ANNO DOM. 1754.
The Administration of Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia.
Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia, a native of Ceuta, and a Biscayan
by descent, took possession of his government in July, 1754, and
as soon as he arrived at Manila, he lost no time in adopting the
regulations observed in Spain for putting the military on a more
respectable footing.
The royal regiment, which consisted of two battalions, he formed into a
corps of artillery, putting it into the state in which we now find it,
and granted to the soldiers, as well as the officers, a pay sufficient
to maintain themselves with decency, and perform their duty without
the necessity of having recourse to any other employment for their
support. He took great pains, likewise, in improving the arsenal of
Cavite, and the situation and consequence of the officers of that
establishment; in doing which he incurred the disapprobation and
ill-will of many, to whom such reform and zeal was highly injurious.
In the commencement of his government, in the month of December, there
happened a terrible shock of an earthquake, and the Taal, which is
in the middle of the Lake Bombon, in the province of Batangas, threw
out such an immense quantity of cinders, as completely to ruin four
towns which were situated near the lake, and the inhabitants found
it necessary to retire a league further into the interior. Many other
severe shocks followed, accompanied by loud reports similar to those
of contending squadrons, and the atmosphere was entirely obscured
by the sand and ashes thrown up by the volcano, so that at Manila,
which is twenty leagues distant, it was scarcely possible to see
even in the middle of day; and at Cavite, which is rather nearer,
the obscurity resembled the darkness of midnight.
I ascended, with the Senor Alava, to the summit of this volcano, but
all that we could observe was a lake, about half a league in diameter,
very deep, and containing water of a dark green colour.
The fleet which Senor Obando had despatched against the Moors was so
ill conducted, that it was found necessary to take the command from
Don Miguel Valdos, who had been sent in that capacity, and give it to
the Friar Ducos, a Jesuit, from whose conduct a more favourable result
was expected. So effectually did that father conduct the expedition,
and with such valour and prudence, that he took from the enemy more
than one hundred and fifty sail of vessels, destroyed three towns,
killed and made prisoners an immense number of people, and completely
checked the impetuous spirit of those barbarians.
These happy tidings arrived at Manila in January, 1755. Senor
Arandia gave orders that Te Deum should be sung as a thanksgiving, and
confirmed the command of the squadron to the Friar Ducos, whom he very
much esteemed, being the son of a colonel of his intimate acquaintance,
and appearing to have inherited his father's military talents.
The King of Jolo experienced from the Governor the most kind and
compassionate treatment, and he granted him his liberty, although he
continued voluntarily to reside in the fort of Saint Jago. He settled
a revenue on him of fifty dollars per month, besides six measures of
rice for his maintenance, and persuaded the Archbishop to grant him
permission to hear mass, and receive the sacrament, of which he had
been deprived.
The King was desirous of marrying a woman who had been his concubine,
and had already become a Christian. The Archbishop was not inclined to
consent; but Arandia not only removed every difficulty, but allowed him
the use of his palace, in order that the marriage might be celebrated
with more solemnity and grandeur.
These arrangements were not made without some dispute with the
Archbishop; and at the same time another circumstance, although of
no great importance in itself, proved sufficient to occasion a great
sensation in the islands.
Arandia had complained to the Archbishop, that the bells were not rung
when he entered or left the church as they ought to be, he being the
representative of his Majesty. It was in reply, the Archbishop alleged,
that no royal order existed to that effect; and these contests on
points of etiquette, added to the indisposition under which this
prelate laboured, which produced his death on the 29th of May, 1755.
The Governor continued his kind attentions to the King of Jolo, as it
appeared to him the best mode of putting an end to hostility with the
Moors. He sent thither all the Princes and Princesses, and all the
women which had been detained by them, the King only remaining at
Manila, who presented repeated petitions for release, and engaged,
in the most solemn manner, to conform to the decision of the court
of Madrid respecting the cause of his detention.
