Felipe IV; September 10 and November 19. Inadvisability of a Spanish post on the island of Formosa. Juan Cevicos; December 20. 

_Sources_: The first, fifth, and seventh of these documents areobtained from MSS. In the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla;the second, from the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), vol. I, pp. 523-545; the third and sixth, from the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; the fourth, from _Recopilación de leyes de las Indias, _lib. Vi, tit. Xviii. 

_Translations_: These are all made by James A. Robertson, except thethird, by Arthur B. Myrick. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Sire:

I, Martin Castaño, procurator-general of the Filipinas, declarethat--having examined and carefully considered, in the course of solong a period as I have spent here, the region of these islands, their great importance, and the little energy displayed in comingto their help while the enemies from Olanda are exerting themselvesso strenuously to gain possession of them--I am convinced that suchinaction can proceed only from a failure to estimate that country atits proper value, imagining it to be of less importance than it is, since it is regarded as being so far away [from España]. But thoseislands are the most important part of your Majesty's dominion;and from delay it results that the enemy is continually gaining, andyour Majesty losing, while recovery becomes more difficult. If theyshould be lost, and the country given up to the natives, it would be, even if the Hollanders had not gone thither, a loss of the magnitudewhich will be made evident by this paper; but if your Majesty losethem, and your greatest enemy gain them, the loss will be beyond allexaggeration. Therefore, I have desired to advance four importantconsiderations regarding those islands: namely, the extension ofthe faith, and the increase of your Majesty's dominion, glory, andriches. And in case of any doubt as to the truth of my assertions, I will prove them by trustworthy witnesses and authentic papers, to your entire satisfaction. 

As to the increase of the faith, it is quite well known that no othergate in all the world has been opened through which so many soulsmay come into the knowledge of it as in the Filipinas; for they aresituated amid so vast kingdoms, so densely inhabited, so ready to bechristianized, as has been proved in China and Japon. And had not theHollanders gained the friendship of the Japanese, the greater partof that kingdom would have been converted, as things were going; forat Nangasaqui, the port of entry for those going from the Filipinas, there were so many Christians that they formed processions for thediscipline during Holy Week, just as in España. But since the entranceof the Hollanders there, Christianity has been so rooted out thatthere is not one declared Christian, because of the severe punishmentsinflicted at the Dutch instigation. It is a great misfortune thatthese heretics have managed to gain the friendship of the emperor ofJapon, by promising him Chinese silks--depending on those that theyexpect to steal from the Chinese and the citizens of Manila. It isa misfortune that at the same time your Majesty has not preservedyour friendship with them, as we are in so much better a positionto let them have silks in trade, which are the things that theywant. This is of so great importance, that it would be advisable tosend an embassy to the emperor, to inform him that those heretics arerebellious vassals of your Majesty; and that it is not right that anyking should receive those who have revolted from your obedience. Forthe Hollanders provide themselves with all necessary munitions ofwar and food supplies there, as that kingdom is so well furnishedwith everything; while your Majesty's vassals are in want of thosethings, although they are so near at hand. One other very great lossis suffered, namely, that, since the Hollanders live in Japon as ifin their own land, well supplied with all necessities, and so nearManila, they enter the bay of that city with much greater facility, and carry away as plunder all the merchandise from China and othercountries. They remain there most of the year, because they have asafer retreat, when the weather compels them to retire. Returning tothe increase of the faith, besides that it was extending itself in theneighboring kingdoms, years ago I was informed, by the religious whoinstructed those fields of Christendom, of the number of Christiansthat were vassals of your Majesty, reckoned by congregations; and thenumber exceeded six hundred thousand. Consider, then, your Majesty, what should be done to preserve and cultivate that new plant, andnot allow it to be lost, and heresy to be substituted for it. 

As to the increase of your Majesty's dominion, there is no doubt thatwhile you are master and lord of the Filipinas, your crown encirclesand embraces all the world; for today your kingdom stretches onthe eastern side from Portuguese India to Malaca, and between thepoint of the mainland of Malaca and the island of Samatra is thestrait of Sincapura by which one enters the South Sea and goes tothe above-named places and the Filipinas, while on the western sidethe coasts of Piru and Nuevaespaña border on the South Sea, whenceone goes likewise to the Filipinas. Thus it is proved that with thoseislands your Majesty's crown encircles and embraces the whole world--agreatness which furnishes a reason for great energy. Further, if theenemy succeeds in getting possession of the Filipinas, toward whichend he is putting forth so great effort, not only will this richestfragment of your Majesty's crown be lost, but the enemy will makehimself master of Portuguese India immediately; and then by way of theSouth Sea, he will disturb Piru and Nuevaespaña, so that they can beof no profit to your Majesty. And if the enemy perceives himself tobe so powerful, he will even dare to undertake other great enterprises. 

As to reputation, one word is sufficient. All the kings and nationsof the world are watching to see who comes out ahead in thisundertaking--your Majesty or the rebels of Olanda. 

As to wealth, to see the efforts that the Hollanders are makingfor it, having experienced it--for nothing but wealth comes tothem--might well answer as sufficient proof. But yet I notify yourMajesty of three extremely great sources of wealth in the Filipinas:first, the wonderfully rich gold mines, of which I have given accountsseparately, so that I shall not repeat them now; second, the cloves ofthe Malucos, which amount to three and one-half millions per year. Ofthis likewise I have given detailed reports. It is the sole inducementof the Hollanders to go there, and therefore they have exerted greatcare and effort to gain possession, as they have done, of the islandswhere it is grown, so that they enjoy nearly all of it. The third isthe trade from China to Japon, and from Japon to China, in which--asthose two kingdoms bear so mortal a hatred to one another that under noconsiderations can they trade with one another, and China has so muchsilk that is wanted in Japon, and Japon so much silver, so desiredby the Chinese-the inhabitants of the Filipinas, which lie betweenboth kingdoms, traffic in these articles with very great profit. TheHollanders desire that traffic exceedingly; and, as they have acquiredthe trade of Japon, so they will be able to acquire that of China, although the Chinese are hostile to them, because of the robberiesthat the Hollanders have committed on them. But, for this very reasonit might even be feared that, seeing the Hollanders so powerful andsuperior on the sea, and that they steal their property from them, without leaving them any for their own trading, and your Majesty'sforces are so weak that they cannot defend them, they will abandonus and become friendly with the Hollanders, just as those who wereformerly your Majesty's vassals are doing. For all those barbarousnations, inasmuch as neither religion, kinship, nor friendship bindsthem, are ever on the lookout to make friends with him who is mostpowerful. Admitting all the foregoing, I beseech your Majesty notto permit further delay in coming to the aid of this so importantmatter; for the enemy is so needfully profiting by the time that isbeing lost here. 

[_Endorsed in writing_: "In regard to the importance of the Filipinas. "]

RELATION OF 1626

_Relation of the condition of the Filipinas Islands and other regionssurrounding, in the year 1626. _

Although I have been interrupted for several years in doing this, because of occupations that have allowed me no time for it, and haveneglected to give advice of the condition of these islands, at presentI have not, although my occupations are not fewer than in the past, attempted to shirk my duty in reporting what has happened this yearin these regions, but briefly and concisely. 

Commencing with the Malucas Islands, they are at present in the bestcondition that they have experienced, from our standpoint; for theDutch enemy are spent, inasmuch as no succor has been sent to themfrom Holanda for many years--it appearing that the wars which theyhave had there must have hindered them. Consequently, it has beenrecognized that, when the war ceases, their ships will come herein multitudes; and we shall enjoy war, and Flandes peace. The kingof Tidore, who was very aged, and was always our friend, died thisyear. One of his sons took his place, and continues the same friendship[with us]. The Ternatans, who have always been friends of the Dutchand very hostile to us, made peace with us. That has had a very goodresult for us, for we receive more damage from them than from theDutch themselves. There have been in this city since the time when thestrongholds of the Malucas were taken--which was twenty years ago, during the term of Governor Don Pedro de Acuña--certain cachils, who are chiefs among them, and the same king of Ternate, a greatMoro. The governor sent one of the cachils to Maluco to talk andconfer with his people, especially with Cachil Leali. The latter had, as it were, usurped the kingdom of Ternate--and, as we understand, prevented his fellow-countrymen from receiving the king whom we holdcaptive here, even if he should return--and continued the war againstus. The matter turned out well, and now the said cachil who wentfrom here is returning, in the capacity of ambassador of his people, petitioning that their king be sent to them, whom they promise toreceive as such, and to make and unmake for us. I do not know whatGovernor Don Juan Niño de Tabora will do. What I know is, that theDutch do not like any of these agreements and friendships that weare making with the Ternatans; but since they are at present fallen, and can do no more, they endure it patiently. 

The Dutch have no fleets in the Malucas, while there are scarcely twohundred men in their forts in their islands of Terrenate, Machien, andMotiel (five or six in number); and many of these are so discontented, because of the hardships and misery which they suffer, that some sixor eight have come to our camp this year, and many more would havecome if there were a place for them, or if opportunity for it hadoffered. That was a fine opportunity to attack them with our fleet, which was already prepared in the port of Cavite. It is not certainlyknown where it is going, but we suspect that it is going to attack thefort of the Dutch in the island of Hermosa. It is also thought thatthe following year will not pass without the fleet attacking them. Ifthe wars in Flandes continue, and help does not come to the Dutch, we may hope for a very fine outcome. 

The Camucones (who are certain robbers who infest these seas, pillaging, and are, moreover, a vile people, to whom we have paid butlittle attention) came with their fleet of small vessels in the pastyear of 1625, and at dawn one morning in October attacked a village, where the archbishop of Manila was visiting the cura. He as well ashis followers had great trouble in escaping, all without clothes ornearly so. They captured all his wardrobe and his pontifical robes, among which he had some very rich garments. 

The enemy then attacked a boat in which there was a father of ourSociety, who was returning to his house and residence, which is locatedon the island of Marinduque, after having preached at some missionsof Franciscan friars who had invited him for that purpose. They spiedthe enemy suddenly, in a place where it was impossible to escape, and it was necessary for them to fight. Father Juan de las Missas(such was the name of the father) commenced to encourage the Indianswith a crucifix to make them fight. But it happened that a shotfrom a verso, fired by the enemy at the first encounter, struck thefather. The enemy immediately entered the boat even while the fatherwas yet alive and took his skull from his head to use as a drinkingcup--a thing which they are accustomed to do to Spaniards, withoutgranting life to anyone. After that event, guided by a treacherousChinese, they suddenly attacked the chief town of Samar, which is avery fine village called Catbalogan. They attacked at dawn, and thefather rector and another father and a brother had no little trouble inescaping; they were scarcely able to remove the monstrance of the mostholy sacrament, and to hide it in a thicket. The Indians also fled, as far as they were able. Some had not time to do so much, and werecaptured. Some were sick with smallpox, a kind of pestilence that wasamong the Indians at that time. They were unable to escape, whereuponthe enemy arriving relieved them all of the smallpox by cutting offtheir heads. In short, they plundered as much as they could, especiallythe silver and ornaments of the church, which were many and excellent, our residence there being better supplied than our others. 

When news was received of the damage inflicted by the enemy, twoSpanish fleets went in pursuit of them--one from the island of Cebu, and the other from that of Panay. But such was our misfortune thatthey were unable to encounter the enemy by any means. Thus did thelatter go away, laughing at the robberies that they had committedand greedy to make others. 

Don Fernando de Silva, who was then governing, because Don Juan Niñohad not yet arrived, despatched a small fleet this year to the landsof those enemies, to punish them. Their country lies near Borney, to whose king they are subject. But inasmuch as they have no fixedhouse or dwelling, as they generally live in their boats, today hereand tomorrow there, nothing was done. Consequently, Don Juan Niño, upon his arrival, ordered our fleet prepared in the island of Oton, so that when that enemy came it might attack them. The enemy came, and our fleet sailed out; but half of the caracoas were wrecked ina storm. However, our fleet reforming pursued the enemy, but wereunable to overtake them; for as their boats are light and have twoprows, in order to escape they do not have to turn their boats about, but only to change the rowers and so return. At least, the resultobtained was that the enemy did no damage this year in these islands, and did not capture anything. 

The island of Mindanao, which is one of these Filipinas Islands, has rebelled against us; and its chief places have easily acceptedthe law of Mahoma, which was brought there from the Malucas by theTernatans. They have done us no damage this year. On the contrary, we have done them considerable. Captain Beñitez has made some verysuccessful raids in their country, and has killed many and capturedothers--who are made slaves, in accordance with the old-time usage ofthis country, on account of the damages which we have received fromthose enemies. Now the governor has offered to conquer that island, which is not a very difficult thing to do; but there is always so muchattention to be paid to the Dutch, that he has as yet been unable toattend to this. 

The Dutch enemy, together with the English, went to attack Macan duringformer years with seventeen ships. They landed many men on the shore, but the affair turned out so badly for them that they were forced, after many men had been killed, to retire and to raise the siege. Butthe Portuguese, fearing that the enemy would attempt another yearwhat they had not been able to accomplish then, set about enclosingthe city with an excellent wall (for it had none before), and sentFather Geronimo Rodriguez [28] to Manila for some good artillery, which Don Alonso Fajardo gave him. A master founder also went thereto make many other pieces, which have been founded; and the cityis placed in a very good state of defense. The Portuguese alsoasked for a good captain and some infantry for whatever occasionmight arise. Don Alonso Fajardo gave them as many as one hundredinfantrymen, with Don Fernando de Silva, sargento-mayor of the campof Manila, and an excellent soldier. They stayed in Macan for sometime, but the Portuguese, seeing that the Dutch enemy did not come, and that, even if they did come, the city was more than defended;and inasmuch as they did not get along very well with the Castilians, since there was considerable quarreling and strife between those of thetwo nations, tried to despatch them to Manila. They did so, in a vesselthat carried more than five hundred thousand ducados in merchandise. 

The Spanish encountered so grievous a storm on their voyage that theywere forced to put in at Siam, where they unladed their ship; and, trying to get over the bar of a river in order to relade, they werewrecked. They bought in place of that ship two others, in order togo to Manila; but as the season was advanced, and they could not getaway so quickly, they despatched a champan with some eight Spanishsailors. The latter took some of the merchandise, and came to Manilato give news of what had happened. At that time there was a Dutchpatache established in the river of Siam, a very beautiful and largeriver. That vessel had also entered and traded in that kingdom. It wasrumored among our men that that Dutch patache had captured the champanthat our men were sending to Manila--although such a rumor was untrue, for the said champan arrived safely at Manila. But induced by thatfalse report, Don Fernando de Silva, who was stationed some leguasup the river, having one day observed the Dutch patache attackedit at night with certain very small craft (I think they were twosmall boats or lanchas, for they had not bought larger vessels); andafter fighting with the enemy, with the loss of only one Spaniard, captured the Dutch patache. It had more than twenty thousand pesos insilver and merchandise, and the Dutch aboard it were captured. Hadthe matter ended there, it would have been a fortunate result. Theking of Siam was informed of it, and sent a message to Don Fernandode Silva saying that he should set the Dutch at liberty and givethem back their ship and the property which he had taken or capturedfrom them, since it was captured while the Dutch were in his kingdom, under his royal favor and protection. Don Fernando de Silva answeredthat he would not do so, and broke out in words that might well havebeen avoided toward the king. The latter quickly collected a numerousfleet of boats, and one day attacked our ships with Japanese (who formthe guard of that kingdom) and many Siamese. Our men, fearing whatwould happen, were hurriedly embarking their merchandise, in orderto come to Manila. Our men began to serve the artillery, but therewere so many hostile boats that they covered the water. The Spanishcraft ran aground in the confusion and danger, whereupon the Siamese(and chiefly the Japanese) entered the ships. Don Fernando de Silva, with sword and buckler in hand, sold his life dearly, and others didthe same. But the enemy killed them except those who fled at the firststroke of the victory, who remained alive. I think some thirty werecaptured. The goods were pillaged, notwithstanding the fact that theking had ordered that good care be taken of them. 

The captured Spaniards were taken to the court of the king, whichis a city more than twice as large as Sevilla. [29] They were ledmanacled through the streets, receiving many blows, and regarded astraitors. That happened in the year 1624. This disastrous event waslearned in Manila by way of Macan, but no attention was given to thematter on account of the death of Governor Don Alonso Fajardo. In theyear 1625, another Don Fernando de Silva, of the habit of Santiago, came to act as governor. At that time Father Pedro Morejon [30] arrivedat Manila. He came from Roma by way of Yndia and Camboja (which liesnext Siam), and was informed of that disaster there. Governor DonFernando de Silva, seeing that Father Pedro Morejon, as he had beenso long a minister in Japon, had great knowledge of, and access to, the Japanese, and that those Japanese who live in Siam have a greatpart in the government of that kingdom, suggested to the father togo there as ambassador, to see whether he could get what they hadcaptured from our Spaniards, which belonged for the most part to theinhabitants of Manila. The father replied that he could not neglect, before all else, to go to Macan in order to advise his provincial ofhis procuratorship to Roma; but that his Lordship should write to him, and that he would return at the beginning of the year 1626, whichwas the season when one could go to Siam. The governor wrote, and thefather provincial of Macan sent Father Pedro de Morejon for the saidtime, besides another Portuguese father, called Antonio Cardin. [31]They reached here in good time. The governor prepared a vessel withsome Spaniards of good standing, and despatched them all by the monthof January. They reached the kingdom and court of Siam and negotiatedwhat they were able--namely, that the captives be delivered to them, as well as the artillery, and a quantity of iron belonging to ourking which the ships were carrying, and which they seized from us, and some other merchandise. For although the king ordered everythingto be given up, thinking that the goods were safe, as he had ordered, it was impossible to get them, the soldiers having pillaged them anddivided them among themselves. 

Father Pedro de Morejon was given a cordial reception by the king, who showed him many favors. At his departure the father told theking that he was leaving Father Cardin in his kingdom, and askedhis Highness to protect him. The king offered to do so, and gavepermission for all who wished to become Christians. Father Cardinerected his church and commenced his ministry. Father Morejon and theSpaniards returned to Manila, where they arrived in August of 1626;and they delivered to Governor Don Juan Niño, who had now arrived, a present given to them by the king of Siam. Father Morejon, beingsummoned by his provincial, went to Macao for the second time, wherehe is now. It is now reported that the governor is not satisfied withwhat they sent him. Perhaps he will attack Siam with the galleys, in order to punish that kingdom for its actions toward the Spaniards. 

In order to destroy the trade between this city of Manila and GreatChina, and between Macan and Japon--the former for us, and the latterfor the Portuguese--the Dutch formed a scheme to build a fort on theisland of Hermosa. That is an island between Japon, China, and Manila, which extends north and south for more than fifty leguas, while itis about thirty broad. The Dutch built the said fort some years ago, and they have been fortifying it ever since; so that they have alreadyerected four cavaliers, in which they have mounted twenty-four piecesof artillery--besides others that they have mounted on a platformwhich defends the entrance of the port, as those of the fort do notcommand it. The Dutch also have a stock-farm, which they began withcattle and horses brought from Japon. For its defense they builtanother large cavalier in which they mounted a half-dozen pieces, and stationed a few Dutchmen to guard it. They are now at peace withthe natives, with whom they were formerly at war and who killed someof their men. In this way they have been established for some fiveor six years at that point, which they call Pachan. The Chinese havegone there with a great abundance of silks and other merchandise totrade. Consequently, they have made on that account a large alcaicería, where there are generally more than six thousand Chinese. The Japanesehave also gone there from Japon with their ships, although it issaid that they are ill satisfied because of I know not what dutiesthat the Dutch asked them to pay. From that, notable damage canensue to Castilians, Portuguese, and Chinese, since the Dutch are inthe passage by which one goes from here to China, and from Macan toJapon. If we have not yet seen the damage so plainly with the eyes, it has been because the enemy are in great lack of ships and men. 

In order to counterbalance that scheme and the designs of the Dutch, Don Fernando formed another scheme. He went to seize another port onthe same island of Hermosa, some twenty leguas distant from Chinaand thirty from the enemy. For that purpose he sent, in this yearof 1626, two galleys with many small boats, infantry, and all thatwas necessary for the settlement, under an experienced captain calledCarreño. They occupied the said port, and it is very good and suitablefor our purpose. As our men entered the port, the whole population, numbering fully a thousand houses of the natives who were settledthere, fled. Entering the houses, they were enabled to see, by thearticles that they found there, that those people were intelligent andcivilized. Our soldiers took some food, of which they kept accountin order to pay for it--as they ought to do; since I know not whatpretext they could have for showing hostility to the natives, sincethey had received no injury from them. 

Our soldiers have fortified themselves there excellently. However, atthe beginning, the land tried them, for many died, and they sufferedgreat wretchedness and hardships--eating even dogs and rats, alsogrubs, and unknown herbs, because they soon finished the provisionswhich they had brought with them, and others had not arrived fromManila, as I shall relate later. But afterwards they got along verywell, for many ships came from Great China with many presents andfood. The climate is very fine, and like that of Nueva España. It hasits winter and summer quite temperate, and has many fruits such aswe have in our España--as for instance, pears and peaches, which areindications that it is as fine a country as is reported. We have alsoheard that wheat is harvested. The soldiers found skins of lions andtigers; and although there were none of those animals, as there arenone in Filipinas, they had no lack of the skins. They sent to summonthe Indians, some of whom came. They won them by means of caressesand presents, so that they continue to come. They are not drivenfrom our fort; and they even delivered two infants to us for baptism, and others are petitioning it. There is great need of learning theirlanguage. They bring some food, which they exchange for jars, gems, agate, and silver, which they know thoroughly, and whose value theyesteem. They have no headman or chief who governs them, but eachvillage governs itself, and some villages have war with others. 

The joy received in Manila at the news of the island of Hermosa wasexuberant. At that time Don Juan Niño came to govern. He was unableto send them help at the right season [for sailing]; consequently, after it had sailed, the ship put back and was detained for more thanfour months in a port of this island. It sailed again, and againtook refuge at Macan, whence they tried to make the voyage for thethird time. They had so severe a storm that they lost their rudder, and reached the coast of China. After great danger and oppositionfrom the Chinese of that region, they refitted, and finally made ourport in the island of Hermosa, where they arrived April 29, 1627, and were received with the joy that can be imagined. They left therethe supplies they had brought, and returned to Manila. 

The governor sent to Macan to ask for a mestizo, Salvator Diaz, who was in the fort of the Dutch and who escaped from them. He hasalso prohibited vessels from sailing to China which pass near theestablishment of the Dutch on the island of Hermosa. It is inferredfrom that that he is thinking of attacking the fort of the Dutch. 

The persecution of the missionaries in Japon has daily been assuminggreater fury, and the doors are daily being shut more closely on thereligious. It has been ordered under penalty of death, and of beingburned with their merchandise and ships, that no ship sail from Manilato Japon. Accordingly, one ship which sailed last year and which theyhad not notified of the edict, they notified and ordered to returnimmediately to Manila, without allowing anyone to disembark, or to buyor sell anything--keeping them, on the contrary, shut up on the shipand guarded. The Japanese made a law that no Japanese could leave orenter the kingdom unless he first forswore our holy faith, etc. 

LETTER FROM FELIPE IV TO TAVORA

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tavora, my governor and captain-generalof the Filipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia there:Six letters which you wrote me--five on the twentieth of the month ofJuly, and the other on the twenty-second of the same month last year(1626)--dealing with the wars, have been received and considered in myCouncil of War for the Indias, and you will be satisfied on all points. 

You say that Pedro de Heredia wrote to you that he had not fortifiedthe island of Manados [32] and the straits of Santa Margarita, becauseit seemed to him of little use. Afterward, however, seeing that manytributarios might be acquired; that, being pagans, missionaries wereneeded; and that the expenses of these strongholds might be lightenedby the rice which they furnished--he sent to you asking for fiftymen to occupy the fort which he was to build there. Seeing that hehad orders for it and that it was so advantageous for the service ofGod and myself, you sent them to him. It is well, and I order you, ashaving the affair under your present direction, to provide everythingwhich is necessary thereto. 

In your advices, the said Pedro de Heredia wrote also that it wouldbe to our great advantage to send him the lord of Terrenate, who isin this city, in order to bring about some agreement between him andthe king of Tidore, which will be of considerable value. Your ordersin this matter have already been sent you. 

I am advised by you that three of the enemy's ships were in the portof Malayo, and that it was understood that a fleet would arrive inMay, 1625; I am also advised of the ten ships which the said Pedrode Heredia had. 

I have considered the number of galleons and pataches with which youare provided, and the galleys which were in process of construction. Iconfide in your zeal and care to provide for the defense of thoseislands, as I expect from you, doing on your part all that youshall find possible. You will have assistance from here, and I havewritten to my viceroy in Nueva España regarding the measures to betaken therefor. He and my royal officials have now been ordered tosend at the first opportunity to these kingdoms six thousand ducados, on account of the usual situado that goes to those islands. The moneywill be sent on a separate account to the House of Trade in Sevilla, to buy the arms that you ask for; when it arrives there, these willbe forwarded to you. 

You informed me that at the death of Don Geronimo de Silva his propertywas distrained, on account of the suit that was proceeding againsthim for beating a retreat two years ago with the fleet. You petitionthat in such a case property should be distrained from no one, exceptthe proceedings be always taken in conformity with justice. The same[33] in the other matter which you mention, that in prosecuting thecommanders of the ships of the said fleet, process should be conductedby written charges. 

You say also that because the Order of Saint John was the heir to theestate of the said Don Geronimo, you ordered that whatever propertymight be found should be deposited in the probate treasury, and thatthe landed property should be administered by the courts. You alsonotified the said order, that it might decide what course to take, and that any debts of the said Don Geronimo must first be paid. Thematter has been considered, and you and that Audiencia will take suchmeasures as are just, in case the estate is any further indebted. 

You say also that the office of sargento-mayor was held at first byalférezes, and afterward by captains--who drew, however, only the payof captains; and that sixty-five escudos of ten reals were assignedto Don Fernando de Silva by the treasury council that was held inthat city--which sum you understood was paid everywhere to captainsranking as sargentos-mayor--on condition of obtaining my approval, which has not yet been presented, and you ask me to approve it becauseit seems just that if captains and the master-of-camp receive whatis elsewhere received by the sargento-mayor, who has more arduousduties, the latter should receive a salary accordingly. It has seemedunwise to me to make any change. You will give orders, then, that thepayment of this salary shall proceed no further; and that no personfilling the said position of sargento-mayor shall receive any morethan the salary formerly paid; and you will cause the increase tobe collected from those who have obtained it, or ordered it, or fromtheir bondsmen, so that the amount shall be immediately deposited inmy royal exchequer. In order that this be more exactly fulfilled, I have had decrees to this effect sent to the inspector of thatAudiencia and the officers of my royal exchequer in that city. Thismust also be understood in the case of Don Juan de Quinones, whomyou appointed to this place. 

In conformity with what you wrote regarding the sentence which DoctorDon Alvaro de Mesa y Lugo issued against Captain Miguel de Villegas(who had been a captain in the infantry, and was a substitute inyour personal service), of three hundred lashes and ten years in thegalleys, I have sent a decree that the said sentence shall not beexecuted. The said sentence is overruled; and the said Don Alvarois to send to my said Council an official copy of the proceedings, and the reasons which he had for giving that sentence. In the futuremilitary customs must be observed, and no such punishments imposed, asyou will see by the said decree, which is sent to you with this letter. 

In regard to your request that it be proclaimed that the shipmenwho serve in those islands--such as pilots, masters, and otherofficers--need not pay the tax on their salaries in virtue of thedecree which I commanded to be sent, ordering the collection of dues onall the grants for offices, incomes and gratuities that are conferred, I think it well that the said shipmen--mariners, pilots, masters, orother persons who draw pay on the rolls--shall be excused from payingthe said salary tax; but it must be collected from all other officersholding commissions or decrees in which our favor is declared. Youwill cause the said decree to be executed in conformity with this. 

In the letter in which you spoke of the offices to which you hadmade appointments after you took possession of your duties, yousay that on account of the resignation of Pedro Sotelo de Morales, [34] who served as the warden of the Santiago fort in that city, youappointed Don Antonio de Leoz to that office with a yearly salaryof eight hundred pesos, the same salary which his predecessorshave received, with the condition of receiving my approval withinfive years. But because persons who hold the offices _ad interim_are not to take more than half the salary which is attached to theoffice, in conformity with the provisions of various royal decrees, you will take measures and give orders that the said Don Antonio deLeoz or his bondsmen shall return to my royal exchequer any sum thathe has received exceeding half the said salary; and I shall write tomy royal officials in that city to collect it. You are advised thatin the future such appointees are not to receive more than half thesalary. [Madrid, September 3, 1627. ]

_I The King_Countersigned by Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras. 

