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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898
Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and
their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions,
as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the
political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those
islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the
close of the nineteenth century,
Volume XXV, 1635-36
Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson
with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord
Bourne.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXV
Preface 9
Documents of 1635
Laws regarding navigation and commerce, 1611-35. Felipe III
and Felipe IV; 1611-35 23
Royal decrees, 1633-35. Felipe IV; Madrid, 1633-35 38
Memorial to the king, in the year 1635. Juan Grao y
Monfalcon; Madrid, September 6 48
Manila treasury accounts, 1630-35. Gerónimo de ----, and
Francisco Antonio Manzelo; August 18, 1638 74
Letter of consolation to the Jesuits of Pintados. Juan de Bueras,
S.J.; Manila, February 1 87
Letter to Felipe IV. Andres del Sacramento, O.S.F.; Nueva Caceres,
June 2 95
Letter from the Franciscan commissary-general of the Indias.
Francisco de Ocaña, O.S.F.; Madrid, June 28 98
Opinion of Council and royal decree concerning request of
Manila Jesuits for alms. Felipe IV, and others; Madrid,
July 10 100
Letter to Felipe IV. Pedro de Arce; Manila, October 17 104
Documents of 1636
Discussion regarding Portuguese trade at Manila. Joseph de
Navada Alvarado, and others; 1632-36 111
Decree extending the tenure of encomiendas. Felipe IV;
Madrid, February 1 145
Military services of Filipinos. Juan Grau y Monfalcon;
[Madrid], June 13 148
Conflicts between civil and ecclesiastical authorities,
1635-36. Casimiro Diaz, O.S.A.; from his _Conquistas de
las Islas Filipinas_ (published at Valladolid, 1890, but written
early in eighteenth century) 151
Letter from a citizen of Manila to an absent friend. [Unsigned;
Fabian de Santillan y Gavilanes?]; Manila, June 15 201
Request for Jesuit missionaries. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera;
Cavile, June 19 297
Letter from the bishop of Nueva Caceres to Felipe IV. Francisco
de Zamudio, O.S.A.; Manila, June 20 301
List of prominent ecclesiastics in Manila and the islands.
Hernando de Guerrero, archbishop of Manila; 1636 305
Bibliographical Data 321
ILLUSTRATIONS
Map of portion of Philippine Islands and other eastern islands;
photographic facsimile of original Portuguese MS. map of 1635,
by Pedro Berthelot, in the British Museum 56, 57
View of Chinese junks; photographic facsimile of engraving in
_Recueil des voiages Comp. Indes Orient_. Pais-Bas (Amsterdam, 1725)
iii, p. 285; from copy in the library of Wisconsin Historical
Society 116 Plan of the "island of Manila;" drawn by a Portuguese
artist, _ca._ 1635; photographic facsimile of the original MS. map
in British Museum 133
Autograph signature of Sebastian de Corcuera; photographic facsimile
from MS. in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla 299
PREFACE
The scope of the present volume (1635-36) is mainly commercial and
financial matters on the one hand, and ecclesiastical affairs on the
other. The paternalistic tendencies of the Spanish government are
obvious in the former direction, with various restrictions on trade,
and annoying imposts on all classes of people. The Portuguese of Macao
are accused of ruining the Chinese trade with the islands, absorbing it
to their own profit and the injury of the Spaniards. In ecclesiastical
circles, the topic of prime interest is the controversy between
Governor Corcuera and Archbishop Guerrero, ending in the latter's
exile to Mariveles Island; it is an important episode in the continual
struggle between Church and State for supremacy, and as such rightly
demands large space and attention in this series. In this and several
other documents may be noticed the steadily increasing influence and
power of the Jesuit order in the Philippines at that period.
From _Recopilación de leyes de las Indias_ (lib. ix, tit. xxxxv)
are compiled a series of laws relating to navigation and commerce,
dated from 1611 to 1635--in continuation of those already given in
VOL. XVII of this series. Married men going from Nueva España must
take their wives also, or provide for them while absent. Convents
shall not allow Chinese merchandise to be concealed in their
houses. Royal officials who may sail in any fleet sent from Spain
to the Philippines are forbidden to carry any merchandise thither on
their private accounts. Flour for government use in the islands shall
be provided there, and not be brought from Nueva España. The lading
on the trading ships to that country must be allotted more equitably,
and for the general welfare of the Philippine colonists. Disabled
or incapable seamen must not be taken on these ships; provision is
made for the protection and safety of the Indian deck-hands thereon;
and only persons of rank are allowed to carry more than one slave
each. Trade between Mexico and Peru is again forbidden; and private
persons in the Philippines are not permitted to send ships, soldiers,
or seamen to the mainland or other regions outside the islands. The
valuation of merchandise taken to Nueva España from Filipinas shall
be made at Mexico, according to certain regulations. The officers of
the trading ships shall be paid for four months only, each voyage; and
the ships must leave Acapulco by December, and reach the islands by
March. Extortion from the sailors by the royal officials at Acapulco
is strictly forbidden. The official appointed to inspect the Chinese
ships at Manila must be chosen, not by the governor alone, but by him
and the Audiencia jointly. The shipment of money from New Mexico to
Filipinas in excess of the amount allowed is forbidden under heavy
penalties. The governors of Filipinas must keep the shipyards well
equipped and provided. The ships that sail thence to Nueva España
must depart in June; and careful account must be taken, by special
officials, of all goods in the cargoes, and of all that the vessels
carry on the return trip.
A group of royal decrees and orders occurs during the years 1633-35,
concerning various interests of the Philippines. The viceroy of Nueva
España is ordered (September 30, 1633) to see that the seamen needed
in the islands be well treated at Acapulco, and allowed to invest some
money in the Mexican trade. The governor of the Philippines is warned
(March 10, 1634) to see that the lading of vessels in that trade be
equitably allotted to the citizens. The viceroy is directed, at the
same time, to send more reënforcements of men to the islands. The
moneys granted to the city for its fortifications have been diverted
to the general fund; the governor is notified (September 9, 1634)
to correct this, and, two months later, to prevent the Portuguese
of Macao from trading in the islands. Again (February 16, 1635)
he is directed to prevent people from leaving the Philippines, and
religious from going to Japan; and at the same time is despatched
a reply to the Audiencia regarding some matters of which they had
informed the king. The governor is ordered (November 5, 1635) to see
that the garrisons in Ternate are regularly changed.
Juan Grau y Monfalcón, procurator-general for the Philippines at the
Spanish court, memorializes the king (1635) regarding the importance
of those islands to Spain, which country should preserve her domain
there, not only for the service of God and the spread of the Catholic
faith, but for the increase of the royal revenues. The writer gives
a summary of the Chinese population in the islands, and the extent
of their trade; the number of Indians paying tribute, and their
products. The Spaniards of Manila are greatly impoverished by their
losses in conflagrations and shipwrecks, and need royal aid. If it
be not given them, Manila will be lost to the Dutch, whose increasing
power and wealth in the Orient is described. Especially do they request
the abolition of the additional duty of two per cent on goods exported
to Nueva España, which they are unable to pay. The history of this tax
is outlined, and numerous reasons for its abolition are adduced. The
inhabitants of Manila no longer make large profits in their trade
with Nueva España; nor are the expenses of that trade such a burden as
formerly on the royal treasury. The same results are really obtained
from the tax levied on the Chinese goods that are carried to Manila,
and this additional tax is too heavy a burden on the people. The royal
duties alone amount to twenty-seven per cent on their investments of
capital, and the costs and expenses to even a greater sum. Too much
pressure of this sort will cause the people of Manila to abandon
entirely a profitless trade; in that case the customs duties would
cease, and the islands would fall into the hands of the Dutch. The
misfortunes and losses of Manila by fires and shipwrecks must also
be taken into account, as well as the loyalty with which they serve
the crown--always ready to risk their lives and property for it, and
often loaning money to the treasury in its needs. The royal fiscal
makes reply to this document, advising the royal Council to give this
matter very careful attention, and to consider not only the need of the
inhabitants but the low condition of the royal finances; he recommends
mild measures. The procurator thereupon urges, in brief, some of his
former arguments (also citing precedents) for the discontinuance of
the two per cent duty. An interesting compilation from the accounts
of the royal treasury at Manila shows the total receipts in each
of its different funds for the five years ending January 1, 1635,
each year separately.
A letter of consolation to the Jesuits of Pintados who have suffered
so much from the Moro pirates is sent out (February 1, 1635) by
the provincial of the order, Juan de Bueras. Andrés del Sacramento,
a Franciscan friar at Nueva Cáceres, complains to the king (June 2,
1635) of interference in the affairs of that order by certain brethren
of the Observantine branch, who have by their schemes obtained control
of the Filipinas province; and asks that the king assign the province
to one or the other branch, allowing no one else to enter it. About
the same time, a high Franciscan official at Madrid writes, probably
to one of the king's councilors, promising to investigate and punish
certain lawless acts by Manila friars of his order.
The Jesuits of Manila having asked for a grant from the royal treasury
to rebuild their residence there, the matter is discussed in the royal
Council, and a decree issued (July 10, 1635) ordering the governor
of the Philippines to investigate the need for such appropriation,
and to report it, with other information, to the king. Pedro de Arce,
who has been ruler _ad interim_ of the archdiocese of Manila, notifies
the king (October 17, 1635) of his return to his own bishopric of
Cebú; and of his entrusting to the Jesuits the spiritual care of the
natives of Mindanao, where the Spanish fortress of Zamboanga has been
recently established. He asks the king to confirm this, and to send
them more missionaries of their order.
In 1632 a memorial is presented before the municipal council of Manila
by one of its regidors, representing the injuries and losses arising
from the trade which has been commenced there by the Portuguese of
Macao. It seems that they have absorbed the trade formerly carried on
by the Chinese with Manila, and have so increased the prices of goods
that the citizens cannot make a profit on the goods that they send to
Nueva España. Navada presents seventeen considerations and arguments
regarding this condition of affairs. He states that in earlier years
the authorities of Manila forbade the Portuguese to come to Manila,
for the same reasons that are now so urgent; that investments of
capital are now seldom made by citizens of the Philippines, for lack
of returns thereon; and that the royal revenues are defrauded by the
enormous losses in the proceeds from the customs duties on the goods
brought by the Portuguese, as compared with those realized on the goods
of the Sangley traders. The Portuguese are making enormous profits, and
this is ruining the citizens of the islands; moreover, they buy their
goods from the Chinese at sufficient prices to satisfy the latter,
and they misrepresent the condition and actions of the Spaniards, so
that the Chinese are prevented from coming to Manila. The Portuguese
will make no fair agreement as to prices, and some of them remain
in Manila to sell their left-over goods; and these even ship goods
to Nueva España in the royal ships, with the connivance of certain
citizens--all of which defrauds the Spaniards, and violates the royal
decrees. Moreover, the Portuguese bring from China only silks, for
the sake of the great profits thereon; while cotton cloth and other
articles needed by the poor (which formerly were supplied by the
Sangleys) are now scarce and high-priced. The Portuguese should be
forbidden to carry on the China trade; this would quickly restore its
conduct by the Chinese themselves, and funds to the royal treasury
from the increase in customs duties. Manila is the only market for
this trade, and can easily hold it. The Portuguese have even carried
their insolence so far as to attack the Chinese trading ships (for
which the Audiencia has neglected to render justice to the Chinese);
they also ill-treat Spaniards who go to trade at Macao, and deal
dishonestly with those who let them sell goods on commission. If
the Portuguese are forbidden to trade in Manila, the Chinese will
again come to trade; the citizens will enjoy good profits on their
investments, and incomes from their possessions in the Parián. This
memorial by Navada is discussed by the city council, who unanimously
decide to adopt his recommendations and to place the matter before
the governor and the citizens. The Spanish government favor (1634-36)
depriving the Portuguese of the Manila trade, and decrees are sent
to the islands empowering the governor and other officials to do
what seems best in the case. To these papers are added a letter to
the king by Juan Grau y Monfalcón, urging that the decree of 1593
be reissued, forbidding any Spanish vassals to buy goods in China,
these to be carried to Manila by the Chinese at their own risk. He
submits, with his letter, tables showing the comparative amounts of
duties collected at Manila on the goods brought by the Chinese and the
Portuguese respectively; also a copy of the aforesaid decree of 1593.
A royal decree of February 1, 1636, prolongs the tenure of encomiendas
for another generation, in certain of the Spanish colonies, in
consideration of contributions by the holders to the royal treasury;
and various directions are given for procedure therein. The procurator
Monfalcón, in a letter to the king (June 13, 1636), commends the
military services of the Filipinos, and asks for some tokens of royal
appreciation of their loyalty.
An account of conflicts between the civil and ecclesiastical
authorities in 1635-36 is taken from the _Conquistas_ of the
Augustinian writer Fray Casimiro Diaz. With this main subject he
interpolates other matters from the general annals of that time. Among
these is a relation of the piratical raids of the Moros into Leyte
and Panay in 1634; the invaders kill a Jesuit priest. In June of
the following year arrives the new governor, Sebastián Hurtado de
Corcuera. At the same time, Archbishop Guerrero begins his rule
over the churches of the islands; and controversies at once arise
between him and the governor over the royal patronage and other
church affairs. Among these is an attempt to divide the Dominican
province into two, which is favored by Corcuera. This arouses bitter
controversies, which involve both ecclesiastics and laymen and many
conflicting interests. A case occurs in Manila in which a criminal's
right of sanctuary in a church is involved; this leads to various
complications between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities,
involving also the religious orders--the Jesuits siding with the
governor, the other orders with the archbishop. The successive events
and acts in this controversy are quite fully related, the writer,
as would naturally be expected, placing most of the blame upon the
governor. A truce is made between the parties (January, 1636),
but it soon falls apart and the quarrels begin anew; they go to
such lengths that finally (in May of that year) the archbishop is
sent into exile on Mariveles Island, in Manila Bay. The cathedral
cabildo take charge _ad interim_ of the archdiocese. Within a month,
however, the archbishop is released, and permitted to return to the
charge of his diocese, but on humiliating conditions. Diaz notes
that ever after this episode Governor Corcuera was followed by
losses, troubles, and afflictions; that many of his relatives and
partisans came to untimely ends; that the archiepiscopal palace of
that time was utterly destroyed in subsequent earthquakes; and that
after the persecution of the archbishop the sardines in Manila Bay
almost wholly disappeared. Even after the prelate's restoration,
other controversies arise, which embitter his few remaining years;
and he narrowly escapes capture by the Moro pirates.
Another account of the contentions of the governor with the archbishop
and the orders is that given in a "letter written by a citizen of
Manila to an absent friend" (June 15, 1636); it is obtained from
one of the Jesuit documents preserved at Madrid. The events of
that controversy are narrated from a different standpoint than
Diaz's--defending the governor and the Jesuits, and blaming the
friars for having caused most of the trouble. The writer makes his
account more valuable by presenting various documents and letters
concerned in the affair; and describes many occurrences that do not
appear in other accounts. This letter is also avowedly despatched to
refute certain statements made by the Dominicans in their version of
the controversy of 1635-36. It is evidently written by some friend
of the Jesuits who was a lawyer--possibly by Fabian de Santillan,
whom they appointed judge-conservator against the bishop. In it is a
curiously lifelike and interesting picture of the dissensions that then
involved all circles of Manila officialdom, both civil and religious;
and of certain aspects of human nature which are highly interesting,
even if not always edifying.
Governor Corcuera writes to Felipe IV (June 19, 1636), commending the
Jesuits and their work in the islands, and asking that more of them
be sent thither, in preference to those of other orders. The bishop
of Nueva Cáceres also writes by the same mail, commending Corcuera
and complaining of the hostility displayed by the orders against the
governor, and of their ambition and arrogance. The bishop (himself an
Augustinian) arraigns all the friar orders except his own, in scathing
terms, saying of these religious: "They live without God, without king,
and without law, ... as they please, and there is no further law than
their own wills." "They say openly in their missions that they are
kings and popes." Zamudio accuses them of being "notorious traders,"
of domineering over both the Indians and the alcaldes-mayor, and of
infringing upon the royal patronage; and claims that the conduct of
the Franciscans in Camarines is such that he cannot remain there in
his own diocese. He ascribes the late troubles with the archbishop
mainly to the mischievous influence of the friars, and explains
his restoration to his see as "the act of a Christian gentleman"
on Corcuera's part. The friars in Zamudio's diocese have refused to
let him make a visitation among them, although he obtained from the
governor a guard of soldiers to protect him. He recommends that the
friars be deprived of their missions, and replaced by secular priests.
The archbishop of Manila furnishes (1636) a list of the persons
composing the ecclesiastical cabildo of the Manila cathedral; and
another, of ecclesiastics outside that body from whom might well
be supplied any positions in the cabildo which his Majesty might be
pleased to declare vacant. In each case the archbishop mentions various
particulars of the man's age, family, qualifications for office, etc.,
and of his career thus far in the Church. According to the archbishop,
some of those now in the cabildo are quite unworthy or incompetent
for such positions.
_The Editors_
April, 1905.
DOCUMENTS OF 1635
Laws regarding navigation and commerce, 1611-35. Felipe III
and Felipe IV; 1611-35.
Royal decrees, 1633-35. Felipe IV; 1633-35.
Memorial to the king, in the year 1635. Juan Grao y Monfalcon;
September 6.
Manila treasury accounts, 1630-35. Geronimo de ----, and
Francisco Antonio Manzelo; August 13, 1638.
Letter of consolation to the Jesuits of Pintados. Juan de
Bueras, S.J.; February 1.
Letter to Felipe IV. Andres del Sacramento, O.S.F.; June 2.
Letter from the Franciscan commissary-general of the
Indias. Francisco de Ocaña, O.S.F.; June 28.
Opinion of Council and royal decree concerning request of
Manila Jesuits for alms. Felipe IV, and others; July 10.
Letter to Felipe IV. Pedro de Arce; October 17.
_Sources_: The first of these documents is taken from the _Recopilación
de leyes de Indias_, lib. ix, tit. xxxxv; the second, from the
"Cedulario Indico" in the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; the
third, from a MS. in the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid; the fourth,
sixth, and seventh, from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias,
Sevilla; the fifth, from a MS. in the Academia Real de la Historia,
Madrid; and the last two, from Pastells's edition of Colin's _Labor
evangélica_.
_Translations_: All these documents are translated by James
A. Robertson.
LAWS REGARDING NAVIGATION AND COMMERCE
[The first installment of these laws is given in VOL. XVII,
pp. 27-50. The laws in the present installment date from 1611 to
1635. The method of treatment is the same as in the laws of the
above volume.]
LAW XXX
The viceroy of Nueva España shall not allow any married man to pass
thence to Filipinas unless he take his wife with him, or unless he
have permission to leave the country for a limited time, after giving
bonds that he will return within the time set; and provided he leave
his wife what is necessary for her support. In no other way [shall
he be allowed to go]. [Felipe III--Guadarrama, November 12. 1611.]
LAW XXXIII
Many religious and laymen come to these kingdoms from the Filipinas
Islands by way of Eastern India, abandoning their ministries and
employments. We order the governor and captain-general to be very
careful about applying the remedy, and that he give notice of this
to the bishops and to the superiors of the orders in what pertains
to them; and the said governor shall maintain especial watch over the
laymen so that they may not go by that route. [Felipe III--Valladolid,
November 4, 1612.]
LAW LXXII
We charge the regular prelates that they watch very carefully and give
strict commands in all the convents and houses of their orders, that
under no consideration shall Chinese merchandise be concealed or hidden
therein; and any violation of this rule shall be punished. [Felipe
III--Valladolid, August 20, 1615.]
LAW XLVI
Our fiscal of the royal Audiencia of Manila shall take part in the
allotment of the toneladas that are allowed to be distributed; and
it shall be done with his consent and in his presence. In the same
way he shall be present at the transaction of business in our royal
treasury. Nothing shall be attended to unless he be present, and he
shall endeavor to avoid the losses and injuries that may arise in
the aforesaid [his absence]. [Felipe III--Mérida, May 4, 1619.]
LAW XXXVII
If any foreigners are engaged in the Filipinas Islands in the
occupation of sailors, or if they come to Nueva España in the ships,
in the line of that trade-route, they shall not be molested, nor shall
they be obliged to make agreements. If any trouble result from this,
we order the viceroy of Nueva España and the governor of Filipinas
to advise us thereof in our Council of the Indias, so that suitable
measures may be taken. [Felipe III--Santaren, October 13, 1619.]
