Royal Catholic Majesty:
There has now returned one of the ships by which I wrote in the year
80. Until now no word has been received of the other ship to Nueva
España, in which I sent a duplicate report. Therefore in this letter I
shall refer to some of the most essential points which I had written,
and will give a report also of what is presented for the first time.
This country is advancing rapidly in the conversion of the natives,
and they are quick to embrace baptism and the knowledge of our
holy faith. If the harvest is not greater, it is for lack of
workers. However, the repartimientos held by the Spaniards contain
but few persons and yield small income; and thus they cannot assist
in supplying all the instruction necessary, because of the cost of
maintaining the religious. In this ship sail two religious of the
order of St. Augustine, in order to beseech your Majesty to grant them
grace in several necessary points. One is father Fray Juan Pimentel,
in whom are found many excellent qualities. Among the things that
they desire, I consider it very important that your Majesty order
convents to be built in all the villages and cities. There should be
a convent of six religious in each of the villages, and one of twelve
in the cities. May your Majesty see to it that these be provided,
from the alms which are customarily given to those who serve in the
instruction of your Majesty's towns. It is very inconvenient that for
lack of the means of support, the priests who are sent here and are
occupied in instructing the Indians, are not able to carry on their
work. If there were convents, none but the most approved persons
would be sent to occupy them, as is necessary for the result that
they strive to attain by their doctrine, lives, and examples.
It is very necessary that the friars who are sent to these islands come
directly from España, and that they have not remained any length of
time in Nueva España. As that land is so prosperous and wealthy, and
the affairs and teaching of the Indians have attained such progress,
they become much discouraged in this country, and try to return to
New Spain or go elsewhere.
As a result of this feeling, there set out in April of this year the
custodian of the order of St. Francis, with seven other friars of
this city. They sailed without my approbation in a fragata which had
been secretly made ready; and went to Macau, a town in China which is
inhabited by Portuguese. The ships from India belonging to Portugal
stop there for trade, as well as those going to Japan. It seemed to me
that God would not sanction their departure, nor would your Majesty be
pleased to have them leave this country, where there are so many native
Christians and where religious are so needed, since they had been sent
hither at your Majesty's expense, to discharge the obligations of the
royal conscience; but without my order, and at such a time, they set
out. We even yet do not know the attitude taken by your Majesty in
regard to the affairs of Portugal. I am determined to send after them,
stop them, and prevent their voyage, although there have been and
are now serious embarrassments in the way. If your Majesty does not
approve of my plans, may it be commanded that everything be carefully
weighed and considered. Three years ago four friars of the same order
made that identical voyage without permission of the governor then
here. It is not possible to check them if their superiors do not
remedy the affair. If your Majesty should order that no Portuguese
friars come hither, it would be best for your royal service.
The royal estate has advanced, and is now progressing by the means
which I have provided for its increase. Although the rents and profits
have been doubled since I came, their sum is but little, and does not
amount to thirty thousand pesos annually. This is not sufficient for
the salaries and expenses of the fleets and artillery, and therefore
the treasury remains in debt, although not to such an extent as
formerly. Everything possible is done to cut down expenses for your
Majesty, and thus a great reduction has been made therein. This has
been done with many supplies which are usually provided from Nueva
España, since I am informed that many articles which are brought
thence at great cost can be supplied here. It is a mistake for your
Majesty to think that these islands can serve the royal estate with
a considerable sum of money, for I can say that that will not be
for many years yet. But it is right that your Majesty should value
this land highly, on account of its proximity to China. Without doubt
that is the finest country in the world, since it has so many people
and so great wealth. This island of Luçon is not a hundred leagues
distant from China, and ought to profit much from the endeavors made
there by the vassals of your Majesty. It is considered just that war
should be made against them; and this and their conquest depends only
on the way in which God inclines the heart of your Majesty.