LAWS REGARDING THE SANGLEYS

[The following laws are translated from _Recopilación de leyes de lasIndias_ (Madrid, 1841), lib. Vi, tit. Xviii. For method of treatment, sec _Vol_. XVII of this series, p. 27. ]

Law III

The bishops do not permit the Christian Chinese who are converted toour holy Catholic faith in the Filipinas Islands to return to theirown country, so that intercourse and living among heathen may notcause them to fall into the peril of apostasy; and the governor, knowing that they have no other manner of livelihood except theirtrading in the neighborhood, buying provisions in order to supply thecommunity, does not allow them to leave Manila without permission, which is a very great obstacle and stumbling-block to the conversionof others. We order that no fee be charged for those permits; and thegovernor shall have great consideration and care, that no troubleresults from them, in respect to the Chinese having free passagethrough those islands. [Felipe II--Madrid, June 11, 1594. ]

Law IX

The goods of the Sangleys who come to trade in Filipinas with Chinesemerchandise, and who sell them at wholesale at a price [named] bypersons deputed for it (which is what is there called _pancada_), areleft in their possession under guarantee that they will not disposeof them without an order from the governor; and that a price will notbe set on the small things, but only on certain fine products. Andinasmuch as this is advisable, we order that the Sangleys be notifiedwho shall have to return to those islands, that they must and shallpass according to the laws and orders that shall be made for them. And, in respect to the pancada, it shall be continued with, all gentleness, so that the Sangleys shall not receive any injury; and so that nooccasion be given them so that they shall discontinue their comingto attend to their trading. [Felipe II--Madrid, June 11, 1594. ]

Law X

We have been informed that the Sangley Indians who go from Chinato Filipinas to trade, receive injuries and harsh treatment fromthe Spaniards; and especially that the guards posted in their shipsby our royal officials ask and take bribes from them, in order thatthey might permit and allow the Sangleys to take out certain thingsthat they bring from their country to give to private persons; thatthe employees who go to register the ships take and scatter all thebest merchandise, and leave that which is not of so good quality, from which there results a considerable loss on the balance, andoften the Sangleys cannot sell what is left, as they could have donewith the good merchandise which was taken away from them; that evenwhen the Chinese who go to register take the best, the officialssay that they will pay for it at the price for which the balanceis sold, so that they only pay the price of the worst and commonmerchandise. Thus the Chinese lose what would be the most valuablethings that they have if they sold them freely; for, fearing lest theemployees who go to register take from them the merchandise at the timeof evaluation, they place on their merchandise a greater value than itis really worth, so that they pay the duties at the rate at which themerchandise is valued, although the truth is that they sell it laterfor much less. [We are also informed] that the masts of their vesselsare taken from them, in order to step these in the vessels built inthose islands, for their masts are light; and that they are given inexchange others so heavy that their ships cannot support them and arewrecked, from which the Chinese suffer grievously. And since it isright that when those people go to trade they be welcomed and givengood treatment, in order that upon their return to their country, they may take good accounts of the treatment and welcome receivedfrom our vassals, that others may thereby be induced to go, and bymeans of that communication receive the Christian instruction andprofess our holy Catholic faith, to which our chief desire and intentis directed: we order the governors that, after having examined thecharacter of these injuries, they issue the necessary orders forthe cessation of such troubles. They shall not allow the SangleyChinese, or any other traders, to receive any injury, molestation, or oppression such as is mentioned herein, or others of any sort;and they shall be very careful to treat the Sangleys well and to givethem good despatch. They shall punish those who offend and aggrievethem. We charge this upon them very earnestly, as it is a matter ofgreat moment to our royal service. [Felipe II--Madrid, June 11, 1594. ]

Law XIII

We order the governor and captain-general not to allow the citizensand residents of Manila to keep Sangleys in their houses; and toprohibit them from sleeping inside the city. He shall, if necessary, order the judge of the foreigners to punish him who does not observethis, severely and with heavy fines. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 6, 1608. ]

Law VI

Inasmuch as the alcaldes-mayor of Manila have claimed the rightto try the suits and causes of the Chinese who live in the Parián, jointly with its governor, we consider it fitting to order the rulingof ley xxiv, título iii, libro v, which concedes the first instanceexclusively to the governor [of the Parián], with appeals to theAudiencia. [35] Now it is our will, and we order the president, governor, and captain-general, and the Audiencia, not to allow anyordinary judge or one who has received a commission, to try civil orcriminal suits or causes of the Sangleys in the first instance, evenif they be auditors of that Audiencia, who shall be performing theduties of criminal alcaldes; neither shall they try cases regardingthe locations or inspection of shops or their trade (for it pertainsexclusively to the governor of the Parián to try such), except it bea case so extraordinary, necessary, and requisite that it becomesadvisable to limit this rule. [Felipe III--Ventosilla, October 15, 1603; El Pardo, June 12, 1614. ]

Law XI

In the city of Manila the custom was established that a certainnumber of fowls be given to the president, auditors, and officials ofthe Audiencia annually at a price lower than the current rate. Thegovernor of the Chinese was ordered to make the assessment amongall the Chinese, obliging them to give weekly so many fowls at afixed and lower price, and to punish and fine him who did not obeyit. That has caused the Chinese considerable injury. The governorof the Chinese got as many others at the same price. We order thatno such assessment be made or asked from the Chinese, and that it beleft to each person's own will to buy those fowls that are necessaryto him, and to the Chinese to sell them at the price that they canand that is current. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 29, 1619. ]

Law VIII

Many Sangleys are converted to our holy Catholic faith in the FilipinasIslands, who are married to native Indian women of those islands, and live in the environs of the city. If a site be given them in theunfilled lands where they can assemble and form a village, in order tocultivate and sow the land, in which they are very skillful, they wouldbecome very useful to the community, and would not occupy themselves inretailing and hawking food; while they would become more domestic andpeaceful, and the city more secure, even should the Sangleys increasein number. We order the governor and captain-general to enact thus, and to endeavor to preserve them and to look out for them with thecare that is advisable. [Felipe III--San Lorenzo, August 25, 1620. ]

Law IV

The governor shall have particular care not to impose personalservices on the Sangleys, outside of their [usual] employment andrules; and he shall endeavor to give them good treatment, in orderto induce and incite others to go thither, to be converted to ourholy Catholic faith. [Felipe III--San Lorenzo, September 5, 1620. ]

Law I

It is advisable for the security of the city of Manila, the islandof Luzon, and all the other islands of that government, that thenumber of the Chinese be very moderate, and that it do not exceedsix thousand, since that number is sufficient for the service ofthe country; and, if that number be increased, the troubles thathave been experienced may result, notwithstanding the permissionthat was conceded by ley lv, título xv, libro ii, [36] which isto be understood until this limitation is reached. Likewise it isadvisable that there should not be so many Japanese in that city, for they already exceed three thousand, because there has beenneglect and carelessness in driving them away from there; while thenumber of the Chinese has been increased through greed for the eightpesos that each one pays for his license. In regard to the above, weorder our governor and captain-general to apply the fitting remedy, taking note that the licenses are not to be given for money, or forany other interest, either in their own behalf, or for that of othergovernment employees. They shall only consider what is most advisableto the welfare of the public cause, the security of the land, trade andcommerce, and the friendly reception of the foreigners and surroundingpeoples, and the other nations with whom there shall be peace. Thatcommerce and relationship shall be continued, and all care and cautionshall always be taken so that the Chinese and Japanese shall not beso numerous, and that those who shall be there may live in quietness, fear, and submission. But that shall not be any reason for not treatingthem well. [Felipe III--Ventosilla, November 4, 1606; Madrid, May 29, 1620. Felipe IV--Madrid, December 31, 1622. ]

Law II

The licenses that the governor of Filipinas shall issue so that someSangley Chinese may remain in the islands, shall be with the consent ofour royal officials, and account shall be rendered of all. The moneyresulting therefrom (eight pesos for each license) shall be placed inour royal treasury. A separate book shall be kept there, and namesand marks [of identification?] shall be entered in it distinctly, so that there may be no concealment. [37] [Felipe III--Madrid, January 12, 1614. Felipe IV--Madrid, November 21, 1625. ]

Law VII

The Sangleys converted to our holy Catholic faith shall not pay tributefor the first ten years after their conversion; after that time itshall be collected from them as from the natives of Filipinas. [38][Felipe IV--Madrid, June 14, 1627. ]

Law XII

The Sangley Chinese of Filipinas have a box with three keys, inwhich each Sangley deposits twelve reals per year in order to meettheir obligations to our royal service with that fund. We orderthat if there be any balance in any year, it be not withdrawn; andthat the Sangleys be assessed so much less the following year. [39][Felipe IV--Madrid, September 10, 1627. ]

DECREES REGARDING THE RELIGIOUS

_Concerning lawlessness of Augustinian religious_

The King. To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia ofthe city of Manila of the Philipinas Islands: In a letter writtento me by Don Francisco de Caravajal Campo Frio, dated August twoof the former year six hundred and twenty-five, he declares thatwhile alcalde-mayor of the province of Balayan, he heard that DiegoLarias Maldonado had arrived there, who had run away with the wifeof a certain man. He had them arrested in the town of Batangas, amission of Augustinian friars. He declares that Fray Antonio Muxica, prior of the said order, at the head of his fiscal and choristers, broke open the gates of the prison, and loosed the prisoners, after maltreating the government agents. And although he drew up areport about this action, and informed their superior of it--sendingthe latter a copy of the report, while he kept the original, inorder to give you an account of it--the superior did not inflictpunishment, but on the contrary exerted himself to get hold of theoriginal report. But as he did not succeed in this, two religious, accompanied by over one hundred natives, went to Caravajal's house, surrounded it, went up stairs where he was, and took away the said[original] report from him, after having bound him and maltreatedhim by word and deed. Although he informed you of it, that crime hasnot yet been punished. Inasmuch as it is not right that such a crimeremain without punishment, I have considered it fitting to send youa copy of the said letter, so that if the relation made by the saidDon Francisco de Caravajal Campo Frio be true, you may enact justice, in order that, in the future, it may serve as a warding. For thisyou shall have recourse to the provincial of the said order. Givenin Madrid, May twenty-one, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

_I The King_

Countersigned by Don Juan Fernando Ruiz de Contreras, and signed bythe members of the Council. 

[_Endorsed_: "To the Manila Audiencia, sending it a copy of a letterwritten to your Majesty by Don Francisco Caravajal Campo Frio inregard to the outrage committed against him by certain religious ofSt. Augustine, so that, if his report be true, justice may be done. "]

_Granting alms to the Augustinians_

The King. To the officials of my royal treasury of the PhilipinasIslands: You know already that it was ordered by a decree of the kingmy father (who is in glory), dated August seven, of the former yearsix hundred and one, that a ration for two additional religious begiven for four years longer to the convent of St. Augustine, of thatcity of Manila, in the manner that it is given to four religious inthat convent; and that he prolonged the said time for another fouryears by another decree of six hundred and sixteen, and for anotherfour years (which are completed) by another decree of May nine, sixhundred and twenty. Now Fray Hernando Guerrero, of the said order, bishop-elect of the city of Nueva Segovia in those islands, hasreported to me in the name of the said convent, that the religiousof his order from the other convents are entertained and treatedthere in their sicknesses; and that it is in a college and seminaryof grammar, the arts, and theology, whence subjects go out to preachthe holy gospel. In consideration of that, he petitions me to orderthat the said ration continue to be given to the said two religiousfor such time as I may choose. 

The matter having been examined by the members of my royal Council ofthe Indias, I have considered it advisable to order that it be givento them for another four years, that time to run and be counted fromthe day on which the said last four years were completed. Accordingly, I order you to pay to the said monastery of the Order of St. Augustinein that city, from any revenue that may be in that my treasury, thesaid ration for the said two additional religious, during the saidfour years of this prolongation, in the same form and manner as itis given to the other four religious; for such is my will. 

Given in Madrid, June eleven, one thousand six hundred andtwenty-seven. 

_I The King_Countersigned by Fernando Ruiz de Contreras. 

_Recommendation of the Council of the Indias regarding the Recollects_

Sire:

Fray Pedro de la Madre de Dios, procurator of the order of discalcedAugustinians in the Philipinas Islands, has represented that thepoverty of the religious of that order is very great, as they have noincome; and inasmuch as medicines are dear, they cannot get the moneyin order to buy those necessary for the sick, whence it follows thatthey cannot maintain the health necessary for their attending to theministry of preaching and instruction among the Indians, and the reliefof the royal conscience. He petitions your Majesty, in considerationof the above, to grant alms to the said religious, so that they begiven the medicines urgently necessary to treat themselves, as theseare given to the religious of St. Dominic and St. Francis. He saysthat what they can use would amount to one hundred and fifty pesosannually. The matter having been examined in the Council, and thepoverty of the said order appearing, and seeing that they have noincome, and having considered how well they serve our Lord in theconversion of the natives under their charge; it seems best thatyour Majesty grant favor to the said religious, for six years, of themedicines that may be necessary in order to cure the sick, providedthat it do not exceed in any year the stated sum of one hundred andfifty pesos above mentioned. Your Majesty will show them such favoras is in accord with your royal will. Madrid, November 4, 1627. 

[Signed by the members of the Council. ]

[_Endorsed_: "Council of the Indias. November 4, 1627. " "+That yourMajesty might grant concession for six years to the discalced friarsof the Order of St. Augustine, of the medicines necessary for thetreatment of their sick. " _In a different hand, evidently that ofthe king_: "+It is well. "]

DECREES REGARDING THE CHINESE

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tavora, my governor and captain-generalof the Filipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audienciaresident therein: Fray Melchor de Manzano, of the Order of Preachers, has reported to me, in the name of the Sangley Chinese who livein those islands, that the said Chinese, in order to avoid thewrongs that they received from the [government] ministers who wereexacting daily assessments that were levied on them for my royalservice, established a chest with three keys, in which each one wasto deposit annually twelve reals in silver, in order to aid in thedespatches of the warships, galleys, and trading-vessels for NuevaEspaña, the powder-house, the artillery, the building of ships andother undertakings. Among other conditions that they required, inorder that this assessment might be made among them, was one thatthey were to have no protector; but that in case one were assignedthem, he be not the fiscal of that Audiencia, as such office wasincompatible with his duties, and because of the experience of longyears that it was rather a damage than an advantage to him--and that, for that reason, the said office of protector had been made separatein the beginning from that of fiscal, until Don Juan de AlbaradoBracamonte, when fiscal, had so negotiated that the said occupationbe assigned to him. The father petitioned me that since the saidSangley Chinese spend so much in aiding my service and pay so fullythe salaries to their alcalde, and chief of guard, lesser protector, and to the ministers of instruction, without any expense therein tomy royal treasury, it be ordered that the said fund cannot be alteredor suppressed, unless the said Chinese should voluntarily wish todo away with it or to make some alteration, or change certain of theconditions which they established when the fund was established; andthat the said office of protector be distinct from that of fiscal, and that the office be given to a person who will protect and defendthem. If there remain any balance in the said fund at the end of eachyear, he petitions that the Chinese be allowed to spend it, withoutthe permission of any person, for the welfare and benefit of theirvillage or church. By that means they will be spared new expensesthat must necessarily be made for that purpose. After examination bythe members of my Council of the Indias, of this request and of thestatements regarding it by my fiscal of the Council, Licentiate JuanPardo, it was voted that I should order this my decree to be given, by which I command you to provide and order that the said office ofprotector be not held by the fiscal of that Audiencia. From now andhenceforth, you shall appoint to it a satisfactory person, giving himthe salary that is assigned. You shall charge him to look after thesaid Sangley Chinese very carefully, so that they may not be annoyedor vexed, and that no ill treatment be accorded them. You shall orderthat the balance remaining each year in the said fund be left there, and that the Chinese be assessed so much less the following year, After the accomplishment and execution of the aforesaid, you and thesaid Audiencia shall inform me of the status of matters, and whatare the facts in regard to what is mentioned by the said Fray Melchorde Manzano, and the advantages or disadvantages, present and future, of what he asks for; so that, after my said Council has examined it, the advisable measures may be taken. Madrid, September 10, 1627. 

_I The King_By order of the king, our sovereign:_Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras_

The King. Fray Melchor Manzano, of the Order of St. Dominic, hasreported to me, in behalf of the Sangley Chinese living in the Parianoutside the walls of the city of Manila, that they experience muchextortion and injury, on account of not only what pertains to theChristianity that they profess, but their liberty, possessions, andhonor, by making them cut their hair when they become Christians--athing regarded as ignominious by their nation, and which is an obstacleto their conversion, and contrary to the orders of the decree ofthe king our sovereign and grandfather, who is in glory; as alsothat they pay annually sixty-four reals in silver, in addition tothe ordinary tribute, or that they return to their own country, which means that they are forced to abandon the faith which theyreceived with baptism. He declares that that tribute was never paidby the Christians until it was imposed by Don Alonso de Faxardo, myformer governor of the Filipinas Islands, contrary to the advice ofmy Audiencia resident therein. Fray Melchor has petitioned me that, attentive to the above, I be pleased to order that those converted toour holy Catholic faith be not obliged to cut their hair, or pay thesaid tribute, or anything else besides the ordinary tribute paid bythe natives of the said islands; or that it be moderated so that theirconversion may not thereby be made difficult, and that those who oncereceive the faith be not obliged to abandon it by returning to theircountry because of their inability to pay so large a tribute--sincethe majority of those converted are poor laborers, who cannot earnthat tribute. Having examined the matter in my royal Council of theIndias, I have considered it expedient to order this my decree tobe issued. By it I order that for the first ten years after theirconversion the said Sangley Chinese pay no tribute, and that nonebe collected from them, as I have commanded shall be done in regardto the other pagan Indians who are converted. After the ten years, the tribute shall be collected from them, as from the natives ofthe said islands. I order my governor and captain-general of theislands to see that the above is strictly obeyed and observed, andnot to allow their hair to be cut, in observance of the decree thathas been issued concerning this matter. Madrid, November 19, 1627. 

_I The King_By order of the king, our sovereign:_Don Fernando Ruiz De Contreras_

INADVISABILITY OF A SPANISH POST ON THE ISLAND OF FORMOSA

I would consider it a very important fact that the Spaniards ofFilipinas have seized and fortified a site on the island of Hermosa, if that would be the efficacious means of driving out the Dutch fromtheir fort and from that island by force of arms, but otherwise not. 

In order to discuss this proposition reasonably, it will be necessaryfirst to investigate the objects that the Dutch may have had in orderto have fortified, as they have done for the last three or four years, the island of Hermosa. 

Some have thought that the purpose of the Dutch must be to destroycommerce between China and Filipinas, by plundering more at theirease the Chinese ships, because they are there near China, and in aplace where the fleets from Manila which have sometimes defeated them, cannot attack them. But in my judgment, this is not their purpose, although it is a fact that they are very near the coasts of China inthe island of Hermosa. For that reason, even the Chinese, before theyset sail, ascertain by means of oared craft whether Dutch vessels arewaiting in that place. Consequently, they either do not leave theirports, or if they leave, accomplish their voyage, since they can do soeasily by sailing so as not to go within sight of the island. But itis impossible to escape the Dutch ships when they await the Chineseon the coasts of Filipinas, as they have done since the year 609, when they began that practice, until that of 625. During that timescarcely any ship escaped them; for the Dutch generally go to thecoasts of Filipinas when there is no time to advise the Chinese notto leave their country. The latter, having sailed, necessarily fallinto the hands of the Dutch. However, it is true that when the Dutchawait the Chinese on the coasts of Manila, they need a larger fleet;and that they risk its loss by fighting with that of Manila. Herethe capture of the Chinese is assured, while for the above reasons(of which the Dutch are not ignorant) that is almost impossible inthe island of Hermosa. 

In my opinion, then, the purpose of the Dutch is to establish afactory in the island of Hermosa, in order to trade with the Chineseby buying silks from them, and to sail with these to Japon (althoughtaking some of them to Europa also, as well as other goods), just asthe Portuguese of Macan do. I am persuaded of this, for, while I wassailing from Filipinas to Nueva España as captain and master of theship "San Francisco, " which was wrecked in Japon in the year 609--thefirst time when the Dutch went to that kingdom--the Dutch petitionedfor a factory from him whom we style emperor of Japon, offering to takehim silks from China. Thereupon it was given to them, notwithstandingthat the emperor was informed by the Spaniards, and by one GuillermoAdan [40]--an Englishman who had been living married in Japon for manyyears, to whom the emperor turned for information--that the Dutch wererebel vassals [of the Spaniards] and pirates; and that they could notget the silks if they did not plunder them from the Chinese. Thus didthey establish their factory in the port of Firando, where they havemaintained themselves to this very day, taking the silks that theyhave pillaged from the Chinese, and certain cloth stuffs from Europa, and buying food and supplies for their forces in the Malucas and otherislands of those regions. Governor Don Juan de Silva, having conqueredon the coasts of Filipinas the fleet of the Dutch who were robbing theChinese in the year 610, it was learned from the instructions of CountMauricio that they were forbidden to plunder the Chinese and othernations, and that they were only permitted to trade with them. Thus, although they robbed the Chinese, it was on their own responsibility, and incited by greed; and even that they palliated by making a priceon the silks, by weighing them, and settling the account for thatamount. Paying for the goods partly in reals--although only a smallpart--they gave to the Chinese due-bills on the factory of La Sunda. Isaw those papers in their own flagship, as I was captured by the Dutchin the said year 610, when I was returning from the wreck at Japon tothe Filipinas. Nor does it contradict this that since then they havecontinued to plunder the Chinese, since they have given out that theydo it because the silks were bought for silver which the Spaniardsof Manila are sending to China; and because even supposing that thesilks be some belonging to the Chinese, they do not wish the latterto trade with the Spaniards, their enemies. Consequently, althoughthe Dutch have pillaged them, it has been by affecting this pretext, and giving them to understand that the Dutch were not their enemies. 

But what most persuades me to believe that this is the object ofthe Dutch is because they are not ignorant of the great advantage tothem of buying silks from the Chinese and taking their investmentsto Japon; for it is evident to them from the high profits made by thePortuguese of Macan. That profit will be greater for them because ofthe greater ease of making the investment, and their nearer and easiernavigation. Whenever any other nation wishes to trade with the Chinese, that trading must be done entirely with silver; and as the Dutch cantake so little silver from Europa, and have no opportunity to get itfrom Japon unless in exchange for Chinese merchandise, it is certainthat, both because of the high profits of this trade and in order tomaintain themselves in their factory at Japon--whence they furnish theforts of the Malucas, Ambueno, and other places with supplies and somefood--they will procure the trade with the Chinese by all possiblemeans, by maintaining a factory in the island of Hermosa. Thus, becoming wealthy, they will utterly destroy Macan and deprive theFilipinas of the trade of Chinese silks which they had in Japon, which was formerly of so great profit that the investment generallyyielded one hundred per cent in eight or nine months. 

It is to be noted that this trade of Macan and Filipinas with Japonis the principal thing that should be aided by España, for it doesnot involve the danger of having the silver of the Indias wasted inChina, if voyages are made to Macan from Lisboa by way of India, because it comes from China to Portugal, and from Nueva España tothe Filipinas in return for what is taken to Nueva España. As forthe investments made in Macan and Filipinas for Japon, the returnfor these is silver from the mines of Japon itself. 

Now, then, it seems very advisable, for the above reasons, immediatelyto drive out the Dutch from the island of Hermosa, if there is anypossibility and power therefor, uniting the forces of Filipinas, if necessary, with those of Macan--to whom the question is so vital, both because of the said reason of the commerce (which is of primeimportance), and because the island of Hermosa lies in the path ofthe voyage from Macan to Japon; and also, I do not deny, because itis possible that the Dutch have taken a port in the island of Hermosain order to conquer Macan therefrom, to which they are very near, as they attempted to do in the year 622. Therefore, it will be moreexpedient and convenient to drive out the Dutch from this island ofHermosa as soon as it is attempted; and that will be very gratifyingto the Chinese, who are much offended at the Dutch because of the manyrobberies of their ships in the Filipinas trade that the Dutch havecommitted for the last seventeen years, and are bitterly hostile tothem. But although it seems that that hostility will be sufficient, for the present, for the Chinese not to make any beginning in commercein the island of Hermosa with the Dutch, that disinclination willdisappear in a short time--both because of the kind reception that theChinese will experience from the Dutch, and because the Chinese are sonotably covetous that, although they are prohibited under penalty oflosing life and property from trading with Japon, some ships ladenwith silks have gone to that kingdom during the last few years, pretending in Chinese ports that they are going to the Filipinas. 

The above is what occurs to me in regard to the first part. In regardto the second, namely, that it is not advisable for us to have aport in the island of Hermosa, whether the Dutch are there or not, my opinion is the following. 

Since the Dutch are there, one would think it advisable to preventthem by force of arms from the commerce of China. But for that onemust attack either the Chinese or the Dutch. Since the Chinese areour friends, and since we cannot live in the Filipinas without theirtrade, I do not see how it can be done justifiably, as they are freeto trade with all. Even should we attempt it, they will oblige usto permit them [to trade as they choose] by taking the trade fromthe Filipinas. But if it should have to be by attacking the ships ofthe Dutch, new and very long and costly wars would be renewed whichwould complete the exhaustion of the Filipinas, as has been done inthose of Terrenate. Then, too, we would not have greater advantagesin this war in the island of Hermosa than in those of Terrenate;for it also is a war to be carried on with ships, and the Dutch havetheir factories of Japon very near by. They are not inferior to us inaccommodations, although the island of Hermosa is near the Filipinas. 

But if the Dutch were expelled from it, neither do I find any advantagein the Spaniards having a fort and settlement in that island atpresent, considering the condition of the Filipinas, unless it beto prevent the return of the enemy to refortify it. For first wemust determine for that purpose, whether we can prevent that, by thenature of the island and by other circumstances that would render itvery difficult--as was seen in Terrenate, when, although we had fivehundred or more Spaniards there, the Dutch built another fort almostin sight of ours (which they still hold), as soon as we gained thatsmall island. Now, too, although the Dutch were fortified first inthe island of Hermosa, they have not prevented us from effecting asettlement there. For among other things, for such purposes, moremen are necessary, and the cost of those men with whom a fortress ina kingdom not one's own is generally maintained. 

But, as this object is not involved in the other considerations whichpresent themselves to my mind for keeping up a Spanish settlementin that island, I do not see that, for the present, the Spaniardsare obliged to do that. For that island is not of importance to us, either for its own products or for the commerce of China--on theformer ground, because it is a poor and barren land, of which it is nowalways said in the Filipinas that it only produces fruits and timber;nor is it for the second, for if it be made a way-station, whereinto invest in the silks of China, that means to add a new voyage fromthe Filipinas, which on account of its expenses cannot make up forthe convenience of purchasing in Filipinas those same products, whichthe Chinese carry to Manila. If one tries to say that, by this means, the Chinese ships would not be stopped by the Dutch ships that awaitthem on the coasts of Filipinas; and that if that voyage be made fromthe island of Hermosa in Spanish ships, they will sail more secure:I answer that there is less danger for the ships as they sail now. For, since the Chinese do not understand latitude and the directions of thecompass perfectly, they do not know enough to go [by direct routes]to sight land in the Filipinas, thus making safe the coast where theDutch await them; [41] but in that case [i. E. , if they go only toFormosa] the Dutch, changing their position, would go to await theChinese and our ships near our port or the island of Hermosa. Sincethose ships would have to sail so well equipped that they could defendthemselves, it would be so costly an undertaking that it could not bemaintained--especially at the present time, when the Filipinas are soexhausted and so in need of men, by reason of the reënforcements toMaluco, the entrances into Mindanao, and the insurrections in certainprovinces of the natives. Besides, there is the so great danger toManila from the swarms of abandoned heathen Sangleys who live there, besides other Chinese residents who are married and Christians, butlazy, and the great number of non-producing Japanese there also;and for security and defense from all these, the Spaniards do noteven possess what is necessary. 

Neither has that island of Hermosa such a location that it can bedesirable for the ships of Filipinas that sail both to Japon and toMacan, to put in or to seek shelter there; and even less so for thosereturning from a port where they have taken refuge when they sail toNueva España, or when, in sailing from Nueva España to Filipinas, by arriving late, the vendavals overtake them; or for ships on anyother of the courses that we sail today. 

But if one would say that it is a matter of importance for greaterattempts that could be offered in time, by reason of the entrance intoor conversion of China, that is not approved now. On the contrary, I fear from the caution and mistrust of the Chinese, that if wemaintain a settlement in the island of Hermosa, and it is not clearto them that it is strictly necessary for that conservation, [theywill act] without heeding other ends which they must obtain by way ofdiverting the trade with the Filipinas (since we see that they forcedthe Portuguese to tear down the fortification that they permittedthem to erect in Macan, in view of the risk of its being capturedby the Dutch in the year 622, who threatened to return to attemptit with a greater fleet the following year, although they had notreturned up to the year 625). They are not unaware that Castiliansand Portuguese are vassals of one and the same king. Neither havethe Dutch failed to publish (as they did in Japon), that it is thecustom of the king of España to conquer kingdoms under pretext ofreligion. That report, according to the religious of Japon themselves, has been one of the chief causes for the instigation of so terriblea persecution against Christians. Very true is it that the success inconversion in which his Majesty has so disinterested and holy an end, can neither be assured nor guided only by human reason. Consequently, what I judge to be an unsuitable thing might be the best method toattain it. In this argument one ought also to consider the heathennatives themselves in the island of Hermosa; but, admitting this, even for them at present I conclude that his Majesty is under noobligations whatever, because he has in the Filipinas not a fewIndians who pay tribute, but who do not have sufficient ministersto instruct them. Also there are many heathen, who, because theircountry is not yet conquered, are without any knowledge at all of theholy gospel. But I shall not go into greater detail on this point, for it may, perhaps, seem to be outside the question. 

Neither do I imagine that all that has occurred to me concerning thismatter, and much more, has been left unconsidered by Don Fernandode Silva, governor of Filipinas, at whose order a site was occupiedon Hermosa Island; for he is a very prudent gentleman and a gallantsoldier, and one who will not have permitted the desire for gloryand honor, of which the discoverers and conquerors of new lands arejustly worthy, to carry him away. Yet I do not, on that account, regardmyself as under no obligations to advise you of my opinion. Madrid, December 20, 1627. 

_Doctor Don Juan Cevicos_

DOCUMENTS OF 1628-1629

 Relation of 1627-28. [Unsigned]; July, 1628. Report of appointments made by the governor. Juan Niño de Tavora; August 2, 1628. Letters to Felipe IV. Juan Niño de Tavora; August 4, 1628. Economic reasons for suppressing the silk trade of China in Spain and its colonies. Juan Velazquez Madrco; October 7, 1628. Decrees regarding the Chinese. Felipe IV; June, 1628-March, 1629. Relations of 1628-29. Hernando Estrado, and others; 1628-29. 

_Sources_: Most of these documents are from MSS. In the Archivogeneral de Indias, Sevilla, The first one is from the Ventura del ArcoMSS. (Ayer library); the fifth, from the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; and the last, from MSS. In the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid. 

_Translations_: The second of these documents is translated by RobertW. Haight; the second part of the last, by Arthur B. Myrick; all therest, by James A. Robertson. 

RELATION OF 1627-28

_Copy of a relation-written by a father of this residence of Manilaon the condition of these Filipinas Islands, and other surroundingkingdoms and provinces, from the month of July, 1627, until thatof 1628. _

In the port of Cavite, which lies three leguas away from and oppositethe city of Manila, four very fine galleons were being equipped, thatin size and strength could compare with the best in the world. Forthe flagship was the "Concepción;" for almiranta, the "Santa Teresa;"while the other two were called "San Yldefonso" and the "Peña deFrancia. " Besides these there was another smaller ship called the"Rosario, " and two other pataches and two galleys. The work wasprogressing rapidly; for as soon as the merchant ships that sail toNueva España were despatched, our people had to begin their voyage tothe island of Hermosa near China, in order to dislodge the Dutch whowere fortifying themselves there. [42] That might result in notabledamage to this city of Manila, and to Macao, by obstructing theirtrade with China, Japon, and other kingdoms. The food, ammunition, and artillery were already embarked, and many implements of war, in order to carry on the war by sea and land. On July 7. They beganto lade the flagship with quantities of tiling which it was alsonecessary to take. But, burdened with the great weight, the flagshipshowed that it was not to make the voyage; for it commenced to leakso badly that it could not be kept pumped out. Consequently, it wasnecessary to unlade it, and they had to resolve to leave it behindin the port, to their great sorrow. 

The galleon "San Yldefonso" became the flagship. The season was alreadyadvanced, and especially for the galleys, which need more calm weatherto enable them to navigate. Accordingly, the galleys were despatchedahead July 26, under command of Don Pedro Alcarazo. On August 17, the chief part of the fleet, namely, the galleons and pataches, left port. Governor Don Juan Niño de Tabora was in the flagship;master-of-camp Don Lorenzo de Olaso in the almiranta; in the "Peña deFrancia, " Sargento-mayor Alonso Martin Quirante, an old and well-triedsoldier; in the ship "Rosario, " Captain Lazaro de Torres, a daringman in war; and in the other two pataches, two other captains. Eachvessel carried a quantity of artillery, each galleon having more thanforty very large pieces. There were many and very courageous men;although when they saw that contrary weather was setting in it didnot fail to dishearten them, as was immediately seen. For scarcelyhad they left the port of Cavite (even before emerging from thatbay), when so fierce a storm overtook them that the fleet was indanger of being wrecked. One patache sprang a leak, and commenced totake in water so badly that it was forced to make port and remainthere. The governor--seeing that as the season was so late, it wasquite possible that he could not get to the island of Hermosa andreturn to port with the fleet; and as quite a long period had passedsince any reënforcement had been sent to our fort on the same islandof Hermosa; and since he imagined that they were suffering verygreat need of everything necessary--in the probability of what mighthappen, determined to send Captain Lázaro de Torres ahead with hislittle vessel the "Rosario, " which was carrying a large quantity offood. As it was a small, swift-sailing ship, he hoped that it wouldsurely arrive, which was not looked for in regard to the rest of thefleet. We shall relate the experience of this vessel later. 

Our fleet proceeded on its course, but with so contrary winds fromthe north that they [as it were, ] consumed the vessels; and the seasran mountain high toward the heavens, so that one would believethat they were trying to engulf them. They reached Cape Bojeador, although after considerable danger. That is the end of the island ofManila, where one crosses to the island of Hermosa. At that point thestorms increased so violently that, a council of the pilots havingbeen called, all thought that they should put in to port; for it wasimpossible to go any farther until the next year, when the expeditioncould be undertaken at a better season. They put back, and the fleetreentered Cavite on September 6. That was considered as not a little[good fortune by the Dutch]; for, as was afterward learned from someDutchmen, whom the Portuguese of Macan captured, the enemy on theisland of Hermosa were very weak and determined not to fight, but toleave their fort at the arrival of our fleet. Now the Dutch will bein a state of readiness, so that it will cost a triumph to capturethe fort; and, even, may it please God that we can gain such a result. 

Some fathers of St. Dominic and of our Society were going in the fleetwith the intention of remaining in the island of Hermosa, in order toengage in the conversion of its natives who are heathen. As servantsof our fathers were also going two disguised Japanese fathers, inorder to see whether they might go to Japon by way of the island ofHermosa. Their provincial had sent them for that purpose from Macan;for, as the door of Japon is so tightly closed, Ours seek extraordinarymeans to enter there, to aid that afflicted Christian people. 

But let us return to follow our galleys. One can well guess how theywould fare, when so large galleons suffered from the storm. Theywere struck very severely, but they made their voyage nevertheless, until they sighted the fort of the Dutch enemy on the island ofHermosa. From there, they put back to this island of Manila, in theprovince of Ylocos, because of the violence of the weather. While inport there, they had so fierce a storm that, having been hardly used bythe past storm, their seams opened and they went to the bottom. Twentyconvicts were drowned, and three Spaniards. The other men, even thecommander himself, got away by swimming, and, as the land was near, they were able to reach it without much difficulty. That disastrousnews reached this city October 20. 

