Most potent Sir:
I, the bishop of the Philipinas, declare that to your Highness [1]
it is evident and well-known that the greater number of the natives in
these islands are yet to be converted, and that many of those who are
converted are without instruction, because they have no one to give
it; and because, even in the districts where there are ministers,
they are so few, and the natives so numerous, that they cannot give
the latter sufficient instruction. I have, moreover, been informed
that in a letter which the cabildo of this city of Manilla wrote to
your Highness last year there was a section in which they gave your
Highness information of the districts and localities in these islands
where instruction is provided, and of those where it is not, and of
the number of ministers who are necessary to furnish instruction to
the natives therein. This letter, with all the others which went in
the said year on the ship "Sancta Ana," was lost. For the relief of
your royal conscience and my own, and for the welfare of the said
natives, it is best that an order be given that those natives who are
converted shall be supplied with ministers to instruct and maintain
them in the Christian faith; for it is well known that, as soon as
ministers fail them, they return to their rites and idolatries--in
some districts, because they have lacked ministers for many years;
and, in others quite near here, because those religious who had them
in charge have abandoned them. This is well known to your Highness,
through the information that has been given your Highness many times
from this Audiencia. I am ready to furnish you sufficient information
in this regard, if your Highness be so inclined. It is necessary
also that ministers be furnished to the natives yet unconverted,
that they may teach them and look after their conversion, since all
of these Indians are under the dominion of your Highness, and pay
tribute, as if they were Christians and received instruction. Unless
ministers come hither from España, it is impossible to make good
these deficiencies, or to supply the great lack of instruction. In
order that this matter may be manifest to your Highness, and that you
may be pleased to command that a remedy be provided, according to the
great necessity for instruction in these islands, I ask, and, in order
that the said need may be more certainly evident to your Highness,
it is fitting, that the [above-mentioned] section of the said letter
be sent to your royal hands. I beg and supplicate your Highness that
you order the notary of the cabildo of this said city to draw up from
the book of the cabildo one, two, or more copies of the said section,
publicly and duly authenticated, in order to approach therewith your
royal person--for which, etc.
_The Bishop of the Philippinas_
(In Manilla, on the third day of the month of June in the year one
thousand five hundred and eighty-eight. The honorable president and
auditors of the royal Audiencia of these Philipinas Islands being in
public session, this petition was read; and after examination by the
said members of the Audiencia, they declared that the request of the
bishop should be granted.
_Juan de la Paraya_)
(In fulfilment of the above order, I, Simon Lopez, notary of the king,
our lord, and of the cabildo of this distinguished and ever loyal city
of Manilla, [2] have caused to be made, from the books and papers of
the cabildo which are in my possession, a copy of the relation which
is mentioned in the present memoir. It is as follows:)
_Relation of the natives now inhabiting these Western Islands--those
who are pacified, and from whom tribute is collected, both those who
are under control of his Majesty and those allotted to encomenderos;
also of the religious, and the instruction given by them, among the
natives; of the number of Spanish inhabitants, both in this city of
Manila and in the settlements outside of it; and of the ministers of
religion who are needed here_.
_Manilla_
This city of Manilla was founded in the island of Luzon, which
is very fertile and populous. Outside of it, within the circuit
of five leagues, are settled seven thousand five hundred Indians;
four thousand of these belong to his Majesty, and the rest, three
thousand five hundred, are allotted to four encomenderos. There are
eight Augustinian friars, in four residences, and in another house
are two Franciscans, one of whom is a lay brother, all of the rest
being priests. In order that sufficient instruction be furnished the
Indians, five more religious are needed.
This city has eighty citizens. It contains the cathedral and the
bishop's house, and the ecclesiastical dignitaries--the latter
consisting of an arch-deacon, a schoolmaster, two canons, thirteen
clerics who are priests, and a few candidates for holy orders.
The monastery of St. Augustine, which usually has seven or eight
religious, four priests, and three brothers and candidates for
holy orders.
The monastery of St. Francis, which usually has four priests, and
eleven or twelve other professed members and novices.