LAW VII
It may be necessary and advisable to send a fleet from these kingdoms
to the Filipinas Islands by the cape of Buena Esperanza or the straits
of Magallanes and San Vicente. Those who shall sail to serve us may
happen to carry in the fleet investments of merchandise, wines, oils,
and other things, and with that object undertake that voyage, and be
the cause of delay or loss to the fleet by their making a pretext of
difficulties, from which might result great inconveniences. In order
that such may be prevented, we order that when any such fleet shall
be sent, no person, of whatever rank or condition he be, shall lade
or allow to be laded in it any of the aforesaid goods, under penalty
of losing his life and of the confiscation of his property. If such
a thing happens [_i.e._, that a fleet be despatched], this law shall
be proclaimed in the port whence the said fleet sails, so that it
may be obeyed and observed. [Felipe III--Madrid, December 12, 1619.]
LAW VIII
In the fleets that shall sail from these kingdoms to Filipinas in
order to succor them, or for matters of our service, married pilots
may embark, even though they leave their wives in these kingdoms. And
because when they shall have reached the said islands, they will wish
to return to their families, and it is right that no obstructions be
placed in their way, and in that of others, we order the governors
to allow them to return and perform their voyage, and to give them
the necessary despatches. [Felipe III--Madrid, December 12, 1619.]
LAW XXVI
There is sufficient flour in the Filipinas for the supplies that are
provided there on our account. Inasmuch as that taken from Nueva
España is not so good, we order that provision of this product be
not made from Nueva España, in consideration of the fact that it is
advisable to benefit our royal treasury as far as possible. [Felipe
III--Madrid, May 23, 1620.]
LAW XLV
In the permission conceded to the inhabitants of Filipinas of
the lading-space in the ships that sail to Nueva España, it
is ordered that this be distributed according to their rank and
wealth. Notwithstanding, the governors do not make the allotment in
accordance with this order. Sometimes they give it, under pretext of
gratuities, to officers on half-pay, thus obliging the inhabitants to
buy space at excessive prices. Sometimes they allot many toneladas for
charitable purposes, in order that these may be sold, and the price
[obtained for them] be used therefor, to the prejudice of the general
welfare; this results from causing them to be sold to those who will
pay the best price for them, and merchants who have companies in Méjico
buying them--to whom a great part of the merchandise generally belongs,
to the prejudice of the citizens to whom is conceded the permission
by which favor is shown them. We order and command the governors to
observe the ordinance; and if they violate it, it will be placed as
a clause in their residencia. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 23, 1620.]
LAW XIX
The ships which shall be built for the trade between Filipinas and
Nueva España shall have and shall without fail carry their hearths
under the forecastle, and in no other part. In no case shall they be
carried above deck. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 29, 1620.]
LAW XLIX
The accommodations distributed to the officers in the ships of
Filipinas shall be moderate, and shall conform to the capacity of
the ships. The governor shall assign to each one the space which he
may occupy and fill, and he shall not exceed it. [Felipe III--Madrid,
May 29, 1620.]
LAW LI
In the enrollments of seamen which are made in Filipinas, it occurs
that a ship admits and carries sixty sailors, not thirty of whom are
of use, and in time of need there is no one to work; and there is
signal danger in so long and difficult a voyage. We order the governor
and captain-general always to provide and order that the sailors
and common seamen be effective. If our officials do not comply with
this, it shall be placed as a clause in their residencias. [Felipe
III--Madrid, May 29, 1620.]
LAW LIII
The Indian deck-hands on the ships of Filipinas shall all be from
that coast; and shall be clothed, in order to protect themselves
from the cold of the voyage. Our fiscal of the Audiencia of Manila
shall enroll, and take a memorandum of, the Indian deckhands who
shall be embarked. On the return from the voyage, he shall take
account from the ship's officers of the payments and treatment that
shall have been given the Indians. If any of them shall have died
from the causes above mentioned, complaint shall be lodged against
the guilty, until they are punished as a warning and example; and
it shall be a charge in their residencia against the said officers,
who must be obliged to give account of those Indians. If any Indian
die from sickness or accident, a report must be made of it in the
same vessel, as soon as it happens; and if they do not do that, and
the Indian dies, they shall be considered as confessed criminals,
guilty of the crime. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 29, 1620.]
LAW LV
Inasmuch as many slaves are usually carried in the ships from
Filipinas, who consume the provisions, we order and command that no
passenger or sailor shall take more than one slave, except persons
of rank, and that for good cause, and with careful restriction. And
inasmuch as the duties are paid in Acapulco on those who are sold
there, because of the inconvenience of paying them in Manila, we order
that the president and auditors of our royal Audiencia of Filipinas
provide that it be so observed and executed. [Felipe III--Madrid,
May 29, 1620.]
LAW LVII
We order that our royal Audiencia of Manila rate the amount of what
the mates on the ships shall exact in the port of Acapulco for the
guard of boxes, barrels, and other articles of merchandise. If this
be exceeded, claims may be made against them in their residencias at
the end of their voyages. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 29, 1620.]
LAW LXXVII
Some ships sail from the ports of Callao and Guayaquil to Nicaragua
and Guatemala, under pretext of going for pitch and other things, and
then often go from there to the port of Acapulco to lade Chinese cloth,
in return for a great sum of silver which they carry, practicing many
efforts and frauds. We order that under no consideration may any ships
or other vessels from the said ports or provinces of Perú go to that
of Acapulco; and that the viceroys shall order and take what measures
may be necessary so that this be obeyed and observed. They shall impose
what penalties they choose; and they shall execute those penalties on
the transgressors in a severe and exemplary manner. [Felipe IV--San
Lorenzo, October 20, 1621.]
LAW XXXVIII
We order and command the governors of Filipinas not to permit private
persons of those islands to despatch ships to Macan, Malaca, Siam,
Camboja, and other parts of that archipelago, or to take seamen or
soldiers in them; for it is advisable to have ships and a fleet ready
for the defense of Manila, which can be defended or garrisoned in no
other way; and they shall attend to the correction of this as a thing
so important, and shall give such orders as are most expedient. [Felipe
IV--Madrid, December 31, 1622.]
LAW LXIII
By reason of haste in the despatch [of the ships], the clerks of the
register are usually left, through forgetfulness, with some registers
which have been made of the merchandise; and, as the registers do
not appear, the judges condemn the goods as confiscated. We order the
viceroy and auditors of our royal Audiencia of Méjico that, when this
happens, they shall enact justice [1] so that the parties' right to
collect it shall remain free. [Felipe IV--Madrid, October 9, 1623.]
LAW XXII
The governors and captains-general of the Filipinas Islands and Maluco,
and our other judges and justices, shall observe and shall cause to
be observed all the privileges, immunities, and exemptions of the
artillerymen on that route and commerce, and of those who live at
the ports, forts, and fortifications, which for that reason belong
to them, in respect to the trade of the Indias from these kingdoms
to those islands, in accordance with título 22 of this book. [2]
[Felipe IV--Madrid, December 6, 1624.]
LAW LXXIX
We permit the viceroys, auditors, governors, royal officials, and
government agents who shall have been appointed, and who have to go
by way of the South Sea from Nueva España to Petú, and from there to
Nueva España, to take their property registered, if they swear that it
is their own and not another's under penalty of incurring confiscation
[of the same]. [Felipe IV--Madrid (?), October 5, 1626.]
LAW LXII
We declare and order that the valuation of merchandise taken to Nueva
España from Filipinas shall be made in Méjico by an accountant of
the bureau of accounts, an officer of our royal treasury of the said
city, and one of the members of the consulate of the said city. The
viceroy shall appoint them every year, one fortnight before the said
valuations are to be made, and he shall have special care in the
making such appointment. In case that there shall be any discord
between the three said persons, the viceroy shall appoint another
accountant and royal official other than the first, so that these may
meet with them. That measure which has two votes shall be adopted,
even though they be but two who are in complete harmony. And if
they should not be in harmony, and should be two to two of different
opinions, they shall have recourse to the viceroy; and the decision
of that side with which he shall agree shall be put into execution,
without reply or contradiction. [3] [Felipe IV--Madrid, June 4, 1627.]
LAW LXVII
We order all the judges and justices before whom Chinese cloth shall
be denounced as being contraband, not to condemn it as confiscated;
but to send it to these kingdoms in a separate account directed to
the president and official judges of the House of Trade of Sevilla,
so that it may be sent from there to the treasurer of our Council of
the Indias. Thus shall it be done on all the occasions that arise. [4]
[Felipe III--Madrid, April 18, 1617; Felipe IV--Madrid, March 3, 1629.]
LAW L
The commander and officers whom the governor of Filipinas appoints
for the ships sailing to Nueva España, shall not be aided with pay
for more than four months, both in Méjico and Filipinas. At the
termination of the trip, their accounts shall be balanced, and the
remainder for the time while they shall have served, and no more,
shall be paid them. [Felipe IV--Madrid, December 14, 1630.]
LAW XIII
Our fiscal of the Audiencia of Filipinas shall, according to the
settled custom, be present at the inspection of ships which is made
in the port of Manila, on those ships which come from Nueva España
and other parts; and he shall denounce those which carry more than
what is permitted. The judges who shall try the cause shall apply the
merchandise denounced to our royal exchequer, and shall punish the
guilty rigorously. [Felipe III--Madrid, May 4, 1619; Felipe IV--Madrid,
March 25, 1633.]
LAW LXXIII
In the court trials regarding the seizures of smuggled goods from
China which shall be seized in Perú, what shall pertain to the
denouncers--namely, their third part--shall be paid to them immediately
in money, provided it does not pass or exceed that ordered by laws
of título 17, libro 8, which treat of seizures of smuggled goods,
irregularities, and confiscations; and provided that the money be
not taken from our royal treasury under any consideration, but from
expenses of justice or fines forfeited to the treasury, or from
the proceeds from merchandise or other articles which generally
come with those that are contraband and outside the register, which
are not from China, or of those prohibited to be sold or traded in
Perú. We charge the viceroys to advise us on all occasions, with
specification, of these denunciations, and of the part given to
the denouncer, and in what quantity and kind, making us a clear and
distinct relation. [Felipe IV--Madrid, March 31, 1633.]
LAW XXXI
It was ordered that the ships that go from Nueva España to Filipinas
must sail from the port of Acapulco by the end of March, without
extending even a day into April. And inasmuch as we are informed
that that is inconvenient, we order that the ships be prepared with
all that is necessary by December, so that at the end of that month,
they may leave the said port of Acapulco, so that they may be able to
arrive at the said islands, at the latest, some time in March. It is
our will that this be executed inviolably, and it will be made a charge
of omission in the residencia of the viceroys of Nueva España; and,
if they do not so do, we shall consider ourselves disserved. [Felipe
IV--Madrid, August 26, 1633.]
LAW XXV
We order the viceroys of Nueva España to give the necessary orders,
and to take suitable precautions, that the provision which is made
annually for the departure of the ships which sail from the port
of Acapulco to Filipinas be made there very seasonably, so that the
ships may not be detained, or those who are to embark suffer because
of the short time allowed for departure or the inadequate provision
of food. [Felipe IV--Madrid, September 30, 1633.]
LAW LXI
Inasmuch as it has come to our notice that the agents and officials
of our royal treasury at the port of Acapulco maltreat the sailors and
others who come from the Filipinas Islands, and cause them much trouble
and vexation, by obliging them to give up what they carry, obtained
through so long and arduous a voyage: we order the viceroys of Nueva
España to have the matter examined, and the guilty punished. They
shall establish what remedy seems to them most effective, so that
like offenses may be avoided. [Felipe IV--Madrid, September 30, 1633.]
LAW III
It is usual for the governor and captain-general of Filipinas to
appoint a person for the inspection of the Chinese ships when they
come with their merchandise to the city of Manila. That person is
usually one of his household, and from it follow certain injuries,
and no one dares to demand satisfaction. We order the said governor
and the royal Audiencia of Manila to meet to discuss this matter,
and to choose a suitable person for this office. They shall endeavor
to select one fitted for this task, and acceptable to the natives
and foreigners. They shall take in this regard the measures which
are expedient, and shall always advise us through our Council of the
Indias of the person whom they shall elect, and of all else necessary
for the good of that community. [Felipe III--San Lorenzo, August 25,
1620; Felipe IV--Madrid, November 10, 1634.]
LAW XIV
We order that money from Nueva España shall not be sent to Filipinas
in excess of what is permitted; and all that is found en route from
Acapulco without a written permit, beyond the apportionment made of
the five hundred thousand pesos permitted, shall be confiscated and
applied to our treasury and exchequer. The driver who shall carry such
money shall incur the confiscation of his beasts of burden and slaves,
and a fine of two thousand Castilian ducados, applied in the same way
[as the above], and the stewards in charge of the illegal funds shall
be punished with ten years' service in Terrenate. [Felipe IV--Madrid,
January 30, 1635.]
LAW XLIII
The governors of Filipinas appoint commander, admiral, and officers
for the ships which sail to Nueva España; and in case of the death
or absence of these, they make appointments of other persons, in
accordance with the usual procedure. And inasmuch as it is advisable
to do this, we order our viceroys of Nueva España to observe and
cause to be observed what is ordained in this regard, and the custom
which has always been observed, without making any innovation. [Felipe
IV--Madrid, February 5, 1635.]
LAW XXXVI
We charge and order the governors of Filipinas to be very careful to
see that the shipyards do not lack lumber for the repair of ships,
rigging, war-stores, and food; and that they provide throughout a
sufficient supply of these articles and of all else necessary, with
careful precaution. [Felipe IV--Madrid, February 21, 1635.]
[Although the final dates of the two following laws are later than
1635, they are here included in order to keep the laws of this título
together.]
LAW XXXII
The ships which are to be despatched and to sail from the Filipinas
Islands for Nueva España shall depart in the month of June; for there
is great danger of their having to put back or of being wrecked if they
sail later. We order the governor and captain-general of those islands
to have it observed and executed accordingly. But this must be after
holding a council of persons experienced in that navigation--so that,
having heard and weighed their opinions, the most advisable measures
may be enacted. [Felipe IV--Madrid, December 31, 1622; January 27,
1631; February 14, 1660.]
LAW XLI
The overseer and accountant of these voyages shall have everything in
charge, and they shall set down and keep in their books an account of
what is laden in merchandise, and what is carried on the return trip
of the ships. They shall be chosen from persons who are well approved,
who have given satisfaction, and are trustworthy, and they shall be
given the proper and sufficient salary, which shall not exceed two
thousand ducados apiece for the voyage; for they shall not lade any
quantity of merchandise, under penalty of the fines imposed by law 48
of this título. [5] We order that they sail going and coming, one in
the flagship and the other in the almiranta, alternating in all the
voyages. The governor shall give them the instructions which they are
to observe during the voyage. Their residencia must be taken as soon
as the voyage is finished, as is done with the other officers of that
fleet, before they can sail on another voyage. [Felipe III--Madrid,
May 23, 1620; Cárlos II (in this _Recopilación_).]
ROYAL DECREES, 1633-35
The King. To the Marqués de Cerralvo, my relative, member of my Council
of War, my viceroy, governor, and captain-general of those provinces of
Nueva España, and president of my royal treasury therein; or the person
or persons to whose charge the government of them may be entrusted: the
king my sovereign and father (whom may holy paradise keep!) ordered to
be issued, and did issue, a decree (which is found at folio 163 verso,
of this same volume, number 144). [6] And now Don Juan Grau Monfalcon,
procurator-general of the city of Manila of the Filipinas Islands,
has related to me that, as is well known, there is great need of
sailors and seamen in the navigation of the said Filipinas Islands,
and that, for the islands to obtain these men it is advisable that good
treatment and [an opportunity for] passage be given to them in the
seaports; and that they be granted some means of gain, so that they
might, by reason of that self-interest, be encouraged and induced to
serve in the voyages--shielding them from the annoyances inflicted
upon them by the officials at the said ports. He has petitioned me
that I be pleased so to order, and that their chests be not opened;
that permission be granted them so that each seaman may carry up to
seven thousand pesos of investments in that voyage, in which is to be
included the quantity which they have hitherto been permitted to carry;
and that the castellan and my other employees at the port of Acapulco
shall cause them neither vexations nor injuries. The matter having
been examined in my royal Council of the Yndias, I have considered
it fitting to issue the present, by which I order you to observe
and fulfil, and to cause to be observed and fulfilled, the decree
herein incorporated, _in toto_ and exactly as is therein contained,
and that you do not violate it or pass beyond its tenor and form. [7]
In its fulfilment, you shall give what orders may be necessary, so
that care may be taken of those men at the port of Acapulco and so
that all proper facilities and despatch may be accorded them. Madrid,
September 30, 1633.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Francisco Ruiz de Contreras_
The King. To my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas
islands, and president of my royal Audiencia therein. Don Juan Grau
y Monfalcon, procurator-general of that city, has informed me that I
ordered, by a decree of May 23, 1620, that the cargo of the ships be
distributed to the inhabitants with all fairness; but that, contrary
to the orders therein contained the governors have introduced the
custom of giving a part of the cargoes to the sailors and seamen,
and to the soldiers, hospitals, works of charity, clerics, and their
own servants, as also to the auditors, fiscals, and officials of my
royal treasury, whereby the favor that had been shown the inhabitants
has been diminished. He also states that Don Juan Niño de Tavora
tried to make the said allotment, although it belonged to the city;
and that the people most needy, and those to whom there are greater
obligations, did not enjoy the benefit of this favor. He petitioned
me to be pleased to order that those decrees which have been given be
observed, since that city has served me, and always serves me with the
love and zeal which has been experienced--and lately, notwithstanding
the losses that they suffered in the flagship which sank in that port,
they gave me an offering of four thousand ducados; and that, whenever
that allotment be made, it be with the consent of my governor and the
approval of the city. By that means the complaints and dissatisfaction
among them will be avoided. The matter having been examined in my royal
Council of the Yndias, I have deemed it best to order and command you,
as I do order and command you, to observe and fulfil, and cause to
be observed and fulfilled, the things that are ordered by virtue of
decrees, and the orders that have been given, since you see how just
it is to give entire satisfaction to the parties [concerned]; and that
your measures be such that those allotments be made with all equity
and justice, preventing the quarrels and complaints that might arise
on that account if the contrary were permitted. Madrid, March 10, 1634.
_I the King_
By order of his Majesty:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña Y Alarcon_
The King. To Marqués de Cerralvo, my relative, member of my Council
of War, governor and captain-general of the provinces of Nueva
España, and president of my royal Audiencia therein: Don Juan Grau y
Monfalcon, procurator-general of the city of Manila, has informed me
that there is great need of sailors and soldiers in those islands,
and that they need at least 2,200 soldiers for the defense of those
islands--600 being assigned to the city; in the fort and redoubt, 100;
in the fort of Cavite, another 100; in the galleys, a like number;
in Cibu and Caragua, 200; in the island of Hermosa and Cagayan,
400; and in Terrenate, 600. There can be no security without them,
and although some reënforcements are sent from Nueva España, as these
are so few those needs are not remedied. It is also necessary that the
ships that sail from Acapulco to the said islands leave at the latest
by the twenty-fifth of March, because of the troubles that result
if the contrary be done. He petitioned me to order you to make the
reënforcements to the fullest extent possible, and to send annually at
least four hundred soldiers, eight hundred and fifty sailors and the
artillerymen that you can send, since the conservation of the islands
depends on them. The matter having been examined in my Council of
War of the Yndias, I have considered it fitting to give the present,
by which I charge and order you to fulfil in both matters the commands
of my decrees in this regard. Madrid, March 10, 1634.
