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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898

Emma Helen Blair

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Title: The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898

Volume VI, 1583-1588

Author: Emma Helen Blair

Release Date: August 6, 2004 [EBook #13120]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 1493-1898 ***

Prepared by Jeroen Hellingman and the Distributed Proofreaders Team

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898

explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and

their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions,

as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the

political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those

islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the

close of the nineteenth century

Volume VI, 1583-1588

Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson

with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord

Bourne.

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Editorial Announcement

The Editors desire to announce to their readers an important

modification in the scope and contents of this work. As originally

planned and hitherto announced, the series was intended to furnish

the original sources, printed and documentary, for the history

of the Philippine Islands only to the beginning of the nineteenth

century. To most of our readers, the reasons for this are obvious:

the fact that the classic period of Philippine history is thus bounded;

the comparative rarity and inaccessibility of most material therein to

the general public; the vast extent of the field covered by Philippine

history, and the necessary limitations of space imposed upon the

selection of material for this work; the closing of foreign archives

to all investigators after an early date in the nineteenth century;

and the greater difficulty, in that later period, of securing a proper

historical perspective. But so many and urgent requests have come to

us, from subscribers and reviewers, for such extension of this series

as shall cover the entire period of Spanish domination, that we have

decided to modify the former plan in the manner here briefly indicated.

It is our purpose not to exceed the number of volumes already

announced, fifty-five. We are able to do this because in our original

plan, to avoid a subsequent increase in the number of volumes,

a certain amount of space was purposely left for possible future

changes as a result of later investigations to be made in foreign

archives, or on account of the necessary excision of extraneous or

irrelevant matter from the printed works which are to be presented

in this series. The new title will be "The Philippine Islands:

1493-1898." The early and especially important history of the

islands will be covered as fully as before. For the history of

the nineteenth century, we will present various important decrees,

reports, and other official documents; and provide a clear, careful,

and impartial synopsis of some of the best historical matter extant,

down to the close of the Spanish regime. Throughout the series will

be used, as has been done from the beginning, all the best material

available--historical, descriptive, and statistical--for reference

and annotation. With the copious and carefully-prepared bibliography

of Philippine historical literature, and the full analytical index,

which will close the series; the broad and representative character of

the material selected throughout; and the impartial and non-sectarian

attitude maintained, the Editors trust that this change will still

further enable scholars, historical writers, and general readers

alike to study, with reliable and satisfactory material, the history

of the Philippine Islands from their first discovery by Europeans to

the close of the Spanish regime, and incidentally the history of the

entire Orient.

Contents of Volume VI

Preface ... 13

Documents of 1583-85

ads:

Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila

(concluded). Felipe II; Aranjuez, May 5, 1583 ... 35

Two decrees regarding the religious. Felipe II;

San Lorenzo, June 21, 1583, and Aranjuez, April 24,

1584 ... 45

Annual income of the royal exchequer in the

Philippines. Andres Cauchela, and others; Manila,

June 15-30, 1584 ... 47

Letter to Felipe II. Melchor Davalos; Manila, July 3,

1584 ... 54

Letter to the archbishop of Mexico. Santiago de Vera;

Manila, June 20, 1585 ... 66

Two letters to Felipe II. Fray Geronimo de Guzman

[Madrid? 1585]; and Fray Jhoan de Vascones [1585?] ...

History of the great kingdom of China (extracts relating to the

Philippines). Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza; Madrid, 1586 ... 81

Documents of 1586

Memorial to the Council by citizens of the Filipinas

Islands. Santiago de Vera, and others; Manila,

[July 26] ... 157

Letter to Felipe II. Alfonso de Chaves, and others;

Manila, June 24 ... 234

Letter from the Manila cabildo to Felipe II. Andres

de Villanueva, and others; Manila, June 25 ... 242

Letter to Felipe II. Antonio Sedeno; Manila, June 25

... 247

Letter to Felipe II. Domingo de Salazar; Manila,

June 26 ... 251

Letter from the Audiencia to Felipe II. Santiago de

Vera, and others; Manila, June 26 ... 254

Letter to Felipe II. Pedro de Rojas; Manila, June 30

... 265

Letter to Felipe II. Juan de Moron; Manila, June 30

... 275

Measures regarding trade with China. Felipe II, and

others; Madrid and Manila; June 17-November 15 ... 279

Brief erecting Franciscan province of the

Philippines. Sixtus V; Rome, November 15 ... 290

Documents of 1587-88

Letter to Felipe II. Alvaro, Marques de [Villa]

Manriquez; Mexico, February 8, 1587 ... 295

Letter to Felipe II. Santiago de Vera; Manila, June

26, 1587 ... 297

Letter from the Audiencia to Felipe II. Santiago de

Vera, and others; Manila, June 25, 1588 ... 311

Bibliographical Data ... 323

Illustrations

Title-page of _Historia del gran reyno de China_, by Juan

Goncalez de Mendoca (Madrid, M.D.LXXXVI); from copy (Madrigal

edition) in Library of Congress ... 83

Title-page of "Itinerario" at end of Goncalez's _Historia_,

from copy in Library of Congress ... 135

Signature of Alonso Sanchez, S.J., from MS. in Archivo general

de Indias, Sevilla ... 228

Preface

The present volume covers the period of 1583 to 1588 inclusive. At

the close of two decades of Spanish occupation in the Philippines,

the native population is decimated, and the Spanish colonists are poor,

heavily burdened with taxation, and largely non-producing. The islands

are but nominally defended by a small, irregular, demoralized force of

unpaid soldiers, whose lawlessness and arrogance render them dangerous

to their own countrymen, and tyrants over the helpless natives. The

Audiencia is a costly institution, a burden of which all the people

complain. They have other grievances and many needs, which finally

impel them to send a special envoy to Spain, to procure relief and aid

from the home government. The documents in this volume contain much

valuable information regarding the economic condition of the colony,

and its commercial relations with China and Mexico respectively. As

the Spanish settlers in the Philippines find that they are largely

dependent upon China for their food, those who are wise see the

necessity of encouraging and extending agriculture in the islands;

but others are fired with the lust for wealth and conquest, and urge

upon Felipe II a scheme for subduing China by force of arms, thus to

give Spain the control of the great Oriental world, and incidentally

to enrich a host of needy Spanish subjects.

In Volume V was presented the greater part of the royal decree

establishing the Audiencia of the Filipinas; the document is

here concluded. The duties of certain subordinate officials of

that tribunal--commissioners of examination, jail-wardens, and

interpreters--are carefully prescribed. Such commissioners are

forbidden to play games of chance, except for articles of food ready

to be eaten. Prisoners in jail shall not be allowed to gamble, except

for food. The document closes with a general provision for a tariff

of official fees, and for the care of the Audiencia's archives.

Felipe II decrees (June 21, 1583) that the Audiencia aid the

Franciscan missionaries in the islands; and (April 24, 1584) that the

religious orders there continue to receive from the royal treasury

the gratuities originally bestowed upon them by Legazpi. The officials

of the treasury furnish a statement of their accounts, which shows a

yearly deficit in current expenses; and extraordinary expenses besides,

which nearly equal the total revenue for the year. Alarmed at this

condition of affairs, the Audiencia institutes an inquiry (June 15,

1584) into the commercial and industrial status of the colony; the

witnesses all testify that great scarcity of supplies, and poverty

among the people, are prevalent; that a considerable portion of the

native population has perished; and that the non-productive elements

of the population are much too large.

One of the auditors, Melchor Davalos, writes (July 3, 1584) to the king

a letter which, withal containing some valuable information regarding

matters in the islands, is a curious mixture of pedantry, bigotry,

egotism, and vanity. He mentions the arrival and establishment of the

Audiencia at Manila, complains that he cannot obtain the salary due

him, and relates the services which, he thinks, entitle him to better

treatment. He asks for instructions as to what shall be done with the

Mahometans, and cites the permission formerly given to Legazpi by the

king to enslave the Moros in certain cases, also the example set by

the sovereigns of Spain and Portugal in expelling or crushing the Moors

who inhabited their dominions. Davalos also desires the king to settle

the question of slaveholding by the Spaniards, which he is inclined

to justify; and to take such action as will prevent the Chinese from

obtaining all the money which comes to the Philippines. The utmost

poverty prevails among the Spanish soldiery, who are unpaid; and

Davalos advises that they be sent to make fresh conquests, by which

they can support themselves. The Spanish post in the Moluccas is

menaced by the native king of Ternate, and a large force of troops

is to be sent to its aid. A controversy arises among the Spanish

officers over the appointment of a commander for this expedition,

which Davalos proposes to settle by himself going as commander--thus

satisfying all the discontented captains, as he informs his royal

correspondent. He desires the king to grant him authority to punish

the Chinese for vicious practices, and thinks that the friars should

convert and baptize these heathen more rapidly than they are doing.

The new governor, Santiago de Vera, writes (June 20, 1585) to the

archbishop of Mexico. He encounters many difficulties--coolness on

the part of the bishop, lack of support from his associates in the

Audiencia, and but little acquaintance with the needs of the islands

in the royal Council of the Indias. His duties are onerous and his

responsibilities too great; he asks the archbishop to aid him in an

appeal to the king for relief from these burdens and vexations. Vera

cannot yet procure the quicksilver which he has been asked to send to

Mexico, but will try to obtain it from the Chinese traders. The king

of Ternate has revolted, and affairs there are in bad condition;

more troops are needed, but cannot be spared from Manila. Vera

discusses various matters concerning some of his officers, and

affairs both military and civil. He sends to Spain, under arrest,

two prisoners--one of them Diego Ronquillo, a kinsman of the late

governor Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa, charged with defalcation in

the trust of the latter's estate.

A Franciscan official in Spain, Geronimo de Guzman, sends to the

king (1585) certain recommendations regarding the government of the

Franciscan friars in the Philippines. An Augustinian friar, Jhoan de

Vascones, who has evidently gone from the islands to Spain, writes

in behalf of his brethren there (1585?) to ask the king that more

religious be sent to the Philippines and to other Oriental lands;

that these friars be sent from Spain by way of India instead of Nueva

Espana; that the authorities of India, secular and ecclesiastical,

be commanded to aid the friars in their missionary journeys; that

the latter be permitted to build monasteries as they may choose, "in

remote and infidel lands," without awaiting government permission;

and that the authorities at Manila be not allowed to send, at their

own pleasure, the friars to other lands.

From the _Historia del gran Reyno de China_ (Madrid, 1586) of the

Augustinian Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza, we have translated such matter

as relates to the Philippine Islands--portions of part ii, and of

the "Itinerary" appended to Mendoza's work. He narrates (book i,

part ii) the efforts of the Augustinian friars to carry the gospel

to the Chinese. These are unavailing until, after the defeat of the

Chinese pirate Limahon (whose exploits are narrated in some detail)

by the Spanish forces, a Chinese officer named Omoncon, who has come

to Manila in search of the pirate, forms a friendly acquaintance with

the Spaniards, and, in return for favors at their hands, promises to

convey to China some Spanish friars. For this mission are selected

Fray Martin de Herrada (or Rada) and Fray Geronimo Marin, with two

soldiers as an escort--one of whom is Miguel de Loarca, author of the

curious "Relation" which appears in Volume V of this series. They are

well treated by the Chinese, but are unable to establish a mission

in that land, and finally are sent back to the Philippines. In the

second book is related the voyage made by the Franciscans to China

in 1579. At first they ask permission to go thither, which Sande is

not willing to grant; but the conversion of a Chinese priest through

their efforts makes them still more desirous of opening a mission in

that country, and, Sande still refusing to allow this, they decide

to go without informing him of their departure. To this account

is appended an "Itinerary" of the journey made by another party of

Franciscan friars from Spain to China and return. The writer relates

various particulars concerning the Ladrones and Philippine Islands

and their people, both historical and descriptive; the custom of

slavery among them, and their religious beliefs; and the progress of

Christianity in the archipelago--stating that the conversions therein

now number 400,000. A supernatural appearance of a dead man's spirit,

who describes the delights of the Christian heaven, is related in

detail; this leads to many conversions among the natives, but some

declare that "because there were Castilian soldiers in glory, they

did not care to go thither, because they did not wish the soldiers'

company." The products of the islands, and the articles imported from

China, are enumerated, with mention of some current prices for produce.

A general junta, or assembly, of the estates of Manila--the church, the

religious orders, the army, the royal service, and the citizens--is

held on April 20, 1586; and a statement of their grievances and

needs (signed on July 26) is sent to the home government by the

hands of Father Alonso Sanchez, a Jesuit. They complain that the

cathedral church has no suitable building, equipment, or provision

for its services; and there is no means of support for the bishop

and the clergy. They ask that tithes shall be paid, or else that the

prebends be replaced by a few curates, who shall care for the souls

of the Spaniards and their Indian servants. The royal hospital and

that for the Indians are both in great destitution, and should be

aided by royal bounty. More religious instructors are needed; and,

in order to support them, more tribute should be required from the

Indians, and the encomenderos should be compelled to pay tithes. The

city of Manila demands some public property, with which to meet its

necessary expenses; and the abolition of the duties hitherto imposed

on commerce. They ask that the commutation of the royal fifth to

one-tenth be made perpetual; and that offices and encomiendas be

bestowed only on actual residents, who have rendered services in the

islands. Workmen and mechanics in Manila should be paid there, and

not in Mexico; a special official should be placed in charge of the

ships; and there should be no commissary of the Inquisition in the

islands. Complaint is made that too much money is sent thither from

Mexico, apparently by speculators interested in the Chinese trade;

and request is made that the export trade of the islands with Mexico

be confined entirely to citizens of the former. It is asked that

all future cargoes of goods from China be purchased at wholesale, by

Spanish officers appointed for that purpose, and "afterward apportioned

to the Spanish citizens, the Chinese, and the Indians, by a just and

fair distribution," at cost price; that Chinese hucksters in Manila

be suppressed; and that no Chinese be allowed even to remain outside

of that city, save the Christian converts and those who are farmers

or artisans, or who trade in food supplies. The Audiencia has become

a burden; and it should be abolished, or its expenses be paid by

the Mexican treasury. As the country has no agricultural industries,

the king is asked to send farmers, with their families, as colonists;

to exempt these from taxes, for a time, and from military or other

personal service; and to forbid them to change their occupation. The

Indians should be taught European methods of agriculture; cattle and

horses should be imported into the islands and the native buffalo be

domesticated and bred. The cultivation of lands granted to encomenderos

should be enforced. Women should be brought from Spain, and provided

with dowries, in order to become the wives of soldiers and workmen;

and dowries should be provided for some native women, that they may

marry poor Spaniards. Offices should not be sold; and encomiendas

should be made large enough to pay their necessary taxes and other

expenses. The Indians should not be obliged to pay the royal share

of their gold; and their lawsuits should be despatched in the courts

with simplicity and promptness. Tribute should not be collected from

them by force, and without giving them religious instruction; and

the boundaries of some encomiendas should be changed. A "protector

of the Indians" should be appointed, who should not be also the royal

fiscal; he should, besides, have charge of the Chinese. The soldiers

are compelled to serve, yet are allowed no pay, from which many evils

ensue; the troops have become demoralized; and the very existence of

the colony is thus endangered. A regular paid force, of about three

hundred and fifty men, should therefore be maintained; they should

not engage in trade, or serve the officials; the officers should be

clothed with suitable authority; and those sent from Nueva Espana

should be soldiers, not boys and pages. Urgent request is made that

the city of Manila be strongly fortified; this will inspire respect

among their neighbors, and keep in awe the natives and the Chinese,

who are liable at any time to revolt. Luzon is menaced with invasion

by the Japanese, Malays, and English; and forts should be erected at

various points for its defense. The coasts should be protected against

pirates by a small fleet of light, swift vessels. It must be understood

that no confidence can be placed in the natives, who kill Spaniards at

every opportunity. The conquests hitherto made by the Spaniards should

be further extended; and the districts and islands in which the natives

are disaffected should be subdued and pacified. These will employ and

reward the poor Spanish soldiers, and will afford protection to the

converted natives, who are continually harassed and raided by their

heathen neighbors. The regions that should be subdued range from

the Liu-Kiu Islands to Borneo. The governor should be authorized

to make such conquests, and even "to entrust them, by contract,

to other Spaniards." The king is called upon "to aid in atoning for

the wrongs inflicted on the Indians by the first conquerors," for

which the latter are held responsible by the church, which refuses to

absolve them from sins until payment for these wrongs be made to the

Indians. This the conquerors are unable to do, and request for it aid

from the royal treasury. The king is asked to compel the encomenderos

to give religious instruction to their Indians. The abuses that prevail

in the collection of tributes from the Indians are enumerated; in some

places the natives are revolting, because treated so unjustly. Some

Spaniards still hold Indians as slaves, in defiance of royal edicts;

moreover, the natives themselves hold many slaves; and the priests

are unwilling to grant absolution to either unless they release these

slaves. Request is made for regulation of the system of slavery among

the Indians. Complaint is made that the friars go from the islands

wherever and whenever they please; thus they neglect their duties,

arouse ill-feeling among the Chinese and other foreigners, and in many

other ways do harm. This evil should be corrected by forbidding all

Spaniards to leave the islands, or to give assistance to the friars

in doing so, except by special permission from the authorities.

Then follows a curious scheme for invading and conquering China;

this would bring much wealth to the crown of Spain, and be the

means of converting innumerable souls to the Christian faith; the

king is urged to undertake this enterprise at once. The arguments in

justification of this conquest are left for Father Sanchez to explain

to his Majesty. The forces, equipment, and supplies necessary are

enumerated in detail, as also what part of these can be furnished in

the Philippines themselves, where preparations for the expedition have

already begun. The fleet which is expected to come from Spain with

men and supplies should land in Cagayan, Luzon; the routes which may

be taken by those vessels are described, and that by the Strait of

Magellan is recommended as the shortest and safest. It is desirable

to induce the Portuguese to take part in the proposed conquest; and an

auxiliary force will probably come from Japan. The Jesuit missionaries

who are in China are expected to act as guides and interpreters for

the expedition. The troops should be so numerous and well equipped that

they can at once awe the Chinese into submission; but they should not

be allowed to ravage the country, nor should the native government be

destroyed, as has so often been done in other Spanish conquests. It

must be understood that the proposed expedition is not to deal with

the Chinese as if they were Moors or Turks; it will be sent only

to escort the preachers of the faith, and to see that any converts

that they may gain shall be unmolested by the Chinese authorities;

it should therefore be commanded and officered by honorable, humane,

and Christian men. The gains which would result from the conquest

of China are enumerated--at first, mainly religious; these include

the foundation of many schools, churches, and monasteries for the

Chinese, wherein they will speedily become Europeanized. The writer

praises the natural abilities and excellent qualities of the people,

and especially the virtue of their women. As for worldly advantages,

these are many and great. Every year China can furnish to the Spanish

treasury galleons loaded with gold, silks, and other treasures; much

silver from its mines; and large amounts in rents, taxes, etc. All

China can be divided into encomiendas; and there will be many offices

and dignities to be enjoyed by the king's faithful vassals--indeed,

"a great part of the Spanish people could come to reside there, and be

ennobled." On account of the great virtue, modesty, submissiveness,

and beauty of the Chinese women, they would prove to be excellent

wives for the Spaniards; thus the two peoples would mingle, and

"all would be united, fraternal, and Christian." It is for lack of

such amalgamation that European experiments in Oriental colonization

have hitherto failed; but the proposed scheme will ensure to Spain

success in such expansion. They have thus far failed therein in the

Philippines, scorning the natives as inferior beings, who are fit only

to be their slaves. The Spaniards care only for their own enrichment,

and treat the natives cruelly; consequently the latter are steadily

diminishing, and the condition of the islands is deteriorating. But in

China all will be different, in both temporal and spiritual matters;

and both Spaniards and Chinese will be greatly benefited, enriched,

and increased. Certain minor advantages to arise from the conquest of

China are enumerated--the establishment of numerous episcopal sees; the

foundation of new military orders, and the extension of the old ones;

the creation of many titled lords, and appointment of viceroys for the

conquered provinces. China, thus subdued, will be a vantage-ground from

which Spain can control all Asia and a land-route to Europe. Chinese

colonists can be imported into the Philippines, "and thus enrich

themselves and this land." And, finally, the immediate occupation of

China will forestall any advance into the far Orient by the French,

or the English, or any other heretical nation. This scheme--which as

it proceeds acquires, like a soap-bubble, great size and brilliant

coloring, and proves equally unsubstantial and transient--is signed

by the governor, bishop, superiors of the religious houses, and a

long array of other notables in the islands.

By the mail which carries the "Memorial" are sent various letters

supplementing the information contained in that document, or commending

the envoy, Father Sanchez. The military officials write to the king

(June 24), reminding him that the foothold gained in the islands by

the Christian faith can be maintained only by the presence of troops

there. The soldiers (whose courage and loyalty in the past are praised)

are discouraged, because they have not received the rewards which

they expected; they are lawless and demoralized, and their officers

cannot control them. The defense of Manila is thus imperiled, and

the natives are led to despise the Spaniards. The officers who write

this letter complain because they have been unjustly treated in their

efforts to improve this condition of affairs; they ask for redress,

and for the abolition of the royal Audiencia. A letter from the cabildo

(municipal council) of Manila commends Sanchez as their envoy to the

king. They complain that the Audiencia "cannot be maintained here

without the total destruction of the state," which cannot bear the

burden of this expense; and ask that it be abolished. They ask for a

garrison of three hundred paid troops, and the grant of an encomienda

to the city of Manila. They complain of the losses inflicted not only

upon the merchants of that city, but upon the colonial government, by

the trade which Mexican merchants carry on through the port of Manila

with the Chinese; and demand that this traffic be restricted to the

citizens of the islands. They ask the king to see that more friars

be sent out, both Augustinians and Franciscans. The cabildo recommend

that the archdeacon Juan de Bivero receive from the king some reward

for his hitherto unrecompensed services in the Philippines. On the

same day Antonio Sedeno, rector of the Jesuits at Manila, writes a

letter commending Sanchez for this present embassy, and recounting

his past services to the Philippine colony. On June 26 Bishop Salazar

writes a short letter, regarding some points outside of Sanchez's

commission. One of these concerns the respective precedence of

the bishop and the Audiencia on public occasions. The bishop also

describes the quarrels between the president and auditors of the

Audiencia, and his success in reconciling these differences. He has

delivered, although against his better judgment, certain prisoners

to the Inquisition, in obedience to a royal decree. A letter from the

Audiencia of the Philippines to the king (dated June 26), recommends

an increase in the rate of tribute paid by the Indians; the money

thus obtained could be used to pay the soldiers, which would greatly

improve the standard of military service in the islands. The colonial

treasury is greatly embarrassed by heavy expenses, and the salaries of

the Audiencia would better be paid from Mexico; then the encomiendas of

Indians now taxed for that expense could be assigned to the soldiers

who have so long been serving in the Philippines without pay. The

king is asked to make an annual appropriation for the military and

marine expenses of the islands. Father Sanchez is recommended by

the Audiencia also, as their envoy to the home government. Their

dissensions are now all settled, and some matters which caused these

disagreements are referred to the king for his decision. They notify

him of certain changes which they have made in the customs tariff of

the islands, especially on the Chinese trade; it appears therefrom

that the economic dependence of the Philippines on China is very

close, especially in the matter of supplying food and cattle. Certain

extension of authority which had been granted to the bishop is asked by

the Audiencia for him. The participation of the Spaniards in the rich

Chinese trade has aroused the jealousy of the Portuguese in India,

who are endeavoring to shut out the Castilians from that country;

the king is asked to take such measures as he deems best in this

matter. Complaint is made that a certain Mexican officer has gone,

in disobedience to his orders, to China, apparently to trade.

Pedro de Rojas, a member of the Audiencia, also writes (June 30) in

commendation of Sanchez. He relates the dissensions in the Audiencia

over the appointments to offices, and asks for royal action which

shall settle this difficulty. He seconds the request made in other

letters for the removal of the Audiencia, provided a capable and

honest man be selected for governor, and gives advice regarding

the conduct of colonial affairs. He complains of the injury to the

interests of the colony which results from the Chinese trade in silks

and other luxuries, and advises that it be stopped; then the Chinese

will bring cattle, food, and other supplies, to the advantage of

the Spaniards. The latter have devoted themselves to commerce; and,

as most of them are soldiers, they neglect their military duties,

lose their courage, and have become vicious and demoralized. Rojas

urges that they be restrained from engaging in traffic, leaving the

islands, or transferring their encomiendas to the crown. A seminary

for girls should be established at Manila, and young women from

Spain should be encouraged and aided to come to the islands. The

gold obtained in the Philippines should be sent to Mexico, and a

specified sum of money, in coin, should be sent thence to the islands

each year. Rojas recommends that Bishop Salazar be made governor,

and praises his qualifications for that office; next to the bishop,

the auditor Ayala would be most suitable.

Juan Moron, a military officer, sends (June 30) a report of his

expedition to Maluco with troops to succor the Spanish fort there. He

urges that a stone fort be erected for the defense of Manila, and

that some encomiendas of Indians be granted for the support of the

municipal government; and commends the envoy Sanchez.

A group of documents which contain "measures regarding trade with

China" (1586-90) throws much light on economic conditions in the

Spanish colonies at that time. The first of these (dated June 17,

1586), although unsigned, is apparently written by a member of the

royal Council of the Indias. He cites letters from several Spanish

officials of high standing, to show that the Philippine-Chinese trade

is injuring that of the mother-country and of Mexico; and the complaint

is again made that Spanish money is continually flowing into China,

thus depleting the wealth of the colonies. The writer recommends that

the latter be forbidden to import Chinese goods; and that the viceroy

of Nueva Espana be directed to take measures to accomplish this. Two

days later, a decree to this effect is signed by the king. Extracts

from a letter written (November 15) by the viceroy, after referring to

the success of the efforts made to sustain the Spanish colony in the

Philippines, and to propagate the Christian faith among the natives

there, indicate the desirability of continuing the trade begun with

China. Through this agency, his Majesty's subjects in the colonies

are benefited, and (a still more important consideration) an open

door for the entrance of the Christian faith into that heathen land

is secured. If the Chinese trade be cut off, the Spanish population

of the Philippines cannot be maintained, and the natives will rebel

against their conquerors. The encomenderos depend upon the Chinese

for clothing and food, and for the opportunity to dispose of the

goods received from the Indians as tributes. In view of all these

considerations, the viceroy has abrogated the royal decree for the

present, and has, besides, ordered the collection of a heavy duty on

all cloth imported from Spain to Mexico.

