Sire:
Last year, a short time after my arrival in these islands, I gave
an account to your Majesty, by the first vessels leaving here, of
my arrival and of the condition in which I found matters. I could
not enter into full details, because of the short time between my
arrival and the departure of the ships. I venture to declare that
never were four and twenty days so occupied, busy as I was in the
despatch of the vessels, the new government, and other things that
occurred here at that time. Now I am somewhat better informed, and I
shall give advices of everything with due punctuality, so that your
Majesty may ordain and decree in accordance with the royal pleasure. I
hereby respond more systematically and clearly to some clauses of your
Majesty's instructions some of which I am sure have not been followed;
and, accordingly, some of the affairs in this new land are in the same
condition as when it was discovered. Your Majesty's orders should have
been received and observed, which has not been done. [_Marginal note_:
"He has done well."]
2. As these regions are so remote and far away from the possibility
of appeal to your Majesty, and from your Majesty's favor and
protection, the religion and zeal of your Majesty are so much the
more remarkable. It is sufficient to support the gospel and Christian
religion in so remote lands and seas, and among such a diversity of
idolatrous infidels, at so great cost to the royal estate, and at such
risks and losses to your Majesty's subjects and vassals. Nevertheless,
your Majesty is interested only in the glorious renown of serving God,
from whom I await the beginning of the fulfilment of the great hopes
that the arrangement and close position of these islands promise
your Majesty for the extension of the holy Catholic faith through
your royal medium.
3. To the first clause of your Majesty's instructions I do not have
to respond, as it seems to be but a preamble of the orders thereby
given me. I can only express to your Majesty my desire to serve you
faithfully, and to render a good account of my obligation as your
Majesty's born vassal, and as your servant and creature, to pay that
debt with all diligence and zeal.
4. Under the second clause your Majesty orders me to bring about
the maintenance of the pacified district in these islands, and to
increase its extent as far as possible. In answer I will say that
I am promptly attending to that, as your Majesty will see by every
clause and subject separately. [_Marginal note:_ "It is well."]
5. I am ordered by the third clause to expend, in the construction and
erection of the cathedral church of Manila, twelve thousand ducats,
to be apportioned in three parts--namely, between your Majesty, the
encomenderos, and the Indians; two thousand ducats of your Majesty's
share to be advanced from the royal treasury of Mexico. I could not
collect these two thousand ducats from Mexico, as the decrees to that
effect sent to me at Sevilla did not come as they should have done;
and therefore the officers of the royal exchequer there would not give
me the money. When I came here I found that the work on the church had
been going on for three years, and there had been spent on it eight
thousand pesos, received from assessments on the three parties--namely,
your Majesty, the encomenderos, and the Indians. There had been poor
management of the expenditure of this money, as very large salaries
were paid to those engaged on the work. Had not some reform been
inaugurated, most of the money would have gone for salaries. The
building is being carried on as rapidly as possible, although there
are other large undertakings hereabout--namely, the fortifications
and other public works of the city. The greatest lack felt is that
of people; but nevertheless I expect, God willing, that in a month
from this date, mass can be said in the cathedral. The two aisles
are already covered over, and the chapel will be finished for Corpus
Christi, and the rest by Christmas. [_Marginal note:_ "Thank him
for the care he has used, and tell him to continue the same."]