We come now to the ship "Rosario" in which Captain Lazaro deTorres was sailing. It made its voyage, although not withouttrouble. It reached our fort on the island of Hermosa, and itsarrival gladdened and rejoiced our men greatly, for they were ingreat need of food. It had been more than a year since aid hadbeen sent to them from Manila. At the ship's arrival, it was foundthat a disaster had overtaken our men. It happened that there was achief on the river of Tanchuy, not far from our fort, who professedgreat friendship for our men for his reasons of state, which are notwanting even among barbarians. Those reasons were that that chiefhad wars of long standing with another chief whose domain was on theother side of the river; and he wished to have our men on his side, for whatever might happen. Our men trusting to his friendship, andforced by the necessity that they were suffering, the commander sentCaptain Don Antonio de Vera with twenty Spaniards to the said riverof Tanchuy to bring back rice to our men; for that is the ordinarybread, and that country abounds plentifully with it. Captain Antoniode Vera and his twenty Spaniards remained one or two months with thechief of Tanchuy, who, although he feasted them, did not conclude bygiving them the provisions to return. The captain began to fear somedetention, and sent to our fort for more men, in order to negotiatewith arquebuses what they were unable to compass by kindness; butthese were not sent. The chief concerted secretly with his opponent, and made peace with him. One day he took Captain Don Antonio and theother Spaniards out hunting; and suddenly attacked them, and killedthe said captain and seven others. They first sold their lives, and with greed for death itself, killed some of their false friends, really their enemies--among them the very chief who contrived thattreachery. The other Spaniards sought shelter in a small boat whichthey had there, left the river, and went to our fort, giving newsof the disaster just as Captain Lazaro de Torres arrived. With thehelp that had just come to them, they determined to take vengeancefor that perfidy. The commandant sent the said captain, Lazaro deTorres, with one of the galleys which they had there, accompaniedby one hundred infantrymen. They entered the river of Tanchuy, whichis very beautiful, and densely inhabited by the natives. The latterimmediately deserted their settlements, and our men went to the ricegranaries, and filled their galley and four large champans, which areused as freight ships in these seas. They could have filled fifty ifthey had had them, so great is the abundance in that country. Theycaptured I know not how many persons; then without doing any moreevil or burning their villages, they retired with plenty of food, which was the most important thing. This feat having been performed, the said Lazaro de Torres returned with his ship to Manila, where heentered February 21, 1628. 

On the same day that our fleet reached the port of Cavite, which was, as aforesaid, September 6, 1627, a _cho_ (a craft which is used inthese waters, whose sails are made of rushes) came from Macan. Itwarned the Portuguese galliots which had come from that city to thiswith great wealth of merchandise, and which were about to returnwith about one million in silver, that they should take note thatthe Dutch enemy were stationed in the passage of Macan, awaitingthem with four ships in order to capture them, and that they shouldchange their direction and course. Thereupon, Governor Don Juan Niñode Tabora, seeing that our fleet was ready, and that it would bea fine thing to effect some stroke with the Dutch, as well as forother ends which will be told later, resolved to send two galleons, to act as escort to the Macan galliots. The Portuguese gave twentythousand pesos to help the soldiers. On October 13 the said galliots, five in number, left with the flagship "San Yldefonse, " in which DonJuan de Alcarazo went as commander; in the other galleon, the "Peñade Francia, " Don Pedro de Mendiola went as commander. Each galleoncarried about six hundred persons. They were so well equipped that theycould fight with any Dutch ships whatever. Father Ygnacio de Muxicaof our Society, and a brother, were in the flagship, and a father ofSt. Francis in the other galleon. Both galleons suffered great troublesfrom whirlwinds, seas, and storms all the way to Macan. One day ourflagship snapped the topmast of its mainmast and it fell down. Anotherday the mast sprang, and knocked the rudder out of place, and it hadto be repaired. Another day they were all but wrecked on the reefsof La Plata. On another occasion they lost their rudder completely, and they had to steer the ship with the sheets of the mizzenmast;on another, they lost their anchors while quite near Macan. Theygrounded in two and one-half brazas of water, and had not the bottombeen sandy they would have been smashed into a thousand pieces. Theycut down the mainmast and lightened the ship, and got it out of thesand after the greatest of toil, for it was almost buried. The othergalleon had its troubles too, but it was fortunate in making port atSanchuan on the Chinese coast, where our father St. Francis Javierdied, about thirty leguas from Macan. The galliots entered the latterplace safely, for the Dutch ships were no longer in the strait, as Ishall recount later in order not to interrupt at present the threadof our history of our galleons and their adventures. The latter werevery ill received by the Portuguese because of the twenty thousandpesos which they cost, and because it was seen that the Dutch haddeserted the strait. They judged the matter by the effect and notby what might have happened had the enemy captured their galliotswith so great a sum of silver. Our galleons stayed more than threemonths at that place refitting, stepping a mast and replacing therudder, and getting food in Macan. They bought a patache, of whichthey had great need. On the eighteenth of February the two galleonsand patache sailed out to pursue their voyage. The latter was sentby the commander, Don Juan Alcarazo, to take its station in the bayof the kingdom of Tonquin and Cochinchina, in order to await a shipfrom Siam of which it should make a prize; and then to go with it insearch of the two galleons. The fact is that they had an order fromGovernor Don Juan Niño de Tabora to capture all the Siamese vesselsfor reprisal, inasmuch as five years ago a ship was taken from usin that kingdom, although it was friendly to us. The ship was saidto be valued at one million in merchandise, and was on its way fromMacan to Manila. Several Spaniards were killed. An embassy having beensent under Father Pedro de Morejon, as I wrote in another relation, the Siamese returned to us only the value of ten thousand pesos. 

That patache, whose captain was Diego Lopez Lobo, a Portuguese, andwhich carried thirty Spaniards, waited two months in the said place, sailing about hither and thither. When the king of Cochinchina sawit, fearing lest it capture some vessels that he was expecting in hiskingdom, he sent a father of the Society (one of those who reside inhis court and other places, who I think are sixteen in number) in asmall ship to tell the captain not to do any harm to anything belongingto his kingdom, and that he had always been a friend to us. Answerwas returned that the presence of the ship in that region was notto do harm to Cochinchina, but to attain certain purposes which hiscaptain-general had ordered him. Finally, on Thursday, the twentiethof April, a great freight ship was sighted, one of the sort that sailthese seas. The Spaniards attacked it, and although its occupantstried to defend themselves, they were obliged to see that they hadno defense against our artillery and musketry. They surrendered, andit was found to be the ship which was being sought. It was one whichthe king of Siam sends every year to Canton with some tribute for theking of China. It was returning with great wealth of silks and otherthings, and carried sixty Siamese and sixty Chinese. Half of the menwere placed aboard our patache, and soldiers were transferred fromthe patache to the said Siamese ship. The strict vigilance necessarywas maintained, as our men were so few, so that they should not bekilled some night. The patache set out in search of the galleons, inthe direction that had been set. But the winds were contrary in thatdirection, and they were unable to make any distance. Consequently, they had to sail with a stern wind to Manila. With their capturedreprisal they reached this city on May 14. The cargo of the Siameseship was unladed carefully, and it was found that it was worth aboutone hundred thousand pesos. It was placed on deposit in a building andexcellent treatment is being given to the Siamese. But I think thatthey will be sent to their king, so that he may return us what he tookfrom us, in which case we shall return what we captured from him. Ifthat is not done, then we shall continue to capture their ships. 

When the two galleons left Manila, the governor offered to send apatache after them to a certain place, and did so a little later;it was under command of Don Fernando Becerra, with about sixtymen. They had bad weather. They looked for our galleons, and althoughthey found traces of their having been in certain parts, they didnot find the vessels. They only found a fine ship which was wellequipped with artillery, and, thinking it to be one of our galleons, drew near it. But when quite near they saw that it was a Dutch ship, and consequently began to retire in all haste. The ship followedour patache, but as the latter was as swift as a bird it made somuch headway in a short time that the ship abandoned the chasein despair. Our patache continued to retire toward Manila, whereit arrived June 6, having lost fifteen men, who died of sickness, among them a Franciscan religious who was aboard. Consequently, ourgalleons were left without any patache, for one patache came in withthe Siamese ship and the other did not find them. That was a matterof considerable damage; for, as the galleons were so large, theydrew much water, and could not well go close to the shore in orderto secure the desired results--as we shall see during the course oftheir voyage, which was as follows. 

As soon as they left the patache in the said passage for the purposeof capturing the Siamese ship, they ran along the whole coast of Asiauntil they reached the island of Hainam, where the fishery of GreatChina is located, a place most plentifully supplied with food. Theywent to the kingdom of Champa, and anchored at Pulo Condor, wherethey sent out their lanchas with forty Spaniards, and about twentyIndians and negroes, to see whether they could get the water whichwas very necessary to them. In the meantime the galleons kept movingabout on one tack or another; but they were overtaken by so violent astorm that they had to go to another island called Pulo Ubi, leavingthe lanchas with their men ashore, and as yet nothing has been heardof the latter. But it is thought that they are in Camboja, for thatking is friendly to us, and will have welcomed them, as they were onlyeight leguas from the bar of Camboja. [43] Thus the galleons were leftwithout pataches or lanchas. They went to Pulo to land at the kingdomof Pan, where they anchored and got water; and they took food from theinhabitants of the country until the latter arose against and woundedsome of our men. But our men killed some of them, among them a nephewof the king of Pan himself. The Spaniards took away two boats fromthem, from which they made boats such as we use. While at that place, a ship manned by Chinese and Malays was captured. They were coming withflags and passports from the Dutch, with whom they were trading. Theywere captured on that account, although they had nothing of any value, for they had left their merchandise in the kingdom of Pan. It washeard that there were Dutch ships in the strait of Malaca, whichwere committing depredations. The Spaniards sent a lancha manned bysoldiers and an adjutant, to reconnoiter; but after spying carefullyuntil they were quite near Malaca, no Dutch were discovered, and theyreturned to the galleons with that news. While they were there, theking of Pan wrote in very complimentary manner to our commander, and, not saying that he knew of the death of his nephew, offered our meneverything that they needed, so great fear had seized him. A lanchawas sent to the kingdom of Patani to see whether there was a Dutchfactory there, as was usual. Two Javanese were brought back, who saidthat two years ago, when that kingdom was in power, they had driventhe Dutch from that place. They had a great quantity of pepper (whichis the product yielded by that kingdom), for there was no one to whomto sell it, as they had sold it to the Dutch before. The commanderwrote to them to have their men take a load of it to Manila, andthat it would be bought from them; and also that he would give themindemnity for a slight injury which some of his men had done them, not knowing that they were friends, by taking a small quantity ofrice from them, which the fleet and those who brought it needed. Themen fled, without giving any account of themselves. 

The galleons went to the coasts of Ligor and Siam, and discoveredthree _somas_, freight ships of these seas. The lanchas attacked them;and, while fighting with them, fire was set to two jars of powderthat the Spaniards had there. Twelve persons were burned, seven ofwhom died. Thereupon they retired, and the somas escaped. Afterwardthree other somas were discovered, which were coming from Siam. Thelanchas were sent after them and defeated them, and brought them tothe galleons. They were carrying as merchandise, rice, considerablepepper, and some cloth. The last named was much needed by the infantry, who already had rib shirts on account of the long voyage. The galleonsentered the bay of Siam, and found three somas on the bar. One wasJapanese, and carried drugs and merchandise. It was captured in goodfaith, but the justification of this act is being discussed. It isthought that the Japanese will be remunerated for the injury received, as they ought not to have been harmed. 

Another of the somas belonged to the Siamese king, and was being ladento go to China for the purpose of trading lead, ivory, silver, leather, etc. As they were unable to get it outside of the bar, for it wasvery large and needed the high tide, they set fire to it and took theSiamese to the galleons. That would have been a prize or reprisal ofimportance had it been captured, and not burned. Then another Siamesesoma laden with pepper and tin was captured, and a reprisal was madeof it. The galleons returned, reconnoitering all those ports, to seewhether there were any Dutch in them. Although they did not find any, they left those kingdoms in terror, for although our galleons werevery large, report made them much greater. Rumor said that each onecontained more than one thousand men, and pieces of vast size, whichfear magnified greatly. Finally, the two galleons returned to port onthe thirteenth of June after an eight months' voyage, with the death ofmore than forty men. The galleon "Peña de Francia" had many sick men, but only one man had died in the flagship; and he had died in port, as he was sick when he had embarked. The chief cause was the greatcare taken of the sick. That was attended to chiefly by the fatherand brother of our Society who were in the said flagship. Thus theyall arrived safe and sound and happy, and all this city was joyfulover their return. [44]

I said above that when our galleons arrived at Macan with the galliotsthey did not find the Dutch ships, and I said that I would tell why;and I shall do so now, before passing on. While the Chinese of Macanwere awaiting the ships from Yndia, and thinking of making the usualvoyage to Japon with four ships which they had already prepared, twoships and a patache and a galliot of the Dutch came in sight of thecity, on July 21. The larger ship and the galliot stationed themselvesin an entrance where the galliots from India enter and those for Japonleave. The other smaller ship and the patache took the other entrance, where the vessels that sail from Manila and other places enter. Thedesign of the Dutch was to capture the vessels en route from Yndia, Filipinas, and other kingdoms; and to prevent the voyage to Japon, which forms the chief gain of the city of Macan. The people, seeingtheir affliction--and that a galliot en route from Yndia had escapedthe enemy as by a miracle, and entered the city safely; and thatthey had scarcely been able to despatch to Japon one of the shipswhich they had prepared, at great risk of the Dutch capturing it, which the latter made all possible efforts to do--set about preparinga small fleet of merchant vessels to see whether they could lureaway some vessel of the enemy, and attack and capture it. Five shipsand six chos were prepared, the latter weak vessels which sail theChinese seas. Artillery was mounted in them which could not have beenvery large, for the ships were not very large or strong. Commanderswere appointed for all of them. A father of our Society embarked ineach one for the expedition. In short, everything was prepared withthe efficient care and solicitude of the chief captain of Macan, Don Felipe Lobo, who was governing that city. It only remained toassign the chief commander of all, over which there was great strife, for all wished to command and no one to obey. Consequently, one thingwas resolved upon, which except among the Portuguese of Yndia, wherethere is so little practice in war or military knowledge, could notpass, and will cause laughter to whoever reads it--namely, that eachone of the commanders of the ships should have command for his day, and should be superior of the others. They were to begin by lot, and hewho should get the first lot was to have command the first day, and hethe second who should get the second lot, and so one with the others, until the five days were finished. Then they were to take commandagain in the same way. They left port and found that the flagship ofthe Dutch was alone; for the galliot which accompanied it had gone toJapon, and the other ship with the patache had gone to their fort onthe island of Hermosa. The Portuguese attacked the ship with greatenergy and valor, although with little plan, and defeated it. TheDutch captain-general, who was a circumspect man, by name NicholasCadem, sailed out to seek a hot engagement, and was killed. Thereuponthe Dutch boldly set fire to the powder-barrels and blew up a greatpart of the ship, many of the Dutch jumping into the water. They werepicked up by the Portuguese and taken into their ships. Twelve menof the Portuguese were killed and twenty-seven of the Dutch, whilesome thirty odd were captured. The half-burnt ship of the enemy wastaken to Macan. They captured fourteen pieces of artillery in it andmore than one thousand balls and other weapons. It was a pity thatthat ship was burned, for it was very fine and was well built. It wascovered and lined with leather and sheets of lead. However, it is saidthat it will be of use if repaired. That victory happened on August25, 1627. Consequently, when our galleons arrived with the galliots, the sea was already cleared of the enemy. 

Since we do not find a port of China in Macan it will be right for usto enter the interior, and we shall tell what is passing [there] inthe spiritual and temporal. Christianity continues to increase. Thereare twenty-two members of the Society in all China, established atthe court of Pequin and other chief cities. Ours go about there withmore liberty and publicity than they have ever done. Happy times areexpected if the uncle of the king who is now reigning enters into thekingdom, as is heard, and if the king is held in guardianship, as heis a boy. The latter succeeded his brother who died. [45] Immediatelyupon entering his kingdom, he exiled from his court a eunuch, a primefavorite of his brother, who had command of everything and even playedthe tyrant; he also exiled other favorites. The seas of that kingdomof China are infested with pirates from China itself, and they are sonumerous that it is said that there are more than a thousand ships ofthem. They pillage everything and infest all places, and have sackedand burned many maritime places of that great kingdom. They have beenthe cause this year of very few ships coming to these islands to trade;for the mandarins have put an embargo on all ships, in order to builda large fleet to oppose the said pirates. A large stone was foundin the interior of China with Chinese and some Chaldean characters, which tell how preachers of the gospel came to China a thousand yearsago and preached the gospel. They had bishops, and many churches andChristians, and the mysteries of our faith were established there. Asit is a long matter I shall not relate it here, but shall only saythat after having examined the circumstances, it appears to be true, without ground for doubt of it. [46]

Father Juan Adan, of the Society of Jesus, wrote the following. Helives in Pequin. 

"The affairs of this kingdom of China are in a condition of perfectpeace. A rumor was current many days ago that the Tartar king, the fearof this empire, was dead. [47] As he had many sons, and had conqueredmany lands from his other neighbors, the sons will be kept quitebusy for some few years in coming to terms with one another, and individing and maintaining what their aged father left them. A few daysago, a mandarin related to Father Nicolas Longobardo [48] that he hadseen in the palace an image of a woman with two small boys and an oldman. It must be David who was playing the harp for them. It is not anidol of the Chinese, for the image is about a thousand years old, andwas a present from foreigners in the time of Tam-Chao, when our holylaw entered China, as your Reverence will already know from the stonewhich was found, and the painting of the old man on linen, a figurewhich resembles us. This point needs investigation, in order that wemay know what it is with greater certainty. " The father continues, making mention of an earthquake that happened in China. 

Let us return to the island of Hermosa, whence a boat came on March 13, with the news that a great mandarin had come from China to our fort, to ascertain what people they had recently received as neighbors. Iwill briefly state the reason for his coming. A Chinaman bribedby the Dutch took certain memoranda to the mandarins, in which athousand evil things were said of the Spaniards (namely, that theywere certain robbers), while the Dutch were praised--all with theobject that trade be forbidden with Manila, and opened with theDutch, which is the thing that they have always been trying to do, and to which the Chinese have always been opposed. Another Chinamanwas not wanting who took up the matter on his own account, and said:"The Dutch who pillage those kingdoms, and are rebels to their king, are rather the robbers and pirates, and not the Spaniards, who aregood men; with them we trade in Manila, and they do not constrain usexcept by many very good works. " Upon seeing that, the viceroy of themaritime provinces sent the said mandarin to the new port which we hadoccupied in the island of Hermosa, to examine and investigate what kindof people we were, and what were our purposes in making a settlement sonear China. The mandarin was very cordially received by the commandantof the island of Hermosa, Antonio Carreño de Valdes, who regaled himand made much of him, and gave him a fine present at his departure. Hetold the mandarin that our intentions were good, and that we did notintend to harm China, but rather to aid them by punishing the pirateswho infested those seas. The mandarin was despatched, but put backonce and twice to the fort. He was received well each time and welltreated by the said commandant. He put back the third time, and forshame refused to return to our fort, but anchored not far from it;there the natives cut his moorings one night, and, drawing the shipto land, entered it and pillaged whatever they wished, and treated themandarin with contumely. In the morning, when the commandant got windof the affair, he sent a troop of soldiers. Attacking the natives withorders not to kill them (for the soldiers shot their bullets into thesky), they captured some chiefs. Thereupon, the chiefs restored tothe Chinese mandarin what they had pillaged from him; and, in orderto regain their liberty, handed over to us their sons as hostages, who are being reared in our fort. Thereupon the mandarin was sentaway, very thankful. An account of all this affair was sent to Manilato the governor, who immediately despatched the father-provincial ofSt. Dominic--who knows the Chinese language, and has tried by variousways and means for many years to enter China, but never has been ableto succeed. [49] This despatch seemed now to be a good means to him--Imean to the said father-provincial--so that in company with the saidcommandant of the island of Hermosa, they might go to the viceroyof the maritime provinces with a very rich present of silver, cloth, and other things. Those articles were sent for that purpose so thatthose provinces might make a treaty with our fort on the island ofHermosa, where the said father-provincial is preparing to go with thecommandant on the embassy, the result of which I shall tell next year. 

The aid of food and ammunition was sent to the forts which we have inthe Malucas Islands this year, as usual. Three pataches went, underthe command of a valiant soldier, Captain Francisco Hernandez. TheDutch had received a very large and well-equipped ship, with whichthey were waiting to capture our relief expedition. The two patacheseasily escaped, and sought the protection of our forts. But the shipin which the said Captain Francisco Hernandez was, seeing that itcould not escape, courageously went to attack the [Dutch] ship. Whenthat was seen from our fort of Terrenate, the galley was despatched tothe aid of our ship. The latter grappled with the hostile vessel andfought so courageously, that its men were about to enter the latter, when, the Dutch firing a piece, it struck in the powder which hadbeen brought up on deck for the fight. Thereupon our vessel caughtfire, and the men took to the water, and reached the shore, whichwas near, by swimming. The galley, which through fear of the powderof our ship which was blown up, had approached very near the enemy'sship, was capsized by all the men going to one side. Consequently, all its men took to the water in order to escape by swimming. Thus theenemy were victorious, although more of their men were killed than ofours. They tried to take the galley, notwithstanding its condition, but it sank in a few moments. That was a great misfortune. The enemywere triumphant, and made much ado about the outcome. 

The Camucones are certain robbers who live on the sea, and constantlyinfest our seas of Filipinas; they came this year, as they have done inothers. A small fleet of our caracoas--vessels that look like galleys, although they are smaller and weaker--went out to attack them from theisland of Oton. Our vessels captured three of the enemy's caracoas, while four others grounded on the beach. The latter were burned by ourIndians, and the Camucones who disembarked were killed. Therefore, weare free from that canaille for this year, and they nave done us butlittle harm. A large hostile caracoa was discovered on the coast ofthe city of Cebu. The Spaniards went out to it and, having overtakenit, its people instead of surrendering and delivering up themselves, received our men with a volley of stones which they cast from certainslings, and showers of spears. When our men saw that the enemy wouldnot easily come to terms, they attacked and killed them. Only sixof them were left alive, who with the prize and boat were takento the said city of Cebu, where the attempt was made to ascertaintheir purpose and from what land they came. But it was impossible toascertain anything, for they understood none of the languages spokenhere, although there are so many. They were thought to be peoplewho had been blown from some island. [50] They were naked, and hadno firearms, nor even weapons of iron. Their ship had no nails, anda chisel that was found was made of bone. They ate lice with a goodgrace--by that propensity, being people of good taste. Some thoughtthem to be from an island more distant than Borney; for the inhabitantsof that island eat lice, and the fat ones with especial liking. 

The governor established a shipyard this year in the province ofCamarines--which is a part of this island of Manila--in order tobuild a couple of galleons, two or three galleys, and a like numberof brigantines, for there was need of all. For that purpose he sentsome Spaniards, and a number of Chinese and Indians, to build theships; a considerable quantity of iron for nails, much rice for food, four pieces of artillery to garrison themselves, and, in short, allthat was necessary. They settled at the said place and began theirbuilding. The king of Jolo left his island, which was subject andtributary for a long time, and it was years since he was rebellious. Hewent out with two thousand men, in more than thirty caracoas, whichare called _joangas_ when they are large. He came among our islands, and first captured from us a ship and a quantity of iron (whichis an article that they esteem highly). They also captured balls, fuses, and all that the ship was carrying to the shipyard. Then theycaptured another ship from us with sixty Indians and two Spaniards, who were going to cut wood for the building of the ships. They hadinterpreters, and found out where the shipyard was located. Theywent there before dawn, landed seven hundred well-armed men, andcommenced to kill and rob. The Spaniards were quite off their guard, and had not fortified themselves and mounted the artillery, as theyought to have done. They quickly seized their arms, and began to firetheir arquebuses. The enemy first killed for us two of our Spaniards, whereupon only twelve Spaniards were left. Of the other men the enemytook no account, for many were already captured or killed. Some triedto flee, and some sought the shelter of our arquebuses in a storehousewhere the provisions were kept, where the Spaniards had retired, and where they remained fighting, because of their few number, untilshortly after midday. By that time five of them were wounded, and onlyseven were left who could fight. They ran short of ammunition andfuses, because the enemy had taken them, as I have said. Thereupon, they resolved to embark in a large boat which they had, back ofthe said storehouse on a river, his Majesty's silver, all the arms, the women and children, and the other Indians who had taken shelterthere. Immediately the twelve Spaniards, both the wounded and thesound, embarked, and went up the river. Therefore, the camp was leftto the king of Jolo and his men. They remained there for some days, eating and drinking as if in their own homes. They embarked the fourpieces of artillery which our men could not take, and collected allthe iron that they could load into their ships; and even then they didnot take all that there was, for there was much of it. Consequently, they left a great part of it ashore. They robbed many things ofvalue, and a great quantity of rice which they found--a matter ofabout one thousand fanegas--they scattered and threw into the sea, for they had no need of it. They killed and captured many, and amongthem a Spanish woman, and thereupon they retired triumphant. Howeverthey were surprised that so few Castilians, as they say, made frontfor so long against so many of their men. The king left a letter forthe governor; and one of the seigniors of Europa could not apparentlywrite more prudently or in more just manner. He said in the letterthat he had made that demonstration because a chief of his named Achen, having been sent as ambassador to Manila, had been ill-treated here. Hehad been thrust into prison and his possessions taken away from him, among them three exceedingly beautiful pearls of extraordinary size, such as are obtained in that kingdom and island. It is a fact thatall the above was done to his ambassador Achen; but the reason forit was because, after he had been honorably despatched from Manilain order that he might return to his country, he sailed out with hisvessel, which resembled a beautiful small galley, pillaging all whom hemet. Consequently, men were sent against him; and they captured him onhis way and took him to Manila, where they took away his possessionsand imprisoned him. Although they might have hanged him, they didnot do so, but despatched him to his country once more. He returnedthence for the second time as ambassador, with a very haughty andarrogant message. They sent him away, and he went to the limits ofthese Filipinas Islands; and as soon as he thought that he would besafe, began to pillage, and took refuge [with his allies]. Accordinglythe king of Jolo was ill informed in what he wrote. The latter, onleaving the shipyard, attacked another of our islands, called Bantayan, where he was resisted by three Spaniards and one secular priest witharquebuses, until their powder was gone. That happened during thenight; and then the Spaniards and the ecclesiastic retired, whereuponthe Joloans landed. Inasmuch as the island abounds in certain largethorns, which form its greatest defense against a barefooted enemy, such as are the Joloans, they wore as a protection certain woodenshoes resembling coarse leather sandals [_abarca_] with which theylanded. They captured many of the natives. Then they attacked Ogonuc, a village in charge of the fathers of the Society, and pillaged it, as well as what our house and church contained, even to the bells. Thefather was not there, and so they did not capture him. The enemy tookheavy spoils in everything; but, what was a cause for greater pain, they captured more than three hundred Indians. They sell them asslaves to heathen kingdoms, and in the end the slaves become likethe masters. While the above was happening, as report of it hadalready gone forth, the commandant of Cebu and lieutenant of thecaptain-general, Christobal de Lugo, prepared his fleet of caracoas, in order to go out to engage the enemy and take away their booty. Hesailed out and sighted the enemy at two in the afternoon. The enemy, seeing him, began to flee; and in order to do so with greater freedom, abandoned astern some eight small boats boats--a matter of smallimportance. Our fleet continued to pursue them, but they put so muchstrength into their rowing that they distanced our men. Their craft areextremely swift, and have two prows, so that it is unnecessary to turnabout in order to flee. The night descended, and the enemy escaped, to the great grief of our men. They, seeing the so great disasterthat was happening to us, and that the enemy had gone away making ajest of us, sent Father Fabricio Sarsali of our Society from the cityof Cebu with orders to go to Manila to inform the governor, and getpermission from him to go to seek the enemy in their own country. Forthat purpose they needed food, some silver, and some soldiers, besidesthose that they had there. The father came, negotiated successfully, and all that he requested was given him; and they were ordered togo to punish the Joloan enemy. However they were not to approach astrong fort that the Joloans had on a hill on top of a steep rock, as that was a very dangerous undertaking, where twice in former yearsthe Spaniards had been defeated. Accordingly, the capture of thatfort required a greater force and a more favorable opportunity. Thefather returned with his despatch. The caracoas of the island ofOton and those of Cebu were prepared, which formed, as it were, twosquadrons. Many other caracoas of volunteer Indian chiefs joined them, so that all together they numbered thirty or forty. About two hundredSpaniards and more than one thousand six hundred Indians embarked inthem. On April 22, they reached the beach of the island of Jolo. Atone o'clock of the day, the commander landed one hundred Spaniards anda number of Indians, leaving the other men behind for the defense ofthe fleet so that it might come to no hurt. They espied a flourishingsettlement, of which they had hitherto had no information; for theking and his men live on top of the hill, for greater safety. But, being desirous of enjoying trade and commerce with other kingdoms, they had built that city. Between it and us was the river. Seeing thatthis matter was one of quickness and determination, they immediatelycrossed the river, part in boats, but the majority in water up totheir waists. They attacked the settlement, and although the Joloanstried to resist, they were unable; accordingly, they retired, and ourmen entered the settlement and sacked it. It contained quantitiesof gold, cloth, and other things, especially in the palaces of theking, which were very rich and beautiful, and curiously carved, as was also the mosque. That island is inhabited by Moros. Our mencaptured three versos and two falcons, one hundred and fifty musketsand arquebuses, and a flag which the enemy had captured from us in theshipyard. They esteemed the flag very highly, as they had capturedit from Spaniards. The Spaniards set fire to the settlement and toa village of Lutaos, who are fishermen, as well as to the alcaiceríawhich the Chinese had there. Everything was burned, including a verylarge supply of rice which they had gathered, and which will causethem great want. A quantity of powder and sulphur was also burned, besides more than sixty joangas. These were the ships of their fleet, in which they went out to pillage, using besides more than a hundredother small craft, which also were broken up and burned; so that not asingle ship was left to them. Then the Spaniards looked for the tombsof the kings, in accordance with the order given from Manila by thegovernor. The tombs are highly esteemed by the Joloans. They foundthree wonderful and splendid ones, especially one of them, which wasthe one for the present king. They also burned these, although theJoloans tried to prevent them. All this was accomplished in the sameafternoon when much of the fleet arrived; the men then retired to theirships. Next day, which was Easter Sunday, the Spaniards heard that ata certain point there was a large joanga belonging to the same king, and three versos. Again they disembarked and burned the said joangaand captured the versos. Upon all these occasions the captain-generalwas the first to disembark, the last to enter the vessel, and the firstin all places where they went. With him went Father Fabricio Sarsali, with a banner on which was an image of our father St Francis Javier, who had been taken as patron of that expedition. 

After all that had been accomplished, the commander, Don Cristobalde Lugo, sent a letter to the king which had been sent him fromManila by the governor, in reply to that which the king had writtenhim. The governor had ordered that the letter should not be sentuntil after the punishment had been accomplished. The king replied, as the senate of Venecia might have done, with more courtesies andreasons of state. For writing it he employed as secretary the Spanishwoman whom he had captured at the shipyard, who is named Doña Lucia, of whom he is very fond. Consequently, although the Spanish commandertried to ransom her and offered as much as six hundred pesos for her, the king would not surrender her--answering that it was not consistentwith his greatness to give her up for money; but that he would send herfreely, if they would give him in recompense the falcons and versoswhich they had captured from him, and one of the slave women who wasin our power. The slave woman was sent him, but not the artillery, and a fine thing it would have been to arm the enemy to ransom onewoman. Thus did she remain in their power, but made half a queen. Someof the enemy were killed, and others captured. Some of those whomthe king had captured from us came to us, but not all, for most ofthem had been sold in other kingdoms. Great was the booty, and theIndians who went on that expedition were rich and eager for otherexpeditions. Not a single one of our men was killed or wounded. Thusall of them returned to embark, laden with spoils and happy. Theenemy were left chastised and ruined for many years. Then our fleetwent to another island near there, called Taguima, whose inhabitantswent out to pillage with the Joloans. They had already been advised, and accordingly fled to the mountains. Our men landed, and burned alarge village, in which there was nothing but common things. They laidwaste all the palm-trees, and did them all the damage possible. Thenthe fleet went to the island of Mindanao. A letter was despatchedfrom the port of La Caldera to the sultan of that island, notifyinghim to come to see our commander, but he refused to do so, and madeexcuses; but the truth was, that he was afraid. He sent an ambassadorand wrote a letter to the governor of Manila, in which he begged forfathers of the Society and one hundred infantrymen to build a fort(which is the thing that we desire), from which to destroy the Joloans, who are also his enemy at present. 

A great portion of the province of Cagayan, which is located in thisisland of Manila, has been in revolt for some years. An extensiveraid was made this year by our Spaniards and two thousand friendlyIndians. Some of the enemy were killed, and eight villages burned. Thecountry was laid waste, with the fields that the enemy had there;and thus were they punished for the insolent acts that they hadcommitted. Consequently, these islands have four wars on the tapis atpresent: in the island of Hermosa, with the natives and the Dutch;in Terrenate and the Malucas Islands, with the Dutch also; in Joloand other near-by islands whose inhabitants infest our seas; and inCagayan with the insurgents. For so much war we must have greater aidfrom España and Nueva España, so that the condition of these islandsmay not fall lower. 

I will conclude this relation with the fires that we have experiencedthis year, which have been many and important. 

The convent of St. Francis, the hospital, and other houses were burnedin Maluco. The convent of St. Nicolas (which belongs to the Recollects)in Cebu was burned March 29; and that of St. Augustine and a greatportion of the city on April 8. It was a miracle that our residenceescaped, for the fire was near it. 

