The period covered by this volume is short--only the years 1582-83,
which close the second decade of Spanish occupation of the Philippine
Islands; but in that time occur some events of great importance, and
certain influences which deeply affect early Philippine history are
revealed. The coming (in 1581) of the zealous and intrepid bishop,
Domingo de Salazar, was a red-letter day for the natives of the
islands. The Spanish conquerors are ruthlessly oppressing the Indians,
caring but little for the opposition made by the friars; but Salazar
exerts as far as possible his ecclesiastical authority, and, besides,
vigorously urges the king to shield those unfortunate victims of
Spanish rapacity. Various humane laws are accordingly enacted for the
protection of the natives; but of course this interference by the
bishop occasions a bitter hostility between the ecclesiastical and
the secular powers--perhaps never to be quieted. With Salazar come
Jesuit fathers, who establish in the islands the missionary work of
that order. In 1582 Japanese pirates begin to threaten Luzón, but are
defeated and held in check by the Spanish troops. In 1583 occur two
most notable events: one of these is the appointment for the islands
of a royal Audiencia, or high court of justice--especially ordered
by the king to watch over and shield the Indians; the other is the
opening there of a branch of the Inquisition or Holy Office. Fuller
details of all these matters are herewith given in the usual synopsis
of documents.
In a letter dated June 16, 1582, Governor Peñalosa reports that the
conversion of the natives is making good progress, but there are not
enough missionaries. He recommends that a convent be established in
every city and village; and that missionaries be sent directly from
the mother-country, rather than from New Spain, as in the latter case
they soon become discontented after coming to the Philippines. He
complains because the Franciscans have gone to China; he renews the
plea advanced by former officials for the conquest of that country, but
regards the present Spanish force in the Philippines as inadequate for
that purpose. Meanwhile, he is endeavoring to strengthen the colony,
and has founded the town of Arévalo in Panay. Another new town is being
established--Nueva Segovia, in Luzon. Peñalosa has sent an officer
to Maluco, and the Jesuit Sanchéz to Macao, to pacify the Portuguese
there when they shall learn of the change in their rulers--the dominion
over Portugal having passed to the crown of Spain. He criticizes the
administration of his predecessors, saying that they followed no plan
or system in disbursements from the royal exchequer.
The governor thinks that the customs duties heretofore levied in the
islands--three per cent on both imports and exports--are too small;
and he has decided to raise the rate to five per cent for merchants in
the Philippines, and seven for those in Mexico. He is endeavoring to
extend the commerce of the islands, and for this purpose is sending
ships with goods to Panama and Peru. He has sent one piece of heavy
artillery to the viceroy of Peru, who asks Peñalosa for more; this is
for the defense of the Strait of Magellan. The commerce between the
Philippines and New Spain is increasing. Peñalosa commends the Jesuit
missionaries who have come to the islands, and advises that more of
them be sent thither. He is building forts and ships for the defense
of the islands. He remonstrates against the recent royal decree which
ordered the liberation of all Indian slaves held by Spaniards in the
Philippines; and closes by asking some personal favors.
By the same mail which conveys the governor's letter is sent
an account of the islands and their people, written by a soldier
named Miguel de Loarca, Who was one of the earlier conquerors and
settlers there. Beginning at Cebú, as the first settlement was made
therein, he describes each island then known to the Spaniards in that
group--noting its size, contour, and population; and enumerating
the encomiendas assigned therein, the officials in the Spanish
settlements, the products of the island, etc. With this information
Loarca incorporates many interesting details regarding the social and
economic condition of the natives. After this preliminary survey,
he describes at some length the religious beliefs of the Pintados
or Visayan Indians; these vary, as held by the coast dwellers and
those of the mountains. He relates their notions about the creation
of the world and the origin of man, the condition of departed souls,
and the deities who control their destiny. Many of these beliefs are,
of course, childish, crude, and superstitious; yet some indicate
considerable imagination and poetic fancy. They have various deities,
and their priests are usually women; their religious traditions
are preserved in songs. Their mortuary and mourning customs are
described. A chapter is devoted to the institution of slavery among
these peoples--its nature and causes, and the value and status of
the slave. Their marriage customs are described at length, with the
status of women among them, the penalties for unfaithfulness, the
causes for divorce, etc. There is considerable curious information
regarding the fauna and flora of the islands. Loarca then proceeds
to relate similar particulars about the Moros of Luzon; they adore a
divinity called Bathala, "the lord of all," or Creator. His ministers,
who are deities of rain, harvest, trees, the sea, etc., are called
_anitos_, and worshiped and invoked accordingly; they intercede for the
people with the great Bathala. These Moros are governed by chiefs, who
enact and administer such laws as seem necessary for the preservation
of good order--adultery, murder, and theft being the chief crimes,
which are punished by a system of fines, or by the enslavement of
those who are without means to pay them.
