_Abstract of a letter from the provincial of the Society of Jesus,
Valerio de Ledesma, to the king, informing him of the condition of
the Filipinas Islands._ [69]
In this letter Father Valerio made complaint to the king that the
condition of the country was most unhappy and unfortunate, and
resembled a sick man in the throes of death. He declared that the
trade of the ships from China and Nueva España, which was sustaining
and enriching the islands, had fallen off in great measure, and much
more in its profits; for in the year 1616 no more than seven ships
had gone there, although formerly as many as fifty or sixty were
wont to go; and as for Acapulco, no ships had been sent in either
direction. Even if they should be despatched, they were in danger
not only from corsairs but from stormy weather.
Great armaments had been organized in a short time, to drive out the
Dutch; but for that very reason, the inhabitants had been compelled to
make vast sacrifices at the cost of their fortunes. Hence they were
in so ruined a condition that the three or four wealthiest citizens
had been unable to equip a ship to be sent to Acapulco. The Indians
were so exhausted and harassed with tributes, new impositions, and
personal services, [70] that it became necessary for many, after they
had nothing more to give (since they had given all their possessions),
to give their persons to others, as slaves, so that the latter might
give for them what they themselves did not possess.
The enemies with whom the Spaniards had to contend were numerous
and gave them no respite--namely, the Mindanaos, Caragas, Sanguils,
Joloans, Dutch, and English and of these last, all those eastern
districts were full of their boats, so that no voyage could be made
without meeting them; and there was no security from them.
To these calamities was due the death of Governor Juan de Silva,
who, all had hoped, was to free these islands and those of Maluco
from the invasions and piracies of the Dutch.
He closed by petitioning the king to send forces to sustain the
declining colony, as it was so important, and so precious a portion
of the Spanish monarchy.
[Dated Manila, August 20, 1616, and signed _Valerio de Ledesma_,
[71] provincial of the Society of Jesus.]