A brief of Sixtus V (November 15, 1586) erects into a province the

former custodia of the Franciscan friars in the Philippines.

The viceroy of Mexico advises the home government (February 8,

1587) to encourage the merchants who carry on the Philippine trade,

especially by selling to them ships made in the royal shipyards.

Santiago de Vera, governor of the Philippines, writes to the king

(June 26, 1587). He entreats that more soldiers be sent, and that

they be supplied with food and other necessaries; for, as those

hitherto sent have received no food or pay, most of them have died

from their privations, or from the unhealthful climate. In view of the

recent destruction of the city of Manila by fire, Vera has forbidden

the people to build any more houses of wood, obliging them to use

stone for that purpose. Finding the city practically defenseless,

Vera has begun to build near it a fort and other means of defense;

and he asks for a small number of paid soldiers as a garrison for

the city. He has assessed on the encomenderos and other citizens

and on the Indians the expenses of these works. Another fort is

needed at Cavite. The king is asked to grant money and workmen

for completing these fortifications. Copper has been discovered in

adjoining islands, also sulphur. The trade with China is important

and flourishing; and the products of that country are offered at

Manila at very low prices. The Chinese ask that the Spaniards will

establish a trading-post in their country. Friendly intercourse with

Japan is commencing, and the Jesuit missionaries there are freely

allowed to preach the Christian faith. Vera has remitted the duties

on goods brought to Manila from Japan and Macao. A controversy has

arisen between him and the bishop, the latter having ordered that

the Chinese converts to the Christian faith should cut off their long

hair, which causes many to avoid baptism: the king is asked to settle

this question. Vera has sent to Macao for the recalcitrant Mexican

officer who was mentioned in a previous document. A Japanese prince,

a Christian, offers to aid the Spanish with troops in any warlike

enterprise that they wish to undertake.

A letter from the Audiencia to Felipe (June 25, 1588) reports the

capture of the treasure-ship "Santa Ana" off the California coast,

by the English adventurer Thomas Candish, which has caused much loss

and hardship to the Spaniards in the Philippines. Complaint is made

of vexatious imposts levied on the Philippine trade by the viceroy of

Mexico; the Audiencia ask that he be ordered to cease these measures,

also that he shall not meddle with letters sent from Spain to the

islands, or with the personal affairs of officials there. The existence

of the Philippine colony is endangered by the trade which is beginning

between Mexico and China; and, having lost its best ships, colonists

are no longer sent to augment its population. Gratuities from the royal

treasury have been bestowed upon the various religious communities. The

Audiencia commends the labors of the Jesuits, but advises that a

college be not established for them, as they request, since "there

are in all this country no students to attend their teachings." The

hospitals should receive more aid from the crown. The difficulties

between the bishop and the Audiencia are explained; but they are now

adjusted, and peace prevails. It will be well to send many religious

to the islands, provided they belong to the orders already there.

The Editors

August, 1903.

Documents of 1583-85

Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila (concluded). Felipe II;

Aranjuez, May 5, 1583.

Two decrees regarding the religious. Felipe II; San Lorenzo,

June 21, 1583, and Aranjuez, April 24, 1584.

Annual income of the royal exchequer in the Philippines. Andres

Cauchela, and others; Manila, June 15-30, 1584.

Letter to Felipe II. Melchor Davalos; Manila, July 3, 1584.

Letter to the archbishop of Mexico. Santiago de Vera; Manila,

June 20, 1585.

Two letters to Felipe II. Fray Geronimo de Guzman

[Madrid? 1585]; and Fray Jhoan de Vascones [1585?]

Sources: These documents are obtained from the original MSS. in the

Archivo de Indias, Sevilla--excepting the royal decrees, which are

found in the _Cronica_ of Santa Ines and in the "Cedulario Indico"

of the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid, respectively.

Translations: The first document is translated by Henry B. Lathrop,

of the University of Wisconsin; the second and fourth, by Alfonso

de Salvio, of Harvard University; the third, by Arthur B. Myrick,

of Harvard University; the fifth, by Jose and Clara M. Asensio;

the sixth, by Herbert E. Bolton, of the University of Texas.

Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila (_concluded_)

Commissioners

251. [Examinations not to be repeated.]

252. _Item_: We command that the said commissioners of examination

[_receptores_], and special clerks who go on inquiries, shall not

play games of chance, except for articles of food ready to be eaten,

on pain of removal from office.

253-259. [Form of entry of witness's oath; fees charged must be

endorsed; cases must be accepted promptly, in due order; absence and

accounting for writs; fees received must be recorded; commissions may

not be begged for; reports of investigations made out in public form

must be given to the parties.]

260-264. [Taxing of charges; discharge of commissioners on completion

of commission; commissioners may not be employed if they are relatives

of clerks, attorneys, or advocates, or if they have boarded or lodged

with them within a year; procedure on second trial.]

265-272. [Procedure in the assignment of commissions; cases accepted

must not be thrown up; requests of parties for summoning of witnesses

are not to be entered on the record; testimony is to be taken before

local magistrates, if so desired; rights of commissioners-in-ordinary

and of supernumerary commissioners to assignments.]

273. _Item_: A commissioner of inquiry may be appointed as soon as

there shall be two court clerks appointed, or even one, that possible

frauds may be avoided.

274-277. [Procedure in the event of challenge of commissioner;

procedure for appointment of commissioners within and without the

five leagues; oath of commissioner for outside cases; commissioners

and clerks to take down testimony themselves, with no other person

present.]

278. _Item_: No supernumerary commissioner shall be appointed

without being examined, and giving bonds for the administration

of his office. No dependent or member of a household of our said

president and auditors may be appointed to such commissionership,

under penalty that the clerk appointed contrary to this ordinance

shall lose all fees and salary for the time during which he shall

occupy himself with the commissionership.

279-280. [The number of lines on a page in a record of inquiry; the

number of words in a line; the excellence of handwriting required;

the dating of reports of examinations.]

Bailiffs

281-284. [The bailiff's [_portero_] duties; his fees those of the

bailiffs of the royal council; a lodging to be given him in the

building of the Audiencia; tardiness fined one peso; excessive fees

to be repaid sevenfold to the exchequer; presents for good news

not to be accepted--penalty, fourfold repayment to the exchequer;

the bailiff to enforce rules of precedence.]

Jail Wardens

285-286. [The warden [_carcelero_] shall accept no gifts from

prisoners or others for them; shall not oppress them, or relax their

imprisonment, or dismiss or arrest them without warrant; his oath.]

287. [His fees are those assigned to alguazils in the official table

of fees.]

288. [A separate ward must be provided for women.]

289. [Nightly inspection is required. If prisoners escape through

the warden's fault or negligence, he must suffer their penalty,

or pay their debt]

290. [A full record of the prisoner's name and the circumstances of

his imprisonment must be kept]

291. _Item:_ He shall not entrust the keys of the prison to any Indian

or black, on pain of being compelled to pay in his own person and

estate the damage and injury which shall follow from his having so

entrusted the keys.

292. [Warden and jailers are to have no business dealings or

familiarity with the prisoners, or eat or gamble with them.]

293. [The jailers must live in the prisons.]

294. _Item:_ There shall be a chaplain in the prison, to say mass

before the prisoners daily; and the ornaments and other things

necessary therefor shall be provided and paid for from the exchequer

fines. The jailer shall take care that the chapel or place where mass

is said shall be clean.

295. _Item:_ He shall cause the prison and the cells thereof to be

swept twice a week; and to be provided with clean water, so that

the prisoners may drink without paying any fee. No jail-fee shall

be charged to boys arrested for gambling, or to officials of our

Audiencia arrested by order of our president and auditors--under a

penalty of a fine of four times the amount, paid to our exchequer.

296. _Item:_ No permission or opportunity for gambling shall be given

in the jail, for money or other things except food. Wine shall not

be sold to the poor; or, if sold, shall be sold at the price it is

worth, and no more. No jail-fees shall be received from the poor

under penalty of a fourfold fine for our exchequer.

Interpreters of the Audiencia

297. _Item:_ We ordain and command that there shall be a body of

interpreters for our said Audiencia; and that before they are admitted

to exercise that office they shall swear in due form to perform their

duties well and faithfully, in declaring and interpreting the case

or matter committed to them, clearly and openly, without concealment

or addition--declaring simply the fact of the crime, business, or

testimony under examination. They shall likewise swear not to be

partial to either side, or to favor one more than the other, and not

to accept any reward for their service beyond the fee assessed and

fixed for them, under the penalty decreed for forswearers, and the

damages and interests of the parties, and a sevenfold return of the

amount received, and removal from office.

298. _Item:_ They shall receive no gifts or promises from Spaniards,

or from the Indians, or from other persons who shall have or shall

expect to have businesses or suits with them. They shall not accept

such gifts or promises, of great or small amount, even for articles of

food or drink; and even if these are voluntarily offered, without any

request for them being made by the said interpreters or by others. In

case of violation of this ordinance, they shall pay sevenfold what

they have taken, for our exchequer; and charges thereof shall follow

the procedure prescribed for charges against the judges and officials

of our Audiencia.

299. _Item:_ We ordain that the said interpreters shall not listen,

in their own houses or out of them, to Indians who shall come to plead

or do business in our Audiencia; but shall take them, without listening

to them, to the said Audiencia, that there the case may be heard and

determined in conformity with justice. In case of violation of this

ordinance, they shall suffer for the first offense a penalty of three

pesos for the court-room; for the second, double the penalty applied as

aforesaid; and for the third, in addition to the said double penalty,

they shall be dismissed from office.

300. _Item:_ They shall not arrange the pleadings of Indians, nor be

attorneys or solicitors in their cases and affairs, under the penalty

prescribed in the preceding ordinance, applied as aforesaid.

301. _Item:_ They shall be present at the meetings of court, at

hearings, and at inspections of prisons, on every day that is not

a holiday. At least in the afternoons they shall be present in the

house of the president and auditors. All the above-mentioned duties,

and each and every part and matter thereof, they shall take care

to distribute among themselves in such a way that there shall not,

by the default of them or of any of them, be any failure or delay in

determining cases or other matters--under a penalty of two pesos for

the poor for each day when the interpreters, men or women, or any of

them, shall fail to do their duty in any of the aforesaid matters;

and that, in addition, they shall pay the damages, interests, and

costs to the party or parties detained for this cause.

302. _Item_: They shall not absent themselves without license from

our president, under penalty of losing salary for the time while

they were absent, and a fine of twelve pesos for the said court-room,

for every instance of violation of this ordinance.

303. _Item_: We command that when they shall be occupied with suits

or matters outside of the place where our said Audiencia shall sit,

they shall accept nothing from the parties, directly or indirectly,

beyond the fee assigned them. They shall make no bargains or agreements

with the Indians, or partnerships, in any manner--under penalty

of repaying sevenfold that which they thus accept and bargain for,

and of perpetual discharge from office.

304. _Item_: For each day when any one of the said interpreters shall

go out on commission and by order of our said Audiencia, from the

place where it shall sit, they shall take as fee in addition to their

salary two pesos, and no more; and shall accept no food or anything

else from the parties, directly or indirectly, under the penalty of

being obliged to repay it sevenfold to our exchequer.

305. _Item_: For each witness examined, if the interrogatory is of

more than twelve questions, they shall receive two tomins; if the

interrogatory is of less than twelve questions, one tomin, and no

more, under penalty of paying fourfold to our exchequer. But if the

interrogatory shall be long and the case laborious, the auditor before

whom the examination is conducted may assess, in addition to the other

fees, a moderate sum proportionate to the labor and time consumed.

306. _Item_: We command that the interpreters, each in turn, shall

be in attendance at nine in the morning on every day when cases are

heard, in the offices of the court clerks, to receive the memorandum

which will be given him by the fiscal for summoning witnesses whom

it shall be desirable to examine for the dues of the treasury--under

a penalty of half a peso, for the poor of the prison, for every day

of failure to be present.

307. And since, in regard to the fees to be taken by the officials

of the said Audiencia, an official tariff [_arancel_] has been made,

we command that what is contained therein shall be observed and

fulfilled until other provisions are made and decreed by us.

308. _Item_: We ordain and command that, in the rest of the cases and

matters, coming before the said Audiencia not here determined upon,

shall be followed the ordinances made by us, and to be made by our

said president and auditors.

Tariff of fees

309. [A list on which shall be entered the official tariff of fees

must be posted in the court-room, and copies must be kept in the

clerks' offices.]

310. _Item_: We ordain and command that our said president and auditors

shall make a tariff of fees, in accordance with which our chief clerk

of mines and the other officials who have no official tariff shall

take their fees; and that they shall do the same in all the governments

of their district, paying consideration to the nature of the offices,

the region where they are situated, the expenses there, and the lack

of supplies that may exist therein. These tariffs of fees are to be

sent when made, with the signatures of the president and auditors,

to our said council, to be examined and confirmed; and in the interim

the tariffs which shall be made shall be observed.

more on their guard.

5. _That no secular person may leave the islands, nor give the

religious aid to leave them._ Fifth: It is very needful, for a reform

of the said disorders, that his Majesty order the governor of Manila,

under severe penalties, that no secular Spaniard may leave the islands

for any place or for any business, or furnish a fragata, supplies,

or any other aid to any religious in order that the latter may leave

the islands, without showing a special order from his Majesty, from

the governor, bishop, or any one else whom (or, in Manila--_Madrid

MS._) his Majesty may consider a suitable person.

6. _That the religious come from Espana and Mejico for the islands,

and for no other place._ Sixth: His Majesty should order that, now and

henceforth--since all the mainland is so closed, and there is, on the

other hand, in the islands a very wide open gate for the increase of

Christianity and of his kingdoms--the religious coming from Espana and

Mexico shall come assigned for the Philippinas Islands, where there

is the greatest abundance of souls. Many who are already baptized,

are yet without instruction or ministers; many others pacified,

and yet to be baptized, are daily asking for baptism; and there are

an infinite number of others to be pacified, who have no knowledge

of God--all for lack of ministers; and it is a most serious error

that, while this land is so ready, all thought is centered on China,

which is wholly averse to the faith; and its doors are closed against

it. This is the, art of Satan, so that neither the one nor the other

may be effected. [43]

The Proposed Entry Into China, In Detail

First: The person who is sent as an eye-witness will give his Majesty

a brief relation of the vastness of China, of the abundance of its

fruits and provisions, of the richness of its merchandise, and the

great quantity of gold and silver, quicksilver, copper, iron, and

other metals; of the immensity and certainty of the treasures, and

the infinite amount and variety of the products of the handicrafts

and of human industry; and, above all, the endless things that may

be said about the people and their life, health, peace, and plenty;

and how, with and by all this, there is offered to his Majesty the

greatest occasion and the grandest beginning that ever in the world

was offered to a monarch. Here lies before him all that the human mind

can desire or comprehend of riches and eternal fame, and likewise all

that a Christian heart, desirous of the honor of God and his faith,

can wish for, in the salvation and restoration of myriad souls,

created for Him, and redeemed by His blood, and now deluded and

possessed by the devil, and by his blindness and wickedness.

Second: If we, who are here, and see and hear these things, should

neglect for any consideration whatsoever--either to escape the labor,

anxiety, danger, and cost, or for any other reason--to advise his

Majesty of this and to persuade him to undertake so grand a work, we

would fulfil neither our duty to heaven, which we owe to God and to

the souls of our kinsmen; nor the faith and loyalty, which in such a

juncture we owe to our king, our religion, and our fatherland. Surely,

we should all be known as vile-spirited cowards, and men of little

valor, since, standing on the threshold that bounds so much good,

we are content with the little we now possess; and by dint of idling

and amusing ourselves with the little that we have here, we fail to

look or reach for an object so important for the world, for God, for

our king, for ourselves, and above all for the people of this country.

Third: Let his Majesty come to a decision in this matter, for we who

dwell here know that either this matter must be left, and entirely

given over, and lost forever, or it must be taken up now, because

the chance is slipping by, never to return. Thus, a few years ago,

it might have been accomplished with no labor, cost, or loss of life;

today it cannot be done without some loss, and in a short time it

will be impossible to do it at any cost. For the Chinese are each day

becoming more wary, and more on their guard. They are even laying

in munitions of war, fortifying themselves, and training men--all

which they have learned, and are still learning, from the Portuguese

and our people. Seeing the Portuguese in that country, and us here,

they are fearful, and especially so from the accounts the Portuguese

give them of us, telling how we go about subjecting foreign lands,

overthrowing native kings and setting up our own, and that this has so

far been our sole object in coming, and other things that the father

has heard from the mouths of the mandarins themselves, and which he

will recount. Besides, there is the passage of the fragatas, which they

have seen on their way from here to Macan, having met nearly all of

them in their ports or with their fleets; and, most of all, the course

of affairs in these islands, which, if it were presently made known,

would be understood in such wise as to destroy all hope of success.

Fourth: Further, if, for their sins and ours, the doctrine of Mahoma

comes into their country--and it has already spread over nearly the

whole of Yndia as far as Malaca, Samatra, Javas, Burney, Maluco, Lucon,

and almost all other lands--if it should get a foothold there, and some

have already entered there, it would be an insurmountable obstacle,

not only to cleansing the soul from such an obstinate error, but to

winning the land; because they will enter straightway and teach the

use of arms, munitions, and the science of war.

Of the right and ground for this entry

First: As for the right and justification which we have for entering

and subduing this land, the father who is going to Espana will discuss

and explain this to his Majesty, as he has considered it long and often

with the Castilians here, as well as elsewhere with the Portuguese of

Yndia, China, and of Japon, with all persons of scrupulous conscience

and broad experience; and he knows what all of them think of this

project. His Majesty may think it necessary to learn what the father

has heard and known and felt respecting the fight and ground which

exists, or may exist, both for the preaching of the gospel, and because

of the injury that we from day to day sustain, and for the sake of

these islands, but much more on account of Macan and the Portuguese.

Of the necessary means for this entry; and, first, of the personnel

and troops

First: Considering the condition and climate of the land of China,

and its populace, it will be necessary and sufficient for ten or

twelve thousand men to come from Espana, either Spaniards, Italians,

or other own subjects of his Majesty; but try to have them, as far as

possible, Biscayans. If possible, the expedition will set out with an

addition here of five or six thousand Japanese, and as many Visayans,

who are subjects of his Majesty in our islands, and are a spirited

and sturdy people.

Second: Although there are persons here of great valor and experience,

yet for so great an undertaking they are few; and some captains and

persons of tried capabilities must come from Espana, as so great an

affair demands--since it can only be carried out if picked noblemen

are brought over, who are prouder of the glories of war and honorable

deeds for their God and their king and the world, and of the fame of

them, and who have little lust for other gain or sordid lucre.

Third: The governor of these islands should also be the commander of

the expedition; and he should be some great person, superior in rank

to all the rest, of whatever nation they may be, with whom he may have

to deal in this expedition, or anything pertaining to it in these

parts, whether they be Portuguese or Castilian. In the allotment of

the offices and positions, the veteran captains and soldiers should

be preferred, and especially the Castilian and Portuguese citizens

of these islands, who have merited it by their loyalty, labors, and

services, both because they have won and kept this land and because

they have had much experience with the country and the people. Besides

they are already acclimated and used to the country, its climate,

heat, and rain; wherefore their help and counsel should be highly

valued, and they deserve recompense and preference in every way.

Fourth: The troops sent should be infantry with arquebuses, corselets,

and pikes; and, besides, a few musketeers.

Fifth: Crews for four galleys should be sent, with skilled boatswains

and foremen for them.

Sixth: There should be sent, as soon as his Majesty comes to a

decision, three or four artillery founders.

Seventh: His Majesty should then order the viceroy of Yndia to send

here, or give to whomsoever may go there for them, five hundred slaves,

because they are so plentiful and cheap there.

Eighth: There should be sent from Espana one or two machinists for

engines of war, and fire-throwing machines, and a few artisans to make

pitch (with some already prepared), as there are materials here for it.

Ninth: There should be some master shipwrights for building galleys

and fragatas with high sides, which are the best kind of craft for

this purpose. In the island of Cuba lives Francisco de Gutierrez,

a neat workman, who built Pero Melendez's boats, that proved the

terror of the French.

Tenth: A captain should be sent ahead with orders from his Majesty,

and with a mandate from the general of the Society of Jesus for

his religious in Japon, that they may receive him and further his

mission. He should bring sufficient money to pay the troops that are to

be brought from that country and take them to an appointed place. They

should be paid a ducat or twelve reals a month, or even less.

Arms and supplies needed

First: Besides the regular arms to be brought by the soldiers from

Espana, there should be, for emergency, a number of coats of mail,

and arquebuses; and, above all, five hundred muskets and three or

four thousand pikes, a thousand corselets, and a thousand Burgundian

morions from Nueva Espana.

Second: Good flints and locks for the arquebuses can be had here

cheaply; but the barrels must be brought from Espana, and should be

all of one bore, so that the same bullets may be furnished for them.

Third: From China we can procure very cheaply copper, saltpeter, and

bullets; and in this island are ample mines of copper and sulphur,

[44] and all the requisites can be bought cheaply at various places. It

is said that the necessary tin and saltpeter can be obtained cheaply

and in abundance.

Fourth: There must be brought from Yndia two thousand quintals of

cordage, which will cost two thousand pesos or as many ducats. This

will make a saving of considerable money, and at the same time the

cordage will not arrive frayed and worn out by the hard journey

from Vera Cruz to Mexico and thence to Acapulco, over mountains,

valleys, and rivers. The anchors and necessary grappling tackle

should be brought from the same country, together with the slaves

already mentioned.

Fifth: From Nueva Espana should be brought cloth (gray and other

colors, and mixed) for the protection of the troops in seasons of rain

and storm, for the country is rather cold and very wet. _Item:_ there

should be blankets and garments for the sick, and other necessaries.

Sixth: Have his Majesty send two hundred thousand pesos to cover

and provide for these and many other things, and pay the Japanese,

and other incidental expenses.

Seventh: Have the commander of the expedition bring a number of

presents to win over some of the mandarins and other persons of

importance; and for this have brought from Espana velvets, scarlet

cloths, mirrors, articles of glass, coral, plumes, oil paintings,

feather-work, globes, and other curiosities, and some red and white

wine for the same purpose.

What can be and is provided for here in the islands

That his Majesty may understand that his subjects truly wish to

serve him in this country in so important an undertaking, and that

he may grasp more clearly what is being done and provided for here,

it is described in the following.

First: At the meeting of the junta here, consisting of the president,

auditors and fiscal, with the bishop and other persons before

mentioned, when this project was discussed, all decided that so serious

a matter, and one of such possibilities, should not be put off with no

more action than sending immediately to discuss it with his Majesty;

the necessary preparations were commenced here at once, and it was

universally resolved with considerable enthusiasm and serious purpose,

that, on account of the lack of money in the royal treasury, and the

country being so impoverished by the previous fires and the loss of

the ship, they would draw from the money of intestates held for heirs

[_caxa de difuntos_], of which there was about ten or twelve thousand

pesos, and thus begin the work. They contracted with the Chinese to

bring copper, saltpeter, and other materials. The casting of artillery

is commencing now, and the securing of powder and ammunition; for if

his Majesty should not choose to take up this enterprise, nothing will

be lost by this, and it will suffice the Chinese that the duties were

put at three per cent on whatever materials they bring for implements

and munitions of war, and supplies needed here.

Second: A ship will be sent to Malaca to bring the tin and saltpeter

needed in addition to that procured in China and powder, and a number

of slaves to aid in the foundry work and other labors.

Third: The five thousand Visayan Indians of these islands will be

brought together, and some good troops with the necessary arms.

Fourth: In whatever port of the islands the fleet is to enter, there

will be ample accommodations, and full supplies for their reception;

and, if they come to Cagayan, there are several advantages. First:

they will come directly from Espana, without danger from islands,

shoals, or the like. Second: the river has a good bar and four bracas

of water and more, at low tide. Third: it is on the China side, a two

days' sail distant. Fourth: it is nearest Xapon, Hermosa Island, and

Lequios. Fifth: between there and China there are so many islands that

the trip can be made in boats, and a close and quick communication

can be kept up, and it is easy to repair any accident. Sixth:

there are thereabout several islands, called the Babuyanes, where

there are swine, goats, and fowl in abundance, and considerable

rice. Seventh: there is in the land great store of swine and fowl,

and excellent hunting of buffalo and deer, which are so common that

two thousand large casks [_pipas_] of meat can be brought down in a

few days. Eighth: warehouses can and will be built there sufficient

to hold a hundred thousand fanegas of rice, which is the staple food

of this country. Ninth: there is great abundance of fish, as healthful

as meat. Tenth: the wine needed will be brought there in great plenty,

being palm wine, and very good. And from China can be brought what is

called _manderin_, which is very good and cheap, and is much drunk in

the islands. Eleventh: there will be a supply of jars of biscuit and

flour. Twelfth: kidney beans, even better than Spanish lentils, are

common in the islands. Thirteenth: there will be made here a supply

of sandals of _anabo_, which is an herb like hemp, of which rigging

is made for ships. There is also a great deal of cotton. Fourteenth:

linen cloth for shirts, doublets, breeches, hose, and other things

wrought of linen, is very common and cheap here, both of domestic

and Chinese make. Fifteenth: in Cagayan there is abundance of wood

for all kinds of vessels that may be built; this is true as well of

all the other islands; and nearly all, or at any rate the greater

part of the Indians, are carpenters and smiths. Sixteenth: iron for

nails, which is brought from China, is plenty, and so cheap that five

arrobas (a Chinese quintal) are worth eight or ten reals. Seventeenth:

cast-iron cannon-balls for large and medium-sized guns are furnished

by the Chinese, who sell them at two or three reals apiece, while

the manufacture alone costs eight or ten reals here. Eighteenth: the

Indians of these islands are already very skilful in making ships and

fragatas with the assistance and labor of a few Spanish carpenters,

who furnish them with plans and a model; they make them so quickly and

cheaply that a vessel of five or six hundred toneladas can be built for

three or four thousand pesos, as some have already been. Nineteenth:

above all, if his Majesty wishes to take up this enterprise seriously,

the encomenderos of these islands will provide him with fragatas, men,

and money, as they have always done for the expeditions when occasion

offered; and this they have done and will do, so gladly and loyally,

that his Majesty is bound to make this expedition, since the readiness

and desire for it are as great as the result in spiritual and temporal

good which is hoped for, both for his Majesty and for the rest.