_I the King_
By order of his Majesty:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
The King. To Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, knight of the Order of
Alcantara, my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands,
and president of my royal Audiencia resident therein, or the person
or persons in whose charge their government may be: Don Juan Grau y
Monfalcon, procurator-general of that city, has informed me that that
said city has been granted, for its fortification, the proceeds of
the income from the monopoly on playing-cards and other articles, and
that the money that has been received from those sources was always
paid into the fortification fund; but that, in violation of that,
Don Juan Niño de Tabora, my former governor of those islands, ordered
that the said sums be placed in my royal treasury, as was done. On
that account, the money that is so necessary for the different works,
the repairs, and fortifications that arise daily, is lacking. He says
that the city having petitioned the governor to have the sums that
belonged to the said fund returned, he refused to comply; but on the
contrary ordered that the city furnish, from its communal property,
all that was thus placed in my royal treasury. He petitioned me to
be pleased to have my royal decree issued ordering that no room be
given for such innovation, that the city and its council might spend
and distribute their communal funds freely, as they have always done,
since that pertains to the city; and that the kinds of income that
have been customary in the past be placed therein and in no other
fund. The matter having been examined in my royal Council of the
Yndias, I have considered it fitting to give the present, by which
I order you to cause to be observed and fulfilled exactly the orders
that were given and commanded in this regard before the said Don Juan
Niño de Tavora made this innovation. Madrid, September 9, 1634.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
The King. To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia of the
Filipinas Islands: Don Juan Gran y Monfalcon, procurator-general of
that city, has reported to me that the Portuguese nation who are living
in Eastern Yndia have attempted trade and commerce with those islands,
to the detriment of the Sangleys who go to sell their merchandise
at that city; and that that intercourse was already established,
contrary to the orders and decrees that have been given, to the
very great damage and prejudice of my royal treasury and the good
government of the islands. He petitioned me to be pleased to have a
speedy and efficacious remedy applied to so grave a matter and one
of so great importance. All the papers that were presented in regard
to this matter, together with what my fiscal declared and alleged
therein, having been examined in my royal Council of the Yndias, I
have considered it fitting to send you a copy of them so that you may
examine them; and, should the relation made therein appear to you to
be correct, you shall immediately apply the remedy for this injury. By
another decree, [8] I order my fiscal of my Audiencia there to take
up that case, and to plead all that he shall deem advisable for the
advantage and increase of my royal treasury, and the observance of
the orders and decrees that have been issued, since that pertains to
him by reason of his office. You shall continue to advise me of all
steps that you shall take, and of what you shall do in the future,
in this matter. Madrid, November 10, 1634.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
The King. To Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, whom I have appointed
as my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands,
and president of my royal Audiencia therein: a letter which was
written to me under date of the former year 633, by Don Juan Cerezo de
Salamanca, my governor _ad interim_ of the said islands, on a matter of
government, has been received by my royal Council of the Yndias, and
answer is given in this present letter. He says that the relationship
with Japon has been destroyed because the Dutch have angered that
king by their accustomed trickery, under pretext of the religious
who have preached--by reason of which, fearful of new conquests, all
his oldtime friendship has been converted in those parts into hatred,
and he makes use of severe methods with the Catholics--and that many
of the said religious who have gone to that kingdom have acted with
some imprudence, causing more trouble than gain. For the remedy of
that, he considers it advisable to charge the provincials not to
grant such licenses. Notwithstanding that that has been commanded on
other occasions, as you will understand by the decrees that have been
issued, it has seemed best to me to advise you of it, so that you may
pay heed to this matter, and so that you may take such measures as are
most advisable for my service and the conservation of those islands.
He also advises us that there is a lack of people in those islands,
and that their inhabitants are decreasing in number by reason of
the unhealthful climate; and that it would be important to provide a
remedy for that, because of the need for it. I charge you to avoid,
as far as possible, the giving of passports for granting passage from
the islands. The viceroy of Nueva España is ordered to have a care
in this, and to send more people than is his regular custom. Madrid,
February 16, 1635.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
The King. To the auditors of my royal Audiencia of the Filipinas
Islands: the letter which you wrote me under date of August 8 of the
former year 1633 has been received and examined in my royal Council
of the Yndias, and answer is made to you in this present letter.
The reformation that you have made in the licenses that were given by
the government for rice-wine stills, in which so great a quantity of
rice was consumed, is well advised for the present, as it is beneficial
to the common welfare; and if you shall encounter any difficulties
in regard to this in the future, you shall advise me of them.
You say that when that Audiencia was governing because of the death of
Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, they began to introduce the inspection
of the prisons of the Parián and of Tondo, on the Saturday of each
week, as they are very near that city. Afterward in the time of
the other governors, that custom was dropped, as they thought that
it deprived them of some of their gubernatorial powers. As it is
advisable that more attention be given to the alcaldes-mayor, and
that certain annoyances to the prisoners be avoided, the said visits
were continued, as they were so advisable to the service of God our
Lord and to my own. I charge you to continue them for the present,
if there is no disadvantage to prevent it.
The efforts that you have made in regard to the building of a galleon
that is being constructed, in the province of Camarines, have met
my approval.
As for the encomenderos who may have recourse to that Audiencia beyond
the limits of its commission, whose encomiendas were declared vacant
by the visitor, as they had failed to secure their confirmations
within the specified time, justice will be done to the parties when
they come to ask for what is necessary for them.
In regard to the allotment of the lading-space in the ships, that
you made to the inhabitants of that city, in accordance with the
agreement that was made for that purpose, it is approved. Madrid,
February 16, 1635.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
The King. To Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, knight of the Order of
Alcantara, my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands,
and president of my royal Audiencia therein: I have been informed
that the reënforcements for Terrenate are the matters that give most
anxiety to those who serve me in that government, and that these are
made at great risk and at great expense to my treasury; that that
of the former year 1632 had gone there in very creditable manner,
because it was carried by a fortified ship, which could act defensively
and offensively against the Dutch; that on account of the information
received that the enemy was preparing to await with greater forces the
ship that was to sail in the year 633, the reënforcements were prepared
in two war galleons; that, in the future, the attempt would be made
to send all the reënforcements with two entire infantry companies,
so that two other companies could return thence--by which method [the
garrison of] that presidio will be changed every three years, and all
the companies of the army will share the work equally; and that it was
advisable for my service that I order you to do this with exactness,
since trouble arises by sending parts of companies, as only the
favored ones leave that presidio, and by exchanging entire companies
all will enjoy the privilege of all the aforesaid. Accordingly, I have
thought best to order and command you, as I do order and command you,
to see to it that remnants of companies are not sent to Terrenate;
but that entire companies go, in the form and manner herein contained,
so that entire companies of those who are exchanged may return. You
shall advise me of whatever you shall enact in this matter. Madrid,
November 5, 1635.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña Y Alarcon_
MEMORIAL TO THE KING BY JUAN GRAO Y MONFALCON IN THE YEAR 1635
_The procurator-general of the city of Manila and the Philipinas
Islands, to his Majesty. He considers the reasons why it is advisable
to pay careful attention to the preservation of those islands; and
entreats his Majesty to have the collection of the two per cent duty
recently imposed on merchandise shipped for the commerce of Nueva
España discontinued._
Sire:
Don Juan Grao y Monfalcon, procurator-general for the distinguished
and loyal city of Manila, the metropolis and capital of the Filipinas
Islands, declares that the preservation and protection of these islands
are of the utmost consideration and importance, and deserve the most
careful attention, on account of the great advantages and profits
which they afford--to say nothing of the principal consideration,
namely, the service of God, and the propagation of religion and the
Catholic faith. In the aforesaid city and in the other islands that
faith is established, and will steadily become stronger, increasing and
spreading not only among those but other and neighboring islands. This
is especially true in Great China and Japon, which from continual
intercourse and friendly relations with the said Filipinas Islands
may--if the Christian faith is preserved and permanently maintained
in the latter, and as deeply rooted and as pure and constant as at
present--look, in the said matter of religion, for felicitous and
great results. The same [may be said] for what concerns the service
of your Majesty, and the profitable and advantageous increase of the
royal estate, since even the profits which your Majesty at present
enjoys and possesses in the said city and the other islands are many,
and of great importance. For in one village alone, which they call
Parián, an arquebus-shot from the said city [of Manila], more than
twenty thousand Chinese Indians called Sangleys, and in the other
islands over ten thousand more, have all come from Great China and
Japon for their own private affairs and interests. It is they who
build up and maintain the greater part of the traffic and commerce
of the islands. From that result the trade with Nueva España, and
the ships which sail thither annually, laden with many different
kinds of merchandise (carried [to Manila] and bartered by the said
Sangleys)--such as much gold (wrought, and in sheets); diamonds,
rubies, and other gems, besides a great quantity of pearls; many silk
textiles of all colors--taffetas, damasks, satins, silk grograms,
and velvets--and raw silk; a quantity of white and black cotton cloth;
amber, civet, musk, and storax. Thence arises annually great gain to
the royal treasury, on account of the many considerable duties which
are paid and collected--both when the ships leave the said city of
Manila, and their islands and ports, and in that of Acapulco; and
later, when they enter Nueva España and the City of Mexico. There,
when the ships leave for the said Filipinas, the duties are doubled,
as well as in the said port of Acapulco, by those duties anew incurred
and paid, the [trade of the] said Sangleys being a great part in
this receipt [_adquisicion_]. Of no less consideration is the tribute
which the Sangleys pay to the royal treasury for their license, and
right of entrance and residence in the said village of the Parián,
and in the other islands where they reside. Since the said Sangleys
number thirty [thousand], they pay in most years an annual sum of two
hundred and seventy thousand reals of eight (which means nine reals of
eight for each license), which are placed in the royal treasury. In
the islands of Pintados and other islands which belong to the said
Filipinas, there are one hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and
seventeen Indians, all paying tribute to the royal treasury. Their
conservation is very necessary, as they are no longer wild and are
excellent workmen, and for that reason are people of utility and
profit for any occasion that may arise--especially as there are also
many gold mines in the said islands, whence is obtained a quantity
of gold. There are also other fruits of the land in great abundance,
especially wax, cotton, large cattle, swine, fowls, rice, and civet,
besides other innumerable products and means of gain. All of this
tells and publishes the great importance of the said city and its
islands, and of their preservation; and the many incomparable wrongs
which would follow if the said city, the capital of the others, were
to become depopulated, ruined, or destroyed. It is very near to that,
because of the great and continual misfortunes and disasters which the
inhabitants of it have suffered and are suffering, caused by fires
that have destroyed almost the entire city and the property of the
said inhabitants, and the shipwreck and loss of many different vessels,
which have been miserably wrecked during the usual voyage from the said
city to Nueva España, with the destruction of the goods and wealth of
the said inhabitants which are carried in the ships. The effects from
so many and so large losses last and will last always; for those losses
have ruined and impoverished the inhabitants to a degree very different
from what one can imagine and explain. Consequently, if the generosity,
magnificence, and powerful hand of your Majesty do not protect it,
one can and must fear the very certain ruin and destruction of the
said city and of the other islands, which are under its government
and protection. From that [ruin] will follow great and intolerable
disadvantages and losses to the disservice of the royal crown, the
loss of that land and community, and (what is most reprehensible)
that of religion and the Catholic faith. Although this is so deeply
rooted in the said city and in the other islands, it would be lost,
if the Dutch gained possession of Manila, as they have done of
many neighboring islands and forts: namely, the island of Motiel;
that of Maquien, where the Dutch have two forts, named Talagora and
Mosaquia; the island of Ambueno, where the above-mentioned people
are fortified with considerable artillery and a Dutch population;
that of Xacadra, where the said Dutchmen have their capital and where
a captain-general and an Audiencia composed of four auditors reside,
and a settlement and population of one thousand Dutch inhabitants;
the islands of Xaba Major and Minor, and that of Mindanao. In some
of those islands they have established their factories, where they
collect what they pillage, and [carry on] their trade with the Chinese
and other nations. They gather in the said islands (whose products
consist of cloves, pepper, and nutmeg) an exceedingly great quantity
[of this produce], for which three ships are annually despatched
to Olanda, laden with more than three thousand five hundred and
fifty valas [_i.e., bares_ = bahars] of cloves (each vale [_sic_]
containing four hundred and sixty libras), with a great quantity of
pepper, and of the said nutmeg and its mace; also silks, cinnamon,
and other products. Hence they are extremely well fortified in the
said islands, as well as in others, as they have an understanding
with the surrounding kings. For the king of Daquen gives them eighty
thousand ducados annually in order to have them protect his country,
and so that his vassals may go and navigate safely in those straits on
their trade and traffic with the islands surrounding his kingdom. All
of that obliges the said city of Manila and its other islands to be
more watchful and to maintain larger forces and supplies. For were
there neglect in this, the power and invasion of the said Dutch,
who have so frequented and learned the said straits (of which they
have so thoroughly taken possession and with so many forces, as above
narrated), could be feared.
Although the said city and its inhabitants have been and are always
very careful and vigilant (as is very well known); defending,
at the cost of their lives and goods, the land from the incessant
bombardments, surprises, and attacks of the said Dutch, with the
forced obligation of very generally keeping their arms in readiness
all the time; enduring a servile life full of annoyance and danger,
although they could leave it, and it would be better and more worth
living if it were less grievous, and free from so many dangers
and difficulties: nevertheless they endure them, in consideration
of the service of your Majesty, and in continuation of the many
services which they have rendered in the defense and preservation of
that country; and hoping that the greatness and liberality of your
Majesty will protect and relieve them, so that they may accomplish
their purpose better. Particularly do they ask that you order to be
repealed the collection of the two per cent, the imposition of which
was ordered by a decree of the former year six hundred and four on the
merchandise exported from the said islands to the said Nueva España,
in addition to the three per cent paid on them by the merchants of
the said city--which heard and received notice of the said royal
decree in the year of six hundred and seven, while Don Rodrigo de
Vibero was governor. At that time the decree was not made effective
or fulfilled, as the difficulty and great disadvantages that accompany
it were recognized. Consequently, it remained in that condition until
the year six hundred and eleven, when the collection of the said duty
was again charged to Governor Don Juan de Sirva [_i.e.,_ Silva]. He,
trying to carry out its provisions, recognized the same difficulties,
for the many reasons advanced by the city, which were so just and
relevant that they obliged him to call a treasury council. Having there
discussed and conferred upon those reasons, and it having been seen
that they were so urgent and necessary that they strictly prevented
and ought to prevent the execution of the said royal decree of 604,
he suspended it for the time being, giving your Majesty notice
[thereof]. The decree remained in this condition until the year
six hundred and twenty-five, in which the royal officials again
discussed the matter of the collection of the said two per cent,
during the government of Don Fernando de Silva. He, recognizing
the same obstacles, and that those obstacles were much greater then
because of the worse condition and the notable change and damage to
which the affairs of the said city had come--the property, traffic,
and means of gain of its inhabitants--with a great reduction and
difference from that which they had in the said year of six hundred
and seven, concurred with what had been provided by his predecessor,
the said Don Juan de Silva, and ordered that no innovation be made
in it. The same was done by the governor who succeeded him, Don
Juan Niño de Tabora. Thus, the said governors, as each confronted
the matter, always came to see very plainly the said difficulties,
which at present are not only of the above-mentioned character, but
are impossible to overcome because of the condition of affairs, the
poverty of the inhabitants, and the great decrease and diminution of
the trade and commerce of former times. That is given more prominence
by the efforts of the visitor, Licentiate Don Francisco de Rojas,
who made strenuous efforts to have the collection of the two per
cent carried out. Nevertheless, he saw with his own eyes the said
disadvantages that resulted from the said collection. One of them
was the resolution of the inhabitants not to export their goods and
merchandise; nor could they do so, because of the great losses,
both past and present, which they have encountered. This is the
greatest damage that can happen to the royal treasury; for if the
export and commerce ceases, not only will the said two per cent be
lacking, but also the old three per cent which has always been paid,
as well as the other three per cent which was lately imposed upon the
merchandise which the Chinese Indians bring to the said city and the
Filipinas Islands. Accordingly, if the commerce of the islands with
Nueva España fails, it is certain and infallible that that of the said
Chinese, which forms the whole export to Nueva España, will also fail.
Therefore, the said visitor, notwithstanding the great desire
which he showed of putting the said collection into execution,
did not dare to do it; but considered it better to suspend it, and
report to your Majesty. Although he tried to have it collected as a
voluntary service for the future, the citizens, seeing their great
lack of wealth, could not conform to that measure, although for that
time only they gave a subsidy of four thousand pesos, on condition
that it should not serve as a precedent for the future, and that
there should be no further talk of the said collection [of the said
two per cent] until, after your Majesty had examined it, a suitable
decision should be adopted. They petition your Majesty to be pleased
to consider the very necessary and urgent causes and reasons why the
said collection of the said two per cent should not be carried on,
but that its execution be abrogated, which are as follows:
First, that the motive and cause declared in the said decree of six
hundred and four for the said imposition, was the declaration that
there was suffering because of the great profits of those who were
trading and trafficking in the Filipinas commerce. It was said that the
profits were one hundred per cent, and at times two hundred. Although
the said Sangleys, antecedent to the said year of six hundred and four,
brought the merchandise from China to the said city, and sold it at
prices so low that when taken and sold in Nueva España it allowed
a very great profit: still that ceased many years ago, from the said
year of six hundred and four, when the Dutch enemy and pirates began to
continue in and infest those islands with many different plunderings
of the merchandise that the Chinese ships brought to the said city
of Manila. On that account the said trade has gone on diminishing
from day to day, very fast and steadily, to the pass to which the
said Dutch have brought it by their pursuit and pillaging of the said
Chinese ships. From that has resulted the ruin of the said commerce,
and for the same reason the profits of it [have declined] to so great
a degree that scarcely can one now buy one pico of silk for the price
that he formerly paid for two and one-half picos. This has been the
reason why, since the merchandise of the Chinese was lacking to the
inhabitants for their investments, they have had to buy the goods
from the Portuguese of Macan, at prices so high and excessive that
they make no considerable profit in Nueva España. Consequently, the
profits that the inhabitants of Manila formerly had have come to be
made by the said Portuguese of Macan. Thus the reason and motive for
the said royal decree has entirely and surely disappeared; and this
same fact ought to do away with its ruling.
The second reason also is founded on the expense and cost that had
to be incurred for the security and defense of the trading ships
from the said islands to Nueva España, with the fifty soldiers,
military captain, and other officers; that the said ships had to be
of a certain tonnage; and that for this reason of the said expenses
and costs, the said decree ordered the imposition of the said two
per cent in order that it should be unnecessary to have recourse to
the royal treasury. It ordered the proceeds therefrom to be deposited
in a separate fund and account, for the said expenses which had to be
incurred with the said ships and their crews. That reason likewise has
had no effect, for the said expenses have not been made, nor are they
made; nor do the said military captain, soldiers, or other officers
sail in the said ships. Neither are the said ships--those that there
are--of the said burden and tonnage, but smaller. Therefore the said
expenses and costs cease, upon which the said decree is grounded;
accordingly, that which is ruled and ordered by it ceases, for the
reason stated, and, indeed, should cease.
Third, because by the former year of six hundred and eleven, the said
governor, Don Juan de Silva, seeing the unsatisfactory method and
arrangements existing for the collection of the said two per cent,
tried to supply it--and did so--by the method that he thought least
harmful, and of greater profit to the royal treasury--namely, to impose
in its stead another duty of three per cent on the merchandise brought
by the Chinese to sell in the said city of Manila. But, although
the said imposition is ostensibly on the said Chinese, it comes, in
fact, to be imposed on the inhabitants of Manila themselves; for the
latter, being the purchasers, necessarily have to pay more, the Chinese
sellers taking into consideration the new charge and imposition which
has been levied on them. Consequently, the said two per cent has come
to have actual effect and with greater profit by the said three per
cent substituted in its place, which fact the said governor, Don Juan
de Silva, had in mind. If the decree were again to be carried out,
it would mean a double imposition for the above-mentioned damages
and obstacles, and there would be no possibility of executing it.
Fourth, because the royal duties which the inhabitants pay on
the said investments that they make, are very great; for on every
thousand pesos of principal that they invest the duties in the said
city and in Nueva España amount to two hundred and seventy pesos and
more, while the cost and expense incidental to the said investments
amount to two hundred and eighty pesos more. Consequently, the said
royal duties alone for each one thousand pesos invested inevitably
amount, as is well known, to five hundred and fifty pesos. Therefore,
within four years, setting aside the said costs and expenses, the
said inhabitants come to pay more than the said one thousand pesos
of capital for the said royal duties. The same thing happens in the
same proportion when larger sums are invested.
The fifth springs directly from the preceding reason; for since the
said duties and said costs and expenses are so great, and the profits
so slight and uncertain, as above stated, the said inhabitants cannot
continue the said trade and commerce of Filipinas with Nueva España;
for to do that would be a poor management and administration of their
possessions, carrying them over seas at so many risks, and in danger
of catastrophes such as generally happen, which are daily becoming
greater; while there is no profit, or so little that, with the said
two per cent, the profits will be of little or no consideration, for
which they will not expose their goods and capital to so great a risk.
Sixth, because, if the said collection and enforcement of the said two
per cent were to be insisted upon, it would be a foregone conclusion
that the inhabitants would abandon the said trade and commerce, and
would not make the said investments, for the reasons stated above. That
has proved to be so on the occasions on which the said collection has
been discussed with some warmth--and especially when the said visitor,
Licentiate Don Francisco de Rojas, tried to effect it, when the said
inhabitants were firm and were resolved not to appraise, register,
or lade anything in the ships, which were all ready to sail to Nueva
España. Thereupon the said visitor thought it advisable and necessary
to repeal the said enforcement. Although the inhabitants, on that
occasion, because of the great pressure exerted and the advantageous
reasons put forward by the visitor, offered to aid with a gift of
four thousand pesos, it was with the said condition that it was to
be for only that one time, and with the said condition that nothing
was to be said of the said collection.
