Pesos tomins
All that the king receives from the Indians,
without deducting the items mentioned in the
notes on statement ii, amounts to 250,000
All that the ecclesiastical estate receives, not
including the items mentioned in the notes to
this statement iv, amounts to 432,629 6
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That which the ecclesiastical estate receives
exceeds what the king receives, by the sum of 182,629 6
It is, then, apparently fully proved that what these Indians contribute
to the king is not sufficient for the necessary expenses of their
spiritual administration; since, even without counting the cost
of the fortified posts (which serve only for the benefit of those
same Indians), it is evident that the net balance which remains in
favor of the royal exchequer, after deducting the expenses mentioned
in statement ii, is lost, through the causes which are stated in
the second note on statement iii. From this it follows: First,
that all the profit of these islands accrues to the ecclesiastical
estate. Second, that in order to aid the Indians the royal revenue
has been burdened, to the injury of other vassals, with the charge
of the royal situado which comes annually from Nueva España, in order
to maintain the forts, troops, and courts, and meet other expenses of
the royal treasury here. Third, that the latter is heavily indebted,
because the royal situado and the monopolies of the royal exchequer
are not sufficient for so enormous expenses. Fourth, that for lack
of funds the king's service is neglected, the forts are defenseless,
the provinces at the mercy of the Moros, and everything is in notable
danger of total ruin, unless suitable remedies are applied in time.
On account of this, I have established in my "Demonstration of the
wretched and deplorable condition of the Philipinas Islands," [49]
etc., the necessity of maintaining them with respectable forces, and
[suggested] the expedient of augmenting the tribute on account of the
obligation which every vassal is under to contribute to his king what
is necessary for maintaining the kingdom in peace, justice, and union,
and defending it from enemies.
Even without the necessity of increasing the tribute, I have been of
opinion, and still continue in the firm persuasion that these islands
could support themselves alone, and save to the royal revenue the
remittance of the situado. Desiring to demonstrate this truth--which
has been taught to me by the experience and continual application of
eight years--I will set forth the economies and augmentations which
this royal treasury can observe in order to supply its urgent needs,
and to support these islands more gloriously, and to the greater
advantage of the royal exchequer.