The route to be taken by the fleet

It should be known that there are four routes which may be

followed. First: from Sevilla to Nueva Espana, passing via Mexico

to the port of Acapulco. Second: coming from Sevilla to Nombre de

Dios and Panama. Third: coming by way of the Cape of Good Hope,

to Malaca, and thence by Macan to Cagayan. Fourth: by the Strait of

Magellan. This last, by the strait, is the best and shortest of all,

no unusual danger or obstacle being found on this passage. Have this

matter considered and conferred upon, with our sentiment in regard

to it, and what is thought over there, and settle on the safest and

best The reasons why we who are here think that this is the best

route will be explained by the person who accompanies this.

It were best that the Portuguese help in the affair

First: It is important that his Majesty give the Portuguese a part in

this conquest, because they could greatly aid by the experience that

they have of the seas, lands, and people of these regions. Their army

should not come together with the Castilians, nor should the assault

be made from one side alone; but they should go by Canton, and the

Castilians should go by way of Chinchio, as nearly as possible at

the same time.

Second: His Majesty should appoint as commander of the Portuguese fleet

a person of such rank as to be above the viceroy of Yndia, or at least,

in no wise dependent upon him; for it is the universal complaint of

the Portuguese that the viceroys always hinder these great projects,

or turn them to their own profit by bringing into them their kinsmen

and dependents, or by other private interests such as are usual among

various persons, and are never lacking.

Third: This person should have his Majesty's definite and explicit

command, empowering him to take from Yndia, and from any fortress or

city in Yndia, so much as may be needed, not only of troops but also

of money, munitions, ships, and all other necessaries.

Fourth: This person should have an understanding with the commander

of the Castilian expedition both as to the time of the attack, and

whether they should meet later during the conquest, and for whatever

other question might arise between them during the progress of the

affair, which should need settlement. This should be very clear,

leaving no room for dissensions.

Fifth: If the Japanese who are to be taken on the expedition do not

wish to join the Castilians, and prefer to go in with the Portuguese,

since they already know them, and likewise because they get along

better, and the Portuguese treat them more as equals than is permitted

here [they may do so]. But if they wish to go with the Castilians,

let them come to Cagayan, and this will be arranged with them and with

the fathers of the Society of Jesus, who are to act as guides. [45]

Sixth: His Majesty should procure and bring about that the general

of the Society of Jesus should command and ordain to the fathers in

Japon, not to hinder the bringing of this reenforcement of Japanese,

and whatever may be needed therefor; and to this end he should send

a father sufficiently commissioned, who should be an Italian.

Seventh: At the proper time and juncture, which will be before the

news of the expedition has come to the knowledge of the Chinese, the

fathers of the Society who are within the borders of China, in the

city of Joaquin, should be withdrawn, that they may give information to

the armies about what they know of the country, its strength, and its

military forces and supplies; and whatever other dangers or reasons

for caution they have in mind. They will also serve as interpreters,

and persuade the Chinese to allow the Spaniards to enter in peace,

and to hear and receive the preachers, and accept the religion sent

them by God. They will tell the Chinese of the protection which his

Majesty desires to offer them, so that they may receive the Spaniards

without fear; and how great a favor he is doing them in freeing them

from the tyrannies of their mandarins, and relieving them from the

yoke of slavery that they at present bear, leaving them in freedom

of body and soul, and exacting nothing but an acknowledgment for

this gracious act. To this end the fathers should write many chapas,

and scatter them over the whole of China, and be of use in any other

way that their years of life in the country may make possible. These

should be the instructions of the general of the Society of Jesus to

his commissioner.

Eighth: Let it be known in Espana that as the voyages of the Portuguese

to the east and the Castilians to the west should and must be made and

end at the same time, the movement of the winds is favorable to them;

for the Portuguese can come to Macan at the end of May, and during

the whole of June, when the first junks usually come from Maca,

and the Castilians will arrive at Cagayan at the same time.

Ninth: Those arriving first should send a dispatch-boat to the Point,

to meet the other fleet. This can be done by two or three routes,

for at that season very small and light boats can be navigated;

and the distance is not great, about one hundred and fifty leagues

on each side.

Of dangers, and risks of great misfortunes to be known and guarded

against by his Majesty on this expedition

First: If the number of troops in both armies were small even

though well armed and equipped, since the Chinese are so numerous,

they will be deluded and offer resistance; and as the Spaniards are

brave fighters, the havoc and slaughter will be infinite, to the great

damage of the country. Therefore an effort should be made to have the

troops so numerous, well equipped, trained, and strategically handled,

that there will be no chance for resistance; and their mere presence

and a demonstration will suffice to cause the Chinese to submit,

with no great bloodshed. In this way there will be no danger that

the Spaniards, finding themselves surrounded and pressed by such

a multitude, incited and urged on by the mandarins, should cause

appalling havoc and cut them down, thus harming agriculture and

lessening the population of the country.

Second: Do not let them come so few in numbers, or ill armed and

supplied, undisciplined or insubordinate, as to cause any danger of

confusion, discouragement, or desertion, in parts so remote as these,

as this would be the ruin of the expedition; or they would go about

it in such a way as to preclude success, and leave the Chinese our

declared enemies, meanwhile losing our reputation and the bright

hopes we now have of getting the port of Macan and a passage to

Japon. There would then be no hope of the christianization which

depends on intercourse with them, and we should lose the riches which

are secured from Canton, and spread throughout all Yndia and Portugal,

together with the returns of the public granaries, and a great many

other advantages.

Third: Let his Majesty take great care and consider well whom he sends

with this expedition, both the captains, leaders, and commanders of

it; for it is very probable--nay, almost certain--that if this be

not done, things will fare just as they did in the island of Cuba,

and in other countries that were once thickly peopled and are now

deserted. If the Spaniards go into China in their usual fashion,

they will desolate and ravage the most populous and richest country

that ever was seen; and if the people of China be once driven away,

it will be as poor as all the other depopulated Yndias--for its riches

are only those that are produced by a numerous and industrious people,

and without them it would not be rich.

Fourth: His Majesty should know that the government of that people

is so wonderful, both for restraining and keeping in order so great a

multitude; and because, although lacking the further light and aid of

the faith, it is maintained with such peace and quiet, so much wealth,

happiness, and plenty, that never since its foundation, so far as is

known, has it suffered war, pestilence, or famine, in the main body

of the realm, although there are wars on the Tartar frontiers. If

that government were destroyed, they must suffer all these evils,

wherefore they should be kept under that or a similar government. To

appreciate the importance of this, one need only observe how, in the

rest of the Yndias, the laws and institutions of the natives have

been trampled down, and even our own have not been preserved. In

this way the peoples have been ruined and the country depopulated,

to say nothing of the injury to souls, bodies, and fortunes, and the

propagation of the faith, respectively. This is a grievous ill, the

worst that his Majesty or those perpetrating it could suffer; for he

is left without dominions, or with deserted ones, and they without

recompense or profit, save that which is no sooner won than exhausted.

Fifth: Let it be known and understood that what has heretofore been

said and decreed respecting preprations for war is not meant to convey

the impression that we should or could act as if we were dealing with

Turks, Moors, and other races who are unfriendly, and the declared

enemies of our belief and our king. For these people neither know nor

understand it, and are not ill-inclined. The forces are to be sent

merely to escort and protect the preachers of the faith and subjects

of the king who sends them, and to see that they are allowed to enter

the land, and may preach where they choose and consider it needful,

and so that those who hold the government shall not hinder the others

from hearing and receiving the doctrine. They will see to it also that

conversion shall go on without intimidation, and without danger that

through threats of punishment any of those already converted should

relapse or apostatize.

Sixth: We realize here with what caution and moderation the entry

must be made, as the king has provided fully, clearly, and in a

Christianlike manner in his ordinances which relate to incursions

and discoveries. But this is never complied with in the conquests,

because they are always conducted by poor persons, not carefully

chosen, and whose Christianity has not been put to the test. The

cure for this and all the evils, dangers, and injuries that we have

described, and many another most grievous one, is that the commander of

the expedition be a man of approved Christian zeal and clemency; free

from all covetousness, and eager for the honor of the service of God

and his king; by nature humane and full of zeal for the common good,

and for the salvation of souls. The same things should be looked for in

so far as possible in the other leaders, counselors, and commanders;

and they should be men who would be bowed with shame and dishonor at

being guilty of deeds unworthy a Christian and a noble man.

Seventh: If this be not looked after thoroughly, and effective measures

taken for its remedy--both with respect to the personnel, as has been

said, and the heavy punishment that should be ordained and decreed,

and in due time executed--his Majesty will have, after heavy losses

and labors, nothing for his pains but the loss of his honor, wealth,

people, vessels, and arms, which are taken from his realm, where they

are so badly needed, and yet are sent away to ruin a land and desolate

a people--the richest and most opulent in temporal goods that could

be owned, and in spiritual possibilities, of all those that have been

discovered. The result would be that, either by the judgment of God,

to avert so many evils and the ruin of so many people and of so good a

government, the army and the expedition would be destroyed; or else,

if the land be won, the conquest would entail the destruction and

ruin of all that might have been gained, and naught would be left

but the seeds of perpetual sorrow.

Of the gains from this conquest, if it be rightly done

The first of the many and enormous benefits of this conquest, if it

be rightly ordered and carried out, is that the knowledge of God and

of Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord--which has commenced in these lands

so remote and distant from the church and the support of the Catholic

kings; and which is at present so narrowly constrained and little

disseminated in these islands, and is in danger each day of coming to

an end, if thus neglected--will not only be spread over great realms,

but by this means will be so well founded, and so widely extended,

that it shall never be ruined or extinguished; but it shall remain

and persevere in this new world with the glory and fame, before God

and man, of that king, who, by his zeal, diligence, and liberality,

has accomplished what no other monarch of the world has done.

The second: No one, if he has not seen it, can imagine or comprehend

the infinite multitude of souls that will thus come to the knowledge

and adoration of their Creator. Today they are in the utmost darkness

and neglect of Him, and in the greatest subjection and servitude to

the devil that exists upon the earth--through their great idolatry,

wickedness, and bestiality, which arises entirely from the great

abundance and the bounty of the land.

The third: Much less can one realize without seeing it, how--apart

from the corruption of sin, depravity, wickedness, and inveterate

customs--how kind, honorable, content, gentle, pleasant, tractable,

and easily governed these people are by nature; and how all China,

with but one stock, is so great and populous, and so much intercourse

is carried on in the greatest peace, regularity, quietness, justice,

and order, that has ever been known or discovered in the new world or

the old--and this with no aid from the divine light, or any fear of

punishment or reward, but by the mere strength, or rather gentleness,

of a good native government.

The fourth: In this way our customs will, or at least may, be

introduced, together with the articles of our faith, with the utmost

ease, both because of their gentleness, and because of their great

intelligence, and mental capacities, wherein they have a clear and

marked advantage over us.

The fifth: It will be necessary to establish immediately a large

number of schools, where our writing, language, and literature may be

easily and quickly learned, having them abandon their own, which are

extremely difficult, so much so that even they cannot understand them

while still children. These are a diabolic invention to keep them busy

all their lives with their whole minds, so that they can neither go on

to other sciences, nor can others teach them, without first ridding

them of this hindrance. Once rid of it, not only the children, but

even the grown persons of all ages will learn our letters, language,

and literature--as well on account of the ease of our writing, and

the relief from the burden of the other, as because of their natural

aptitude, the gentleness of their dispositions, and their natural

adaptability to guidance, when there is a hand to guide.

The sixth: From the beginning a large number of churches and

monasteries will be founded, not only for the purpose above mentioned,

but especially to instruct in our faith, doctrine, and mode of life.

The seventh: There will be no difficulty in pacifying and converting

the peasants, countrymen, and villagers, who are so numerous that

nearly all the land is covered with villages; for they are quite simple

and unsophisticated, and suffer great oppression and tyranny. With

the women, who are very numerous, there will be even less difficulty

in introducing the faith, because of their virtue and great reserve,

which is remarked by all who know of them--to such a degree that they

lack only Christianity to be much beyond us in all matters of morality.

The eighth: It will result in time in preventing the entry of the

cursed doctrine of Mahoma, which has already infected almost all the

other realms, and its establishment there, which would be an easy

thing, as the Chinese are so sensual and full of vices; and if it

once enter that country, the conversion of souls will be extremely

difficult, and the conquest of the land almost impossible, for this

wicked belief renders men obstinate in its retention, and ferocious

in its defense.

The ninth: And it makes us sad here to think that if this opportunity

be let slip, all hope will be lost of the greatest conversion of souls

and acquirement of riches that ever lay within the power of man,

just as we have lost so many great realms in Yndia, which have so

strengthened and fortified themselves that little or nothing remains

of them. [46] And these benefits, in particular, will be lost.

Of other especial advantages

First: Not only is that country sufficient for its own maintenance,

but his Majesty can also, with what he will obtain from it, check

and menace all our old enemies. For he can easily exact every year,

without injury to any one, five galleons--built and rigged, equipped

with artillery and munitions, and even loaded with materials and

military supplies. Further, if the Chinese are well treated and paid,

from them will go the men necessary to work the ships; they are no

less industrious and capable than our seamen, as we consider them

very expert in the Portuguese ships.

Second: Those vessels, or as many others, can be loaded every year with

gold, raw silk, and all sorts of silken fabrics--taffetas, satins,

damasks, etc.; with musk, chests inlaid with ivory, boxes, wrought

and gilded curtains, and whatever kinds of furniture, appliances,

ornaments, and jewels are used by man; and many a web of linen cloth,

of every sort and kind. Thus there would be no necessity for bringing

to Espana, as is now done, these goods from foreign lands; and our

money and wealth would be retained in Espana, as it now is not.

Third: Many persons who have seen them know that the towers of the

treasure-house are of gold and silver, and of great size. They tell us

what abundance of silver goes into general use because no other money

is current, and how so much comes in continually from other countries

and never goes out; and that is besides the many and exceedingly rich

mines of the country. They say, too, that the king will not allow

the mines to be worked, in order that trade and the culture of the

soil may not cease. For that reason silver is continually carried

into the country, and that contained in it is not carried away--on

which account, they say, that metal remains there as a treasure.

Fourth: The amount of the rents and taxes, and profits which his

Majesty can enjoy, from the first, from general sources, is very

great--and that without injury to the civil and local government

of the country. He will gain this through the mere respect for his

universal sovereignty; and the protection and introduction of the

faith, accomplished at his own cost, care, and diligence; and through

the obligation to maintain and defend not only the faith, but good

and firm government, in order to preserve it.

Fifth: The number of encomiendas that can be divided and distributed

among our people will be great; and so rich are they that each person

on whom one is conferred can maintain, worthily and liberally, the

others who remain there. And his district would be so extensive that,

if he chose to apportion it to each of his followers, he would have

enough to provide for all, without any person being neglected.

Sixth: There will be many and very different offices and dignities

of administration and justice which his Majesty must establish,

to bestow upon his vassals.

Seventh: There will also be many captaincies and subordinate places,

and military offices, and employments for the soldiers; and with

these three kinds of opportunity a great part of the Spanish people

could come to reside there, and be ennobled, and the country could

be placed on a very substantial and safe footing.

Eighth: Since the people are so clever and intelligent, with agreeably

fair complexions and well-formed bodies, and are so respectable and

wealthy, and have nothing of the Indian in their nature, they have

the advantage of us in everything except salvation by the faith,

and courage. And since the women are exceedingly virtuous, modest,

and reserved, and are very faithful wives, very humble and submissive

to their husbands; and as they are even more graceful, beautiful,

and discreet than are the women of Spain; and as they are wealthy and

of good standing--it will be a very simple and ordinary proceeding,

and very creditable and honorable, for them to marry (as some are

already doing in Macan) the Spanish captains, merchants, and men of

all classes. These will become noble with their wives, and will be

settled and established in China. Thus the two peoples will mingle,

and they will propagate and multiply the race; and all will be, in

short, united and fraternal, and Christian. This is something which

has never occurred or been accomplished in any part of the Yndias

which has been discovered and settled, since those people were so

barbarous and brutal, so ugly, vile, and poor, that [Europeans]

have seldom formed unions in the bonds of marriage. In the few cases

of such marriages, they have been considered ignominious, and the

parties, with their children and descendants, have incurred a sort

of infamy and disgrace. On this account, there has been among these

nations neither friendship, unity, nor safety; on the side of the

natives, neither confidence, nor increase of numbers, nor development,

nor sincerity; and, for the Spaniards, neither fixed residence nor

industry. Accordingly there has been neither settlement nor government;

and everywhere there has been a barbarous mode of life, and ruin and

depravity, in both spiritual and temporal matters. In the laws and

government, and in regard to estates, villages, and individuals,

everything has steadily gone from bad to worse, and is in a very

feeble condition. Nothing of this sort will occur in China, nor will

there be room for these disorders, on account of the opportunity

which such marriages will furnish for friendship, and for familiar

intercourse as between equals. We shall thus maintain ourselves, and

become established in that land, on account of the said traits of the

people--their virtue and beauty, dignity, wealth, and prudence--and

many other advantages of that country.

Ninth: Not only for this reason, but because that country is very

healthful and well supplied, and prolific in all generation and

progagation, there will soon be born a great multitude of boys and

youths among the Spaniards and Chinese. Then will be needed not

only schools to teach reading and writing, as has been said, but the

sciences; and universities--in which will be taught, besides Latin and

other languages, philosophy, theology, and other forms of learning. For

these studies, the Chinese possess excellent memories and understanding

and very keen faculties. They have gentle dispositions, and well-shaped

figures. They are very neat, and polite and serious in behavior, and

lead temperate lives. They have the qualifications and the possessions

for any office or dignity, and they occupy and represent these with

much more authority and severity than do our people. On the other

hand, they display much gentleness and suavity--all the more since

there are no severe or outrageous punishments in those realms, which

are so settled and peaceable, and ruled with such justice that it

compels admiration.

Tenth: From what has been said, it follows that there will be among

those natives--whether pure-blooded, or partly of Spanish blood,

as has been said--after the two peoples have become united and

connected, persons suited to become priests and religious; and to

assume the government and official posts of the state, and military

offices; and to undertake all the other services and enterprises

of the country. With these, it will be evident how well established,

peaceful, and united the country will be, since those persons will look

after it as their own; and on account of the bond and union which will

exist between its parts, and of the many ties of kindred--of wives,

and children, and relatives--and of estates, which will constrain

them to aid one another, and take care of the country.

Eleventh: In the other Yndias all this has been lacking, and

continually have been supplied from Espana, or from the pure Spaniards,

all the priests and religious; the governors, and judges both superior

and inferior; with all the other positions and commands, both in peace

and war--and even the mechanics, and the assistants and subordinates

of the above-mentioned persons. Besides, the Spaniards have always

managed the state for themselves, and separately from the natives of

the land--disdaining to give them a share in any matter of honor or

profit, but remaining always foreigners and aliens, and even objects of

dread, to the natives. For when some of the Spaniards die, or return

to Spain, others come anew, who are always strangers to the people

of the country and regard the natives as barbarians. From this have

resulted two serious evils, and the beginnings of many others. First:

The Spaniards are always few in number, and have but little experience

or knowledge of the country; they have little affection for it, and

few ties or interests therein. It is always their intention to return

to the mother-country, and to procure their own enrichment--whether

it be by fair means or foul, or even by destroying and consuming, in

their eagerness to attain that end--not troubling themselves whether

the country be ruled rightly or wrongly, whether it be ruined or

improved. The second evil is that, to the Spaniards, the commonalty

of the Indians is something new and strange, and the latter are always

regarded as menials and slaves, and objects for the insolence of those

who come into possession of them. Accordingly, they are always scorned,

despised, overworked, exhausted, and even dying--as is actually seen

to be the case. With all this, it is impossible that their numbers

should increase or their condition or their lands improve; rather,

they are continually deteriorating and dying--as in many districts

they are already ruined; and everywhere there is a tendency to this, in

the opinion and judgment of all who see and understand their condition.

Twelfth: All this has arisen from two sources. The first is, as has

been already said, that the people are so low, barbarous, poor,

ill-favored, rude, ignorant, and unworthy of being mingled with

Spanish nobility and valor. The second is, that the country is so

poor, and what wealth it has is so unsubstantial; it has no roots,

or anything in which it could take root and become established. For

almost the only wealth of these people has been in the mines and

metals, and in their personal belongings, which are not permanent

or fixed. There are no hereditaments or cultivated farms, or crops,

or regular supplies; no products of the industry of workmen, and no

machinery; no general provision for ordinary use. But all is a desert,

and destitute, and at a standstill, and unsettled--as they say,

belonging to the east wind. And therefore the Spaniards also have

been and are as unsettled as if they were stopping at an inn. Such

are the lands that they have won.

Thirteenth: In China, conditions are altogether different, since its

people are, as has been said, qualified for marriage, friendship, and

union and equality; and they are fitted for offices and dignities and

authority, both spiritual and temporal. And, further, the richness

of the country is so great and of such sort--being realty, crops,

and necessaries of life; provisions of rice, wheat, and barley;

all manner of fruits, and many varieties of wine; domestic fowl,

ducks, and many other kinds of poultry; many cattle, horses, cows,

goats, sheep, and buffaloes; abundant hides, endless store of silk,

and considerable cotton; musk, honey and wax; numerous varieties of

valuable woods, many kinds of perfume, and other things produced by

the soil; besides an abundance of mines and metals, as has already

been stated. To all this is added the results of the industry of

so many people, so apt, thrifty, industrious, and well governed. It

is incredible how great is the number and abundance of the crafts,

arts, inventions, industries, and manufactures of everything that

could be asked for human use--of necessaries, ornaments, dainties,

jewels--and all the shops and articles of merchandise, both for the

use of the country and for the trade with foreigners. All this,

together with what has already been said of the people, should,

God willing, be cause enough to give us an entry into those realms,

so that, in short, they may become pacified, intermixed and united,

hispanized and christianized. So that one cannot mention all the great

benefits arising from this, both spiritual and temporal--a new light

of the faith, good modes of life, salvation for the Chinese and many

souls, and glory to God; wealth, honor, and eternal fame for our king;

great renown, prosperity, and multiplication for the Spanish nation,

and through it, for all Christianity. Besides, there will be all

these that follow.

Other benefits besides those already mentioned

In the first place, there could be established straightway

archbishoprics and bishoprics (as many as in all the former Christian

world, over there), with a patriarch.

Second: There might be founded new military orders with larger

revenues than those of the old country; or the old ones of Santiago,

Calatrava, Alcantara, and San Juan may be extended, and it will even

be a great advantage if these and other new ones should be used during

the conquest.

Third: A number of titled lords can be created, such as counts, dukes,

and marquesses, just as, at present, encomenderos are appointed--for

the encomiendas must be much larger there; and with such prospects

the entry will be much more certain, and the land much more secure

afterward, since there are so many lords.

Fourth: His Majesty may appoint four or six viceroys, as there are

now fifteen in the fifteen provinces, who have as much power and

state as kings have elsewhere.

Fifth: After all these things have been seen to, and the land is in

a settled condition, his Majesty may levy from it a great income and

much merchandise for his realms, as has already been said.

Sixth: Peace can be made and an understanding reached with the Tartar

and other tribes that lie in the region from China to the land of the

Turk; and we can better know his condition and strength, and find a

way to harass him from here in the East.

Seventh: Couriers and relay postmen can be sent to Spain by land;

for, although some have already come by land, they are all the time

finding shorter and better routes.

Eighth: The former peace and amity with the Sofi and the Armenians,

[47] and any other people that may be discovered or treated with,

or become known, in all Asia, will be greatly strengthened.

Ninth: When his Majesty is lord of China, he immediately becomes lord

of all the neighboring states of this coast, including Cochinchina,

Canboxa, Sian, Patan, and even as far as Malaca; and it would be very

easy to subject the islands of Samatra, Javas, Burney, Maluco, &c.

Tenth: Therewith can be secured the states of Yndia, and the returns

from the merchandise coming from China--without whose commerce

they could not be maintained; and which is now not secure, but very

doubtful, unless it be conquered.

Eleventh: The reason for establishing these possessions in some

kingdoms, and alliances and commerce in others, will be cogent--the

opportunity for the conversion of souls; by this means the knowledge

of the name of Christ may be brought into all these regions, and in

all of them souls may continually be converted.

Twelfth: The Chinese will navigate the seas to the Yndias of Peru

and Nueva Espana; and their relations with us will be more settled

and confirmed.

Thirteenth: The population of that country is so great and so dense

that many of the Chinese can be brought to these islands as colonists,

and thus enrich themselves and this land.

Fourteenth: The immediate occupation of China will forestall the danger

that the French and English, and other heretics and northern nations,

will discover and navigate that strait which certainly lies opposite

those regions--that of Labrador, [48] as those peoples say.

These are, in brief, the many evils which should be averted, and some

(not to speak of many others) of the numerous benefits--which it would

take long to enumerate in writing, and cannot even be imagined--which

would result if his Majesty should choose to put his hand to so great

an undertaking; and may God our Lord grant him the grace and favor

to proceed with it.

Doctor Santiago de Vera

The Bishop of the Filipinas

The licentiate Melchor Davalos

The licentiate Pedro de Rojas

The licentiate Ayala

The Archdeacon of Manila

Antonio Sedeno, rector

Alonso Sanchez

Fray Diego Alvarez, provincial

Hernan Suarez

Fray Juan de Plasencia, custodian of the order of St. Francis

Fray Vicente Valero, guardian

Fray Alonso de Castro

Raymundo

Fray Pedro de Memdieta

Fray Juan de Quinones

The canon Don Juan de Armendariz

The canon Luis de Barruelo

The mariscal Graviel de Ribera

The accountant Andres Cauchela

Juan Baptista Roman

Don Francisco de Poca y Guevara

Pedro de Chaves

Diego de Castillo

Juan de Argumedo

Don Juan Ronquillo del Castillo

Juan de Moron

Ballesteros de Saavedra

Don Antonio Jufre Carrillo

Andres de Villanueva

Luis de Bivanco

Agustin de Arceo

Hernando Munoz de Poyatos

Bernardo de Vergara

Gaspar de Acebo

Juan Pacheco Maldonado

Gomez de Machuca

Francisco Mercado de Andrada

Francisco Rodriguez

Gaspar Osorio de Moya

Don Bartolome de Sotomayor

Diego de Camudio

Bernardino de Avila

Luis Velez Cherino

Pedro Martin

Francisco Garcia

Melchor de Torres

Christoval Munoz

Diego Fernandez Vitoria

Alonso Beltran, Secretary

[On the back of the Sevilla copy are written, in the same hand as

are the marginal notes, various memoranda, apparently as references

for the use of the council. On the left-hand side appear the following:

"1: There was an assembly of all the estates, who resolved to send a

person to his Majesty; and all appointed Father Alonso Sanchez; August

[sic; but should be April] 19, in the year 86. 2: On the fifth of May,

86, the royal Audiencia of Manila appointed Father Alonso Sanchez as

envoy. 3: On the twentieth of June, 86, the bishop and cathedral of the

city of Manila appointed the same. 4: On the sixteenth of April, 86,

the bishop and the superiors of the religious appointed the same. 5: On

the 25th of June, 86, the judiciary, magistracy, and cabildo of Manila

appointed the same. 6: On the twenty-eighth of May, the master-of-camp

and the captains of the Filipinas Islands appointed the same."

Then follows a list of letters and other documents accompanying the

"Memorial," several of which are presented in our text. On the right

hand is written: "Filipinas Islands, city of Manila, assembly of

April 19, 1586. Royal Audiencia, judiciary, and magistracy. Bishop

and clergy. Orders, and religious and ecclesiastical estate. The

master-of-camp, captains, and soldiers, and the secular estate. The

person who should come: Father Sanchez." Other memoranda refer to

various letters from Philippine officials, dated during the years

1583-86, which seem to have been consulted in reference to the

"Memorial."]

[In the library of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, is a collection of MSS.,

transcripts from documents in Spanish archives, which were made

during the years 1859-65 by a Spanish official at Madrid, who had

been in the Philippine Islands, named Ventura del Arco: it has been

kindly loaned to us by Mr. Ayer for use in the present work. This

series, in five volumes, large octavo size, contains some 3,000

pages of matter regarding these islands, from the original MSS. in

the archives; some is copied in full, but often a synopsis only is

given. To many of the documents are added tracings of the original

autograph signatures. Although spelling, punctuation, and capitals

are considerably modernized, the work of transcription appears to have

been otherwise done carefully, intelligently, and _con amore_; and the

collection contains much valuable material in Philippine history. It

covers the period of 1586-1709, and begins with the proceedings of the

junta of 1586, which are found in vol. i, pp. 1-101. The "Memorial"

is given in a full resume; and at the end is cited (pp. 48-49) the

following paragraph, which is not contained in our Sevilla copy,

or in that of the Madrid MS. which we have followed:]

In the city of Manila, on July 26 of the year 1586, the following

persons met in the royal building: The honorable president and auditors

of the royal Audiencia of these islands, and his Majesty's fiscal of

the Audiencia; Don Fray Domingo de Salazar, bishop of the Filipinas;

and the religious, the captains, the magistrates, and the municipal

officers of this city--who hereunder signed their names. They met

to discuss fully the matters contained in this document, about which

Father Alonso Sanchez as procurator-general of this country, and acting

in its name, is to confer with his Majesty, and solicit aid from him,

that the prosperity and colonization of these islands may continue

to increase, and that God and his Majesty may be served. The above

articles having been read, as they are here recorded, _de verbo ad

verbum_, all the above persons declared, unanimously and with one

consent and opinion, that this memorial was properly drawn up; and

that Father Alonso Sanchez should communicate all its contents to

his Majesty, and other matters as seemed to him necessary. The above

honorable persons made the required attestations to the document,

and signed it with their names, as did other persons. I, the clerk

of the court [of the Audiencia], attest this.

Alonso Beltran

[Then follow thirty signatures, all tracings of the original

autographs.]

Letter to Felipe II, From Various Officials

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

To fulfil the obligations resting on us, we the master-of-camp and

the captains who are serving your Majesty in these Filipinas Islands,

give your Majesty, whenever we have an opportunity, a report of matters

concerning this camp, and what things are desirable in it. That your

Majesty may be better served, we are sending this report by the ships

that are now sailing, notwithstanding that our captain-general, the

president of the royal Audiencia here, is writing a more detailed

relation (as being the person who has given the most attention to

this), of all that he thinks necessary to improve matters in these

islands, so that their increase may be constant.

The care that your Majesty has always had and continues to have for

the preservation of these islands, and the great expense that your

Majesty has incurred therein, since they began to be pacified (a

work which still continues) without your Majesty's royal exchequer

having any profit, cause your Majesty's very Christian zeal to be

well understood, and that what you principally aspire to is the great

service which is rendered to our Lord, in spreading His holy evangel

in lands so remote, and among people so far removed from the true

knowledge, by which, through His goodness and mercy, so many thousands

of souls have been converted, and are being converted every day,

to His holy faith, to say nothing of many who in this time have been

born in and enjoyed holy baptism. The latter are extremely numerous,

which has resulted from the employment of soldiers stationed here,

for with their protection the religious who aid in conversions and

preaching can do so in security. Without such protection this would be

impossible, unless by the special grace of God, because these natives

are a people untamed, rebellious, and exceedingly cruel. If they are

obedient, it is plainly evident that they are so on account of this

check; and that if they were not thus restrained, not only would

the work not go forward, but the gains would be turned to losses,

through inability to retain them. What your Majesty has so happily

commenced here would come to an end, although these districts and

the neighborhood promise so excellent beginnings, of the very best,

in those places so near this country--which are, as your Majesty

well knows, China, Japan, Borney, Sian, and Patan, and many other

very rich and prosperous provinces. Furthermore, a manifest and great

service would be rendered to our Lord, when their peoples should come

to know Him. Your Majesty's royal crown would be extended by wider

boundaries, as your Majesty's greatness and Christian zeal worthily

merit. Therefore what has been thus far gained is of very great

consequence, and your Majesty should order that it be preserved with

the care hitherto manifested, since it is of so great importance. This

can in no wise be accomplished without the assistance of soldiery.

That this should be more efficiently done, it is quite necessary

that your Majesty should order that the usual force here consist of

three or four companies, which contain in all about four hundred

soldiers. These with their captains and officers, should be paid

by the month, as is the custom in the rest of your Majesty's camps

and frontiers; for thus they will all serve with great assiduity,

and support themselves honorably, having good weapons and munitions

and everything else necessary for military operations. They shall

understand that, when pay is given them, they must take care to render

obedience to orders and commands, with great readiness--being subject

to their commanders, which is the principal thing required; and the

captains must punish those who may exceed their orders, as is done

in all districts where garrisons are established, and as it was done

here before your Majesty ordered the royal Audiencia to come to these

islands. For, notwithstanding the fact that until then the soldiery

here had never been paid, they have not on that account failed to be

usually very willing and obedient to orders given them. They are well

supplied with weapons and munitions of war, and are as experienced

therein as those who, more than they, follow the art of war in all

regions. This they have clearly demonstrated on certain occasions

that have taken place in these islands, and by the reputation which

they have everywhere gained for maintaining themselves among so

many enemies, always attacking these with great personal bravery,

without having had forts or defenses for their protection. Their

alertness, good will, and discipline has all been due to the fact

that the governors and captains-general who have come here on your

Majesty's service, provide everything that, in the opinion of your

master-of-camp and the captains, may appear to be requisite for

your Majesty's service, without its being necessary for anyone to

lend a hand in it. On account of this regularity in affairs, both

captains and soldiers have performed their duties freely, lending

their assistance with much care in whatever was necessary, and doing

whatever they were ordered without any shirking--for, besides fearing

the punishment which would be meted out to them for doing anything

improper, they expected a reward for their services. They saw that

those who merited it were constantly being rewarded with encomiendas

and other means of support; consequently everyone exerted himself in

the service with much more willingness and courage, without shirking

any labor or peril, however great it was, and without stopping to

make any demands that they should be given their usual pay--as now

they claim in regard to your Majesty's royal decree respecting the

towns that shall be vacated and placed under the royal crown. For

this has so disheartened the soldiers of this royal Audiencia who

have come so far in the hope of being rewarded for their services,

that there is not a soldier who does not refuse to obey the orders he

receives. Since the royal Audiencia has come here, there have been so

great dissensions that very few or none take any pride in military

service or carrying arms as before, except it be ourselves, the

master-of-camp and the captains. To remedy such a state of affairs,

it is not enough to make rules which point out their duty; but in

rewarding each man who goes the rounds, does sentry duty, or the

like, support is given to the royal Audiencia, whose orders lately

fail of execution; for when we or they order anything to be done,

the soldiers go away and do as they please. As a result the latter

have grown so arrogant, that many times when they have been summoned

by their sergeants to do certain things which are their usual duty,

and indispensable for the defense of this city, they have refused

to obey them. On the contrary, officers have been publicly insulted

and stabbed; and this has occurred not once but many times. This

boldness has increased to such an extent that it is displayed on the

slightest occasion. On this account we cannot maintain sentinel duty,

or the necessary precautions, because we, the master-of-camp and the

captains, cannot punish them as formerly. The soldiers no longer have

for us the fear and respect that they once had, which has caused in

these islands the complete loss of that military discipline which was

formerly so strict. This has been shown repeatedly, so that the natives

indulge in all sorts of daring, holding us in very slight estimation,

as they did last year in Panpanga, five leagues from this city. They

placed at their head two chiefs, who in two days' time had a large

following, well armed and supplied, who could disturb the whole land

with the insolence and the effrontery that they displayed. Because they

said that they were coming to destroy this city, it was necessary for

myself and some captains, and all the good soldiers to be found here,

to go out to prepare for them. This was done and the president sent

your Majesty a detailed account thereof on the ship which sailed from

here at that time.

Feeling that this was right, and due to your Majesty's service, I held

a council of the captains; and I set before them these difficulties,

and others that might result from the complete ruin of the military

service. Unanimously we all petitioned "that this royal Audiencia

here shall be freely allowed to have charge of war affairs in general

because in this way we could act as a unit, as we did before. We

should strive to reduce the evil condition which obtains at present to

that good order which we are wont to have, because what has taken so

many years to acquire should not be lost in one hour." The result was

that a suit was instituted against us on the ground that the petition

which we presented was disrespectful, and that we were rebellious. We

were imprisoned for a long time and condemned to an excessive fine,

where we had expected to be rewarded for our ardent zeal and desire to

please your Majesty, which we have always had. We send your Majesty

a copy of the proceedings, notwithstanding that it is to terminate

in the court of appeals, so that your Majesty may see how, without

any fault of ours, we who have served your Majesty here during so

many years, and with so great fidelity, are personally ill-treated,

and our property despoiled. We humbly entreat your Majesty to order

that our grievances be considered and remedied, as injuries have

been done us; for in that way our many and zealous services shall

not be forgotten. By this, and other things that we have referred to,

your Majesty may see how troublesome it is and will continue to be,

for the preservation and development of the islands, that the royal

Audiencia remain here. For, as is obvious, it is not of so much

importance as are the soldiery in a land of so many enemies, where,

except for the neighboring districts by which we are surrounded,

the natives are all hostile, and nothing can be done or undertaken,

except it be with weapons in hand. To maintain justice for the

Spanish who reside among them, it would seem to be sufficient to have

a governor, as there always has been, since there are not more than

one hundred encomenderos and seven hundred soldiers here. In Spain,

however small a city or town may be, it has a larger population and

more litigation; yet, with only one corregidor or alcalde-mayor,

its affairs are justly administered. Besides, the salaries of the

Audiencia will be of assistance in many important matters concerning

your Majesty's service which are continually arising. These often fail

of execution on account of the lack of funds in the royal exchequer,

as a result of the expense of keeping this door open. By placing in

charge of soldiers who merit it, the encomiendas which become vacant,

a reform will be effected in this camp--which is necessary in order

to execute any plans which may be difficult. We advise your Majesty

as loyal vassals, regarding what seems to be most necessary for your

Majesty's better service and the increase of your Majesty's royal

dominion and renown. May our Lord watch over your Majesty's sacred

royal Catholic person for many fortunate years, with the addition

of greater realms and seigniories, as we, your Majesty's vassals,

and all Christendom desire. Manila, June 24, 1586. Sacred Catholic

Royal Majesty. We, your Majesty's vassals and servants kiss your

Majesty's royal feet.

Alfonso de Chaves

Don Juan Ronquillo

Juan Maldonado de Castro

Bernardo de Vergara

Agustin de Arciol

Juan de Moron

Rodrigo Albarez

[Endorsed: "To the sacred royal Catholic Majesty, king don Philipe

our lord." "Written by Juan de Ledesma, for the master-of-camp, and the

captains in the Filipinas." "Philipinas.--To the king our sovereign,

Philipe. From the master-of-camp and captains. June 24."]

Letter from the Manila Cabildo to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

Section I. Last year, eighty-five, this city of Manila wrote to your

Majesty, sending a relation of affairs in these islands. Because of our

extreme and continually increasing necessities, and the magnificent

opportunities for your Majesty's service that are lost daily, and on

account of our having no one at court to look after our affairs, or

anyone to inform your Majesty, as is requisite, of matters pertaining

to this realm, we resolved to request Father Alonso Sanchez, a master

of sacred theology and a religious of the Society of Jesus, to go

to confer with your Majesty about all these things, as a man who is

experienced in all these matters, and one who will discuss them with

all sincerity and certainty. Therefore he agreed to undertake this task

for the service of God and of your Majesty, and indeed of this state,

having therefor the permission and order of his superior. In order

to decide what must be laid before your Majesty, and what petitions

made, many assemblies were held, composed of the president, auditors,

fiscal, bishop, superiors of the orders, cities, royal officials,

captains, and other men who were intelligent, and zealous for the

service of your Majesty. The said father is authorized by those men

and by this entire country; and we humbly entreat that your Majesty

be pleased to give him entire faith and credit, to listen to him, and

to show us the mercy and favor that we hope from the munificence of

your Majesty. Although we have charged him to petition your Majesty

for everything needful, yet we shall give a brief relation of the

most necessary, in which, if such be your Majesty's pleasure, you

may favor and protect this your city and these your vassals.

Section 2. It has been proved by experience that the royal Audiencia

cannot be maintained here without the total destruction of this state;

for in this city there are scarcely seventy citizens, and in all the

other settlements together not as many more. The military power,

which maintains this frontier, is totally disorganized, because

its usages are so at variance with the procedures and exactness

rendered necessary by the rigor of the laws forcibly enacted by the

Audiencia. Furthermore, our Portuguese neighbors imagine that this

tribunal has been instituted here to overpower and govern them, since

they cannot believe that it was established for one hundred and thirty

households and so few soldiers. Accordingly, they have shut the door

to the commerce, friendship, and intercourse, which was commencing

between them and us. In addition to this your Majesty possesses no

income here with which to pay the salaries of president, auditors,

fiscal, and other officials of the Audiencia. These salaries, added

to what is wasted in this country, would establish it, and put it in

a better state of defense; while now it is subject to any piratical

invasion whatever. For all these reasons, and others that Father

Alonso Sanchez will tell you in greater detail, we beg that your

Majesty be pleased to reduce this government to only one governor who

has experience in the affairs of this country, and in the wars and

pacifications that can and should be made. This we shall consider as

the greatest favor and kindness, and the only remedy for our hardships.

Section 3. In other letters we implored your Majesty to be pleased

to have set aside in Nueva Hespana pay for three hundred soldiers,

who should serve here as a garrison, with whom this government and

the dominions of your Majesty could be increased by other kingdoms

of great wealth. We entreat this once more; and Father Sanchez will

inform your Majesty of the blessings that may result to your royal

service therefrom.

Section 4. Because of its lack of public property this city cannot

maintain many things needed for the public good; therefore, we wrote

to your Majesty, entreating that you have a repartimiento of Indians

granted this city. Answer was received that the governor should

take cognizance of this matter; and therefore having recourse to the

governor and president, Santiago de Vera, we learn that he is informing

your Majesty of this necessity in his letters. Father Alonso Sanchez

also will do the same by word of mouth. We entreat your Majesty--since

this matter is so just, and appertains so much to your royal service

and the common good--to have this city granted an encomienda of

three or four thousand Indians, and the alcaizeria of the Chinese,

or any like favor, whereby all the above expenses may be met.

Section 5. We are being totally ruined here through the arrival in

this city of merchants, and consignments from Mexico, and innumerable

troubles are arising therefrom, of which the same religious will

inform you in our name. The customs duties of Sevilla and of Vera

Cruz are being decreased and lost, to the great detriment of the

merchants. Four or five thousand pesos, more or less, are brought to

this city from Nueva Hespana, whence they are taken to the foreign

kingdom of China. Finally, the royal incomes and customs duties

are being decreased, the merchants of Castilla are suffering loss,

the silver is taken to a country of infidels, and these islands will

be ruined entirely, if your Majesty do not correct these evils by

ordering that no merchants come hither from Nueva Hespana, or send

money for investment here, but that the citizens of these islands

alone have the right to trade and traffic. This will only be done

in small amounts, and will result in fewer troubles; while those who

are engaged in pacifying and maintaining this country will have some

reward for their toils, instead of all the profits being reaped by

those who go to Mexico, after trading here with so much resultant

loss to this state and to the seigniories of your Majesty, as Father

Alonso Sanchez will inform you in greater detail.

Section 6. Father Fray Rufino, of the Franciscan order, is sailing

to those kingdoms for the sole purpose of soliciting religious of

his order for these islands, where they are greatly needed for the

preaching of the gospel. We beseech your Majesty to order his superiors

to send them with all haste, and the same to the Augustinian order.

Section 7. Since Father Alonso Sanchez will, on account of his

thorough knowledge of affairs in this country, China, and the

states of Eastern India, discuss with your Majesty these and many

other things--all touching the service of God and your Majesty--and

petition you concerning them, we humbly beg that your Majesty will

please to grant him free audience; for in all, and by all, we ratify

everything that he may relate and declare to your Majesty. May God,

our Lord, preserve and exalt your Majesty's sacred royal Catholic

person, with the increase of kingdoms and seigniories that we, your

subjects and vassals, desire. Manila, June 25, 1586.

Don Juan de Bivero, archdeacon of this holy cathedral church, has

served in it for twenty years, and has taken part in all the work of

pacification in these islands, in administering the holy sacraments to

the soldiers and citizens--in all, serving God and your Majesty very

religiously. At present he is in dire need, for he has been given

no recompense for his services, and this country has no benefices

or other ecclesiastical incomes from which he might be supported. We

beseech that your Majesty be pleased to order some recompense to be

given him, since he so well deserves it. This will be a very signal

favor and kindness to this city. Sacred royal Catholic Majesty,

your Majesty's servants and vassals.

Andres de Villanueva

Don Antonio Sufre Carrillo

Andres Cabchela

Don Francisco de Poca y Guevara

Juan de Moron

Juan Maldonado del Castillo

Juan Baptista Roman

Rodriguez Albarez

Francisco RroS

Hernando Nunez de Pyatos

Luis de Bivanco

Hernando Vergara

Letter from Antonio Sedeno to Felipe II

I.H.S.

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

It is five or six years since the Society, at your Majesty's orders,

sent me to these Philippinas Islands, together with some fathers and

brethren. In these islands we have endeavored, during all this time, to

attend to the needs and welfare of the country, in the service of God,

and, with especial care and effect, in that of your Majesty. Besides

ordinary occasions, two noteworthy cases have arisen in the course

of these years, beyond, these islands and in China, in which we

have lent our aid by order of your Majesty's governors, the bishop,

and the chief personages of these islands, by sending Father Alonso

Sanchez-of whom your Majesty has notice already--the first time to

reduce to your obedience the Portuguese of those regions. This he

accomplished with the success and skill of which your Majesty will have

heard, and with many hardships--both in China, and Macan, and in his

voyaging--as your Majesty will have learned by his relations. On the

second occasion he was sent, by the same order, to reduce a vessel,

which had mutinied in China, which he accomplished also so well,

that the factor, who was going with the warrants, confesses that

without him he could have done nothing, because of the mettle of

the Portuguese, and the daring with which those of the vessel had

closed with them. In this case there would surely have been many

disorders and deaths, if the said father, by his care and prudence,

and the authority that he enjoys among all, had not appeased them,

and reduced both of them. In this, and in a year of contrary weather

on strange seas and land, he suffered the hardships and dangers of

which, likewise, your Majesty has been informed.

Since his return, in this last year of his stay here, your president

and auditors, and the entire city and camp, have been forced to examine

and deliberate upon the danger of these lands, the condition of which

is daily becoming worse. Both in private talks and in assemblies called

for that purpose, the remedy for these troubles has been discussed;

and all, with one voice and unanimously, agreed that there was nothing

else to do but to send the said father to discuss these matters with

your Majesty. For they have this confidence in him through their long

experience, not only in the two so grave affairs above mentioned,

but in all the more common matters which have been generally attended

to by the said father, since his arrival at these islands; and since

all of them are satisfied as to his proved virtue and religion,

the impartial manner in which he attends to matters, his energy and

executive ability, and his learning, whenever these qualifications are

needed. Especially they recognize the love that he has ever manifested

toward these lands, and the special eagerness with which he exerts

himself in your Majesty's affairs, and in establishing and increasing

your titles and rights to new conquests and pacifications--his reasons

therefor being the great service that will accrue to God in this way,

and your Majesty's obligation to make the conquests for the welfare

and remedy of so many souls. For these and other reasons and motives

which they know, all, unanimously--secular, clergy, religious,

municipal government, and Audiencia--have requested most urgently

that the said father go upon this mission to your Majesty. After much

hesitation--because of the vacancy that his absence will cause in

our religious community, and for the sake of the common welfare of

all this country; and because of the dislike that I have ever found

in him to meddle in such distractions and labors, so contrary to his

inclination (which has ever been that of one desirous of retreat)--I

was willing to excuse him from such a duty, thinking that he would

serve God, your Majesty, and these your lands, no less here. But, in

addition to the general demand of the whole community, I was ordered

by a decree of your Audiencia, which I could not or ought not resist;

and therefore he is going. I beseech your Majesty to receive this

little service from this religious order of yours, and from this

house; and from my poor will and that which the father takes, to

succeed in everything in serving your Majesty, knowing how great is

the service done to God, if success is secured therein. I shall not

request your Majesty to give him audience, for all the community begs

that; and of the kindness with which you will receive his humble and

good intentions, proof is experienced here, and your Majesty will

appreciate them. And as he has no other thought, intent, or designs

than the common welfare, and the service of God and your Majesty,

both he and I have great fortitude and tranquillity. May God grant

your Majesty, in this life, what we all desire for you; and, in the

other and eternal life, what we all beg for your Majesty, and are all

assured is kept for you as a reward for the so many labors and cares

with which your Majesty has maintained, and maintains, the universal

Church. Manila, June 25, 1586. Your sacred royal Catholic Majesty's

most humble servant in our Lord.

Antonio Sedeno

[Addressed: "+ To the sacred royal Catholic Majesty of the King

Felippe, our sovereign."]

[Endorsed: "+ To his Majesty, no. 16. 1586. Manila, June 25. Antonio

Sedeno, rector of the Society of Jesus. In recommendation of Father

Alonso Sanchez."]

Letter of Domingo de Salazar to Felipe II

Royal Catholic Majesty:

As Father Alonso Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus, is going, in the

name of this community, to inform your Majesty of the condition of

these kingdoms, and of their need for reforms, I shall not dwell upon

that matter at all, but will refer you to what the said father will

relate in detail. But, inasmuch as there are certain special matters

that perhaps he will not mention, I thought that I should inform your

Majesty of them in the present letter.

Immediately upon the arrival of the royal Audiencia in these islands,

mass was commenced to be said in the royal chapel. According to the

usual procedure in other audiencias, the chaplains who said it ended

the prayer of the mass with that clause which reads, _et famulos

tuos_, etc.--in which, after the name of his Majesty, follow those of

the bishop and the president, and the others contained in the said

prayer. According to what is said in this principal church of this

city, the president and auditors erased the name of the bishop, and

substituted those of the auditors, under the name of senators. When

I heard of this, I ordered my name to be inserted, and those of the

auditors to be erased. This gave rise to animosity, and certain acts

were passed, which the dean declares were sent to the royal Council

[of the Indias] a year ago.

Because I sat down one day on the gospel side of the principal altar

during mass, the president and auditors took umbrage, and refused to

enter the principal church again until I made them return to it. I

have not sat there since, in order to give no grounds for contention,

although I know that it is my proper place, and that the Audiencia

have deprived me of it against all right. What was done in this

matter was sent also to the royal Council last year. I entreat that

your Majesty will be so good as to have the Audiencia and myself

informed as to what must be observed in regard to these two points;

for it is neither right that they should take umbrage at me, nor for

me to do what I should not.

After their arrival in this city, there was but little harmony between

the president and auditors. Their discord was so public, that it

caused great scandal here. I tried to restore peace between them,

and for that purpose came to this city, leaving the visitation that

I was making. After they had been harmonized once, they began to

quarrel again, and with much more scandal than before. I tried for

the second time to pacify them; and when I saw that talking to each

one in private could result in nothing, one day, in full meeting,

I set before them the great scandal that they were causing in this

city, and the bad example that they were setting to it; and declared

to them the great displeasure of your Majesty, if you should know it,

and of God too. The hand of the Lord was interposed, and their lack

of harmony ended from that time; and they have been on friendly terms

ever since. In public as in secret, God works His will.

In a decree sent to me by the Inquisition of Mexico your Majesty

orders me to deliver the records of proceedings and the prisoners to

the commissary of the Inquisition there; this I did immediately, as

I was only awaiting a message sufficient to enable me to do so, but

which had not come until then. I know that many troubles will surely

arise from this in the future; but, in doing what is ordered me,

I obey. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's royal Catholic person

for many years, for the good of His church and the protection of us

who have so little power. Manila, June 26, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your most humble friar chaplain kisses your

royal hands.

The Bishop of the Filipinas

[Addressed: "To his royal Catholic Majesty, King Don Phelippe,

our sovereign. In his royal Council of the Indies."]

[Endorsed: "Philippinas. + To his Majesty, 587; from the bishop,

June 26." _In a different hand:_ "Seen. Have its points abstracted."]

Letter from the Audiencia of Manila to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

In the past year of eighty-five, we gave your Majesty a report on

the condition of this land, and some other matters concerning your

service, which are contained in the duplicate accompanying this present

letter. If it has not been examined, we beg your Majesty to have this

done, and to make suitable provision for these matters.

_That the tributes shall be increased by one real for married men,

and a half-real for single men, in order to pay the soldiers._ [49]

Section 1. By your Majesty's order, the soldiers usually come from

Nueva Spana with one hundred and fifteen pesos as pay, out of which

they clothe themselves and purchase their weapons. They continue to

spend their money until they embark at Acapulco, so that, when they

arrive at these islands, they have nothing more to spend and find no

one to give them food. Unable to find a way to earn their sustenance,

they are forced to seek it among the natives, whom they annoy and

maltreat. They live in extreme distress, and so fall sick. The

greater number even die soon, without the possibility of assistance

from their neighbors, because they also are poor. The royal exchequer

is also always in difficulties, and embarrassed by many debts. Your

governor has been unable to give them any assistance from the royal

treasury. Considering that the natives of this land commonly have

treasure and means of gain, and furnish less in tribute than do the

natives of Nueva Spana (who are in fact poorer), and that without

oppression they might pay more, it has seemed right to us, if it be

your Majesty's pleasure, that the rate of tribute shall in general

be increased by one real for married men, one-half real for single

men, and for young men who possess means of gain, but who do not pay

tribute, the sum of one real. It will be easy for them all to pay this

every year. By this increase twenty-five thousand pesos, or even more,

would be realized, with which many of the soldiers living here could be

paid; meanwhile, as the others enter paid employment, they would be on

like footing with those just mentioned, and could support themselves;

and they would willingly do their duty in war, to which they must at

present be forced. Soldiers would willingly come here to serve your

Majesty, if they could know that they would be supported and paid;

and thus your royal conscience would be relieved. It certainly seems

cruelty to compel these men to serve without pay, and to die of

hunger. We beseech your Majesty that, if this remedy be expedient,

you will have the kindness to order its application, and will have

money sent from the royal exchequer of Mexico, so that these wretched

people can at least be fed and clothed.

_Expenses which have been incurred in war_. Section 2. By your

Majesty's decree, the offices of clerk of the exchequer and of the

governor's office were sold, for some five thousand odd pesos; and,

although this sum was to have been sent on a separate account to the

officials in Nueva Espana, and thence to the House of Trade at Sevilla,

it was absolutely necessary to spend it on a fleet to operate against

the Japanese pirates, who are in the habit of plundering the coasts

of these islands; and also on a ship, which is being built for this

navigation [between New Spain and the Philippines], in order that

traffic should not be stopped; for the despatch of your Majesty's

fleet to Nueva Spana; and for various other matters. This could not

be avoided, because there is no more money in the royal exchequer

with which to relieve these distresses, as your Majesty will see by

the accounts which the royal officials are sending.

_Concerning the twenty-two thousand pesos in salaries for the

Audiencia_. Section 3. Your Majesty has ordered that from the

repartimientos of Indians that are now or shall become vacant, twelve

thousand pesos de minas shall be assigned to the royal crown, to pay

the salaries of the Audiencia. We have informed your Majesty, in our

letters, of the great difficulties that would arise from the execution

of this order. For the soldiers, expecting to receive encomiendas,

and that some day good fortune would come to them, have for many

years served your Majesty, and are now serving, in war at their

own cost. Now the fruit of their labors is taken away from the men

who have conquered and maintained this land, while they are without

the hope that they may be rewarded in any other manner; and, seeing

themselves thus deprived, they become disheartened, desert service,

and abandon the land, thus depopulating it beyond all remedy. It seems

to us that, if such should be your Majesty's pleasure, it would be

best that you command money to be sent from Mexico for the salaries of

the Audiencia; and to assign the Indians who are or shall be without

owners as repartimientos and encomiendas to those who have served,

and have merited such reward, as has been the custom hitherto. Since

the conservation and increase of this land is so important for your

Majesty's service, may you be pleased to order for its succor, and

for the aid of the ecclesiastical and secular estates, the sum of

twenty-five thousand or thirty thousand pesos, to be provided annually

from the royal exchequer in Mexico. This sum is quite necessary for

the expenses incurred in armed expeditions, in aid for this land and

its defense, and in what is done almost every year for Maluco.

Section 4. As affairs in this island are constantly falling into so

great neglect and danger of loss; and so many occasions that might

be advantageous to your Majesty, for the reduction of this new world

to your service, slip by; and since all the many thousands of souls,

oppressed and deceived by the devil, in great China and other kingdoms

in the neighborhood of these islands, may be saved through the door

which your Majesty has commenced to open--understanding that your

Majesty has not been suitably informed since these neighbors were

discovered, nor has had any clear account of their affairs, we have

agreed to send your Majesty a person who can do this and give your

Majesty a true relation of everything. Considering that Father Alonso

Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus (a man of the highest prudence and

learning, and most excellent in Christian faith and practice), has

a wide knowledge and great experience in this land and the realms of

China, Yndia, Xapon, and other surrounding nations (acquired by having

seen most of them several times and having visited and closely observed

them), and inasmuch as there is no one else able to do it--considering

also his detachment from outside considerations and interests, which,

intermingling, distort all one's views: therefore this Audiencia, the

city, the orders, the military captains, and all the other citizens,

unanimously elected him for this purpose. As he made excuses for

not going, and his superior declined to give him permission, we

ordered the latter to give the father leave and to order him, by

his obligation to obedience, to make this voyage, and the father to

accept the charge. Accordingly, the said father is going to inform

your Majesty and supplicate your favor for these islands, asking for

redress of their grievances and improvement of their condition, and

to discuss with your Majesty other matters of greater importance, of

which he will inform you. We beg your Majesty to grant him audience,

and to place entire confidence in a man who acts here with prudence,

circumspection, religious principle, and wise methods--as your Majesty

will understand when you see him in person; we refer your Majesty to

the relation he will give you.

Section 5. Your Majesty did a great favor to this Audiencia and to

the citizens of these islands, by appointing the licentiate Don

Antonio Rivera y Maldonado, who arrived in good health, and has

assumed his office.

Section 6. In this Audiencia, as is usual among all those that are

newly founded, a certain rivalry as to jurisdiction has existed between

the president and auditors, and some differences and discords have

arisen over it; therefore we decided among ourselves to lay the matter

before your Majesty, in order that you may declare and enforce your

pleasure; meanwhile the Audiencia will exercise the duties contested

between them. The trouble is ended, and there is quiet and agreement

among us. We beseech your Majesty to examine the record of proceedings

and acts in this matter, and to declare whether the conferring of

the said offices belongs to the Audiencia, or to the president alone,

in order that our concord may be permanent, and that there shall be

no further occasion for disturbing it; for this condition of peace

is so important for your Majesty's service and the good of the land.

Section 7. As we have before related to your Majesty, ships resort to

these islands from China with merchandise and many supplies, with which

this land is but ill furnished. The fear of customs duties on such

things as provisions and supplies, which are of great bulk, the great

expense in lading, and their small profits here, induce those merchants

to discontinue bringing the above-named articles, substituting others

in their place. Thus there has been a great scarcity of supplies,

and considerable distress in the land. We have seen your Majesty's

decree in which you order us to make a report of the duties imposed

upon the merchants by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, governor of these islands;

and whether it is expedient to impose heavier duties, or to drop them

altogether. In the meantime, we shall take such measures here as we

consider most necessary for your service. We are ordering that the

collection of one and one-half per cent imposed on money coming to

this land be discontinued; and, in order that the Chinese might bring

us an abundance of supplies, with horses and cattle, as they had begun

to do, it is decreed that no duties be imposed on the grain, biscuit,

flour, and all other provisions brought by them, in order to encourage

them to provide this land abundantly with these supplies. Moreover,

besides the above reason, the amount collected from this source for

your Majesty is very small. Your Majesty will order what you shall

be pleased to have done in this matter.

Section 9. [50] By virtue of a royal decree of your Majesty, the bishop

added another parish priest to the benefice of this cathedral church,

so that there are now two priests and a sacristan. Orders have been

given that their salaries shall be paid from the royal exchequer,

in conformity with another royal decree lessening the amount to be

secured from the tithes.

Section 10. Your Majesty ordered a royal decree to be issued,

commanding us to send a report on the recommendation made by the bishop

of these islands, that it is expedient that a brief be procured from

his Holiness, in order that the authority which he granted to the

bishop in the _foro interior_ for twelve years be also granted to

him in the _foro esterior_. [51] Since this concession has been made

by other pontiffs to the religious of the mendicant orders, the claim

made by the bishop has seemed to us both fitting and necessary--as also

that the grant be made for several years more, because eight of the

twelve years have elapsed. Since the orders possess this authority,

it is just that the bishop shall not remain without it, because cases

arise in the _foro esterior_, which, although they should go to the

apostolic see, fail to go, on account of the great difficulty and

length of the journey between here and Rome; and thus penitents might

not secure absolution, or would be unable to fulfil the obligations

that they owe to their consciences. And, if your Majesty be pleased

to order that this brief be obtained, it is our opinion that the same

authority be conferred, _tan in absolvendo quam in dispensando_.

Section 11. Your Majesty commanded your royal decree to be issued,

ordering that the hundred pesos and hundred fanegas of rice which

are given annually as alms to the religious, besides the wine for

the saying of mass, and flour for the host, be given them. This

ordinance has been observed, and the supplies given them conformably

to the decree.

Section 12. Certain slaves are brought to these islands from Yndia and

the settlement at Macan; as your Majesty has given no orders as to

the collection of duty on them from those who bring them hither--as

is paid on those from Santo Domingo and other places to Nueva Espana

and Piru--your royal officials have not collected on them, or on

those slaves who are carried from these islands to Nueva Espana. We

ask your Majesty to order as suits your pleasure in the regulation

of this matter.

Section 13. Your viceroy in Yndia has, by severe restrictions and heavy

penalties, closed the door to the intercourse and commerce maintained

with these islands by the Portuguese; he has ordered that we should

not resort to Yndia, nor should the Portuguese come hither. As the

route to Macan and the coast of China has been opened, he says that

the natives of that country are offended, and might destroy Macan

through fear. Nevertheless, we understand that this course has been

pursued on account of the little love that the Portuguese feel for us;

and because they think that the Castilians will injure their commerce

and trade and raise the price of commodities in that land. We judge

from our own observation that, since so many ships come from the entire

coast of China to this land, and great concessions and kind treatment

have been afforded to them here, and as they supply their country

with gold and silver received in exchange for what they sell us, they

ought not to feel irritated at our presence there. On the contrary,

they always say that they desire this, and would be pleased to have

our trade. Although some inconvenience might result from Castilians

going there, it could not result from the Portuguese coming hither

with their wealth and merchandise. They, who are Christians, would

then enjoy the wealth and money now carried away by the Chinese;

and thus all of it would remain among your Majesty's vassals, which

would seem to be important to your service. Since we all are vassals of

your Majesty, we may have intercourse together, which will facilitate

the plans of your Majesty. Your Majesty will take such action as is

expedient for your service.

The archbishop of Mexico, [52] while acting as governor of Nueva

Espana, sent Captain Francisco Galli to Nueva Espana and the ports,

and ordered him to transact other affairs necessary in your Majesty's

service, taking particular care to give him secret orders not to go to

Macan or the coast of China, because they ought not to waste time in

buying merchandise, and on account of other reasonable considerations

which influenced him. Your governor, the president of this Audiencia,

hearing that Pedro de Unamuno--who, on account of Captain Galli's

death, succeeded to his office, together with a large sum of money

which the latter and the officers of the fleet had brought over to

invest--was about to go to Macan, hastened to give them orders, under

penalty of death, to observe the secret instructions given by the said

archbishop, not to go to Macan. The fiscal appealed from this order,

asking that he should not be commanded to make a voyage to Nueva

Espana and abandon the discovery. Notwithstanding the confirmation of

the governor's order by this Audiencia, we have learned that he has

gone toward that coast of China and the settlement of Macan. We give

your Majesty particulars of this matter, in anticipation of future

contingencies. May our Lord preserve the imperial royal Catholic

person of your Majesty, and grant you the addition of greater realms

and seigniories, as we your Majesty's vassals desire and need. Manila,

June 26, 1586. Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty, your Majesty's servants

kiss your royal feet

L. de Santiago de Vera

The licentiate Melchor de Avalo

The licentiate Pedro de Rojas

The licentiate Don Antonio de Ribera Maldonado

[Addressed: "To his sacred royal Catholic Majesty King Don [Felipe]

our lord, in his royal Council of the Indias."]

[Endorsed: "To his Majesty; no. 8; 1586. Letter from the Audiencia

of the Filipinas; June 26, 86." "On various matters regarding the

islands, of which it gives a detailed account, in order that his

Majesty may have it and take suitable action regarding all."]

Letter of Pedro de Rojas to Felipe II

The great need in this country of giving your Majesty an account of the

many matters here that demand reform (and without it are on their way

to evident ruin), and further of the affairs of the realm of China,

seems at this juncture to make it indispensable that the people of

this country should send to your Majesty Father Alonso Sanchez, of

the Society, a person of very holy life, much learning, prudence,

and excellent judgment, and such a one as is well fitted to go to

discuss with your Majesty the affairs which have been placed in his

charge. Many of them, if the father did not go, would compel me to

write to your Majesty for their amendment; but, as he is being sent,

I shall let them go, referring you to all that the said father may

relate. I only beg that at this time, when the opportunity is so good,

and within the lifetime of your Majesty, an entrance may be made

into these Chinese realms, and they and the neighboring countries

be brought to the knowledge of the holy Catholic faith, and to the

service and dominion of your Majesty.

The affairs of this Audiencia are, through the goodness of God, in

order and peace at present--although in times past it has not been so,

for there was some contention between your president and auditors,

over filling certain offices of the Audiencia. The appointments

to them belonged, it seems, according to your royal laws, to the

Audiencia. There was a question as to whether the president was to

confirm the appointments made by him as governor, in your royal name,

by Don Phelipe, and with your royal seal. It seems that this is quite

to the disadvantage of the Audiencia. For, if the office of governor

resided in another than the president, the offices of the Audiencia

would not be provided for therein, except the president and auditors;

nor would they be confirmed by Don Phelipe or with your royal seal,

since this belongs to the Audiencia alone. As soon as it was seen

that this was being done, there was hard feeling; but nevertheless,

to avoid wrangling, a compromise was settled upon--which, if it be

your Majesty's pleasure, you may order to be examined, as it is sent

with the documents relating to the foregoing controversy. By these

your Majesty will see how much your president was at fault, and the

chance the Audiencia gave for your Majesty's interests to suffer, if

there were any disturbance. Everything was done very circumspectly,

to avoid the injury that might result, from some other source, to

this commonwealth and realm. Accordingly we drew up, by agreement,

an act which your fiscal sent with the other papers; and since then

we have had no difficulties, but on the contrary, cordial relations

have been maintained in so far as the public is concerned. It appears,

however, that this is not so in secret; for I was yesterday informed

that your president was sending depositions and information against

your auditors, reviewing our entire lives, to your Majesty. I beseech

you to have these documents examined, both ours and his; and, if it

shall follow that we are at fault, we will expiate it with no less

than our lives, for it is not just that those who are disloyal to

your Majesty's service in countries so remote should incur a lighter

punishment. Will your Majesty make certain of the intention of your

president, and whether he can find guilt in your auditors too grave

for pardon. Likewise your Majesty must understand that I do not

consider that I am serving you by detailing the shortcomings of my

colleagues; for there is no lack of writers better able to write and

tell them than I am. The one thing that gives me consolation is, that

when your Majesty sends some one to ascertain how we have served you,

then in truth, you will be able to see who has done and who has aided

in doing his duty. [53]

Although the father above mentioned is instructed to discuss the

matters pertaining to this country, it has seemed best to me not to

neglect writing your Majesty about the following matters.

It seems expedient for your royal service, as this country is so

ill-provided and poor, that the Audiencia should be suppressed, and

that in its place one man be sent who is fitted for the position. If he

be not such, the Audiencia should remain, in order to hear disputants

with justice, relieve the oppressed, remedy wrongs and grievances,

and prevent many wrong acts which, without it, an evil-minded governor

would commit; this would also do away with the appeals to Mexico,

by which the citizens suffer much loss. But if the governor were a

fit one, there would be no need for the Audiencia and for many other

institutions, for the reasons which the father will explain to you.

Such a governor should have authority and permission from your Majesty

so that, after having discussed and consulted (with such persons as

you may direct) on the affairs that seem to him most important for

your Majesty's service, he shall take such measures as appear to him

expedient, without other formality or consultation with your Majesty;

for in many cases the delay would entail losses, and in this way many

important opportunities are lost to your Majesty's service.

Such a governor should not give permission, without a special license

from your Majesty, for any person to go out of this country; for by

the lack of this, great losses in population have been suffered here;

in some years more Spaniards go hence than arrive. Besides, everyone

is confident that permission to go will be granted to him, and many

therefore neglect to make themselves a home; whereas, if they did so,

it would cause them to multiply, have children, and become citizens

of the country.

Such a governor should not be allowed, either in his own name or

through a third person, to carry on trade or commerce. And the better

to hold him to this, the decision as to whether he trades or carries

on commerce should be in the hands of the magistracy, the municipal

government, and the judiciary; so that, if such charge be proved on

investigation, all the said governor's goods may be sequestered and

he be sent prisoner to your Majesty, so that you may do with him

and his as you see fit. If this be done, it is the surest means to

keep the governors in the path of rectitude, and make them perform

their duties as they should. Nothing else has wrought such ruin in

the country as the trading and trafficking of those who govern it.

And in order that this land should meet the high hopes which your

Majesty has for it, it would seem of the utmost importance to restrain

not only the governors from trading, but the soldiers as well. From

their trading have resulted losses to your Majesty, which I shall

point out.

Every year there goes out of this country to China three hundred

thousand pesos of silver, and this year more than five hundred

thousand. The Chinese obtain here much gold, which they take away,

and none of it ever comes back to this country; and what they bring

for it is the dregs of their own country, while what they take is

the fat and richness of your Majesty's realm.

Through the opportunities furnished by commerce, a great many Chinese

come hither, which is no small injury for so weak and poor a land; for

every Chinaman eats more than do five Moros and always of the best,

even though the cost is high, and in this way provisions are made

dearer. With the interest in inordinate gain, they cease to perform

their duties, because these are of less profit than trade. If this were

stopped, some of them would, for their own interest, seeing that there

is nothing else of which they are capable, stay in these islands as

farmers, others as stock-raisers; and still others would work at the

mechanical trades, and especially at building, which is so important a

trade in this country. In this way they would receive their profits,

and the Spaniards would have all the service they wanted, and that

very cheaply. If they no longer bring silk and brocades, they can

bring cows, horses, mares, provisions, military supplies, copper,

and all kinds of metal and gunpowder, each in great abundance, and at

a low cost--a thing much to the profit of this land, as may readily be

seen. Articles sent from Espana to Nueva Espana would keep their value;

and the gold and silver paid for them would remain in your own realm.

If there were no trade with China, the citizens of these islands would

be richer; for the natives, if they had not so many tostons, would

pay their tributes in the articles which they produce, and which are

current--that is, cloths, _lampotes_, cotton, and gold, all of which

have great value in Nueva Espana. These they cease to produce because

of the abundance of silver; and what is worse, and entails more loss

upon your Majesty, is that they do not, as formerly, work the mines

and take out gold. If they did so, it would be of great importance

to your Majesty and the whole country; and if this alone formed the

merchandise sent to Nueva Espana from these islands, the gold and

silver would remain here, and in the hands of the Spaniards themselves.

Carrying on commerce as they do, all the Spaniards are absorbed in

it, to such a degree that there are not even enough to aid in the

expeditions and military operations. Thus they will not remember

that they are soldiers, and living among so many enemies, and do

not realize that they are carrying arms; nor do they work for what

your Majesty claims of them, the conversion and pacification of the

natives. The Spaniards have become effeminate in spirit by their

trading, and on various occasions have greatly lost their repute,

for they are not as they used to be--having given themselves over

to vices, luxuries, fine clothes, eating, and drinking; consequently

they have not had their wonted success on several of the expeditions,

and have come back without accomplishing what they set out to do,

and the friendly Indians are making war, and going out to fight.

If your Majesty would prohibit trading, except perhaps in the products

of the islands, three hundred men would be of as much use here as a

thousand are today; for they would realize that they must gain their

livelihood by their arms, and not by traffic. Otherwise they only

await a chance to go hence as soon as possible, and so take no heed

of the affairs of this country, and do not engage in stock-raising

and agriculture, or in building, for each one does as suits him best;

and therefore this country is not growing, but rather falling into

appalling decay and weakness.

What with the hopes they all have of returning to Espana, they will

not do otherwise than send their wealth back thither; and they have no

mind for spending it in the country where they earned it, in building

churches, monasteries, and chapels, and performing other pious works

whereby this city would be improved--which they would do if they knew

that permission could not be given them to go back to Espana.

It would seem best for the present that your Majesty should not make

exchanges or transfers of Indians with the encomenderos; for, if this

is done, your Majesty must pay for it in other parts of the royal

estate. At the least he will lose a soldier, an important thing in this

land, when it has cost your Majesty so much to bring him here. On the

other hand, they will always settle down, in order to have some one to

succeed them in their encomiendas, and will marry; and their children

will do the same, and become more and more naturalized in this land,

which is so important for its welfare.

Likewise it seems expedient, for the same object, that your Catholic

Majesty should found in this city a seminary and place of shelter for

girls, where they may be supplied with all necessaries while they

remain there, until they are married. If this were done, many poor

girls from Mexico and the whole of Nueva Espana would enter the said

seminary, knowing that there they would find support until they were

settled. In order that they may be more eager to come, it would be

of great advantage for your Majesty to direct that in Mexico should

be given them everything necessary for traveling expenses and those

of the voyage.

It would be of no little benefit to your Majesty's royal estate,

if there were sent from your royal treasury of Mexico to this one,

each year, twenty thousand pesos in coin; and if there were sent from

here to Mexico all the gold that is collected in tributes from the

Indians assigned to the royal crown, and what is paid for the tithes

and the assay fee--as it is in this country an article of trade,

which rises or falls according to the abundance of tostons. If this

gold were taken to Mexico, it would, in a few years, amount to double

the money given for it here; and if the attempt were made to issue

it from this treasury for its value, no one would take it, except at

a considerable loss, for the reason given.

If your Majesty be pleased to discontinue the Audiencia, the temporal

governor of these islands should be the same person who rules spiritual

affairs. For the present, it seems that this would be very desirable;

for with such a person the suspicion of trading and trafficking does

not exist, and there is more certainty that the offices and encomiendas

will be given to those who deserve them, rather than to his servants

and relatives. And, above all, it would be well if this dignity were

given to the bishop, who is now so zealous in the service of your

Majesty, and desirous that all its affairs shall go well. He is also

so thorough a Christian, and possessed of so much virtue, learning,

and wisdom, that by his holy zeal he would aid in what your Majesty

desires--that is, the conversion and good treatment of the natives

of these islands, and the propagation of the holy faith. With that

will cease the struggles for jurisdiction, which are not right during

this time when spiritual affairs are getting a foothold; but, after

they have become established, they can easily be put in their proper

place. Furthermore, the said bishop, as he is a spiritual father,

will be so in all things, and will proceed in the suits and cases

rather with fatherly mediation than with judicial rigor.

If it be not the bishop, there is the licentiate Ayala, fiscal of

this Audiencia, who performs his duties here as a good lawyer and a

Christian, and is such a man as would give your Majesty satisfaction,

whatever you may order him to do.

If the government could be given to one of the persons residing here,

there would result many advantages, the greatest being that he would be

acquainted with insular affairs, by the experience that he would have

had with them. He would know who was deserving of honor and reward;

and as all of us who have lately come have come in need, burdened with

the care of servants and relatives, all being poor, we seek to supply

our own needs and those of the persons whom we bring at our expense,

and those who deserve aid go hungry; for before the governors can feel

the pulse of affairs in the islands, and know what things need remedy,

they depart or are removed.

I write this to your Catholic Majesty, knowing that you will regard it

as for your service that I, as one present on the scene, should write

of each subject what I think in regard to it, so that your Majesty

may act as you see fit, considering the reasons advanced on either

side. These will be more fully explained in each case by Father Alonso

Sanchez, to whom your Majesty should give entire credit, on account of

his sanctity, and the earnest zeal that he has always shown for the

bettering of affairs in this realm; and because he is a person who,

through the broad experience he has had with them, and the many times

he has pondered over their remedy, will be able to give a satisfactory

account of them all. I therefore beg your Majesty, in all the affairs

which are reported from here, to listen to the opinion of the said

father, that your Majesty may be the better informed. May our Lord

preserve your Catholic and royal person for many long years of life,

adding to your kingdoms and seigniories, as we the loyal vassals

and most humble servants of your Majesty desire. Manila, June 30,

86. Royal Catholic Majesty, your Catholic Majesty's most humble vassal,

and insignificant servant.