The Princes and Princesses arrived at Jolo the 5th of October of this
year, and they were well received by Bantilan, who being highly pleased
with the generosity of the Governor, promised faithfully to observe
the treaties of peace which his brother and his Ambassador had signed
at Manila. Entirely to put an end to hostilities, it was requisite to
have an understanding with the inhabitants of Mindanao. Ambassadors
were accordingly sent over, but so numerous are the petty Kings in
those islands, and so treacherous, that it was found impossible to
establish a durable peace with them. Even admitting that all the chiefs
were desirous of strictly observing pacific terms with the Spaniards,
they have so little power over their vassals, that they have never
been able to restrain them within due bounds. That kind of predatory
life having become habitual to them, nothing but a spiritual conquest
of their provinces will protect us from the persecuting spirit of
these troublesome neighbours.
The government now thought of establishing missionaries in the Batan
islands, which lie to the north of Cagayan. Formerly there had been
Dominican friars settled in the island of Babuyanes, who employed
themselves in instructing the inhabitants in the Christian duties;
but in the year 1690 they returned to Cagayan, upon the order of the
chief to quit the country. The father who conducted them immediately
established a mission in the Batan islands, about thirty leagues from
Cagayan, but after his death his companions retired, abandoning the
mission until the year 1718, at which period another Dominican friar
re-established it, fixing his residence in the island of Calayan,
to which he endeavoured to induce the inhabitants of the adjoining
islands to repair for instruction in our faith. But whatever might be
the inclination of the Batanians to become converts, only one hundred
and fifty persons found resolution to change their residence, and
of these one half died in a very little time. That island, indeed,
afforded but very few resources, in consequence of which the missionary
friar fell sick, and although a successor was appointed, the mission
was eventually abandoned.
In the year 1754 the idea was resumed, and two friars were sent for
the purpose, of which one died immediately, and the other retired to
Cagayan very seriously indisposed, but returned again the succeeding
year with a brother friar; and in order to guard against the miseries
which they had suffered the preceding year, they determined to take
with them a carpenter, who was a lay brother, for the erection of a
house and accommodations immediately on their arrival, the materials
for which they proposed to have ready prepared for the purpose. Their
zeal, however, would not permit them to wait until the materials for
the house could be finished, and fearful lest the monsoon should be
lost, they embarked without them.
They had scarcely arrived at Cagayan, when they both fell sick; two
other friars went to their aid, and they also fell sick, as did all who
followed, and it became absolutely necessary to abandon the attempt
after the Dominicans had incurred very heavy expenses to effect the
object. In the year 1783, Senor Basco again undertook this conquest;
and at length we have succeeded in establishing the Dominicans there,
who employ themselves strenuously in the conversion of the inhabitants
of these islands.
A Governor was appointed with an assistant, and great expense was
incurred in support of the establishment, as it was necessary to send
almost every thing from the Philippines, all those islands producing
little else than a species of potatoe, and some other objects of as
little value.
There is no doubt that other productions might be reared, but the rats
are so numerous that they consume every thing, and very frequently the
hurricanes destroy the seeds before they come to perfection. Every
year a vessel was sent to carry the necessary supplies to the
establishment, but as these hurricanes are very frequent, and many
of the vessels were shipwrecked, it became fully ascertained that it
would be impossible to maintain the station, and it was determined that
only the Dominican friars should remain there, with a small escort,
which was to be relieved from Cagayan as occasion might require. On
Senor Basco the title of Conde de Conquista was bestowed, as a reward
for his exertions in this undertaking; but it is very certain that if
half the money which was thus expended in Batanes had been applied in
the appointment and support of missionaries in Ylocos, Pangasinan,
and Cagayan, his Majesty would have acquired many more subjects,
and with much less risk.