Seventh, the great damage and injury that would assuredly follow to
the royal treasury if the said commerce were abandoned; for since
the said three per cent that is first collected as a customs duty,
and the other three per cent imposed anew in the said year of six
hundred and eleven, amount and are worth a very great sum and number
of pesos annually to the royal treasury, that sum will not increase
with the imposition of the said two per cent, but, on the contrary,
both the one and the other duty will be lost; or at least they will
be reduced to a very great loss, damage, and diminution of the royal
treasury, and the reason therefor is very clear and evident. For
in every year, and in that of the imposition of the two per cent of
which we are treating, the duty amounted to about four thousand; and
to that amount now, without the imposition of the said two per cent,
all the inhabitants of the said city, both rich and poor, trade and
traffic. By that means are caused the said customs duties not only at
departure from the said city of Manila, but at entrance into the said
City of Mexico, and on their returns afterward, from the investments,
and on the kinds of merchandise that are sent back by the same ports
and places to be traded at the said city of Manila. For since the
number of those who traffic is large, the said duties which are
caused and paid are also large. But if the said two per cent be put
in force, although it may be stated that some of the said inhabitants
will continue to trade, they would be very few; and the trade would
be reduced to those who are richest and those with most capital, who
are not many. But among all the others who are not rich, money and
capital would fail, and they would refuse to [trade] and could not
risk their little capital without gain or profit, as they will have
no profit with the said two per cent. And it would not be right or
expedient, for the sake of the said new imposition (since the reasons
and motives for it are lacking, as above stated), to place the income
and value of the said customs duties in danger and peril, as it is so
great and considerable, or to risk that of the other three per cent
of the said year 611--the one dependent on and inseparable from the
other; for, beyond all doubt, both would fail if the said commerce
failed or diminished. The said danger can be regarded as certain,
both for the abandonment of the said commerce and of the colony of
those islands; and that would allow the Dutch, who are so powerful
in the surrounding islands, as above stated, to gain an entrance in
them, for the lack of troops caused by the said imposition. That is a
matter which your Majesty should have examined with great attention,
because of the many precedents that have been seen in like cases in
these kingdoms [_i.e._, of España] with the great injury and loss to
the royal treasury which could not be restored later--as happened
in the increase [of the tax] on playing cards, one real more than
the usual tax being imposed. That income, being valued at that said
time at from forty-four to forty-five million maravedis annually in
the three districts of Castilla, Toledo, and Andalucia, dropped to
twenty-two millions because of the new imposition, thereby losing a
like sum annually. And, although the damage was afterward seen, and the
attempt was made to correct it by repealing the said new imposition,
and reducing the tax to the old amount, the amendment did not follow;
for because of the frauds and cheats caused by the said income in its
first condition, it never returned to that condition, and remained with
the annual loss and decrease of fourteen million maravedis from what it
had at the time of the said new imposition. The same thing happened in
the thirty per cent which was imposed on the trade of foreign merchants
while the court was in Valladolid. The result of that was that the
foreign merchants abandoned the commerce, and looked for new methods,
applying themselves to gaining a foothold in the Eastern Indias. The
said imposition was thus the reason for the many important lands and
ports of which the foreigners have gained possession and which they
hold, which we have lost for the said reason. Both these instances
are very certain, well-known, public, and notorious.
The eighth reason, a very urgent and cogent one, is that since the year
six hundred and seven, when the said commerce was in a much better
condition, and the said Dutch had not begun to make their raids, or
all the great damages that they have inflicted on the said islands and
those near by, and on the said Sangleys and Chinese--nevertheless,
the said governors, Don Rodrigo de Vivero, Don Juan de Silva, and
Don Juan Niño de Tabora (who succeeded him), seeing the difficulties
involved in the said imposition, did not consider it advisable,
nor did they dare, to put it into force. Much less could it be done
today, after the lapse of almost thirty years, at a time when the
inhabitants are suffering from so great distress and necessity,
caused by the many losses, as above stated, of many ships--some of
which have sunk, while others have of necessity sought port on the
coasts of Japon and other districts where so great riches were lost
without its being possible to secure them, or for anything to be saved;
and by the fires which they have suffered, on one occasion the greater
part of the city, as well as the possessions of the inhabitants being
burned. A few years ago our flagship "Nuestra Señora de la Vida"
[_i.e._, "Our Lady of Life"] was wrecked on the island of Verde [9]
while en route to Nueva España, with the possessions and capital of
the aforesaid citizens. In the former year of thirty-one, the ship
"Sancta Maria Magdalena" went to the bottom in the port of Cabite
with all the goods and cloth aboard it. Although the cargo was taken
out, it was after it had been in the water more than one and one-half
months. Consequently the damage to the owners was great and notable;
and on that account all the capital was ruined, the trade limited,
and the goods destroyed--so much so that if the said two per cent be
put in force, it will have the above defects, and the said trade will
be ruined.
The ninth reason is of great importance, and consists in the many
great services that have been performed for your Majesty by the said
city of Manila, and those which its inhabitants are performing every
day; for when occasion demands--as it does often, when there is a
lack of regular infantry, because it has gone away or been employed
in something else--the inhabitants enter the guard, as that city is
surrounded by so many heathen; and they have always hastened with
all the loyalty and love possible to serve on any expedition that
has offered against the Dutch and other nations, with their persons
and possessions, and are the first to take arms.
Another thing is of great consideration, namely, that in the great
necessities that arise in the royal treasury, which has not the
wherewithal to take care of them, the said inhabitants have aided it;
and they aid it very often with very considerable sums, depositing
therein from eighty to one hundred thousand pesos, without receiving
any interest. That money is retained in the said royal treasury,
and the owners are not repaid for more than two years. The loss of
interest on so great a sum for so long a period constitutes a great
service, for merchants and men of business. They only think of the
great desire that they have always had, and have, for the service of
your Majesty; and that is so great that many poor inhabitants, not
having any capital to allow them to make loans to the royal treasury
as the other inhabitants do, beg for a loan in order to be enabled to
attend to your Majesty's royal service. In the assessments continually
levied upon them by the governor, consisting of jars [of oil or wine],
rice, and other things necessary for the relief of Terrenate and the
island of Hermosa, the said inhabitants contribute very eagerly and
willingly; and on the voyages made by the galleys, if slaves are needed
(as often happens), they give their own. With the same willingness
did they make the gift of the said four thousand pesos in the year 632.
Since all above stated is so, and since the inhabitants are perpetually
and continually serving your Majesty with their persons, lives, and
possessions, and by the intolerable burden of always bearing arms;
and since all that is related in this memorial is evident from the
investigations made at the citation of the fiscal, and by what the
governors and the orders write: therefore it is just for your Majesty
to honor and reward the inhabitants, since their services are so worthy
of reward and remuneration; and since the said imposition of the said
two per cent would be only an affliction and punishment, to have its
enforcement discontinued, so that there may be no further question
of it--which, as can be understood by the reasons above stated, has
been and is the royal intention and purpose of your Majesty. For
during the so many years that its execution has been suspended,
your Majesty having been informed by the letters of the governors
and royal officials of the difficulty of its observance, it has been
abandoned and repealed in order to avoid so many and so great dangers
as above stated, and injuries to the said inhabitants and residents of
those islands--an intent quite in accord with the first decree of the
said year six hundred and four, in which, although it was ordered to
impose the said two per cent, it commanded that this was to be done
with the greatest mildness possible. Consequently, as this mildness
was not and could not be exercised, the imposition occasioning only
great troubles and difficulties, the decree itself intimates, as if
by express statements, that the said collection was impracticable.
Thus the request of the said city and its inhabitants, and of the
said islands, is that your Majesty be pleased to have it so declared
and ordered, not only for the future, but also for the past; since the
said royal decree has not been put in force, nor has it been advisable
at any time, for either the future or the past. The impossibility
[of enforcing the decree] is even greater [at this time], because of
the many years that have passed, and the many persons against whom
it might be attempted, who have died; so that to undertake it would
mean nothing else than a beginning of lawsuits, and the disquiet
and revolution of all the inhabitants of the said city, or of most
of them--for those who have trafficked here from the said year of
six hundred and seven are many, and most of them have died, without
leaving any property from which to collect the arrears of duty--in
case that that effort is made. By that [concession] the inhabitants
will receive an especial favor, as is hoped from the greatness of
your Majesty. Madrid, September 6, 1635.
_Reply of the fiscal_
The fiscal declares that he has examined the documents sent with
this memorial, and the other papers and letters from the Audiencia,
the visitor, and the superiors of the orders; that the decision [of
this question] demands close attention, and all that the council is
wont to exercise for its sure action, for the great necessity of its
inhabitants which the city represents, confronts us. We must consider
not only the impracticability of enforcing the impost, but no less his
Majesty's lack of means (caused by the wars and necessary occasions
for expense that have limited the royal incomes), which constrains
him so that he can do no more--a course which, as so Christian and
pious a king, he would avoid, if it were possible. Having considered
everything, what the visitor writes has much force with the fiscal,
and persuades him that it is expedient and necessary to consult
with his Majesty regarding this letter--so that, having examined its
contents, and that, besides, which the council shall advise, he may
be pleased to order what may be most to the welfare of his vassals,
in whose conservation consists his best service; and approving the
mild method pointed out by the visitor (of which he availed himself,
in order that the trade might not cease, with the obvious danger of
greater loss), he concurs in everything, and thus petitions. Madrid,
September six, one thousand six hundred and thirty-five.
Don Juan Grao y Monfalcon, procurator-general of the distinguished and
loyal city of Manila, metropolis and capital of the Filipinas Islands,
in answer to what was said and alleged by his Majesty's fiscal to the
memorial and arguments which he has presented, in order that the effort
for the collection of the two per cent may cease and be abandoned,
declares that your Majesty, in heeding the arguments that he has
presented in another memorial, does not give up nor is he excluded
from what is alleged on the other side. On the contrary he expressly
recognizes (a fact that cannot be denied) the justification and urgent
reasons that are necessary and unavoidable, which strenuously oblige
to what the said city has entreated. In the name of the city, he
accepts what is said and alleged in its favor by the said fiscal. But
inasmuch as the fiscal mentions his approbation of the method which
the visitor approves--and of which he availed himself, so that the
said trade might not cease, which, he says with good reason, would be
of greater loss--and says that with the said method everything would
turn out well, he excludes the condition that it will not provide
for everything, but only for the effort to enforce the said duty of
two per cent. The difficulty would remain present, and the reasons
and arguments of the said city be as if they were not; and it and
its commerce would be left without any remedy, or means to preserve
itself. Nor is there nor can there be considered any difference of
opinion in the necessity that is mentioned of the royal treasury;
for, although this necessity is great, the contention of the said city
concerns not necessity, but the limits of impossibility. Consequently,
[the interests of] the city ought to prevail and be preferred. This
conclusion was reached by experience, on the occasion of the former
year 632, when the said visitor tried to put the said duty in force,
in which he found himself confounded; for he beheld the cessation of
commerce, and the resolve made by the said inhabitants that they would
not export or risk their wealth, without receiving any profit--by which
it resulted that the despatch of the ships which were being sent to
Nueva España was delayed, the cause of which was the said visitor,
because of the said collection that he was trying to enforce. The
governors of those islands--of whom there have been many, very prudent
and clear-headed, and eminent in their zeal for the service of your
Majesty--never came to such a determination, in all these years. And
the strength and resistance of the obstacles that they found, and
which they were considering in person, compelled them to consult with
your Majesty, as they always have done--regarding that as much more
proper than to execute [a decree] and risk the condition of those
islands, and considering the matter with mature judgment and prudent
deliberation. Consequently, they never reached the said decision that
the said visitor attempted. And although the latter tried to remedy it,
by proposing the means (that he alleges as a counterbalance) of the
payment of four thousand pesos, by way of gift and gracious service,
that gift was not perpetual, as appears on the contrary, and as is
given to understand; but it was only for that time, and until the
decision of your Majesty should be made. That is well verified by
the fact of what afterward occurred; for in the following year the
said visitor--recognizing that the gift of the four thousand pesos
had been limited, and for once only, and that by virtue of that the
said inhabitants were not bound to anything--attempted to make again,
through some of the regidors, the same suspension that he had already
made of the execution of the said duty, until your Majesty determined
with what they should serve, with some gift, even though it should be
only a small sum. That which was finally assigned was from one to two
thousand pesos, the visitor again with this new occasion placing the
despatch of the said ships in peril, causing by the least delay more
loss than the said profit. Therefore the royal Audiencia, in order to
proceed with more certainty, called a council of the bishop who was
governor of that archbishopric, the archbishop, and the superiors of
the orders. All of them agreed and concurred that the despatch ought
to be made in the manner in which it had always been done, without
allowing any innovation. Consequently all, and on all occasions,
have always recognized the impossibility, and the new damages and
obstacles that would result from the said enforcement.
In consideration of the above, he petitions and entreats your
Majesty that you be, nevertheless, pleased to provide and order the
discontinuance of the collection of the said two per cent, according
to his petition. Thereby he will receive an especial favor, as that
city and kingdom hopes from his Majesty's greatness and royal hand.
MANILA TREASURY ACCOUNTS, 1630-35
_Relation of the receipts of the treasury of Manila from January seven,
one thousand six hundred and thirty, until January six, one thousand
six hundred and thirty-five, a period of five years_
Common gold
[Pesos] [tomins] [granos]
The balance found in the
said treasury on the said
day, January seven, 1630,
amounted to [10] 11,561 8 6
The total from the fines of
the exchequer [11] from the
said day until March six,
1631, amounted to 2,073 6 1
That from the
[unspent?] balances of war
funds [_alcances de guerra_]
for the said time amounted to 20,317 5 0
That of the army fund for
the said time amounted to 15,797 1 5
That from the licenses of
Indians [_sic_; _sc._ Chinese]
for the said time 87,606 4 0
That from loans made to the
treasury for the said time
amounted to 71,057 7 0
That from mesada taxes [12]
for the said time amounted to 917 1 11
That from import and export
duties for the said time
amounted to 33,448 7 0
That from offices sold for
the said time amounted to 29,458 3 0
That from expenses of justice
for the said time amounted to 75 0 0
That from royal situados for
the said time amounted to 4,124 2 4
That from condemnations for
the building of houses during
the said time amounted to 374 5 4
That from fiestas for the
said time amounted to 281 3 0
That from the tenths of gold
for the said time amounted to 48 3 0
That from transportation of
passengers [on the royal
ships?] for the said time
amounted to 300 0 0
That from the proceeds for
war from the cattle tithes
for the said time amounted to 120 3 0
That from the silver and
reals received from Nueva
España during the said time
amounted to 278,115 6 0
That from court expenses for
the said time amounted to 100 0 0
----------------------
During the said time the
receipts of the said treasury
amounted to 555,775 3 0
_Account from April 20, 1631, to January six, 1632_
The total from condemnations
(in court) for fines of the
exchequer for the said time
amounted to 1,611 6 0
That from import and export
duties amounted to 35,650 1 2
That from loans made to the
treasury amounted to 16,600 7 5
That from royal situados from
the encomiendas of private
persons amounted to 3,708 6 8
That from the balances of
accounts amounted to 18,430 3 0
That from extraordinary
sources amounted to 6,115 1 0
That from mesada taxes
amounted to 112 4 9
That from _resultas_
amounted to 456 3 5
That from tenths of gold
amounted to 23 7 8
That from expenses of justice
amounted to 8 6 0
That from [the fund
for?] expenses of courts [13]
amounted to 287 4 0
That from licenses to heathen
Chinese amounted to 116,697 4 0
That from offices sold
amounted to 646 4 0
That from silver and reals sent
from Nueva España amounted to. 203,915 0 0
That from passenger
transportation amounted to 50 0 0
That from deposits amounted
to 2,000 0 0
That from [unspent balance
of fund for?] ship-building
and forts amounted to 8 0 0
That from the vacant
encomiendas amounted to 36 4 0
That from restitutions
amounted to. 38 0 0
That which was placed in the
treasury at the order of the
visitor amounted to 6,117 0 0
That collected from what
is owing [to the treasury]
amounted to 62,473 3 10
----------------------
The receipts of the treasury
for the said time amounted to 475,889 1 2
_Account from January seven, one thousand six hundred and thirty-two,
to January six, one thousand six hundred and thirty-three_
The total amount of the balance
struck on January 7, 1632,
amounted to two thousand one
hundred and eighty-seven pesos,
four tomins, and four pieces
of gold and three rings [14] 2,187 4 0
That from balances of accounts
amounted to 26,458 4 0
That from fines of the
exchequer amounted to 2,984 3 2
That from the fifths of gold
amounted to 99 5 6
That from royal situados
amounted to 2,150 4 0
That from the expenses of
justice amounted to 75 1 0
That from loans made to the
treasury amounted to 64,453 4 0
That from import and export
duties amounted to 36,603 2 0
That from the mesada taxes
amounted to 835 0 8
That from _resultas_
amounted to 2,114 5 6
That from vacancies in
encomiendas amounted to 66 7 8
That from deposits amounted to 1,858 0 0
That from offices sold
amounted to 3,800 0 0
That from extraordinary
sources amounted to 30,046 3 3
That sent from Nueva España
amounted to 232,569 4 0
The receipts for account of
the visit amounted to 7,013 6 1
That from passenger
transportation amounted to 250 0 0
The receipts from the proceeds
of condemnations to be remitted
to the Council amounted to 3,060 4 0
That from the Chinese licenses
amounted to 105,898 0 10
That from cattle tithes
amounted to 300 0 0
That from the fifths of silver
amounted to 285 2 4
That from [fund for?] the
expenses of the courts of
the Parián 60 4 0
That from [fund for?] the
expenses of the courts of
the Audiencia amounted to
seventy-five pesos 75 0 0
That collected from what
is owing [to the treasury]
amounted to 97,663 2 3
----------------------
The receipts of the said
treasury for the said time
amounted to 622,484 5 1
_Account from January 7, 1633, to January 6, 1634_
The total amount of the
balance struck on the said
day, January seven, 1633,
amounted to four thousand seven
hundred and ninety-two pesos,
three tomins, and four pieces
of gold and three rings [15] 4,792 3 0
That from balances of accounts
amounted to 14,299 1 2
That from the mesada taxes
amounted to 258 2 11
That from extraordinary
sources amounted to 2,226 5 7
That from import and export
duties amounted to 46,897 6 1
The receipts from the visit
amounted to 13,770 6 0
That from Chinese licenses
amounted to 51,396 2 0
That from loans amounted to 109,260 0 0
That from fines of the
exchequer amounted to 1,918 0 0
That from expenses of justice
amounted to 120 0 0
That from royal situados
amounted to 1,385 5 6
That from offices sold
amounted to 14,850 0 0
That from the fifth of gold
amounted to 300 2 7
That from vacant encomiendas
[_vacantes_] amounted to 41 1 6
That from passenger
transportation amounted to 950 0 0
That from tributes amounted to 9 3 0
That from the half-annats
amounted to 4,961 5 2
That from the silver sent
from Nueva España amounted to 277,326 1 1
That from _resultas_
amounted to 1,056 5 5
That from [fund for?] courts
and expenses of the royal
Audiencia amounted to 135 0 0
That from deposits amounted to 600 0 0
That from cattle tithes
amounted to 386 6 9
----------------------
The receipts of the said
treasury for the said time
amounted to 546,873 0 5
_Account from January 7, 1634, to January 6, 1635_
The total of the balance
struck on the said day,
January seven, one thousand
six hundred and thirty-four,
amounted to seventy-three
thousand two hundred and
thirty-one pesos, seven tomins,
and ten granos, and [4 pieces]
of gold, and 3 rings [16] 73,231 7 10
The total of the half-annats
amounted to 16,393 0 1
That from balances of accounts
amounted to 31,311 2 11
That from royal situados
amounted to 1,688 5 6
That from fines of the
exchequer amounted to 1,945 2 5
That from _resultas_
amounted to 11,557 6 3
That from cattle tithes 211 0 0
That from import and export
duties amounted to 28,170 4 11
That from heathen Chinese
licenses 162,941 7 5
That from extraordinary
sources amounted to 33,097 3 9
That from the fifth of gold
amounted to 325 7 4
That from deposits amounted to
[17] 6,375 1 0
That from offices sold
amounted to 11,400 0 0
That from [fund for?] the
expenses of the courts
amounted to 50 0 0
That from expenses of justice
amounted to 36 1 6
That from condemnations
collected to remit to this
Council amounted to 444 0 0
That from passenger
transportation amounted to 650 0 0
That from proceeds of the
visita amounted to 3,417 4 0
That from restitutions
amounted to 1,003 0 0
That from the money sent from
Nueva España amounted to 308,396 2 0
That from loans amounted to 11,000 0 0
That from the proceeds for
the fortification of Manila
amounted to 6,000 0 0
That from the tenths of gold
amounted to 296 6 0
----------------------
The total receipts of the
said treasury for the said
time amounted to 715,849 6 11
Given in [_word illegible in MS._] August eighteen, 1638.
