+
Most potent Lord:
The city of Manila in the Filipinas Islands declares that the
investigation which it presents to the governor, Gomez Perez de las
Marinas, was made at his request and contains its opinion. Since
this document will show clearly the excellent reasons for, and the
great advantage and lack of all harm resulting from, trade between
Macan and the said islands and, besides the general advantage,
that it would be of great importance for the commerce, trade, and
conversion of Great China--the city beseeches your Highness to have
the investigation examined; and to favor the said city by ordering
that commerce be opened with the inhabitants of Macan, in order to
enable the inhabitants of the Filipinas Islands to trade and traffic
with them. Since this is a matter of so great utility and necessity,
as appears from the investigation, may the city receive favor.
_Romo_
+
(The city: The investigation presented to the governor. Manila,
July 15, the day on which it was presented.)
I, Melchor de Baeça, declare, in the name of the cabildo, magistrates,
and regimiento [9] of this city, that the rights of those whom I
represent require that a formal report of this inquiry be made, in
order to notify the king, our sovereign, concerning the lack of harm
and the great profit which would be derived from commerce between
Macan and these islands; and that, besides the benefit which the
Portugese receive, this commerce would be of great importance for
the conversion of Great China and for its trade and commerce with
these islands. Likewise the king ought to be informed that no ships
or merchants have gone or are going to Goa or other ports of Yndia to
trade or traffic, or to take away their [i.e., the Portuguese] shares,
bargains, and profits; and how they could pursue their business in
the said port of Macan, and at Canton, without there being felt any
scarcity, or enhancement of prices; but, on the contrary, a great
excess of goods would remain at Macao--all that arises from the trade
which they are about to begin with Goa, Chave, and other regions
that maintain trade with Macan. All this would result in the great
increase and prosperity of these islands, from which it appears that
the said commerce, which does no harm, should not be hindered.
I beseech and beg your Lordship to give orders that the said report
be accepted, and that the witnesses whom I shall put forward testify
according to these questions. Your Lordship will please make a decision
concerning the matter. I offer my plea to that effect.
I also beseech your Lordship to give orders that that section in the
instructions which your Lordship received from the king our lord be
added to this inquiry, so that I may be able to send word to the said
city of Macan. I present the claim, etc.
[_Interrogatory_]
_Item_: Let them testify whether they know that the Portuguese
inhabiting Macan, Malaca, and other places in India trade and hold
business intercourse with the Castilians who inhabit this city and
these islands; and whether the said Portuguese have derived or are
deriving from it much gain, profit, and advantage, without incurring
any loss or harm. The witnesses know about this, because they have
been in Macan, Malaca, and other regions of Yndia, and have seen it
with their own eyes; if it were otherwise, the witnesses would know,
and it would not be of less importance, because they have seen it
all themselves, as above stated, and are Portuguese; etc.
2. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that a greater number
of ships and much more money than in any previous year have gone to
the city of Macan from the city of Goa and other places in India,
to purchase Chinese goods. There was and is plenty of cloth and
merchandise for all, and no scarcity is produced by the exportation
which is made to India; etc.
3. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that not only the
Portuguese meet with no loss, as stated in the previous questions,
but that, on the contrary, if the Castilians pursued the said commerce
more frequently, making the journey to Macan a feature of their trade,
they could enter Great China, for the Chinese greatly desire their
trade. This would render an immense service to God and to his Majesty,
because the gospel could be imparted to the Chinese from here; etc.
4. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that no ships or
merchants have gone or are going to Yndia to buy and sell, or to
check their trade. The witnesses know this, because they have seen
and examined it with their own eyes; were it otherwise, they would
have known, seen, and heard of the matter. It must have been no less
than this, since they continue to come to this city and trade with
Yndia; etc.
5. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that not only the
Portuguese have gained much, without loss or injury, but that the
commerce between this city and that of Macan, according to the previous
questions, and the entrance into China through trade are of immense
advantage for the prosperity and enrichment of these islands, as well
as for that of their citizens and inhabitants. In a short time this
city and port will be one of the richest which his Majesty possesses
in the Yndias; etc.
6. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that in July of
last year, ninety, when Gomez Perez de las Marinas, governor and
captain-general of these islands, sent a ship to the port of Macan with
royal money to purchase ammunition for the fortress and fortifications
of this city and the islands, promising the captain in command at
Macan to favor and help him in all his needs, as a vassal of the same
king and master, some inhabitants of this city sent by the said ship
a quantity of money, in order to purchase goods with it, which was
seized by the Portuguese of Macan who were on board. The ship would
not have been sent if it had not been on account of the instructions
of his Majesty which the said governor possessed. We know for certain
in this city that the captain in command seized the said ship and
the money, thus bringing loss and ruin to the said citizens. As to
what they do not know, let them refer to the said instructions and
despatches, which the said governor sent.
7. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that the said loss and
ruin has been so severe that those citizens who own nothing else
are unable to support themselves, or to aid in the service of his
Majesty when occasions arise, as they have done until now. They are
embarrassed with debts and obligations.
8. _Item_: Let them testify whether they know that the aforesaid is
generally known and manifest to all.
_Melchor de Baeça_
This interrogatory was presented to the governor, Gomez Perez
Dasmarinas, in the city of Manila, on the twenty-third day of May,
in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, on behalf of
the cabildo, magistrates, and regimiento of the city. His Lordship
examined it and declared that he would order, and he did order,
the attorney of the said city to give a report of his declaration
before the notary, Gaspar de Azebo, whom he would entrust--and he
did entrust--with the examination of the witnesses.
_Gaspar de Azevo_
_Authority given by the Cabildo to Diego Hernandez Bitoria, whom
they elected attorney-general._ On November [_sic_] nineteen, one
thousand five hundred and ninety-one, there met and assembled before
me in Manila, Esteban de Marquina, public and cabildo notary of this
city, and the magistrates and regimiento of the same--namely, Captain
Diego de Castillo, Alcalde Don Francisco de Poya y Guevara, High
Constable Antonio de Cariedo, Captain Joan Pacheco, Diego Hernandez
Bitoria, and Antonio Garrido de Salzedo. All these regidors met, and
unanimously elected and appointed the regidor Diego Hernandez Bitoria
attorney-general for them and for this city. They gave him power,
as he holds it and justly needs, to draw and present all the claims,
petitions, injunctions, evidences, oaths, warrants, and investigations
which may be fitting and necessary, and which the said cabildo would,
if present, offer, in connection with all the trials and suits,
both civil and criminal, which the said city might have concerning
its privileges and exemptions; and in whatever process, whether in or
out of court, might come before any magistrate and judge of the king
our lord. They also gave him power to replace or recall attorneys, and
to appoint new ones. They gave him this power, and gave assurance for
maintaining it, by signing their names, and by pledging the property
and revenues of this city which have been or are to be received. It
was signed by Diego del Castillo, Joan Pacheco Maldonado, Antonio de
Cariedo, Don Francisco de Poya, and Diego Hernandez Bitoria.
Before me:
_Estevan de Marquina_
Therefore I have hereto set my seal in witness of the truth.
_Esteban de Marquina_
[_Testimony_]
_Witness_: _Captain Poyatos_. On May twenty-seven, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-one, in the city of Manila, Melchor de Baeca,
attorney of this city, presented as witness in the name of the same,
Captain Hernando Muñoz de Poyatos, a citizen of this city, from whom he
took oath, according to law, upon a sign of the cross, under obligation
of which he bound himself and promised to tell the truth. After having
been questioned according to the interrogatory presented by the said
Melchor de Baeca, he made the following declaration:
1. To the first question, the witness testified that the Portuguese
of the city of Macan trade and hold business communication with the
Spanish inhabitants of this city and of these islands; that much gain
and profit has come and comes to them, and that they have not met, and
never will meet any injury for coming to trade in these islands. The
witness knows this because he has been in the city of Macan, and has
seen that matters are as the question declares them to be. And he
believes that they will surely continue thus if the inhabitants of
Malaca and other regions of India will continue to trade in these
islands. This is his answer.
2. To the second question, the witness, who, as specified above, has
been in the city of Macan, testified that, although ships now go from
Goa, from these islands, and from many other parts in greater number
and with much more money to invest in Chinese goods than hitherto,
there are cloths and merchandise enough for all who go there, and
much is left over. This is what the witness answers, because he has
found it so in the said city of Macan.
