_To the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic for the Philipinas,
directing him to apply to certain actions of the religious thereof,
the correction which he ought and is bound to apply, maintaining
friendly relations with the governor._
The King: To the venerable and devout father provincial of the Order
of St. Dominic for the Philipinas Islands. By a letter from Don Juan
de Silva, my governor and captain-general there, of the fifth of
September, 610, I have learned that several religious of your order,
from various motives, usually oppose the things that are ordered
for the sake of good government. At times this has gone so far that
incidents such as to cause anxiety have occurred. Such was the case
in Nueva Segovia, regarding the Indian whom the alcalde-mayor held
prisoner, on appeal condemned to death by the Audiencia, who had
ordered the sentence to be executed there. When the day before the
execution arrived two friars went to the prison, saying that they were
going to confess him. They succeeded in being left alone with the
prisoner in a room with a window opening on the street; and, having
provided some one to take him to their convent, they thrust him out of
the window, without the knowledge of the persons about the building,
which resulted in a very scandalous affair. The alcalde-mayor, on
learning of it, went to the convent to get possession of the prisoner;
and found that for his greater security they had placed him upon the
altar--which, as may be seen, was an improper action. When he attempted
to take away the prisoner, the friars treated the alcalde-mayor very
scurvily; and when he had removed the Indian they proceeded against
him with censures and interdicts, in such wise that he had to return
to the church, unpunished, the man whom they themselves had delivered
up, when he was seized--demanding his death, and saying that it
was best to execute him there as an example for all. Although it is
understood that you made the proper remonstrances in this case, yet,
as I wish to know what they were, I charge you to advise me of it;
and from this time forth to continue, with the care which I am sure
you will exercise, to apply in all cases due remedy, as you are bound
to do. I also charge you to maintain very friendly relations with the
said Don Juan de Silva, my governor, to whom I am writing to maintain
the same relations with you, on account of the importance of this
for the service of God and my own. Madrid, on the twenty-first of
December of the year one thousand six hundred and eleven.
_I The King_
By order of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the Council.
_To the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic of the Philipinas,
directing him to see to it that the religious of the order do not cross
over to Japon without permission from the governor, as is ordered._
The King: To the venerable and devout father provincial of the Order
of St. Dominic in the Philipinas Islands. By a letter from Don Juan
de Silva, my governor and captain-general there, of the fifth of
September, 610, I have learned that several religious have passed
over to Japon without his permission, claiming that that of their
own superiors was sufficient. As it is expedient for my service that
the decrees regarding this should be executed by my said governor,
as he is again ordered to do, by another decree bearing this date,
I charge you that, with the diligence which I trust you will use,
you will take such action that the religious of your order shall
not contravene this decree; and that you will, so far as possible,
secure the observance of the orders which I have issued, as that
is so important for the service of God and my own, and for the good
government of the islands. Madrid, on the thirty-first of December
of the year 1611.
_I The King_
By command of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the members of the Council.
[_Endorsed_: "_Idem_, to the provincial of the Order of St. Augustine
for Philipinas." "_Idem_, to the provincial of the Society of Jesus
there." "_Idem_, to the provincial of St. Francis for Philipinas."]