The recently-arrived bishop, Domingo de Salazar, writes (June 20,
1582) to the king, imploring redress for the wrongs and sufferings
endured by the Indians, who are continually oppressed by the Spanish
officials placed over them. An affidavit made by some Indian chiefs
relates their grievances. As a result of this ill-treatment, the
native villages are rapidly being depopulated.
A letter from the royal factor in the Philippines, Juan Baptista Roman
(June 25, 1582), relates the encounter of the Spaniards with some
Japanese pirates who have raided the province of Cagayan in Luzón,
and implores speedy aid from Mexico against this enemy. A letter
evidently written by Peñalosa, although unsigned (July 1, 1582),
mentions the fight with the Japanese, and asks for reënforcements
of troops. More funds are also needed for extra expenses incurred,
and especially for emergencies which often arise in the islands.
Two papal decrees (September 15 and October 20, 1582) found the
Philippine province of the Dominican order, and grant indulgences
to those who go thither as missionaries. An unsigned document
(1582?) enumerates the "offices saleable" in the Philippine Islands;
and recommends some changes in the methods of filling them, in view of
the prevalent abuses. Captain Gabriel de Ribera addresses (1583?) to
some high official a letter complaining that Peñalosa's administration
is a bad one, and injurious to the welfare of the islands.
In the same year Bishop Salazar writes a memorial regarding affairs
in the islands, for the information of the king and his royal Council
of the Indias. He begins by describing the present scarcity of food
supplies in Luzón. This is the result of sending to work in the mines
the Indians of Pampanga, which province has hitherto been the granary
of the island. The Spaniards also compel the natives to work in the
galleys, and at many other tasks, so that they have no opportunity to
cultivate their fields, and are even deprived of suitable religious
instruction. Greedy Spanish officials have monopolized all local
traffic, and have set their own price on all provisions, from which
some have made great profits. Salazar--who has with good reason been
styled "the Las Casas of the Philippines"--enumerates a melancholy
list of injuries and opressions inflicted upon the hapless natives
by their conquerors, and urges in most forcible and eloquent language
that they be protected from injustice and treated as human beings. He
cites from the royal decrees the clauses which make such provisions in
behalf of the Indians, and claims that most of these are continually
disobeyed. The Indians held by the royal crown suffer even greater
oppression than do those in private encomiendas. As a result of all
these evil deeds on the part of the Spaniards, the Indians have come
to abhor the Christian faith, and many remain pagans; while those who
are nominally Christians are so through fear rather than choice. The
preachers who are sent to them ought to go without military escort,
and the ençomenderos should be compelled to fulfil their duties toward
the Indians in their charge.
The bishop then describes the status of the Chinese traders who come
to the Philippine Islands. Vexatious dues have been levied upon the
Chinese in Manila; they have been herded together in one dwelling,
apart from the other residents of the city; and a special warden,
with arbitrary power, has been placed over them. Besides, they have
been compelled to sell their goods at much below their value, and
have frequently been plundered; and reparation for their wrongs has
been denied. As a consequence, Chinese goods have almost disappeared
from the market, and the few articles seen are sold at exorbitant
prices. Other traders who come to Manila are also burdened with
numerous unjust and arbitrary exactions.
Salazar complains that the Spaniards enslave the Indians, and, despite
all remonstrances made by the priests and friars, refuse to liberate
their slaves. The natives are oppressed by the officials, and are
at the mercy of lawless, because unpaid, soldiers. The encomenderos
refuse to pay tithes, and the royal officials say that they have
no instructions to pay the bishop; he is thus greatly straitened in
means, and can do but little to aid the unfortunate natives or the
poor Spaniards. The governor proposes to levy an additional tribute
on the Indians; the clergy and the friars hold a conference regarding
this matter, and decide that it may reasonably be levied, in order
to support the expenses of protecting the natives from their enemies,
and of instructing them in the true religion. Nevertheless, the bishop
advises that no additional tribute be imposed until the king shall
have opportunity to examine the question, and order such action as
he deems best. The soldiers in the Philippines have left behind them
(in Spain, Mexico, and elsewhere) families whom they have practically
abandoned for many years. Salazar desires the king to order that these
men be sent back to their homes, or obliged to bring their families
to the islands. Again he recurs to the wretched condition of the
natives, and asks that suitable provision be made for an official
"protector of the Indians;" and that to this post, now temporarily
filled, the bishop may have the right of nomination. He also asks
that to the city of Manila be granted an encomienda, to provide means
for conducting municipal affairs and meeting necessary expenses. He
recommends a reward for Ensign Francisco de Dueñas, who has just
returned from an important mission to Ternate--whither he went with
official announcement of the transfer of the Portuguese settlement
there to the Spanish crown, which is peaceably accomplished. The
Franciscan missionaries who went to China have been brought back
to the islands by the governor, who forbids them to go away again
without his permission. The bishop intercedes for them with Peñalosa,
but in vain. This is but an instance of the frequent conflicts between
the bishop and the civil authorities, who hinder rather than aid his
efforts. Salazar closes his letter with advice to the king as to the
officials who ought to be sent to these islands.