3. To the third question, the witness testified that he was convinced
that if the Spaniards in these islands went to the city of Macan to
trade and traffic with its inhabitants, a great step would be made
toward the possibility of preaching the gospel among the Chinese,
a thing which would be of great service to God our Lord, and to his
Majesty. He does not know anything about what is asked of him in the
rest of the question. This is his answer.
4. To the fourth question, the witness testified that he has lived
in these islands more than sixteen years, and that in all this time
he has neither seen nor heard that any ship had been despatched from
these islands to Yndia for trading purposes; had it not been so, the
witness would have known of it; nor could it be otherwise, since he
has resided in these islands for so many years. This is his answer.
5. To the fifth question, the witness testified that the answer was
the same as the one given to the previous question, and that, to his
knowledge, if commerce is established between these islands and Macan,
in a short time this city, its inhabitants, and the islands will be
greatly enriched. This is his answer.
6. To the sixth question, the witness testified that Governor Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas despatched a large ship from these islands to the
city of Macan, and that it was well known by all that it was sent
for the purpose specified in the question. Concerning the rest of the
question he refers to the decrees and other documents issued by the
said governor in reference to the despatching of the said ship. He
has heard that the rest of the question is true. This is his answer.
7. To the seventh question, he testified that certain inhabitants of
these islands sent money to Macan, and that they suffer need because
thus far they have not been given the proceeds. This is his answer.
8. To the eighth question, he testified that his answer was the same
as the one given to the previous questions, and that it is the truth
according to the oath he took. He acknowledged it with his signature,
and declared that he was more than thirty-five years old, and competent
to be a witness.
_Fernando Muñoz de Poyatos_
Before me:
_Gaspar de Azevo_
[Here follow depositions, in answer to the same questions, from six
other witnesses, all agreeing in the main with the facts as presented
in the questions and in the deposition of Captain Poyatos, given
above. The other witnesses are: Bastian Jorge Moxar, a Portuguese,
Ensign Christobal Flores, Notary Alonso de Torres, Captain Juan de
Argumedo, Captain Pedro Sarmiento, and Joan Sordo.]
[Bastían Jorge Moxar, besides what is contained in the foregoing,
testified that the Portuguese feared any Spanish trade in the Indian
country, and that the use of Spanish ships in the trade would bring
great distress to the Portuguese.]
[Notary Alonso de Torres alleged that he had bought goods from the
Portuguese in Manila for from sixty to sixty-five per cent above
their cost price; and the Portuguese captains had told him that they
could make twice as much on their investments with a trip to Manila
as to any other port of the Indias, and with a shorter voyage. He was
told by his intimate friend Francisco Sobrino, of Goa, that the said
Sobrino came to Manila in eighty-eight with two thousand odd pesos
in Chinese goods, and left a year later with eleven thousand three
hundred pesos. On the ship sent by the governor, certain citizens
of Manila had placed funds amounting to more than one hundred and
twenty thousand pesos, the witness himself entrusting four thousand
pesos to the said Francisco Sobrino, all which money was seized by
the governor of Macan. He further states that he himself is one of
the heaviest losers by this act.]
[Captain Juan de Argumedo reported the following conversation:]
To the third question the witness testified, as before, that he was
in Macan, and knows that the Portuguese are not injured but greatly
benefited. While the witness was speaking with the chief captain
of the said city, and the mandarin of the Chinese, the latter said:
"Let the Spaniards come here and trade; for the inhabitants of your
country do not come to trade with the Chinese, as the Portuguese
do." The witness answered: "We are hindered by the Portuguese, who
do not wish us to come." Thereupon the mandarin became much vexed,
and addressing the chief captain of the Portuguese, said loudly:
"How is this, does not the land which you hold belong to the king of
China? The Portuguese have nothing to do in the matter;" and then,
addressing the witness, through an interpreter who was there, he said:
"Look you, Castilian, from now on come here and carry on your trade,
and have nothing to do with the Portuguese; for we will give you all
you need, as well as a passport." This witness then answered and said:
"Sir, it would be better to assign the Spaniards a small piece of
land near Canton, upon which to settle."