6. In this fourth clause of the instruction, your Majesty orders me to
provide most carefully for the hospital for the Spaniards in this city,
and that all due hospitality be observed there. The same is to be done
in the hospital for the Indians. The hospital for the Spaniards is to
be endowed with one thousand pesos of income, and that for the Indians
with five hundred ducats, from the first repartimientos that may be
vacant. Your Majesty gives as alms to the one four hundred ducats,
and to the other two hundred, from the royal treasury of Mexico,
which also was not paid, owing to the same difficulty of my not
receiving the proper decree. This hospital is one of the good and
necessary pious works of the islands. As there are here no doctors
or medicines, conveniences or cleanliness for the cure of Spaniards,
it is a usual practice and universal remedy for all to go to the
hospital whenever ill. Thus with all possible care and cleanliness
the poor soldiers and other Spaniards are attended. The rich go also,
as there are no conveniences elsewhere. The rich pay the hospital for
treatment and medicines, and some persons even give alms. In fulfilment
of your Majesty's commands I have already endowed the hospital for the
Spaniards with the thousand pesos of income, and that for the Indians
with the five hundred ducats. I have not given the alms because, as
I have said, I did not collect it in Mexico for lack of orders; for,
although in the instruction it stated that a decree would be given
me, that was not done. There are usually many sick persons in this
hospital, and although there is now an income of two thousand seven
hundred pesos, more or less, much more is needed. Money is necessary to
build a couple of rooms where contagious diseases can be treated. Those
are the most frequent diseases in this land, on account of the heat
and humidity; and for their treatment a comfortable and well-situated
apartment is needed. Moreover, we need a kitchen and other work-rooms;
and salary for a chaplain, to confess and say mass for the sick and
administer the sacraments. He would have not a little to do. There
should also be salary for a doctor and apothecary, and money sufficient
to import medicines in bulk from Mexico. If they are bought here
there is not sufficient to pay the expenses. Hence the present income
cannot supply these necessities, unless your Majesty grant more,
as the income should be four thousand pesos. The blankets which your
Majesty orders brought from Mexico are not needed, as those of this
country are sufficient, on account of the heat here, and because our
blankets are cheaper. Consequently the money which is to be spent for
them could be better employed for other necessities. At the hospital
for the Indians, I have tried to make investigations of some Franciscan
brethren who are there. It were well that they be called to account;
because many things come into their possession, and much money is
handled, in the course of administration. Nevertheless, they would
give no account, saying that that hospital is not under the control
of your Majesty. The bishop upholds and sustains them in this course,
saying that until your Majesty endows that house and gives what is
needed therefor, your Majesty has nothing to do with that or other
pious works of this bishopric. They persistently shield themselves
with the habit of St. Francis, although they are but lay brethren,
through the artifice of the bishop. Your Majesty will accordingly
send the despatches which may seem expedient to the royal service,
as otherwise this matter cannot be attended to. [_Marginal note_:
"Send this decree, after taking note thereof, so that the sum stated
therein shall be paid over in Mexico. Have this decree framed and
sent, even though it has been despatched already. It is well that
this be favored and aided as much as possible, because the work is
so necessary. Give him this decree."
"Granted. Advise his Majesty, that another thousand pesos from vacant
tributes be applied to this hospital for ten years, for the reasons
given. Let this notification be given immediately. In regard to the
blankets, inasmuch as he says they are unnecessary, direct the viceroy
of Mexico to exchange these for whatever seems most needed."
"Take possession of the hospitals for his Majesty, as patron of
hospitals. Have investigations made thereof, and of the accounts of
whatever person may have the administration of them. The bishop is to
place no obstacle in the way, although, if he wishes to be present,
he may attend the investigation. Write this decision to the bishop."]
7. In clause 5 your Majesty directs that religious be provided for
the instruction of the Indians; and that they be not permitted to
leave the islands, at least not until after due consideration, and
with license from the governor and bishop.
8. Although your Majesty with holy zeal is so careful to furnish
ministers for teaching, to evangelize and extend the faith to these
natives, as you have always provided and now provide at great cost to
the royal exchequer, nevertheless, many more workers are needed. For
there are many encomiendas, both those in your Majesty's name and those
belonging to private persons, some of which have never had a minister,
but magistrates only; while others, although they have had ministers,
have not had enough of them to give sufficient instruction. Thus it is
most pitiable that many thousands of souls who have been subdued to
your Majesty's service for many years, pay their tributes, declare
their desire to become Christians, and ask for ministry, but for
lack thereof are not converted. The encomenderos will be glad to
pay their share of the expense for the support of the instruction,
which they do not have in their encomiendas on account of the lack of
ministers. Therefore I send herewith to your Majesty an exact account
of the districts in this country where ministers are needed. And I
beseech your Majesty kindly to provide ministers, to give instruction,
as this is the principal royal purpose. In case of entrances and of
taking possession of lands for your Majesty, the lack of instruction
is one of the greatest troubles; for it is important to the service
of God and of your Majesty that there be religious present when said
entrances are made and possession is taken by your Majesty. They should
be there to attend to the instruction, as the principal object, so that
everything may be carried on according to the intention and obligation
of your Majesty--that is, that the conversion of these souls may be
brought to pass. It should be taken into consideration that, of those
friars who are sent here, some die before reaching their destination
and others after their arrival; while others grow infirm, and none
are born. [_Marginal note_: "Friars are sent herewith; and care shall
be taken that provisions be made according to the advices received."]