The licentiate _Pedro de Rojas_

Letter of Juan Moron to Felipe II

Royal Catholic Majesty:

Upon the arrival in these islands of Doctor Sanctiago de Vera,

your president, governor, and captain-general, he was informed of

the condition of affairs in Maluco, and of the unwillingness of the

petty king of Ternate to render obedience to your Majesty. Therefore,

with the advice of all the captains, he determined to send an officer

with reenforcements of three hundred soldiers, giving them orders

and instructions to remain subordinate to the commandant, Diego de

Acambujar, then your Majesty's lieutenant at that fortress. Seeing

how important this expedition was to the service of your Majesty,

I--being then in this city, occupying the post of your sargento-mayor

and captain of infantry--offered to undertake it at my own expense,

and to fit out the entire fleet. Your president, learning this, and

having been informed that, on many other occasions that have arisen,

I have ever aided in the service of your Majesty with the ardent

zeal that is mine, risking my person and property in your royal

service; and that this was of no less importance, as being one of

your Majesty's most especial affairs in these regions, gave me the

troops that I have mentioned with title as your general, which was

confirmed by the royal Audiencia here.

I set out upon my expedition, and, upon arriving at Maluco, conferred

immediately with the commandant, Diego Dacambujar. But, in discussing

with him what was expedient for your Majesty's service, in accordance

with my instructions, he was quite lukewarm in a matter requiring

so great haste, and thus detained me several days with questions and

answers. Finally, seeing the great need of haste that I represented

to him, he left his post, and we marched with our men until we were

within cannon-shot of the fort, where with all haste we entrenched

ourselves. The enemy was well supplied with much artillery, both great

and small, and began at once to fire on me. Nevertheless, I made every

effort to reach the walls and to enter the fort by open assault;

but having no cannon with which to demolish it--the most necessary

thing--and seeing the great resistance that the enemy offered, I was

forced to retire, with several soldiers wounded, and returned to my

trenches. I remained there several days, defending myself from the

heavy shower of balls rained down upon our camp. During all this time,

Diego Dacambujar did not attempt to give any orders, and finally said

that, if we remained there any longer, not one of us would be left

alive. Thereupon I answered him that I came for that very purpose, or

else to capture that fort and leave it your Majesty's. In everything he

displayed his usual lukewarmness, and upon calling a council of war,

it was agreed to strike camp and retire to his fort. As afterward

appeared, he was not anxious--for his own private interest and his

trade in cloves with the petty king--that anything should be effected,

as your Majesty will see in greater detail by the accompanying copy

of the inquiry made concerning this matter.

Thereupon I returned to this city of Manila, heavy at heart at not

having attained the object which I had desired for the service of your

Majesty, and resolved to pledge my person and property to obtain the

men and supplies to spend in your royal service, although I should

pledge myself to the further sum of six or seven thousand pesos--the

amount spent on this expedition. However, it did not please God that

this should come to pass, on account of the few men and supplies

remaining from the late fire.

As I was one of the very first to come here to serve your Majesty in

these islands, the hardships and wretchedness suffered here grieve

me so sorely, and especially those of this city, that I feel obliged

to inform your Majesty of several of them.

First, it is very necessary that your Majesty order a fortress of stone

built in this city, for the one here now would be exceedingly easy to

take, as it is nothing more than a palisade, with but little rampart;

and, as your Majesty will have been informed, we are surrounded by

so many enemies.

All of this could be remedied, did your Majesty feel the needs of

this city so strongly that you would be pleased to grant us some

public property. Although I, as a regidor and attorney of this city,

have endeavored, in your Majesty's name, to have certain villages

of Indians granted to the city as its property, your governors have

always answered me with fair words, and have done nothing. Our only

hope now is that, when your Majesty understands that this is all

to be employed in your royal service, you will take compassion on

us and grant us, as city property, some Indians. With this grant,

all these difficulties can be remedied.

With this ship sails Father Alonso Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus,

a very learned man, having much experience in the affairs of these

islands, as well as of China and other countries. Since he is thus

qualified, this city resolved to send him as agent for this kingdom,

in order to give your Majesty a detailed account of affairs here. May

our Lord preserve your sacred royal Catholic person, with increase

of greater kingdoms and seigniories, as we, your Majesty's servants,

desire. Manila, June 30, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your Majesty's humblest servant kisses your

royal feet and hands.+

Juan de Moron

[Addressed: "To his + sacred royal Catholic Majesty, King Don

Ffelipe, our sovereign. To be given into his royal hands."]

[Endorsed: "1586. Legajo 1; letters from Manila. + Number 17. To his

Majesty." "Manila, Joan de Moron, June 30. The expedition to the land

of Maluco, and the lukewarmness encountered in the commandant, Diego

de Cambujar, as will appear from the accompanying investigation. Need

in that city of a fortress. In favor of Father Alonso Sanchez."]

Measures Regarding Trade with China

Letter to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

In order to discuss your Majesty's commands regarding the commerce

between the Philipinas Islands and Nueva Espana, Don Cristobal Mora

and I met yesterday and examined a long report which Ledesma had drawn

up from many papers which have been sent from both sides, together

with a certain clause of a letter to your Majesty by the viceroy, Don

Martin Enriquez, written on the twentieth of March of the past year,

eighty [-five]. [54] In this letter he says that the merchants of that

country are greatly disappointed that trade with the Philipinas Islands

should be taken away from them; for, although the satins, damasks, and

other silken goods, even the finest of them, contain very little silk,

and others are woven with grass (all of which is quite worthless),

the people mainly resort to this cheap market, and the prices of silks

brought from Spain are lowered. Of these latter, taffetas had come

to be worth no more than eight reals, while satins and damasks had

become very cheap. He feared that, if this went further, it would not

be needful to import silks from Espana. He says, moreover, that all

goods carried from the said islands are mere trifles, from which the

land derives no profit--such as porcelains, escritoires, caskets, fans,

and parasols, all flimsy and very unprofitable. We can trade with the

Chinese only with gold and silver, since they have more than enough of

everything else. The letter written to your Majesty by the commander

of the fleet which is in Nueva Espana was also examined. He states

therein that the trade in thin fabrics imported from these kingdoms

to that land is steadily decreasing, on account of the trade which

is carried on there with the Philipinas Islands. This letter was the

occasion for issuing a decree, to which your Majesty was pleased to

set your royal hand, calling for a report from the viceroy of Nueva

Espana. This is an affair which requires a much more expeditious

remedy. We have investigated the state of affairs in those regions,

of which a detailed report was made to us. Besides the little value of

those wares, a large amount of silver and coin is carried thither in

exchange for them. Although a portion of this money remains in those

islands, all the rest is carried away by the Chinese who go thither

from the mainland to sell these wares.

In this way the commerce of these kingdoms is falling away, and

the bringing of money hither is impeded; both these are matters of

consequence and importance. This is not the way to maintain our trade,

since the settlement of the land must be through its richness and

fertility, and the prospect of other discoveries that are being made

daily, and not through trade. Those who are engaged in this trade are

merely transients, and those islands are merely a place of lading for

this commerce; for all, or the greater part, of the merchandise comes

from China. The Spaniards derive two, three, or four thousand ducats

from anchorage alone; this is the fee for the privilege of anchoring

the ship. The lure of the cheapness of the merchandise overcomes

all other considerations. This hinders the prosperity of the people,

and furnishes them no aid in the most important thing, namely, the

settlement of the islands, and the discovery and operation of the gold

mines there. We came to the conclusion that the trade and commerce

of the said islands, as far as the said merchandise is concerned,

should be abolished, and that these wares should not be carried to

Nueva Espana or other parts of the Indias, in order that the trade of

these kingdoms--a most important matter--may continue. A communication

to this effect should be addressed to the viceroy of Nueva Espana,

recounting to him the aforesaid disadvantages; and advising him that,

unless he shall encounter other obstacles so great as to prevent

him from taking such action, he should prohibit the traffic in the

above-mentioned merchandise from China, and order the cessation of

such commerce with that country. If he find too great difficulties

in the way, then he should give advice thereof, together with his

opinion. In the meantime, he should make such provision as he shall

find most expedient. To save time, the decree in accordance with

this recommendation accompanies the present communication; and it

shall be sent by this fleet, if your Majesty will have the goodness

to sign it. Madrid, June 17, 1586.

[_Marginal note_: "This recommendation is excellent, and I have

therefore signed the decree. I shall also endorse all that you shall

say in regard to it in the Council, and what the members thereof

shall approve:"]

Decree Regarding Chinese Trade

The King: To the Marques de Villamanrrique, my kinsman, and viceroy,

governor, and captain-general of Nueva Espana. [55] Having understood

that the silks brought from China and the Philipinas Islands to your

realms are quite worthless, but that nevertheless, because of the

low price set upon them, they are sold and distributed; and because,

if that trade continues, the trade in cloth exported from these realms

would cease or be greatly decreased; and also that these silks, like

other articles brought thence (all of which are of trifling value,

and of no profit to the country), are bartered only for gold, silver,

or coin, for there is abundance of everything else there--a matter,

too, of considerable importance, both on account of the large amount

that is withdrawn and would be withdrawn for the benefit of a foreign

kingdom, and because these kingdoms [Spain and Portugal] lose that

whole amount, their trade being more profitable for the common good,

on account of the excellence of its wares, which in their lasting

qualities more than make up for the difference in price; neither

is this the best means for the settlement of the said islands,

since they serve only as a lading-station for this trade, and it

proves a hindrance to the settlers by being of no assistance in

whatever concerns their permanence and fixed residence: therefore,

having carefully considered this as well as other inconveniences

set forth, it has seemed best to discontinue this trade with the

Philipinas Islands and China, since, even besides the aforesaid, it

has evidently caused delay in despatching the fleets, as must be the

case if this sort of cargo continues to diminish. Since the present

is a fitting occasion to furnish a remedy, as so important a matter

demands, I order you--after considering the aforesaid points and others

of which you may be advised (since the matter is a current one), and

difficulties that might arise, if you find, to the contrary, no others

so important as to overbalance them--to give orders that there be no

further trade or importation of the said merchandise and Chinese wares

to that land for the purpose of sale. You will have the merchants

engaged in this commerce advised and notified of this decree. You

will provide for its public proclamation, indicating the penalty to

be incurred by those who bring in contraband goods. If you find in

the execution thereof such special difficulties, as above-mentioned,

as oblige you to desist, you will inform me of what occurs, together

with your opinion, taking in the meantime such measures as shall seem

to you most advisable. Given at Sant Lorenco, on the nineteenth of

June in the year one thousand five hundred and eighty-six.

I, The King

Countersigned, Matheo Vargas

Approved by the Council.

[_A separate sheet reads as follows_: "His Majesty has ordered me

to send your Lordship the enclosed copy of deliberations of the

Council of the Indias, and the papers accompanying it, concerning

the trade and commerce between the Filipinas Islands and China,

so that, together with any that your Lordship may have concerning

this matter, everything enacted may be examined personally. Your

Lordship will advise his Majesty of your opinion. May God preserve

your Lordship. Sant Lorenco, July 31, 1590."]

Letter from Marques de Villamanrique to Felipe II

_Year 86. Copy of two sections of a letter written by the Marques de

Villa Manrrique, viceroy of Nueva Espana, to the king, our lord, on the

fifteenth of November, 86, describing the importance of maintaining

trade and commerce, and the great inconveniences which result [from

its discontinuance]._

[After citing the royal decree of June 19, 1586 (q.v. _ante_), in

regard to trade between the Philippines and China, in words similar

to the decree, the viceroy continues:]

Regarding the whole matter I have procured detailed information from

people who are familiar with it and have an extensive knowledge of the

affairs of those regions from the beginning of their settlement, and

from the correspondence that they maintain therein. It appears that,

since the time when Don Luis de Velasco was viceroy and governor

for your Majesty in this kingdom, your Majesty has spent in the

pacification of those islands more than three millions [of pesos?] for

soldiers, ships, and other supplies--all in order that the natives of

those parts might recognize and profess the Catholic faith, and the

sovereignty of your Majesty. As a result, there are already among

them six Spanish settlements, and more than forty monasteries of

friars of various orders in many native villages, whose inhabitants

are converted and baptized. By this, God our Lord is well served,

and your Majesty's glory and renown augmented. With the assiduity

exercised by all these ministers, the Christian church appears to be

increasing in those places, in such wise that in a short time it is

hoped that the sect of Mahoma and the idolatries of which they were

full, will be eradicated from them. Not only has this been done and

continued among the people of the said islands, but also among many

natives of China who have come, and continue to come, to live in the

islands. They are baptized and have become Christians, which seems a

good beginning; this will be an excellent way of pursuing the pious

work and the objects which, as your Majesty has always made plain,

you have had in the pacification and settlement of those places,

and of acquiring greater favor and grandeur than is now possessed in

all these kingdoms.

Although the ships and soldiery that have ordinarily been here have

been also of great effect in placing affairs in their present state,

it seems that the traffic and commerce which has been encouraged with

the natives of the Filipinas and those of China and other nations,

and the friendship and good treatment which has been accorded them,

have been of considerably greater importance, since they are a

well-armed and numerous people. It seems very difficult to subject

them or negotiate with them against their will; and as they live for

the most part by commerce, it will be seen, that, by the advantage

accruing to them therefrom, they will not only become Christians,

but, with the lapse of time, they will be profitable to your Majesty

and instruments for whatever your Majesty would like to undertake

among those nations. And if this should come to an end, it is well

known also that this people, because of our recent knowledge of them,

and because of their covetousness, would drop Christianity, return

to their idolatries and old customs, and close the door which they

are now opening for their gain and self-interest. That might be of

greater importance than the annoyance of enduring and supporting them

with some loss, especially as the trade and commerce that comes from

those parts to this kingdom [of Mexico] usually amounts to one ship and

sometimes two, aboard which arrive the returns from the encomenderos

of the said islands--silk, both raw and woven, cotton cloth, iron,

copper, earthenware, and other things of no great worth, carried to

those islands from the said land of China. As these are in no greater

quantities than heretofore, the success achieved in this trade, and the

benefit that might result from it, seem to be held in greater account

than the damage which occurs, as I have said. Although the figured

silks are most usually not so fine as those that come from Espana,

some are good; and those that are not, are of such a price that,

considering the price of those that come from Espana, there is no

comparison--because, as a rule, the damask is better than the taffeta

from Espana, and costs hardly half as much. The same holds with regard

to all other cloth. The raw silk is very good and profitable in this

city. As it is made, it is better than the native product; and from it

are made good fabrics. In the first, second, and further sales of it

that are made, your Majesty's customs also receive greater increase,

rather than diminution, from that which used to come from Espana,

and now does not come for this reason.

Also with this trade and profit many merchants and other people from

Espana and this land are going to live in those islands, and continue

to settle there. Thus the country is made safe, because, when any

necessity arises, they take arms and incur the dangers of war, so

that the natives of the said islands and of those surrounding are

peaceable, and fear the Spaniards. If these and the trade that they now

maintain should fail, and if your Majesty should not supply as many

more men at his own cost, it is well-known that with the instability

and suspicious nature of those peoples, they would rebel, and recover

the liberty that they have lost. Worse than that, they would return to

the heresy or the heathenisms which they professed a little while ago.

Moreover, by this means the encomenderos and settlers of those islands

get a profit out of the customs, trade, and commerce, because from

their tributes and profits they derive a good income. Before they had

it, they were in need. From the said China they provide themselves

with biscuit, flour, meat, fruits, clothes, gunpowder, iron, and many

other things which they greatly need, and which the said islands

lack. If they had to bring those articles from this kingdom, they

might not have them on account of their dearness, and since they,

without their trade, are so poor. Accordingly, it not only does not

embarrass or hinder the settlement of the said islands; but rather

they find it very difficult to support themselves and achieve success

without the said trade and commerce. It will surely result in greater

cost to your Majesty, if the trade can[not] be conducted as heretofore;

and if provision must be made as on the frontiers of Oran, Tanger, or

Melilla. Even those who avoid sending their money to those districts,

send it to the islands. It is not in such a way as understood hitherto,

that the prompt despatch of the fleets is hindered; because, although

they do not send their money thither now, they will be able to send

it--namely, to Piru and Guatemala--and to employ it in other ways in

this land, without obliging them necessarily to send it to Espana, if

the gains that they attain are not so certain as they would have them.

Likewise it appears that, if the said trade should cease, the annual

departure of ships and people, as it is at present, would cease; and

that would be a greater incentive to the natives who are peaceful, and

those who until now have had no desire for peace, to rise and rebel,

seeing that the gain which they derive from trade is taken away from

them, and ships and Spaniards go thither no longer--through fear

of whom they dare not rise from the subjection and obedience which

they now observe. The said trade being in the present condition, it

might be so regulated, that the expense to your Majesty in ships, men,

and supplies for their navigation should end by having them furnished

from the merchant service, as on the routes by the Northern Sea. This

I have written your Majesty in the eighteenth section of my letter of

May 10 of this year, in which I said that greater economy and profit

will result than loss be incurred in continuing the trade of the said

islands. This I shall try to secure by every possible means.

And because these difficulties seem serious and the harm that might

result does not come to pass, I have seen fit to disregard your

Majesty's orders, until you direct me further. In the meantime,

I shall see that the affairs of those parts remain in their present

state, so that the vessels leaving this kingdom for the said islands,

shall take half the money that they could carry according to their

tonnage. The shipment shall consist in such part of gold as will

supply the present want of silver and coin--which are withdrawn as I

have written your Majesty in the same section of the said letter. Your

Majesty will give directions therein at your pleasure.

And in order that this navigation may be accomplished by the medium

of merchants, which is a matter truly important for your Majesty's

royal service, and in order to avoid the increased expense of the

port of Acapulco, I have today ordered that every tonelada of cloth

brought in your Majesty's ships shall pay a duty in conformity with

those paid on the Northern Sea. This is done to oblige the merchants,

by incurring this duty, to turn their attention to buying ships, in

order to economize and enjoy greater profits; also in order that in

the interim, while this is being established, it may prove of some

help for the great expense incurred by the ships. For hitherto--as

I have written to your Majesty in section 9 of my letter of February

23, 86--they had not paid and were not paying more than nine ducats

per tonelada; now they will pay from thirty-two to thirty-four. Your

Majesty will order all according to your will.

[Endorsed. "Sections from the letter of Marques de Villa Manrrique,

viceroy of Nueva Espana, to his Majesty."]

Brief of Sixtus V

Erection of the custodia of the Discalced Franciscans in the

Philippines into a province

Sixtus V, Pope:

In perpetual remembrance of the affair.

While with our mental vision we regard the fruitful results, which,

with the aid of God, religious persons--especially the Friars Minor

of Observance [56] known as "Discalced" ["barefoot"], of the custodia

of St. Gregory in the Philippine Islands of the Western Indias--are

zealously gathering by their own toil, as so many workmen in the field

of the Lord, busy for the glory of God and the spiritual health of

peoples dwelling in those very remote regions so far away from us,

we think it right--nay, even their due--that we should graciously

impart the favor of our apostolic love for their comfort and increase.

In truth, our very dear son in Christ, Philip, Catholic king of

the Spains--in his own name, as well as in that of our beloved sons

the guardian and the other brethren of the custodia of St. Gregory

in the aforesaid islands--has represented to us, that the brethren

of the province of St. Joseph of the same order, established in the

kingdoms of the Spains, whereon the aforesaid custodia of St. Gregory

was dependent, in chapter held lately in the town of Cadahalso,

in the diocese of Toledo, prudently being of opinion that they no

longer could maintain the said custodia otherwise than with notable

loss ... unless the aforesaid custodia were erected into a province,

resolved that they should humbly petition us to deign of our apostolic

bounty to confer the title of province on the aforesaid custodia,

and provide whatever else might be needed in the premises.

Accordingly, as we have learned also through information from our

beloved son, Francis Gonzaga, minister-general of the whole Order of

Observance, that no prejudice will be occasioned to anyone by reason

of this erection of the said custodia; nor will the fathers thereof

under due regular observance, to their own great advantage, cease to

render grateful service to the Lord--wishing to decorate them with

worthy favors ... nor indisposed to hearken to their plea, by our

apostolic authority, and in virtue of these presents, we do erect

and establish the aforesaid custodia of St. Gregory, hereafter to be

called "the Province of the Discalced Friars of St. Gregory," in the

Philippine Islands, to be ruled and governed henceforth by a minister

provincial. He shall be chosen by the brethren of the province--under

obedience, however, to the minister-general of the whole order of

the aforesaid Brethren of Observance, and to the commissary-general

of the Indias, resident for the time being at the royal court.

Given at Rome at St. Peter's, under the seal of the Fisherman,

November 15, 1586, in the second year of our pontificate.

Documents of 1587-88

Letter to Felipe II. Alvaro, Marques de [Villa] Manriquez;

Mexico, February 8, 1587.

Letter to Felipe II. Santiago de Vera; Manila, June 26, 1587.

Letter from the Audiencia to Felipe II. Santiago de Vera,

and others; Manila, June 25, 1588.

Source: All these documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo

general de Indias, Sevilla.

Translations: The first document is translated by Arthur B. Myrick,

of Harvard University; the second, by James A. Robertson; the third,

by Consuelo A. Davidson.

Letter from Marques Don Manriquez to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

On the twenty-fourth of January I wrote to your Majesty a letter, which

I send with this, in clause 6 of which I stated how very important it

is for your Majesty's service that trading in the Philipinas should

be carried on through the hands of the merchants; that they should

maintain ships, in order to relieve your Majesty from so great and

heavy expense as you are under at the port of Acapulco; and that it

was on this account that the galleon "Sant Martin Visto" had been

sold at auction. To show of what importance this is--to begin with,

it was sold for sixteen thousand pesos, which was the highest sum

offered, and, in addition, what the repairs would cost which would

be made at Acapulco after the arrival of the vessel, which came to

two thousand pesos more. If no one had been willing to give so much,

I myself would have done so; for I am quite certain that this is to

be the first step in setting this business on the sound basis which

is desired. As they continue to sell the other galleons and to build

more, we must have merchants who are interested in buying them and in

sending them away on voyages; thus conditions will finally come to

be like those in the Northern Sea, and the great expense which your

Majesty incurs in those islands will cease; and ships will be built

in the Philipinas, which will cost but little. It may be a means of

profit to your Majesty's royal exchequer to continue selling ships to

the merchants. This has been demonstrated by experience; for the man

who bought the galleon "Sant Martin" has offered to keep it on this

route as long as it will hold together--as also another vessel, of two

hundred toneladas. This offer is accompanied with certain conditions,

as your Majesty will see from the petition which he presented to me,

which accompanies this letter. Since he demands various things of

importance, and some others which concern his own profit, they should

be carefully considered. Certain conditions should also be imposed

upon him, which would benefit your Majesty and, when fulfilled, would

stop the expense at Acapulco. I have referred it to your Majesty's

fiscal and the royal officials, that they may give their opinion

on all points. All of us will examine this matter with the utmost

attention, and I shall send a report to your Majesty of what action

shall be taken. May our Lord guard your sacred royal Catholic person

during many years, with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories,

as the Christian world needs and your Majesty's servants and vassals

desire. From Mexico, February 8, M.D.LXXVIJ. Sacred Royal Catholic

Majesty, I kiss your Majesty's royal feet and hands. Your faithful

vassal and servant,

Alvaro, Marques Don Manrrique.

[Endorsed: "+ Philipinas; February 8, 1587. To his sacred royal

Catholic Majesty, the king, our lord, in his royal Council of the

Indias. Let a duplicate be made of what is here related. Duplicated."]

Letter from Santiago de Vera to Felipe II

Sire:

Last year, 86, I informed your Majesty of the condition of these

islands, and the need of certain things for their betterment and

conservation. Because of the great distance and remoteness of these

islands, and the dangers that the letters must encounter until they

reach your Majesty's hands, I enclose a duplicate of the last letter

with this. For the same reason, I beseech that your Majesty will please

to answer that letter, and order that what is most fitting for your

service be provided--since the decision is delayed three years, at the

very least, and, if left for other vessels, six; and this delay might

cause great harm to this land, and bring about irreparable injuries.

In these Philipinas your Majesty has some Spanish settlements; and in

this city of Manila, the capital, and in the others, are usually about

seven hundred men, and sometimes as many as eight hundred. Although

your Majesty has ordained that reenforcements should be sent annually

from Nueva Spana, that has not been done; and, even when soldiers are

sent, there are but few. And as, after their arrival here, they have

no pay or any means of gain, they suffer great hunger and privation,

and cannot endure more than the dry season. As this country is so

unhealthful, and the climate so trying, most of them die, while others

desert; and it is not in our power to remedy the evil. I beseech

your Majesty to be so good, if this kingdom--as being a gateway,

so important for the gospel and the Christian religion, to so great

and powerful kingdoms--is to be extended and increased, to order the

viceroy of Nueva Spana to send every year, conformably to his orders,

the troops, supplies, and arms requested by the governor of these

islands. Will your Majesty also command that food and sustenance be

provided for the soldiers, for their sufferings are most pitiful.

In another letter, I have informed your Majesty of the deep affliction

and pressing need in which I found this city, because all the houses

and property had been destroyed by fire, not even the fortifications

escaping. On account of the constant danger from fire, because

the buildings were being constructed of wood and bamboo, thatched

with straw, and because many quarries and much limestone had been

discovered, which is brought down the river, I forbade that any

houses should be built of other material than stone, since this could

be done at a very slight expense. I ordered roof-tiles and bricks

to be made; and now many substantial and handsome houses are being

constructed of stone. The natives have assisted no little in this,

for most of them have been set to work in the quarries. According to

the promptness exercised by the citizens, I trust, God helping, that,

in ten years, the city will be built entirely of stone, for from two

stone houses here the number has increased to twenty large houses,

besides a monastery; and a considerable number of buildings, very

substantial and well planned, are at present in course of construction.