The mandarin, after a little hesitation replied: "If you will come to
Canton with me, I shall obtain a _chapa_--a passport used there--from
the viceroy, and shall see to it that the Spaniards make a settlement
in good time." As this witness had no order to that effect, and was
busy with his own affairs, he did not go to Canton, or pursue the
matter further. Considering what he has seen, he believes that the
Chinese desire the trade of the Spaniards; that, if the latter went
there, a place would be given them for a settlement; and, if the trade
were once established, he thought it certain that the holy gospel
could be communicated to the Chinese, whence would follow much good to
the service of God and of his Majesty. He knows this because it was
in the same manner that the gospel was introduced into the realms of
Xapon by the Theatin friars, who went there with the merchants. This
is his answer.
[Captain Pedro Sarmiento testified that the Chinese desire
commerce with the Spaniards; for when the witness was there, by
order of Governor Guido de Lavezaris, the said Chinese assigned
the Spaniards a definite site on the mainland for settlement and
a trading-place. Joan Sordo testified that he believed the Chinese
would welcome the Spaniards, and quoted a Sangley as saying to him:
"Castilians, when will the day come for your entry into China? for
these mandarins oppress us so that we long for the day."]
_Petition of Diego Hernandez Vitoria_
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of June, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-one, Diego Hernandez Vitoria, a regidor of
this city, appeared before me, the notary, and before the undersigned
witnesses, in his capacity of attorney-general, and declared that
he would give, as he in fact did give, the power which he holds from
the cabildo and regidors of this city, to Melchor de Vaeça, attorney
at law; and that he would approve and ratify all the pleas which the
said Melchor de Vaeça might make in this suit in the name of the said
city, and as attorney of the same. He signed his name in the presence
of the witnesses, Hernando Diaz, Miguel de Solarte, and Adrian Perez.
_Diego Hernandez Vitoria_
Before me:
_Gaspar de Azevo_
I, Diego Hernandez Vitoria, citizen and regidor of this city and
attorney-general of the same, declare that, in order to show by
the above investigation the little harm which the Portuguese suffer
from our going to Macan, I need a copy from the government books,
of the decrees which Pedro Brito took to Macan. Therefore, I beg
and beseech your Lordship to order that the said copy be given me. I
offer this plea.
_Diego Hernandez Vitoria_
On the seventeenth of July, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one,
in the city of Manila, the person mentioned in the petition presented
it to Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general for the
king, our lord, in these islands; and his Lordship ordered that the
copy which he asks be given him, attested in the form prescribed.
_Gaspar de Azevo_
In fulfilment of this, I, the said Gaspar de Azevo, notary-in-chief
of the government of the Philipinas Islands, caused to be made and
did make, out of the government books which are in my keeping, a
copy of the decrees which Pedro de Brito took to the city of Macan,
and whose contents are as follows:
[_Decrees Taken to Macan_]
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Sanctiago, member of
his Majesty's council, and his governor and captain-general of the
Filipinas Islands. At present I am actually practicing and exercising
the said office of governor and captain-general, according to the
commission of his Majesty, which reads as follows:
_Commission of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas as governor; and other decrees
which were taken to Macan_. Don Felipe, by the grace of God, King
of Castilla, Leon, Aragón, the two Sicilies; Jerusalem, Portugal,
Navarra, Granada, Toledo, Valencia, Galizia, Mallorcas, Sevilla,
Cerdeña, Cordoba, Córcega, Murcia, Jaén, the Algarbes, Algeciras,
Gibraltar, the islands of Canarias, the eastern and western Yndias,
and the islands and mainland of the Ocean Sea; Archduke of Austria;
Duke of Borgoña, Bravante, and Milan; Count of Abspurg, Flandes,
Tirol, and Varcelona; Lord of Vizcaya and Molina: Inasmuch as, from
the time when the Filipinas Islands were discovered in the great
Chinese Archipelago, I have always given much care to the supplying of
religious to preach the gospel in those far-away and remote regions,
in order that our Christian religion might be spread in those islands
which our Lord through His mercy chose to call to a true knowledge of
Himself; and in order that a more godly success might be obtained among
the natives of the said islands and others of the same archipelago,
and of other neighboring lands and provinces surrounding the regions
already discovered and pacified; and in order that, through the
mild method of instruction, they might attain the end for which they
were created, I have continually supplied Spaniards to settle those
islands, so that with their presence and defense, religion might be
established and its ministers protected. Moreover, wishing better to
regulate affairs and to render them more stable, I gave orders for
the establishment of the Audiencia and royal chancilleria in the city
of Manila, of the said Filipinas Islands. But now--having heard that