A document of especial interest is that (dated March 1, 1583) which
gives instructions for the commissary of the Inquisition who is to
reside in the Philippines. Great care must be exercised in the choice
of that official; he must be very discreet in his actions, and observe
most strictly the rule of secrecy in all transactions connected with
his office and proceedings. All cases of heresy are to be referred
to the Holy Office; accordingly, no cognizance of such cases is to be
taken by bishops or other ecclesiastical dignitaries. The commissary
is warned to control his temper, to be careful and thorough in
his investigations, and to report to the Holy Office any cases of
disrespect or disobedience to his commands. Careful instructions
are given for procedure in receiving denunciations against suspected
persons, on which are placed various restrictions, as well as upon
arrests made in consequence of such accusations. The commissary is
expected to investigate various crimes, especially that of bigamy;
but he should, when possible, leave its punishment to the regular
courts. In case of any accusation for this or other crimes, he should
send to the Inquisition at Mexico all available information regarding
the accused; in certain cases the latter should be sent to Mexico. The
royal officials of justice are required to assist the commissary on his
demand, and the public prisons are at his disposal; but he may at his
own discretion select a special and secret place of imprisonment for
a person arrested by him. The prisoner is to be promptly despatched
to Mexico, to be tried by the Inquisition there. The commissary is
warned not to sequestrate the property of the accused, but to see
that it be administered by some capable person. Funds to provide for
the prisoner's journey and his food, clothing, and other necessary
expenses are, however, to be taken from his property--enough of it for
this purpose being sold at public auction. None of these procedures
shall apply to the Indians, who shall be left under the jurisdiction
of the ordinary ecclesiastical courts; but cases involving Spaniards,
mestizos, and mulattoes shall be tried by the Inquisition. Its
edicts against certain books shall be solemnly read in public, for
which procedure instructions are given. The commissary must visit the
ships arriving at the ports, and examine their officers according to
his instructions; but this applies only to Spanish ships which come
from Spanish possessions. The especial object of such visitation is
to confiscate any books condemned by the Inquisition which may be
conveyed by the ships. Doubtful cases are left to the commissary's
discretion, since he is at so great a distance from Mexico.
Another valuable document is the decree which provides (May 5, 1583)
for the establishment and conduct of a royal Audiencia (high court of
justice) in Manila. Provision is made for a house wherein this court
shall sit, and for its powers and the scope of its jurisdiction; and
instructions are given for its course of procedure in the various
matters which shall come before it. Certain duties outside their
judiciary functions are prescribed for its members; among these
are the oversight of the royal exchequer, and inspection of inns,
apothecary shops, and weights and measures. The Audiencia shall
despatch to the home government information regarding the resources
of the islands, the condition of the people, their attitude toward
idolatry, the instruction bestowed upon Indian slaves, etc. It shall
fix the prices to be asked by merchants for their wares; keep a list
of all the Spanish citizens, with record of the services and rewards
of each; audit the municipal accounts of the city where the court is
established; and allot lands to those who settle new towns. Its powers
in regard to ecclesiastical cases of various kinds are carefully
defined. Felipe orders that the papal bulls be proclaimed only in
those towns where Spaniards have settled, and then in the Spanish
language; and that the Indians shall not be compelled to hear the
preaching of them, or to receive them. Specific directions are given
for the manner in which the Audiencia shall audit the accounts of
the royal treasury, and it may not expend the moneys therein; it
shall also audit the accounts of estates in probate. Its members must
especially watch over the welfare of the conquered Indians--punishing
those who oppress them, and seeing that the natives receive religious
instruction, in which the Audiencia and the bishop shall cooperate;
and various specific directions are given for the protection of the
Indians and their interests. The duties of the officials subordinate to
the Audiencia--fiscal attorney, alguazils, clerks, jail-wardens, and
others--are carefully prescribed, as also are those of advocates. The
remainder of this document will be presented in _Vol_. VI.
_The Editors_
May, 1903.