This city is located on a narrow piece of land, between the sea

on one side and a river of considerable size, which flows through

part of the city, on the other; while on another side is a swamp or

morass. On the side fronting the sea is a handsome beach, extending

two leagues to the port of Cavite, where lie the vessels of the Nueva

Spana line. Where the river enters the sea, the land forms a point,

upon which is built a very small and dilapidated wooden fort. Neither

on the seacoast nor in any other part was there any defense. On this

account, in view of our danger, I resolved to set about fortifying

the city, although the poverty of the city and of your royal treasury

could not assist me. I have constructed a stone tower on the said

beach, near the city; and lower down, where it seemed more necessary,

I am constructing a very strong and handsome fort, the plan of which

accompanies this letter. [57] In the three months while we have worked

on it, I have the first story, where the heaviest artillery is to be

placed, ready for flooring. God helping, I shall, I believe, finish

it in little more than one year from now. From this fort and beach

near the sea I have dug a deep ditch, thirty-four feet wide, which

fills with the incoming tide, and even at low tide has sufficient

water to float several vessels, which are used in carrying materials

by this ditch to the said work, and for other important things. This

ditch extends from the sea to the river, and at that side around the

entire city, in such wise that the latter is an island formed by sea,

river, and ditch. In place of the wooden fortress, I am going to

build a bulwark to defend the entrance to the river and the beach,

which can correspond to the tower already built; and the new fortress

will defend both sides, the ditch and the sea. Along the river-bank

I have ordered stone breastworks to be built, extending from the old

wooden fortress on one side, where the stone bulwark is to be built,

to the ditch on the other side. With this, I think that this city

will be well fortified; and it would be more so, if your Majesty were

pleased to have us provided with a garrison of two hundred soldiers,

already paid--as could be done, by the plan about which I have written

to your Majesty, without spending anything from your royal estate,

and without harm to the natives.

To build the fortress, as I have recounted, the bulwark, and the other

defenses, as I saw that your Majesty has no income in this country,

with which to enable me to do it, and that the city has no public

property, I made a single assessment on the encomenderos, proportioned

to their Indians and incomes, and on the inhabitants who could stand

it, of three thousand odd pesos. I also assessed on each married

Indian, one real, and on each single Indian, one-half real--which

both classes are paying without any oppression or harrying--so that

the entire sum will amount to eight or nine thousand pesos. With this

sum, I think it possible to construct the principal fortress, because

the materials are cheap. The stone is so suitable that, when wet, it

can be worked like wood, and when dry it is very strong and durable;

and it is better than brick for the artillery. Should your Majesty be

pleased to look favorably upon these works, and have them aided from

your royal estate with an equal sum, everything would be finished;

and another fort could be built as well, to guard the port of Cavite

and your Majesty's ships for the regular line. Since it is two leagues

distant from the city, it is not made safe by the above-mentioned

fortifications; and the ships cannot anchor at any nearer place,

without ordinarily being in danger from the weather. In the general

fire in this city four years ago, the powder and ammunition were

burned, and the artillery was destroyed. Although I have had the

pieces refounded, and have used up the metal remaining, still there

are only twenty-six large and twenty small pieces; and this supply

is very small, considering the need of artillery in this country for

its defense, as well as for the expeditions that have been made and

for which occasion arises. Near these islands, in one called Lumban,

twenty leagues from this city, and in others near by, I have discovered

a quantity of copper, which on being tested by smelting it, gives one

arroba of metal to the quintal of ore. I have not found anyone who

understands the smelting of it; for those who tested it are Indians,

who do not smelt it in bulk. [58] I beseech your Majesty to please

have some founders and workmen sent to make artillery, for what we

have here is of iron, and quite old and useless.

In the city of Macan, China, where the Portuguese have settled, and in

the city of Sian, there is an abundance of saltpeter. If your Majesty

were pleased to have it brought from there--for it is quite near by,

and an easy voyage thither--the great expenses annually incurred by

your Majesty by having it brought from Mexico would be contracted;

for there is sulphur in this country, [59] and the Chinese bring it

to sell, while excellent charcoal is made here. Your Majesty will

order such provision to be made as suits the royal pleasure.

Many vessels have come to these islands from China this year, and

especially to this city--more than thirty of considerable burden,

laden with a quantity of merchandise, horses, cows, and more than three

thousand men. I have treated them hospitably and given them a kind

reception. They are very anxious for our trade on this account, and

because of the large gains that they make--although, in our opinion,

they sell so cheaply that we can but think that either products are

raised in their country without any labor, or that they find them

without money. They bring many rare articles, and every product of

Spana, so that there is usually but little lack of those supplies

here, both in clothing and food; while they bring many things not

found in that country. It is a land of great abundance, and has

an infinite number of people, all workers, and each one master

of many trades. Two vessels have also come to this city from the

Portuguese of the city of Macan, laden with curious merchandise,

whence they have drawn great gain. The Chinese, on this account,

have been very envious, and jealous, and fearful lest the Portuguese

should work them an injury. Certain captains and leading men among

them asked me why, since the Portuguese had settled in Macan, near

the province of Canton, China, and held their trade there, we do not

do the same likewise in the province of Chincheo, whence they bring

so much wealth to this land. They say that, if there were Spaniards

there, they could send their goods to this land. These with what they

themselves bring, would render it quite unnecessary for the Portuguese

to come here. I thanked them heartily for the suggestion, and in reply,

said that, next year, they should bring a _chapa_, or passport from

their viceroy of Chincheo, so that Castilians could go there; and

that, as the people of Canton had lent the island of Macao, that the

Portuguese might settle there, so they should lend us another island,

very near Chincheo, on which we could settle and construct a fortress.

At present, I could say [no] more than this, but I told them that

your Majesty wished to favor them, and had given me orders to that

effect; and that, if they would keep their promises, your Majesty

would send Spaniards to protect and aid them in their wars, and to

defend them from their enemies. They were exceedingly glad at hearing

this, and agreed to bring the chapa; for the viceroy is very anxious

to increase the incomes there [at Chincheo] by the duties that the

Spanish vessels would pay. I am continuing to inspire them with love

and affection for your Majesty's service, and they are already very

favorably inclined toward our nation. And beyond even the mandarins

and viceroys, I understand that all the people wish to see us in their

country. I beseech your Majesty, in case these men keep their word,

to order me to execute what is most advisable for your service as

quickly as possible, for it would be of very great importance not to

lose such an opportunity.

The trade continues to increase, so that, were vessels not lacking,

a great quantity of goods would be sent to Nueva Spana. The Chinese

are so careful merchants, that they bring goods in proportion to

the vessels that come to the port. Although I have built one very

fine galley of five hundred toneladas--at so slight a cost that the

sum does not amount to eight thousand pesos--and your Majesty has

four other useful vessels, still two more would be necessary for the

trading fleet. If your Majesty so pleases, they can be constructed

very easily, and at but little expense; and if there were any money

in your royal chest, I would have had them built already. I entreat

your Majesty to have some concession granted us from Mexico, and

advise me of your pleasure.

In a former letter, I informed your Majesty of the arrival of a

Japanese vessel laden with flour and horses (which they were bringing

to this city), at the city of Segovia, in the province of Cagayan,

in these islands. They had been driven upon the coast there, and some

of the crew and horses escaped death. As soon as I learned of this,

I sent a vessel for them, and, upon their arrival, showed them great

hospitality; for this they were so grateful that they published in

their country great praises of this land, and of the kind treatment

accorded them. Certain of them, together with others--both Christians

and pagans, up to about forty--returned with letters from the king

of Firando, and from Don Gaspar, his brother, the originals of which

are enclosed here. They brought some merchandise and weapons to

sell. They say that war is being waged in those kingdoms, and that

of Miaco, [60] to which sixty-three kingdoms are subject, has given

a passport to the fathers of the Society who reside there, so that

they may preach the gospel freely throughout Japon, and permission,

to all who wish, to become Christians. This is certified by one of

the fathers to the members of the Society who reside here, as your

Majesty may cause to be seen by the copy of his letter. This so good

news has gladdened these islands. May God direct this, and grant that

this new world may be saved by your direction and order. The many

kingdoms, the infinite number of people, and the wealth of those

realms, is incredible. The Japanese are an energetic race, skilled

in the use of our weapons. All the other nations lack that spirit,

and are cowardly, dastardly, and abject.

As above remarked, two vessels came this year from the islands of

Macan, whence the Portuguese brought provisions, a quantity of raw

silk, taffetas, damasks, and other merchandise. I showed them much

hospitality and friendship, for which they were very grateful; and

they desired to come here again, because they had derived much profit,

and the voyage, in fair weather, can be accomplished in two weeks. I

did not allow any duties to be collected on what they brought, or on

the merchandise of the Japanese, not only as it was very premature

to impose these, but to inspire them with desire for our commerce

and trade; also because your Majesty ordered us to have friendly

intercourse and communication with them, but chiefly because of

having no order from your Majesty for such collection. Besides, as

this land is so new, and must be treated like a sprout, I thought it

advisable, in order that it may increase daily, to try not to burden

it, but to maintain it--especially by means of the Portuguese, so

that they may lose the ill-will that they bear toward us; and so that

other foreigners may desire our trade and the Christian religion. I

beseech your Majesty to give orders regarding what should be done

for the future.

I have informed your Majesty that some of the Chinese Sangleys,

upon coming to this city, become citizens and Christians. The bishop

thereupon orders their hair to be cut, in accordance with our custom;

but they, following their own custom, wear it very long, and braided

and tied in a certain manner. They so dislike this, that, in order

not to be compelled to cut their hair, many of them are not baptized;

for, in their country, it is a great insult to them, and is regarded

as a great crime to cut off their hair, and without it, they do not

dare to return in order to bring their property, and their wives and

children, to settle here. I have told the bishop that, inasmuch as

that is not a religious rite, but a custom, just as it is a custom of

ours to wear short hair, he should not have it cut. But he refuses to

observe this, saying that he fears lest they go back to their country

and return to their idolatries. Will your Majesty please have this

matter examined and provided for. Because of its extreme importance,

I reiterate this supplication here.

In my letter of last year, of which I enclose a duplicate herein,

I informed your Majesty of the disputes of the auditors and fiscal

with myself in regard to preeminence in office, they wishing to enact

certain measures of government and war outside of their jurisdiction;

and that because of this lack of harmony greater hindrances were

resulting to the service of God and of your Majesty, in a land so

new and so distant from your royal person. I resolved to allow them

to do as they wished, and to let go my right and the preeminences of

my office, until your Majesty should order this remedied and provided

for--believing that, in so acting, I serve you better. Affairs here

are in this condition, and I shall make no innovation until receiving

your Majesty's orders. Through my overlooking and tolerating this,

and through the arrival of the licentiate Don Antonio de Rivera,

auditor of this Audiencia, those differences have ceased, and we are

all in accord. Justice is being administered with the authority,

custom, and system of the audiencias of Castilla, and those well

regulated in the Yndias.

Captain Francisco Gali, who was sent by the archbishop and governor to

discover the route for the return to Nueva Spana from these islands,

as well as the islands and ports lying in the course, died as soon as

he reached this country. Pedro de Unamuno succeeded to his command,

with instructions not to go to China, or to its coast, because of

the great difficulties that would result. Because the said governor

charged me urgently to make him fulfil his instructions, and because I

was informed that, beyond all doubt, he was intending to go to Macan

to invest great sums of money brought by himself and the officials

of the ship, I ordered him, under severe penalties, to observe his

instructions, and not to touch at or sight the country of China. But

he, notwithstanding this edict, deviated from his straight course

and went to Macan. Contrary to the will of the commandant and the

Portuguese, and the orders of the viceroy of Yndia, he entered the

port, where they arrested him and hid his cargo. He has remained

there one year, and the expedition has been broken up. Because the

Portuguese believed that he would not return to Nueva Spana, and

because he had a crew made up of different nationalities (among them

one Frenchman and one Englishman)--all excellent sailors, and all

in rivalry--fearing lest they would become pirates, and commit some

great damage, the commandant, the cities, and the chief men wrote

to me to send for those vessels, men, and property of your Majesty,

so that no act of insolence displeasing to God and your royal crown

might be committed. Therefore I despatched a man and vessel for them,

and am expecting them now. I shall inform your Majesty of the result.

The captain from Japon, the servant of the king of Firando--a man of

worth and intelligence, and one of the chief men of that country--with

whom I discussed certain matters, told me that, although his voyage

hither had been for the purpose of becoming acquainted with us, and

opening a road from his country to these islands, his chief purpose

was to offer the king of Firando and the people of his kingdom to

the service of your Majesty; and that whenever your Majesty, or the

governor of these islands, should advise the said king of Firando

and another Christian king--his friend, by name Don Augustin--of any

need of troops for your service, they would send as many people and

soldiers as should be requested. All these would come well armed and

at little expense, whether for Burney, Sian, Maluco, or Great China

(to which country they are hostile), without asking anything in return,

for they only wish to serve your Majesty and to gain honor. This man

has under him five hundred excellent soldiers, whose captain he is,

who would come here willingly. These are his formal words. As a prudent

man and experienced in war, he gave me certain advice, and a plan for

bringing easily from those provinces six thousand men, and the method

which could be followed therein, which appeared to have no little

fitness. I thanked him heartily in your Majesty's name, for his offer,

saying that your Majesty is not now thinking of the conquest of China

or other kingdoms; and that your Majesty's object has been, and is,

to convert the natives; to preach the holy gospel to them, and to

bring them to the knowledge of our Lord, so that all might be saved;

and that for this your Majesty is spending so vast sums and sending

annually so many soldiers, weapons, and ammunition, as a protection

and rampart for the preachers of the gospel. I told him that when

it should be advisable to place this in execution by force of arms,

and if any necessity should arise, I would advise those kingdoms,

so that they could effect their good desire, and your Majesty would

be served thereby. I also said that, as so powerful a sovereign, your

Majesty would reward them as is your custom with other friendly kings;

and told him of the great advantage that would accrue to the seigniors

of those islands in recognizing and serving your Majesty. He was well

satisfied at this, and I more so, at seeing a people, so important

for the service of your Majesty, imbued with so great desire to serve

you--so that should your Majesty order an expedition to be made to

China, or to any other part of this new world, you could make use of

them. This is a warlike race, feared among all the natives, and most

by the Chinese, who tremble at their very name, because of the many

damages they have inflicted, and the experience that the latter have

of their courage and valor. I have kept this conference secret, and

ordered it kept so, in order that the Chinese might not hear of it,

as they are a very suspicious and timorous race. I have made much of

these Japanese, and am treating them with especial hospitality. I am

writing to the king of Firando in your Majesty's name, in generous

terms, thanking him for his offer. The devotion and Christian zeal

of this race is remarkable, and puts us to confusion. May God direct

it all, so that a great gateway may be opened to your Majesty for

whatever you may be pleased to do.

Your Majesty had Jaime Joan, a cosmographer, sent to this country. He

had scarcely entered upon his duties, when he died of the fever, before

he was able to complete any of the matters ordered by your Majesty.

On the twenty-third of last March, at half-past six in the afternoon,

a total eclipse of the moon was seen, which lasted until a quarter

past nine at night. Nothing else has happened this year, of which

to inform your Majesty. May God preserve your Majesty's Catholic

person. Manila, June 26, 1587.

The licentiate _Santiago de Vera_

Letter from the Manila Audiencia to Felipe II

Sire:

The two letters enclosed herewith are duplicates of those sent

last year (87) by this royal Audiencia--one on June 24, carried by

the vessel "Sancta Ana," which left these islands for Nueva Spana;

and the other dated November first, sent via Malaca, in Portuguese

Yndia. It being understood that the letter carried by the "Sancta

Ana" was lost, we beg your Majesty to give orders that this letter,

together with the enclosed copies, be attended to, taking such steps

as may be required for the good service of your Majesty here.

Your Majesty will have received the news of the capture of the "Sancta

Ana" last year, which occurred while on its way from these islands

to Nueva Spana, by an English pirate, who entered the Southern Sea

with two vessels; after having plundered the ship, he burned it,

with all the goods which still remained on board. [61] This was one

of the greatest misfortunes that could happen to this land; because

it is estimated from the investments made, and the treasure and gold

carried, that the cargo of the said vessel would have been worth in

Mexico two millions [of pesos]. The loss has caused great poverty and

distress in this city, and among its inhabitants and soldiers. To cap

the climax, they have learned anew how much harder the viceroy of Nueva

Spana makes things for this country, for he has levied certain imposts,

ordering that every tonelada of cloth shipped from here to Nueva Spana

shall pay forty-four pesos, the duty having been only twelve pesos

heretofore--an increase which is keenly felt. As the people here are

serving your Majesty without receiving any salary or pay, it seems

expedient and just that they be favored by ordering the viceroy not

to alter the regulations hitherto made, and also to allow all those

people who desire, to come freely to these lands. From what has been

ascertained, it appears that they find it exceedingly difficult and

expensive to obtain a license to come; and even the personal effects

that they bring must be declared and permission obtained for each

article. All this causes a great loss, and prevents the development

of these islands; and it is necessary, should your Majesty be pleased

to do so, that this state of affairs be remedied.

By a royal decree of May 10, eighty-three, brought here by Doctor

Santiago de Vera, president of this royal Audiencia, when he came to

establish it, your Majesty ordered that the said Audiencia look into

the matter of the three per cent customs duty imposed on goods, both

imports and exports, by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, when he was governor of

these islands; and, in case this duty be not expedient, to remove it,

or to take such measures as they deemed best. Considering the poverty

of the royal treasury of these islands, and the many current expenses

here, the Audiencia ordered that the three per cent duty continue in

force; but in order to make its payment easier, and not to harass by

this tax the inhabitants of this city and other people serving in these

regions, it was decided that the citizens and soldiers and traders

should not be obliged to declare in detail the number of pieces of

silk carried, or their length in varas--it being sufficient to state

the quality of the silk and what it had cost, so that the goods might

be appraised according to their value for the payment of the three

per cent duty. The same order obtains in regard to all the rest of the

cargo--goods in bundles, robes, and other articles--this measure being

taken for the sake of avoiding the annoyances caused at the port of

Acapulco were the officials sent from Mexico for this purpose, since

they would open the boxes and undo the packages, thus occasioning a

great deal of damage and loss to the inhabitants of these islands,

both soldiers and merchants. Now we have learned that the viceroy

has given orders that the goods of those who have not declared the

number of pieces of each article carried, and the number of varas

they measure, and a like account and calculation for everything else,

be seized and confiscated--for which purpose he has begun to send to

the port a judge, who proceeds with great rigor. We beg your Majesty

that, since this royal Audiencia was ordered by the said royal decree

to take such measures as it deemed best, and it has declared that

the inhabitants and soldiers should be relieved and favored, and has

had therein so just a reason to prevent the oppression that might be

inflicted on them, your Majesty will order the viceroy of Mexico not

to interfere in this or other measures which may be taken here, since

from such measures result so much benefit to the poor citizens and

soldiers, and to all other people who dwell in and maintain this land.

Since this royal Audiencia was established in the year 83, it has not

received any answers to the letters written, except a few decrees

which have reached it; and we are informed that all letters sent

from here are opened in Mexico and held there, so that we cannot feel

at liberty to write anything which is not examined and known there,

from which great difficulties may result. Even were it not certain

that the letters from this Audiencia are held there, we beg that your

Majesty will be pleased to give orders for their safe conveyance,

and that nothing be lacking which may be important for the service

of your Majesty. We also ask that suitable action be taken in regard

to the letters sent by individuals, because both Nueva Spana and this

country resent very deeply this interference.

Through letters received here it has also been learned that, without

any cause therefor, the viceroy orders investigations to be made

in regard to the president and auditors of this Audiencia, by every

vessel which goes to Nueva Spana from other islands, from which great

harm results to the authority of the royal Audiencia. We beg that your

Majesty will be pleased to command what shall be done in this matter,

and not permit the good name of those who are serving your Majesty

here to be tampered with in that fashion.

This Audiencia wrote to your Majesty, in the letter above referred

to as sent via Malaca, concerning the great injury done to this

country by the sale of the vessel "San Martin," sold by the viceroy

of Nueva Spana--an injury not only through the need of ships in these

islands but because it was sold with permission to make its first

voyage to Macan, and thence to return to Mexico without touching

at this city. And now it has been learned by letters from private

persons that the ship "Santa Ana," burned by the English privateer,

has been sold at public auction in the plaza of the City of Mexico,

also with the condition that permission would be given so that it

could make another voyage to Macan. If this be so, it means the total

ruin of this country; because it cannot be supported if commerce be

carried on between Macan and Mexico, and if the vessels which carry on

that trade be taken away from us. Your Majesty, if he be so pleased,

will look into the matter, and furnish a prompt remedy, as the affair

does not admit of any delay, and the welfare and development of this

country depend wholly upon such a remedy.

This year we expected to receive help in the way of people and

supplies, of which we suffer great lack, and without which this land

is in the utmost danger of ruin; but as the "Sancta Ana" and the "San

Martin" which were the best ships that we had afloat, are not coming

any more, there were no vessels that the viceroy of Nueva Spana could

send for this purpose; accordingly, he sent a vessel so small that

it could not carry any people. The necessity of this country and its

extremity are such that no carelessness may be allowed in providing

help. May it please your Majesty to command that aid be provided,

with great care.

From the Portuguese at Macan came a large vessel loaded with a quantity

of merchandise. Notwithstanding that the goods were excellent and

valuable, they were not better than those brought by the Sangleys--who,

having made so large profits during the last few years, bring now

everything of the best that their country produces. Over thirty vessels

have come here from that land, bringing so many people that, together

with those who were living here, there are over ten thousand Sangleys

now in this city. We have always received them very kindly, as ordered

by your Majesty; and they are so friendly to the Spaniards that the

"San Martin," which sailed from Nueva Spana for Macan, on arriving at

the province of Chincheo, which is in the country of those Sangleys,

was very warmly received, and they expressed much pleasure at seeing

the Spaniards in their country. The Sangleys offered to load the

vessel with anything that the Spaniards wanted; but the latter,

thinking that they would do a larger business at Macan, where the

Portuguese are in the habit of trading, did not accept the offer;

they were supplied with all the provisions that they desired, with

much show of friendship and kindness, after which they sailed for

Macan. Near that place, the vessel was lost during a heavy gale which

it encountered--not, however, until all the people and money were

saved. Nothing was lost, as your Majesty will have been notified at

greater length through some other source.

The friars of the order of St. Dominic, whom your Majesty was kind

enough to send to this country last year, have begun to gather much

fruit here, in certain houses that they maintain outside of this city,

in which they minister to the natives. They have also established

another house in the city, where they are striving earnestly for the

conversion of the Sangleys, and have even begun to preach to them

in the Chinese language. It is understood that the Sangleys are very

docile and well-meaning people; and it is expected that the preaching

will attain to great results among them. May our Lord bring them to

a knowledge of the truth, and may He allow us to see your Majesty

master of everything.

The religious came to these regions firmly resolved to live in poverty,

as do the discalced Franciscan fathers, and to live by charity; but

finding that alms were scarce, and that there was extreme poverty

in the convents which are established here, they have asked that a

gratuity be given them from the royal treasury. Since it was evident

to this royal Audiencia, as being a well-known fact, that without

such alms the religious could not be supported, or assist in religious

instruction, we gave orders, with the consent of the fiscal, that an

amount equal to that given to the friars of the order of St. Augustine

be granted them, provided that a greater amount be not given to

each Dominican convent than is given to the Augustinian friars,

although the latter have more religious in their convents. They are

very content and pleased with this order. Alms have been granted to

four religious of the convent in this city, with pledges that they

would secure the approval of the royal Council. This is a kindness

which your Majesty can do them, if you so please; it is just, and

they cannot live without it.

Your Majesty orders this Audiencia, by a decree dated January 11,

87, which has been received here, to investigate the _modus operandi_

of the fathers of the Society [of Jesus] who reside in these islands:

whether they look after the welfare of the souls of the people, and in

what districts, and what result they have accomplished, what benefit

would accrue by endowing for them a college in this city, and how the

income for it could be provided, and for what amount. In regard to

these questions it may be said that since the time of the arrival of

these fathers in the islands until now, they have not been in charge

of the souls of the natives, nor have they instructed them. Throughout

the islands they have maintained one convent, which is in this city,

where there have been generally from four to six religious. They have

rendered very good service to the Spaniards, and have always attended

very carefully to preaching and confessions, obtaining the same good

results which they are wont to secure wherever they may be. They would

do the same for the natives were there enough fathers, and if they had

charge of the Indians. Although there are so few of these fathers,

there have been and are some of great prudence, and learning, and

highly esteemed, who could do excellent work in the college which

they are attempting to open, if there were any inclination for it,

in this city. But it would be useless, at present, to open a college,

because there are in all this country no students to attend their

teaching. For this reason, the Dominican fathers ceased to give

instruction in grammar soon after their arrival here, although they

attempted it with great earnestness. The case being as above stated,

there is no necessity for a college, or the assigning of an income to

them, unless your Majesty is willing to give them something for their

subsistence. However, because of the poverty that they were enduring,

this Audiencia has already ordered that the same amount of alms be

given them as to the Augustinian religious--namely, one hundred pesos

and one hundred fanegas of rice annually to each priest, to be given

from the royal treasury. This kindness can be accorded them if your

Majesty consents, and will be of great benefit to them.