Of the Society of Jesus, the father superior, with two other fathers
and two brothers.
A royal hospital for Spaniards, and another (in the Franciscan
monastery) for the Indians.
There are, ordinarily, two hundred soldiers in this city, quartered
among the citizens and in the houses of the Indians near them. These
soldiers are very poor, and are sustained by alms, as are likewise the
inmates of the monasteries and hospitals--although four hundred pesos
are given every year from the treasury, besides two hundred fanégas
of rice, for the support of four Augustinian religious; and the royal
hospital possesses an encomienda worth six or seven hundred pesos.
Fifty Spaniards in the city have married Spanish women; and some of
the others, native Indian women. There are fifteen Spanish widows;
also eight or ten girls who are marriageable, and some others who
are very young.
The president and three auditors, one fiscal, one alguaçil-mayor,
two secretaries--one for the Audiencia, and the other for the
government--one bailiff, one keeper of the antechamber, two reporters,
one proctor of the exchequer, four attorneys and as many interpreters,
[3] four commissioners of examination, two alguaçils of the court,
one prison warden, the officials of the royal Audiencia, an officer
to serve executions for the same, and one notary.
The governing body of the city, with two alcaldes-in-ordinary,
an alguaçil-mayor, twelve regidors, bailiffs, six notaries public,
two attorneys, a depositary-general, a chancellor, and registrar,
a superintendent of his Majesty's works, two city watchmen, and one
for vagabonds.
There are thirty captains, only four of whom have companies in
this city.
All the above is confined to the said eighty citizens of this city,
leaving out of account the churches, hospitals, and monasteries. Inside
this city is the silk-market of the Sangley merchants, [4] with shops
to the number of one hundred and fifty, in which there are usually
about six hundred Sangleys--besides a hundred others who live on
the other side of the river opposite this city; these are married,
and many of them are Christians. In addition to these there are more
than three hundred others--fishermen, gardeners, hunters, weavers,
brickmakers, lime-burners, carpenters, and iron-workers--who live
outside the silk market, and without the city, upon the shores of the
sea and river. Within the silk market are many tailors, cobblers,
bakers, carpenters, candle-makers, confectioners, apothecaries,
painters, silversmiths, and those engaged in other occupations.
Every day there is held a public market of articles of food, such as
fowls, swine, ducks, game-birds, wild hogs, buffaloes, fish, bread,
and other provisions, and garden-produce, and firewood; there are
also many commodities from China which are sold through the streets.
Twenty merchantmen generally sail hither each year from China, each
one carrying at least a hundred men, who trade from November until
May--in those vessels coming hither, living here, and departing
to their own country, during these seven months. They bring hither
two hundred thousand pesos' worth of merchandise, only ten thousand
pesos being in food supplies--such as flour, sugar, biscuits, butter,
oranges, walnuts, chestnuts, pineapples, figs, plums, pomegranates,
pears, and other fruits, salt pork, and hams--and in such abundance
that the city and its environs are supported thereby during the whole
year, and the fleets and trading-vessels are provisioned therefrom;
they bring also many horses and cows, with which their land is well
supplied. For two years, merchantmen have come hither laden with goods
from Japon, Macaon, Cian [Siam], and other places, in order to trade
in this city. The people of those countries are consequently becoming
desirous of our friendship and trade, and many of the inhabitants of
those nations are being converted.
They carry to their own countries, from this land, gold, wax, cotton,
dye-woods, and small shells, which latter pass for money in their
country, being used besides for many things, whereby they are held
in much esteem. They bring hither silks--figured satins, black and
colored damasks, brocades and other fabrics--which are now very
commonly seen, a great quantity of white and black cotton cloth,
and the above-mentioned articles of food.
Outside of this city and the above-mentioned villages lying within
five leagues of it, there are seven well-populated provinces in
this same island of Luzon--namely, Panpanga, Pangasinan, Ylocos,
Cagayan, Camarines, La Laguna, and Bonbon y Balayan. These include
three Spanish settlements--namely, Camarines, Ylocos, and Cagayan,
and have the following number of tributarios [i.e., Indians paying
tribute] and encomiendas.