9. Besides the cessation of the preaching of the gospel for lack of
ministers, as has been stated above, which is the principal danger
affecting the spiritual good, there is another question of no little
consideration touching temporal welfare. In the present condition
of things here, where there is no instruction (even should there
be justice) the entire tribute cannot be raised, according to the
statement of the theologians of this bishopric. The Indians must be
left at least the fourth part of the tribute, which is about the sum
owed and applied for the expense and support of the instruction. Taking
into account the large number of tributarios and encomenderos of
your Majesty, this would amount to a very great sum, which would
not be collected for this reason, and your Majesty would lose much
more in these fourths. There is another inconvenience in the lack
of instruction, and that is, that where there is no instruction and
the payment of the fourth is excused and less tribute collected, the
consequence is very damaging for the other Indians; for they say that
the Christians pay more tribute than do those who are not Christians,
and consequently no one is willing to be converted. This effect would
cease under adequate instruction, as all would become Christians
and would pay the same tribute, there being no opportunity for the
aforesaid practice. Moreover, restitution of the amounts collected
would be obligatory in the places where there is no teaching. Over
this subject of payment of tributes I have had various arguments with
the bishop, as your Majesty will see by the papers which are sent
herewith. By them your Majesty may understand more accurately all
that has passed, and what the bishop and I have written and replied
to each other. Therefore, as briefly as possible, I shall report it.
10. The bishop founds his opinion on clause 32 of my instructions. This
treats of the encomiendas which are disaffected or have never
been pacified; and orders that I try to correct the excesses in
the collection of the tributes of such encomiendas as are without
instruction. From this the bishop formed his opinion, or merely on
account of his office of bishop--which, he thinks, makes him master of
everything. He commenced his argument by saying that, as the Indians
had no instruction, nothing could be collected from them, nor from
the obstinate infidels living among those who have instruction,
and who refuse the faith, even if instructed. He contends that,
if anything had been collected, it should be restored. Also, that
in the encomiendas where there is justice or other temporal benefit
which tends to the spiritual, the third part of the tributes in the
large encomiendas could be collected, and in small ones, the half
thereof. This sum would be for the support of the encomendero, and is
even placed under certain conditions imposed by the bishop. He says
that from the encomiendas which do not have sufficient instruction
no tribute, or at least very little, can be collected; and, even
then, it must be under the same obligation to restitution of the
sum collected or to be collected by his Majesty and encomenderos,
as well as certain royal officials, collectors, and others who
order, permit, or consent to the same. This in substance is the
content of the twenty-five conclusions of the bishop, or the greater
part of them. As I said, the bishop at the beginning spoke with me
personally in regard to these matters, and then gave his opinion to
me in writing in the letters, treatise, and conclusions which I am
sending now to your Majesty. He preaches thus to the encomenderos
from the pulpits. Inasmuch as it seems difficult for me--whose duty
it is to give orders for the collection of the tributes, and correct
the excesses in this regard, in the name of your Majesty--to put
his theories into practice, I represented to the bishop verbally,
at various times, the reasons that I had for making no innovations
until after informing your Majesty and awaiting your Majesty's order
and resolution. Setting forth many reasons, I tried to persuade
him in the letter which accompanies this; I wrote to him explaining
that, even in the never-pacified and rebellious encomiendas, your
Majesty commanded that something be paid, as a token of recognition
of authority. If there are justices and other benefits useful to
the Indians, such as instruction in the faith, teaching them to live
decently, and attracting them by kind treatment to receive instruction,
when it should be furnished, then all the tribute could be collected
except the portion due for instruction. If neglected, the Indians
would become intractable and all would be lost. If tribute is never
exacted from the infidels, they will never become Christians. This
tribute should be collected with all possible gentleness, avoiding
violence and wrongs to the Indians. The furnishing of instruction is
not delayed by the encomenderos, for they urgently ask for it; but it
is not given them because of the lack thereof. It seemed to me that,
for the said reasons and others, it is better to make no innovations
now; but that an account of everything be given to your Majesty
so that you may order the necessary provisions. In the meanwhile,
collection will be allowed of at least three-quarters of the tributes
belonging to the encomenderos. If their support is taken away, these
men would leave the land, and everything would be lost. In that case,
even if there were instruction there would be no one to receive it;
and the Indians would have to be conquered anew. In particular some
arrangement should be made so that the Indians shall receive benefit