Until his divine Majesty is pleased to appoint that time, it would
be a serious error to undertake a war with the people who could be
sent from here. I have determined to occupy them in finishing the
settlement of these islands. Accordingly, the village of Arevalo--on
the island of Panay, fifty leagues from this district--has just been
settled. The land is very fertile and the inhabitants are rich. They
are almost all at peace, and the town is increasing in population
because of the good and healthful character of that country.
This year I have sent people to settle the city of Segovia in a
province called Cagayan, in this island, a hundred leagues from this
city. It is the frontier of China, and much benefit is expected from
its settlement--for it is the best-situated port, with a harbor of
greater depth, for the ships which sail in the line from Nueva España
and Peru; and it is so near to China that one can cross thence in
three days. For the sake of the future I consider it very important to
have that frontier settled. I sent for the settlement thereof Captain
Juan Pablos de Carrion, with about a hundred picked men. They go in
good order, well provided with artillery, vessels, ammunition, and
with the approbation and blessing of the church. God will be served
through them, and your Majesty as well.
In the years 80 and 81 there came to these islands some pirate ships
from Japan, which is located about four hundred leagues from here. They
did some injury to the natives. This year, as warning was received that
ten ships were being prepared to come to these islands, I have sent
a fleet to the place where they are accustomed to come. This fleet is
composed of six vessels, among them a ship and a galley well supplied
with guns. I will send later advices of the outcome. The Japanese are
the most warlike people in this part of the world. They have artillery
and many arquebuses and lances. They use defensive armor for the body,
made of iron, which they have owing to the subtlety of the Portuguese,
who have displayed that trait to the injury of their own souls.
Although I have had no letter or advices of the state of affairs
with Portugal, it seemed to me in the year 80, that we should live
with great care and circumspection on account of what might happen,
as the Portuguese are so quarrelsome, and especially if Don Antonio,
the Prior of Crato, [3] should come here. In order to try to ascertain
the state of affairs at Maluco and at Macau, the post held by the
Portuguese in China, I have sent for this purpose to the islands of
Maluco the sub-lieutenant Francisco de Dueñas with four companions. He
is well-instructed as to what course to pursue. Likewise I sent to
Macau Father Alonso Sanchez of the Society of the Name of Jesus, a
person in whom are combined many admirable traits. [4] They are going
to try to prepare and calm the people for the time when certain news
will be had of the occurrences in Portugal. They will bring back
a report of everything which has been learned there of affairs,
even to the defeat of the Infante Don Antonio. I realize that it
is necessary to be diligent in order to effect the desired ends,
or that at least I shall be informed of the conditions there, and
the forces with which the Portuguese are supplied.
The governors who have been here have used no system in making
disbursements from the royal exchequer. They have followed the plan
of spending as they saw fit and convenient to your Majesty's royal
service. I have continued in the same way because in no other manner
would it be possible to support it or make advancement. The expenses
here are for the most part extraordinary, and of small sums, as the
royal exchequer cannot allow more owing to its limited resources,
as I have already said. For expenses of considerable sums, as those
incurred in despatching fleets for our settlements, against pirates,
and in paying the salaries of corregidors and alcaldes-mayor,
the officials ask me to request an order from your Majesty. I
have no other way of complying with the obligations of your royal
service. Will your Majesty please to have an order sent me, in order
that when I consider it convenient for your royal service, I may
make payments from the royal treasury? It is not possible otherwise
to maintain your royal service. The total expenditure is but slight,
and is watched and regulated with all care.
There are several men, newly-arrived in this country, who are always
writing advices and opinions in respect to the aforesaid matter
and others. It would be best for the royal service that the decrees
despatched therefor be sent submitted to the consideration of the
governor. As we are so far away it is right, _ceteris paribus_,
in order to insure progress, that confidence be placed in the governor.
By other letters, I have already given advices of the imposition of
three per cent as duties on both importations and exportations of the
merchandise of both Spaniards and Chinese. A freight charge of twelve
pesos per tonelada is also imposed. Considering their large profits,
these duties are very moderate. For this reason, and because the
instructions brought by the adelantado Legaspi decreed the collection
of five per cent from the people of this country and seven from
the merchants of Mexico, and as the collection at that rate cannot,
in good conscience, be too long delayed, I have decided to enforce
it. Your Majesty will provide according to the royal pleasure. In my
opinion, the regulations made are moderate, just, and desirable for
the royal service.
