Sire:
With the letter which your Majesty graciously sent to this Audiencia
informing it of the fortunate birth of the most serene infanta [26]
our lady, we have received the great satisfaction which should be
experienced by all the vassals of your Majesty. Since so great a
part of the grace which our Lord has vouchsafed us has fallen to our
share, measures will be taken with great care and diligence for the
arrangement of celebrations and feast-days, in grateful recognition
of so great a good, and of the obligation which your Majesty lays
upon us. [_In the margin:_ "There is no answer."]
On the twenty-third of this month this Audiencia received as its
auditors, in accordance with the commissions which they bear from
your Majesty, the licentiates Andres de Alcaraz and Manuel de Madrid y
Luna. Doctor Antonio de Morga, who was an auditor thereof, and to whom
your Majesty has extended the favor of promoting him to the place of
alcalde of the criminal court of the Audiencia of the city of Mexico,
will leave with these ships to take up the duty which your Majesty
commands and orders him. [_In the margin: "Idem."_]
Last year, the ships called "Jhesus Maria," and "El Espiritu Sancto,"
left the port of Cavite of this city. After having sailed for a long
time and encountered many hardships, the ship named "Jhesus Maria"
arrived at the said port, having lightened much of its cargo, at
sea, and having been at the point of being lost. The ship "Rosario"
(which was the flagship of their commander, Don Lope de Ulloa) arrived,
without masts and dismantled, at a port of Japon called Tosse, where
it entered at great risk. When it had come there, it appeared that
the people of that land were inclined to be friendly with them, and to
give them what was necessary to go on and continue their voyage. The
said general finding this to be so, and being prudent, as he is an
experienced mart, and one who has done his duty in all other voyages
to everyone's satisfaction, held a council with the religious and
the most trustworthy persons in the ship. It was agreed to send a
present of several articles which were in the ship, and which were
most suited to that country, to the emperor of Japon. This was put
into execution, and the present was sent to the said emperor. The
Japanese who had gathered in this port at the news of the coming of
the ship, moved by their great greed, made an attempt to seize the
ship. To accomplish this, and to keep the Spaniards from going away,
they began to close the harbor with timbers and trees. They showed
their evil designs by giving occasion to the ship's people to quarrel
with them. When the said commander learned this, without awaiting the
response, with all diligence he managed to get together the men who
were on land, and sailed from the port, preferring rather to submit
to the risks of the sea than to the grave one which confronted him
in this treachery which accompanied their departure. But when the
Japanese saw that he was going out of this port and that their design
was known, they had recourse to arms, trying to do by force what they
had not been able to do by cunning. But our men defended themselves
so well, inflicting some loss on those of that kingdom, that they
returned to these islands, which was a very fortunate outcome. Those
who were left there, not being able to embark with their commander,
have all returned on the ships which come here to trade, together
with those who took the present to the emperor. The latter say that
they were well received. [_In the margin: "Idem_."]
On the eve of the feast-day of St. Philip and St. James, our Lord saw
fit to visit this city with a conflagration of such magnitude that
before nightfall half the city had burned, including one hundred
and fifty-nine buildings, many of stone and others of wood. Among
them were the Dominican convent and the hospital for the Spaniards
of which your Majesty is patron; and almost nothing that was in them
was saved. According to the investigations which we have been able
to make, the loss will amount to a great sum. It has caused general
consternation. Great care will be taken to procure safety from these
fires, with which we have been much afflicted. [_In the margin_:
"Let this be done."]
Your Majesty commands by decree of February 16, 92, that this Audiencia
should give information concerning the expediency of having more of
the churches in these islands of stone than of wood, as the latter
decays and does not last long. Having investigated and considered
this matter, the conclusion is that, although in some parts it would
be much better to build the churches of stone than of wood, as the
materials are found near at hand, yet in other parts it would be
more expedient to make them of wood and tiles, as these materials are
abundant there and the stone is at a distance. Beside, the cost which
the stone buildings entail would generally be much more than those
of wood; and, as your Majesty's treasury here is so embarrassed, it
could not bear the cost of building expensive edifices. It therefore
seems best that the governor should continue providing for this in
the manner most convenient. [_In the margin_: "No answer to be given."]
We received another decree, of the said month and year, directing
the order to be observed in the renunciations of clerical offices,
which will be executed as your Majesty commands. [_In the margin_:
"Let it be so done."]
We have received another decree of your Majesty, of the fifteenth
of the said month and year, to the effect that cases in which your
viceroys and prelates have by common consent vacated benefices shall
not be heard in the audiencias of the Yndias. In so far as regards
this Audiencia it shall be so done. [_In the margin_: "The same."]
Likewise there were received two other decrees, in which your
Majesty demanded information as to whether it were well to sell the
offices of depositaries of this city and of secretary of the cabildo
thereof. The office of depositary is of so little importance that it
is certain that no considerable price will be paid for it. That of
secretary of the cabildo brings three hundred pesos salary--which,
as they have no other funds worthy of consideration, the cabildo
gives from its own income and property. Besides, deserving persons
are kept in the office who have served in this country, where there
is very little to reward them with. Your Majesty will order according
to his pleasure. [_In the margin_: "Let the governor appoint to these
offices only deserving persons who have served his Majesty and are
very trustworthy, until his Majesty shall have ordered otherwise;
and let him inform us concerning the person whom he shall appoint."]
Your Majesty ordered by another decree of the sixteenth of the said
month and year that this Audiencia inform him whether it would be
expedient to deposit with the royal crown of your Majesty the sum of
about twelve thousand pesos, to pay the salaries of his servants. As
this despatch arrived so close upon the departure of the ships, there
was no time to make definite answer to your Majesty's command. The
number and value of the encomiendas in these islands are not exactly
known. On the first opportunity they will be ascertained, and your
Majesty advised thereof. [_In the margin_: "Let this be done, and
let them send the information if they have not done so."]
The decrees concerning personal services of the Indians, which are
dated November 22, 602, were received in this Audiencia. In all its
district there are no Indians held to personal service except when
there is wood-cutting and the like to be done for the equipment
of ships, or when some expedition is being made for the service of
your Majesty, in which case a few Indians are taken. This cannot be
dispensed with, because transportation in these islands is entirely by
sea, and it is necessary to make levies for rowing the vessels. The
same necessity obliges the encomenderos, the religious, and other
persons who go from one part to another, to do the same thing. They
are always paid justly for their work, and thus far it is not known
that any grievance has been done them in any manner, nor have they
been left unrecompensed. Great care will be taken that affairs shall
be so conducted that they will live content, and the work be secured
without harshness. May our Lord protect your Majesty many years,
according to the needs of Christendom. Manila, July 2, 1603. [_In
the margin_: "Let it be done as they say that they are doing."]
_Don Pedro de Acuña_