_Jesus_
In the document which I sent to your Lordship the other day was
contained the substance of the opinion which I and other theologians
of this bishopric hold concerning the collection [of tributes] from
the encomiendas in these islands. I then stated that all the matter
outlined therein would be sent later to your Lordship, proved in detail
by convincing arguments. This, however, I have not been able to do,
nor will it be possible as long as I must remain in this city; for day
and night I am beset by necessary business. For this reason, I would be
glad to be able to leave the city for a few days in order that I might
conclude this matter--to which, since it is to be brought before his
Majesty and his royal Council, persons who are to consider it with
care, it would seem but right that I should also give most careful
attention. And yet the truth of all that I say is so manifest that I
would be put to little trouble if I were compelled to prove it; but
considerable time would be necessary to put it in order. Having sent
the aforesaid opinion to your Lordship, I ceased to concern myself
about the matter, for it seemed to me that the document contained
(although in outline) all that the truth required, and all that I
had to say thereon. Accordingly, what remains for me to set down will
not be an addition to the aforesaid, but merely an effort to explain
it further, and to prove by arguments and authority what has already
been stated in brief.
The dean informed me this morning that your Lordship was awaiting my
opinion, and had suspended action until I should send it. I told him
that, as far as I was concerned, I had already given it--that is to
say, I had told your Lordship how I, as well as the other theologians,
and right-thinking persons of this bishopric, felt in this matter. It
is true, I did not send, as soon as I might, what remained to be said;
but that, after all, matters but little for the truth of the affair. As
I stated in the opinion which your Lordship has in your possession,
all that I might afterward say is contained therein. However, in
order that your Lordship may have a clearer statement of what I sent
in that document, and of all else that I have to say, it has seemed
expedient to send to your Lordship another paper, which accompanies
this letter; therein are contained twenty-five conclusions, in
which there is a summary of all that may be said in relation to the
encomenderos of these islands, concerning both the collection of the
tributes, and the obligations of the encomenderos towards the Indians
of their encomiendas. Further, I have stated therein the duties of
the governors in respect to their treatment of the Indians and the
collection of tributes. I thought it best to state those conclusions
in the same order as before, since I shall place them in that order
in proving them.
I fully realize that for those who are accustomed to collect tributes
with no other care for the Indians of their encomiendas than to
obtain their money and then leave them to bear their afflictions,
those conclusions must of necessity appear very severe; but, although
the truth always hurts those whom it chastises, it should not on
that account be suppressed--for, as St. Gregory says, one should not
be hindered by any obstacle whatever from uttering the truth. The
difficulty of this affair, moreover, does not consist in knowing what
the truth is (for that is perfectly evident); but in the fact that
unrighteous custom favors the powerful, and is hostile to those who,
although they can do little, are unwilling to submit to what those who
are in power choose to command. But the weak have given thanks to God,
who has moved the heart of our most Christian king to order that a
remedy be applied to so many and so great disorders and excesses, which
up to the present time have been so contrary to natural law, and proved
so great an impediment to religion and evangelical preaching, and so
harmful and prejudicial to the inhabitants of these islands. Indeed,
if we should hear, as God does, the complaints and outcries which
continually arise in the hearts of these people, we would clearly see
how much more cause there is for comforting them than for favoring
those who have inflicted upon them such injury. And yet, if we but
consider this carefully, we shall see that the Spaniards have done
themselves still greater harm, since they have deprived the Indians
merely of their property, but have incurred the condemnation of their
own souls.
I, my Lord, do not wish, nor do I pretend, that the encomenderos
should die of hunger, or that your Lordship should lack the means to
fulfil your obligations; but I do maintain that we should have such
care for what is right for the Spaniards as not to sicken more souls,
or cause the gospel to be received in this land not gladly, but by
force, and in such wise that it will not avail those who receive it.
The king, our lord, need only decree that this matter be left to the
conscience of those who govern here; for his Majesty cannot examine
it with his own eyes, and, consequently, the entire burden falls upon
your Lordship and upon those of us who have to decide what shall be
done. This affair is not one of so little risk as not to require a
most careful consideration; for to deprive the Spaniards of the right
of collecting the tributes from their encomiendas, when they might
just as well do so, is to deprive them of their very property, and
give them permission to collect from those who do not owe tribute,
and to free them from obligation to the Indians. Thus the entire
responsibility would fall upon those who might express their opinion;
consequently, it has been necessary, as I have already said, to
consider the matter most carefully. This I have done by consulting
persons who know and thoroughly understand the point at issue; and
by comparing therewith what I have seen and know from experience,
and from my knowledge of the law.
Such are the contents of the conclusions which I herewith send your
Lordship. I trust that you will be pleased to read them and will expect
from me no other opinion than the one therein contained; for I have,
and shall have, no other, and there is not a right-minded person in
the bishopric who dares maintain the contrary.
Two points should be especially noted among those which I here
set down. The one concerns the second conclusion wherein I make the
following statement: From the small encomiendas may be collected half
of the tributes even where there is no instruction, if the encomendero
fulfils his duties; and from those of average size a third part of
the same. Although there is, in strictness, no reason why one-half
should be collected from the small encomiendas and only a third part
from the others, yet after careful consideration, it has seemed to
us both equitable and reasonable that, in a very small encomienda,
the encomendero should collect from each inhabitant somewhat more
for his maintenance than if the inhabitants were numerous and thus
could provide, even when a less sum was levied, better support for
the encomendero.
The other matter for consideration relates to the statements in the
third and fourth conclusions concerning the restitution of what has
thus far been taken from the natives. In this matter some moderation
should be displayed, in view of the present needy condition of the
encomenderos. This subject, however, will be discussed later, and
the best possible arrangement will be made for assuring the peace
of consciences, which we who are here strive to do. It is, too, no
small grace to your Lordship, that this matter should be considered
in your time. I can assure your Lordship that there has been much
criticism concerning what past governors have permitted, and I do not
know how in the end they are to fare with God; for a governor, from
the very character of his office, is under obligation to prevent,
within his jurisdiction, evils which can be remedied. God will
know how to call to account those who have permitted these abuses,
and will free your Lordship from these difficulties before they have
entangled you. Your Lordship indeed owes much gratitude to God, for,
whether or not the encomenderos make any collection, nothing will be
cast into your purse without your experiencing much scruple at not
having remedied the evil. God knows the scruples and anguish which
the past has caused my soul, for, although it seems that I could have
done no more than to raise my voice in opposition, and write to his
Majesty, I am not sure that this will avail me with God, who is wont to
dispose of such matters quite otherwise than we imagine; therefore, by
giving my views upon this question, and by expressing to your Lordship
my sentiments. I feel myself exonerated in the sight of God and of
men. Let your Lordship reflect what it is meet to do, for my opinion
has been already given. May God, our Lord, so enlighten your Lordship
that in all things you may do what is right. Amen. From this, your
Lordship's house, today, Friday, the twenty-fifth of January, 1591.
_The Bishop of the Filipinas_