and profit from us, by introducing justice where none has existed,
and continuing commerce, so that they will conceive love and affection
for us and will be disposed to receive the faith whenever there may be
anyone to teach it. Thus, I told the bishop, the least troublesome
way was for affairs to remain in the same condition until after
your Majesty had been consulted. Otherwise the land would be lost
if the encomenderos should abandon it, which would without doubt
come to pass if they could not be supported therefrom. Moreover,
in accordance with these conclusions of the bishop your Majesty
would be obliged to make restitution of more than one hundred and
fifty thousand pesos, and there would be lost every year more than
thirty thousand pesos of income. As for the encomenderos, there was
not enough property in the world for restitutions, nor would there be
greater cause for pity than that an encomendero who has spent so many
years in conquering this land should be deprived of the bread for his
sustenance therein. Furthermore, in that letter I said to the bishop
that, although it is true that your Majesty commits to him only the
arrangements for the disturbed encomiendas and those unpacified (and
these are the only ones in doubt), nevertheless, it was necessary
in that case for us to meet, in order to discuss them all and give
our opinions regarding them. Moreover I told him that, even though
his opinion and advice were right and proper, yet, in carrying them
out there were inconveniences and difficulties which endangered this
land. For that reason I did not agree with him, and was of another
opinion. Being unable to agree, it was better to advise your Majesty
and await your consequent commands. As we had already waited so long,
we could wait a little longer for the resolutions of your Majesty.
11. After several days the bishop replied to this letter by another of
great length. He still insisted on the observance of his conclusions,
saying that it was unnecessary to await new orders from your Majesty,
as your Majesty had already remitted them to him and to me. He
proceeded to interpret the aforesaid clause of the instruction after
his own manner. He declares that your Majesty commands the payment
of a small portion, as token of recognition of authority; and that
three-quarters of the tribute is not a small part. He does not take
into consideration that your Majesty does not treat therein of the
encomiendas pacified, and under administration of justice, order,
and other benefits, but of those never subdued or rebellious. The
difficulties which I encounter in the execution of his projects he
passes over with some generalities, as that God will preserve the
faith which He has planted here; and that the encomendero will have
enough for his support from the share assigned him--namely, the third
of the large encomiendas and the half of the smaller. He also claims
that the encomenderos will not abandon the encomiendas, as they are
not deprived of all, but of only a part of them--and that only for the
brief period until your Majesty declares what is to be done (and this
period will be very brief); and it is to be noted that this declaration
will be, beyond doubt, that the encomenderos and your Majesty shall
not collect the tributes. The time intervening until the declaration
comes from your Majesty seems to him short. As to leaving things as
at present and collecting the tribute without any innovation therein,
until after your Majesty has been consulted, the time appears to
him long; and he thinks that orders and corrections will never cease
coming from España, and that instruction will never be obtained in
this manner. He enjoins upon me, the city, and the encomenderos to
make every endeavor and use all diligence to supplicate your Majesty
for said instruction. He declares frankly that if the infidels do not
become baptized because they see that tribute is levied after such
baptism, it is of no account that such are not converted. He supports
himself by the reasons given in his letter, which are characteristic of
one who does not have at heart the perpetuity and preservation of this
state; and who does not see, in the distant future, the trouble which
its loss might cause. He declares, moreover, that even though I should
wish to do so I could not correct the excesses of the encomenderos and
the injury which they inflict on the Indians. For the latter there are
punishments, but none for the Spaniards. To establish more justice in
the land would be to ruin it, as the officials do not do their duty,
but rob the Indians. At this, the bishop returns to the subject of
the restitutions in which he becomes engrossed; and declares that
he is finishing a treatise or declaration in respect to them. With
this he closes the letter in which he gives his opinion of what I
should have done--concluding by advising that, before allowing the
encomenderos to collect the tributes, I should investigate or make
inquiries about their good or bad treatment of the Indians and how
they treat, caress, and regale them. As soon as I should ascertain
the truth, I should either give or deny the permission according to
the results of the investigation. Then he makes a clever deduction,
namely, that in the same manner he and the other confessors shall
not absolve the encomenderos without first having made a detailed
investigation and inquiry in respect to their treatment and good
disposition toward their tributarios, so that they could grant or
deny absolution accordingly. Thus he constitutes himself judge,
in the exterior court, of encomenderos and their property.