Fire caught, at one o'clock at night on March 13, in the Parián oralcaiceria of the Chinese, where more than twelve thousand Chineselive, outside the walls of this city of Manila. Inside of five hoursit was all leveled. It naturally seems impossible that so large asettlement, with wooden pillars which two men could not encircle, could have burned in so short a time. But that must have been thefire and punishment of heaven for the so horrible sins by which thoseheathen Chinese have provoked the wrath of God. The church and conventof St. Dominic, which is one of the most splendid wooden buildingsthat there can be, escaped from the midst of this fire of Sodom. Ahouse owned there by the Society, which was even yet unfinished, wasalso unburnt. All the rest was burned to the very foundations. Theinhabitants of Manila, who owned many of the houses, lost considerablein that fire. But in the space of four months, most of that alcaiceríahas been rebuilt in squares and straight streets and uniform houses. Itpresents a very beautiful appearance, and is as large as the city ofManila itself. It is no wonder that a city should be built entire inso short a time, when more than three thousand men have worked onit. I do not know whether there can be any other part of the worldthan Manila where there are so many workmen and so abundant materials. 

[Volume i of the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library) contains thefollowing synopsis of another relation for the years 1627-1628. ]

_Events in the Filipinas Islands from August, 1627, until June, 1628. _

In August, 1627, Governor Don Juan Niño de Tabora left the bay ofManila with the fleet, going toward the island of Hermosa in order todrive away the Dutch who had established themselves there two yearsbefore the Spaniards. 

The fleet sailed out of season, for the relief ships from NuevaEspaña arrived a month later than they ought. Accordingly, the fleetencountered northerly winds when they reached Cape Bojeador. Theyremained there for some days, beating to windward, until after severalstorms they had to put back to Manila. 

The galleys joined the fleet at Bangui, which is located at the samecape. The smaller vessels, not being able to withstand the weather, became separated from the fleet; and one of them, with the heavystorm that overtook them, ended its voyage at a port of China, inthe province of Fo-chiu, and another at the island of Hermosa. Thegalleys lost their moorings at Bangui, where the earth and even the seatrembled fourteen times in one day. Hills were toppled over; and onecalled Los Caraballos, which was on the road to Nueva Segovia, and wasinaccessible, sank and became very level. Some of the convents of theDominican religious (who instruct that province) fell. The hurricanewrecked immense numbers of trees, which covered the beaches of thesea. By the middle of September the weather moderated. The commanderof the galleys, not knowing that the galleons had put back, continuedhis voyage, and reached the point on the island of Hermosa, andentered the Dutch port without knowing it. He went within cannon-shot, reconnoitered the port, and sounded the coast. He observed the fort, and the preparations made by the Dutch, who were fearful of someattack. Then he went to a small island inhabited by Chinese fishermen, who received him cordially; they expressed hatred for the Dutch, andtheir desire to aid the Spaniards to drive them from the island ofHermosa. They had some Dutch prisoners, who had been shipwrecked froma galleon that had been lost on their coasts, or on the reefs of thesaid island. The galleys sailed thence toward our port in the islandof Hermosa, but so furious a north wind caught them, when near it, that they were carried to Cape Bojeador in five days; and they wereable to make the port called Japones. There another storm struck themon the first of October, and the two galleys were smashed to pieces, although the artillery and men were saved. 

The ship that put in at Fo-chiu returned to the port of the islandof Hermosa with whose infantry and that of another small patache, which had arrived before, and with some silver and clothing which itcarried, the fort was relieved; and its garrison were able to punish, as they did, the Chinese who had killed two captains, with twenty-fiveor thirty Spaniards. 

The governor, having returned to the bay of Manila with his galleons, was notified from Macao, before he had disembarked, that four Dutchvessels had been sighted, whose intention was to make prizes andprevent the commerce. He sent two galleons as a convoy for thePortuguese galleys of that port; but when they reached Macao theDutch vessels were no longer there, the battle having already occurredwhich was referred to in the preceding document. 

The two galleons having been freed [from the convoy] went--aftersuffering a severe storm in which they were nearly wrecked, fromthe effects of which they had to be repaired--in accordance with theorders of the governor, to scour all the coast as far as Malaca inpursuit of the Dutch. For that purpose they equipped a patache beforeleaving Macao, while another patache was despatched from Manila tojoin them. During the eight months while the voyage lasted, thosefour boats scoured all the places where the Dutch are accustomedto go, without omitting any save to enter Jacatra [51] itself. Theywent first to the island of Aynao [_i. E. _, Hainan], which has fourcities, and is the pearl fishery of Great China. Then they skirtedthe coast of Cochinchina, where the king sent to request them, through a Spaniard who was there and the superior of the missionwhich the fathers of the Society have there, not to attack them, since he was our friend. They did not meddle with his possessions, but, before leaving the coast, captured a junk belonging to the kingof Siam, which was coming from Canton laden with silks, earthenware, and tobacco, which was valued at more than fifty thousand ducados. 

Between the islands of Pulo Condor and Puluibi, which are oppositethe kingdom of Camboja, one of the two pataches met a very largeDutch ship, which it was thought was going to Siam, where the galleonswere awaiting it. But it was not so, and it was believed to have goneto Japon. 

The raid of the fleet, and especially of those galleons, was fearedby all the kings of the coast and by those of Java and Borneo, andthey desired peace with the Spaniards. Even the mandarin of Fo-chiuthought that the fleet was going to attack China, and ordered anagent to go to the island of Hermosa to find out about it. 

The relief expedition sent to Maluco had the outcome mentioned inthe preceding document. 

During that year, the old king of Ternate died at Manila. He hadbeen captured at the recovery of the Malucas. He was a Moro, of royalappearance and speech; and died in the Moro belief, of which he hadalways been most observant. He thoroughly understood the teachings ofour holy faith, and said that the only reason that he did not embraceit was because it was not fitting for a king to change his religionbecause he had been captured. 

This document refers to the invasion of the islands by the king ofJolo, in the same manner as the preceding document; and concludes bysaying that after he had been punished, the Spaniards began to buildthree galleys, four brigantines, and forty large caracoas at theorder of the governor; and that they must be preparing themselves totake vengeance on the Moros of Borneo, and the Camucones and Joloans, for the damages sustained from them during the preceding years. 

REPORT OF APPOINTMENTS MADE BY GOVERNOR TAVORA

Sire:

Proceeding in conformity with what your Majesty orders me by royaldecree, dated at Madrid on the twentieth of January, one thousand sixhundred and twenty-five, and countersigned by Señor Don Fernando Ruizde Contreras, directing that I should send a relation of the places, offices, encomiendas, gratuities, incomes, allowances, additionalpay, and whatsoever other advantages I might confer, making a specialrecord for this; after having complied with this, and sent an accountin the ships which left this island for Nueva España in the year sixhundred and twenty-seven, I have thus far made appointments to thefollowing encomiendas, places, and offices:

Captain Blas Lopez Baltadano was granted, in the name of yourMajesty, the encomienda of natives at Agonoc and its dependencies inthe province of Camarines, which was left vacant by the demise anddeath of Don Diego Arias Xiron; it contains four hundred and sixtytributary Indians, each one of them paying every year ten reals, twofor the royal revenue, and the rest for the encomendero. Four realsof the latter are paid in kind--a hundred and ten gantas of rice inthe husk, fit for sowing and cooking; and two fowls for one real;the rest being in money, of which two reals are paid to the ministerwho instructs them. This grant was extended to him in conformity withthe law of succession, for services which he has rendered your Majestyduring the twenty-eight years past while he has been in these islands, at first as a soldier in the company of Captain Juan de Laxara. Hewas in the expedition for the discovery of the province of Tuy, asan adventurer and head of the veteran soldiers. He was corregidorof Butuan, and afterward went to the coast of Caraga, against thenatives of Mindanao, as commander of a caracoa which belonged to him;and likewise in other parts of Mindanao, where he burned six caracoasand protected and defended the natives of his jurisdiction. Later, while corregidor of Ybalon, he attended to furnishing provisions forthe galleys which were sent there to await the ships from Nueva España, as the Dutch were there again. He spent therein a great deal of labor, as he was obliged to bring the supplies from another jurisdiction, since there were not sufficient in his own. Twice he was alcalde-mayorof Pangasinan, where he brought about the reduction of the rebelliousIndians, through the wise counsels of war which he gave. A few of themwere executed, and they surrendered and sued for peace. He was in theexpedition which Governor Don Luis Perez das Marinas made to Camboxa, holding a captaincy and paying his own expenses. In the port of Pinalhe performed great labors in seeking supplies and money for the troopsof another fleet. At that time he was appointed royal alférez, and cameout wounded in his left arm from an encounter which he had with thePortuguese of Macan, in attempting to capture their commander. Afterhis arrival at this city, he was made captain of Spanish infantry inthe said province of Pangasinan, and twice their commander-in-chief, beside being alcalde-mayor and corregidor of Butuan at two othertimes. During this time he performed other services, as appears fromthe documents which he presented before me. On the said encomiendathere was levied and exacted from him fifty pesos of pension, eachyear, which are to be given and paid to Alférez Juan Gomez, these beinga part of the hundred which he holds from the encomienda of Yguey andits dependencies, belonging to Captain Juan Bautista Perez de Helquera, in the said province of Camarines, by a grant which was made of thatsum to the said Alferez Juan Gomez by the royal Audiencia of theseislands, when their government was in its charge through the deathof Governor Juan de Silva. The said fifty pesos are taken away fromthe said encomienda of Yguey that it may be free from them, as it hasfew tributarios; and I have imposed them upon this said encomiendaso that the said Alférez Juan Gomez may enjoy them, comformablyto the grant which was made him. The said Captain Baltadano mustsecure a confirmation of this grant from your Majesty inside of fouryears, reckoned from the day of sailing of the first ships which aredespatched from these and the other islands for Nueva España--as isordered by the royal decrees of the twelfth of October, six hundredand twelve, and the twelfth of July, six hundred and twenty-five, under the penalties therein provided. He must likewise send a specialpower of attorney to petition for the said confirmation, in the formwhich is provided by another decree dated at Madrid, the twenty-eighthof May, one thousand six hundred and twenty-five; and he must send andremit to that court [a statement of] the amount of his monthly income, when he sends for the said confirmation--in failure whereof the saidconfirmation will not be accorded him, as your Majesty commands byanother decree of the eighth of June, one thousand six hundred andtwenty-six. I sent him the commission on the twenty-ninth of October, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven, having previously postednotices in public places in the said city, for the benefit of thosewho might have claims on the said encomienda, as is ordered by anotherroyal decree of the twenty-fifth of June, one thousand six hundred andtwenty-six; and have found by investigation that it is not includedin the royal decree which treats of the appointment to encomiendasand offices in the form which is therein provided. 

Captain Francisco de la Haya was granted the encomienda of natives atLobo and Galban, and their dependencies, in the province of Balayan, which was vacated by the demise and death of Don Joseph Arnalte. Ithas three hundred and eighty-three tributarios, each one payingevery year ten reals, two for the royal revenue, and eight for theencomendero. Four reals of these are in kind--sixty gantas of ricein the husk, fit for sowing and cooking; and one fowl for one real;and the other three reals in money, two of which are given to theminister who instructs them. If they are paid in white cotton blankets, of the ordinary size of three baras and a half in length and threequarters of a bara in width, these are to be counted at two realsapiece; and if they are of _soyol_, which are fine, at four reals;and if hand-worked for altar cloths, at five reals. The grant wasmade him in conformity with the law of succession, on account of hismeritorious acts and services which he has rendered to your Majestyduring the twenty-five years past, having enlisted as a soldier inthose kingdoms, in the company of Captain Don Fernando de Silva. Inthat company he came to these islands, where he continued to serve, being present in such occasions for service as occurred. In particularhe was present at the battle which was fought by Governor Don Juande Silva against the Dutch enemy in Playa Honda, in the year sixhundred and ten, where he received a wound, a musket-ball traversinghis right thigh. Afterward he accompanied the said governor in thefleet which he took to the ports of Terrenate. He was at the captureof Sabugo. [52] He was alférez in the company of Captain Antonio deMorga. He was present with Governor Don Juan de Silva in the fleetwhich the latter took to the strait of Sincapura; and afterward waslikewise in that of General Don Juan Ronquillo, who fought againstthe said Dutch at the said Playa Honda, he being present on theadmiral's galley. He was a second time made alférez in this camp, and resigned from service in the infantry to embark in the fleet whichGovernor Don Alonso Fajardo prepared to oppose that of the Dutch, inthe year six hundred and nineteen, where he served as a soldier inthe company of Master-of-camp Don Geronimo de Silva. The next yearhe was in the fleet of General Don Luis Fajardo, for the protectionof these coasts; and in the said position of soldier he served threeyears, one hundred and eighty-four days, until he was advanced tofill the place of adjutant sargento-mayor of this camp. Serving inthis capacity, he went in the fleet which left in the year six hundredand twenty-five to oppose the Dutch who were upon this coast, havingas commander the said Master-of-camp Don Hieronimo de Silva. Finallyhe was captain of infantry in this camp, and during this time hasrendered other services, as appeared more at length by his paperswhich he presented before me. On the said encomienda there was leviedand exacted from him fifty pesos of pension each year which were to bepaid to Alférez Juan Gomez, which are a part of the hundred which heholds as a pension from the encomienda of Yguey and its dependencies, belonging to Captain Juan Baptista Perez de Helquerra, by a grantwhich was made to the said Alférez Juan Gomez by the royal Audienciaof these islands, while the government was in its charge through thedeath of the said Governor Don Juan de Silva. I have taken the saidfifty pesos from the encomienda of Yguey, so that the said CaptainBautista Perez may be free therefrom, as the tributarios which hehas are few; and I have imposed it upon this said encomienda so thatthe said Alférez Juan Gomez may enjoy it, comformably to the grantwhich was made him. The said Captain Francisco de la Haya is boundto secure a confirmation thereof from your Majesty inside of fouryears reckoned from the day of sailing of the first vessels which aredespatched from the islands for Nueva España, as is ordered by thesaid two royal decrees cited, and under the penalties there provided;and likewise he must send special power of attorney to petition forand secure the said confirmation; and when he shall send for it hemust remit to that court the amount of his monthly income, failingwhich the said confirmation will not be given him, as is providedin the said royal decrees cited. I sent him the commission on thetwenty-ninth of October, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven, having previously posted edicts in public places in this city fora reasonable length of time, for the benefit of those who may haveclaims on the said encomienda, as is ordered by another said royaldecree cited. I have ascertained by investigation that it does notcome under the provisions for the appointment to encomiendas andoffices in the form therein provided. 

Captain Pedro de Navarrete was granted the encomienda of natives inthe villages of Tabuco and its subjects, in the province of La Lagunade Vay, which was vacated by the death of Captain Don Luis Enrriquezde Guzman. There are five hundred and two tributarios, each one ofthem paying every year ten reals, two for the royal treasury andeight for the encomendero. Four of these are paid in kind--fifty-fivegantas of rice in the husk, half of which is cleaned for sowing andcooking; and one fowl at one real; and the other three in money. Ofthis the minister who teaches them is paid each year at the rate of ahundred pesos of eight reals, a hundred fanegas of rice in the husk, and one arroba of wine for the celebration of mass, for every fivehundred tributarios to whom they minister. This grant was made tohim for his merits, and the services which he has rendered yourMajesty during more than twenty-five years since he came over tothese islands with Governor Don Pedro de Acuña, in the capacity ofa soldier in the company of Don Thomas Bravo de Acuña. He served inthe said employment in this camp, and afterward went to the provinceof Zibu, in the Pintados, where he remained more than four years, connected with the company which was in Zibu, going out on all thearmed expeditions which occurred--namely, six times, against the enemyfrom Mindanao, Caraga, and the Sanguiles, who were robbing and harryingthose regions, causing much damage, death, and pillage. He was presentat the taking of the fort of Sagao and the islands of Caraga, whenthe natives there rebelled, and refused obedience to the king. Hewas one of the soldiers who distinguished themselves, and climbedto the crest of the ridge, until it surrendered, and many Indianswere captured, bringing the rebels back to the royal obedience. Onthis occasion he received a wound in the head, from the many stoneswhich they threw. He served at his own expense and voluntarily, onthe said occasions; and in the said garrison of Zibu he performedwatch and sentinel duty with the other soldiers. He was present atthe rebellion of the Japanese against this city outside of its walls, and was one of those who went out to fight against them in the yearsix hundred and eight, and in that of six hundred and sixteen. Hewas alférez of a Spanish company in this camp, and served in thatcapacity in the post at Cavite, for its protection and defense, whenthe Dutch had come with six ships to the harbor mouth of Mariveles, intending to enter the bay, at the time when Governor Don Juan deSilva had gone with his royal fleet to the strait of Sincapura. Hewas personally present on the rampart of the curtains of the saidfort, which were breached at four points. He expended much of hisproperty, maintaining therewith a number of soldiers of his companyon account of the poverty of the royal treasury. In the year sixhundred and eighteen, he was made captain of infantry of the companywhich was in garrison in the said fort of Cavite; and the next yearhe was made a second time captain of another company of this camp, where he served until it was disbanded. On many occasions when theroyal treasury was embarrassed, he has lent it a great quantity ofmoney. He is married to Doña Augustina de Morales, legitimate daughterof Captain Pedro Navarro and Doña Luisa de Morales, and granddaughterof Captain Gaspar Ruiz de Morales, one of the first conquerors andsettlers of these islands, prominent people of rank. During thistime he has rendered other services to your Majesty, all of whichappears more at length from his papers which he has presented beforeme. Beside this, command is given by a royal decree dated at Madridon the nineteenth of June, six hundred and twenty-six, countersignedby Señor Don Fernando Rruiz de Contreras, to the effect that in everypossible way should be furthered the work for the protection and aidof orphan children and those lacking support, which was administeredand managed by Brother Juan Geronimo Guerrero in this city, as thatis so pious and charitable a cause, and it is so necessary to secureits perpetuity and the support of the said children, whose fathershave died in these islands in the royal service. As means were to besought for this, since they could not come from the royal treasury, thesaid Captain Pedro de Navarrete, as one of the benefactors of the saidwork, offered and bound himself to give as alms five thousand pesos ofeight reals at the coming of the ships which were expected from NuevaEspaña this present year; that sum is to be distributed and expendedin the said work, and to erect a building for the orphans, as thatwhich they have is in danger of falling. He bound himself to deliverthe said amount to the person who should be designated by myself. Inconsideration of all which has been recounted, I have extended tohim this grant, charging him to secure a confirmation thereof fromyour Majesty within four years reckoned from the day of sailing ofthe first ships from these islands for Nueva España, and to send aspecial power of attorney to petition for the said confirmation inthat court. Likewise he must remit there the amount of his monthlyincome when he sends for the said confirmation, as is orderedand commanded by the royal decrees cited, and under the penaltiestherein provided. I had previously posted notices in public placesof this city for those who might have claims to the said encomienda, a reasonable time before, as is ordered by the said royal decreecited, which treats of this matter. I have found by investigation thatthis is not included in the provisions for the order of appointmentsto encomiendas and offices, as is therein provided. I sent him thecommission on the fourth of December, one thousand six hundred andtwenty-seven. 

_Appointments to offices of justice and war_

I have appointed Sergeant Pedro Diaz Barroso as corregidor of theisland of Mariveles and its jurisdiction, as he is a man with thequalifications which that office seems to require, and has servedyour Majesty in these islands for a long time. He has a yearly salaryof one hundred and fifty pesos, which is the same as was enjoyedby his predecessor. I sent the commission on the sixth of August, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I appointed Alférez Geronimo Banegas, a citizen of this island, as corregidor of the Negros Islands and their jurisdiction, and asmilitary commander there; for he is a person of the qualificationswhich this position demands, and an old settler in this country whohas served your Majesty here. He has a salary of a hundred and fiftypesos of common gold per year, and with that is to serve both offices, which is the same as his predecessors have had. I sent his commissionon the third of August of one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Alférez Andres Martin as corregidor of the islandof Mindoro and its jurisdiction, and as military commander there;for he is a person of the qualifications which the place demands. Hehas served your Majesty more than twenty years in these islands andthose of Terrenate, and been present at the various battles which haveoccurred. He has a salary of a hundred pesos of common gold per year, for which he serves both offices. I sent him the commission on thefifth of August of one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain Juan de Mendoza as alcalde-mayor ofthe province of Pangasinan and its jurisdiction; and militarycommander there; for he is a person of the necessary abilities andqualifications, and has been more than twenty years in these islandsin your Majesty's service, when occasion offered. He has a salary ofthree hundred pesos of common gold per year, and with this servesboth offices. I sent his commission on the ninth of August of onethousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

Admiral Don Christoval de Lugo y Montalvo, who is fulfilling the dutiesof my lieutenant-governor and commander-in-chief in the provinces ofthe Pintados, I have appointed alcalde-mayor of the province of Zibuand its jurisdiction, and captain of infantry of the company which isin garrison in that camp; for he is a person of many merits, and hasserved your Majesty in these islands and other regions sufficientlyto deserve all the said offices of my lieutenant, alcalde-mayor, andcaptain of infantry. He has only the salary of a captain, amountingto about six hundred pesos per year, and no more. Thereby is savedto the royal treasury the eight hundred which he drew merely forthe office of my lieutenant-governor and commander-in-chief. I senthim the commissions on the ninth of August, one thousand six hundredand twenty-seven. 

Captain Don Fernando Galindo I have appointed alcalde-mayor of theprovince of La Laguna de Vay and its jurisdiction, and militarycommander there; for he is a person of many excellent qualificationsfor this office, and has been occupied in the service of your Majestyin these islands whenever occasion has offered, where he has acquittedhimself very well. He has a yearly salary of three hundred pesos ofcommon gold, and for it serves both offices. I sent him the commissionon the tenth of August, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain Diego Lorenso de Trexo alcalde-mayor of theprovince of Calilaya and its jurisdiction, and military commanderthere, as he is a person of the qualifications and parts required forthis office. For thirty-two years he has been in these islands, andhas served whenever occasion offered, and acquitted himself well. Hehas a yearly salary of three hundred pesos of common gold, for whichhe serves both offices. I sent his commission on the eighth of August, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain and Sargento-mayor Juan Garcia Pelaez chiefjustice of the port of Cavite, and military commander, and keeper ofFort San Philipe there, as he is a person of many excellent qualities, and has served your Majesty many years in these islands. For thesethree offices he has no appointed salary from the royal treasury, and accordingly serves without it. I sent him the commission as chiefjustice on the thirteenth of August of one thousand six hundred andtwenty-seven. 

Alférez Luis Triscomia I have appointed alcalde-mayor of the CalamianesIslands and their jurisdiction, and military commander there, as he hasbeen more than seventeen years in these islands, serving your Majestywhen occasion offered, and has the necessary qualifications. He hasa salary of three hundred pesos per year, for which he serves bothoffices. I sent his commission on the third of August of one thousandsix hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Alférez Pedro Alvarez corregidor of the jurisdictionof Ybalon, and military commander there, as he is possessed of thequalifications required for this office, and has served your Majestyin these islands more than sixteen years when occasion offered. Hehas a salary of a hundred pesos of common gold per year, for which heserves both offices. I sent him the commission on the fifth of August, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain Silvestre de Aybar warden of the camp and fortSan Gabriel, which overlooks the Parián of the Sangleys, with power toadminister justice in all matters which may arise in the said Parián;for he is a person of proved capability, and of the qualificationsand abilities which are necessary for this office. He has served yourMajesty for thirty years past in those kingdoms, Nueva España andthese islands. He has a salary of a thousand pesos per year, whichis not paid from the royal treasury, but from that maintained by thecommunity of Sangleys in the said Parián, where they contribute eachyear for matters necessary there, and for others pertaining to theroyal service. I sent his commission on the seventeenth of September, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed General Don Andres Perez Franco as warden of thefort San Philippe at the port of Cavite, and military commander thereand chief justice; for he has many talents and qualifications, and iswell acquainted with the said port, where he has been at other timesand has occupied honorable offices. He has no salary appointed fromthe royal treasury, and accordingly serves without it, on accountof the promotion of Sargento-mayor Juan Garcia Pelaez, who held thesaid offices, to be commander-in-chief of the provinces of Cagaian, Ylocos, and Pangásinan. I sent him the commission as such wardenon the twenty-eighth of September of one thousand six hundred andtwenty-seven. 

General Don Juan de Alcarazo I have appointed chief commander of thetwo galleons "San Yldifonso" and "Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia, "which I sent as a fleet against the Dutch enemy who was at the portof Macan awaiting the ships of the Portuguese, which were going backfrom here with the produce from the merchandise which they brought. Thesaid galleons went to protect and guard them, and for other purposespertaining to the service of your Majesty in the localities which theDutch infested. I made this appointment on account of his many goodqualities and because he has served your Majesty in the military habitand profession twenty-three years--both in the royal navy in thoseparts, and in these islands--whenever occasion offered, occupying postsand offices of the most honor, wherein he has acquitted himself verywell. He performed the said office for six hundred Castilian ducadosper month, which is the salary drawn by similar commanders. I senthim the commission on the ninth of October, one thousand six hundredand twenty-seven. 

Captain and Sargento-mayor Don Pedro Muñoz de Mendiola, who serves inthis royal camp of Manila, I have appointed commander of the galleon"Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia, " one of those which was sent incharge of the said Don Juan de Alcaraso, to the said port of the cityof Macan, and other places, against the said Dutch enemy. For he ispossessed of the suitable abilities and qualifications, and has servedyour Majesty in these islands, Flandez, and other parts of Europe, in the military profession; and had been serving in the said office, retaining the said position as sargento-mayor and with the same salarywhich he gained before, and no other. I sent him his commission onthe fifth of October, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain Francisco Hernandez as captain of thecompany of Spanish infantry which served in the forts of Therrenateunder Captain and Sargento-mayor Pedro Tufiño, and as commanderof the royal galleys for the protection of those islands, becausepermission has been given to the said Tufiño to come to this city. Imade this appointment of the said Captain Francisco Hernandez becausehe is possessed of the necessary qualifications and ability, and hasserved your Majesty in the military profession for twenty-two yearsin this region. He came to these islands as a soldier, and from themwent to the said forts of Terrenate, where he served twenty yearsas a soldier and with extra pay as head of a squadron, sergeant, alférez, adjutant, and captain of infantry, being present wheneveroccasion for his service arose, and rendering especial servicesthere. He has a salary of six hundred pesos per year, for which hehas to serve both offices, as soon as the said company is deliveredto him. I sent him the commission on the twenty-ninth of October, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

On the said day I appointed the said Captain Francisco Hernandezcommander of the relief that is carried to the forts of Therrenate, as he is in every way satisfactory, and possessed of the necessaryqualifications, as has been said in the previous clause. For hisservices in the said duty he received six hundred Castilian ducadosper month, during the whole time that he served, which is the salarydrawn by similar commanders. 

I have appointed Adjutant Alonso Serrano a captain of Spanish infantry, of the company which serves in the forts of Therrenate under CaptainLorenso Hernandez, as the latter had permission to come to thiscity. I made this appointment because he has the qualifications andabilities which are required. Twenty-four years ago he came to theseislands in the capacity of a soldier, and during twenty of them hasresided and served in the said fort--being a soldier, commander of asquadron with extra pay, sergeant, alférez, and adjutant, and beingpresent on all occasions when his services were necessary. He hasa salary of six hundred pesos per year, reckoning from the day whenthe company is given over to him. I sent him his commission on theeighteenth of November, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

Former Adjutant Alonso de Peraza, of this camp, I have appointedcaptain of infantry, of the company which served in the said forts ofTherrenate under Captain Don Juan de Santiesteban Bracamonte, as thelatter had permission to come to this city. I made this appointmentbecause he has the necessary qualifications and abilities, and hasserved your Majesty twenty-four years in this region in the militaryprofession, in these islands and those of Therrenate. He was presentat the recovery of the latter, and during the two fights when theDutch General Pablos Blancanden was taken, and in other encountersand battles which took place on land and sea, against the Dutch, and the natives of Therrenate. He became a sergeant, and was presentat the battle between General Don Juan Rronquillo and the Dutch. Hewas a second time made sergeant, and again alférez, from which hewas promoted to be an adjutant, and has rendered other distinguishedservices. He has a salary of six hundred pesos per year, which he isto enjoy, from the day when the said company is given over to him. Isent him his commission on the seventeenth of November, one thousandsix hundred and twenty-seven. 

Captain Roderigo de Mesa I have appointed captain of a company whichwas brought to this city, and which he took to reinforce the forts ofTherrenate. For he is a person of the necessary qualifications, and hasserved your Majesty twenty-four years in this region in the militaryprofession, both in these islands and in those of Therrenate--where heserved fifteen years with success as a private musketeer, a commanderof a squadron with extra pay, sergeant, alférez, and adjutant, in thesaid camp--being present whenever there was occasion for his service, on land or sea, and rendering distinguished services, as appearedby his papers. He draws as salary six hundred pesos per year. I senthis commission on the twenty-seventh of November of one thousand sixhundred and twenty-seven. 

I have appointed Captain Alonso de Balle alcalde-mayor andmilitary commander of the province of Ylocos, owing to the death ofCaptain Alvaro de Loazes, for there are found in him the necessaryqualifications and abilities. He has served your Majesty for twenty-twoyears past in these islands, being present when occasion offered, and has acquitted himself well. From the offices with which he isentrusted he draws a salary of three hundred pesos of common gold peryear, for which he serves both offices. I sent his commission on thesixth of December, one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

Captain Don Fernando Bezerra I have appointed commander of the ship"Santisima Trinidad, " which I sent with reënforcements and suppliesto join the two armed galleons which General Don Juan de Alcaraso tookin his charge to Pulotimon, and other parts of Sian, to secure therebygood results for the service of your Majesty, because it was impossibleto take with them a patache when they left for Macan. I gave him thisappointment because he has the qualifications needed, and has servedin the military profession in these islands and in Therrenate for along time, rendering distinguished services. He drew a salary at therate of six hundred Castilian ducados a month, which is the wages ofsimilar commanders. I sent him the commission on the thirteenth ofDecember of the year one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. 

Captain Don Lope de Sosa I have appointed alcalde-mayor of thejurisdiction of Tondo, and military commander there, as he is of theabilities and qualifications which are necessary. He came to theseislands twenty years ago, and has here served when occasion arose, andheld honorable offices and charges, wherein he has acquitted himselfwell. He has three hundred pesos of common gold per year as a salary, for which he serves both offices. I sent him the commission on theeleventh of January, one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Alférez Pedro de Mora Salcedo I have appointed corregidor of thejurisdiction of Leyte, Zamare, and Babao, and captain and militarycommander there, as he has the qualifications and ability demandedby the office. He came to these islands ten years ago in the serviceof your Majesty, and has served here and in Therrenate, having beena sergeant, and alférez, and a substitute. In an encounter with theDutch, at which he was present, the two lower bones of his rightleg were both broken by a musket-ball, and he was present in otherengagements. He has a yearly salary of two hundred pesos of commongold. I sent him his commission on the nineteenth of January of onethousand, six hundred and twenty-eight. 

I appointed Captain Fernando Lopez de Perona alcalde-mayor of theprovince of Bulacan and military commander there, as he is possessedof the necessary qualifications and abilities for this office, andhas served your Majesty for sixteen years, both in the fleet of theOcean Sea and in these islands, and acquitted himself well of whathas been entrusted to him. He has a yearly salary of three hundredpesos of common gold, for which he serves both offices. I sent himhis commission on the fifteenth of March, one thousand six hundredand twenty-eight. 

Alférez Martin Larios, deputy warden of Fort Santiago of this cityof Manila, I have promoted to be captain of Spanish infantry, of thecompany which served under Captain and Sargento-mayor Don Antoniode Vera in the garrison of San Salvador in Hermosa Island; for hehas the necessary qualifications and abilities, and has served yourMajesty thirteen years past in military habit and profession in thestates of Flandez, having been a soldier, commander of a squadron, and a sergeant, being present on the occasions and at the placeswhere his services were needed, where he performed distinguishedservices. He came over to these islands with the reënforcements whichhe brought here. He was alférez in Nueva España of a company whichwas raised in Zacatecas; and in that position he came to this city, where he was appointed lieutenant of the said Fort Santiago. He has asalary of six hundred pesos of common gold per year, as do the restin this camp. I sent him his commission on the sixteenth of March, one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Alférez Juan Moreno Criado I have appointed lieutenant warden ofthe said Fort Santiago of this city, as he is of the requisitequalifications and has served in military habit and profession morethan twenty-four years past, since he came to these islands. He waspresent at the recovering of the forts at Therrenate, where he served, and was present at the actions which took place, as he likewise wasin these islands, rendering especial service. He has four hundredand twenty pesos a year as salary. I sent him his commission on thetwentieth of March of one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Captain Juan de Herrera I appointed alcalde-mayor and militarycommander of the province of Camarines, as he was of the qualificationsand ability necessary for that office. He came to these islandstwenty-three years ago and has served your Majesty in militaryprofession and in offices of justice, and other employments in which hehas been occupied, wherein he has acquitted himself well. He has threehundred pesos a year as salary, for which he serves both offices. Isent him his commission on the fourteenth of April of one thousandsix hundred and twenty-eight. 