_The province of Panpanga_
The province of Panpanga has twenty-two thousand tributarios, of
whom seven thousand belong to his Majesty, and fifteen thousand
are apportioned among eleven encomiendas. There are eight houses
of the religious of St. Augustine, and one house of St. Francis, in
which are sixteen Augustinian priests and one Franciscan. In another
house is a Dominican, who is a coadjutor of the bishop. All together,
there are eighteen priests. In order that sufficient instruction be
given in this province, twenty-six more priests are needed; because,
at the very least, a thousand tributarios means four thousand people,
who require two religious--and in this ratio throughout the islands,
where, it is believed, there will be a great increase of people and
of their instruction. This province has an alcalde-mayor, and needs
two corregidors.
This province is fifteen leagues in circuit, and is situated, at the
very most, a like distance from this city. Between this province and
that of Pangasinan, which is adjacent to it, there are three thousand
Indians apportioned between two encomiendas; they are Çanbales, and
many of them are pacified. Living at a distance of twenty-five or
thirty leagues from this city are more than three thousand others of
this same race--brave mountaineers--still to be pacified; and we have
not the wherewithal to send twenty soldiers for that purpose. This
entire population is without instruction. It needs six ministers.
_The province of Pangassinan_
The province of Pangassinan has five thousand tributarios, pacified,
but without instruction. It is forty leagues' distance from this city,
by either land or sea. His Majesty possesses one thousand five hundred
of its tributarios, and the rest are held by five encomenderos. It
has one alcalde-mayor. Ten religious are necessary.
_The province of Ylocos_
Five leagues beyond Pangasinan, by either land or sea, begins the
province of Ylocos, which is inhabited for forty leagues inland. It has
twenty-seven thousand tributarios. Of these the king has six thousand,
and twenty-one thousand are in fourteen encomiendas. There are three
Augustinian religious in two houses or districts, and two ecclesiastics
in two others. Fifty others are needed. There is a considerable
population of mountaineers who recognize no master. This province
has an alcalde-mayor, and the [Spanish] population of a small town.
_The province of Cagayan_
The province of Cagayan has many rivers and bayous. On its principal
river, by name Taxo, the city of Nueva Segovia has been founded,
being situated two leagues inland. This city has forty citizens
who are encomenderos. It has one Augustinian monastery, containing
two priests; one alcalde-mayor, two alcaldes-in-ordinary, one
alguaçil-mayor, and six regidors, who constitute the cabildo;
and a royal hospital, which has for its income the tribute-money
collected here for his Majesty. There is a fort with seven large
pieces of artillery, and an equal number of small pieces--such as
small culverins and falcons--a number of muskets and arquebuses,
pikes, and coats-of-mail, which constitute the weapons and armor
used in this land. For its maintenance this fort has assigned to it
the tribute from one village, which amounts to about one hundred
pesos. It has its own governor. The forty citizens of this city
maintain in addition forty soldiers, who help to pacify, conquer,
and collect the tribute of the encomiendas. Ten of these citizens
are married, the remainder single. Twenty-six thousand Indians, of
whom seven thousand are pacified and pay tribute, are apportioned
to thirty-three of these citizens--some along the principal river
Taxo, and the remainder in the districts near the same. Along this
river and in its neighborhood his Majesty has one thousand seven
hundred tributarios, of whom a thousand are pacified and pay their
tribute. This river Taxo is very broad and deep, and large vessels
can ascend it even to the city. It has an excellent bay. It rises
fifty leagues inland, and is inhabited along its entire course by the
above-mentioned people. Its water is excellent, and the whole land is
quite fertile and healthful, and abounds in rice, swine, fowls, and
palm-wine; and there is much hunting of buffaloes, deer, wild hogs,
and birds. A great amount of wax, cotton, and gold is collected in
this district, in which articles the natives pay their tribute. Two
leagues opposite the bar of the river Taxo is the dense population of
the Babuyanes Islands. One island is an encomienda under the control
of his Majesty, and is said to contain one thousand men. The tribute
has not been collected, because the inhabitants, it is said, are not
pacified. The eight other islands are distributed among the seven
[other] citizens [of Nueva Segovia]. They number three thousand men,
more rather than less from all of whom their masters collect three
hundred tributes. All of these islands are distant three or four
leagues from one another. Sixty priests would be needed for the care
of these thirty thousand Indians, counting two priests to each thousand
tributarios. At the present time, sixteen priests are needed for those
who are pacified, as we have said. These priests are very important
for the pacification and permanent settlement of the natives, and for
[the spiritual needs of] the soldiers. This province of Cagayan lies
seventy leagues from the mainland of China and the coast cities of
that country. Seventy ministers are necessary, who, with the help and
protection of the soldiers, will gather the inhabitants together and
pacify them all, and seek out the rest of the people--who, as we are
informed, exist in great number as far as Cagayan.