_Don Geronimo de_ [_word illegible in MS._] _Francisco Antonio Manzelo_
LETTER OF CONSOLATION TO THE JESUITS OF PINTADOS
To my beloved fathers and brothers of the islands and residences of
the Pintados.
Pax Christi, etc.:
Great has been the grief that has been caused to us who have been in
these missions of the Tagals, by severe hardships that your Reverences
have suffered and are suffering in those islands of Pintados, because
of the madness and ferocity of so cruel enemies. For who would not
be afflicted at hearing of the hatred and hostility of the barbarians
against Christ our Lord, which they have displayed against His sacred
images, which they have outraged and broken to pieces, and His temples,
which they have burned and destroyed? Who would not be struck with
pity on seeing the beloved flock of the sheep of Christ our Lord,
and his faithful ones with their pastors and ministers, robbed,
dispersed, and pursued even into the fastnesses of the mountains,
imprisoned, captured, and killed?--and the shepherds, with especial
ignominy and cruelty, as we see in [the case of] our most beloved
father, Juan del Carpio, who is happy, fortunate, and chosen, since
he has purchased the eternal crown by the shedding of his blood. [18]
Who would not have compassion at hearing of the fatigues, surprises,
necessities, and dangers, of those of your Reverences who are still
alive--a life that resembles a continual death rather than life? But
this tender compassion must cause pain in us because of the evils,
and encouragement and joy because of the blessings, which follow
from them--truly one and the other feeling; for who can refrain from
weeping at the sight of an offended God, at His holy name blasphemed,
His worship violated, His faithful ones captive, and His priests
killed? But who will not be consoled with that holiness of the great
doctor of the Church, St. Augustine, whom God our Lord permitted [to
be visited by] evils in order that he might derive greater blessings
therefrom--such as are these greater blessings from so many present
evils? Such are the [_word illegible_] acts born from the fervid hearts
of my most beloved fathers, so that they have offered themselves to
their Creator and Lord in so virulent dangers, not as they might wish,
but as a most perfect holocaust, without any fear, placing everything
in His hands--health, honor, blood, and life, for the greater glory
of his Majesty, and the welfare of souls. Peradventure these are not
blessings that enrich those who possess them, but they give courage,
fervor, and glory to our province and Society of Jesus, which has such
sons and so valorous soldiers, the imitators of their Society of Jesus,
their blood shed to deliver their spiritual children and that which
pertains to the Divine and Christian worship--which blessings will
he not bring to our islands and fields of Christendom, and to our
Society of Jesus in those islands? For as says the most illustrious
Tertullian in his _Apologetica adversus gentis_, chapter 49: _Semen est
sanguis Christianorum._ [19] And a Christianity wet with such blood
will doubtless give a most abundant harvest. And what encouragement
will it give to the sons of the Society in Europa! And what desires
will they have to come where they may have opportunity to shed their
blood also for the honor of their Creator! Blood shed by the hands
of barbarian Mahometans instigated by their casique [20]--especially
against the priests, the preachers of our holy faith, as we learned
from one who escaped from them; and with so remarkable tokens of
special hate against religion, that they tore to pieces the very body
of the father, so that the head was the largest part of it. However
much they may claim that in order that there should be no planting
[of Christianity?] they did not spare his life, their actions show that
they took life away from him in hatred of Christ our Lord, and of His
holy religion, which the father was preaching and extending. And even
if the Mahometans did not have that intention and hate against Christ
and His holy faith, which this shows that they have, not only is the
death inflicted and suffered in this manner a true martyrdom, but also
in more general terms Christ our Lord said through St. Mark in the 8th
chapter: _Qui perdiderit animam suam propter me, et evangelium, salvam
faciet_. [21] On those words is founded every form of true martyrdom,
which embraces that of the innocents, and those who gave their lives to
serve those sick with the plague, and for any virtue whatever; and thus
say the saints. St. Augustine pondering these words in his sermon 100
(_De diversis_) section 2, [22] makes a strenuous effort for martyrdom,
in the occasion of dying, in these words: "_Qui perdiderit," inquit,
"propter me." Tota caussa ibi est. "Qui perdiderit," non quomodocumque,
non qualibet caussa, sed "propter me." Ylli enim yn prophecia yam
dixerant martires, "Propter te mortificamur tota die." Propterea
martiremnon facit pena, sed caussa_. And if this is Christ our Lord,
and one loses his life either in order not to offend Him--for example,
by denying His faith, or losing his chastity, or by lying, etc.--or in
order to serve Him--for example, by preaching His holy gospel, or by
practicing the doctrine of succoring one's neighbors with the spiritual
or corporal works of charity--even if the tyrant does not deprive him
of life as a mark of hatred against the faith, assuredly he gains the
crown, _salvam faciet eam_. Accordingly, he who dies in the mountains
when fleeing from persecution, or by means of wild beasts or robbers,
or who is drowned in the sea, says St. Cyprian in his Epistle number
56, _Ad Tibaitanos_, is and must be called a martyr, for his death is
[suffered] for Christ. Thence can one well see what we feel in the
present case, and in the occasions that we have in hand. I will quote
his words here, for they are a consolation for all those who are liable
to lose their lives, in the sea or in the mountains, because of the
preaching of the holy gospel and the persecution of the enemies of
the gospel. _Si fugientem in solitudine ac montibus latro oppresserit,
fera invaserit, fames aut sitis aut frigus afflixerit, vel per maria
præcipiti navigatione properantem tempestas ac procella submerserit
spectat militem suum Christus ubicunque pugnantem, et persecutionis
causa pro nominis sui honore morienti præmium reddit quod daturum se
in resurectione promisit. Nec minor est martyrii gloria non publica et
[non] inter multos perisse cum pereundi causa sit propter Christum
perire. Sufficit ad testimoniam martyrii fui [sc. fuisse] testis
ille qui probat martyres et coronat._ [23] This is sufficient for a
letter, although other testimonials of the saints could be adduced,
which show that the institution of martyrdom made by Christ our Lord
was not the narrow thing of which certain scholastics speak. Father
Teofilo Raynaudo [24] of our Society, in the book that he published,
_De martyrio per pestem_, in the year 1630, proves in a very learned
and wise manner that those who die through the exercise of the works
of charity with the sufferers of the pest are really and truly, and can
be called, martyrs. And clearly it is not less to give one's life than
to exercise spiritual works of charity, for one's neighbors. Hence we
ought to endure in this particular, for Christ our Lord, _in bonitate
et liberalitate_, [25] and since for other lesser works--as leaving
father and mother, or positions, etc., for Him--Christ our Lord chose
to give as a reward so much in this life, and afterward eternal life,
as He said through St. Mark, in the 10th chapter: _Centies tantum in
tempore hoc et in sæculo futuro vitam æternam_. [26] The most heroic
and lofty work was necessarily the giving of one's life for the same
cause; and that loss will not give, to him who serves, another reward
here, but the reward of eternal life is reserved for the world to come,
and with a special diadem. Then may we be consoled, my fathers, in
our missions and voyages, if we lose our lives therein in the service
of Christ for the preaching of His holy gospel; since according to
His royal promise He always maintains it assured, and brighter is the
crown. I do not say this in order that we should publish our martyrs,
or that we should so talk with those outside (for it is better for
us to limit ourselves in that direction), but for our consolation
and assurance, I am persuaded that after this pilgrimage we shall
recognize that glory in some or many of the fathers of this province
who have preceded us--as in the case of the fortunate father Juan
Dominico Bilançio, who died a captive of the Mahometan [king of] Jolo,
the harsh treatment and sufferings of his captivity being the cause
of his death; and Father Juan de las Missas, [who perished] at the
hands of the hostile Camucones; besides other fathers. I regard it
as superfluous to expatiate further on this, or to attempt to spur
on those who are running so gloriously. Therefore I conclude with
the words, which the glorious bishop and martyr, St. Cyprian, wrote
in a similar case in his epistle number 81, to Sergius Rogatianus
and his companions: _Saluto vos fratres charissimi [ac beatissimi]
optans ipsse quoque conspectu vestro frui, si me ad vos pervenire
loci condicio permiteret. Quid enim mihi optacius et lecius pocet
[i.e., posset] accidere, quam nunc vovis inhærere? ... Sed quoniam qui
[sc. huic] lætiçie interesse facultas non datur has pro me ad aures et
[ad] oculos vestros vicarias literas mito, quibus glatulor pariter,
et eshortor, ut yn comfessione selestis glorie fortes et estabiles
perseberetis et ingressi viam Dominice dignacionis ad acipiendam
coronam espirituali virtute pergatis_. [27] Manila, February 1, 1635.
_Juan de Bueras_
LETTER TO FELIPE IV FROM FATHER ANDRES DEL SACRAMENTO
Sire:
Since I have passed thirty years in this province of the discalced
Franciscans of San Gregorio of Filipinas, and, since I am a father
of this province, I regard it as my obligation to advise your
Majesty of its present condition; so that, since you are the one who
sends the ministers at the cost of your royal treasury, you might
apply the corrective that necessity demands. It is a fact that,
although the said province has been established by the discalced
religious, and always maintained in its first perfection by the
religious sent it by the discalced provinces of España, among those
who come some Observantines are generally found, under pretext of
going to Japon--who, although they change the habit, do not change
their inclination to their own observance. This mingling [of the
two branches] is the cause of very great disquiet, because of the
opposition that is sucked in there in the milk, as is apparent to
your Majesty from many instances. Although the Observantines are so
few that they do not number twenty, they make use of their favor with
the commissaries-general, who generally appoint them as commissaries of
visitation. In parts so remote and deprived of recourse [to superiors],
they hold their will as law whenever they choose. For that reason we
have always feared that the Observantines would deprive the discalced
religious of this province; and that has been done by an Observantine
commissary-visitor, who removed all the definitors and a great number
of votes, by absolute authority and without sufficient cause. He
did it for the sole purpose of succeeding in that design, which he
accomplished; hence this province and its definitors are at present in
the power of the Observantines. Since the fathers commissaries-general
are Observantines, they naturally favor their own party. From that
circumstance, serious and long-drawn-out litigation is promised, which
your Majesty can prevent by ordering strictly that one or the other
branch do not come. The discalced religious, as I said, established
this province. They have furnished many martyrs to the church, and
have toiled in the ministry with poverty, humility, and good example
among Spaniards and Indians, as they relate and as your Majesty can
inform yourself. You will also be informed of the manner in which the
Observantine fathers administer in Megico; and you can select which
[branch] you may please, and order that those religious who do not
possess a testimonial from the discalced or from the Observantine
provincials (according to which branch your Majesty selects) shall
not embark at Cadiz. In case that Observantines are not to come,
it is very necessary also to order strictly your viceroy of Mexico
not to allow those who should not possess the said testimonials to
embark at Acapulco; for, since the commissary-general is in Mexico,
he will exert great activity in this respect in order to carry farther
what has been commenced. For that purpose they are at present sending
an Observantine religious. I beg your Majesty not to consider this
as a matter of little moment, for on this one remedy alone depends
the preservation of this province on its first foundation, the peace
of the religious, the proper administration of the Indians, and the
prevention of most serious scandals born from the said opposition
and intermixture, of which this whole kingdom is witness.
In this letter it is seen that no favor or protection is requested from
your Majesty for either myself or anyone else; but I only inform you,
as our sovereign lord, so that you may remedy the injury that results
from the aforesaid to the consciences of your vassals and in the
administration of the Indians. Notwithstanding this, I beseech your
Majesty, if you will be so pleased, to keep my name secret from the
father commissary-general and the Observantines; for if they learn
it, they will give me considerable trouble here. May Heaven prosper
your life with the most fortunate successes, as we your Majesty's
most humble vassals and chaplains desire. [Nueva] Caceres, in the
province of Camarines, June 2, 1635.
Your Majesty's humble chaplain,
_Fray Andres del Sacramento_, father of this province of San Gregorio.
[_Endorsed_: "June 16, 638. Collect what may have been written on this
matter, and bring it; and have the father commissary-general report
whether Observantines go among the discalced fathers who are asked
for. A report was asked from the commissary-general on the sixteenth
of said month."]
LETTER FROM THE FRANCISCAN COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF THE INDIAS
I have received two documents from your Grace, in regard to various
matters, and I shall answer them in two others, so that your
Grace may be pleased to read them to the gentlemen of that royal
Council. In regard to one, I say that since the winter when I had
certain advices from the province of San Gregorio of the Filipinas,
and of which I informed the council, I have had no further news. That
news was certain complaints of the provincial and definitors against
the commissary who deprived them of certain things which he found in
his visit, although he exceeded [his authority] in it. That case went
to the commissary of Nueva España. According to what the discalced
provincial of the Filipinas wrote me, who went to follow up the case,
penalties were imposed upon the said commissary. Another was sent from
the discalced province of San Diego, so that another chapter might be
celebrated, and that province appeased. I hope in our Lord that it
will be appeased and satisfied; but if not, I have written for them
to send me all the documents and all decisions that shall have been
rendered. Letters were also written to me then, and I was advised of
the great injuries that the governor was causing to the religious. I
neglected to inform his Majesty and that royal Council of this, as
I considered it certain that, as it had been so public, the matter
would have been communicated from there; and that, after having been
weighed by those gentlemen, they would despatch orders to reform it.
Concerning the lawless act and the audacity of the friars in protecting
and aiding the cleric Don Pedro Monroy, and their public censure of the
governor, the Audiencia, and others in their sermons, with scandal, for
which I feel due regret, although the things that occur there publicly,
and the events that happen there, have been very extraordinary,
yet the words of their sermons must be according to the statement of
the holy Council of Trent: _Que sint examinata et casta, eloquia ad
edificationem_ [28]--words used by our father St. Francis, in his
rules for preachers. If they are not so, then the word of God will
not have the effect on its hearers that it had before the disturbance
and scandal--a matter that has always seemed very wrong to me, and
deserving blame and condemnation. That will happen on this occasion,
for which, in due time, I shall send commission for an investigation
and the punishment of the guilty; and [an account of] what shall be
done shall be sent, so that I may present it to that royal Council,
and it may be seen whether satisfaction has been made; for where that
has not been done, I shall endeavor to secure it, as I strive to do
in all things that arise. This is my response to the first document
sent by your Grace. Given in this convent of St. Francis, in Madrid,
June twenty-eight, one thousand six hundred and thirty-five.
_Fray Francisco de Ocaña_,
commissary-general of the Indias.
OPINION OF COUNCIL AND ROYAL DECREE REGARDING THE REQUEST OF THE
JESUITS OF MANILA FOR ALMS FOR THEIR RESIDENCE
Sire:
By a decree of June first of the former year six hundred and
twenty-five, your Majesty granted a concession to the residence of
the Society of Jesus of the city of Manila, in the Philipinas Islands,
of one thousand ducados in each of ten years, in unassigned Indians,
or those who should first become such in the said islands, under the
same terms with which your Majesty granted concession to the convent
of the Order of St. Augustine in the islands for their buildings. The
procurator-general of the said residence has now represented that,
after the work was commenced, the church fell to the ground one
night--leaving the house in ruins, and in so great danger that they
were obliged immediately to borrow a temple for divine worship. For
their building, and in order that they might be expeditious in it,
and to build part of a house where the religious could be sheltered,
it was necessary to raise a large sum of money by an assessment,
which has rendered them very needy. It is the seminary for all
the religious of the said Society who leave these kingdoms for the
cultivation of the holy gospel in those provinces, where they equip
themselves and learn the languages of the natives, in order to go
out to teach them. It has a school where reading, writing, and Latin
are taught, and the arts and theology, to Spaniards and natives;
and six congregations--namely, of priests, laymen, students, Indians,
and blacks--with great spiritual increase. It is the refuge for all
the gospel ministers who fall sick, and who go thither for treatment,
as there are no physicians in any other part. There they are treated,
entertained, and supported with great charity, until they can return
to continue their ministries. There are entertained all those who
go by way of Eastern Yndia, when they go to Japon, China, Maluco,
and other places. The said residence is very cramped, both in its
house and its church, because of the great crowds that go there
continually. For the relief of that condition, the order begs your
Majesty that--considering the aforesaid, and that your Majesty has
twice granted to the convent of St. Augustine in the said islands a
bounty of twenty thousand ducados for their building--you will also
give the said residence as an alms another ten thousand ducados,
so that it may continue the said building, paying it to them in the
tributes of Indians who may be unassigned. The matter having been
examined in the Council, together with the letter which the royal
Audiencia of the said islands wrote to your Majesty, July twenty-nine,
six hundred and thirty--in which is mentioned the great necessity for
a church which the religious of the residence experience because of
the fall of theirs, and the evident danger in which they live, and the
great results that they obtain in those parts--the count of Castillo,
presiding officer of the said Council, Fernando de Villaseñor, the
count of Umanes, and Don Bartolomé Morquecho were of the opinion that,
in order to take a resolution in this matter, it is advisable that
the governor, the Audiencia, and the archbishop of the said islands
report on the condition of the work on the said residence, what is
yet to be built, how much it will cost, and whether the said Society
of Jesus has funds with which to build it.
Licentiate Don Lorenzo Ramirez de Prado, Juan Prado, Juan de Solorzano,
and Don Juan de Palafox think that, if your Majesty be so pleased,
you can do them the favor of continuing to the said residence the
sum as above stated which was given them (of one thousand ducados in
each year, for ten years) for two years more--one thousand ducados in
each of them to be paid from the said tributes of unassigned Indians,
so that they may continue the said work. This should be with the
qualification that the governor of the said islands see whether there
is any other kind of property from which to pay those two thousand
ducados, so that it may not be taken from the treasury of your Majesty,
or from the said encomiendas of Indians--in order that the latter
may remain free, with which to reward the soldiers who serve your
Majesty in those districts with great toil and danger. Those two
years of extension shall run from the day on which the ten years of
the said grant are concluded, and in each one of those two years they
shall not enjoy more than one thousand ducados. Will your Majesty
order what is your royal pleasure. Madrid, [_blank_] of [_blank_],
six hundred and thirty-five.
[The king, having seen the above opinions of his Council, despatched
a decree to the president and auditors of the Manila Audiencia,
which recites in identical terms throughout the matter preceding the
opinion in the first paragraph above, and then continues:]
The matter having been examined in my royal Council of the Yndias,
together with the letter which you wrote me on July twenty-nine, six
hundred and thirty, and they having conferred with me in respect to
the many years during which I made the said concession to the said
residence, and our ignorance at present of what had been done with
that money, or into what it has been converted, and what still lacks
to be built; and as it is in tributes of unassigned Indians, which are
to be used as a reward for the soldiers who serve me in those islands
with so great toil and danger, without there being any other thing with
which to reward them: I command you, in order that our decision in this
matter may be made with the knowledge that is advisable, to inform me
on the first opportunity that offers of the condition of the work on
the said residence, what is still to be built, and how much it will
cost; and whether the said Society of Jesus has enough funds with which
to build it, without our continuing the said concession and alms, as I
have so many alms to grant, and things so greatly needing attention,
on which account it is needful to retrench as much as possible. You
shall send me the said report, together with your opinion, through the
said my Council of the Yndias, so that, after they have examined it,
the most advisable measures may be taken. Given in Madrid, July ten,
one thousand six hundred and thirty-five.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel Ocaña y Alarcon_
Signed by the gentlemen of the Council.
LETTER FROM PEDRO DE ARCE TO FELIPE IV
Although my age is now so advanced, and I was very contented in
my bishopric of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jhesus (which is
commonly called Cebú), I was forced to leave my quiet because of
the death of the archbishop of Manila, Don Fray Garcia Serrano,
which happened more than six years ago, in order to come to govern
this archbishopric of Manila during the period of its vacancy, as
such was ordered by his Holiness Paul V, in a bull which he gave at
the petition of your Majesty's father (whom may holy Paradise keep!),
providing that the senior bishop of Philipinas should come to govern
the church at Manila for three vacancies in this metropolitan see. Thus
the lot fell to me to come; and the urgency with which the governor
and the Audiencia begged me to come gave me no room for excuses,
or to represent my indispositions and advanced age.
