_Relation of the proposition made by Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, knight
of the order of Santiago, and governor and captain-general in these
islands, for the king, our sovereign, to the fathers provincial of the
orders, and to other superiors, religious, and ecclesiastics at the
meeting that he held with them; and the response of the said fathers._
[52]
Since my arrival in this kingdom, whose government and defense the
king, our sovereign, was pleased to entrust to me--certainly a trust
greatly disproportionate to my poor strength--I have ever watched
over its conservation and perpetuation, as being a new land, in the
midst of infidel and idolatrous enemies; and I have even peopled the
greater part of it with them; and those so far away have a remedy
and aid from their hardships and dangers. In this, God has willed, by
His mercy, to plant His faith among and to enlighten those natives,
by preaching to them, through His ministers, His holy law, with
a zeal so fervid. And this is very different from other provinces
in these regions, where there is likewise a Christian faith, and
the name of church of the faithful; but their people are so remiss
that they content themselves with furthering only their trading and
commerce, caring only for their own individual aims and interests,
and peradventure, to no little renunciation of the name of Christian,
and causing it to be despised (as in Goa, Malaca, Macan, Maluco, and
other parts)--who, satisfied with their own individual interests and
business, do not, as here, regard the propagation of the holy gospel
as their principal purpose. The maintenance of this is costing so
many deaths of blessed fathers religious, who, in the planting of
this vine in the Lord, completed so much toil and affliction with
their lives, and who, in the conversion of souls, were laboring
and overcoming ail manner of danger and fatigue; so much blood and
lives of so many honorable Spaniards, who have so happily ended their
days in the furthering and building of this new church; and lastly,
the vast amount of wealth and royal patrimony which his Majesty has
expended, and is expending daily, in the prosecution of so glorious an
object. This is none other than the exaltation of the Catholic faith,
although it costs so much, as is known, that every year he expends
money from his own house, while the temporal gain derived here is so
small, and the expense and cost so great and excessive that, unless
he lift up his eyes and behold the eternal reward which will result
from this, he would have abandoned it already--and as, I believe, no
other monarch whatever would have been so zealous for the honor of God,
and the Catholic name, that he would not have abandoned it. Therefore
we must consider prudently, and fear lest (may God preserve him
to us for many years!) he might die, and be succeeded by one who,
because of nearer cares and labors, will grow tired, and not take
any care of the affairs of this state. Therefore, it is advisable
that, should this happen, he [a successor] take and find it in such
condition that, with the divine favor, it might, in its own strength,
furnish its own defense from the injuries inflicted by weather
and enemies; and, planning out its duty in the most secure manner,
take courage, so far as it might, to construct a solid and durable
fort. And although this care and vigilance have always been mine,
and I have been especially attentive, from the time of my arrival,
to look after the repair and fortification of this city, as being the
head and court of this kingdom, and where, in whatever attack and
emergency, the heart and principal strength of the defense of this
kingdom must be located; and for this and for the conservation and
perpetuation of this state, I am setting in force many activities
and provisions that I have ordained and made in anticipation, which
are to be seen and considered, conforming to and governing myself in
this by the express orders given me by his Majesty--who for it points
out to me, and advises me especially of certain hostile nations,
with whom I must proceed carefully and cautiously; nevertheless, in
the preparation and repairs of this city, the defense of the coasts
and seas, in order to resist the enemies that might invade them,
I would have displayed greater zeal and energy (both in these and in
other provisions), had not the fathers, superiors of the orders, and
other religious, in all or nearly all of them, opposed me by raising
scruples, both in private conversations and in their pulpits and
sermons, contradicting my authority and raising up obstacles. For
indeed, in the building of the wall and fort of this city, the
scruples that they have urged against me are well known--namely,
that this country had no need of the defenses; that the Indian, to
whom the country belongs, does not request them; and that the whole
thing results in labor and oppression for the Indians. If galleys are
built and equipped--even when by order of his Majesty, and for the
defense of these seas and rivers, it has been said with accusations
that for so poor a land this is a very heavy burden; and that these
and other preparations cannot be made, except in a known extremity,
and a manifest and evident danger. They have urged the same obstacle
against me in equipping the galleys with seamen from among the Indians;