Captain Francisco Ramos, a soldier of the company of Captain DiegoLopez Lobo, I have appointed captain of the galley "Nuestra Señorade Loreto, " which was built in the province of Camarines, and is tobe sent to the forts of Therrenate; for he possesses the requiredqualifications and ability, and for eighteen years has servedyour Majesty in these islands and in those of Therrenate. He hasa salary of thirty-five Castilian ducados per month, which is thewage of galley-captains of the forts of Therrenate. I sent him hiscommission on the thirteenth of April of one thousand six hundredand twenty-eight. 

Alférez Francisco de los Rios Coronel I have appointed corregidor andmilitary commander of the Catanduanes Islands, as he has the requiredqualifications, and has served in the capacity of soldier in theseislands since the year one thousand six hundred and nine, when he cameout here, and has been present at the actions which have occurred. Hehas a salary of a hundred pesos per year. I sent him the commissionon the twentieth of May of one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Captain Francisco Gimenez I have appointed captain of Spanish infantry, of the company which served in the garrison of Hermosa Island underCaptain Don Benito Flores, and as sargento-mayor of all the infantryof the said garrison; for he possesses the required qualifications andability. During the twenty years while he has served your Majesty inmilitary service in these islands he has been present when occasionoffered, and likewise in the forts of Therrenate. He has alwaysacquitted himself well, and performed distinguished services. Hedraws a salary of six hundred pesos per year, as do the rest of thiscamp, and with it serves both offices. I sent him the commissionon the twenty-sixth of June of the year one thousand six hundredand twenty-eight. 

Alférez Don Pedro de Axqueda Menchaca I have appointed alférez-royalof the ships which are despatched this present year to Nueva España, as he has the requisite qualifications and ability. He has servedin military service in this camp in the capacity of soldier, and inthat of alférez. He is the son of the master-of-camp Christoval deAxcueta Menchaca, who died in these islands in the service of yourMajesty. He has eight hundred pesos per year of salary. 1 sent himhis commission on the fourth of July of the year one thousand sixhundred and twenty-eight. 

Alférez-royal Augustin de Salduendo I have appointed captain ofinfantry, of the Spanish infantry company, which served in this campunder Captain Don Diego de Axqueta Menchaca--who was promoted to theposition of admiral of the ships which this year go to Nueva España;and later to the command of them, on account of Sargento-mayorDon Gonzalo Rronquillo remaining in these islands, who had beenappointed commander of them. I gave this appointment to the saidAugustin de Salduendo because he was possessed of the requisitequalifications and abilities, and had served your Majesty in theseislands in military habit and profession nineteen years in thecapacity of soldier, commander of squadron with extra pay, sergeant, alférez, and other offices, and was present when occasion offered, and rendered especial services. He has a salary of six hundred pesosper year. I sent him his commission on the twenty-eighth of July ofone thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

I appointed Alférez Domingo Francisco de Portilla as corregidor of theisland of Mindoro and its jurisdiction, and military commander there, as he has the requisite qualifications, and has served your Majestyin these islands for twenty years past in military service. He hasa salary of a hundred pesos per year. I sent his commission on thethirteenth of July, one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Sargento-mayor Don Philippe de Lezcano I appointed captain ofinfantry, of the company which is in garrison at the fort of Tanda, in the province of Caraga, and keeper of the fort there, and militarycommander, as he has the requisite qualifications and ability. He hasserved your Majesty thirteen years in military service in Flandez, and passed to these islands in the position of sargento-mayor ofinfantry which came as reinforcements last year, one thousand sixhundred and twenty-seven. He is assigned a salary of six hundredpesos per year, which is what the other captains of this camp have, and with this he will serve the two offices. I sent him the commissionon the twentieth of July of one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Admiral Don Diego de Axcueta Menchaca, who was appointed admiral ofthe ships which go to Nueva España this year, I have promoted to theoffice of commander of them on account of Sargento-mayor Don GonzaloRronquillo (who was appointed to this office) remaining in theseislands. I have made this appointment because the said Don Diego deAxcueta has the requisite qualifications and ability. He has servedyour Majesty in military service in these islands for nineteen yearspast, having been a soldier, alférez, and several times a captain ofinfantry, and one of the guard of Governor Don Juan de Silva. He waspresent at the battle with the Dutch enemy under the said governorin the year six hundred and ten, at Playa Honda. He went with thegovernor to the forts of Therrenate, and was present at the takingof Xilolo and Sabugo. On his return to this city he went to thestrait of Sincapura with the said governor, and was afterward in thebattle with the Dutch enemy in the year sixteen at the said PlaiaHonda where Master-of-camp Don Juan Rronquillo acted as general ofthe fleet. He afterward became captain of infantry in this camp;and while he held this position I appointed him commander of a shipwhich went with the fleet in my charge to Hermosa Island. He is theson of Master-of-camp Christoval de Axcueta Menchaca, who died in theseislands in the service of your Majesty. He has a decree directing thathe be occupied in offices of justice and war, conformably to his rankand ability. He has performed other distinguished services for yourMajesty. He has a yearly salary of three thousand Castilian ducados, which is the same as has been enjoyed by the commanders of similarvessels. I sent him the commission on the twenty-fourth of July ofone thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

Captain Don Fernando Galindo I have appointed admiral of the shipswhich will go this present year to Nueva España, as he has therequisite qualifications and ability, and has served your Majesty inmilitary service for twenty-two years past in the galleys of Ytaliaand other parts of Europa, and in these islands. While here he wascaptain of infantry three times, once in this camp and twice in thegarrison of Cagayan. He was alcalde-mayor and military commanderin that province, and afterward was made alcalde-mayor and militarycommander in the province of La Laguna de Vay. He was present whenoccasion offered for his services, and acquitted himself well withwhat was entrusted to him, rendering other important services to yourMajesty. He has a yearly salary of two thousand Castilian ducados. Isent him the commission on the twenty-eighth of July, one thousandsix hundred and twenty-eight. 

Concerning the other appointments that may be made, I will send areport during the coming year, in the same manner as your Majestyorders me. May God our Lord protect you many years, with the additionof greater kingdoms and seigniories, according to the needs ofChristendom. At the port of Cavite, on the second day of the monthof August of the year one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. 

In the ships which have just arrived from Nueva Spaña in these islandsthere came a royal decree by which your Majesty was pleased to confirmand approve the grant which Governor Don Alonso Faxardo made to theseislands, while he was governor, to Don Luis Faxardo, his brother, onthe first of April of the former year one thousand six hundred andtwenty-one, giving him the encomienda of natives at Bombon and itsdependencies, in the province of Balayan, which contains two thousandseven hundred and twenty-five tributarios. For this within four yearshe was to secure a confirmation from your Majesty, as appeared fromthe royal decree under date of the tenth of September of one thousandsix hundred and twenty-six, countersigned by the secretary Don FernandoRuiz de Contreras--which decided me not to proceed to the execution ofthis without first informing your Majesty as to what has passed in thismatter, and the state in which affairs are at present. I found, Sire, when I arrived in these islands and undertook the government thereofin the said year of one thousand six hundred and twenty-six, that thesaid encomienda was vacated, and declared so by Governor Don Fernandode Silva, because the said Don Luis Faxardo had not secured the saidconfirmation from your Majesty within the designated period. Duringthe vacancy, the proceeds of the products and the profits were placedin the royal treasury. This encomienda had two thousand five hundredand seven tributarios, which, as they appeared to me to be a largenumber, I divided. I made a grant thereof in the name of your Majesty, according to law, as being vacant, to two persons of considerable rank, ability, merits, and services. One of these is general Don Antoniode Leoz, to whom I gave one thousand six hundred tributarios thereof, as I knew that he had served your Majesty for twenty-four years past, both in the kingdom of Napoles and in these islands--whither hecame from that kingdom with Governor Don Juan de Silva, as alférezof the company. Afterward he was made captain, and served in thiscamp with other offices, being present when occasion arose. He hasalways acquitted himself well of what was entrusted to him, as willappear by his papers and commission--which I have despatched to him;and which I understand should already be in that court to petitionfor and secure the confirmation, according to the command. He ismarried to Doña Juana Gallinato, legitimate daughter and sole heirof Master-of-camp Juan Xuarez Gallinato, who died in these islands inyour Majesty's service, being a person of many services. I charged himwith a pension, from the said tributarios, of one hundred and fiftypesos, which he each year gives and pays to Doña Beatriz Cornexo deTapia--a widow, who had been the wife of Doctor Juan Manuel de LaVega, formerly auditor of the royal Audiencia and of these islands;for she was very poor and was suffering need. In consideration ofmaking this grant Doña Juana Gallinato resigned one thousand twohundred tributarios, which she held as an encomienda for a secondlife, so that these might be assigned to other persons. The othernine hundred and seven tributarios remaining I assigned to GeneralDon Juan de Arcarasso, likewise a person of great ability and merit, and many services. He has served your Majesty for thirty-four yearspast in those lands of Europa, in the royal fleet and elsewhere, as well as in these islands--where he came as captain of a companyof Spanish infantry, which came with the reënforcements of the yearsix hundred and fourteen. He has held and served in other chargesand honorable offices, being present when occasion arose. Thus farand ever he has acquitted himself very well, as will appear moreat length by his paper and the commission which I sent him--whichshould already be in that court to secure the confirmation of thesaid encomienda. They are likewise recounted in a clause of a letterwhich I despatched to your Majesty in the past year of one thousandsix hundred and twenty-seven, with the report concerning encomiendasand offices. I made these two grants on the eleventh of December onethousand six hundred and twenty-six, and issued decrees for them, having fulfilled all the requirements which are ordered by the royaldecrees. I beseech your Majesty to have examined the matter referredto, and the said encomienda considered vacant and so declared, inconformity to the royal decrees which treat of this matter; and assuch to have the appointment given to the said two worthy persons, who are in possession thereof by a just title. Above all, I beseechyou to command that it be your pleasure that this be observed andcomplied with; and in the meantime I shall make no change, because itappears to me that I acted justly, and that it is expedient for theservice of your Majesty. Dated _ut supra_. Sire, the humble vassalof your Majesty. 

_Don Juan Niño de Tavora_

[_Endorsed_: "Examined; have it joined with the others on thismatter. " "In the Council, October 9, 630. "]

LETTERS TO FELIPE IV FROM GOVERNOR TAVORA

_Doubts in judicial matters_

Sire:

1. Problems in regard to matters of justice are continually arising, of which to inform your Majesty, in order that you may have theadvisable decision made therein, and so that the dissensions thatare wont to arise here from such doubts may be avoided. In regard tothe Spaniards and inhabitants of these islands, but one problem hasarisen--namely, when an encomendero marries an encomendera, whetherthey may both retain encomiendas; or whether, after choosing the onethat they may esteem better, the other should he vacated. The practiceof these islands is that one of the two encomiendas is vacated. Invirtue of that, your Majesty's fiscal is at present petitioningbefore the royal Audiencia for the revenues of a certain encomiendagiven to a citizen. The auditors cannot find any order or decree fromyour Majesty, by which this is ordered. Consequently, there is notsufficient justification to declare judgment in favor of the fiscal. Itwill be advisable for your Majesty to declare it; and to my mind, in considering the fact that the encomiendas are few in number, itwould be advisable that there be no change in the practice--namely, that by the very fact of an encomendero marrying an encomendera, they choose that encomienda from the two which they consider better;and that they leave the other, so that it may be regarded as belongingto another citizen. [_In the margin_: "Observe the decree in regardto this matter. "] [_Note:_ "In this despatch arose the doubt that iswritten on a separate piece of paper enclosed with this letter. Thereit is decreed what must be executed. "]

2. In regard to the native Indians of these islands, I last yearrepresented to your Majesty that it would be advisable to havejudgments in their suits not rendered in the Audiencia, but by thegovernment, by having one or two advocates or salaried men for thatpurpose, as is done in Nueva España, inasmuch as the same reasonsexist here. I trust that your Majesty will have it considered, andanswer in accordance with your pleasure. 

3. The most usual doubts have been in regard to the Chinese orSangleys who reside in these islands. An edict was published, atthe instance of the inhabitants, in regard to the measures, quality, and prices of lumber, tile, brick, and other materials, in order toavoid the frauds and illegalities which were being introduced into thisregion, to the great damage of this community. The edict was publishedunder the auspices of the government, and its execution was chargedupon the alcaldes-in-ordinary. A few days after that a denunciationwas made; but, when the alcalde tried to enforce the penalty, theSangleys appealed to the royal Audiencia. The matter seemed a knottyone to me, because the edict was notoriously a government measure, and it was not advisable for its proper execution that the Sangleysbe allowed such delays. I considered it best to advise the auditorsof this, quoting to them the royal decrees, which ruled that theyshould not mix in matters of government. They, desiring to extendtheir jurisdiction, claimed that the trial of that appeal belongedto them, as well as the decision whether the penalty of the edictwas excessive or not. I ordered the lawyers to be consulted, and allthose here gave their opinion in writing, namely, that the Audienciahad no right to try such causes. Consequently, after having seen yourMajesty's decree of November 4, 1606, given to Don Pedro de Acuña, in which is stated the method that must be followed in such doubts, I resolved to order that the Audiencia should not try such appealuntil your Majesty, after having been informed of the matter, shouldrule otherwise. [_In the margin_: "Have the fiscal examine it. " "Itwas taken to him. " "Answered on a separate paper. "]

4. Almost similar was another question that arose a few days after, when some Chinese merchants had been condemned, by the judge who visitsthe Chinese ships, to pay the penalty which they had incurred becauseof not having brought the ammunition and stores for your Majesty'smagazines which were ordered from them since the time of Don Juan deSilva. They appealed to the royal Audiencia, who ordered the judge tocome to report on the matter. It seemed to me that the same argumentruled in that as in the preceding case, and even more closely, as itwas a matter of war. However, I had the lawyers consulted again. Theydecided that it was a military matter, and that it did not belong tothe royal Audiencia. Consequently, I ordered that they do nothingfurther in the matter until your Majesty should be informed. [_Inthe margin_: "Have the fiscal examine this also. " "It was taken tohim. " "Answered on a separate paper. "]

5. Another appeal has also come in these last few days to the royalAudiencia from the governor of the Sangleys themselves. He is a personappointed to govern them in their own manner, and to take charge of thesuits that are brought before him, written in the Chinese characters, and according, to their custom. And although I did not think thatsuch appeals should be listened to, and gave my reason therefor, stillthe auditors persisted in endeavoring to try this case. In order notto irritate them, I have overlooked the matter, as it seemed to methat they could act in this case with less evil consequences thanin the others. I advise your Majesty of it, petitioning you that itmay be to your royal service to have the Audiencia notified as towhat regulations cover not only the governmental and military suits, but also those of justice, touching the Chinese or Sangleys. For thissome arguments occur to me, which I shall represent to your Majesty, in order to say at one time what I believe in this matter. [_In themargin_: "Take this to the fiscal also. " "It was taken. " "Answeredon a separate paper. "]

6. The Chinese, Sire, who live in these islands are almost allinfidels. Their god is silver, and their religion the various waysthat they have of gaining it. Their nature is cowardly; and those whocome to this country have so little character that, as they are notentitled to anything among their own countrymen, they come to get theirlivelihood among us, serving in the most menial trades. They engage insuits and disputes very readily, in which they threaten one another;and each day they arm themselves for their sinister ends. They haveinnumerable methods of hiding the truth. They furnish as many falsewitnesses as they choose, for, as they are infidels, they do not fearGod; and as they are so greedy for money, they swear [falsely], andeven sell their own parents. Their names and occupations are changedin every step, although for this there may be no better reason orargument than their own ideas. They are many strangers, coming andgoing. Every year some go and others come, and consequently, theuncertainty and confusion is unavoidable. They are as freehanded intheir bribes as interested in their gains. As they have control of allthe merchandise, trading, gains, and mechanical trades of the country, their extreme readiness to scatter bribes is remarkable. There is noSpaniard, secular or religious, who obtains his food, clothing, orshoes, except through them. Consequently, there is scarce a Sangleywho does not have his protector. Among themselves they have greatsystem and energy in all those of one trade acting together in allmatters that affect them. They guard one another against the Spaniardto such an extent that, if I wish to change my shoemaker, I will notbe able to find among all those engaged in that occupation another whowill sell me a shoe. If anyone would dare to do so, the others uponhis return to China would bring suit before their mandarins, and thusthey would destroy him and all his relatives. [_In the margin_: "Takeit to the fiscal. " "It was taken. " "Answered on a separate paper. "]

7. Therefore, since those of this nation are infidels and of so meana condition, one can easily infer that to attempt to govern themwith the method, rigor, and terms of our laws and regulations isthe highest injustice and a great abuse. The usual method of judgingthem in their country is by a summary and verbal investigation, andan immediate punishment with the bamboo. The latter is the strap orwhip which the mandarins always carry with them, as any superior isallowed to flog his inferior, without other justification or authoritythan that of his own plain reason. By that method is attained greaterrespect and obedience than in any other nation. We do not have lessneed for them to fear us and to obey our edicts, since they are ourfeet and hands for all that arises for the service of the communityand that of your Majesty. But we shall never obtain that obedienceand respect, unless we conform (as far as the Christian religionallows) to the methods practiced by their mandarins in commandingthem. This consists in having them punished instantly by the nearestjustices whenever they are found in disobedience or fraud--namely, their governor and the alcaldes-in-ordinary--without giving them anyopportunity to go from one tribunal to another, or to drag them fromone prison to another. In that they are the greater losers, as theirproperty is wasted among the constables, attorneys, and notaries, all of whom are doing their best to skin [_pelar_] them. At the end, and in the long run, the truth is not laid bare, nor is the serviceof your Majesty accomplished. The Sangleys have so many methods ofplacing private persons, both religious and laymen, under obligation, by services and by presents, that when anything is ordered forthem which does not suit them--even though it be for your Majesty'sservice, or very necessary for the common welfare--they manage toprevent the execution of it by a thousand methods, of favors andnegotiations. Therefore, if in addition to all the above, the doorof appeal to the royal Audiencia be opened to them from what isordered for them, well can one see that justice itself will becomethe obstacle of what it should be the support. [_In the margin_:"And this. " "It was taken. " "Reply in a separate section. "]

8. I have desired to represent all the above, so that your Majesty maybe pleased to order the royal Audiencia not to meddle in the affairs ofthe Sangleys, whether they concern government, or war, or justice. Forif it has been advisable to order that--as is ordered in Nueva España(and the same is petitioned here)--the Audiencia do not meddle withthe suits of the Indians, it will be much more advisable to observethe same in regard to the Sangleys, for the above stated reasons. 

9. Likewise I have been advised that it is necessary for manymatters, both of grace and of justice, that it be declared whetherthe governor of these islands possesses your Majesty's authority inhis government and district; and whether he represents your royalperson with the privilege of alternates which the viceroys possessin their districts. Although one would believe that it must be so bylaw, since the person of the governor is that which is here in yourMajesty's name, and the so great distance to that court dictates hownecessary it is in many cases that the governors have the authorityof doing what your Majesty would do if present, with the obligationof reporting it to your Majesty; still in certain cases of grace andjustice that have arisen since my arrival at these islands, the lawyershave declared that this was not plainly stated; and, consequently, I propose them to your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Let him observe thetenor of his warrant, and the decrees and orders given regarding it. "]

10. Likewise it would be necessary that the same courtesy be ordered tobe shown to the governors of the Filipinas Islands as to the viceroysin Nueva España, since in regard to them there are also here the samereasons and advisability for doing so. By this some little mattersthat have caused me innovations would be avoided. Although I passthese over, it might be that in the time of my successors they wouldcause some opposition. Such are for instance, that the auditors, donot permit the governor's wife to go to the church with her husbandwhen the assembly goes there in a body; and that the preachers do notsalute the governor with words, as it is the custom to do in all thekingdoms to the person who has the authority of representing that ofyour Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Let the custom be followed. "]

11. This very day a case occurred while in the hall of the publicassembly, which I have thought best to refer to your Majesty. It wasin regard to a decision that I gave, apropos of one of the parties, for the royal Audiencia. The secretary having come to sign the decisionthat the Audiencia gave in approbation of the one that I had given, called me in the record of the decision "the lord governor. " One ofthe auditors thought that that should not be the manner of namingme in decisions; and chided the secretary before me, saying that hewas doing it to flatter me, and other things of like purport. Thesecretary defended himself, saying that that was the style that hehad always used, and to prove it showed other decisions where notonly my person is named as "lord, " but also those of the auditors. Iasked the others who were present for their opinion, and they repliedthat it was very proper that the Audiencia should exercise thatcourtesy toward the governor and captain-general of these islands;and with greater reason, since he was their president, they were notto treat him the same as an alcalde-in-ordinary. Thereupon I orderedthe secretary to do the same as heretofore, until your Majesty shouldbe pleased to order differently. I petition your Majesty to be pleasedto give the auditors to understand the estimation that it may pleaseyou to have for the person of your governor and captain-general;for this matter is not at all understood here. That is the reasonwhy the governors have always been at odds with the Audiencia. I amnot at odds with them, nor will I be, for I am the one who suffers, and I shall suffer it, since I am under greater obligations thanthey. I petition that what your Majesty may be pleased to order mebe expressed so clearly that they cannot give it any other meaning;for this matter of interpreting your Majesty's decrees is done withgreat ease in the Yndias, and truly rare are the decrees, if they touchupon any controversy, in which it is not necessary for your Majestyto declare them over again. [_In the margin_: "Let the custom be kept;and in the records and decisions, let the governor be called 'lord. '"]

12. I am enclosing an official record with this letter in regard towhat is forbidden to the auditors touching the suits and appeals of theChinese or Sangleys--a caution that I am taking, as I have seen thatthey are complaining confusedly to your Majesty that I am preventingthem from receiving suits as alcaldes of the court, not specifyingas clearly as is possible what those suits and appeals are. It is myopinion that the Audiencia should not meddle with matters pertainingto the Sangleys, for the reasons that I have given for it in thisdespatch, and in that of the year past. Will your Majesty order whatis most advisable, being assured that experience has obliged me togive the report that I submit. May our Lord preserve the Catholic androyal person of your Majesty with the increase of new kingdoms, aswe your vassals desire, and as we need. Manila, August 4, 1628. YourMajesty's humble vassal, _Don Juan Niño de Tavora_

[_In the margin_: "Let the fiscal see it. " "It was taken tohim. " "Answered on a separate paper. "]

_Affairs of the treasury_

Sire:

Since I have to give account in this letter to your Majesty of whatthere is to tell in regard to your royal treasury, I shall begin itby explaining some decrees that I received the past year, which weredespatched at the instance of the royal officials. 

In the first decree, they complained that my predecessor, Don AlonsoFaxardo, did not allow them to exercise their duties in the portof Cavite; and that he had appointed as lieutenant of the governorand captain-general, Don Andres Perez Franco, castellan of thoseforts. Your Majesty orders that they be allowed to perform theirduties, and that commissaries be not appointed for what pertainsto them. They will not conduct those suits with him; for, althoughI retain Don Andres Perez Franco in Cavite, I have not given himthe title given him by Don Alonso--although he never used it, asI am informed. The efficient collection and care of the revenuesof your Majesty belong to the royal officials; and with that powerthey take part in all the equipping, building, and despatch of thevessels. But the appointments of the officials of the vessels, andall else touching government and war, have always been attended to bythe governors, who for this have maintained in Cavite a castellan, commandant, and chief justice, of the abilities and experience ofDon Andres Perez Franco; so that, although I could rest, still Ihave not been negligent, but have gone in person, on the occasionsfor the equipment and building of vessels, every week to that port, which is a very necessary thing. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

In the second decree they informed your Majesty that the said mypredecessor did not accept the replies that were made to them inaccordance with the ordinances. I trust that there will be no faultto find with me in this regard. However it is advisable to have itwell understood that it cannot be done and that it is not advisable, because of the accidents that happen by observing the ordinances withthe strictness that some ministers demand at times. What is certain is, that I shall never depart from what I consider to be for the greaterservice of your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

In the third decree the royal officials petition for the suppressionof the rule that was introduced in the time of Don Juan de Silva, by which the royal officials should not pay anyone without an orderfrom the governor. Your Majesty orders me to observe toward themtheir rights and instructions. What is done in my time is that theroyal officials adjust the accounts and issue warrants; but they arenot paid without my order. The reason therefor is that, because thisgovernment has not one-half the money necessary to meet expensesand debts--as well as the support of the infantry, the building ofships, the repair of the fleets that guard these coasts, relief forthe Malucas and the island of Hermosa and other presidios--besidesinevitable things, it is necessary that the governor, who is chargedwith all this, know how much money there is in the treasury, and thathe divide it so that it may not fail for the most necessary things, If he trusted to the royal officials in this, without having a privatebook of the receipts and disbursements of the treasury (as I have), when he imagined that there was money for the reënforcements of theinfantry and the despatch of the fleets he would find nothing. If thetreasury were supplied, there would be enough for all, and the royalofficials by justifying the payments would be fulfilling their duties;but since there is not more money than for one-half of what is needed, and since we live by the art of enchantment, it is necessary that theroyal officials do not pay whomever they wish, but what is most urgentand inevitable for the preservation of these kingdoms. Accordingly, the measures introduced in this regard during the term of Don Juande Silva were very commendable and necessary. As it was so necessarya thing, persons of great experience advised me of it even before Ihad taken over the government, and experience shows me that it cannotbe dispensed with. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal. " "Thefiscal says that after having considered the reasons written by thegovernor, the practice which the latter declares has been followed, and is followed, namely, of not permitting the royal officials to makeany payments from the royal treasury without his advice and decree, can be tolerated; for in such cases the other viceroys and governorsare wont to provide the same, notwithstanding that it is ordered thatthey allow the royal officials to perform their duties freely. Madrid, November 19, 1630. " "That for the present, the plan now followed inthis be observed, and note shall be taken that the payments made bewith all justification. "]

The fourth decree is in regard to the collection of the licenses whichare given to the Sangleys allowing them to remain in the islands, thatthis shall be made by the royal officials, and the proceeds from itpunctually deposited in the royal treasury, without its being given, under any consideration, into the possession of another person. WhatI have to say in this particular is that, although since my arrivalat these islands that money has always been deposited with the judgeof the licenses, it was always delivered every week and month to theroyal officials. The collection has been so well attended to that, although there were the same number of Sangleys in the time of DonAlonso Faxardo, during the interim of the Audiencia, and that of DonFernando de Silva, when the most that was collected was eight thousandpesos, during these last two years it amounted one year to ninety-eightthousand pesos, and the other to ninety-five thousand. Besides this, when at the last everything was exhausted, old notes were presented;and during these last two years about twenty thousand pesos werepaid. Now although the royal officials have no time so that theycan take part in this collection--as it is different from all othercollections that are made, and one has to keep at it all day--I haveordered them by an act, in accordance with the decree of your Majesty, that it be done in a room assigned for it, in order that it may bepaid in these royal houses; and so that they may really collect inperson the money which the judge whom I appoint (as I cannot attendto it), and the agents whom I hire, collect from the Sangleys whoshall bring it to them. By that method your Majesty's order will beaccomplished. That is not its intention, but only to keep tab on theSangleys, and on the profit that results from the licenses. This sum isdistributed in official service, and is a matter of justice. Diligenttoil is expended on this collection, and the Sangleys are sought inthe hills and in a thousand places where they hide, in order not topay. Only the authority of the governor, to whom your Majesty hasassigned the giving of licenses allowing the Sangleys to remainin the country, can issue the licenses and order the collection, but no other person. Your Majesty may be assured that your serviceis performed with great affection and care; and that I am lookingout for your royal revenues much more than for my own. For since Iarrived in these islands considerable has been saved for your Majesty;as it will be seen by the accounts that what cost six in former yearsand did not gain any profit, today costs four and is profitable; andthe profit is not lost, for it is carefully expended. I know that itwill be impossible for the royal officials to collect personally;but they can authorize some one to collect and deposit the moneyin the royal treasury every night. By that means everything will beregulated, although they never remain satisfied, for they do not havethe profits which they have desired. [_In the margin:_ "Seen. "]

Another decree came by which your Majesty orders me to investigatethe troubles which the royal Audiencia had represented as beingdue to the sale of the offices of the notaries for the provinces ofthese islands. I discussed the matter in an assembly of persons ofconsiderable experience, both seculars and religious; and all wereof the opinion that it was not advisable to sell the said offices, but that they should be filled by appointment, and changed annuallyalong with the alcaldes-mayor. For besides that they are of very smallprofit to your Majesty, it is certain that if the said notaries werepermanent, the said Indians would not dare to bring suits againstthem at the time of their residencia, which is taken each year whenthe alcaldes-mayor finish their office. Consequently, they come to beso tyrannical that they destroy the poor Indians. For that purpose, I had already resolved before the reception of the decree not tocontinue the sale of the said offices; and, when those which I foundsold became vacant, not to resell them. Will your Majesty pleaseconsider this matter favorably, since what is most important foryour royal service is that these afflicted natives be not injured byyour agents. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal. " "The fiscalsays that, notwithstanding what the governor writes in this section, these notaryships must be ordered to be sold, or at least one in thecapital of each province. For while some troubles may result fromthis, those which are experienced daily in regulating the notarieswho are called 'appointed' are greater. Consequently, general decreesare despatched ordering the suppression of this practice in all partsof the Yndias, although it has been carried out in but few, becausethe said governors refuse. He petitions that it be so provided andordered, and justice done. Madrid, November 19, 1630. " "Let what isdecreed be obeyed. " "Observe what is decreed, in accordance with whatthe fiscal says. "]

By the last decree concerning this matter of revenue, your Majestyorders me to investigate whether it would be advisable to make anew appraisement of the tribute which the Indians are ordered topay in kind; and whether it will be advisable for the Indians not tobe compelled to pay in kind, but in gold or silver, or in what theywere able and willing to pay. What I can say to your Majesty aboutthis is, that the present practice in these islands was introducedby order of Governor Don Pedro de Acuña, with the consent of theroyal Audiencia and the ecclesiastical prelates, by which the nativespay four reals of their tribute in kind, and one fowl besides, andthe rest in money. In regard to the quantity and kinds of productswhich had to be given for the said four reals, the appraisement wasmade according as the circumstances of each province required. Afterthe religious and ministers who instruct the provinces had conferredamong themselves, at the command of the said governor this was done, in the year 604. Since then times have changed, and the prices havebeen different. Accordingly, the quantity of rice or other productsthat the Indians are ordered to pay on account of the said fourreals is too much in some provinces. Consequently, I think that yourMajesty ought to order, with the assistance of another council thatwas called in the time of Don Pedro de Acuña that the matter be againconferred over, and decision made whether it is advisable to make anew appraisement; and that, if that be found desirable, it be doneat once. But in regard to leaving it to the Indians whether theywill or will not pay the said four reals in kind, besides the fowl, in no consideration am I of the opinion that that should be left totheir choice; for the natives are generally so inclined to lazinessthat they do not sow or cultivate the lands, unless forced to do soby the obligation of paying the tribute in kind, as it is assignedin accordance with the different fruits and products of the manydifferent provinces in these islands. It is seen in these provincesby experience that the obligation of sowing in order to pay theirtribute is what keeps them supplied with all kinds of food. Theseconsiderations occur to me in regard to this decree, and to the othersthat I received the past year concerning this matter. [_In the margin_:"Take it to the fiscal. " "The fiscal says that he agrees with whatthe governor writes in this section, and he is certain that it isadvisable for the Indians to pay a portion of their taxes in kind;for, in any other way, they would not have the care that is advisablein rearing and planting. Madrid, November 19, 1630. " "Observe whatthe fiscal says. "]