_The province of La Laguna_
The province of La Laguna ["the Lake"], commences at the lake--which is
the body of water above this city of Manilla where the river of this
city rises, as well as others in the mountain hard by--six leagues
from this city. [5] It is about twenty leagues in circuit, and in
this territory, inhabited by eleven thousand Indian tributarios,
there are twelve religious houses--ten of Franciscans, with fifteen
priests and nine brothers; one of Augustinians, with three priests;
and, in the other house, one ecclesiastic. Two thousand seven hundred
of the inhabitants are his Majesty's, and two thousand four hundred
[6] are distributed among eight encomenderos. Of all the provinces
in these islands, this one has the most instruction. It needs three
more priests. It has one alcalde-mayor, and should have besides one
corregidor. Near the coast of the bay of this city is the province
of Bonbon y Balayan.
_The province of Bonbon y Balayan_
The province of Bonbon contains the people of the Lake, who amount
to four thousand men, belonging to the Mariscal. [7] It comprises
the villages of Batangas, Galbandayun, Calilaya, and the lowlands
of Balayan, which amount in all to nine thousand tributarios. His
Majesty has one thousand two hundred of them, and five encomenderos
seven thousand eight hundred. There are four religious houses--two of
Augustinians, in Bonbon and Batangas; and the other two of Franciscans,
in Balayan and Dayun. These houses contain four Augustinian priests,
and three Franciscan priests and two brothers. Ten more ministers
are necessary.
_Province of Camarines_
The province of Camarines lies fifty leagues from this city. In
it is located the city of Caçeres, with thirty citizens, who have
generally thirty soldiers quartered among them. Twenty of these
citizens are married, six of them to native women. The city has
its own cabildo and governing body; also a church with one vicar,
one Franciscan monastery with two priests and two brothers besides,
and one alcalde-mayor. It could have three more corregidorships.
This province has twenty thousand tributarios, of whom two thousand
five hundred are his Majesty's, and seventeen thousand five hundred
are distributed among twenty encomiendas.
There are ten Franciscan houses in this province, besides the convent
of the city, with eleven priests and eight brothers in all. There
are two more ecclesiastics in two districts, not counting the curate
of the city. Twenty more priests are necessary. The faith has had an
excellent opening in this province of Camarines, and the preaching
of the gospel has shed its rays far and wide therein. The natives
are especially inclined to the sacrament of Penitence; and it is a
thing to marvel at, to see the churches continually filled, especially
during Lent, with people asking confession.
The people of this province are simple and well disposed. Their
country is delightful in its location, being healthful and very
beautiful. The chase yields many wild hogs, deer, and buffaloes;
and there are many birds, such as hens, ducks of many varieties, the
smaller birds, and many others. There is a river where fish abound
in great plenty, especially swordfish, and many black shellfish,
the latter being gathered at the river. There is much fine scenery
in this province, and it contains many springs and rivers of fresh,
clear water, on account of which there is always abundance of excellent
water in this province. Near the boundaries of the province are two
volcanoes of great size and remarkable beauty--one of fire, and the
other of water. [8] According to the report of the natives who have
climbed up to the volcano of water, there are many royal eagles there,
besides much white honey and wax, and fruits of various kinds.