and say that, in good conscience, this cannot be done; that although
such natives otherwise may be the perpetual slaves of their chiefs,
while here they are seamen for but three years, at the end of which
they are freed, this is not sufficient to justify it, as the work is
different, greater, and against natural right. They have even said
that, if there is no other means to have galleys, there should be none,
or that the king find the method, since, by virtue of the tribute that
he levies, the defense of the land belongs to him. If order is given
to gather the rice and other foods--so necessary a preparation in
case of any adverse event--or that tackle, lines, and other supplies
be made (for which the Indians are well paid for their work thereon),
neither can this be done, because the Indians are deprived of food,
and it is a great affliction. In short, there is contradiction and
opposition to everything, and moreover, called by a name so serious as
charge of conscience and salvation or condemnation of the soul. This,
at the very least, however necessary may be the things ordained,
renders lukewarm and greatly disheartens him who ordains them, and
continues to warn him; so that it has happened to me that, by finding
myself confused and with my hands almost tied by so many outcries
in the pulpits, so many declarations, and so many acclamations and
persuasions, I have been temporizing. And, little by little, this has
increased, with that which the troubles and dangers were demanding in
the procuring of repairs and remedies, until now when it is evident--by
reason of the information that I have received of Xaponese enemies,
which can have only a sure and certain foundation--that there will be
no need of announcing to them, in the manifest danger that threatens,
the arousing and quickening of the great and ardent desire that I
have always had, that I might succeed in seeing this state in some
condition of perfection, and in such repair and defense that it may
await, with courage and confidence (after the protection of God), any
attack whatever from surrounding enemies, who are known here--until,
with the lapse of time, and God opening His hand more generously,
and the city growing stronger with its power and forts, it may, not
contenting itself with only conserving that conquered in the name
of God and of its king, extend and enlarge itself, ever acquiring
greater dominion and authority. For this purpose, there is no surer
means than by repairs and preparations to have foreseen the danger
and extremity to which we might come, before such danger comes to
let fall its blow--since, if we await it until that time, the enemy
will give us no opportunity to take counsel or protect ourselves,
much less to make and prepare things, that, necessarily, to be of
use, should have been made and prepared much beforehand; for the
sword is worn many days in the belt, to but one that it proves its
worth by its aid. It would not suffice for me then, when the enemy
tried to kill me in the fort, to have my sword at home. Nor is it a
discreet state which, when expecting enemies, waits until they are
actually seen, before providing a fort, walls, artillery, galleys,
arms, and other preparations _[aparatos]_, which for that very reason
are called preparations: because they have to be made ready beforehand
_[aparejados]_ many days, and even years. Accordingly, not only should
the arms be ready, but the soldiers experienced in and accustomed to
them; the galley not only finished, but the rower skilful at the oar;
the food collected; and even the money, which is the sinew of war,
ready and assigned for the expenses of war--in order that the enemy,
who spies on all our actions, may see how well prepared and equipped
we are, and be restrained and intimidated. For many times battles are
fought as much by means of reputation as with forces, and since the
future danger, when it is assured, must be held as present, in order
to anticipate it and prepare for it, let us take counsel on the danger
expected as if we had it already at the doors of our houses. And with
the same diligence, let us set ourselves to the preparation, as if we
actually saw the enemy on that sea. I would wish to be judged as too
forearmed and assured, than, by negligence, over-confidence, and lack
of diligence to lose one palmo of land, or one iota of reputation. This
proposition, then, Fathers and Sirs, I have petitioned and prayed
from your Paternities and Graces, that we might assemble here,
since we all have equal share in the common safety, to discuss it;
and so that, in the provisions and preparations that must be made,
I may take action in everything with an easy conscience, which is the
part pertaining to your Paternities; so that, with light and clearness
on this point, I may prepare in time for the imminent danger that
threatens. For if we waited until the extreme point of necessity was
reached, innumerable difficulties would ensue, since what gradually,
and in space of time, can be done easily, and with few people, who are
well paid, must then be done at one stroke, with an infinite number
of conscripted and unpaid people, and with intolerable confusion and
hardship, besides many other annoyances, which are a great hindrance
and obstacle to both soul and body, and to defense from the enemy,
but which are avoided, if preparation be made beforehand.
[_Endorsed on the front leaf_: "For the religious."]