Coming now to the special consideration of the revenues of this year, the receipts have been less than ever. One hundred and eighty thousandpesos came from Nueva España. The licenses will have amounted toninety thousand; and the other revenues--duties, situados, moneys fromvacant offices, and balances of accounts--to another fifty thousand, including in this twenty thousand that the procurators of the city ofMacan gave as aid in the voyage which the galleons made in convoy oftheir galliots. In all it does not amount to more than three hundredand fifty thousand pesos. The expenses are more than five hundredthousand pesos; but they have been greater [than in other years], for besides the stipends of this holy church, the salaries of theroyal Audiencia and other officials, the pay of the infantry ofthis camp and the presidios, the aid for Terrenate and the island ofHermosa, the naval storehouse at Cavite, and other ordinary expenses, many extraordinary ones have arisen. These include the fleet, thevoyage of the galleons, and the embassy to China; the constructionof three galleons, four brigantines, and one galleon which is beingbuilt--together with more than seven thousand pesos that the governorof Terrenate bought in food and clothing, in order to supply thelack of those which were in the flagship which was lost; and alsothe unavoidable expenses of this government, although the infantryhave not received their entire pay. Your Majesty can easily see howwe shall have passed this year. The relief has been mostly throughthe large contributions by which I am exhausting the inhabitants;by loans; by neglecting to collect many salaries; and by sending morethan one-half of the camp on ships through those seas for eight months, in order to save the effective succor which it was necessary to givethem while ashore. Consequently, I find myself owing, in loans anddebts contracted in this year, to the amount of one hundred and fiftythousand pesos. That sum must be paid on the arrival of the succorfrom Nueva España. If that succor is as short as it was last year, it will mean to drive us out by the gates, and render it impossiblefor this government to do anything for its increase and the serviceof your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

Nothing has placed the states of Flandes and those wars in greaterstress than the mutinies. Your Majesty has a large body of infantryin these islands; and although it is in the Yndias, where it seemsto those in España that everything is in superabundance, that isa delusion; for the soldiers experience much misery and hardships, and see only a scanty relief, and every year a large amount of payremains still due to them. All the remote presidios suffer, and inTerrenate the soldiers desert to the enemy. I humbly entreat yourMajesty to consider these reasons, and have the viceroys of NuevaEspaña strictly ordered to send us what is asked from them. For inno other way will they succor these islands, as is advisable; nor dothey, in other things, provide anyone to whom can be entrusted theassaying [of metals]. Some persons have done this, but have not hadthe certainty that was desired. I trust in God that He will help meto attain some success. I shall not desist from the effort--and that, be it understood, without expense to your Majesty. I have some oresin my house again, which I am assaying--mainly because I have noone who understands it thoroughly--although I am proceeding almostblindly. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

After having written this, news came of the arrival of the ships ofthis year, and a report of the succor that is sent in it, namely, 250, 000 pesos in reals. The treasury now owes 150, 000 pesos to thecitizens for loans, and for food which has been taken from the nativeson credit, for the expenses of this year. We cannot neglect to payany part of that sum as soon as the ships reach port, in order notto lose credit with the inhabitants and natives, who are the ones whosupport us most. Taking then 150, 000 pesos from the 250, 000 that come, only 100, 000 remain to be deposited in the treasury for the expenses ofthis year. Last year, when the succor arrived there was nothing owingfor loans or food. In the matter of expenses I have been so moderatethat I have not paid the salaries of the government employees, northe debts of any of the back years. I have kept the infantry on shipsfor the space of eight months, in order to save the succor and actualcash that would have to be given them if they were ashore. Yet at theend of the year the treasury has been found pledged to the extent ofthe said 150, 000 pesos. Since at least 80, 000 pesos in reals are to beexpended from the treasury this year in relief expeditions, and sincewe can not fail to have the expenses of last year, I find that in thecoming July of 629, when the ships which I am now despatching arrive(if God be pleased to bring them back safely), we will owe 250, 000pesos in loans and food. That will be all the succor that I can countupon as being ordered to be sent me. Neither of those can I get here inthis country, for the loan is a grievous burden on the inhabitants. Myrigor cannot be greater than that of the present year. And, even didI secure these supplies, we shall be ruined none the less on thataccount in the following year, since at the time of the arrival ofthe succor, we shall be owing it all. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The ordinary expense of these islands, if the infantry are giventhe full amount of their pay, is seven hundred and fifty thousandpesos per year, at appears from the reports of accounts that I am nowsending. The unavoidable expense of necessary aid, factories, salaries, and stipends, amounts to 550, 000 pesos. What these islands producefrom year to year, in money which can be deposited in the treasury, as an aid to the ordinary expenses, amounts to 150, 000 pesos. Thatleaves 400, 000 pesos, which must be sent in reals every year fromNueva España. That should be by way of a gift or consignment (as yourMajesty does in other places of less importance and danger than these);and it should not remain at the will of the viceroys of Nueva Españawhether they will send the money or not--even if they have to get it byloans. And even if this be ordered in the manner in which I request, the treasury will still remain under the obligations and shortage inwhich it will have been involved all these current years. With goodadministration and better intelligence--and every day I am tryingto further the increase of the royal possessions--I hope that thiswill be retrieved. For if we have the means necessary to maintain thefleets in activity, we shall endeavor therewith to retrieve most of ourarrears. But if the necessary funds be not given, we must necessarilylose what is now sent, which will be of no advantage when our fleet isrendered useless for lack of what is needed. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

I am very sure that your Majesty will have heard by different ways ofmy care in watching your royal treasury, and the change that has takenplace in it, and the reform in the expenses since my arrival in thisgovernment. But I feel obliged humbly to petition your Majesty to bepleased to withdraw me from it in case that there is no opportunityof succoring it, as I petition; for I am very certain of the rapiditywith which it is hastening to its final destruction, and it is notproper that a possession of so great importance for the Roman churchand the crown of your Majesty be lost in the hands of persons of mycharacter and desires. May our Lord preserve the Catholic and royalperson of your Majesty, with the increase and prosperity which weyour vassals desire and as we need. Manila, August 4, 1628. 

Just now has been brought to me what this royal Audiencia writes toyour Majesty, all complaining that the thirds of their salaries arenot paid to them with the promptness that is ordered; that sometimestwo or three thirds are owing to them; and that the cause of this isthe annoyance and trouble brought about by the governors orderingthat they be not paid without their special order. What has beendone in this matter during my term will be seen by the testimonythat I enclose with the present letter. It would be a strong case ifthere were any money in the royal treasury, in view of the shortnessof the succors as the ships cannot be expected for the last third, that of April. The same measure has been taken this year with all theofficials in general, as well as to myself. The treasury owes me tenthousand pesos, and to the citizens a great sum in loans, for sincethe needs of the treasury are so pressing, we all must feel it. Theships have arrived late, and order has been given to pay immediatelythe third that is due. What remains to be paid will be paid by the endof this month, when it will be due. Thus have we been doing hitherto, and there has been no delay in any third, unless for two or threedays that are spent in making out the vouchers and giving the decreeor order--without which nothing is paid, for the reason that I gaveabove in the third section of this letter. This appears a vexationto the Audiencia. May God preserve the Catholic and royal person ofyour Majesty, as Christendom needs. Manila, August 4, 1628. Sire, the humble vassal of your Majesty, _Don Juan Niño de Tavora_

[_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal. " "The fiscal says that inregard to the governor taking charge of the payments that are to bemade in the royal treasury, he refers to what he has said in anothersection of this letter. In regard to his holding back the thirds ofthe salaries of the auditors, it must be ordered that that be not doneunless it is rendered necessary by a very urgent occasion. Madrid, November 19, 1630. " "Let him see that their salaries are not withheldfrom the auditors, preferring them to all the other payments thatshall be made. "]

_Governmental affairs_

Sire:

What occurs to me, of which to write your Majesty concerning thisgovernment, in addition to the matters of justice, revenue, and war(of which I am writing in separate letters), is, first, of the peaceand quiet that has been enjoyed in this community. All the tribunalsmaintain peace among themselves, and act with great harmony andunanimity. And although a few occasions and controversies do notfail to arise in the course of the year in all of the tribunals, I endeavor to lean toward that which is of most importance to us, namely, peace. [_In the margin:_ "Seen. "]

The city has been beautified by the building of a bridge which wasdesired for a long time; and, although it had been regarded as almostimpossible, we now see it in such condition that we can cross by itwithin two months. Then we shall be able to attend to the conductingof the water or fountain with which your Majesty so earnestly chargedme. In this and other buildings, I exert myself very willingly. Ifthe inhabitants were in so easy circumstances that taxes could beimposed on their possessions to carry this construction forward, there would be much more work, [_In the margin:_ "Seen. "]

One night in the month of January, fire was carelessly set (as far ascould be learned) in the Parián of the Sangleys or Chinese who liveclose to the walls of this city. All the buildings were of wood andstraw; and consequently, although we went to the rescue as quickly andenergetically as possible, the fire could not be extinguished. I viewedthe fire from the guard-house itself, which looks out on the Parián, in order to prevent the movements that the Chinese might attempt undersuch circumstances. The master-of-camp, Don Lorenço Olaco, entered theParián itself, and by his timely efforts, and through God's help, hesaved the convent and church of the fathers of St. Dominic, who havecharge of the Chinese. The latter, being infidels, were not a littlesurprised at seeing only the convent and house of the fathers escapeso great a fire. Almost all the Parián has been rebuilt, with muchbetter outlines and edifices than before, and that to such an extentthat this city is beautified by buildings so fine. [_In the margin_:"Seen. "]

There have also been other fires this year. One was in the city ofCibu, where the convents of the calced and discalced religious ofSt. Augustine were burned, together with some houses of the mostinfluential inhabitants. Another was in the city of [Nuestra Señora]del Rosario de Terrenate, where the convent of St. Francis and theroyal hospital were burned, together with a considerable portion ofthe native village. The edifices in these regions are generally ofwood or bamboo, and the roofs of straw. Consequently, they are veryliable to such disasters. Now edifices of stone are being introduced, roofed with tile or brick, and therefore these troubles are beingaverted. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The year has been a productive one for rice, which is the wheat of thiscountry. We are experiencing the great blessing that will result fromthe cultivated farms that have recently commenced to be established bythe Spaniards. They are cultivated by the Chinese, who are excellentfarmers. I am encouraging it to the best of my ability, as I believethis is the shortest road to provide this city with plenty of food. 

In regard to the trade and commerce of silks and other productsof China, in which consists all the substance of the inhabitantsof this community, certain straits will be experienced this year, because the returns from Nueva España have been very slight, andprices here are very high. Consequently, all the city has thought, with the general consent, that there should be no [record of]investment, or register, in the ships that are despatched this yearto Nueva España for aid. Thus was I petitioned in the name of thewhole city. I discussed it in the session with the auditors, and ina treasury meeting with those who attend that. All thought that whatthe city petitioned should be conceded, as it was well known thatit would tend to its increase and profit, or to say better, to therestoration of this community. Your Majesty has much more interestin that than in the duties on the investment and register, whichare of slight consideration to this treasury and to that of Mexico;while it is of great interest to all the monarchy that so much silverbe not sent to China as was going every year from these kingdoms ofyour Majesty. Since your royal decrees make so much of the harm thatwould follow to those kingdoms and to all the monarchy from excessesin these regions, I do not doubt that the decision to set aside the[record of] investment for this year will be quite in accord withits welfare and to your Majesty's pleasure. [_In the margin_: "Takeit to the fiscal. " "The fiscal says that, in spite of the causesmentioned by the governor in this section of his letter, he hasbeen notified from Mexico and various other places in regard to thisparticular; and that the ships were laden with merchandise of greatvalue. Hence the omission of the register only served to defraud theroyal duties. Consequently, the governor should be censured for hisact and a greater demonstration [of displeasure] reserved for whatshould result from his inspection and residencia from Mexico, thatbeing one of the matters referred to that city. " "Let the decisionof the fiscal be followed; and advise the inspector of this, so thathe may charge those who are guilty. "]

Not less attention has been paid to the government of the Indiansand natives of these provinces. I found them greatly oppressed andharassed by the many burdens, assessments, and services that wereimposed on them for the service of your Majesty and the support of thegovernment employees and justices. In regard to this matter, I heldseveral conferences with the ecclesiastical prelates, the regulars, and the seculars. At these were present your Majesty's fiscal, theassessor of the government, and two encomenderos in the name of theothers, and I conferred with them on the most important points. Later, with general consent, I made a new set of instructions and ordinancesconcerning the justices and encomenderos. By them was prohibited underheavy penalties whatever had been introduced that was harmful to theIndians. An attested copy of certain points was given to the superiorsof the orders and to the ministers who are not regulars, of which itseemed best that they should be notified at the same meeting. They werestrictly charged with the execution of those clauses; under penaltythat if redress were not made by their own action, your Majesty willenforce it. And in order that some cooperation might be supplied onthe part of your royal treasury to this general relief which we aretrying to effect for the Indians, it was resolved, with the consentof the tribunal of the treasury, to pay the natives who serve in thenaval storehouse, the rope-factory, and in the repairs of the ships ofyour Majesty, a moderate sum which seemed a just recompense for theirlabor. By that means, and without any remarkable cost to your Majesty(since other expenses were cut down), the villages were relieved ofmany thousands of ducados which they had to contribute (to their ownruin) every year for the just payment of the aforesaid services. Thus, adding to all this the efforts that, as I wrote in the letter onmilitary affairs, have been made and are being undertaken in regard totheir protection, I think everything possible will have been done thisyear for the just government and administration of these unfortunatenatives. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal. " "The fiscal saysthat from what this section shows, the zeal and care of the governorin the welfare, protection, and instruction of those natives oughtto be esteemed, and he ought to be ordered to go ahead. At presentnothing else in particular can be answered or advised, because thisletter does not contain the matters mentioned in it and said to havebeen given to the religious orders, etc. " "Advise him that the papershave not come, and that we are awaiting them, in order to decide asshall be most advisable. "]

Quite a number of meetings were also held in regard to the governmentof the Sangleys or Chinese, both those naturalized in the countryand those who are transient--the traders and mechanics, who are verynumerous. All that needed reform was discussed very deliberately, andis being carried out in accordance with the decisions of the othertribunals. However, we cannot help having a million difficultiesin regard to all the matters concerning that nation, as we do notgovern them after their own manner--as I state in greater detail toyour Majesty in the letter on judicial matters, when discussing themanner in which I think those people should be governed. It is sureand certain that so long as there cannot be the remedy that I ask forin this matter, what is desired and expedient cannot be attained. [_Inthe margin_: "Seen; and have particular care in this. "]

The decrees, instructions, and ordinances sent to these islands, both to the governors and to other tribunals and officials, are therule for the right government of the islands. Very many of themare missing--some being lost by carelessness, and others hiddenthrough malice--and orders are not found for many things that wouldbe necessary, while others, because they were carelessly drawn up, are, when placed in practice, overruled by saying that there was adecree for it. Consequently, desirous of the clarity required in soimportant a matter, I petition your Majesty to be pleased to have somefolios of them printed and sent to this government. [_In the margin:_"For all the Council. " "Have a pamphlet printed of all these ordersand send it to him, and for that purpose send Antonio de Leon tome. " "I have made an agreement with Don Fernando and Antonio de Leon. "]

A seminary for orphan boys is a work of great importance for this city, as there arc usually, in lands so remote, many who are unprotected andwithout parents or relatives. Your Majesty orders me by a royal decreeto favor it, and to seek means by which to found it. Consequently, in accordance with the order, I granted an encomienda of fivehundred tributes to one of the foremost inhabitants of this city, namely, Captain Pedro de Navarrete, on condition that he would give apension of five thousand pesos in ready cash as revenue for the workof the said seminary. By that means was made good the deficiency inhis services--which, although they have not been of moment in waraffairs, still were sufficient for him to be granted an encomienda;and on condition of the five thousand pesos he was to be preferredto the others. I am awaiting another similar opportunity in order toget enough to be enabled to finish the work [on a building for them]The services of the fathers of the boys who are reared in this housemake up for the deficiency of those who do not furnish services, but who can give like sums. By this means, I believe that the housewill be established. But in order that it may have some fixed income, it will be necessary for your Majesty to be pleased to command me togive them one thousand five hundred or two thousand tributes that arevacant. With this the seminary will be placed in good condition, andcan have a secular priest as rector to govern it, who will be chosenby the governors. Your Majesty will have the patronage of this boys'seminary, as you have in that of the girls of Santa Potenciana--and atless cost, since all the expenses will be met from encomiendas--thanif these had to be enjoyed by worthy men; but their sons will enjoy theencomiendas, since this seminary is founded in order to rear them. [_Inthe margin_: "[To be considered by] the whole Council. Take it tothe fiscal. " "The fiscal says that he does not consider the meansemployed by the governor to get these five thousand pesos as good, for it really means selling the encomiendas, and giving them forprices to those who do not deserve them. It will result in the generalaffliction and discontent of the deserving. Consequently, in case thatthe sum given in this may be approved, the governor must be orderedthat no others be given henceforth in like manner. He considers it asbetter and more suitable that the governor assign some encomiendasfor the revenues and income of this seminary, to the quantity thatshall be deemed advisable. Thus has it been, and is being, done withother like foundations in Peru and Nueva España. Madrid, December 5, 1630. " "That the encomienda given was well done, under the conditionsthat existed. For the support [of the said seminary], the governorshall continue to impose pensions on the encomiendas up to the sumof one thousand ducados, and shall advise us of what is done. "]

Since my arrival, I have had the care of the hospitals of this city, ordered to me by your Majesty in one of your royal decrees receivedthis year. The hospitals are in charge of the discalced religiousof St. Francis. I do not doubt that if there were some brothers of[St. ] John of God here, they would administer them better; but I havenot found them in these islands as yet. I am charging the fathers tolook after them carefully, and I personally visit and aid the sickwhenever my occupations admit; and I wish that that were often. [_Inthe margin_: "Thank him, and tell him to continue what he is doing, since it is not advisable to send any of those brothers at present. "]

I wrote at length my opinion in regard to the spiritual matters ofthe convents and orders, and at present nothing especial occurs 10me of which to advise your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Seen. "]

The characters of Juan Ruiz de Escalona, treasurer of the royalrevenues of these islands, and of the accountant, Martin Ruizde Salazar, are excellent. They attend to their duties with allpunctuality and earnest zeal, which deserve from your Majesty thefavor that all who comply with their obligations may hope from yourroyal hand. They are informing you of their especial petitions, and hence I shall not go into greater detail. [_In the margin_:"Let persons of these abilities be kept in mind. "]

The inspector who was assigned to this royal Audiencia has notcome this year because of his lack of health, according to what hewrites me. That is a pity, for it is important to the service of yourMajesty that these islands be inspected. [But that should be done]with the mildness and prudence that is proper; for I do not considerit advisable to unearth old matters that now have no redress, andto investigate them will have no other result than to disturb thiscommunity. [_In the margin_: "That this is already provided. "]

This despatch is being made August 4, one day after the arrival atthis port of the ships from Nueva España. Those ships spent justfour months in a voyage that can be and usually is made in less thanthree, and after suffering innumerable storms and maladies--with theevident risk of leaving these islands without help, because they hadnot left Nueva España a fortnight earlier. Sire, this government, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of him who may govern here, will be only, what the viceroys of Nueva España wish. If aid comesin time and is abundant (or at least sufficient), all goes welland affairs progress, for everything is obtained. If the aid comeslate, and does not contain what is necessary, everything is lost anddestroyed, as was pointed out more minutely to your Majesty in theletters of war and revenue. I petition you humbly that--although Ihave come to these islands so desirous of furthering their prosperity, but have found them tied down by undertakings and expenses greaterthan in the time of my predecessors--since I do not merit beingaided as they were, or cannot be aided because of the inclemency ofthe weather, your Majesty will be pleased to use me in another placewhere the employment and attainment of my desires is not impossiblethrough the lack of coöperation and outside aid. May God preservethe Catholic royal person of your Majesty with the increase that we, your vassals, desire, and which Christendom needs. Manila, August 4, 1628. Sire, your Majesty's humble vassals, _Don Juan Niño de Tavora_

[_In the margin_: "Seen. Have the viceroy charged to be very punctualin this. "]

ECONOMIC REASONS FOR SUPPRESSING THE SILK TRADE OF CHINA IN SPAINAND ITS COLONIES

_Reasons of expediency existing why the importation of the silkof China and the other merchandise of that country ought not to bepermitted in the Indias and these kingdoms, but rather prohibited;and the damages and troubles that follow from its not being prohibitedin every point, and its trade, are the following. _

It is very pernicious to permit the importation of the silk of Chinaand its trade, both in the Indias and in España. For although notmore than two hundred and fifty thousand pesos de Tipuzque can betaken from Nueva España to the Filipinas annually, besides that sumanother incalculable quantity of money is taken in reals of eight;for the said silk can be bought or traded for nothing else, nor willthe Chinese give or exchange it for other merchandise. Consequently, they manage to get hold of and carry away annually the greater partof the eight-real pieces which are made in the said Nueva España, in exchange for grass, which is the substance of that coarse andharsh silk which is so plentiful among the Chinese. [53] Thus do theyweaken our strength and increase their own; and consequently they canmake war on us whenever they wish, without any cost to them as faras we are concerned. And since this money does not come to España, it cannot be invested there in merchandise, and the customs duties andthe excise duty cannot be collected from them; and they cannot returnwith a greater sum of money with which to make larger investments, resulting in the great increase of the said royal incomes, and thecommon benefit of his Majesty's vassals. Besides, if that silk werenot taken from China to Nueva España, it would not be used there;nor would it be poured into Piru and Tierra Firme, as is done. For, notwithstanding the prohibition established forbidding any merchandiseto be taken there from China, a very large quantity of it is takento the said provinces from Nueva España, and it is used there--theviceroys, generals, and justices concealing and favoring it fortheir own private interest and benefit. For that reason much lessSpanish merchandise is used in the said Piru and Tierra Firme thanwas formerly consumed, and than would be used if the merchandise ofChina were not sent there. That condition causes the merchandise ofEspaña to have one-half less value than before. Hence it resultsthat daily fewer trading ships arc sent from these kingdoms thanformerly, and than would be sent if the said trade with China were tocease. That is the reason why the Spanish silks and other merchandiseare so seldom demanded or consumed in the Indias. That, with the lowprices at which they are sold, and the numerous duties which are paid, and the trade so ruined, makes the exporters and merchants derive solittle gain from their investments that they do not care to increaseor to continue their trade, and cease to attend to it. On that account, the said Indias do not depend, as it is right that they should depend, on these kingdoms; while, as there and in these kingdoms is consumedthe merchandise of China, which is only bought with standard reals ofeight, an enormous amount of coin is taken there in exchange for themerchandise, and thus is not sent to these kingdoms to be investedhere, in order to return them to the said Indias. [If that weredone], the duties thereon (together with the great cargoes and theincrease of business in all directions) would increase very greatly, as would be clearly and quickly seen in the increase of the royalrevenues. The prohibition of the said merchandise of China is of muchgreater advantage to the royal revenues than the permission; besides, it is the universal remedy [for the troubles] of these kingdomsand of the said Indias, that the said merchandise be not exportedto either the former or the latter. [There is a parallel to this inour domestic trade], for in place of the wheat (because of the lackof it that is generally experienced in the maritime towns of thiskingdom), foreigners are continually carrying away from us so greatan amount of money through the permissions given to them for export, and with what they demand besides, for the wheat, and in exchange forthe copper coins that they force on us, and other articles that theybring to us, which they have in plenty--but which we do not need, aswe have all of them in our España. Thus they weaken our resources andstrengthen their own; but this would be avoided if we did not need thewheat, and they were not permitted to bring the other things. Just so, not having need (as there is none) of the wares from China, becausewe have so many of them in these kingdoms (which moreover are knownto be so much better in quality), we should cease this trade, whichonly carries to China that great treasure which is annually withdrawnand conveyed thither, without any hope that any part of it will everreturn to us. For the Chinese have a great surplus of all goods, and never come to buy anything, but only to sell--and that only forreals of eight; and consequently, they make their prices so cheap, inorder to get the reals, that they constrain one to buy a much greaterquantity of their merchandise than he would buy if the prices werehigher and the profits less. And although the profits are seeminglylarge at first, they are not so in reality, because of the littledurability of the Chinese goods, and because of the damage caused tothe merchandise of España by their importation; for, by permittingit, the consumption of Spanish goods is lessened, and they have lessvalue. Consequently--setting aside the so universal damage to all thenatives [of España], and in particular that to the producers of thesaid silk (and its production is daily diminishing, to such an extent, indeed, that in a very few years so little will be produced thatthe damage will be made plainly evident in the royal duties, andin its lack and scarcity), and how much greater benefit would bethe prohibition than the permission of the said silk of China--hisMajesty and his ministers, in attending to his royal revenues, areunder obligation to furnish suitable relief for this, for the welfareof his kingdoms and vassals. Since the towns of the kingdom of Granadawere given, after their insurrection, [54] under an annuity obligation[censo] to private persons so that they might settle therein, andthe annuity amounts to more than one hundred thousand ducados ofrevenue, which are paid through the increase in the production ofthe silk; and [it is necessary] that there should be a ready saleand handling of it, for the estates that were given to them have noother important products from which they could obtain the money to paythe said annuity; necessarily, if the production of the silk ceases, then the payment of the annuity will cease. For in that and in theready sale of the said silk consists the power [to pay the annuity];and it also consists in the many people who, having the silk, wouldoccupy themselves in its production, culture, and preparation, whowill consume and use a great quantity of food. That would cause anexcise duty on the food of more than one hundred thousand additionalducados per year; but this income would cease if the production andcultivation of the silk ceased, and his Majesty would lose the saidone hundred thousand ducados. Besides, the said silk paying, as itdoes, three hundred and two maravedis per libra--without reckoningthe tenth, or the forty per cent on the gross price at which it isat once sold in the alcaicerias--as soon as it is sold, while therewould be less produced and sold, and the price of it would be lower, the duties will be less. And since the silk of China does not pay morethan fifteen per cent of import tax and excise, because it is foreign, his Majesty loses twenty-five per cent on each libra of the silk ofthe kingdom of Granada. That silk is produced in less quantity bythe importation of that of China; and since our silk pays higherduties than the foreign--either because of its excellent quality, or because it is native, or for some other reason--that freedom fromduties ought to be extended to it rather than to the Chinese silk, instead of burdening it with greater duties. These latter should beimposed upon the Chinese silk, so that, less of it being importedfor that reason, less money would be taken from Nueva España toFilipinas for its purchase; while more money would be brought tothese kingdoms. That would result in greater investments and cargoes, and more silk would be produced in these kingdoms. For so littlesilk has been produced in the kingdom of Granada for the last twoyears, because of its little sale and value and its great cost, thatthe duties from the revenues of their silk have been worth thirtythousand ducados less each of those two years than they were worthduring the years before. Two signal losses have resulted from that, and they will become greater every day, and more irreparable. Thefirst is that as so little silk is produced, and the producers haveleft the leaves on the mulberry-trees, the trees have come to such apass that for lack of pruning and care they will be ruined in littletime and destroyed--so that when one may try to remedy them he will beunable. The other is that the little silk that has been produced hasbeen of so little profit to the producers because of its diminishedvalue during this time--on account of the quantity of foreign silkthat has been imported and its better sale, because of the lower priceat which it has been sold--that the said producers and the holdersof the annuity grants have not had sufficient means to pay the saidannuities; and for the last two years they have owed his Majesty twohundred thousand ducados. It will be impossible to pay that sum andwhat shall be owing in the future years, as long as the importationand sale of that foreign silk is not prohibited. But if that be done, the production will be increased, and the trade and value [of theSpanish silk] will return to its former figure. By that benefit allthe producers will be encouraged to persevere in it, and will causegreater duties, not only for the larger amount of silk that there willbe, but in the excise duty for the consumption of food. The producerswill have the means to pay what they owe on the annuities that are dueand will fall due. And although the silks will be dearer than now, thegreater durability of what will be made from them, because of theirgood quality and worth, will make them cheaper. For if the Chinesesilk is not imported, nor ours mixed with it (which is the thing thatspoils, harms, and damages ours), what is woven will never break, and will not be dear at any price. The money [now] invested in the silkof China and taken to that country will come to these kingdoms, andwill be invested in our silks and merchandise and the returns from themwill continue to increase both in the increase of the royal revenues, and in the universal welfare of his Majesty's vassals. Thus will itbe seen in a very short time how well advised has been the decisionthat will be made in the prohibition of the said silks of China, aswell as the great damage that its importation has caused. Besides, the danger of navigation will not be so great, because of both itsless distance and its greater safety; nor will there be so many lossesof ships and property as there arc continually now. This trade willproceed with less coercion by the enemies; consequently, the power ofthe latter will not be so great, nor will the depredations that theycommit on our own coasts by robbing us have to be feared. That is allworth very considerable thought, in order that one may see how just isthis claim, and so that the remedy for this difficulty be procured, as it is the one that demands reform most urgently of all that nowpresent themselves to our attention. 

_Juan Velazquez Madrco_

[_Endorsed in writing_: [55] "Arguments why the silk of China shouldnot be admitted into the Yndias or into España. October 7, 628. " "Fileit with the papers that treat of this matter. "]

DECREES REGARDING THE CHINESE

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tavora, member of my Council of war, mygovernor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president ofmy royal Audiencia therein, or the person or persons in whose chargetheir government may be: Fray Melchor de Manzano, of the Order ofSt. Dominic, has reported to me, in the name of the Chinese livingin those islands, that the said Chinese pay me annually sixty-fourreals in silver for the sole purpose of remaining in that country, in addition to five more, which is the usual tribute, and twelvemore for the treasury, which are spent in assessments for affairsof my service; and that, for a few years back, the alcaldes-mayorhave introduced the practice that no Chinese enter or live in theirdistricts without their permission (even though they have yours), and the permission given by the alcaldes-mayor is for a very shortperiod, in order to get from them the fees for the said permission veryfrequently. Although orders have been issued in this matter by thatAudiencia of mine, prohibiting the granting of the said permissions, those orders have not been obeyed. On the contrary, those officialsproceed in their own interest, and oblige the Chinese at the same timeto attend to the service of the city, by going to fish and to provideall the necessaries of life; and, whenever they go they experiencemany annoyances. He petitions me that I will be pleased to order that, since the Chinese pay so large fees to live in that country, thepermissions that you shall grant them be valid in all the districtsof the said alcaldes-mayor; and that the latter take no other fee, or the former have no need of any other permission, besides yours;and that for yours not more than one real in silver be collected. Ifthe expedition made by the said Chinese should not last longer thanone month, the permission of the alcalde-mayor of their districtwill be sufficient, and they shall not be obliged to get another inthat place to which they go, within the said month. That given bythe said alcalde-mayor shall not carry fees in excess of one-halfreal. If the alcalde-mayor of the Parián grant such permission, heshall collect no fee, since the said Chinese pay ten pesos to him, and the same amount to the clerk of the salary fund. Having examinedthe matter in my royal Council of the Indias, I have consideredit advisable to refer the matter herein contained to you, so thatyou may provide that the said Chinese be not annoyed or molested, in order that there may be no occasion for their coming to complain;and you shall advise the said my royal Council of the Indias of thecorrection that you shall apply in this matter. Madrid, June 8, 1628

_I The King_By order of the king our sovereign:_Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras_

The King. To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia residentin the city of Manila of the Filipinas Islands: Fray Melchor Manzano, of the Order of Preachers, in the name of the Chinese living in thoseislands has reported to me that it has been ordered for the securityof the islands that the Chinese live in the village of the Parián, outside the walls of that city; but that for a few years past theyhave been scattered among different settlements outside of the saidvillage. There with difficulty can the wrongs experienced at varioustimes by such settlements be righted, as many of them do not go to massor hear the word of God, but indulge in excessive gambling, to theirown hurt and that of the inhabitants of that city. Any insurrection caneasily be feared because they can arrange one very safely in the saidsettlements, where they can hold secret assemblies and meetings--fromwhich resulted the impositions, false testimonies one against another, and false witnesses; and the fortifications of the walls of that cityare in great danger. For if the said Chinese live in the village ofthe Parián, one can derive from that means to fortify the walls andprevent destruction and losses; but if they live outside the Parián, that will be lacking, and consequently the safety of that city [willbe endangered]. I have been petitioned that I be pleased to order, under severe penalties, that no Chinese be permitted to have a dwellingoutside the Parián; and that those now outside return there, exceptthe married Christians who may live in the village of Vindanoc [i. E. , Binondo], which has been assigned to them. Having examined the matterin my royal Council of the Indias, I have considered it fitting torefer the matter to you, so that you may proceed in it with all thehaste that may be advisable for the service of God our Lord and myown, in order that those troubles cease. You shall advise me of whatyou shall do, on the first opportunity. Madrid, August 17, 1628. 