the said Audiencia is a heavy burden to a new and thinly-populated
land; and that besides, having few matters to settle, it incurs heavy
expenses for the maintenance of ministers and officers--I have decided
to order the abolishment of the said Audiencia and the resumption
of the same form and order of government that existed before the
establishment of the Audiencia. Considering how much and how well you,
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Sanctiago, have served
me, and considering the many good qualities united in your person,
I hereby elect and appoint you my governor and captain-general of the
said Filipinas Islands, hoping that you will continue to serve me on
all occasions with the love and faithfulness which my great trust in
you imposes upon your person. In such capacity, it is my will that
you enjoy and exercise the said offices in the cases and matters
connected with and depending upon them, so long as I desire; and in
the manner which the persons who have exercised them hitherto have
been accustomed, permitted, or obliged to do; and as other persons
who have served and are serving me in similar offices in these
islands and provinces of the Yndias do, may, or must do. It is my
desire that you administer justice for me, both civil and criminal,
in all the cities, towns, and places, settled or to be settled; you
shall also confer offices of justice, war, and others which exist
in the islands. Through this decree, or a copy of it, signed by a
notary, I order that the civic bodies, courts, regidors, knights,
esquires, officers, and good men of all cities, towns, and places of
the said Filipinas Islands, and the officers of my exchequer, and the
captains, inspectors, and other persons residing there, whatever be
their station, shall--after you, the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,
have taken the oath with the solemnity required by the occasion,
and according to the custom of the cabildo of the city of Manila,
of the Filipinas Islands--receive you and look upon you as my governor
and captain-general of the said islands, and freely allow you to enjoy
and exercise the said offices, and to carry out and execute my justice
in the said islands, whether it be through your agency or through the
lieutenants of my governor and captain-general. I think it advisable
that the offices of corregidor, alguazil, and others which you assign
in the said islands shall be declared vacant and removed whenever
you consider that my service and the execution of my justice demand
it. You are empowered to substitute others in their places; and to
hear, dismiss, and decide all the civil and criminal trials and suits
which may arise in the said islands and towns; you and your lieutenants
are empowered to deprive the said offices of the fees connected with
and pertaining to them, and to make any investigation in former suits,
and other matters connected with and pertaining to the said offices
which you and your lieutenants may consider necessary for my service,
the execution of my justice, and the settlement and government of the
said islands and communities. In order that you may enjoy and exercise
the said offices, and carry out and execute my justice as above stated,
all men shall submit to you and give and cause to be given to you all
the support and aid which you ask and need from them. All shall respect
and obey you, and carry out your orders and those of your lieutenants;
and they shall in no wise place or allow to be placed any obstacle
or opposition before you, since I hereby accept and consider you as
accepted in the capacity of the said offices, and in the enjoyment and
exercise of them. I give you power and authority to enjoy and exercise
them and to carry out and execute my justice as above stated. In case
those persons, or any of them, shall not accept you as holding the
said offices, I command whomsoever holds the reins of my justice in
the said islands, as soon as you, the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,
ask for them, to give and yield them up to you, and to exercise their
offices no longer--under pain of incurring the punishment incurred by
those who exercise royal and public offices without any authority; for
I hereby suspend and hold them suspended from the said offices. You,
your lieutenants, and other magistrates shall enforce, and cause
to be enforced, all fines and punishments which you may inflict,
which moneys are to be given and delivered to the officials of my
exchequer. Whenever you consider it fitting for my service and for
the execution of my justice for any of those persons, who are now or
may be in future in the said islands, to leave the same and not return
thither, but come before me instead, you shall send them in my name,
and cause them to depart in accordance with the ordinance to this
effect. You shall state to the persons whom you thus send the reasons
for your doing so; but, if it seems best to give the information
secretly, you shall give it enclosed and sealed, and then you shall
send me a similar explanation by another messenger, in order that I
may have knowledge of it. You are warned not to send any one in this
way unless urged by serious reasons. Both parties are to do nothing
contrary to this, under pain of losing my favor. Given in San Lorenzo,
August the ninth, one thousand five hundred and eighty-nine.
_I, The King_
I, Joan Ybarra, secretary of the king our lord, had it written by
his order.