12. While these letters were passing between us, and during several
days after--which were wasted in persuading the bishop to make no
innovations until after consultation with your Majesty; and, although
our opinions do not coincide, we should however agree in giving account
to your Majesty of what was happening--the encomenderos came to me
sorely troubled, saying that in the pulpits, sermons, and confessional,
they were being greatly harassed and many obstacles were being imposed
on the collections in their encomiendas; and that they were being
ruined, and were being prohibited now from collecting more than the
third or the half of their tributes. They were also constrained to make
restitutions of past payments. Thus they are so afflicted and ruined
that, if this continues, they will have to be allowed to leave their
encomiendas and to go to serve your Majesty nearer the royal person,
where they may gain a livelihood--since after having served so many
years with bloodshed and services which deserve merit and obtain it,
these scruples are imposed. They ask me in the accompanying petition
[7] if your Majesty would not issue some order declaring what must
be paid.
13. Having investigated their grievance and affliction, and seeing
that the bishop was reading his conclusions in the pulpit and was
quite determined to have his way, and was even giving orders that
absolution should not be granted to the encomenderos acting contrary
to what he thought proper; inasmuch as the bishop declared in his
conclusions and treatise that that was the universal determination
and sentiment of all the theologians of this bishopric, I determined
to communicate and confer with the superiors and religious of the
orders themselves. Thus they might thoroughly and conscientiously
consider what could and ought to be done in regard to this matter,
and ascertain (if it were a fact that all held and thought alike)
whether some regulation could be made; and if not, to advise your
Majesty of everything. I acquainted them, in detailed information,
with the reasons for making no innovations until after reporting to
your Majesty, and for not restricting the poor encomenderos to such an
extent. I discovered that three-fourths of the number of theologians
and religious were of a different opinion, one quite contrary to
that of the bishop. Although it is true that the Dominicans (of which
order he is a member), but not all, hold that his doctrine is good,
the Franciscans think differently; for, singularly enough, they have
another opinion with regard to the payment of the quota and reject the
bishop's opinion respecting the infidels. The Augustinian fathers,
however, who are three times more numerous than the Dominicans, and
with the Augustinians the fathers of the Society [of Jesus]--these two
orders, I say, hold (in entire agreement, _nemine discrepante_) that
the encomenderos can, with good conscience, collect the entire tributes
from the encomiendas which have instruction, from both the believers
and the infidels. Where there is justice, but no instruction, they may
collect three-fourths of the payment, the remaining fourth being left
to the Indians, the believer and the infidel paying equal shares. From
the encomiendas which have neither instruction nor justice, nor other
spiritual or temporal benefits, nothing whatever should be collected;
nor from the encomiendas disaffected or unpacified, except in case
of those disaffected without cause and through their own fault,
which would accordingly pay the part justly collected by way of
acknowledgment. All the aforesaid facts your Majesty may consider
at greater length by means of the opinions which I send. It may be
seen how many there are which vary from that of the bishop and his
friars, who alone follow him. I saw fit to reply to a note in which he
inquired what resolution I thought of taking, and what order must be
given to the encomenderos for their collections. I declared therein
that if he did not wish to wait until the return of our ships in two
or three months, in which the remedy for all would doubtless be sent,
I had resolved to give orders to the encomenderos according to a paper
which I sent him, wherein my opinion was upheld in every respect and
agreed completely with that held by the said fathers. [_Marginal note_:
"Have this opinion brought, so that after consideration the contents
of this letter may be replied to from clause nine to this point;
also all the papers which are here acknowledged by the governor,
and those of which mention is made in the following clauses as far
as the twenty-first."]