The entire population of this province is in encomiendas, separated
two or three leagues, or even a less distance, from one another;
and all these encomiendas are contained within thirty leagues.
Besides this island of Luzon, there are many other inhabited islands,
situated close to it, within a circuit of one hundred leagues. There
are two more Spanish colonies--one the city of Nonbre de Jesus,
in Çebu; and the other the town of Arevalo, [9] in Oton.
_Concerning Cubu_
The city of Cubu has thirty citizens, among whom are quartered twenty
soldiers. These citizens are all encomenderos, and all married to
either Spanish or Indian women. Their encomiendas are located among
the neighboring islands, there being thirty-two encomiendas with
eighteen thousand tributarios. Here his Majesty possesses some few
little hamlets, in which but little tribute is collected, and the
natives of the city--who by special privilege pay no tribute, because
from the very first they received the Spaniards in a friendly manner,
furnishing the camp with provisions, and showing themselves loyal
on many occasions. This city has a church, with one vicar; and one
Augustinian monastery, containing three or four religious. In all
those encomiendas there is no other instruction. Three more priests
are necessary.
This city has a municipal council and alcaldes; and has a fortress
provided with three or four large pieces of artillery, and some
small ones, such as falcons and small culverins; and having its own
governor. This fort is located opposite Burney, the Malucos and
Mindanaos, and other infidel islands and kingdoms. This city has
one alcalde-mayor.
_The town of Arevalo_
The town of Arevalo is situated on the island of Oton [or Panay],
and has twenty citizens; they are encomenderos, and have thirty
soldiers quartered among them. The town has a municipal council,
alcaldes-in-ordinary, and one alcalde-mayor. In the islands near this
settlement there are twenty-two thousand tributarios; three thousand
of these are his Majesty's, and nineteen thousand are distributed
among eighteen encomiendas. There is one church and one vicar, and
one monastery with two Augustinians. Outside of the town, in certain
of the encomiendas, are four more houses of the same order. The five
houses contain ten priests. Three or four more are needed.
All of these islands, as well as those of the settlement of Çubu,
abound in flesh of wild hogs and birds; and in all the above-mentioned
places many fowls and swine are raised. Tribute is paid in gold,
cloth, wax, cotton thread, rice, and fowls, at a valuation based on
the peso of Tipuzque.
In addition to these islands and settlements, there are other
islands, namely, Marinduque, Luban, Mindoro, Elen, Calamianes, with
two thousand five hundred tributarios, besides a much greater number
still unpacified. None of them has any instruction, except Mindoro,
where his Majesty has five hundred Indians who are instructed. One
ecclesiastic in the islands of Calamianes collects the tribute,
in the name of his Majesty, from two hundred more. We hear of many
more who are still unpacified. The rest are in two encomiendas. Six
ecclesiastics are necessary.
_Summary of the Above Relation_
According to what is set forth in this relation, it is therefore
evident that there are one hundred and forty-six thousand, seven
hundred pacified tributarios in this island of Luzon and the other
islands of this government. Of this number his Majesty has twenty-eight
thousand seven hundred. The religious number fifty-four Augustinian
priests, and thirty-eight descalced Franciscan friars--all these
for this city and the instruction of the natives--with an additional
number of some ten ecclesiastics, in curacies and vicariates outside
of this city, as has been related. One hundred and ninety more priests
are necessary for the instruction of the said natives, which number
will furnish sufficient instruction, counting for each thousand
tributarios two religious--priests, friars, or ecclesiastics. These
thousand tributarios amount to somewhat less than four thousand
people. It is quite certain that with adequate instruction, such
as is indicated in the foregoing, many people, not yet pacified,
will become so, and the number of tributarios in the above-named
provinces would be increased to two hundred thousand. For we have
heard that in the province of Cagayan there are many more people
besides those apportioned in encomiendas, as also in the islands of
[Ca]lamianes, Mindoro, Luban, and Elin, as well as in many other
islands included in the colonies of Oton and Çebu. In all of these
the Christian instruction and conversion would be extended through
the territories and provinces adjoining them, and the inhabitants
would be rendered obedient to his Majesty without the necessity of
arms and war; whereby God, our Lord, would be much pleased and these
kingdoms greatly extended. The fathers of the Society, comprising
but three priests and two brothers, reside in this city, where by
means of their teaching they produce the greatest results. They are
studying and learning the language of the natives and of the Chinese,
in order to work among them when more of their Society come hither--a
pressing necessity, for which your Majesty should provide.