During the time while I have been in this government, there has been
great peace and harmony between the ecclesiastical and civil powers;
and we have always endeavored to promote the cause of our Lord and the
service of your Majesty, as we all are bound to do. I have not left the
government until now, when the bulls of this archbishopric came for
Don Fray Hernando Guerrero; for, although he had a decree from your
Majesty, the bulls, as I say, had not arrived, and I was governing
by a bull of his Holiness, with a decree from your Majesty. Having
consulted in regard to it with erudite men, theologians and jurists,
as to whether I could give up the government of the archbishopric
to Don Fray Hernando Guerrero, all counseled me in the negative,
and charged my conscience.
Finally, the Lord has been pleased to relieve me of that charge,
and to leave me the old responsibility of my own failures; and,
accordingly, I am returning thither with much pleasure and happiness,
to finish my days among my people, aiding them in whatever I can;
for they have suffered considerably during these years from the enemy
from Mindanao and Jolo, who are very powerful, and who make extensive
raids with their fleets--burning villages, firing churches, destroying
images, and capturing many Indians. Especially last year did those
enemies display themselves most insolently; whereupon Governor Don
Juan Cerezo Salamanca was obliged to apply the only remedy which
we believed there to be--namely, to construct a fort at Samboanga,
in the land of Mindanao, which might serve as a check to both enemies.
That fort was commenced when Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera arrived
to govern these islands. Hearing of the advisability of that work,
he determined to forward it, for its benefit is great, and its cost
to the royal treasury but slight; and even thus it is hoped that it
will be of great advantage in a few years, for those enemies will be
obliged to pay tribute to your Majesty--and, in fact, whole villages
have already begun to enter your Majesty's obedience. I hope that they
will also enter the obedience of our Majesty [_i.e.,_ of God]. For
that purpose, I have given and entrusted the spiritual affairs of
those islands to the fathers of the Society, so that by their excellent
method of procedure and their gentleness they may continue to attract
and convert the natives, who are very numerous. Already have they set
their hands to the labor, although the number of subjects that they
have is few; because those of this order come but very seldom, and
they have much to which to attend, and every day they have more. For
I, for only the time during which I governed the archbishopric of
Manila, have, in consideration of the welfare of the Indians and the
devotion and efficient method of administration which those of the
Society preserve among them in all parts, entrusted them with new
posts. Both in the island of Negros and in that of Mindoro, besides
the old Christians, they have three or four thousand heathen to whom
to attend; and they are already baptizing these, in addition to the
said heathen of Mindanao, who number many thousands.
Consequently, I petition your Majesty for two things: one that your
Majesty be pleased to confirm them in the said mission of Mindanao,
for the bishops have entrusted it to them alone for many years (as
did I also), through expectation of great results in the conversion,
by means of the said fathers of the Society of Jesus; the other,
that your Majesty send a goodly reënforcement of the subjects of
that order, so that they may attend to everything. I think a good
reënforcement would be about forty, if most of them are priests,
who can immediately begin to instruct.
May our Lord preserve the royal person of your Majesty, as all
kingdoms need, and as I, the least of your Majesty's chaplains, beg
in my sacrifices and prayers. Manila, October seventeen, one thousand
six hundred and thirty-five.
_Fray Pedro,_
Bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jhesus.
DOCUMENTS OF 1636
Discussion regarding Portuguese trade at Manila. Joseph de
Navada Alvarado, and others; 1632-36,
Decree extending the tenure of encomiendas. Felipe IV;
February 1.
Military services of Filipinos. Juan Grau y Monfalcon; June 13.
Conflicts between civil and ecclesiastical authorities,
1635-36. Casimiro Diaz, O.S.A.
Letter from a citizen of Manila to an absent friend. [Unsigned;
Fabian de Santillan y Gavilanes?]; June 15.
Request for Jesuit missionaries. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera;
June 19.
Letter from the bishop of Nueva Caceres to Felipe IV. Francisco
de Zamudio, O.S.A.; June 20.
List of prominent ecclesiastics in Manila and the
islands. Hernando de Guerrero, archbishop of Manila; 1636.
_Sources_: All but three of these documents are obtained from MSS. in
the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The second is from the
"Cedulario Indico" of the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; the
fourth, from Diaz's _Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas;_ the fifth,
from a MS. in the Academia Real de la Historia, Madrid.
_Translations_: All but one of these documents are translated by
James A. Robertson; the last is by Robert W. Haight.
DISCUSSION REGARDING PORTUGUESE TRADE AT MANILA
_Copy of seventeen articles which Joseph de Navada Alvarado, regidor of
the distinguished and loyal city of Manila, proposed to the municipal
council [ayuntamiento] of that city, in which he represents the
injuries and troubles which follow and have been experienced from
the Portuguese of Macan continuing the trade which they have begun to
introduce in that city [of Manila]. These articles were presented to
Don Juan Niño de Tavora, and afterward to Don Juan Cerezo de Salamanca,
governor of those islands--who, having examined them, wrote his opinion
to his Majesty, and how advisable it was to suppress the trade of
Macan with the said city of Manila, as is apparent by the said letter._
Captain Joseph de Navada Alvarado, regidor of this city of Manila,
represented in this city council that, as was public and well known,
from the year six hundred and nineteen until the present of thirty-two,
the Portuguese inhabitants of Macan have come to this city in various
vessels, without fail in all the years above mentioned, laden with
Chinese merchandise, in order to sell it here; and that, with their
said coming, it seems that they have obtained possession of this trade,
which is so strictly prohibited by various royal decrees. On account
of that trade they have waxed rich, while the inhabitants of this
community now find themselves in their so wretched present condition,
by the great sales which have been generally made to them; and because
with the said trade that which the Sangleys had by coming yearly to
this said city, with the greatest abundance of goods, has ceased. It
appears that necessity has always obliged them to have to buy from
the said Portuguese. Notwithstanding that the prices have usually
been very high, the profit which the inhabitants of this said city
have made in Nueva España has been very slight; and at times it has
been little more than the prime cost of the goods here, besides the
heavy expenses and duties which they carry, both in these islands
and in the said Nueva España. For that reason, he feels that it is
very advisable for the preservation of the said inhabitants and of
this community that the said trade of the Portuguese cease, and that
they be ordered not to come to this city; for this is permitted by
the royal will, under the penalties expressed in the said decrees in
which he orders it, to which we refer, since there are so many and
so fundamental reasons as the following.
The first, that the said Portuguese of Macan having tried in years past
to open this trade, and having come to this city with merchandise to
sell it there, this city council, seeing the damage that might grow
from it (which is the damage bewailed today), opposed the said coming,
and made various decisions in regard to demanding that the royal will
be observed, and that the Portuguese be ordered not to return to this
city. And in fact they did not come for the time being, or for many
years after, until the said year of six hundred and nineteen--[since]
when, not encountering the resistance which had been formerly made,
they have continued the said trade, as aforesaid.
The second, for proof of the aforesaid, is that, as is notorious,
the amounts of capital [invested by] the inhabitants of these islands
were very great in the first years of the coming of the said ships
from Macan; but with the high prices which the Portuguese have always
set upon their merchandise, and (as aforesaid) because the citizens
have bought from them more by force than willingly, by reason of the
lack of the goods which the Chinese brought formerly, for that reason
the said investments of capital have stopped, and are so greatly
diminished as has been, and is seen in general; because the gains
have been very slight compared with the profits that have been made
in Nueva España, considering the high prices that they demand here,
as has been previously stated.
The third point which ought to be considered is, that the customs
duties on the merchandise brought by the Chinese to this city were
worth to his Majesty from eighty to one hundred thousand pesos
annually; while those on the merchandise of the ships which have
come from Macan have not been worth more than twenty thousand pesos
in any one year, and it is considered as certain that some years the
duties have not exceeded twelve thousand. In regard to this truth,
as a point so worthy of consideration--and of which this city council
ought to take so much notice, as it is the body whom the increase
of the royal revenues to their possible extent concerns so fully--we
refer to what shall appear from the amounts of the said duties which
the Sangleys now for twenty years have put into the royal treasury,
and to those which the Portuguese have put in from the year six hundred
and nineteen, the goods which they have generally brought being valued
at about one million and a half, defrauding to a greater sum the said
import and export duties so rightfully due his Majesty.
The fourth matter that must be considered for the greater proof of the
aforesaid statement is, the quickness of the voyage from the said city
of Macan to this of Manila, since it can be made in twelve days or a
fortnight (or in one week, as has already happened), and the short time
that they spend in this city selling their goods. Those were causes
which could ensure the success of the contract which the citizens of
this city have offered to make with them, several years--namely, to
give them forty per cent clear profit upon the first cost which they
[_i.e._, the Portuguese] had invested. But as the Portuguese have
always beheld themselves powerful and masters of the said trade,
they have always refused to accept it--from which one can infer the
great gains which they have made and are making in the trade, since,
in short, more than sixty per cent [profit] has now to be given for
everything. That is a hardship which sufficiently accounts for the
present condition of the inhabitants of this city who are afflicted
with the many troubles which attend them by reason of the said
diminution of their wealth; and for the total ruin of others, who
see themselves dispossessed of what they had. For that reason they
make no further investments, because they have not the wherewithal.
Fifth, it ought to be considered how long and dangerous is the voyage
from these islands to the said Nueva España, and the heavy costs and
expenses caused by the investments; while the returns for what is
sent from here are not received even if good fortune attend them,
except at the end of two years, and sometimes more.
Sixth, that with the coming of the said Portuguese and ships from the
city of Macan to this of Manila, the commerce and trade which the
Sangley merchants of China usually carried on every year with this
city has ceased, because of the keen intelligence which the Portuguese
have employed in preventing it. That they have succeeded in doing,
entirely by means of a very astute plan which they have followed,
by taking to the annual fairs which are usually held at Canton so
many thousands of pesos to invest and to bring to this city, as, in
short, has already been said. In that way the Chinese sell them all
that they want, at a profit of twenty-five or thirty per cent. That
arrangement is so agreeable to the Sangleys, with the said profit in
their own land and without trouble, that they have ceased to come to
this city as they did formerly, risking the capital which they brought
hither. This has been aided greatly by the Portuguese persuading the
said Sangleys that the wealth of the inhabitants of this city is very
nigh gone, and to so great an extent that they cannot find an outlet
even for all the goods which they bring; and that, for that reason,
they give trust for the greater part of it--a thing that has never
happened, nor been done, for they have always received money, and
the value for everything that they have sold. To that is added also
that the said Portuguese have been wont to frighten the said Sangley
traders by telling them of the danger that they will experience in
their coming because of the Dutch pirates and the fleets of bancons
[29] with which some of the Chinese nation themselves go about
committing depredations along those coasts. At the same time they have
represented to the Chinese the heavy dues that they pay here, and the
injuries that are inflicted upon them in this city, notwithstanding
that they have [not] known that the Chinese have any complaint of
this. All is with the purpose of turning them from any design that
they have had of coming to this city with merchandise; for they fear
that if the Chinese did so it would result in impairing their trade
[30] and discrediting that which the said Portuguese hold so firmly.
The seventh is in regard to the Chinese merchants who refuse to sell
their goods in Canton to the said Portuguese of Macan, saying that
they prefer to bring them at their own cost and risk to this city
in their champans to sell them to the inhabitants of this city,
and to enjoy in their entirety the profits and gain which they
can thereby get. In order to dissuade these men from that purpose
and resolve which they have had, the said Portuguese have offered
(as many Chinese merchants who have come to this city this present
year have said) for the sake of peace to bring the goods of the
said Sangleys to this city at their own account and risk in order to
sell them here--as they could do, if they should carry them--making
a contract, by which for their administration [of this business]
they were to get five per cent. That has been seen now for two years,
during which they brought in this way more than one hundred and fifty
thousand pesos on account of Sangley merchants of Canton. They also
take the funds of the Chinese to make a return at so much per cent,
and bring it to this city, so that the Sangleys may not come here with
the said goods. That is a well known fact, and has been learned from
some of the Portuguese of Macan themselves. The said Portuguese make
those efforts in order to have the monopoly for themselves of the
merchandise brought to this city from the kingdom of China, and so
that all might pass through their hands; since, in whatever form the
aforesaid goods are brought, the Portuguese prove to be so interested,
and, for the same reason, as has already been stated, the inhabitants
of this city come to be so despoiled of their wealth. No less [injury]
is possible, except that, if the said trade is not suppressed, they
will finish by losing the little that they have within very few years.
The eighth. In regard to the aforesaid, we must consider that the
said Portuguese of Macan have always refused to agree by way of
_pancada_ on a general price, although the said pancada is so usual
among them in all parts where they buy and sell. During one of the
last few years, having agreed to the said pancada, and in order to
begin it having appointed a person both on their part and on that of
this city, when the prices were set those of Macan refused to accept
them, as they were not so high as they wished. For always with the
consideration of having a port to leeward (which is that some of the
said Portuguese remain in this city to sell their goods which they
have left over, in which no opposition has been shown them, either,
although it is so much to the prejudice of the common welfare of
this city), they become obstinate in whatever they desire--those who
spend the winter making a monopoly of their merchandise that is left
over, selling it at very high prices to the inhabitants who need it,
and selling some to the Sangleys of the Parián. The latter afterward
retail such merchandise to all manner of persons, doing that in the
course of the year with some gain.
The ninth point, and one which ought to be carefully considered, is,
that besides some of the Portuguese remaining in this city who come
from the city of Macan with the said merchandise, with the intent and
for the causes stated in the above article, they accomplish their ends
in another way, no less injurious to this community--namely, that some
of them have sent a very heavy export of their merchandise in the ships
despatched to Nueva España, although that is so stringently prohibited
by decrees and orders of his Majesty. Taking advantage of the said
opportunity, they sent it by the hands and under the names of persons
of this city, who have protected and are protecting them. Although
this city, on account of the notice given to it of this conduct, has
made all possible efforts to prevent so harmful a proceeding--having
even requested and received letters of excommunication, which have
been read and published in the churches--yet it has not been learned
that these have been sufficient to prevent it. This is verified by the
unlading of the flagship "Santa Maria Magdalena," which was despatched
from the port of Cavite in these islands in the first part of August
of the past year, six hundred and thirty-one, for Nueva España,
but whose voyage did not take place, because of the disaster that
happened. Through that mishap it became known what the Portuguese of
Macan had embarked in it, as can be related by Captain Andres Lopez
de Azaldiqui, depositary-general of this court, who was present at
the discharge of cargo with a commission from this city council.
The tenth is, that what the ships bring from Macan is only silks,
in bundles and in fabrics. If they have brought any cotton cloth
needed by the poor, each piece of cloth has been sold at three or
three and one-half pesos. The same price is received for one cate
of sewing thread, and a dish of average quality sells for one real;
and notwithstanding that they bring but little of this for the supply
of this community, they have always sold the said articles at the
prices quoted, because of reducing the cargo of the said ships to
the said silks and stuffs, on account of the profits arising from
such freights. The ships give little or no place for the lading of
cotton cloth and other wares needed so badly by the poor, because of
their volume and of the little profit made from such cargoes. Such
things are also needed by those who are not poor; and even a single
ship of those usually brought by the Sangleys from China to this city
fills the land with the said common goods, which are so necessary,
as can be understood; and the poor are supplied with these by the
convenience of their prices, which are very low. They are still
lower when a number of ships come, as was formerly the case. That
is verified by the few which have come with the said goods for some
years past, so that these articles have been valued at prices so low
as the fourth part, and less, of the prices at which they have been
sold by the said Portuguese, as has been stated.
The eleventh is, that it would not have been any trouble for the
Chinese to come to engage in this trade with a quantity of goods--as
they did before the Portuguese represented to them the dangers of
enemies or the other things aforesaid--if the trade of Macan had been
suppressed. For the greed of gain, which they are so well known to
possess, would have conquered everything, and they would come here;
since an outlet for the merchandise in which they trade in China must
be sought beneath the water. If the Chinese can know for only one year
that no ships have come from Macan to this city, it is certain that
they will come, and that beyond all doubt. Also the reëstablishment of
the trade of the said Chinese will be effected; and, since there will
be great abundance in the goods which they trade, the customs duties
will amount to the sums which I have already stated. Consequently,
there will be a stop put to the loans, so numerous and usual, that
we are wont to require every year from the inhabitants in order to
supply the needs of the royal treasury; or at least the loans will
not be so large, since the said duties will be able to supply much.
The twelfth is that, as is well known, in the merchandise brought by
the Portuguese from the city of Macan to this of Manila, there are
no articles that can, with known reason, have an outlet with profits
or even without profits, in any other part, because of this--namely,
that what they take to Japon is only raw silk, which they call of
the first value, and the cream of that of China, whose products they
bring here. No other thing is used in Japon; and the skins which they
also carry, besides being in small quantity, are but little used by
the Japanese, according to their customs; so that all the rest which
the inhabitants of Macan buy is for conveyance to this city. If they
do not come here with it, then, it is certain that they will not buy
it. Consequently, the Chinese will come with it, for it is their trade,
and they have to procure an outlet and profit for their merchandise.
The thirteenth is that the efforts exerted by the said Portuguese of
Macan in preventing the commerce of the Chinese have been by as many
roads of state as they have been able to attempt. This came to such
a pass that a ship returning from this city to that of Macan, whence
it had come with merchandise, with some Portuguese aboard it, while
coasting along the Ilocan shore some two years ago, sighted two ships
of the Sangleys, which were coming from China laden with merchandise to
this city. The said ship from Macan attacked them while passing, and
chased them, the while discharging its artillery, with the intention
of pillaging and sinking them, and preventing their coming here. By
the strenuous efforts that they made, the Chinese escaped from their
hands, although they received great damage from the artillery. Through
the delay that they suffered in these perils, their arrival here was
postponed, and having entered the bay during a terrible storm, one ship
was wrecked in the neighborhood of Parañaque, and the other in sight
of the walls [of Manila]. Consequently, the Sangleys lost their goods,
and were in danger of losing their lives. As soon as they entered this
city they gave notice of that injury, and this city council having seen
the reason of it, voted that an investigation should be made of the
aforesaid affair, and that it be done by Licentiate Nicolas Antonio de
Omaña, as he was alcalde-in-ordinary of the city. He began to make an
investigation, but ceased because the governor said that it belonged to
the jurisdiction of the war department. Thereupon the Sangleys--seeing
that they would not obtain the justice which they desired in respect
to the said investigation; and that the said Portuguese returned to
this city, because they did not continue their voyage, on account of
the wreck of the said ship in which they were going along the said
coast of Ilocos--had recourse to the royal Audiencia of these islands,
where they filed a complaint against the Portuguese who was leader of
the said ship, and the others. From the papers which were drawn up,
it resulted that the said Audiencia ordered the said Portuguese who
was commander of the said ship to be arrested. That was done, and the
latter was a prisoner for many days in the houses of the city council,
until at the end of some time he was freed, without any one knowing
in what condition the said case remained.
The fourteenth is, the long experience that we have of the injuries
that have been committed on the Castilians who have gone from this city
to the said city of Macan in the Portuguese ships, with some money
which they have taken to invest and with which to pay their passage
and the freight on their investments. Having reached the said city of
Macan they are arrested, and the said money is sequestered. Some who
have escaped this harsh treatment have taken refuge in churches, and
have at last embarked, fortunate to be at liberty with their money,
in order to return to this city. Having gone through those kingdoms
and experienced the delay of the long time during which they have been
suffering this molestation, and the others who, as aforesaid, have
escaped it by availing themselves of the said churches, these have
employed their capital in buying the merchandise of the Portuguese
of that city--and always at so high prices that, from one hand to
another, the Portuguese gain twenty-five or thirty per cent with
our people. For no lesser rate was open to the latter, in order to
redeem themselves from the injury inflicted on them, of little or no
liberty; while the Portuguese have so much freedom in this said city,
as has been and is seen, as I have already stated. Consequently, what
our people have brought from that city has always been too dear, by
reason of the aforesaid profit which the said Portuguese have made of
it. They, not content with this, have (as is well known also), whenever
opportunity has arisen to send any ship of his Majesty from this city
to bring back at his royal account military supplies for the provision
of the royal magazines, refused to let these be bought by the hands of
those who have the matter in charge, but [insist that it be] by those
of inhabitants of Macan. Thus they make use of what goods they have,
and sell them at the prices which they choose. That has always resulted
in great loss to the royal treasury, which is sufficiently notorious,
because it has been said openly by all who have gone from here for that
purpose. Such comment has not been less, even though many citizens of
this city are so patiently enduring such injustice; for, these having
delivered their goods to the said Portuguese that they might take
them hence to the said city of Macan and invest them, and bring them
back or send them the proceeds, the Portuguese have kept the goods,
and have not thus far made any return to our people. For that reason
those who sent the goods have been completely ruined by such great
losses, which in their total amount to a very large sum. With that,
and with all the profits and gains aforesaid, those of Macan are today
known to be very powerful, and to have great wealth--although they had
no considerable wealth in the said year of six hundred and nineteen,
when they began to come here to avail themselves of the said trade.