14. At this juncture, the bishop came to see me in these royal houses
of your Majesty; and among other discussions in regard to my assertion
that the clergy must not have preeminence over me in every respect,
as they have done heretofore, he replied that he had directed his
clergy that no one, not even your Majesty, had any rights here, and
other things to this same effect. To this I replied that I would not
interfere with his clergy, as far as punishing them is concerned, nor
with his jurisdiction; but that the boat-service which they took from
the Indians without payment, and a thousand other injuries committed by
them under the pretext that they are fathers of instruction, ought not
to take place; and that he had misunderstood me. It is true that I said
he was very peevish; and I begged him to speak plainly for if we could
not come to terms this time and disagreed again, I could discuss the
subject no longer. While replying to me on this point and others, he
rose from his chair at the beginning of the discussion, very wrathful
and choleric. Several days later, on the fourth of March, he wrote me
a letter as long as it was good-humored and free from anger--as may
be seen, if your Majesty wishes. Nevertheless (not to discuss what
concerns myself), it contains nothing new, except many arguments by
which he still defends his opinion. Among other statements, he declares
(and rightly) that the encomenderos are so loyal vassals of your
Majesty that they would not leave their encomiendas nor the country,
as if I had denied their fidelity and loyalty in thinking that if they
could not be supported by their encomiendas, they would leave them,
and, having abandoned them if they could not be supported therefrom,
try to seek their fortunes elsewhere. He says also that although a
Franciscan father is placed in every province, there is not sufficient
result to warrant the paying of the tribute; and that neither the king
of Castilla nor his officials have any greater power in the Indias than
that given by the church, although the church does not have so much
authority as this with the infidels. He still insists that your Majesty
entrusted to both him and me equally the settlement of this matter;
and that bringing justice into the land is like bringing firebrands:
[_Marginal note_: "Answer him with what has been decreed in this."]
15. To this letter I replied by another which your Majesty will
please to have examined, in which I answered his assertion that
without giving instruction to the Indians we can collect tribute;
for he said that where there is justice, three-fourths of the tribute
can be collected, as this is a temporal good which tends to spiritual
benefit and which prospers, directs, and administers equally justice,
government, and good order. It is not my intention to leave things
thus as the bishop points out, until your Majesty has been consulted
in regard to furnishing or providing other means of instruction,
since you have therefor so great care and holy zeal. Moreover, the
tributes are so moderate here that each Indian pays eight reals,
whereas in Nueva España he pays twenty-four and thirty-two. For we
see that since the Spaniards went to the Pintados, although without
then providing instruction, their communication and example, and the
blessing of justice, alone have caused hostilities, and the razing
of towns among the natives to cease; as also the wars by land and
sea waged among them; this is no small gain. This assertion that
the ministry of instruction is more important and noble than that of
justice and other good works, I admit; but justice and its ministers,
and the other necessary means for the preservation and defense of the
Indians, are of greater cost and expense than that for instruction--to
which is allowed one-fourth, and which is reserved and kept for the
Indians; thus in respect to the cost of each ministry its stipend must
be given, as I prove in my letter by many arguments. As to his saying
that your Majesty ordered me to remedy, with his help, these excesses
in the collection of tributes, I responded that, only as regards the
disaffected and never-pacified encomiendas, your Majesty orders me to
communicate and confer with him, in these words: "I have heard that
there has been and is disorder and misappropriation in the collection
of the tributes from the disaffected or unpacified encomiendas,"
etc. Therefore your Majesty bids us to discuss no others except these,
as in the others I shall correct the excesses. The only ones in
doubt are those disaffected. It says further that "Such encomiendas
must not be abandoned; but that at least the entire tribute should
not be collected, but only a small part in token of acknowledgment,"
etc. Consequently it is not ordered that they be abandoned, but that
something be collected; and even then nothing shall be collected
except from those who are in rebellion without cause; your Majesty
declares further that "Since the Indians of the said encomiendas
receive no temporal or spiritual benefit from their encomenderos,
there is no reason why they should pay," etc. It clearly follows
from this that, if they receive any temporal benefits--as is that
of justice, and others which are proposed--the collections may be
made. In continuing, your Majesty declares: "This is a matter that
requires as effectual a remedy as you can provide; and I therefore
charge you to "decide in this what appears to you to accord with the
judgment of the bishop." This does not mean to commit the affair to
him alone; but, after hearing his opinion, and having examined his
discussion and treatment of the matter with me, I am to resolve upon
what measures are best for the remedy thereof, and then in the name of
your Majesty provide and carry out that remedy, and have it observed
most punctiliously. Further, I told him that two-thirds of the number
of religious are of this opinion and sentiment, contrary to that of