(This relation, in its present sum and substance, was made by the
cabildo of this city, in order that it might be sent to Father
Alonso Sanchez, general agent for this city and these islands at
his Majesty's court. Made on the last of December, one thousand five
hundred and eighty-six.
This copy was made and transcribed, corrected, and collated with
another copy in my possession, among the papers of the cabildo in
Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of June, one thousand five
hundred and eighty-eight, Francisco de Zarate and Alonso Maldonado
being witnesses. Therefore, in testimony of the above, I, Simon
Lopez, notary of the king, our master, and of the cabildo of this
distinguished and ever loyal city of Manila, do affix hereunto my seal.
In testimony of the truth:
_Simon Lopez_, notary of the cabildo)
[The following matter is added by Salazar:] In addition to the towns
named in this relation, I feel in duty bound to give your Majesty some
general information concerning certain islands which are named in
it without making particular mention of them; and concerning others
which are not mentioned at all, which are very important, and have
a large population.
The town of Arevalo, of which mention is made above, was founded
in the island of Panay, which is one of the best islands of this
archipelago. This island is one hundred leagues in circuit, and is
well populated. The Augustinian friars had charge of it when the
relation was written; but they abandoned it about six months ago,
on account of having an insufficient number of friars for their houses.
Next to this island, at a league's distance, is the island of Ymaras,
which is apportioned among encomenderos. It is about twenty leagues in
circumference, and has six hundred tributarios. Instruction has never
been furnished it, although some Augustinian friars have visited it
at times.
Next this island of Ymaras, at three leagues' distance toward the
south, is situated the island called Negros. It is much larger
than Panay, but not so densely populated. It had two Augustinian
monasteries, but they were abandoned more than five years ago, and
the baptized Christians were left without instruction. The island is
without instruction now, and the baptized Christians have returned
to their idolatries.
The island of Bantayan is small and densely populated. It has more than
eight hundred tributarios, most of them Christians. The Augustinians
who had them in charge have abandoned them also, and they are now
without instruction. This island is twenty leagues from Zubu.
_The island of Leyte_
The island of Leyte is thirty leagues south of Cubu. It is one of the
most excellent islands of this bishopric, and produces much food. It
has sixteen or eighteen encomenderos, and fifteen or sixteen thousand
tributarios. It has never had, and has not now, any instruction.
_Island of Bohol_
The island of Bohol, situated near Çubu, is small and populated. It
has about six hundred tributarios.
The island of Mindanao is larger than that of Luzon, although it is
believed to be not so well populated. Much of it is apportioned among
Spaniards, and some of the natives pay tribute. For three years, the
preachers of Mahoma have come into the regions hereabout, coming from
Burney to Terrenate. We have heard that there are some Moros from Méca
among them. The law of Mahoma is preached publicly at the very river
of Mindanao, and mosques have been built and are being built. And it
is to the shame of Christianity there that it does not hasten to drive
these preachers from that region, since the inhabitants are vassals
of your Majesty, and have rendered your Majesty obedience for a long
time. The galleons sailing from India to Maluco know that island,
and obtain water and provisions there. Fifty leagues from this island
of Mindanao lies the island of Jolo, which has been given over to
encomenderos these many years. It is an island where many pearls are
found, and where elephants are reared. The inhabitants have a king of
their own, who is a relative of the monarch of Terrenate. Neither in
this island nor in that of Mindanao is there much Christian teaching;
nor can there ever be, unless the people are pacified.