It is matter of astonishment that we should have quitted the old beaten
track of employing precautionary and pacific measures for the conquest
of the Indians, and have recourse to arms and expensive expeditions,
merely because they make more noise, and appear more splendid:
a proof of the insufficiency of these appeared on the following
occasion in the mountains of the Igorrotes. In the year 1740, the
Augustine friars had delivered over to the Dominicans the missions
of Ytuy, or Ysinay, so that in conjunction with the missionaries
of Panique, who had been established there the year before, the
provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan, by the south side, might be
united. The Indians, Christians as well as Infidels, took umbrage at
this alteration in the establishments, and a kind of civil war among
them was the consequence, so that the Oidors Don Ignacio Azardun, and
Senor Rebolledo, who were then inspecting the province of Pangasinan,
deeming it necessary, sent troops to quell these disturbances. But
a few years afterwards fresh discontents on the same account arose;
and in the year 1756, many of the Christians became apostates, and,
uniting with the Infidels, were guilty of the greatest excesses. They
burnt several churches, murdered a great many of those who retained
their attachment to Christianity, and losing all respect for the
missionary fathers, they diligently sought their lives. This induced
Senor Arandia to despatch an expedition in aid of the missionaries, to
the mountains of the Igorrotes, which proved of very little effect; for
the only purpose it answered was to drive the Indians to the recesses,
from whence they again issued on the retreat of our forces. To attain
the best mode of civilizing the Indians, it is necessary to know
well their character and disposition: either from their turn of mind,
which is naturally superstitious, or because Heaven wills it so, they
are in general very much attached to the missionary fathers, and hold
them in great respect; but notwithstanding this, as may be expected,
there will be some bold enough to conceive enmity against them, and for
this reason military stations, or escorts, become necessary for their
protection. Occasionally a mutinous disposition will be shown, and a
whole multitude will declare against the fathers, from which unhappy
consequences might arise, did not the different military stations
scattered through the country afford a check to such disposition. By
means of such cautionary, rather than splendid establishments, these
islands were originally subdued, and these in many parts still exist;
but the missionaries being very few in number, it often becomes
necessary to make a journey of a whole day, when confession or other
ecclesiastical rites are to be administered. In addition to this,
they are but very poorly paid; for what is one hundred dollars, and
two hundred measures of rice, for the maintenance of a Spaniard on
these missions?
This very small stipend is insufficient to cover their expenses,
and they are exposed to every privation, without the enjoyment
of any one comfort. Of all this our magistrates are the cause,
many of them seeking various pretexts for withholding the stipends,
and even obliging the fathers to go to the capital to receive them,
as I have myself seen. Such is the misery these poor friars undergo,
that at times they are compelled to subsist on what is allowed them for
their escorts, and live without that protection, rather preferring to
be exposed to the insults of those heathens, than to perish through
hunger. The military stations are also very thinly scattered, and
the loyal Indians very incapable of imposing any restraint on their
countrymen.
If what has been expended in vain and fruitless expeditions had been
employed in these certain means of civilization, much more progress
would have been made. It is true that we never can expect such rapid
progress as our ancestors made in the conquest, because the Indians
are more enlightened. Even the Christian converts persuade them not
to be baptized, that they may avoid the payment of tribute or other
imposts. The custom, too, of one tribe revenging the murder of an
individual of that tribe upon the tribe of the murderer, very much
impedes conversion, and consequently civilization, for from hence
results the necessity of the weakest tribes changing their residence,
or forming a confederacy with others. In such case Christianity must
suffer, for the baptized Indians must always follow the Infidels
of their tribe, and be alienated from the fathers, or be exposed
to constant hostility. Nothing but the extension of protection,
and the gradual dissemination of our religious tenets, will abolish
this sanguinary custom. The Christian morality is so salutary in its
effects, as to extract vice from every heart, in which it has not
taken too deep a root.
On the 15th of May, 1757, the Holy See passed a decree, which put
an end to the controversies which existed in the kingdom of Tonquin,
between the Dominicans, Augustines, and other followers of the cross,
but it is unimportant to our purpose. Returning to the affairs of
Manila. One of the good things which Senor Arandia effected during
his administration, was the expulsion of the Chinese. He despatched
all these heathens to their own country; and in order to prevent
them in future from settling in the Philippines, he appropriated the
quarter of St. Fernando for the reception of such Chinese as should
come upon commercial pursuits, and who by the regulations established
were to re-embark in due time, with the exception of such Christians
as might be among their number, who were permitted to remain, and apply
themselves to the cultivation of the land. The Spaniards who interested
themselves in the residence of the Chinese in Manila, represented to
the Governor that there would be a want of people to carry on the trade
with the islands if they were expelled; and to obviate this difficulty,
he established a company of native Spaniards and Mestizoes for that
purpose, which, however, was found very incompetent to the task. The
Asiatics being naturally very slothful, and consequently very fond of
that kind of employment which procures subsistence without much labour,
attain their object by buying and selling such things as are raised
here, or imported from the adjacent islands for the consumption of
the capital; and as they are poor miserable creatures, each has a
very narrow and limited traffic, but there is scarcely one of them
who does not employ himself very diligently. This superabundance of
petty merchants makes the goods come very dear, because they pass
through many hands before they reach those of the consumer, and as
they turn but a very small capital, it is necessary they should each
make a profit adequate to their maintenance; from all which it may
be inferred, that far from there being too few Chinese in this trade,
their number ought to be considerably reduced.
Notwithstanding the wisdom of this measure, Senor Arandia lost much
of that esteem in which he had been held, and by this and other means
drew on him the odium of the public. By virtue of the full powers
with which he was invested by the court, he framed instructions for
the chief magistrates in the government of the provinces, in which
an open declaration was made against the regular clergy. In the
commencement of his authority he had treated the religious orders
with due attention, but hurt at the disrespect shewn to him by some
individuals, he deprived them by these instructions of their kitchen
boys, which the King had granted them ever since the conquest, and of
the servants which had been allowed them as sacristans. Not satisfied
with these injuries, he made many representations against them to
his Majesty, in which he spoke of them with very little decorum,
and in his despatches lost no opportunity of vilifying them even
in matters not at all connected with their clerical duties. The
instructions here alluded to the King had the goodness to disapprove
of, as soon as he saw them. With the Royal Audience, likewise, he had a
dispute, in consequence of his refusal to allow them military honours
during their sittings, unless he himself presided. He imprisoned
and commenced a process against the treasurer and comptroller of the
royal revenue, and treated them with great severity, because they had
communicated information to the court on some points very opposite
to his communications on the same subjects. Indefatigable in the
discharge of his duty, he formed many projects which he conceived
to be of importance to the welfare of the settlement. It was his
intention to remove the arsenal of Cavite to Port Lampon. He ordered
a ship to be built in the kingdom of Siam; but, unfortunately, in
conducting her to Manila, she put three times into China, and once
into Batavia, incurring by this means an enormous expense on the
treasury. He proposed to the King various plans for working the iron
and gold mines. He abolished the office of Corregidor of Mariveles,
uniting Marigondon and other small towns to the district of Cavite,
and forming of the towns on the opposite coast, and of others belonging
to Pampanga, the district which we call Batan. He introduced many
regulations among the troops, and for the better management of the
royal revenue and the affairs of the Acapulco ship, giving on all
occasions many proofs of his zeal for his Majesty's service, with
which he appeared animated, perhaps, to a degree of enthusiasm; and
which having been mismanaged by his favourite, Senor Orendain, had
been the cause of his being universally disliked. All these objects
occasioned so much fatigue to Arandia that he became incapable of any
kind of business, and such a rapid decline in his vital powers took
place, that on the 31st of May, 1759, apprehending his approaching
death, he took all the sacraments, and expired the following day at
two o'clock in the morning. He left a property to the amount of two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it was difficult to conceive
how he had amassed so much money in the short period of five years,
during which his government lasted; but at the hour of his death he
distributed his property, like a pious man and a Christian.
On the death of Arandia, Senor Espelata, Bishop of Zebu, entered,
ad interim, upon the government; and shortly after there arrived at
Manila the new Archbishop, Don Manuel Roxo, native of Tala, in the
kingdom of New Spain. His Majesty had promoted him from the Vicar
Generalship of Mexico to this See, ordering him to be consecrated in
New Spain. He took possession of his charge on the 22d of July, 1759,
and immediately preferred his claim to hold the military government of
the islands, which he contended belonged to him by royal order. The
four Oidors were divided in opinion; the Senores Calderon and Davila
thinking the Archbishop in the right, and the Senores Villacorta
and Galban being of a different way of thinking. While in the hall
discussing this subject, Espelata entered, delivered his sentiments
with firmness and resolution, and to intimidate them prepared the
artillery, and put the troops under arms. This determined conduct
induced the Oidors and the Archbishop to give up the point, and the
Bishop of Zebu remained in quiet possession. The first thing he did was
to revoke many orders of Senor Arandia, and to make some arrangements
for checking the Moors, who, since the year 1754, had been ravaging our
provinces with impunity. But what occupied the public attention most
in his time was the cause of Doctor Orendain. The doctor was accused
of being the cause of Arandia's mismanagement of public affairs,
and that the Royal Fiscal, Senor Viana, had been by his suggestion
confined to his house. Orendain, either through remorse of conscience,
or because he dreaded some attempt against his person, took refuge
in the Augustine convent at Tondo. As the doctor was treasurer of the
Cruzada, the Royal Fiscal took up the idea that his voluntary retreat
into a sanctuary indicated his being in debt to the Royal revenue,
and on this ground he was taken from his asylum, imprisoned in Fort
Santiago, and Senor Villa Corta was ordered to proceed against him. It
was found that he had secreted many valuable effects in the convents;
but whilst they were employed in this scrutiny, he escaped from the
fortress dressed in woman's clothes, going out in a coach, without
being recognized by the guard, and took refuge in the Franciscan
convent. Villa Corta had recourse to the Vicar General for an order
to take him out, which being refused on three different applications,
a notary and some troops were sent to take him by force. The Vicar
General declared Villa Corta excommunicated, and issued handbills
to that effect. This gentleman had recourse to the Royal Audience,
who ordered the Vicar General to absolve him, which he did by means
of the Curate of the cathedral, but only in a temporary way, and for
the space of thirty days; that is, that if in thirty days the defendant
did not return within the pale of the church, the excommunication would
again be in force. Senor Villa Corta protested against the conduct of
the Vicar General, and so entangled was this cause, that the Judges
opposed each other, and even Calderon and Davila were opposed by the
King's Solicitor, who had received briefs on the occasion, and the
point remained undetermined, some being unwilling to undertake it, and
others entertaining opposite opinions upon it. Such was the position
of Orendain's business when the royal despatches arrived, in which the
Archbishop was appointed Governor ad interim, in consequence of the
death of Senor Arandia. He took the baton of government in the year
1761, and determined this famous cause, ordering Orendain to be set
at liberty, all his property to be restored to him, and imposing on
all perpetual silence on the subject. For this decision Orendain was
indebted to his being treasurer of the Cruzada, and his Majesty was
satisfied with the issue of the business. The Archbishop administered
public affairs rather with the paternal solicitude of a father than
the rigour of a Governor, composing all individual differences,
and extending his friendly care even to the King of Jolo, who lived
in the fortress under considerable privations. He removed him to a
house in Manila, decently fitted up, and allowed him a carriage and
a sufficiency of domestics for his service. In addition to this, he
was desirous of re-establishing him on the throne; and having taken
the opinion of the principal persons of Manila, it was determined
that he should be re-conducted to Jolo, with his son Israel, and that
he should have a Spanish guard with him, in order that the chiefs of
his island might not oblige him to abjure the Catholic faith, which
he had embraced under the name of Fernando. Just at the period of
putting all this in execution the English appeared before the place,
but the importance of this event renders it necessary to be treated
of in distinct chapters.