_Jesus_
I have read the papers which your Grace sent me, and although, at
first reading, the justification of this proceeding was not apparent,
I wished, on account of its being so serious a matter, to study at
leisure the doctors who have discussed this subject. It is important
for me to know if what I have heard is true--that the Zambales have,
upon various occasions, been molested by the Spaniards. To be sure
of this point is a matter of much importance, because if we have
injured or provoked them, first, by wrongs, or by exacting from them
tributes which they did not owe, such action on our part would ill
be justified. But, since I am not certain on this point, I first
find, according to the account which I have read and examined in the
papers which your Grace sent me, that they have been persuaded and
invited with offers of peace, and pardon for the injuries which have
been done; and that for this purpose, the governor, using mild and
conciliatory measures, sent religious with the military, to whom the
said Zambales promised to be peaceable. They made similar promises
to former governors, but have kept none of them; on the contrary they
have been bolder and more lawless than ever, robbing and killing many
persons on sea and on land. For these offenses I consider that all
the malefactors should be punished, and that means should be provided
to protect the highways for the benefit of the Tagalos, Panpangos,
and Ilocos, and of all others who pay tribute--since it is for this
purpose, together with the teaching they receive, that they pay their
tributes, and have placed themselves under his Majesty's protection and
favor. If this punishment cannot be accomplished without war, then I
consider war justifiable, for the reasons above stated. Without doubt
the authority of the king is the first condition to be established,
observing faithfully in all things the spirit of uprightness and
Christian moderation--which is justice, charity, and freedom for
the innocent, according to the saints, particularly St. Augustine
and St. Thomas, and other doctors of the church--seeking the common
weal. Since the cause for just war is the injury received, war
against them would be unjust, if they are innocent of the charges
against them. This is my opinion, in view of the aforesaid report,
in the absence of better judgment. Issued from this convent of San
Francisco at Manila, January twentieth, 1592.
_Fray Pedro Baptista_ [33]