The scope of the present volume is confined to the year 1636, but
enough of interest occurs within that time--thanks to the overflowing
energy of the new governor, Corcuera, who promptly reorganizes all
departments of the government; his controversies with the archbishop
and the friars; and the difficulties and dissensions which affect
the orders themselves. The greater part of this volume is occupied
by Corcuera's report for the first year of his governorship.
The nuns of St. Clare ask (probably in 1635) for certain favors from
the royal treasury; and their agent avails himself of this opportunity
to ask favors for his own order, the Franciscan Recollects. The nuns
themselves write to the king (June 30, 1636), through their abbess,
Ana de Christo, informing him of their progress and growth in the
Philippines, and other matters. They have founded a convent of
their order at Macao; and have built a house at Manila for their
residence. They complain that Governor Corcuera has driven the
Franciscans from the administration of the royal hospital, and coerced
the archbishop--the story of whose ill-treatment by the governor
they briefly repeat, asking the king to grant the prelate redress
therefor. They also ask that their confessor may have a cell at the
hospital, which is near them; and complain that their convent is
much injured by the walls and buildings that are being erected about
it--some of these arbitrarily ordered by the governor, who ignores
the needs and comfort of the nuns. They close with another appeal
for royal aid to finish the building of their convent, and thanks
for the king's effort to secure the canonization of their foundress.
A relation for the year 1635-36 describes the arrival at Manila
of Governor Corcuera, and narrates his controversies with the
archbishop. The account is more detailed and circumstantial than that
of Diaz (given in Vol. XXV); and the two constitute an interesting
chapter, not only of ecclesiastical history but of human nature. The
friars finally send secret envoys to the king, to inform him of
their troubles. News comes from Japon of renewed persecutions of
Christians there, and of the apostasy of the Jesuit provincial for
that kingdom--who has even, it is said, married a heathen woman. At
the end of this document is added a copy of a pasquinade which appeared
at that time in Manila, lampooning the governor and his adherents.
A group of letters from Corcuera (June 30, 1636) constitute his first
annual report to the home government.
Ecclesiastical affairs engross a large part of this document, as would
be expected from the recent occurrence of Corcuera's controversy
with the archbishop. The governor's account of this affair will be
found especially interesting when compared with those presented, in
Vol. XXV, from Jesuit and Recollect sources. We have given more space
to this episode than usual--partly because this contention between the
civil and ecclesiastical authorities is, although but one of many, a
typical and important one; and partly because it affords a favorable
opportunity to view such an episode from the different standpoints
of that time in Manila--a necessary mental process for obtaining
a correct knowledge, not only of this affair, but of all others in
which the like elements of human nature are concerned. The resemblance
of Corcuera's account to that by "a citizen of Manila" is more than
casual, and incidentally throws considerable light on the situation
(as well as on social conditions in Manila). It contains attested
copies of the various documents connected with the controversy.
Another section is devoted to an account of the governor's
difficulties with the religious orders in "subduing the religious to
the understanding that your Majesty alone is their natural seignior;
and the seignior of the said islands." He claims that the Dominicans
are most active of the orders in opposing the government, while
certain proceedings of the Franciscans have scandalized the Spanish
colony. The Augustinians are in need of reform, as their proceedings
are unscrupulous and selfish, and they are trying to usurp the royal
authority among the Indians. Corcuera advises that a coadjutor be
appointed for the aged archbishop Guerrero, and that hereafter no
more friars be made bishops in the islands. The orders have brought
over more religious than the government had allowed them, to which
the governor objects; he also recommends that those who do come
should be procured from Mexico, to save unnecessary expense in their
transportation, and that seculars be preferred to friars. Moreover,
this will provide occupation for the theological students in the
Mexican colleges, who now are set aside, in ecclesiastical appointments
there, for the friars. The governor appeals to the king for support
in his contest with the friars. In another letter, he recounts the
annoyances which he has experienced with the Dominicans, and asks
for the king's orders therein. Still another is devoted to the recent
difficulties in the Franciscan order, wherein the Observantines have
been trying to oust the discalced friars; Corcuera asks the king
to interpose his influence with the heads of the order in Spain to
check these schemes, and to restrain the arrogance of these friars
in the islands. In a brief letter regarding the Mexican trade of the
islands, the governor urges that the government double the amount
of this trade allowed to the islands. Considerable attention is
given to the Chinese who come to the islands; Corcuera describes
their present location and status, and proposes further imposts on
them in order to replenish the Philippine treasury. He relates the
controversy between the Dominicans and Jesuits over the salary paid to
the Santa Cruz cura from the Parian fund, and his settlement of the
case. Corcuera also proposes the names of several persons from whom
may be chosen a protector for the Chinese residents, and announces
that he has made a temporary appointment for this office. He states
the action that he has taken in regard to certain vacant encomiendas;
and asks that these rewards be more strictly assigned, and that the
large encomiendas be divided into smaller ones.