The fifteenth is, that if the trade of the said Portuguese ceases,
there can be no doubt that the Sangleys will come in their ships from
China, laden with merchandise, in order to sell it in this city. And
even should this not be to the number of those who formerly came,
nor with so great an amount of goods during these first years,
yet with the few that do come with valuable goods, and with those
which can come from the island of Hermosa, and the wax which is
obtained in these islands, there will be enough goods to complete
the two hundred and fifty thousand pesos which his Majesty allows
the inhabitants of this archipelago to trade with the said Nueva
España--and even to exceed that amount, in general, according to
the scarcity of wealth that they have today. The great investments
which are made today through the hands of agents who are here--who
have the money of certain citizens of Mexico in large quantities,
many thousands of pesos, with which they disturb the trade and
commerce of our citizens--will be prevented. For, as these men who
have the agencies enjoy an interest of ten per cent of what they thus
invest by their own authority (even though it be bought very dear),
they will not consider the removal of obstacles in the prices of the
merchandise--making them exceptions to the general loss of all this
community; for the Portuguese have continued their sales at the same
prices, without its having been possible to apply the corrective which
so great an injury demands. If that loss cease, our citizens alone will
enjoy the said investments, complying therein with his Majesty's will,
and will make them at favorable prices, whereby considerable profit
will accrue to them. For this they will share the merchandise which
will come, both from China and from the island of Hermosa and other
places, in accordance with their means. From it will also result
another advantage with the coming of the said vessels from China,
to the citizens who have possessions in the Parián, who will thus
have someone to occupy those possessions. The limited time during
which the said Sangleys are wont to remain here will be worth more
to those citizens than the rent and payment for their property which
they now usually obtain for all the year. With that income the tax
which they ought to pay for the arable land in the said possessions,
at the [current] values of this city, will not be so long delayed,
and will be paid with greater ease, promptness, and willingness than
is done now; for, as is well known to this city council, about eight
thousand pesos are owing to the said public property for the said
reason, according to the accounts that have been rendered by Juan de
Arguelles and Juan Lopez de Andoin.
The sixteenth is for an argument that, if the trade of the Portuguese
of Macan cease, the said [Chinese] will have to conduct the trade
as they did before in the said merchandise, because they will
have no other outlet for it, except in this city. This is proved
because in the revolts of the Sangleys here, in the first part of
October of the former year six hundred and two [_sic_], more than
twenty thousand Sangleys having been killed and their possessions
ruined--of which advices were taken to China by more than ten
of their ships which escaped and carried the news--nevertheless,
by May of the year following the same ships came to this city, in
the number and with the amounts of goods with which they had come
in the years preceding. They continued that in the following years,
as if the aforesaid punishment had been a benefit to them. They did
that for the reason above mentioned, of not having any other outlet
for the said merchandise in which they traded.
The seventeenth is that, as is well known, as soon as the Portuguese
of Macan knew of the post which we took in the island of Hermosa,
they tried to obstruct that trade, by sending a religious of their
nation to one of the commercial ports of China, in order that he
might direct those Chinese not to take any merchandise to the said
island. They have persisted and are still persisting in those efforts.
In regard to all the above, as a matter so important, and on which
depends the conservation of this community, and so that the citizens
of it may retrieve their losses, he petitions that discussion be
held, and that this proposition be set down in the record-book;
that a decision be reached, and a vote taken in regard to all that
ought to be petitioned; and that the royal decrees which treat of
all the said matter be observed. Having read and understood it _de
verbo ad verbum_, it was voted that the said proposition be enrolled
in the record-book of this cabildo, and that it should be discussed
and voted upon. That having been done, in consideration of the fact
that the arguments which it contains are so notorious and so well
known in this city and by its inhabitants, Manila unanimously and
as one man has resolved to inform his Lordship, the governor, of
the said proposition; that for its accomplishment all the steps that
shall seem to be advisable shall be taken, by writing, until the said
effect is obtained--with the consent and advice of the counselor of
this city; that the procurator-general of the city attend to all the
above, and that they appoint as commissaries those deputed to inform
the governor. Thereupon, Captain Diego Diaz, regidor of this city,
voted, and said that his opinion is that this affair is one of great
importance; and that it seems right to discuss and treat of it with
the inhabitants of the community, who are the ones interested. This
is his vote and opinion. The governor is requested to be pleased
to give permission for the holding of an open cabildo, so that
those interested, as they are the ones whom it concerns so greatly,
may declare therein the resolution that ought to be taken in this
matter. For if the suspension of the coming of the goods from Macan
were to happen in any other way, and at the same time those of China
should not come, the people would generally complain; and in order that
they may not do that, let them be participants in the resolution that
shall be taken. In such condition was this vote, and all signed it.
_Copy of a section of a letter written to his Majesty, August 14,
1633, by the governor of Filipinas_
The trade of Great China also has declined, inasmuch as the Portuguese
of Macan have become masters of it, as they are so near; and as they
are admitted here, contrary to all good government, they retail
the products which the said Chinese formerly brought direct. That
causes a great scarcity in these provinces, all of which results
in our loss, and in the gain of China, because of the great advance
in price over the [former] cheapness--[an excess], moreover, which
they carry to their own land. The relief that I believe can be had,
although some privation may be felt in the beginning, is that your
Majesty prohibit the trade of Macan with Manila, and decree that
Portuguese be not admitted into this government. Besides having the
above result, your Majesty's duties will increase; and the commerce
of China with the island of Hermosa can be established by this route,
and become of importance to your Majesty, although up to the present
it has been only an expense. [_Decree of the Council_: "Collect the
papers treating of this matter and the chart of the island of Hermosa;
and together with this section take it all to the fiscal, and bring
it to the Council with what he shall say. November 25, 1634."]
[_Note_: "The fiscal declares that he regards it as very unadvisable
to make any innovation for the present, and that the trade now
possessed by the Portuguese should be not prohibited; for, since the
said trade is permitted to the Sangleys and other foreign nations,
who are not vassals of his Majesty, it is not right to prohibit
it to the Portuguese; and because if the said trade is prohibited
to the Portuguese, the Dutch and other rebels to this crown might
seize that site and the trade. Moreover, the advantages which the
governor represents as the consequence are not sure but contingent;
and the increase which he mentions might not happen, and could not
afterward be made up if the Portuguese abandoned that site and that
trade ceased. Madrid, December 6, 1635."]
[_Endorsed:_ "In regard to the affairs of the island of Hermosa and
the Portuguese. Refer it to the fiscal. April 15, 636." "Let account
be given so that those decrees may be carried out which were given
in order that foreigners might not trade or traffic in the Filipinas
Islands--taking note that the Portuguese are included among foreigners,
and that the Chinese and Sangleys can trade and traffic as hitherto. In
regard to the expulsion thence of the Portuguese who are not living
there by the express license of his Majesty, he shall expel them,
unless the governor and Audiencia consider that it is not advisable;
of which it may be necessary to present information to the Council."]
_Copies of the decrees which were despatched to the governor and
Audiencia of Filipinas, and the fiscal and royal officials of them,
in regard to the trade which the Portuguese of Macan have introduced
into Manila._
The King. To the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia of the
Philipinas Islands: Don Juan Grau y Monfalcon, procurator-general
of that city, has informed me that the Portuguese people who live in
Eastern India have attempted to trade and traffic with those islands,
thus hindering the Sangleys from going to sell their merchandise
in that city; and that this intercourse was already established, in
violation of the orders and decrees issued, to the very great damage
and prejudice of my royal revenues and the good government of the
islands. He petitioned me to be pleased to have a speedy and effective
remedy applied in a matter of so great importance and weight. My
royal Council of the Indias having examined all the papers which
were presented in this matter, together with what my fiscal said and
alleged regarding it, I have considered it fitting to send you a copy
of them, so that you may see them. If the report that has been made of
this seems to you correct, you shall immediately attend to the remedy
for this damage; and I order my fiscal of that my royal Audiencia, by
another decree, to prosecute that case and to plead whatever he judges
suitable for the advantage and increase of my royal treasury, and
the observance of the orders and decrees issued, since that pertains
to him by reason of his office. Of all that you shall enact and that
you shall continue to do in this matter, you shall advise me. Given
in Madrid, November ten, one thousand six hundred and thirty-four.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
[A decree of the same date and of like tenor, addressed to the fiscal
of the Manila Audiencia, Juan de Quesada Vitado y Mendoça, follows, in
which he is ordered to prosecute the case. A decree of the same date is
also addressed to the royal officials; which, after the same general
statement at the beginning, continues: "And although I order that
Audiencia by another of my decrees of equal date with this to attend
to the remedy of this damage, and the fiscal to plead in prosecution
what he sees to be necessary, I have thought it best to advise you of
it, so that after you have understood it, if you are sure that there
is fraud in the collection and administration of my royal duties,
you also shall plead what you consider to be advisable, since you
see what is your obligation by virtue of your office. And of what
you shall hear, and what shall be done, you shall keep me advised."]
Sire:
Don Juan Grau y Monfalcon, procurator-general of the noble and loyal
city of Manila, metropolis and capital of the Philipinas Islands,
declares that the past year he represented to your Majesty the
great damages and injuries which the inhabitants of that city are
experiencing from the Portuguese of Macan having introduced the custom
of going to buy their merchandise at the fair of Canton in China,
and bringing the same to the city of Manila to retail it--where they
make a monopoly of it, without the inhabitants [of Manila] being able
to make any profit, such as they had before when the Chinese came to
the said city to sell their merchandise. The latter, besides selling
the merchandise for very suitable prices, gave credit for them until
they came back again. Without spending money, the inhabitants then
were benefited, and sent the said merchandise to Nueva España, and
made very great profits on it. All this has ceased with the coming of
the Portuguese, who not only give no credit, but sell the merchandise
for excessive prices. If they do not receive the pay that they wish
for the goods, they send them to Mexico at their own account. As they
are settled in Manila, they keep the merchandise from one year to
another. The Sangleys did not do that; for, in order to be able to
return, they sold the goods at very suitable prices, or gave credit
for them, by which the inhabitants made considerable profits. As that
profit has ceased, they are becoming very poor, and have no capital,
and there is no help for it. What they gained the Portuguese now
gain; and the latter withdraw thrice as much money from Manila as the
Sangleys did. The latter exchanged a great part of their merchandise
for products of the country, which the Portuguese do not do, but take
away the money in bars and reals. And although they allege in their
favor, in order to continue the trade, that they are vassals of his
Majesty, and that it is right for them to trade and traffic in Manila
as in Castilla and in other parts of España, the fact is excluded that
the inhabitants of that city have conquered those islands and shed
their blood in that conquest, and always have arms in their hands for
their defense. It is right that they alone should have this advantage
(as your Majesty orders by the many decrees which have been despatched
in regard to this), and not the Portuguese, who have and have always
had places to trade and traffic in Portuguese India, Japon, China,
and many other parts. It is not right to snatch the bread from the
hands of the inhabitants of Manila, who have no other trade or means
of gain save that in the merchandise of China. If relief is not given
in this very quickly, all the commerce of that city will be destroyed,
and it is now so fallen for this reason. Besides, it is prohibited
to the inhabitants of those islands by decrees, and in particular
by one of the year 593, to go to the Canton fair or to China, as the
Portuguese go to buy. It is also prohibited by many decrees for any
Portuguese, notwithstanding that they are vassals of your Majesty,
to trade or traffic in the provinces of the Indias without special
permission. This same thing must be observed in Manila, just as it
is observed in Nueva España and Piru.
Certain reasons that were presented having been examined in the royal
Council of the Indias, it was ordered by a decree despatched November
ten, one thousand six hundred and thirty-four, to send all the papers
which were presented in behalf of that city to the governor and
Audiencia of Manila; and commission was given to them so that, after
examination of the documents by the fiscal and the royal officials
(to whom a decree of like tenor was sent), they might apply in this
matter such remedy as they deemed most advisable, and as a matter so
important for the preservation of those islands demands.
King Don Felipe Second, having considered and foreseen the many
difficulties [involved in decreeing] that no one of his vassals go to
China to buy merchandise from the Chinese, ordered the said decree
to be despatched January eleven, of the said year, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-three (a copy of which is here presented),
by which he ordered Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, governor of Manila,
not to allow any inhabitants of those islands to go to China to buy
merchandise from the Chinese; but to have the latter come to that
city to sell them, at their own risk. That decree was enforced until
the year one thousand six hundred and six; but it is now violated
because the Portuguese have crossed over, contrary to the order of
the said decree. They go to China, which is the act prohibited in
the decree; and not only do they cause that damage, but they also
deprive the inhabitants [of Manila] of the benefit which they had
of receiving on credit the merchandise from the Chinese who go to
that city. Further, they bought the goods at very low prices, since,
in accordance with the terms of the said decree, the governor and the
city set the prices for the merchandise, which was a thing of great
importance. And in order that the Chinese might return to Manila, and
the inhabitants enjoy the profits and accommodations of former times,
and the terms of the said decree of 593 might be obeyed, in which all
the trouble that happens now was anticipated; and for confirmation of
the above statement, and so that your Majesty may see that not only do
the inhabitants of that city suffer damage because the Portuguese go
to it with Chinese merchandise, but that your Majesty also loses vast
sums of which the royal duties are defrauded: will you be pleased to
order the certification which the writer presents, from the accountant
of the official visit to be examined. From this, it is apparent that
during the last thirteen years while the Sangleys had the trade in
that city--from the year one thousand six hundred and six until that
of one thousand six hundred and eighteen--they paid in duties to your
Majesty, 574,627 pesos and six tomins; and that in another thirteen
years while the said Portuguese of Macan have had the said trade, they
have paid only 90,041 pesos. Figuring one period against the other,
the royal treasury has had a shortage of 483,986 pesos and four tomins,
a considerable quantity in only thirteen years. And, in order that
this truth may be apparent to your Majesty, the writer presents the
said certification of the annual amounts of the said duties, for both
the thirteen years of the Portuguese and the thirteen of the Chinese.
[He also invites] consideration of the fact that the purpose of the
said royal decree of 593 is subverted and violated by the commerce
which the Portuguese of Macan carry on in China in order to take the
merchandise by way of retail to the said city of Manila; for the said
purpose declared in the said royal decree is that the said merchandise
of China shall enter into the said Manila through the hands of the said
Chinese, and at their own account and risk, as the said decree says,
without any other persons being authorized to meddle in it at all,
or any merchants save the said Chinese. Thus the said violation is
manifest, since the said Portuguese are the ones who carry and deliver
the merchandise in the said city, by means of the said commerce which
they have in China. Without that it would be impossible to take them
to Manila, or to violate the said royal decree. Since they are not
deserving of greater favor or benefit than the inhabitants of the
said city--in whom concur so many merits and services, as is well
known, and to whom the said commerce is denied by the said decree
of 593--nor is there any cause or reason why the said Portuguese,
who can not urge the said services, and who only think of the said
retailing of goods and of their own interest and greed, should be
permitted to trade; he petitions and beseeches your Majesty to be
pleased to have a second decree of like tenor to that of the year 593
issued, so that it may be observed and obeyed exactly, as is stated
therein. In it also should be included the case above mentioned, or
it should be ordered anew that the said Portuguese shall not conduct
or continue the said commerce in the said city--at least making it
an offense to carry to Manila the said merchandise for which they
trade in China, imposing therefor heavy penalties of confiscation,
and others more severe in case of violation. By this the royal
treasury will receive great benefit and increase, and avoid the so
considerable injury and loss that has been set forth; and the said
city and its inhabitants will receive an especial favor and grace,
as is hoped from the greatness and the royal authority of your Majesty.
Further, he besought your Majesty to have filed with this memorial the
letters which were in the secretary's office, written by the governor
and Audiencia in regard to what is represented in the memorial; so
that after the whole has been examined, the decision most fitting to
the service of your Majesty and the preservation of those islands may
be made. And that the great troubles that follow from the aforesaid
may be seen, he petitions that an examination he ordered to be made
of the memorial of seventeen articles which was presented by Jusepe
de Naveda, regidor of that city.
_Decree of our sovereign King Don Felipe Second, by which it is
prohibited that any one go to China to buy merchandise from the
Chinese; but the latter must go to the city of Manila to carry them,
and sell them at their own cost and risk_--_in which decree are to
be included the Portuguese of Macan._
The King. To Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, my governor and captain-general
of the Philipinas Islands, and any other person who shall hereafter
serve in the said office: know that I have been informed that many
persons of those islands are going to Macan and other ports of China
to trade and traffic with the Chinese for the profit that results
from it. From that result higher prices for the merchandise, and other
notable inconveniences. And as it is fitting that a remedy be applied
in this matter, I have determined to prohibit and to order--as I do
by this present prohibit, forbid, and order--that no person, now and
henceforth, shall trade or traffic in any part of China; nor shall
any merchandise, on account of the merchants of the said islands, be
carried or permitted to be carried from that kingdom to the islands,
unless the Chinese themselves, at their own account and risk, shall
carry it to the said islands, and sell it therein by wholesale. For
this, you, together with the city council of the city of Manila,
shall appoint each two or three persons whom you shall consider most
suitable to value and appraise the said merchandise. They shall take it
at wholesale from the Chinese, paying them the amount for the goods;
and afterward it shall be divided among all the citizens and natives
of the islands at that price, in accordance with their wealth, so that
all may share the profit which results from this trade. You shall
order that the said persons thus appointed keep a book, in which
shall be entered the amount of money which is invested each time,
and the price at which each kind of merchandise is appraised; among
what persons it is divided; and the quantity that falls to each one's
share. And I charge you straitly to have especial care to ascertain
in what manner the persons deputed for that purpose exercise that
commission. You shall not permit those who have held it one year to
be chosen for it the following year. You shall send me a relation
of all the aforesaid, signed by them, and another to the viceroy
of Nueva España. And I order you, and also all other justices and
judges, to observe and obey, and cause to be observed and obeyed,
and executed to the letter, the contents of this our decree; for
thus it is fitting for my service. Given in Madrid, January eleven,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-three.
I the King
By order of the king our sovereign.
Juan de Ybarra
[_Endorsed_: "December 19, 635. Have these papers collected; bring
what is provided." "Have all these papers taken to the fiscal. In the
Council, January 16, 636." "The fiscal asks that this decree be brought
authorized by the secretary, so that he may answer and petition what he
shall believe to be expedient. Madrid, January 19, 1636." "The fiscal
says that the decree of which a reissue is requested does not touch
upon the case for which it is now requested; and that he considers
as a rigorous measure that what is therein permitted to the Chinese
should not be permitted to the Portuguese, who are his Majesty's
vassals--they having occupied that port of Macan, as he understands,
after the said decree was issued. Madrid, January 22, 1636."]
_Customs duties collected at Manila on Chinese merchandise_
In thirteen years while the Sangleys had control of the trade of
Chinese merchandise--namely, from that of 1606 to that of 1618--they
paid in duties to his Majesty, according to the certification of the
accountant for the official visit, 574,627 pesos, 6 tomins. In another
thirteen years while the Portuguese of Macan have controlled the
said trade, they have paid only 90,641 pesos, 2 tomins. Consequently,
comparing the one time with the other, there is, as he has informed his
Majesty, a shortage of 483,986 pesos, 4 tomins, in his royal treasury.
This account is presented in detail in the following manner:
Year of 1606 32,113 pesos, 3 tomins, 3 granos.
Year of 1607 and 1608 75,462 pesos, 0 tomins, 4 granos.
Year of 1609 and 1610 131,341 pesos, 4 tomins, 0 granos.
Year of 1611 26,053 pesos, 0 tomins, 7 granos.
Year of 1612 95,639 pesos, 2 tomins, 8 granos.
Year of 1613 69,427 pesos, 7 tomins, 0 granos.
Year of 1614 36,105 pesos, 2 tomins, 6 granos.
Year of 1615 41,558 pesos, 1 tomin, 1 grano.
Year of 1616 23,377 pesos, 0 tomins, 0 granos.
Year of 1617 37,179 pesos, 5 tomins, 5 granos.
Year of 1618 5,770 pesos, 0 tomins, 0 granos.
------- -- --
574,627 pesos, 6 tomins, 10 granos.