I also gave information that I had sent a ship to Piru in the year
81. From all that I hear, it is important for the progress of this
kingdom that it trade and have commerce with the others; therefore
I am sending this year another ship, for private individuals,
to Panama. Consequently, I shall have ships sent to the principal
kingdoms held by your Majesty in the Indias and the Southern Sea. The
ship for Peru carried some artillery to be delivered to the viceroy,
among them a piece of eighty-five quintals. I decided to do this,
knowing the need there for heavy artillery, as the strait had to be
fortified. [5] I think that the artillery arrived at an opportune
season, for I have had a letter from the viceroy, Don Martin Enriques,
in which he begs me to let him know if I could supply him with heavy
artillery. I am only waiting for [the return of] the ship which
I sent a year ago, in order to furnish him with as much as I can,
for I consider that your Majesty will be thereby served.
The viceroy, Count de Coruña, [6] regrets that I despatched ships to
a point outside of Nueva España. I can well believe that he has been
persuaded to this view by the merchants interested in trade, as they
do not wish the gains to be divided. Those who consider the subject
without prejudice, however, will understand the great advantages which
might follow thereby to this country, in that people will come hither
and commerce be opened upon all sides.
The affairs of this country are improving to such an extent that
the cargo of this ship bound for Nueva España is worth four hundred
thousand pesos. It carries two thousand marcos of gold without taking
into account the large quantity of goods intended for Panama.
In the past year, 81, there came from Nueva España three Theatins;
and two priests, Father Antonio Sedeño [7] and Father Alonso Sanches,
zealous servants of God and having great erudition. They are doing
much good, and I consider them as excellent persons for this country,
and think that it would be advantageous to send more.
In some places which need defense I am having forts built, and for
them artillery is constantly being cast--although there is a lack
of competent workmen, nor are there any in Nueva España. It would be
well to have master-founders of cannon sent from España.
I am also having some galliots and fragatas built, so that I may be
supplied with vessels for both present and future emergencies.
This kingdom was thrown into great confusion by a decree in which
your Majesty ordered the liberation of all Indian slaves held by
Spaniards. This affair has caused me much anxiety; for, if it should
be immediately complied with, and put into execution without allowing
any term of grace, this kingdom would be placed in a sad state for
many good and very forcible reasons. Of these, and of the measures
which I took in regard to this, your Majesty will be informed at
greater length. Accordingly, I refer you to that report, and beseech
your Majesty that the decree be greatly amended, since this is a very
important matter.
By the death of Salvador de Aldave, who served as treasurer of your
royal estate, in place of the master-of-camp, Guido de Laveçares
(the proprietary holder, who died), I appointed to the said office
Don Antonio Jufre, my step-son. He came with me to serve your Majesty
in these islands, and I consider that he possesses the necessary
qualifications for the requirements of the office. He has fulfilled
its duties thus far; and now he has gone to the settlement of the city
of Segovia, as treasurer and purveyor of the fleet. I beseech your
Majesty to have the goodness to ratify his appointment to said office.
In my instructions your Majesty granted me the favor and permission to
obtain a repartimiento of Indians from each of the new settlements--to
be in all three repartimientos. As, to enjoy this favor, I must live
for a longer time than is assured by my poor state of health, I beg
your Majesty kindly to allow me to take one of the repartimientos
from one of the towns which is already discovered and settled, and
which is at present unoccupied; this is only that I may serve your
Majesty with more strength. May our Lord guard your Catholic royal
Majesty with increase of kingdoms and seignories, as we your servants
desire. Manila, June 16, 1582. Royal Catholic Majesty, the most humble
servant of your Majesty, who kisses the royal feet and hands.
_Don Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa_