Sire:
From information received _de officio_ in the royal Audiencia of the
city of Manila, of the Philipinas Islands, and from the opinion of
the said Audiencia, it has been evident that, upon the arrival of
the bishop [Salazar] in the islands, all the houses were built of
wood and bamboo, and thatched with straw. As he saw that they were
burned frequently, and especially in the year eighty-three, when, in
but one fire, the city was nearly all destroyed including, with the
property of the citizens, the cathedral church, monastery, hospital,
fort, supplies, and artillery; seeing also the constant danger from
fire and from the natives of whom there was great fear, the said
bishop exerted himself to aid the citizens and soldiers with three
thousand pesos of his own and others' money, dividing this sum among
all of them, in order that they might rebuild their houses. By this
means he relieved their extreme necessity, and afterward endeavored
to persuade the governor and city to have the buildings constructed
of stone and roofed with tile; and although everyone placed decided
obstacles in the way, he set about this himself, and put great effort
into it, even to the seeking and opening of quarries, and procuring
the making of mortar and roof-tiles. Through his diligence, the result
was obtained and great increase followed therefrom to the said city,
for he built houses with the utmost toil and expense. Thereupon many
of the citizens began to do the same, and the city has been made
safe and fortified. Now, a fort, hospital, church, and monasteries
are being built--all of stone. In addition to the above, when he
went to those islands, he took altar-pieces, ornaments, and other
articles of value for the service of divine worship; and afterward
he bought there some buildings for the church, at an expense of
eight hundred ducados. As, for both this and the bishopric, there is
nothing left of the five hundred thousand maravedis paid him yearly
from your Majesty's royal exchequer--which sum, even, has not been
paid because there is no money there--he is deeply in debt and in
need. He beseeches your Majesty that, attentive to his great labors
in the service of our Lord and of your Majesty, and for the good of
that state, your Majesty will bestow upon him a sum equal to what he
has spent, in order that he may pay his debts; and that he be given
an order for it on the royal treasury of Mexico. The said Audiencia,
in its opinion cited above, declares that his debts amount to six
or seven thousand pesos; that his request seems to them very just;
and that any concession made to him will be a great aid to the
bishop. After deliberation in the council, it is our opinion that,
in consideration of the above, a concession of three thousand pesos,
the equivalent of three thousand six hundred ducados, might be made
the said bishop, as an aid in paying his debts: this sum to be given
him once from the tributes of unassigned Indians in those islands,
or from those that shall first become vacant. Your Majesty will act
herein as suits your pleasure. Madrid, April xii, 1590.
+
[_Endorsed_: "Council of the Indias. April 12, 1590. That the bishop
of the Philippinas be granted three thousand six hundred ducados
in unassigned tributes of those islands, as an aid in paying the
debts that he has contracted in the service of our Lord, and of your
Majesty, and the welfare of that state." "The opinion of the council
is approved, although the former concessions and assignments would be
preferable; for I suspect that in such favors irregularities are wont
to occur in the payment to the loss of the collectors." "A warrant
[for that sum] has been drawn up, in accordance with his Majesty's
commands."] [33]