Duties which the Portuguese of Macan have paid on the merchandise
of China in the thirteen years from that of 1619 to that of 1631,
according to the same certification; and also those which the Chinese
ships that have come in those same years have paid.
Macan Years China
pesos tomins granos pesos tomins granos
1,172 6 3 1619 11,148 0 0
8,903 0 0 1620 27,797 0 0
9,653 5 0 1621 6,692 6 11
7,370 0 0 1622 8,040 0 0
4,238 3 5 1623 1,759 3 9
5,444 0 0 1624 2,998 6 0
6,917 0 0 1625 10,894 0 0
10,248 0 0 1626 22,580 0 0
9,092 3 8 1627 20,385 0 0
3,036 0 0 1628 2,943 0 0
641 0 0 1629 3,957 0 0
11,645 0 0 1630 6,287 0 0
7,480 0 0 1631 18,344 0 0
------ -- -- ------- -- --
90,641 2 4 143,826 6 8
DECREE EXTENDING THE TENURE OF ENCOMIENDAS
The King. To Don Albaro de Quiñones, knight of the Order of Santiago,
my governor and captain-general of the province of Guatemala, and
president of my royal Audiencia resident therein, or the person
or persons in charge of its government: as you have understood,
the repartimientos and encomiendas of Indians which the kings my
forbears and I have been accustomed to grant to various persons in
that country, in consideration of their services, have been for two
generations. Inasmuch as my intention has always been, and is, to
show favor to those who serve, equal to their deserts, and especially
to the pacifiers and settlers of those provinces, and considering the
special importunities that many persons make, that the repartimento or
encomienda which they hold may be prolonged for one more generation,
they representing to me not only their own causes, but the advantages
therein for the Indians, and their good treatment and education:
with the consent and advice of the members of my royal Council of
the Indias, after they had consulted with me, I have determined to
show favor generally to all those who hold the repartimientos and
encomiendas of Indians in those provinces, by prolonging them for
another generation, in addition to the generations for which they
now hold them, provided that they immediately, for this reason,
contribute to my funds--those who shall possess encomiendas for a
second generation, with the value of the first three years; and those
who shall enjoy them in the third generation with the value of two
years--so that that may be an aid to the heavy expenses that my royal
treasury incurs in defense of these and those kingdoms, and of the
increase and conservation of our holy Catholic faith. [It shall be]
provided that this prolongation be not extended, nor be understood
to extend, to those who should hold encomiendas of which the value
exceeds eight hundred ducados and more; for such encomiendas must be
kept to reward worthy persons, in the manner that has been followed
hitherto. In order that this may be executed as is desired, I have
thought best to order you and to charge you--as I do--that as soon as
you receive this my decree you publish it in that city of Santiago,
and in all the others of your government, so that all persons who shall
desire the said prolongation of their repartimientos or encomiendas
may come before you within one year, counted from the day of the said
publication. Those who thus come before you within the said time you
shall admit to the said agreement, under the above obligations. Having
made the contract, you shall give them the necessary despatches,
so that they may enjoy these for the third generation; and these
shall be thus continued to them with the repartimientos which they
possess, or shall be continued to those who shall duly succeed to
them, according to the law of succession. They shall be obliged to
have obtained within four years my confirmation of the same. Those
who shall come after the said year has expired you shall in no case
admit. With those with whom you shall make a contract, you shall try
to regulate the value of the repartimientos and encomiendas, with the
advice of the fiscal of that Audiencia and the royal officials of their
district, enacting for that purpose the measures that you shall deem
advisable; paying heed to the consolidations which must be made of
the pensions that they pay at present. With those who shall possess
their repartimientos and encomiendas without any stipulation for the
consolidation, you shall contract in the same manner and form, with
the obligation to come to obtain the confirmation. You shall proceed
in both cases with the like care that the business be regulated and
transacted so that my royal treasury be paid, exactly and promptly,
what belongs to it because of this. The sum resulting from this you
shall send me at the first opportunity in a separate fund, and shall
not put it with the rest of my revenues--sending it directed to my
president and official judges of the House of Trade at Sevilla. You
shall make a special report of what proceeds from each contract, and
of those who wish to make contracts in regard to the encomiendas which
they possess in those kingdoms; and those who enjoy those encomiendas
while living in these kingdoms shall come to make these contracts
in the said my Council of the Indias, where they will be admitted
without any time limit being set. Madrid, February 1, 1636.
_I the King_
By order of the king our sovereign:
_Don Gabriel de Ocaña y Alarcon_
_Idem_, to the [governor] of Yucatan, Philipinas, and Venezuela.
MILITARY SERVICES OF FILIPINOS
Sire:
Don Juan Grau y Monfalcon, procurator-general of the Philipinas
Islands, desirous of your Majesty's service and the welfare and
conservation of those islands, and that the Indians who are under
your Majesty's protection and pay you homage be preserved therein,
represents that the Indian natives of the provinces of Pampanga,
Camarinas, and Tagalos have served and are serving your Majesty with
great love and fidelity, since the time of the conquest of those
islands. Not one of those Indians has ever been found in rebellion,
or has wrought any treachery, or deserted to the enemy. Those Indians,
mingled with Spaniards, serve as soldiers in war, and have proved
excellent therein. Especially are the Pampangos valiant soldiers,
who have performed and are daily performing valiant exploits at
the side of the Spanish. They were at the taking of Terrenate; and,
whenever occasion offers, they with other companies come to guard the
city of Manila. They also serve as rowers and pioneers in expeditions
by the fleets. On all occasions that offer, they serve your Majesty
with their persons and possessions. The natives of the province of
Tagalos do the same. They, together with those of the province of
Camarinas, serve both in war and in the building of galleons and
galleys with great friendship and goodwill. In order that those
Indians, especially the Pampangos and Tagáls, may be encouraged to
continue your Majesty's royal service, he represents that it would be
very advisable for your Majesty to be pleased to command that letters
be sent to them, expressing your great appreciation of their conduct;
as well as to the governor of Manila, ordering him to observe and
cause to be observed _in toto_ the decrees that were ordered to be
despatched in their favor by their Majesties the kings Don Phelipe
Second and Third. If it should be deemed advisable, since they are
serving in the military and are so valiant soldiers, in order to
encourage them for the future [the writer suggests that you] honor
them with military offices and charges; for if the natives of the
said provinces see that your Majesty is mindful of them, and honors
them through your royal decrees, they will be encouraged to continue
your royal service with greater fervor. In case that it should appear
expedient to despatch the said decrees, they could be sent to the
alcaldes-mayor of the said three provinces of Pampanga, Tagalos,
and Camarinas, and they should be ordered to assemble the leading
Indians of those provinces, and have your Majesty's royal decrees
read to them. Besides the many advantages that may accrue from your
Majesty honoring the natives of these three provinces, may follow
another very great one--namely, that the other Indians of the other
provinces, who do not serve with so much friendship and promptness
as they (on the contrary, many of them rebel daily and go over to
the enemy), on seeing that your Majesty honors them by your royal
decrees, and that the governors appoint them to offices and duties,
will be encouraged to serve and to merit a like reward from your
Majesty. All of the above he represents, so that your Majesty may
take what measures may be deemed most fitting for your royal service.
[_Endorsed_: "Don Juan Grau, procurator-general of the Philipinas
Islands. June 13, 636. Have the governor notified to be very careful
for the Indians of these three provinces; and to encourage them
greatly. Order him to summon their leaders so that they may always
continue in his Majesty's service. Have a relation made to the effect
that we have heard that they serve well, and of their fidelity. This
being so, let him execute the aforesaid; and let nothing which is
here proposed be said that may annoy the military officers."]
CONFLICTS BETWEEN CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITIES, 1635-36
_SECOND BOOK OF THE SECOND PART OF THE CONQUESTS OF THE FILIPINAS
ISLANDS, AND CHRONICLE OF THE RELIGIOUS OF OUR FATHER, ST. AUGUSTINE_
[_Translation of title-page_: "Conquests of the Filipinas Islands:
the temporal by the arms of our Catholic Sovereigns of España, and
the spiritual by the religious of the Order of St. Augustine; and the
foundation and progress of the province of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús
of the same order. Part second: compiled by the use of the materials
which the very reverend father Fray Gaspar de San Agustín, [31]
author of the first part, collected, by Father Fray Casimiro Diaz, [32]
native of Toledo, of the Order of our father St. Augustine, chronicler
of this province of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús, procurator-general,
and twice secretary and definitor of the same. With the necessary
licenses. Valladolid [33] ... 1890."]
CHAPTER XV
_The raid of the Mindanao pirates into Leyte. Election of father Fray
Juan Ramirez as provincial. Arrival of the governor, Don Sebastian
Hurtado de Corcuera, and the religious who came in his company._
That year of 1634 was so quiet and so barren of events worthy of
remembrance that I shall not dwell long upon it; for there is nothing
of which I have heard to detain me, unless it be the raid of the
Mindanao enemy into the island of Leyte, and the depredations that
they committed there with the license permitted to them in seeing
that there was no attempt made in Manila to check them.
On Sunday, December 3, 1634, the Mindanaos arrived with eighteen
galleys at the village of Ogmuc, leaving behind in that of Baybay
the rest of the vessels which they brought in their fleet. Fifty
of our Indians went out to resist them, but being unable to fight
so many, they gradually retired to a little fort, possessed by the
village. They thought that they would be able to resist the pirates
there, being encouraged by their minister, Father Juan del Carpio, of
the Society of Jesus; and they did so for some time, until the Moros,
knowing that the church was higher than the fort, entered it and our
men could not reach them with their shots. They planted three pieces
in a convenient place at the church, in order to do great damage to
those in the fort; and firing without cessation, they did not allow
our men to fire a shot through its loopholes and windows. Others
of the enemy hastened by another side to gather bundles of thatch by
uncovering the roofs of the houses; and by fastening together what wood
and bamboo they could gather, and pushing this contrivance toward the
fort, they set it afire. The fire burned a quantity of rice and abacá
(which is the hemp of this country), and many men were choked by the
smoke. The besieged, seeing that the fire had caught the timber-work
[of the fort], and that they were being inevitably killed without any
chance to defend themselves, displayed a signal for surrender and in
fact did so.
They were all captured; and a great contest arose among the enemy as to
who should have Father Carpio as his captive. In this contention they
had recourse to the Mindanao captain, and he ordered that the father
be killed. That they did very gladly, and beheaded him and carried his
head back to present it as a spoil to their king, Cachil Corralat. The
latter had charged them not to leave alive any religious or Spaniard,
for so had he vowed to their false prophet Mahomet in an illness that
he had had. They took the others captive, and sacked and burned all
the village. From that place they sailed out and committed the same
destruction in the villages of Soyor, Binñangán, Cabalián, Canamucán,
and Baybay. But they were so stoutly resisted in the village of
Inibañgán in [the island of] Bohol, and in Dapitán, that they retired
but little the gainers; for those Indians are very valiant, and very
different in valor from the other villages which the Mindanaos sacked.
The Camucones also--a people from islands subject to Borney, cruel
and barbarous, and Mahometan by religion, although there are pagans
in some islands--made their raids into the island of Panay, chiefly
on the villages of Bataán, Domayan, and Mahanlur, and in those of
Aclán and Bahay, where they captured many of our Indians, and burned
the churches of the visitas. The visitas are usually deserted, and
have no houses to defend them; and those Camucones are very cowardly
and very different from the Joloans and Mindanaos, who are valiant,
and much more so the latter named. The Camucones entered by the
river and bar of Batán, which is salt water, where a very grievous
jest happened to two or three of their craft. The river of Batán has
another river a short distance above the village road, which ends
in a very wide and spacious sea, which they call "tinagongdagat," or
"hidden sea," in which the inhabitants enjoy excellent fishing. With
the ebb of the tide that spacious sea is left almost dry, and then
many kinds of shellfish are caught, such as oysters and crabs. The
Camucones entered that sea, with the intention of lying in wait for
some capture, but when they least expected it they found their craft
on dry ground. An Indian who was gathering the aforesaid shellfish
saw them; and, recognizing them to be piratical enemies by the style
of their craft, went to the village and gave warning of them. Many
of the inhabitants of Batán assembled, and, well armed, attacked
the Camucones very courageously. They made a great slaughter of the
pirates, and captured many of them and burned their craft. Some of
the Camucones escaped through the mangrove plantations and swampy
ground. They were captured next day, with the exception of those who
had the luck to rejoin the boats of their companions--who repenting
of their carelessness, returned to their lands, and did not return
to try their fortune in those regions for many years.
Those Camucones enemies, entering that island of Panay in the
same district between Bataán and Aclán, in 1672, captured the
alcalde-mayor of Panay, Captain Don José de San Miguel. He defended
himself against them until he was killed, and immediately when that
was known they beheaded him, and took his head and skin to their land
as a trophy. Better fortune was experienced by the notary, Pedro de
Villarús, who was in another boat; for, having seen the Camucones,
he had his boat beached, and, taking to the mangrove swamps, saved his
life after great danger. This he attributed to a miracle of the apostle
St. Peter, to whom he was very devoted, and to whom he made a great
feast as a thank-offering. The piteous death of that alcalde-mayor, Don
José de San Miguel, could be attributed to the punishment of God, as he
had been a cruel persecutor of the regular ministers; so much so that
in the time during which he governed that province (which by the Divine
permission was short), they suffered a great persecution. But God knows
the truth; and it is not permitted, nor do I wish, to interpret the
events of His holy will and providence. But it has not seemed proper
to me to omit a circumstance which I positively know concerning that
ill-starred youth; namely, that after his death, there was found
among his papers a letter from his father, Don Basilio de San Miguel
(who is said to have been much given to astrology and soothsaying),
who told and ordered him not to receive an office of justice under
any circumstance, for the first that he should obtain threatened him
with a very great disaster. I know that fact absolutely; for the rest,
concerning the infallibility and even possibility of like judgments,
I declare that I am ready to obey the command of our holy Mother the
Church, in the constitution of his Holiness Sixtus V which begins,
_Cæli et terræ Creator_.
Father Fray Gerónimo de Medrano finished his triennium, notable
both for his pacific and prudent government, and by the two martyrs
of Christ who ennobled this province during his triennium. In the
chapter celebrated in the convent of Manila, April 28, 1635--over
which father master Fray Alonso de Carvajal presided, by virtue of
the letters of our father-general--father Fray Juan Ramirez, [34] a
religious of great prudence, learning, and devotion, was elected, to
the content of the whole province. The definitors elected were father
Fray Estacio Ortiz, the father master Fray Teófilo Mascarós, [35] Fray
Cristóbal de Miranda, and Fray Andrés Berdugo. [36] The visitors were
father Fray Diego Martinez [37] and Fray Juan Gallegos. They enacted
regulations very useful for the good government of the province, and
provided ministers for the ministries of it, both priors and vicars,
as at that time it contained many distinguished members of the order.
Two galleons arrived at Cavite on St. John's day, which were returning
from Nueva España with the reënforcements for these islands. The
flagship of those vessels was called "Nuestra Señora de la Concepción"
[_i.e.,_ "Our Lady of the Conception"], and the almiranta "San
Luis." They brought the new governor and a company of religious of
our order, and also some of St. Dominic, among them father Fray Diego
Collado. [38] On July twenty-seven father Fray Diego de Ordás [39]
entered the convent of Manila with his mission, which was composed
of twenty-five religious, who have been very useful to this province.
That same year came also Governor Don Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera,
knight of the Order of Alcantara, and member of the Council of War
in the states of Flandes, where he had served many years with great
credit, being one of the most renowned captains in the siege of
Breda. He had afterward been master-of-camp of the port of Callao in
Perú, and captain-general of the cavalry of that kingdom, and lastly
governor of Panamá. He brought a great reënforcement of soldiers,
many of them from Perú, as he made his voyage to Acapulco from
that kingdom. He was a gentleman of great valor, and one prone to
undertake rash enterprises. However he did not have much good fortune
in the outcome of these, either in war or in politics, for all had a
disastrous end. The reason of this is hidden, with the Divine plans;
but, as the reader will see in the events that I shall soon write,
it will appear that the beginnings of his government, fatal for
these islands, could not have less unfortunate progress, the effects
lasting until the present time. Don Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera
took possession of this government on June 25 of the above year.
His Majesty had promoted Don Hernando Guerrero to this archbishopric of
Manila; and the latter, upon the arrival of the decree of presentation
in the year 1632, asked the cabildo on May 25 to put him in possession
of his government. But inasmuch as the decree which was required for
it was lacking, the cabildo refused to receive him in possession until
the arrival of the bulls and pallium. Consequently, he remained in
Manila without governing, until, in the above year [_i.e.,_ 1635],
came an official statement that the bulls and pallium were already
attended to in the Roman court; and he thereupon insisted once more
that he be admitted to the government of the Church. There were
various difficulties raised by the cabildo in receiving him; for in
that ship there came only a statement from an apostolic notary, without
approval. In regard to this matter long opinions were uttered by each
side, which were finally settled by admitting Señor Guerrero after he
swore to present himself with the bulls and pallium within a year. In
accordance with this, possession was given to him on June 25, 1635.
Don Fray Hernando de Guerrero began to govern this church at the same
time that Don Sebastián de Corcuera these islands: At the beginning
there were abundant indications of what would happen at the end;
for the new governor showed himself so greatly bent on increasing
his own jurisdiction that it was necessary to act with severity,
and not to allow him to make precedents by which certain notions
(already beginning to be apparent when he was governor of Panamá)
which he had in mind should be established. That gentleman was at
once very prudent, very harsh and austere, very tenacious in his
resolutions, and wedded to his own notions--which is the occasion for
the greatest errors in princes; for by not yielding, in matters that
self-love adopts as certain, they allow themselves to be carried over
any precipice. This passion was greatly predominant in that gentleman
and was the cloud that obscured other talents, worthy of esteem, that
adorned him. Immediately occasions of dispute arose between the two,
not because Guerrero tried to meddle with the civil government, but
because the governor was trying to govern both estates, by giving
unfair interpretations to several matters called by the name of
"royal patronage;" these are delicate to handle, and the attention
with which they ought to be treated is not bestowed on them. Don Fray
Hernando greatly regretted the unavoidable occasions that arose,
and feared that by the precedent of the first disputes all those
which might afterward arise would be regulated; and accordingly,
he tried not to weaken at the beginning, which is the time when one
must pay heed in order to avoid consequences.
The first occasion when the governor contrived to introduce himself
into the ecclesiastical government more than was his right, was in
trying to aid father Fray Diego Collado of the Order of Preachers in
the division which the latter was attempting to make of the province of
Santo Rosario, under the title of "Congregation of San Pablo," dividing
the province into two parts. For that purpose the father had brought
a company of religious, who were called "barbados," because they wore
long beards, and were destined for the new province which he was going
to found under the title of "congregation," for the conversion of
Japón and China. For this purpose the said father Fray Diego Collado
had obtained the bulls necessary for it in Roma; but seeing that he
would not be given license for it in the royal and supreme Council
of the Indias, on account of the difficulties that were apparent to
the eyes of the least prudent, he did not present them there, being
content with having Don Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera on his side, with
whom he had come to these islands in the aforesaid company. That was
a very dangerous and critical time for the province of Santo Rosario,
which was exposed to many disturbances by the division that they were
trying to make of it; and the best convents near Manila were to be
taken away from it for the new congregation. In that pretension the
aid of the governor was freely used, and it was necessary for the
archbishop to oppose him, the province of Santo Rosario having had
recourse to the latter. Thereupon the dispute was openly declared,
because the governor tried to carry to completion the undertaking that
had been begun. The said division would without doubt have been carried
into effect had it not been opposed by the archbishop and by Don Fray
Diego de Aduarte, a Dominican, and bishop of Nueva Segovia. That was
the beginning of the sharpest controversies that have been seen in
the Indias between the two jurisdictions--ecclesiastical and civil;
and from it originated the disturbances which scandalized the world,
causing lamentable effects which are experienced even until the present
time. Not only laymen, whom worldly considerations cause to follow the
side of power in these islands, conspired on the side of the governor,
but also certain ecclesiastical persons, whose advancement depended
on the will of the civil government. These latter, being domestic
enemies, were the greatest spur in the hostilities that had been
begun. They would have been ended by the care that the archbishop was
taking, had the unyielding disposition of Don Sebastián de Corcuera,
in what had been begun, allowed him to be less insolvent in what he
was attempting. For if on such occasions something is not yielded on
both sides, the fire that has been started will continue to increase
until any check will be entirely impossible--as was experienced on this
occasion; for instead of being extinguished, it became more furious
with what happened afterward, as we shall see in the following chapter.