the bishop; moreover that the bishop himself and all the theologians
were lately of one mind in this matter, but that now the bishop alone
disagrees; and that I think I make no mistake in being guided by so
many learned opinions in a matter which I find to be of service to
God and my king. Furthermore, I replied to various inquiries that
he made of me, such as the remedy which had been brought to bear in
these things, and the resulting benefit. My answer is so long, that in
order not to be detailed here, I refer your Majesty to the aforesaid
reply, as well as to the result obtained, which I show there, and
to the orders now in force. I see no other remedy than to take the
matter as I find it. I see that for lack of justice nothing can be
collected, as the Indian receives no benefit. I wish to establish
justice for administration and government, and for dealings with
and good management of the Indians, that both your Majesty and the
encomenderos should receive profit; and that the royal estate should
not suffer, nor the encomendero starve, abandon everything, and go
away. For your Majesty's share alone there would necessarily be more
than a hundred and fifty thousand pesos of restitution, not to count
thirty thousand pesos of income which would be lost from the present
tributes (for all the encomiendas belong to your Majesty); and these
islands would be left alone without a single soldier, and with only
the bishop and the religious, so that within one week there would be
neither the one nor the other. I assured him, in fact, that without
express order from your Majesty I could not curtail or diminish the
royal income or alter the encomiendas from their first establishment,
which they have had for twenty-six years. I answered him fully in
respect to the establishment of justice where there is none, and the
great good that would result therefrom. I urged him to appoint laymen
of good life and example, who, while there are no religious there,
may instruct and bring them up in the holy faith, as your Majesty
commands in the royal charge regarding presentations--to which the
bishop never has given me an answer. I told him that finally, in
these two ways, it will be brought about that they will not be left
alone and intractable, and thus ready to rebel and rise in two days'
time. It were well that these laymen of good life, when religious are
lacking, not only be not appointed by the bishop, but that they do
not importune the Indians. The bishop does not wish others than the
religious to do that, and meanwhile it is not done by either. It would
doubtless be of some benefit, and the lack of instruction of which your
Majesty complains would be obviated, if the encomenderos could furnish
it. But, if there is no such thing in the land, the encomendero is not
to blame--as your Majesty declares plainly in my instructions, clause
forty-nine, in the following words, "they do not supply it or try to
supply it as they are bound to do, and as they should, although there
is a sufficient number of the said ministers." Therefore, when there
is not a good supply, but a lack of ministers, the encomendero is not
at fault, and has no reason for not collecting his tribute. Should
the encomenderos be deprived of this, your Majesty, as the party
most interested, could not support here a soldier, nor the bishop,
nor me, and everything would be lost. I replied to his question
as to what action I should order taken; and finally, as authority
(with added reasons) for the orders that were being carried out, I
cited several authors who were quoted in an opinion that I had from
the religious. He was greatly offended thereby as your Majesty will
see by his reply, and I have just entreated him to wait at least
until the ships arrive; and especially as, in a general meeting of
the orders which took place soon after my arrival, all agreed, and
he with them, in the opinion which I have now applied in my orders;
and 1 asked him, inasmuch as he had approved of it then, not to make
any innovation now. Finally, I begged him at least to refrain from
scandalizing the people from the pulpit, defending certain opinions
and refuting others very improperly and freely. Since the Augustinians
kept silence, they should not be obliged to answer for themselves.
16. This letter appeared to the bishop so disrespectful and bold
that in his reply there are but sharp and heated words against the
religious. He says that they err from the beginning, and that they do
not know the fundamental principles. He had imagined that the letter
was not mine alone, as he believed that I could not by myself have
seen the authors cited therein for its authority and doctrine. He
says that neither I, nor your Majesty, nor the pope has authority to
take from the infidels a single real; that it is true that he was of
the general opinion before, but that he erred then, and now is in the
right (It appears to me, however, that he errs now, and was then in
the right.) So firm is he in his opinion that he does not wish to
call it opinion, but truth. He declares that if all the orders in
this bishopric, and the universities of Salamanca and Alcalá [8] in
addition, should say the contrary, he would not forsake his opinion;
and he is very certain that your Majesty will oblige me to follow his
opinion. He offers a treatise on the subject which he is preparing for
the explanation and elucidation of everything, and finally closes by
asking me to have the money paid which is owed by the royal treasury.
17. It is unnecessary to report here my reply to his letter; for,
besides being brief, inasmuch as I had said all that there was to say
in regard to the principal business, I did not care to attempt more
than to pacify him, and to reply by means of the fathers, who had
caused him to show such indignation, and to beg him not to give rise
to scandals and schisms. I advised him to finish his treatise and hoped
that God would grant that everything might be settled and composed.