_I The King_

By order of his Majesty:_Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras_

The King. To Don Juan Niño de Tavora, member of my Council of War, mygovernor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president ofmy royal Audiencia therein, or the person or persons in whose chargetheir government may be: I ordered you by a decree of September 10, 627, to appoint to the office of protector of the Sangley Chinese(which was held by the fiscal of that Audiencia) a person who shouldprove competent, with the salary that was assigned to him; and to orderthat my said fiscal of those regions exercise the office no longer. Youwere ordered to charge the person whom you thus appointed to watchover the said Sangley Chinese most carefully, so that they might notbe troubled or annoyed, or any ill-treatment shown them; and that anybalance left any year in the fund that he keeps should remain there, in order that the Sangleys may be assessed so much less the followingyear. When that order was executed, you were to inform me of what hadbeen done and what took place in respect to those who are mentionedin the said decree, as well as the advantages or troubles that itsexecution might cause, as is contained more in detail in the decree, to which I refer. Doctor Don Juan de Quesada Hurtado de Mendoza, whom I have appointed as my fiscal of that Audiencia, has reported tome that, having petitioned that the documents be given to him as tohis predecessors, and one of them being the decree that orders thatthe fiscal of that my Audiencia be the protector of the natives andthe Sangleys, he found that the above decree had been despatched, ordering you to appoint a competent person. The cause therefor wasthat Fray Melchor Manzano, of the Order of St. Dominic, urged it forprivate purposes, until he actually obtained it. The fiscal declaredthat it was advisable for my service to have the decree suspended, and that my fiscals of that Audiencia exercise the said office, asthey had always done; and that the said Fray Melchor Manzano, while hewas in those islands, and other religious of his order, having madethemselves protectors of the said Sangleys, and having petitionedthe governor to order that the fiscal be not the protector of them, and that the salary of whoever should be protector be moderated, the said governor did not change the custom of whether the fiscalshould or should not be the protector. In regard to the salary, it was moderated only to eight hundred pesos. When the matter camebefore that my Audiencia, it declared by acts of examination andreview that the said protection pertained to the said my fiscal. Inconsideration of that, Don Fernando de Silva, my governor _ad interim_of those islands, ordered that the said acts be executed; and that, inconformity with them, the office of protector of natives and Sangleysbe exercised by Licentiate Marcos Zapata de Galvèz, my fiscal of thatmy Audiencia at that time. I am petitioned, in consideration of that, to be pleased to have a decree despatched ordering that he and otherfiscals who shall succeed him in that my Audiencia be protectors ofthe said Sangleys and natives, as they have been, notwithstandingthe ruling of the said decree of September 10, 627. Having examinedthe matter in my royal Council of the Indias, together with whatLicentiate Juan Pardo, my fiscal therein, stated and alleged--forI wish to know whether the Sangleys have need of that protector andwhether they ask for him--I order you to inform me of what you findout concerning this; and in case that it appears necessary that theyhave one, I order you and that Audiencia to appoint six persons whomay be suitable for such protector. You shall cause such nominationsto be sent to the said my Council, so that it may indicate that oneof the six appointees who is most suitable. He must not have tradeor business relations with the said Sangleys; and the one named bythe said Council shall be, for the time being, the one who shall seemmost suitable to the Council. Madrid, March 27, 1629. 

_I The King_

By order of his Majesty:_Andres de Rozas_

RELATIONS OF 1628-29

I

_Relation of affairs in the Filipinas and in other regions, for theyear of 1628 and 629, sent by the fathers [of the Society]; and ofa victory gained by our men_. 

An excellent and large fleet has left this great island of Mindanaoduring these last few days to punish the insolence of the Dutch and ofthe Joloans, the neighbors of Mindanao, who are robbing the countryfrom us and capturing the Indians of these Filipinas. The fleet isthere, and I was to embark with it, but in order not to leave thisdistrict alone Father Fabricio Sersali, a Sicilian, went. The fleetconsisted of thirty ships and more, and in them sailed two hundredSpaniards and innumerable Indian soldiers and rowers. May our Lordgive us the success that we hope. [56]

A fleet of two galleons with high freeboard has also left, and in themfour companies of soldiers, in pursuit of the Dutch enemy who were inMacan and along the coast of Great China. Advices were received of aDutch ship which was carrying one million pesos' worth of wealth. Theresult has not been ascertained as yet. 

[_Word in MS. Illegible_] On March 13, fire fell from heaven uponthe Parian or fair of the Chinese (according to what they themselvesswear, namely, that they saw it fall), and burned it all, without asingle one of the more than eight hundred houses that it containedbeing left; and the only thing that was left standing was a churchwhich was in the Parian. [57] The Parian of Manila and almost allthe city of Zebu were burned, with great loss. 

The fleet which went from the province of Oton to punish Jolo hasarrived at this very moment. I shall relate here a very fortunateresult that our Lord gave them. It is as follows. The island ofJolo is next to that of Mindanao. The fleet left here, as I said, on the first of April. At dawn of Holy Saturday it reached the mouthof the river of Jolo, and entering it and attacking the village, the enemy fled as a single man to the mountain, so that the energyof all our men was directed to pillaging. The sack amounted to thirtythousand pesos. What was pillaged from the house of the king amountedto six thousand pesos in silk, cloth, wax, huge quantities of wax, innumerable weapons, and other things of great value. It was alldivided among the villagers. That news was one of the best whichthis country has heard, as that enemy was the one who does us mostharm. Father Fabricio Sersali, who was with the fleet, preceded themall with an image of St. Francis Xavier raised on a spear. In thismanner did the aged saint enter the mosque, and leap for joy. Now boatsare being prepared in this town of Arebalo to complete the uprootingfrom these islands of those nations who disturb them. They burned thetown, and the house of the king, the mosque, and the rice which theycould not carry away. They felled the palm trees, so that they mightdeprive those people of support. They did all that in one day. Theyburned one hundred and forty ships--forty large ones and the othersof less burden. Such and such people were captured; and then they setout on their return in high spirits, in order to go out another time, for which they are preparing. Oton, May 30, 628. 

_Hernando Estrada_ [58]

Will your Reverence aid me with your holy sacrifices and prayers, sothat I may imitate many apostolic laborers whom we have had here, andof whom we have at present many, who have come from all those provincesof España; they have made and are making gardens pleasant to the sightof God, from the obscure forests which the devil has possessed so manythousands of years and still possesses in these islands. For, as wehave been told, there are eleven thousand islands, of which that ofManila is the largest and most important. It has more Christians [thanthe others], and yet even in it there are many infidels, who make waron us. Among the other islands there are very few [with Christians]because of the many which are so full of infidel people who professthe devilish worship of Mahoma. I cannot depict to your Reverence howsurrounded we are by that canaille on all sides, and the wars thatthey so frequently make upon us--so that, in the summer especially, no one can be safe in his house. Daily do they enter our villages, burn them and their churches, break into bits the saints and images, and capture the poor Indians. 

I left Manila in a champan, which is a boat used by the Chinese, andin which they come from their country here. We were four of the Societywho embarked in it, and God was pleased to give it so favorable a windthat by means of it we escaped from the hands of the enemy, who werein ambush, watching for an opportune moment. The father-provincial[59] took the same route in a caracoa--a boat used in this country;but that craft was knocked to pieces before reaching the place wherethe enemy had established themselves. Hence it was necessary forhim and his associate to come overland, suffering extraordinaryhardships, over mountains and through rivers, for more than onehundred leguas. Thus does it seem that they escaped as by a miracle, as well as did the champan. 

Soon thirty or more boatloads of Camuzones Indians arrived here. Theywere naked, having only a bit of cloth with which they cover, etc. Their weapons are certain pointed bamboos, but those bamboosare very strong. They entered a village which was under my charge, and burned it, together with its house and church. They broke thesaints into pieces, although the ornaments were saved. Nine personswere captured here. 

Another brother and I were going to another village, without thoughtof enemies. We entered the bar of a river at about one in theafternoon. That afternoon the enemy entered the same river. The nextday, while we were giving thanks, they made a sudden attack on thevillage, whereupon all the people fled. We two went to the mountains, where we remained eleven days. Thence the enemy took their way towardanother village, where the father-provincial was, together with FatherJuan Lopez, [60] his associate, and other fathers. Before the enemyarrived, they received the warning which I sent them. Consequently, all took to the mountains, and the father-provincial and the otherfathers were among the mountains for a number of days, where theysuffered hardships. But our Lord was pleased to order that the enemyshould not reach that village nor the village where I was staying, for fear of the narrowness of the rivers, lest they could not getthrough them when they departed. But they went thence to another townlocated on the seashore, and burned it entirely. The enemy also wentto other villages of our missions and burned them, and the fathersescaped as by a miracle from their hands. When the enemy capture thefathers they cut off their heads, as they did two years ago with afather whom they captured. They treat the Spaniards whom they capturein the same way. Consequently, we all go about as if we were soldiers;our ships are laden with arms; and forts have been built in the chiefvillages and fortified with firearms, with which to defend ourselves;while forts are being built in the other villages. 

All those coasts of this sea have been crowded with sentinels thisyear, for it was rumored that many Dutch ships were to come, and theyalways come to sight land at the cape of Espiritu Santo. 

When we go from some villages to others, we cross many deep rivers, which are all generally full of caymans or crocodiles. These [reptiles]swallow a bull, a cow, or a deer even to their horns, thus causinggreat loss. They also catch and eat the Indians daily. 

There is a most abundant quantity of snakes, almost all of whichcause death when they sting. There is but one remedy for the wounds, namely, if they happen to have a little of the earth from San Pablo. Byhaving it blessed, they are infallibly cured; and he who is treatedwith this remedy does not die. There are other snakes which are notpoisonous. They are so large that they can swallow a large wild boar, or a large deer, horns and all. A father and some Indians killed onewhich was eating a hog; they ran up on hearing the grunts of the hog, and speared and killed the snake. 

There is great abundance of material products, and the country is veryfertile. The grain of these regions is rice, and as a rule each fanegaof grain sowed yields one hundred fanegas, and many yield two hundredfanegas, especially if it is irrigated and transplanted. There areoranges of many varieties, some of them resembling large melons. Honeyand wax is found in the trees, where the bees make it. The wax is worthsixteen or twenty reals an arroba, and a jar of honey one real. Isaw a tree which had many honeycombs hanging on the branches. Themountains are fuller of wild boars than are the commons of Españaof swine and cattle in acorn time. One of those swine, if it is fat, is worth two reals, but only one if not fat; and a deer is worth thesame sum. There are almost no fruits of España. There are melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and radishes of the country, and quantities ofcabbages and lettuce. There are many native fruits, some of which areexcellent, but they are not so many or so good as those of España, while the food does not have the same nourishment as in España. Theswine here are excellent, and better and more healthful than thoseof España; for they are eaten like mutton, and are given to the sickas mutton is in España. 

God is ever our physician and apothecary in sickness, and but few timesdoes one fall grievously sick when our Lord does not supply the lackof medicines, without which [_MS. Holed_: we?] get along very well, and God helps [us]. Panbohen, July 6, 1629. 

_Pedro de Prado_

We received a letter from Eastern India which gives very good news ofits condition; for the Dutch are now in small numbers and are verymuch disaccredited, with both the Moros and the heathen, and thesehave revolted against the Dutch and driven them from their lands andfrom the houses of trade that they owned, because they have foundthem false in their commerce and deceitful in their trading. Our menwent to help drive out the Dutch. 

Good news comes from Zeilan and Tebet of the great conversion toChristianity that is being effected there and in other regions, and that the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ continues to increase. 

Ruy Freire went to besiege Ormuz with some ships, and the viceroy toldhim that he was going in person with [_MS. Holed_] ships to capture it. 

Father Geronimo Perez [61] had cut down, at a residence, a treewhich was called nino, in order to dispel the superstitions of theIndians. That tree was twenty-five brazas in circumference, and thereare other trees of this species whose trunks are used by the Indiansas houses. [62]

Father Muxica writes from Macan that Father Trigautio had come fromChina to Macan, and said that there were many highborn and influentialpeople in China who were being converted, and that they were livingvery exemplary lives. Manila, July 5, 1628 [_sic_]. 

II

_A relation of events in the Philipinas Islands, and other neighboringkingdoms, from the month of July, 1628, to July, 1629. _

Continuing my project begun last year, I will proceed in this accountto relate the events which have happened this year, without observingany other order than that in which they occur to me. 

At half past one on the night of November 25, Our church fell, with so terrible a crash that it seemed as if the heavens werefalling. It was due to God's great providence that it did not happenseveral hours later, for without doubt some of our fathers would havebeen caught in the ruins. It is the third time that this church hasfallen; for years ago, just as they finished saying the last mass, and locked the doors, the whole vault, which was built of brick, fell in a great earthquake. If it had happened an hour before, itwould have wrought great injury, by imprisoning beneath it all thepeople who were in the church. Then six years later, in the month ofSeptember, on the same day, just as they were beginning to decoratethe church for celebrating the feasts of St. Ignatius and St. Xavier, one large pillar and two arches fell, leaving the roof in the air, without any means of support for more than eight yards--a thing whichseemed miraculous; two of Ours were caught, but neither receivedmuch harm. On this last occasion the ruin was greater, because onepillar, when it fell, carried with it half of the church. Thus itremained, without repairs being possible; there was nothing to bedone but to finish the work of destruction, and build a hut in whichto accommodate our fathers in their ministries, until we finish thenew church building and house--which is a very good one, and well onits way to completion. [63]

On the twentieth of December, at eight o'clock in the evening, theyomitted the holy sacrament in the Cathedral church of this city, because it had been stolen, together with the monstrance in whichit was kept. Diligent search was made for it, arresting some andputting others to the torture, and making earnest prayers to placatethe wrath of God, but no trace of the thief could be found in theseor any other ways, even to the present day. [64]

On the twentieth of June an eclipse of the sun began at eleven o'clock, and at thirteen minutes after twelve it was so far eclipsed that itcould not be seen at all. It seemed as if it were night, and the starswere seen in the sky, so that we were forced to light candles in orderto eat; for there was a dinner that afternoon, on the occasion of acertain feast. As far as I know, this eclipse was not seen in NuevaEspaña; it is the most complete one that I have ever seen, though Ihave seen many. 

On the eighteenth of July last, in the village of Guiguan, which isa mission of the Society, an image of the Immaculate Conception ofOur Lady with a gilded face, began to weep piteously--in the sightof all, and of the father who was expounding Christian doctrine inthat village--with a saddened countenance, to the great terror ofall who were present. It seemed as if this was the announcement ofthe disasters and calamities which have been suffered by those poorislands of the Pintados (which are in our missionary charge) fromtheir enemies the Camucones and the Joloans, who have become veryinsolent--plundering many ships on the sea, some of them valuable;robbing and burning towns, capturing the people, and destroying theimages, which the fathers have kept well until their flight and refugein the mountains. It has been considered a singular providence thatno one of our fathers has been captured (although there are fearsabout one, but nothing certain is known about it). The enemy suddenlylanding, one father was surprised in bed, but made his escape almost inhis shirt; they surprised another while saying mass, and he was obligedto make his escape in his chasuble, fleeing through the marshes;another they found sprinkling with holy water the whole populationof the town in the church; another they met on the sea, and havinggiven chase to his vessel, the father leaped overboard and finallyescaped. The father provincial was in great danger several times, butin the end God preserved him and all the other fathers. The greatesthardship is, that it seems as if those who conduct the government donot endeavor to check these raids; may the Lord do so by restrainingthe enemies. 

Relief was sent this year to the Malucas Islands, as has usually beendone in past years, in several pataches and a galley. The Dutch enemyhad at their Malayo fort (which is almost within sight of our fortat Terrenate), a very powerful ship which passed in front of our fortseveral times discharging their artillery as if defying us to come outand fight. After this bravado our men and Pedro de Heredia, governorof those fortifications, armed two pataches and the galley (a forcemuch inferior to that of so powerful a ship) and went out to meet theenemy. He boarded it and began to attack the soldiers in it; the enemy, seeing that the fight was going against them, cut loose from our ship, and retreated or fled to their fort. There their people arrested thecaptain, because, although he had had the advantage on his side, hehad not sunk our little pataches, but instead had taken to flight. Someof the Dutch and some of our men were killed in this fight. 

At Xacatra, which is the capital of the Dutch possessions in allthese eastern regions, and at which their governor and captain-generalresides, there have been many harassing wars this year, because KingXabo with a very powerful army had besieged them for many months, seized and burned the suburbs, and killed many men. However, on accountof the many winter floods, Xabo had to retreat; but the Dutch are leftin considerable fear lest he will return, with the Portuguese givinghim assistance. On that account they have still further fortified theirforts, made greater provision of all necessaries, and detailed theresix galleons from the great fleet, which they maintain at Ormus forthe aid and defense of the Persian, [65] in order that the Portuguese, who are threatening that fortress, may not recover it. 

With the aim of relieving these islands and their natives fromthe suffering that they endured in building galleys and ships, thegovernor decided to send some Spaniards to the kingdom of Camboja, which abounds in fine woods, to establish dock-yards; this purposewas carried out. With the Spaniards it was decided to send some ofthe Society, but for certain reasons this was not done, nor wouldwe permit it. The fathers of St. Dominic, however, permitted it;and so some of them went there with the Spaniards, and were very wellreceived by the king of Camboja. They immediately commenced to carryout their plans for the ships, while the religious built a church. Theking gave them permission to baptize and convert to Christianity anypersons in his kingdom who wished it. 

I wrote last year, that, annoyed by the injuries which these islandshad received from the king of Sian, who had seized in one of his portsa ship of ours richly laden with silks, our galleons had gone thereand made reprisals on some of his ships. The latest news is thata ship was sent there with some of the Sianese who were captured, and some Spaniards, to give an account of the affair; and to tell theking that our people desired to continue in peace and friendship, butthat he must satisfy us for what he had seized from us, and in returnwe would satisfy him for what we had seized from his people. As yetwe have had no answer from there, nor have we heard how the matterwas concluded--much less if our fathers who reside there lost theirlives when our galleons did so much damage to the Sianese ships. 

The outlook for Christianity in Cochinchina was very promising, andin the year 1627 eight hundred adults were baptized; but this yearwe have had news that the fathers had encountered adverse fortune, and were fearing expulsion from that kingdom--but now they write thatthe tempest has already abated, and the skies are clearing. 

In late years, there have been many wars in the kingdom of Tongin, which adjoins that of Cochinchina; but the Christians have beenleft in peace, and thus many have been converted to Christianity. Itis even reported that this same king and a brother of his had beenor were to be baptized. Would to Heaven that it were so! althoughhitherto there has been no certainty of anything, because we havehad no letters from our fathers, on account of the said wars. 

The Tartars have again revolted against the Chinese, who are so hardpressed that they have sent to Macan for artillerymen and artilleryfor the war. The Portuguese lent them two heavy guns, and thirty mento go with them, among whom was Father Palmerin, the visitor of thatprovince [_in the margin_: in the secular habit], to visit, on thisoccasion, the houses and the residences in China. 

As to the condition of Christianity in Japon, I cannot better giveaccount than by inserting here letters and relations sent fromthere. The first, dated 1627, reads as follows:

"The persecution of the Christians here, which was begun severalyears ago, continues without any remission of its vigor, but ratherincreases with every day--not throughout the whole kingdom, however, but in certain parts of the Xymo or Tacab, in which the Christiansare persecuted more than they have been hitherto. It commenced amongthe Christian converts of Tacacu and the lands of Arima, by solicitingthe tono of that region, Gentir, to return to the favor of the lord ofJapon, of which he has been deprived for some time, and to dissuadefrom the faith all the Christians who should enter his lands. Anofficial was sent to all places with orders that they should notfail to go through every village, and to cause everyone, by any wayor means whatever, to renounce the faith, in order that they mightinstead adopt one of the Japanese sects. The officials obeyed theirorders and searched out all, whether steadfast or wavering; and some, in order not to risk their faith, left their homes secretly. Some ofthe strong ones were rigorously treated, and others gently, amongwhom some exiled themselves. Those Christians suffered, for theirconstancy, various and extreme torments never before seen in Japon, which at the said tono's command were inflicted in order to subduethem--stripping both men and women, and hanging them in their shame;hurling them from a height into cold water, in the depth of winter;placing them near a fire so that they would burn; and burning themwith lighted torches. Two of them they roasted on burning coals, asSt. Laurence suffered. Others were left so that they died in a fewdays. They also burned the men with a hot iron upon the forehead, leaving the word "Christian" stamped upon it. They cut the fingersfrom the hands, even of children, inflicting other indignities thatcannot be written. The inhuman pagan, not content with this, hadsome men and women conducted through the streets of certain villageswith insignia of dishonor commonly applied among the heathen tocriminals, but of great glory to our Lord God, for whose love theysuffered. When the servants of the Lord arrived at some of theseplaces, they bound them in a shameful manner to stakes, in orderto frighten the Christian inhabitants in this fashion; but with alltheir efforts they were not strong enough to conquer any Christian, or make him recant. Forty-seven, of all ages, were condemned to death;three were beheaded, and the rest drowned in the sea. Eighteen others, of all ages, they took to a mountain, where there were some very hotbaths; and, binding them with ropes, they put them into the water, asking them again and again if they would not recant. Seeing theirconstancy, they bound them to stones, with which they were sunk in thesea. Twenty-six others, of varying ages, they also took to the saidbaths; and having especially distinguished ten of these by torments, they kept them for some time on the edge of the baths, repeatedlyasking them if they would give up their religion. At the same timethey poured upon their shoulders jars of that boiling hot water, drawing from them cries of pain; until, becoming convinced of theirconstancy, they drowned them in the said baths. Because the body ofone of them was not burst open like the rest by the heat of the water, they cut it open in various places with a knife. In this torture hedied, and, like the others, was flung into the baths. Adding to thesetwo others who died of the terrible torture inflicted upon them, thenumber of those who died in the province of Tacacu, by fire, blood, and water was forty-seven. They went to rest and abide with Christ, and will always be able to say with David: _Transivimus per ignem etaqua e reduxisti nos in refrigerium_. [66] We would never finish if weundertook to tell in detail all the particulars of these martyrdoms, which we shall leave for a more extended relation, in which they maybe viewed; and great consolation will be had from the fact that thoseChristians have endured such atrocious and unheard-of torments withsuch constancy, for the love of Christ. 

"Let us speak of the persecution which another pagan tono set inmotion against the Christians in his lands, adjacent to those ofTacacu. They buried three of the martyrs whom the tono of Tacacuhad condemned, and three others were captured who were going there;he ordered them to recant if they wished to save their lives, orelse they would be subjected to various torments, but these theysuffered rather than lose the life of the soul. Besides this, theJapanese persecuted the Christians of that town, and others nearby, trying every means in their power to divert them from our holyfaith. Some of them were steadfast, and others wavered. The tono, however, ordered them not to kill anyone then as a Christian, and thisorder was obeyed--although two widows, named Maria, gave a noble [_wordillegible in MS_. ] in order to show that they were more constant. Theyinsulted these women in many ways, putting them to shame; andfinally, as they were triumphant over every injury and torment, they were set free. Then they hastened to the city of Nangasaqui, the chief of Christian communities in Japon, where on August 16, 1627, they arrested and burned alive father Fray Francisco de Santa Maria, and the lay brother, Fray Bartholome, both Franciscans, together withtheir servants and other men and women. Others they beheaded, amongwhom the lot fell to a woman with three children, two of whom weretwo years old and the other older. On the sixth of September of thesame year, they arrested and burned alive a Japanese father of Ours, together with two chiefs, his servants. The governor and presidentof that city was present at all these murders. He, in conformitywith his orders, tried to make all the Christian inhabitants recant, without respect to age or estate, and to persuade them all to adoptsome one of the Japanese sects, making use of many ingenious artificesfor this purpose. Seeing that he could not effect his purpose, hetried locking some of them in their houses, nailing up the doors, and depriving them of all communication with relatives and friends, towhich end he set guards around them. Some weak-spirited persons obeyedhim; but the greater number, both chiefs and common people, resistedhim. The governor, seeing that so many resisted, as he had no ordersto take their lives, but only to send them as prisoners to the court, sent those whom he thought best, and among them fifteen of the mostprominent persons. Fearing because some of these were persons of rank, and had many relatives, and some of them were actually officials inthe same city, in order to prevent any revolt from arising he askedthe neighboring tonos for a large number of soldiers. A great manyof these came, who were lodged throughout the city; but, seeing thatthere was no resistance he ordered them back to their fortresses, and, the confessors being much rejoiced, he sent them prisoners tothe court. Others are kept in captivity until the arrival of a decreefrom the court. Four distinguished families were exiled to Macan, withfour hundred and thirty of the common people, who were driven to theneighboring mountains as a warning and intimidation to many others, and all intercourse and communication with them was cut off. It wasordered that no one should admit them to their houses. They werecommanded not to build huts, even for the infant children, to defendthem from the inclemencies of the weather. Guards were set over themso that no one should grant them even a mat for their shelter, thepersecutors hoping by this means to bend them to their will. Althoughthe confessors of Christ undergo great suffering, they do so with joyand invincible constancy. Others who were not banished were deprivedof their employment, to force them to abandon their resistance. Manyfled for this reason, leaving the most populous city in Japan almostdepopulated, although it still contains confessors who ennoble it. [67]

"On the twenty-ninth of July of this year (1627) they burned alive atOmura, together with another who wished to accompany them, a Dominicanfather and three domestics, who had been kept in close captivity sincethe year 1626. This persecution was begun because, having confiscatedthe property belonging to the Franciscan fathers in Nangasaqui, they found a list in which those fathers enumerated the servants andhouses which each one possessed in the land of Omura; and because theyhad sent a ship with a cargo of flour to Manila, in order to bringreligious to Japon on its return--although those of Omura were morethan twice advised by the religious of Nangasaqui to consider that itwas against the Japanese law, and that by so doing they were exposingthemselves and others to the risk of destruction, by furnishing pagansand renegade Christians with a pretext to persecute them, especiallythe religious at the port from which the ship sailed. Twenty-five ofthe constant ones were murdered--of all ages, men and women--somefor having displayed their constancy, and others for admittingreligious into their houses. Among others who died by burning alive, one, a good laboring woman, was especially distinguished, whom, because she was discovered to have admitted religious to her house, they exposed to public shame, taking her in this manner for morethan twenty leguas round about. Finally, she was burned alive, everdisplaying the most remarkable constancy. The same fortitude was shownby three men, whom they buried up to their shoulders. Another who sawsome one being burned alive, displayed no less courage; for, filledwith fervor, he voluntarily plunged into the flames, where he wasentirely consumed. All these were martyred at Omura for their faith, or for receiving religious into their houses. More than forty wereexecuted for sending the said ship, and even now the punishment isnot concluded. Thus that Christian community, one of the earliest inXapon, is greatly afflicted [_apparently some words missing in MS. _]in order that it may be preserved and aided. 

"From the kingdom of Figen, they passed to that of Fingo. At Amacusa, in Fingo, there was no general persecution, leaving the chiefsand laborers, so that if it were conducted rigorously with all, some would be found to be weak-spirited. However, they martyred oneman, who showed unusual constancy. At the end of this year 1627, this Christian church had devoted one hundred and eight martyrs tothe Lord. In other parts of Japon the Christians and their ministerswere left in comparative quiet, so that in the year 1626 their rankswere increased by more than two thousand converts who were baptizedby members of our Society, to say nothing of those who were baptizedby religious of other orders. We believe that in the year 27 therewill be a still greater number of converts in the kingdom of Oxu, because in this kingdom (which is the farthest in Japan) many of thepeople are well disposed. There are at present there four of Ours, five Franciscans, and one Augustinian. May the Lord assist them therein all Xapon, opening doors so long locked, through which many otherscan enter. "

This is the first relation. The second is a letter from the fatherprovincial of Xapon, Matheo de Couros, dated February 25, 1626. Itreads as follows: "The Xongu [i. E. , shogun] lives with his queen, obeyed and feared by all. There is no human hope of any changehere. All these kingdoms enjoy considerable peace during the tempest, and Christianity only is persecuted with fire and sword. From othersyou may have learned that the Franciscan fathers sent a ship tothe city of Manila. This has more than twice resulted in the totaldestruction of Christian work in Omura; and its lord, although heis a child, runs the risk that they will behead him (or at leasthis governors), because the said ship was fitted out in one of hisports. We do not know how this will end. On January 21, they arrestedFather Antonio of the Franciscan order at Nangasaqui. The embassy ofthe Dutch had an unfortunate ending at the court of Xapon, becauseit was known to be only a pretext. It is also said that one of thegreat governors of Xapon remarked at court that it would be a greatinjury to that kingdom, were it said that they welcomed in theirports a people who came only to rob upon the high seas, and that itwas taken ill in foreign kingdoms. "

In another letter, of November 28, 1627, it is said by Father XacomeAntonio, after the departure of the galeotas, that "there is nonews from these countries; the persecution at Nangasaqui has ended, because the presidents had all gone to the court, and so at presentthere is comparative quiet. At first those who were banished to themountains were not allowed, under the penalty of burning, imposed bythe ministers of justice, to build any shelter from the inclemenciesof the weather; but afterward they were allowed to build huts ofstraw. It was also granted that no minister of justice dwell amongthem, which is a great blessing. The Christians who were sent to courtarrived there in safety; and although at the beginning they found noone to welcome them the governors afterward ordered that houses begiven them. They are well accommodated in a monastery of bonzes, who, beyond the kind treatment they accord them, are urging the governors toaccord to them, and to the other Christians at Nangasaqui, liberty ofconscience. The chief bonze of this monastery, a man of great authorityon account of his dignity, is pushing this negotiation. Besides this, these same Christians presented a petition or memorial, asking thegovernors at this court to intercede for them, and procure for themsuch liberty at Nangasaqui as they had had in the days of the Daifu, so that their inhabitants might live there as Christians. It was wellreceived, and they were given hopes of a favorable decision. The sameencouragement is given to all those who come to the court. Even theheathen talk of it, and say that the permission will doubtless beaccorded. May the Lord grant it; for if it succeeds the whole countryin the neighborhood of Nangasaqui will remain in some peace. "

In another of March 16, 1628, the same father, Xacome Antonio, saysthat father Fray Juan de Ribera, of the Dominican order, while he wasreturning from Manila to Xapon, was left on the Lechios [i. E. , Riu-KiuIslands], where it is said that he was murdered in an attempt to robhim, though the motive is not certainly known. Three of the same ordercame last year to Japon, and when they were within sight of land, theChinese crews threw them overboard, on account of some superstitiousfear. It was known afterward, because on their return a sudden squallstruck the Chinese ship two leguas from Nangasaqui. The vessel waswrecked and many lost, eight saving their lives by swimming. Thiswas a punishment for their sins, and for the large amount of silverthat they took from the said religious, which they say must amountto two thousand sacks of treasure; [68] they took it on condition ofreturning the same amount at their return from the voyage. 

The last news we have from Xapon is as follows: There was a greatoutbreak in the palace, in the emperor's anteroom, and a tono amonggreat governors of the kingdom was killed. The emperor came forthat the noise, and, attempting to put his hand upon his sword, he wasfoully stabbed in the abdomen, an example showing how skilled they arein wielding arms. This death has caused much restlessness, and manyrisings, which will not be crushed for a long time. The Indians ofthe island of Hermosa sent ambassadors to the emperor of Xapon, askingfor assistance to help them expel the Dutch from that port where theyhave their fortress. They were well received and help was offered tothem, and they were sent back with assurances of friendship. The Dutchthemselves were arrested in Xapon and their ships detained, becausethey owed large sums and did not pay; and there was talk of expellingthem from the entire land of Xapon. Just then, unfortunately for us, news arrived there of the Japanese ship that our galleons burned lastyear on the bar of Sian, [69] whereupon the tables were turned; theprospects of the Dutch improved, and ours grew worse. There was talk ofmaking an agreement with them, and even of raising an armada of Dutchand Japanese, to proceed against our fort at the island of Hermosaand even against Manila--a matter which does not fail to occasionconsiderable anxiety, though it is not known how it will turn out. 

We have had no news from the island of Hermosa, which keeps us in greatanxiety, because more than two hundred thousand pesos were sent therefrom this city of Manila to be invested in Chinese silks. We do notknow what has been done with it, or whether the money has been lost, an uncertainty which occasions anxiety to the merchants. In short, these Philipinas Islands are at present in a ruinous condition, withmany powerful and triumphant enemies, our forces weakened, and ourpeople in dread of other large fleets. May the Lord remedy all this, and assist with His divine favor, in the preservation of the faithin these lands. Manila, July 18, 1629. 

[A document of this same collection ("Papeles de los Jesuítas"), withpressmark "Tomo 169 numero 2, " is identical with the above relation, except for slight verbal differences which do not change the sensein any way. But at the end occurs the following additional letter:]

_Letter of Father Sebastian de Morais_

Since the letters carried by the little ship from India are lost, thefollowing was learned from another letter. On the octave of EspírituSanto, a sudden attack was made from Fayal Island to Tercera Island, as a little ship from India, called "San Felipe, " was making portthere. That ship left Cochin December 22, 1629, and reached Fayalseven days after Pentecost. There it was met by an English shipwhich mounted twenty-four pieces, many carrying balls of sixteenlibras. It had sixty musketeers, while our ship had only thirtywhite men and twenty Indians, and mounted fourteen small pieces ofartillery. However we cut down the yard of the pirate's foremast withthe first volley. They fought one day and night. They killed ourmaster and two sailors, and our men killed the enemy's captain andmany of their men, while the ship was so hardly used that it wouldhave sunk but for the calking. Our ship bore down upon it; but anotherpirate, of heavier burden, appeared within range. Consequently, ourship retired to Fayal, where some ships from the island of Terceraswent to get it. They cast anchor at that point with great rejoicing, our ship being quite like a sieve because of the balls that remainedsticking in its sides and upper works. Even that image of our patronsaint, St. Philip, had in it eighteen balls. The ship carries threethousand five hundred quintals of pepper for the king, and a quantityof merchandise. The ships of General Roque Senteno were going for it[as convoy]. 