Another part of this first report of Corcuera concerns administrative
and financial matters. He complains that the royal treasury has been
recruited, and afterward depleted, by illegal and unjust means;
and that its poor creditors have been shamefully treated by royal
officials. He urges that vacancies in the post of governor be filled
by persons appointed and sent to the islands before such emergency
arises; and that these be sent from Europe, and not from Nueva
Espana. To this is appended a full and itemized account of pay-warrants
which have been drawn from the royal treasury during the past year,
but were commuted to one-third of their face value, as a "voluntary
contribution" to his Majesty's impoverished treasury. This is followed
by another list, showing what sums were paid out of the treasury
during 1632-35. Much light is thus thrown on the peculiar financial
methods of the royal officials, and the general administration of
the colony's affairs. Corcuera relates the manner in which he has
reorganized the military forces of the colony--doing all in his power
to save expenses and to supply deficiencies. He has enrolled several
companies of Pampango Indians, who will make good soldiers, and cost
much less than do the Spaniards. Soon after his arrival, he revises
both the civil and military pay-rolls and other costs of government,
making all changes that he considers necessary for greater economy
and efficiency. He sends the king a copy of the new regulations thus
made, with a statement of all salaried offices and paid employments,
and the amounts paid in each formerly and now. From these data is
deduced the statement that the amount saved to his Majesty's estate
is nearly forty-two thousand pesos a year.
Cristobal de Lara, a Jesuit, writes (July 3) to a friend in Europe;
he describes the hardships and perils of missionary life in the
islands, and mentions various friends. A week later, Corcuera, having
received various royal decrees, sends to the king a statement of what
he has done or intends to do in regard to the matters mentioned in
the decrees. In several of these, he takes pains to mention that
he had done what was required, even before receiving the royal
command. Corcuera personally attends to the lading of the Acapulco
galleons; he remonstrates against the order that they shall sail
by June 1 of each year, explaining that the middle of July is the
proper time; and asks that the commanders of the galleons be given
disciplinary authority over their men while in the port of Acapulco. He
has forbidden the Portuguese of Macao to trade with the Philippines;
and advises that the occupation of Formosa be abandoned. Corcuera
has formed and armed companies of natives to resist the Moro pirates,
and has done much to improve the efficiency of both his military and
naval forces. He complains that the friars are disobedient and unruly,
but commends the obedience and good-will of the secular clergy. The
natives of the islands cannot endure the burdens imposed upon them
by the construction of ships; and the governor asks that vessels may
be sent thither from Peru, to meet this difficulty.
A group of papers regarding the hospitals of Manila is dated
July-August, 1636. Governor Corcuera writes to the king regarding the
conduct of these institutions. The expenses therein are too great;
and Corcuera has levied an assessment on the pay of the officers
and soldiers, to aid the hospital fund. He finds mismanagement in
the royal hospitals, and dismisses from their charge the Franciscan
brothers who have administered their affairs. He recommends that
they be placed in the care of the hospital order of St. John of God,
and of secular officials. He has established a hospital at Cavite,
supported mainly by assessments on the sailors and workmen there;
and a convalescent ward in the hospital for Spaniards at Manila. Then
follow the comments on Corcuera's suggestions, made by the royal
Council, approving some, and criticising others; the act issued by
the governor for the establishment of the aforesaid convalescent ward,
to which he assigns an encomienda of Indians; and a statement of the
amounts contributed for the hospital fund by each of the companies
and garrisons in the islands, with official attestations, etc.