18. After this there was quiet for several days, in which we maintained
no correspondence. During this time I gave to the encomenderos (who had
begged me to do so in the name of your Majesty) the order which was
necessary for the collection of their tributes. As your Majesty will
see by the accompanying document, this order was the most justifiable
that could be given and did not depart one jot from my opinions, which
I also send in their original form to your Majesty. The encomenderos
are now somewhat consoled for their former afflictions, and all this
land likewise, as will appear by the petition presented to me which
I send in the original. This order will be kept in force until your
Majesty shall order differently.
19. After the lapse of several days, and having ascertained that the
service of God and that of your Majesty were suffering, as the bishop
would not right them, I wrote him the accompanying letter. In it I
proposed some means of providing instruction in places where there is
none. Moreover, as the encomenderos were still uneasy because he denied
them absolution, I gave him to understand that, in the diminution of
the encomiendas and the reduction and collection of the tributes,
he was neither judge nor party, since he could discuss the subject
only in one of three ways which I expressed therein; and by no means
could he do more than give his opinion, which he had already done. I
again have recourse to the laymen of good life, in lack of religious;
and beg also that he will not keep engaged here the large number
of Indians that he is wont to, who come here under the pretext of
making complaints, which are a thousand childish and impertinent
trifles--thereby losing much more in their absence from their homes
and fields. I remind him that the appointments to prebends, canonries,
and benefices are reserved to your Majesty's royal patronage; and
that you should not be defrauded, as you have been, by making the
appointments terminable _ad nutum_, and not with complete title, and
with due presentation by your Majesty, and canonical institution of
the bishop. On these things I write a separate letter to your Majesty,
as also on other matters about which I give advice. I offered to
place the unsettled points in the hands of learned persons.
20. This letter so important, weighty, and full of substance that
it required a remedy and settlement without any disagreements,
he interpreted in such a way that he ended by losing his head,
and expressed himself very freely, saying in reply such things
that--considering they were not said to me personally, but to
a minister of your Majesty--I would have been quite justified in
checking and correcting the offense once for all. But as I am in a new
country, and far away from your Majesty, it is better to avoid dispute,
publicity, and scandal. Indeed, it will be seen by his letter that
even the importance of the affairs about which I wrote him did not
check him, or settle the matter, and that he cares only for defending
his own dignity--thinking that every one must learn, of him, and that
he is the only doctor who can teach here; and that he will oblige the
encomenderos and me to restore the tributes wrongly exacted. He thinks
that, in writing to him, I have exceeded my duty and have treated my
bishop with much show of authority and domineering; that I have acted
as if I were his master; and that if I can do so much, there is no need
in this land for a bishop, but a titular bishop would be enough. He
cites me decrees showing the respect which emperors must have for
bishops, and refers to some examples and authorities, as if he were
preaching to some rebel against the church. It never even entered my
imagination to say a word to him which should be lacking in the respect
and propriety due to his office, but I wish only to fulfil my duty.
21. I have written all this so fully in order to give an account to
your Majesty of everything that has passed between the bishop and
myself, in the controversy and discussion regarding the collection of
tributes. It appears at even greater length by his letters and mine
which accompany this, so that your Majesty may be sure of the arguments
on both sides. My present orders are that the encomenderos shall
not collect tribute where there is neither instruction nor justice
(although some persons thus will suffer large loss). Nevertheless,
the majority of them are quiet and consoled, and are observing the
order I gave them (which I send to your Majesty), until such time as
your Majesty, as above stated, may be pleased to order something else,
and to clear up all these doubts.
22. In regard to the needed instruction and ministers, I am writing
a separate letter to your Majesty. I am sending a very long and
exact account of the encomiendas and encomenderos in these islands
of your Majesty, both with and without instruction and justice;
also of the ministers there are and those who are needed. I beseech
your Majesty to have them provided, since it is so great a service
to God and for the good of these souls, and a means by which so many
evils and troubles will cease. May our Lord preserve your Majesty for
many long years as is needed by the Christian world. Manila, June 20,
1591. The papers referred to in this letter are inside the first sheet.
_Gomez Peres Dasmarinas_
[_Endorsed_: "Manila. To the king, our sovereign. From Governor Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas, June 20, 1591."
"July 16, 1592. Make an abstract of the different points." "Relation
abstracted as ordered." "Provided within; let the petition be acted
on at once." "Everything has been examined and provisions made."
"Let examination be made of the provisions made in clauses 9 to 21,
that came recently with the duplicate of this letter. The other
clauses are answered, and despatches sent."]