In another royal decree of the same year, dated January 11, your

Majesty orders that this Audiencia look after, and help in every

possible way, the two hospitals established in this city, and

report as to the best manner in which to provide for and remedy

their necessities. This order will be observed very carefully, as

your Majesty commands; and as in this country there is nothing with

which an income could be furnished to them sufficient for the care of

the many Spaniards who are treated there, your Majesty might order,

if you so please, that enough Indians be allotted to them to pay

to each hospital one thousand pesos, one thousand fanegas of rice,

and one thousand fowls, this amount to include what is already given

them. Although this grant may be only for a period limited to certain

years, it will be an effective remedy for the distress which they

now endure. All that the hospital for the Spaniards now has is the

income from one village, assigned to it by Doctor Francisco de Sande

when he was governor of these islands, which is worth one hundred

and twenty gold taes (equivalent to 500 pesos) a year, more or less,

and will continue for three years. This time seeming very short to

the president of this Audiencia, Doctor Santiago de Vera, he ordered

that the hospital receive this aid for six years, adding to it the

income from another village, which amounts to seventy taes, or two

hundred and fifty pesos, or a trifle more. Besides this, he also

ordered that this hospital be given one thousand fanegas of rice and

one thousand fowls; whereas for the hospital for the natives he only

ordered one thousand fanegas of rice and one thousand fowls [which

is not sufficient], and therefore great privations and hardships are

suffered by those who are being treated there.

In another royal decree of the above-mentioned month and year,

your Majesty orders that this Audiencia endeavor to maintain great

peace and harmony with the bishop of these islands, and manifests

your displeasure at some differences between us and him concerning

precedence in seats, and in regard to the mode of settling Indian

lawsuits. The whole trouble was this: the bishop claimed a seat on

the same side of the church where the Audiencia sits; and, the latter

being six or seven steps below the main altar, the bishop would have

been higher than and directly in front of the Audiencia, with his

back toward them. This being something unusual in other countries,

it was suggested to the bishop that, until your Majesty could be

consulted, he should not overstep the usual practice hitherto in

vogue throughout the Yndias, and which had until then been observed

with this Audiencia; and that he should not meddle with the decision

of the Indian suits, in matters under the jurisdiction of the royal

crown, as he had done. Since that time, as this seat was yielded to

the bishop, there has been, and is, between him and the Audiencia,

the agreement and peace and good understanding which should always

exist, and affairs are managed in great friendliness and harmony, so

that the people have always understood how much the Audiencia esteems,

honors, respects, and reverences the bishop. We beg that your Majesty

will appreciate the spirit in which this matter was settled. The aim

of this Audiencia was to maintain its own preeminence, in the desire

that your Majesty be thus better served, since it is through this

that the Audiencia keeps up the authority and respect which are its

due, especially in so new a country as this, where respect for these

offices is of so great importance.

In the letter that we wrote to your Majesty via Malaca, notice was

given of the arrival in these islands of the Dominican fathers,

informing you that it was not expedient to send any more religious

orders to this country. Of those orders already here--namely, the

Franciscans, the Augustinians, the Dominicans, and the Society--it is

very desirable that your Majesty send many religious, because there is

a great lack of instruction; and unless many of each order are sent,

the natives cannot be instructed as befits the duties imposed upon your

Majesty's and the bishop's consciences, under whose charge they are,

as the bishop will inform you in the letter that he is writing to your

Majesty. We beg your Majesty to see to this matter and provide for

it. May God preserve the Catholic person of your Majesty. At Manila,

on June 25 of the year 88.

The licentiate Santiago de Vera

The licentiate Melchor Davila

The licentiate Pedro de Rojas

Don Antonio Rivera Maldonado

Bibliographical Data

_Foundation of Audiencia_.--See _Vol_. V, p. 320.

_Royal decrees of 1584_.--The first is found in Santa Ines's _Cronica_,

ii, p. 606; the original MS. is in the Archivo de San Francisco at

Manila--pressmark, "caj. nº. 2 (dra.), leg. 1º." The second is in

the "Cedulario Indico" of the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid;

its pressmark is "Tomo 31, fol. 161b, nº. 157."

_Mendoza's History of China_.--Such part of this work as relates

to the Philippines is here presented; it is obtained from a copy of

the Madrigal edition (Madrid, 1586), in the Library of Congress. Full

details regarding this work will be given in the final bibliographical

volume of this series.

_Brief of Sixtus V_ (1586).--The text of this document is printed in

Hernaez's _Coleccion de bulas_, i, p. 530; it is also given in Santa

Ines's _Cronica_, i, pp. 524-527.

The remaining documents presented in this volume--which are translated

from either the originals or transcripts thereof--are obtained from

the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; the pressmark of each is

indicated as follows:

1. _Income of royal estate_.--"Simancas--Filipinas; descubrimientos,

descripciones y poblaciones y gobierno de Filipinas; anos 1582 a 1606;

est. 1, caj. i, leg. 3|25, ramo 16."

2. _Letter by Davalos._--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas;

cartas y espedientes del presidente y oidores de dicha Audiencia

vistos en el Consejo; anos 1583 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 18."

3. _Letter by Vera_ (1585).--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de

Filipinas; cartas y espedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistos

en el Consejo; anos 1567 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 6."

4. _Letters by Guzman and Vascones._--"Simancas--Filipinas;

descubrimientos, descripciones y poblaciones de las Yslas Filipinas;

anos 1582 a 1606; est. 1, caj. 1, leg. 3|25;" this title varies

slightly, as will be seen, from that of No. 1.

5. _Memorial of 1586._--"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audiencia de

Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del cavildo ecclesiastico de Filipinas

vistos en el Consejo ano de 1586 a 1670; est. 68, caj. 7, leg. 35." The

latter part is obtained from a MS. in the Real Academia de la Historia;

its pressmark, "Papeles de las Jesuitas, tomo 8, fol. 330-339."

6. _Letter by Chaves._--The same as No. 1, except that no ramo is

indicated.

7. _Letter by the cabildo._--"Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de

Filipinas; cartas y espedientes del cavildo secular de Manila vistos

en el Consejo; anos 1570 a 1640; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 27."

8. _Letter by Sedeno._--"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audiencia de

Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas eclesiasticos; ano de

1570 a 1608; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 42."

9. _Letter by Salazar._--"Simancas--Eclesiastico; Audiencia de

Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del Arzobispo de Filipinas vistos en

el Consejo; anos 1579 a 1679; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 32."

10. _Letter by the Audiencia_.--The same as No. 2.

11. _Letter by Rojas_.--The same as No. 9.

12. _Letter by Moron_. "Simancas--Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas;

cartas y expedientes de personas seculares de Filipinas vistos en el

Consejo; ano de 1565 a 1594; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 34."

13. _Measures regarding trade with China_.--The same as No. 10 (which

is one of the papers grouped in this document).

14. _Letter by Villamanriquez_.--Same as No. 6.

15. _Letter by Vera_ (1587).--The same as No. 12.

16. _Letter by the Audiencia_ (1588).--The same as No. 2.

NOTES

[1] Something is apparently omitted here, perhaps a statement that

the Audiencia shall make the necessary ordinance, to have provisional

force (cf. section 310); but a careful examination of the original

document fails to explain the difficulty.

[2] Andres de Aguirre was one of the Augustinians who came with

Rada and Herrera to the Philippines with Legazpi's expedition. He

was a native of Vizcaya, Spain, and made his religious profession at

Salamanca in 1532. He was a missionary among the natives of Mexico from

1536 to 1564; the rest of his life was spent in connection with the

Philippine missions, largely as an envoy for their affairs to the court

of Spain. He died at Manila (where he was then prior of his order)

in September, 1593. See sketch of his life and list of his writings

in Perez's _Catalogo religiosos agustinos_ (Manila, 1901), pp. 6-7.

[3] The symbol U was used, in accounts, to designate thousands, in

the same way as the comma, or the comma with ciphers, is now used in

numerical notation.

[4] The deposition of Juan Arze de Sadornel, which is very similar to

this, contains some further items of information, summarized thus:

"Prices are especially high when ships from Nueva Espana fail to

arrive, or when a great number of people come on them. At such

times, a jar of olives may cost eleven or twelve pesos, and a quire

of Castilian paper four or five pesos. The so-called linen cloth is

really of cotton, and is very warm and quite worthless. The Sangleys do

not bring flour made of pure wheat. Three or four years ago, the pork,

fowls, rice, and other produce of the country were sold very cheaply;

now there is great scarcity (and has been for two years) of rice

in the market, and its price has advanced from four tomins for six

fanegas to a toston for one fanega. Consequently the poor inhabitants

are suffering great distress, and cannot support themselves. Formerly a

soldier could live on 15 or 20 pesos a year; now that sum will maintain

him only one month. Many of the natives have died in the expeditions

made to Maluco, Borneo, and elsewhere; and a plague of locusts has

added to the distress in the islands. Sadornel is thirty-one years

of age, and has spent thirteen years in this country."

[5] The "old style" calendar authorized by the Council of Nice

(A.D. 325) was based on erroneous conclusions, and consequently

contained an error which, steadily increasing, amounted to ten days at

the time of its correction. This was done by Gregory XIII, in a brief

issued in March, 1582; he reformed the calendar, directing that the

fifth day of October in that year be reckoned as the fifteenth. The

vernal equinox, which in the old calendar had receded to March 11, was

thus restored to its true place, March 21. The "new style" calendar is

also known as the Gregorian, from its founder; the system adopted by

Gregory was calculated by Luigi Lilio Ghiraldi, a learned astronomer

of Naples.

[6] "And he shall be a wild man; his hand will be against all men,

and all men's hands against him."

[7] Joao de Barros, an official in the India House at Lisbon, wrote a

history of Portuguese achievements in the Orient, entitled _Dos feitos

que os Portugueses fixerao no descobrimento e conquista dos mares e

terras do Oriente_ (Lisbon, 1552), _decadas i-iv_ (incomplete). The

other historian here mentioned is Jeronimo Osorio da Fonseca, bishop

of Silves in Algarve; the book referred to is _De rebus Emmanuelis

regis Lusitaniae_ (Olysippone, 1571).

[8] Afonso de Albuquerque (born in 1453, died in 1515) was perhaps the

most celebrated among the Portuguese conquerors of India; he was the

second viceroy of the Portuguese possessions there, and founded its

capital, Goa. From his letters and reports to King Manoel of Portugal a

book was compiled by his son Afonso, entitled _Commentarios do Grande

Afonso Dalbuquerque_ (Lisboa, 1557); see also W.D. Birch's English

translation, _Commentaries of the Great Afonso Dalboquerque_ (Hakluyt

Society, London, nos. 53, 55, 62, 69, of first series). Therein may

be found a history of the events mentioned in our text.

[9] Apparently referring to the practice of sodomy; cf. a similar

statement in _Vol_. IV, p. 51.

[10] The archbishop of Mexico at this time was Pedro de Moya y

Contreras, who had come to Mexico in 1571 as chief inquisitor of

the Holy Office. On October 20, 1573, he assumed the duties of

archbishop; and in 1583 was appointed visitador (_i.e._, inspector)

of the courts, in which office he was engaged during three years. In

1584 he was appointed viceroy of Nueva Espana, surrendering this post,

a year later, to Villamanrique. All these offices were held by him at

one time. In June, 1586, he returned to Spain, where he died at the

close of the year 1591. In January of that year he had been appointed

president of the Council of the Indias.

[11] "The rumors of the occurrence of this metal in Panay and Leyte

have failed of verification. Accidental losses of the metal by

prospectors or surveyors sometimes lead to reports of the discovery

of deposits." (_U.S. Philippine Gazetteer_, p. 84.)

[12] The reference in the text is obscure as to the location of this

fort; but Morga says (_Sucesos_, ch. iii) that Azambuja commanded at

Tidore, and requested aid from Penalosa to conquer Ternate. "This

fleet, after reaching Maluco, did not succeed in its object. From

this time forward, succor of men and provisions continued to be sent

from the Philippines to the fortress of Tidore."

[13] Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa, who came to the islands as governor

in 1580, died in 1583, before he had completed the third year of his

service in that capacity. During his funeral, which was held at the

Augustinian convent in Manila, sparks from a lighted taper accidentally

set fire to the building, which quickly spread to others near by; and

soon all the public buildings and the greater part of the city were

destroyed in the flames. Before Penalosa's death, he had appointed

his kinsman, Diego Ronquillo, his successor _ad interim_ in the

government. See La Concepcion's _Hist. Philipinas_, ii, pp. 86-89.

[14] Apparently a reference to Fray de Vascones, whose letter to the

king follows this. This friar mentions himself as a "native religious"

(_indigeno religioso_), in which connection may appropriately

be cited Crawfurd's remark (_Dict. Ind. Islands_, p. 96): "The

[Chinese] settlers, whenever it is in their power, form connections

with the native women of the country; and hence has arisen a mixed

race, numerous in the older settlements, known to the Malays under

name of Paranakan China, literally, 'Chinese of the womb,' that is,

Chinese of native mothers; and called in the Philippines, Sangley,

a word of which the origin is unknown."

[15] Santiago de Vera had served in the audiencias of Espanola (Hayti)

and Mexico; in May, 1584 he came to the Philippines as president of

their Audiencia and governor of the islands. In that post he remained

six years, until he was replaced (May, 1590) by Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,

the Audiencia being then suppressed. All its members except Pedro de

Rojas at once returned to Mexico.

[16] Apparently a _lapsus calami_ for Miguel de Talavera, the name

given by Santa Ines (_Cronica_, i, p. 219) who states that his

commission was given by Monsenor Sega, apostolic nuncio; he went

to Mexico in 1580, whence he directed the affairs of the Philippine

mission during several years (pp. 226-229).

[17] The term "province" is here used by anticipation, as the

Franciscan custodia of San Gregorio was not actually erected into a

province until the following year (see brief to this effect by Sixtus

V. _post_). A custodia is a group of religious houses not large enough

to form a province.

[18] So in the text, and often elsewhere; sometimes (apparently with

more correctness) Macau. The discrepancy may arise from an error made

by transcribers, even those of contemporaneous date.

[19] This is evidently the Sangley friar mentioned by Santiago de Vera

in his letter of 1585 (see p. 75, _ante_). Perez says (_Catalogo_,

p. 21) that Juan de Vascones (Bascones) was minister in the following

villages: Calumpit in 1580, Bulacan in 1583, and Hagonoy in 1585;

and that he died at the last-named place in 1586.

[20] This friar was originally a soldier, but abandoned military life

to enter the Augustinian order. In 1576, he was appointed by Felipe

II, with two other friars, to go as an envoy to the emperor of China;

but various obstacles prevented them from going thither until 1584,

and the effort proved to be a failure. Mendoza thereupon collected

various narratives written by Spanish and Portuguese missionaries who

had visited China, and therefrom compiled (especially from that of

Martin de Rada) the _Historia_ here described. In 1607 Mendoza (then

bishop of Lipari) went to Nueva Espana, and was there made bishop of

Chiapa, and afterward bishop of Popayan. He died about the year 1620.

The title page reads: "History of the most notable things, the rites,

and customs of the great kingdom of China; gathered not only from

books of the Chinese themselves, but likewise from the relation of the

religious and other persons who have been in the said country. Made

and compiled by the very reverend father Maestro Fray Juan Goncalez

de Mendoca, of the order of St. Augustine, apostolic preacher,

and penitentiary of his Holiness; whom his Catholic Majesty sent,

with his royal missive and other things for the king of that country,

in the year M.D.LXXII. Now recently enlarged by the same author. To

the illustrious Lord, Fernando de Vega y Fonseca, of the Council of

his Majesty, and president of his royal Council of the Indias. With an

itinerary of the New World. With license. Madrid, at the shop of Pedro

Madrigal. M.D.LXXXVI. At the expense of Blas de Robles, bookseller."

[21] In this connection three Chinese characters are given, the first

to be printed in any European book.

[22] Jeronimo Marin was a native of Mexico, where he became an

Augustinian friar in 1556. Coming to the Philippine Islands in 1571,

he acquired the Bisayan, Tagal, and Chinese languages, and spent many

years in missionary labors among those peoples. Afterward he went to

Spain, where for a time he had charge of the Philippine missions of

his order; and finally returned to Mexico, where he died in 1606.

[23] In the text, Martin--evidently a misprint; accordingly, we have

corrected it to the proper spelling, Marin.

[24] Reference is here made to part i, book ii, chapter vii of

Mendoza's _Historia_.

[25] Either a reference to the few small islands which lie near the

coast of the province of Ilocos (Luzon), or an erroneous mention of

that province as an island.

[26] The author of the "Relation of the Filipinas Islands" which

appears in _Vol_. V.

[27] Alonso de Alvarado was one of the Augustinian friars who

accompanied (1542) the expedition of Villalobos; in 1549 he returned

to Spain. Again coming to the Philippines in 1571, he labored as a

missionary among the natives of Luzon. Appointed provincial of his

order there in 1575, he died at Manila in May, 1576. See Retana's

_Zuniga_, ii, p. 563*, and Perez's _Catalogo_, p. 11; the latter states

that Alvarado was the first Spaniard in the Philippines to learn the

mandarin dialect of the Chinese language, and that he ministered to

the Chinese converts there.

[28] As a result of this journey, Loarca wrote a memoir entitled

_Verdadera relacion de la grandeca del reyno de China_, etc. A

MS. which is evidently a copy from the original of this document

is preserved in the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid; its press-mark is

"J.--16, 89," and "MSS. 2902." It is possible that Mendoza, in writing

his _Historia_, had access to Loarca's work.

[29] An officer, superior to the captains, charged with the discipline

and instruction of the regiment; he exercised the functions of fiscal,

and had the right of intervention in the commissary department and

in all expenditures. (_Nov. dicc. lengua castellana_.)

[30] Pedro de Alfaro was at the head of the first band of Franciscan

missionaries who came to the Philippine Islands, and was the first

custodian and superior of that order in the ecclesiastical province

of the Philippines. In the autumn of 1579 he went to China, where he

founded a mission at Macao. While on a voyage to India, in June of

the following year, the ship was wrecked, and Alfaro perished. See

account of his life and labors in Santa Ines's _Cronica_, i, pp. 113,

120, 130-140, 160-178. As that writer distinctly states (p. 124), the

Franciscans reached Manila in June, 1577--not in 1578, as in our text.

[31] Agustin de Tordesillas was one of the Franciscans who first came

to the Philippines. At the time when he went to China with Alfaro,

Tordesillas was at the head of his convent in Manila. See account of

this mission in Santa Ines's _Cronica_, i, cap. vi-ix.

[32] Named by Santa Ines (_Cronica_, p. 108), Juan Bautista Pisaro

(_alias_ "the Italian"), and Sebastian de Baeza, this last the name

of a town in Andalusia. They left Manila on this voyage at the end

of May, 1579.

[33] The title-page of this "Itinerary," as well as some portions

of the text (notably the first chapter), are widely different in

the first edition of Mendoza's _Historia_ (1585) from the Madrigal

edition of 1586 (which we follow). See the Hakluyt Society's reprint

(London, 1853) of Parke's translation of Mendoza, vol. ii, pp. 207-209,

232. The Franciscan here mentioned was Fray Martin Ignacio de Loyola,

a relative of the Loyola who founded the Jesuit order.

The title-page reads: "Itinerary and epitome of all the notable things

that lie on the way from Espana to the kingdom of China, and from China

to Espana, returning by way of Eastern India, after having made almost

the entire circuit of the world: Wherein are recounted the rites,

ceremonies, and customs of the people of all those parts, and the

richness, fertility and strength of many realms, with a description

of them all. Compiled by the author himself, both from what he has

seen, and from the account given him by the descalced religious of

the order of St. Francis."

[34] Documents relating missionary efforts in these islands will be

published later in this series.

[35] An expression of the opinion, then current in Europe, that

the New World was either an extension of the Asiatic continent,

or separated from it only by a narrow sea.

[36] "The Philippine archipelago comprises 12 principal islands

and 3 groups, adjacent to which are 1,583 dependent islands"

(_U.S. Philippine Gazetteer_, pp. 4, 69).

[37] This paragraph, here enclosed in parentheses, is found at the

beginning of the Madrid copy of this document (see Bibliographical

Data). Other additional matter found therein will be similarly

indicated throughout.

In the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer Library), a paragraph at the

beginning of the "Memorial" states that the general junta was held

on April 20, 1586, in accordance with an edict issued (on the day

preceding that date) by the Audiencia. The assembly decided that

Sanchez should be sent to Madrid, bearing a suitable memorial to

the home government stating the needs and wishes of the colonists;

and that other conferences should be held by the various estates and

interests represented, to decide upon its contents. On May 5, the

Audiencia insisted that Sanchez should accept the office of envoy,

which he did on the same day.

[38] Here, as elsewhere in this document, we have represented by italic

side-heads the marginal notes on the original MS. They are written in

a different hand, and were probably made by some clerk of the Council.

[39] The stated times of devotion of the Catholic church.

[40] A note on the margin of the Madrid MS. at this place reads,

"or at least in Acapulco."

[41] A tax formerly paid to the government by those not belonging to

the nobility.

[42] A word used in America to signify an Indian village newly

consecrated to the Christian religion, and evidently transferred from

there to the Philippines.

[43] At this point the Sevilla MS. ends, and it lacks any signature;

there is reason to fear that the latter half of this copy--apparently,

from the marginal notes, the one sent to the Council of the Indias,

and used in their deliberations--is lost. The remainder of the

document is translated from the Madrid copy, which is fully signed

by the notables of the islands.

[44] For mention of the localities where these minerals are found in

the Philippines, see _U.S. Philippine Gazetteer_, pp. 83-85.

[45] Jesuit missionaries had already found their way into the

Chinese ports. Cretineau-Joly states--_Hist. Comp. de Jesus_ (third

edition, Paris, 1859), i, p. 402--that in 1556 Melchior Nunez visited

Macao and Canton, where he became acquainted with the mandarins;

but the repressive Chinese laws prevented him from preaching the

Christian faith. In 1563, three Jesuits visited Pekin; and in 1581-83

three missionaries of that order became established at Macao and

Canton--Michel Ruggieri, Mateo Ricci, and ---- Pazio. During 1600-10,

Ricci was a missionary at Peking, where he was greatly esteemed by the

emperor and other leading Chinese, on account of his scientific and

linguistic attainments; he is said to have been the first European to

compose works in Chinese. See sketch of his life in Yule's _Cathay_,

ii, p. 536.

[46] A somewhat blind allusion to the decline of the Portuguese power

in India, which began in the first decade of the sixteenth century,

with the conquests of Albuquerque and others (see note 8 _ante_). The

arbitrary and tyrannical rule of the Portuguese exasperated the

natives, many of whom revolted. It will be remembered that in 1580

Portugal was subjected to the dominion of Spain--including, of course,

its Oriental colonial possessions. The statement in the text evidently

means that, of the Indian states subdued by the Portuguese, many

have acquired so much strength that they have been able successfully

to resist their conquerors, and little therefore remains for the

Spaniards, who are now in possession of the Portuguese domains.

[47] The Sofi are a peculiar sect of Mahometans, organized about

820 A.D. For account of early relations and intercourse between

the Chinese, Persians, and Armenians, see Yule's _Cathay_, i,

pp. lxxxii-lxxxviii.

[48] A reference to the St. Lawrence River, then little known, but

by which, it was conjectured, might be gained a route to the Sea of

China, which was generally supposed to lie not far west of the North

American coast.

[49] This document forms part of the group "Measures regarding

trade with China;" but its subject-matter renders its location at

this point more appropriate; consequently it has been transferred

hither. The works printed in italics at the beginning of certain

paragraphs in this document are, on the original MS., written as

marginal notes--probably by a clerk of the Council of the Indias.

[50] In the original MS., section 8 does not appear--probably a

mistake in numbering the divisions of the letter.

[51] The phrase _foro_ (an old form of _fuero_) _interior_ is but

another expression for the ecclesiastical _forum conscientiae_,

or _forum poenitentiae_. The reference is to cases of conscience,

which should in this case be left entirely to the bishop's decision.

[52] This was Pedro de Moya y Contreras: see note 10, _ante_.

[53] A reference to the residencia, or judicial investigation, to

which each royal official was liable (vol. IV, p. 71, note 7).

[54] In the original, _ochenta_ only--_y cinco_ evidently omitted

by some oversight, as the date is written "1586" at the end of the

document.

[55] Alvaro Manrique do Zuniga, Marques de Villa Manrique, was viceroy

of Nueva Espana from October 17, 1585, to February, 1590.

[56] The reformed Franciscans were commonly called Observantines,

from their stricter observance of the rules of their order.

[57] According to La Concepcion (_Hist. Philipinas_, ii, p. 92),

the plans for this fort were made by the Jesuit Sedeno; and it was

named Nuestra Senora de Guia ("Our Lady of Guidance"). He adds that

the artillery was cast (at Baluarte) under the direction of a Pampanga

Indian--whose name, Morga says, was Pandapira.

[58] Considerable copper ore is found in the Philippines, in many

localities; but these deposits are little known, and have not been

worked--except in northern Luzon, where "copper ore has been smelted by

the natives from time immemorial. The process ... consists in alternate

partial roasting and reduction to 'matte,' and eventually to black

copper. It is generally believed that this process must have been

introduced from China or Japan. It is practiced only by one peculiar

tribe of natives, the Igorrotes ... Mean assays are said to show over

16 per cent of copper." See U.S. Philippine Commission's _Report_,

1900, iii, p. 235.

[59] Sulphur deposits abound about the numerous active and extinct

volcanoes in the Philippines ... The finest deposits in the archipelago

are said to be on the little island of Biliran, which lies to the

N.W. of Leyte. See _U.S. Philippine Gazetteer_, p. 85.

[60] The ancient name of the city of Kioto, which was formerly the

capital of Japan; it lies 250 miles S.W. of Tokio.

[61] This exploit was performed by Thomas Candish, on Nov. 4, 1587,

off Cape San Lucas, the southern point of Lower California. After some

six hours' fight the "Santa Ana" surrendered; her crew and passengers,

numbering 190 persons, men and women, were set ashore, with supplies

and provisions; the rich cargo--consisting of silks, damasks, perfumes,

food, and wine, with 122,000 pesos' worth of gold--was plundered;

and the ship (a galleon carrying 500 tons of goods) was burned, with

all that the victors could not carry away. Candish then set sail for

the Philippines, which he sighted on Jan. 14, 1588; but his small

force of ships and men did not permit him to do more than cruise

through the archipelago during a fortnight, when he departed toward

Java. See Candish's account in Hakluyt's _Voyages_ (Goldsmid ed.),

xvi, pp. 30, 35-45.

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