The island of Ybabao, situated between this island of Luzon and that
of Cubu, is quite large, but does not contain many inhabitants. It
has a few encomenderos, is not yet entirely pacified, and has never
had any instruction. The island of Catanduanes is excellent and well
populated; it lies next to Camarines. There are four encomiendas
on it; it contains about three thousand tributarios, who up to the
present time have never had any Christian teaching. The island of
Marinduque, lying about three leagues from this island, is divided
into encomiendas. It has about eight hundred tributarios, who have
never been instructed in the faith. From this island to the strait
called Espiritu Sancto, many small islands are scatered--namely,
Masbate, Capul, Burias, Banton, Conblon, Simara, Sibuyan, the island
of Tablas, and many others--of which, because of their small size and
scanty population, no mention is made, although all are apportioned
into encomiendas and tribute is collected in them every year. They
have no Christian teaching, nor hope of any.
Eighteen or twenty leagues west of the island of Panay, is located an
exceeding fine and well-populated island, called Cuyo; it is very low
and small. Together with seven small islands near by, it contains one
thousand two hundred tributarios. Its inhabitants are rich, and the
principal men live very well. The people of Burney have intercourse
with this island, and we suspect that they preach here the law of
Mahoma, although not so publicly as in Mindanao. Many goats, pheasants,
and fowls of larger size than those of this region, are reared in
this island. Its encomendero goes thither each year in the months
of February and March for the purpose of collecting his tributes,
and, this done, returns to his home in the island of Panay. No other
communication is held with this island. It has no instruction now,
and has never had any.
Lying between the islands of Mindoro and Burney are a number of
islands called the Calamianes. They are scantily populated, and are
under his Majesty's control. Great quantities of wax are collected
therein. Their inhabitants pay tribute also to the people of Burney,
because the Spaniards do not trouble themselves about them further
than to collect the tribute, leaving them to whomsoever may come
from Burney to rob them. They have never had any Christian teaching,
nor is there hope of any speedily, because they are few in number
and widely scattered.
The island of Mindoro is situated twenty-five leagues southwest of this
city. From the nearest coast of this island [Luzón] the distance to
Mindoro is about six leagues. This island of Mindoro is sixty leagues
in circumference. It contains more than five thousand families, of whom
two thousand pay tribute and are pacified. The remainder, for lack
of men to subdue them, neglect to pay their tribute. Augustinian and
Franciscan friars have been in this district, but all have abandoned
it. There is at present one ecclesiastic there, who has the care of
about one thousand Christianized tributarios. All of the remainder
of the inhabitants are infidels, and without instruction.
Next to the island of Mindoro, and in the direction of this city, lies
the small island of Luban, with about five hundred tributarios. Its
inhabitants are well disposed, and have asked me many times for
Christian teaching; but, for lack of ministers to send to them,
they cannot have it.
This is the most trustworthy relation that your Majesty can have, in
order that your Majesty may see clearly the great need for ministers
who shall labor for the conversion of these infidels, and for the
preservation of those who have already received the faith, but are
falling back into their idolatrous practices, because they have been
abandoned by those who baptized them. Many of the islands named in
this relation I have visited personally, and concerning the others
I have been informed by those familiar with them; and, although it
is not possible to know the exact truth, I have tried to ascertain
it as nearly as I could. All of these islands are included in your
Majesty's kingdom; all pay tribute, and in sufficient quantities
to entitle them to receive instruction. Since your Majesty has in
your dominions so many and so excellent religious and ecclesiastics,
who, if your Majesty give the order, will prepare to come hither,
may your Majesty feel so strongly the ills of this land and its lack
of religious workers, that you will order to come hither as many as
are needed for the salvation of the great number of souls who are
perishing here for want of religious teaching. Your Majesty should
understand that, when we speak of such an island or town having so
many tributarios, we mean married men, or two single men who make one
whole tribute; so that when there are one thousand tributarios, it
follows that there must be two thousand persons. And it will happen
most frequently that the number will reach three or four thousand,
counting one or two children to each household. From the foregoing
your Majesty will realize clearly the countless number of souls under
your Majesty's charge, and who are waiting for your Majesty to provide
them with ministers of religion, in order that they may be drawn out
of their present darkness, and placed on the pathway of salvation. At
Manila, June twenty-fifth, 1585 [sic; should be 1588].