A fleet of forty sail had gone to Socotra against the enemy, withvolunteer forces, who were encouraged by the sight of a crucifixwhich the enemy had insulted on a certain occasion. We had a gloriousvictory over many galleys of the [king] of Achen, although our craftwere very inferior. 

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Most of the documents in this volume are obtained from MSS. In theArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla; their pressmarks are indicatedthus:

1. _Report of Spanish Council_. --"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia deFilipinas; consultas originales correspondientes a dicha Audiencia;años 1586 á 1636; est 67, caj. 6, leg. 1. "

2. _Letter from Serrano_, 1625. --"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audienciade Filipinas; cartas y expedientes dei arzobispo de Manila vistos enel Consejo; años 1579 á 1679; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 32. "

3. _Letter from Fernando de Silva_, 1625. --"Simancas-Secular; Audienciade Filipinas; cartas y espedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistosen el Consejo; años 1600 á 1628; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 7. "

4. _Letter from Serrano_, 1626. --The same as No. 2. 

5. _Letter from Fernando de Silva_, 1626. --The same as No. 3. 

6. _Letter from sisters of St. Clare_. --"Simancas--Eclesiastico;Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas eclesiasticasde Filipinas; años 1609 á 1644; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 43. "

7. _Petition for aid to seminary_. --"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia deFilipinas; cartas y espedientes de personas seculares vistos en elConsejo; años de 1628 á 16[34?]; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 40. "

8. _Royal decrees_, 1626. --(a) The first of these is in "Audienciade Filipinas; registro de oficio, reales ordenes dirigidas á lasautoridades del distrito de la Audiencia; años 1597 á 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1. " (b) The other two are taken from the Archivo HistoricoNacional, as noted below. 

9. _Importance of Philippines_. --The same title as No. 7, but "añosde 1565 á 1594; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 34. " (Evidently misplaced. )

10. _Decrees regarding religious_. --(a) The same as No. 8 (a). (b)Also in the Sevilla archives; but we have followed Pastells's textin his edition of Colin (t. Iii, pp. 760, 761). (c) The same as No. 1. 

11. _Inadvisability of occupying Formosa_. --Simancas--Secular;Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes del presidente y oidoresde dicha Audiencia vistos en el Consejo; años 1607 á 1626; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 20. "

12. _Report of appointments_. --The same as No. 3. 

13. _Letters from Tavora_, 1628. --The same as No. 3. 

14. _Reasons for suppressing silk trade_. --The same as No. 7. 

The following documents are obtained from the "Cedulario Indico"of the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid:

8 (see No. 8, _ante_). --(b) "Tomo 39, fol. 185, " and "Tomo 32, fol. 16, " respectively. 

15. _Letter from king to Tavora_. --"Tomo 40, fol. 56 verso, no. 69. "

16. _Decrees regarding Chinese_, 1627. --"Tomo 39, fol. 87, and fol. 186verso, " respectively. 

17. _Decrees regarding Chinese_, 1628-29. --"Tomo 39, fol. 188 verso, fol. 189 verso, and 190 verso, " respectively. 

The following document is obtained from MSS. In the collection"Papeles de las Jesuitas, " in the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid:

18. _Relations of 1628-29_--"Tomo 169, no. 3, " and "Tomo 84, no. 13. "

The following document is taken from a MS. In the British Museum:

19. _Military affairs of the islands_. --In a collection of papersentitled "Tratados Historicos, 1594-1639;" pressmark, "(693. H. 17) / 65. "

The following document is taken from Pastells's edition of Colin's_Labor evangélica_:

20. _Royal decree aiding Jesuits_, 1625. --In vol. Iii, pp. 754, 755, (See also No. 10, _ante_. )

The following documents are taken from the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayerlibrary):

21. _Relation of 1626_. --In vol i, pp. 523-545. 

22. _Relation of 1627-28. _--In vol. I, pp. 551-615. 

The following document is taken from _Recopilación de leyes de lasIndias_. 

23. _Laws regarding the Sangleys_. --In lib. Vi, tit. Xviii. 

The following document is found in a pamphlet entitled _Toros y cañas_(Barcelona, 1903), in which is printed a hitherto unpublished originalMS. In possession of the Compañia General de Tabacos de Filipinas. 

24. _Royal festivities at Manila_--pp. 9-25. 

NOTES

[1] Our transcript reads "reals, " but both in this and in otherinstances in the present document, this is evidently an error oftranscription for "ducados. " It would be very easy for the error toarise from the extremely bad handwriting of many Spanish documents, in which the Spanish abbreviations for the two above terms mightbear a close similarity. "Ducados" is used later in the document, when speaking of similar instances. 

[2] These expeditions against the Mediterranean Moors were undertakenbecause of their continual depredations on Spanish commerce and nearSpanish coasts. In 1602 Spain and Persia united against Turkey, and in1603 the marquis of Santa Cruz, with the Neapolitan galleys, attacked, and plundered Crete and other Turkish islands. Many operations wereconducted against the Moorish states of north Africa, but no effectivecheck was applied to their piratical expeditions. See Hume's _Spain_, p. 210. 

[3] Spain has never recovered from the expulsion of the thriftyMoriscos, who were the descendants of the old Moors. The edict ofexpulsion against the Valencian Moriscos was issued on September 22, 1609, by the viceroy Caracena. Its political excuse was negotiationsbetween the Moriscos and English to effect a rising against FelipeIII. "With the exception of six of the 'oldest and most Christian'Moriscos in each village of a hundred souls, who were to remain andteach their successors their modes of cultivation, every man andwoman of them were to be shipped within three days for Barbary onpain of death, carrying with them only such portable property asthey themselves could bear. " In six months one hundred and fiftythousand Moriscos were driven from Spain. In the winter of 1609-10the Moriscos were also expelled from Aragon, Murcia, Andalucia, and Cataluña, and other places. See Hume's _Spain_, pp. 210-213. 

[4] Referring to the claim of Isabella, eldest daughter of Felipe II, to the province of Bretagne (or Brittany), in France, as an inheritancein right of her mother, since the Salic law was inoperative in thatprovince. 

[5] Francisco Crespo, S. J. , was born at Ubeda, and entered the Jesuitorder in 1598, at the age of fifteen. He preached for ten yearsand resided for some years at the court of Spain, in the capacity ofprocurator of the missions of the Indias. He died at Madrid, September25, 1665. He was the author of two relations and the memorial mentionedin the decree. See Sommervogel's _Bibliothèque Comp. De Jésus_. 

[6] This was Rodrigo Pacheco y Osorio, marqués de Cerralvo, the successor of Gelves (_Vol_. XX, p. 127). He reached Mexico inOctober, 1624, vindicated his predecessor in the public estimation, and quieted the disturbances in the country. He fortified Vera Cruzand Acapulco, to protect them against the Dutch, whose ships cruisedin both oceans. Cerralvo was an energetic and able ruler, who didmuch for the welfare of his people. He held the viceroyalty untilSeptember, 1635, when he returned to Spain, and was given a place inthe Council of the Indias. 

[7] These festivities celebrated the accession to the throne ofFelipe IV. Although they occurred in 1623, this account is placedhere because written August 1, 1625. 

[8] A reference to the celebrated university of Salamanca, and usedsynonymously with learning or skill. 

[9] _El Gran Capitan_: an epithet applied to Gonsalvo de Cordova, commander-in-chief of the Spanish forces under Ferdinand of Castile, in recognition of his services in 1495-96 against the French armies inCalabria, Italy--defeating them there and elsewhere, and compellingthem to withdraw from Italy. A treaty of peace between Franceand Spain was the result; it was signed at Marcoussis in August, 1498. The Neapolitan kingdom was divided between France and Spainin November, 1500; but quarrels soon arose between them, and theirarmies fought for its possession. Under the leadership of Cordova, Naples was conquered for Spain (1502-04). Cordova was born in 1453, and died in December, 1515. 

[10] Evidently an allusion to the procession made at Manila, oncertain occasions, in which the banner of the city was carried beforethe cabildo--to which allusions have been already made in variousdocuments of this series. 

[11] A kind of lance or spear, used by bull-fighters. 

[12] The game of cañas was an equestrian sport engaged in by thenobility on the occasion of any special celebration. They formedvarious figures, which engaged in various contests. One side chargedagainst the other, hurling their spears, from which their opponentsguarded themselves with their shields. 

[13] In olden times, empirical healers or physicians cured with thisstone the pain or sickness called colic--_hijada_, as it was thenwritten, now _ijada_. --_Rev. Eduardo Navarro_, O. S. A. 

_Piedra de mal de hijada_: from the description, apparently made ofsome brilliant crystalline substance. 

[14] In the Jesuit relation of 1619-20 (see _Vol_. XIX, p. 61), mention is made of a bull-fight in terms that would indicate that theyhad already become established in the islands. This fight of 1619is evidently the one to which W. E. Retana refers in his _Fiestasde toros en Filipinas_ (Madrid, 1896). Huerta (_Estado_, p. 17), incorrectly states that the first bull-fight in the islands was onFebruary 4, 1630. But Chirino mentions these spectacles (_Vol_. XIIof this series, p. 182) as customary in both Manila and Cebú at leastas early as 1602, which was the year in which he left the islands. 

[15] A letter from the king to Governor Tavora, dated November 21, 1625, refers to the latter the question of further attempts to workthe Igorrote gold-mines. Reference is made therein to the report ofAlonso Martin Quirante on these mines; and the cost or his expeditionthither is stated as forty thousand pesos. 

[16] Ley xxix, lib. Viii, tit. Xxi, of _Recopilación de leyes_, relating to the sale of offices in the Philippines, is as follows:

"We order that all offices be sold in the Filipinas Islands, whichare regulated and ordained in accordance with the laws of this titulo, as in the other parts of the Indias, observing the laws in regard tosales, and the condition of securing a confirmation--provided that, if any persons shall hold any of those offices comprehended in thoseislands, as a concession which shall have been made to them for lifeby us, or by the governors of those islands in our name, these mustbe sold, and shall be sold, as if they were rendered vacant by thedeath [of the incumbents]. They cannot resign them, for it is our willthat they shall not enjoy that privilege, as they could have done hadthey bought those offices. " [Felipe III, Madrid, November 29, 1616;December 19, 1618. ]

[17] The same instruction is given after nearly all the followingstatistics, namely "idem, " _i. E. _, that they be entered in thebook. Consequently, we omit all following instances. 

[18] This Dutch fort was on the southwestern coast of the island ofFormosa. See Valentyn's descriptive and historical account (with map)of Tayouan (or Formosa), in his _Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien_, at endof part iv. Boulger says (_China_, p. 132): The Dutch "had acquiredtheir place in Formosa by the retirement of the Japanese from Taiwanin 1624, when the Dutch, driven away by the Portuguese from Macao, sought a fresh site for their proposed settlement in the Pescadoregroup, and eventually established themselves at Fort Zealand. "

[19] Interesting accounts of Formosa and its inhabitants are givenby George Candidius (a Dutch Protestant minister who began a missionamong the natives in 1626), in Churchill's collection of _Voyages_(London, 1704), i, pp. 526-533; and J. B. Steere, who traveled throughthe western part of the island, in _Journal_ of American GeographicalSociety, 1874, pp. 303-334. The latter states that the chief city ofFormosa, Taiwanfu, is built on the site of the old Dutch colony nearFort Zelandia; and furnishes several vocabularies of native languages. 

[20] La Concepción describes the Spanish expedition to Formosa(_Historia de Philipinas_, v, pp. 114-122) and the labors of Dominicanmissionaries there; he says that the Spanish fort was erected onan islet which they named San Salvador, near which was an excellentharbor called Santissima Trinidad. Apparently these localities wereon the northeastern coast of the island. 

[21] This officer was a relative of Governor Juan de Silva. A fullaccount of this unfortunate expedition and his death in Siam is givenin the "Relation of 1626, " _post_. 

[22] This order of nuns, commonly known as "Poor Clares, " is thesecond order of St. Francis. It was founded by St. Clare, who wasborn at Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, and she was receivedby him into the monastic life in 1212; she died in 1253. The ordersoon spread into France and Spain; and a written rule was givento these nuns by St. Francis in 1224, which was approved by thepope in 1246. Some modifications of this rule--which was exceedinglyaustere--crept into various convents; and a rule, approved by Urban IV, was drawn up in 1264, similar to that of St. Francis, but somewhatmitigated. It was adopted by most of the convents in the order, this branch being known as Urbanists; the minority, who followed thestricter rule, were called Clarisses. The government and direction ofthe order were at first divided between a cardinal protector and thesuperiors of the Franciscans; but, early in the sixteenth century, Julius II placed the Poor Clares entirely under the jurisdiction ofthe general and provincials of the Friars Minors. (Addis and Arnold's_Catholic Dictionary_. )

[23] Geronima de la Asunción, daughter of Pedro Garcia Yanez, wasborn in Toledo in 1555, and entered the Order of St. Clare in August, 1570. With seven nuns of her order, she embarked from Cadiz on July5, 1620, and arrived at Manila August 5, 1621, where she founded theconvent of La Concepción. Within two months, she received twenty girlsinto the novitiate, notwithstanding the rigorous and austere rules ofthis order. The provincial of the Franciscans strove to modify thisstrictness, for the sake of the nuns' health in so trying a climate, but Mother Gerónima refused to yield, and finally triumphed, in theappeal made to the head of the order--although after this victoryshe permitted some relaxations of the rule. Opposition arose to theseclusion of so many young women of Manila in the monastic life; andeven the diocesan authorities endeavored to restrain their zeal--evenexcommunicating Mother Gerónima for a time--but with little result. Shedied on October 22, 1630. See La Concepción's account of her and theentrance of this order, in _Hist. De Philipinas_, v, pp. 1-17. 

[24] This man undertook, as a work of charity, to rear and educateorphaned or poor Spanish boys, for which purpose he collected aims;and later he secured from the crown the aid for which these lettersask. Having spent his life in this work, Guerrero at his death (beingthen a Dominican friar) placed this school in charge of the Dominicans, who accepted it--on June 18, 1640, organizing it as the college ofSan Juan de Letran; it became a department of their university ofSanto Tomás. 

[25] Evidently referring to the city of Cebu, of which Christovalde Lugo was then alcalde-mayor; this officer conducted an expeditionagainst the Joloans in 1627, in which the Spaniards inflicted heavylosses on these pirates. 

[26] Apparently meaning that he came with Governor Fajardo in 1618;for the present narrative must have been written as early as 1624. 

[27] That is, "the spirit of the Lord came rushing. "

[28] The only Jeronimo Rodrigues, and who was probably the one inour text, mentioned by Sommervogel was the Portuguese born at Villade Monforte. He went to the Indias in 1566, and became visitor of theprovinces of China and Japan. He died while rector of Macan. He leftseveral letters and treatises, some of which have been printed. SeeSommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[29] The old capital of Siam was Ayuthia (also written, in earlydocuments, Yuthia and Odia). It was founded in the year 1350, andwas built on an island in the river Meinam--the proper name of which, according to M. L. Cort's _Siam_ (New York, 1886), p. 20, is Chow Payah, the name Meinam (meaning "mother of waters") being applied to manyrivers--seventy-eight miles from the sea. Ayuthia was captured andruined by the Burmese in 1766, and later the capital was removed toBangkok (founded in 1769), which lies on the same river, twenty-fourmiles from the sea. Crawfurd, writing in the middle of the nineteenthcentury, gives the estimated population of Ayuthia at 40, 000, andthat of Bangkok at 404, 000--the latter probably much too large. Seehis _Dict. Indian Islands_, article, "Siam. "

[30] Pedro de Morejon was born in 1562, at Medina del Campo. Heentered his novitiate in 1577, and set out for the Indias in 1586, and spent more than fifty years in the missions of the Indias andJapan. His associates were Jacques Chisaï and Juan de Goto, who weremartyred. In 1620 he was sent to Rome as procurator of Japan, becamerector of the college of Meaco in 1633, and died shortly after. SanAntonio (_Chronicas_, iii, pp. 534, 535) gives a letter written byhim to the Franciscan religious martyred in Japan in 1596 while onthe road to execution; and he was the author of several relationsconcerning Christianity in Japan. See Sommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[31] Antonio Francisco Cardim was born at Viana d'Alentejo, near Evora, in 1596, and entered his novitiate February 24, 1611. He went to theIndias in 1618, where he visited Japan, China, the kingdom of Siam, Cochinchina, and Tonquin. He died at Macao, April 30, 1659. He lefta number of writings concerning his order and their work in theOrient. See Sommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[32] The name Manados (now Menado) was applied to a province(now called Minahasa) in the northernmost peninsula of Celebes;see Colin's description of it in his _Labor evangélica_ (ed. 1663), pp. 109, 110. Jesuit missions were early established there (Colin, _ut supra_, p. 820), from the island of Siao. 

[33] There is apparently some defect in the text at this place, asif the royal comment or decision on Tavora's request had been omitted. 

[34] This officer had been appointed to the post of warden, withoutany salary, by Fernando de Silva (see the latter's report of July 30, 1626); but Tavora soon replaced him by another. 

[35] This law, dated Ventosilla, April 15, is as follows:"Notwithstanding the claims of the alcaldes-in-ordinary of Manila, as to trying jointly the suits and causes of the Parián, on theground that it is within the five leguas of their jurisdiction, it is our will that the governor of the Parián alone try in thefirst instance it suits and causes, with appeals to the Audiencia;while in respect to the government of the Parián, ley iv, título xv, libro ii, shall be observed. "

This latter law, dated November 4, 1606, is as follows: "Inasmuchas the auditors of the royal Audiencia of Manila, under pretext of adecree from us dated December eighteen, one thousand six hundred andthree, meddle in affairs touching the Parián or the Sangley Chinese, and in giving orders and licenses so that they may reside in theFilipinas Islands; and inasmuch as the cognizance and ruling in thesematters should concern our governor and captain-general, in whomthe defense of that land is vested: therefore we order that mattersconcerning the Parián of the Sangleys be alone in the charge and careof our governors and captains-general, and that our royal Audienciaabstain from discussing or taking cognizance of anything touchingthis matter, unless it be that the governor and captain-general commitsomething that concerns him to them. And in order that the advisablegood relations should be held among all of them, and the Parián begoverned with more unanimity and satisfaction, the governors andcaptains-general shall be very careful always to communicate to theroyal Audiencia what shall be deemed advisable for them [to know]. "

Law v of the book and titulo, from which the above laws of theregular text are taken, and which was promulgated by Cárlos II andthe queen mother, provides that "in the government of the Parián, andthe jurisdiction, communication, and all the other things containedin ley lv, título xy, libro ii, what was enacted shall be observed. "

[36] See this law, _ante_, note 34. 

[37] This same law, with slightly different wording, is found inlibro viii, título xxix, ley xi, under the same date as the firstone above. The only material difference is in the additional words atthe end: "concealment of any quantity; and very exact account shallbe taken of everything, and the balances struck. "

[38] This is but one clause in the royal decree of November 19, 1627(which see, _post_); and it would seem that the date here given, June 14, must be an error for that just cited. This and the followingmatter from the _Recopilación_ show clearly the slipshod manner inwhich that work was compiled. 

[39] See this decree in full, pp. 164-166, _post_; it containsimportant matter which is here omitted. 

[40] Referring to William Adams, an Englishman who landed in Japan inApril, 1600, and soon became a favorite with the ruler Iyéyasu. Hewas in the employ of the East India Company from November, 1613, to December, 1616; and at other times rendered various services toIyéyasu, traded on his own account, or acted as interpreter to theEnglish and the Dutch in Japan. He remained in that country untilhis death, May 16, 1620. See Cocks's _Diary_ (Hakluyt Society'spublications), i, pp. Iii-xxxiv. 

[41] i. E. , the Chinese, not understanding scientific navigation, are not able to direct their course across the sea to points on thePhilippine coast where they could be safe and escape the Dutch whowere lying in wait for them; but they cross from island to island, by devious routes, making their way as their partial knowledge ofsailing enables them, and thus cannot avoid die enemy. 

[42] La Concepción states (_Hist. De Philipinas_, v, p. 131) thatTavora desired, through martial ardor, to undertake some importantexpedition (for which he had made all possible preparations duringthe winter and spring); and that in a council of war three such wereproposed--"to dislodge the Dutch from the port of Taiban [i. E. , Taiwan, in Formosa]; to Maluco, from [the fort of] Malayo, to punish theirinsolent acts; or to obtain satisfaction from Siam for the death ofDon Fernando de Silva"--of which the first was chosen. But, throughvarious delays, Tavora's voyage was begun too late, and defeated bythe stormy weather that ensued. 

[43] The following note is a part of the original document:

"_Note_. While writing this relation, these forty Spaniards arrivedin a ship, less four sailors who wished to remain in the kingdom ofCamboja, whither went all those who remained in the lanchas after thegalleons left them. That king of Camboja protected them; and, althoughhe suspected that they were spies, they were welcomed cordially andsent to Manila, where they arrived July first. "

[44] This cruise by the Spanish galleons is of much the same piraticalcharacter which the Spaniards themselves ascribed to the Dutch andEnglish adventurers of that time; nor did they hesitate to attackpeaceful trading ships, even those of nations against whom they hadno grievance. 

[45] In 1627 the emperor Tienki (a grandson of Wanleh) died, andwas succeeded by his younger brother, Tsongching, who was the lastof the actual Ming rulers. In the latter part of his reign he wasalmost constantly at war with the Manchus, who were ruled by Taitsong, fourth son of Noorhachu. In 1640 a revolt occurred in China, headedby Li Tseching, who four years later captured Peking. Tsongching, seeing that his cause was lost, committed suicide. Taitsong, who haddied in 1643, was succeeded by his son Chuntche; the latter, afterthe fall of the rebel Li Tseching, became the first emperor of theManchu dynasty in China, and established his capital in Peking. 

[46] This noted relic was dug up in the Chinese city of Singanfu, in1625. It is a stone slab, containing various inscriptions in Chineseand Syriac; it was erected in the year 781, and is a monument of theearly existence of the Nestorian church in China. See Yule's accountof it in his _Cathay_, i, pp. Xci-xcvi, clxxxi-clxxxiii. 

[47] Evidently referring to the Manchu chief Noorhachu, who from 1591had harassed the northern frontiers of China; he died at Mukden inSeptember, 1626. 

[48] Nicholas Longobardi was born in 1566 at Caltagarone, Sicily, and admitted into the Society in 1580 (Sotwell says that he enteredhis novitiate in 1582, at the age of seventeen). He became a teacherin humanities and rhetoric. In 1596 he went to China, and settled inthe province of Kiang-si, where he was appointed general superior ofthe mission from 1610 to 1622. He died at Peking, December 11, 1655, according to Sotwell. Father de Machault says that he died September 1, 1654, according to a letter written May 7, 1655, by Father FrancoisClement; but the inscription on his tomb gives the first date. Hehad written a number of treatises, some of them apparently in theChinese language. See Sommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[49] The Dominican provincial at this time was Bartolomé Martinez, who made his profession in 1602, and arrived in the Philippinesin 1611. In the following year he made an unsuccessful attempt tofound a mission at Macao; but on his return to Manila was assignedto the Chinese village of Binondo, where he became proficient intheir language, and afterward was vicar of the Parián at Manila. In1618 he was shipwrecked on the coast of Formosa, which he consideredto be a gateway to the Chinese empire. In 1626 he founded a missionthere, and when his provincialate was ended he returned to Formosa, where he died by accidental drowning, August 1, 1629. See sketch ofhis life in _Reseña biog. Sant. Rosario_, i, pp. 335-337. 

[50] Cf. The account by Paul Clain (Manila, June 10, 1697) of asimilar occurrence, natives of the Caroline Islands being blown bystorms to the coast of Samar. See _Lettres édifiantes_, i (Paris, 1717), pp. 112-136. 

[51] "In 1610, the Dutch had built [in Java] a fort, which they namedBatavia. This was besieged by the Sunda princes of Bantam and Jacatrain 1619, and it was on their defeat in that year that it was resolvedto build a town on the ruins of the native one of Jacatra, and thistook the name of the fort. Batavia has been the capital of all theDutch possessions in India since its foundation in 1619. " (Crawfurd's_Dict. Indian Islands_, p. 44. )

[52] A native town in the northern part of Gilolo (or Almahéra)Island; it was captured by Juan de Silva. 

[53] Probably referring to the plant called "China grass" (_Boehmerianivea_), a shrub indigenous in India, and probably in China and othercountries of eastern Asia; also introduced by cultivation into Europeand America. The Chinese name for it is _tchou-ma_. The well known"ramie" is but a variety (_tenacissima_) of _Boehmeria nivea_. Thefiber of China grass is considered as a textile substance of thefirst rank. For description of this plant and its culture and use, see C. R. Dodge's _Useful Fiber Plants of the World_ (U. S. Departmentof Agriculture, Washington, 1897), pp. 85-91. 

[54] This was the revolt of the Moors in Granada in the reign ofFelipe II, which occurred in 1568-71, under the leadership of AbenHumeya. It was due to an edict restricting the liberties of the Moors, and depriving them of the exercise of most of their distinctivecustoms. It was quelled under the leadership of the famous Don Juan, and the Moon were expelled from their homes to other parts of Spain. 

[55] This document, like so many existing in Spanish archives, was printed, evidently for the greater convenience of the membersof the Council. The signature is in writing, as also the above twoendorsements, which are in different hands. 

[56] Fabricio Serzale was born at Naples, April 2, 1568. He wasadmitted into the Society, December 10, 1586, became a teacher ofgrammar, and went to the Philippines in June, 1600. He was superiorof Carigara; and his death occurred at Manila June 30, 1644. SeeSommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[57] This paragraph is written in the margin of the original documentthat we follow. The church here mentioned was that of the Dominicans. 

[58] Father Fernando de Estrada, a native of Ecija, died at Manila inthe year 1646, at the age of forty-five. He was a missionary in Naujanof Mindoro, in Ternate, and among the Bisayans and Tagáls. (MurilloVelarde's _Hist. De Philipinas_, fol. 194. )

[59] This was Juan de Bueras, born in 1588; he arrived at Manila in1622, and for four years was rector of the college there. He wasprovincial from 1626 until 1636; and in 1644 he went to Mexico asvisitor of that province. See sketch of his life in Murillo Velarde's_Hist, de Philipinas_, fol. 71, verso. 

[60] Juan Lopez was born at Moratalla, in the diocese of Murcia, December 27, 1584. Admitted into the Society October 11, 1600, he went six years later to the Philippines, where he was rector ofCarigara, Manila, and Cavite, associate of the provincial, commissaryof the Inquisition, and missionary among the Indians; he also wentto Rome as procurator of his province. He died at Manila, September3, 1659. A probable error in name makes Francisco Lopez rector ofCavite in 1637, for Juan was rector of the residence there at thattime. See Sommervogel's _Bibliothèque_; and Murillo Velarde's _Hist. DePhilipinas_, fol. 269, verso. 

[61] Geronimo Perez de Nueros was born at Zaragoza, in 1595. Heentered the Society in 1616 and became a teacher of philosophy, andalso taught theology for nine years. He went to the Philippines, whence he went later to Mexico. He died at Puebla, September 27, 1675. He wrote a number of relations, one on the life and martyrdom ofFather Marcelo Francisco Mastrilo; while a piece of his compositionwas acted in the church of the college of Manila, July 5, 1637. SeeSommervogel's _Bibliothèque_. 

[62] In the margin occurs the following at this point: "It is called_nonog_ in the language of Manila. " Blanco _(Flora, _ p. 106), afterenumerating a number of native names given to this tree, says that itis called _nono_ at Otaiti in the South Sea. The chief uses of the_nino_ (_Morinda ligulata, Morinda de cintillas_--Blanco; _Morindacitrifolia_--Linn. ; _Morinda tinctoria_--Roxb. ) are the making ofred ink and dye, while the leaves, were used in making plasters forthe relief of pain. The tree attains a height of ten or twelve feet, and has wide-spreading branches, and the leaves are eight or moreinches in length. See Blanco _ut supra_, pp. 105-109; and Delgado's_Historia_, p. 449. 

[63] Pastells publishes in his edition of Colin's _Labor evangélica_(iii, p. 755) the following letter from the Manila Audiencia:

"Sire:

The fathers of the Society of Jesus of this city have been sufferingsignal discomfort and need, because of the falling of their church, and because the house in which they live is threatened with the sameruin, as it is dilapidated in many places; and, as it is propped upin many places, the religious are living in great danger. This cityhas grieved much over this loss, as the Society is so frequented byall its inhabitants and is of so great benefit as it is in all theworld. Although they have commenced to build their new church, anda dwelling-house, they will not be able to finish these very soon, because of lack of funds; and their present need demands a more speedyrelief. Consequently, this Audiencia is obliged to represent the caseto your Majesty, so that, with your accustomed liberality, you may bepleased to give an alms to the fathers for these works. Since they werecommenced with what your Majesty was pleased to give them five yearsago, it will be right that they be finished with another equivalentsum. The fathers deserve this aid, as they were the first to engagein the matters of the royal service in the building of galleons withthe Indians of their districts; while, in the fleets which are offeredto them, they embark personally. And, in this respect, they are veryattentive in all other things that concern year Majesty's service andthe public welfare. With the protection which they promise themselvesfrom the piety of your Majesty, they will continue successfullyin this care. May our Lord preserve your Majesty many years, as isnecessary to Christendom. Manila, July twenty-nine, one thousand sixhundred and thirty. 

_Don Juan Nino de Tavora_Licentiate _Geronimo de Legaspi_Licentiate _Don Mathias Flores_Licentiate _Marcos Zapata de Galvez_"

[64] La Concepción relates this occurrence _(Hist. De Philipinas, _v, pp. 139-145), and its effect on the archbishop, Serrano; he wasso horrified and grieved that he fell into a profound melancholy, which ended his life on June 14, 1629. The disposal of the stolenarticles was finally made known in the confessional by one of theaccomplices in the theft. 

[65] The Portuguese commander Albuquerque had in 1508 seized themore important ports on the eastern coast of 'Omân, which werethen tributary to the ruler of Hormûz--a petty principality on thesouthern coast of Persia, afterward removed (about 1300 A. D. ) tothe island now called Hormûz (or Ormuz). The Portuguese exactedtribute from these towns, and from the ruler of Hormûz; and latercoöperated with him in enforcing his authority over his tributaries, and defending him from foreign foes. They were expelled from 'Omân byits imam, Nâsir-bin-Murshid (who reigned from 1624 to 1649)--exceptfrom Máskat and el-Mátrah, which was accomplished by his successor, Sultân-bin-Seif, by 1652. See George P. Badger's _Imâms and Seyyids of'Omân_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, London, 1871), pp. Xxii, 4, 46, 66-69, 74, 78-90. 

[66] i. E. , "We have passed through fire and water, and thou hastbrought us out into a refreshment. " (Psalm lxv, v. 12, Douay Bible;lxvi in Protestant versions. )

[67] Many of these exiles went to Formosa and other neighboringislands. 

[68] Thus in original (_la mucha Plata qe_ tomaron a los dichosReligiosos, q_e_ dicen serian dos mil sacos de hazienda); but onewould hardly expert that so large an amount of silver could have beenborrowed, as the context would indicate, from the merchants of Manila(apparently for an investment in Japanese goods, from the proceeds ofwhich the friars in charge of it might aid their persecuted brethrenin Japan) for conveyance by two friars on so dangerous and uncertaina voyage--doubly so, since the Japanese authorities had strictlyforbidden all trade between their ports and Manila. 

[69] i. E. , on the bar at the mouth of the river of Siam (the ChowPayah, commonly called Meinam). For account of the capture of theJapanese vessel, see "Relation of 1627-28, " _ante_. 

In a letter of August 4, 1630, the governor says, regarding thequestion that arose on account of the capture of the Japanese junk:"For the preservation of the commerce of the Japanese with Macan, which is interrupted by the capture of one of their junks by ourgalleons in the port of Sian in May of 628, the investigationswhich I have written during the last two years have been made by myefforts. The Japanese have become somewhat more softened, becausethey have understood that it was not the intention of this governmentto damage them. What I wrote last year to the king of Japon was ofconsiderable aid in that understanding, and that king made it knownin Japon. The city of Macan lately begged me to write new lettersto Japon, and I have done it very willingly, with the advice of theAudiencia and other experienced persons. Our Lord grant that it willhave a good result. " See Pastells's _Colin_, i, p. 242. The originalof this letter rests in the Sevilla archives; its pressmark, "est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 8. "